Pretty awesome stuff! I was surprised to hear pastime paradise and I REALLY liked Contusion and Sir Duke
More of a 3 star, a few skips but 2+2=5 starts off really strong! Myxomatosis is also dope
Solid songs, it's got that good old 80s vibe but nothing that was like "HOLY SHIT"
Not my vibe. I can hear some of the sounds of the 70s come through and the doors vibe with the keys. I did enjoy the 9 min long early prog rock vibes.
The dude is true to his name, killing it. Especially given the time and the technology available then. I can see parallels to how certain present day artists sound. (Like Gesafellstein) Smack my bitch up and Firestarter were the standouts for me!
Tricky listen. Disclosure: I had to separate my current displeasure with swifties and how she weaponizes feminism against other women when it's convenient for her. I also had to take a moment to set aside previous biases and act like it wasn't her to listen to this. Plus I had to remind myself. I'm not the target audience. I did listen to both the 2014 version and the "Taylor's version" At the core of it she has a "sound" in this album and a vibe that she's going for and nails it. This was her first "pop" sounding album and she seems to understand it well. The re-recording seems to change some stuff but I can't tell if they were significantly different. The lyrics are definitely evoking that "movie romance" and I can see the appeal. Overall solid album but the some of the songs did kind of blend together for me. "Shake it off" was a stand out, "New Romantics" kinda had a similar vibe to "Safe and Sound" by Capital Cities. Was it a good listen? Yes. Would I seek it out? probably not
Pretty fun album, very unique vocals though sometimes I was like is he out of tune or is that just his vibe haha Standout for me was “There is a light that never goes out”
Always loved the Black Keys so this was an easy listen. Standouts: * Tighten Up * Howlin' for you * Too Afraid to Love you Ten Cent Pistol and the guitar tons kinda reminded me of Joe Frazier by Orions Belte. Overall I loved the "pacing" of the album and something silly but exciting for me was how playable it all sounded. It didn't seem overly complicated with the chord rhythyms and bass lines. It seemed like something I would play with my friends. Even the "nah nah nah NAH NAH" hooks just seem like so much fun. This listen definitely made me want to go back and check out my old playlists and see what other gems I missed out by listening only to songs instead of whole albums! The only minus here is it made me think of their other album and "Lonely Boy" constantly haha. I think it's close to 4.5 out of 5 the only reason it's not is some of the songs on the album were a tough forgettable. Maybe because of how strong some of the standouts were?
Having never heard of Jimmy Smith and not knowing what to expect, hearing how smooth the keys start on "Back At The Chicken Shack" was SUPER pleasing. Jazzy af and kinda "soulful" and "churchy" because of the tone of the keyboard. It reminded me of like a sermon you'd hear at a big church with the guy saying "PRAISSEEE THE LAWWDDDD" accentuated by the keys everytime I def enjoyed the listen, would I go back to it? Maybe, it probably has a space on my easy listening or weekend cleaning playlist.
