Best Ever Albums

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

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

Rhyner — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:48:57 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 03/10/2026 19:48

(1)

The Nightfly (1982) by Donald Fagen
I never got into Steely Dan much. Their music is alright, but it doesn't really excite me. They're very professional, highly competent, and so on, but there's never been much of an emotional connection for me.
This solo album by half of Steely Dan is quite similar. I'd say it has more of an eighties sound than the Steely Dan music I'm more familiar with, but otherwise they're much of a muchness, to my ears.
Except I think I do find myself connecting with this a bit more than I do with any Steely Dan album. There's a character Fagen imbues it with (it reminds me a bit of a smoother, poppier Geordie Greep...and I promise I was already thinking that before I read others saying the same thing in the RYM comments section) which I find kinda charming.
The standout tracks for me are I.G.Y., the titular The Nightfly, and The Goodbye Look. Most of the rest of the album I find to be kinda filler-ey, and not particularly engaging, although even then there are some solid moments here and there.
So overall, I guess I kinda like this album. I could see it growing on me with more familiarity.

60/100

(2)
I'm a big fan of Tammy Wynette's voice. I prefer D-I-V-O-R-C-E, but give Stand By Your Man a shot.

(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: 656. Everything Must Go by Manic Street Preachers (1996)
3: 767. Clics Modernos by Charly García (1983)
4: 852. Countdown To Ecstasy by Steely Dan (1973)
5: 902. Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey (2023)
6: 953. 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: 163. Jenny Death by Death Grips (2015)
2: 184. Pink Floyd at Pompeii - MCMLXXII by Pink Floyd (2025)
3: 342. 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 — Sun, 8 Mar 2026 22:35:19 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 03/09/2026 02:35

1.

Diamonds & Rust (1975) by Joan Baez

Before this I had only heard her debut, and coming 15 years later, this is a very different sound that's appropriately of its time. The folk is blended with soft rock, folk rock, and country rock vibes throughout, and even jazz pop at times. Baez is a great vocalist and interpreter, but on this record, her own songs are so good that I wish there were more from her (4) than there are covers (7). The title track is an obvious highlight, while Children And All That Jazz is pleasantly evocative of Joni Mitchell's contemporaneous work, and she then shows up on Dida. The best of the covers is Simple Twist Of Fate, which briefly features an entertaining Dylan impression, but some of the others (like the closing medley) don't fit the album as well. As is, Diamonds & Rust is a very good album, but some more self-penned songs of this caliber would make it a great one. Starting at a high 3.5/5, or 70/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. This one's on my to-do list:

Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin' (2001) by Project Pat

~~~~~

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
76. Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette
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

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

LedZep — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 08:05:34 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 03/06/2026 13:05

(1)

Bytes (1993) by Black Dog Productions
I'm a huge fan of everything Warp Records related (even the movies), it's quite possibly my pick for the label I'd take to a desert island. I've heard multiple Black Dog (Productions) releases, but haven't listened to them nearly as much as the other legendary Warp artists from the 90s (Autechre, Aphex Twin, Drexciya, Squarepusher, F.U.S.E., Speedy J, Boards of Canada, other Artificial Intelligence releases...). Just recently, Ken Downie unfortunately passed away, and I realised I had to give their classics another shot.

Listening to Bytes now, I'm genuinely surprised by how much of their style has been emulated and repurposed over the years. I don't think someone like Skee Mask (or Illian Tapes in general) would be making music today were it not for Black Dog, and that's just the first example that comes to mind. A lot of modern, boundary-pushing bass/breaks music sounds owes a great deal to this style. Some of the tracks feel like a precursor to the Birmingham sound. Exit Records, with their twisted breakbeat and DnB tunes, have definitely drawn ideas from here, and even some bassier labels like Nerve Collect carry traces of Black Dog DNA. In fact, Bytes feels more directly influential to the current club music landscape than any other Warp release from that era, at least to my ears.

Bytes is a collection of 11 tracks, each released under a different alias. This kind of mechanical, techno-infused breaks/IDM has aged incredibly well and remains a joy to listen to, so this is not only a pioneering work, but a genuinely great one outside of its historical context too. That said, I don't think it reaches the same highs as my favourite Warp records. Highlight: Focus Mel by Atypic.

(2)
Glad to see other fans of Tragic Magic, I also enjoyed the maximalist version of Barwick a lot.
I recently bought Ferrum Sidereum at a Zu show, they were great live. The record itself isn't nearly as brutal or exciting as the live show, but it's still really good. Let's hear what you think about these Italians, Chief.

(3)
R marks relistens

Skee Mask - ISS012
Slut Intent - Slutworld
Jill Scott - To Whom This May Concern
eel - dead load
Rafael Anton Irisarri - Points of Inaccessibility
Project Pat - Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin' (R?)
不失�... [Fushitsusha] (and Peter Brötzmann) - Nothing Changes No One Can Change Anything, I Am Ever-Changing Only You Can Change Yourself
Fleetwood Mac - Then Play On
Shinichi Atobe - The Butterfly Effect (R)
John Fahey - Volume 6: Days Have Gone By

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

Tha1ChiefRocka — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 12:48:03 GMT

Author: Tha1ChiefRocka

Posted: 03/05/2026 17:48

Tragic Magic (2026) by Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore

Exactly what I wanted it to be. Always been a big fan of Julianna Barwick's looped choral vocals and layered atmospheric synths, so adding a harpist into the mix only adds to the beautiful soundscape. There's a cover of "Rachel's Song" from Vangelis' Blade Runner soundtrack which is unexpected. The track "Stardust" is one of the more maximalist things I've heard Barwick make, and I'd kind of like to hear some more like that from her in the future. The interplay between Barwick and Lattimore is very natural and a collaboration that makes a great deal of sense. Pretty music that's not going to challenge the listener, but it won't disappoint them either.

Donald Fagen's The Nightfly is a great post-Steely Dan record.

Zu- Ferrum Sidereum
Shaking Hand- Shaking Hand
Searows- Death In The Business of Whaling
Dead Dads Club- Dead Dads Club
American Road in New Jersey- American Road In New Jersey
Poppy- Empty Hands
IDK- e.t.d.s. A mixtape by .idk.
Mandy, Indiana- URGH
Puma Blue- Croak Dream
Colin Stetson, Greg Fox, Trevor Dunn- Nethering

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

Rhyner — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 21:01:35 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 03/05/2026 02:01

(1)

Moment Of Truth (1998) by Gang Starr
If I went on at any length, I'd be repeating myself (much as the beats on your typical bloated rap album--of which this is a perfect example--tend to do) from comments I've made on other hip hop albums. So I'll just say: this album is tedious.

35/100

(2)
I know next to nothing about any of those, but the one I'm most interested in at a glance is Tragic Magic.

(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: 708. The Nightfly by Donald Fagen (1982)
3: 768. Clics Modernos by Charly García (1983)
4: 848. Countdown To Ecstasy by Steely Dan (1973)
5: 901. Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey (2023)
6: 960. 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: 163. Jenny Death by Death Grips (2015)
2: 183. Pink Floyd at Pompeii - MCMLXXII by Pink Floyd (2025)
3: 342. UNDERTALE by Toby "Radiation" Fox (2015)
4: 366. At the Mountains of Madness by Electric Masada (2005)

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

Tha1ChiefRocka — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 11:57:55 GMT

Author: Tha1ChiefRocka

Posted: 03/03/2026 16:57

My Ghosts Go Ghost (2026) by By Storm

Similar to the previous Injury Reserve album, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, I think this is going to take more than a few listens to be fully understood. The remaining members of that group, Nathaniel Ritchie and Parker Corey, continue to make challenging and enigmatic music that pushes the boundaries of hip hop music to its breaking point. I had seen that a lot of people had said that this album was rather back-loaded, and I have to agree, but it's not because the first three tracks are bad, but the last three tracks are just that good. I really wasn't in the space to focus much on the lyrics, but I can hear the words of a man/group that are still coming to terms with the grief they've experienced. Musically speaking, not one track on this album has the same feel or vibe, they each have some kind of defining characteristic whether it be the strange refrains on 'Grapefruit' or the massive swirling synths and saxophone of "Double Trio 2". My favorite track might be "In My Town" though, the last few minutes where the beat gets to shine gives me feelings of Burial, which is about as high of praise I could give something in this space. Certainly a must listen for 2026.

I love the 90s Warp releases, so I'll pick Bytes as a relisten for you.

Zu- Ferrum Sidereum
Shaking Hand- Shaking Hand
Searows- Death In The Business of Whaling
Julianna Barwick, Mary Lattimore- Tragic Magic
Dead Dads Club- Dead Dads Club
American Road in New Jersey- American Road In New Jersey
Poppy- Empty Hands
IDK- e.t.d.s. A mixtape by .idk.
Mandy, Indiana- URGH
Puma Blue- Croak Dream

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

LedZep — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 09:25:03 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 03/03/2026 14:25

(1)

Tangerine Dream (1967) by Kaleidoscope (UK)
The band were also known at various times as The Sidekicks, The Key, I Luv Wight and Fairfield Parlour. It's some wonderful English psychedelic pop. Reminiscent of Revolver, Donovan and ofc Pink Floyd's earliest works, but without the legendary songs like See Emily Play, Astronomy Domine, Arnold Layne or Interstellar Overdrive. This is all universally sweet, catchy and so easy to listen to. Seriously, if this was like 2h instead of 36 minutes, it'd be just as good. Some of the lyrics are way too whimsical and laughable, but honestly it just adds to the charm. Taking acid in the 60s must've been fun. Highlights: Kaleidoscope, Dive Into Yesterday, The Sky Children.

(2)
Don't think I've ever heard the full Diamonds & Rust album, try that

(3)
R marks relistens

Skee Mask - ISS012
Slut Intent - Slutworld
Jill Scott - To Whom This May Concern
Rafael Anton Irisarri - Points of Inaccessibility
The Black Dog - Bytes (R)
Project Pat - Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin' (R?)
不失�... [Fushitsusha] (and Peter Brötzmann) - Nothing Changes No One Can Change Anything, I Am Ever-Changing Only You Can Change Yourself
Fleetwood Mac - Then Play On
Shinichi Atobe - The Butterfly Effect (R)
John Fahey - Volume 6: Days Have Gone By

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

baystateoftheart — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:14:40 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 02/26/2026 04:14

1.

Éthiopiques 17: Tlahoun Gèssèssè (2004) by ጥላሁን ገሰሰ [Tilahun Gessesse]

At this point, I don't have too much more to say about tizita as a genre. This is a very nice compilation, but compared to the albums I've recently heard from Mahmoud Ahmed, the vocal and instrumental chops of Gèssèssè and his band are a notch below. That said, the grooves are there, this is a smooth and fun listening experience, and it's definitely a high-quality record. Starting at a 3.5/5, or 70/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. This album is too long, but it has a bunch of great tracks, including my favorite Gang Starr song Above The Clouds:

Moment Of Truth (1998) by Gang Starr

