I’m familiar with Dots and Loops, so this about matches my expectations. Fantastic arrangements and mixing, each instrument sounding superb. Songwriting is a good mix of slow build, Krautrock vibe that draws you in gradually, and straightforward hooks. But the way each song progresses is still compelling and engaging. Some songs, like Cybele’s Reverie, hit hard emotionally. Others fall a bit flat. This is the kind of music where I hope to eventually have a more profound emotional impact—it’s just not something I listen to often, but I do want to return to it. 3.5/5
A depiction of heartbreaking loneliness. I’m not usually one for simplistic instrumentation, but the quality songwriting, acoustic guitar arrangements, and Nick’s soft singing style bring me to a deep state of melancholy that I didn’t know I need to feel until I’m already there. 4.5/5
Partial to this album for 2 reasons: 1) nostalgia, 2) the late 70s vinyl that my wife snagged at an estate sale sounds utterly amazing. It’s a fun, loud, extra sharp cheddar cheesy listen. Albeit dated, I love the songs and I can’t imagine this album not existing. 4/5
Peace Frog slaps. The rest is certainly fine. As a very infrequent Doors listener I think I’d rather return to LA Woman more than this one. 3/5
For as much (arguably deserved) flak that Coldplay gets for their recent material, people need to listen to their older albums before completely writing them off. There are some great songs on here; beautifully arranged and performed, and so much more emotionally compelling than the output from their contemporaries (i.e. The Fray, Snow Patrol). 3.5/5
Truly enigmatic. Not sure what to make of it upon first listen, but I’m convinced this is a nut I have to crack. Next time I’m in the mood for a hazy, druggy 70s album, I will likely return to this as it’s a really fun time. 3.5/5
My first impression of REM. Clearly ahead of its time. It’s got a great sound but the songs all sort of run together, especially through the middle. We’ll see how the other albums measure up; it’ll at least be interesting to see how this band progresses with time. 3/5
Seriously impressive album. Psychedelic trance-inducing. Not much more to say. 4/5
Pretty decent, there are some songs that are downright menacing and there are excellent beats all throughout.
70s albums seriously have the best mixing and mastering. Love the dynamic guitar work and punchy rhythm section. 4/5
Rapid fire bangers. So much energy. I could only imagine seeing a live set like this
Imagine a slowcore cover of Light My Fire
I consider myself a reggae guy. But this didn’t do much for me
An absolute abomination and the beginning of truly disgusting punk music.
Some solid tunes. Including moments that were silly and bombastic and full of 70s flair that elicited some eye rolls, but I’d still revisit it.
This is truly a great album. Really creative rhyming schemes with a super adept delivery and flow to actually make them work. And then insanely catchy hooks to drive it all home. An interesting, humorous, and at times unfortunately poorly dated lyrical snapshot of that time, as edgy as the lyrics may be. Not to mention insane Dr Dre production.
What even is “New Wave”? Is this New Wave? If so, where are all the dated 80s synths? Whether my preconceptions of New Wave are accurate or not, I shouldn’t ask and simply be glad I was served this excellent portion of no-nonsense attitude. Loved the instrumentation and vocal delivery. Will definitely revisit this one.
I’d be content to never hear Free Bird again. That or some dipshit yelling it out at a show.
Damn, never heard of this group before but glad to know this exists. An atypical, abrasive, experimental piece of work for its time. A bit inspiring
Did this have to be the Britney album on the list?
Good old school East Coast hip hop. Had a good time reading up about them and the Native Tongues collective.
I’ve under appreciated instrumental sampling for far too long. It’s impressive how a collage of samples can create something so unique and otherworldly. Listening to “Midnight in a Perfect World” during a late drive home from a show was definitely the right vibe. I see myself getting deep into this record for a while
Earnest, heart-wrenching lyrics, set to a folksy backdrop that doesn’t quite hit me in the feels like I think it should. I’ll give it another try at a different time and place.
Surprised by this one. I expected the rock and roll swagger but not the more interesting layered instrumentation. Then I saw Bowie was over production and it all made sense.
