View previous topic :: View next topic
|
|
Author |
Message |
baystateoftheart
Neil Young as a butternut squash
Age: 29
Location: Massachusetts
|
- #51
- Posted: 05/28/2016 17:07
- Post subject:
|
Wow, it's been too long since I updated this. Here's what I've heard in the meantime. I'm probably going to stop including date listened and site ranks in these entries for the sake of convenience, but I'll still do the rest.
Boxer by The National
Released: 2007
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Rock, Post-Punk Revival
Re-Listen
High on my overall chart, and as usual a fantastic listen.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Imperial by Denzel Curry
Released: 2016
RYM Primary Genres: Trap Rap, Southern Hip Hop
First Listen
Good, potent trap album with some commentary mixed in. Very hungry record. The first half is better.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Released: 1972
RYM Primary Genres: Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
First Listen
I liked it a lot, but it didn't have much staying power on the first listen. Will try again.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
A Good Night In The Ghetto by Kamaiyah
Released: 2016
RYM Primary Genres: West Coast Hip Hop
First Listen
I love the soundscape of this record. G-funk without excessive misogyny is a dream come true. A lot of good songs and a little filler.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
In A Silent Way by Miles Davis
Released: 1969
RYM Primary Genres: Jazz Fusion
First Listen
A++ This might become my favorite Miles Davis album.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Malibu by Anderson .Paak
Released: 2016
RYM Primary Genres: Neo-Soul, Alternative R&B
First Listen
Very good album, although it becomes a bit repetitive toward the end. As others have mentioned, great for summer listening.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth
Released: 1988
RYM Primary Genres: Noise Rock, Alternative Rock
First Listen
The first Sonic Youth album I've heard. I liked it, although I didn't love it. A few phenomenal songs. Kim's vocals are way better than Thurston's, and it would be nice if they were more frequent.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Apocalypse by Thundercat
Released: 2013
RYM Primary Genres: Neo-Soul, Funktronica, Nu Jazz
First Listen
I liked it a lot, but it didn't have much staying power on the first listen. Will try again. [2]
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Slime Season 3 by Young Thug
Released: 2016
RYM Primary Genres: Trap Rap, Southern Hip Hop
Re-Listen
A fairly hype mixtape that gets better toward the end. I've realized that I much prefer back-loaded albums to front-loaded albums.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Southeastern by Jason Isbell
Released: 2013
RYM Primary Genres: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Folk
First Listen
Excellent songwriting and instrumentation, liked the album even better than Something More Than Free.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest
Released: 1993
RYM Primary Genres: East Coast Hip Hop, Jazz Rap, Boom Bap
Re-Listen
High on my overall chart, and as usual a fantastic listen. [2] Played this for someone who doesn't usually listen to hip-hop and wanted to try an album, and I think she liked it.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
The Milk-Eyed Mender by Joanna Newsom
Released: 2004
RYM Primary Genres: Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
First Listen
She then showed me this album, which is quite good! The Roots borrowed the chorus to "Right On" from here.
Darklands by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Released: 1987
RYM Primary Genres: Alternative Rock
Re-Listen
This has been high on my overall, but on this listen it lost a little of its luster. Still good though.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Call Me by Al Green
Released: 1973
RYM Primary Genres: Southern Soul, Soul
First Listen
Very warm, satisfying listen. Contender for his best record. _________________ Add me on RYM
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
baystateoftheart
Neil Young as a butternut squash
Age: 29
Location: Massachusetts
|
- #52
- Posted: 06/01/2016 15:46
- Post subject:
|
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Chemical Chords by Stereolab
Released: 2008
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Pop, Psychedelic Pop
First Listen
Breezy, joyful, forgettable indie pop music. Some of the uses of organ and strings are really good.
