Best Ever Albums

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

Cheddar — Tue, 8 Sep 2026 03:25:36 GMT

Author: Cheddar

Posted: 09/08/2026 07:25

1.
I have yet to join the rotation, so in lieu of having an album picked for me here, I will start with by reviewing an album I had chosen for me to listen to thanks to a local album listening club I'm a part of right now.

Placebo (2023) by Betcha

These guys feel like they were plucked straight out of the late 2000s/early 2010s pop rock charts. I kept thinking early on that you could have told me this came out 13 years ago instead of 3 and I would have totally believed you. The first 5 tracks are straight bangers.

I think that once I adjusted to the nostalgia of the sound that the album cooled off for me a bit. Many of the later tracks pull back on the energy as well and I think the fact that they revisit a few of the song subjects while not delving too much deeper than the starting run of the album bring dragged it down a bit compared to what this could have been. I was still enjoying myself to be sure, but I was hoping to get a bit more out of them after the first couple songs. It became more of a vibe-y album than something I was latching onto. If they went a little more personal/mixed up the subject matter more I think I could have connected with some of the chiller musical songs a bit more.

The two shorter cuts (Tennessee Sunset and At Least I Tried) both were interesting to me. The first one felt like a partial song idea and while I didn't feel that with At Least I Tried, I still wanted both to be a bit longer.

Calm Down and Trippin were the definite highlights for me, but there were a good handful of great songs like Jaded, Moon, and Heat of the Summer that stood out.

Overall I think this is a great, poppy Indie Rock album that I'm glad to have listened to, but probably won't revisit too much outside of a couple of songs and situational playlists.

2.
I've still been in Dolly Parton mood this past week, so let's go with The Bargain Store

The Bargain Store (1975) by Dolly Parton

3.
I've been rating so much music from this decade in the past year, so I will go in the complete opposite direction and make my list of 10 the Top 10 album scores from BEA's Best of the 50s, 60s, and 70s lists that I am completely unfamiliar with the track lists of. I ask that you withhold judgement as I am mostly uncultured as far as music of this era is concerned outside of radio hits and greatest hits albums. I am aware of almost all of these albums at this point, but I haven't listened to many at all. For example, I loved the Beatles growing up, but it was because of the red 1 album that we played on road trips constantly. I have only listened two or three studio albums of the Beatles the whole way through. Same goes for an artist like Queen, but even more extreme a case. They are my dad's favorite band, but I don't think I've ever listened to a studio album of theirs. I couldn't even tell you which album Bohemian Rhapsody is off of without looking it up. I have a couple of random pockets of albums that I do know/have experience with, but I still have mountains to climb in all of these classic decades.

1. Wish You Here by Pink Floyd (41,900 - #2 in the 70's)
2. In the Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson (26,540 - #7 in the 60s)
3. Rubber Soul by The Beatles (25,086 - #10 in the 60s)
4. Animals by Pink Floyd (21,254 - #8 in the 70's)
5. Kind of Blue by Miles Daves (20,868 - #1 in the 50s)
6. Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division (20,514 - #9 in the 70s)
7. Marquee Moon by Television (18,697 - #12 in the 70s)
8. Hunky Dory by David Bowie (18,460 - #13 in the 70s)
9. Exile on Mainstreet by The Rolling Stones (18,290 - #15 in the 70s)
10. Electric Ladyland by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (16,593 - #14 in the 60s)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

baystateoftheart — Mon, 7 Sep 2026 12:12:43 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 09/07/2026 16:12

1.

Highway To Hell (1979) by AC/DC

Okay, now that I've heard a top-ranked AC/DC album from each lead singer, I think I can safely say that this band is not for me. The most basic, straightforward instrumentals, lyrics, and vocals from start to finish, but somehow the simplicity doesn't equate to earworms. Instead, Highway To Hell is mindnumbingly repetitive. It's all stock hard rock about getting laid, with no artfulness to be found. The title track is the closest it comes to being good, but still nothing to write home about. On the plus side, it is a very listenable and consistent album, but it's also very empty: a perfect example of how uninspiring this style of "cock rock" can be. Giving it a 2.5/5 and 45/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. I can't recommend Highway To Hell, so let's go with this. It's a nice return to form:

