Rush at their peak and the peak of prog rock for many, maybe even myself. Accessible yet challenging at the same time. Anthemic riffs, stellar production, and standout performances create a timeless masterpiece of rock. I luvs it
Best tracks: All of them
Worst tracks: The ones not on this album
This was admittedly disappointing for me. It could have been the fact that I don't identify with this era of pop rock music at all, but I did not find much compelling about this music at all in a lasting way nor a political way, which I sorta hoped for given the origin of its guest stars. Make no mistake, the performances are tight overall (except for that fretless bass on the first track for some reason) and the production is solid, but it's so... bog standard sounding for me, I just don't get much from it. It's pleasant, inoffensive, but ultimately milquetoast music. Also Paul Simon's delivery annoys me quite a lot admittedly.
Favorite tracks: Graceland, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, You Can Call Me Al, African Skies maybe
4/10
It's legendary for a reason. Everything about it rips. No weaknesses other than that you've probably already heard most of it ad nauseam on the radio growing up. Still enjoyable every time.
Favorite tracks: All of them
10/10
This is what Nirvana always wanted to be, to me. Everything here sounds complete and stupid in many ways, but I love it for that. I don't really have much meaningful insight because I had two beers before finishing it, but I really vibe with it, probably because a lot of my more recent favorite bands (Number Girl especially, and The Pillows) obviously were influenced by it. It will undoubtedly grow on me more, and I really dig it so far.
The title is right: I felt right at home listening to this :)
For real, lovely compositions and melodies throughout. Everything tied together cohesively without feeling like it overstayed its welcome. I enjoyed pretty much all of the arrangement choices and instrumental performances. No bass solos? No problem! Drum solo was a bit eh but not because it sucked, just felt a little overbearing.
Larry Willis stole the show for me. I could not get over his choices on piano - consistent wow factor. Loved listening to this; can't wait to come back!
Favorite tracks: All but blues for huey and ingoo pow-pow
Went into this expecting to be a big-time hater. Offspring (and pop punk by extension) have always been at odds with my personal tastes, and I've continually been turned off by Dexter Hamilton's voice.
I am pleasantly surprised to say that not only is this album enjoyably consistent and relatable, but I actually have come around to tolerating Dexter's screeches. They're pretty great honestly but I never thought they were "bad" just not fer me, ya know? Like Geddy Lee haters. Also Forrest review Moving Pictures again.
4.5/5
Great almost ethereal sounds on this album, regardless of the gibberish being spoke, I found myself feeling the vocals a lot.
The title track and the final track on the album are standout tracks for me.
Gonna have to give it a strong 86/100 score
Went into this only really knowing Lorde for "Royals" because ya know, that was her huge hit, right? And I haven't listened to the radio in earnest in over a decade, so anything I find is through personal recs and research. Thus, I never landed on Lorde after that point. Now that I'm here, I still greatly respect her artistry and it's cool to hear her grow even more comfortable as a compelling artist. This is a super solid collection of tracks detailing her personal journey through romance, relationships, and self-discovering and it is presented in earnest while maintaining her artistry.
It is admittedly difficult for me to personally relate to much of the content within, but I recognize the talent she has for portraying her struggles in song and relating them to anyone who gives it a shot. Very consistent, expertly crafted pop music, and the title is right on the money.
Horrendously boring. I turned it off 40 seconds in before I knew what I was doing because I knew instinctively that this was just not my jam. Who decides these albums and why do they like Morrissey so much?
The Funko Pops of post-punk.
The guitar was the standout of it all. Loved what they were doing. Some neat bass lines every now and again (including yes, the early TB303 usage). The vocalist did it no favours. Drummer sounded like they learned how to play while recording.
I went into this having only really been familiar with two tracks from it: Feel the Illinoise! and Casimir Pulaski Day. Needless to say, Casimir had won me over from the start - a hauntingly beautiful track about losing a loved one to cancer and the turmoil that comes with that. For a time, that was the only Sufjan Stevens I needed, but I knew eventually I would finally hear the entire thing.
I am immensely pleased that it did not disappoint in the slightest. Every track felt meaningful and expertly arranged, with Sufjan's songwriting, performances, and recording capabilities completely winning me over.
Not a single bad track, rarely anything that underwhelmed. Truly an album to be appreciated for the ages, unlike Orange Juice.
