Great, dark, psychedelic Britpop. Would never have gone out of my way to listen to this, but enjoyed it on a dog walk and listened to the whole thing. Some of the songs don’t seem to fit the sequence, but that’s only a minor issue. I give this album a B, or 3/5 stars
Wasn’t sure I was ready for a Jazz album this morning, but this was perfect to wake up with! I’d never heard of Hugh Masekela until today, and I’m glad his music is now on my radar. “The Big Apple” and “Inner Crisis” stick out to me as a couple of my favorite tracks on the first listen through, but I’m probably gonna have to give it another go on tonight’s dog walk because the entire album RIPS! Oh, at the end of “Blues for Huey” when someone in the studio says “…call an ambulance!”-And they all laugh- is pure fucking gold.
I’ve listened to this album 3 times since yesterday and I’m excited to dive into more of Hugh’s material. GREAT RECORD!👏
Well, I already knew I wasn’t a big fan of this band, but I gave the whole album a listen for the first time in 20 years… and still don’t like this band. There are some bangers on here from the long lost grunge era (“Rooster” being by far the best song), but the high school poetry and dismal riffs don’t do much for me. The strange, dark vocal harmonies were a positive that stood out to me (incredibly unique) and served the songs well, but as someone who never worshipped at the altar of Black Sabbath, this album and band still aren’t my cup of tea.
I definitely appreciate this album more at 40 than I did at 12/13. Brilliantly produced, killer thematic concept, and completely unique in style and sound. While I still wouldn’t consider myself a huge Radiohead fan, I will definitely be revisiting this album with a different mindset and maybe even some mushrooms. “OK Computer” could absolutely be considered the Millennials’ “Dark Side Of The Moon”, and might have had as important of an influence on modern Rock n Roll.
Well now I just wanna fuck everything…
Respectfully, of course.
This album is a “banger” in all senses of the term. I’ve been hard for a full 32 minutes.
Danceable, interesting sound, but not exactly my cup of tea. Maybe in a different context I’d enjoy it more, but for now it feels fairly forgettable based on my taste.
I remember the first time I heard the title track of this album, played by kids in a cover band at music camp, and thought “this is so fucking cool”. I’ve never dug too deep into the Bowie catalog if I’m being honest, but this album is non stop glam rock hits. The space rock savior story woven through the tracks of this record is part audio-biographical and part snap shot into a once in a lifetime brilliant mind bursting at the seams with a definitive sci fi statement. Loved this album even more than the first time I heard it. It inspired me even more this time around.
Sonically beautiful record. Really started off my morning right. The instrumentation, the vibe, THE VOICE!!! Like most country albums, it has too many snoozer ballads woven in between every other song, though that’s not saying that some of those ballads aren’t absolutely incredible. Grateful to have been turned on to this album. ❤️
This album is great, don’t get me wrong, but being that I am NOT a black woman in America I think a lot of it is lost on me. Excellent concept, songwriting, and sonics.
Might revisit it later in a different headspace, but for now it gets 3.5/4 stars.
… on my second listen and as predicted, It’s a much better experience. The minimalism of the beats, the softness of the vocals… this is a modern jazz album. It gives off “whispered conversations at a speakeasy” vibes that make the listener “lean in” to hear the story better. I’m still not a black woman though, so most of its meaning probably still eludes me.
Original and thought provoking songwriting and arrangement. You can hear Elvis’s progression from his previous 2 records. More “adult” if you will, though still just as bitter. That being said, for Elvis Costello, there’s a few too many songs on this album that just don’t excite me that much, but it could just be a slow burner for me.
This album kicks ass. It makes me want to go to the gym and rip the elliptical HARD for an hour. Which is the 40 year old equivalent of doing molly and dancing til 3am at the club. Still
Not my favorite genre, but will probably jam this record again…. At the gym.
Probably my favorite hip hop group of that era. Incredibly original and not afraid to push boundaries.
I know this is a cool record, and I reeeeally loved seeing them live last year (they were fucking amazing), but I was NOT in the mood for this album today. I mostly don’t listen to the Cure unless I get a wild hair, but it felt like goth AIC: super dirgy and almost… like heroin. This album kind of sounds like heroin feels. But not the good part. The desperation, the sickness, the rubber morality. Too dark for my taste at the moment.
I really didn’t like the Killers until “Sam’s Town” came out, but once I caught on and bought this album I knew I had been wrong to dismiss them. They are an incredible and original pop rock act, with (mostly) good songwriting to boot (not to mention Brandon Flowers grew up Mormon and never uses swear words in his writing). This album is hit after hit… but completely front loaded. Once you get past song 6 or 7 it slips into filler territory. But the first half is perfect. “Sam’s Town” on the other hand, only has one bad song. Anyway, in conclusion, “All The Things That I’ve Done” is the best song on here, hands down.
