Very interesting album overall. Got some good beats. Can really see how he was inspired by cinematic music to make it. I enjoyed the first couple tracks the most...they have a good groove

One of those albums that I know in theory should be up my alley, but I'm not wild about it for some reason? Maybe it's their voices that I don't jive with for any reason? The highlight for me was the song "I Dare You" but the rest of it wasn't that memorable.

Not what I expected from a Leonard Cohen album. Doesn’t make it bad! It’s just that he released a Leonard Cohen album in 1987, and that’s exactly what it sounds like. I was expecting guitar but instead there was a lot of synth and more electronic beats. “Everybody Knows” and “First We Take Manhattan” remind me of how dystopian it feels to live in the world both then and now. “Everybody Knows” is particularly timely and honestly, how much more cutting would it have been released in 2025?

The first half of the record is much better than the second half. I think that Flea/Frucasante (spelling lolol?) are very talented musicians and I enjoyed a lot of their bass lines and guitar work here. Especially Flea on bass. Some of the melodies rock but I sort of find Kiedis on juuuuuuust this side of obnoxious. Lyrics shallow. Also, there was a song on here...can't remember which one because I was vacuuming but god damn if it didn't belong on a Limp Bizkit record (derogatory). Didn't add a single song to my playlist! Ah!

Good ol' Morrissey...lol. One of rock's biggest assholes, this indie betch loves him anyway. ha. Not as good as some of the stuff he made with the Smiths, but a decent record from beginning to end here with "Vauxhill and I" nonetheless. For me, the big highlights were the single "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get" which by title made me sort of roll my eyes because OF COURSE he has a song called that. ha. The other highlight was "The Lazy Sunbathers" which I think I liked more for the instrumentation than the topic at hand? Anyway, overall a good listen.

The guitar playing here is amazing! I wish I could understand what the vocalist was singing about. It's not necessarily my style but it was a good listen.

I’m a sucker for a good horn section. The level of talent shown on this album is impressive. I love how many different instruments are featured here. Almost perfect, could have gotten rid of “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” but everything else including the 8 minute song “Blues, pt. 2” is excellent. I listened to the deluxe edition which also featured two live tracks which were a bop. First album of the year I’m saving in my library AND put songs in the playlist.

Despite Steely Dan being super cheesy in my mind and feeling like "why would I ever like that?" (lol) I enjoyed this record. It's definitely not necessarily my vibe but the musicianship (separate from singer/vocals) on this record is great. Lots of little flairs I hadn't noticed before. For me, "Dirty Work" is the highlight of the record. Is it because the song is good or because it makes me think of Tony Soprano? Idk. But I dig it.

I enjoyed listening to this and despite never listening to Blur before, I could instantly clock the britpop/90s indie vibes. Songs had some good variety and will probably listen again.

I was really excited to listen to this one because I've been meaning to listen to this record in entirety for like two decades. Freddie Mercury, man...what if he had lived so much longer? His voice truly is amazing. The harmonies are amazing. The layered instruments - especially guitar, which is the highlight - are done perfectly. Other than Bohemian Rhapsody which is obviously a classic, I really enjoyed the camp of "Seaside Rendezvous" and the more paired back "'39." "You're My Best Friend" was also great, but we already knew that. The harmonizing is done unlike anything I think many artists today would attempt, it's just so ambitious. Will I listen to it in it's entirety again? I don't know but it's certainly a solid record. Last but not least, I was happy to hear the ukulele on "Good Company."

Not crazy about this record but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Her voice is amazing. There’s some great classical guitar and saxophone. The occasional synth. But not really my vibe.

My initial thoughts before the first song has ended is that this would be tight to see in person with an orchestra. Extremely layered it's almost like someone was able to use an orchestra like it's a synth. After having a go at some of the other songs...I kind of like the "Greenman," "Fruit Nut," "Your Dictionary" the most of the album. The vocalist reminds me of Paul McCartney in some ways. I don't think I will return to anything from this album however, although it's not a bad listen.

