A very noticeable and strong improvement on most fronts including production and mixing, however, personally the thing that holds this album a bit back for me is the songwriting. Nearly every track is incredibly busy with large and detailed passages, but I feel like the movement here just lacks a bit of direction some of the time.

The tracks are usually exciting, and it makes for a very fun listening experience, but every time I come back to the album, there’s just a lot less ... read more

I enjoyed this record, but personally I don’t think it blew me away or anything. I wish it got more experimental with its spacious textures and atmosphere, but overall it was fun and pleasant time.

Honestly, don’t have much else to say, the fourth track is definitely my favorite out of the bunch for its super ethereal aesthetic, but yeah, enjoyable album.

Favorite Tracks: 無常, 浮躁, 分裂, 哪兒, 掃興

Least Favorite Track: 末日

The album is generally all over the place with some strange pacing, but I think this makes it for an interesting experience to say the least, and one that is often very pretty and engaging. There are some enchanting highs, some sluggish lows, and even just some mixed bags every once in a while, but the album for sure has a very strong first half experience.

This album also does a good job of really engrossing you within the music, and each experience becomes unique when you’re in a ... read more

Not as ambitious or adventurous as 0, but certainly still potently emotional with an incredible atmosphere. Mahoroboshiya feels very much to me like a soundtrack to a somber and intimate film with how the tracks are written, played, and produced. We are presented with songs that lead into one another, build off each other, and are played as beautiful instrumental interludes that progress the album from one scene to the next.

It’s a soft, sweet, and short record, but one that still feels ... read more

A bold, unashamed, and spirited time. Jagged Little Pill is a thrill of a ride that crashes through heartbreak, religion, and upbringings. The album has an amazing seven track run that starts at the beginning, delivering punch after punch.

I'm not too crazy about the latter half of the album, as besides *Ironic*, I do feel like most of the songs don't have that bite or hook that the others had. I especially feel this way for *Head Over Feet* as its underwhelming progression and even ... read more

Hmmm I'm feeling really mixed about this record. Lady Gaga's second (kinda third?) album fixes a lot of what made her debut a bit tedious to listen to, but I'm not entirely sold on some of the hooks or tracks here. The album starts off pretty strong with a decent run of tracks, and even if some of them didn't make it onto my favorites, they were mostly fun and pretty exhilarating.

However, as the first half of the album closes, I feel as if though the second half is nowhere ... read more

Took a couple of listens, but the album eventually clicked with me. Yet another illustrated and introspective work in the Fiona Apple catalogue, only this time its pretty stripped back when compared to her previous works. While Fiona's songwriting is definitely distinct, I think this record has some of her most unconventional writing, which may deter some people, but it worked for me for the most part.

Also, having already listened to her following project, Fetch The Bolt Cutters, ... read more

Following Sky Blue Sky, Wilco plays into an even more accessible sound that loses me as we get deeper into the album. The record starts off pretty strong with a decent run of tracks. *Bull Black Nova* is definitely the highlight of the album for me, with its tense and paranoid licks and grooves all to end with Jeff lashing out on the mic. Pretty damn solid. Even with a track like *Deeper Down*, I'm not as engaged with its musical composition, but its lyrical content still intrigues me ... read more

Björk, an already outstanding artist, makes an impressive and ambitious effort to create an album nearly composed of just human voices. Not only is it done very well, but it is pretty engaging throughout its whole run, containing a very sensual, intimate, and directing collection of voices.

I'm not too much of a fan of the last few tracks, especially *Ancestors* with its snapping growls layered on top a string of piano chords. Just didn't seem to really fit with the rest of the ... read more

As other reviews have said, I think the lack of field recordings kind of take away what made the first two projects spectacular and what made the band different from other post-rock outfits, however, the music here is still pretty good. I'm not as tuned in during the opening of the album, as I think the last three tracks are a bit more polished, but overall a decent experience.

Favorite Tracks: Rockets fall on Rocket Falls, motherfucker=redeemer, motherfucker=redeemer (cont.)

Least ... read more

One of the best, if not the best, 80's hip-hop record. Hard hitting from front to back.

Favorite Tracks: all

I was already really impressed with Strawberry Jam, but wow, this record really stepped it up even more. Everything from the textures, performances, and mix has been very polished. With their last album, things were a bit more noisier and had a bit of a lo-fi sound, which by means made it bad, but just comparing it to this record, the group was able to expand upon that and make it more ambient, alluring, and sticky.

The first half of this album is probably some of the best neo-psychdelidc ... read more

Wow, yeah that was amazing. Everything Michigan was, but with a lot more detail and strength within the music, writing, and concept. By the mid-point of the album, I was almost in tears from how beautifully done the progressions have played out. *Jacksonville* was the only track that really broke the flow a bit for me, but it really didn't hurt the experience in the grander scheme of things. Overall, an enchanting and charming time that never really felt too long despite its high runtime. ... read more

Wow this was not good. The mixing of this album is so horrendous and headache inducing. Overblown, overcompressed, and just trying too hard. Every time I think I'm gonna like a song, the chorus comes in blasting and everything is just as loud as Brandon that I can't even appreciate his vocals.

The hooks could also use some work too. Not their best writing in my opinion. Sometimes tracks seem to be building up to something grand only for it to fall flat to a weak chorus. Ironic since ... read more

A damn good album. Not one I would particularly come back to, but still a classic.

Favorite Tracks: Wouldn't It Be Nice, You Still Believe In Me, That's Not Me, Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder), Sloop John B, God Only Knows, I Know There's An Answer, Here Today, Pet Sounds, "Caroline, No"

Least Favorite Track: I'm Waiting For The Day

A fun and eccentric time for sure, but definitely doesn't hold a candle to the following release, The Fame Monster, which would show a growth in songwriting and production. Really after the singles run, a lot of the tracks come off as tacky, bare, and dry. I feel the writing definitely struggles, as most tracks perform the same kick & snare beat with some pretty stiff hooks. It does pick it back a bit in the last leg, but despite a stellar beginning, the deep cuts are too much of a ... read more

Wilco takes a much different direction here on this record compared to their last two, as the writing and production are a lot more straightforward and simple. Honestly, I'm not too crazy about this record here. I think it's fine and doesn't do anything too wild. My favorite moments off this project definitely comes from the instrumental sections of some songs. The instrumental outros on *Impossible Germany* and *Walken* are pretty groovy. *Walken* especially has a very dirty ... read more

Foals' debut album is an energetic and lively time with busy instrumentals and animated performances, yet, I can't help but to walk away feeling a lot of it was forgettable. I really wanted to like the project, but most tracks to me lack a unique personality from each other. A lot of the songs on here sound very interchangeable, which in turn makes the general sound and texture of the album get old fast by track 6.

I enjoy the frenzy we're constantly being put in, as some of it ... read more

I feel Iron & Wine is strongest on the album when they are sticking to their folky and acoustic roots. The production is a bit wonky at times, sometimes incorporating some really beautiful textures, but other times having some pretty silly sounds. The songwriting wasn't too amazing most of the time either, but *Your Fake Name Is Good Enough For Me* is definitely the stand out track. The singing performances are also hit or miss, being a lot more suited for the acoustic and dreamy ... read more

Thought I had this rated, but I guess not. Just wanted to give this a 100, because it definitely deserves it. One of the best, if not the best, punk records of all time.

Favorite Tracks: all