The New Abnormal (2020) by The Strokes

~~~~~

3. Top Albums on Top-Rated BEA Overall Charts Updated in the Last Year

KitchenSink [12/24/25]: 2. Chapter 139 - 2-2 Liters - DJ Screw
CharlieBarley [9/1/26]: 1. The Bargain Store - Dolly Parton
HoldenM [8/29/26]: 6. Boys And Girls In America - The Hold Steady
Mercury [5/23/26]: 4. Through Silver In Blood - Neurosis
Lowkey [11/24/25]: 1. Peripheral Vision - Turnover
pjerske [7/29/26]: 2. The Great Santa Barbara Oil Slick - John Fahey
Santiago [9/19/25]: 2. Buscando América - Ruben Blades Y Seis Del Solar
LittleM1971 [7/25/26]: 20. Last Splash - The Breeders
Keatownrodriguez [8/21/26]: 1. I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It - The 1975
ssteve [3/19/26]: 22. Panopticon - Isis

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

Rhyner — Wed, 2 Sep 2026 19:12:21 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 09/02/2026 23:12

(1)

Força Bruta (1970) by Jorge Ben
Yet another MPB album I think is just fine but nothing special, yet for some reason people just adore. I don't get it. There's always the chance it's the language barrier. I didn't bother looking up a translation of the lyrics, because that pretty much never makes me like music in a language I don't understand any more than if I continue not understanding it. The cuíca gets kinda annoying after a while. It's fine in small doses, but after a while enough is enough.
So, overall, it's perfectly listenable (mostly), but I don't connect with it much at all.

54/100

(2)
Highway to Hell. It's on my list too, so maybe we can both listen to it if you want to pick it for me.

(3)
My ten are split between two lists:

BEA top unrated albums
1: 280. The New Abnormal by The Strokes (2020)
2: 408. Highway To Hell by AC/DC (1979)
3: 417. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz (2021)
4: 441. Ocean Rain by Echo & The Bunnymen (1984)
5: 444. Lemonade by Beyoncé (2016)

RYM top unrated albums
1: 138. Flood by Boris (2000)
2: 153. Jenny Death by Death Grips (2015)
3: 154. Silent Hill 2 by Akira Yamaoka (2001)
4: 161. Boris at Last -Feedbacker- by Boris (2003)
5: 174. LP! by JPEGMAFIA (2021)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

baystateoftheart — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:58:51 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 08/23/2026 22:58

1.

Can't Buy A Thrill (1972) by Steely Dan

I started a graduate program this summer, which is taking up most of my spare time out of work... sorry to be posting more sparsely here and not to jump in track-by-track on this one.

This is the second Steely Dan album I've heard after Aja. On their debut, there's not quite as much jazzy sophistication, but they make up for that with a heavy dose of catchiness. Not a single track is filler, and there are memorable pop hooks everywhere. Do It Again and Reelin' In The Years are the only songs I knew going in, but Dirty Work is the one currently stuck in my head. Overall, Can't Buy A Thrill is tightly written, played, and produced; very slick, very West Coast, and very smooth. Combined with the acidic lyricism, it's easy to see why the band are classic/yacht rock legends with a large cult following. The band's attitude and vibe don't really match mine, so I don't think I'm destined to join the cult. But with every song I hear, the more respect I gain for their craft. I'm looking forward to checking out the rest of their discography in time, but (to pull from another influential band from the West Coast) my approach to their catalog will be Walk - Don't Run. Starting at a high 3.5/5, or 70/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. This is a great listen:

Força Bruta (1970) by Jorge Ben

~~~~~

3. BEA Overall Chart

317. Aqualung - Jethro Tull
409. Highway To Hell - AC/DC
482. At Fillmore East - The Allman Brothers Band
488. Deep Purple In Rock - Deep Purple
491. For Your Pleasure - Roxy Music
500. The Fat Of The Land - The Prodigy
502. Pretty Hate Machine - Nine Inch Nails
505. The Who Sell Out - The Who
514. Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield
532. Out Of The Blue - Electric Light Orchestra

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

Johnnyo — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:04:31 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/15/2026 12:04

Rhyner wrote:

(1)
(2)
Join Johnnyo in analyzing Steely Dan's Can't Buy a Thrill. I'm sure he'd welcome any of your thoughts on it over in his thread devoted to the album.

Thanks for the plug Rhyner. Much appreciated.

