1001 Albums Summary

Incredible beat collection

Going into this I thought I’d only heard a select few, but as I listened I realized all of these songs lived deep in my subconscious somewhere. Arcade Fire’s a band I’ve always explored in bits and pieces, so it was a good experience listening to all these songs in context. You can’t deny that it takes you somewhere…well, at least I can’t deny it took me somewhere. Yes, somewhere very millennial twee whimsy, BUT, more importantly, to the fictional neighborhoods of the world they created here—swirly, mauve, harrowing, and full of people trying their damnedest to save each other. That said, certain parts of this don’t hit like they should. I gotta respect it, but I doubt I’ll return to it any more often than I have before. This one will stay in my subconscious…til next time.

Oh, Brothers! I was always bound to review this one with a lot of bias, seeing as the trajectory of my music listening life (life, in general?) was forever altered when I heard “Tighten Up” playing while out to dinner with my parents as a pre-teen. I’m somewhat of a certified Black Keys defender, and I say that as an even bigger White Stripes defender. It could be as simple as nostalgia. Or just how much I love Dan’s voice. That said, Brothers is kinda the peak for me; it’s the album I’m most familiar with and their best IMO. THAT said, there are some definite eye-roller moments, especially those “I’m such a terrible man who can’t get a grip so I just HAVE to turn to drinking and philandering” tracks (“The Go Getter;” “I’m Not the One”) which just so happen to fall back-to-back at a point in the album that really makes you wonder who the hell the speaker is here and if you really care anymore. But like…it’s Brothers. 4 stars.

In many ways I was in the perfect mood to listen this and it was STILL a pain. "In the End" was good and "Cure for the Itch" was a solid reprieve. Would totally listen to a record of instrumentals like that.

When he said schoobe do ba tree de deedle dee that really got me (but for real I see myself listening to this on many a sunny moody day…pretend it says 4.5 stars)

Some people hate Bob Dylan. Peace and love I’m so glad that’s not me