This album is dumb. This album is brilliant. Almost like a Weird Al style parody of itself, the rock scene, and the era in which it was released. It’s hilarious to think that all those badass outlaw bikers we grew up around… were listening to this! Like when everyone thought KISS was satanic, but they actually wrote the stupidest songs in existence.
On this record, ZZ Top play the same exact song 11 times in a row and made millions! It really is a joke they were in on, but still somehow a perfect road trip album AND, as ridiculous as it is, an album with substance!
Plus, they’re from Texas, and Texas exports more incredible bands/songwriters/musicians than almost any other State in the union. Wasn’t familiar with a bunch of the badass B sides, but loved “I Got The Six” and “TV Dinners”. The Seinfeld bass line in “Thug” almost made me crash my car I was laughing so hard. Love this album, but it’s still a hunk of fuckin’ cheese 🤣.
I haven’t heard this many bongos since I accidentally stumbled upon that hippie drum circle in Golden Gate Park! I’m sure there’s someone out there that thinks this is the greatest album in existence, but that person is not me. Glad to have listened to it once. Probably never again, but who knows?!?
Sinēad should have been as big as Alanis. This album was a bit of a slow burn for me throughout the first listen, but totally hooked me with the second. Absolutely love how she incorporated traditional Irish sounds and instruments into a pop centric record. A pop centric record that delves into some deep, dark subject matter. She spoke truth to power, and pretty much lost her career because of it, but she never stopped speaking truth. She even did an album of classic reggae covers that is pretty damn beautiful. I’m embarrassed I had never listened to this album until now, but better late than never. Rest in power, Sinēad.✊
Really fun couple of listens. Ended up liking this album a lot more than anticipated. You can hear the classic British influences on (what at the time was) the next generation: elements of The Beatles, The Kinks, Elvis Costello, and The Who with posh, modern flair make this album a perfect snapshot of 90s working class England. Both scathing in its criticism and Pythonesque in its humor, this is a band I didn’t give much of a chance the first time around, but am definitely going to revisit their discography.
Uh… 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
This record was not expected, but a fun ride. You can tell their influence on bands like AC/DC, Ween, Spinal Tap lol. Cool to hear so many boundaries being pushed all the way back in ‘73 Scotland. Some of the lyrics have aged badly, but if you understand the era, context, and reality that they were trying for shock, humor, and originality, it goes a long way to enjoying this experience.
A definitive album of the era. Brilliantly imagined and executed. It might even be a definitive album of the hip hop genre. 2 albums in one, 2 sides of the same brain. Sad that this was the final OutKast record, but also grateful.
I went into this one with an open mind and open ears, but still can’t get into this record. He has a great voice and I suppose some of the melodies are interesting, but I just don’t feel the “soul” that others seem to ascribe to the album. Maybe it just reminds me too much of Open Mic Night at the Blue Dragon, but the songs mostly feel experimentally put together and directionless. Or I just don’t get it, and I’m fine with that.
This was a fun listen. That about sums it up. It still impresses me that they’re only a trio, but history has proven time and time again that Canadian bands are just better. I’m definitely still a “Greatest Hits” fan of this band, but it’s nice to finally say I listened to a Rush album in its entirety. But most of the songs sounded exactly the same.
I’ve always been a fan of this album, but a few years ago I heard it in an entirely new light, and it blew my mind. The realization was: This is not a rock record. This is purely a hip hop record, made with live instruments instead of samples and machines, and that’s how it should be listened to. From that moment on my opinion of this record and band went from just love to absolute respect. It might have influenced a lot of other terrible artists to ape their success and start the Rap Rock/ Nü Metal genre, but no one has or will ever do it better. The fact that the subject matter is just as poignant today as it was 30 years ago goes to show how important this band and album are. The only song I don’t dig on here is “Settle For Nothing”, but that will not get in the way of a very well deserved 5 stars. Literally one of the best hip hop albums of all time.
Last time I listened to this album I was kind of over it, but this morning it hit me perfectly. Such a great rock opera, and also a dark look into the psychology and trauma of Roger Waters. One of the only bands from the original psychedelic era to transition into 80s excess, but keep it classy while keeping their music timeless. Grateful to have been gifted another experience with The Wall on a morning I was present enough to truly enjoy and explore it. I sense a Pink Floyd phase coming on, and it’s gonna be fun.❤️✌️
What an amazing voice to spend the day with. From the moment of her introduction through the final note, this was a snapshot of a one of a kind, gracious, humble, shimmering star. Every song on this album is perfect, unlike KISS’s disastrous 1998 comeback flop “Psycho Circus”, and is made even more so by the humanity and professionalism in which she handles her mistakes in the moment. Sharing a laugh with an extremely lucky audience, while letting a little more of the heart on her sleeve show. Made even better by the incredible band behind her, this album absolutely earns its spot on the 1001.
