I didn't really like it. But then again I'm pretty particular with music. Just like, the vocals weren't very good/special and also the guitar wasn't that interesting. Some of the more African influences were interesting. Wouldn't listen to again. Songs I liked most were Castles Made of Sand and Bold as Love (good instrumental last minute).
So like, it's fine, lots of iconic songs on it like Hot For Teacher which are always a fun listen. But it's hard to listen to this album without the context of all the modern things I've heard. Some fun guitar riffs (Jimmy Legs) but I don't love the vocals at all
This is the first one that I couldn't finish. And all the songs were like 6 minutes long, which is so long for repetition of like 3 phrases (musical and lyrical lol). Anyways, it felt like one of those movies that had so much potential but the execution was lacking.
I kind of liked it. Sort of passively listened so can't speak too much to it. But it had some nice instrumentals and a good swinging feel. Kind of corporate feeling after while though.
I mean, it's AC/DC, a classic! So yeah, it was good. But it's good because of the overall vibe they can get out of there songs. There wasn't any specific really interesting musical parts or anything. IDK if I'd listen the the whole album again but random songs off of once in awhile are always welcome.
This is one I really wanted to like but it just didn't do it for me. There were some interesting musical phrases but as a whole a but disjointed for me. Would like to go back and relisten though. I think the first track was most interesting.
This one was interesting, I think I liked it. Really like the instrumental mix and unique rhythm sounds. One I would like to listen to again though. And some of the line longer songs seem to stretch on with too little variation. Anyways, would listen to again.
Started strong with 1999 so I was like oh this will be a good one. But wow some of the songs are so long and a bit repetitive so the whole thing isn't a five. But would listen again. Appreciate the percussion and brass in some of the songs.
Didn't give this a 1 because there were some interesting instrumental parts and a few solid grooves. However, wow, I hate his "singing." I get trying to have a unique sound but he doesn't have the resonance in his voice to pull off those long notes. Also you cannot have an 8 minute long song where you only repeat one phrase over and over again. It's not interesting, even if the background music changes and even worse like in this album where it doesn't.
This was another one where lyrically it was pretty boring. There were some really interesting instrumental phrases though. His singing style and voice seemed to work best in songs like Loom of the Land.
This was another one that was hard for me to listen to without comparing or seeing it through the lens of all the music I've listened to. Like there were so many better punk acts even at that time so I'm not sure I really get it. But anyways, there were some great guitar parts and a few of the songs established a good groove. The lyrics and singing were very punk (but that didn't make them interesting and not super repetitive). Anyways, had to give it a 3 for the instrumentals, but overall wouldn't listen to again (would go to a show though, would probably be a vibe). Most overall successful song was Get it On.
I mean, pretty solid. Nice and short, some good narrative songs and the classic Dolly voice. Would listen again, not a fave.
They do have a very nostalgic sound, but that didn't make to interesting. Just nothing that pulled me in lyrically or instrumentally.
Wow, what a mixed bag. You had some moments with great riffs, interesting key changes, and a diverse instrument riff. Then you have other songs where they're just noodling for 12 minutes. Anyways, the things that were good were so good. Loved the opening track, such a solid gritty riff to keep coming back to with great instrumental bits mixed in. Nice jazz influences. Great key change in Epitaph. Would almost go 5, but some things were pushed just a bit far or a bit repetitive. But I actually enjoyed this one and relistened to a good bit of it.
I did like a lot of the instrumental bits of this. Some of the straight instrumental tracks were a bit long and repetitive. The vocals were not my favorite but only really bothered me on a few songs. Overall, they have some tracks that have a good vibe but not a peak album.
I feel like I can't objectively review this album because it's just so nostalgic. But yeah, it's pretty much a hit. Solid music, what more can I say
A fun listen with good vibes. Would listen again.
Idk, I wasn't blown away. Listened to it again to see if I was missing anything, but there wasn't much that stood out musically, instrumentally, or lyrically. Solid Hallelujah cover though.
Overall not too much of a stand out to me. Like it was a nice vibe to listen to, but wouldn't actively listen again (background music). But too much repetition and similar song structures across the album to be super interesting.
Piano in A Place Called Home and layered vocals nice (contrast with lyrical and spoken word). Probably the best track on the album for me in terms of vocal and instrumental interest and variety.
This one was fine, even had a nice nostalgic vibe at times, but there was nothing musically, lyrically, or vocally that really stood out.