Got Arctic Monkeys vibes so looked them up and wouldn't you know it, it was freaking Alex Turner. Definitely got old timey western vibes, think riding a horse heading into my next Mexican standoff. I liked the use of violins and the horns in some of the songs. Felt like this was the score for a movie at moments Stand outs for me were: In my room (because it could totally be a "James Bond but in Texas" theme) Calm Like You
My first reaction. AN HOUR AND A HALF? JayZeesus My second reaction. I wonder if Beyoncé fans are as cult-y as swifties are. Actual thoughts about the music. I'm not the target audience here but I can see the appeal. I enjoyed it as a one time listen, and she clearly has a great voice. Some of the songs have catchy pop vibes but not enough for me to go back to it. I think she might be a touch overrated but don't tell the die-hard fans that lmao Standouts: Blow - particularly liked the muted guitar riff Rocket
Holy shit his voice is incredible. I felt like I was transported to a speakeasy bar in New York or Chicago just drinking a whiskey on a Thursday night and it's snowing out after I've spent all day working and I'm weary. It seems very Christmas-y I'm not sure if this because of how cold it is outside or because of just the warmth in the songs? Or the instrumentation? Overall really enjoyed this. Easy listen, and went through it a couple of times today. Just left it on and felt no reason to switch it out. The only minus here (and it's pretty big when you start noticing it) was the distortion from the audio quality(?), I didn't mind it too much initially but at some point I couldn't unhear it and it got annoying. I wish there was a remaster or something. Standouts: It Had to Be You Tell me you'll wait for me
Initial thoughts, very classic sounding to the point where the first song reminded me of two other songs from that era. Brown Sugar gave me "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner(1978) vibes and "Go All The Way" by Raspberries(1972) vibes with the cadence and the strumming and probably the key they played in(I can't tell for sure). Both being from the 70s makes me think that's just the sound folks chased. I will note though that the Rolling Stones did seem to get to it first in terms of the chronology (1971) so it's possible given how popular they were back then that Foreigner and Raspberries could have been inspired by the stones! I guess their song formula kind of formed the foundation of a lot of rock moving forward? "Sway" reminded my a lot of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan(1973) Probably because there are progressions that are just a step apart from each other ha! Speaking of vibes: I'm getting like riding a motorbike in a movie where you're the main character going on a cross country trip by yourself. It's got a lot of moments where I want to be "present". Though I'm not sure if it's because movies over-use this type of music in those scenes or if this music naturally lends itself to that kind of feeling. Mick Jagger's voice is pretty dope I can see why he got popular back then, though I have to wonder how much cocaine was involved in their early years haha Standouts: * Sway -> I liked how it built up and I enjoyed the solo at the end * Can't You Hear Me Knocking seemed like a Jam Session at the end which was a pleasant surprise! The Bongos(?) and shaker(?) and the Sax coming in were a fun addition. * Wild Horses: I had a realization that Bill And Teds' "Wyld Stallyns" was probably a play on the name of this song haha * Moonlight Mile: so bluesy, I liked the instrumentation a lot. Kinda felt like end credits for that movie vibe I was getting This is a 4 for me. I respect it for it's role in forming the foundations of what we view as rock today. A fun and honestly educational listen
I'm behind on reviews, I listened to this and realized I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous one in our list. Just something about it lost it's charm? It kind of all blended together at some point. Still a good listen, just not as wow-ed as the Genius of Ray Charles
Eh this was a 2.5 for me. My parents used to love them wayyyy back and with the 80s cultural context this definitely has that sound and vibe. I liked the guitar tone and riffs but holy shit they beat you to death with that riff. So far away is probably the standout for me but that might be because I’ve heard that riff in a couple of remixes? Or like TikTok’s? Not sure The usage of “f*ggot” was oof, idk it just got hard for me to think/look past it. For the two songs after it basically I was zoned thinking about the cultural context and homophobia back then which left a bad taste in my mouth/bad ring in my ears? It gave me like country bluesy vibes and I did enjoy certain moments and maybe there’s a song or two I’d listen back to but I don’t know if it’s a “oh you know what I feel like spinning this afternoon? Dire straits!” lol that would be the day.
