Beautifully sad and personal album, which is what makes it so captivating.
Such expressive instrumentation compliments the personal lyrics from Isaac.
The interplay between the saxophones/flute and violin really makes this album so impactful.

Took a little while to click with me but when it did, it clicked hard.
The two longer tracks are amazingly atmospheric, and are longstanding favourites of mine.

My first swans album. I am reviewing the tracks as I listen.
"Lunacy", "Mother of the World", and "The Wolf"
At a collective 15 minutes long, both Lunacy and Mother of the World fly by with their hypnotic grooves and haunting atmosphere. The Wolf serves as a strong somber transition to the title track.

"The Seer"
The Seer begins. It grows in its plodding repetitive crescendo. Around halfway through it seems as if the track begins to stumble and fall, but ... read more

The definitive fall album.
The hits are great and there are some overlooked tracks here as well, especially "Whispering Pines", "The Unfaithful Servant" and "Jawbone". The vocals and instrumentation here are what you would expect from a group called "The Band". The three vocalists have distinct voices, yet come together beautifully throughout the album. The band members also swap instruments on various tracks which only add to the rootsy/folky feeling of ... read more

*Very* strong debut from BC,NR. I always have been interested in music from the 60s and 70s but this album (and the band) has really broadened my horizons when it comes to sounds and modern experimentation. The lyrics are personal and intriguing. The music and playing is fabulous with each member playing an important role in molding the sound on this release.

The second "lo-fi" release by the Beach Boys is full of pop charm, complimented by accents of motown soul music. Harmonies are a little sparser here but still tight as ever. Carl also takes more lead vocals, hinting at his larger role as "band leader" in the 70s.

Meddle is a psychedelic prog masterpiece. Wonderful sound scapes are found on the sublime "Echoes", while the rest of the tracklist features additional varied psychedelia and rock of quite high caliber. Can't recommend more!

Sunflower, bright and beautiful. From the cover art to the songs inside, this is a pure and perfect blend of all things pop. The harmonies and arrangements here are undeniable pop perfection, most notably including the early shoegaze of "All I Wanna Do". Dennis Wilson proves himself to be as strong of a songwriter as Brian, with the romantic "Forever". Each group member brings his own brand of pop, all of which are strong efforts. Highly recommend new fans!

A funky and fresh album which can be seen as a reinvention of King Crimson in the 80s, achieved by delving head-first into new wave influence. Every track is enjoyable here, and are made better by inclusions of odd time signatures and cryptically playful lyricism. One of the (many) highlights from King Crimson.

My favourite album of all time. Rich sonic textures throughout the entire album compliment the many moods conveyed within each of Irvine & Brady's interpretations of traditional folk songs, each telling endearing stories. This album has the most satisfying instrumental arrangements I have ever heard. Songs are full of charm and I often find myself revisiting individual songs and the album often throughout the year. This album is appropriate for any season, and evokes a gust of cool wind in ... read more

This album feels like a Smash Bros. character reveal.

One of the strongest debut albums of all time; banger after banger. Even the weaker tracks have poppy hooks that keep the songs fresh and fun. The top-class production and instrumentation must also not be ignored. Great music from The Cars.

James Taylor's most interesting release, which is a bit of a mixed bag. It is an enjoyable listen with great instrumentation found throughout (sometimes sounding effortless and uninspired). There's a lot to like here including some underappreciated cuts, along with a fun suite to finish the album.
Notable tracks: One Man Parade, Nobody but You, Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

Hazy, atmospheric, and psychedelic folk rock. Easy to digest and can easily be background music if desired. However, there is a lot of texture and depth within the tracks here which makes for a satisfying listening experience.

Quebec encompasses multiple genres of rock, oftentimes in adjacent tracks which can be jarring and somewhat challenging upon first listen. However, Ween's ability to introduce twists and change moods continued to find me incredibly intrigued, and after further listens it is easy to stick a 90 on this album and I don't expect the rating to drop. Highly recommend if you are looking to expand into experimental rock or other subgenres of rock.

Absolutely beautiful album, complimented with some of the best singer-songwriter acoustic guitar playing and instrumentation. Bruce Cockburn's writing style is strengthened here by incorporating elements of spirituality and faith, only elevating the already stunning arrangements found on this album.

The best aspects from CSNY, James Taylor, and other classic rock/folk rock acts of the era can be summed up in this amazing early J-rock album by Happy End

Inspired power pop punk. Amazing, emotive vocals and suite-like second half are all complimentary to the albums enjoyable listening experience.

Beatlesque power pop, produced by Carl Wilson. This album is very interesting to me as it contains tones which are ahead of its time, while also being a perfect product of its time. There isn't one bad track on here, but a few songs end up being forgettable. Otherwise, it is a very strong note for The Flame(s) to end on.

Van Dyke Parks delivers playful, bouncy, and beautiful arrangements reminiscent of old-timey show tunes.
Standout Tracks: Opportunity for Two, Hominy Grove, Jump!.

The Beatles best. Harrison's output is his strongest yet and Paul seems to begin to flex his multi-instrumentation and mastery of the studio as well. Ringo's contributions must also be acknowledged, debuting his first solo composition with the group. John's compositions are unique and his most creative of his career, and the best off of the white album.