This is really different and interesting. This isn’t my typical listen. Obviously after Stranger Things, I’m familiar with the opening song. The 80s pop sound that follows on the first half is really interesting. There are some nice slower songs too. But the second half has some wild swings. It’s very out there and not as easy a listen as the more pop centric stuff. Some is great. Love the closing track. It’s really interesting. Tentatively a 3/5 because I just don’t connect to the middling stuff. Maybe a 3.5. 80s synth pop is never something I explored much of, but always find myself actually enjoying some of the sound of this genre whenever I come across it. The title track I think is actually better than Running Up That Hill. It’s so infused with pop energy.
Definitely liking the folk rock sound on the first half of the album. It gets a little “samey” on the first side but it’s a coherent sound through all the songs. Never realized that Neil Young was a precursor to grunge like this. Back half of this album has some harder rock songs and definitely hear how this was influential to grunge. Sedan Delivery particularly. The hard rock version of Hey Hey My My too has that sound. Interesting stuff. Not sure it’s something that would hit my rotation but overall some really good folk rock songs and rock and an album with two distinct sides of the album. Probably a solid 3/5, 7/10 type of album.
Appreciate when an album has a defined sound which this certainly does. That jazzy backing band gives it a fun energy. Was expecting more folky, as that’s my only prior experience with Joni Mitchell. Help Me and Free Man in Paris are probably my two favorite songs. Raised on Robbery is super fun and has that dated fusion 70s sound. Feels like it would come on at a boomer BBQ and get the old folks moving. Don’t dislike anything but not sure I would choose to listen much of this again. Her voice is nice, but the way she sings isn’t always my favorite. Seems like a solid 3/5, 6.5/10.
Certainly a different listen for me as I’ve never fully explored 80s New Wave. Seems hard to fully appreciate without the context of the time in music. But I’m giving it an honest listen, and a lot of that sound just isn’t for me…but it’s still really fun at times. The overly 80s sound just is very dated. The less poppy sounding stuff is somehow maybe better? I like Lonely in Your Nightmare. Alright I lied, some of this is really fun. I view this as pop, not really a “rock” sound. But is it catchy. Hungry Like the Wolf sounds like every 80s music background soundtrack…in a good way? Overall, a fun listen at times, but not necessarily a sound I would regularly return to. I was pretty bored and over it after a few songs. It’s on the border of a 2-3/5 for me. Certainly a snapshot in time. Feels like you can play this and say: this is what the 80s sounded like to a lot of people. Not necessarily bad things, but not sure it’s necessarily a vital listen as an entire album.
First album I’m familiar with and have listened to prior to starting this. This is generally more my speed. Haven’t listened to this in a number of years and it still holds up. Just a great late 60s psychedelic sound. Some great songwriting. First half is just great song after great song. As good as the best of the Kinks, Beatles, Beach Boys of this era. Harmonies and full sound. Needs to be heard with headphones on. Am I nuts or is this a perfect album. I’ve always been a fan of that late 60s baroque sound and this is as good as that gets. Probably a 5 for me. Was a great re-listen.
Another album I’m familiar with. Haven’t listened to it front to back in a while though. Kind of the quintessential classic rock album. That hard rock sound that Zeppelin helped define, with some of their biggest songs. Arguably Led Zeppelin’s greatest album. It’s filled with great songs. Stairway to Heaven never gets old. Love there’s still an element of that lighter folk-ish sound with Battle of Evermore and Going to California. A really great classic rock album. One of my favorites and an easy re-listen. 5/5
Haven’t listened to this album since years ago in college when I was exploring different genres of rock music. This is filled with well known songs that are all huge classic rock hits. Overall, that 80s heavy metal/hard rock isn’t my favorite but plenty of it is catchy. This seems better than a lot of other 80s rock. Some of still rocks and holds up. Kinda album where I love some of the songs, but then don’t like the deeper cuts. It all really rocks out and is really fun at times, but wish it was shorter. By the time You’re Crazy rolls around you feel like this should be the closer. It’s probably a solid 3, maybe can push to a 3.5/4, not sure. Just not my kind of rock really anymore.
