Solid album overall. Production like this in 1968 is wild, it sounds amazing. The concept of side A was underwhelming for me, with some good singles on side B that are worth revisiting. I think I prefer Bridge over Troubled Water, personally. Feels like a more immersive experience.
not for me. too theatrical, can't do this. sorry.
awesome one. I've slept on this hard. Mix for some U2 stuff drives me crazy sometimes though, I just want it to sound clear!!! And I'm not even an audiophile at all
Fun to learn about some of the background of this album. Makes me like it more to know that it was kind of against the grain of the major label. Christine's vocals are so underrated. Love the production on "Not That Funny" and "Over & Over". I haven't listened to this album for a few years, but I feel like the standouts are completely different now than they were before.
I've listened to this before, but I never really got it. This time, I was intent on getting it, and I think I did (as much as someone without knowledge of jazz or music theory can)
I especially love the first track, where we're hearing the motif of the supreme all over the place, in so many different tones, scales, loudness, etc. Noticing God in everything.
I love the different solos of Pursuance - drums, then piano, then sax, then bass. showing the struggle and turmoil and getting through it all. Then, the final Acknowledgement in part 4.
One of those albums that just makes all other music seem inferior.
Reading the poem while listening to Psalm is such a cool/interesting/unique music experience.
I'll never forget my first time listening to this one all the way through.
I'd heard so much about Radiohead being the best band ever. I had tried out some of their stuff, but never really understood it. Figured it was just one of those things pretentious people said they liked, but it didn't actually make sense.
Then, one night sleeping over at the Martin's house (for some reason, lots of family in town or something) I'm on the army couch in the basement of the first Vincent Ridge house and decided to listen to this album all the way through at like 2AM. Planet Telex had me hooked, and I was like "Oh maybe I can get this". By the time I hit Nice Dream, I think I understood Radiohead. It opened up their entire catalog to me after that track. Obviously everything else is amazing too.
I always think of this album as dated, it really has aged poorly compared to their other absolutely timeless albums that will always sound like they're from the future. But upon listening to it through again, it's a really really good look into the nostalgia of 90s britpop and 90s rock in general.
Obviously by this point Radiohead still hadn't found their sound, but as an album encapsulating the 90s, it's pretty much flawless. There are pieces of this that start to encapsulate the future, and somehow they were able to dive into those pieces from this album later in OK Computer, making a seamless immersion in those specific moments. For example, the beginning riff on Just.
Looking into the lyrics on My Iron Lung, that's another anthem honestly. Very fun (but also dark) lyrics. So punk to escape from your "iron lung" by writing about how confining it is.
Unfortunately there's nothing here. Not that the album is bad, it's just all been done before, with much more substance. This album sounds like a very well polished AI generated album based off everything that post Britpop gave us, and even some elements of Britpop. Nothing new.
For some reason, maybe because of the lack of creativity instrumentally, the whining voice is much more grating. It works for Radiohead, but not here.
it was good background music for my workday tho
arpeggios on Words are beautiful. Then, when the song sounds like it's going to get interesting, it just goes right back to it. Again, this song is good but not unique
this album rocks. Really, really, rocks. From the manic "Bodhisattva", to the beautiful "Pearl of the Quarter" I cannot turn this thing down. This album is a really fun combo of rock and jazz. It feels like this is before the jazz started overtaking, so it still really rocks. Love the more jazzy stuff, but I really really love this. I drove a few extra laps around the block with my car volume literally maxxed the whole time because I just can't get enough
Hear me out, this album is like a Chili's. You'd almost always rather go somewhere else, but somehow you find yourself there. Once you're there, it's kinda a vibe. But by the time you finish, you're ready for a long break from it.
This band is just as memeable as Nickelback. One day gen alpha will find out.
something that really impresses with me in music, something I put an unreasonably high premium on, is when an artist has minimal outside involvement in the creative process. Prince is the encapsulation of this. He is such a genius.
This album is awesome, so groovy, catchy, and keeps you hooked with the "slow burn" element of every song. Love the lyricism as well, feels more raw and kind of self aware.
Love The Cross.
This is definitely the most perfect 80 minute album I've listened to. It feels like 40 mins. So groovy and really locks.
a Prince concert would've been a top tier event. Might be in my top 10 of concerts I wish I could have been to.
Feels like this is easily his most influential album also more accessible. and I put an unreasonable premium on influence as well.
