Not a huge metal fan but I can see the appeal. Something about the sound is defiantly British but the clarity of of the guitar work and precise bass were worth a listen.
Really good yatch rock. Only issue is I don't own a yatch. The music isn't bad but for some reason I just don't love the sounds. It's missing that edge, the x factor that the ioenening track makes you think the rest of the album has.
This CD had a long residency in my sony Walkman years back. Between the album art work and the solidness of the entire album these tracks still appeal to my slacker sensibilities.
The two disc's certainly have there own feel to them. The gospel backing vocals elavate many tracks. A few "just okay" songs surrounded by a lot of songs that deserve repeat listening. Not perfect, but a lot of fun/ emotion from start to finish. My personal highlights are "hiding all away", "there she goes, my beautiful world" and "easy money".
I remeber buying this album in middle school. Almost 20 years later and it has stood the test of time. An older green day managed to capture teenage angst without sounding preachy or overly angsty themselves. Personal favorites include "Jesus of suburbia", "extraordinary girl", "st. Jimmy", "whatshername"
It's interesting listening to this album in 2023 and looking back to see that some of the top songs of 2004 were "bring em out" (ti) and "my band (d12). This album feels classic, as if you could have realsed is 6 years prior and have had it been both a revelation and be at home while realising it today woukd have snappes necks with it's refreshingly honest and clear direction. You can hear Kanye honing his signature production style while flexing his smarts on beats like"the foodc "real people" and "testify". Common is brilliant thoughout weather he is using his words carefully or twisting carefully linked rhymes. The lyrics paint vivid pictures or both trouble and triumph but the album as a whole feels positive.
A fine album and admittedly the very first Beatles album I have ever listened to (in 2023- thanks for the punk rock dad!). Ill need to listen to the others front to back to get a sense of where this falls in there catalogue but it's so easy to see how prolific and influential they were. There were moments where I truly believed they were gunna really rock out, and the psychedelic bits were nice.
Definition of a 90s album, the whole thing makes me feel like I'm walking around a large city at dusk. The story telling is very good. Personal Highlights were "a place called home", "the whore hustle and the hustlers whore", and "horses in my dreams"
Really cool album. Whole things kinda of plays as one long idea but it doesn't get boring. Listened on a plane. Incredible soundtrack to have moving through the clouds.
This album is a blast. Right from the jump it's abrasive wall of guitar and hammering drum machine set the tone. Weirdly danceable and oddly catchy at times the subject matter of the songs comes across as intruiging and strangely thoughtful (in a punk rock sense) instead of disgusting. Personal favorites were "big money", "bad houses", and "stinking drunk".
Their third album proves two things: dance pop can have true emotion, and that just because your first album nailed it doesn't mean you can't hit a different target square in the middle. Romy is captivating as always, and Jamie's production has continued to evolve, better capturing both bigger rock and more soulful electronic elements. What really strikes me is the continuity of the album. While this sometimes negates the element of surprise I think it shows a mastery many who try to make music in this space fail to achieve. Personal highlights are "say something loving", "violent noise", "performance".
A stunning album all the way through. The ambient stretches between musical swells works perfectly to tie all the tracks to gather and gives you a reflective rest before diving back in.
A prolific album and a lot of fun to listen to. Maybe a bit monotone at times but you have to appreciate the straight forward approach without it getting boring. This album will forever be a staple.
Oh man. This was a tough one. At its musical best (songs like "octopus") are fairly decent psychadelic rock tunes. At other times, Barrett sounds like he's auditioning for a okay beetles cover band. At its worst ("if it's in you") it's hard to not feel bad for an artists who clearly had talent but got lost along the way duento mental illness and probably overuse go psychadelic drugs. It feels as if the album could have been decent had it happened earlier in his carrer, but alas.
This album is packed with personality and subtle soul. From start to finish Joan's voice is both commanding and gentle. The music is country tinged but undoubtably mixed with some funky soul an even blues arrangements. I think this is one of those albums that demands repeat listening to fully engage in every second of excellence.
Took me a few songs to get into the album. Marianne does a really nice job using her limited vocal range to give the album a sort of folk hero sound. Musically the album is solid, but not spectacular. Good rock grooves throughout. Personal favorites were "guilt" and "what's the Hurry".