I enjoyed this once again, even though it's not my vibe. I am really glad that I listened to it with my nice headphones on, because I really enjoyed the mono recording bouncing between my ears. Depeche Mode has been one of those artists that I know I should listen to at least once in my life, beyond what I had heard before which is only "Personal Jesus." I really thought that they did a great job deciding to put the song "World in My Eyes" as the opening track. For some reason I picture him being like the classic old showman doing a tongue in cheek intro to the rest of the show he's about to perform. Highlights for me include "Personal Jesus" which sounded SO GOOD on the headphones I have on and I liked "Enjoy the Silence" as well. He gave me big Morrissey vibes on "Blue Dress" for some reason....maybe because Morrissey isn't self-aware this is the kind of song he might sing. I'm not saying the bandmates of Depeche Mode are douchebags or anything, just pointing out something that reminded me of other things I've listened to and enjoyed.

I'm a big Fleetwood Mac fan but somehow have never listened to this album in its totality. "The Ledge" reminds me that they were once a blues band. Lindsay Buckingham is a jerk on "What Makes You Think I'm The One" but what's new? I like the bouncy piano on it though. Stevie follows up with what feels like the person responding to Lindsay on "Storms" and she sounds uniquely sad, my favorite of the album so far. Super impressed by the end of "Honey Hi" where they're all harmonizing while Buckingham plays some great guitar. I think that "Beautiful Child" has the most emotional songwriting of the album. As I always joke I'm a sucker for good horns and on more experimental track "Tusk" has some great horns and acoustic guitar. Ending the album out is "Forget Tonight" and I think that it actually features Christine McVie's best singing. Other than "Songbird" it actually might be my favorite more Christine McVie heavy Fleetwood songs. Overall, great album with only one bad song out of 20...lol. Added a few of them to my playlist I'm making with this project.

I rented this album from the library in 2004 as a teenager! But I never got into it, so maybe this is my chance to actually love it. The opening of the record is really strong with "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" I love the driving piano and the Robert Smith-esque vocals. After the second song, I sort of feel like maybe I was too young to "get" it....even though I had a very indie music obsessed teenage years (it was so good then! Postal Service! The Shins! Belle and Sebby!). I really enjoy "Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)" and how it builds up and goes back down, adding the violin, it's great. "Crown of Love" was great, even though I don't usually like songs where someone is begging for forgiveness...is that true? Idk. Okay. Fuck it. I'm saving this album in my library. The indie rock loving betch in me loves this. I wonder what would have happened had I gave this album the fair shake it deserved all the way in 2004. Would have I been to like five billion Arcade Fire concerts? Side note, the song about Haiti made me cry as a person who was descended from people that came from another island and relocated to Montreal.

Good opportunity to listen to some Peter Gabriel, which I'm embarrassed to say I haven't listened to him much other than "In Your Eyes." Opening track has sort of dark vibe complete somehow with those little plucky finger marimbas (idk what they're actually called). "Family Snapshot" really reminds me of Bruce Springsteen for some reason? Maybe the driving guitar and the saxophone. Honestly with three songs left in my listening, there's not much that stands out to me on this album. Maybe the last three songs will change my mind? Although he could not anticipate it, "Lead a Normal Life" at first sounded like that factory setting iphone ringtone...ha. I was looking forward to "Biko" and thought maybe that could be a highlight of the album for me because I love a good "movement" song. But I found it honestly a little boring. I feel kind of like an asshole being so "meh" about it but what are you gonna do, like everything?

