Oct 10 2023
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Definitely Maybe
Oasis
This is supposed to be one of their best? Boring, repetitive and uninspired.
2
Oct 11 2023
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Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
An enjoyable, if unfocused, electric blues dream but very much the average Hendrix fare. Carrying a lot of weight at the end of the album are Voodoo Child (Slight Return) and Hendrix’s cover of All Along The Watchtower - one of only a few covers to become the definitive version. Hearing Watchtower again was quite incredible, it really is a beast of a cover although it’s quality does stand in stark contrast to the rest of the album. I don’t think I’d listen to this again but I’m glad I’ve heard it.
3
Oct 12 2023
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Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
Ha! What an album. The drums coming in on Let’s Get It On after those three sexy wahs is so satisfying and perfectly sets the mood for the rest of the album.
It’s stunning in its lush arrangements and vocals, creating a dreamy space of all encompassing sensuality and tenderness. Beautiful.
4
Oct 13 2023
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Station To Station
David Bowie
I don’t want to waffle on too much about Station To Station other than to say it’s a delightful listen that doesn’t outstay its welcome. A perfect little album and a definite fast favourite.
5
Oct 14 2023
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At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
Wonderful voice and the band is on it but I really didn’t vibe with this album. It all started to sound the same and I’m sorry to say that I might be a heathen but I just could not finish it.
3
Oct 14 2023
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3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
Loved this album! Reminds me of warm summer nights. This is one I will love to revisit.
4
Oct 15 2023
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B-52's
The B-52's
Great album with a few stand outs - my favourite being Dance This Mess Around. What an awesome song that is. Cindy Wilson’s voice gives the B-52’s such a distinct flavour, it’s chronically underrated in general. Great album.
4
Oct 16 2023
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Parallel Lines
Blondie
To put it simply - I would put this album on a Best Albums of All Time list. It almost feels like a Best Of, there’s a bunch of big hitters on this and even the lesser known songs are so damn good.
Everyone knows the big hits so I’ll mention a few of my favourites that fly under the radar. Fade away and Radiate is such a weird and beautiful song. Blondie do those big bops with utter perfection but then you get these slower, touching and floaty gems. I love the little splashes of 60’s influences like the Shangri-Las butting up against New Wave. I Know But I Don’t Know, Will Anything Happen, Just Go Away, 11:59. Holy crap this album is incredible.
There’s a reason Debbie Harry is an absolute legend. I think she sometimes gets passed off as not being a good singer (hi babe) but I think her voice is kind of magical. I can’t imagine these songs without her.
5
Oct 17 2023
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Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
I only knew of the two hits on this album but the rest are great and often quite beautiful
Grace Slick’s voice is so spooky. It doesn’t seem to belong to any time period in particular, it’s like a cosmic ghost warbling through space and time. Whatever that means… it’s awesome. I have no idea who the male singer is but I really enjoyed his singing.
The rhythm of the album feels a little off kilter at times - I got whiplash between Somebody To Love and My Best Friend - however I think it maintains equilibrium after that. It’s a strange album but I think I might just love it.
4
Oct 18 2023
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On The Beach
Neil Young
Not a bad album but it’s definitely not my favourite of Neil Young’s. Well worth a listen but I wouldn’t want to revisit very often.
3
Oct 19 2023
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Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy
Apparently this was a a leaner production out of necessity and time pressure yet it feels grounded and fully realised. The sound is so evocative you can almost feel the summer heat coming off the city pavement. A stand out for me is By The Time I Get To Arizona - love the chorus in the background, feels very funk/soul-like. I’m not a huge hip hop listener but I do have a soft spot for 90’s hiphop. Makes me feel a little nostalgic but Apocalypse 91 still feels fresh and very alive and perhaps just as relevant today. I need to listen to the previous 3 now.
4
Oct 20 2023
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Walking Wounded
Everything But The Girl
Songs to listen to while walking down a rainy street thinking about your ex. God god this is a boring album. It feels like listening to slight variations of the same song.
2
Oct 21 2023
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Zombie
Fela Kuti
I was very excited to see this album come up. There are not many 12+minute songs I can stand to sit through let alone enjoy every second of but Zombie has me grooving through four of them! (Atleast on the reissue version I heard). There’s something so magnetic about Zombie. Learning of the aftermath is heartbreaking and makes this such an important album to absorb.
