I liked it - I think it picked up for me in the second half, but I honestly think it has a more modern sound in the second half and I can hear the influence on modern Synthpop and even like Chillwave/Psychedelia which is the electronic stuff I prefer over, it feels more consistent with the first half having several different experiments with electro, blues Rock, adult Contemporary etc most of which I honestly didn't like. I can see it growing on a second listen!!
1. World in My Eyes (4:26) - 6/10
I really like the sweeping melody that comes in halfway through, but I've never been that big on this kinda buzzy electro sound in a song and it devalues it for me, it sounds like it's from even earlier than 1990 - that being said, it is extremely catchy and can see it growing on me.
2. Sweetest Perfection (4:43) - 6/10
Really like the futuristic bass sounds and the rhythm from the drums and to be honest the vocal melodies are lovely as well! Worried now that I might have a bit of a mental block with this sound as it just doesn't come to the sum of its parts (my nitpick is that I don't love the little break with the strings that halfway through, it's a bit awkward and they don't sound great when they come back later either).
3. Personal Jesus (4:55) - 5/10
Not really my favourite, it's all bluesy and has a stomp rock feel and that's just not what I love unfortunately.
4. Halo (4:30) - 5/10
A bit forgettable.
5. Waiting for the Night (6:07) - 6/10
Liked this one - a bit of a ballad.
6. Enjoy the Silence (6:12) - 8/10
Undeniable chorus and horns (?) are also so catchy.
7. Policy of Truth (4:55) - 7/10
I like how this one builds - there's a lot of different melodies/textures and they all sound great together on the song - sweeping synths/strings, funky sounds.
8. Blue Dress (5:38) - 8/10
Sounds like it could've been an influence on George Clanton with the seagull-esque sharp synths and the melodies, the vocals are fantastic and it all comes together really nicely (interlude at the end is a bit weird though)
9. Clean (5:33) - 7/10
The atmosphere is nice here and it has an interesting vibe to it, again it has a really interesting synth melody and all the parts come together nicely.
I like the slow jams - the groove is ridiculous on those. The fast stuff is whatever.
1. I Got My Brand on You (4:50) - 7/10
Amazing groove
2. I'm the Hoochie Coochie Man (2:57) - 8/10
Amazing chill
3. Baby, Please Don't Go (3:04) - 8/10
Breakdown in this one is so good, great jam energy
4. Soon Forgotten (4:17) - 7/10
The groove is so good - love how it swells throughout.
5. Tiger in Your Tank (4:32) - 6/10
He put a tiger in my tank? 😳
6. I Feel So Good (3:01) - 6/10
7. I've Got My Mojo Working (4:27) - 6/10
He gets freaky on this one tbh
8. Got My Mojo Working (2:55) - 6/10
Gotta do it a second time apparently
9. Goodbye Newport Blues (4:53) - 5/10
Who's this guy?
1. Out on the Weekend (4:34) - 7/10
Love the melodies and I'm a sucker for harmonica
2. Harvest (3:11) - 7/10
Great lyricism here too
3. A Man Needs a Maid (4:05) - 5/10
Kinda reminds me of Chris de Burgh in A Spaceman Came Traveling but I didn't like it too much unfortunately, the lyrics weren't my cup of tea
4. Heart of Gold (3:07) - 5/10
5. Are You Ready for the Country? (3:25) - 6/10
6. Old Man (3:24) - 6/10
I like the backing vocals and the chorus is great
6. There's a World (2:59) - 4/10
Really don't like this one :(
7. Alabama (4:02) - 6/10
Slightly better form
8. The Needle and the Damage Done (2:02) - 4/10
Forgettable and I don't like his voice really on this one
9. Words (6:49) - 5/10
Have heard it before and listened again - can really feel the passion here from these musicians getting a second chance at recording. That being said I think it gets a bit overrated because of the background of it, it has several highlights but nothing that massively sticks and it is functionally a compilation so it doesn't really have a great throughline as a record.
Obviously this is a feature of this challenge as you only get a day with each album and some records just need longer to present themselves to you, so I foresee a lot of 3 stars for a record I like on first listen but I haven't had time to sit with yet - but I have heard this one before and it is definitely a 3 star project.
I like Mannish Boy and the rest of it is good too...