There's are also threads for

Countdown To Ecstasy (1973) by Steely Dan

&

Aja (1977) by Steely Dan

So plenty of Dan to comment on

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

Rhyner — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:42:20 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 07/14/2026 19:42

(1)

You Will Never Know Why (2009) by Sweet Trip
Indie pop/dream pop/indie rock. Male and female vocals. Melodic, bittersweet, nostalgic, romantic, dreamy, pop-ey but also kinda rock-ey. This should be right up my alley. In generally I really dig this kind of music. But I don't understand the acclaim (on RYM) of this album. It's fine, but far from a shining star of the genre. For this kind of music, the instrumental stuff seems kinda generic, and the vocals are also mostly nothing special. It feels like most of the time, this band is just doing their best impression of Stereolab, another artist in this genre-space that I don't connect with as much as others seem to. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to listen to this album. (In fact, I think it's probably a bit better than most of Stereolab's stuff.) There are some good songs here (e.g. Forever, Darkness, Pretending, Your World Is Eternally Complete) But overall it doesn't really move me, at least not nearly as much as would warrant its overwhelmingly positive reception over on RYM. BEA's ranking at around 2,000 overall is more appropriate, in my opinion. It's very listenable, not bad by any means, and it's firmly of a genre that I'm very inclined to like, but as a member of that genre it's not particularly special.

61/100

(2)
Join Johnnyo in analyzing Steely Dan's Can't Buy a Thrill. I'm sure he'd welcome any of your thoughts on it over in his thread devoted to the album.

(3)
My ten are split between two lists:

BEA top unrated albums
1: 280. The New Abnormal by The Strokes (2020)
2: 408. Highway To Hell by AC/DC (1979)
3: 422. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz (2021)
4: 436. The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me by Brand New (2006)
5: 443. Ocean Rain by Echo & The Bunnymen (1984)

RYM top unrated albums
1: 138. Flood by Boris (2000)
2: 154. Jenny Death by Death Grips (2015)
3: 157. Silent Hill 2 by Akira Yamaoka (2001)
4: 160. Fôrça bruta by Jorge Ben (1970)
5: 161. Boris at Last -Feedbacker- by Boris (2003)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

baystateoftheart — Fri, 3 Jul 2026 15:26:26 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 07/03/2026 19:26

1.

Melody A.M. (2001) by Röyksopp

Really crisp and precise production throughout this record, and while remaining within the realm of downtempo throughout, there's a surprising degree of sonic variety. I definitely prefer the tracks that are instrumentals or have sampled vocals - the occasional original vocals aren't as special. Overall, Melody A.M. is a beautiful album with a relaxing vibe, perfect for cooling down in this heat wave. On some tracks, the drums get crunchy in a really satisfying way. I look forward to repeat listens in the future, and I'm starting this at a light 4/5, or 75/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. This one is a good listen:

