Really into the punk surf rock and rockabilly kind of swampy sound. The songs are good I like the vibe of the plane/ufo song and mad daddy. Those are new tracks for me
It’s good.. I’d like to know more about why the chimes and instruments I’m used in so many of the songs sound so dissonant to me. Some good tracks I had not heard. Wasn’t bad but I wasn’t into it either. Would give it a try again later
Wonderful voice. Some fun tunes. Good work if you can get it! Tomato, tomahto
Honestly a great collection of soul standards that Otis sings with flawlessly. Great listen
Really liked the singing. Dos gardenias is great. Want to watch the documentary now
I don’t want to like Elvis Costello. Hard to explain. He feels corny, like a Buddy Holly wannabe… that’s harsh but it’s where I’m starting from.
That said, this album grew on me. I understand why hearing this debut of his come out of nowhere was a big deal. It helps that almost all of these tracks are upbeat and danceable. Being 34 minutes is also good.
There is a nice groove and nice guitar solos on “blame it on Cain”, and “Alison” has a clean and smooth mix. “Sneaky feelings” and “angels” have an upbeat Van Morrison vibe.
He’s got a great voice. The band is also excellent.For a couple moments, I thought the effects used on his vocals were out of place. Overall, it’s a fun album. And I will admit I liked it 4/5
I like Radiohead, but this album is sort of a drag. The music is “beautiful“ but it is sad sounding through and through. Not for me. 2/5
Hell, yeah. This album rocks I love the Violent Femmes. Reminds me of Tony Hawk underground too soundtrack. Every song is super good and most of them are funny. I like the unique instrumentals. I think there’s an upright bass and I heard a violin at some point. so cool in this punk genre. 5/5
This surprised me in a few ways. First, 1988.… I know nothing about the pixies, but having learned to “where is my mind“ I wouldn’t have been surprised if it came out in the late 2000s. This is an early album and I didn’t know music could sound like that in 1988. Some of the tracks are pretty rough and unpolished, which is not what I expected, only knowing a couple of their hits.
I did enjoy the chaos of that roughness though. The track VAMOS really cracked me up. I don’t know if I would play this album for other people, but I would listen to it again for sure. 4/5
Besides the hits “our lips are sealed” and “we got the beat”, there were 3 good songs at the beginning of the album and 3 good ones at the end.
The first third is fun, girly, “going out” music. The last 3 tracks were more creative, and surprised me. I particularly like “skidmarks on my heart” - a resentful love song about losing her love for a gearhead dude who loves his car more than her.
The middle 4 songs in the album sound ok, but feel a little tired and uninspired. Still, that’s 7/11 great songs including 2 epic hits. It’s cool. I’ll round up to 4/5.
I like this. Into punk and girl rock. Riot girls
All Christmas standards. Weird to include a Christmas album in here but it makes sense. The Ronettes’ Sleigh Ride is one everyone has heard, and this album is an extension of the Sleigh Ride vibe. I could stand to spin this record at least once a year, along with my usuals like Herb Alpert, Randy Travis, Elvis, and the Jackson 5. Considering that, this album might get more playtime than anything I’ve reviewed so far. But it’s still just Christmas music… and the drums on Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer made me nauseous. 3/5
Wow. Lyrics are clear and fun storytelling. I dig the beetles bass and harmonic lines. Production sounds modern. Fantastic opening with some less upbeat tunes thought they match their themes well in Amelia, Furry (unfortunately named), and the mysterious “strange boy” - a song with a guitar lick that seems to have inspired to Law and Order theme.
The title song, Hejira brings back the fearless bass and more jazz in a more uplifted melody. Sharon tells a cool story of contrasting lives. And black crow is positively funky and doesn’t let up on the lyricism. Blue motel room is a solid homesick love song. I really like the parts where Joni slips into a talking voice and zips back into a singing register.
Overall it’s smart, deep, and funny. No skips. Cool instrumentation. I could obsess over it and I see how it probably impacted later music. Laurel Canyon sounds really work for me.
