May 07 2025
In Rainbows
Radiohead
Angiepilled. Previously listened to 2 songs off of this album (Weird Fishes / Arpeggi; Faust Arp). The album itself is very dreamy and transcendent, at times it felt like I was floating or being chased inside a surreal/futuristic landscape.
Probably not the best album to start off with with Radiohead if you've never listened to one of their albums before (as is the case with me). It grew on me gradually and I made an effort to listen because I have always appreciated Radiohead, but if you're trying to convince someone of becoming a fan, you'd be hard-pressed to try doing that with this album.
Nothing was super compelling in terms of adding it to my current rotation. It's gorgeously crafted, ultimately, but left me wanting more. I'm on the fence on whether this is a 3 or 4 for me. I can certainly see myself switching towards a 4 upon further listening sessions.
Favorite Song: Nude
3
May 08 2025
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Based and Hawthornepilled! Previously listened to 4 songs off of this album (Wouldn't It Be Nice; Sloop John B; God Only Knows; Caroline, No)
This is one of those albums where I feel like I probably should have waited for the perfect moment to listen to it, but this was still an amazing experience. I'm from the same town as the Beach Boys, so I feel as though I generally have this sort of love for them that stems from a perceived "chance at making it big someday." Something could indeed come from good ol' Hawthorne, CA. Another thing I'll briefly add is that I thing aside from a few songs, there aren't many I'd listen to as "stand-alones" this is truly best experienced as an album.
I feel like the music on this album gently caresses you and then twirls you around. It's an intimate, but fun dance. I imagine bright colors and trippy scenes. I often wonder what the trajectory of my music exploration would look like had I delved deeper into my interest for the Beach Boys vs my interest for other 60s bands. I can see so much of myself--or perhaps a different version of me--in these songs and yet it's not the Sterling I know now. It's part of me, for sure, but a much lesser component.
All of this is to say, I adored this album. I will have to wait for the perfect day to put this on. I can almost see it now...
Favorite Song: I Know There's An Answer
4
May 12 2025
Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
MadPlanetpilled. Previously listened to 3 songs off of this album (Spellbound; Arabian Knights; Monitor)
Siouxsie is a quintessential artist at the alternative dance club I frequent; I've never been super interested in her when stacking her up against her contemporaries, but I'm glad I could finally add her to my musical encyclopedia.
While I wasn't entirely compelled by the album as a whole, I'm still intrigued enough to want to explore more of her work
Favorite Song: Monitor
3
May 13 2025
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Woodsypilled. Previously only listened to 1 song off of this album (White Winter Hymnal) that I also had to perform and learn for an a cappella group I was in in high school (hated the song when I learned it; grew to enjoy it as a fond memory)
Wrote down the following note on my spreadsheet: "just pleasant background noise; relaxing (i also can totally see why this would have been a big deal when it came out; this sound had such a chokehold on people when I was growing up, wonder why)"
Favorite Song: Ragged Wood
3
May 14 2025
Highway to Hell
AC/DC
Energypilled. Previously listened to 4 songs off of This album (Highway to Hell; Girls Got Rhythm; Touch Too Much; Night Prowler)
AC/DC has got to be the only band that can sing the same song in different variants without boring me. This rocked.
Favorite Song: Night Prowler
4
May 15 2025
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Cringe and Milwaukeepilled. Previously listened to 4 songs off of this album (Blister In The Sun; Kiss Off; Add It Up; Gone Daddy Gone)
Listened to this just a week or so before starting this project. As a current MKE resident and long-time lover of Blister In The Sun (was OBSESSED with this song as a little kid), I wanted so badly to see what all the hype was, but this didn't live up to my expectations.
As someone that actually does appreciate MKE's music scene quite a bit, I can totally see their continuing influence on the local bands I've seen perform throughout my years here, so that's pretty neat.
Favorite Song: Add It Up
2
May 23 2025
Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
Listened to this album recently as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week. One of my favorites!
Previously listened to 3 songs off of this album (Hard To Handle; Twice As Hard; She Talks To Angels)
Favorite Song: Hard to Handle
5
May 27 2025
Disraeli Gears
Cream
Listened to this album recently as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week, giving it the following note in my spreadsheet: "Some real bangers, but also some real snoozefests"
Favorite Song: SWLABR
4
Jun 05 2025
Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen
Listened to this album recently as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week. Wrote the following note for it on my spreadsheet: "Probs one of my favorite album covers; can't believe I haven't listened to this one in its entirety - post-listening comments: extremely satisfying; gorgeous"
Previously listened to 3 songs (Dancing in the Dark; Born in the U.S.A.; I'm On Fire)
Favorite Song: Dancing in the Dark
5
Jun 16 2025
Doolittle
Pixies
Have listened to this many times, twice this year.
First time this year I put down Debaser as my favorite song, second time I put down Gouge Away (Gouge Away is what got me into the Pixies originally, also, so that makes sense)
5
Jun 17 2025
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
Listened to this album recently as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week. Wrote the following note for it on my spreadsheet: "I'm always whinging about how the Sex Pistols and Ramones aren't really 'punk' because of how mainstream they are, but man, at least w the Pistols there's just this undeniable edge"
Previously listened to 5 songs (Holidays in the Sun; Bodies; God Save the Queen; Anarchy in the U.K.; Pretty Vacant)
Favorite Song: Anarchy in the U.K.
5
Jun 18 2025
Entertainment
Gang Of Four
Have listened to twice this year now, but the first time was my first time actually listening to this album as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week. Here is what I wrote on my spreadsheet: "While I didn't necessarily jam to every song on the album the way I would to NNII or DG, the sociopolitics of the album's lyrics are undeniably thought-provoking."
I also had the pleasure of getting to see them perform live this year
Previously listened to 5 songs (Natural's Not In It; Not Great Men; Damaged Goods; I Found That Essence Rare; At Home He's A Tourist)
First time this year I put down I Found That Essene Rare as my favorite song, second time I put down Natural's Not In It
5
Jun 23 2025
This Year's Model
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Listened to this album recently as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week. Wrote the following note for it on my spreadsheet: "I can totally see why BEE is so obsessed w this guy lol" (BEE = Bret Easton Ellis; he has certainly piqued my interest in Mr. Costello, but I've only dipped my toes in so far)
Previously listened to 1 song (Pump It Up)
Favorite Song: Pump It Up
4
Jul 02 2025
Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
Listened to this album recently as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week. Wrote the following note for it on my spreadsheet: "Interesting; love the darkness"
Have always loved The Cure, but definitely need to explore them more as I believe other than this album, I've only listened to Three Imaginary Boys and Disintegration in their entirety
Previously listened to 3 songs (Play For Today; A Forest; M)
Favorite Song: Play For Today
4
Jul 15 2025
Hotel California
Eagles
Listened to this album recently as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week.
Hotel California is my all-time favorite song, there's no way this album was getting anything lower than a 5 lol
Previously listened to 3 songs (Hotel California; New Kid in Town; Life in the Fast Lane)
Favorite Song: Hotel California
5