I remember the two singles from this album and loved their disco vibes so I'm excited to see how this goes. Upon further reflection, the other Scissor Sisters song I know, was off of a different album. It's funny I've listened to "Take Your Mama" probably a thousand times, and I never noticed before how similar it is to George Michael's "Faith" which I have also listened to a thousand times. Somehow the cover of "Comfortably Numb" actually made me dizzy. "Tits on the Radio" would slap way more if it had different lyrics although the idea of there not being tits on the radio does crack me up a little bit. "Filthy/Gorgeous" is great, I picture it blasting in a gay nightclub with everybody dancing. That being said, I don't know that I will listen to it again. "Music is a Victim" is the highlight of the album so far for me and it will go on my playlist. The last few songs are sort of not memorable. I enjoyed this, but mostly because of genre, as opposed to liking it because it's very good?

I'm looking forward to this one! I have memories of hearing the Pogues in a bar in Dublin. It will be nice to revisit with good headphones and while sober(ish? I'm stoned lol). Opening track "The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn" is quite the little bop. The bridge where the chick pukes at the church during midnight mass is really something. I ate dinner so I walked away from the computer for a few songs (was listening on headphones). I definitely like the faster songs than the slower ballads, with "Jesse James" being the example I can think of the most. I love between verses on "Navigator" there's some beautiful finger picking which I think is a mandolin. Maybe I changed my mind about the fast with "Billy's Bones" although Shane MacGowan impresses by being able to say those words as fast as Busta Rhymes. Overall, I enjoyed this album. I really appreciate Shane MacGowan's voice, the character in it is immense. I don't know how much of it I will be returning to, but I'm glad having done it.

I didn’t make it all the way through maybe just wasn’t feeling it? Nothing really stood out to me for some reason?

I didn’t expect to like this based on my first initial listen of the first bit of the opener. Then “Girl From Mars” came on and I had the BIGGEST nostalgia flashback to being a kid in the 90s. Without remembering the song existed but somehow knew half the words? Anyway, I ended up enjoying this a lot more than I expected. It’s fun, the background harmonies are great, the guitar has a groove. Saved this whole album, as well as added some of it to my playlist.

It’s funny the opening song is the first single and I’m not sure why it was a hit. This album is interesting in that it’s always interesting to hear the culmination of many music decisions to create a piece of art. In reading the wiki for the band and for this album, I was surprised to see how many musicians cited this as their favorite record. I think for me, this is a situation in which I would have found this record impressive if I had heard it when it was released. Listening to it now I hear more of the people they inspired, like Bowie, DEVO and Queen. So it feels like a cheap imitation instead of something original and innovative.

I'm super excited for this one. I have a feeling it will be one of my favorite records I've had the opportunity to review yet. Not only is this kind of alt-country/Laurel Canyon usually my favorite genre of music, but I've been meaning to listen to this for a long time. By the second song, something occurred to me. It's clear that these dudes know their country music shit. It's a level of musical understanding that I consider to be impressive, especially when you think that Gram Parsons was 25 years old. I'm glad that I listened to this one twice, both on speakers and then on my nice headphones so I had the opportunity to hear the mono recordings separated. The two vocalists that are present through the whole record, sound great individually as well as in stereo. I wish I could interview the members of this band to learn about their musical education. Maybe it's just that I'm over 30, but I feel like the Flying Burrito Brothers are quite precocious. The cover of "Do Right Woman" almost made me cry it was so good. I especially love the harmonizing during the chorus. Hot Burrito #1, wow. I love a good sort of sad love song. Going into Hot Burrito #2, it really sounds like the follow up conversation to Hot Burrito #1. I wonder if they intended that...I mean with the names and everything I think so? Even the next song seems like the next step in this love affair that he's sad has ended. Interesting, that wasn't something I noticed as much on first listen. The final track reminds me a lot of church, when a pastor is giving the sermon over music. Is it music? Is it sermon? It's both! ha. The organ here is gorgeous. Congrats to the Flying Burrito Brothers, they've given me my first 5/5 thus far.