I want to give it a 5 for being beautiful, amazing music. It is. Maybe it’s not quite there yet since few of the songs opened up and evolved in a proud pop music way. It’s a strong 4 for sure though
Having a hard time getting into this one. Reading the Apple album blurb I was surprised to learn they’re British? They don’t sound British. Musicianship is good but I’m finding the lyrics are unclear and not hitting very hard for me. Somehow they are both repetitive and unintelligible. I shouldn’t yuck someone’s yum… I do think the guitar tone and filling riffs are really nice but I can’t get behind these guys. I gotta say I love the humor in the Bands name.. I really wanted to like this but it’s not for me.
Best song: no surface all feeling. Australia was a bit fun also.
Interesting noise. Synths and repetitive drums reminds me of boards of Canada, but rock version
Love the world sound Ethiopian jazz 🤙
A couple classic tracks. The rest is boring sax and lyrics I’m not about
Good rock. Surprised me that I didn’t find it annoying and same-y
Sonically bold. Parts of each song sound like a joke until it comes together like magic. Crispy. Fun. Lots of dopamine… like ADHD-core type shit before smartphones.
The hits: devils haircut and where it’s at, are awesome. Honestly they kind of blend right in with the rest of the album. Don’t think i would have picked them out among the rest if I hadn’t heard them before. They’re all good tracks, if not a little random and dissonant. The
I feel like I never would’ve found this one on my own. Great listen good clean rap easy to listen to.
Good beats but not for me
Pretty good blend of electronic sounds and guitar based Rock, but about 2/3 of each album were songs that I just found too slow to get into
I liked the funk covers
Lots of advice off the bat with subterranean homesick blues. A lot of country feel in this album. “Maggie’s farm” is basically a “take this job and shove it” tune. Dylan has some signature cryptic references that would be fun to study. Lots of fun imagery and rhymes too. I can appreciate how well it all goes together despite not getting the full significance of every line. Dylan didn’t win that Nobel prize for nothing. The band is great and I really started to miss it on the final tracks, even though “tambourine man” is probably the best known song on this album. I really likes the humor and gracious beat on “115th dream” .
In that acoustic last half of the album, “it’s alright ma” stands out with haunting lyrics and a strong simple guitar riff driving it along. Having the acoustic tracks last is a good move. A guy could put the album on and if it got too intimate or slow at the end you could move on, but those songs are really treasures, too. No skips. 5.
Really good Techo. of course it’s a bit repetitive and it’s a little bit too dissonant for me at times
Wonderfully weird and kind of unpalatable. Horror music. I like the southern accent vocals and some of the reverb surf kind of guitar. Reminds me of Primus.
Really really good punk rock. I really like the energy. I haven’t listened to the word though.
Of course I like golden years that is a classic. I definitely like the first track as well, but it’s not like an album that I would throw on to listen to ever
I love jack white. The whole album is strong and vocals are clear. There’s a memorable riff in every song and it’s good all the way thru. Like punk rock meets the blues. Had a really good run on Apple Music recommendations after the album finished- my phone just played indie bangers for 2 days straight using the “playing similar to blunderbuss” auto queue. Loved it.
It was fine. Good times and familiar vocals from Jim Morrison. Roadhouse blues is great and peace frog too. Remember grooving to ship of fools as well. I get worn out on the prominent organ parts
Soft lovely jazz sax and boogie guitar over tight samba beats. I really enjoy the samba tempos. The syncopation is dialed in and the beats happen right where you expect them.. and right were you didn’t. These songs deliver so much dopamine for me I love it. Good ambiance. Elevated music.
Desafindo like a happy summer day. Fascinating.
Samba deez days like the intro to this old house. - a little goofy but delightful
O patio is a classic samba tune, with the guitar part here, could be a theme for nearly anything.
Samba triste is mysterious sultry and exotic
Uma nota is an adventure
E Luxo has a driving guitar bit.
Guys definitely know what they were doing putting this together.
Strong punk energy gets the blood flowing. Punchy rapid drums and deep crackling… combustible guitar tone. Vocals have assertive English-ness and production is raw and simple. Tracks 12 and 13 feel off-kilter but it comes back with slower, more confident, striding tracks. Track 17 (mannequin) is downright boppy, I really like it. The album has a lot of variety. Even if it’s not the most listenable, I could imagine being obsessed with it if I owned it when it was new.