Something Else By The Kinks by The Kinks
Released: 1967
RYM Primary Genres: Pop Rock, Baroque Pop
Re-Listen
There's a bunch of filler here, particularly in the middle, but when this album gets good it gets really good. Not as captivating as the first time, but it goes without saying that "Waterloo Sunset" is a gem.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Souvlaki by Slowdive
Released: 1993
RYM Primary Genres: Dream Pop, Shoegaze
First Listen
Phenomenal, will hear again. A+
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
First Band On The Moon by The Cardigans
Released: 1996
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Pop, Pop Rock
Re-Listen
This has held up very well to repeat listens and is by far my favorite album of theirs. Something of a concept album about a decaying, unhealthy relationship, but musically portrayed in the most cloying way. I like that sort of dissonance between sound and lyrical themes.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Beat Happening by Beat Happening
Released: 1985
RYM Primary Genres: Twee Pop, Lo-Fi Indie
First Listen
The second album this girl introduced me to. Fun to know someone new with similar tastes to swap recs with irl. Anyway it's a bit of a mixed bag. When it's good, it's beautiful and poignant. When it's bad, it's grating and overly sloppy. Worth a try though.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
II by Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Released: 2013
RYM Primary Genres: Psychedelic Pop
First Listen
Very good grooves and some good hooks as well. Not quite as strong as Multi-Love, but still fun. Surprised they don't get more recognition. _________________ Add me on RYM
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
baystateoftheart
Neil Young as a butternut squash
Age: 29
Location: Massachusetts
|
- #53
- Posted: 06/06/2016 03:50
- Post subject:
|
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
American Gangster by Jay-Z
Released: 2007
RYM Primary Genres: East Coast Hip Hop
Re-Listen
Jay's flow on this album is very laid back... too laid back. However, the beats are so soulful and do such a good job melding with the vocals to create the title's ambience, so that it is an enjoyable even if not particularly lyrical listen. Probably his fourth best solo album, and the best after his three obvious classics.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Hounds Of Love by Kate Bush
Released: 1985
RYM Primary Genres: Art Pop, Progressive Pop
First Listen
"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" is an amazing opener, and the rest of the album unfortunately never comes close. There are a number of other good pop songs, but where the 'progressive' elements intrude, they can be irksome or corny.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
London Calling by The Clash
Released: 1979
RYM Primary Genres: Punk Rock, New Wave
Re-Listen
The only prior time I listened to this, a long time ago, I don't think I gave it a fair shake. This is largely phenomenal and deserves most of its acclaim! An epic with almost no filler.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Reckoning by R.E.M.
Released: 1984
RYM Primary Genres: Jangle Pop, Alternative Rock
Re-Listen
Very strong, immersive jangly album, not far off from their best work.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
The Smiths by The Smiths
Released: 1984
RYM Primary Genres: Jangle Pop, Indie Pop
Re-Listen
This gets better with every listen! It's really clicking and it might be on the way to displacing The Queen Is Dead as my favorite. The lyrics and delivery are incredible, and there are so many catchy sing-along moments too!
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Bury Me At Makeout Creek by Mitski
Released: 2014
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Rock
First Listen
Introduced to me by my friend. Fairly pleasant, but didn't make a major impression.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Rich Gang: Tha Tour, Part 1 by Young Th...p; Birdman
Released: 2014
RYM Primary Genres: Southern Hip Hop, Trap Rap, Pop Rap
Re-Listen
Bangers on bangers. This gets off to a tremendous start, but really gets long in the tooth after "Milk Marie." A mediocre overall effort that's frustratingly close to excellent. But because it's a mixtape I can't be too mad about filler/sequencing issues.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Gossamer by Passion Pit
Released: 2012
RYM Primary Genres: Synthpop, Indietronica
Re-Listen
Listening reminded me how great this album really is. One of my all-time favorites.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
Released: 2010
RYM Primary Genres: Hip Hop, Pop Rap
Re-Listen
I appreciated this album a lot more as a unified work this time. Indulgence is its strength and weakness. "Blame Game" doesn't deserve to be on here.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Mezzanine by Massive Attack
Released: 1998
RYM Primary Genres: Trip Hop, Downtempo
First Listen
Only the second trip hop album I've heard, after Dummy (on my overall). More sonic variety than Dummy, and more rock influences. Sensational, superior highlights as well. But I rather prefer the atmospheres of the former, and that tips the balance. _________________ Add me on RYM
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
RoundTheBend
I miss the comfort in being sad
Location: Ground Control
|
- #54
- Posted: 06/06/2016 04:19
- Post subject:
|
Cool stuff.