5
Oct 22 2023
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Take Me Apart
Kelela
It’s an alright album, not my usual sort of thing but I’m pretty open to anything if it’s good. Not sure I really needed to hear this one before I died though. I will say there are some riffs that remind me of the classic Australian band Bardot and for that I added another star hahaha
3
Oct 23 2023
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Goo
Sonic Youth
This is a strange one for me as I’ve always struggled to get into Sonic Youth despite loving many SY adjacent bands. I do love their album covers by Raymond Pettibon and Mike Kelley though. I’ve also loved the song Dirty Boots for a while but I wasn’t into this album at all. I could see how it could be great but it was a solid 3 for me until probably half way through when something clicked. Do I love this album? I think I may be a convert!
4
Oct 24 2023
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Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Well, it has Superstition… that’s about it. I’ve been through a Stevie Wonder stage and eventually realised he isn’t as good as people say he is. Even his hits are ordinary. By the way - worst concert I’ve ever been to. Meh!
2
Oct 25 2023
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Woodface
Crowded House
A killer first half, second half is not too shabby but stops it short of being a five star album. When Crowded House shine they are brighter than the sun.
4
Oct 26 2023
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Daydream Nation
Sonic Youth
This is my second Sonic Youth album in a week and I’m not that impressed. I came around to Goo in the end but Daydream Nation does not do it for me. I just don’t think I get Sonic Youth.
2
Oct 27 2023
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Countdown To Ecstasy
Steely Dan
Not mind blowing but definitely an enjoyable album!
3
Oct 28 2023
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The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
Mostly naff music, some ok moments like those handfuls of fuzz synth in A Spoonful. Wow, I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel here, huh? This freshly laid dog turd is unforgivably irritating as a whole. Oh and I hate this guy’s voice. Absolutely wretched.
1
Oct 29 2023
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xx
The xx
Do people actually get something out of this kind of thing? Maybe a good night’s sleep.
2
Oct 30 2023
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Calenture
The Triffids
There is something very compelling about this album. I’m not even sure how to arrange my thoughts on it. I hear a few dashes of The Smiths and Nick Cave in there and a distinct 80’s whiff at times but it is certainly intriguing. I’d never heard The Triffids before so I looked them up and was surprised to see they’re Australian, cool! Oh, they’re also from my home town, cooler! I may have to spend more time with this one. There’s something really special in there.
4
Oct 31 2023
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Catch A Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
A great album that keeps grooving through even the most hard hitting songs. There were no duds for me, just a wonderfully crafted, cohesive gem.
5
Nov 01 2023
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Heavy Weather
Weather Report
Not a great start, I was only on track two and waiting for it to be over. The first track seems to be the most popular but I think it sounds like an incredibly dorky 70’s talk show theme and I can’t help but cringe listening to it. However, things get a little more interesting once you slog your way past Birdland. My favourite was probably The Juggler - it sounded like something off of Kate Bush’s Never For Ever, particularly Jaco’s bass slides. Not something I would go out of my way to listen to but it was alright.
3
Nov 02 2023
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Oracular Spectacular
MGMT
I groaned when I saw this album pop up but then listening to it I remembered I was actually really into it a million years ago. I must have blocked that from memory because I do find this band pretty lame but this album is annoyingly good from start to finish. It does have that mid 00’s superficial sheen which I find offputting, however they sure do know how to make a catchy tune. I like the instrumentals especially in Of Birds And Monsters. Overall the album is earcatching, if puddle deep, but that’s ok!
4
Nov 03 2023
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Back to Basics
Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera does pop to perfection so this album does not disappoint on that front. It has that speakeasy flavour that I remember being popular at the time but it doesn’t date the album too badly. The length was daunting and I think it could have been much shorter but it flows well and keeps hitting highs all the way through.
4
Nov 04 2023
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Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
Outkast really are in a league (and on a planet) of their own. Dragging old school into the far off future, this is a long ass album that deserves every second to be heard and savoured. In my opinion this is their magnum opus, an incredible feat considering the quality of their previous records.
5
Nov 05 2023
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Yeezus
Kanye West
The lyrics and rapping are dumb as hell, Bound 2 is ok mainly due to the sampling but guess what - fuck this nazi asshole.
1
Nov 06 2023
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The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground
This album gets interesting when Nico isn’t bogging along in her god awful drone. By interesting I mean somewhat endurable.