This album is nicely political. The sound is familiar and the hits “it’s the end of the world as we know it“ and” the one I love“ are really good on this album. It’s nice to learn that the rest of the album also holds up really well. The late 80s sound kind of reminds me of Phil Collins.
Lots of hits on this album. Rest is okay. Good tunes.
I’ve always felt like Wu-Tang is a pretty exclusive group and this is my first time sitting down and listening. The album is good. I really like the sample beats and the kung fu sounds. There are lots of memorable rhymes and I really like the violent imagery the drug imagery is pretty good too overall I think it comes together. Nice it’s not too harsh to listen to.
Pretty slutty tbh
A few great hits. Lost me in the second half. The r&b songs were slow and repetitive sounding to me. Good sentiment in the songs that spoke of the state of the world.
Great! The title song, some weird sin, and the passenger are classic rocking tracks that you still hear in tv ads and radio today… sixteen is a little dated and creepy though. Guitar tone and solos from here comes success are beefy and impressive. Turn blue has a nice bluesy grandeur with a lot of soul and vulnerability.
Throughout the album iggys vocals get nice boosts from the background singing and bluesy guitar riffs that remind me of the stones and velvet underground. Lyrics have some humor and are delivered clearly and levity by iffy. I like him.
I’m surprised when I look at the year the album came out. I guess it has more of a 60s or early 70s sound. My guess is that iggy was a bit of a throwback to the doors and stones. The last track “fall in love with me” is very reminiscent of the doors.
I think this album could be played anywhere, and the band sounds like it would be amazing live. I think it’s a 5 for me.
I just love this album. For me, it released when I was finishing up my college schooling and it was like a well I could draw on to learn more and take in the cultural moment. I felt like the whole country was listening to this album right along with me. The feelings of paranoia, serving your home, resisting the temptations of success. There are so many earworm hooks that still intrude into my daily thoughts, songs like alright, I, and king kunta are some of my favorites of all time. The jazzy backing tracks are masterful. Every word and beat seems to be surgically precisely placed. I could say more but I already knew it was gonna be a 5 star album before I even pulled it up for a relisten.
This is a really incredible fusion of hip-hop beats and English and Indian, cultural influence and vocals. This is definitely an album full of museum type music, I mean, each song feels intellectually, elevated and polished, almost to a point It’s hard to relate to. Sadly, this music feels like it was meant for a world imagined in the 90s that never really came to be. These days, it doesn’t feel like an album I would throw on to listen to in many situations; it feels more like the type of music someone would play to brag about how culturally enlightened they are. Still, there are tracks that I found really nice: I thought the immigrant was quite moving. I also really enjoyed the rapid Hindi vocals on homelands and the conference. Also, for me this music reminds me of the soundtrack of Sim city 3000 and the Sims.
This is a really fun album to listen to. Of course everyone loves the single “all I wanna do”, but the rest of the album holds up as well. There are some funky guitar riffs, and tight drums in the song “solidify”. There’s good storytelling in each song and the band backing her up is great. Oh and of course, Sheryl Crow can belt her lyrics like no one’s business. I can’t get into “leaving Las Vegas” i really wanted to skip it both times listening. That song seems to have a lot of hype, so maybe it’s just me. Good album, fun adventure. Could throw it on and many would also enjoy the listen, I think. 4 stars
I really liked the energy on this album. Listened to it twice in the car and again at work. Played well in public. For an electronic album, there is enough variation it’s not too repetitive and the vocals help add some soul. The female vocalist is cool too. Reminds me of Quinton and Miss Pussycat. “North American scum” and “watch the tapes” stand out to me with their punchy vocals. The drums are very organic for an electronic album. The whole thing gives me of an indie rock vibe. I really like it and I don’t think it gets old. There are a few pieces of irritating “sparkly” high pitched sound in a couple tracks that hurt my ears a bit and make me want to skip, but they go away after a few repetitions… notably in “sound of silver”… the rest of the album is a good groove and pleasing to my ears. 4 stars
It’s just so beautiful. I know I’ve derided other albums for having unintelligible lyrics, but this album feels different. Special and purposeful. Still not an album I really love sitting down and listening in its entirety. There are some real snoozers on this album but many tracks. Cherry colored funk and the title track are standouts. Fotzepolitic also good. Would listen again and defend if it has haters, but it’s not a big deal for me.
