Another solid record from Black Sabbath! I can definitely understand why 'Sabotage' has garnered a reputation as "the underrated one" among Sabbath die-hards. You can probably chalk this record's general lack of popularity up to the red tights that drummer Bill Ward is sporting on the cover art. Ozzy's platform shoes, on the other hand, are incredible, so I think it all evens out.

Musically, I might dig this one a little more than it's predecessor, the ... read more

The songwriting here is great, and marks an admirable point of evolution for the band, but man I just do not care for the production here at all. I'm not saying it has to be as heavy as 'Master of Reality', the songs here aren't built for that anyway, but the sound is just so damn tinny. There are even moments where the placement of Ozzy's voice within the mix totally turn me off, specifically some of the high notes on the otherwise excellent title track. It's a ... read more

'In The Court of the Crimson King' obviously slams, but this... I like this. I'll admit, even after years of listening, "Moonchild" remains a skip for me. It's a neat exploratory piece, but never something I find myself clamoring to listen to. 'Red', on the other hand, is a nonstop fireworks show from minute one to minute forty. I think it's the greater heavy metal influence that does it for me; these songs are foreboding, dramatic, and gargantuan in ... read more

Gets a little lost in the weeds in the last three tracks, but I still loved this. Extremely pleasant indie singer-songwriter fare with hints of alt-country and cleanly-assembled Fleetwood Mac-esque soft rock for added flavor. Tracks 2, 3, and 4 are just lovely, perfect breakfast music (and I should know, I was makin an omelette as this played). The sound is feather-light and sweet, constantly threatening to evaporate with the morning dew, but always remaining sturdy as a mountainside cottage.

I haven't much use for this at this moment in my life. "Two Horses" was nice tho.

Really didn't think these fellas had another great record in em. Happy to be wrong! That Oldsmobile Cutlass on the cover art seems to have plenty of gas left in the tank.

Wish I liked this more! Production-wise, ‘The Turning Wheel’ was such a revelation, the whole thing sounded friggin spotless. By comparison, the drums and distorted guitars on ‘Portrait of My Heart’ could really use some more oomph; the mixed-fidelity style here just isn’t hitting as hard as her previous bouts of extravagant maximalism. Still, I love the witchified Disney pop rock vibe she’s going for here, and I can appreciate that Tia Cabral is pushing her ... read more

Her quietest album is her most devastating.

He is so fucking good at this whole “music” thing.

Mad props for sampling dialogue from Peter Jackson's 'Braindead' (the greatest horror movie of all time) on track four. "She's... *experienced*." The music is pretty damn fun too, filthy guitar tones, lots of nice squeaking on the fretboards, good stuff.

This album is growing on me like a weed. I love the tactic of starting your debut album with the 1979 equivalent of a shitpost, "We", and then immediately follow it up with the most gorgeous folk pop tune I've heard in my life, "Hammond Song". If you can't handle me at my <BLANK> you don't deserve me at my <BLANK> or whatever. What a strange little band, their cult status makes plenty of sense to me. I really like their second album, ... read more

"Crazy Train" is such an easy song to take for granted, isn't it? I couldn't care less how overplayed it is, that's a perfect pop metal hit right there. Terrific vocal melodies, a nice driving pace, and Randy Rhoads absolutely tearing shit up, what more could you want? Well for one, I suppose the production could be heavier. There's a shiny chrome quality to these guitar tones that does compliment the hooky songwriting style, even if I personally prefer the ... read more

Felt like a less technical, more texture-focused version of the record Battles released this same year. Two different flavors, both quite tasty! :]

This one takes a minute to warm up, but everything from "Compensation" onwards is prime Nina. This is surely one of her prettiest records, takes me back to some of the gorgeous, minimalist jazz arrangements on 'Little Girl Blue'. There’s nothing I enjoy more than hearing a singer I love strip their music down to its most bare essential elements, and this is a lovely example of exactly that. Got some light Mark Hollis self-titled vibes from this, and that’s one of ... read more

Elias <33333

Unbelievable tune. "Pop culture was in art, now art's in pop culture, in me." Badass. I am intoxicated.

The song quality gets a lil spotty in the last leg, but as a very casual Gaga enjoyer, I got basically everything I wanted outta this. My main gripe with the album is in how it ends. "Die With A Smile" is a fine song, don't love it, don't hate it. Regardless of whether I personally enjoy this particular song, it just does NOT fit in this tracklist at all lol, it's such a sore thumb. I wouldn't be surprised if it was originally planned to remain as a standalone ... read more

This thing is 60+ years old and it still feels like Bobby is speaking right to my soul in the here and now. Humble, thoughtful, witty, and truly timeless tunes. Love that you can practically hear him smiling through the harmonica on “Bob Dylan’s Blues”. Goddamn, he was one year younger than me while recording 'Freewheelin'. What the hell's my excuse?

I enjoyed many of the tracks here, but I can understand why Nina herself thought this record was a bit corny lol. I can't imagine it was her decision to slap a Hall & Oates cover on here, that's a case of label interference if ever I've heard one. No one covers a song quite like Nina Simone; her discography is chock full of tunes that, while not originally written by her or for her, have unquestionably become HER songs. "Rich Girl" is not one of those songs.

The ... read more

Another classic record from Nina's unforgettable run in the 60s. This is a very consistent, no frills affair, rawer and rougher than the lush and romantic balladeering on albums like 'Wild Is The Wind'. I don't think '...Sings the Blues' ever manages to outdo the standard set by its excellent first and second tracks, but it remains highly enjoyable through and through.