Chock full of radio friendly hits, most of which I have listened to before and know intimately. Some lesser known standouts: porcelain, get on top. Not a bad track in this bunch.
Halo of ashes sounds like buckley meets bends era radiohead. Love sworn and broken- alt rock, grunge pacabels canon. Also really like witness. Dime western is apocalyptic. Wasnt expecting a gospel cover for a finisher
Before listening- I never got the appeal of Elvis costello. First track I’m thinking it’s power pop- is that why he is loved? So far it feels like a vanilla new wave power pop. Pump it up annoys me too. I did like lipstick vogue and I really liked night rally- the latter was an affront to the rise of fascism that could be sung today with just as much immediacy. That was a perfect closer- why did they change it for America? Lame Americans .
The Good's Gone is amazing. The covers are reminiscent of more punky beatles early covers. It’s not true is great as well- bass sound is amazing. Entwhistle is underrated. The Ox is a true highlight
Earworm worthy pop with a vocalist that has such a command over her own tone. Incredible singer with the obvious fire/flair that is a big part of the success of this album. Outside of the singles (which do seem a bit over produced), I haven't really listened to the whole album before. Singles are great especially Someone Like You, but the lesser known highlights are Take it all, I'll Be Waiting (she is putting on her best Amy Winehouse shoes on this one), Turning Tables, and the outro of One and Only. Also why did I not know she covered the Cure's Lovesong? It's a great cover!
Surprisingly good album overall - just wish the singles were not overproduced and overplayed. However, giving this time a space to breathe, I think that this will only age gracefully.
Heralded as one of their best - I still can't get into aja as a whole but upon my like 3rd listen, it is better than I remembered it. Black Cow, Aja, Peg and Josie are sleek and great balanced production. I will put this album on if I want to get work done but I dont see myself returning to it all the time. I get why its loved and I do like it - its just not an everyday album for me.
I have listened to Traffic but not really anything from this album. Steve Winwood is a force! However, not loving everything on this album. First standout for me was "Don't Be Sad". I really like the organ in "Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring". "Feelin' Alright" is a great song, I cant believe I have not heard it before (at least not intentionally). The following song sounds like a radio ad from the 70s, fidelity and quality is a lot lower-piano was nice in it I guess but it is a definite skip. I also didnt really love 40,000 headmen but I did like the following track Cryin To Be Heard, which sounds more like a tight jam session (which I really liked with organ and sax and some great drum performances). Medicated Goo is a jam too. I feel that the highlights on this are great but doesnt do the band enough justice. Lots of skips on this one though - I prefer some of the other Traffic albums. Maybe this was more historically significant and the history impacted the overall appreciation of the album.
Amazing album. One of my favorites. Chamber pop with gorgeous harmonies. Your protector, blue ridge mountains, tiger mountain, etc are all amazing. I always associate the EP as part of this album too. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could
While this may not be a 5 star record for everyone, this record is the culmination of all the work that arcade fire put in with their previous LPs. It somehow reaches the climaxes of the first album, further explores production as an instrument (like neon bible started to do) and brings about somewhat universal themes in a tidy concept album. Loss of youth, loss of identity, anger and resentment of the lives we are living in the endless sprawl where we struggle to find our happiness and a place we would call home. For me this is 5 stars
Production on this is killer - It was a Good Day is a certified classic. When will they Shoot comes out swinging. Its hard to remember that this is the same Ice Cube that now does family movies. There are some weaker tracks here but overall it is a great classic
Great album albeit seems a bit short. Really tight songs on this - Lodi is a personal favorite.
Honestly, this album isnt even my favorite Beatles album but I can not fault it. Production on this thing is masterful. What a good concept album. While I dont listen to it often, when I do it is a treat. Favorite tracks: Lovely Rita, Day in the Life, She's Leaving Home, Within You, Without You and St. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (both).
Never heard of this artist before - seems like it was trying to encapsulate the bossa movement of the 60s that getz-gilberto, jobin, etc were popularizing in the Americas. Overall, enjoyed this breezy album. Liked August Day song and a few others but wouldnt have this as a required listening.
Iconic and groundbreaking at the time, hip hop wouldn’t be the same with out this record. They are so direct and energetic moving toward an album concept rather than singles. I’d give this 3.5 if I could. A few tracks didn’t age that well but the ones that did are barnstormers
Its incredible to think this is the same band that got big with You Really Got Me. I may be biased because I love this album but the songwriting on this is really strong and its one of those albums that really has its own identity. Not a huge fan of Phenominal Cat but Side 1 is incredible.
