Listed below are the best albums of the 2010s as calculated from their overall rankings in over 58,000 greatest album charts. (Chart last updated: 4 hours ago).
"OK so why do I feel this is a "music equivalent of Tree of Life". Both works can be described with the word "epic", they're lengthy, full of interesting ideas, exhilarating, techincally very impressive, and even the theme is somewhat similiar with constant nostalgic "looking back", to the time of...""OK so why do I feel this is a "music equivalent of Tree of Life".
Both works can be described with the word "epic", they're lengthy, full of interesting ideas, exhilarating, techincally very impressive, and even the theme is somewhat similiar with constant nostalgic "looking back", to the time of childhood. I also think they share the same problem - often I get the feeling that they're epic just for the sake of being epic. Not that this is a bad thing, but I did feel sometimes, that it was just... empty, when it presented itself to be something more than that.
I had more problem with that in the movie than on the album though. I guess if the movie is visually impressive, it can still easily make me unsatisfied if I feel that the images on screen don't make much sense or if I feel the author thinks the movie is smarter than it actually is. On the album, there are several interludes, that are impressive by themselves, but don't really offer anything in the terms of an album, not musically nor thematically. Some will find them to be a filler, but to me they're impressive and quality enough so I don't lose interest. In Tree of Life, there are also certain "interludes" that in general probably had some place in director's story (his whole "vision"), but I ultimately found a lot of that to be fairly boring (despite being fascinating to watch) and quite simply - empty. So.. Being just a music album (also, without the annoying voice overs of the movie) Hurry Up, We're Dreaming doesn't make me feel that way at all, even if I have my doubts about it. Some of the songs are just so good that I don't care if Gonzalez made them with true emotions, honesty, or just in order to make them as big and "epic" as possible.
Track picks: Midnight City, Wait, Claudia Lewis, Raconte Moi Une Historie (something out of the ordinary, can only be a good thing on an album like this), ..."[+]Reply
"Out of nowhere and right at the end, this album may be my AotY. It's such a detailed, and engrossing album. And the shit is fresh while still being totally reminiscent of the sound of "There's A Riot Going On" or "Dirty Mind" or , vocally, Al Green. And yeah, again, the attention to detail on the...""Out of nowhere and right at the end, this album may be my AotY. It's such a detailed, and engrossing album. And the shit is fresh while still being totally reminiscent of the sound of "There's A Riot Going On" or "Dirty Mind" or , vocally, Al Green. And yeah, again, the attention to detail on the live instrumentation and the way it's mixed is so refreshing! There's layers of great stuff happening on every track. At first you may not totally feel the groove but it's hinted at, then the next time through you hear the groove and the unique flavor of all the songs, then later through it you hear more and more intricate little fillips and details and nuances. It's really spectacular. I love it. "[+]Reply
"It's kind of sad that CRJ has fallen somewhat out of the public eye considering how great of a pop album this is. Catchy beyond belief and something everybody should at least give a try."Reply
"The most essential record in years. A catalogue of insanely catchy socio-political anthems that tap right into the heart of the struggles and problems modern Britain faces in the most happy-angry way possible. The impact this album is going to have cannot be predicted, but I do have these thought...""The most essential record in years. A catalogue of insanely catchy socio-political anthems that tap right into the heart of the struggles and problems modern Britain faces in the most happy-angry way possible.
The impact this album is going to have cannot be predicted, but I do have these thoughts so far: Never Fight A Man With A Perm is killer beyond all comprehension; Danny Nedelko is a fantastic middle finger to the right wing press's narrative of the last decade; Samaritans speaks to me and to men in general in a way that music has never done before, making you want to sing-a-long and cry all at the same time; Great finally delivers the Brexit punk anthem we've been after for ages.
Even then, there's so much to unpick here. Every song has as much depth as the last one, every lyric feels like it deserves a whole essay just to explain its significance.
The music too. Man. I don't even know where to start. Idles have taken there big ol' grungy hardcore post-punk medley sound and fleshed it out into something that nods to all of its influences yet feels highly appropriate and effective, and more than anything else, rocks like no god damn tomorrow.
Packs the energy to make you want to jump around the room and smash up your kitchen. Smacks you right in the feels with the intensity of its lyrics. Reassures that it knows just what you're going through and what you've been through, and finally offers you an answer. This is the record we've all been waiting for in Britain. An optimistic, angry mantra to unite around - and dance around to as well.