Love Dancers in the Dark and My Hometown but the rest was just good - can see it growing to a 4 maybe but some of it is a bit too 80s and I think the highlights are just good highlights
Just Like Heaven is really great obvs and I think the rest of it is fun too but less memorable (love the drums it reminds me of Be My Baby)
Really liked this one, first time hearing it (other than Little Wing) and came away feeling very positive about it both individually and as a big piece - I think the opener ties things together thematically and it's both very listenable and challenging in places.
never goes past pleasant but at times his voice really gets to me. Granted it is a 2.5 or something because it comes in and out but I didn't feel like it would go up on a second listen so didn't bother and frankly I can see it going down in score as no individual song left an impression on me. I did like Viva la vida so maybe I just need them to tweak this sound a bit
The whole thing is really good all the way through (some of it is cheesy but in a low-key good way) - it's capped in that it's both overplayed and it's structured weirdly, none of the songs flow that well together and it's obviously backloaded in a way that is a bit off-putting. So I am torn on this but I think it's closer to a 3-star album unfortunately.
Wow what a dense psychedelic album, love all the samples and can see it growing on me over time but one listen probably isn't enough for this one.
It gets there, I struggled with it at first and I think it delights at that. After a while I really start to get it and enjoy it but maybe that's stockholm syndrome because I was desperate to stop listening in the first 3-4 tracks! Have always been intimidated by Tom Waits and so I procrastinated until 11pm to listen and that was probably the right call (for atmosphere purposes!!) thank you Tom :)
I liked it a lot! It felt like a precursor in a way for college Rock and some 90s stuff (I was hearing some Weezer at times weirdly) and not everything hit but a lot of it did.
Liked it all except for At Last I Am Free which doesn't really go anywhere and is the longest track!! Probably a very strong 3
I think this is a 5/10 record - I like a few songs and the issue is primarily that there a few that are really hard to listen to.
I listened in two parts and I went back again at the end to listen on headphones, wow there are a few songs on the first side which are a real slog where the vocals are rough - I like singers that aren't conventional but these are so laid back and almost feel intentionally out of tune at times.
I think the lyrics are meant to be the main draw but honestly they weren't hitting for me either - they were dry and as depressing as it gets. I quite liked some of the more country instrumentation and the instrumental track was honestly very good!
Putting this one firmly as 'not for me' and as there's no half stars I will give it a 2.
I liked a lot of it :) but it's very inconsistent
High point is Blowin' in the Wind but not many misses on this and a lot of it is very appealing to me.
A bit mixed but the highs are SO high and it feels so cohesive - 7/10
One of those cool 90s albums rooted in rock but doing pop, dance, funk, trip hop, space rock, kosmische music, jazz even on the B side! Has it all and is mostly missing the odd weak track that you'd expect on a double album, though it doesn't quite stick the landing which I think is pretty important on a double album.
I would give it a solid 8/10 but feels like it could be a 9 or even 10 with a few relistens.
Not so big on this - I understand reading about it that it has some historical significance, but I can't help feeling that Ray's voice is quite weak on the orchestral backing tracks and the strings / group vocals feel very outdated. Overall it doesn't make a mark, is at most pleasant.
I think this is a 5/10 record for me and maybe it will grow - I didn't connect to some of the tracks here and though I do like Satellite of Love and some of the music hall stuff it wasn't enough for me at first listen.
Can't decide whether this is an 8/10 or 9/10 listen, would normally be cautious but I think the two epic tracks here are incredible and the album somehow ties together nicely considering it is quite oddly structured on first glance.
Did not enjoy it :( It's like a weak 2 at most but the attempts at actually rocking out and the really soft MOR tracks on here were really not for me (Life in the Fast Lane, Wasted Time, Pretty Maids All in a Row are weak 1/5 for me) and so I have to go lower. New Kid in Town, Try to Love Again and The Last Resort are both highlights (close to or comfortably a 3/5) and I think they succeeded most when sticking to that kinda soft rock formula but most of these tracks just feel so disposable - even the main big title track (which isn't that overplayed for me and so can say with a clear head that I just didn't like it).
I wanted to like it but doesn't really do anything for me - most songs have decent performances and choruses, but the songwriting just don't quite work for the full song. Album continues on like this until it fizzles out at the end.
