Rate Albums

Reviews by cunningtarantula

Ready to DieThe Notorious B.I.G.

4/10

I like some Biggie, but not all Biggie. This album is really hit and miss for me. Not to mention that lyrically, it's not aged super well. It's pretty misogynistic and the sexualized content is pretty gross.

Plus, I really don't like skits, and I really don't like how many skits are on this album. I get that skits are done to make an album feel like an audio "movie" or act as a palette cleanser between songs. They give people a glimpse of the rapper's life and environment outside of lyrics and beats. Sort of a chance to show their personality and sense of humor.

So I can get why skits exist but I also just don't like them.

2.5 rounded down

…Baby One More TimeBritney Spears

4/10

This album is so front loaded. Only the first two songs, ...Baby One More Time and (You Drive Me) Crazy, would mean anything to anyone. I get it, Max Martin knew how to bang out the hits but the rest of this is garbage.

Car Wheels on a Gravel RoadLucinda Williams

6/10

I'm so excited for this. It's been something that I have only recently gotten into so it's exciting to now really examine it.

Ok, so I get it. This album is good and important. But it's not my fave style of country. Still, I got mad respect for Lucinda

She’s So UnusualCyndi Lauper

4/10

I know lots of people think this album is fun but it’s a total fucking bummer to me. I don’t like the contrast between the shiny pop sensibilities that sit on top of this album and the near constant undercurrent of emotionally vulnerability. It gives the record a feeling of being ungrounded or unresolved. Her vocals feel strained, like she’s reaching for some kind of resolution but never quite lands it. The guitars and synths clean but also weirdly distant and mismatched to her vocal style. It’s like neither ever fully lands. Then there’s the lyrics. They all lean hard on longing, confusion and vulnerability. But lyrically, she never quite reaches resolution or connection and that just adds to the low-key bummer feeling I get from this.

This album is not dissimilar to Boy George/Culture Club, Annie Lennox/Eurythmics, Belinda Carlisle, A Flock of Seagulls and even to some extent REM and The Police. They’re all sad as fuck to me. I just can't get can’t do these artists without feeling totally bummed out.

In the end, the lack of resolution creates a persistent sadness and that’s what makes it uncomfortable for me. I respect Cyndi but there’s a reason she’s only remembered for one song.

Bridge Over Troubled WaterSimon and Garfunkel

4/10

Not everything that is near universally praised will be my cup of tea and that's fine by me. I find some of this to be just over the top corny. Also, I can't unsee that if you put your thumb on Paul's face, Art gets a serious handlebar mustache.

Bat Out of HellMeat Loaf

10/10

My parents had this on vinyl, 8-track and CD. I have listened to this album more times than I can count so I might be biased. It's a 5 star for me although I'm not quite so sure it's an actual 5 star. But I don't care, I have too many memories wrapped up in it.