Reviews by abitfishy

Didn't think too much before going in, but these guys are sick. Always managing to get this infectious college rock melodies across in the best way. Has jangly guitars with a whimsical female vocals as the main parts of the album, it also has a overarching nocturnal mood to it; though not darkness per se. A lot of it does quite a good job at what it's trying to do, which is bit of a mix between jangle pop and downtempo stuff. It just has such a good feel to it all. I also quite like how they transformed a heavy metal classic into a solid downtempo funky song, it's probably one of the best covers I've ever heard.

I definitely think this album has a place on the 1001 list. It stands out and has a uniqueness, that I feel everyone should hear. It's not a carbon copy of anything. It does everything well.

Highlight Song/s: "Been It", "Step On Me" and "Iron Man"

Haven't heard too much of Elton John, but this is a good impression to me on why he is so popular and praised. The very thoughtful lyrics; stuff you can easily picture in your head.

Lots of imagery I got from this album was coldness and of a metropolis (i.e. New York,) the most vivid stuff I got was either the very cinematic-like twist and turns of "Indian Sunset" and the very urban "Holiday Inn" (probably because it literally says "Boston" in it.)

His vocals are filled with emotion and have a bit of drawl to them, sounds quite inspired by some of the power that a lot 60s Black American soulful singers have.

I think overall this album was fine, I don't reckon it's the most amazing thing ever, however it's not bad either. It showcases Elton's piano singer-songwriter style, which I think I'm fine with, he always comes up with amazing melodies and catchy hooks even if other parts of the song are a bit lacking. So, I don't think I'd come back to the album but I can see that it's well done, just would return to the highlight songs (listed down below,) probably nothing else.

Highlight Song/s: "Tiny Dancer" and "Indian Sunset"

I really liked one of Divine Comedy's other album "A Short Album about Love" but this one doesn't strike me the same. Sounds a bit too pompous and overblown. There also is some monologue present throughout that just sounds so pretentious. The arrangements for all the songs are mixed, some are good, some are bad. Just this album is underwhelming and doesn't leave with much thoughts.

I think I'd be fine with not hearing this album again. Nothing noteworthy was gained with this album. Just mostly meh to bad stuff

Highlight Song/s: "Becoming More Like Alfie"

This was an alright one. A fair amount of the more manic songs kind of reminds me of glam-era Bowie and 70s Queen, just some of those seems stuff that Bowie and Queen would probably do. I read on Wikipedia - as it helps me understand some things about the album - that as the album goes on the more mellow it gets, and I'd say that's mostly the case. The album overall has quite a cohesive feel to it - which I feel the segueing between songs kind of implies that - even though there isn't a discernible theme.

I think this might be an album I might come around to rather than one that I can tell is a 'good' or 'bad' one off the bat. I think I'm mostly impartial, not much of a definitive consensus with this one. It was definitely well thought-out, I can say that for sure.

Highlight Song/s: "International Feel", "Tic Tic Tic It Wears Off", "Flamingo" and that long Soul Medley

All my Rolling Stones albums up to this point have not been good (Let It Bleed: 3, Aftermath: 2,) and this one isn't beating the case. It however has been the most interesting so far. On mostly Side A you have some more electric guitar-oriented (clean, not much distortion, if any) and most of Side B is acoustic blues-y stuff. I was totally expecting some proto-punk filth as I guess that's the vibe I get from these guys. I spose that's not the case! Keith's vocals in "Salt Of The Earth" were a bit and were unstable, but it had a charm of it's own and I liked it (only know this factbecause of Wikipedia.)

I think this is the best Rolling Stones album yet, not sure if there's anymore - as I haven't checked out what's on the list in a little while. Even though it's still a 3, it's still the best so far.

Highlight Song/s: "Parachute Woman" and "Factory Girl"

This is exactly a album I didn't know I needed right now, just an unabashedly, uplifting, pure positive album. This guy - Sam Cooke - just has all the power of soul all unleashed here, where rawness compliments melody at the perfect balance. It never gets too sad, there is still some bittersweetness, but it always manages to focus on the bright side of life, which is very much needed, then and nowadays.

I would recommend this 100 out 100 times if someone asked about it or if they need some cheering up and are a fan of music. Yes, yes, yes and yes to this album.

Highlight Song/s: "Feel It Now" and "Chain Gang"

Initial thoughts were: Very weird album. The main thing with this album is it features the titular character - Dr. Octagon - whose an incredibly messed up doctor who mutilates, experiments, there's lines about him doing terrible stuff to peoples rectums (which is sus, when said for umpteenth time) and other horrific things to unsuspecting patients. This is a interesting concept, albeit dorky (in the best way possible.)

This has quite a thriller sound to it, as if this is a hypothetical soundtrack to a horror movie. In some songs he says a bunch of very technical scientific-focused words together in a rapid succession, which I'm sure a lot of it means nothing, but it's so nerdy and makes the listener know that the doctor knows his stuff! (Again, in a good way.)

