Gorgeous in every way
I don't know what moved me to listen to this album, but I'm glad. It's beautiful instrumentals and beats paired with Noname's soft and smooth-as-butter delivery, tied up with a usually light but more critical lyrical content, make for an experience unlike any other. Even when I wasn't not be a super fan of some of beats or some of the production on few songs, Noname's and her features were able to always pull me back in with their hypnotic and soothing flows. Will ... read more

Diet Downward Spiral
The best way to describe this EP is the common saying of the artist must suffer to make good music. Vocals are mainly screeching and screaming, insanely distorted guitars in your face, with pounding electronic drums and random noises, this is a harsh listen and experience, and I was surprised to see how much of a metal influence there is on this project, such on the track "Last". One of my main criticisms of this project is that a lot of the songs, though still ... read more

Solid Pop Record
When I found out most people don't like this record, other than the single, I was shocked! this is a solid art pop record making interesting use of sampling and sonic textures throughout each song, with his sprinkled with his awesome vocals. The album does dip in quality in the middle, but State of the Art picks the record back up on its feet. Mostly each song feels so different from each other, like they have their own vision and personality. Definitely coming back

A complex 'aight'
This is very much a mixed bag of an album. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this album as a whole, it wasn't bad. But, for every catchy melody that crept into my brain, came lyrics that felt a bit dumbed down. With every amazing guitar tone, and guitar moment, and instrumental moment on this album, came song structures that feel basic and boring. Point being, though there are good songs on this album, and it was an enjoyable listen altogether, I cannot escape this feeling that it ... read more

What. is. this.
Preparing myself to listen all the way through 69 Love Songs, and monumental project, I decided to check out one of their other albums. Suffice to say, this is in no way a good first impression. Where is the heartfelt lyrics? It's like they saw that people liked the sprinkle of wit dashed on there past lyrics, and decided to just do witty lyrics with no backbone to attach it to. There are barely any catchy melodies on here, and when there is it's usually degradingly catchy. A ... read more

Almost a perfect album
This is what I think of when I think of a purely perfect album. Although each song is long, the sounds of this album and the song structure make each and every moment incredibly rewarding to sit through and listen to thoroughly. This album displays a range of emotion too. Anywhere from intensely frantic, energetic, and groovy to soul digging-ly somber and heart-felt, yet still groovy, the instrumentation complementing each emotion very well. the only bad thing I would ... read more

I grew up on this album so I might be biased
This is an absolutely amazing album. Being able to mix garage rock, blues, folk and punk with just two people in one tightly made package is not easy, but boy does it deliver. Now this album is not perfect, their are some track that do not have much to offer, how the track that do, like Seven Nation Army, and Ball and Biscuit, are incredible. even if the lyricism isn't to write home about, you an just feel the passion and the love to create music ... read more

Pretty good 90's pop rock
This is a very double sided album. On one hand, you have masterclass hits like Semi-Charmed Life, and Jumper, showing of their catchy hooks, excellent song writing, and potent lyricism. This continues with the deep cuts of the album, showing off their midwest-emo roots. On the other hand, some deep cuts can range from bland, to incredibly mid. But, no matter how mid a track is, my attention was never pulled away, and it was still interesting. Will come back from time ... read more

If an album is stereotyped to be good then it probably is good
Goddamn this album is absolutely amazing. The folksy instrumentation juxtaposed with the shoddy, distorted recording and production makes a very unique, visceral sound no other band can copy; A sound that soaks into your bones and never leaves. The lyrics are heartfelt and humanly sung, along with how catchy each melody is, no matter where it is from. that with a mixture of their sound, makes an record like no other. Not only that, ... read more

Vulnerable and human
This project is for the most part very lo-fi. his singing is consistently shouty, the instrumentals are not perfect. However, with the more punk style it's going for, it works mostly in its favor. Along with the blunt, sad (but admittedly sometimes immensely cringeworthy) lyrics, this album feels very human and raw. This is only bolstered by the catchy melodies, and interesting, but still nice to listen to, use of its folk instruments. Just a short, unique album. Will come ... read more

Emotionally gutting, mostly.
This is the most emotionally moved I have ever felt listening to a Mountain Goats record, mostly thanks to its masterful and highly personal lyricism, Darnielle being able to tell a story and paint a picture with his words perfectly as always, and the amazingly done production, making the instrumentation feel close and intimate. However, though not bad, there are songs that do not have a punch to them as the other songs, like Broom People, and Dinu Lipatti's Bones. ... read more

Give a round of applause to Fueled By Ramen everyone.
Let's start with the good. The beginning of this album is ok, and the hooks on here, though not necessarily good, tend to be catchy and earworm-y. That's where the good stops. Even if the hooks are ear-catching, it does not excuse how degrading the rinky-dink, stock synths are on here. The rapping voice the singer puts on on most songs comes across as whiny, nasally, and childish. A combination of this, along with formulaic and same-y song ... read more

Experimental, but still accessible
To think this was made back in 1999 is incredible really, since the sounds it brings to the table and the topics and emotions talked about on this project. the emotion is deep, personal and cuts like a blade through paper straight to the feels, whether it's the longing of The City, or the nervousness and desperation of Girl O' Clock. Some of the songs do sound aged, example being What Do You Want Me to Say?, however not in a bad way, like a wine would. Each ... read more

An excellent Indie Folk album trumped ever so slightly by its younger brother
The fact that this entire album (besides Blues In Dallas) was made by just him, his guitar, and a boombox and it is still this good should say something. Each line of each lyric of each song paints a clear beautiful picture of what is trying to portray, and it does so seemingly effortlessly. And this album goes through many many emotions throughout its runtime, but still feels consistent and thought of, like ... read more

Awesome first impression
(Given my name I might be a bit biased but) The White Stripes coming out of the gate with a pretty outstanding project, with an instantaneously recognizable sound, a sound and feeling that no other band has been able to replicate then and since. Though still a great project, lyrically and sonically, Jack and Meg with do better on future albums. Still an amazing starter!

Perfect collection of catchy, but thoughtful punk
This album never ceases to amaze me, where do I even begin? the lyrics cover topics that can be hard to write about with care and accountability, but also they somehow make every single lyric catchy and memorable, I could sing each song by heart. The vocal delivery too is absolutely astounding, and a perfect fit for this band. The sounds on here can vary quite a bit, going from the energetic more punkish Total Football, to the more synth lead ... read more

Fun, memorable collection of pop rock
Each song has its own personality, and I found myself walking away from this album complete. Though sometimes the songs felt like they were "going through the motions", the uniquely inspired and used funk sounds one this record still grabbed my ear. Even though nothing super special, still a good record I find myself coming back to time to time

THIS JUST MIGHT'VE PROVED THAT GOD EXIST.

Everyone starts somewhere
These songs have the bones of what makes a good Mountain Goats song, and record thereafter, a prime example being the opener. most songs on here aren't even bad, just a bit bare-bones and bland. You can tell the foundation is here, lyrically and sonically, it would just take him a few years to fully hone his craft. Might return to this album for a few songs, but definitely not an entire experience.

I mean glimpse of us was good, right guys?
Glimpse of Us is an amazing song, with competent lyrics and a good overarching sound. Literally almost made me cry my first listen. Unfortunately, that is where a lot of the praise ends. A lot of the songs on the first part of the album have good musical ideas, but they just feel rushed, having weird production choices and never feeling like the song goes anywhere with it. These problems continue as the album goes on, the problems becoming more and ... read more