"Forever & Ever More" is a unique track in Nothing But Theives’ catalog with a vampiric twist. But the two songs in the middle just don't have the same bombast as "Broken Machine", and they come off as weak and formulaic.
Forever & Ever More: 9.5
Gods: 5
You Know Me Too Well: 4
Take This Lonely Heart: 8.5
Score:
6.8
Decent
Increasing the amount of noise while stripping away everything that makes music interesting in the first place doesn't always make your music better nor does it make it any more listenable. Unfortunately, that's exactly what Avey Tare and Panda Bear did on "Danse Manatee". Songwriting, even substance is pretty much non-existent here.
Fav Tracks: Runnin’ The Round Ball, Essplode
Least Fav Tracks: Labalakely Dress, Penguin Penguin, Meet The Light Child, Bad Crumbs, The Living ... read more
“Spirit They’ve Gone, Spirit They’ve Vanished” is a noisy yet beautiful debut from Animal Collective. It’s also a vivid depiction of an individual missing their innocence as a child. It's a little rough around the edges, the mixing could definitely use some work, but it's still a stunning taste of what's to come for Dave Portner and Noah Lennox.
Fav Tracks: Alvin Row, Penny Dreadfuls, April and the Phantom, Chocolate Girl, Untitled, La Rapet, Bat ... read more
Considering that Daft Punk produced a single “Overnight” last year, it was no doubt that part of the inspiration was carried foward to Parcels’ debut. It’s funky, infectious and danceable as all hell! Even the credits are fucking gold!
Fav Tracks: Tieduprightnow, Withorwithout, Tape, Comedown, Everyroad, Lightenup, Bemyself
Least Fav Track: Exotica
Score:
8.9
Awesome
Basement isn’t the most original emo band out there. But “Beside Myself” is still a hooky record with plenty of sweet songs.
Yes it’s an emo record. How am I supposed to miss it?
Fav Tracks: Ultraviolet, Be Here Now, New Coast, Disconnect, Stigmata, Right Here
Least Fav Track: Changing Lanes
Score:
7.4
Good
While Young the Giant have released a few enjoyable records, “Mirror Master” feels like a collection of bland, though beautifully produced, pop rock songs that even Sameer’s vocals can’t really save.
Fav Tracks: Superposition, Heat of the Summer, Mirror Master, Tightrope, Brother’s Keeper
Least Fav Tracks: Darkest Shade of Blue, You + I
Score:
5.7
Okay
HO-HO-HOLY SHIT!!! This album fucking SHREADS!!! The riffs and drum work are fucking incredible, the performances are fucking powerful and it overall just fucking rocks!
Fav Tracks: Drowning Dog, Electric Messiah, The Witch And The Christ, Spewn From The Earth, Steps Of The Ziggurat/House Of Enlil, God Of The Godless
Least Fav Track: I DON’T FUCKING KNOW!!!
Score:
9
FUCKING AMAZING!!!
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!” - The guy on the cover
“Humbug” is a very deserving title for such a moody-sounding album. The new psychedelic/stoner rock direction presents some of the best songs the Arctic Monkeys have ever written. Alex Turner steals the show with his clever lyrics and vocal personality on top of Josh Homme’s great production.
Fav Tracks: Cornerstone, Crying Lightning, The Jeweller’s Hands, Secret Door, Dance Little Liar, My Propeller, Pretty Visitors
Least Fav Track: Fire And The ... read more
Hey look. It’s Rivers going back to the Raditude/Red Album era where he’s telling the world that he’s the baddest motherfucker there is. Woowee.
This is a HUGE departure from Kero Kero Bonito’s usual cheerful sound! They’ve gone for a much darker, more mature sound here. But besides the surreal and glitchy surprise that is “Only Acting”, the other three songs aren’t standouts.
The One True Path: 7
Only Acting: 9.5
You Know How It Is: 8
Cinema: 6
Score:
7.6
Very Good
My only real gripe is that the chord progression isn’t anything special. But overall, it’s the usual Kero Kero Bonito.
“Intro Bonito” is a very promising debut mixtape that’s funny and innocent (unless you’re talking about “Cat Vs Dog”. Like, holy shit). Sarah’s views of the world around her are charming and the video game-sampling beats are freaking catchy!
Fav Tracks: My Party, Intro Bonito, I’d Rather Sleep, Sick Beat, Kero Kero Bonito, Pocket Crocodile, Cat Vs Dog
Least Fav Track: Park Song
Score:
7.9
Very Good
"Trench" is a huge improvement on all fronts, from the production to the songwriting. It shows a matured band that isn't afraid to take risks while also delivering a concept that effectively addresses Tyler Joseph's reflective lyrics of depression. In fact, it's such a massive leap in quality that it actually became one of my favorite albums of 2018! No joke!
Fav Tracks: Chlorine, Jumpsuit, Neon Gravestones, Morph, Levitate, My Blood, Pet Cheetah, Bandito, Nico and the Niners
Least ... read more
I'm sorry but Viagra Boys is too good of a name to even ignore! This album did not disappoint! The lyrics are insightful yet hilarious and the amount of charm here is admirable! Wiener Dogs are fucking everywhere (in both ways!) and greasy tennis balls will smack you in the face, followed by you quoting with pride on your face, "Basketball"!
Fav Tracks: Just Like You, Sports, Down in the Basement, Frogstrap, Shrimp Shack, Slow Learner
Least Fav Track: Worms
Score:
8.5
Exceptional
"Ghosts I-IV" is a collection of 36 instrumentals that prove that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are masters at making experimental soundtracks. Though it can be a mixed bag of beautiful ambient tracks and industrial beats that scream NIN with tracks that feel very samey and lose my interest after awhile. Overall, it just feels kinda derivative in the ambient genre.
Ghosts I: 6.9
Ghosts II: 5.3
Ghosts III: 6.2
Ghosts IV: 6.3
Score:
6.2
Fine
Hey look! It's the new Kanye album! It actually came out on time, guys! Woo!
Fav Tracks: Ghost Town, Violent Crimes, I Thought About Killing You, Yikes, Wouldn't Leave
Least Fav Track: All Mine
Score:
8
Great
I heard a couple of Hippo Campus’s songs last year. But this is a whole different beast! This is a move from the Vampire Weekend-esque sound to a synthpop direction. It’s still very hooky and well-written and “Bambi” is a fun record, overall. Sadly, I think the next record will be shot and killed by a bunch of hunters. :(
Fav Tracks: Doubt, Passenger, Golden, Anxious, Honestly, Bambi
Least Fav Tracks: Bubbles
Score:
8.1
Great
C’mon! The joke was obvious!
A short but sweet collection of extremely fun tunes delivered by Lillie West’s incredible writing, great instrumentation and beautiful production.
Fav Tracks: Spy, Water Over Sex, See You at Home, When You Die, Copycat, Scary Movie, The Flu
Least Fav Track: Destroyer
Score:
8.5
Awesome
“European Heartbreak” is beautiful and catchy while also being very extremely formulaic. Overall, it’s just another run-of-the-mill indie record.
Fav Tracks: Goodbye Europe, I’ve Done the Best, Simple Song, Oh Love (What Have We Done), Self-Portrait in a Car at Night
Least Fav Track: Where Did You Go
Score:
6.8
Decent
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