Such a danceable record, which, when you take a deeper look into it, has some heavier lyrics, like in 'Living for the City.'
Does not feel like a summer or winter album. Feels like ~change~ which is why I would associate it with fall or spring.
Fav tracks: Living for the City, Golden Lady & All in Love is Fair
A trip of nostalgia whilst embracing Thursday morning.
Shoutout to my band teacher in the 8th grade for introducing me to the work of Carlos Santana. I had such an era of listening to this album as well as Inner Secrets (1978) and Santana (1969), while it introduced me to more jazz and guitar. Truly, Abraxas doesn't have a skippable song and is just a constant vibe; a masterclass in songwriting. Legit makes me wanna dance!!!!
In like 2012, I was big into discovering the artists for cool album covers liek this (I think the catalyst was Gorillaz tbh, shocker). Like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, King Crimson, this cover was on the list. Mati Klarwein is the artist and its such a cool painting.
Fav songs: Oye Como Va, Black Magic Woman & Samba Pa Ti
Pure energy. YUP this was something I needed as a pick me up. I LOVE hearing samples / influences on past & future music, and this had so many melodies that I have heard before. ASAP Rocky used the 'Dumb' vocal in his new album, and Brockhampton used the chorus in 'Perfection.'
Fav songs: Is it Live, Walk this Way and It's Tricky
I’d like to be cremated alongside this album.
Discovering this was a turning point. A canon event. A moment that truly changed my brain chemistry and opened up the world of how creativity could shift into a void where there were no guardrails.
It was a cool, October 2004ish and my dad came home from work on a Friday night. As we used to every Friday, it was a pizza and wings + movie night. He had heard Clint Eastwood on his drive home and played the ripped album that night. Hearing the bass driven drums of the opening song Re-Hash in 240p low quality sticks with me.
Some highlights of that time were the infectious horns on Rock the House, the absolute word slop that is 5/4 (‘she turned my dad on’ or ‘she says I’m terror’), the chaos that is Sound Check and the vulnerability that is Tomorrow comes today; my absolute favorite song of all time.
Weeks passed with me thinking if this album and I would always ask my dad to play it every night, which he wouldn’t after he heard some of the lyrics lol. The album is all about drugs and being lonely, so it makes sense. After roughly 6 months, I asked for an FYE gift card for Christmas and bought this + Matchbox 20 album with the money. Still have that CD to this day.
Another note, there is a doc called Bananaz that showcases how some of these songs were made. Shit it’s perfection. If you’re reading this Delia, I need to watch it with you. Now.
If there was ever a work of art that I loved more than myself, it would be this. This album is perfection to me and Damon Albarn is a genius of blending genres and creating fuckshit. It launched them to stardom and this album will continue to always have the most special place in my heart. Xoxo
I enjoyed this. Feels extremely layered and almost like a musical.
Big fan of the trumpets / saxes / horns throughout, especially the damn saxophone solo in “All revved up.”
Overall, if this came on, I wouldn’t be mad, just maybe wouldn’t seek it out. Shoutout meatloaf.
Fav: you took the words right out of my mouth
Super underwhelming album… until every breath you take lol. Synchronicity I is good too, but I never really got into the Police too much. My dad loved them when I was a kid, but never gravitated there. Glad I listened regardless!
A masterclass. A classic. I will forever be grateful for my dad showing me Sade. I now own so many of her CDs and she’s such a soundtrack to so many different vibes. Such a calm, quaint and smooth aura. Delia, reminds me of you.
Fav tracks: Cherry Pie, your love is king and smooth operator
What a pleasant surprise. This is the first album and artist here in which I had zero idea about prior.
This thing is all over the place. I’m getting fatboy slim, moby, Radiohead, and the melodica on the last song reminded me of early Gorillaz. This was a vibe and a mixed bag of vibes at that. Will listen to this again and dive deeper into the artist!
Favs: slip inside this house, loaded,
So fun. Talking heads always brings a level of introspection, in a fun way. Would listen again.
Recommend listening while in the shower
Favs: the good thing, stay hungry & take me to the water (shoutout big mouth Billy bass)
It’s was ok. I feel like I’ve heard Animal Farm by them at some point, but this did not really resonate with me. There were a few songs that I skipped halfway through while driving bc I couldn’t continue. Just not for me!!!
A ballad heavy album. It was ok! Listened in the wee hours of the morning
what a JAM. Listened to this while clocking into work and paired with a cup of coffee? I can see that being a stellar motivator. Also is this instrument called the clavichord? Idk but ive never really heard it quite like this.
