i tried to listen to this a while ago and got bored of it pretty quickly. however, i’ve been listening to more experimental music lately and i’m just sitting back and letting this record blow my mind right now. it’s so dense, and every sound is so purposeful and pleasant.
strong potential for becoming a 100. incredible sound palette, and jeff’s lyrics consistently make the hairs on my arms stand up straight.
very emotional, even though i don’t understand japanese. almost all of the vocals are screamed, and the singer has an incredible voice when it comes to that. the quieter parts of this album are almost more intriguing, if infrequent. they provide a break from the intensity that is the norm on this record, and also demonstrate this band’s full range of musicality. overall very good if you’re into this sort of thing, and maybe even if you’re not
hey pitchfork that’s a cyanotype
alternative review:
this is car seat headrest if will toledo was a history teacher
this is the most unique and creatively inspired project i’ve heard in a long time. with massive swings both sonically and thematically, ‘by the time i get to phoenix’ shows injury reserve at a grief and coping fueled peak that is so idiosyncratic and yet so seamless all at once. this album is important. that’s the best way i can describe it. it also has an extremely high replay value with so many sonic niches being filled by the group in such a fashion that they are. I ... read more
kanye’s debut album is melodic, grandiose, and yet still very poignant. It’s lighthearted sound can take a more longing, desperate, even passionately frustrated turn at points. His take on consumerism, education, and what it means to be black in america are still very relevant nearly 20 years later. also these are the best skits on any record ever made.
while aesop rock isn’t the best lyricist, the production and overall energy makes this a more than worthwhile listen