How do you choose... totally random/stuff that peaks interest, or...?
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
baystateoftheart
Neil Young as a butternut squash
Age: 29
Location: Massachusetts
|
- #55
- Posted: 06/09/2016 16:27
- Post subject:
|
sethmadsen wrote: | Cool stuff.
How do you choose... totally random/stuff that peaks interest, or...? |
Thanks. Most of the first listens (those not from friends) are from me working through multiple very long to-listen spreadsheets, sometimes out of order. The re-listens don't have much rhyme or reason - whatever piques my interest.
Now that you're pleased with how the double album rule applied to your 90s chart, are you going to go back and apply it to the others? Also curious to see how your hip-hop chart is coming along _________________ Add me on RYM
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
baystateoftheart
Neil Young as a butternut squash
Age: 29
Location: Massachusetts
|
- #56
- Posted: 06/09/2016 16:58
- Post subject:
|
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
My Favorite Things by John Coltrane
Released: 1961
RYM Primary Genres: Modal Jazz, Post-Bop
First Listen
This started out well and I liked the reinterpretation of the title track. However, the album as a whole felt aimlessly ambling and I didn't connect. But maybe I'll like it more the second time. In any case, my least favorite that I've heard by Coltrane so far.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Released: 1970
RYM Primary Genres: Swamp Rock
First Listen
Excellent rock record and clearly their best. So many great songs on here, both previously known and previously unknown.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
Released: 2015
RYM Primary Genres: Conscious Hip Hop, West Coast Hip Hop, Jazz Rap
Re-Listen
An album high on my 2015 chart that I revisited and loved just as much as the prior time. Could do without the fake interview though.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Apocalypse, Girl by Jenny Hval
Released: 2015
RYM Primary Genres: Art Pop
Re-Listen
An album high on my 2015 chart that I revisited and loved just as much as the prior time. [2]
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Curtis by Curtis Mayfield
Released: 1970
RYM Primary Genres: Chicago Soul, Soul
Re-Listen
Great socially conscious soul album that wasn't quite as good as I hoped this time around, and is roughly his third best.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
Released: 1971
RYM Primary Genres: Soul
Re-Listen
Great socially conscious soul album that wasn't quite as good as I hoped this time around, and is roughly his third best. [2]
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Hamilton: Original Broadway Cast Record...us Artists
Released: 2015
RYM Primary Genres: Show Tunes, Hip Hop
First Listen
Listened to this because a friend put it on during a long drive. I don't really like show tunes, but these might be the best I've heard. Fun for one listen, but not compelling enough to add to my library and chart. Long as hell.
~~~~~~
Next in this diary I'll do something similar to Listmeister's ELO exploration for Stereolab, a group I'm listening to for the first time and one that I think might become a favorite. I've already listened to 2008's Chemical Chords, so now I'm going to go through the other albums and compilations in chronological order. The only major releases I plan to skip are 2000's The First Of The Microbe Hunters and 2010's Not Music, which are considered by many to be unessential, mediocre releases.
I'll keep mixing in random stuff and albums from the RYM canon challenge as I go. This will be the listening order for Stereolab releases:
1. Switched On
2. Peng!
3. Low Fi (EP)
4. The Groop Played "Space Age Batchelor Pad Music"
5. Transient Random-Noise Bursts And Announcements
6. Mars Audiac Quintet
7. Refried Ectoplasm: Switched On, Vol. 2
8. Emperor Tomato Ketchup
9. Dots And Loops
10. Aluminum Tunes: Switched On, Vol. 3
11. Cobra And Phases Group Play Voltage In The Milky Night
12. Sound-Dust
13. Oscillons From The Anti-Sun
14. Instant 0 In The Universe (EP)
15. Margerine Eclipse
16. Fab Four Suture _________________ Add me on RYM
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
RoundTheBend
I miss the comfort in being sad
Location: Ground Control
|
- #57
- Posted: 06/10/2016 03:19
- Post subject:
|
baystateoftheart wrote: | sethmadsen wrote: | Cool stuff.