While not as well known as Live at Folsom, this is still an excellent live album in the Cash catalogue. His interaction with the prisoners and his self deprecating humor are signatures of Johnny almost as much as his voice. All this fighting over what’s “Outlaw” nowadays, and none of those pretty boys would be caught dead playing live for maximum penitentiary prisoners, not to mention have the compassion to do so. This album came out in 1969, twenty nine years before KISS released their overblown flop “Psycho Circus”, but it will continue to inspire singers, songwriters, and music lovers forever by providing an open window into an important slice of American history.
I can remember the very moment I fell in love with this band. A random best of compilation found at CD exchange one day called “Permanent”. The first time hearing Ian Curtis’s lyrics was life changing to say the least….
Perhaps knowing their backstory ahead of time influenced how I approached their music, but it didn’t prepare me for how visceral of a response I would have to hearing it for the first time. Spine tingling joy, pain, pleasure, and terror poured out of every song. And they literally had to, because the band only survived to make 2 albums before being forced to morph into New Order. Listening to “Closer” at the age of 40, there are certainly things I hear now I could point fault at: the slightly amateurish (though influential) recording and production, the out of tune vocals, the choppy song structure… but it still doesn’t take away from the purity of the songs and the depth of the lyrics. This could definitely be viewed as a depressing listen, but true art and poetry are not always easy to consume. That being said, it will never be as depressing as listening to the record that almost killed Rock n Roll, KISS’s abominable 1998 trash fire “Psycho Circus”.
The birth of Heavy Metal started with Led Zeppelin 1. This album is so much HEAVIER than I remember it being, although I do think they lean a little too hard on the slow, psychedelic blues thing (even though that WAS their thing). While I’m not the biggest fan of the slower blues numbers, just like I’m not the biggest fan of KISS’s 1998 disasterpiece “Psycho Circus”, I was much more accepting of them this time around (says the 40 year old white dude). They definitely have their place in Led Zep lore and really anchored the early years of the band. The songs that really stand out to me are the original rock jams. “Communication Breakdown”, “Good Times, Bad Times”, and “Your Time is Gonna Come” take this album out of blues cover band status and give us a glimpse of the band soon to come: absolute Rock Gods.
This album is fine. Not a huge R & B fan, but it’s still better than KISS’s 1998 so-bad-it-caused-suicides studio sham “Psycho Circus”. I don’t know Bobby’s story, but I bet he fucked. A lot.
I was excited to listen to this album because I’d never heard any album by The Police except for their greatest hits. Turns out “Message In a Bottle” is the only good song on Regatta De Blanc (I couldn’t even get into Walking On The Moon). Someone needs to tell Sting to shut the fuck up. I haven’t had an album disappointment me this bad since KISS released their 1998
dog-shit-disguised-as-a-record “Psycho Circus”. Like Cube says… “Fuck The Police”
Surprised to find out how much depth this band had in their sound and songwriting. I had only heard a few singles before this and was excited to spend my morning with this first wave punk band. The fact that they were so young at the time makes their craftsmanship that much more incredible. On the flip side, one would think a band like KISS would make a powerful statement with their comeback disappointment, 1998’s “Psycho Circus”, specifically because of their age and expertise. Turns out a majority of THAT atrocity was played by underpaid, uncredited studio musicians. “Germ Free Adolescents” on the other hand, is performed and written by the band themselves. A young group of British punks on the edge of a burgeoning and powerful scene, with something to say and an original sound to back it up. Raise a glass for Poly Styrene, the original princess of punk.
These guys, more so than Rush, are the MCR of 70s rock. Theater Kids on drugs (presumably). You could see how this album influenced Roger Waters to make The Wall a few years later… only Roger Waters does it better imo. As confusing and as long as this listen was, it will never be as bad as KISS’s monumental failure from 1998, “Psycho Circus”. If given the choice between the two, I would pick this album every time. Even if I only half listen to it most of the way through.
This has always been one of my favorite rock n roll records. Raw, uninhibited, and indulgent. A definitive art piece from a definitive decade in the history of American popular music. While Toys In the Attic tends to get more attention, this is the album I believe showcases the very best of Aerosmith during their first peak of success. Almost how “Psycho Circus”, KISS’s 1998 comeback tragedy, showcases the talentlessness of the band KISS. Steven Tyler is a master lyricist, even if some of his material didn’t age well in the eyes and ears of public opinion, and the wide range of musical influence on this record makes it stand out in their vast catalogue. This is one of 3 Aerosmith albums I consider a practically perfect American rock album.