~~~~~

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
67. I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got - Sinéad O’Connor
68. King’s Record Shop - Rosanne Cash
71. Blacks’ Magic - Salt-N-Pepa
76. Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette
78. Le Mystère Des Voix Bulgares - Le Mystère Des Voix Bulgares
85. Diamonds & Rust - Joan Baez
88. Ingénue - k.d. lang

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

Rhyner — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:17:20 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 02/22/2026 20:17

(1)

Absent Lovers: Live In Montreal 1984 (1998) by King Crimson
King Crimson is not a favorite band of mine. Their debut album is quite good, and Red is solid, but beyond that I haven't heard much from them that really appeals to me (well, okay, the goofier stuff on Discipline is kinda fun too). So this live album of mostly their 80s stuff, while technically impressive and all that, doesn't wow me. I do think Adrian Belew is a good frontman (my favorite stuff here tends to be the aforementioned goofy bits from Discipline, where I think he really shines). The recording quality is good, the performances are good, the audience is noticeable but not irritatingly so (in my opinion an especially rambunctious audience can really tank a live album), and there isn't endless inane banter between tracks, so pretty much all of the live album pitfalls that tend to put me off are avoided. But the music just isn't really my thing. It's fine. I don't mind it at all. But it's hard for me to get excited about it.

54/100

(2)
You're on a roll with Éthiopiques and Tizita, so why not continue with Éthiopiques 17.

