JohnLouisHoward

JohnLouisHoward

New Orleans

Favorite Albums

Best of 2024

IDLES - TANGK
IDLES
TANGK
98
Feb 16

Recent Ratings

Rare Seed - Gulf
Rare Seed
Gulf
90
Mar 12

Pinned Review

Friko - Where we've been, Where we go from here
100
super refreshing, outstanding debut from Niko, Bailey, and Luke. solidly constructed and impeccably mastered. great songs and heartfelt performance all the way through. extraordinarily impressive.

EDIT: this is gaining attention quickly. I hope it leads to a wider awareness of the whole Hallogallo Kids scene. if you like Friko, please listen to Horsegirl, Lifeguard, Dwaal Troupe (Sharp Pins), Neptune's Core, post office winter, Free Range, etc. you will not be sorry.

Recent Reviews

Dirty Beaches - Badlands
92
the lowest of lo-fi. heard it a long time ago but have not reviewed it until now. "True Blue"/"Lord Knows Best" is a killer double-header and the perfect duo for a 2 am playlist. the distortion on here is like the finest of sauces produced by a world-class chef.
Built to Spill - Keep It Like a Secret
95
without exaggeration, this could be the best indie guitar record of them all, apologies to J Mascis. the variation in tone and the versatility of style displayed by Martsch on this record is truly phenomenal. one of the few indie bands that were able to maintain their musical integrity after moving to a major label. for me this is their most iconic release.
Linda Smith - Nothing Else Matters
90
now re-issued by Captured Tracks and available on vinyl and streaming, this was originally a homemade CD release. the release dates don't really matter though, as there is always a timeless quality to Smith's work. the album does represent her most concentrated work and actually has some common thematic elements that tie it together, but that's always the exception for her usually eclectic and experimental style. this is a good representation and starting point for new listeners. what can ... read more
Hurray for the Riff Raff - The Past Is Still Alive
80
the time is ripe for this sound, and Alynda Segarra has been poised for a resurgence, so things have come together nicely for them on this album. I have always respected their songwriting, and they have a pleasant vocal style. the music is humble and earnest, and not flashy, but also a bit sedate. that's not a big criticism though. the tougher challenge is getting your share of attention with so many other excellent artists in this genre space now.
Black Tail - Wide Awake on Beds of Golden Dreams
92
who could predict that such beautiful sounding indie folk could come from Italy? this gives tremendous Sparklehorse vibes and not only because I have been obsessed with Sparklehorse lately. the songs have surprising and interesting structures and the production and mixing is outrageously good. vocalist Cristiano Pizzuti is totally convincing in his delivery and tonality. eight songs seems sparse but they are all solid and I can already tell that my favorite will change a few times. let's ... read more

Shoutbox

1w
Hey, have you ever listened to Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes?

If not, I strongly recommend it!!
2w
Hey, I hope all is well! I just wanted to let you know that my band’s EP, “Winter Break” is now out on all platforms!!! It’s in the alt punk genre (sorta lol). I appreciate if you end up giving it a shot, and if not no worries at all :) Here’s the AOTY link if you’re interested:

https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/807654-five-point-palm-exploding-heart-technique-winter-break.php
2w
I’m eager for your take on the new Hurray For The Riff Raff
2w
Thank you so much for following me! I have been in sheer admiration of your profile for months and it’s an honour to be a user you followed! Have a great day!
2w
hey johnlouishoward! I just posted my first review for my 500 followers project, a discography dive into Twenty One Pilots! I spent a while working on this review, and I'm pretty proud of it, so it would mean a lot if you checked it out (and the others, when they come into existence lol). thank you!

https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/stupidsticks/album/31278-twenty-one-pilots/
4w
Hey JohnLouisHoward!

I just got to 500 followers, that’s unreal! I cannot overstate how grateful I am to have you among the 500.

Now, I’ve never done one of these before, but I am gonna try my hand at a community list. The topic? Integer underflow songs. Songs so unbelievably bad they become awesome. Basically songs that are “so bad they’re good” but taken to the absolute extreme.

I would like to limit people to just one song, but if you think an album statement is more apt for the description than any of its individual songs, that is fine, but please only submit one album in that case.

If you don’t want to participate, please ignore this, but if you do, please let me know your pick!

I plan to have the list published by the 24th.

Once again, thank you so much!
1mo
Oh Sparklehorse, it's so beautiful, I imagine you're going to rate Good Morning Spider, one of my favorite albums, next (:
2mo
A pleasure to read you again! Thanks
2mo
Hi JLH
Hope you're well! Happy New Year! I’m back and I'd like to inform you that I've relaunched my series The History of The Albums, so don't hesitate to check it out my new review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/5715-astral-weeks/
I also invite you to leave a "like" on my evolving list of the best projects of 2024: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/list/170676/top-albumseps-of-2024-short-list/
Thank you in advance for your support 😊

About

I rate generously. No hate ratings. I don't rate things that are not for me and neither should you.

My favorite reviewers are GoodCompany, ocrakraut, pressrg, veery, Nona, Haggwors, Orangedroog65, and The Baddie.

I block. A lot. Please block me back. Blocking hurts no one and only helps my user experience.

Top 100+ Songs of 2024 (in progress):
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6uMhRs9yKpZ65SwnNVHXtH?si=102a9fa5dea74526

Around the Web

Rating Distribution

90-99
 
1235

80-89
 
703

70-79
 
288

60-69
 

50-59
 

40-49
 

30-39
 

20-29
 

10-19
 

0-9
 

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Recent Lists

new releases for 2024.
Updated 1w ago
A yearly ranking of my top album for each year 1980-2023.
Updated 1mo ago 5
I will put them on the list according to the tour or album they were promoting. This is partial. I will add more as the gaps in my memory are filled in.
Updated 3mo ago 10
Member since March 21, 2016

February Playlist