Favs: Green Onions (obv) & A woman, a lover, a friend
As someone who was forced to listen to the oldies station in my parents car as a kid, a lot of these feel like they have transporting power, to bring me back to those moments. Green River and Bad Moon Rising especially.
It’s good and kinda makes me wanna spend the day at a lake drinking beer, but i dont like beer, so im good. Ya know? Alright
Only one i like: Bad moon rising
What if sugar could make copper turn blue? This is fun and reminds me a bit of lower-key Tool. Fun fact: I don’t like Tool much
I liked Hoover Dam, if I can can’t change your mind and man on the moon, but not enough to save anything!
Iconic. They were used a lot in nascar games I had growing up, so there’s some nostalgia there. Uhh yeah. Sharped dress man and I need you tonight are good. Maybe I’ll boot up an old nascar game later. Idk. That could be a cry for help.
We have this beautiful man to thank for creating Zoe. Beyond that, this album fuckin rocks. I love the rock mixed with horns. Makes me wanna listen to his whole discography.
favs include Let love rule, my precious love & freedom train
Funnnnnnn. I’m a sucker for a live album. It’s adds so much introspection and intimacy to performances, especially when there’s little talking before and after. This was such a vibe and made me feel delirious, as I’m sick (in a good way) (delirious in a good way not sick). I noticed a few samples SPECIFICALLY on “How Blue can you get?” Being sampled in the BANGER “Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand" by the Primitive Radio Gods (u know this song Delia).
Okay this record fucking rips. Like how isn’t this talked about alongside the greats in rock/punk from the 90s? I know misogyny has a hand in this but dang this really resonated with me. I’d like to purchase this on CD and listen to it when I feel like a main character.
Favs: violet, Jennifer’s body, asking for it, & softer, softest
Country really isn’t a genre I’ve dug into at all, nor truly want to, but this was a welcome introduction. Slowburn diverted my expectations and kept me optimistic. Yeah, a lot of these feel like a copy / paste of the same formula, but I really enjoyed Butterflies. Overall, strange choice for today but not entirely mad about it.
I know ive mentioned how great live albums can be, but I think this showcases how bland they can also get. Just wasn’t for me. I do have mad respect for the drummer of The Who, Kieth moon.
I’ll stand on the hill that Baba O’Rilley is the only good Who song
A jam band through and through. A lot of cool melodies, but nothing that really pulled me in. Some of the lyrics like in “Caledonia mission” were great and positive, but meh, didn’t fully get me to save it.
I do love The Weight and I Will be Released, but Jack Johnson did a cover of that and it’s so much better.
Truly a miss for me. I respect the grind Mr. Buck, but the horse stops here. Maybe ive been caught with my tail between my legs, but phew, I could not finish this album. Hoping for some gold tomorrow
Favs:
We are so back. I was unfamiliar with Patti's work but sheesh shes so talented and does like every facet of art?? Listened to half of this at work and the other half on my drive to albs and i'm happy to report, its a great soundtrack for work AND driving while anxious. Go off queen.
Favs: Gloria, Birdland and Break It Up. Also in the deluxe album, the live version of Gloria & Birdland is fweakin amazing.
Yuhhhhh this is just some real creative and fun music. A lot of collabs here I had no idea about like Norah Jones and Ashoka herself??? I guess this was kinda a blind spot for me. Going to embark on their other records soon.
Favs: unhappy, war, Reset, prototype (that fucking bassss), (obviously) hey ya!, roses, my favorite things, take off your cool,
Might be the first skewed album on here. The whole thing wasn’t on tidal & some of the songs are muted /just not available on yt. These feel like they’re straight outta a 2000s racing ps1 game, which I perilously fuck with. With that said, a lot of this feels like background music to me. Brb, selecting my cart and modifications…
I loved Horizons the most.
The Nova Twins rock. Listened to this on my drive home with some heavy pent up anxiety. It really did help. It’s pure angst and emotion with clever lyrics. As I was listening, I replayed Cleopatra because it just really hit. Fuck yes. Gonna listen tot heir other albums this week.
Saved Cleopatra and Enemy
Solid fan of Monk, as my band teacher in hs recommended him. One of my fav bands Hiatus Kaiyote credit him as the reason the 3 of them started music. Love me some jazz.