Glad that I went back to this one with good headphones, it helped a lot. This bumped The album from a 2 to a 3. There were some good things, like an interesting use of non-instruments as instruments. However, the vocals for the most part were not good and overall there was quite a bit of repetition that was boring. Still a pretty mid album.
I wasn't expecting to like this one, but it was a surprise standout! Of course I'm a sucker for a larger instrument mix and they did a lot with it! Seamless integration of some nice brass and wind instruments with more traditional guitar and kit. The vocals were also surprisingly good. Some nice little harmony bits with other members and solid lead vocals. Just a lot of really talented writing in this album. Would listen again.
Lots of great instrumental inclusion, from the deep bass lines grounding Jet, the little sax interludes in Bluebird, the sax weaving in with the snappy bass lines of Mrs. Vanderbilt, the meandering wind interlude in Picasso's Last Words introducing the key change and the strings leading us into the end, the jaunty piano carrying us through 1985.
This one was not my favorite style. Decently interesting vocals but little instrumental/musical interest. Also just not my favorite vocal style, reaching for the notes a bit. Overall, didn't enjoy it overly so as it was a bit bland and formulaic, but understand its place on the list as it was such a landmark culturally at the time. Probably wouldn't listen again.
The beats on this are undeniable, just great at making a groove. Some interesting mix of instruments in the background with the groove (like was that a pan flute hiding in the background of The Shiznit and the whole Gz and Hustlas). Lyrics could be improved, but
This one was great! A jazz feel that was more produced, which I appreciate. Some really interesting instrumentals. Would listen again.
Favorites: Minawa, Maseru, Marsha
Least Favorites: Blues for Huey, Ingoo Pow-Pow
Okay, this album KILLS me because the instrumental writing is sooooo good (especially in beginning of album). Engaging, great rhythm and variety of instruments. But then the vocals absolutely ruin it and take it to some sad pop world. Would be much improved without vocals in my opinion lol. Anyways, without vocals I would give it a 4 but they brought it down to a 3 for me.
There were some really nice groovy instrumental bits. The marimba and brass in Love Plus One dancing over the groove laid down, bongo and winds in Lemon Firebrigade followed by fun brass fanfare.
A fun album with great grooves. Great sax in The Reason I'm Not Pleasing You, great piano in So Long, whistling in Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Appreciated it, would listen again though it could be difficult to match to the appropriate mood/setting.
Nothing really stood out to me on this album. The vocals weren't very interesting and the instrumental arrangements were a bit tame to be truly interesting. All in all, didn't hate it, but didn't really like it. Pale Blue Eyes probably best track on album.
This was one that didn't stand out as spectacular in any real aspect. Paris 1919 was a standout though. The brass and strings chanting out the beat broken down into a winds and strings chorale. Good writing and execution. Other tracks were forgettable or even unlistenable (Macbeth).
It's so hard for me to keep reviews of albums like these objective because they have such a strong place in time and are so nostalgic. That being said, I think it still holds up. Sure some songs are longer than they need to be and there is some meandering in the lyrics but it still hits.
Jesus of Suburbia has a nice little breakdown in there, would have been stronger cut at the halfway point after the little I don't care interlude (though the little somewhere over the rainbow interlude shortly after it's nice too). Don't love how there are a lot of split songs as a lot of these are really strong with one and not as strong with the other (looking at you Give Me Novacaine/Rebel Girl) and would be nice to not have to have both.
Such a different voice, don't love it as it just feels so affected, like someone trying to pronounce Shakespeare "correctly" and just wrecking it as a result. It's quite rough in some songs like The Fairest of the Season while others like These Days it sounds more natural and less of an affectation. Little Sister the backing winds and winds make her voice seem flat in comparison. Winter Song has some nice instrumental parts. Writing of It Was a Pleasure Then was too meandering for me with no structure, did feel a lot like a pretentious "art piece" that's supposed to be impactful but doesn't have substance. Melody of I'll Keep You With Me is quite nice (vocals are weakest part of that one).
Okay but also I feel like I'm at a Ren Faire the entire time (could be good or bad I guess). Anyways I guess there could be a time or place for this to be a vibe but it's overall not too worthy of consideration.