I think I'm closer to a 5/10 than a 6/10 on this as there are a few songs I was actively disliking, so I'm going for 2.
Bowie doing funk is his best era (Young Americans is underrated!!).
Side A - Strong 4, Light 5
Side B - Solid 5
No weak tracks!! Extremely tight record with no filler. Station to Station maybe a little too long...
A collection of fairly tales, nursery rhymes, children's stories with a dash of music hall.
Had heard Smiley Smile before but this is different, feels more like a theatre performance than an album. I can see some of the appeal but it just didn't click for me.
Brian Wilson died yesterday and he gave us some brilliant music over his lifetime, which was very troubled. If anyone deserved a chance to rerecord their dream album it was him, even if I'm not a fan!
Maps is an absolute monster of a song, the rest of it is really good too. Karen O is a fantastic vocalist and just when the band starts to burn out on blasted noisy punk blues garage band stuff they switch it up with No No No, Maps, Y Control, Modern Romance etc
I think this is a 7/10 for me
I had this at 3 initially. After several relistens - it's not always perfect but even the weak stuff is brimming with personality and has such incredible highs. Also worth noting that c. 50% of the album is comprised of practically perfect tracks. A record with just the first disc would be a 10/10 record but it's still a 9/10 based on the strength of these and many other top-notch tracks. The theming and political messaging is fantastic, it feels like a hopeful record despite the apocalyptic feel at times. It has a beautiful vision of the UK as a great melting pot from the sounds and influences.
(list of my favourites below - 10/10 single album for sure):
1. London Calling
2. Jimmy Jazz
3. Rudie Can't Fail
4. Spanish Bombs
5. Lost in the Supermarket
6. Clampdown
7. Wrong 'Em Boyo
8. Death or Glory
9. Train in Vain
Really nice listen - can see it growing on me massively
What is wrong with this guy lol
Awesome sound, felt like it had a distinct identity and texture across the album. Will have to check out more of these guys
Really nice stuff, gave it a few listens while working, reading, playing a game.
Lots of good here, a few misses but that's ok. Starlight is always a great track
Was skeptical at first but it has its moments for sure
Not really my thing... I found it interesting and atmospheric but just ok so more of a 5/10
Brilliant - never heard it before but great first impressions.
Not everything works but her voice is brilliant and some of the songs here are incredibly moving.
Really like the theming and the sounds on this one, not super cohesive but very atmospheric and quite emotional in places.
Actively dislike this one - would be a 3 or 4 out of 10 - I quite like the opening part and there are occasional moments of brilliance scattered throughout.
I also think it's quite funny (in a good way) when the instruments all come in and the posh narrator guy starts saying what they all are.
I feel a bit closer to a 2 for now acknowledging it occasionally has me interested.
Good record, enjoyed my first listen and I think some strong highlights here. This record really sounds like the future - can see how it would be mind melting in 1967.
I adore next two and I think this is maybe weaker - has some pop tracks that Axis does better (Jimi sounds much more confident and his songwriting is stronger), the psych freakouts on Electric Ladyland just hit harder for me as well (no Voodoo Chile or 1983 on this)
Strong 3 - but reserving right to return and give higher later.
Fantastic record - pulls together everything they do well.
First five or six songs are incredible, on form for a 4 but it loses a bit of steam after that for me (at least on first listen). I am a fan of her sound though and can definitely see it growing on me!
Fantastic stuff - adore the harmonies. Important record in late 2000s folk revival but can't hold that against it!
Beautiful, moving - adore the themes and the whole album is so cohesive. One or two small notes - I think it has a few sequencing problems, would prefer it starts on The Glorious Land as I think that is a stronger opener - would also prefer it has a better album artwork (I do often judge a book by it's cover).
It might be more of a strong 4, but my guy after first few listens says it's a future favourite for me.
Having spent many years listening to emo I will never again take shit from people about how I enjoy bands where the singers have terrible whiny voices.
At least those singers actually have emotion in their voice and aren't holding everything at an arms-length irony barrier like Liam Gallagher is - and everyone loves Oasis!!
I honestly don't mind the songwriting and the melodies are great but I can't get past the personalities. The production doesn't help either - guitars are shoegazey but mixed into this far back wall of sound approach where you can't pick any instruments out of it.