It's a battle of highs and lows. To call it a complete concept album stes it up for failure. To say that is sucks undermines the awesomeness that rears it's head on many of the tracks. Yes the flute belongs. Yes, some tracks sound like they are trying to be the best band in a medival tavern. No, it's not perfect. But undoubtedly this album shows a band willing to try. And even when it doesn't work out there are moments of pure rock brilliance (sometimes in the same 60 seconds - see "my god" but hey I guess that's prog for ya). I like the album. Not for it's entirety but for every moment I go back and turn the volume all the way up for. There are more than a few of those moments.
Great album. Equal parts relaxing and party ready. There a few tracks on the b side of things that feel a little repetitive but overall a great listen.
It's albums like this that made me want to do thus. What a strange album. A massive collage of sounds and styles. Very cool. Weird listenable. Moments reminded me of "my life in a bush of ghosts". Honestly wish it was longer.
Prince is a certified cool dude. I've never really given his work the time of day because I generally listen to other genres but I can't really think of a reason to not like most of this album. Its groovey it's funky, it's sexy. He uses his vocal range to push songs into entirely new areas from the one previous. The 80s music vibe doesn't date the music, just puts it into context. Can't say the whole thing was my cup of tea but it's hard to deny talent on songs like "dsmr", "lady cab dirver" and "international lover".
First time really listening to Sinatra. Dude is smooth but what I found surprisingly engaging was the music/arrangements on this album. His voice though soothing got a bit boring at times but the music was always light, tender and engaging.
Solid album. Enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Excellent album. Funky, groovy, fun, weird, and completely uninterested with being put in a box. I have been listening to this album for years and even after all this time the album still sounds interesting and unique. From the opening moments of the surreal chanting and horns of "I zimbra" to the banger "life during wartime" and finishing with the appltyl named "drugs" I can't think of a track on this album that doesn't hold it's own.
It's good but not great. The album definitely grew on me as I listened through it and I think there a few tracks that I will go back and listen to again. However the album lacks that definitive edge that woukd make it a great album.
I appreciate his punk rock approach to a lot of the tunes on this album. Short, sweet and to the point. His grasp of song writing and musical craftmanship is documented but there were still moments that surprised me. Though not quite my style a good listen. Foravorite tracks include "valentine day" and "momma miss America" (3.5/5.)
Plain and simple. This album fucks. I'm not the biggest fan of the vocalist though it's certainly not a turn off, just minor points off. Start to finish the album rocks at 11.
Didn't realize I knew half the album before I listened. As a non fan I was surprised by 1) how many songs I knew and 2) the strength of a lot of the songwriting throughout. Not really my type of music but I can't deny the man has talent and his delivery is more often then not on point. I would give it a higher rating but I just don't feel like it was powerful enough for repeat listening at some point down the road.
I can't tell if I love or just like this album. I. Enjoyed most of the songwriting, most of the music. I thought without Patrick on vocals maybe some of these songs wouldn't be as memorable. But at the same time I can't think of a single track I outright didn't Like. Very conflicting.
This album caught me by surprise. I knew the big songs (shout, ewtrtw) but "head over heals/broken" ended up being my favorite on the album. They did new wave well, however I think some moments here get a bit boring and feels very just bland. Those were just a few moments though and overall I can see why it has had such enormous staying power.
Deffinetly enjoyed the music more than the singing. Lyrics were good but there was just something about his delivery that wasn't as compelling as the music around him.
The album rocks hard and is a lot of fun to listen to but holy hell some of those lyrics are... Dated. I just felt the album as a whole felt repetitive, like there wasnt quite enough to fully distinguish a really good song from some pretty good songs.
A very cohesive album full of beautiful little poppy gems.
I grew up listening to this album as it was one of my Moms favorites. Having come across it now, I would adjust my view on the album as a whole. The harmonies and music are lovely throughout but it is missing that extra little "umph" to move it into the "excellent" catagory. But that should not complelety detract from the fact that CSN put this out as their FIRST album.
Im not even sure how I feel about this album. Certain moments make me wonder why this album is on the list and other moments (even whole songs) have me wondering how often I'll have them in rotation for the rest of my life. There is a polarity here that I think may be solely personal preference (expect those carnival noises) but I also part of what makes the album compelling? I guess I want an explanation as to how "knight-errand" and "pleasant Street" ended up on the same album. I begrudgingly give this album 3.75⭐ rating though the best parts deserve a minimum of 4.
