Really monotonous from an emotive perspective. How can the listener even garner a theme when the vocalist sounds entirely indifferent to the product they're producing, not to mention there is hardly a track fleshed out to an extent in which it's ideas can be entirely explored? AND every track sounds nearly identical. Not great, in my opinion
The lyricism on this isn't just poor — it is atrocious. I struggle to find a single word on this thing that actually means anything. It just sounds like edgy-pretentious egotism frequently, even if it is meant to be more. I like some of his stuff with Puscifer, even on this record there are things to scour and enjoy, and A Perfect Circle along with Tool are excellent. Specifically, I thought Round's background vocalization added a really amazing dynamic to some of the vocals, ... read more
This is among Imagine Dragon's best. Which, simultaneously, is a testament to both their status as an over hated band, but also speaks to their inconsistency when it comes to creating records. There isn't a record of theirs that has a defined theme. It is always a compilation of sorts, with many tracks spanning many different topics and thematic points, and it contributes to an inconsistent listening experience. Lyrically, this is at the highest of echelons. Imagine Dragons, while it ... read more
Imagine Dragons have always been a guilty pleasure of mine. Not guilty in the sense that I am ashamed that I like them, but guilty in the fact that I am cognizant of the evident flaws in their music, and yet I find myself appreciating their work nonetheless. Night Visions is an ok debut for the band. There are some real standouts, which are accompanied by some major duds. What I believe lines their career thus far is an inability to curate quality albums. Moreso, they have made a career off ... read more
A fitting, thriller of a finale to one of greatest bands to ever do it. A return to the horror-based songwriting and performances, and a return of the vocalist who ushered them into the limelight, now ushered them back into the darkness. With vocals and instrumentals that burns as if the audience stands right next to the pyre, 13 encapsulates what Black Sabbath was about: social and religious commentary, haunting imagery, and kick-ass music
Favourite Songs:
Dear Father
Age of Reason
Zeitgeist
While it isn't necessarily up to the standard set by Around the Fur and White Pony, Deftones show glimmers of that magic that made those records so enjoyable and memorable. Their transition into shoegaze and ethereal metal, however, pales in comparison to their early work
Favourite Songs:
Hole in the Earth
Combat
Rapture
When there is such a massive swing and a miss thematically, it is tough to produce a decent record. Labrinth takes the absolute basics from opera, and expects to create an album derived from the genre. Some tracks are individually acceptable, but most are a massive swing and miss
On the first listen through, these gals reminds me of a less rock-influenced, Canadian NewDad! While i still prefer the Irish band, that is not to discount these girls! I was extremely impressed by this record! Instrumentally they really encapsulated the chaotic nature of natures abundant with toxicity, and really bottled a sound in which that pent-up rage and brutality that has gathered in the face of oppression finally pours out in jagged spouts through a sieve. Thematically, it grapples very ... read more
Sure, the record leaves much to be desired, but it still features spectacular vocals from Ozzy, vicious guitar from Tony Iommi, and inventive sounds throughout. The thematic implications of a robotic sort of ecstasy are intriguing, even if not experienced to its fullest extent. Needless to say it isn't their best, but it's a solid record
Favourite Songs:
Back Street Kids
All Moving Parts (Stand Still)
She's Gone
I will say, I enjoy Sia's music. She frequently comes across as someone who radiates positivity and aims to uplift rather than tear down. I am not familiar with her controversies, which I am certain there is validity behind the public backlash, but I wouldn't think it was sought out by her with any malice. At least, I would hope not. With that being said, this record has some very evident flaws. Many complain that Imagine Dragons lyricism is predictable, and while it certainly can be ... read more
I went into it disappointed that it was so drastically short. I finished it very pleased that I only had to put my ears through 19 minutes of that
Sabbath took their longest duration between records since their inception, and it paid massive dividends for their creative process and the curation of their most complete and brilliant album since Master of Reality. Funnily enough, both records grasp with the same thematic commentaries, and are improved depictions of art because of it. On Sabotage, the band develop the concept of the plague that is mental illness and insanity, namely the manner in which is sabotages its vessel from reality. ... read more
