It’s not what I expected it to sound like after the passing of Mimi. Incredibly vocoder heavy and quite often upbeat, it might not be what I expected but I admit it’s addictive.
Stand out tracks: “Get Still” & “Somebody Else’s Room”
Their sophomore effort was kind of a disaster but this third try returns to the magnificence of the debut. It’s not like they’re re-inventing the wheel or anything but it sounds just like what I need right now. And probably all through autumn and winter as well.
Stand out tracks: “X’s” & “Dreams From Bunker Hill”
1994 was a great year in music, possibly the greatest one in history. This album is up there with the best of them.
It was back in 1997 I think, when a high school class mate recommended this to me and lent me the album. As soon as I pressed play… Shining Road: ethereal, magical, the kind of song that completely hypnotizes you for four straight minutes.
You all know the feeling. When you hear a song for the first time and feel like it’s the best thing you’ve ever heard. That’s what Shining Road was to me. Luckily, the rest of the album holds up, making it one of the decade’… More
I haven’t written many reviews lately. I’ve been busy fanboying. The high rating (I confess!) is due to incessant listening, and it honestly only got better every time.
It’s not as disco flirty as Future Nostalgia but I honestly don’t mind a bit of well written and well sung mainstream pop every now and then.
Jim Reid was never much of a singer but usually they had enough distortion to cover it up. On this new release, not so much. Discotheque is a pain to get through. The rest gets a passing grade, even though a new J&MC album isn’t exactly what the world needed.
So Tangk is the Idles album that turns non Idles fans into Idles fans. It’s a post punk equivalent of… imagine if the douche bag who’s been playing with your feelings and leaving you on read suddenly became emotionally available. That how this album feels in the band’s catalogue.
They’re back with a lot of new found energy, while still sounding like old timers who aren’t really interested in evolving. I find myself enjoying a couple of songs but overall it’s not an album I would deem necessary in this day and age. Sounds like great fan service, though!
Stand out tracks: “React, Respond” & “Waiting For Stevie”
It’s like the entire world fit into one album. The highs are high, I respect their craft but I won’t be able to rate it too high since it does feel like muzak-y background music at times. Prefer the tracks with vocals
Au usual with this guy, it’s not great but not exactly bad either. Just keep wondering who the target audience is for these mellow and slightly pointless muzak sound bites?
Stand out tracks: “Best For You And Me” & “I Just Want To Wake Up With You”
I want Matt Houck to hold my hand all through 2024.
Granted, most Phosphorescent albums sound alike (and Revelator does lack an obvious song of particular greatness like “Song For Zula” or “C’est La Vie No. 2”) but it doesn’t really matter when this album feels like you’re being wrapped up in a warm, cozy blanket and you’re allowed to cry as much as you want. Well done. As usual.
Stand out tracks: “Revelator” & “A Poem On The Men’s Room Wall”
Hmm. This feels a lot less country than advertised. The Blackbird and Jolene covers are good but do nothing spectacular compared to the original songs. I’ve always hated interludes on albums in general and this one has like three million of them. But the rest of the material on here is good. Even the Post Malone duet is good (which is saying something!) and the Miley Cyrus one is great.
Not as great as the 2014 debut, but then few albums are.
This is close to perfect. If only Velveteen and Tile by Tile (two quite pointless tracks) had been taken out this would have been a five star experience, because the remaining dozen songs are great.
Stand out tracks: “Pomeranian Spinster” & “Easy On Your Own?”
I never thoroughly acquainted myself with the jungle genre but if this is what it sounds like then I definitely should! Some strong material on here. However, I need to lower the rating a tiny bit due to NA’s vocals being a bit weak at times.
But still, great stuff.
Stand out tracks: “Silence Is Loud” & “So Tell Me…”