I think this album is very pretty and very well done. However, I do not think this album is for me. I liked Anything though. That one was fun.
It's hard to listen to this without thinking about what it started. In that sense it gets a classic/10. I probably wouldn't throw it in the rotation, but I can't disregard the impact Elvis had and here's where he started. As with many of these "oldies doing their early albums" there are plenty of solid covers of other classics. Tutti Frutti is always fun and I Got A Woman is great.
it's just one of those albums man. i may not be a thom fan, but i'll be damned if this album isn't it.
The Smiths are one of those bands that are so universal, I thought I knew them. I did not, but I really enjoyed listening to this album. Some highlights for me were definitely:
- Nowhere Fast
- That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
- The general vibe
It piqued my interest enough that I may just go into their other albums and see if they're someone I'd slip into the rotation. Hell yeah
STOP RIGHT THERE!
If there are two things I've loved my entire life it's:
1. Mountain Dew
2. Rock Opera
And I think Meat Loaf would agree with me.
While Bat Out Of Hell isn't a rock opera itself, it definitely had that vibe. Paradise By The Dashboard Light has been near and dear to my heart since I was a child listening to my parents sing it to each other. That song is 8.5 minutes of pure joy for me. Meat Loaf has just one of those voices, man. Whether it's a cameo in Pick of Destiny or time warping in Rocky Horror, the man has always been there singing in my ears, and I'm happier for it.
This album was both a hoot and also a holler. I had a lot of fun listening to it, and that's all I could ever ask for. Big ups to the dinner table in the sky because every night is Meat Loaf night.
While not my favorite King Crimson album, this one definitely hits all the King Crimson beats. The large swells in instrumentation that hit you 4 minutes into the opening track fill the void left by trickling noises. Classic prog. Vocals weren't incredible, but that's not why people are coming to King Crimson. They come for the jazzy rock that keeps you guessing where it's going next. I enjoyed this album, but it's not breaking any existing idea I had of the band.
I give it:
I still prefer In the Court of the Crimson King/10
This album had me frustrated. Not because I didn't like it. It's because half of the album had me falling asleep and the other half was insanely good. If every song had the energy that Hero had, this would immediately be a 5/5 for me no questions asked. There weren't many other songs that had me looking down to see what song was playing though. Not much else had me thinking "oh i gotta remember this one. add to library." Michael's voice is incredible. His vibe is immaculate. Many of the songs on this album had me wanting more though. You Ain't The Problem was such a promising start, but unfortunately I was lulled to near sleep for a majority of the time I spent listening. The highs were extremely high, and I'm happy I heard them. Some of them might even make it into some playlists for revisiting.
He has me interested. He has me wanting some more. But the sleeper songs are so sleeper, it might feel like a chore.
I'm not normally a thrash guy. But for Master of Puppets, I'm a thrash guy. I'd never listened to the entire album before, so I was treated to some new stuff that I like here. I'll try not to gush too much about the titular song, but it is one of my favorite songs ever. There's something about that solo that fills me with a giddy joy every time I hear it. Orion really caught me off guard, but I really enjoyed the switch up around halfway through. Welcome Home was a treat I was not expecting to like, but it still had that clean tone that makes Master of Puppets proper so special to me. Honestly, my least favorite song on the album was Damage, Inc., but even still I liked that song quite a bit.
I've listened to the Iron Maiden hits quite a bit. I even prefer the Iron Maiden pinball machine over all others (Run to the Hills bangs, fight me). But I've never gone back to listen to their first album. I heard Ghost's cover of Phantom of the Opera when they released it a few years ago and I wasn't a big fan of the song then. When I listened to the album in it's entirety, everything hit. I loved it. What an album. I gotta listen to more Iron Maiden
I think I really just don't like Mr. Leon's voice. I have tried to listen to them before and I just couldn't get into it. I like the instrumentation quite a bit, but the whole thing came off as abrasive in a bad way. The album also opens up with lyrics about "she's 17 but i forgot lol" or something like that and it gave off a weird vibe idk.
sounds way ahead of its time and i loved the first half. kinda lost me in the second half
This is one of those albums that I listened to constantly growing up, but I've kind of forgotten about. Listening to it now for the first time in probably over a decade has me remembering why I listened to it. I used to always say that Jonny Buckland was one of my favorite guitar players. His ability to create a soundscape is impressive, but he'll never be on a list of best guitar players. "Coldplay" is kind of a bad word to "music enjoyers" and while I find that fair since a solid majority of their music is made-for-radio and formulaic, their early music was a different beast. Before Sky Full of Stars there was Spies and I'll choose to listen to Spies instead every time.