An efficient rebound from erratic record that was the lazily titled Vol. 4. What impresses about Sabbath Bloody Sabbath actually pertains rather little to the thematic focal points of the record — for which there aren't many — but in the instrumentation. Heavily foretelling and innovative, the band introduces many instruments to the fray which hadn't yet been adapted in the universe of metal music, but the band utilizes them in such a way that dons the appearance of ... read more
A much less focused record than previously established by the band. While commentaries are present, they aren't as monumental as their messages on Paranoid and Master of Reality. The band are individually up to standard in their respective instrumentation, but as AllMusic correctly deduces, is less cohesive. Many aspects of this record suffer, and it culminates in their worst record to the day — though still, at times, enjoyable, with Ozzy's illustrious vocals and the ... read more
Sabbath had really hit their stride, mastering the art of qualitative superiority as opposed to the quantitative excess we witness in modern music. The band really furthers the stratospheric heights reach on their previous rendition of music a year prior, only failing to reach the exact level as Paranoid features some truly sensational tracks that are etched into not only metal lore, but music lore as an organism. While it isn't as thematically relevant as the band's predecessor, ... read more
Arguably the greatest metal record of all-time. Sabbath are truly at their height when not diminishing Ozzy's vocals to a mere minor element of the instrumental, but instead elevating it to a pedestal in which it still conforms to the sound as an instrument itself, but is given the capabilities of stealing the show. That is precisely what Ozzy's vocals strive to achieve on Paranoid, and the record reaches stratospheric heights due to it. Tony Iommi's guitar is as menacing as ... read more
It is unfortunate that Deftones self-titled record leaves much to be desired. There are a few standout tracks, such as Battle-Ax and Bloody Cape, which are more intricately thought out, but the entirety of the record seems to suffer from a mundane sound that isn't all that inspired. It lacks that veracity present in just about every facet of their previous records — instrumentally, vocally, etc — and for that, it dwindles in comparison
It's fascinating how a record can sound so brutal, yet so contrastingly delicate at times. It is an incredibly challenging aim to reach in metal, and yet Deftones accomplished such on this record. The ebb and flow comes across as natural, the instrumentals are an equal share of violence and sensuality, and Moreno manages to deliver his best vocals on perhaps his most intrinsically motivated writing yet. A harnessed thematic focal point could have truly catapulted this record into the ... read more
This was more up to par for Sena, at least closer to the talent displayed on Coisas Naturais. However, this is a record with a slow beginning and end, with a heavily entertaining center. What intrigues me most about this record is its thematic focuses and the writing. Dubbing the album "Inherent Vice," it definitely appears she is referring to lust, and potentially romance as a whole, and her lyrics that constantly refer to lust in abstract and metaphorical ways convey such in a truly ... read more
I really do just think Sena has bloomed into a magnificent artist, as displayed on Coisas Naturais, but the debut record has some major flaws. The instrumentals are not in any way as appealing as we would see on future works. Her vocals on this record on not bad, certainly possess some prowess, but it is many capacities improved later on. It is her lyricism, for me, that falters most on this record, not at all in the place it is on her 2025 record. We experience glimmers of it on tracks such as ... read more
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On Shayden's review of Britney Spears - In the Zone
"@Shayden That's very interesting! I had no idea George Harrison used those elements so prevalently. It's very fascinating to understand how rooted in Indian music some of his work is. You seem to know quite a bit about it, I bet you could write an article/paper on it. It would be extremely intriguing
Also, I will have to look out for those influences once I delve into Madonna's discography"
On Shayden's review of Britney Spears - In the Zone
"@Shayden Are there other artists who utilized similar elements frequently, that you can think of?"
