Enjoyed the jazzier stuff to the Big Band style tunes at the start. Immense talent, not really for me.
Sea Power without the sauce.
What every indie band ever later became, is this patient zero?
First song really does set you up for something unique and interesting and then the rest of the album is... ok? Like it's pleasant to listen to but that's it. I need my rap to have a bit of a kick to it.
The culmination of all the influences that came before them, with elements of bands like The Clash, Husker Du and Minor Threat mixing with the melodic sensibilities of American pop and surf rock of the 60s like The Monkees and The Beach Boys.
It all mashes together into something genuinely fresh for the time. It's catchy, it's melodic, it's youthful and cheeky with an edge given by it's punk and hardcore forebearers. You can really see how they became this all conquering pop punk megaband later on, the seeds are planted here.
A lot better than I was expecting, very nice little vibes album. Bit The Kinks, a bit Led Zep at times, but distinctly American, for better and worse. Nice use of organ.
Third verse, different from the first.
An all time classic of the genre, if you hate Ramones, we have nothing in common.
The foundations of hip hop. Some absolute classics on here, from the goofy 'You be Illin' to the high energy 'It's Tricky' to the rap rock fusion of 'Walk This Way'. It's wall to wall hits. Yes it's aged and feels quaint and some of the lyricism is a bit nursery rhyme-y by today's standards but it's just such a fun album.
Very fun listen, sets a great tone for your day. Weirdly relaxing? There are a couple of snoozers on here but it mostly keeps the energy up for the whole run time.
Not for me, found the beats to be a bit dull in a lot of songs and it's showing it's age in it's flows and lyricism. Inoffensive but maybe that's part of the problem, zero bite to the songs.
I can tell it's very well crafted but I've heard this style parodied over the years so well that it's difficult to shake the feeling I should be watching Black Dynamite. This is obviously not the albums fault, clearly a 'me' issue. Some of the lyrics were a bit corny though.
The album Oasis tried and failed to make the entire second half of their career. Bittersweet Symphony might be one of the best songs this little island has ever produced. And it opens the album.
Also I literally cannot make it through The Drugs Don't Work without getting emotional. Thought I'd nailed it this time but nope, right at the outro, blam, surprise leaky eyes.
This was a very pleasant suprise. I'd never heard of it and it was right up my alley.
Not really my speed. The fella's voice grated a bit. Wasn't awful, I did really dislike the title track though. The rest was a relatively easy listen.
Great production, great melodies, great solos, drums sound thunderous, Het's voice never sounded better than here.
There's a couple of clunkers and I never need to hear Sandman again as long as I live but it's overall a mainstream metal smash. Proof an 'extreme' genre can break through to the masses.
Is it Ride/Puppets/Justice? No. But it's not trying to be. Also My Friend of Misery is the best song on this album, fight me.
Absolute bangers, I've clearly slept on Elton John as an album artist this whole time, only diving into the odd single.
Jamacian Jerk Off is a bit... dated, but it's the only true dud on the album.
