Interesting twist on the classic track "I Got You Babe" though I feel it looses most of the charm of the original.
Their voices work well together, which really makes it feel like a band. So overall it works out.
At the beginning of "teengenerate" they used an organ or something, then never used it again. I feel they should have utilised that more.
Ultimately, it does what it's trying to do very well. Personally, I found it too corny, but I can see how someone could enjoy the album.
"Back to Africa" is my favourite track, and "Weekend" is my least favourite.
Probably the epitome of soul and romance music. With a perfect title track, and simple yet brilliant sax work, Gaye has created one of the smoothest albums of all time. Plus it has a good album cover.
Best track: lets get it on
Worst track: Keep gettin' it on
This album feels like something you might hear at a market or fair. Something that anyone can bob along with. Gentle instrumentation and Infectious chord progressions, with a hint of jazz continue the appeal. In my opinion a few songs felt like filler. Overall, a decent album, but nothing to write home about.
Best track was "Turn Me On"
Crude singing, distorted guitar, thumping bass lines, poignant drums, all things the pixies have managed to master. Leaning into noise rock, and shit singing, have created a truly unique sound. The lead singer sound like Poofesure loosing it sometimes. Overall, a good punk album, but I felt some tracks just that little more to give. Probably won't listen to this ever again, but I can appreciate it's a good album.
Best tracks: Something Against You, Where is My Mind, Tony's Theme, Vamos
The debut album of the clash has unapologetically rebellious lyrics expressing their utter frustration with late 70's England. You can tell they immediately had a vision and sound for the band. Impeccable pacing and flowing guitar tie each song together. Their later work is definitely better, but for a debut album you can't get much better.
The longest song by far on the album "Police & Thieves" definitely deserves it. In a slow reggae style, it creates further difference from other tracks, allowing the listener a reprieve before the last two songs.
Devo was inspired by The Clash and you can really pick it with this album, for example the similarities between Deny, and Uncontrollable Urge
Notable tracks: Deny, I'm so Bored with the U.S.A., Cheat, Police & Thieves, Garageland
This is a masterpiece of an album. First half is definitely slept on by most because of Smoke On The Water in the second. I have never listened to any deep purple album in full before this, but now, almost the whole album has been added to my playlist. An interesting point is the final track, When A Blind Man Cries, wasn't included in the original release, but was on each subsequent release as a main stay. This is because guitarist Ritchie Blackmore disliked the song and even refused to play it live. In the context of the album, I kind of agree with Blackmore. It's too much of a tonal shift, and right at the end of the album too. On it's own, it's a good song though.
Notable Tracks: Lazy, Smoke On The Water, Never Before, Highway Star
From the energetic opening track of Blitzkrieg Bop this album is indeed a "bop," until that song ends. Probably the shortest album I've listened to. And the mixing isn't too great, particularly on the vocals and drums. Additionally, Most of the tracks sounded alike except I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend and Blitzkrieg Bop (both were also the only tracks written by drummer Tommy Ramone, so he did a good job). I felt I had already heard everything they could do with Blitzkrieg Bop. I'm aware the Ramones were one of the most influential bands on punk rock, so I'd like to give them more, but the album doesn't particularly impress me at all. 30 minutes of playing the same song but with different words and a slight different beat.
Notable tracks: Blitzkrieg Bop, I wanna Be Your Boyfriend
I thought it was a decent album. I don't like Radiohead that much, but there were a few good compositions. Can't complain, but don't think it's too great either.
Opening track immediately sets the tone of this album perfectly. It sounds a bit like "Dark Side Of The Moon Redux" but actually good. Poetic lyrics with plenty of religious allusion. It's easy to make something loud and active that's engaging, but to create something slow takes a whole lot more skill and I respect Cohen for being able to do that. This album has so much charm and really touched me. I could definitely see the tracks being used in a movie soundtrack somewhere.
Notable tracks: On the Level, Leaving the Table, Steer Your Way
This is the most successful solo Beatles album and it definitely deserves it. With epic proportions, it demonstrates "the quiet Beatle" at his absolute best. This alone is argument that Harrison could be the best Beatle. It is the first non-compilation triple album ever made. (With the third disc also called a separate "bonus" LP "Apple Jam") It also has an all-star cast of musicians such as Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Billy Preston.
Side 1: Opening with a co-written song with Bob Dylan. This side also has the ethereal, and most successful, track My Sweet Lord. Which shows Harrisons longing for a relationship with God, making reference to both Christian and Hindu religion, reflecting his own personal experience. The ending track to side one, Isn't It A Pity had me in tears, a perfect end to the side.
Side 2: Once again containing a song co-written with Dylan, (you can really tell with the organ) and the song Behind That Locked Door written about their friendship. It ties the first disk as a heartfelt collaborative effort between two amazing artists.