Never heard this before but it is very reminiscent of late 90s early 2000s output by Dido, Cranberries, etc. I can easily see this paving the way for artists in the like Phoebe Bridgers. Key tracks: Stolen Car, Sweetest Decline, Central Reservation (both versions), Stars All Seem to Weep. The highs here are great but it does seem a bit bloated.
Classic album that brought Metal to the Mainstream once again with tight catchy riffs, sleek production, and easily quotable lyrics that are just generic enough that they are relatable to all.
The singles on this album are everywhere - I mean Enter Sandman has 1.2 Billion Streams on Spotify alone. That's insane. While this doesn't scratch the same itches that Master of Puppets or Ride the Lightning does, it does usher in a new era of rock music and created an entire industry of Adult Contemporary Rock that still dominates the jock DJs on FM radio.
I know that this sounds negative but I really do like this album, its just been played to death. Nothing Else Matters is really just Metallica's - Wish You Were Here moment but it at least it somehow still is an enjoyable listen even though its also been played to death.
Best Tracks for me: Where Ever I may roam, The Unforgiven, etc.
Not my favorite Spacemen 3 album - Lord Can You Hear Me is a clear standout and future precursor for Spiritualized. Also liked Revolution and So Hot.
First song Natalie's Party is a great powerpop gem, second song comedy has really nice production and will probably be a grower. The third song Pull Together sounds like a Oasis knockoff track (not in a good way) I also liked Lend Some Dough, Captain's Table and Streets of Kenny. Cornish Town sounds like a British R.E.M track and I am here for it. Overall, a bit uneven but a very enjoyable listen. I would give it a 3.5
Never listened to this album before- there are some good songs outside of the radio singles. However, feels like I am missing the trick with why this is supposedly so good. Battleship scratchtacula was a nice surprise, but not loving the whole album.
Love this album. It’s moody, dark, catchy and it’s still fresh.
Not my favorite- the lean into country is the template for todays pop country. Outside of the singles and nothing was delivered I don’t love the rest. Easy to listen to though
I havent heard this before but do like the Bill Evans that I have listened to. This was an enjoyable listen of a very tight group.
This album is amazing. If Air just would have released La femme d'argent alone and did nothing else - they would still be remembered. Instead, we were blessed with the rest of this album. Highlights include La femme, All I Need, Kelly Watch the Stars, Ce matin-la and Le voyage de Penelope.
Overall a great listen, good production. Some great key tracks - for some reason I have never listened to this before. I know all the singles and basically stopped listening to Pink Floyd after Wish You Were Here (album). Some tracks that I ended up liking outside the singles that I knew are "Run Like Hell" and "Young Lust". I am in two minds of this album- I feel like it is a little bloated but at the same time, not sure I what I would cut as the production is very good. Will listen to this again but its not my favorite Pink Floyd album
This album has some gems - country bum-punk. Sounds more contemporary than it is, probably was cutting edge at the time. While some stuff on this is excellent - overall it isnt as tight or forward thinking as folks make it out to be.
I remember this band seemingly coming out of nowhere with their singles and the amount of hype was palpable. People were comparing them to Daft Punk and when the album dropped, no one could contest that this seemed like the natural evolution of Daft Punk's music. With more metal influences, this album's ethos was much darker and was an instant success. Overall there are just a few tracks that I wouldnt consider perfect but I would give this 4.5 stars if I could. An amazing record
Temptations first foray into the funk-psychedelic soul and excelling. This album also told the world and David Ruffin that they can not only do well with out him but can reach new musical heights. This is one of 2 temptations albums that I own and for good measure. Psych-soul is one of my favorite genres.
Cloud 9 is great but Runaway Child should have gone on forever and I would have been okay with that. None of the other tracks really lean into the psych-soul angle and I wish they did but the remainder of the album is a pleasant listen and what you'd expect of a Temptations album.
A decent album, not a huge fan of this overall. I do really like the song No Intention. I don't believe that I will be coming back to this album very often.
Alone Again Or and Maybe the People Would Be the Times... are clear stand outs. The rest just do not do it for me. Production is pretty decent, I just don't really love the overall album apart from a few tracks
Another great ATCQ album. I was familiar with the singles (Bonita Applebum, Can I Kick It, Luck of Lucien) but the entire project was thoroughly enjoyable.
This is one of those albums that you can listen to over and over again - with memorable samples, hooks, and the rapping that flows between each member.
Enjoyed "Rhythm (Devoted to the Art of Moving Butts)", "Footprints", "Push it along" and have a soft spot for "Ham N Eggs".
