I like some of the hits. This is just too much of the same (which is odd after reading this is the 8th album). It's no wonder Brian Wilson went nuts for a spell...having to write a dozen 2:30 songs would drive me nuts too. Do You Wanna Dance is a decent cover. Dance, Dance, Dance finally drives the album somewhere.
Quintessential late 80's/early 90's alt-pop-rock. The guitars on this album are second-to-none. Lots of Matthew Sweet sounding riffs. The vocals are lackluster and the lyrics are just ok. It's an interesting case study on the confluence of different rock sub-genres. You get some Seattle-sounding guitar and surf rock rhythms. I think the band just gets a little confusing throughout the album. Still worth a listen.
Coat of Many Colors...meh. Nice story. Traveling Man...dynamic. I actually believe her. Johnny Cash-esque storytelling. Hello Early Morning Breeze bass line. The Way I See You...turning point on the album. More poppy country. Could be a chart topper in the early 90s. Beautiful song. Just kinda boring, musically. Same cookie-cutter country from the late 70s-80s. Lyrically ok.
The first track, Rock Music, was much more metal than I expected. I love the kind of weepy surf guitar on Ana. This album everything you expect from the Pixies. I will always regret not getting into them back in their hayday.
I looked at the context surrounding the performance of this album. The man is incredibly talented, and I'm sure the piano he was playing didn't showcase his talent. My humble opinion is that jazz piano is best when it's surrounded by a jazz band/orchestra. The improvisations make sense. A lot of this performance is confusing.
Oh Morrissey. This is just repetitive and cookie-cutter. The Joke Isn't Funny is a nice harmonic departure. Lightens the palate a bit. It's dark. It's angsty. I'm sure it was politically important at the time. Musically, it's below meh.
Elephant is an album that makes (made) me believe rock wasn't/isn't dead. Big, arena rock sound. Ball and Biscuit is an absolute banger. Bluesy, rocky, and dirty. Great top to bottom.
Monday, Monday...pure vocal bliss. Covering Spanish Harlem is kind of an eye roll. They should have featured Mama Cass and Michelle Phillips to make a distinct cover. A lot of repetitive semi-"doo wop" songs. It's hard to overstate how powerful and yet the same time sweet and welcoming voice of Mama Cass.
Wait...what? Improvisational metal jazz on Wicked World? Not as metal as I had anticipated. I'm not a metalhead, so this is actually very listenable. Some nice blues walks/riffs. I kind of enjoy the almost rock-opera style the way the tracks are set up.
I like some of the hits. This is just too much of the same (which is odd after reading this is the 8th album). It's no wonder Brian Wilson went nuts for a spell...having to write a dozen 2:30 songs would drive me nuts too. Do You Wanna Dance is a decent cover. Dance, Dance, Dance finally drives the album somewhere.
I can see where Prodigy maybe got their influence. Prodigy meets Pixies. Just not my kind of taste in music. Bazooka Joe is ok. Pretty straight forward neo-punk.
Not a huge fan of sitar instrumentals. Craving butter chicken. I appreciate his legacy, especially headlining Woodstock and shaping the hippie's introduction into world music.
Musical bliss. Heart-felt funkyness.
One banger. The rest of the album is disco Bowie.
It's All Over Now...to close to trying to replicate the Stones cover. I would still rank Grateful Dead's cover ahead of both. You're My Girl closes the album with a decent banger. Solid album.
I'm Stretched Over Your Grave...love the Funky Drummer hook. Good album start to finish. Love her voice...which can go from breathy to a cannonball in 2 seconds. Nothing Compares 2U pushes it from 3* to 4*.
Ok Morrissey. Don't suck. I'm impressed with the Smiths dark lyrics with an actual rock sound. This is a really good album. Nothing stands out lyrically, but the sound is alive and not cookie-cutter.
Sweet, breathy jazz pop.
I appreciate the attempts at paying homage to older singers/performers. She could have saved us all 30 minutes and just said it. Bloated and over produced.
New wave, synth pop orchestral magic.
Just take a moment. Put on From the Morning. Close your eyes. Tell me you don't feel better. One doesn't even need to pay attention to the lyrics. Closest I've gotten to a 5*.
Love the sound and orchestration. Not a big fan of her voice. Ok, I was wrong. The album turned dynamic After Love and Affection.
Love, love Rufus' voice. Sometimes clever lyrics. I guess I just prefer Rufus singing the classic songbook.
It's ok.
It's started out ok. Then banger after banger. 4.25*
Knowledge of Beauty is a pretty alt-country ballad. I can do without the unintelligible mumbling. The irony of One of Those Things sounds A LOT like Werewolves of London.
Let Beck cook. I can do without most of the rest of the album. 2.75*
One of a kind sound and lyrics. Always good for head bobbing. Niceness out of the way, it's a shame that Morello is a known communist and they, in fact, endorse to "do what they tell ya." The last bastion of anti-authority (main stream) has fallen (hard). 4.25*
I'm just not a metal person.
A lot of meh. The Al Green cover is not very good. Steel Claw reminds of the best of Tina Turner. Help! is hot garbage.
This is more my speed. Mellow indie rock. I recognize his voice from some movie soundtrack, but can't put my finger on it. Good, easy listening.
I could listen to the instrumentals all day. The vocals sound like...not good.
Damn. This is just pure and glorious rap. I don't exactly know what makes it less than a 5*. And I really don't understand why Public Enemy was ever targeted. 4.75*
Funky Zappa improv goodness.
In My Arms turned the album around. Mostly I was asking myself, "Where's the weather forecast on the 8's?"