Good bunch of jams. The highlight is definitely the expressive and exciting flugelhorn playing. I think this is the first jazz album to pop up in the list, which reminds me that I do in fact like jazz and should listen to more.
Why do I suddenly feel inclined to wear frosted tips, a puka necklace, and pose aggressively above a fish eye lens?
This was an outstanding listen. Like what even is Guinevere?? Captivating stuff. These songs are all catchy as hell while a lot of interesting stuff is going on instrumentally. One of those records I want to look for and score from a used section.
Only heard the title track before. The rest of the album sounded exactly as I expected it to. What I did not expect was the extent to which I would enjoy it.
Some good interesting bits on here. Though it dragged on a bit
I honestly think that if anyone were to listen to only one metal album and no other, it should be this one. Seriously how does it get better than this.
Insanely tight riffing that ranges between brutal, majestic, morose, and downright filthy; actually audible bass that growls through the mix; and James’ vicious vocal delivery. Meanwhile we hear some of the most demented guitar solos to be put to tape in the entire genre.
The Odyssean songs themselves are incredible, full of twists and turns that never tire. The lyrical subjects are as malcontent as their delivery is impudent.
Perfectly encapsulates the ridiculousness of metal.
No fucking notes. 10/10
Not what I was expecting based on previous VU listening. Instead of another experimental rock outing, we were treated with something more beautiful. Really enjoyed this one.
There is so goddamn much happening in this album. I’ve barely begun to digest all the layers, and this is like my 4th time listening to it. Which means it will be a gift that keeps on giving. Can’t wait to listen again.
Love the more lofi production and scrappy approach to recording and songwriting. There’s some good nuggets in here. But it’s just so fleeting. I can see the charm in the rapid fire succession of songs but emotionally it left me wanting. Blink and you miss it. I do still regret not catching them at Kilby though.
Don’t know if I love this as much as the funky Prince-inspired material off Dirty Computer, but the concept, stylistic variety, and overall performance here was a commendable cinematic experience.
A visionary record for 2010.
Truly a one-of-a-kind listening experience. Many have tried to imitate, but I don’t think any in pop music can quite come close to the level of intricacy in melodies, chord progressions, and instrumental arrangements that Brian Wilson achieved here. RIP
There’s no denying the influence of this album. Also incredibly well produced for its time and genre. But aside from the 2 or 3 hits, I find myself getting bored listening to this. It’s incredibly one-note even by punk standards.
These guys sure could play. And it’s a shame they chose to play the most generic rock music of the 70s.
Sorry dad, but I don’t think Rod Stewart is my guy
I do love me my slow and moody tunes
This is so badass. Neil Young is 2 for 2 so far on this list. Never heard this one before and it might become a favorite.
Lovely, dreamy album. Topped only by A Deeper Understanding that came after.
Phil Spector’s worst crime was establishing on this very album the most unforgivable Christmas music trends—including but not limited to a swingin beat, cheery ringalings, and an overabundance of bells. Notwithstanding his wall of sound innovation, we as a human race are now subject to suffering through these tropes in any retail space for all eternity. Satan himself smiles as we waste away in corporate holiday hell, where we weep, wail, and gnash our teeth, and our bones are ground to powder under the trampling hooves of perpetual “Sleigh Ride”. God help us.
Phil Spector’s second worst crime was murder.
Beautifully arranged and recorded, these songs are moving and dynamic. Michael Kiwanuka’s voice is absolutely stunning. Everything from the tight drums, psychedelic guitars, and gorgeous string passages delivers a sublime, soulful listen. Glad to have been introduced to this one.
What the fuck even is this
There truly is no other album like this one. Everything is just so thoughtfully and beautifully constructed; the synth tones, guitar melodies and counterpoints, and plodding bass all layer together to form a deep, inky mist. A murky snare pokes through the miasma constantly and steadily. The spirit apparition that is Robert Smith’s voice entice the listener to step into this foggy world where everything is gloriously dark and effulgently tragic.
