Fuck it, I guess I'll lean into being even more of a stereotype. Took a long time for me to stop being a contrarian about this album, but I've finally realized that there's not a single song on here I'm not in love with. It's finally time for me to embrace my inner white music journalist

Some really great, iconic feats of songwriting, then like 6 tracks of filler. It's pretty good filler so like still pleasant, but it does kneecap this album's potential a little.

Musically, it's not totally as weird as Pithecanthropus. I mean Blue Cee barely even sounds like a Charles Mingues song tbh. But conceptually this album is a fucking TRIP. Heavy blues inspired epics and an improvised monologue about a depressed clown over insane improvisation? In 1957? How was Charles Mingus even a real guy??

Yeah, I can't help but love this album. The highs are incredible, the time signature gimmick keeps it interesting, and the piano playing is nothing short of gorgeous.

Heavy respect for what Little Richard did for the music industry. He deserves his place in history as an electric performer and musician. That being said, half these songs just kinda sound the same to me. I know this was from an era of music where albums were more just vessels for singles instead of holistic projects, but I can't really say there's any particular songs on here that stand out all that much to me compared to the others. Still, nothing on here is bad and it's a fun way to spend a ... read more

Even though I know Wilco is a full band, this album feels like a quintessential singer-songwriter album. A lot of the focus is on the lyrics and delivery, and no song on here is totally direct. Even the poppier songs have enough cryptic elements and weird little songwriting choices that the whole thing maintains a constant sense of mystery despite being so simple much of the time.

Don't go into this expecting some country rock rager. Be prepared to sit in its weird, surreal atmosphere of radio ... read more

Listening to this album while on a bullet train in France staring out at the countryside is definitely a contender for the best experience I've ever had with music. It's such a perfectly written and sequenced album that I feel like it's one of only a few albums that I'd take with me to a desert island. Absolutely gorgeous in every way.

Not as ambitious or conceptual as their next two albums, but GOD the songs on here are so well written and performed. Not all of it is super representative of the band they'd eventually become considering they never really revisited some of these softer jangle-pop sounds, but it's also got its fair share of insane over-the-top theatrics. A bit scattered sonically, but a really enjoyable album throughout.

It's been almost 4 years and I'm still waiting for that full-length Wax Fang trip hop album

Can't really blame them for this one considering all the issues and setbacks they had recording it. I just hope they're able to come back stronger at some point in the future.

Don't discount the whole album though, because the opener and closer are two of the best songs they've ever recorded, but mostly everything in the middle is uhh... flawed.

Wax Fang really went 7 years without making a follow-up to La La Land, then completely changed their sound and made an album that's arguably just as good.

My original review is still somewhere on Sputnik Music if you wanna read it, but I wrote it when I was 16 and I'm not insanely proud of it anymore. For one thing, this album has grown off me a bit over the years. I do still think it's a fantastic album (as you can tell from the score), but it does have some non-perfect spots here and there that make me not wanna rate this a 100 anymore.

Sidenote: The thing that hasn't changed about my opinion after all these years is that Can You See The ... read more

Okay, so I do still enjoy this album quite a bit, and I still don't think the fact that they wear their influences on their sleeve is a knock against them, but on the 4th or 5th listen it really hit me how clunky and not-super-well-executed some of these song structures are. It's still an exciting listen for the most part. There's just some flaws I can't help but notice.

It's good to know that, even in 1956, Charles Mingus was already making music like none of his contemporaries. It's pretty tame compared to his later stuff, but the ambition is still there, and he still writes some incredible melodies and intricate song structures.

Not gonna actually listen to this because no thanks, but this is unironically punk as fuck given the context, so I have to respect that

This has me so hyped for the album. I'm loving this live chaotic jazzy sound

This thing broke me. It exceeded all of my expectations, and is by far the best jazz album I've reviewed on this site so far. I can absolutely see why people in the jazz community hated this guy's guts so much. The shit he's doing on here is bizarre even by today's standards, and I can only imagine how it must've sounded to a typical listener in fucking 1959. Who else would think to form a jazz band with no chordal instruments, a dollar store saxophone, and almost no jazz conventions ... read more

Avenade's characteristic blending of post-hardcore and noise rock aggression with 90's alt rock songwriting sensibilities comes back for a slightly more refined and accessible version of last year's It's a Whimsical Afterlife. The production, songwriting, and performances are all improved in my opinion, and the songs are still gargantuan without being self-indulgent. He even surprises you with some really catchy and pop-ish moments every now and then without sacrificing quality.

Overall, ... read more

Finishing up all the 2020 albums I still wanna review, so I figured I should give this album a shoutout. Super intricate storytelling, hilarious bars, and ridiculously creative and versatile production makes this an enjoyable listen for any hip hop fan, apart from the occasional questionable line here and there.

I honestly didn't believe the hype all that much after the first few listens. I knew I liked it on some level, but I was always occupied with something else on my first few listens. But when I finally sat down to actually take notes and review this thing, it hit me. Every good thing I've heard about this album was true.

Fuck you Ichiko Aoba for derailing my best albums of 2020 list at the last second