How do you choose... totally random/stuff that peaks interest, or...? |
Thanks. Most of the first listens (those not from friends) are from me working through multiple very long to-listen spreadsheets, sometimes out of order. The re-listens don't have much rhyme or reason - whatever piques my interest.
Now that you're pleased with how the double album rule applied to your 90s chart, are you going to go back and apply it to the others? Also curious to see how your hip-hop chart is coming along |
Totally hear you on the massive spreadsheets.
Here's mine: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/...sp=sharing
If you don't mind sharing a view only list with me, I'd love to see it (honestly, I only have like 100 albums that aren't on this site... but helpful for me nonetheless) and then I have different tabs for the decades.
As for double album rule... good question... I haven't played with it yet. The 90s made more sense somehow. I didn't apply that rule to 2000s either. What I did was create a top 10 with that rule and a top 10 without it and then made a decision based on how it "felt". The rule allows for most of those albums to hit my top 10. So I have to decide is it top 10 material or not... and of course a month from now I might disagree with myself. Sorry that was a long explanation for... idk.
As for my rap charts, going through the decades has really helped me to understand what kind of rap I like. I am pretty excited to get to that. I'm almost there! I only have the 2010s left to re-survey/analyze and attempt to throw my prejudices out the window/learn something new.
I have had a hard time getting into Jay-Z and the acclaimed Kendrick Lamar. It's not that I don't see the quality. Jay-Z for example has an A Capella version of some of his albums and I heard some of it and was like, damn... that dude can rap. His rapping is more impressive than his music, and my brain has to meld the rapping and music together, whereas I think those that appreciate rap can do both (focus on rapping OR the music). Anyway... I want that list to be at least 50 albums, so I think I still have a long way to go.
I posted that educate me on rap skits cause those really kill the album for me... the singles are super awesome, but sometimes the whole album loses something with lame skits sometimes. Kill buzz. So enjoying rap at an album level is going to take some time maybe... dunno. At the same time 2001 and Carnival are super solid albums imo.
Sorry... I totally took over your journal. Just got excited talking about it.
Oh - any tips on "understanding" Kendrick Lamar or Jay-Z? Or maybe better way to ask that is what do you like about them?
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
baystateoftheart
Neil Young as a butternut squash
Age: 29
Location: Massachusetts
|
- #58
- Posted: 06/18/2016 20:37
- Post subject:
|
sethmadsen wrote: | baystateoftheart wrote: | sethmadsen wrote: | Cool stuff.
How do you choose... totally random/stuff that peaks interest, or...? |
Thanks. Most of the first listens (those not from friends) are from me working through multiple very long to-listen spreadsheets, sometimes out of order. The re-listens don't have much rhyme or reason - whatever piques my interest.
Now that you're pleased with how the double album rule applied to your 90s chart, are you going to go back and apply it to the others? Also curious to see how your hip-hop chart is coming along |
Totally hear you on the massive spreadsheets.
Here's mine: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/...sp=sharing
If you don't mind sharing a view only list with me, I'd love to see it (honestly, I only have like 100 albums that aren't on this site... but helpful for me nonetheless) and then I have different tabs for the decades.
As for double album rule... good question... I haven't played with it yet. The 90s made more sense somehow. I didn't apply that rule to 2000s either. What I did was create a top 10 with that rule and a top 10 without it and then made a decision based on how it "felt". The rule allows for most of those albums to hit my top 10. So I have to decide is it top 10 material or not... and of course a month from now I might disagree with myself. Sorry that was a long explanation for... idk.
As for my rap charts, going through the decades has really helped me to understand what kind of rap I like. I am pretty excited to get to that. I'm almost there! I only have the 2010s left to re-survey/analyze and attempt to throw my prejudices out the window/learn something new.