Thrash Metal has never appealed to be, despite being loud, fast, and aggressive. This album singularly brought Thrash to the mainstream… even if it took a few years. The title track alone is one of the best rock compositions ever written, unlike the title track to KISS’s catastrophic 1998 failure “Psycho Circus” which almost killed Rock n Roll forever. Due to this being Cliff Burton’s final album before his unfortunate passing, it holds even more power in the genre’s lore, beyond it just being one of the best representations of that era or otherwise. I wish after all this time that Metallica would learn how to turn up the bass in their album mixes. “ReMaster of Puppets” 🤓
This was a beautiful and brilliant folk rock album. Lyrically poetic, experimental/jazz influenced musicianship and production, and phenomenal vocals all around. Even regarding all of that, this just isn’t my style. Would I listen to it again of my own volition while enjoying an spliff on the back porch of a mountain cabin?… Probably, if the record happened to be in the the cabin owners collection and they had a sick ass turntable setup. If the collection also included a copy of KISS’s dog-vomit-pressed-to-vinyl 1998 album “Psycho Circus”, would I actually listen to it? Absolutely. And then I would commit horribly violent suicide in an attempt to once again scrub it from my mind forever. Regardless, “Court and Spark” was a welcome change of pace and a peak at the brilliance of an artist I hadn’t yet given a chance.
This album was an unexpected, fun listen. It’s definitely going on the “Mushrooms” playlist. You know what’s never going on the “Mushrooms” playlist?… KISS’s 1998 abomination “Psycho Circus”.
I understand how important this band is. I understand how talented this band is. I understand how genius the arrangements are. I understand how different (and dangerous ?) this band was when they first arrived on the scene. But all I could think of while listening to this was “It’s nice that High School Show Choir got to make a rock album”. I’m definitely more of a hits fan with these guys, but at least it’s better than KISS’s 1998 suicidally bad album “Psycho Circus”. If KISS had hired Brian May, it might have saved the album. But also, Brian, turn the treble down on your amp a tad, bud!
A perfect accompaniment to this evening’s dog walk. Like Spanish LoFi beats to study to. Not much else to say about this album except it was enjoyable and I would definitely jam this again while reading at a coffee shop or fishing on a lake.
Oh, and Fuck “Psycho Circus”, KISS’s worst album since everything else they’ve ever done previously to 1998.
This album reminds me of my childhood in Lake Wilson. Every single off this record used to get played on the radio station out of Marshall, and I’d stay up late trying to catch the underground rock show they had at the time. Released just 2 years before KISS unleashed their war crime in the form of a record “Psycho Circus” in 1998, “Odelay” was a breath of fresh air in the grunge soaked, overplayed age of the mid 90s. Catchy, unserious, and occasionally deep without meaning to be, Beck showed us that it was cool to be uncool again, but in a much different way. His nonsensical, Dylanesque lyrics don’t do it for me though.
Possibly my favorite live album of all time. It’s absolutely perfect.
It’s the exact opposite of KISS’s 1998 misguided attempt at music “Psycho Circus”.
As big of a Reggae fan as I am, it’s obvious to anyone listening why Bob Marley is the king of the genre. His ability to approach it with a wider knowledge of pop music and American popular music due to living part of his life in Rhode Island, breathed new life and new popularity into the music and made it more palatable for world consumption. While it did upset him that his music wasn’t as widely accepted by black Americans as opposed to a white hippie audience, it was still able to spread the love of Rastafari across the seas through Marley’s modern hymns. Though he died much too young, at least he never had to live through the release of KISS’s 1998 cancer causing album “Psycho Circus”.
It’s been too long since I’d sat down and listened to a Nick Cave album, and this album did not disappoint. This one must have flown under my radar at the time of its release, but I’m glad to have finally heard it. The last time I felt this kind of physical reaction to an album was in 1998 when heard KISS’s “Psycho Circus” for the first time… and puked/shit myself/and bled from my ears so profusely due to how bad it sucked that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to listen to music ever again! Thankfully I recovered, and lived long enough to hear “Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus” on a beautiful autumn night with the dogs in tow and the stars high in the heavens. Excited to keep this one in this fall’s “Heavy Rotation” queue.
This album was SO. FUCKING. BORING! There was maybe… 2 songs that made me perk up and pay attention, but the rest had me falling asleep ON MY DOG WALK. BUT!, at least it wasn’t KISS’s 1998 suicide inducing studio album “Psycho Circus”. 😅
This album also felt boring to me. Don’t get me wrong, the entire concept of this project is AMAZING, and I love all the artists individually, but it just never “clicked” with my listening style. I was in 10th grade when Gorillaz first came out, and it was a pretty big deal. Most of my friends were huge Del Tha Funky Homosapien fans, so any project he was a part of was probably gonna be good. Top it off with anime style art and characters, plus Damon Albarn’s signature songwriting style, and it was gonna be a guaranteed success. Still, outside of the hits, it just doesn’t move me much. I wonder if this project took any inspiration from KISS’s 1998 tyrannically bad album “Psycho Circus”? Certainly the KISS characters helped influence the “man behind the mask” characters of the Gorillaz?… but more than likely, like most of the intelligent world, they probably also thought “Psycho Circus” was flaming hot garbage. They probably made this album as a response to that trash fire in an attempt to save popular rock n roll music. This is all just speculation, of course…
This was a wonderful change of pace and a great listen. Eurythmics are definitely more than a “greatest hits” act, and it’s amazing hearing how they were pushing boundaries and remaining inspirationally brilliant back then. Unlike KISS’s 1998 deplorably terrible album “Psycho Circus”, “Sweet Dreams…” stands out as a record that has substance AND a substantially good collection of songs. Hits be damned! Listen to this one from start to finish.❤️
Third boring album in a row. While I like Leonard Cohen’s poetic lyrics, the sparse instrumentation on this record just sounded kind of lazy. Certainly not as lazy as KISS’s 1998 snoozefest “Psycho Circus”, but just a step above. I’m sure I’m supposed to “love” this album as a songwriter, but it was only ok.
