I really love the rhythm section on this. The addition of sitar was cool and Lennons vocals really shine. Not one of my most listened to Beatles albums but one I will now never skip. Back half of the album is amazing. Highlights for me are: 1. Girl 2. Run for your life 3. Wait

It got better as it went on. Blame Jane is a bop. Some tracks were too duwap for me but I like the more experimental ones. Nice. Crunchy guitars.

This album blew me away! Was not expecting it. Very layered and textured with some great vocal performances. Lots of various instrumentation and cool time changes

It was okay. I dig the guitar but some of it just kind of droned on. The self titled song was good

Rhythm section is insane. Crystal clear vocals. Marvin has a silky voice. Consistent themes and has something to say. Save the Children is amazing. Nice building string section. Love the consistent tempo. Lack of variety at times. Mercy mercy me is great. Very soulful. Really like it but don't absolutely love it. 4 for me! Breakdown on Right On is sick.

If this album trimmed the fat it would be a near 5, but it is weighed down by some of the subpar tracks. Nonetheless a solid 3 for me based on where it does shine with its driving angsty punk ballads. Some of the guitar work is really good. The mixing is weird, lack of bass and drums shining through on certain tracks. I think it'd come off better if the harmonizing was done with another member of the band, but its just the lead singer yelling at me nonstop. I can certainly see how there was a time and place for this record though, as there is raw angst and emotion in the record that I think deserves to be acknowledged. The tempo slows down towards the middle of the record which is a nice change of pace. I think the record is better when the melody is preferred over raw punk rock, as I think they are better at that style of melodic rock than sheer punk. Gotta Get Away is my favorite track with its driving drums and bass which is missing in other parts of the record. The album really picks up at Genocide which has piercing snare drums and screeching guitars. The lyrics to Something to Believe In are excellent, but the music doesn't quite evoke the sentiment. Come Out and Play is the big radio single obviously, and I have a soft spot for it. It is extremely catchy and shows that the band is willing to experiment with new sounds. Self-Esteem is another punk radio classic. The mixing seems to get better as the album goes on oddly enough. They definitely know how to write a pop punk ballad. The record still lacks the seamless transitions of its contemporaries like Green Days Dookie, but has a more raw take on pop punk/melodic hardcore than its contemporaries. The first couple tracks and some towards the end could be taken out and it'd be a near flawless album. It'll be a Longtime is a great transition track with driving bass, drums, and compressed guitar that really rings your ears out. Killjoy Powerhead is a heavy Ramones like track with some great instrumental interludes. What Happened to You should have been left off the album it does not belong there. Belongs on a shitty ska record.

This is a fantastic album. Funny and serious when it needs to be, heavy and soft when It needs to be, mixed great, very good drumming and interesting vocal melodies and lyrics, gnarly guitar, a true blend of new wave, punk rock, and indie before its time, and does what later artists do way before they did it. Its contemporaries like the pixies and nirvana among others share its energy, but sonic youth is still unique enough to put a darker spin on the music while being adventurous. It lacks a staple song or two to sell the album, but sonic youth embraces that and thats what sets it apart, it doesn't need cheap tricks to shine. An easy 4 for me.

Its okay

Crystal clear production. Sometimes the harmonizing was a little grating for me. The guitar and specifically steel guitar was excellent. I felt like I was in 1850 antebellum south in a good way. Solid 3.

The album starts off with a banger. Seems like a bridge between 80s synth pop and the working class Americana (Bruce Springsteen) of the early 90s. This is evident in the themes throughout the album which include anti materialism, feminism, LGBTQ issues. She has pipes tho. Girls Wanna Have Fun has some great harmonizing and catchy synth riffs.

This album is extremely tasteful, balanced, doesn't overindulge, the falsetto is amazing, the tempo is slow but driving, the horns are pleasant, the snare and toms are TIGHT. Great drumming. You can tell Prince was influenced by this album. Honestly super impressed. Great production, diverse themes, good lyricism, consistent concepts. Also its the perfect length. Solid 4.5/5 for me.

It was listenable but it seemed like a product of its time (early 90s alternative, post hair metal grungey stuff). Not sure if it was trendsetting in any facet but I did like some of the driving guitar. The songwriting and lyrics/vocals left a lot to be desired. Its not bad i just think other bands did it better.

Hard to get through

3.5 The first couple tracks I thought it was your basic early 90s hip hop jazzy endeavor of corny rhymes, but the lyrics are actually insightful, some of the scratching was impressive and adventurous, and the deadpan lyrical delivery was good and comedic without trying to be but maybe it was? Either way it piqued my interest and I found myself enjoying this album more than I thought I would the first couple tracks, particularly tracks such as Execution of a Chump which tackles lazy friends who suck off your energy and people who bring you down. The record also tackles themes of materialism and spirituality and that dichotomy. The production was excellent and frankly ahead of its time, while the sampling could be a bit repetitive at times but it got adventurous when it needed to. Beyond Comprehension is a favorite of mine. It explores deep themes. The record also tackles themes like romance and its everyday struggles in a great track Lovesick, the personalities the music industry attracts, and other various themes. I'm going to give it a 3.5 (aka 4) because... 1. I hate jazz 2. It doesn't flow as an album 3. It is too long. 4. Some of the rhymes are corny and just do not hold up. 5. The tempo doesn't change very much, becomes too expected. BUT... POSITIVES 1. Emcees flow and touching multiple themes and being vulnerable, insightful lyricism 2. Production value 3. Explorative sounds 4. Excellent scratching 5. Its ahead of its time 6. Say Your Prayers has the fattest beat If the record trimmed five of the tracks or so and kept the best ones itd be a five but its guilty of overindulgence. Some of the rhymes on some tracks feel forced or just passing the time.

First track was groovy as hell. Second track I dont care for harmonica. There was a lot of jamming in the record and at parts I liked it, but at parts it got a bit stale. Four cornered room was a great spiritual/gospel switch up from the new agey/disco tracks that preceded it and sported some excellent vocals. The musicianship is pretty good, if not great, but at times predictable. Jam bands are for some people, but not so much for me and that is subjective. I will say the percussion work was excellent as well as the bass lines. The melodic musicianship left a little to be desired at times, but I did like some of the ambient sounds they played around with. The band shines when it finds a groove and can get a bit darker in my opinion and for God sake turn off the fucking harmonica. I loved the gong. The record picks back up the last two tracks with the World is a Ghetto and Beatles in the Bag. If it weren't for those two jam tracks this would be a really great record. Even so it still hits some key points.

Pretty mid. Not good not bad. Good production value.

Too safe. Too happy. Not my style. Appreciate the musicianship and at times the vocals. Hate the wal mart keyboard ambient treble sounding keys and predictable rhythms.

This album really surprised me with its depth, musicianship, various themes, and incorporating different styles while still maintaining an overarching consistency and sound. It was fun at times and serious at times in the best ways. It really hit its stride with the tracks Automatic and Fading Fast where it branches from the new wave punk pop sound in to something more ominous. Then there are the obvious hit singles that float the album and make it fun (we got the beat, our lips are sealed). They surprisingly hold up pretty well. The bass playing is particularly impressive.

Pretty groovy

Mid

Slaps so fucking hard

Perfection

Great themes and gentle soothing tunes

Some really good stuff but I didn't like your voice at times and the album was far too long. High highs and low lows