I like the opposites in titles here for one, in band, album, and a song name. This was an enjoyable bit of garage rock with a softer pop sound that I appreciated. I loved the fuzzy sound of it, and the substandard production and recording quality are definitely part of its appeal. It’s charming, but not particularly memorable.

Best Tracks: Little Rag Doll (2), Come on Baby (4), So Far So Close (6)

This is a great pop record, plain and simple. I would never claim this is high art, but it isn’t trying to be, and it doesn’t need to in order to be an excellent album. I have long been a fan of this band, and it was interesting to hear this album because it sounds NOTHING like their older material. I was glad to hear that 1980’s new wave flavor, which is always a great way to win me over. I still love Hayley William’s voice, and the musical talents of the other two ... read more

This album brought it. Awesome riffs, crushing harsh vocals, pounding drums, and powerful distortion were all plentiful on this album, and that’s what a metal album should deliver. Mission accomplished. However, while I’m definitely not one of those people who claims that all songs of this genre sound this same, this is a case where that criticism may be true. Metal is a much more diverse genre that it often gets credit for, and some variation would have been welcomed. However, it ... read more

Disclaimer: This is one of my favorite albums. I love the ethereal aspect of this record that always makes it otherworldly to me. The album bring as relaxing yet impactful style of the music that can be epic and tranquil at the same time. I didn’t know that was possible before I heard this record. It’s gloomy, but still life affirming in a way. I found a lot of contradictions on this album, but none to its detriment. I love the gothic, dreamy vibe that comes from the emotional voice ... read more

Disclaimer: This is one of my all-time favorite albums. This album was something truly special when it came out, and in my opinion, its quality has never been replicated. This album, above all, has character. It is incredibly memorable, and it isn’t afraid to take risks. That’s a quality I find lacking in so many recently reviewed albums. It ranges from overly spectacular on tracks like “Power,” to self-reflective on “Lost in the World.” ... read more

A classic electronic rock album, and one of the few clear cut examples of that combination I have heard. This album feels dated, and it is very 1999, but despite its clear manufacture date, it’s a timeless album with no expiration date. There’s just so much variety and excellence on this album. Most of it is chill, “Porcelain” is a classic, and Moby does this sound excellently, whether it’s the mellow instrumentation or soulful vocal parts. He also does dance club ... read more

I always had a slight appreciation for Lorde’s music, but this album was a revelation. This album demonstrates her great voice, and it is complimented with well selected instrumentation. I loved the piano balladry, the moving guitars, and especially the bass lines. Also, I found that this album really nails the art of the song outro, as each track is perfectly closed out. The lyrics are creative, and I found the emotional quality of the love songs to be credible and moving, which is not ... read more

This album was hit or miss. There were certainly tracks I outright disliked, such as Muezzin, for example, but most tracks I liked, and the bright spots on this album are great, and Global Fear is the standout track to me. The interludes do absolutely nothing, but without them, I find this to be a deeper level of dance/electronic music, and I love when artists try to be original with genres that aren’t known for it. I would say that was accomplished here. The lyrics are...interesting. I ... read more

I noticed a lot of different influences here, ranging from rock to indie to folk to country. I appreciated the different approach that each song took, and in contrast to some other folk albums, I was able to clearly distinguish between tracks. Both the performance and the production sounded very vintage to me, and that definitely added to its charm. I appreciated her voice and songwriting, and there were definitely some shining moments on this album, even if it went through stretches of pure ... read more