Nothing crazy is done on this album. But something crazy doesn't need to be done on every album. It's a strong debut album for a band that would become so overplayed, no one wants to hear their name again. I just wish it were these songs that were overplayed rather than their later albums. (I know Yellow is played a lot but I like Yellow, dammit)
I wanted to enjoy this album. I really did. I did not enjoy this album. I think Patti Smith's voice is just not for me. I couldn't get past it no matter how hard I tried.
My favorite song on the album was Break It Up. My least favorite was Land.
This one shocked me. What a vibe. I'd never heard of this album before but throwing it on was a treat. Very pleased
I like when missy says “blizzy-blizzy-blahzah-blahzay”.
My cat liked it too and she normally only likes Nickelback or Slipknot.
This was a hoot and also a holler. I had a great time listening to this one. Brass in Pocket was a banger, for sure, but the energy was there all throughout the album. Solid experience overall and a great start to my day.
I could gush about this album for hours, but I will refrain from doing so.
What I will say is that this album has been a cornerstone of my life for my entire life, and because of that, I cannot objectively review it. From being woken up by the bells of Time when I was asleep on the bus countless times, to jamming out to Money with my friends after school, and screaming my lungs out to Great Gig in the Sky when words couldn't convey properly how I've felt, it's seemed like this album has been with me through it all. It means so much to me. Any Colour You Like -> Brain Damage -> Eclipse is up there with the Abbey Road medley of album endings for me. It's creates a wonderful soundscape that truly feels like The End and wraps up with the final words "There is no dark side of the moon really. It's all dark" for those who had blasted it loud enough to hear it. Incredible. Art. Blown Away. Thanks Mr. Floyd for your contribution to the silly album list.
This one faded into the background for me. Nothing offensive, but nothing that caught my attention.
This one surprised me. Not being familiar with the artist at all and going off the album cover alone, I was expecting something like I Fight Dragons, which I thoroughly enjoy. That's not what this was and that's okay. I had a great time listening to this and will for sure listen to it again in the future.
Crosby Stills and Nash more like Crosby Stills and This Smacks hoooooly what an album what a vibe what a time. Their ability to harmonize is unmatched.
I think the Y needed the CSN from yesterday to really get my attention. Many of these songs were almost it for me, but ultimately didn't have the get-up-and-go that maybe three more dudes hittin the harmonies would've added.
I wish this was the album that was shown to me when I was first shown Radiohead. I like OK Computer and I respect it for being what it is and all that. I gave that one a 3. This album is definitely more my speed over OK Computer. It's absolutely above Kid A, which I know is on this list somewhere but we haven't gotten it yet.
A Punch Up at a Wedding is a highlight for me. It's funky and groovy and I like it a lot.
I'd probably give this one a higher score if I liked Thom Yorke more.
rip dimebag
There's something primal about Pantera. When Walk comes on it's like a neuron that I didn't know existed activates. Rise does something to me internally that feels like it shouldn't be legal.
I respect this album for being what it is, a pillar of 90s thrash. The band is tight, the sounds are guttural, the energy is there, but I find it extremely hard to separate the art from the artist here.
I’ve never really listened to John Prine before, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It’s probably not going to be one I come back to regularly, but I wouldn’t be mad if it randomly came on.
I have been trying not to think about production quality too much for these reviews since I feel like it's not fair to older albums that don't get remasters and also I'm very picky about it to an obnoxious degree. That being said, this album just sounds absolutely gorgeous. The layers upon layers of instruments and details is phenomenal. Mr. Weather Report can play a bass like it's nobody's business.
I had never listened to a Weather Report song, let alone an album. I knew it best as a JoJo reference. While I had to pause the album quite a bit and then come back to it throughout the day (something I normally try to avoid doing for our albums of the day), every time it came back on I was having a good time. This might be one that I throw on when I really need to focus on work or when I just want something instrumental. Definitely a surprise for me.
