Horny! Fun. Very samey.
Night prowler is a good bluesy anthem.
2.5 rounded to 3
Such an influential sound. But I never can really get into M.I.A’s music despite the beats being so danceable and fun and abrupt, it sounds too messy, irritating and repetitive. The production is so ahead of its time, can’t believe this came out in 2005. I don’t enjoy listening to it despite it having so many elements of music that I enjoy.
Second half of this album is better.
Best song: Galang
Hearing a little influence on Major Lazer, Die Antwoord, Death Grips from this record
I was expecting something corny.
I was not expecting Gang Bang.
This is witty, theatrical and original. But it’s actually just musically GOOD.
Totally see how this was a formative influence for Nick Cave. the blues, the classic rock n roll and cabaret intertwined in here which contextualise it for its time period; but still a very original sounding record.
Nice, smooth, focused and upbeat.
Some standout songs and some scratchy songs. The everything but the girl production is excellent on some tracks and are dying for a ambient dnb remix
3/5
1 star = poor
2 stars = average
3 stars = good
4 stars = excellent
5 stars = perfect
Very cool bit of ambient from an artist I haven't heard of before who turns out to be an successful mass market producer as well.
I disliked the vocals when they were comprehensible, they have that 90s corny sound. Water from a Vine Leaf really had me cringing there. Gringatcho Demento had Hawaii vibes including the guitar. Matrix if it was set in Hawaii.
Prefer the more upbeat pieces, or just soft textural sounds - the organs are not for me, and the twangy 90s guitar. Another really creative album.
Outros are blissful.
Wonder how much he influenced BoC's work.
Top tracks: Like A Prayer, Love Song, Oh Father, Cherish, Express Yourself
Interesting tracks: Dear Jessie (so psychedelic and kitsch?), Act of Contrition
Iconic album that continues to influence popular music. Incredible music videos, a piece of art, but not timeless. The synths, choirs and strings feel dated, they're so connected to the sound of the 80s and make me feel dusty. Visions of hairspray and tutti-frutti 80s powder compacts from listening. Lyrics are great, songs are often 2 minutes too long. What a creative pop album. What do you mean it's not in the computer?!
Because of all these reasons, while I won't listen to this in full again, it can't be lower than a 4.
Dark, sometimes challenging, very memorable.
Classic melancholy album, sweet nostalgic lullabies. Every song is perfect.
Synths are not my favourite instrument and 80s is not my favourite decade for music, so the first track I wasn't sure if I'd like this. By the end, I liked it a lot. The lyrics contrast with the lightness of the instrumentation and creates a sardonic feeling. It's a unique and complete album and I can appreciate it. It really reminds me of primary school with the steady clapping and percussion across multiple songs.
Associations: Public Image, Talking Heads, Smiths
Favourite song: Giant
A level up from the previous Highway to Hell album, which sounded (even more) similar track to track. Lyrics are either silly or horny but also it's just what it is you know? It's unpretentious and they're talented.
It's alright. I'm becoming more certain in my long held assumption that popular music from the 80s was really bad. Too much new wave and ska for me.
It's good, pretty raw. Dylan's voice is so harsh and modulates a little bit too much up and down the register, it interrupts enjoying the lyrical content (which is beautiful).
A bit too grating to be consistently enjoyable on the first listen, looking forward to listening again.
Low 4.
4.0/5.0
This is way more interesting that Too Rye Ay, which was frankly very grating and chaotic. The spoken word dialogues add good balance here and a bit more chilled out. It does jump into being discordant is places with the fast violins; the country aspects are much nicer and relaxed.
Wish a couple of the sillier songs had been cut to make perfection.
Gorgeous, new favourite. So relaxing and meaningful, enough energy between the more sentimental songs, thanks for the intro to John Martyn!
Iconic sound and easy to listen to.
I wanted some more diversity here. I have personal boredom(?) of ska/2 tone which has influence on some of these songs - it's a bit soft for me, but this is chill to play. Need to listen to more UK punk during this period to know how influential or insane this debut was at the time, but for now, it's a solid 3.
Ok I understand why this is on the essential list. Wasn’t enjoying but then Birdland enchanted me. Man the Velvet Underground influence is huge on the production especially Kimberly and the guitars on Horses. Hated the second track. See now that Nick Cave has ripped off this vibe big time. Haha. Beautiful lyricism, hear some Fiona Apple influence too. The skilled instrumentation is pulling a lot of weight here, and the spoken word becomes grandiose at times.
What’s not to like, fast hard angry and a little melancholic and hollowed out. Happy to hear one of the most influential from the post-punk genre. Definitely an album I would have on rotation during a mental health crisis (not a bad criteria, in fact, a good measure of quality and depth).
The Slits are so fucking mega. I love them and what they did for women in punk music, and this is a cool working of punk and reggae/dub together.
The ska aspects, I don't enjoy as much, the vocal styling is of its time, lyrics are great.
Solid 4.
Favourite tracks: Spend, Spend, Spend, Love und romance, Typical Girls (of course), Heard it through the grapevine
I like the drum dominance, but the repetition on the drums makes this feel like a toothache. Someone said stifling, that’s how I feel. This album sounds like anhedonia. Would pick up again on a rainy day or during a depressive episode but I want my sad music more open, soaring and deep, not suppressive.
I really like slowcore and this is a band I haven't heard of before. Low and Codeine are more definitive but this had more folk rock elements. I enjoyed and feel like I now have more context for what was being created in this genre, it clearly made headway for 90s singer songwriter rock as well.
The drum loops are tooooo much sometimes, his voice is timeless beautiful voice and artistry, super emotional, live instrumentals are stunning. If I was your Girlfriend was great. And starfish and coffee is my favourite ever wistful whimsical song. Quite an obsessive album about love and sex and idk if my mood but I wasn’t feeling it today, felt a little overbearing and suffocating in its need.
For me a 3 - based on influence it would likely be a 4
That’s so Righteous, man!
Deserves its place on the list
