--edit--

I have never been more radicalised to the importance of production. Relistening to this album with the 2024 mix makes a world of difference. The proggy tracks benefit from being more spacious and atmospheric. The poppy tracks benefit from being more punchy and clear. The guitar tone is more nuanced, and bass tone less muddy. The vocals are more centred, and the drums almost sound like a different recording. The change is night and day. It maybe loses a slight touch of that early 70s ... read more

One of the most corny things to come out of 1999. Smooth is a meme for a reason, but it's also kinda brilliant? You can't deny it's got an incredible hook per minute ratio. Along with Maria Maria, they're the closest this album gets to nailing that late 90s, pop fusion cheese.

Unfortunately, you gotta hear Dave Matthews and Everlast embarrassingly croon first to get there. Rob Thomas is also embarrassing, as Santana savagely said to his face “You must be married to a ... read more

Latin rock might be as close to objectively perfect music as is possible by mere mortals.

I suppose I could choose to listen to something less joyful, less life affirming, less in touch with the spiritual core of humanity that music opens a gateway to... but why would I?

I seem to be in the minority of preferring Countdown to Ecstasy to Can't Buy a Thrill, but the more cheesy “yacht rock” sounds from their debut are toned down in favour of more jazz, so like, how else am I supposed to feel about it? The instrumentals here are so much better, with some truly great solos and grooves. It really feels like the band found and honed in their style.

Bodhisattva is an absolute barn-burner and the obvious standout, but (most of) the other tracks pull ... read more

It's hard to listen to this album and not just see it as prototype Dan. Do it Again, Only a Fool, and Reelin are all great songs obviously, but the rest? Dirty Work and Brooklyn feel especially off because of the different singer, whose cleaner, prettier vocals make those songs sound bland and cheesy.

This is still a good album, to be clear, it's just that their later work is so much more accomplished. Even Do it Again, one of the best songs here, has some kinda mid noodly feeling ... read more

Why does the first 5 seconds of The Morning Fog sound like Stardew Valley?

A step down from Ride the Lightning imo, the deeper cuts on this one just don't quite grab me. Maybe it's just my preference for the more atmospheric, reverby sound of the previous album, but I don't think the compositions are as strong here.

Any album with Crazy Train, Mr Crowley and Revelation (Mother Earth) on it is automatically going to be good. The rest of the tracks are mostly just fine. Dee is a lovely little interlude, but Goodbye to Romance is too saccharine for me. Ozzy's shouty vocals don't mesh with it either. Also really wish this album had any low-end lol

Gotta balance out my slightly negative Sleater-Kinney review with a positive Fiona Apple review to make sure people know I'm not a misogynist.
Jokes aside, I'm probably low balling this at an 85, but I have a feeling it's a grower and I'm gonna like it even more on repeat listens.

The problem with indie rock is that I still yearn for the blues. An indie band doing 60s hard rock without it is like being served ketchup without fries. The singing is great and the drumming is incredible, but it's in service to guitar work and melodies that do not move me in any way whatsoever. I know this is the most meat-head thing to say, but like... the riff on Rollercoaster ain't exactly Good Times Bad Times is it 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

I love Modern Girl though, ... read more

Not as good as their debut honestly. Songs like Rat Salad or Electric Funeral don't do as much for me. Plus the title track is, dare I say, a bit overrated (maybe it's just overplayed?) Either way, still a great album. Shout out to Planet Caravan, I didn't know you got down like that, Tony.

The opening track is phenomenal. Otherworldly. Revelatory. There are so many Metal genre staples in that one song, that the rest of the album feels like the band is taking a well earned break from creating the future. Most of the other songs by comparison are merely fantastic.

Yo donkey kong would love this

D'yer Mak'er is worse than The Crunge. The Crunge is salvageable if you just get rid of those penisy synths. But Zep doing reggae?? How is anyone supposed to take that seriously?

If the band replaced those two songs with a couple they saved for Physical Graffiti, this might have been their best album.

This album is like if Van Halen made penis music. In a way, I admire the audacity to ignore all sense of taste or what sounds good. The variety of garish guitar tones on display, if nothing else, make this album feel playful. I don't even like Steve Vai’s playing that much. His phrasing and melodic choices do nothing for me, but I admit, in the right context it can absolutely rip. Unfortunately these compositions do not do that, and are either distracting or boring.

Also it's ... read more

Some nice playing and pleasant vibes, but it does not justify it's length. These songs go on way too long for how little development they have. Also there's a few cringe lines. Very 2018.

The fact that this album has a negative rating here is a sign of humanities cruelty. She literally likes playing roblox and going outside?!?

Should've ended with Dream Hill.

Still a 10 outa 10.

This song is the usamerican fascist equivalent of when the nazis tried to make jazz propaganda songs. A desecration of black art made for an audience who most certainly hates black people. Thankfully, there's no need to give this any attention, because Stevie Wonder is timeless. His music will be remembered and celebrated for centuries.

Easter is Cancelled begins with a declaration that rock music's time has come. It is a dead genre full of posers with nothing real left to say. All tattoos and no scars. A bold statement from a band, derided by many as a bad joke, sung by a man who is covered head to toe in tattoos. The irony is surely not lost on them. While this self awareness does make The Darkness more palatable than other bands who are far less skillful in their pastiches of “classic rock”, it still raises ... read more