Well, here’s another Elvis Costello album being praised as something better than what it really is. This came out in 94, but it’s basically no different than the music he was making in the late 70s, except maybe not even as good. I want to say it falls short, but honestly, even his late 70s and early 80s work was pretty middle of the road, with maybe a handful of tracks rising slightly above average.

By 1994, grunge itself was already starting to wear thin culturally, and here ... read more

I need to spend more time listening to Suicide, because even this album sounds incredibly innovative. This one definitely leans into a much darker, more industrial sound, but perfect for the dance floor with its trance like repetition. At the same time, it holds on to that experimental punk foundation that defines the band. I also can’t end this review without pointing out that the production on this album was handled by Ric Ocasek of The Cars.

I finally got around to listening to this album, mainly because New Toy is one of my all time favorite new wave tracks. Outside of that song, I really didn’t know much about Lene Lovich, but as for this album, I’d say it’s a pretty solid synthpop album with a quirky, theatrical edge. I wouldn’t say there’s anything groundbreaking here, but it’s definitely worth a listen if you’re into offbeat, new wave and synthpop.

During the time they were making this music, I really wonder if they ever performed at The Haçienda, because this totally sounds like a band that came out of that universe, with their moody guitars and reverb soaked atmospheres. This album is definitely rooted in post punk, but you can already hear the post rock flourishes starting to emerge as hints of where they’d eventually take their sound.

This album is a glam rock post punk record. It’s got that abrasive confrontation you expect from punk, but you can really hear their Bowie and Roxy Music influences all over it. In a way, it feels like Ultravox were picking up right where Bowie and Roxy were starting to move away from, especially in terms of that glam rock sound and energy. There’s also a strong presence of synths throughout the album, so you can tell they were already beginning to evolve into the synth driven band ... read more

This is one of my favorite albums from XTC because it captures them right in the sweet spot of their evolution. They started out as a fun, quirky post punk band and eventually grew into more of a studio based project with lush, pastoral compositions, which was also great in its own way. But their earlier albums radiate this youthful, adventurous energy, and this album still holds onto that spirit. It carries some of their quirky post punk roots, but the songwriting is more mature and refined. ... read more

As I’m slowly trying to get more familiar with Bossa Nova, this is one of the album covers I’ve always seen around, so I figured it was definitely a must-listen. After hearing it, I can say it’s only deepened my interest in the genre, and I’m definitely planning to check out more of Astrud Gilberto’s work. The music and instrumentation are great on their own, but it’s her soft, airy vocal delivery that really elevates the album and adds to its overall cool, ... read more

I have to say, after listening to this album, along with two others from the Dead, my perception of the band has definitely changed. I used to associate them with never ending jam sessions and the image of dirty hippies who smelled like cat piss and patchouli oil. And sure, maybe their live shows lean into that, but their studio albums? I was surprised by how much I genuinely enjoyed them.

This album in particular leans more into Americana and folk rock, with a strong rootsy feel, compared to ... read more

So this is the second album I’ve listened to from Stan Getz, and I can definitely see how his music reached a global audience. This album feels like a breath of fresh air with its breezy, elegant, lounge-like, and relaxed energy. It’s definitely the kind of album that’s perfect to come home to and wind down with after a long, hot day in the summer heat.

I’m so glad I discovered this album, because it feels like every element I love in progressive, experimental, and electronic music is wrapped up into one cohesive package. This is a great example of modern psychedelic pop and space rock. You get the warm vintage analog synth textures of kosmische music, the percussive drive of motorik beats, the adventurous experimentation of Krautrock, all with the modern sensibilities and aesthetics of indie pop. This is definitely an album I’ll ... read more

This was definitely an interesting indie rock album that blends elements of grunge and noise rock. It straddles multiple genres, with a few twangy country rock tracks. You got moments with the hazy textures of shoegaze, and other parts drenched in distortion and feedback that lean hard into grunge. Overall, I thought it was a solid album, and I actually enjoyed it more the second time through, once I had a better sense of the genre dynamics and how the album moves between different sounds.

Margaritas Podridas is a fun grunge revival band from Mexico. While they’re primarily rooted in grunge, there are strong elements of shoegaze and noise rock throughout, and I’d say this album leans more into shoegaze than their first. There were moments where the vocals felt a little rough, but that might also be due to the language barrier, since I don’t speak or understand Spanish. The album also embraces a gritty, 90s style analog production that gives everything a rugged, ... read more

Ringo Deathstarr is one of those bands that consistently puts out solid music, but nothing particularly innovative. While listening to this album, I kept hearing elements that reminded me of the colorful haze and noise from My Bloody Valentine’s self titled album. Like I said, I’m not trying to shine a bad light on it, because it’s a decent listen, but they definitely stay within the safe zone, never really pushing the boundaries of the genre.

This was a good flashback to the mid to late 90s electronic scene. This album is very much a product of its time, built mostly around breakbeats, with clear influences from acid jazz, trip hop, and hip hop. There’s even an electronic remake of the James Bond theme, which fits the album’s cinematic vibe. It’s a pretty solid listen from start to finish, but honestly, I’m personally a bit burnt out on this sound in general. It’s well done, but not something I see ... read more

Disco Inferno was just too far ahead of their time for their own good. Post rock wasn’t even a real term yet, which just further proves how forward thinking they were. While many of the early pioneers of late ’80s and early 90s post rock were just starting to define the sound, in my opinion Disco Inferno was already a decade ahead of them.

This album has an incredibly futuristic sound, so much that even with all the advanced technology we have now, it still sounds abstract, alien, ... read more

This is definitely my favorite album from Brujeria, and it’s noticeably cleaner and more accessible than their previous albums. This one almost has a more industrial edge and feels a little bit more groovier. There are still some fast paced moments, but overall it’s a bit slower than their earlier work, with more focus on tighter songwriting and much cleaner production.

I really wonder how this album was received back in the early 2000s, considering the drastic shift in style, so much so that it almost feels like a completely different band. For me personally, since I’m new to SDRE and not deeply tied to their earlier work, it was probably a bit easier to get on board with this one.

That said, the first listen did take some adjustment, especially getting used to Jeremy Enigk’s vocal change. But by the second time around, I have to admit I enjoyed ... read more

Their first album was definitely more occult driven, whereas this one is full blown political. What’s absolutely insane is that this album is now 30 years old, yet it feels like the perfect soundtrack for today’s world, especially with the chaotic and divisive cultural and political environment the U.S. is experiencing right now. The songwriting here is definitely tighter compared to their debut, but it still maintains that raw, underground, unpolished production that adds to the ... read more

What I’ve really learned about myself, and how to enjoy this band the most, is that Beach House is perfect for when I’m winding down. Whenever I hear their albums during my normal daily activities, they just come off as an “okay” kind of band. But when I’m ready to relax, chill, or maybe doze off and nap here and there, they’re absolutely perfect. Their music is perfect to be put on loop, as it creates this calm, dreamy atmosphere that’s ideal for ... read more

This was always a fun band to throw on when you’re in the mood for some abrasive energy. The lineup actually features members of Fear Factory, Napalm Death, Faith No More, and others, but for the longest time, they hid behind the personas of satanic Mexican drug lords. Eventually, the word got out that it was all just for fun, but the music still holds up as a wild chaotic ride raw intensity and over the top theatrics.