Pretty solid, more musical than I expected with some nice guitar bits. Love the melodic guitar backing riffs in Remember Tomorrow. The staccato interlude followed by sweeping guitar and marching repeating riffs then a tempo and style change in Phantom of the Opera is great writing. Overall I wanted to be more blown away by this album than I was but I would still happily listen to again and think it's a great inclusion for the history and significance.
Had to give this one 4 just cause the singing style isn't a fave/not as polished as expected. The writing on this album is great though! Every track has a unique groove and some interesting instrumentals. The percussion in Soul Love punctuated by the brass and the sax interludes, the piano in Moonage Daydream holding everything down plus the lovely winds and brass interlude with the long, hypnotic guitar finish of the song. In Starman it's the stretching vocals that stand out while in Rock and Roll Suicide the guitar and brass ensemble really brings it all together. Would listen again, good writing.
Sorry, but no. I know people hate Bono but somehow the vocals are the most interesting thing happening in these songs. You cannot have 5-7 minute songs when the "instrumentals" are just one musical phrase repeated over and over again. Every single song would be improved by being 20% shorter. Bullet The Blue Sky is the only song approaching decent, it had some more variation on instrumentals with the opening and interludes. But it is also kinda ruined by the long noodling at the end (would call a relisten if it finished around 3:30). Would not listen again.
Okay sorry but, this one gave the ick. Also the affectation of his voice is not enjoyable. There was such a divide on the vocals with the sweeping instrumentals. Anyways, not really a fan and really not that well written.
This was fine, very pretty and decent vocal quality. Just repetitive and honestly boring after awhile (and so long). Great for background music, not much to keep me here as primary listening music though. Stay was the best track with the additional accompaniment interest.
I just like it! Every song has a unique groove and honestly really good writing. There's some really interesting instrumentation in there. That flailing piano in the background of Hotwax along with some nice bongo, the bass in Lord Only Knows holding it all down (also that unhinged scream at the beginning was ideal) and the fun little acoustic interlude near the end, the sax in The New Pollution, the percussion in Derelict marching along and each piece offsetting the rhythm of the others and the lyrics and what a great ending with the stretched out chords, the thrilling background in Novacane contrasting with the fuzzy vocals, the snappy keyboard in Where It's At and the nice wind interludes (especially the sax), the perfectly timed chimes and stretched out hits in Minus, the soaring guitar contrasted with the alarms and then that crackling static at the end in Skyneck feeding into the same effect in Readymade which has jangling keyboard riffs and horn interludes, High Five has that beat laid down with jangling tones contrasted with smooth horns and a fun percussion feature in the middle, the acoustic guitar with slight key change in Ramshackle.
I originally knew this album from King Kunta but hadn't listened to the whole album. What a great listen though. I had to go back and listen to it like 3 times to come up with anything more that, this is vibes. Through the whole album he's great at developing a great beat. Some tracks are more successful than others but the whole album does a great job of starting a conversation. Also the form used in the songs is so interesting, mixing interviews, spoken word, and more traditional rapping. Mortal Man is quite successful with the mix of styles and lyrics. Also what an ending to the album, with a pop, very smart.
Some other stand out tracks were King Kunta and i (just such a fun track and beat, infectious energy).
I would it a 4.5 because not every track is a home run, but it's really close to that and I would definitely listen to again.
You know it's going to be a fun listen when the summary is basically like yeah this album existed.
Sure, I get it it's satire, but part of effective satire is about criticizing those in power. So no, this is not acceptable.
Other than that, I don't know what I'm supposed to be finding in this album. The vocals are nothing spectacular (they're arguably not good in most songs), most songs have a similar rhythm and instrument mix and nothing of great interest. Louisiana 1927 had more interesting instrumentals than the others and seemed to fit his vocal range okay. Will gladly never listen again.
I honestly don't know how to rate this. On the first listen I was like eh it's pretty generic. But then I listened a second time and was really drawn in by some of the background elements. But overall, nothing spectacular stood out to me. They kind of all sounded the same. I keep listening to it and my brain keeps refusing to acknowledge that these are indeed 11 different songs. Anyways, it could be a vibe for certain situations, I think the first track was the best, not great and not terrible so I guess it gets a 3.
I don't think I can look at this objectively at all, it's just so tied to it's context and like my first real deep dive into rap. That being said, I can't help but love it. I mean it has 97 Bonnie and Clyde, Guilty Conscience, My Name Is, some solid hits. The sheer lyrical gymnastics that he can do are amazing. And he's just great at making some infectious beats. I don't hate the content either especially in light of the more recent work he's put out. I think it works in terms of an album written as Slim Shady. Is it his best album? No, but it still holds up and I can still happily listen to it all the way through.