I have had a hard time getting into Jay-Z and the acclaimed Kendrick Lamar. It's not that I don't see the quality. Jay-Z for example has an A Capella version of some of his albums and I heard some of it and was like, damn... that dude can rap. His rapping is more impressive than his music, and my brain has to meld the rapping and music together, whereas I think those that appreciate rap can do both (focus on rapping OR the music). Anyway... I want that list to be at least 50 albums, so I think I still have a long way to go.
I posted that educate me on rap skits cause those really kill the album for me... the singles are super awesome, but sometimes the whole album loses something with lame skits sometimes. Kill buzz. So enjoying rap at an album level is going to take some time maybe... dunno. At the same time 2001 and Carnival are super solid albums imo.
Sorry... I totally took over your journal. Just got excited talking about it.
Oh - any tips on "understanding" Kendrick Lamar or Jay-Z? Or maybe better way to ask that is what do you like about them? |
Sorry, it's just too sloppy and incomprehensible to share.
Your rap chart has definitely improved. But yeah, Amy Winehouse and The Black Eyed Peas definitely don't belong. Imo hip-hop and r&b don't really belong together as genre tags, and they're often lumped together just because they're both black music.
If you think Jay's beats aren't up to par with his flows, you might like The Grey Album by Danger Mouse. He replaces the beats from The Black Album with instrumentals from The Beatles' The White Album, which turn out really well. It's probably the most famous mashup album ever, and the 10th anniversary remaster is available as a free online file last I checked. The Blueprint, which I recently re-listened to, has the best beat selection of any of his proper albums, so I would check that out too. Doing beats for that album is how Kanye made it big. If you don't like either of these two then Jay's music is probably just not for you. And I would say that in general, don't force yourself to like things. Keep an open mind, but you like what you like, and it doesn't always need an airtight justification. I have no listening tips, just album recs, because liking this music more or less came naturally for me. Kendrick's best album for me is Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City by a mile. I love how it forms a cohesive and autobiographical narrative as a "short film," while exploring social issues and also having some tremendous bangers. The replay value is just off the charts compared to To Pimp A Butterfly (which I also like). _________________ Add me on RYM
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
RoundTheBend
I miss the comfort in being sad
Location: Ground Control
|
- #59
- Posted: 06/18/2016 20:45
- Post subject:
|
baystateoftheart wrote: |
Sorry, it's just too sloppy and incomprehensible to share.
Your rap chart has definitely improved. But yeah, Amy Winehouse and The Black Eyed Peas definitely don't belong. Imo hip-hop and r&b don't really belong together as genre tags, and they're often lumped together just because they're both black music.
If you think Jay's beats aren't up to par with his flows, you might like The Grey Album by Danger Mouse. He replaces the beats from The Black Album with instrumentals from The Beatles' The White Album, which turn out really well. It's probably the most famous mashup album ever, and the 10th anniversary remaster is available as a free online file last I checked. The Blueprint, which I recently re-listened to, has the best beat selection of any of his proper albums, so I would check that out too. Doing beats for that album is how Kanye made it big. If you don't like either of these two then Jay's music is probably just not for you. And I would say that in general, don't force yourself to like things. Keep an open mind, but you like what you like, and it doesn't always need an airtight justification. I have no listening tips, just album recs, because liking this music more or less came naturally for me. Kendrick's best album for me is Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City by a mile. I love how it forms a cohesive and autobiographical narrative as a "short film," while exploring social issues and also having some tremendous bangers. The replay value is just off the charts compared to To Pimp A Butterfly (which I also like). |
Thanks! Your feedback on Jay-Z and Kendrick was super helpful... and I totally forgot about the Grey Album. I remember hearing about it and thinking that'd be interesting, but then never checked it out.
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
baystateoftheart
Neil Young as a butternut squash
Age: 29
Location: Massachusetts
|
- #60
- Posted: 06/18/2016 21:37
- Post subject:
|
It's been a hectic time for me, so I can't write too much or update this diary too often. Here's what I've listened to lately. Also, I saw The National in concert on June 11 (my birthday present to my sister), which was pretty sensational. They rock so much harder live than they do on their albums. I never thought I'd describe them as heavy, face-melting, or awash in feedback, but that's what they were for much of the night. The energy was amazing and I'm lucky to have had the experience. It was only the second concert I've ever been to (The Temptations).
