1001 Albums Summary

I loved this album, the guitar is so powerful throughout both lead and rhythm and the vocals are so prominent throughout. The anthemic nature of the album whilst also appreciating the melancholic undertones that exist. Overall, it had a clear style and also some songs which whilst keeping into that explored others. However, I don't think it explored enough of those other tones for it to be a 5/5. However, it does what it does extremely well, anthemic rock which makes you want to pick up a guitar (including air) and play along.

I'm rating this a 3 in the context of reviewing an album which I loved and voted a 4. Perhaps I should think again my reviewing process. I have a mildly unsupported theory that duos feel the need to have much more energy to make up for the lack of a wider group, for which White Stripes do, my other example being Royal Blood. Many of the songs pack a punch, 'Seven Nation Army', 'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself', 'Ball and Biscuit'. That punch is built up of Jack's guitar, which is incredible, along with Meg's drums. Really enjoyed the album, perhaps a 3 doesn't do it justice. Let's say 3.75.

Soothing, enjoyed but didn't always connect.

Being a big fan of the synth wave this is a very good album. My only hold up is that I'm a big fan of "Speaking in tongues" and listening to "Fear of Music" for the first time after listening to "Speaking in Tongues" for years distorts "FoM" for me. "Speaking in Tongues" is present throughout this record which made it harder to dive into this album. This is seen through songs like "Life During Wartime" which is just "Making Flippy Floppy" with different shades. Though on reflection, as "FoM" was released first my perception should be flipped. However, being objective "Fear of Music" is a very good album and has some great songs. I loved "I Zimbra", "Mind" and particularly "Heaven". All three express different styles of a talking heads album: "I Zimbra" gives the energy, "Mind" more chilled pace, "Heaven" provides the melancholy. These songs provide examples of what I look for in an album: a concise style but with tangenting themes; 3.75.

Great album with great songs. Loved the energy. 4/5

Fantastic album

This was the first time I've listened to Common, and I was incredibly impresed. It's a great album with classical hip-hop production with a Kanye stamp. In an era in which hip-hop was more club focused I can imagine at the time this came as a nice break. Commons flow on this is incredible as well and the use of features is also great. Genuinely impressed with it, 4/5.