Overall, the whole album is a vibe. Some nice instrumentation and a classic feel. Not my preferred style, but there are definitely some hits. The instrumental songs in the expanded version are more interesting than any of the other tracks though lol. I keep trying to actively listen but the songs just slide off my brain and before I know it, the album is over. Pleasant listen though.
This is another one that's hard to evaluate without comparing to other groups that have come after that I prefer. But definitely a great album. Vocal style is not my favorite but they keep the instrumentals so engaging that I don't even mind.
The building intro of Blackened with the guitar solo interludes in the middle, the entirety of ... And Justice for All, great contrast of the bass lines with the guitar in Eye of the Beholder with some great tempo changes, the lyrical guitar at the beginning of One with the kit coming in in stages and just the layering of the guitar lines in that one, that nice fall and rise of guitar punctuated by the bass in The Shortest Straw, that insane building opening of Harvester of Sorrow, the scales in the background of The Frayed Ends of Sanity matched with the driving bass line, the lyrical opening of To Live is to Die interrupted by the driving bass lines then overlaid with more soaring guitar lines and a nice stripped down interlude in the middle and how it opens back up when the kit is added back in and then the reverse of the opening ending lyrical guitar again. Anyways, some really great writing.
The problem with movie scores is that they enhance the visual experience, but are often incredibly dull without that context. I would say this album falls into that category.
I honestly just really hated the vocals so so much. Listened through and there were some interesting vocal parts, but nothing spectacular.
Somehow they made a metal group where the vocals do most of the work and guitar is background so that's wild. Again, this one is hard to judge with all the metal groups since this time that have done similar things but so much better. Also I can't appreciate The Beautiful People because it's been so overplayed for years. But all in all a solid album with some good jams. And it was definitely iconic in it's time.
Some nice instrumental things though even with vocals being the focus. Nice stompy cut in the middle of Irresponsible Hate Anthem and awesome clanging riffs, nice closing beat and stripped down instrument mix in Dried Up, Tourniquet is the best track on this album with the contrast and those nice stretchy guitar features, love the cut to just vocals in Deformography though, Wormboy is so enticing with the beat switch ups and off-beat rhythms, the filthy opening of Kinderfeld and just the effects of the whole song, the bongos in Minute of Decay, those great breakdowns in The Reflecting God.
Omg those NIN influences especially in Deformography though lol.
Was torn between a 3 and 4 but listening on good headphones pushed it to a 4. Lots of interesting nuances that get lost in poor speakers. And I would listen again with no complaint. Also would totally vibe at one of their shows.
I don't know what I thought the Rolling Stones sounded like but this wasn't it lol.
Like the sax in Brown Sugar and guitar in Sway.
Vocals in Wild Horses kill it for me.
Rhythm and sax in Can You Hear Me Knocking was solid and of course Dead Flowers is a classic. Just nothing that super stuck with me or stood out. It was good but not really good in terms of vocals, lyrics, or instrumentals.
Pretty solid. Some nice beats and rhythms. Of course So Fresh, So Clean and Ms. Jackson are bangers. The beat for We Luv Deez Hoez was amazing but that laughter made me never want to hear it again lol. Red Velvet hit on all the levels (lyrically, musically, vocally) and Toilet Tisha was solid lyrically. Could have done without the interludes. All in all, solid but not amazing and not sure if it would hit a whole album re-listen for me (but that could also be because it's not my favorite genre).
This one feels like you almost had to be there. Like this would be vibes in person but the magic doesn't translate to the recording. Songs seemed to drag on a bit. Some really interesting instrumental bits though. And honestly all of You Don't Love Me was solid. Would like to do a closer listen to analyze more specific parts.
I don't know how to feel about this album because some songs are the perfect mix of like jazz/bluegrass and punk and rap and then other songs are not good. Like the vocals trying to good vocals aren't great but when he embraces the more rap style delivery it's successful. Highlights were the beats in most of the songs, just bops. Some excellent instrumental bits too. I think I liked it though and I'd even go as far as to say it was good overall.
This is one that was okay but nothing really stood out.
I loved this, but I'm more in music for the instrumentals and am a slut for those big band arrangements with some good jazz/blues mixed in. Would gladly listen to the whole album again (and did several times).
