Personal Rating: ★★★⯪
Recommend to Listen: ★★★
Favorite Song: 4+20
Honorable Mention(s): Almost Cut My Hair & Country Girl
Album Notes: Enjoyed this one quite a bit. I love the way the guys harmonize- almost hypnotizing at times. However, I noticed that I really prefered the songs where it was just one person, and not the whole group. Read it was the highest-selling album of each member's career, which I thought was interesting. It's fresh, breezy, and well done. Hard to dislike despite this not being my favorite genre.
Personal Rating: ★★★★
Recommend to Listen: ★★
Favorite Song: Where I End and You Begin
Honorable Mention(s): A Wolf at the Door & Myxomatosis
Album Notes: The more I listened to this, the more I liked it. I've always been a fan of alternative and alt rock, so it's not really surprising. The experimental nature of the album threw me off on first listen, but after giving it more play time, it's something I actually really enjoy about it.
Personal Rating: ★★⯪
Recommend to Listen: ★★★
Favorite Song: Apache Rose Peacock
Honorable Mention(s): Under the Bridge
Album Notes: I like RHCP, but this was a little too heavy for me. I like some of their other albums better. It does have some of their iconic songs which I can appreciate and enjoy, and Apache Rose Peacock surprised me. I liked the trumpet in that one as a fun twist on their otherwise guitar/bass-heavy sound. But the album itself is just SO long.
Personal Rating: ★★⯪☆☆
Recommend to Listen: ★★☆☆☆
Favorite Song: Girlfriend In a Coma
Honorable Mention(s): Paint a Vulgar Picture
Album Notes: I didn't dislike this, but I didn't really like anything either. Some of the songs honestly sounded like AI wrote them. I would have bet everything they did, if this didn't come out in the 80s. And why am I listening to people sounding like they're being mutilated for 2 minutes?? What is the artistry behind that?
Personal Rating: ★★★★★
Recommend to Listen: ★★★★☆
Favorite Song: The Windmills of Your Mind
Honorable Mention(s): Son of a Preacher Man, Just a Little Lovin'
Album Notes: I was so pleasantly surprised by this album. Her slight rasp, and the light airiness of her voice conveys a seemingly genuine gentleness that I discovered I adore. The songs are fun and I enjoyed the stories told within the lyrics. Narrowing down the honorable mentions was so hard.
Personal Rating: ★⯪☆☆☆
Recommend to Listen: ★★⯪☆☆
Favorite Song: Borderline
Honorable Mention(s): Motor City Is Burning
Album Notes: I want to like this, but I just can’t. There is a moment in each song that I enjoyed, especially the middle of Starship with the interesting noises, but then I’d be brought back into 5 minutes of feedback and yelling, which ruined it for me. The record being live also makes it tough- it's loud and kinda all over the place. However, I can appreciate the record for the energy and way it helped shape the future of rock.
Personal Rating: ★★★★☆
Recommend to Listen: ★★★☆☆
Favorite Song: I Need You Tonight
Honorable Mention(s): Gimme All Your Lovin', Legs (Edit)
Album Notes: Liked this album way more than I remembered when I listened to it 6 months ago. It’s not too heady, not too in your face, and honestly an easy fun, listen. I genuinely like all of the songs, and like how different instruments have their moments to shine throughout the entire album. I enjoy this style and would definitely listen again.
Personal Rating: ★⯪☆☆☆
Recommend to Listen: ★☆☆☆☆
Favorite Song: Paper Planes
Honorable Mention(s): -
Album Notes: Paper Planes is the ONLY redeeming song on this album, and the only reason it's getting 1.5 stars from me, because it's iconic and fun. Every other song feels like Chopped, but with songs. "What's in the basket that I have to make a song with? Oh, obnoxious repetive beat played too loudly? Lyrics that make absolutely no sense, build no story, AND aren't funny? Beat drops and cuts at a nonsensical point? Great!" The worst part is they incorporated all the elements but would still lose.
They said this album inspired many others, and I find that hard to believe. She said this album was reflective of the hardships her mom faced, which I can be sensitive to. But how does your mom relate to Mango Pickle Down River? Bamboo Banger knocking down the doors of my Hummer Hummer??
Personal Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Recommend to Listen: ★★☆☆☆
Favorite Song: The Teams That Meet in Caffs (2000 Remastered Version)
Honorable Mention(s): I Couldn't Help It If I Tried (2000 Remastered Version)
Album Notes: Wow, what an interesting blend of genres. Being on four respectable lists of best albums ever is quite a feat, and yet, I don't get it. Maybe it's on there because it's such a unique blend?
Only two or three of the songs were nice to my ears, although I did enjoy the brass on most. Otherwise I found the album mostly unpleasant.
Personal Rating: ★⯪☆☆☆
Recommend to Listen: ★☆☆☆☆
Favorite Song: Fluorescent Half Dome
Honorable Mention(s): Stillness Is the Move
Album Notes: Just from the title, I knew what I was in for here. This album is exactly what I would describe Millennial Optimism as. It so perfectly fits into that era. I can see it being great for its time, but all it was for me was a test of my sanity. Fluorescent Half Home was halfway decent and could be good if they removed all the background ahhhs. No offense to Dirty Projectors, but I was so glad when this was over.
