It’s probably been about 15 years since I last listened to a Lana Del Rey album, and even though I’m not really a fan of her music, this was still a cool listen. It blends folk and Americana with indie pop and dream pop. The foundation is rooted in organic folk and Americana, but there’s also this nostalgic, ethereal atmosphere running through the album that brings out the dreamy, almost otherworldly element.

I appreciate this album for what it is. It’s widely regarded as the first signature outlaw country album. After renegotiating his contract with RCA, Waylon Jennings gained full creative control and stepped away from the polished Nashville production style that was dominating country music at the time. Instead, the production on this album leans into a deliberately rough edge, with an organic sound that feels more like a live performance than a carefully constructed studio ... read more

So this was an interesting album. Before its release, the Four Seasons were pretty much just a run of the mill pop band, but with the rise of the late 60s psychedelic counterculture, they started to feel out of step with the changing musical landscape. Two albums that served as major inspiration were Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Pet Sounds, which led them to reinvent themselves. The result was this psychedelic baroque pop concept album. Thematically, it centers on the Vietnam ... read more

This album is very strongly rooted in classic 70s prog, but with a slightly heavier touch and the modern keyboard sounds that were emerging in the early 2000s Neo-Prog movement. I think this album works really well because you can clearly hear their influences, but they’re not just trying to recreate the past. Instead, they take those influences and build something original, which adds a lot of quality and depth to the music. I’m definitely going to check out more of their catalog.

I honestly have no clue how this album ended up on a top albums list, but here we are. It’s not bad, but the lyrics feel very run of the mill and borderline stereotypical. I mean, we already know there’s “no room for fighting because the sun is shining.” Bob Marley taught that decades ago, and said it better.

The production leans into that typical 90s dub and trip-hop blend with some pop rock flourishes. Like I said, the music isn’t terrible, but it’s not ... read more

This Cardiacs album had a lot of odds stacked against it when it first came out. It was released just as Rough Trade Records collapsed, and since they were handling the marketing and distribution for Cardiacs’ own label, Alphabet Business Concern, this album never got the push it deserved. As a result, it became a rare collector’s item that was difficult to find for years.

On top of that, three key members had recently left the band. Rather than replace them outright, the remaining ... read more

This was a fun album. It’s got this glam noise punk sound mixed with shoegaze, and I’d say there’s even a subtle layer of industrial in the mix. The noise elements, like the feedback and distortion give it an energetic, angsty vibe, while the glam influence brings in melody and fun hooks.

Honeymoon Suite seems to be a forgotten band, which is a total, because these guys really rock when it comes to ’80s hard rock and synth rock. This debut will always stand out as a highlight from that era. It’s catchy, energetic, and packed with everything that made 80s melodic rock so great.

This album was originally released under the name “Flowers,” but after its release, the band changed their name to Icehouse, which is also the title of the album. I didn’t know much about this band going in, and honestly, up until a few days ago, I had never even heard of them. They were recommended by a Reddit user, and I’m really glad I checked them out. This turned out to be a cool discovery, especially for fans of synthpop and early new wave. It’s got that ... read more

ELO went fully electronic on this album, embracing the sounds of early 80s synthpop. It turns out Kraftwerk and Gary Numan were major influences for the band during this period. What’s impressive is how smooth the transition was. They managed to dive into new territory while still keeping their progressive pop identity intact. It’s a clear evolution, but one that still sounds true to who they are.

I usually talk about how some bands have all the right ingredients for me to like them, but somehow still fall flat. Well, this album is the complete opposite. Linkin Park had all the ingredients for me to hate them, yet this album still turned out to be a really fun listen, even 25 years later. In that sense, I think it’s fair to say they’ve stood the test of time remarkably well.

This was one of those albums I never felt the need to own, because everyone else already did. It was ... read more

I wish I had discovered this album back in the early 2000s, because I would have absolutely loved it, since this was exactly the kind of style I was seeking out at the time. It’s a really well-balanced mix of indie pop and neo-psychedelia, with clear influences from the Beatles and the Beach Boys, and even a cover of Os Mutantes.

There were also moments that reminded me a lot of Moon Safari by Air, or the kind of sounds being released by Ninja Tune Records around that era. It’s ... read more

Although this isn’t really the kind of folk rock I’m usually drawn to, this album was still pretty solid. There’s also a nice mix of gospel and blues throughout that adds some variety. One standout element is the lineup of guest musicians, such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton both appear on guitar, with Ringo Starr and Booker T. Jones contributing as well. I doubt I’ll come back to this album, but it was definitely worth the listen.

The Police is one of those bands I have a hard time getting excited about, not because they’re bad, but because I’ve heard them on the radio my entire life. At this point, they feel more like an old, familiar comfort band. That said, not every track on this album was familiar to me, so it was still cool to explore some of the deeper tracks that never became radio hits.

One element I hadn’t really picked up on before is their post punk edge. You always notice the new wave and ... read more

Man, I hear a lot of different influences in this album. There’s a strong element of ’80s synth driven prog, blended with vintage ’70s style keyboards, but at the same time, you also get that modern, contemporary prog feel through the use of electronic textures. There were several moments throughout the album where the vocals reminded me a lot of Maynard James Keenan. Overall, it feels like a fusion of neo-prog with modern progressive rock, balancing classic influences with a ... read more

Well, after 25 years without releasing any new material, I have to say Matt Johnson pulled this album off pretty well. It’s consistent with everything he’s done before, and if you were listening to The The’s discography in chronological order without knowing the release dates, you’d probably never guess there was a 25 year gap between this and the last album. I would describe this album is art rock, post-punk, and chamber pop, with a dark and moody atmosphere that gives ... read more

This album leans into a slightly more experimental edge compared to some of his earlier work, and in a good way. Some tracks build up to these sweeping, grandiose orchestrations, while others are more laid back, dark, somber, and haunting. One thing you can always count on is Walker bringing a strong, confident presence with his vocals. He really commands every moment he’s in.

This album works well as background music. It’s mostly dubbed out neo-psychedelia, with Andrew Weatherall contributing production on “Kowalski.” Honestly, this is one of those records I wish I enjoyed more than I actually do. Overall, it moves pretty slowly and doesn’t really go anywhere. That said, I don’t dislike it, but it has its time and place, and for me, that’s when I need something to play in the background.

Whoever encouraged the Scorpions to try becoming an industrial rock band, that was a terrible idea. The reason fans of industrial rock enjoy that genre is because it isn’t made by legacy hard rock bands that have been around since the late ’60s. No matter how well the Scorpions executed the transition, they were never going to win over that crowd. And at the same time, their longtime fans who had followed them faithfully for decades, weren’t going to embrace such a drastic ... read more

The newest album was amazing, and while this one falls slightly short by comparison, this album is still a very solid release for some folk infused post rock. For the most part, it’s a chill and meditative listen, built around slow, restrained instrumentation that unfolds patiently. It’s definitely an album you need to be in the right mood for. I’d recommend playing it when you’re in a relaxed state and disconnected from the world’s distractions. It might even help ... read more