With most jazz records, there never is really songs that stand out, so I just liked the whole thing lol
Kinda hate this band tbh. Back in the Pandora days I’d always put on Gorillaz radio. That 2011 algorithm really wanted to push me this band & it just didn’t vibe. I must say that I do like Scar Tissue, but nothing else really stands out to me. Oh well 🤷♀️ the singer is a creep anyway.
What does it even mean: scar tissue that I wish you saw? Like ok
I mean yeah, iconic as fuck. Highway to Hell is a certified classic and makes me wanna dance in the street.
I love the creepy undertones and driving guitars but sometimes it can get a little stale. I salute you AC/DC, like in a respectful way.
Going nighthawk mode. Really haven’t given Tom Waits a chance until today.
I must say, I love his gritty yet chill style, but the spoken word / sing mashing really doesn’t do it for me. I loved how wonky and silly this was tho, quite unique.
Like driving on a long highway as the sun is rising. Cruising. Sunglasses. A half drank Red Bull in the coaster. A deep breath. That’s how this album felt all the way through and I’m so pleased.
Started this at 1am and I fell asleep around track 6 which was cool. (I then woke up an hour later to some shitty Arcade Fire song.
Overall solid as heck. I knew this band from Red Eyes, but never dove into their music. Glad this was the pick today. Felt like it was meant to be today.
I mean shit, such a mixed bag of vibes. Listening to this at 10am while on the way to get cider donuts truly was how this was meant to be listened to I think. Energy yet calm, balanced so well. I enjoy.
This was so eerie. I had a listening spree of 90s rap in like 2017 and it got me familiarized with artists like Tupac. That being said, I haven’t dug into his discography. It felt like he fully understood something bad was going to happen to him and you could feel that anxiety throughout.
I had a pretty severe brockhampton phase as well. Hearing this really made me think of like 8 different songs they have. Such an inspiration decades later.
Favs: it ain’t easy & me against the world
Locked the fuck in. I’m going winehouse mode. I have a special place in my heart for Amy as she was an artist a was super drawn to while listening to the radio as a wee child.
She is so iconic and this album is no different. Funk, jazz, rock, this truly is a delicious marriage of sounds. She is so confident and vulnerable, it draws you in.
I cannot pick a favorite here, but I keep coming back to October song honestly. Fly high Amy
Some lore: I was a Casey Neistat fan as a middle/high schooler. He had a song in one of his videos which was a remix of Telephone line by ELO. I was in my Pink Floyd era, so this resonated with me fr.
This album is good. Has some bangers, has some duds but most importantly, it’s just got some average joe songs.
Favs: Mr blue sky, it’s over, big wheels, sweet talkin woman
Not for me. These feel so loose and simple, nothing really stood out to me. I also didn’t realize there would be so many covers!
Classic rock like this is a genre I have respect for, but can never really dive deep into unfortunately.
Yeah i like this, but just like it. It was enjoyable to listen to with its folky/jam band interwoven vibe. Just had this on in the background at work and it did perfectly as background music lol. It’s wayyyyy too long and so many songs sound the same, what’s up with that.
Yup, it’s ok/5. Gimmie something looney tunes for tomorrow pls.
MORE AC/DC??
*deep breath*
Okay but like this record has so many popular songs. I’ll never forget Shoot to thrill as it was in nascar 2005 for the ps2.
Overall, iconic.
I’ve Ac’d my last Dc.
Pretty solid album, but nothing that truly stood out. I love the grittiness but feels so derivative of The Kooks or the Strokes tbh. Some of the songs were so sloppy I felt like this 😵💫
Gotta stop judging albums by their covers lulz
I also now know what a libertine is, so ty for that
When I saw “volume 1 and volume 2” I was like “fuck” but then I saw that this album really was only actually 11 songs and I retracted that fuck.
This has got the groove and the beep boops hell yeah. It feels like this is perfect to take a brisk walk to at noon. Feels a bit refreshing with how smooth and calm it is. Oddly, it feels nostalgic as well. Not sure about that.
Enjoyed While you see a chance & Spanish dancer
Now this is the kind of double album I can get behind. So many double albums tho sheesh.
I mean, what can I say? Bob is so iconic and his positivity and creativity with the whalers is infectious. When finding Gorillaz in like 2004, I stumbled into the dub / reggae world and used to put some of this on during the summer. It’s refreshing also hearing the less popular Marley songs, it feels special.
Also now I know how the drink at Javas got its name: Kinky Reggae.
Kinky reggae & no more trouble are my favs. Both versions really. They each have their uniqueness.
Peace and love
Never got into public enemy so this was fantasticccccc. Pure, raw energy.