You Will Never Know Why (2009) by Sweet Trip

~~~~~

3. Top Albums on Top-Rated BEA Overall Charts Updated in the Last Year

Repo [8/18/25]: 4. Fire Of Love - The Gun Club
KitchenSink [12/24/25]: 2. Chapter 139 - 2-2 Liters - DJ Screw
Antonio-Pedro [8/27/25]: 16. Bad Timing - Jim O’Rourke
CharlieBarley [6/5/26]: 1. Gimme Shelter - Merry Clayton
Larcx13 [7/16/25]: 10. Can’t Buy A Thrill - Steely Dan
HoldenM [7/2/26]: 6. Boys And Girls In America - The Hold Steady
Mercury [5/23/26]: 4. Through Silver In Blood - Neurosis
pjerske [6/5/26]: 2. The Great Santa Barbara Oil Slick - John Fahey
Lowkey [11/24/25]: 1. Peripheral Vision - Turnover
seb7 [8/17/25]: 1. Sketches For My Sweetheart The Drunk - Jeff Buckley

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

Rhyner — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 14:34:10 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 06/09/2026 18:34

(1)

Journey In Satchidananda (1971) by Alice Coltrane
This is generally a pleasant listen. I was expecting something a bit wilder from Avant-Garde Jazz. I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised. I'm not really into jazz, but my two favorite jazz albums are both of that subgenre (The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady and Karma, fyi). In any case, this album has a chill, relaxing, otherworldly quality to it that's nice, but doesn't transport me as much as I feel like it ought to. Most likely that's a problem on my end, because plenty of other people seem to love it. The eponymous first track is the best. On the last four, the different elements don't come together as well for me as they do on track one. Particularly track four, Something About John Coltrane. But I think that might mostly be because I find jazz bass solos to be kinda impotent and wimpy and unfitting.

57/100

(2)
Do Melody A.M. by Röyksopp. It's been forever since I listened to that album, but I think I liked it alright.

(3)
My ten are split between two lists:

BEA top unrated albums
1: 286. The New Abnormal by The Strokes (2020)
2: 406. Highway To Hell by AC/DC (1979)
3: 423. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz (2021)
4: 438. Ocean Rain by Echo & The Bunnymen (1984)
5: 442. The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me by Brand New (2006)

RYM top unrated albums
1: 140. Flood by Boris (2000)
2: 153. Silent Hill 2 by 山岡晃 [Akira Yamaoka] (2001)
3: 155. Jenny Death by Death Grips (2015)
4: 159. You Will Never Know Why by Sweet Trip (2009)
5: 162. Boris at Last -Feedbacker- by Boris (2003)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

baystateoftheart — Sat, 30 May 2026 20:00:31 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 05/31/2026 00:00

1.

Bright Flight (2001) by Silver Jews

In an album fronted by David Berman, you know the main attraction is going to be the songwriting. The instrumentals are pretty straightforward, much more country and less indie rock than I expected. His barely-sung, fairly monotone vocals are nothing special. So it all comes back to the songs, and the lyrics in particular. There are some hard-hitting winners here like Room Games And Diamond Rain, I Remember Me, and Tennessee, and the tracks that don't stand out as much are still well-written depressive songs. After one listen, I feel these compositions will have room to grow as I settle into the atmosphere of Bright Flight. I won't be rushing to check out more from Silver Jews given the moroseness of the music, but I respect the craft. Starting at a high 3.5/5 or 70/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. Try one of my favorite jazz albums:

Journey In Satchidananda (1971) by Alice Coltrane

~~~~~

3. 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die

Django Django - Django Django (2012)
D - White Denim (2011)
Cross - Justice (2007)
Coles Corner - Richard Hawley (2005)
Want Two - Rufus Wainwright (2004)
The Rising - Bruce Springsteen (2002)
Rings Around The World - Super Furry Animals (2001)
Melody A.M. - Röyksopp (2001)
Le Revancha Del Tango - Gotan Project (2001)
Punishing Kiss - Ute Lemper (2000)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

Rhyner — Mon, 18 May 2026 16:37:12 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 05/18/2026 20:37

(1)

Grey Area (2019) by Little Simz
Unlike many rap albums, this one's not tediously long and isn't full of insufferable skits, so that's nice. Also, it has some decent beats. But it's still a rap album, and, well...philistine that I am, I find rapping to be an inherently inferior style of vocal performance. Not to mention that it often comes hand in hand with the most unappealing subject matter. Grey Area avoids much of that as well, so good on Little Simz for that, but still includes some of the stuff I find off-putting, particularly egotistical boasting. Tooting your own horn isn't a good look, in my opinion.
So...yeah. A blessedly short rap album with no awful interludes and generally above average rap lyrics and some mildly interesting stuff going on beat-wise (especially in the first half; second half of the album seems more like standard fare to me) is still a rap album. And that's quite a hurdle to overcome in order to get my approval. Truly sorry. It is what it is.

43/100

(2)
I'm not super familiar with any of those. If I were to pick one to listen to myself it would be Bright Flight by Silver Jews, so give that a shot.

(3)
My ten are split between two lists:

BEA top unrated albums
1: 287. The New Abnormal by The Strokes (2020)
2: 403. Highway To Hell by AC/DC (1979)
3: 420. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz (2021)
4: 440. The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me by Brand New (2006)
5: 443. Ocean Rain by Echo & The Bunnymen (1984)

RYM top unrated albums
1: 140. Flood by Boris (2000)
2: 148. Journey in Satchidananda by Alice Coltrane featuring Pharoah Sanders (1971)
3: 156. Silent Hill 2 by 山岡晃 [Akira Yamaoka] (2001)
4: 157. You Will Never Know Why by Sweet Trip (2009)
5: 159. Jenny Death by Death Grips (2015)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

baystateoftheart — Sun, 10 May 2026 00:33:27 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 05/10/2026 04:33

1.

