While not my favorite SP album, Mellon Collie has a lot to love. Maybe too much, though. There's beauty in excess, but this gets more into the territory of unnecessary bloat. I love the variety of sounds on this album, it's certainly its biggest strength. From the lush strings of "Tonight, Tonight", to the straight up metal of tracks like "X.Y.U." and "Bodies". The singles are timeless, of course. "1979" and "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" speak for themselves. With a relative lack of low points (apart from "We Only Come Out at Night"), this is a very consistent, if not excessive, record.
While definitely a product of its time, it’s aged remarkably well in spite of this. Sinatra’s vocals still sound amazing, especially when coupled with the band. It’s just a shame that this album merely functions as a collection of songs and not a more cohesive experience. I still thoroughly enjoyed this though, in spite of the repetitive song structure.
In a word, delightful. Everything about this album was delightful. From the dynamic vocal performances, provocative lyrics (particularly on songs like "Blunderbuss" and "Weep Themselves To Sleep"), Blunderbuss sees Jack White prove why he's such a legend. I could see this becoming one of my personal favorite albums ever as I spend more time with it.
One of the most eclectic and varied albums I've heard in a minute. Not too huge on some of the experimentation throughout, but the songwriting and the sheer variety of sonic ideas on display here is enough for me to give this album a positive review. I only expect to grow more fond of this one as I listen to it more and more.
While I respect the vision on Duck Rock, this album isn't for me. This album feels both sophisticated and amateur at the same time. While there are bits of production here and there that grab my attention, as a whole, the album is so disjointed that the ideas either are far too fleeting or overstay their welcome. If the record were at least a bit catchy, then it'd be fine to put on in the background, but this is yet another area where the album fumbles. There aren't many good melodies or interesting ideas on display to grab my attention. Maybe if you're more into novelty music, you'd dig this. Otherwise, stay away.
Not particularly exciting all across the board, but this record surprised me in many areas. For starters, the grand, orchestral production on the closing track "You See Me Crying" grants the album an epic, emotionally charged conclusion. "Adam's Apple" is an excellent deep cut, probably my favorite song from the band outside of "Dream On". Speaking of which, one of my biggest gripes with this album is Steven Tyler's voice. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but there's a timbre to his voice that I don't like very much. It's minor, but still worth noting.
The hits on here do their job, for the most part. The biggest jab I can give "Sweet Emotion" is that I feel a lack thereof when listening. The chorus is far too blasé to match the kickass riff. "Walk This Way" doesn't see this tonal dissonance between its' constituent parts as much, but I still think the hook should be grander.
Overall, not a bad record from Aerosmith at all.
Wonderful soul record from front to back, with powerful themes of injustices to marginalized populations in America. Curtis Mayfield has such an amazing voice, which compliments the production perfectly. Some tracks went on for a bit too long (notably Jesus), but that's the only complaint from me.
*honk shooooooooooooooooooo*
With a commanding, yet gentle timbre to his voice, thoughtful and introspective lyrics relating to the trials and tribulations of life, and some questionable sequencing, there's a lot to love about Red Headed Stranger. I'm simply not a fan of the mixing, however. I'm ok with sequences of short songs if they all play into a larger whole, but that's simply not the case here. I wanted more songs like the title track and "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain", because as a consequence of their extended length, they allow for Nelson to shine vocally and instrumentally. The instrumentation on this record is like coming home to a warm fire after a long day in the cold; it puts your mind at ease, while at the same time commanding your full attention. It's also full of little piano and guitar licks throughout, so despite the low-tempo of this album, you're never bored. The 3 star rating simply reflects the fact that this kind of music isn't for me. But I can definitely recognize the genius of this album.
Powerful writing, singing, and production. All hallmarks of an excellent folk/singer-songwriter album. It's as if every second of this record was recorded with intention. There isn't really a wasted moment. This makes me extremely excited to listen to more Neil Young.
Standout tracks include "See the Sky About to Rain", "Revolution Blues", the title track, and "Ambulance Blues".
Very consistent all throughout, with hypnotic instrumentals and varied performances. Though, I feel like "Hymn Of the Big Wheel" was lackluster as a closing track. I also wish the performances matched the tone of the instrumentals more closely. Overall, not as good as Mezzanine, but still a great collection of songs front to back.
