I enjoyed the throwback 70s synth sounds. As dated as this album may be, I do have fond feelings towards what almost every track has to offer. It's about as motivating and feel good as you'd expect considering the era it represents. The LP makes me feel as if I was in a giant motivational montage with it's adventurous rock and roll instrumentals throughout. The more rush energy tracks are my kind of thing, songs like Just what I needed and Don't Cha Stop keep the positivity flowing.
I've already heard melon collie and I've passed through one or two songs here but this project overall is amazing, near perfect, and remarkably produced. How it didn't make it's way into the Apple music top 100 is beyond me.. Every track brings it's own significance that makes each one special to me. I can't think of a bad song on this record realistically! Cherub Rock and Disarm are just two examples of perfect tracks. The electric guitar distortions makes this entire thing feel destructive and powerful. The band even feels a bit ahead of their competitors on this LP for the time it released.
I've heard more than enough David Bowie to come into this record knowing how great it would be. Definitely wouldn't consider it one of the best albums in his discog in my personal taste but he does have a lot to offer here. Even in 2013 he holds onto the very old school rock sound which is perfectly fine, in fact it works well. I didn't feel much of a pull from certain tracks here compared to what I get from albums like Ziggy Stardust or Hunky Dory. Still a strong LP nonetheless.
Never heard anything from them that wasn't Funeral, glad to make it out of that group. Neon Bible is a very grand, very ambitious and well structured album. Lots of emotion poured into the lyrics and lots of thought put into the build up of each song. Most of the time I can feel myself getting lost in the production and I don't mind it at all. The drums and strings just do it for me every time it's ridiculous. I feel free, I feel at peace. The entirety of Black Mirror and No Cars Go are thrilling and addictive every time I hear them. I would recommend putting your friends and family onto this LP. Stellar intro, Stellar exit. Few tracks I felt a little more meh but good regardless.
Truly an underappreciated record from Jimmy Smith, I get it's not the most innovative compared to someone like Nina Simone or Miles Davis. However, if you learn to just listen and take in what you're hearing than maybe you'd feel more understanding towards the LP. I sat in the car and as I drove I let the instrumentals kinda take control and put me on a journey. I enjoy the Saxy moments and keyboard work truly did a good job. Of course I wouldn't call it anything too amazing but it's really great and deserves a listen.
Well.. he had soul. However everything around his voice felt soulless. Almost every track felt like it had been leading nowhere. Constant edging and patience for no pay off sadly. This LP felt very off putting due to having sleepy songs right after kicking off with high energy. I swear I left the album a couple times before finally sitting down to get through. Listening to a record should not feel like a chore but this one did, I can't give it defense. So far my worst experience but I'm sure he has better albums to sort through. The instrumentals felt very minimalistic, along with John's vocals at most points.
Not too much to say here but will mention how otherworldly it sounds. The synths do all the heavy lifting but manage to create a dignifying sci-fi sound. If you told me the Duffer brothers S.T. (Stranger Things) soundtrack was inspired by this, I would believe you. I have never heard or imagined a 70s album to have this sort of atmosphere to it. Rendering this album to be somewhat one of a kind and original. Lots of head spinning alien like sounds to this LP, I recommend not only giving it a try but listening with headphones as well. In order to get that full ethereal otherworldly feel. This album may just leave your ears tingling.
Ok this was a solid listen for the most part. I enjoyed just about everything, got a little tired of hearing hideaway but other than that very good stuff. No doubt the instrumentals bring everything to life on this album, kind of overshadowing the vocals to an extent (in my opinion ofc). Not to say the vocals were bad, I enjoyed that aspect as well, especially on Yours is No Disgrace which is arguably my favorite track. Very short LP which kind of fractures the score a bit, I would've liked to hear a bit more. Overall great intro, great outro. Can't complain, I would come back to this for sure.
C'mon.. I'd be crazy to not have heard Dark Side of the Moon a thousand times already. Some of the greatest rock you'd ever hear in your life. Super iconic tracks, outstanding production, super artistic and completely game changing. Granted my favorite Pink Floyd album lies between Wish you were here and The Wall but neither can really live up to the legacy of this LP. Some of the most beautiful vocal performances. The great gig in the sky will forever hold one of the best build ups in music history. Such a moving album full of gratifying and timeless sounds. Nick Mason deserves his flowers for doing such an awesome job playing the drums as well. Right next to him would be Richard Wright on the keys and even Clare Torry for her legendary vocal contribution.
Already heard this classic a few times. Didn't enjoy it's robotic sound at first but later on I came around. Thom Yorke has always been an inspiration to me w/ how experimental and groundbreaking his art was and still is. Proving himself as remarkable and original in the eyes of many rock bands yet his reach goes beyond just this genre. You could consider Radiohead to be Art pop as well, even electronic. Kid A, In Rainbows, A Moon Shaped Pool all being even more examples of bold genre bending pieces of work. Thom has dabbled in bands like The Smile and Atoms for Peace. He's a man of many wonders to say the least and this LP right here is nothing short of wonderous capability.
Overhated and underrated by a longshot. Aimee Mann happens to give grade A performance almost every time. I've seen a few comments go on about how mediocre the LP is but I personally believe this album has a lot to offer, Aimee has a lot to offer as an artist. It may not be groundbreaking or something new but the songs are enjoyable I can't lie. Her writing is solid and the guitar performances are my favorites. Even some cuts on here that feel comforting when you're upset. Definitely deserves more of a chance with open ears. It has good replayability, great track run, and has a little something for everyone. If this isn't considered her best then I can't wait to hear more.
People are really gonna sit here and tear down this album because it doesn't feel artistic enough for this era. Why are we gonna sit here and pretend like this record is supposed to define the genre years ahead of it's time! This is the embodiment of 1970's Punk, in it's purest form of tomfoolery, beer chugging, basement raving bangers. Yes their are much more examples of punk that feel more replayable but this LP feels like a piece of history to me, from the cover to the music it has to offer. It's like digging into a time capsule and finding gold. I love the pure mindless fun they bring on each song.
A more lowkey soulful take from Curtis Mayfield. Regardless on an album with 7 songs he holds up as one of the greatest R&B artists to do it. Love how smooth and careful the trumpets are throughout this record. Carefully structured smooth songs to get lost in. Billy Jack serves as a great intro to this album and So in love is a great recovery song as I didn't enjoy \"when seasons change\" as much as the other tracks. Very short and concise LP but delivers it's messages and sounds pretty well for the most part. Like I said it's a much more lowkey album, so if you're expecting anything over the top than you should lower your expectations.
I have this on vinyl so I already knew what to expect. EWF is always bringing the disco energy around. Definitely a top 3 in their discography, it's quick, it's full of soul and the production is absolutely disgusting at most points. One of the best projects for busting a move to. Not too much to say when it comes to Earth Wind and Fire but I will say I'm never not impressed by what they do. So much funk and groove that you can't sit still to.
Shuggie's got the groove, too bad the funk genre has progressed past this standard, artists like Funkadelic really set an insane bar for funk. Shuggie shows off his instrumental talents and whips up soul food, he's got the energy and the voice without a doubt. Quite a few highlights and I will give tremendous credit where it's due, he shines brightly in his effortless attempts at jamming out. We get all kinds of instrument love throughout this LP. Some tracks do fall short to being empty and spacious, void of many different elements that make you groove. However, Shuggie is a talented soul with some memorable records scattered around on this project.