Southern Rock Opera (2001) by Drive-By Truckers

Drive-By Truckers have been on my to-do list for years, but this is my first time actually listening to an album by them. Fittingly, it's their breakout record. A concept double album about Lynyrd Skynyrd and related topics is not exactly what I was expecting. I really like both southern rock and country rock, so instrumentally, I'm on board. The vocals are solid, but the lyrics and songwriting are more hit and miss. There are some really poignant songs about death and malaise, especially the closing section about the tragic plane crash that took the lives of three Skynyrd band members. In fact, the whole second disc is damn good. But on the first disc, some songs are barely songs, and more like essays set to simple music. Tracks 2 & 6-9 have a historical and sociopolitical focus, discussing George Wallace (by way of Neil Young & Skynyrd), race, and what it means to be southern. On one hand, they have a nuanced perspective, which I can appreciate. They're clearly grappling with what it means to be white southerners and reconciling the sordid history with the love they have for the south. On the other hand, their approach still soft-pedals racism, and despite being depicted in hell, Wallace is presented far too sympathetically. But what do I know? Obviously I'm the type of Yankee a southern man don't need around anyhow. Despite this part of the album not resonating with me, I respect the ambition. And I must say, for a double album with some clunky tracks that are more about the message than the music, Southern Rock Opera does remarkably well at avoiding the issues that frequently plague the rock opera category. The numerous strong songs pull this up to a light 3.5/5, and a 65/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. This is my favorite of the 3 I've heard. Let's see if you find anything to like:

Grey Area (2019) by Little Simz

~~~~~

3. 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die

Django Django - Django Django (2012)
D - White Denim (2011)
Cross - Justice (2007)
Coles Corner - Richard Hawley (2005)
Want Two - Rufus Wainwright (2004)
The Rising - Bruce Springsteen (2002)
Rings Around The World - Super Furry Animals (2001)
Melody A.M. - Röyksopp (2001)
Le Revancha Del Tango - Gotan Project (2001)
Bright Flight - Silver Jews (2001)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

Rhyner — Sun, 3 May 2026 16:42:04 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 05/03/2026 20:42

(1)

At The Mountains Of Madness (2005) by Electric Masada
Well, it's long, and while many sections are nice (albeit kinda background-music-esque and not particularly noteworthy in my opinion), I'm not a big fan of all the wild flailing bits. Impressive musicianship, sure, but does that translate into it being something that moves me in any way or makes me want to return again and again? No. There's not really anything here for me to grab onto. It's just not my thing. And it's so long...

42/100

(2)
Southern Rock Opera. Give yourself a taste of the southern thing.

(3)
My ten are split between two lists:

Here's one album from each of the first six pages (20 per page) of albums I've not yet rated on BEA. I've tried to choose the albums I'm least familiar with.
1: 584. Up The Bracket by The Libertines (2002)
2: 655. Everything Must Go by Manic Street Preachers (1996)
3: 780. Clics Modernos by Charly García (1983)
4: 857. Countdown To Ecstasy by Steely Dan (1973)
5: 926. 'Round About Midnight by Miles Davis (1957)
6. 957. Grey Area by Little Simz (2019)

And two albums from each of the first two pages (40 per page) of albums I've not yet rated on RYM. I've tried to choose the albums I'm least familiar with.
1: 159. Jenny Death by Death Grips (2015)
2: 212. Live at Red Rocks '22 by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (2023)
3: 341. UNDERTALE by Toby "Radiation" Fox (2015)
4: 387. DELTARUNE: Chapters 3+4 by Toby Fox (2025)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

baystateoftheart — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 23:59:48 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 04/27/2026 03:59

1.

Savane (2006) by Ali Farka Touré

This album was completed by Ali Farka Touré weeks before he died of cancer, and its status as both his parting artistic gift to the world and his favorite record in his own discography seems to have influenced its selection for this list. As the Robert Johnson-referencing subtitle indicates, it's also one of his most blues-oriented releases. Unfortunately for me, the amount of blues in an Ali Farka Touré album is generally inversely proportional to how much I enjoy it. Not sure why, as there's plenty of blues music I love, but I just find his traditional Malian music more compelling. So Savane is not one of my favorite albums of his, but it's still quite a good record, with languid grooves carrying it steadily forward. Definitely recommended to anyone who already enjoys his work, but maybe not the best entry point. Starting at a light 3.5/5, or 65/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. Haven't listened yet, but this album cover has long caught my eye:

Call Of The Valley (1968) by Shivkumar Sharma / Brijbushan Kabra / Hariprasad Chaurasia

