4/5
Incredible opening track, very much a front loaded album that runs out of gas towards the back half. I really enjoy the blend of genres on this album as well. With my complete lack of knowledge of Van Morrison & this album going in, I was searching for a way to label what sort of artist Morrison was. But it was a great surprise to work through the tracklist, and just sort of drop that idea and just let the album be.
Favorite Track: And It Stoned Me
3.5/5
I grew up on the Beatles, with their records being regularly spun weekly by my father. A Hard Day's Night, to me, is the quintessential Brit-Pop era Beatles Album, which admittedly is my lesser favorite era of the Beatles. I think this album is enjoyable, and quickly digestible with a quick spin time. This is probably their best Brit-Pop album, with densely packed, well written & catchy tracks from top to bottom.
While I do think the album suffers from being a rather predictable, classic Brit-Pop album— I do think it's the best execution of that style by the Beatles within the discography. This is definitely the album where the band starts to come into their own sound, and wrangle the star power of being pop stars & the demands of the record industry. Overall, I enjoyed the album, but definitely enjoy their later discography much more.
Favorite Track: And I Love Her
4/5
I wasn't indoctrinated to Yes as a kid, despite the parallels in sound that they have to much of the collection my dad curated. Instead, I found them through their resurgence in pop-culture relevance with appearances in GTA, School of Rock, Jojo & plenty of memes as a result. My curiosity had been peaked, and I eventually gave the album a spin years later.
While the rest of the album isn't nearly as strong as the opening track of "Roundabout", I do think there is a great compilation of tracks, with some other real standouts such as "South Side of the Sky" and "Heart of the Sunrise". These tracks in particular really feel like the entire band is firing on all cylinders, and have moments where each member & instrument feel like they truly shine in the mix. Squire's bass work in particular across these tracks are incredibly addicting & impressive.
There are some tracks that fall a little flatter on the album though, and really just feel weaker, almost needless compared to the rest of the album. "Cans and Brahms" & "Five per Cent for Nothing" are both tracks that just ultimately feel like a waste of time, and depending on consumption medium would be something I would skip or cull. Meanwhile, "The Fish", "Mood for a Day" and "We Have Heaven" feel, while not as amazing as the longer tracks, a little more purposeful and are enjoyable listens.
Overall I enjoy the listen front to back, will give it a spin on vinyl from time to time, but will probably stick to the stand out tracks when listening digitally.
Favorite Track: "Roundabout", obviously.
3.5/5
I like the album, I think it's definitely a very tight, well produced album that displays an increased range of instruments and stronger vocal work, giving it almost a more theatrical feel compared to the prior album, The Queen Is Dead. But I think in that expansion of sound and refinement in production, something had been lost, making Strangeways, Here We Come feel like a weaker entry in the discography compared to the prior mentioned album (and, to thus point the only other reference point I have familiarity with.) Maybe it was a result of inter-band conflict coming to a head, maybe it's the polishedness of it all. I'm not sure. But again, it's not a bad album, I enjoyed a good handful of songs as, ultimately, it's still The Smiths. I'm in love that signature Marr jangle & haunting Morrissey vocal work across the album. But I would likely throw the handful of standout tracks into digital playlists, but likely would reach for The Queen Is Dead to spin over this one.
Favorite Track: "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before"
Soundtrack to my come up. From the production & lyricism I just get a radiating positivity. The type of album you'd put on when you're cruising through town, windows down, sun is shinning on an early summer day.
Front to back I find the album really consistent and strong, there really isn't track I could pick out that feels like it falls flat or detracts from the experience. The lyrical work is beautiful, conscious & uplifting— making me come out on the other side like I can take on the world. Matched with some of West's fantastic early era production, giving it that infectious, early 2000s hip-hop bounce that makes it impossible not to bounce me head to. In some ways, the production feels like it takes a front seat, where I'm listening more of a Kanye album then Common. But that just, once again, shows how incredible of a beatmaker West was.
Common, and really the early 2000s hip-hop has long been an unexplored era for me. This album is a great reminder of what I'm missing in not digging into it all. I love it, this one will be slipping into the heavy rotation for sure. Ultimately, this album *feels* like it embodies the core essence of that Chi-Town Sound during this time, and once again I find it hooking and drawing me back in once more.