This is the album that derailed the whole 1001 albums experience for me. It was so good that I've been listening to it on repeat. I don't normally listen to this kind of stuff or I've never really sought it out but whatever it is, works well for my brain! It's just incredibly smooth and vibey. The melody/voicing choice for the songs is amazing. Guitar and what sounds like the double Bass on Solid Air was really nicely done. I liked the shakers for the mild percussion too. The keys are beautiful and kind of ethereal seeming. Like the sound stars would make in an animated movie kinda. Standouts: Solid Air, Over The Hill, Don't Want to Know (the keys solo was dope!), I'd Rather Be The Devil (live version has really fun drums imo and I love the gravelly-ness he throws into his voice) The vibes are immaculate, and I want more! I have a hard describing this album in terms of where I'd hear it but I'm going to keep listening to figure it out.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, the country twang and the guitar solos were surprisingly good! Fun morning listen for me Stand out was fingernails for me, I was v amused by it
Pretty good album. Didn't feel like there was a consistent "theme" or maybe I wasn't listening close enough. I have a lot of Nostalgia with Song2 because I was 3 or 4 when I first heard it and it blew my mind at the time. It was in the Fifa: Road to World Cup 98 game and my brother and I played it a bunch! ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2igfndqKnmk )It gave me one of my intros to stuff with distortion and that classic RAT pedal sound! Standouts: * Song 2 * You're so great * Strange News from Another Star (Got some Gorillaz vibes with this one) The opposite of a standout and a song that gave me weird vibes: Essex Dogs 3.5/5 but rounding up to a 4
It felt like this was supposed to be the soundtrack in a James Bond movie shot from the Villains perspective and their rise to villain hood? I enjoyed the vibes, I did think they were trying something pink Floyd esque with Dirty Barry, with the discordance. It was a bit much for me. Otherwise tho, fun one time listen for me Stand out for me was “Achieved in the valley in the dolls”
Solid album! Short and sweet and had an iconic sound Coat of Many Colors is def the stand out
Woah this was cool, super synthy and more experimental than I was expecting. Good vibes overall and I loved the deep sax on Sound and Vision
Not much to say about this. It's not my kind of music or at least it wasn't hitting the right spots in my brain. Though it was a very surprising to hear Baba Blacksheep as the starting point lol
Kinda Mid, seemed like budget knock off beatles. I appreciated some of the choices in their instrumentation in Artificial Energy so it started strong but everything else was kind of forgettable. My ears found Moog Raga particularly offensive which is why this is a 2. Just something about it was ear grating for me. Also the overall sound quality seemed kinda ass Standout: Artificial Energy
Classic Green Day, I first heard this album in 6th grade and was blown away that he said the word "mindfuck" and was one of the first songs with swearwords that I'd sing lmao. Love the guitar crunchiness on some of the songs and this album holds a lot of nostalgia value for me
Holy samples batman! This was surprisingly awesome! Lots of bongo and it's true to it's name! My mind was blown by how prolific Apache is and the number of samples that one song has generated. Solid listen, there were moments were I felt like it was an opening scene of a sitcom or like in a James Bond scene where they pan away from him and whatever woman he's with at the time lmao. Super fun to listen to, I'm not sure I'd seek it out exclusively but it's definitely something I would revisit! Standout was Apache
As Funkadelic as the name suggests! I had an annoying time getting to this album cause I could only find it on youtube. Spotify didn't have it for some reason. Makes me wonder how much music I'm missing out on because Spotify doesn't have it :( 3.5/5
Bluesy and kinda fun. The live version made me realize not much has changed in terms of the dynamic between artist and audience. They still have to ask them the same question twice to get them amped up and participating lmao. Also holy what he had to tell dudes not to hit their wives??!>! it was super jarring to hear that but I guess at least it was a good message for it's time? Stand-outs: Nothing Can Change this love, Bring it on home to me I didn't like how long it took to get into the meat of the songs sometimes. Too much talking imo so i'm giving this a 2.5/5
I enjoyed this album! Short and sweet. I was a little amused because this is considered Heavy Metal but to me it fits in Rock? I'm not entirely sure how the genre/sub-genres are defined and who decides this shit. I enjoyed the crunchy distorted guitars and the solos. Rob Halford's voice is also solid, it reminded me a LOT of Bruce Dickinson's voice. Honestly I was reminded a lot of Iron Maiden but I think that's the genre? Disclaimer: I've listened to Iron Maiden WAY more than I have Judas Priest. Don't know who came first and found their sound first. Also I'm honestly shocked SuperNatural the TV show never had ANY Judas priest songs :| If they had just let go of fucking "Carry On My Wayward Son" they'd have had some great options. Vibe: Motorbike roadtrip and driving 20-30% over the speed limit the whole way through. Standouts: Rapid Fire, Breaking the Law, Grinder 3.5/4