This is just not for me. Who knew that Ogre Battle would be my favourite song?
I enjoyed parts of this, especially Carry On and Woodstock and some of the production. But ultimately not for me.
I didn't dislike this as much as I thought I would. In fact, I could hear a bunch of things that likely influenced some of my favourite music, especially in the prog/post-rock space (though the music I like most in this genre is not especially heavy on the meandering lyrics about driving fast cars or Tom Sawyer).
The drumming is fantastic, and worth it just to listen to that alone. The synth textures were also fun flourish. I could do without most of the vocals, which at times seem like an afterthought.
I will probably listen to YYZ and Limelight again. I really enjoyed the first half of The Camera Eye before the vocals started.
It's hard for me to give this an unbiased listen, having followed Lorde since before her first album came out and gone to see her on the tour for this album. I also was deep into the lore, including the viral PowerPoint, so it's hard to be objective here.
I do think this was a pioneering pop album at the time, as a concept album, in terms of production and in terms of the lyricism. It's influence on pop music in the last decade cannot be understated.
I also think that the album is a victim of it's own success. Antonoff's production hallmarks on this album are so oversaturated to the point of derision. Lyrics now have to be witty, relatable, or full of lore for clickbait, to encourage more streams. That is not solely because of this album but an important part.
There are standouts on this album for me. Greenlight is a standout, a weird and odd pop banger. Homemade Dynamite, Perfect Places - very cromulent pop songs. Outside of the singles, though, I think this album suffers from taking itself too seriously, with Lorde trying to overcome the huge success of Royals. I prefer the naiveté, clumsiness, and outsiderism of Pure Heroine.
I listened to this about 5 times in a row while walking around the busy shops, and never once felt stressed in any way. Aretha soothed my soul.
Music for boys and men who are either nostalgic for boyhood or who are still boys. And like all things for boys, the rest of us have to also engage with it for some reason, like Marvel Movies, cars, and dick measuring contests. Relatable lyrics designed to be shouted together. Melodies that you've heard before. Songs that can be played on almost any acoustic guitar by a novice and sound approximate to the record.
This was like a drone in the background for me, and I literally listen to drone sometimes.
Liked this, it was pleasant.
Not one I would be rushing back to but I like a lot of stuff likely inspired by and adjacent to it.
I cannot believe this dude said this album wasn't about his divorce
I liked the instrumentals, the bass, the harmonica. It was pleasant except for the parts where he was violently angry about not his ex apparently.
I had heard more of this album than I thought I had, as I believe it was primary advert soundtrack fodder in the early 00s, and I can hear how influential in this was, at least in UK indie rock (pre-landfill) of the time
The vocals can be a bit dreary at times, but I am a big fan of the production and post-rock tropes it utilises. It does things a lot better than the bands it clearly influenced. I can imagine that if I had listened to this as young teenager it would have been one of my long standing favourites.
3 boys in a band? Not writing about hot chicks? Totes gay
I really wish that Something In The Way hadn't been used in Batman though, that is a beautiful song that shouldn't make me think about Batman
Jangle jangle
This is mostly for Gimme Shelter tbh
This is an ambitious album, but one that is not for me. I did not know who George Wallace was before this album and would have preferred if all 90 minutes were about him, as that was the highlight for me.
Some bops in here.
Good to know that men have been copying the way other men sing for 60 years. The music is nice and pleasant, but I do not like the Bob Dylan impression over the top of it.
Definitely in the correct, contemplative and sad mood for this album. Phil Spector making some weird choices made it a bit more interesting, too. Not for everyone. I especially liked the three-song run of Only You Know, New York City Song, and In and Out of the Shadows.
I originally gave this a 3, I have reassessed to a 2. I would really like an album by a woman again.
Honestly any album that coins the word "inbreedy" and has an entire diss track directed at Gary Barlow would get at least a 3, even if it is very top loaded
Music for boys about insulting, assaulting or killing women and gay people. As we are reminded consistently it's all just a big joke (or we should suck Eminem's dick). Andrew Tate was 13 when this album came out.
I love sample albums/plunderphonics. From Girl Talk, to DJ Earworm, to the Avalanches. This is by for the most sophisticated and understated album of the genre I've heard.
It is excellent, eclectic and beautiful. It would have got a five if it had a little bit more humour and whimsy in there, but that would probably have changed the album.
Enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. Inject it straight into my veins and let it mix with the DNA of my ancestors
What if Madchester was from Essex?
Honestly not the worst thing in the world but the lyrics were a bit too woo woo for me and the instrumentation, while pleasant, wasn't hugely distinctive or variable throughout the album.
If I'd been a teenager on eccies in the early 90s, then I'd probably love it.
Not one of the "iconic" Kate Bush albums I'm more familiar with so I wasn't sure what to expect, but really enjoyed the soundscapes and increasing use of cockney accents. I also like when she screamed about Houdini dying. I'm sure that pissed people off but I enjoyed it!
Knowing nothing about Eels, this sounded similar to a lot of things I do like, but do it better. Lyrics were sometimes laughably trying to be sad and haunting
I'm a stereotypical girl, and I like pink things
Apologies to Santana, for only knowing his work that featured Rob Thomas and in M&S adverts, and for only just now realising Santana is the name of the band.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the guy singing in English, but hey, it's 1970 and you've got to shift some records. But that's the only reason it gets a 4