On Shayden's review of Britney Spears - In the Zone
"I hadn't noticed the Middle Eastern influences until I saw you mention them, and now they seem very obvious. She really manages to blend it with dance pop to the utmost perfection"
On The Plague Review's review of Paul McCartney - The Boys of Dungeon Lane
"I didn't care for it much either, but gave it some grace since at this point McCartney can do whatever he pleases in his career twilight"
On Lynn's review of TX2 - End of Us
"DeathbyRomy is easily the best part of this record and that is hilarious considering she is there for like 2 minutes"
On Shayden's review of Katy Perry - Witness
"Chained to the Rhythm has often been a diamond in the rough for me within Katy Perry's discography, though I'm uncertain whether it works as intended in the grand scheme of the record, I haven't (nor do I really intend) listened"
On Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time
"@Shayden Those are the two that always come to mind for me that received so much abuse at the end of the media's sword. What they experienced exceeded anything I can even think of. The media was deliberately cruel toward them, and actively perpetuated false narratives that continuously harmed them, fully cognizant of their culpability in the assault on both of them, arguably contributing to the death of Michael Jackson for one, and to the literal removal of Britney Spears' autonomy. She was eighteen on her second effort, and already writing lyrics regarding the pain that fame brought. It is absolutely terrible that so many normalized that treatment of her. She deserved so much better"
On Ninedescent's review of d4vd - WITHERED
"@Ninedescent I have been placing this (https://nomoredirectory.org/) link on my Marilyn Manson ratings. I haven't looked into any explicitly attentive to pedophilia, but I would like to believe a sexual violence helpline would be sufficient assistance"
On Ninedescent's review of d4vd - WITHERED
"I tend to agree. Review bombing strikes me as attention-seeking. "Look at me!! I'm against this person!!" The same sentiment is conveyed if one just doesn't engage with the art whatsoever. If I despise the artist I am reviewing on an ethical plane, I simply attach a link to support those who have been victims in similar instances. I am more pleased with offering that assistance, however miniscule it may be, than trying to display my apparent ethical superiority for clicks"
On IloveApples's review of Michael Jackson - Dangerous
"This was a project that cemented himself as a force of pure versatility. He was the King of Pop, and as you mentioned, allowed his drive for perfection to steer him down a completely foreign road. And he excelled. He allowed his morals and ethics to tackle cultural issues such as racism, "human apathy" (as you so intelligently put it), and worldwide mistreatment of the planet. It expands across such a vast array of thematic grievances, and it is superior for it. It's truly perfection. I'm very glad that you enjoyed it for the marvelous masterpiece that it is, and I am pleased to read and reply to your reviews!! You analyze them without a measurable bias, and with a willingness to allow the art to speak for itself. Simply stunning review!!"
On IloveApples's review of Michael Jackson - Dangerous
"DANGEROUS AT 97!!! YES!!! My absolute favourite record of all time. I adored this review!!! It really was a symbolic evolution for the King. It was his first example of completely unbridled creative control, and it is safe to say he rose to the occasion. I was extremely intrigued by your mention of the palpable paranoia that encompasses this record! It is no secret that MJ was perhaps the most paranoid person on the planet throughout his career, and its really interesting to see that terror manifest itself in a romantic context on tracks like Who is It and Dangerous, while also in the context of himself as a celebrity on tracks like Jam and Why You Wanna Trip On Me"
On Lynn's review of Neoni - How To Kill A Fairytale
"I was quite disappointed, too. Death of Daisies was really intriguing, and I felt like their songwriting progressed too. This record has some moments, but overall was more of a regression from a songwriting perspective"
On Olivia Rodrigo - the cure
"@Ciroriberi Exactly. It takes immense talent to allow the momentum to naturally gather the way she does"
On IloveApples's review of Marina Sena - Coisas Naturais
"I'm glad you found it beautiful! It was definitely a really serene ambiance that Marina Sena managed to capture — the record has only continued to grow on me since listening. It was my introduction to Latin pop, too, and what an introduction it was. There are so many gorgeous tracks on Coisas Naturais"
On realjulianj's review of Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
"It's unfortunate that the Arctic Monkeys have been on the receiving end of such harsh scrutiny on their last two records, especially when it includes some of the most riveting songwriting in the band's discography, courtesy of the one and only Alex Turner, and, in all honesty, some of the best songwriting in music itself in the last decade"
On IloveApples's review of Michael Jackson - You Rock My World
"Very pleased to see Invincible growing on you:) You Rock My World is absolute r&b excellence"
On GVLSCH's review of The Warning - Ego
"@josech5 lmfao cook, I have never understood why people on this site genuinely seek to review things they know they won't like. It's one thing if you go in wanting to like it and find yourself disappointed, but so many people hate review things on this site because they know they won't like it"
On ayayeboo's review of Ed O'Brien - Blue Morpho
"Same opinion here. I can take or leave Radiohead, but this is such a smooth and delicate listen"
On Dσɳ Vҽɾʂαƚιʅιƚყ's review of Olivia Rodrigo - the cure
"My thoughts exactly. I probably prefer a few other songs in her discography, but I definitely echo the idea that Drop Dead was much too middling, and that this is a much more eloquently produced song from Olivia"
On SilviaLb_234's review of The Warning - Ego
"If they release it this year it's going to be an album of the year contender for sure!"
On IloveApples's review of Michael Jackson - Forever, Michael
"I definitely agree that this record — and many of Michael's work in his adolescence — were plagued by this reluctance to include him in the literary process, at least not to the extent he was included on projects beginning with Off the Wall. It's no wonder everything from '79 onward is as stellar as it is when provided the context that he gained the ability to be more hands on with his own work. Great review! Also, happy birthday!"
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