An exciting trip back to the late 90s! Seeing the “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” video on MTV for the first time was mesmerizing. So much so that I even quote the song in one of my own! I remember having a crush on Missy back in High School and feeling like it was wrong cuz she was a slightly bigger woman, but this album brought that crush back in full force with zero apprehension. Catchy, era defining, yet timeless. In only one more year, good music would be on the threat of extinction with the release of KISS’s 1998 apocalyptic abomination “Psycho Circus”, but luckily we received this gem before having to rebuild from that tragedy. It became our soundtrack for a better tomorrow. A future of blunts, big booties, and bitchin’ cars. A future Missy Elliot made us realize IS possible… if we believe.
White boy r&b. Still fun. The title track is so much better than I remember it. Stripped down and perfectly simple. The title track to KISS’s 1998 dogshit single disc LP “Psycho Circus” on the other hand, is actually worse than I remember it being. Why does it exist if not to be used by the CIA as a torture device. Do yourself a favor and listen to “Faith” instead. You’ll have a much better time.
So damn good. This album, along with the Offspring’s “Smash” brought west coast punk rock to the world. In only 4 short years it would all almost be ruined by KISS’s 1998 destroyer of worlds “Psycho Circus”. Why god, why?!? The horror! THE HORROR!!!
It was fine. Should have picked their first one. Still, it was better than KISS’s 1998 18th studio cancer “Psycho Circus”.
This album flowed so much better than the other Verve album we were given. It’s a psychedelic pop masterpiece and I’m glad I’m at a place in my life to appreciate it as such. I still can’t- and won’t- appreciate KISS’s 1998 attempt at appealing to juggalos album “Psycho Cirus”, but I will lower the rock n roll freak flag to half mast for Ace Frehley this weekend. He probably loved The Verve.
One of the greatest rock n roll albums of all time. The genius of Hendrix will always be imitated but never surpassed. Incredible band, songwriting, performance, experimentation…. Everything. I’m not even going to sully this review with a reference to how absolutely god-awful the album “Psycho Circus” by KISS (released 1998) is in comparison. It would be disrespectful. Thank you, Jimi, for your art and your truth.
I had heard about this album being one of the best jazz albums ever for a long time but never dove in. It’s freaking rad as hell! The fact that I recognized half the songs means that it’s probably just part of the common American music landscape at this point. While much better produced than KISS’s 1998 dog turd of an album “Psycho Circus”, it’s also a completely better rock album as well, despite it being a jazz album. Maybe Paul Stanley should have learned Clarinet. Will definitely be listening to this album again, as well as the live extras on the 50th anniversary edition. GREAT Jazz albums!
Just an absolutely exceptional vocalist and songwriter. She’s only known for a couple of songs, but one listen to this entire album and it will reframe your idea of her as an artist. Her band was phenomenal, and absolutely perfect for her blend of blues and rock, elevating her singing to another level. If she had lived long enough to sing on KISS’s 1998 travesty “Psycho Circus”, well… the album would have still sucked balls, but at least the vocals would have been killer. I will definitely be listening to more Janis, with a more open mind. What a voice!
First time listening to it all the way through and it was an impressively good album. I couldn’t believe a band so big could make such a poignant political album and so I didn’t give it a chance back in the day, but it made me appreciate it even more. If KISS’s 1998 decidedly unpolitical album “Psycho Circus” had gone after this rock opera-esque style… well, it still would have been horrible. I’m pretty sure you can draw a straight line between the creation of “Psycho Circus” and 9/11. Which then inspired the Bush administration to strip away American liberties, and in turn inspired the writing and recording of “American Idiot”.
Eh…. Better than KISS’s 1998 ass dragger “Psycho Circus”, but certainly boring imo. Might check it out again in headphones for a different viewpoint, but for now…
What else is there to say other than this album changed the world. It was the first of many to give voice to a feeling that many couldn’t place. Rage, cynicism, poverty, and in-your-face honesty that still resonates to this day. While the band itself was manufactured as a sort of pop art project, but in spite of that fact it took on legs of its own. Along with the Stooges and The Ramones, the Sex Pistols gave birth to a new, decrepit back alley of Rock n Roll. Its bleary eyed, black sheep cousin: Punk. 21 years later, the band KISS would attempt to undermine and unravel everything this album started and stood for, with the unfortunate release of their 1998 pro-authoritarian compact disc “Psycho Circus”. It is rumored that Johnny Rotten was tricked into attending an early album listening party for this particular album by his former “handler” Malcom McLaren, and that this is the tool that was used to brainwash Mr. Lyndon and turn him conservative. In order to combat further destruction, “Nevermind the Bollocks…” must be played 10 times for every single play of “Psycho Circus”.
