Obviously their best work is ahead of them but this is a good album and the rare second album that's better than the first. Everything on here is at least good with the obvious standouts being "High and Dry" "Fake Plastic Trees" "Just" and "Street Spirit", with "Black Star" being an honorable mention. "Bones" and "Sulk" are definitely the weakest tracks but by no means bad.

While Dolores is obviously an absolutely amazing vocalist and the tracks this album are known for are still as good as ever, feels like a lot of the album feel kind of flat. Nothing too egregious and definitely still an enjoyable listen but after the legendary "Linger" there's a bit of a valley in terms of quality (except for "How"). A solid debut nonetheless.

Fitting an album with rainbows in the title succeeds with flying colors. I think Thom Yorke is a good singer but this album is absolutely carried by the instrumentation. Intricate guitar and basslines paired with some amazing drumming plus all the other elements that show up on the project, from synths to strings, almost ensure a high if not perfect rating from a listener.

An album that sounds like a journey through technology and music, sounding retro, modern, and futuristic. The synths are obviously meant to be the lead attraction but leads not leave out a phenomenal rhythm section and one of the most unique and encapsulating voices of the 2020s. An album that will honestly never get old and a true definition of a modern pop masterpiece. When the 2020s come to an end expect this to be in the discussion of album of the decade.

Can we talk about the bass playing though? Like obviously everything on here is truly perfect but can we give the bass its proper honor here? 10/10 very safely, some of the best sounding and aging music the 80's had to offer.

Safely in the top 20 or 25 best singers ever regardless of gender for just how much control and emotion he could bring out with his voice. Also masterful guitarwork throughout. Let's not forget the rhythm section either, the bass and drums are more than holding up their own. Only the slightest amount of points off for Corpus Christi Carol being a bit of a dip following one of the greatest songs ever.

I will admit when it comes to first listens, I'm not always the best listener to lyrics. Maybe it's because of how I learned to play and listen to music as I grew up but I generally listen to the rhythm the most when I hear a song and sometimes this gets to be so focused on the lyrics fall to the wayside and I pick them up on the next listen. This project's lyrics will simply not be ignored and frankly I am grateful for that. The sparse but surprisingly varied instrumentation ... read more

Tracks 1-7 is a gauntlet of amazing songs. The songs in this range go from very good to outstanding and it's truly an astonishing feat. Track 8 and track 9 are good and okay respectively, but overall this remains an incredible and absolute must listen in my opinion. Billy's voice and piano work are the best its ever been and he's got the backup of a particularly amazing rhythm section.

A very consistent album of enjoyable dream pop that carries you like a gentle wave across its reverbed vocals and silky instrumentation. There are slight peaks and slight valleys in terms of song quality but nothing that disrupts the feeling this project wants to create. One of the easiest listens I have come across in my exploration so far.

The absolute slightest penalty for the chorus of "Real" but again...yeah *shrugs*

I mean...yeah *shrug*.

If there was a game show where they gave people an absolute copious amount of hallucinogens and had them run an obstacle course, it would sound like this.

Yeah so this is what depression sounds like. Or at least mine. And I feel spoken to finally. Something gets it.

One of the best constructed songs ever. An absolute crushing amount of emotion that you're powerless to do much else other than stand slack jawed in awe of its grandiosity. Just an endless fog of pain and feeling that envelopes you for the duration.

Clean Version be like Wu Tang Clan best not be trifled with

One of the best aging albums in the worst way possible. Forever the soundtrack of righteous political anger for issues that remain relevant to this day from the album's publication over 30 years ago. Arguably one of the most necessary albums to be made regarding issues that extend beyond music. "When ignorance reigns, life is lost"...yeah sounds about right. I need some Prozac.

The first half is so good I got this on vinyl, and after listening to it I'm realizing I may never take the second vinyl out. There's such good stuff on the first part like "Cochise", "Show Me How to Live" and of course "Like a Stone". But after "I am the Highway" it just drops off pretty hard. It's like a tag team wrestling match where one person is absolutely crushing it and the partner gets tagged in and just immediately loses it for the ... read more

5/7/26: 94->97

Until I'm proven otherwise, Them Bones and Would? might be the best opener and closer combination I've heard so far. Also this is very much my pick for the best Grunge Band and Layne Staley is one of the greatest vocalists ever and Jerry Cantrell absolutely kills it with his harmonies while busting out some amazing riffs at the same time. Sean Kinney remains a very underdiscussed drummer who pulls out great work on every song on the album. And Mike Starr's ... read more

8/12/25- Rating Changed from 93 to 95

The undeniable chemistry between Killer Mike and El-P shines here. The two have equally intoxicating and addicting flows over El-P's amazing production. Their work continues to master the difficult balance between creating bangers and more political tracks with poignant lyrics with their crosshairs on the social injustices of the world. In such a great album, it is unfortunate how much Love Again sticks out and unfortunately is costing some points. ... read more

Blood Orange gets compared to Prince seemingly quite a bit, and I would say this project has him at his most Prince adjacent. Incorporating a lot more synthesizer presence than the previous album, Blood Orange creates a space that feels both fluid and forlorn, bringing up a lot of references to love and loss. His willowy, lilting voice still shines as signature sonic element. The guest singers bring their own energy to add to the musical diversity here.