Really great, loved this one. Can only see if growing
Picks up as it goes along - gorgeous work from the whole band (that drum performance!). Not hearing the spirituality or the 'speaking in tongues' that this record gets compared to - the sax playing sits in the background often and there's enough other stuff going on here to enjoy without the mysticism.
Otis is wonderful - love the sound, some great highlights here (Ole Man Trouble, A Change is Gonna Come). Some of the tracks have versions which are more iconic (Respect, My Girl, Wonder World, Satisfaction). I do like Otis' version of these but it keeps the record feeling a bit less essential. This is a strong 3 for me.
I must have been aware that there was a missing link between 50s electric blues records (mostly American musicians) and 70s glam rock (mostly British musicians) and that there must have been a period in the 60s where young British musicians just ripped off the blues without adding any of their own influence or flavor. I'm sure this influenced the next generation of musicians to make more interesting interpretations of blues into rock. That doesn't mean I have to think it's good!
In addition, while I can separate a lot of Eric Clapton's work from his vile personality (separate art from the artist etc), I would struggle to do with this one as it is a one-to-one copy of blues music by black musicians such as Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, all by a man who just ten years later was openly and proudly racist against black people and in favour of a white ethnostate within Britain.
As a result, I have a lot of mixed feelings - mostly negative - about the context of this album. But what about the music, I can hear you asking? The big highlight is unfortunately Eric Clapton's guitar work, he can make the guitar talk in that satisfying way and gives this the bluesy feel it needs. The downside is the rest of the band doesn't really have that bite that blues needs - there's not much emotion here.
So I think all of this writing is for an album that is just not that memorable in the first place. Hopefully this is the last one from this lot, though I have a feeling I'll be hearing from Mr. Clapton again on this challenge...
Really enjoyed this - particularly the tracks Judy Blue Eyes and Helplessly Hoping
Very nearly the first one I couldn't finish - just found it really quite boring and even unpleasant in places. Feels like a 4/10 if generous.
I like some of the soft rock stuff on here - rest of it is odd - music hall, orchestral, lots of strange vocal performances. Doesn't feel very coherent unfortunately. I understand they go on to do better things...
Great riffs, love the vocals - feels bluesy in places, much more closely related to hard rock than the thrashier metal of the 80s and extreme metal of the 90s. Has the sensitivity of Changes - which somehow fits right in with the other tracks - and the nice folkiness of Laguna Sunrise. Rest of the tracks all rule
No strong feelings on this one - it's not unpleasant and at times feels emotional, sentimental about his own life and history in a way that I quite like. But no songs massively stand out to me - would happily give it a 5/10 so will give it a 2(.5)
Cool stuff - I like the bluesy tracks
Preferred the movie adaptation
I liked a lot of this, a few parts that dragged but balanced out by highlights such as the long psych jam at the end.
Good stuff on here - I like what I've heard from Paul's solo stuff and this one really sounds like he was (successfully) bringing his sound into the 70s.
Can absolutely hear the influence on darkwave / goth, techno, trance, electro, industrial etc - ominous and yet futuristic and almost hopeful in places.
I liked it, but with more atmospheric music it might take a few listens - I can see it growing on me
Great album - no weak tracks here
Really good stuff - it's nocturnal, sinister - don't need the mythology around sampling to engage with this but it does help elevate it as well.
Great record - was surprised to see negative reactions given that it does sound genuinely quite fresh (especially for a band almost 25 years in) and is consistently good throughout. Undoubtedly pop music (some songs wouldn't be out of place on a Dido record) but since when was that a problem? Missing a really standout track but overall very solid.
I liked the majority of tracks and thought it was very solid - Yoshimi 1/2 are the highlights for sure. I assume there's more of a story throughout but I didn't pick up fully on that. Sonically it's just what I want so it's a 4 regardless
Incredible record - concept album, adaptation almost - feels like a complete story. Instruments are perfect, vocals so smooth. Minimalistic funk sound with percussion and a strong atmosphere throughout.
Occasionally funny but mostly uninteresting - doesn't have the atmosphere or energy of horror rap from the 90s and it's not charming in the way some silly / comedic rap can be. Doesn't really go anywhere
Bob Dylan has elevated since the last time I saw him on this challenge (1963's Freewheelin' Bob Dylan) through the use of different instrumentation, this album also feels more conceptual and has some of his most long-lasting songs.
