Previous to this, my only jack white exposure was the popular White Stripes songs that got a lot of radio play as I was growing up. Those songs are super nostalgic to me and kinda exemplify what rock sounded like in the early 2000's in my mind. I really ought to listen to a full white stripes record here soon. As for this album, I enjoyed it a good bit. It surprised me to look again and see that it came out in 2012, it sounds much earlier than that, but that's again probably just because in my mind the 2000's sound like Jack White. The lyricism is really strong in parts, the opening track especially brought really strong imagery to my mind that set a good tone. The tracks where he's kinda just whining about how evil a girl is felt a little weaker to me though haha. It's clearer to me that a lot of the rock I didn't enjoy from 2000's-2010's was just poorly copying jack white. His use of strings and piano on some of the songs reminds me of what I heard Coldplay trying and in my opinion failing to do. I think the closing track in my favorite. Speaking of influences, I can imagine that Geese heard this one and took a lot from it. The vocal performances, the keys, and especially that guitar solo in the middle really do it for me.

Before: my only access point to ZZ Top is that there’s a few times Stephen King references them in his books. I think it’s actually kind of a major plot point in one of them haha. I assume they’re just classic rock? Idk much what to expect. After: Immediately this album made me laugh. “ Give me all your lovin, all your hugs and kisses too” cracked me up every time they said it. And there were just like flourishes all over the album, like the ad libs on the song sharp dressed man that made me actually laugh out loud. I feel like growing up, this is what I imagined most classic rock was like, and that made me steer away from it. Lately I’ve gotten more into groups like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin and wondered what had made me hesitant. I think stuff like this album is what made me hesitant haha. The vocal performance and lyrics are cheesy to me, and there’s something about the rhythm with which they’re sung that make it even worse. Legs was the first time I really started to enjoy the instrumentation. The guitar really broke loose there and started doing some interesting stuff. I didn’t catch anything else on the record I enjoyed quite as much as that. La grange auto played afterwards and that was so much better than anything found on this album

Before: I have no point of reference for this album other than the Wikipedia saying it’s post punk. Interested to listen. After: I dug this one. I feel like it really put me in it's place and time. It feels rebellious and moody and experimental. I love the chunky guitar and bass tones, and the vocal distortion really elevated the performance. Some of the lighter synthier stuff like the song Bloodsport sorta took me out of it. There were moments I was hoping the record would lean heavier but it instead went the opposite direction. I guess that's why it falls more into post punk than punk. 3.5/5

Before: No reference point for this. From the name, I'm thinking it's some sort of samba or bossa nova? After: Absolutely loved this one. The opening track, and all those with vocals are definitely the strongest for me. But I kept being constantly surprised by the places this album went. All the dnb, Latin, electronic, even middle eastern influences all really blended super well and made for just some really smooth listening. This is definitely my favorite album so far and one I'll add to my rotation from here out. 4/5

Some decent dance grooves but nothing that really stood out to me. Not much to say here haha

I had fun with this one, but the tone never struck me quite right until the closing track. That one felt the most experimental as far as sound and lyrical themes to me. I think I usually just enjoy a bit of a harder punk sound than this offered.

I'm a pretty big sucker for any and all blues guitar I can get lately. So those portions of the album really struck me. I'm guessing that was Ry Cooders contribution. I really enjoyed some of the singing melodies, but there were long stretches that all got sort of washed out. I'd revisit it and maybe on a fresh listen it would grab me a bit more. 3.5/5

Before: I'm glad this has come up, a couple weeks ago I mentioned I really don't have much perspective on this era of rock, and ZZ top left me so disappointed. I know this is considered heavier than that, but I'm excited to investigate deeper. After: I feel like a ding dong for comparing this to ZZ Top at first haha. Anyways I really liked this one! The guitar tones had me hooked, and the clearness of the drums in the mix really stood out to me. I also appreciated the range that the vocalist brought. He was giving different and interesting performances on every track. It suffers a bit from cheesy lyricism at points, but at others, the imagery was strong and fun.

Before: I've heard Nazi Punks Fuck Off, and well as KGLW's cover of Police Truck with Jello, but other than that I haven't listened to any Dead Kennedys. I'm expecting raw, rough sounds and lots of political commentary. After: What a sick record! Jello is such a great vocalist, he brings so much weird high energy to every track. I love when they dip into other vibes like the patriotic song or the surf rock one. This is the first punk record I've heard through this project that's really connected with me. I'll definitely dive deeper into the Dead Kennedys

Everything about this one was repulsive to me. The vocal performances, The melodies, the instrumentation, the fact that it's three fucking hours long. I got through most of the first hour and just couldn't do it anymore. I'll give it two stars instead of one because Logan tried to make the argument that it is a satire, and I guess I can see that. Still wasn't fun to sit through for me though.

Before: I knew a lot of these songs individually. Black dog, rock and roll, going to California. But I've never heard them all together as an album. Looking forward to it. After: Yeah this album is great. Each track brings something totally new to the album and they all work together so well. This feels like such a huge moment in Rock and roll history.

Before: I've heard the name Carlos Santana a ton, but I think the only song I'm really familiar with is black magic woman. After: Wow! Two amazing days in a row. This album is so incredibly smooth. This is the perfect mix of rock, jazz, and Latin music to me.