Although I didn’t think much of this album when I first heard it, I did grow to appreciate it just a little more after watching the documentary that was featured on Disney+. But then again, I suppose that’s the thing to do when you submit yourself to nine hours of footage of four insufferably British men arguing, smoking, not showering, drinking tea, and occasionally making music while possibly on drugs - you just need to learn how to love it.
Hearing them compose these songs, ... read more
Saying Abbey Road is not only The Beatles’ best album but also one of the greatest albums of all time feels almost redundant and much too obvious. Surely, one could argue that Sgt. Peppers, Revolver, or even The White Album are better candidates for this particular title, but one could also be utterly wrong.
I should get the obvious out of the way. Since Abbey Road is one of my favorite albums of all time, anything I say from here can easily be dismissed as being biased and likely an ... read more
I always feel reluctant to rate or review soundtracks because the moment you separate said soundtrack from the piece of media it is intended to enhance, they're like fish out of water (this doesn't apply to the soundtrack of Over The Garden Wall, of course). And since Yellow Submarine was created with the sole purpose of being featured in an animated movie about The Beatles, I don't entirely feel confident about treating this project as a thorough, inherent part of their ... read more
To me, this is the most polarizing Beatles album there is. For many, many years, I've revisited The White Album with the underlying hope of landing on either side of the spectrum: loving The White Album as many people do or downright despising it as some other people do. However, I haven't been granted said satisfaction because why would anything ever be that easy?
Instead, I've ultimately concluded that I'm conflicted and will likely never resolve the confusion I feel ... read more
I sometimes wish I had been alive during the time this album came out just to gauge the various reactions this project must've received right off the bat. Knowing that The Beatles had previously released one of their most critically acclaimed albums just a few months prior, along with the sudden death of their manager, Brian Epstein, I can only imagine the intrigue and anticipation surrounding their follow-up album. Surely, certain people might've predicted that the death of such a ... read more
Just to quote the infamous video I mentioned in Revolver once more, is this one really your favorite, or were you just told it should be?
Although that quote has certain connotations, I do favor Sgt. Peppers quite a lot these days. However, it is worth noting that this particular album didn't catch my attention back in the day. I couldn't seem to grow a significant relationship with the album for the life of me. I think the fact that people would talk my ear off about just how ... read more
Every time I listen to Revolver and actively favor it over its predecessor, I remember that one video from this guy who would comment on what your favorite Beatles album says about you, and regarding Revolver fans he said, and I quote: "You pretentious fucker. You piece of shit hipster." Just for context's sake, he had this to say about Rubber Soul fans: "You're cool. Like, actually cool. You are what the hipsters think they are."
And while I agree that Rubber ... read more
Just like my relationship with Help!, I'm not overly fond of Rubber Soul despite recognizing just how crucial this particular project was for both The Beatles' career and the music landscape at the time. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed just how experimental music became in the second half of the 1960s, and while I wouldn't be one to claim Rubber Soul might've had something to do with it, you can clearly tell it influenced many musicians who now felt ... read more
Out of the early portion of The Beatles' discography, I must admit Help! hasn't necessarily stuck out to me. It's not that I think the album itself is bad by any means, but I haven't quite developed a remotely significant connection to it over the years. Despite this, I still recognize just how important this project was in the context of their discography.
For one, Help! marks the end of an era that could've potentially become harmful in the long run if the band had ... read more
Beatles for Sale is the inevitable result of a strict contract, a tight schedule, and the unbearable weight of more fame than any breathing person could ever fathom or sustain. To a certain extent, you can almost hear the reluctance in their voices as they sing these unimaginative, bland tracks that were partially made with the sole purpose of meeting a deadline, hence the noticeable decline in quality from the vibrant A Hard Day's Night to its soulless successor.
Considering their third ... read more
Throughout my reviews of the earlier portion of The Beatles' discography, I keep alluding to the fact that they wouldn't exactly make anything worthwhile until A Hard Day's Night, but give no further explanation as to why that is. Up until this point, The Beatles had been delivering agreeable covers of some of their most admired musicians while releasing a few original songs here and there as well. But it wasn't until the third installment of their discography that they ... read more
Whenever I've encountered rankings of The Beatles´ discography, I've seen people place With the Beatles incredibly low, sometimes even lower than Yellow Submarine or Beatles for Sale, which I find slightly alarming. I get that rankings are supposed to be subjective and conform only to someone's personal opinion, but I believe this project gets slandered unfairly on a daily basis without cause. I mean, sure, Little Child alone is enough to shove this record on the back of ... read more
Despite Please Please Me being nowhere near one of my favorite albums by The Beatles, I can't deny that I have quite fond memories attached to it nonetheless. For one, considering I went into their discography chronologically, this is the first album I ever heard from them, which is quite a special occurrence on its own. At the time, although I wasn't exactly wowed by these tracks considering they were quote on quote era-appropriate, I did notice that undeniable charm they exuded even ... read more
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Recent Review Comments
On Taylor Swift - The Life of a Showgirl
"@martique And hey! you're more than welcome to visit my museum any time. Once I finish my Simon & Garfunkel deep dive, I'll likely get started with Sade's discography, which I'm excited for you to read :) Thanks again for taking the time to read my reviews all the way through and giving me such interesting feedback. I look forward to your reviews as well!"