~~~~~
Oh, Inverted World by The Shins
Released: 2001
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Pop
Re-Listen
Excellent album that I had forgotten about. "New Slang" is one of the best songs ever. Grade A.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Invite The Light by DāM-FunK
Released: 2015
RYM Primary Genres: Synth Funk
First Listen
Relaxed, infectious album. Captures the spirit of funk by being sufficiently weird and sexual in a way many revivalists aren't. Sadly, a lot of uninspiring material toward the back end.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
The Double EP: A Sea Of Split Peas by Courtney Barnett
Released: 2013
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Pop, Indie Folk, Singer/Songwriter
First Listen
Fantastic, even better than her 2015 album. "Avant Gardener" is a great song. Grade A.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
If You're Feeling Sinister by Belle And Sebastian
Released: 1996
RYM Primary Genres: Chamber Pop, Indie Pop, Twee Pop
First Listen
Really great lyrics and songcraft. Will demand repeat listens to sink in, but I can tell it's overall chart material. Grade A+.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Switched On by Stereolab
Released: 1992 (material originally released in 1991)
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Pop
First Listen
A compilation of their first EPs. This has some gorgeous moments and a great vibe, but there's still room for improvement from these early efforts.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
The Blueprint by Jay-Z
Released: 2001
RYM Primary Genres: East Coast Hip Hop
Re-Listen
His best work. The beats are often transcendent, and he brings one of the best flows in rap history to the table with consistency. Grade A.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Rain Dogs by Tom Waits
Released: 1985
RYM Primary Genres: Singer/Songwriter, Experimental Rock
First Listen
My first experience with Waits, a very good album front to back. However, I definitely appreciate it more than I like it.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Trouble Will Find Me by The National
Released: 2013
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Rock
Re-Listen
Heard this again just before the concert. It's been growing on me each time. It's now basically tied with Alligator for my second favorite of theirs, after Boxer. A stunning depiction of malaise and emotional paralysis.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Peng! by Stereolab
Released: 1992
RYM Primary Genres: Noise Pop, Dream Pop
First Listen
Their debut LP finds them regressing a bit from their 1991 output. Still a lot of good moments, and I like noise pop, but a lot of this noise is uninspired, uninteresting, and overly droning.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Manners by Passion Pit
Released: 2009
RYM Primary Genres: Indietronica, Indie Pop
Re-Listen
There will always be a special place in my heart for Passion Pit. This record is even better than I remember. There are a few weak tracks, but the pop highs are undeniable.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
King & Queen by Otis Redding And Carla Thomas
Released: 1967
RYM Primary Genres: Southern Soul, Soul
First Listen
This is a strong album, but it's unfortunately not greater than the sum of its parts. Some weak material and a missed opportunity to make a classic. "Tramp" is the obvious standout.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Evermore: The Art Of Duality by The Underachievers
Released: 2015
RYM Primary Genres: Cloud Rap, East Coast Hip Hop, Trap Rap
First Listen
Dope skills, but at this point if you've heard one, you've heard them all. The downfall of this album and their rap careers is an utter lack of variety and innovation.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Low Fi by Stereolab
Released: 1992
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Rock, Noise Pop, Experimental Rock
First Listen
This 25-minute effort is the only Stereolab EP not to get a later compilation release. I've just added it to BEA. Like Peng!, it finds the group in a frustrating holding pattern. The ingredients for brilliance are there, but the compositional ideas are half-baked. In particular, the second half of "(Varoom!)" is very irritating. I don't regret listening, but so far I like it less than anything else from them.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys
Released: 1966
RYM Primary Genres: Baroque Pop
Re-Listen
Every time I revisit this album, its perfection bowls me over yet again. My #1 overall.
~~~~~
Stereolab listening project ranking so far, with first impression ratings:
1. Switched On - 75
2. Chemical Chords - 65
3. Peng! - 65
4. Low Fi - 55 _________________ Add me on RYM
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
|
|
All times are GMT
|
Page 6 of 7 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
|