Idles pulled it out the bag and smacked it right out of the park. Best record of 2018? Oh hell, I most certainly think so."[+]Reply
"I feel perverse for even listening to this album. It is so deeply personal and heartbreaking that it feels strange to just put in my headphones and listen to it like it is any other album. I believe this to be a great album, but I am having a hard time determining just how great given how difficu...""I feel perverse for even listening to this album. It is so deeply personal and heartbreaking that it feels strange to just put in my headphones and listen to it like it is any other album.
I believe this to be a great album, but I am having a hard time determining just how great given how difficult it is to actually listen to. I love plenty of honest and painful albums (Carrie & Lowell, Hi How Are You), but this one is something especially harrowing. Plus, even though the lyrics are so powerful, the songs themselves are rather simple and all sound very close to each other. While this does work as an effective vessel for the lyrics, I do see the argument that this is more great poetry than great music.
At the moment, I really don't know where to rank this is my overall chart. Is it top 20? Should it even be in the top 100 at all? I have never struggled to rank an album this much."[+]Reply
"I have this album in my top 10 for 2018. I think its a very beautiful album, as Beach House always delivers in that aspect, and has a handful and standout songs. However, I don't like when people get down voted for having reasonable opinions, even if they're perhaps opposing viewpoints from your ...""I have this album in my top 10 for 2018. I think its a very beautiful album, as Beach House always delivers in that aspect, and has a handful and standout songs.
However, I don't like when people get down voted for having reasonable opinions, even if they're perhaps opposing viewpoints from your own. I wouldn't down vote someone unless I suspected them of being a troll or making a waaaaayyy too extreme or inaccurate comment. Seems like as soon as anyone makes a negative comment on a "good" album it gets down voted..."[+]Reply
"Best Adele album,but still just good. She has a pretty voice and she can definitely sing,but not only does the album get extremely tedious after only a few tracks in,it's not really something interesting in the first place. There are some great songs on here,but everything else is lacking."Reply
"Kevin Shields said that in a couple years from now this album is going to make more sense. Idk I love this now though, definitely grows on you the more you come back to it."Reply
"If you have listened to this album once or twice.... you need to listen to it maybe 5 more times in order to get it! It will grow on you I promise!! This is probably the Saddest album I've heard in my life. I have. to say it's my Top 3 albums of all time.... Like I said in the review on "The Rave...""If you have listened to this album once or twice.... you need to listen to it maybe 5 more times in order to get it! It will grow on you I promise!! This is probably the Saddest album I've heard in my life. I have. to say it's my Top 3 albums of all time....
Like I said in the review on "The Raven", I've only started listening to SW's music 4 months ago. This is the second SW solo album I bought after "The Raven". I can tell you my first impression on the album wasn't as great as his other works like "The Raven" and "Fear of a blank planet", I found the first few tracks are too "Poppy" for my likings, the 2nd half of the album was more enjoyable than the first half. However, after giving it a few more listen, this album has become my favourite prog-rock concept album of ALL TIME, high above Dark Side of the Moon, and I'll tell you why.
To be able to fully appreciate this album, you need to know the concept behind and read the fictional story that SW wrote for the album booklet. I'm sure many of us who bought the album know it's inspired by the real-life story of Joyce Carol Vincent whose body was found in her apartment in London after she's been dead for nearly 3 years. Next to her body were wrapped presents to her family that never got delivered. People wondered how come no one missed her in 3yrs? This album is about urban alienation, and the state-of-mind of a deeply depressed woman who chose to cut herself off from her family, friends and the society eventually.
This album actually has a lot more heart & depth compared to "The Raven". Even though The "Raven" successfully emulated the 70's prog rock sound with tight drumming from Marco, Scorching guitar solo from Guthrie Govan, to me it's more of a Tribute Album to King Crimson/Genesis/Jethro Tull. It's pleasant/euphoric to listen to, but you wouldn't think much about it after.
Versus Hand Cannot Erase, I feel my stomach churned every time I listened to it. Adam Holzman's keyboard work is definitely the highlight of this album. I could hear the emotion pouring out of every key he pressed. The flow of the album is my favourite, each track is carefully placed in order, it's like reading the diaries of the main character and you could feel her emotional state each step of the way. It is meant to be listened from the beginning to the end to get the full picture.
Track List and my own interpretation:
1. First Regret - It starts off with Adam Holzman's gloomy keyboard sound and SW's brooding soundscape. It's calling for your attention.
