Aug 24 2025
Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
An all around great album showing the range and depth of Monk’s work. Every track is interesting and unique in its own right. At times he takes the limelight and others he lets his fellow musicians cook. If someone asked where to start with jazz, this would be a great sequel to big band greats like Ellington.
5
Aug 25 2025
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
The album was a clear commercial success. And Mathers can execute rap very well. Beyond that, this is a mess of an album coming from someone who’s both insecure and seeks shock value to compensate. I stopped listening halfway through, realizing that if I want to be shocked I can just read the evening news.
2
Aug 26 2025
Aja
Steely Dan
Imagine the late 1970s. You’re driving a giant American car that rivals the size of small boats. It’s dusk on a summer evening. You pop this 8-track in and start bopping your head to the jazz rock fusion. You pay attention to the varying rhythms and surprising chord progressions. You appreciate the excellent production quality of the recording. It seems like the road will last forever. You keep driving. It’s sublime.
4
Aug 27 2025
Be
Common
This album is an example of what you can do with great lyrics, rhythm, and music all rolled together. Such a breath of fresh air compared to some of the more contemporary, trap-oriented hip-hop.
4
Aug 29 2025
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
What an album. Almost every song is captivating. The musicality and creativity shines through. Elton's music grabs you by the ears and doesn't let go.
5
Aug 30 2025
There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
It’s fine. It’s funky and soul-ful. But it doesn’t stand out to me. Enjoyable but not noteworthy.
3
Sep 01 2025
Ocean Rain
Echo And The Bunnymen
A few songs are standouts on this album and really capture the era. The others are decent and fit well with the genre but are forgettable. I’m glad I listened to this album but it’s not one I think I’ll come back to repeatedly.
3
Sep 03 2025
Play
Moby
Moby’s a good producer but this album is middling at best. Most of the tracks are repetitive with the most interesting parts being the African American hymnal samples. Also, the optics of a white dude profiting from sampled Black music aren’t great. Earlier Moby is much better.
3
Sep 06 2025
Coles Corner
Richard Hawley
Pleasant but forgettable. I can't say I can hum along any of these songs after hearing them once each. Probably good as background music on a chill evening, but not more than that.
3
Sep 08 2025
The Last Broadcast
Doves
New to me. Album improved as it progressed. Some interesting instrumentation and chord progressions for indie rock. Quite a bit better than Coldplay, though nothing earth shattering here.
3
Sep 09 2025
Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
Just a stellar album. Franklin’s voice is mesmerizing and her dynamic range is incredible. Almost every song in this album is memorable.
5
Sep 18 2025
Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti
Energetic, melodic fusion of jazz, funk and afrobeat. This is the kind of album that feels great to run to, both because of the steady rhythm and the uplifting feel.
4
Sep 22 2025
Better Living Through Chemistry
Fatboy Slim
Not his best work but it set the stage for his next, very popular album which defined late 90s popular dance music.
4
Sep 24 2025
2112
Rush
This music is rock for nerds, and I mean that in a good way. Given a close listen, the album takes you on a narrative and musical trip. The skill of these musicians is top notch. In an alternate universe where rock music played the role of classical in the 1800s, Rush would be as well known as Beethoven.
5
Sep 25 2025
If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
I like Irish music, and punk isn’t bad either. This is a great fusion of the two. Lots of fun songs with more musical depth in soul than you would originally expect.
4