I think it's fine, I wasn't too keen to start with, but it grew on me as the album went on. Not worthy enough of 4 stars but it's not 'bad' like a 2 star album, so 3 stars I believe is the closest to how I feel about the album.

Highlight Song/s: "3000", "Earth People" and "Blue Flowers"

This one was okay, I suppose. It's production was probably my favourite element of the album, it has a nice overall tone to it. The vocals were fine, nothing too major or noteworthy. The name of the album fits quite well I do have to say!

Though overall I don't think the album was enjoyable enough to return to it.

Highlight Song/s: "Holdin' On (Bambelela)" and "Feel Free"

An essential building stone of the punk monument comes from this album. These guys were pushing sound into places it had never been before, loudness and all. I really like the political preaching the frontman (or whoever) does at the start of some songs, it makes the atmosphere sound incredibly tense, and rebellious. The guitars are fuzzed out the wazoo, and riff quite savagely. Nothing quite sounded like the MC5 before MC5 were MC5, these guys were trodding new ground for the time. I can see why some bands worshipped some of the late 60s Detroit hard rock bands.

I don't think it's the best album, but I respect the album and the guys. I do think it's at least worthy to be on the 1001 list.

Highlight Song/s: "Kick Out The Jams"

The dreaded 80+ and longer electronic albums, this was probably not greatest time to get this very long album, been a bit drained from all the long releases I've gotten recently. One thing I do have to say is that this is one of those albums which has a cover to it that completely matches the sound, very otherwordly! Musically, It's pretty much atmospheric drum and bass tracks, I'm not experienced that much with that genre, so didn't have much of a expectation. It's an interesting sound for sure, the aggressive drums and the chill out, space-like calmness.

I just feel like this shouldn't have been included, it's a compilation by different musicians recorded at different times all in one album, which I feel is fine by itself but I don't think it works well with the list. I think 140 minutes is just absurd, I didn't listen to all of it - only 4 or 5 tracks, I didn't listen to - because of YouTube copyright reasons.

I can feel glad that it's all over and won't ever have to listen to this again, I just don't feel any pleasure with this one, some of the songs I quite love the luscious soundscapes but lots of it isn't interesting enough to listen to the whole thing again. To re-iterate: Some of it is pure tranquillity music which fills my brain with nature-imagery (especially in the first disc,) but at the end of the day with all things considered and added up, it isn't the album for me.

Highlight Song/s: "Vocal Tune", "Coolin' Out" and "Solutions"

This has some nice nocturnal jazz instrumental stuff. It's quite repetitive, I feel a lot of the songs could've gotten shorten by like 2 minutes. I really like the last handful of songs, they break up the monotony big time, those songs are also kind of reminiscent of Bowie's Berlin Trilogy.

This could've been a whole lot better but I suppose it's fine. It's far from great that is one thing that is certain. If the songs weren't so long, I think this would've been a lot better and tolerable.

I personally wouldn't recommend this one.

Highlight Song/s: "Bussing" and "They're Hanging Me Tonight"

Wasn't too keen at the start nor the last couple songs were my cup of tea, but the middle collection of songs were pretty good. This seems like one of those albums where every little thing was intentional. The songs are I think best described as art pop and chamber pop stuff. Some of the songs are so descriptive I had a really fun time imagining the plots in my head, one song where I think it was the most effective was "The Art Teacher." One last aspect I liked was the vocals, they're very Thom Yorke-esque.

I think I might put this one on re-visit list. I would recommend it, it does a good job at what it's trying to do.

Highlight Song/s: "The Art Teacher" and "This Love Affair"

Some alright Icelandic jangly pop music. The probably the most note-worthy thing about this is it features Bjork - before her solo career. It has these very weird and eccentric lyrics all over the joint, probably my favourite is a line in "Deus" where (paraphrasing) she states that Deus doesn't exist, but if he doesssss... he would like to touch Bjork. So weird, I love it. Einar's vocals serves as a strong contrast to Bjork in that it seems he provides narrator-like spoken word, in the off moments where Bjork is letting out her trademarked belting vocals.

I think I'd only return to this one if I was in re-listening to some jangle pop/new wave that I think needs reassessing. It's still fine, but nothing noteworthy other than an early appearance from Bjork.

Highlight Song/s: "Birthday", "Coldsweat" and "Deus"

This is a completely stacked album, it has a lot of AC/DC's big hits on it; kind of seems closer to a greatest hits. This music embodies the famous motto of "Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll," it's so goddamn sleazy. This kind of seems to predate glam metal with it mixing the heavy riffs with anthemic hooks accompanied by lyrics that focus on 'life-on-the-road-as-a-rockstar' and sexual innuendos galore. I haven't realised this until now but "You Shook Me All Night Long" kind of reminds me of the glam (rock) classic of "Cum On Feel The Noize" by Slade, and I suppose this also applies to the glam (metal) cover done by Quiet Riot.