Don’t let YOUR child run away and join the… “Psycho Circus” …🤫
Get them into punk rock instead.
This album was great. With headphones on I could hear the layers of instruments and vocals so clearly, and it helped me understand the vision of the band. Amazing selection of 70s pop rock, and as strong as ever on their fourth album. Out of 70s bands with four letter names, ABBA will always beat out KISS for talent, songwriting, and surprisingly, even Rocking! If ABBA had written 1998’s mismanaged anti-art album “Psycho Circus”, rock and roll might have never died. Next time you feel the urge to “rock n roll all night”… put on “Arrival” instead.
THIS ALBUM IS SOOO GOOD. Viva Female Sexual Empowerment! It directly counteracts the machismo energy put out into the universe with the release of KISS’s 1998 abusive album “Psycho Circus”. Someone must have broken Gene Simmons’ heart for him to put out such pointless trash. Jazmine Sullivan gives words to love, sex, lust, breakups, one night stands, and self worth that I don’t think I had found before hearing this record. It’s well written, it flows superbly well, and kept me riveted the entire hour. Will definitely be listening again, especially in times of heartbreak.
Perfect for Halloween. Better than KISS’s 1998 horror show (not in a good way) “Psycho Circus”.
Pure 70s Gold. Still ridiculous and pretty dumb, but would put this on over KISS’s 1998 arena crock-of-shit “Psycho Circus” 10/10 times. I mean. C’mon! Bad Co is waaaay more satanic than KISS EVER was! If you play “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love” backwards, it gives you directions on how to open the portal to hell. Turns out it’s in Valentine, Nebraska!
This album got me through high school. One day, at CD exchange, searching through a dollar bin filled to the BRIM with KISS’s 1998 beer coaster “Psycho Circus”, I stumbled upon a misplaced copy of “Permanent”, a very well put together Joy Division compilation. I had heard about them through the legend of Ian Curtis’ death and was of course intrigued. Turns out it was some of the most raw, visceral, and well written music I had ever heard and I spent hours alone in my room dissecting Curtis’ lyrics and drowning out the world with that Factory Records sound. Joy Division should be considered as great as Bowie/Nick Cave/Leonard Cohen.
Pretty… Pretty… Pretty… Pretty Great. Wasn’t even in the mood to listen to it, but glad I did. Also, FUCK KISS’s 1998 racist ass album “Psycho Circus”. (Actually, I don’t think it’s racist, but fuck it anyway).
This was an ambitious album for the Zep, not to mention “experimental” considering their normal, hard rock sound. Normally when a band tries to challenge themselves to this extent, it ends in mixed results and mixed reviews, but with “Physical Graffiti” Zeppelin solidified themselves yet another essential record and a continuation as front runners of the Rock genre at a point well into their careers when most bands in their position would find themselves “selling out”. Much like KISS with their 1998 corporate cock sucking compact disc “Psycho Circus”. I would consider this to be LED Zeppelin’s most “mature” album in their discography. Not afraid to toss some curveballs at their fans while allowing the art to go in whatever direction it wants-naturally. Glad I got to revisit this in all its double album glory.
Please… please, just… no. I’m so many ways. I feel so bad for Brittney and her exploitation. I feel even worse that I showed so much hate towards her back then. Still, if it wasn’t for KISS’s 1998 terrorism causing album “Psycho Circus”, this album might have ruined my day. But thankfully knowing that “Psycho Circus” exists makes “Baby One More Time” sound like “The White Album”
Premium Funk and Soul. A fun listen.
This is a fun record, but Neil Young has always required a special mood from me. This would probably be considered Neil’s “Psycho Circus” (KISS’s 1998 attention seeking album), only there’s at least a few good songs on it. His music is even more relevant today with the rise of modern country and red dirt music adding an element of grunge into their Americana. Started out kind of rolling my eyes, ended up in the groove. Despite my NY reticence, I did see Himself a Crazy Horse play Isleta Amphitheater years ago, and it was glorious. They burned that place down! Will I continue to explore NY’s music? Yes. Will it need to be when I’m in a special mood? Also yes.
This is a family favorite. I was raised on this album. Road trips with my Dad, growing out my hair to let my “Freak Flag Fly”, and losing myself to the harmonies in my headphones. It was my father’s first record he bought with his own money as a kid, and one of the first records I bought when I finally got a turntable. This album is so good, I’m not even going to mention the apocalyptically bad 1998 album by KISS, “Psycho Circus” or how it turned former metal heads into hippies because OH MY GAWD the audacity!