Don’t know if I’ve ever listened to this front to back but it’s so good. Wouldn’t call punk rock my favorite genre, but it’s so fun. This album has a distinct sound and is just great. It never overstays its welcome. It’s 35 minutes with 2-3 minute songs that just rock. Best way to describe an album like this is it just rocks out. Love the sound of the guitar in this. So simple in a good way. Way better than the 80s metal sound that comes later than this. Also, with headphones you hear that bass line through every song and it gives it such a great sound. Am I going to choose to put this on very often? Probably not, based on personal tastes. Is it a great album? Certainly. If you told me to put something on that rocks out, this is on the list of what I might throw on. Lyrically it’s so simple. In your face political and anti establishment but not sounding overly angry. Hard to explain, but that’s part of why it works. It feels real. And it’s catchy. Stuck between a 4 and a 5, think I’ll go up.
Never really explored Nine Inch Nails before. Was aware of them(him? Is it just Trent Reznor?) and probably know some of the well known songs, but otherwise not really so this will be an interesting listen.
This isn’t my favorite sound. Maybe 12 year old me in 2001 would’ve found this more interesting? It sounds like the music playing at a seedy club where bad guys are about to get shot by the anti hero in a 90s action movie. I don’t think I’m personally angry enough right now to even remotely enjoy this. It’s giving me anxiety. When I got to Closer I realized hey I know this one. So far it’s the only thing I’ve somewhat enjoyed on the album. But still, this guy jeez he’s angry. I listen to my albums in the morning and this is too much. Taking a break.
Everytime I get to something that sounds interesting and I think I’m going to like, I just end up not liking what comes next. This is probably going to be a 1, unless something near the end changes my mind. I got to the song title I Do Not Want This and I couldn’t agree more. Overall, I understand some of the talent involved and he’s clearly great at putting together this sound by himself, but it’s not for me. It’s angst and stuck in a specific time that I’m mentally now where near right now. There’s nothing here I would choose to listen to on my own again. Maybe there’s a few songs that are okay, but still it’s overall just not for me and a drag to listen to for me. Overall a 1/5, but I’m sure there’s people who love this.
First album from an artist I’m completely unfamiliar with. I have heard the name, don’t think I know anything by her.
To start off it’s rock heavy. Sound is kinda timeless rock. Could be late 70s or late 90s. Good Fortune is great. Enjoying it through the first half. Her voice has a great sound for rock music. Wow this gets really interesting. The Thom Yorke song is great. You Said Something is fantastic. Loving a lot of these songs. Kamikaze sounds like 90s grunge. For a first listen to an artist I’ve never heard before, I’m really enjoying this. Horses in My Dreams is probably my least favorite song here. A good album needs a re-listen and I think I’ll give this a re listen. This is feeling like a solid 4.
Wishes it was a song or two shorter here on re-listen, but think I’ll stick with a 4. Really like it.
Never heard of The Screaming Trees, so this is another first time listen.
Enjoying it through the first songs. It has a nice hard rock 90s sound. It doesn’t sound grunge as the big bands of the era, so doesn’t fully fit that label. Isn’t stuck in an era. This is good rock music but also doesn't seem like anything remarkable or special here. But that’s okay, sometimes it’s enjoyable to listen to a solid non offensive rock album. Some keys on songs and backing vocals gives it a nice full sound. I could easily see myself throwing this on or enjoying some of these songs in a rock playlist.
Growing on me more as the album goes. Was expecting more a harder sound early and it’s way more melodic. Witness is the first song I don’t really care for. I like the sound that has more of that 60s influence. Traveler is one. After listening to the whole thing, definitely don’t see this as grunge. It’s hard rock influenced by 60s classic rock. A nice sound. Seems like a perfectly fine 3/5 for me.