(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: 594. Up The Bracket by The Libertines (2002)
2: 710. The Nightfly by Donald Fagen (1982)
3: 768. Clics Modernos by Charly García (1983)
4: 846. Countdown To Ecstasy by Steely Dan (1973)
5: 910. Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey (2023)
6: 956. 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: 162. Jenny Death by Death Grips (2015)
2: 283. Moment of Truth by Gang Starr (1998)
3: 345. UNDERTALE by Toby "Radiation" Fox (2015)
4: 379. DELTARUNE: Chapters 3+4 by Toby Fox (2025)

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

baystateoftheart — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 23:17:31 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 02/17/2026 04:17

1.

Mahmoud Ahmed (1973) by መሀሙድ አ�...መድ [Mahmoud Ahmed]

Éthiopiques 6 is this debut album from Mahmoud Ahmed, with a slightly reordered tracklist and a couple bonus tracks. I reviewed volume 7 on the previous page, and this one is extremely similar in quality and style, as it was recorded just 2 years earlier by the same artist in the same genre (tizita). This may have been his first LP release, but vocally and instrumentally (and for all I know, lyrically too), he was already making top-notch music. Very groovy, and perhaps a bit more haunting emotionally than his 1975 LP. A great listen front to back, and definitely recommended to anyone who likes funk, jazz, East African music, or West African music. Starting at a 4/5 and 75/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. This is a great 60s psych album:

