Maybe it was because I wasn’t in a dark and sweaty dance club, or maybe it was because I wasn’t in an altered state of mind or maybe it was a once prominent band just going through the motions on the back side of their career, whatever it was it made for a less than exciting album.
Despite the challenges of a live recording from the 1950’s you can tell the obvious talent of all involved. But jazz just isn’t my cup of tea.
Jack White being Jack White for the first time solo created a wonderfully eclectic sound. I’d only heard a song or two of this album previously. I will definitely listen cover to cover again!
Is a female crooner a thing? If so that’s Dusty on this album. Part Frank Sinatra, part Van Morrison with a Aretha Franklin sprinkled in. All that to say this album is VERY mellow.
Is this a weird and whimsical 70’s trip or a down and dirty hard rock album? Couldn’t it possibly be both?!? The lyrics are sung so beautifully but the words are scary and rough. Oh yeah, and so many flutes! Which sound so soft and friendly but are met with in your face guitar riffs.
This is undoubtedly The Beach Boys. But darker and edgier. Think of it like if The Beach Boys made an album of songs for the Garden State soundtrack.
Many “wait, he didn’t just say what I think he did, did he” moments. Eminem’s lyrics plus Dr. Dre’s beats created a masterpiece that truly changed the pop culture landscape for years to come.
In the original Blues Brothers movie Jake asks the owners of Bob’s Country Bunker what kind of music they have, the wife answers “both kinds, Country and Western”. This album also has both kinds.
All 11 songs on the album have a different feel, a different vibe. The multiple singers coupled with the near perfect musicianship take you on a 40 minute journey. What a ride!
With so many song I was worried, given the genre, that they’d all start to sound the same. They did not. Kudos to the band for that. Another kudos goes to the fact that any of the songs could have been on a late 90’s/early 2000’s movie soundtrack. The lead singer is very much in the PJ Harvey & Alanis Morrisette category.
The Lemonhead’s definitely have a sound, which is to say most of their songs sound very similar. But it’s also the sound of the early 90’s soft alternative music. So if that’s your jam this album is for you.
What in the world did I just listen to? Part Meatloaf, part Twisted Sister. Throw in some Ted Nugent and a little KISS. Maybe a splash of Alice Cooper and even a bit Weird Al. Regardless, I was not a fan.
This album was 6 straight up rock and roll songs and 1 “what the hell did I just listen to”? Shout out to the Stooges drummer Scott Asheton, he should get more love in the discussion about best drummers of all time.
The depth and breadth of this album is incredible. And usually when an album comes out and people say “it was ahead of its time” they usually mean they didn’t like it but are just trying to be polite. But this one actually was. We weren’t ready for where the group went on their sophomore effort. But man is this album brilliant. Both musically and lyrically. It’s entirely possible that this album predicted the future direction of what music would become.
The simplest way to describe this album is fun. Fun music, fun lyrics. And if you like horns you’ll love listening to this one.
It’s the album that changed everything. For better and for worse. It certainly wasn’t anywhere near as hard as their previous stuff. And the lost them some very avid supporters. But man did this album bring them a monstrous fanbase. Enter Sandman gets the bulk of the airtime and love but there are several songs on this album that most bands would love to have in their catalog. Nothing Else Matters, Wherever I May Roam, The Unforgiven and Sad But True all stood out in their own way.
This album was pleasant enough to listen to. Imagine if Jamiroquai and John Mayer got together to make a Radiohead album. But then that album was covered by a wedding band that played during the cocktail hour before the reception.
The Monks sound is in the realm of The Animals and The Kinks. And you can see where they might have influenced hard core punk or early New Wave. All of that and there is a banjo!
This album is very melodic and because It’s Bjork, the lyrics are super creative and unique. But it’s a break-up sung mostly in her native Icelandic language.
Safe to say I was totally surprised by this main. I had no expectations going in other than the album cover and name. Sufjan is mellow, even though many of his song topics are not. This is most certainly an album that is made to be part of a summer road trip playlist.
There is no doubt you’re listening to the Temptations. But make no mistake, this is not your parents Temptations. It is 1969, the Summer of Love after all. These Temptations are heading down a harder, funkier path. A few of the songs, in the title track, sound like they could be from a mid 70’s blaxploitation film. Don’t worry, there are enough classic Temptation's songs in there too.