Some aspects of this album I did really like and see how it influenced a lot of later psych/trancey songs so that was cool to listen to! I’m sad they didn’t release any future albums because I can see how their sound after their self titled album would’ve developed soooo well.
- GROOVY. Realized while listening that one of the songs on this album is in my playlist of harry styles music recs🥲 And I can definitely see a lot of influences on Harry’s music and the Harry’s House era! (Happy House, Strawberry Letter 23, Ice Cold Daydream just based on titles alone!). PRETTY LIGHTS SAMPLE NOTICED. Wow i’m loving this album. Hahah also BigXThaPlug sample from Sweet Thang.
- Standout Songs: Pling & Freedom Flight (added to focus playlist), Strawberry Letter 23 (PL sample!)
Transitions….. I love a good transition so this album got bonus points in my book for this. Felt like I was in the world they created with this album, it’s so fun when that happens. This is an album I would definitely revisit and know I would’ve been obsessed with if I would have found in 2018 when it came out, it’s such a pre-2020 album haha.
- Standouts: Each Time We Pass
I felt fine about this album, glad I listened but could’ve been fine without it. Did enjoy hearing the origin of “There She Goes”! Standouts: There She Goes, Freedom Song, All By Myself (remastered edition bonus track)
Pure synthy 80’s, why were they having so much more fun than us in the 80’s?! Bring back synthy dance pop. Standouts: Tainted Love, Entertain Me
Icon, but not my vibe. Maybe a 1.5 star. Standout: Hejira
Interesting. My standout song is ‘Packet Reprise’ and that says a lot because it’s the only song without lyrics.
I thought it was fine. But didn’t really amaze me and I was expecting myself to love it just based off reading about the album and the band. Meh
Angry french men. Yeah!! (This one’s not for me)
- I love synths and I had fun listening!
- Standout: M.E., Cars
I didn’t like it but glad I listened to it. Standout: Black Hole Sun
- Review overall: Double Album!!! I was intimidated when looking at the runtime but woah. Had so much fun listening to Speakerboxxx then the storytelling of The Love Below. Overall I really really liked this album and was so pleasingly surprised!
- Speakerboxxx: Ok. Loved this so much. The horns, every single sound. Very fun to listen to and made me want to dance which is a main influence for my ratings haha.
- The Love Below: So many bangers here also. Love a storyline in an album but still had me dancing throughout.
- Standouts
- Speakerboxxx: Intro, Unhappy
- The Love Below: Prototype, Hey Ya!, Roses (possible contender for best song ever made)
- Fine. It didn’t blow me away but it also didn’t make me want to skip any songs either.
- Standout Songs: Fancy, Sunny Afternoon
- Can’t judge a book by its cover but can I judge an album by its cover? Gorge. Something about the album felt very familiar but I couldn’t place it. Some points of the album I was so obsessed but then others I was not so much which is why I’ll give it a 4 instead of 5. But the times I was really enjoying the album would get a 5 star.
- Standouts: Confusion, Railroad
Not bad but also not memorable. Spooky vibes and some transitions were enjoyable and fun. Felt repetitive though and don’t think I would revisit
Was this album ahead of its time? It feels like it. I got the vibe of california beachy 2000’s.
Wait this may be one of my favorites. Also of course major props for there being a dog in the album cover which brought me into a deep dive of the creation of the album cover which was so cool to read about. I love humans and I love music. The electric guitar on Deja Vu may have changed my life. I actually had a spiritual experience after this album deep diving into these guys and genre. Unbelievable that i’m having my 70’s rock awakening this late tbh.
Didn’t love, didn’t hate.