The sound of this album is appealing. I like the idea. Micheal Stipe's vocals give it a little more edge, and I like the minimal and almost thin production on this album.
That being said, I this is a very one dimensional album. The lyricism is really bad in my opinion, and the sound they bring to the table gets old fast.
Overall, it's a solid idea and a solid album, fun to have on in the background, but lyrics cringe me out.
love this one.
into my arms is my song with Ada and I think its a 10/10 song. so good
Funky. Extremely influential. Awesome album.
So. Learning a lot about Monk today.
I like the abrasive nature of this album. It’s hard not being able to attach a meaning or story or point to this album, just good music.
My favorite this about this album is that it allowed weirdness to be mainstream. Riverside released it (mainstream jazz label), critics praised it, and the splicing of the title track was generally just accepted. Sounds like this opened the door to almost all the music I love most today.
Also learning about Monks career arc with this album as the peak is so interesting. Need to have a movie made about it. He just grinded and struggled through everything for the love of jazz and made it out on top. His mental health situation on top of everything, he’s like a mid century Kanye or MF DOOM.
Honestly, tough listen. I don’t think this is a good album, and it’s badly overrated. I can’t see the praise for it. Going in, I thought the first half had aged reasonably well, but by the end I couldn’t believe how poorly the rest of it had held up. Production seems so egotistical and songwriting seems so pompous
Here’s my take. This feels like an album made for rich people in LA — mostly celebrities — which is ironic, because Frank Ocean wasn’t really a celebrity yet when he dropped it. It comes across as performative. Even if, at his core, Frank genuinely felt these things and meant the lyrics, I still think they’re cringe.
What frustrates me is how overrated it is. To actually relate to this album, I think you have to be a pretty shallow person — and the people who do relate to it are the loudest about it: the celebrities, the magazine-cover crowd. That feels like the only reason it has the traction it does. It’s not actually good.
I feel like I should give it 2 stars for some redeeming quality, but I actually just can't stand any part of this record
Huge fan of the "concept" on this one, although it's not necessarily a concept album. I can't think of any other albums that address the issue of justice being corrupted by capitalism, but honestly, as much as I think capitalism is mostly a net positive, this is a massive problem with it. and I think it's cool the whole album doesn't keep doubling down on this idea, it lets the idea bleed into other issues: war, censorship, and general psychosis.
we get almost to a place with this one where, like jazz, I can't talk much for the compositions, but I can say I'm hooked on this one the whole time. I love the restlessness of the album and the lack of bass doesn't bother me too much, adds a more industrial flavor to it.
I wish some of the songs and riffs on this one were a little more catchy and melodic.
Eye of the Beholder is a standout for me. Good lyricism and a great riff. Again, it'd be a perfect song if that hook had a little more hook.
Something about One just doesn't quite sit right with me. Probably the weakest of the bunch in my opinion. Interesting lyrics and idea no doubt, but not a fan of the execution.
The album is super well done and a very interesting listen, I still think Kill em all and ride the lightning are better (I can't really speak for master of puppets, haven't listened in forever), but I don't feel like I'm really looking forward to the next track. They all blend a lot for me. Maybe I just need more listens. Don't think that's exactly a knock, just something I'm noticing.
Album has held up really well over almost 40 years. Insane. Might deserve 5 stars for that alone.
This is going to sound a little crazy given my takes in the past of thinking albums are too in the past... This, as a debut album in '78, is amazing. It's very "the future is in the past" coded in the best way, it really works and it's a vibe. I think it works so well because the guitar selection/sounds are so ahead of the time that it sounds.
It's got a little experimentation in the blues rock, which I think takes the genre and elevates it as well.
I can't believe how much commercial success this had in '78. What??
There will come a day when I will be driving either
- an old truck
- an old jeep with the top and doors off
and I'll have this on CD, just blasting in the car. One day.
sure at 5 stars I might be overrating this, but it's so good.
Honestly, just wasn't feeling this one. Some cool moments for sure, but 90 mins of Nick Cave is maybe just too much for me.
Did this album influence Britpop in a way? I guess so. But does it have much of an effect on me? No, no it does not.
Some interesting bits, but mostly forgettable for me.
I want to keep my reviews on this site fairly atomic, and don't want to base things off other albums, or the order i listen, but just having listened to "Modern Life is Rubbish" YESTERDAY I feel like this is a refreshing follow up.