No way! Fresh Rush tunes! New to me, anyway. The first track is a 20 minute epic filled with thick guitar tones and Neil Pearts mythical drum solos and fills galore. Really cool tune with a type of adventure story and rock opera theme.
There is real shredding throughout this album. I can’t say enough about the drumming. It’s perfect- so much f’in energy!!
Every track on this album has something to offer, except for the fifth track “tears“… There wasn’t much there for me. It was just kind of a slow sad, heartfelt tune. Also, I had to try hard to forgive track 2, “ a passage to Bangkok“ for using the China man lick… Twice. But I was able to forgive it because the rest of the song is pretty fun
not a perfect album but very very very very good. Four stars.
Hypnotic rock and roll dance beats… they have a glamorous but still “dirty boys” vibe. There are a lot of funky grooves throughout. Interesting level of punk-ness infused with danceable beats. Shaun Ryder’s vocals are assertive; he has a lot of range and flexibility. In these rave songs, you would expect vocals to take a smaller role, but he seems to be able to add his voice in anywhere and it fits well.
The themes are nicely carnal and anti establishment. A whole song dedicated to making fun of a cop.
Playability of the whole album is very good. It’s a fun listen and I think I could play it at work or in many other situations. It has a great mood lift and is never boring, lots of variability between tracks and within each track. There seems to be lots of layers in each track and many different instruments involved, yet it stays grounded in the familiarity of groovy drum beats and distorted rock guitars.
I liked it quite a bit but it’s a 4 for me
Futuristic, synthy and voguing. First track sounds like the matrix, then the album become more dramatic. I do like the breakbeat sounds. I bet the artists really felt they were making the sounds of the future with this. It feels clean and optimistic. Funny how something so cutting edge ends up feeling dated. Not that it’s bad, but it’s caught in a fruitiga-aero, modern scholastic kind of vibe of its time. I like it.
Pretty energetic English indie rock. Miles better than the Brit pop albums ive gotten lately. Some tracks at every chaotic. They play well at work but show their age a bit. Good overall. 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4
It’s great idc who you are. He sounds so good. So funky. No skips. 5 stars
I really like Alice Cooper personally, and obviously there’s some hits on this album and the music is good in general, but I can’t write home about it. There’s nothing on here super impressive that I feel like I want to show off. I don’t feel like it open my eyes are like I learned anything much. There might’ve been a time when this classic rock music meant a lot more to me, but I’ve heard so much at this point. It doesn’t seem like there’s many hidden gems, not here anyway.
Fuckin energy! These guys seem so cool. Style seems to come before clarity, but I can tell there are some fun lyrics here. I can’t get the full meaning of an album in just 1 or 2 listens, but I hear nothing in the words of these songs that is too off putting or gross, which is a big feat for a rock album from this era.
A few real gems here: I like the opening track, as well as “tell me when the light turns green”. What an earworm. The hornwork is good; “geno” reminds me of a ska song. The horns provide a lot of epic grandeur in the slower songs-makes them bearable for me. The corny organ and falsettos just work in the ‘Yorkshire’ song. Is it a 5? Hard to tell. Maybe it’s average and I’m just partial to the thick Celtic accents. Really glad to find it though
The pet shop boys make me feel like being in a mall, or in an 80s makeover montage. I’m a fan of their clean and misty electronic sound. The subdued, kind of sleepy harmonized vocals are perfect, too. A lot of the songs are very ‘vengaboys’ or ‘erasure’…kind of scissor sisters as well. Very dance floor. Yes I know this came first. However, I like the groove in the song “liberation”. Album is alright. Go west feels like a tribute to the Village People.
I feel so centered and serene. This is main character music. It opens so grandly. Each track layered with synths and sitars among the goth rock core of it all. I Really like the way the tracks bloom into existence. The songs feel full and confident.
I gave it 2 listens. This is a gem to discover in the fall. While I really love a handful of these songs, some others feel like filler between the hits. Lullaby is definitely a standout track, but the Spider-Man dialogue feels weird.
First half is great. All the tracks hold up with the hits I’m already familiar with. The beatboxing is kinda silly and there’s a couple bad tracks like “dumb girl”… overall tho the album is a good listen I respect it.