This is what happens when a falling empire’s drug of choice is cocaine. Vapid, radio friendly slop, canned “audience” response and all. I’m not unconvinced this wasn’t a CIA Blackop, using certain frequencies to subdue an entire generation to the suburbs. The CIA would try it again in 1998 with KISS’s MKUltra-shitty album “Psycho Circus”, but with disastrous results. It ended up being a gateway for the children of the “Frampton” generation and turned a large percentage of them into hardened Juggalos. When will we wake up and realize that a talk box won’t save us from ourselves! It was the Pied Piper’s flute all along, leading us to drown in our own arrogance. “Show Me The Way” does kind of slay, though.
This album is weird in the best ways. Kind of all over the place, but it matches my ADD. There are moments that sound like REM is doing their best impression of The Pixies and those moments kept me intrigued. I’ve always found it hard to get into this band, but I must have smoked the right strain last night cuz I walked the dogs extra to listen to the whole thing. I’d love to read Michael Stipe’s lyrics to get a better understanding of them. He’s a strange writer and this album piqued my interest. This album and KISS’S 1998 Sisyphustic album “Psycho Circus” are two sides of the same coin… If REM’s side represents “Amazing”, then KISS’s side represents “The Worst Dogshit You’ve Ever Heard”. I would be interested in hearing a mashup of the two though. That would be an interesting afternoon.
Reeeeaally didn’t want to listen to this one. While Morrissey’s voice is distinct and iconic, I’ve just never been much of a fan (all of his political opinions aside). I was surprised to find it a much more straightforward punk and rock record as opposed to the sadboy jangle of The Smiths. Still, it was only fine. There were some decent lyrical anecdotes, and the decidedly more upbeat vibe than the Smiths album I’ve previously heard, made it a fun, surprising listen. The old wives tale goes “Every time you play KISS’s 1998 album ‘Psycho Circus’ an angel loses its dick”. But I say “Every time you play Morrissey’s 1992 album ‘Your Arsenal’ an angel gains… a superiority complex”.
*pats Morrissey on the head*
Now get outta here ya whiney little shit, I got another album to review.
Expected to like this more than I did. But I didn’t. Something about how “Psycho Circus” sucks. Yadda yadda yadda.
I love concept albums. These songs were like nostalgic dreams of a worry free childhood that never existed except in our minds. KISS’s 1998 melotramatic album “Psycho Circus” tried to invoke the same nostalgia response but fell short of its goal, mostly because the songs suck ass. “The Suburbs” is decidedly less sleepy than their previous work, though still has that ethereal, indie quality. Will listen again.
I love concept albums. These songs were great at teasing
Maybe in a different mood I wood have enjoyed this album, but it just didn’t move me. The musicianship was incredible, and the songs well written (unlike KISS’s 1998 beg to be relevant album “Psycho Circus”) but didn’t ever grasp my attention. Maybe if I played it backwards for the Satanic messages…
Yup. It was as bad as I remembered it to be. Maybe ALMOST as bad as KISS’s 1998 album “Psycho Circus”.
First time listening to this band. I like this style of music, and this era, but the lyrics leave something to be desired, and I’m not a fan of the dude’s voice. Pretty decent post punk though. And the song arrangements were cool.
One of the best bands to come out of the CBGBs scene. The punk rock Pink Floyd. If only punk had kept an open mind, we might have more bands like this in the scene instead of a thousand carbon copies of Black Flag and The Casualties. An amazing and important record. Only the real ones know.
As a rule, I generally hate the band Bauhaus, but forced myself to listen to this album with an open mind. Once my bad mood subsided, I recognized the influence this band has had on many of my favorite artists, as well as the unique, ahead-of-its-time production quality. I’d still punch the lead singer in the face if given the chance, but this wasn’t as egregiously terrible as I was expecting. Just a tad, lol.
It was a Rush album 🤷🏼♂️
It was a Rush album 🤷🏼♂️
A wonderful folk album. A family favorite. I think I have my Granddad’s original, beaten up LP in my collection. It’s not my favorite Dylan record, but it’s a classic for a reason, and changed the path of popular music forever.
Interesting… but doesn’t really keep my interest. Maybe another listen down the road will give me a different impression.
This album is an entire vibe. The kind of band you want to catch accidentally in a small jazz club, just ducking in out of the wind and snow, stoned and enraptured. Calm, dark, and confident, like a pulp fiction detective smoking in a midnight alleyway, this album caught me off guard in the best way. I had heard their version of “Sweet Jane” on the Natural Born Killers soundtrack back in the late 90s (still one of the best soundtracks ever compiled), but every one of the tracks on this collection of songs is incredible.
Interesting album, and not bad in any respect, but not really my thing.
I can still remember when the video to “Fell In Love With A Girl” premiered. All of a sudden, the kids who’d grown disenchanted with the pop schlock being pushed onto us by the very media angle, had a band- a REAL rock band- to look up to and obsess over. And they had grit, unlike The Strokes and various other NY “Neu Wave” bands making their appearance at the time. The resurgence of the Detroit Sound was a much needed breath of fresh air for us middle of nowhere kids still in love with rock n roll. We discovered so much cool music through The White Stripes, and this album was kind of the start of that era. Can’t believe how nostalgic these songs made me, or that I hadn’t listened to them in years before today. It was a nice day to time travel.