Side 3: This side represents an ever so slight tonal shift in the album. It leans back into the spiritual aspects of Harrison's life. With tracks like Awaiting On You All, Beware Of Darkness, and the title track. Speaking of the title track, unlike some albums, it perfectly coveys the themes of the album on its own. Gold star.
Side 4: With tones of death and a redux of Isn't It A Pity (once again making me cry) this side ends off disc two right on theme. An introspection of human existence through love and pain, spiritual and physical.
Apple Jam: The bonus LP contains only Instrumentals except for a one minute tribute to John Lennon. This is symbolism of death where no words are heard. The tribute is almost an epitaph, calling out for rebirth. Apple Jam puts the final bow on the experience of listening to this album. And shows off Harrisons superior instrumental composition skills in comparison to the other Beatles.
Overall, this album is a masterpiece. Grappling with spirituality, death, and friendship. No track feels out of place, and is deserving of being included. Even though it is long, I didn't feel it and was engaged all throughout. Outstanding album!
Notable Tracks: My Sweet Lord, Isn't It A Pity, If Not For You, Behind That Locked Door, Let It Down, Beware Of Darkness, I Dig Love, I Remember Jeep, Out Of The Blue
Going into this one I had no idea what to expect, but right from the opening track I was pleasantly surprised. Infusing jazz and funk with broad instrumentation gives this album a unique listening experience. However, the last track did drag on a little too much for my liking. I'm convinced that John Barleycorn must die.
Notable Tracks: Freedom Rider, Stranger To Himself
Iggy Pop's debut album with his band The Stooges is a great start to his work. From unconventional usage of sleighbells to funeral chants, each track develops its own musical identity on the album. Additionally, the scratchy guitar playing over simple beats on No Fun reminded me of WITCH, also Ann reminded me of The Doors. I found that a bit distracting and just wanted to listen to them instead.
Notable Tracks: We Will Fall, No Fun,
Haven't really listened to too much hip-hop, so I don't know what makes a good album in this genre. I thought some of the beats were a bit odd, but in a good way, especially on Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber. There were a few really good bars and equally from all members, plus the sword fighting sfx motif tied the album together well. Sometimes their talking sections went on for too long, but didn't detract from the music that much.
Notable Tracks: Shame On A Nigga, Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber, Can It All Be So Simple, C.R.E.A.M. (cash rules everything around me), Method Man, Protect Ya Neck
An excellent album form the "Queen of Soul". Probably one of the best singers I've heard, and with great instrumentation make every track a groovy listen. Not much else to say except it's just plain good.
Notable Tracks: People Get Ready, Niki Hoeky, Good To Me As I Am To You, Groovin'
From the opening 30 seconds I knew I was in for a good time with this one. Realised the opening track is the sample for Hoe Cakes by MF DOOM, listened to that album again, then came back to this one. If anything, the album was a bit generic. Pretty much the average 80's r&b/soul/jazz album.
Notable Tracks: Sweet Love, Been So Long
Pretty good album
Unlike anything I've heard before. Reminds me bit of Godspeed! You Black Emperor. Unlike them though, there was a point when the songs started to blend together.
Notable Tracks: If I Were With Her Now, Shine A Light, Angel Sigh
Don't Go Near The Water: Immediately sets the tone of the album, with a slightly darker tone compared with other Beach Boys albums. A good cautionary tale about pollution and it's effects on living.
Long Promised Road: Compelling track to inspire action against the destruction of our world with an amazing chorus.
Take A Load Off Your Feet: I love the mixing and singing on this track. I think this song is about keeping your roots in mind in life and to not skip on the simple things in life. Nice message.
Disney Girls: A song reflecting on the nostalgia of a lost love and trying to cope with that loss, ultimately resorting to "fantasy worlds" to feel happy. Really sad song that I connect with a lot. The bridge changes to tone of the song to a childlike innocence trying to hold on to his perfect world. Highlight track of the album.
Student Demonstration Time: Perfect blues track. More of a "discursive" song about protesting, with the message being avoid violence when possible, and also to call out excessive force from the government. Nice usage of a megaphone to sing.
Feel Flows: An almost interlude about death
Lookin' At Tomorrow (a welfare song): a song about trying to find a job and failing. I think it also makes reference to attempting suicide.
A Day In The Life Of A Tree: the combination of church organ, pipe organ, poetic lyrics, tree metaphor, bird calls, choir, and venerable singing make this the Magnum Opus of Surfs Up. It made me cry so hard, honesty beautiful. This track along sums up all the concepts found in the album.
'Til I Die: A reflection on the fragility of life as it comes and goes.
Surfs Up: The title track, and a playful jab at their early surf rock, saying it's "up." Signalling of a new era with a new person.
Overall, a perfect album, and probably my favourite.
11/10