I don’t know if I’ve ever listened to a Stones album that’s not a greatest hits compilation…
This album is buttoned up with hits at the top and bottom. Theres a lot of roots country here. Mandolin and fiddle forward tunes. Steel guitar, harmonica and sax, organs, bells, of course overdriven guitars and … great instrumentation! I like this version of Honky Tonk Woman.
The band is locked in, they control the energy well… they stretch out and consistently carry the slower parts of the album into upbeat, and then heavy sections. During the 6+ minute Midnight Rambler, I learned to trust them to always bring the energy back around.
Lyrics might not have aged super well in some parts, but they are delivered so well. It’s fun, laid back, and earnest. I feel like this era is so spoiled with amazing music. Not sure why I’m surprised, but it’s awesome- maybe perfect. 5
Slow start. Actually picks up after “beautiful feeling”. I liked its slow grungy vibe. “Whores” is alright too- with epic soaring vocals. Surprised to find Thom Yorke from Radiohead in the single “The mess were in” here for a big duet complete with imagery of the city.
I don’t love the corny melodica in some of the songs. There is some good heavy sounding overdriven bass in most of the songs. She is a solid vocalist with a good band behind her. I was ready to give it a 2, but i did enjoy my time with this album. I enjoyed the sentiment in “we float, take life as it comes” the album ends pretty peacefully. Considering the paranoia and solemnness at the beginning. 3.
It’s just such a damn good album. I think the whole thing holds up well on on a full play through, even a couple of the slow songs are a nice break from the manic frenzy of the other songs. I think the hits are so important to me and the battle genre in general, I love it.
Undeniable hits here. I dig it as an album, opening with an amazing, spooky organ solo. The instrumentation impresses me. I like the way they worked a string section into living on a prayer and a horn section with all of the squealing guitar on social disease. The synth-y parts also sound good as well as the heavy metal bass guitar.
It sounds like they got a whole crowd of guys singing backup. It adds a lot of energy, and it really makes me wish that there was more music like this in the modern day for dudes to listen to.
I’m really surprised at how much I enjoyed this album. Classic rock and metal from the radio was my first love in music. With that said, I did not want to give this album a 5/5 going into it. I’ve grown out of classic rock, and I’ve always thought that Bon Jovi were more “hair metal“ and “pop rock”. never considered Bon Jovi real musicians, or Pioneers, for whatever reason. I don’t feel like they are “cool to like” anymore.
So, in my looking for a reason to give this album, a less than perfect score, despite loving almost every second of it… I did find myself cringing at the depiction of girls and women and glorification of “backseat loving“ and taking virginity. That’s enough of a reason for me to give it a four out of five.
Them keys are hot! Incredible performer. Holy shit the energy.
Uhh, interesting… The tracks that are actually songs are pretty good, though. These guys are like artist who paint with shit and guts. It’s fucked up and haunted. These guys have talent but the last thing they want is to garner any acclaim.
Several tracks are great. There are parts of those several tracks, and the rest of the album, that are so cursed I’d never play them in public. It’s good but a hard listen. I’m giving it a 3.4
This is a surprisingly enjoyable album of love songs, at first. Todd’s got a really good ensemble here; interesting piano, and guitar accompaniment. I noticed some interesting binaural harmonies in the vocals.
A few tracks in you hit that “into“ track, and everything becomes more experimental. The track “breathless“ was mindblowing. I really loved the synth and I couldn’t help but smile listening to it.
This album has a lot of range. Most of it is slow jam ballad/love songs, but Todd also shows some interesting ability to do in-your-face classic rock and totally lo-fi recording/producing experimental tracks.
I like the humor, there are a few tracks that are just jokes. Longest album I’ve had so far. 1.5 hrs, I had to walk the dogs twice to listen to it all. It loses a couple stars for the many forgettable love ballads, but earns one or two back with the cool production and experimental quality. I liked it. 3.5 rounding up to 4
I dig this band, the sound is right, but I don’t think this debut album is incredible. I’m partial to the noisiness in the song “don’t”
There’s decent bones here but not much that makes me want to ever listen to it again. I can trust it is foundational to later punk/emo/ alternative bands that came along later. Okay