~~~~~

3. 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die

Django Django - Django Django (2012)
D - White Denim (2011)
Cross - Justice (2007)
Coles Corner - Richard Hawley (2005)
Want Two - Rufus Wainwright (2004)
The Rising - Bruce Springsteen (2002)
Rings Around The World - Super Furry Animals (2001)
Southern Rock Opera - Drive-By Truckers (2001)
Melody A.M. - Röyksopp (2001)
Le Revancha Del Tango - Gotan Project (2001)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

LedZep — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:36:54 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 04/24/2026 08:36

(1)

Vol. II (2026) by Angine De Poitrine
Angine de Poitrine have taken over the indie circles in the early 2026. If I wanted to be reductive, I'd just call them Battles, but 20 years later. And it's true, they sound a lot like their Warp counterparts, and you could just as easily draw a parallel to other bands like Don Cab (obviously, given Battles connections to Don Cab), Hella, toe, Black Midi, Lightning Bolt and a dozen others. But I still think they are unique and weird enough to stand on their own, not to mention that it's not a sin to take inspiration from other great bands. So, my short summary of this whole Angine de Poitrine drama: this band isn't as mind-blowing or as singular as some people suggest, but they're good regardless.

As for the album Vol II. itself... it does reminds me a lot of my experience with Battles' Mirrored. Several cool tracks (though none in the Atlas range), undeniably excellent playing, mostly very good and fun, but the general vibe and the songs themselves bore me in larger doses. This is best taken in a few tracks at a time, or just watch one of their lives which sound better and are far more engaging. Good band, glad they exist and I hope they diversify their songwriting in the future, so I can truly love their music.

(2)
At the Mountains of Madness is great

(3)
R marks relistens

Skee Mask - ISS012
Jill Scott - To Whom This May Concern
Rafael Anton Irisarri - Points of Inaccessibility
Slayyyter - Wor$t Girl in America
不失�... [Fushitsusha] (and Peter Brötzmann) - Nothing Changes No One Can Change Anything, I Am Ever-Changing Only You Can Change Yourself
Shinichi Atobe - The Butterfly Effect (R)
John Fahey - Volume 6: Days Have Gone By
Saafir - Boxcar Sessions
Teitanblood - Death
Shivkumar Sharma, Brij Bhushan Kabra & Hariprasad Chaurasia - Call of the Valley

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

Rhyner — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:39:09 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 04/24/2026 03:39

(1)

After Hours (2020) by The Weeknd
This music is not made for me. Clearly. The first eight tracks seem to be trying to burn any goodwill I might have going into this (having rated to one of The Weeknd's previous albums, the supply is already very low) by simultaneously putting me to sleep and throwing in the occasional irritating element (perhaps to give me anxiety dreams?). Then, for the three track run of Blinding Lights, In Your Eyes, and Save Your Tears, he seems to be trying to turn things around and while it seems to be a valiant effort (which in a different context I might potentially enjoy to some degree), it's far too little far too late. And so he seemingly gives up and resumes being irritatingly boring for the final three tracks. For the most part, I find this to have boring production, insipid vocals, and uninspired lyrics. While there is some promising stuff here, it's buried in lots of meh, and ultimately this is a waste of my time. It's just not my style.

36/100

(2)
Angine de Poitrine has been showing up in my feeds recently. Are they worth checking out?

