I hate that you can't vote out of 10 because I'd give this a 5. I didn't feel too much of any way about the album. I don't think it's bad in terms of quality, but I just wasn't drawn to anything here.
Fav Track: Changes
Least Fav Track: Cornucopia
This is my first time listening to an Elliot Smith project. I'll start by saying that the album grew on me significantly between the first and second listen. Perhaps it would continue to grow on me if I listened more. That said, my first impressions generally remained the same: the best tracks are also the biggest, for a reason. "Say Yes"/"Between the Bars"/"Angeles" feature Elliot Smith at his best, with simple acoustic backing, singing within his range (and with nicely layered vocals), and providing short, catchy melodies to singer-songwriter lyrics.
Fav Tracks - Speed Trials, Between the Bars, Say Yes, Angeles
Least Fav - Cupids Trick
When I think of Nick Drake, I think of Pink Moon. The melancholic melodies over soft strings. This, however, was a bit more upbeat than I expected, at least instrumentally. I liked the jazz incorporation. I liked too that there were wholly instrumental tracks mixed in. A very nice vibe and listen overall. I just don't think anything particularly stood out to me as compared to Pink Moon.
Fav Tracks: At the Chime of A City Clock, One of These Things First, Northern Sky
Least Fav Tracks: N/A
Feeling like a broken record with this run of albums, but I think this is again just not for me? It's a long album with a variety of instrumentals/speeds/tones; however, I don't think I thoroughly enjoyed a single one. They all somehow felt both unique and more of the same. Oh well...
I know I'm going to be the outlier here, but this album has cemented for me that I just really really don't like 80's vocals. I had the same issues with Kate Bush's Hounds of Love when I did this album-a-day trial last time. Loved the instrumentals for the most part. There are certain tracks where I can get behind it, too. For Kate Bush it was Running Up That Hill, here it's Monitor. But on the whole? I will just have to be glad you all liked it more.
Fav Track: Monitor
Least Fav Track (by a mile): Voodoo Dolly
Heart of Gold was nice. Good harmonica. Strong instrumental. Like Old Man, too. Good country twang, nice vocals. There's a World makes me think of Hot in Herre by Nelly though, and I can't get over it.
Fav Tracks: Old Man
Least Fav: N/A
I love this music for working, cleaning, cooking, etc. It's high energy, generally positive, and makes you want to dance.
Fav Tracks: Tutti Frutti, Ready Teddy, Rip It Up
Least Fav Tracks: Jenny, Jenny
Fav Tracks: Eye Know, Tread Water
Least Fav: Take It Off, De La Orgee
In terms of 80's and 90's hip hop albums, this one has a bit more filler and sounds a bit more dated than some, but overall it's got some fun tracks. But I could absolutely have been better off without the orgy track.
Favorite time of the year, and timeless music to boot.
I've been meaning to try Amy Winehouse for some time now. I'm glad this pushed me to do so. She's excellent, and it's a shame she can't give us more.
Fav Tracks: You Sent Me Flying/Cherry, I Heard Love is Blind, Mr. Magic (Through the Smoke)
Least Fav Tracks: N/A
This was jazz. Not an avid jazz listener, so I can't tell if it was good jazz or not. But I can confirm it was jazz. Stinks that I've been trying to listen to more jazz and yet didn't find this one all that compelling.
Fav: Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are
Least Fav: Brilliant Corners
This is maybe my favorite Beatles album, although I really like many of their projects so that changes from time to time. There's only one skip to me on the project--a clear product of the group's time in India. Not bad, just a bit long for what it is. That said, the other tracks showcase a fascinating collection of sounds, moods, and styles. The closing track, A Day in the Life, remains my favorite Beatles track to date. Whole pieces have been written about this album, so I'll just finish by saying I think it's great.
Fav Tracks: A Day in the Life, Fixing a Hole, For the Benefit of Mr. Kite
Least Fav Track: Within You Without You - Least Fav
Not at all what I expected from the album art. Not my thing, but I applaud that it was a seemingly grand production. I gave it two stars as opposed to one because, while I didn't like any songs enough to save them, and I don't see myself ever seeking out more music by Meatloaf, I found myself tapping my feet a few times. So there's that.
