"Lonerism is one of the few albums in this life that I'd dare label as a perfect album, and no, this didn't happen after my first listen. I discovered Tame Impala back in high school during their Innerspeaker days, and I was instantly captivated by their mix of alternative rock with some old schoo...""Lonerism is one of the few albums in this life that I'd dare label as a perfect album, and no, this didn't happen after my first listen. I discovered Tame Impala back in high school during their Innerspeaker days, and I was instantly captivated by their mix of alternative rock with some old school 60s/70s rock vibes. Needless to say, I highly anticipated their follow up at the time.
After giving it a listen upon release, I pushed it aside, not really feeling the new sounds. It sounded like Tame Impala, but it was trying to be something else. Every now and then I would give it a few more listens, extending all the way to the end of 2014. Through all of those listens, the only song that really stood out to me was Apocalypse Dreams, because it reminded me of the Innerspeaker Tame Impala.
During late 2014, my first break up, and as the feeling of loss and loneliness started overwhelming my life, I gave it another listen, and that’s when it all lined up. The album started making sense. It’s hard to understand certain themes in here being a kid and all, without knowing what losing others is like. Song after song, it felt like Kevin Parker was suddenly narrating my life. I started digging deeper through the lyrics, realizing that someone else (Kevin) had once felt the exact same way in some regard. Ironically, I started feeling less lonely. Music like this might sound depressing to some at first, but I believe it’s made like that for a reason. As you read through the relating lyrics and listen to the incredible sounds being thrown at you, you can’t help but smile every once in a while. It was truly a healing experience.
By the end of that year, the album had become a nearly perfect one to me, but not quite. There were still some songs and themes that didn’t make sense to me, and as I’ve transitioned into adulthood, the themes have become more apparent, and I can suddenly view the album in more than one way. It’s no longer just an album about the feeling of being alone, loving someone, or losing someone. And it became apparent with the song that I was listening to the most the whole time, Apocalypse Dreams.
The lines “Everything is changing, and there’s nothing I can do” mean more to me now as an adult, as I realize that we’re just a small part of huge universe that is constantly changing, both space wise, and Earth-wise. And while you think of that, you suddenly want to lay in bed in a fetal position and cry about it, but at the same time, it really makes you think of what it is that you’re doing with your life, and who you truly care about, and what your life would be without those people. And in the end, it makes you appreciate everything just a tad bit more, and essentially, enjoy your unique experience with the gift of life.
This is how Lonerism has affected me, and I can go on and on. But there aren’t many other albums that I can say this about. 10/10
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"Overhyped, overrated, underrated, ignored, I'd like to point out that all MEANS NOTHING. Just go on YouTube or whatever and listen to some tracks and make up your own mind. I heard about this from Pitchforks glowing review. And then I listened to some stuff, and it sounded amazing. Then I bought ...""Overhyped, overrated, underrated, ignored, I'd like to point out that all MEANS NOTHING. Just go on YouTube or whatever and listen to some tracks and make up your own mind. I heard about this from Pitchforks glowing review. And then I listened to some stuff, and it sounded amazing. Then I bought the album and I listened to it several times. I've decided it is masterful. It's smooth and flows and all the elements of the album mingle incredibly. "Bad Religion" and "Thinking about you" are some stand outs, but again the whole record is fabulous. Huge fan! It just hits that good spot musically where it all makes sense. If you wanna hear a badass modern incarnation of Stevie and Marvin, this dude is great for that. But really he is his own man and his own style and this record can stand in its own 2 feet. Best album of year that I've heard and only in my opinion."Reply
"I thought I had a pretty good grasp of dream pop by listening to Alvvays... I was sorely mistaken. Wow, this album is amazing. It is texture after texture of glistening gems and fast-moving clouds through a blue sky. It's climbing a mountain just to see what the view looks like on the other side....""I thought I had a pretty good grasp of dream pop by listening to Alvvays... I was sorely mistaken.
Wow, this album is amazing. It is texture after texture of glistening gems and fast-moving clouds through a blue sky. It's climbing a mountain just to see what the view looks like on the other side. It's going for the grasp of a crush's hand to both experience the thrill and anxiety of the journey to it, then realizing that your crush has been waiting for it and getting that warm rush to your face as you blush.
The production is impeccable, the instrumentation fits perfectly together like a puzzle, Victoria's vocals soar over vistas and landscapes of all nations, Alex's arpeggios bring familiarity and warmth to the overall package of each song. Myth may be one of the best songs of the last 40 years and On The Sea is another building piece of music like, but better, than 10 Mile Stereo. Like, the only real low point on this record is a hidden track that follows 6 minutes of needed comedown after a beautiful closer in Irene- and the hidden track could veritably not be counted against them.
What I'm trying to say is that I may need to rethink my top 10, nay, top 5 albums of the 2010s. We're now 2 months into 2020 and we need to pay more attention and respect to this album. Severely overlooked and underrated.