I was super underwhelmed by the sophomore album, and felt exhausted when I saw this album pop up the very next day. But even with that feeling of minor dread, this one was such a pleasant listening experience. I can tell they evolved (quickly, too, 4 years??) past your average (and severely lagging to American counterparts) Britpop and created almost like a post-Britpop album of sorts. Love the melodic slower songs, riffs, and even some trip hop experimentation. Much much much better harmonies and song structures. A treat of a project given what I listened to yesterday.
Is that Noodle featured in On Your Own?? 🧐👀
Jan Levinson would have loved this one
Really good album. I feel like I’m so close to giving this five stars, but there’s just something missing that I can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe it’s the lyricism or something, but I feel like this one maybe will require a few more lessons for me to really get it.
The lyricism sometimes was a little on the nose given the jazz and more experimental instrumentation
This album sounds like a culmination of all the ethereal music from the 90s, 00s, and 10s, but somehow in 84? Mind blowing listen.
The drumming on this is amazing! Love the garage rock and how ahead of it's time this is. I can't believe this is where The Who started.
The sound is awesome and punky in a lot of places. There's just something missing for me here, I think it's just that the songs themselves don't hold a ton of weight on their own.
It's a vibe. Not my vibe, but it's a vibe
These guys really are experts at swearing. Each swear is cooler than the last.
Great album, clear what it's influences are, and I prefer those. Still undoubtably great tho.
Gosh I cannot stand hair metal. Respect for having like 5 songs on your debut album still be songs 99.9% of people still know 40 years later.
Millennial music final boss. The indie yelp didn't age well for this thing. Some undeniable hits and fantastic production, but the project as a whole is super dated. Time to Pretend and Kids are fantastic tho (mainly Kids)
Perfect vocals. Perfect guitar work. Perfect melodies. Perfect production.
Just an all-around perfect album
Fantastic listen. One of those albums I've listened to a few times, but more focus just makes it feel more inspired. It's wild how I didn't notice how negative songs on this album are... which I think is an advantage because it does feel really unique.
This is a massive album for me. Taught me the idea of a concept album (in the most horrifying way possible) and honestly helped me a lot out in life haha.
I love that music has no limits, and the musicians job is to push the limits we're given by past generations. This is a very very harsh example of that. Really good encapsulation of how life can be sometimes.
Saw NIN in concert last year and its amazing that Trent still has the exact same energy levels at age.. 60??????
I really enjoyed this one, not going to lie. Can't go wrong with a nice beat, lots of room to breathe, and something else interesting in the mix. Visions of You is a head bopper for sure.
Feels kinda lifeless. There's a lot of ideas here (mostly Animal Collective copyings) but for some reason it just comes across so bland and unmoving.
This album came at a weird time where I think Radiohead was mid-transition. They made OK Computer, followed that up with the complete pivot that is Kid A, and eventually made another pivot to In Rainbows. This album sounds like they were trying to infuse some Amnesiac into OK Computer, and I just don't think it was quite the sound they were looking for.
If I had heard this in 2003 I for sure would have thought, "Dang, Radiohead's run might be over now" and it's absolutely wild that this was just a mid-evolution album.
Some of these songs are really, really good, they just don't quite land because there's too much tension between songs. The connections between them is weak, which makes each song sound less polished than the earlier stuff.
They also really went for the slow burn on this album, leaving some of the songs sounding more algorithmic.
Overall, it's a great album, and any problems I have with it are because they are being contrasted with some of the best albums in history. I just think this one came at a weird time.
On first listen I didn't really get it, but I did another pass and it makes a lot more sense. Really solid album for 74, and some incredibly influential production.
4 stars, not necessarily because I'll be revisiting it a lot, but mostly because it's really cool that he essentially took the Velvet Underground debut blueprint and applied it to pop.
My goodness this is bad. Insultingly bad. I'm beyond the point of wondering how this album got included in this list, but how this album got made generally. How do you get even a single person to sign off on this??
Completely devoid of anything remotely interesting. I don't have a cell of music creating capability in my body, and I think I could make something better than this.
I'm in a terrible mood now.
I do like this album, I like it's funk, and it does feel like the band is genuinely talented. I like the urgency and political tie-ins. Not exactly my favorite kind of music, but I respect the genre fusing
