So many bangers on this album, so many awesome guitar pieces. Have a Drink On Me is one I haven’t heard in a long time and it’s incredible
Giving this a 2 - not really for me. Enjoyed the instrumentality but none of the songs really jumped out to me. Appreciated the wide range of instruments used — slide, synth, saxophone. I think today this album would just be an acoustic guitar
“You, you, you, you, you, you, you oughta know!” -Kevin Malone
Cecilia is a classic. Probably could have omitted the Frank Lloyd Wright song
NY is great. Reminded me so much of Kurt Vile, easy to see how much he was influenced by Young
I was shocked to see that this came out in 1991. I’m much more familiar with the Californication brand of the RHCP. Also surprised how much funk there is — this is predominantly a funk album. Frusciante has got to be one of the best guitarists of the 90s/00s and it was nice to hear that this early on. The solo at the end of If You Have To Ask is a great example. I enjoyed this a lot more than I would have guessed, when I wasn’t busy trying not to think about what the phrase “suck my kiss” might mean.
I enjoyed this album so much more than I thought I would. I’m a sucker for a fun concept album, but it’s a dangerous game; a bad one is really bad (I’m looking at you, The Decemberists — The Hazards of Love). Unlike a lot of these types of experimental albums, I thought this one did a good job of being fun and interesting instead of being punishing and hard to listen to. And yeah, some of it was pretty weird but a lot of it was also really beautiful and cinematic.
Had only ever heard Brass in Pocket so it was cool to check out the full album. Anytime I hear that song I think of the karaoke scene from Lost in Translation. Did you know Scarlett Johansson was 17 when they shot that? She had a great performance but what a crazy casting in hindsight, a 17 year old going through a marriage and career crisis. Thus concludes my review of Pretenders by Pretendera.
This was great. I like that accompaniment is stripped back so that Cash’s vocals are very much front and center. It felt very raw and intimate, especially on the cover of Hurt. I also liked the organ backing throughout, which gave it a cool gospel feel. He has such an iconic voice and this is a beautiful album highlighting that.
I don’t have a ton of thoughts on this album. These songs were pretty good and I liked them pretty well. I do like CSNY a lot so it’s interesting to hear Stills in his individual capacity. I didn’t know that Love The One You’re With was one of his, which is a very good song.
This isn’t my favorite album but REM is a great band. They have such a good, complete sound. They remind me of The Pixies in that regard; just a band that sounds good no matter what song they’re playing.
Remember yesterday when I insinuated that every song the Pixies plays sounds good? I’d like to formally withdraw that statement. It’s bold to start an album with three songs doing what I would generously describe as “fucking around.” And, to be honest, much of the rest of the album is so experimental as to be a rough listen. So much so that I wonder if I’ve ever even listened to this whole album. I saw them in concert once and remember thinking, “this is the best sounding live band I’ve ever heard.” All that said, when they’re on, I like their sound a lot. Gigantic, Surfer Rossa, Brick is Red all good alt/indie rock songs, and Where Is My Mind is a classic.
This was fine. Apparently this was the soundtrack to the movie The Virgin Suicides, which I’ve never seen. It is a nice ambient album but I’m somewhat confused why it’s on this list. It’s good, but not clearly better than the million other albums I’ve heard in this genre. If you’re looking for something in this vein, Explosions In The Sky (from Friday Night Lights) is my recommendation
I liked that a lot. I was not super familiar with many of these songs, besides I Want You to Want Me and Surrender, but liked the majority. Great live show. I wish we had ratings out of ten because I think this deserves more than a 3/5 but probably less than a 4/5 for me. Since we have to round, I’ll round up.
Apparently this is a famous venue in Japan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_Budokan)
Weird but I was into it. Apple Music describes the band as “death-rock,” whatever that means. Lots of interesting elements, despite the moments of ska. Good bass playing throughout.
Hell yeah. Just some good, down the middle rock. So much so that some of it falls in the Jeremy Jamm “General Rock” category but still a fun listen. Some great lead guitar parts - You Don’t Have To Be Old stands out - and a classic British rock tone. Definitely a collection of songs more than a cohesive album. There were a couple of head scratchers — were United and Red White and Blue literally pro-UK government propaganda commissions? Two skips. That said, I enjoyed the album in general.
Do yourself a favor and go look at the album art for their 1,000 albums. It’s awesome and cheesy in the best way.
Remember in The Office when Andy writes that song from the perspective of the little girl? That’s what “School” reminded me of.
This was a cool album. I’m not sure I’ve ever listened to Supertramp before. More rock bands should have full bands; the keyboard and horns add a lot I think.