I thought I'd never heard of this until Alright came on and then I realized I'd only ever heard Alright. If this had been shown to me in high school, I would've absolutely eaten this up. Even now, I'm kinda absolutely eating this up. It's got the raw british rock feel that I thoroughly enjoy despite my best efforts. This will probably shake up my rotation and my blue-coat ass hates to admit that.
I've never been much of a Smashing Pumpkins listener. I've listened to Smashing Pumpkins and I've liked what I've heard. I'd heard Today. I'd heard Disarm. I hadn't heard them in a very long time and my music taste has changed significantly since then.
When we saw My Chemical Romance in Chicago, Gerard Way introduced Bullet With Butterfly Wings as "the perfect rock song," and when he was about to perform it, he said "please welcome the God-Engine of rock n' roll" and Billy Pumpkin himself came out to perform the rat song with MCR. I think it was in that moment I realized "wait i like this a lot" and I've been wanting to give Smashing Pumpkins the true listen that I feel they deserved since.
As soon as the album started I knew it'd be my typa album. I could've given it a 4 just after Cherub Rock. Hummer banged. Geek U.S.A is such good shit. I don't think I've heard a song that was new to me quite like Mayonnaise in a very long time.
I've given other 5s before. I gave one to The Beta Band. I must've been feeling goofy that day or something, because this is what a 5 feels like. I enjoyed this album thoroughly. I want to listen to this album more. I want to explore more Smashing Pumpkins.
Thank you Billy Pumpkin and the rest of the crew.
I listened to a lot of Black Keys growing up. This sounds like the stuff the Black Keys listened to a lot of growing up. This sound is one that I've always enjoyed. There's that rawness to it that makes the whole album feel like it's just some dudes recording at home. The instrumentation is messy and I dig it. This is the kind of stuff that I love playing on guitar, but it's not something that I really listen to much anymore. I enjoyed this album thoroughly, but it's one of those albums that I probably won't be relistening to much, if at all.
I really liked Out of Focus and Parchment Farm. Second Time Around sounds like a Jack White song (you can take that how you will).
Apple Music said this album is credited with inventing heavy metal. I always credit that to Sir Paul McCartney with Helter Skelter. Maybe they both deserve some credit idk. This felt more like a blues album to me. The tone of the guitar is very similar to Hendrix's, and while I have nothing bad to say about that, I wouldn't consider it "heavy metal."
This one was an absolute struggle to get through. Every song was another mountain for my ears to overcome. I'd love to give highlights, but I genuinely think my brain actively tried to block out the sound coming from my speakers. I thought Revolution might've been the saving grace, but after like a minute I was already done with it. Good thing there's another 5 of them in the song.
they don't make em like they used to by god
This is the most br*tish thing I think I've ever heard. But I had quite a bit of fun with it. This may come as a surprise to everyone when I, an American, have never listened to Blur outside of Song 2. I know, I know hold your questions. Some more well-rounded people have been waiting for this one and I cannot lie, I think I understand why.
Parklife was an absolute hoot. Lot 105 was a very fun album closer. My biggest gripe is that Trouble in the Message Centre spells center all fucky.
I do not know that much about Damon Albarn. I'd kinda prefer it that way because every time I do hear about him he seems somehow more br*tish or like more of an asshole (read br*tish). He said something about Taylor Swift "not writing her own music" which caused some online drama I suppose. I'm neither here nor there on it, but what does my opinion matter I'm just a white guy? Any-who, this album was a great time and I feel better having listened to it. I've thrown it on more than I normally throw on the albums of the day and I'll probably throw it on in the future, so it's getting an a-okay from me.
Dips and Dive/5 (that's a little Cockney Slang for you, Erik (I'll appropriate redcoat culture all I want they deserve it))
I think I would've really liked this album if it was sung by someone else, but the whisper singing coming outta this guy really takes me out of it. Ironically enough, for a band called The Thrills, they sure seem to be struggling to provide any for me. The instrumentation was fun, and I loved the banjo pickin in the background. The steel guitar swells are a good time. Hollywood Kids has some slick organ playing in the background.
I thought it was neat how they predicted MacOS 11 with Big Sur, being as though this album was probably produced on Puma (maybe Jaguar if they were bleeding edge).