It is an enigmatic and inimitable blend of dream pop, post punk, new wave, and goth. I think it’s the Cure’s greatest work and one of the greatest to come out of the 80s.
Unfortunately this did not impress me. I’ve heard much about Frankie Teardrop, how it’s one of the freakiest songs out there, but I’d never fully listened before. And it was ultimately underwhelming.
Maybe Maybe listening to Disintegration last night is coloring my opinion on this today, but either way the minimalism on this didn’t connect with me in any way. At the very least, I can respect the movement and art form.
One more banger album for the week. Having not listened to a ton of funk, and at least knew what funk sounded like. But I never heard anything that sounds like this. Insanely tight grooves and soulful vocals is what I came for. But I stayed for the absolutely wild, psychedelic instrumentation and production.
Theres so much to digest in these 48 minutes of drugged out rapture. I already look forward to listening again tomorrow.
A punk record of many colors. There’s so much variety and so many bangers crammed into this thing. It just runs a bit too long. But I’ll always enjoy listening to this absolute classic.
How do I put my thoughts into words here? On one hand, the braggadocious, sleazy, misogynistic attitude of five loaded 20-year-old dickheads out in LA is one that (thankfully) hasn’t aged well. On the other hand, that very attitude was a straight injection of metaphorical methamphetamine to the Sunset Strip music scene. While their glammed-up contemporaries alluded to excessive drugs and sex using cheeky innuendos, GnR didn’t mince words. They fully drew back the curtain on what all these plastic rock n roll figures in the late 80s were, themselves included—huge pieces of shit.
They had the music to back up the attitude. As opposed to the LA rock music of the day, which was polished, poppy, and pristine, Appetite for Destruction was raw, abrasive, and messy. The guitar duo consisting of Slash and Izzy Stradlin was a loose cannon, where established riffs were only a suggestion and the two add their own flourishes and variations, one acting as a foil to the other. The underlying rhythm section is driving and aggressive, bringing almost a punk energy to the gritty blues laid down by the guitars. It’s all to build up a rancid, rotting podium where Axl Rose, maybe the biggest affront to any new listener, shrieks his tales of tragic love and debauchery.
Considering the above, I subjectively hold this record in high regard as a musical accomplishment. I also cannot forget the first time I heard Welcome to the Jungle as a budding new guitarist. I had never heard anything sounding remotely like Slash’s playing, and instantly wanted the tone, the chops, the top hat, fucking everything (minus a crippling heroin and alcohol addiction).
Many today would understandably find this record annoying, excessive, and silly. But I just can’t help but get stoked when I hear it.
This was one of those Led Zeppelin albums that didn’t really stick with me as a kid. It’s certainly not as immediate as others in their catalogue, and I wasn’t so interested in the more folksy tendencies. I just wanted to hear some rock n roll, man.
I suppose that realizing that this album is actually high quality is part of growing up. Those folksy songs being showcased here are some of the best, including but not limited to Tangerine and That’s the Way. We’ve also still got some blues rock going on with Since I’ve Been Loving You, which is absolutely a top 5 Zep song.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the true star of the show, John Paul Jones. He lays down some incredible bass lines, and his other organ and mandolin contributions actually make the record as incredible as it is.
Still not my favorite Zep album, but revisiting it continues to pay off with time.
Certified classic. This band really did pave the way for all 90s and 00s alternative bands to thrive. Super ahead of its time, Doolittle blesses us with a noisy, off-kilter serving of genius pop songs. Seriously, you can hear where those bands, from Nirvana to Modest Mouse and all the way to Grouplove, received their genetic makeup. Perfect indie.
This was a good listen. I wasn’t sure if I’d be over it by the end, but I actually wouldn’t have minded spinning it again if I had time. Just a bunch of fun non-serious rhymes and beats to bop to.
Great vocals. Wonderful production. But the songs themselves are just not for me.
Had I heard this completely fresh, I might have a slightly higher opinion. But this just brings me back to a time that I simply have no desire to revisit. And that’s a me problem, so I cannot completely blame dear Adele for that.
Damn. I really did not like this lol. My least favorite kind of music to come out of the 90s.