95/100
Favorite Songs: Myth, Wild, The Hours, New Year, Wishes, On The Sea, Irene"Reply
"Let's face it: this record isn't a 10/10. It's got too many iffish songs (looking at you, second half of the album) for that. But it makes up for that rather lacking second half with it's brilliant first half and the final track of the album, which is arguably the best. The hooks on this record a...""Let's face it: this record isn't a 10/10. It's got too many iffish songs (looking at you, second half of the album) for that. But it makes up for that rather lacking second half with it's brilliant first half and the final track of the album, which is arguably the best.
The hooks on this record are catchy as fuck: "getgetgetgetgotgotgotgot", "I'M IN YOUR AREA", "HUSTLE BONES COMING OUT MY MOUTH", "I GOT THE DIAMONDS SCRAPIN' SLIDIN' WASTIN' MY LIFE IN ALTERED STATEs, BACK IT UP" to name a few.
MC Ride's a.k.a. Stefan Burnett vocal style is extreme, for hip hop at least. It involves lots and lots of throat shredding shouts and yells. The only song that doesn't have him use this technique is Get Got, which is probably why that song is the most accessible on the record.
The drums on this record are quite surprisingly live drums, provided by Zach Hill of Hella. This is quite new for him obviously but he seems to be handling it flawlessly. In fact, it's amazing that these are live drums, considering the amount of speed and technical skill required to imitate a drum machine.
The synths and production is handle by Flatlander a.k.a. Andy Morin, one of the few producers that actually performs live with their band. His production is flawless, and it's amazing how he created such complex soundscapes and textures.
Overall, while this record is quite impressive, it isn't a perfect 10 unlike what Anthony Fantano says. But it really is a good taste of their future records, especially so on Jenny Death. "Reply
"One of the most innovative - or at least interesting (some may say eccentric) - musical statements of the last couple of years, ∆'s An Awesome Wave was a refreshing experience. The structure of alternating longer and densely-textured songs with smaller, simpler interludes allows for fluid proceed...""One of the most innovative - or at least interesting (some may say eccentric) - musical statements of the last couple of years, ∆'s An Awesome Wave was a refreshing experience. The structure of alternating longer and densely-textured songs with smaller, simpler interludes allows for fluid proceedings. It may take a couple of listens to "get it".
There are clear highlights on this album - the deep, booming saw-tooth sound in "Fitzpleasure" and the spectacular arrangement in "Tessellate" struck me, in particular - but the overall consistency on the album holds it together. For most albums, there is a stronger half (the front nine, usually), but the great songs are strewn throughout on An Awesome Wave (like "Bloodflow" and "Taro", the last one, being the fantastic closer that it is, and all!).
With just one album Alt-J has successfully establish their own original sound, and I for one look forward to what is to come forth from these guys in the near future!"Reply
"Two years later and this has only gotten better, one of my all time favorites now. I just love how she's so in control of her instrument, while at the same time she seems on the edge of insanity both lyrically and vocally. And how good is the percussion? Truly unique all around."Reply
"Another album that gets low ratings on this site, and I suspect I know why. I remember when Lana Del Rey played "Video Games" on Saturday Night Live, a performance panned by critics and viewers who want female singers to dress titillatingly and give over-the-top live performances like those on Am...""Another album that gets low ratings on this site, and I suspect I know why. I remember when Lana Del Rey played "Video Games" on Saturday Night Live, a performance panned by critics and viewers who want female singers to dress titillatingly and give over-the-top live performances like those on American Idol. This album is pop, but it defies American culture's expectations for what a pop album should be. It's dark and brooding, and it has odd relationship dysfunction as its central subject. A strange formula for mainstream success, which the album nevertheless achieved. The title track is gorgeously written, and hypnotically romantic."Reply
"I'm not totally sure about this one.. I listened to the full album from start to finish three times now, which I guess means something, considering it's like 2 hours long. There are moments of pure beauty here. A Piece of the Sky is one of those. I get what YIS is trying to say about its awkward ...""I'm not totally sure about this one.. I listened to the full album from start to finish three times now, which I guess means something, considering it's like 2 hours long. There are moments of pure beauty here. A Piece of the Sky is one of those. I get what YIS is trying to say about its awkward structure, but it actually stopped bothering me after a couple of listens (and I listened to that song/piece alone far more times than anything else). Even the droney first half doesn't bother me, and I'm usually not a fan of stuff like that. In general I think the second half is stronger and features some great, post-rock, atmospheric climaxes.
But it doesn't work as well on some other tracks. Take the title track. That is a mammoth track in length, and while a lot happens in those 30+ minutes, I feel it doesn't quite do for me what some other similar tracks could. Personally, it reminds me of GYBE's Mladic, which is a shorter song, yet manages to accomplish (to my ears at least) more in that time. The Seer (song) had some "almost" Mladic-like moments.. But not quite...
One thing I hated about this record was how seriously they seem to take themselves. With those chants or whatever not helping the situation either. Basically I can't immerse myself into this stuff as much as I would have to, to really be blown away by those soundscapes.
Bottom line, it's certainly an impressive piece of music, and I def understand some people's fascination with it, but for me.... That fascination does come only in sparse moments, of which A Piece of the Sky was my favourite."Reply
"This girl has some serious talent. Too bad people won't start appreciating this album for another 20 years. Grimes is on to something and I wouldn't be surprised if she takes the world by storm in the near future."Reply