On Taylor Swift - The Life of a Showgirl
"@martique As far as quoting and references go, I'd highly advise you to stay curious about media, whether it be watching a movie, picking up a book, or listening to music. I figure that if you continue sustainably consuming that type of media, for the right reasons, you'll find yourself referencing some movie that is older than your parents, which no one knows, cares about, or understands how it relates to some album. But what'll matter is that you will know!"
On Taylor Swift - The Life of a Showgirl
"@martique This may sound redundant, but that is legitimately one of the best compliments I've ever received! I'm beyond flattered, truly. I agree with your point about certain reviews on AOTY (or elsewhere) seeming insincere. I've encountered plenty that either focused on delivering a punchline or simply regurgitated whatever other people have agreed upon. Whenever I write reviews, I like to comment on what the album means in the context of the artist's discography or the music scene of which they emerged (hence the history aspect of it), as well as talk about how it relates to me as a listener (hence my job as a museum curator, haha), so the fact that you made such a thorough observation means the absolute world to me!"
On martiqued's review of Taylor Swift - The Life of a Showgirl
"@martique I meant to respond to your other mention but it slipped out of my mind entirely. While I like to think I write my reviews for my eyes only, I do appreciate the fact that you actually read them all the way through. Moreover, if my reviews actually served the purpose of being more 'critical' and giving you a different point of view, then it means the absolute world to me. Still, I'd like to remind you that it also takes bravery to stand by a 'lonely album' and see the beauty in it while surrounded by people who can only seem to take jabs at it for the hell of it. This amazing gift you have of being able to appreciate something regardless of how it's being received by others is to be celebrated, not undermined."
On martiqued's review of Taylor Swift - The Life of a Showgirl
"Wow, this is one of the most heartfelt reviews I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I found it so commendable how you described your own listening experiences and the process of developing your own opinion on a project, despite others being so openly harsh on it. I deeply admire your ability to be so open towards these releases and allow them to flourish before you, as well as 'befriending' each little thing they have to offer. And while I personally didn't care to 'befriend' this particular album, this has opened my eyes to be a little more forgiving in the near future. Thank you for sharing something so personal and so very thought-provoking! :)"
On martiqued's review of The Beach Boys - Shut Down Volume 2
"Don't Worry Baby was actually written as a response to Be My Baby. Brian Wilson was so obsessed with that song that he simply couldn't help himself! Interestingly enough, Ronnie covered Don't Worry Baby later in her career, so it really came in full circle"
On Simon & Garfunkel - Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
"@MimpsMusicTaste Thank you for your comment! I understand the bias, like I mentioned, I had my own internal battle as I tried to decide which one I liked the best. After all, they're fairly similar, quality-wise. I definitely recommend giving Parsley a couple more listens, it has the potential to grow on you. And I'm glad to see a fellow Cloudy enjoyer, we're an endangered species, apparently. Thanks again! :)"
On twenty one pilots - The Contract
"@kimmi_jean I'm trying to see where you're coming from, but I just find it hard to believe that the lack of the storyline they're supposedly trying to perpetuate in Clancy is somehow "the entire point" Or intentional. It just sounds like the same excuse the fandom came up with when they said the band made Scaled and Icy bad on purpose; it's not intentional, it's just bad. Just like Clancy is hollow at its core."
On twenty one pilots - The Contract
"@MLaw Thank you sm! :)"
On twenty one pilots - The Contract
"@eldracula Thank you for commenting! :) And that's totally fair, I'm glad you enjoy it"
On martiqued's review of David Bowie - Young Americans
"I'm glad you've grown to appreciate it a little more; it's one of his more agreeable projects, in my opinion. I also like to think this album is one of Bowie's best because Luther Vandross helped to put it together, but that may be a bit of a reach. In any case, great review! :)"
On The Beatles - Revolver
"@martor95 Thank you for reading and for not considering me a pretentious hipster! :) I understand the preference, sometimes Revolver can be a little too acidic or rough in contrast to Rubber Soul, which is all the sweeter to listen to, so I get the appeal. And you should consider yourself cool, you like Yellow Submarine for one! Thank you for leaving a comment, it means a lot to me! :)"
On Carbonated Water - Wenig Kohlensäure
"@frogofprog Done!"
On Carbonated Water - Wenig Kohlensäure
"@frogofprog That changed my life forever, wow"
On The Beatles - Let It Be
"@martor95 Thank you for this comment and the support you've given me throughout my reviews, it means a lot :) About the singles album, I'm not one to review compilation albums because I prefer the songs to be in their respective contexts, but I'll give it some thought since it's so iconic! Thanks again"
On pinkfuzzysounds's review of De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising
"I purposely avoid De La Orgee every time lol. You should give De La Soul Is Dead a listen sometime, it isn't as lighthearted as this one, but it does have its perks"
On The Beatles - Let It Be
"@g6music Thank you for reading! :) That performance will forever be iconic, it's a shame it got cut short (yet another example of the police being bastards)"
On Sheepie's review of Car Seat Headrest - The Scholars
"Reality is just that good. I hope things get better for you btw"
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