This one started out questionable for me, but I was in to it by the time “Minor Chant” kicked in. A fun, laid back Jazz Album with heavy organ and some recognizable tunes. Not mind blowing, but a good, nighttime driving ‘n smoking record for sure.
This album blew my mind. It is incredible. Definitely gonna dig through her discography.
When I had first been told about this band I was still a staunch and closed minded punk rocker who dismissed them as soon as I heard acoustic instruments and a bpm slower than 120. Turns out I just needed to grow up and embrace new genres, because these guys are great. A perfect desert drive soundtrack with visually vibrant songwriting and beautiful arrangements. I’m glad I got to listen with an open mind. Can’t wait to hear more.
A pleasant surprise! A killer indie jangle-pop album by a band I’d never listened to before. Good songwriting, interesting arrangements, and catchy as all hell. It even made me love “There She Goes”, a song that used to annoy the piss out of me because the radio would over play the Sixpence None The Richer version. Will DEFINITELY be rocking this album again, and probably look further into their discography. Good job The La’s🙌
Started strong but didn’t really keep my attention. Great vocals and cool recordings, but not exactly the style that catches my ear. Still, was a fun listen.
I remember buying this album in high school and being completely blown away. This might have been the first “mainstream” hip hop album I fell in love with back then. There’s also a memory hiding back there of listening to this album while driving over Raton Pass and moving to New Mexico for the very first time when I was 18. “Cowboys” might be my favorite track off of the album because of that. So much talent on one record, and the songs flow perfectly. Probably in my top 10 Hip Hop albums of all time.
This was an interesting album. Pop, yes, but still strange and enticing. Several songs had me dancing, but as a whole it didn’t super click with me. There may come a day that I’ll put this back on, but I couldn’t say when.
There was a very specific time in my life, around the time this album came out, that these songs floored me. My friend Steven and I would discuss the concepts of “growing up”, “youth”, and the transition between the two. In those discussions the idea of purity, honesty, and love always came out on top, and that’s what I still hear in this record. I never followed MGMT’s career past this release, but it will always make me think of the summer of 2009/2010 when I moved back to Albuquerque and most of my life was still ahead of me waiting to be discovered… or destroyed.
I’ve never been much of a Skynyrd fan, mostly because of their (mostly) white trash, rebel flag waving, Jack Daniel’s swilling, “the-south-will-rise-again” chanting fan base, but this album was pretty rad. The musicianship alone stopped me in my tracks. I could do without some of the semi-sexist lyrics, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed listening to this record. Still, I will forever fucking hate the song “Simple Man” because of all the horrible, God awful covers I’ve heard from dipshit cracker rednecks in the Country Rock world throughout the years… (don’t tell anyone I said this… but the original is actually pretty sick).
Not my thing. Too Bri’ish innit.
Not my favorite Kinks record, but a fun listen nonetheless. How did these guys not get as big as The Beatles?
No time for a review. This album rules.
“Mi no like dat.”- Bumba Clause
Pretty groovy collection. It’s still a Christmas album though.
This has been the WORST Smiths album, imo. It barely kept my attention, and most just annoyed me. Would not recommend a second listen. It doesn’t get better.
My first time hearing this record. Dark, entrancing, and unnerving. I loved it. There were moments, while listening on headphones, that the way they mixed the album really caught me off guard and took me on a journey through forgotten dreamscapes and dystopian nightmares. Never cared much for this band before, but so far, each Radiohead record this project has presented to me has changed my opinion of them and intrigued me more than expected. Killer album.
So damn good. I mean, c’mon! It’s Exile On Main Street
Pretty Hippy Dippy, but it had its moments.
Why did I listen to this whole album? WHY?!?!
WHY COULDN’T IT HAVE BEEN CHET BAKER???!!!???😩
The arrangements and performances of the backing band saved it (barely) for me, but you could smell the smug, douche baggery of Frank oozing out of the speakers and ruining a perfectly good album and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. This era of American pop music was so lame. Why couldn’t he have sung “Pink Pony Club”?
Not my style usually, but enjoyed this listen enough not to turn it off. Interesting vocals and song subject matter.
So fucking good. I bought this CD when it first came out and before I understood how brilliant she was. Glad to hear it now.
Love this record. Such a classic.
Even as a reggae fan, I didn’t want to give these guys a chance. In my ignorance, all I knew is that they were white, English , and had an overplayed hit called “Red Red Wine”. This record caught me off guard with how legitimately good it was. The band definitely knew their roots, and this album proves it. If I find out these guys are considered the Sublime of English Reggae/Ska, I’m gonna be so mad that I liked this album 😂.
