Wasn't really my cup of tea; I was into the first song or two but then it got a bit too 1999 and I fell out of it. Took the best 2-3 songs with me in favorites, won't relisten. Favorite track: Bingo Bango
I've always put off listening to this one in its entirety. Very boppy, enjoyed it a lot, but maybe it's not catchy in the way that it would pop into my head randomly (not that that's the mark of a good song or album). My favorite moments were the wild full-on screams. Also, the infamous Darling Nikki wasn't as scandalous as I was hoping. Favorite track: When Doves Cry
It always feels a bit embarrassing to out myself as a simpleton by saying jazz just isn't for me, but the more amazing jazz I listen to, the more I have to accept that that's just the way it is. This was a great album, but it's not something I would actively listen to. It definitely keep me grooving as background music while I worked, though!
Lots of creativity, catchy beats and different upbeat moods on this one. Insanely long and not one of my favorites from them though
Like so many things that have been iterated on into oblivion, I definitely respected the album for maintaining a solid, signature characteristic 80s, classic rock chug-along feeling throughout, but I can't imagine many occasions for me to listen to this again unless I wind up driving through the desert for several hours. It just feels like music made for a different lifestyle. Billy Gibbons pretty much sets the benchmark in my mind for bend-heavy, pentatonic-based blues/rock guitar solos. However, I always imagined ZZ Top to be one of those bands that would have a much more profound effect when they're playing in front of you than listening alone on headphones. Solid 2.5-3 as a personal listening experience. Several hits, no particularly bad song and he even shares his experiences with getting sick from eating TV dinners. You rarely get that kind of honesty in music anymore. Favorite song: Legs
I actually listened to this one today, just before getting the prompt (after Brian Wilson’s passing). It was nice to hear what could have been. The album is utterly ridiculous, all over the place and full of beautiful harmonies. I remember the first time I heard smile sessions (before this) and thinking “oh boy, this is nuts but I have to think it’s genius” and finding it hard to do so. After a few listens, though, I started to appreciate Heroes & Villains, then became able to appreciate the rest of the songs. I think it’s one that will continue to grow on me and, while it’s not my favorite collection of individual songs, that’s not what it’s meant to be and there’s just too much Mythos around this one for me not to fall in love with it’s eclecticism. Favorite song: Heroes & Villains (specifically the acapella / string outro). RIP Brian!
So ‘Mother’ was a bit of a weird fit into the album, but otherwise there weren’t any songs I was dying to skip. Felt like a very solid collection of Police songs, and you can hear how tight of a group they were. I imagine I’d have loved the album if I hadn’t heard every breath you take a hundred times already. Most of it was new to me and it was all pretty enjoyable. Will probably listen again. Solid 3.75 for me. Favorite track: Tea in the Sahara
I've been a fan of many individual songs for some time ("Son of Sam" is probably my favorite Elliott Smith song). I really enjoyed the consistent "jangly" feeling this album has for me while still maintaining that intense melancholy I've always loved. It's the most intense (but not necessarily heavy) collection of his music I've heard so far. Favorite Track: Son of Sam 4.5/5, will re-listen.
I mean come on, it’s hybrid theory. What better combo is there than high school angst and nu metal? Favorite track - One Step Closer
Generally not as upbeat or in your face as I prefer, but I enjoyed it very much for what it is. I'm not sure where I fall on the appreciation vs. appropriation debate (and whether/how intent plays into it), but generally speaking I think I'll read the Wiki on more albums going forward. Having defined the contexts of an album definitely makes for a more interesting listening experience. I usually prefer musical complexity somewhere between folk and jazz. Given that, Paul Simon does a great job telling a story musically and I liked how several songs used rhythmically interesting sections to mix things up. A couple times I got genuinely surprised by guitar riffs that I would expect 1:1 in a lot of 2010s indie rock (Gumboots intro, Crazy Love, Vol. II). Favorite track: You Can Call Me Al
Not for me, but it's fun music and I could see why someone would like this. Feels like it perfectly embodies a blissfully cringe-ignorant era of 1990s U.S. club culture.