Loved this - drums so groovy and guitars welcome whenever they arrive.
Very interesting sound - bit too juvenile in places, or tackles subject matter that is too much for them but a-side is hit after hit and the vocal performance is incredible. Weak 3 but I would be interested to hear more
This is unfortunately a bit boring - understand how it would've been influential but much prefer this style with a more energetic singer, this ends up sounding quite dull.
Bee Gees cover is great - rest of it is good easy listening
Record with a great sound, smooth but also funky in places. A bit frontloaded but still a solid 4
Fundamentally very tricky to remove from the context of being the most beloved Beatles album by the public, the best album of all time for many people etc.
The reputation it has as innovative is interesting listening through. There are a few areas where it seems to clash with this:
- this doesn't really feel like a concept album, none of the songs really tie together other than a loose carnival/music hall feel
- there are several songs on here (though good) which feel seriously dated to the early 60s and before (when I'm sixty-four really sounds like straight up music hall) - which seems to clash a bit with this reputation as innovative
- the album has several genuine duds - the last three songs on the a-side all miss for me and though I do enjoy the b-side it seems to run out of steam prior to the big one at the end
Despite all of this - the album does genuinely flow very well and it has tracks which really play to the strengths of each songwriter. It also has Lucy in the Sky and A Day in the Life which are both 11/10 tracks.
Even if it is maybe misleading to go into this expecting a super innovative record or ambitious concept album all the way though, it is genuinely a good 7/10 album.
Really pleasantly surprised by this! Thought it was great, paced really well and a solid bunch of tracks. Has a fair bit of variety and can hear those punk rock roots. Would definitely go buy this if I heard the Mrs Robinson cover on college radio.
I love the rougher stuff on here and it starts and ends strong with the best tracks bookending the record.
Structure is a bit strange and the album feels a bit out of order, but otherwise this has the Beatles on top form and really every song here is great.
Really liked this all the way through - can see it growing on me even more. Folky but also with a rock edge, I liked the multiple vocalists and I thought there was a good variety of sounds here.
Real mixed bag - some interesting tracks but most of it I found either not that enjoyable or unpleasant
Really enjoyed this one! Never really thought this kind of metal was for me but love the theatrical vocals and riffs. Kicking myself for writing it off for so long and looking forward to hearing more like this
Really liked this one - had a bit of a creepy atmospheric sound and moves into gothic territory especially towards the end. Surprised it's the debut as they seem to have control of their sound already.
Enjoyed this one - can see it growing on me
Awesome record, has tons of flair. Love the guitar work and Marc Bolan's vocals are super distinctive and unique. I do think it starts to get a bit repetitive in the b-side but then the last two tracks might be the best on the whole album! Can see it growing to a 5 in time
Lacks bite - couple of good tracks (funky, soulful etc) but majority of it isn't great, the hallmarks of the genre blend into the background here and sound pretty boring. Needed punchier drums and stabbier synths
Would lean towards a 3 for now - the backing performances are great and there are a few fantastic tracks here, the quality of the tracks is a bit inconsistent but tonally it actually works quite well as an album.
Insane to have a 40-track triple (quadruple?) album with like eight instrumental fiddle tracks in the middle. But even though this is really bloated it honestly feels like a staggering achievement, it's a piece of genuine history.
Killer opener and closer, tracks in the middle are a mixed bag (leaning positive) - unfortunately I just don't like the structure of this and I can't see it higher than a 3, though it is absolutely the best Neil Young this challenge has offered (not that that is a big win!)
Didn't really do anything for me
Upped it to a 5 - brilliant stuff. Folk tales updated for 60s and still feels progressive and exciting in 2025
Feels a bit hollow - I do like easy listening and bossa nova but this feels a bit less than the sum of its parts
Starts on an incredible high and kinda floats along musically at this blissful high point for the whole album. It delivers when it touches on explicitly political elements, the commentary is moving and doesn't take you out of the music at all.
It really does feel (perhaps unfortunately for us) like everything talked about here could be relevant for today. While that's very depressing it seems like this record will be timeless.