(3)
My ten are split between two lists:

Here's one album from each of the first six pages (20 per page) of albums I've not yet rated on BEA. I've tried to choose the albums I'm least familiar with.
1: 578. Up The Bracket by The Libertines (2002)
2: 656. Everything Must Go by Manic Street Preachers (1996)
3: 776. Clics Modernos by Charly García (1983)
4: 858. Countdown To Ecstasy by Steely Dan (1973)
5: 928. 'Round About Midnight by Miles Davis (1957)
6. 960. Grey Area by Little Simz (2019)

And two albums from each of the first two pages (40 per page) of albums I've not yet rated on RYM. I've tried to choose the albums I'm least familiar with.
1: 160. Jenny Death by Death Grips (2015)
2: 213. Live at Red Rocks '22 by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (2023)
3: 339. UNDERTALE by Toby "Radiation" Fox (2015)
4: 371. At the Mountains of Madness by Electric Masada (2005)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

LedZep — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:49:41 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 04/20/2026 07:49

(1)

Then Play On (1969) by Fleetwood Mac
I can understand why some people consider this blues rock royalty. It's a really consistent album with a lot of slightly different variations on British blues rock style. Sometimes it's heavy, sometimes more psychedelic, it goes into the ballad territory here and there, and it's fun pretty much the whole time. That being said, while I've started warming up to most tracks (on my 3rd listen now), the majority of the time this is just some good blues rock with middle of the road songwriting. An excuse to flex Green/Kirwan dual guitars, write some good riffs and have fun. Nothing wrong with that, but I expected much more from this legendary album.

(2)
Ali Farka Touré is always worth a listen. Don't think I've ever heard Savane, I'll play it too.

(3)
R marks relistens

Skee Mask - ISS012
Jill Scott - To Whom This May Concern
Rafael Anton Irisarri - Points of Inaccessibility
Angine de Poitrine - Vol. II
不失�... [Fushitsusha] (and Peter Brötzmann) - Nothing Changes No One Can Change Anything, I Am Ever-Changing Only You Can Change Yourself
Shinichi Atobe - The Butterfly Effect (R)
John Fahey - Volume 6: Days Have Gone By
Saafir - Boxcar Sessions
Teitanblood - Death
Shivkumar Sharma, Brij Bhushan Kabra & Hariprasad Chaurasia - Call of the Valley

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

baystateoftheart — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:31:16 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 04/17/2026 03:31

1.

New Favorite (2001) by Alison Krauss & Union Station

A compelling album in many ways, with a striking album cover and many striking and well-chosen songs, juxtaposing Krauss' beautiful voice with gentle and tasteful country production that really lets it pop. Jerry Douglas' dobro and steel guitar playing is a perfect complement. The more bluegrassy songs sprinkled throughout, often fronted by Dan Tyminski, offer a change of pace that makes Krauss-helmed songs more affecting. Now for the negative, not all of the songs are winners. Some are merely quite nice, and then Bright Sunny South turns my stomach. Why would they do a straightforward cover of a traditional confederate song that says God is on the south's side? Smells like Lost Cause mythology, and sung by a guy from Vermont to boot. New Favorite is a very nice LP overall, but sadly it won't be my new favorite. Starting at a high 3.5/5 or 70/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. This is one of his best:

After Hours (2020) by The Weeknd

~~~~~

3. 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die

Django Django - Django Django (2012)
D - White Denim (2011)
Cross - Justice (2007)
Savane - Ali Farka Touré (2006)
Coles Corner - Richard Hawley (2005)
Want Two - Rufus Wainwright (2004)
The Rising - Bruce Springsteen (2002)
Rings Around The World - Super Furry Animals (2001)
Southern Rock Opera - Drive-By Truckers (2001)
Melody A.M. - Röyksopp (2001)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

Rhyner — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:33:32 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 03/21/2026 20:33

(1)

Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (2023) by Lana Del Rey
I could just repeat my comments on Lana Del Rey's Ultraviolence here, because it all applies to this one too.

I'm just not on her wavelength. I have issues with the endless repetition of unremarkable musical motifs, her weird breathy vocal affectation (as I saw someone else comment, it often sounds like she doesn't open her mouth enough when she sings), the two interludes that seem to go on forever, the samey-throughout general sad girl vibes, some of the cringe lyrics, the album's oppressive length, etc. But there are some solid melodies (e.g. "I'm gonna take mine of you with me" is fun to sing), and...what else...?...the piano's nice, I guess?... Of the Lana Del Rey albums I've heard, this is probably my favorite (lyrically and thematically I'd say it's a solid standout), but that's not saying much.

41/100

(2)
New Favorite. Perhaps it will be a new favorite.

(3)
My ten are split between two lists:

Here's one album from each of the first six pages (20 per page) of albums I've not yet rated on BEA. I've tried to choose the albums I'm least familiar with.
1: 577. Up The Bracket by The Libertines (2002)
2: 654. Everything Must Go by Manic Street Preachers (1996)
3: 771. Clics Modernos by Charly García (1983)
4: 854. Countdown To Ecstasy by Steely Dan (1973)
5: 924. 'Round About Midnight by Miles Davis (1957)
6: 964. After Hours by The Weeknd (2020)

And two albums from each of the first two pages (40 per page) of albums I've not yet rated on RYM. I've tried to choose the albums I'm least familiar with.
1: 161. Jenny Death by Death Grips (2015)
2: 184. Pink Floyd at Pompeii - MCMLXXII by Pink Floyd (2025)
3: 343. UNDERTALE by Toby "Radiation" Fox (2015)
4: 370. At the Mountains of Madness by Electric Masada (2005)

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

baystateoftheart — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 23:17:46 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 03/19/2026 03:17

1.

Stand By Your Man (1969) by Tammy Wynette

My first time hearing Tammy Wynette's music, and she indeed has a beautiful voice. Reminds me of Loretta Lynn at times, another great country vocalist. It may seem a little ironic for this album to represent her on this particular list, but the title track has less clear of a message than its antifeminist reputation would suggest. And in general, the other songs on the album don't support the label marketing that this was a shot at women's liberation. There are some great songs here, mostly about sadness within and without relationships. The instrumentals complement her voice so well, and I particularly love the liberal use of steel guitar. But the quality is not uniform, and the sequencing is baffling, with several very similar songs about divorce from a child's perspective all bunched together at the end. While it's not put together with care as an album, Wynette's voice and the accompaniment make it a very worthwhile listen. Starting at a 3.5/5 and 70/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. This is the only one of those I've heard. Wasn't a big fan, but it was pretty good and blues rock isn't one of my go-to genres.

Then Play On (1969) by Fleetwood Mac

~~~~~

3. NPR's 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women

63. Like A Virgin - Madonna
64. Spice - Spice Girls
65. Blue Light ’Til Dawn - Cassandra Wilson
68. King’s Record Shop - Rosanne Cash
71. Blacks’ Magic - Salt-N-Pepa
78. Le Mystère Des Voix Bulgares - Le Mystère Des Voix Bulgares
88. Ingénue - k.d. lang
90. Funny Girl - Original Broadway Cast
91. New Favorite - Alison Krauss + Union Station
92. Peace Beyond Passion - Me’shell Ndegeocello

Re: You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

LedZep — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 08:52:36 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 03/16/2026 12:52

(1)

Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin' (2001) by Project Pat
Damn I knew Project Pat was cool, but not like this. Dude kills it on the mic, and DJ Paul/Juicy J duo makes consistently excellent Memphis beats. For reference, I know a dozen or so Project Pat songs, and it's possible I've heard this album before as well. My roommate is a pretty big fan, though if there were a Pat war, I'd personally side with Gangsta Pat.

The instrumentals are somewhere between early trap, crunk, and classic southern rap production. I can see why Pat's flow can come across as boring or monotone to some people, but it's exactly what I'm looking for in old school Memphis stuff. Verses by Triple Six Mafia members and others feel like natural extension of Pat's lyricism and flow An hour and 13 minutes flew by. I think Gorilla Pimp with Namond Lumpkin was my fave, but there are numerous bangers here including a rework of "Break Da Law."

Quote:

Buying you Taco Bell but a pimp eating steak
Corn bread, collard greens, chit-a-lings on my plate
Always late for a date and she always trippin'
She can hate my fuckin' guts but she lovin' my pimpin'

(2)
Let's go with Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. I still haven't heard it, but the singles were pretty good.

(3)
R marks relistens

Skee Mask - ISS012
slayr - Half Blood (BloodLuxe)
Jill Scott - To Whom This May Concern
Rafael Anton Irisarri - Points of Inaccessibility
不失�... [Fushitsusha] (and Peter Brötzmann) - Nothing Changes No One Can Change Anything, I Am Ever-Changing Only You Can Change Yourself
Nicolas Jaar - Nymphs (R)
Fleetwood Mac - Then Play On
Shinichi Atobe - The Butterfly Effect (R)
John Fahey - Volume 6: Days Have Gone By
Converge - Axe to Fail