Fav Tracks: Paradise by the Dashboard
Least Fav Tracks: Bat at Hell (the outro)
Instrumentally love this album. I think there's a lot to like with the vocals, too. There weren't any tracks that stood out to me as a singular piece of music; however, the whole collection was very intriguing. I think this album could grow on me further with repeated listens. If I put on one track, I just find myself letting the whole thing go. It's an investment though, with the song average being like 5+ min.
Fav Track - I Don't Believe in You, April 5th
Least Fav - Living in Another World
Dreamlike, stream-of-consciousness with an almost hymnal style of singing. This may be the most left-field album we've been dealt thus far. I liked parts of it. Other parts I found a chore. All-in-all, I feel better for having given it a go.
Fav Tracks: The Duchess, Maryan
Least Fav Track: Out of Season
What a way to start an album! Really liked the orchestral elements on the titular track, Madman Across the Water. Guy just knows how to belt a tune.
Fav Tracks: Tiny Dancer, Madman Across the Water
Least Fav Tracks: Levon, All the Nasties
Always felt that, while the production is fantastic, I had a hard time getting past some of the dated viewpoints and rhyme styles on this album. And the skits are a lot. That said, again, the beats...
Fav Tracks: Nothin' But a "G" Thang
If I was driving home from the milkshake bar in my airbag-less car, this album would slap the collared shirt right out of my tucked in khaki pants and my feet right out of my high-top sneakers. Maybe even shake up my greased hair. But that is not my reality.
Thus, the best I can feel while listening to this is nostalgia for something I never had. But they are nice little tunes nonetheless.
Fav Tracks: N/A
Least Fav Tracks: N/A
Best part of this album was the sound effects (like on the first portion of The Faith Healer). Everything else made me an active hater. Gang Bang had me inches away from Banging my head onto the table. Faith Healer made me wish my ears were un-healed. Most songs on this album should've stayed instrumentals; that would be something. But alas, I wanted to hit Next for nearly 36 minutes straight. What a chore.
Least Fav: Swampsnake, Gang Bang, The Faith Healer, Giddy Up a Ding Dong, Next, Vambo Marble Eye, The Last Of The Teenage Idols
Fav: N/A
My reluctance to getting into this genre has never been about the instrumentals. Honestly, I really appreciate what I hear in that regard on this album. The vocals are where I struggle. And the repetitiveness. They either hit or miss for me most of the time, and here they miss more than they hit. But they aren't terrible.
Fav Tracks: Here Come the Rome Plows
Least Fav Tracks: N/A
This album was fine. I'm playing catch-up on my records list, and this was perfectly okay in the background. I really enjoyed the back half as opposed to the front half.
Fav Track: Dunford's Fancy, The Stolen Child
Least Fav: And a Bang on the Ear
I have one or two Fiona Apple track in my favorites (from earlier albums), but I had heard good things about her 2020 album Fetch the Boltcutters, so I was excited to hear a full album from her. I wasn't disappointed. She has a fantastic ear for melody and her vocal range is excellent. I hadn't heard Criminal in years, and it brought me back.
Fav Tracks: Shadowboxer, Criminal
While not as bad as the few other albums I've rated particularly poorly, there is just nothing in this album that even (for a moment let alone a whole song) had me intrigued. And there were unfortunately a few instances where I made a bad face. It's just simply not my thing.
Least Fav Track: Epic
Fav Track: The Real Thing
Fav Track: Love Goes On!, Streets of Your Town
Least Fav Track: Was There Anything I Could Do?
Fav Tracks: El Cumbanchero, Choferita-Plena
Least Fav: Billumba-Palo Congo, Simba
Very nice to have on in the background.
Fav: You're My Best Friend, Bohemian Rhapsody
It's Queen, so I knew it would be good. They are rightfully well-regarded.