9/10 closer to a 10 than anything else.
It's like a strong 8 on first listen. I definitely get that it's super influential, but the back half was a tad bit lacking for me. I think it'll grow on me though and it was very enjoyable. Life's a Bitch and then you die still the hardest line for me in most of hip hop and life in general.
Really solid britpop before britpop came about(?) Loved the guitar work and rhythms throughout - very tastefully done chords and melodies. "There She Goes" I was familiar with going in and it is a certified bop even while being not my preferred style of rock music. I recognize the influence and well-crafted, enjoyable pop rock tunes. Haha yay yipee woo.
strong 7/light 8 first listen yay
If I had this album 15 years ago when I was still grinding away at Maplestory, I would've hit 200 a year earlier.
decent to strong 8/10
No one wants to admit it anymore because this is one of the most popular selling albums of all time by one of the most boring rock groups of all time, but it's honestly not bad at all. Hotel California the song will always be impressive and Life in the Fast Lane is a banger fuck all y'all. New Kid in Town was fun and the secret best track is actually Try to Love Again. Oh yeah fuck the Eagles for the copyright BS .
6/10 maybe almost a 7.
Afraid it didn't do much of anything for me, but it's probably a skill issue. Loved the electric guitar when it had a chance, and the bass playing as well, but most everything else fell flat for me. Nice pleasant listen but overall not impactful, again probably my bad. I should pay more attention to lyrics, BUT the instrumentation didn't reach out to me.
3/10
Personally it's more like a strong 8 on first listen, but I immediately gathered how fucking influential it is and I went in thinking it wouldn't be. Shows what I know I guess! Thoroughly enjoyable, much more than I could have imagined it would be for an album with a banana on it. Can't wait to revisit.
Only my second Elliott Smith listen so far (the first being Either/Or which I love), and it's certainly not my favorite, but it was still highly enjoyable with plenty of highlights, particularly Stupidity Tries and Can't Make a Sound. Definitely gotta chew on it for a while longer, but it's at the very minimum an easy relisten and stands out for all the right reasons, only further proving Elliott's songwriting prowess.
7/10
Loved the sound design a looooot! First half really had me going. Second half I got tuckered out ooh so eepy sleepy, but probably skill issue. Will love to come back to it yay.
strong 7?
Definitely not my own pleasure.
Tina is assuredly a wonderful singer and the ability to have so many hands on deck for the making of this album without it sounding completely like a mess is astounding, but in the end it's just a bunch of covers or songs written to be sung by a singer, not to be great art on their own imho. Jeff Beck's solos were funny and weird and welcome as well. Every guitarist sounded the same as the other so that was pretty funny. Overall great start; mediocre finish. RIP legend.
What can you say - it sure sounds like Coldplay. I will say I went in not expecting much of anything, but I did at least get some interesting guitar work at the start, as well as solid bass lines throughout. In the end though, while a pleasant, inoffensive vibe most of the time, it didn't really do anything compelling, but I get why it's included: This is The Eagles for Gen X/millennials.
I hurt my middle finger on Friday after drinking so I'll keep it brief: I was overhyped going in, but I loved it while listening the first time and it got better yet the second (which I don't always have time for so I'll try to not be biased). I think I finally understand the answer to the prompt and why they are DEVO. Good shit.
8.5/10
The perfect type of sunny afternoon or rainy morning vibe album. As always, I am none too bright when it comes to jazz, but this was certainly something I would never object to hearing, especially when trying to chillax.
I need to listen to this intriguing thing more but there's something here I think. Probably? Jazz is weird even when it's not jazz.
Empowering songs about female struggles with sex, relationships, self-esteem, and body image set to shades of Lauryn Hill, Destiny's Child, and other pop r&b vibes from the 90s and 00s brought into the modern day. Loved it. Compelling performances throughout.
Also listened to the remaining deluxe tracks but didn't feel nearly as strongly about them as the standard EP version. Still good though.
It needs to be summer like right now, then this is a 10/5. I think archible already said that. But it's right.
Jim Carrey voice: I like it a lot!
Yeah I think I love the Pixies
It's called The Modern Lovers because modern bands loved it at some point to make music that is loved more. Not really a diss but uhh yeah I'll take the modern stuff thank you.
totes filthy. I still prefer their contemporaries and feel this was mainly a live experience, but it was still really fun and I'd come back to it fer sure.
