I still prefer ARTHUR from this era, but anything from SOMETHING ELSE –> MUSWELL is a good listen.
I think this might be their best? They definitely did good work after this, and White for sure blossomed into a solo talent, but the limited instrumentation and kinda janky sound quality is hard to beat. Has that Flat Duo Jets/garage feel to it that the (slightly) more polished follow-ups lack. Three cheers for little rooms.
I think I got this from Columbia House in the early 90s? Because I was cool, I had heard about this album and when I finally heard it, it did not disappoint.
Great stuff. No notes.
My dad was a big Joni fan and I obviously have loved her voice since small times but I think I always struggled with her because she's very jazz-influenced, even with her early acoustic stuff. I've warmed up to jazz in general as I've gotten older, (I still think it mostly sucks, but I can appreciate what people see in it) but I still have a hard time on first blush. That said, very good on re-listen. And no problematic blackface on this album cover!
For some reason, I’ve always confused Echo & the Bunnnymen with the Psychedelic Furs. I like this album! There’s a couple forgettable tracks, but “Seven Seas” is an all-timer for me.
As good as these guys were, it doesn’t bring me a lot of pleasure to admit that when I was like 14 years old, I listened to a lot of Dire Straits.
IDK these boys don’t seem all that rude.
Please don't cancel me, but a little of this goes a long way for me. An entire album of it was grueling TBH.
A hell of a voice, but it’s really hard for me to separate it from the deeply unpleasant guy attached to it. And another one where a little goes a long way for me.
Not my fave. Like a lot of post-OK Computer Radiohead, her songs are too formless for me to really vibe with.
This record still bangs. Maybe my favorite of the New Wave necrophiliacs to pop up post-Strokes, but I’ve always been partial to rock you can dance to.
Not my favorite of his, but still some
corkers on here. “Louisiana” is very pretty. When my dad would play this album, he told us the lyrics on the “Rednecks” chorus were “we’re keeping the neighbors down,” and I still kinda hear it that way.
Man, I’d heard their later hits, but I hadn’t heard this one before! This is very good.
Good, good shit. Hadn’t listened to this in a while and was struck by how groovy the drums are on this. MASTER OF REALITY is still my fave Sabbath, but this is obviously a strong album.
Too many dragging tracks on this to really recommend it, but there’s a handful of songs that are worth it.
Beach House is one of those bands who has one song they play over and over, but I like that one song.
Sucks.
Not my cup of tea, but “Locomotive Breath” is a keeper.
Yeah!
It’s a shame he fell headfirst into a thresher immediately after this album was released.
Yes.
I liked it! Which is not surprising as I think this is a lot of the same personnel that wound up on David Byrne’s REI MOMO. Say what you want about cultural hegemony, but my Byrne fandom opened me up to a lot of music I’d not become familiar with otherwise.
This one rocks.
Oops, all bangers.
Not earth-shattering, but pretty cool.
I think tbh here’s like one song too many, but I also don’t know which one I’d cut because they’re all incredibly good.
Good!
It's a banger. A stone cold classic.
Jazz.
This made me feel so old and white. The misogyny, homophobia, and violent stuff did not age well IMO, but it still manages to capture a vibe.
Not for me.
Was not expecting the folk song at the end? I’m kinda in the camp that Queen is a greatest hits band over an album band, but this was good.
Beats are good, wonderful artifact of a time and place, but I have a real difficult time eating around the misogyny and reliance on violence as a storytelling tool.
It’s fine!
I’m not willing to reopen the Steely Dan Debate, but I enjoyed this.
Not sure what was in the water in 1994 that made Paul Weller want to make a Traffic album, but I somehow blame the Black Crowes.
This rocks.
I listened to this album and suddenly I had a PBS tote bag appear in my hand.
Weird stuff. I liked every song but found the album as a whole kinda… boring?
Not for me. I appreciate the mode they’re working in, but I prefer my Britpop to be more poppy than Bowie.
The apex for them and Rubin. It’s overlong, but he songs are solid and Kiedis’ nonsense lyrics are charming here as opposed to annoying on other releases.
I liked it!
That certainly is jazz! I don't hate it, but it's never going to be my favorite.
Good one.
Liked it but it went on for like maybe one song too long.
Could’ve easily done without the 15 minute drum solo, but otherwise, a nice groove.
Rockin stuff. Was not expecting a Huey Lewis shout out in here.
I've never loved the Beastie Boys, but this has some fun songs.
It’s ok!
I feel about jazz the same way I feel about Fortnite: I’ve tried it more than a few times and I really don’t think it’s for me, but I do kind of see the appeal, and I’m happy for the people who enjoy it.
Impossible to beat this.
Uh I mean, it’s definitely Adam & the Ants! Not bad in small doses, but I was bored but the end NGL.
It’s really weird that this is as well-regarded as it is, as it’s a comparatively weak record compared to the four? five? records that preceded it.
Not my thing, but it goes hard and doesn’t overstay its welcome at all.
Not sure why I never really clicked with the Police. Maybe because I find Sting to be a very pretentious person and musician? Anyway, this album has a song about the Loch Ness Monster, so that’s cool.
I need to just admit that I will never be able to take this band seriously.
I’m imagining a scientist in a laboratory working around the clock to create the perfect mix of Music That Dylan Does Not Like.