Tangerine Dream (1967) by Kaleidoscope (UK)

~~~~~

3. 1000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die (Filtered for Black History Month)
Also including the book's supplementary recommendations that go with each item (Catalog Choice, Next Stop, After That)

Music And Songs Of Mauritania - Dimi Mint Abba [Moorish Music From Mauritania - Dimi Mint Abba & Khalifa Ould Eide “Catalog Choice”]
Blu Blu Blu - The Muhal Richard Abrams Orchestra
Gospel Soul Children Of New Orleans - Gospel Soul Children [Shakin’ The Rafters - The Abyssinian Baptist Choir “Next Stop”]
The Real Me: Johnny Adams Sings Doc Pomus - Johnny Adams
At The Lighthouse - The Cannonball Adderley Quintet
Juju Jubilee - Commander Ebenezer Obey [The Best Of The Classic Years - King Sunny Adé “Next Stop”]
Éthiopiques, Vol. 17: Tlahoun Gèssèssè - Tlahoun Gèssèssè [Éthiopiques, Vol. 7: Erè Mèla Mèla - Mahmoud Ahmed “Next Stop”]
Air Lore - Air
The Ultimate Arthur Alexander - Arthur Alexander
The First Day - Albert Ammons & Meade “Lux” Lewis

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

LedZep — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:07:35 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 02/15/2026 21:07

(1)

Canaxis 5 (1969) by Technical Space Composer's Crew
This is an album by Rolf Dammers and Holger Czukay, the bassist and co-founder of Can. Before fusing avant-garde, electronic and pop music with Can, Czukay was a Stockhausen protegee. This album sees him and his painter/writer friend Dammers trying various musique concrète, electroacoustic and tape manipulation techniques to great success (apart from sounding amazing, the album apparently sold well).

Quote:

Before the actual recording took place, the pair had tried out a method of combining sounds at home, using three tape machines and a five-track mixer. Czukay said of the process: "Recordings were monaural and were made in the West German radio station at night when nobody was there. ... I can admit that I took the key without permission and went into Stockhausen's studio after he had left, to work through the night on my music. I really couldn't have done my composing any other way at the time. The basic equipment consisted of three tape recorders that were used to record sounds and tape loops from which two or three layers were built up."

...

Czukay said he created the album by taking music from around the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia and Vietnam, using the radio to collect many of the extracts, and then "mixed the completed tape recordings with European music, e.g. choral music using tape loops. "Boat Woman Song" contains samples from a shortwave radio recording of the traditional love song "Doh Dam Tara", performed by members of the Cham culture, who primarily live in Cambodia and Vietnam. It was inadvertently credited as a completely different ethnic Vietnamese song, "Hò Mái Nhì", when the album was initially released.

...

It is, therefore, a non-academic piece of concrete tape music that plays directly to the counter-cultural political concerns.

I can confirm that, on a relisten, the album is as cool as all of this sounds. Wonderful droney background with the aforementioned Doh Dam Tara sample on Boat Woman Song is otherworldly, easily the highlight. The B side, Shook Eyes Ammunition (sometimes it's called Canaxis, or split into 3 distinct songs: Canaxis, Cruise, Epilogue) isn't as interesting or fleshed out as a composition, but it's still a nice jam. I first listened to this at least 5 years ago, probably even more, and I'm so glad that I've finally revisited it. Much more confident in calling it one of the best experimental albums of the 60s now.

(2)
Absent Lovers is apparently one of the more legendary King Crimson lives. I haven't heard it, but just recently went through a big King Crimson phase where I listened to a lot of their excellent lives. This is mostly the 80s stuff. Belew and Levin are currently touring as BEAT with Danny Carey and Steve Vai recreating those 80s performances, this is definitely the right time to listen to Absent Lovers!

(3)
R marks relistens

Skee Mask - ISS012
GEZAN - I Know How Now
Exxul - Sealed Into None
Nightmarer - Hell Interface
The Black Dog - Bytes (R)
Project Pat - Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin' (R?)
不失�... [Fushitsusha] (and Peter Brötzmann) - Nothing Changes No One Can Change Anything, I Am Ever-Changing Only You Can Change Yourself
Fleetwood Mac - Then Play On
Kaleidoscope - Tangerine Dream
Shinichi Atobe - The Butterfly Effect (R)

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

Rhyner — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:37:30 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 02/11/2026 21:37

(1)

X&Y (2005) by Coldplay
Coldplay doing their best Coldplay impression. There's nothing I really dislike here. It's a nice sound that the band seemingly perfected. But every song sounds pretty much the same and nothing stands out. It really feels like they played it safe on this album, just rehashing stuff they've done before. And it goes on too long--in my opinion several tracks could have been cut. Which ones? I don't know. Since they're all more or less interchangeable, I don't think it would matter much. All this is not to say it's bad (unless sameiness and safeness irritate you). As I said, it sounds nice. It's just nothing special.

(Not that it matters at all, but for this type of anthemic piano-driven pop rock, I'd much rather listen to Keane. But maybe that's just because I listened to them a lot more back during this era so the nostalgia is strong, and there's an alternate timeline where I prefer Coldplay for the same reason. I can't honestly say Keane is objectively better or anything. In this timeline, however, the subjective comparison strongly favors Keane.)

53/100

(2)
Canaxis 5 intrigues me.

(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: 593. Up The Bracket by The Libertines (2002)
2: 708. The Nightfly by Donald Fagen (1982)
3: 766. Clics Modernos by Charly García (1983)
4: 848. Countdown To Ecstasy by Steely Dan (1973)
5: 911. Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey (2023)
6: 935. Canción Animal by Soda Stereo (1990)

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: 284. Moment of Truth by Gang Starr (1998)
2: 293. Absent Lovers: Live in Montreal 1984 by King Crimson (1998)
3: 346. UNDERTALE by Toby "Radiation" Fox (2015)
4: 361. At the Mountains of Madness by Electric Masada (2005)

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

LedZep — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:19:57 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 02/11/2026 11:19

I've been absent from BEA recently, let's try to get back into the groove

(1)

Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You (2025) by Ethel Cain
This is definitely better than Preacher's Daughter. It's more developed and actually intriguing (as opposed to the predecessor, which was a collection of decent songs with unrealized potential). It's still too long and meandering at times, and I prefer Ethel's style showcased on Perverts. That being said, quite a few tracks and moments here make me hopeful that one day I'll wholeheartedly love an Ethel Cain release. Nettles is the highlight, but other tracks like Fuck Me Eyes and Waco, Texas sound great. Willoughby's Interlude and Radio Towers are nice ambient pieces as well. I'll have to dig deeper into her lyricism at some point.

(2)
Hey I've recently heard Éthiopiques 4. Let's hear what vol. 6 sounds like.

(3)
R marks relistens

Skee Mask - ISS012
GEZAN - I Know How Now
Exxul - Sealed Into None
Nightmarer - Hell Interface
The Black Dog - Bytes (R)
Project Pat - Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin' (R?)
不失�... [Fushitsusha] (and Peter Brötzmann) - Nothing Changes No One Can Change Anything, I Am Ever-Changing Only You Can Change Yourself
Fleetwood Mac - Then Play On
Kaleidoscope - Tangerine Dream
Technical Space Composer's Crew - Canaxis 5 (R)

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

baystateoftheart — Mon, 9 Feb 2026 20:36:04 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 02/10/2026 01:36

1.

The Best Of The Classic Years (2003) by King Sunny Adé

I love his Juju Music LP, and this compilation from King Sunny Adé is similarly great. The most distinctive aspect of the music is the guitar sound, and without an extensive music critic vocabulary, I'm struggling to find the right adjective to describe it. Shimmering? Lilting? The book describes the guitar as "sometimes hyperactive strands ... with rhythmic repetitions that lead, slowly but surely, to illumination." Whichever is the best way to describe the distinctiveness of the guitars, the sound they make is mellow and beautiful, anchoring the recordings. But the vocals and other instruments are no slouch either! The tracks here are pretty well selected, though I do think the compilation would be better without the 18 minutes of Synchro System, which isn't on the same level as the rest. Overall, a great listen: relaxing, appropriately sunny, and fun. Starting at a 4/5, and 75/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. Looking forward to checking this out:

My Ghosts Go Ghost (2026) by By Storm

