4/5 solid groovy 70s rock. Missing some of the jazz fusion of their later work but is fun overall. Palmer’s lead vocals leave a little to bit desired (with the exception of dirty work), as I’d much prefer if Fagen sang lead on every track. Fun solos, very accessible.
5/5 One of the greatest albums of all time. Amazing rhythm guitar work from Johnny Marr who is in top shape compositionally on this record. Marr is one of my guitar heroes, and this album demonstrates why. His unique jangle sound and rhythmic chord melody style is top notch. The instrumentals are so wistful and moody, backed up by the top notch rhythm section of Rourke and Joyce. Morrissey, the other main star of this album is also at the top of his game lyrically and vocally. His delivery is very charming and exudes personality, and when combined with his catchy vocal melodies and memorable lyrics, the songs are elevated to another level. He’s one of my favorite singers, and I love how his storytelling strikes the line of tragic and hilarious. I can see how one would find him annoying, but I think it’s easy to relate to the drama of this record. Spectacular songs from a spectacular band.
3.5/5 it’s a very popular album online but I’ve never really gotten behind it. It’s groovy and atmospheric and the production value is high but I think it’s just okay as far as dream pop/trip hop goes. I much prefer their last album “third” to this one.
10/10 I mean, this is my favorite album ever made. It was the first album I ever sat down and listened to as a kid, respecting it as the whole as opposed to a bunch of songs. It made me think of albums as statements and got me into music as a whole. Thom Yorke is one of my favorite singers ever, and his voice is in tip top shape on this album. He puts so much energy and emotion into every song that it’s so easy to connect with. The rest of the band aren’t slouches either, with Jonny and Ed laying down fantastic guitar parts (and keyboard parts), but Colin and Phil are the real underrated MVPs of this album. This album rocks, but it also grooves at points and I think that’s from their air tight playing. The lyrics on this album really cement it as my favorite though, as I relate very deeply to almost every track. The anxiety towards the future and technology has only become more relevant and hits deeply to someone growing up in the digital age. I’ve always imagined a sort of story to this album, with the bell motif at the beginning and end to the album, suggesting that these stories may always remain relevant. The music behind the lyrics really sell the story as a whole, ranging from tragic and heartbreaking to angry and a little punky. This album cries, it freaks out, yet feels numb at points. It gets weird, yet remains accessible. I can’t ask for a better window into music as art than this one.
3.5/5 but I’d round up to four. It’s a bit cheesy me but it’s still fun. It’s absolutely soaked in the ol Jeff Lynne production and you have to like that to appreciate this album. The songs are all good, performances are memorable, but it’s not a favorite of mine.
4/5. Underrated in their solid discography. Psycho Killer is. The tru highlight, but it’s not the only song worth checking out. This album is groovy, weird, and just fun. Talking heads are great and this album is no exception. David Byrne is a very fun frontman and songwriter, and serves to make this piece just flat out fun.
3/5 Oasis isn’t really my flavor, and this isn’t their best album. I relistened to this whole thing and it still didn’t leave much of an impression.
3.5/5. Fun pop rock singer songwriter material on this one. I can definitely see his influence but it’s not my absolute favorite.
3.5/5 not bad (hah). Michael is a great singer and performer but I’ve never been the biggest fan. This collection of songs is on the better end of his catalogue but it’s not really for me. I find some of the production choices hold it back when listening with a modern ear. Loved Stevie Wonder’s feature though.
3/5. I’m a big police fan, but I’ve always thought this was their weakest album. Walking on the moon and message in a bottle are great songs, but they can only hold up the track list so much. Some of the jam tracks are good, but I find some are a bit directionless. I love Stewart as a drummer, but his compositions contributions to this album are sub pat in my eyes.
4.5/5. Great album. Not my absolute favorite Floyd but it’s very iconic. The band are in tip top shape and the songwriting here is masterful. Roger’s lyrics are heartbreaking, yet relatable. The shine suite and title track are the true highlights to the album, but every song is great. Took me awhile to get into the Roy Harper led Have a cigar, but the riff has really grown on me. Gilmour’s solos are all masterful, encapsulating the slow but tasteful style he’s known for. Richard Wright’s keyboard modalities are the true hero of the band, and this is no different for this album. Not my favorite Floyd album overall, but its strengths are undeniable, and its universal accessibility no doubt make it very personal to many people.
5/5. It’s just so much fun man. I find I often want to attribute deeper meaning and artistic merit to albums I award my great “5/5” to, but this album goes against that. I just love every song on here, plain and simple. Each track is just fun and brings me a youthful joy, carefree and happy. Julian is a very fun singer, he just sounds so cool with everything he says, it makes you forget he doesn’t know the lyrics. The guitar interplay is so simple but it’s so memorable. The rhythm section keeps everything moving without doing anything it doesn’t need to. I’ve covered multiple songs from this album with my band, and I can confirm they’re just as fun to play as they are to hear. They’re so brilliant in their simplicity that we actually shuffled this album to pick a new song to learn in an afternoon. Is this it is fun, who cares.
2.5/5 Really just forgettable and average.
3/5. Interesting textures and jams on the second half, but the vocal melodies and songs throughout leave some to be desired. I found myself much preferring the debut.
5/5. The pinnacle of jazz rock and the point in which Becker and Fagen ‘perfected’ their music. Each song on Aja demonstrates the dedication to perfecting a song in the studio, and comes out polished and meticulous in every nuance. Great satirical lyricism, great solos, great grooves, and Fagen’s sneering voice glues it all together.
3.5/5 but I’d round up to four. I was very surprised how much I liked this. Very solid early hip hop with a notable punk tinge to it that I really connect with. I found myself really liking the instrumental (I hesitate to say introspective) dub like parts. The beats are fun, and the vocals are always energetic. Solid album experience overall.
3/5. I’m a fan of the textures and tones, but not really the songwriting. I’m a big fan of the post hardcore sound, but I don’t feel they do anything. Interesting with it.
3/5. Really wanted to like this more as I’m a pretty big punk fan, but the songs don’t go anywhere and it’s not very the memorable. The energy is fun, and angry for sure, but it’s not my favorite.
4/5. Funky, groovy, atmospheric? Just fun and energetic, everything feels smooth yet somewhat a tad cerebral. I love how jammy it is without ever feeling aimless.
2/5. I’m not averse to electronic music; I just find that this album doesn’t go anywhere interesting for my tastes.
3/5. Not too bad, but definitely very showtune-ey. You’d need to be in the mood for it for sure.
4/5. Great live album. King is a monstrous player with a great voice, but what I find most intriguing about this recording, is how the crowd enhances the experience. Sort of like Cash at Folsom prison, the crowd gives a further life to the band and the songs that’s absent from the studio. Great stuff.