2. 3 Year Older - It's your typical pop rock song, it gives you the first glimpse of the main character's state-of-mind. She's starting to relate to someone who she once knew before... someone who disappeared from her life and she didn't understand why... but now she does..."I can feel you more than you really know.... I can love you more than I'll ever show"
3. Hand Cannot Erase - This is a stellar pop track! It showcases SW's ability to create different type of music. It expresses the desire of the main character that she just wanted to be left alone. It's something we can all relate to...."Writing lying emails to our friends back home...feeling guilty if we sometimes wanna be alone" "It's not you, forgive me if I find I need more space..." I'm sure we all feel that way sometimes.... some days we just want to be left alone
4. Perfect Life - Pure Electronica piece, one of my favourite tracks. It's the monologue of the main character talking about the foster sister that she once had. She's 3 years older and she disappeared from the main character's life. Now we know the track "3 Year Older" is about that long lost friend
5. Routine - This is one of the saddest songs I've heard in my life. It has nothing to do with the story of this album. It's more like a side story about a woman's grief after the lost her children. She had to maintain her daily routine in order to keep sane. The highlight was Guthrie Govan's guitar solo and Ninet's heart-wrenching vocal. I've listened to this song many times, and I cried every time when I heard the line "Don't ever let go.... try to let go....", it's a struggle everyday.... you know you need to move on, but when is it OK to move on?
6. Home Invasion - It's one of the heaviest tracks on this album, it has some Metal riffs. This song talks about the social detachment people have due to Internet and Social Media. Technology brings us closer and further at the same time. We get on line, we know everything that's happening around the world at the comfort of our own home. People don't even interact with each other any more because Texting/Tweeting/Facebooking is easier...everyone has a different visage on the internet, you can be anything, anyone you want...
7. Regret #9 - This one is an instrumental track showcasing each members' musicianship. The opening sounds very RUSH. If you didn't know, you would think you are listening to Rush. This is one of the best and heavier tracks of the album.
8. Transience - Another favourite track of mine. This is the most melodic track in the album. I could definitely hear the influence of Pink Floyd especially the harmonies. It's very folksy & melodic, you just want to sing along. It's simply beautiful.
9. Ancestral - This is probably the best track in the album. It's a 13-min long journey packed with tons of goodies including SW's lush and brooding guitar sound and haunting vocal; Adam's magical keyboard/organ works and Guthrie's sky-scorching guitar solo. Definitely cannot be missed.
10. Happy Returns - This is definitely THE saddest song I've ever heard in my life. I thought there's no song that can top the sadness of 'Routine", but this song did it. I have to say the first 20 times when I heard this song, I just find it very sad, but it never got me to the point that I had to weep uncontrollably like 'Routine". I only truly experienced how sad this song actually is when I saw it performed live at the SW's concert. The song is a letter she wrote to her brother after she cut herself off from her family for years. She tried putting up a strong front so people would think she's ok, but she's actually very broken. It almost seemed like it's her way of crying for help, she's in the verge of breaking down. Her train-of-thoughts were very scattered... one moment she expressed her helplessness "I feel like I'm falling once again... but there's no one left to catch me..." Another moment she's talking about her financial trouble and suddenly asked if her nieces & nephews remember her... "I've got trouble with the bills... do the kids remember me?... I got gifts for them and for you... and sorrow.... but I'm feeling kinda drowsy now... so I'll finish this tomorrow..." Even though the song never implied the fate of the character, but we all know those gifts never got delivered and she's never waking up again. (Joyce Carol Vincent died in her apartment with undelivered wrapped presents around her.) I lose it every time when I thought about how she died alone and no one missed her for years.......
11. Accident Here One - It's all Adam Holzman's emotional keyboard work!! I'm a true fan of him now after seeing him performed this album live. I saw big guys weeping at the concert when Adam concluded the show with this gloomy piece of art.
I have to say there's no other albums I've listened to in my life made me feel that touched and emotional. This is an essential collection for music fans across all genres... not just Pop Rock and Prog Rock fans... but music fans with good ears in general. It is sad... but like Steven Wilson said "I find sad music uplifting!". This album is truly a masterpiece!
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Mercury | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +7 votes (7 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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DeusExMackia | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +9 votes (9 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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Mattdup279 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +11 votes (11 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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elo269megv | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +21 votes (22 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
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imnotanotter | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +14 votes (15 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
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