Interesting fusion of rock subgenres, but not really my cup of tea off of first listen. Don't hate it though.
Fav Track: Love Interruption
Certainly, without a doubt, not my thing. Even the first track I mainly enjoy for the chorus and build-up. Almost respect the album though for the wild transition in vibe after Witch track.
Fav Track: Running Up the Hill
Wild Track: Waking the Witch
Much more my style, although didn't have time to listen to lyrics. Like the classic rock, jazz elements. Not a huge fan of the eccentric vocals on some of the earlier tracks.
Fav Track(s): Moonage Daydream, Starman
Classic West-Coast rap, everyone knows. The sound is great. Very layered. That said, the skits are for the most part best left in the past. Some of the lyrics can stay there, too. The biggest hits though are still great.
Fav Tracks: The Day..., Nuthin' But A "G" Thang, Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat
Worst Skit: The Doctor's Office
I think this album is a grower, but I don't think I was grabbed enough initially to give this album the time it deserves. That said, I didn't hate it.
It's a melancholic album about self-love, relationships, and struggling with the state of modern life (depression, "distance", and expression), and in that sense it reminds me a lot of Kid A -- a good thing thematically. The difference here being that Kid A brings a lot more intrigue and sonic variety, whereas this album kind of blurred together in my first two listens. I also couldn't get into much of the vocals; again, so much sameness.
Overall, it's just another one that won't be making it into the rotation, respectfully.
Fav Tracks: Jesus, Etc.; I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
Classic Rock: fun-enough instrumentals that make you want to tap your foot, not much in the way of lyrical substance for me. Reminds me of the UK-era Beatles. Didn't care too much for it, but also didn't hate it. It's got a time and a place. NOTE: I liked how much Xylophone was used. That was neat.
Fav Track(s): Under My Thumb
Great guitar riffs, driving drums, and lively vocals. Not sure what Jack White is saying on some of the songs, but it also doesn't really bother me all that much. The duo brings garage-rock energy on some tracks, folk/country on others, and consistently good instrumentals across the board.
Oh, and the last track was a surprising treat.
Fav Track(s): Seven Nation Army, Black Math, Ball and Biscuit, Hypnotize
I liked the instrumentals on this album well enough, but I think the draw is certainly the thematic elements. As opposed to the contemporaries that I have listened to plenty (e.g., The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, etc.), the Kinks "Arthur" is the first album I've heard from the 60's that is so dang...British. Plenty of the themes are applicable to the states, sadly; however, I can only imagine that I'd appreciate this album a whole lot more over tea.
Fav Tracks: Australia, Shangri-La, & She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina
Just not my thing.
It's fine. Just classic R&B love songs with a female vocalist. Not what I would choose to listen to, but otherwise unobjectionable.
This is the worst type of album to hear for the first time while focused elsewhere. I had to lookup the song titles separately. Clearly, it's a dense project that has a lot of cultural/historical references and deserves more time and listens than I can afford at this moment. That said, I still was able to appreciate the instrumentals on some of these tracks, and there was never a song I actively disliked. I'm not writing this off, just too busy for the moment.
Fav Tracks: Jacksonville, Chicago, The Man of Metropolis...
After two listens, even the tracks I first disliked seemed to grow on me. I've only ever listened to one French group before: Cortex. Like them, this album is perfect for listening to while at work. It's got great instrumentals, looped beats with jazzy and synth overlays, and (at times) beautiful French vocals -- none of which I can understand. Shame others didn't enjoy it. My one note after two listens? It should have ended with Slow Fast Hazel.
Fav Tracks: Metronomic underground, Cybele's Reverie, Les Yper-Sound, Monstre Sacre, Slow Fast Hazel
Least Fav Tracks: Anonymous Collective
Do NOT like Nude Spoons, or much else I'm hearing. There have been albums where I think, "this sounds dated." All I remember about this first listen is that I didn't want to remember anything at all.
Some solid lines, good storytelling, and a few good beats; however, most of the first half lacks in serviceable hooks, and the nostalgia factor is carrying the weight in my overall score. Don't see myself returning, but I appreciate most of what's here, and I wouldn't turn it off more often than not.
Fav Tracks: What "U" Waiting "4"?, Good Newz Comin', Tribe Vibes, In Dayz "2" Come, Doin' Our Own Dang, Kool According "2" a Jungle Brother
Express Yourself was my favorite beat, and I felt like the content aged really well. Otherwise, the album was like The Chronic -- had a place in history and legend, just not my playlists.
I've heard In the End before. Like many albums on this site, I don't necessary find the music off-putting. I just don't think I would enjoy listening to it in most cases, and in this case, it's just a little too intense for me.
Fav Track: In the End
First time listening to an Elvis album front to back. Felt much more country than I originally anticipated. While not adding tracks to my favorites, I generally enjoyed the entire album from start to finish.
Fav Tracks: Gentle On My Mind, True Love Travels on a Gravel Road, In the Ghetto
Some say it's overrated, but I genuinely think it's a classic already. Every track is fantastic, the production is stellar, and I can listen to it front to back every time -- I don't care that it's an hour and twenty minutes.
Fav Tracks: ALL, Momma (Underated)
My first introduction to Monae, this album was quite the start. I loved the grand theatricality of the record and the orchestral inclusions. She also showed a pretty stunning vocal range. That said, this album deserves further attention for it's story (as well as the story starting on the EP), and there were a handful of tracks that didn't click with me whatsoever.
Fav Tracks: Suite II Overture; Tightrope; Oh, Maker; Mushrooms and Roses; Neon Valley Street; BaBopByeYa
Least Fav Tracks: Make the Bus; Wondaland
Some things just aren't for me, and this was one of them. It was a harder listen to sit through.
I want to say not for every mood, but listening to this just forces you into a certain state of mind. I wouldn't choose it every day, but it's got so many classic tracks you can't deny the album's lasting sound and impact.
Fav Tracks: Waiting in Vain, Jamming, Three Little Birds, One Love
Many of the tracks felt like I shouldn't be listening to them at work? Otherwise, it was what I have come to expect from a Beyonce album. I think I generally prefer the production of most tracks to the lyrics, but that's okay, too. Definitely felt the Timabland production on certain tracks.
Fav Tracks: Drunk in Love, Blow, Rocket, Blue
This album is not what I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised. Not sure that any one song particularly stood out. Nevertheless, it was very soothing from start to finish.
Fav Track: Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)