~~~~~

3. 1000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die (Filtered for Black History Month)
Also including the book's supplementary recommendations that go with each item (Catalog Choice, Next Stop, After That)

Blu Blu Blu - The Muhal Richard Abrams Orchestra
Gospel Soul Children Of New Orleans - Gospel Soul Children [Shakin’ The Rafters - The Abyssinian Baptist Choir “Next Stop”]
The Real Me: Johnny Adams Sings Doc Pomus - Johnny Adams
At The Lighthouse - The Cannonball Adderley Quintet
Juju Jubilee - Commander Ebenezer Obey [The Best Of The Classic Years - King Sunny Adé “Next Stop”]
Éthiopiques, Vol. 6: Almaz - Mahmoud Ahmed [Éthiopiques, Vol. 7: Erè Mèla Mèla - Mahmoud Ahmed “Catalog Choice”]
Air Lore - Air
The Ultimate Arthur Alexander - Arthur Alexander
The First Day - Albert Ammons & Meade “Lux” Lewis
Spirituals - Marian Anderson

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

Tha1ChiefRocka — Fri, 6 Feb 2026 11:26:22 GMT

Author: Tha1ChiefRocka

Posted: 02/06/2026 16:26

Don't Be Dumb (2026) by A$AP Rocky

A$AP Rocky has always been kind of a baffling artist after his explosion onto the scene in the early 2010s along with the other A$AP Mob members. As this was during high school, I recall people arguing whether Odd Future or A$AP were better as a collective. It was kind of fun to have two distinct groups of rappers from either coast with vastly different styles and approaches to music. I gravitated much more towards Odd Future and Tyler rather than A$AP which seemed more poppy and indebted to the Trap/Cloud Rap music of the time, but I liked songs by both. Post his debut mixtape and album (and his marriage to Rihanna) A$AP has been a sporadic presence in hip hop at best, but a consistent presence in general popular culture. Don't Be Dumb finds him 8(!) years removed from his last proper album, and it's perfectly...fine. I have never been blown away by A$AP on the mic, but there's always at least been solid vibes, which is where I feel the majority of this album falls. Vibes music. It's never particularly bad, but it's never particularly great either. I'm scrambling to recall standout tracks on this album a day after listening to it. Beats were consistently engaging especially on "Helicopter" and "Playa". Thundercat makes appearances on the album which is always welcome. "Punk Rocky" takes a chance to make an indie/alternative rap track, and it mostly succeeds. I'd actually be more interested to hear him make a short album or EP pursuing the sound on that track. Strangely, according to streaming, the most listened to song from this album cycle is a non-album track that uses Clams Casino's legendary "I'm God" beat. Rocky sounds terrible on it, and it totally does a disservice to the Lil B original, so I can see why it 's not on the album. I can only assume it's done numbers, because younger folks are hearing that incredible instrumental for the first time (even though it's mixed way too low). Oh, the track featuring Gorillaz and Westside Gunn is kinda interesting, too.

