I will begin by saying i am unapologetically a big smiths fan. they are my most listened to band. that being said, i was never a huge fan of his slo career. i feel like most of his post smiths albums lack the bite and tenacity of old. this album, although as close as you can get to a true smiths experience in the 90s, sounds a bit dull compared to earlier works. Morrisseys vocals and lyrics are still brilliant and sound vintage. i believe the album starts off quite slow and poor, but picks up the pace by billy budd. the stand out tracks to me are tracks 5,6, and 8. A fine, inoffensive album with no real peaks or valleys. also apparently this album inspired the bends but i doubt it. 3.25
This is the first album I actually own on vinyl, but I have never gotten around to listening to it. For a debut album, it is impressive that linkin park have found their sound so quickly and there are no songs that feel out of place. They play a brand of nu metal that is accessible while still sounding tough. If i could critique one thing, some of the songs sound a bit samey. Love turntable scratches in music. Best tracks would be 4,5, and 8. Fun fact this is the highest selling album of 2001. 3.75
An album I am very familiar with and have listened to and loved for years. An album that was entirely recorded and mixed within 13 days, but it does not sound rushed and undercooked. Every song is explosive and energetic with distorted guitars and agro vocals, but still sounds so simple with the majority of the songs only having guitar, bass, and drums. the exception being the odd song or two that features cello which is an inspired choice. It would be a perfect sendoff to the legendary band if MTV unplugged didnt exist. my fave tracks are 2,6, and 12. its hard to find much to critique with this album. 5
rated by mistake, i did not listen to it but shout out Phil Collins
I was surprised how light this album felt. I am not a big stones guy but this was a fun album to listen to. I believe the album is somewhat carried by the often heard sympathy for the devil, and i think the other songs are just fine, nothing ground breaking. Its bluesy, messy. Good music for a BBQ but nothing more for me. 2.75
I think this is a very solid album with beautiful lyrics, a fun musical atmosphere. This is probably the most polished of the 3 album run and I think it is his best 60s album (I think overall Blood on the Tracks is my favourite dylan album). I think for the first time listener it could be a bit of a hard ask to get into, I know many who are put off by his voice and especially his damn harmonica, and the long run time of the album. Once you get past that, its a very rewarding and interesting album. I think visions of johanna is one of the finest songs in his entire catalogue, and i will give praise to tracks 4, 6, 7, and 12.
4.75
I dont think Elliott Smith has ever made a bad song. This album was the final one released in his life time and it is incredibly clean, well produced, and each song stands on its own. Its doesn't really have a stand out hit like many of his other albums but i still think its a very worthwhile listen. it runs a little long but for a final album you cant complain. 4.0
Although their stint as a band was short lived, Slint were able to create one of the defining records of the 90s, with Spiderland setting a foundation for a future of mathrock and midwest emo. The first and last tracks are the standouts, perfectly bookending this dark, gloomy, angst filled album. To think of how young they were creating it is insane. I feel like as good as the album is, i wouldnt necessarily have it on rotation a lot, but in moderation it is a great vibey album when you want to feel like Travis Bickle or something. 4.5