2
Nov 07 2023
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(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
I’m not sure how Oasis went from the derpy shite of their first album to the Britpop Beatles capturing lightning in a bottle. I’m convinced they met the devil at the crossroads for a one album deal.
5
Nov 08 2023
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Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
Wow this one starts off with a kick. Woke me up and got me going! Ray Charles’ take on these Country & Western classics is vibrant, luxuriant and warm. This is life affirming stuff.
5
Nov 09 2023
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Music
Madonna
I wish the whole album was in the same vein as the two great songs “Music” and “Don’t Tell Me”, I think that would have been awesome. Unfortunately the rest of the album is mostly low energy dance tunes mired in an autotune muck. Mostly uninteresting save for a couple of high notes.
3
Nov 10 2023
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Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Rollicking bass and organ with jazzy horns, the perfect friend to David Clayton-Thomas’ incredible voice. This is my favourite iteration of BS&T and this one is a perfect album, simple as that.
5
Nov 11 2023
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The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
The Smiths at their most mopesome, winsome and best. Funny and terribly romantic as always. I Know It’s Over is a stroke of lyrical perfection, I love the line “Mother I can feel the soil falling over my head”. Really enjoyed this album as a whole, Johnny Marr in particular is incredible, his guitar work injects such magic into these songs.
5
Nov 12 2023
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Inspiration Information
Shuggie Otis
It's alright, it's got groove but not much bite. Not especially impactful.
3
Nov 13 2023
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Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
I did enjoy hearing this one for the first time, some of the songs are a very strange and interesting but I wouldn’t choose to listen again. I think I prefer Radiohead a little rockier and less moany like on OK Computer.
3
Nov 14 2023
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There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
Soulful and tight. Nice short album that has a lot to say in the most beautiful way.
4
Nov 15 2023
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Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
Simply mellifluous! I think I love jazz.
5
Nov 16 2023
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High Violet
The National
Drab, sad and most offensively of all - deathly dull.
2
Nov 17 2023
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Cupid & Psyche 85
Scritti Politti
This sounds like all of those forgettable songs you hear in mediocre 80’s movies.
2
Nov 18 2023
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OK Computer
Radiohead
I first heard this when I was a young 17 year old girl in a band with a bunch of 30 something year old dudes. The guy who taught me to play guitar handed me this album and Ween’s GodWeenSatan. I wasn’t ready for Ween quite yet but I loved OK Computer. This album is so electric. Much better than their moany electronic stuff.
4
Nov 19 2023
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Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
The only Byrds song I’ve ever liked was Eight Miles High. That has not changed after listening to this album.
3
Nov 20 2023
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Mama Said Knock You Out
LL Cool J
This one’s got some nice funky samples but these lyrics… that one line, you know the one. I definitely enjoyed the beats on this more than the rapping, you can feel this teetering on the line between eras. It’s an ok listen but way too long. Title track is still banging though.
3
Nov 22 2023
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Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
I closed my eyes and thought “hell yes!” when this popped up. One of my favourite Prince albums. It begins with some of Prince’s greatest lyrics in Sign o’ The Times and ends on the highest of notes with the incredible “Adore”. The album is beautiful, sweet, sexy, wild and funky. Most of all it’s great!
Honourable mention to the popping Housequake. I’ll give these low score reviewers a line for the road - shut up already, damn!
5
Nov 23 2023
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Smokers Delight
Nightmares On Wax
Nice instrumental album to have in the background, does remind me of walking into a trendy cafe though. I lost interest in the back half.
3
Nov 24 2023
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Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
Not sure about this one. It’s listenable but not my thing. The singer can be a bit annoying.
3
Nov 25 2023
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1999
Prince
Prince is such a weirdo and I love him so much. Was he really worried about having enough class for a gal who carries around used Trojans in her pocket? Anyway, this is a banger that I initially wrote off but listening to the whole thing has made me realise just how good it is. I think All The Critics Love U In New York is deeply underappreciated!
5
Nov 26 2023
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Under Construction
Missy Elliott
Holy shit, this is good. Missy is an all time great and no, not all time great “female rapper”. She’s here to remind you just who she is - she’s funny, sexy, biting and brilliant. Under Construction maintains the fire right to the end.