Really not my cup of tea - the heavier stuff piques my interest and the performances are good, but I'm not so into the vocals and it didn't compell me much
Brilliant game changing record. So atmospheric, yet also a very minimal sound like the band was stripped back to the basics. Really enjoyed this one and listened to it a bunch yesterday - think it's a very very strong 4.
I don't have strong feelings on the sound here, it is very 50s and there are moments that made me smile or that I enjoyed listening through but I think it's just fine overall - 5/10
Fun record with an interesting story, I think it would help more if I could understand the lyrics as the vocals aren't the main appeal for me. The band's performance has a good groove, it is quite polished and in places feels like it has a very modern pop production. I also thought several of these were really catchy and stand out. I would go with a 6/10
The variety on here was good, I liked when they rocked out a bit more than the proggy stuff on the a side but lots to like here
Has a near perfect opening run - pure happiness and energy, almost feels like the peak of disco. It then rides out the rest of the album and definitely makes it worth a listen as a full project.
Strongest 4 - this has so much personality and it is a really incredible piece of art. Must have sounded so forward-thinking at the time and so much followed from this in the 1980s. Would have preferred it finished slightly stronger but can't really complain.
One of those records where there's clearly magic in the room. It's paced beautifully, the sound is great (both throwback and also forward-thinking) and the chemistry present on the record is off the charts. No weak tracks - what more can you ask for?
This is a masterpiece - 10/10 record
Really like this, strong debut record. Was shocked by how early this was for the sound, I thought this was more mid-90s, the beats sound leaps ahead of the 80s loops. Rhymes are great too and definitely help usher in a more quiet, abstract style of rap going into the 90s.
Love it, I get some of the critiques but the top reviews calling it indie landfill or whatever are not being serious, has way more in common with 70s prog pop than it does with Animal Collective or Arcade Fire or The National or whatever. Actually try listening to it rather than skimming the pitchfork review please :)
This is probably one of the great achievements from the 21st century so far. His next album Mr be even better though!! Has to be a 5* especially after a few listens
*Smooth country beat plays*
"I am in jail and want to kill myself"
This is definitely worthy of that reputation as a quirky spooky record but it also has a lot of emotional impact especially on the back half of the record. The songwriting here is top notch and Tom's performance makes it a special record
Awesome record with a few flaws - pacing is a bit strange with 10 min psych jam at the beginning and 8 min psych jam at the end but mostly short funky rock tracks in-between. The tracks in the middle are all stellar and the opener is great. I think the closer is strong but some of the sound effects are definitely a bit offputting. Ultimately there is too much strength here to go below 4
This is a great time, a few tracks are standouts including the long closer track. Janis Joplin is a super unique vocalist and makes some of these more interesting than they would have been otherwise. There are other tracks where I didn't like her voice so much when she goes into the deeper register. Overall a decent 6/10 record
Fun record, country rock jams that have a feel of americana future to them.
Awesome record - has a great voice and helps to see the feeling from when punk started. The playing is just fine, but it has hints of where they go next and it has enough going on to be engaging beyond just the lyrics.
Honestly could have sucked and I was expecting it to be pretty mediocre after the first two tracks where the most redeeming elements were the nice guitar parts. It actually gets quite a lot better after that, at its best it is great Starbucks soft rock so that's a decent 6-7/10 for me!
Never been a fan of REM, just don't find them compelling. I assume there are a bunch of REM records on here and maybe one will change my mind. Until then, it's catchy but it just doesn't click at all for me - it's like a 5/10 as a 'not for me' rating.
Liked this but felt it dragged on the b-side. Can see how it influenced every band in the 90s and onwards in one of my favourite genres (slacker indie), I have to give it a lot of credit for that but I also don't feel as connected to this as I do to the bands that ripped it off.
Dusty's voice is so powerful and there are a great variety of tracks here that show how great she is. I had never heard her before (and truthfully I thought that a debut of covers from the early 60s wouldn't be so interesting) but I adored this one.
Genius sound (the bass is unbelievable) and a few great tracks here including the signature Blister in the Sun. Works quite well as a full record and fascinated by some of the stylistic choices here (the track where they slip into an almost reggae style was out of the blue), but about half of this wasn't for me as much. Still can't believe the year this came out and I do like a lot of folk punk that follows so have to pay my respects here.