Went in skeptical and happy to have been proven "wrong" that Elton John is actually a generational talent. He was absolutely in excellent form here churning out banger after banger. Everybody is allowed a li'l sidestep with the Jamaican Jerk-off sesh but hey, very good times here.
Didn't age that well tbh, BUT I recognize the influence ofc duh. It's like a 5/5 for influence, 2/5 for where it stands currently, and 2/5 for personal enjoyment, so average 3/5.
Really enjoyable listen! Very dramatic and cinematic, making me feel on edge at times but in like an action movie way. Don't get the genre at all, and while I can't place any of its influence, this at least made me think differently and I appreciated what it made me feel artistically. It was a valuable experience, and a very pleasant one at that.
I think I might be signing off of reggae.
I grew up with several of these tracks on the radio in my youf. I always particularly loved Brass Monkey and No Sleep Til Brooklyn as a kid just cuz they were really fun and sounded goofy. Growing up is realizing it's still pretty much the same and that's what makes everyone of all ages fall for it, including me.
Everything here is kinda stupid, but they know it and lean into it. They clearly were just 'avin' a laff with it but at the same time, it sounds way better than it should be. Not really anything too lame to speak of (other than passing comments and vibes that didn't age well ofc - it was 80s hip hop after all). Just overall a good time, good vibe, and Rick Rubin when he still mattered.
White
Nah just like... this is bgm that only white people liked in the 40s/50s. Saying this as a white dude.
Great performances I'd say, but so forgettable. I can't remember anything about it other than how similar it was to everything else on it.
Historically significant tho.
I guess I'm not a swingin' lover. Damn.
Aside from the obvious things that didn't age too well, this is a fucking crazy good album. A bit long - probably could've shaved a few tracks (especially Under the Influence and the Ken Kaniff skit, and most would probably say Kim lol) and it would've been even more impactful imo, or at least to me. The way it transitions from Kill You to Stan to Who Knew is absolutely fucking BONKERS and blew me away, holding my interest for the first half entirely. Second half still overall killer, little filler. No wonder everyone ate this shit up back in the day, and I'm still eatin' good tonight.
There he was singing and playing his guitar. And then he brought out the harmonica. Disgusting. I said my peace, Chrissy.
Surprisingly only my second Bowie album - my first was Blackstar. Weird right? Lotta heat on this one and the listen, even ignoring the conceptual prowess, was fucking enjoyable and impactful. I think this guy might have a big career ahead of him not sure why just a feeling.
Yeah I'd heard this one before, and several times at least at that. It's easy to hate on people who yap too much about Radiohead, but it's not easy to hate this album for me. Enjoyable and inspirational from start to finish all the way through.
I'll keep it brief and honest: I can't remember much of anything off of this one though I certainly could've paid closer attention. I just kinda tuned out early on, then got brought back in the middle surprisingly enough, but still just felt very lackluster about the whole thing. At least it's better than Coldplay.
Within seconds after the needle dropped, I lifted it back up and said, "This is a 5*"
I was right
Yeah it still rips. The sound every guitarist wanted to copy and still wants to in 2025.
*Shake It Bake It Booty Quake It ends*
No!
I was really stoked walking into this one only to be thrown off by the shit mixing on it. I love Dino Jr that I've heard otherwise, but this one was not it unfortunately fam. Is there like a remaster or something? Does it sound better on vinyl (one of those types)? Good songwriting and performances. Sometimes J Mascis is too J and/or Mascis though.
It was another of those ones where as soon as I put it on, I knew it was gonna be good. Incredible stuff all throughout. Loved the chordal structures and Jeff's insanely sweet tenor. RIP.
On merit of what it accomplishes, I should probably award it a 4, but I didn't really love much of anything off of it. Skill issues as per usual. Big Beat is probably just not my thing; I'm too sober for it.
Like for its time? Crazy. I get the significance and am glad to have listened to it. Didn't do much else for me
Don't call it a comeback. Or do cause it took me 10+ months. But here we are listening to something that I put off for over a decade and I'm kinda glad I did. I don't think I would've appreciated it as much then as I do now, but I also have the lens of the future to say I don't think the hype was ever real. Very solid album though, lots of highlights and I don't find anything to fault it for personally. Just good solid R&B by an immensely talented young artist at the time.
