I am still not certain whether I prefer this or the debut, but it still has a very different identity from that record. From where S/T was chaotic in its raw production and experimentation in sounds, Iowa is chaotic in just how completely fucking ruthless it is. Everybody often refers to this album as being one of the heaviest records to ever hit the mainstream, and for good reason. The drumming is amped up to eleven, Corey Taylor steps up his game as a vocalist, and the production is cleaner ... read more

I still do not fully understand what I am listening to even after giving it a few tries, but that does not make In the Aeroplane Over the Sea any less mesmerizing. Despite being extremely short-lived, Neutral Milk Hotel cemented themselves in music history with this album. This record has a raw folk rock sound to it, and contains abstract lyrics that seem loosely based on the idea of "coming of age". The songwriting is all over the place but never incoherent, and even when I cannot ... read more

This recently turned 25 years old as of this review and there is still nothing else quite like it. Slipknot with their self-titled debut used their many band members to their advantage to create one of the most unhinged-sounding metal records of the 90s. Through raw production and the odd quirks of nu-metal, they make an unforgiving and unforgettable experience with every single song. The band made a name with themselves with this record and rightfully so. I may be overrating it but it was one ... read more

It's emo. It's dated. It's whatever. Aside from I Write Sins Not Tragedies, this whole album is nothing special. I actually do believe that the emo genre has some genuinely has some great records tied to it, but this is not one of them. The project as a whole is competent sounding at best, but almost nothing stands out enough to be of note. I can understand vibing to this once in a while, but A Fever You Can't Sweat out has not withstood the test of time.

I'm sorry... I just don't get this one.

This was the last album Simon and Garfunkel released before parting ways, and a lot of people seem to really enjoy this one. I think the title track is great, I enjoyed The Boxer, and I think it sounds pretty good for its time, but aside from that there is not much else here that jumps out at me. I do not think it is a bad album, but think it is alright at best. Maybe I need to listen to more singer-songwriter folk, or perhaps I need to listen ... read more

I do not have much to say about the album itself, but I believe it is good to listen to records like these once in a while.

In a climate where there is so many genres and sub-genres, and so many ways to consume and enjoy music it is easy to forget what the purpose of music is for in the first place: to vibe and have a good time. This album is not groundbreaking, nor does it have too many unique moments that make it stand out from similar records or even other artists, but that was not what ... read more

There is some amazing sounds on here. Trap metal is an extremely niche and hit-or-miss genre, but Ghostemane makes it work and elevates it a bit by adding industrial and black metal influences. The front and back ends of the album are quite different as well, with the first half having quick-fire mostly rap tracks and the second half being very abrasive and experimental. There is a couple of inconsistent moments to be found but when it works it works very well.

It often gets eclipsed by its big brother, Mesmerize, this album still stands fine on its own. While Hypnotize does not have as many strong moments, it still convincingly offers itself as a different experience. It continues the sound of the previous record but comes off as slightly more unhinged while also containing some of SOAD's best melodic moments to date. The listening experience is even more rewarding directly after the previous album (which they should be listened to ... read more

SOAD was already wacky before, but this is the album where they have truly become one of a kind. Never have they been more catchier, goofier, and dare I say, mesmerizing. Despite it sounding different, this record contains some of their best songwriting to date, and with bringing a bigger focus per song to compensate for less tracks. This was a step in the right direction in order to evolve their sound.

This album is an absolute mess, but that is what makes it so good. It is like a continuation of Toxicity's sound, but instead of being streamlined into a cohesive experience, every song just bounces the momentum of this record back and forth. It is probably their worst album in my opinion, but it is still holds itself up on its own in a discography of diamonds.

This is may be my favorite album of all time.

I am obviously biased since System of a Down is one of, if not my favorite band of all time, but I truly think this is one of the best albums ever made. Like with their debut, the band continues their unique flavor of heavy metal along with their songwriting which are, while off the walls, can be topical even to this day. The big singles that came from here are iconic, but even the deep cuts can easily hold themselves up as some of the band's ... read more

One of the best debut records to ever drop. System of a Down's self-titled release establishes itself as a record with heavy but catchy metal sounds, along with absurd but discussion-worthy lyrics. It stands as a raw and unhinged beginning to SOAD's career, but also plants the seeds for what is to come.

Proof that Jojo Siwa did not invent gay pop.

In an age where synth pop has taken the world by storm, Chappell Roan makes herself stand out with her provocatively campy debut. She shines through in her sound with her charming, queer personality and explicit lyrics without it being forced. The energy shown on here is so playful and unashamed that it is hard not to enjoy it. If I had one issue it would be that some of the slower tracks hault the momentum of the album and can make it feel bloated ... read more

SZNZ Part 4: A good conclusion to a fun and harmless addition to the SZNZ series.

While I do not think it is the best in the four ep series, Winter is the most straightforward Weezer-sounding and it works in its favor. With being the most simplistic and not adding much besides the occasional holiday sound far in the background, this album manages to be the arguably most focused out of all of them in its theme. The band's simple songwriting here captures the wonders, and sometimes sadness, ... read more

SZNZ Part 3: If I had a nickel for every song title involving pain that seems strangely masochistic in the same album, I would have have two nickels which is not a lot but weird that it happened twice.

Out of every record in this four ep series, autumn is perhaps the most inconsistent with its sound. One moment it wants to be disco-inspired, next there is a slight Halloween-esque sound, and then it closes off with a five minute long straightforward rock track. It still keeps the momentum of ... read more

SZNZ Part 2: Now this is more like it.

Since this not the first time a record by Weezer had a strong focus on summer vibes, it now seemed inevitable that they had a good idea on how to approach Summer. With combining a nostalgic summer-rock feel, heavy metal riffs, and simple yet tight songwriting, the band got themselves an infectiously fun little listen with this album. Sure, it is cheesy and goofy, but in an endearing way (you are listening to Weezer, what do you expect?). I do not know if ... read more

SZNZ Part 1: It sure is spring alright.

In the first installment of the four ep series, Weezer goes for an acoustic, sometimes renesaince-inspired sound on Spring. In its execution, it neither does anything new or deep, but it does not present itself as so. A big project based around cheesy idea of the seasons during year should not be approached to seriously. My main issue with the project is that nothing on here feels like there is not enough stand out moments to give it an extra push ... read more

Dad rock but good.

There is no simpler way to say it other than that Van Weezer is just a silly, fun 80s glam-rock-inspired album and it should not be looked at more than just that. It is not deep or groundbreaking in any way, but it has some of the band's most fun riffs and hooks in a while and it feels sincere in its tribute to the era it is based on. Aside from a few moments that raise some eyebrows (nothing could have prepared the world for 1 More Hit), the record remains consistent ... read more

Edit (81 > 78): It shrunk on me a bit but it is still pretty good.

It is records like this one that make me hopeful current-day Weezer is still capable of making great music.

During the turmoil that was the COVID-19 pandemic, the band dropped OK Human by surprise. This time around, they added orchestral strings in the background along with their sound and they suddenly got themselves a good chamber pop album on their hands. It is still undeniably a Weezer record, but it is surprisingly ... read more

I do not know what it is, but this album leaves a bitter taste in my mouth no matter how hard I try to get into it.

Unlike the few previous albums before it, the Black Album prides itself in being completely all over the place. To me, it is similar to Red, but instead of having a charming carefree feeling to it, the band seems to have completely lost themselves here. It starts with a funky, Mexican-inspired track, then an on-the-nose track of Rivers essentially saying "fuck you" to ... read more