A vibrant mix of soulful ballads and classic funk bangers. Despite some parts not aging as well as others, the diverse vocal styles and insane synthwork bring this album to another level.
Fav Tracks: Shining Star, That's the Way of the World, Happy Feelin', Yearnin' Learnin', Reasons
Least Fav Track: All About Love (First Impression)
8.5/10
Grunge that I can't help but feel is mostly meant to be blasted in arenas. They put a lot of effort into sounding big and atmospheric, but the simple instrumentals and half-mumbling schtick the vocalist pulls throughout made me lose interest after a while.
Fav Tracks: Alive, Black
Least Fav Track: Deep
This album is eccentric in the best way possible. While some ideas didn't pan out or age as well, they're overshadowed by some really inventive (and catchy) pop music. The last stretch of the album -- from Synchronicity II onward -- is just excellent.
Fav Tracks: Synchronicity I, O My God, Miss Gradenko, Synchronicity II, Every Breath You Take, King of Pain, Wrapped Around Your Finger
Least Fav Track: Walking in Your Footsteps
9/10
An album I'm actually familiar with before reviewing! Endearingly cheesy, with some legitimately strong hooks and all-time classics. The production on this album sounds really good for its time.
Fav Tracks: Turn to Stone, Sweet Talkin' Woman, Starlight, Believe Me Now, Steppin' Out, Mr. Blue Sky, Wild West Hero
Least Fav Track: Jungle
7/10
A high-energy live performance for sure. The genre might very much be a product of its time, but this live album pulled it off well.
Fav Tracks: Money, Great Balls of Fire, Good Golly Miss Molly, Long Tall Sally
Least Fav Track: Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
6/10
It goes without saying at this point, but the guitar work on this album is revolutionary -- so much so that many bands today still look to this album for inspiration 55 years later.
Fav. Tracks: Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland), Voodoo Chile, Come On (Let the Good Times Roll), Burning of the Midnight Lamp, 1983...(A Merman I Should Turn to Be), All Along the Watchtower, Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Least Fav Track: Little Miss Strange
10/10
An album that's extremely tight and in your face -- for better or for worse. Lyrically there isn't much nuance to pull from each track, and the politics behind them have aged into a mixed bag. On one hand you get apocalyptic anti-Afghan War sentiments (Paid Vacation), but on the other hand you get oddly right-leaning rants about taxes being the source of all your problems (Red Tape).
Fav Tracks: Beverly Hills, Operation, Back Against the Wall, World up My Ass, Paid Vacation, What's Your Problem
Least Fav Track: Red Tape
6/10
A very enjoyable listen. The drums and guitar sound fantastic throughout (especially in YYZ and The Camera Eye), and the vocals and songwriting lean into dystopia in a cheesy yet very endearing way.
Fav Tracks: Red Barchetta, YYZ, Limelight, The Camera Eye, Vital Signs
Least Fav Track: Witch Hunt
8/10
There's a crazy raw energy about this album, taking inspiration from Woodstock acts and dialing it up to 100. Iggy Pop gives an electrifying performance. Its production is also very impressive for its time.
Fav Tracks: Down on the Street, Loose, 1970, Fun House
Least Fav Track: T.V. Eye
8.5/10
There are some cool moments, but this album tends to meander and show its age. It veers dangerously close to easy listening for me.
Fav Tracks: A Remark You Made, Teen Town, Havona
Least Fav Track: Rumba Mama
5/10
Young spends much of this album yearning for love and fulfilling relationships amid a life of fame, success, and empty pleasure. And it makes for pretty damn good music.
Fav Tracks: Out on the Weekend, Harvest, A Man Needs a Maid, Heart of Gold, Old Man, Alabama, Words (Between the Lines of Age)
Least Fav Track: There's a World
10/10
A rap masterpiece, easily one of the best to come out of the '90s. The chemistry of everyone on this is insane.
Fav Tracks: Shame on a N****, Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber, Can It Be All So Simple/Intermission, Da Mystery of Chessboxin', Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin ta F' Wit, C.R.E.A.M., Protect Ya Neck, Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II
Least Fav Track: N/A
10/10
This album is ugly -- in a good way. The raw production and unhinged vocals from Nick Cave carry an energy that reminds me of modern acts like Tropical Fuck Storm. POW POW POW POW POW!
Fav Tracks: She's Hit, Dead Joe (both versions), The Dim Locator, Several Sins, Big-Jesus-Trash-Can, Junkyard
Least Fav Track: Kiss Me Black
7/10
Some interesting musical ideas obscured by a decent chunk of the instrumental passages overstaying their welcome. The passages within the two parts of Tubular Bells are also tonally disjointed, which can make for jarring transitions (see the outro of Part II). A bizarre listening experience overall.
Fav Tracks/Least Fav Track N/A, it's basically 1 long track... I liked Part I more than Part II, for what it's worth.
5/10
I like some songs on this, but the instrumentation gets a bit repetitive at times, and a lot of songs follow the same structural formula. This would probably be more enjoyable with some songs cut from the tracklist. It could also use a better album cover...
Fav Tracks: Papa bonheur, Desespoir, Obrigado
Least Fav Track: Porte-monnaie
5/10
An all-time classic in atmospheric electronic music. The production is excellent, and the music itself never fails to put you in a good mood.
Fav Tracks: La femme d'argent, Sexy Boy, All I Need, Talisman, Remember, You Make It Easy, Le voyage de Penelope
Least Fav Track: New Star in the Sky
9/10