Rhyner, given your history I am not surprised with your assessment of that album. Give Coldplay's third album a listen.

Zu- Ferrum Sidereum
Shaking Hand- Shaking Hand
Searows- Death In The Business of Whaling
Julianna Barwick, Mary Lattimore- Tragic Magic
Dead Dads Club- Dead Dads Club
Blanket- True Blue
American Road in New Jersey- American Road In New Jersey
Poppy- Empty Hands
IDK- e.t.d.s. A mixtape by .idk.
By Storm- My Ghosts Go Ghost

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

Rhyner — Mon, 2 Feb 2026 00:18:39 GMT

Author: Rhyner

Posted: 02/02/2026 05:18

(1)

Vaudeville Villain (2003) by Viktor Vaughn
It will surprise no one that this is not for me. (and that's fine, right?: "He don't give a flyin' fuck who ain't not feelin' him") Repetitive beats, endless boring rapping, too much time taken up with unnecessary non-music stuff...I just don't care about anything going on here. Some of the beats are decent (or even borderline good) but they almost all get real boring real fast since they just loop over and over. The lyrics, the rapping...I mean, I just don't like it. It grates after a while. I don't care at all about the "story". The Open Mic Nite dude is quite irritating. The album goes on way too long. The best part is the three minutes of thunderstorm sounds in the last track. Have I mentioned that I don't enjoy rap music?

32/100

(2)
King Sunny Adé has some good stuff. I'm not familiar with that particular release, but what I have heard from him has been a nice laid-back chill good time.

(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: 555. X&Y by Coldplay (2005)
2: 687. Pure Comedy by Father John Misty (2017)
3: 783. Clics Modernos by Charly García (1983)
4: 794. Without You I'm Nothing by Placebo (1998)
5: 907. Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey (2023)
6: 921. 'Round About Midnight by Miles Davis (1957)

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: 284. Moment of Truth by Gang Starr (1998)
2: 292. Absent Lovers: Live in Montreal 1984 by King Crimson (1998)
3: 348. UNDERTALE by Toby "Radiation" Fox (2015)
4: 375. DELTARUNE: Chapters 3+4 by Toby Fox (2025)

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

baystateoftheart — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:59:24 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 01/30/2026 22:59

1.

Rio (1982) by Duran Duran

Not sure why this was further listening for ABBA, as they don't strike me as similar at all besides being pop from the same era. Anyway, my first time listening to Duran Duran, and it seems I've been missing out. Really good, smooth 80s synthpop with a big hook now and again. The vocals and songwriting are solid, and my favorite track on first listen is Hungry Like The Wolf (the only one I recognized), but Last Chance On The Stairway and Save A Prayer are also standouts. None of the songs on Rio are bad, and I can see some (maybe the title track?) growing on me with future listens. It's not New Order or Depeche Mode, but Duran Duran's most acclaimed record is fun and intriguing second-tier synthpop that I will be returning to. Starts with a high 3.5/5, or 70/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. Haven't heard yet, but a couple of the singles were interesting:

Don't Be Dumb (2026) by A$AP Rocky

~~~~~

3. 1000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die (Filtered for Black History Month)
Also including the book's supplementary recommendations that go with each item (Catalog Choice, Next Stop, After That)

Moorish Music From Mauritania - Dimi Mint Abba & Khalifa Ould Eide
Blu Blu Blu - The Muhal Richard Abrams Orchestra
Gospel Soul Children Of New Orleans - Gospel Soul Children [Shakin’ The Rafters - The Abyssinian Baptist Choir “Next Stop”]
The Real Me: Johnny Adams Sings Doc Pomus - Johnny Adams
At The Lighthouse - The Cannonball Adderley Quintet
The Best Of The Classic Years - King Sunny Ade
Éthiopiques, Vol. 6: Almaz - Mahmoud Ahmed [Éthiopiques, Vol. 7: Erè Mèla Mèla - Mahmoud Ahmed “Catalog Choice”]
Air Lore - Air
The Ultimate Arthur Alexander - Arthur Alexander
The First Day - Albert Ammons & Meade “Lux” Lewis