So, I don't know many songs from this album at all. It will be an initial listen on every track besides "Slipping Through My Fingers." I read the wikipedia page about this album and it says that it's often considered a more mature take on their work, and I already notice that in the first track. It's less poppy/dance track, and more synth. "Head Over Heels" offers some excellent harmonizing between the two female singers and reminds me a lot of Queen. "When All Is Said and Done" I dig it big time. When the rest of the beat kicks in....great! "Soldiers" is moodier and obviously is a reflection of that current moment, where the Cold War had been going wild for years by that point. I actually really like the wordplay in the chorus. Wild that the first six tracks don't contain any male vocals. I mean, I get why they put the women up front for this (their voices are heavenly). "You Owe Me One" might be an album highlight for me because of the two separate melodies in the chorus. That was beautiful. I don't know that I'll listen to this again, although it gave me a new appreciation for the ladies of ABBA and how good their voices are, the harmonies kill it. Considering they aren't family who sang together all of their lives, like the Everly Brothers or the Beegees, it's impressive. I didn't add any songs to my playlist from this one.

Loved this album for a long time.

I'm excited for this one! Opening track is great, the guitar and bass is quite funky and I appreciate the choir they've got in this one too. Being a sucker for horns, the second song also was pretty good. I wish I could understand what they're saying! In a way, some of this music reminds me of calypso? "O Filosofo" features like a little creaking sound that's real annoying. "O Plebeu" I think is probably a love song, I hear him calling someone a princess. Or maybe it's a song about how he hates princesses...idk. I think so far this is the highlight of the album for me. "Taj Mahal" might not get added to my workout playlist. Overall, I enjoyed it but probably won't do a relisten.

I really enjoyed this! A little psychedelic and talented musicians. Complex layered songs with impressive execution. Saved to my library.

Moody, not quite dark and beautiful. Love the ways he builds up some of these songs until the crescendo. Wonderful arrangements, many different instruments. Rufus has a great voice as well…lowkey jealous. Gay Messiah, I really loved that. Also love that he comes back to earth through heaven at studio 54. Great. Memphis Skyline is super sad and haunting, read somewhere that it’s about Jeff Buckley? Guess it makes sense why it’s sad. I love the piano bridge in it, wow. I think the highlight of the album for me is Hometown Waltz, but maybe that’s because my mum grew up outside Montreal.

Looking at the songs on this one I know almost all of them before listening. Love Bob Marley but excited for this one because I haven’t listened to him in a long time. I accidentally listened to the 40th anniversary version of the album, which after googling was a little more than just remastered. That actually ended up being a sort of blessing in disguise because this version was different than the recorded versions I’ve come to know, and it made me appreciate it more. Noticing the clarity of Bob’s voice, the fantastic background singers, the slight differences from the versions I’m most familiar with. Overall, I really enjoyed it.

Background music idk I’m not feeling well today so it could be that but I didn’t make it through this one. I was listening to it under ideal circumstances in that I was just sort of mindlessly scrolling but eh.

Nothin really stood out to me, but it’s not bad necessarily just n9t my vibe.