It's quite good but just doesn't feel right
Began to wonder if I even liked music while listening to this. Had a headache and thought it was just annoying me but listened to something else after and no it just sucked.
It kinda has the ingredients of a slowcore/emo record but instead it's like grungy and super angsty in a way that felt like the opposite of that style. Really almost felt uncanny how it just didn't work for me despite it seeming right up my alley...
First half has great tracks on it, second half has more of a theme and is definitely good but was a bit less engaging for me. Definitely a 7/10 record (and can see it growing!) but maybe a slightly weaker 7 for now.
This felt like a step up compared to the first one which was awfully dull. Instrumentation is more interesting and dynamic in places, the singles (including the biggest ballad - The Scientist) work a lot more for me than those on the debut as well. I still can't shake my dislike of Chris Martin's vocals but I appreciate they work a bit better here, would prefer more charisma (Robert Smith, Siouxie Soux, someone who has more angst rather than sorrow) would be great on a track like A Whisper. It's a decent 3 I think!
An event album by an elusive and beloved 90s singer/songwriter, this was bound to get rave reviews but that 10/10 by Pitchfork brought out the contrarians. Is It worth the hype? I think it is. Don't think it's quite 10/10, but it is a damn fine record and I would give Fiona Apple some grace considering her previous 2012 effort WAS a 10/10 record and a contender for best album of the whole decade.
Here she has a full band and she is using them in a way you wouldn't necessarily expect. You can imagine them marching around the room, hitting random percussion on walls on some of these tracks.
The energy on the record pulses and expands outwards, it feels almost cramped like it was recorded in a cell with the musicians struggling for freedom. The fact that it was recorded on GarageBand is really something but you can definitely hear it at times.
You'd think all the chaos and slight amateuristic nature of the record (especially the a-side) would maybe be overwhelming at times. And for some it clearly is - the 1/5 reviews are testament that some people cannot handle the chaos present here. But it's no Trout Mask Replica or even Tom Waits, it has a pop core which makes these reviews baffling - can they not handle a slightly unconventional pop record?
I wonder if any of those reviewers got to the b-side, the emotional anchor of the album. The instrumentation is more conventional for a run while Fiona sings of heartbreak and loss. Her voice becomes the main focus of the record and she has the voice of one of the great jazz or blues singers (I am not being hyperbolic). This culminates for me in the heartbreaking release at the end of Cosmonauts, and the chilling a cappella of For Her.
If I have one complaint, the record doesn't quite sink the landing after this. It's not a victory lap but rather a thematically relevant mantra about resilience in the face of trauma.
Fiona Apple may never release another record (a reality I hope will not be true... though she is not very prolific and it is hard to truly know) but this is a true thesis statement and a beautiful way to end things if she does stay away from music.
Moments of brilliance but left me scratching my head a bit. I liked the strange keys, drums. I thought there were a few moments of genuine vulnerability that made me want to understand this a bit more.
I wasn't a big fan of the last track and I think that swings me into 5/10 territory, but there's definitely moments to salvage or replay from this and I may be revisiting.
Gorgeous record - structured in a way which doesn't make much sense but reveals itself over time. So moving on the a-side and the b-side is so innovative. Can hear this from goth to post-rock, ambient, rhythmic electronic music, vaporwave (James Ferraro must have studied this) - the production is so beautiful and it all comes together so well.
I'd never heard of Solomon Burke but I came to really appreciate him over the course of an album - he has a great variety of sounds and strengths across the album. I'm glad this album was on the list!!
It's not really my favourite sound - both funky and punky should appeal but I find it sounds very rehearsed and the energy that should be there is focused in David Byrne's vocal performance rather than the instrumentals.
Have heard some of their later stuff where Byrne either reigns it in a bit or the instrumentals get a bit crazier and I think either of those work better than here where Byrne sounds like a drunk offbeat wedding singer and not in a cool Tom Waits way but in an uncomfortable way
Pretty strong record - top-notch performances by everyone here. Lots of variety and doesn't surprise me that everybody here picks up different instruments on each track. It is a musician's album through and through but also strong song craft. Super rootsy and organic, even pulls off a Confederate track without really stepping in it. Doesn't always keep my full interest but it's regularly very good throughout.
