I’m not that into this kind of post-hardcore, but “Good Morning, Captain” is definitely a banger, and “Breadcrumb Trail” is fantastic as well. As for the rest of the album, it just doesn’t do that much for me, to be honest

The highs on this live album are incredibly high, especially “Long Season” and “Yurameki in the Air.” Then there are several other really great tracks (like “Oh Slime”) or at least pretty decent ones (such as “Walking in the Rhythm”).
Unfortunately, I do have some issues with the vocals, and around half of the songs - while certainly not bad - feel a bit too samey to me and don’t leave much of an impression.
Overall, a strong 80/100 for me, ... read more

A truly beautiful and dreamy piece of music. Listening to it feels like walking through empty woods near the sea on some remote Japanese island.
In my opinion, the live version is even slightly better, which is why I decided to give the studio version a 95, while the performance at Akasaka Blitz easily deserves a 100.

Another Swans record that is absolutely worth a listen. It contains a lot of elements that appeared on the trilogy and even later on Birthing, yet it still feels like a very unique experience.
“Ebbing” and “Michael Is Done” are among the most beautiful songs they’ve ever made. And then there’s the 44-minute monster “The Beggar Lover (Three).” To be honest, I was initially afraid that such a massive sound collage wouldn’t be able to hold my ... read more

A very good album. I had known a few of their songs from other records for quite a while, so I finally decided to give this one a proper listen. I really like the indietronica influences - a genre I’m not too familiar with - and the overall cool vibe of both the instrumentation and the vocals. Some tracks didn’t fully click with me, but on the other hand, there are definetely a few highlights here.
--- Favourite songs: ---
The Flower Called Nowhere, Rainbo Conversation, Parsec

I really love their gothic era. The Great Annihilator is one of my favourite Swans albums, and White Light is another great record by them. There are so many highlights - the dark drums in “Power and Sacrifice,” the beautiful, keyboard-driven moments in “Love Will Save You” and “Why Are We Alive,” and even the often lower-rated closer really works for me.
That said, there are still a few filler tracks that don’t fully click with me and bring the overall ... read more

I’m not that into garage rock, but this album is really good. It’s pure fun, and the Nonagon Infinity concept is pretty cool. To be honest, it does get a bit same-y towards the end, and not every track is equally interesting to my ears. But overall, it’s a very enjoyable, fun rock album with plenty of headbanging moments.
--- Favourite songs: ---
People-Vultures, Big Fig Wasp, Mr. Beat

It’s not easy for me to rate this album. Post-rock is one of my favourite genres, and I do think this is a very strong record with a concept I really appreciate. While some parts feel a bit drawn-out at times, the climaxes often make up for it.

I’m used to long tracks from albums like Lift Your Skinny Fists or The Glowing Man, and even if not every moment here fully keeps my attention, there are still many passages I really connect with. “Bogatyri” stands out in ... read more

An EP with a much rawer and more unpolished sound than 'The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads', yet no less impressive. The final two tracks, both over seven minutes long, are absolutely massive bangers. Anyone who loves the rawer sides of their album will also love this EP.

I’m really glad I finally gave this record a try - it completely blew me away. The album blends post-rock, shoegaze, and even elements of Christian rock into something truly unique, resulting in one of the most impressive and memorable records I’ve heard in a long time.

Some highlights I especially want to mention:

“Just As Was Told” - My absolute favourite on the album. As an opener, it hits with an intensity similar to GY!BE’s “Mladic” - a powerful ... read more

#Recommended by @CognitiveStatic - tysm.

This is a really interesting album, offering a great mix of indie rock, power pop, and midwest emo. The melodies aren’t particularly sophisticated, but they’re incredibly hooky in their infectious simplicity. Anyone who loves classic indie rock or midwest emo should definitely give this record a listen.

--- Favourite songs: ---
Happy, Hopeless, Boys You Won't

It's hidden gem time.
Genre: Indie Rock/Midwest Emo
Similar to: idk, perhaps Interpol
Pro's: Strong guitar work
Con's: Male vocalist isn't that strong

My ranked track ratings:
-----------------------------------
VCR - 100
Smoke in Your Disguise - 95
21st Century Limited - 95
Belle de Jour - 90
West End World - 90
New Distance - 85
On the Sleeve - 80
all other tracks: less than 70

This is an album where every song maintains a high level of quality. However, there isn’t that much variety between the tracks, so many of them feel quite similar to each other. Still, there are several highlights I’d like to mention in particular:

“Terminus” - The middle section strongly reminds me of a kind of “lost track” from GY!BE’s Yanqui U.X.O, which is definitely a compliment, since Yanqui is one of my all-time favourite albums.

“Demons ... read more

My ranked track ratings:
-----------------------------------
Car - 95
So & So So & So From Wherever Wherever - 90
Some Things Last A Long Time - 90
Some - 90
Still Flat - 90
Terrible/Perfect - 90
Girl - 85
Sick & Wrong - 85
[all other songs: less than 70]

As an album closer, “Comforting Sounds” is just as rewarding as “Earthmover” is on HANL’s Deathconsciousness.But Frengers has plenty of other highlights as well, making it a consistently great listen from start to finish.
➡️ Personal Stats:
1️⃣ Underrated Songs (rating is at least 5 too low): 2/10
2️⃣ Album highlights songs (95 or higher): 4/10
3️⃣ Skipped Songs: 3/10
--- Fav songs: ---
Comforting Sounds, Am I Wry? No, She Spider, Snow Brigade

As a huge fan of their first two records, I have to admit that Kingdom of Rust didn’t fully click with me. For me, it doesn’t quite capture the same magic as songs like “Sea Song,” “Firesuite,” or “There Goes the Fear.” Still, there are three or four tracks on here that I really enjoy, and they remind me of what makes the band so special.
--- My fav songs: ---
10:03, Spellbound

This album doesn’t quite reach the highs of its predecessor, but it has fewer forgettable songs, so overall, it’s still pretty solid (but nothing outstanding).
➡️ Stats:
1️⃣ Top Songs (90+): 1/10
2️⃣ Solid Songs: 5/10
3️⃣ Skipped Songs: 4/10
--- Fav song: ---
I Can't Stop This Feeling I've Got

This album starts really strong. If it had maintained the quality of the first few songs throughout, it could’ve easily been a contender for a 90+ record. Unfortunately, it falls pretty flat in the second half.
➡️ Stats:
1️⃣ Rating of the first half: 88
2️⃣ Forgettable songs in the second half: 5/6
3️⃣ Replay value: medium (high for the first half)
--- Fav songs: ---
Mr. Brightside, Smile Like You Mean It

Although I’m not the biggest fan of the vocalist’s performance on most of the songs, it’s still a very good album, with lots of well-crafted instrumentation and unique but really infectious melodies.
➡️ Stats:
1️⃣ Top Songs (>=90): 3/11
2️⃣ Forgettable Songs (not including interludes): 1/11
3️⃣ Replay Value: Medium
-- Fav Songs: --
How Near, How Far, Baudelaire, Another Morning Stoner

As a huge sucker for indie rock, I have to admit that I’m not the biggest Pavement fan (sorry, Pavement fans). Still, this album is definitely worth a listen. “Fillmore Jive” is my favourite Pavement song, and there are two or three other real highlights on here as well.
--- My fav songs: ---
Fillmore Jive, Elevate me Later, Gold Soundz