5
Nov 27 2023
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Back In Black
AC/DC
I’m always amazed that AC/DC managed to come back with one of the greatest rock albums of all time after losing their original frontman (an absolute legend). How is it that even possible!? This is pure rock at its best. Sometimes you just need something to blow out the cobwebs. My favourite is the closer - Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution. I love it’s slow start with the guitar and the drums cave-manning their way on in. This album is fun as fuck.
5
Nov 28 2023
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Abbey Road
Beatles
I hate to just follow the crowd with a fiver, there are songs on this album I just go huh? Outside of his genius Paul has a penchant for some real lame, dorky songs (Her Majesty, Maxwell’s Silver Hammer) that I wish I could remove from certain Beatles albums. Yet, as a whole this album is an absolute triumph. There are so many massive songs on this album, two of the most beautiful written by George Harrison, John’s I Want You is incredible and the Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End medley is immensely stirring. Yeah, this is really up there.
5
Nov 29 2023
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Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
Decidedly uncool, it feels too self conscious and try hard. There are parts that threaten to tickle my fancy but ultimately I just feel bleh about this album. Someone needs to tell this bloke he ain’t Prince.
2
Nov 30 2023
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Devotional Songs
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
This is a wonderful album, every song had me tuned in. I feel sorry for people who can’t appreciate this kind of thing. I’ve found that listening to something outside of your own language lets you connect on a deeper level to the music. I loved listening to this and will be back for more!
5
Dec 01 2023
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Fever Ray
Fever Ray
I listened to this album a lot a few years ago. I love the simplicity of both the lyrics and the music, they somehow combine to touch on something very deep.
4
Dec 02 2023
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British Steel
Judas Priest
You can hear all the little seeds of future bands being sewn in this album. I can’t not think of Beavis and Butthead when I hear “Breaking The Law” though heh heh heh.
4
Dec 03 2023
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Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
Ugh! Spacey shit but boring.
2
Dec 04 2023
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...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
Pleasantly surprised by how good this album is. The Dandy Warhols were never on my radar and I’d never have listened to them on my own accord. This is why I love this project!
4
Dec 05 2023
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Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
I’m not doing this project to talk on the cultural context and significance of an album, that’s been covered. I review these purely through my response to them. I expected this to be cooler than it is. Straight Outta Compton sounds kind of lame sometimes and it’s incredibly homophobic and gross about women. So uh, fuck that. Some nice samples though eg Express Yourself.
3
Dec 06 2023
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Scott 4
Scott Walker
Painfully dull.
2
Dec 07 2023
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Microshift
Hookworms
Some of the selections on this list are positively mind boggling. Pedestrian shite!
2
Dec 08 2023
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Kid A
Radiohead
I think it’s more of a 3.5 but there were quite a few times I thought this is it!?The first half is actually enraging. I flip flopped on it but eventually relaxed into the second half (I was watering the garden so maybe I was just in a good mood by that stage.) Ultimately I think this album is just a tad overrated.
3
Dec 09 2023
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Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
Really nice hooks and melodies. I enjoyed it!
4
Dec 10 2023
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Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Aphex Twin
I feel I’m wasting hours of my life listening to god awful albums like this one. NEXT!
1
Dec 11 2023
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Honky Tonk Heroes
Waylon Jennings
I love me some Waylon. This one’s a little low key but lovely. I hope there’s some more WJ waiting for me on this list!
4
Dec 12 2023
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Dookie
Green Day
I was never a fan of Green Day, I find this style mediocre (well more like kinda shit, to be frank). It really does nothing for me. Longview and When I Come Around are ok. Atleast I can draw a line under that and know I’m not missing anything interesting.
2
Dec 13 2023
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evermore
Taylor Swift
Listenable but soulless. It’s all so perfectly packaged it makes me nauseous.
3
Dec 14 2023
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My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
1
Dec 15 2023
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Ananda Shankar
Ananda Shankar
Nothing really grabbed me here, in fact it got more and more annoying with each passing track.
2
Dec 16 2023
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The World is a Ghetto
War
Oh how I love War! Just pour ‘em right in my ears. War have that rare ability to make sounds that go right to your human core and this album is pure War.
5
Dec 17 2023
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People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
Nice samples, unremarkable otherwise.
3
Dec 18 2023
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I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
Sensitive and touching… and that beautiful interpretation of a Prince masterpiece, stunning. I do really regret not fully appreciating her greatness while she was here.
4
Dec 19 2023
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Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
Christ, whatever.
2