There is a song that sampled the “hold it down” in the beginning of Shut Em Down and I CANT FIND IT. Driving me nuts.
Anyways, I enjoyed this. Great album to drive to and get into a groove. Also an anthrax feature????? Love the mix of genres.
Favs: Shut Em down and lost at birth
So like I know these guys are so famous and are groundbreaking, but I never saw the hype. God Only Knows by them is in Bioshock and I love it in that context, but outside of that vibe, it loses its awe and fun.
This is def feel good music & it seems like (from a lot of these songs) they really respect women!!!! They have some timeless classics that it’s tough to hate, but this album left me wanting more… but damn I feel a pep in my step… too bad it’s almost midnight.
Help me Rhonda is so fucking catchy & I can’t not like it
I have always gotten him and Barry Manilow mixed up since I was a kid. I stand by the fact that they look the same and KINDA sound the same.
Thought this was gonna be a live record based on the cover.
Also he’s had 5 wives SHEESH???
His voice is so nice. Like that’s such a big reason why I like this album. Maggie May is such a fun and nostalgic song & I enjoy reason to believe.
There is also a feature on an ASAP Rocky album and I love his contributions to that
That’s about it really. Decent.
So cool. This album exudes coolness and swag honestly. Black keys played so much on the radio in like 2013 and they are a staple for that era.
Such a mix of rock and blues from two quirked up white boys.
Favs: tighten up, howlin for you, black mud and These days (*cries*)
I recall my old friend Jenny put me onto Kendrick back in 2017 right after DAMN came out. I had heard his music but never dove into it.
I’ll never forget putting this album on while driving and legit feeling like I was getting pulled over at one point because there was a believable siren in one of the tracks.
Kendrick is a wordsmith, truly, and puts his all in his craft. The energy is so well conveyed through the album cover. Fuck the government, let’s party on the front lawn and hold space in an ultimately white dominated space.
I respect Kendrick and his love for rap and music in general. I know a lot of people call this the best album of the decade, but some of these are misses for me, don’t sue me.
Favs: these walls, alright, I, Wesley’s theory
What a fucking surprise... Good lord this shit is gold. As soon as I heard the spoken word in the first track, i strapped in.
Idk how i havent ever heard of Slint... The calmness, yet angst of the record reminds me of early Touche Amore or Margot and the Nuclear so & so's. It feels like everyone is just having fun and jamming. Albums dont need to have perfect production and polished recordings as long as theres love and meaning behind it.
Favs: Breadcrumb man and good Morning Captain. Might be adding breadcrumb man to my ultimate vinny playlist btw........
*cracks knuckles & takes toke of my pipe*
We are in for some lore here. I recall hearing Beetlebum & Country House on the radio growing up on the indie channel (if youre ever in albany, tune into 97.7).
SOON after, I found gorillaz and made the connection even sooner after that Damon was the connective tissue. I recall going full obsession mode with Damons work in like 2005 and ripping all of his music to my mp3 player, that included this masterpiece of an album.
Bettlebum and Song 2 are the clear hits here but damn i think theres so much more substance here. Like Death of a Party is a BOP.
As a fun fact, On Your Own is TECHNICALLY Gorillaz' first song. it was the first song made by Damon where he wanted to break conventions / experiment and the rest of the band hated it. He had to fight for it to be on the album. Actually, the rest of the band hated this album since it was much more experimental and not 'brit pop' which is one of the leading factors to Blur taking a hiatus. I’m just in love with the pre-Gorillaz era of Blur the most. Hearing Damon transfer slowly into more experimental stuff is exciting.
More favs: MOR, On Your Own, Look inside America, All your life, death of a party,
Oh i kinda fuck with how weird this is. The strange back and forth beat / guitar in Preaching the Blues is great… Although it feels like this guy is gentrifying black culture and using the N word as a scapegoat. Doesn’t come across well and this is an all white band. Shame. After looking stuff up it seems they have a lot of controversy & I can t see why this music is appealing or even in this list!
Feels super repetitive unfortunately. Doesn’t feel like what punk stands for. Meh.
I’ve seen this album cover so many places before but never embarked. Glad I could change that.
Such a cool groove this whole record has. Like when the beat drops on “can you get to that”??? Dang.
Also I think Sleigh Bells sampled this song on “Rill Rill” 👀
The beginning to Back in our Minds??? Yupp. That’s what I’m talking about.
Overall, this is an album that can get even a rock moving. Feels refreshing after the album from yesterday
