Dec 26 2024
View Album
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
This is a whimsical Christmas record featuring mostly standard & inoffensive covers. However, Sleigh Ride wormed its way into my brain as a high schooler in band and this classic version of it sparks very little joy at this point.
The last track features a corny spiel by Phil Spector that destroys Silent Night and is something I hate.
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) is a standout.
2
Dec 27 2024
View Album
Let's Stay Together
Al Green
As smooth as it is infectious as it is energetic. This record is unbelievably good!
5
Dec 28 2024
View Album
The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
Sarcastic & musically dynamic. I wasn’t expecting this record to be as annoying as it becomes though, but at least it’s whimsical about it.
Standout track is: “Last of the Steam-Powered Trains”.
2
Dec 29 2024
View Album
The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
I listened to a lot of this but not the entirety. It’s almost impossible to rank as an album. Ella doesn’t miss though, so it deserves a four.
4
Dec 30 2024
View Album
Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
Funky fresh is the only way to describe it. Reminds me of A’s games. Middle of the record wears a little thin.
3
Dec 31 2024
View Album
One Nation Under A Groove
Funkadelic
Found this one on YouTube. When it hits, it hits hard! Bells, synths, and funky bass lines. This was my second Funkadelic album after Maggot Brain, and I enjoyed it more. I can think of a million r&b cuts that owe their life to this album, at least spiritually.
4
Jan 01 2025
View Album
Blunderbuss
Jack White
5
Jan 02 2025
View Album
Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
This was an extremely frustrating album to listen to. The songwriting at times is so infectious as to be unbelievable, only for the song to transition wildly into something incoherent, and then again to a third thing. I don’t pick up on the through line here.
Stand out track is Mr. Blue Sky, obviously.
2
Jan 03 2025
View Album
Who's Next
The Who
Solid & sonically consistent. Pretty hard for 1971. The novelty doesn’t land for me though because of how influential the who are. I dont love Daltrey’s voice, which knocks it down a peg.
3
Jan 04 2025
View Album
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
Sweet, sensual & melodic. Unlike my father I appreciate Frank’s falsetto. A very nostalgic album for me.
4