what an awful way to start this challenge, this shit sucked LMAO
Apparently even the most pure, non-distilled indie rock still amounts to nothing but extremely simplistic riffs, irritating vocals that would sound better screamed, and Lars Ulrich level drumming (at least to me). This is so annoying that the genuine bangers (Fell In Love With A Girl, The Same Boy You’ve Always Known, We’re Going To Be Friends) are extremely jarring and don’t fit the vibe of the album at all. Almost all of these songs feel like they were made in an hour, and the ones that aren’t actively obnoxious are just absolutely nothing. Skip this and listen to literally any rock from the 70’s, it’s what they shamelessly stole from anyway
super fun!! i was OBSESSED with Come Out and Play a couple years ago when I was first getting into punk, and it holds up alright! lots of bright, energetic riffs and standout lyrics here, even if some of the tracks kinda congeal into each other (istg this whole album is in one key). probably some of the best music that pop punk has to offer, even if that bar is fifty feet underground. also the intro/outro narration is STUPID cute I wish more albums did this
The first country album I’ve sat all the way through, and unsuprisingly also the first I’ve ever enjoyed. Every song here employs a similar structure, and it can get a little repetitive, but Robbins’ soulful crooning is ABSOLUTELY what makes this album. What a joy it is to hear him belt out these tragic tales of life in the Southwest, closing your eyes and letting the stories envelop you. I might not return to this for some time, but I cannot deny that the storytelling on display here is some of the best I’ve ever heard in an album.
also big iron is overrated asf; master’s call, el paso, running gun, and hanging tree highkey sweep the floor with it
the first album I knew no songs from going forward!! as a massive fan of instrumental hip hop and trip-hop adjacent stuff like J Dilla, DJ Shadow, and Sneaker Pimps, it is super cool to see where the subgenre got its start. the whole album is verrryyyy chill and downtempo, mostly featuring clicky drums, gentle synths + keys, string samples, hushed rapping, and 80’s-esque pop singing, layered in fairly effective, soothing ways. not crazy interesting, but i can see myself putting this on to study to. also its STUPID influential and directly inspired much of my all-time favorites so it would be a crime not to give it props
ehhhhhh. there’s nothing technically wrong with this, but jesus is it a slog. old british pop rock just really isn’t my thing, and the random hollering, squeaky horns, and chunky, repetitive piano solos (plus the annoying habit of songs ending and then starting again MULTIPLE times) made sure i was constantly checking how long was left the entire time. 2 stars because Come On Eileen is unfortunately still a banger
obviously I have to give this props (it is THE gothic rock/post punk album, after all). HOWEVER
it’s just okay. The moody, echoey atmosphere is unsurprisingly great and I can hear a lot of this album in later favorites of mine, but there’s a few too many empty stretches of repetitive basslines and extremely simple drum patterns to warrant listening to this full album again. one of the many albums I respect more than I actually like.
went into this really wanting to hate it but it’s fine?? a very weird mix of perfectly okay peppy 80’s pop and absolutely atrocious “white reggae” (UUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH) but the good tracks outweigh the stinkers in my opinion. had my head bobbing occasionally, it’s not bad i guess
yeah no shit this album is good. part of me wants to give this a bad review so i can be unique and contrarian, but unfortunately it’s so highly regarded for a reason. maybe not as raw as i would have liked, but the emotion on display here is obviously second to none. haha baby weenor