Didn't find to much in this one that stood out to me. A lot of repetition and all the songs are five minutes long (please there's neither the vocals nor the instrumentals to warrant that length). Her vocals worked okay with the first half tracks where they're a bit more upbeat and the vocals are almost more spoken word but I didn't think they worked in slower songs when she tried to go higher/sing more sustained notes.
I listened to this like 3 times and none of the tracks jumped out at me, but I enjoyed them all. Would like give this a 4 for solid instrumentals, grooves, and overall vibes.
Would throw on while cooking sometime.
Gotta give it a 2 because though I didn't hate it, I didn't really like it. Quite uninteresting in terms of instrumentation (whether that's the fault of the genre or artist I'm not sure as this isn't a style that I really like). Also pretty repetitive overall
Don't Touch My Hair was my favorite track (pretty good arrangement, repetitive but they used the to build and so it worked okay) and it had a nice lead in to the interlude after it.
F.U.B.U had some interesting instrumentation (about the 3 min mark with some horns and off beats.
Honestly, the Interludes were to me the most interesting points of the album. Some good arrangements and solid messages.
Classic Ren Faire vibes, I don't hate it but I don't love it. Would listen again with morning coffee chill vibes maybe? Silver Dagger, All My Trials, Donna Donna, Rake and Rambling Boy were the tracks that drew me in most.
Don't like East Virginia and hated how she sung the high high notes in Fare Thee Well. I actually didn't like the cover of House of the Rising Sun, too stretched out for me. Basically any of the slower songs where things were stretched out I think were less successful than the more upbeat tracks.
Overall pretty neutral feelings about this one, some nice folk tracks but nothing stood out in terms of vocals or instrumentals.
This one was okay, but nothing I was really drawn to. Must note it's not my preferred genre of music, so that might influence my takes, but the vocals and instrumentals were a bit simple for me but not simple enough that they were poignant in that way (Father and Son is exception, it worked there). Wild World was also solid, great beat which really carried it.
I listened to this like three times but it still just sounded like elevator music to me, well composed elevator music, but still, guess it's not my genre.
I mean, what can I say that hasn't been said? Seaside Rendezvous had some great alternative instrumentations. The Prophets Song had some great rounds and a really nice string closing leading into Love of my Life so well. Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon is just such a vibe. And of course, there's Bohemian Rhapsody. Quite close to a 5, but not everything hit so it's like a 4.5. would listen again (even to I'm in Love with my Car lol).
Didn't really find much redeeming in this album. The vocals were not ideal and the instrumentals/rhythms were a bit too repetitive. It's hard to give this one a fair shake with all the punk that's come since then and improved on these early influences. Have to give it a bit more for being an influence though and it was a fun listen on good headphones.
Very groovy. Le Freak is of course a classic and great dance hall jam. The instrumentation on Savoir Faire was nice, good base and some fun noodling. Didn't really like many of the tracks with vocals and songs seemed quite formulaic. All in all, not bad, but not great.
A lot of the earlier album songs weren't great, instrumentals were too repetitive and vocals were not working for me. We Don't Need Who You Think You Are was the first one that really all worked together, dynamic instrumentals, varied vocals. Tracy's Flaw was a nice change of pace, the vocals were solid and the instrumental range was nice. The vibes with Lately were good, nice beat. Secretly also solid.
Basically, not a complete knock out, but good enough that I might listen to their other stuff now.
So, this didn't do it for me at all. Pretty generic and basic instrumentals so I'm out. But it wasn't really actually bad so it gets a 2, like I wouldn't be mad if it was playing at a coffee shop. Ego Agogo was the best track for me, some really interesting varied instrumentation and rhythms. The other standard singles like Angels were way too long and repetitive to be actually good.
This one was okay. A lot of the tracks seemed to be kind of noodling rather than a more composed track. There wasn't much that stood out to me instrumentally, lyrically, or vocally in most tracks. Really liked the rhythm, horns, band marimba in Happy Feelin' (this was actually the only track that really seemed to all work).
I just can't get behind the vocals being repeated over and over and over for 4 minutes. You're just taking two of the components of music (lyrics and vocals) and completely writing them out. Sure, there are some catchy beats, but without two of the three components of music all I have to judge it by are the instrumentals, which didn't hold hold up as anything inspiring.