Kind of boring... No original takes here and nothing special
For what this is, this is great - it's a solid pop record with fantastic songwriting and performances from Bonnie Raitt. As a Brit I'd never heard of her before today, but I enjoyed this enough to listen again and check out another album by her. Only real negative for me is that the production and overall sound feels dated even for the time period - there was some really good pop from this period which stood the test of time and this one is definitely a record from 1989.
It's good and the highs are some of the great tracks but I think this is where the different styles/interests of each Beatle start to show as a weakness rather than a strength, this stops it being particularly cohesive. Same on Revolver, Sgt Peppers, White Album to be fair but I think this is more of a strength there. They battle for attention on the first two and on the White Album they give all the different styles room to breathe over the length of a double album. Now it just feels jarring especially on the a-side where each song doesn't flow at all. Despite this the tracks themselves are pretty fantastic.
Charming and a lot of fun - can see the raves. Funny that people will listen to this, give it a 5* and then refuse to listen to NWA or something because of the subject matter but that's a problem someone else will have to deal with.
The highs are incredible - talking about the starting and ending tracks in particular. The album transitions very well throughout and feels very cohesive. There are 1-2 weaker tracks in the middle of the b-side but never gets unpleasant.
Really exceptional stuff, highest 4 I can give - not fully connected after three listens but I think ideally I would need to read the liner notes and maybe give it another few listens before I'm there at a 5.
Didn't hate it - a couple good tracks but kinda samey throughout and not all songs hit.
Few good tracks here but not enough for a full record. Rest of it is dreadful filler.
Leaning towards a 3 here as even though I love the opening and closing run of tracks I don't think it paces as well as I would hope. It is a very strong 3 as over half of it is excellent and I think it's just a lil less than the sum of its parts
I like this one a bit more than the first Fall record... Understand that is a bit sacrilegious but I think the musicianship is much stronger. Mark E Smith is a fantastic lyricist, don't mind the spoken word stuff but I swear he has started slurring his words here? Practically incoherent but it does work fairly well throughout. I think this is the maximum I can give one of these albums tbh it's just not my favourite style.
There's some really good technical stuff here but it just isn't very compelling at all
A genius at work - holding court in an audience that both reveres and hates him in equal measure. This is a masterpiece!!
Aw man huge huge step up from the last one - a lot more conscious and emotionally sensitive than we had come to expect from Eminem.
The blatant homophobia and misogyny is rough here - unfortunately part of the 90s rap scene but it is a bit jarring now. Stops this from being as good as it could be.
Key pieces to the puzzle here are Stan and Kim. Where before there is an aloof nature to Eminem's antics now there is genuine emotion and it makes you uncomfortable in a different (better - think a good horror movie) way.
It's good but a lot of it is just pleasant.
Really liked this, some very high highs and fairly pleasant/consistent throughout. The structure/pacing of it was a bit odd on first listen and I don't feel the need to revisit right now, so going with a strong 3 for now.
Don't know what's special about this at all. Ok to have in the background but gets grating and really nothing interesting going on here
Really like this, sounds like the blueprint for the next few years of new wave. Love the touches of new agey synths, some tracks almost have a throwback rock & roll or glam feel and others are close to punk rock. Prefer this to some of the other quirky art punk heard so far if only because it feels very competent and you can really hear the punk roots.
The highs are very high but I wish this was a bit more consistent throughout. As a double album it was a touch excessive and I was thrown hearing this after being used to 80s Nick Cave - the gospel-infused sound, production and songwriting all feels a lot more hopeful/clean but it might take another listen at some point to get me fully onboard.
Such a huge step up on the last record we got in the challenge (the Buildings and Food one). The production is so dense and rich, the band is so much funkier and has picked up good influences - love the Fela Kuti-esque rhythms here. David Byrne's vocals, lyrics and delivery mesh so much better into the sound of the band. Definitely a fan of this one
Pretty good but nothing too special. Horrendous album cover
Very close to a 5 - great record. Paced well, the sound is fantastic with a very tight unit playing here and some cool stuff like the organ. Smoke on the Water is probably only the fifth or sixth best track which is saying something!
Good record, super smooth and really enjoyable throughout
Had some good stuff and minimal bad stuff but mostly in the middle for me
Really good - showy but not too technical, super melodic and songwriting is there as well. There aren't any weak tracks but opener is a big stand out