I’m excited for this one, I don’t know any songs on this album but I do like the kinks. Plus if we’re talking about the decline of the British Empire….ha. So I read the quick Wikipedia and it looks like this is a concept album for a film that was never made. The first three opening tracks are great so far. Complex instrumentation and 60s pop vocals. “Some Mother’s Son” and “Yes Sir, No Sir” reminds me of a British version of “Find the Cost of Freedom.” I wonder if this version of the British Empire is as shitty for the Brits as it is for its subjects…ha. “Australia” is great, a bit long, but reminds me of what would have been had they made a “Blue Hawaii”-esque movie sponsored by the Australian tourist authority. Man, listening some of the crunchy guitar at the end of “Australia” how was this record not a hit?! “Shangri-La” is a working class ode to not having too much, you’re working hard and life can be tough, but that your little home with your slippers and your favorite chair is a little piece of heaven. Unlike the songs “Yes, sir, no sir” and “some mother’s son” the song “Mr. Churchill says” is a more positive song about the military, and how tough Brits were during WWII and even features an air raid siren! “She’s bought a hat like princess marina” is about post-war poverty and struggling, in a way it reminds me of pygmalion and the DRUMMING on this track is so good. Combined with “young and innocent days” I can hear some of the Beatles inspiration here…almost like “For the Benefit of Mr. Kite” territory, had that record come out yet? Is he pining for his youth here because it really was a better time, or is it stained by the nostalgia we all feel for the times right on the cusp of adulthood. It’s interesting, I sort of feel like a lot of these songs are like couplets of the immediately preceding track…is that the word I’m thinking of? “Nothing to say” the protagonist grew up a little bit, the world has changed, maybe he has kids and a little gray hair. Okay this record is a keeper for me, I love it from beginning to end. “Arthur” is the character study of the guy who this record is about, and continues the themes of the other songs. If the show ended up getting made, “Arthur” could be the theme song. There’s something about it that reminds me of sitcoms from the 70s? There’s not a single song I’d keep off the record and I love the story it tells. It’s quintessentially working class, it’s complex instrumentation, and really fucking fun (most of the tracks are fun anyway).

Oh no it deleted everything I wrote while listening. I enjoyed this even though it’s not my vibe necessarily. Since I love a lot of more indie music, New Order is one of those bands that were proto to a lot of the stuff I grew up listening to. I expected it to be more depressing than it was, and part of me felt like I would have loved to be in a dance club in the 80s jamming hard.

Love the Allman Brothers and haven’t heard this and I’m looking forward to it! Within the opening bars, it’s already great. I-IV-V guitar, some organ, and drums. It’s funny looking at the other reviews written here a lot of them refer to this as jam band music, but I find it way more southern rock/blues than a jam band so far. After the first two tracks, they bring it back down a little bit for “Stormy Monday” it’s more ballad like but with some shredding guitar. A lot of jamming and having fun improvising is does not jam band make, but can see the comparisons especially on “Elizabeth Reed.” Love the singing on the “Whipping Post” and it’s 20 minutes long…which is probably too long, but I can forgive it because it is the Allman Brothers in 1971.

k.d. lang! canadian country music! I'm looking forward to this one, as I'm both Canadian and like country music. k.d. has such a great voice, it's clear and emotional. "Miss Chatelaine" is the first track on this album that really got me going. I had a funny moment where I realized that there are a lot of people who don't remember that magazine! "Wash Me Clean" is a beautiful ballad but I'm starting to wonder if this isn't a country record...even though this is k.d.'s genre technically. So far I feel like this is her as a smoky lounge act, we shall see if I feel the same with more listening. "Season of Hollow Soul" has a great dramatic build up and then right back down to a upright bass solo I dig it. It took 8 tracks, but the first hint of country I hear is the guitar in "Outside Myself." Which is also a good song! Okay, so I've now made it to the end of the record. It's good, will I relisten? Probably not. But I do like that I got to listen to a fellow Canadian today. :)

Excited for this one as I love Madonna and there’s some songs I don’t know on this record. Really enjoyed hearing Madonna do a little more emotion than I’m used to on “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.” “Dress You Up” was a song I had completely forgot about and god it is just so fun. Sick saxophone on “shoo-bee-doo.” “Pretender” is a perfect song. And now for the last track “Stay” has some really cool drumming and sparkly beats. Overall it’s great to hear Madonna’s voice at the beginning of her career here, she’s got a throatiness that’s perfect and there’s nothing pretentious about it. Fun record with great 80s synth. God I love pop music.

I sort of felt like this was a demo tape. Lots of good ideas, none totally fleshed out. The short songs are kind of neat, but I wish there were fewer songs that were stronger. It’s like they needed a good editor!

The singing was meh. There was some good little moments in there but nothing too spectacular. The highlight for me was “Starstruck” which made it on the playlist. Also, very british and a tad pretentious.