Their album "number of the beast" was the first album I reviewed hereand I'm glad I got another chance to listen. Still not entirely my thing but this debut has a tiny bit of punk DNA in it which I think makes it more compelling. The tempo switches and joy in which the rythem section plays with is so much fun to listen to. Sure, stretches of songs serve as a guitar fingering/ exploration exercise at times but I can't help but love the moment when the band thinks to themselves "yeah, we fucking got this". Personal favorites include "prowler" and "transylvania".
I didn't think I was going to enjoy this album as much as I did. Part of me thinks the lead singer is utterly ridiculous but his style also works at the same time. Really enjoyed the music in this album, tons to sift through and will no doubt be rewarded with relistening several times.
Even if you take out the first and last tracks on this album it's still an incredible listen.
When I think about ELO, the glossy vocal arrangements seemingly from the future are the first thing to come to mind. I find myself being reminded that this was in fact a music product of the late 70s. Under that super shiney sheen are some almost.. Regular pop rock songs. I think that's why the band is at their best when they are being overly dramatic. Personal favorites include "Mr. Blue sky" and "standing in the rain". 3.5⭐
Bowies my piano man with most of the compositions for the first half of the album but the track "queen bitch" really made my ears perk up. There is an uneasiness/ hidden excitement throughout that keep me replaying bits and peices of many songs.
Deffinetly wish I had consumed drugs before listening but overall a very interesting record. I especially like the fact that Ravi comments and helps break down the core tenants of the style he is about to play. Very cool listen.
The gems really shine on this album I just wish I was more into this style of pop. I can understand why people like it so much but the album feels a bit soft to me. Sorry Lil Mike.
A silky smooth classic, just not quite my preferred style. I will attempt to make children to at least thee of these songs with the wife.
I like it more than I thought I would. There was this energy that kept me engaged throughout the entire album even with the straight forward arrangements. Maybe it's the honesty I liked so much. 3.5
It was fine. I don't know why I didn't like it more. By the time it finished there were certainly moments like "don't doubt yourself babe" that I really enjoyed but I found myself struggling to keep tuned in throughout the whole listening experience.
Ian it a time capsule? Is it a dedication album? Or perhaps a showcase of various artists and there flows from around the hip hop spectum. Missys flow combined with squeeky clean yet club dirty production is masterclass in how to be unique, approachable, and "I don't give a fuck, 'who shot in your corn flakes'" all at the same time. Personal preference in a few tracks keeps this from being a perfect album for me but dammit if it isn't close
Never once in my life I have I opened any kind of music streaming app/ record collection / car CD holder and played the RHCP. It's not that I don't like them, or that I think there music is bad. I enjoy every atetisy that makes up this band. In fact, some of them (flee for the Mars Volta) have helped create some of my favorite albums by other bands. Frusciante proves himself time and time again and Chad delivers just as often. And still, I don't love it. I love every aspect about every one of the band members, and that includes Anthony but when he lays dkwn his... Signature.. "funky"... Lyrical delivery I just can't seem to follow. My heart says that this album is both a 4/5 star rating (it falls off towards the final tracks) and a 2 beacuse I would never think to recommend it to anyone and I'm not sure that fair. I'll give it 4 for the good times( the music specifically on tracks like parallel universe and get on top. but deep down I guess they just don't do anything for me.
There is an imbalance that isn't rectified by the end of the album. In the scope of metal it lacks the musicality and creative heaviness of bands like SOAD. As far a rap is concerned they aren't even close to RATM (or their rythem section for that matter). I think the beauty of this bands debut album lies in 1) when you hear it and 2) appreciating that it is in fact band still getting there bearings on not just one, but at least 3 genres. It doesn't always work, and the sound becomes repetitive, but it would be a disservice to disregard the emotion in which Chester delivers his verses. Younger me in screaming every lyric to songs like "crawling" and "by myself" and older me is just happy that I had those moments.
Better that I expected.
I wanted to like this album more but I didn't some of the soft vocal choices on what were otherwise strong or dramatic songs. My highlight was probably so hard. However, some of the arrangements and sounds seemed so familiar and you can clearly see how this album would have influenced artists that created in that genre after.
This album has been in rotation since I was a kid and every time I listen to it I find myself discovering smoething new. Surfer Rosa is seriously fun and unintentionally timeless. Personal highlights include bine machine, river euphrates and vanos/I'm amazed. Go UMASS!