Highlights: 'Old Friends, New Lovers', the banjo player, Hollywood Kids's intro/instrumental breaks (it went away once the singer came in dammit)
I had little to no hopes for this one when it first came up. After yesterday's disappointment of an album, another british folk band was primed to be the end of me and my stupid life. Then I started listening to it and found myself actually digging it quite a bit. Many of the songs I didn't want to end quite yet. There were other songs that pissed me off as soon as they started, but after about a minute I'd understand. I never should've doubted Pentangle. Pentangle knows best.
This album will have me frolicking about the towne and having a good time.
I wish I liked this album. I wish I enjoyed listening to Sinead O'Connor. However, I had a bad time listening to this album. I thought that maybe if I sat down and forced myself to get through this album, I would have some new-found love for her music, but that did not happen. There were songs I enjoyed on this album more than others, but those songs were enjoyed mostly due to the instrumental. The titular track on this album had no instrumentals. I remember having another album queued up after this one, watching the time on the final track slowly dwindle down until I was allowed to have fun listening to music again.
Of the 3 versions of Nothing Compares 2 U that I am familiar with, this is by far my least favorite one. It's a shame it's the "big one" here since I think The Emperor's New Clothes (The one song that actually had me boppin my head) was far more enjoyable.
All this being said, Sinead O'Connor is an icon. Personally, I have no issues with her. She had a lot of important stuff to say, and I'm glad she was as popular as she was. I don't think this is a bad album in any way, but this album is 100% not for me.
I normally take a star off when I know the artist is a bigot or I just personally dislike them, but life isn't fair and I have a rubric that I do my best to stick to for these albums. I will not be listening again, sorry Sinead (I know she's not reading this)
it's crazy to think this is the same band that later released Pinball Wizard. all i could think of throughout was "now this is raucous." good ol' classic rock n' roll. it's not my favorite era of the who, but it stands on its own as a fun time.
shit was narsty. drill is fun, but it's never something that i would intentionally throw on. i had a good time though
bangers all around. nothing really to complain about here. this one was a good time, but it's not going to make any changes to the rotation probably.
What a fun time. I thoroughly enjoyed this album. I always forget It's the End of the World As We Know It is an R.E.M. song and not a Barenaked Ladies song. Oddfellows Local 151 surprised me with its grit.
R.E.M. was another band I've only ever been neutral on, but this one has me interested in listening to more. Now I just need list man to give me Out of Time so I feel obligated to listen to it.
I was enjoying this album more than I thought I would until I got to Lost Someone and then it started to lose me. Typically I have a hard time with live albums, especially ones that are these old. I normally just don't think they sound that good. There are exceptions to this, of course, but I typically avoid live albums for this reason and I refuse to listen to anyone tell me to do otherwise.
Unless it's br*tish list man I guess.
The first half of this was fun. James Brown really is a great singer. I've heard some call him the American Freddie Mercury. But by the end of the album, the live recording limitations really started to be a sore spot for me. Typically with these album of the day reviews, I try not to dig into production so much, especially on albums I know are old (i always know when they're old. the year is right under the artist). It's never a good sign when I'm waiting for the album to end because I'm more excited for what's queued up after. And the tricky thing is, I like the songs on this one. In a better recording environment I probably would've just been jamming along and dancing around.
Sorry James.
This was another one I came into with absolutely zero expectations. Honestly, I think that was an extremely special experience. As I drove to my father's house for a Thanksgiving meal, I thought to myself "why don't we listen to the album of the day on our drive?" and threw the album on.
Let me tell you, the first-time listening experience for this while being on a (mostly) empty Bluegrass Parkway was surreal. I found this whole thing, front to back, to be a joy of an experience. It's the pinnacle of "don't let them guess your next move" and that mystery kept this album fun the entire way through for me.
That being said, I really do think it's a shock-value experience, and subsequent listens to this album will never be the same as it was on the Bluegrass. That puts this album in an odd spot for me. It's not one that I would go out of my way to listen to in its entirety again, but it's one that, I think, will stay in the back of my mind. It will be waiting for someone who hasn't yet heard this album, so maybe I could show it to them and enjoy their first-time experience with it with them. This is a problem due to my scoring rubric not accounting for "won't change the rotation, but definitely something I look forward to sharing in order to enjoy it as much again."