Rating: 3.5/5 (Rounded to 4)
Genres: Southern Rock and Blues
Favorite Track: La Grange
Honorable Mentions: Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers, Master of Sparks, Waitin' for the Bus
A zany, unapologetic, dad rock album with some lyrics that's as raw and dirty as the guitar. A fun listen, makes me want to ride into the sunset on a highway.
Especially loved the transition between Waitin' for the Bus and Jesus Just Left Chicago :)
Rating: 2.75/5 (Rounded to 2)
Favorite Track: Here Comes Your Man, La La Love You
Honorable Mentions: Hey
This album is an acquired taste for me, as I'm not a huge fan of Black Frank's shrill, shrieky vocals. I do love the stripped-down approach, surf-rock guitar work, and the sharp drumming. The album's influence on alternative rock is undeniable even if it's not completely to my taste. An entertaining listen for sure though :)
Favourite Track: Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon (Utopia Planitia)
Honourable Mentions: In the Morning of Magicians
There's something mesmerizing about an album that tackles life's most profound dualities: life and death, happiness and misery, love and
heartbreak; all through the fantastical lens of a girl fighting pink robots.
This is a super psychedelic album, especially love the synths mixed with acoustics which gives a dreamy/euphoric vibe to the experience.
Not really an album I'd put on unless if I were trying to evoke a very specific (euphoric) vibe, hence the 2 star rating.
Favourite Track: Tunnels, Wake Up
Honourable Mentions: In the Backseat
A very cohesive album with enough variety to keep things interesting throughout.
I've loved The Suburbs for sometime now, so I was excited to jump into Funeral. It definitely took awhile to grow on me, mostly because I'm not a fan of Win Butler's vocals. The rich instrumentation makes up for it though.
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) is definitely a standout opener - the way it builds from the gentle piano intro into the full band arrangement really sets the tone for the whole album.
Overall, this album is captures the themes of childhood, coming-of-age, and loss so well with the use of crescendos, gradual build, and emotional progression.
Favourite Tracks: Little Wing, Spanish Castle Magic
Honourable Mentions: Ain't No Telling, Up From The Skies, Bold As Love
BANGER AFTER BANGER
I'm a huge fan of soulful and groovy rock so this album was right up my alley on first listen. The entire album showcases Jimi's versatility by blending his background in R&B with influences from Jazz, Blues, and Psychedelic Rock. So many classic hip-hop songs have sampled his work, which speaks to how well his sound transcends the rock genre.
Specially loved the guitar solo in Spanish Castle Magic :) Gonna go buy the vinyl now
Favourite Track: Down By The River
Honourable Mentions: Cowgirl in the Sand, Everybody Knows This is Nowhere
DOWN BY THE RIVUHHHHHHHH, I SHOT MA BAYBEEEEEEEEEEEE
"Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" is one of those albums that grows even richer with repeated listens.
On first listen it was a bit understated and repetitive (dare I say boring), but after sitting down and intentionally listening to it I started to notice the details that really make this album a classic; like the twangy guitar tone and the natural, raw approach. This is the perfect camping/road trip album.
That guitar solo in "Down by the River" is truly iconic.
Favourite Track: Fuzz Gun '91
Honourable Mentions: Thorn, Into The Drink
Not much of a fan of this one. Even with repeated listens, this album didn't really stick with me. I'm not really much of a grunge fan in general (with the exception of Nirvana). I did enjoy the punchy drums though, but overall not my jam. Sorry!
Favourite Track: Winter Lady
Honourable Mention: Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye
An atmospheric, soft album that prioritizes lyrics over musical complexity. I definitely need to be in the right mood for this one (i.e. A cozy bookstore nestled in a quaint neighbourhood during the fall season). Cohen's whispery, conversational vocal style is definitely an acquired taste too.
Rating: 3.5/5 (Rounded down to 3)
Favourite Track: Here I Am
Honourable Mention: Traveling Man, Early Morning Breeze
HERE I AMMMMMMMMMMMMM, OH HERE I AMMMMMMMMMMM
Dolly has such a distinct vocal style that really shines in this album. Her talent combined with the storytelling makes this such an easy listen! Bonus points for the heavy bass :)
Favourite Track: Ghost Rider
A very subversive, strange, and a bit disorienting sound.
Frankie Teardrop is not a track for the weak, the screaming and crying paired with lyrics about a man who snaps and kills his family is uncomfortable and genuinely scary (especially with the industrial, dense organs in the background). Fun to play in the minivan on your next road trip, a real treat for the whole family.
In terms of the rest of the album, the minimalist synth riffs really test my patience with how tedious the build-up is. But it is interesting that they couldn't afford synths and instead used an organ through a fuzz box as a solution.
Overall, a very uneasy listen. Historically significant sure, but I'm unfortunately not a fan.
Favourite Track: Bazooka Joe
Honourable Mentions: Kerosene, Bad Houses
Too edgy to listen again but won't not listen again
Throughout the album, there's a sort of raw and aggressive energy that's expressed through the scratchy electric guitar, the punchy drum machine, and the industrial tone. There's also themes of PTSD, child trafficking rings, brothels, alcoholism, wife-beating... overall just some light stuff to set the mood at your niece's birthday party.