Ultimately I'm not a fan, it's just too generic for me. I respect it a whole lot, but the lyrics 9 times out of 10 aren't good and the raspy Mickey Mouse-like screams by Brian Johnson aren't helping whatosever. I think this is a perfect album for my 3 star flat collection, it doesn't sway too hard in either direction, but it's probably a bit more bad than it is good. It's just an album that's not for me, which is honestly fine.

Highlight Song/s: "Back In Black" and "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution"

This is a hell of send off for David Bowie's career, literally an end of an era. Very much bittersweet and mournful; I think those two descriptors best match the album. This album instrumentally is quite jazzy and fairly electronic with some rock elements. Usually it features jazzy - sometimes chaotic and noisy - horns, and electronic-like beats.

My favourite element of the album is the dissonant brass in "'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore." The title track has a vibe like no other. The ominous part in the beginning and ending ("In the villa of Ormen"), it also has this quirky beat to it and is general very moody; which I like a lot. It takes you on journey and a half.

I think this is a must-listen for the 1001 list and in Bowie's catalogue. I can't stress enough about his career ended on such a high note; going out in the best possible way. I recommend this album wholeheartedly. Even at the end of the road Bowie was still a firm believer in always re-inventing oneself. Which I admire a whole lot.

Highlight Song/s: "Blackstar", "'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore" and "Girl Loves Me"

This is definitely quite a departure from the other stuff I know Paul Weller from (the Jam, obviously.) This is not any mod revival stuff and instead features mainly singer-songwriter, acoustic-leaning rock songs, with a couple 'weird' tracks thrown about the album. I personally find the lyrics a bit numbing, it just - most of the time - sounds like a bunch of sentimental nothingness put together.

Even though it sounds a bit harsh, It just falls short about 90% of the time for me. I do how admire a bit how Weller gave up on the Jam at their peak, and did his own thing, but when it comes to the actual solo stuff by him, I don't think it's for me.

Highlight Song/s: "Instrumental (Part 1)" and "All the Pictures on the Wall"

This one is a lot more raunchy and filthy sounding compared to that album I heard that has "Heads Will Roll" on it. The vocals sound a bit like American Siouxsie Sioux, there's some similar quirks to her vocals as Siouxsie, like the occasional yelping and unstableness to her voice. Instrumentally 2/3rds of the album is some filthy garage punk music, the last handful of songs drop the fuzzed guitars out and in favour of something more in line with traditional indie rock.

I think this one struck more of a chord with me than their other album - Blitz. I think this one deserves more of a place on the 1001, though they are two different albums with two different goals. I might re-visit this one in the near future.

Highlight Song/s: "Date With the Night", "Man" and "Maps"

I think this one was fine. It's a lot more rock-y compared to another Zappa and the Mothers album I've heard - Were Only In It For The Money. Though the last two songs, "Help I'm A Rock" and "The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet" still have a similar quality to the unhinged rock of We're Only In It... it was a bit of foreshadowing, I suppose. Definitely a lot more 'songs' here as well, the other album was less so. I think this one is a bit underwhelming other than a couple of songs, but I'm a big fan of the last two experimental songs. I'm already so infatuated with Suzy Creamcheese.

I'd say if you were to listen to a Frank Zappa and a Mothers of Invention album I'd recommend Were Only In It For The Money over this one. This was fine, but lots of the middle stuff wasn't the greatest while the other one had me on my toes constantly, and was thrilling.

p.s. I got this album 4 days after Were Only In It For The Money, which was a bit funny.

Highlight Song/s: "Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulders", "You Didn't Try To Call Me", "Any Way the Wind Blows", "Help, I'm A Rock" and "The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet"

I only know Adam and the ant followers from their songs "Stand and Deliever" and "Antmusic." So, nearly all of this was listened with a fresh perspective. It was a lot more fuzzed out than I was expecting, sounding a lot like the British first-wave punk but with the grinding guitars slowed down.

This is such a 'fun' album, I think people who dislike this album are no fun and have no soul; you can let all your worries go away with this one.

It's very eclectic, but most of it is tribal-inflected new wave and post-punk, there's still some very weird stuff like a sea shanty song ("Jolly Roger") and there's a B-movie-like soundtrack ("Ants Invasion.") All of it still manages to work with the primary new wave sound.

I would recommend this one.

Highlight Song/s: "Antmusic" and "Ant Invasion"

My previous album's artist name was Spirit now I've got Spirtualized, I wonder what is next, Spirituality? This album is a superb 'chill-out' sort of album, it feels very peaceful and delicate. I swear I can hear clouds coming from this. It's quite repetitive, but it it works well like that. It's not really a sort of in-your-face confrontational album, if anything it's the opposite. These guys are shy as all hell! Typical Indie's, pfttt. I liked this album more than I didn't.

I think this is a album that might grow on me. I might return to this album in the near future.

Highlight Song/s: "Step Into the Breeze" and "Take Your Time"