I suppose I'm just really not a fan of noise rock. Most of the subject matter in this album deals with some not-so-comfy topics that often make me uncomfortable. Might be cathartic for some but personally it's not something I seek out.
Some fun facts: The band's drum machine is named Roland, and the album can be seen in the background of Hiro's room in Big Hero 6.
Rating: 4.5/5
Favourite Track: Layla
Honourable Mentions: Bell Bottom Blues, I Looked Away, Little Wing (Jimmy Hendrix Cover)
LAYLAAAAAAAA, YOU'VE GOT ME ON MAH KNEEESSS. LAYLAAAAAAAA, I'M BEGGIN' DARLIN' PLEASE
Ugh such a good album if it weren't for Eric Clapton's racist statements. My rating will be based on the music only, separating the art from the artist.
I'm already a huge fan of blues and soul, so a rock album with classic blues undertones and amazing guitar riffs is already a yes for me. The guitar work between Clapton and Duane Allman creates such rich, layered textures throughout the album; combined with some legendary solos and passionate vocals.
The album's length is a bit too long, which made it feel a bit sprawling. It lost me in between I Am Yours and Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?, But finishes off with some unforgettable tracks (Obviously Layla, but the cover of Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing and Thorn Tree In The Garden are so good).
Also petition for Pattie Boyd to be in the rock and roll hall of fame for inspiring so many iconic songs lmao
Rating: 4.5/5
Favourite Track: Queen Jane Approximately, Highway 61 Revisited
Honourable Mentions: Like a Rolling Stone, Tombstone Blues, Ballad of a Thin Man
A fun and chill album that's really heavy on story-telling and bluesy tones. I also approve of the harmonica but that may be a hot take.
People in this review section seem to be divided by Bob Dylan's singing style, but I personally think it adds to the stories that are told through the music. In the context of 1965, this album is so ahead of its time because it wasn't just music, it was a seismic event that forced listeners to reconsider what popular art could accomplish.
Favourite Tracks: Wake Up Dead, Peace Sells
Honourable Mentions: Good Mourning/Black Friday, I Ain't Superstitious
Wake Up Dead is an insane album opener, that immediate intensity and the multiple tempo changes showcase Megadeth's technical skills right from the start. The iconic bass intro in Peace Sells makes it instantly a classic.
There's a heavy jazz influence thanks to Chris Poland (2nd Guitar), Gar Samuelson (Drums, and David Ellefson (Bass); which sets Megadeth apart from so many other metal bands.
I'm not here for the lyricism, I'm here for the thrash >:)
Favourite Tracks: Uncertain Smile, This is the Day
Honourable Mentions: I've Been Waiting for Tomorrow, Soul Mining
This is one of those albums that slowly grows on you with repeated listens. The album itself is atmospheric, nostalgic, and almost bittersweet with it's catchy happy melodies but sad and darker lyrics.
I almost ascended at Jools Holland's double piano solo in Uncertain Smile, and the guitar tones in Soul Mining are butterrrrr.
Each song in this album is so unique and memorable. I'll be listening over and over again.
Favourite Track: Pale Blue Eyes
Honourable Mentions: Candy Says
Haven't listened to anything from TVU before, but their style is a lot more folky/country than I anticipated. In the era of peace'n'lovey-dovey pop during this time, I honestly can see why they were not a commercial success.
It was truly a struggle to get through this album. The overall vibe is boring, slow, and mellow and most of the songs are forgettable. The only song that I'll revisit is "Pale Blue Eyes" - the tambourine makes the song very atmospheric.
It's definitely not my taste, but I can see why others like it.
Favourite Tracks: Badlands, Prove It All Night, Racing in the Street
Honourable Mentions: Adam Raised a Cain, Streets of Fire
A KISS TO PROVE IT ALLLLL NIGHT, PROVE IT ALLLLL NIGHT
This album is so good. Its the perfect blend of classic rock anthems and moving ballads, a go-to album to put on for any road trip. It’s a coming of age album about ambition, disillusionment, anger, desperation, with a few glimmers of hope; released 3 years after legal proceedings that prevented him from putting out music. Every song on this album is somebody's favourite song. Will absolutely be buying this on vinyl.
Badlands is such a classic, what a banger opening. Addicted to the riff in Adam Raised a Cain. Love how dynamic Candy's Room is, the drums provide such great energy. Racing in the Street brings me to tears with the slow build-up and themes of broken dreams. Prove It All Night makes me want to rip it down the highway with all my windows down, singing at the top of my lungs.
Fun Fact: Every song on Side A has a counterpart on Side B either in sound or theme!
Rating: 3.5/5
Favourite Track: Mentira
Honourable Mentions: je ne t'aime plus, Desaparecido, Mama Call, Bongo Bong
Manu Chao is the Bob Marley of Latin Pop
Mixing Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish together, Clandestino (a term for undocumented immigrants) is an album that expresses both frustration at the state of the world and compassion for the people in it. This is Manu Chao's first album after his departure from his band; recorded using a small laptop as he travelled throughout the world, busking on the streets.
Overall, this album is cohesive and polished. I like the acoustic, stripped down approach to the instrumentation with the inclusion of layered samples and overdubbed vocals. Some of the tracks lacked distinction from the other ones, but overall this was a very chill and, at times, upbeat listen. Hear him when he comes, he's the king of Bongo B).
