Reviews by dave_the_rave

Not for me. Vibraphone sucks. I'm ok with the Bandoneon and Violin and think I would have given a higher score if it was just those instruments. I had to skip a bunch, couldn't take it anymore. 2/5. This isn't a 1 simply because it unique. It would get a 0 for enjoyment.

Initially didn't like Arcade Fire other than Wake Up. Had multiple mates that are huge fans and I've tried and tried and repeatedly listened but I just don't hear what they hear. It's good. It's not amazing. That could also just be based on forced familiarity.

3.5/5. Raising to 4.

Certainly deserves a place on the list. Such a unique album. The vocal is something else. Man must have been drinking whiskey and smoking filterless Marlboro Reds straight out of the womb. 4/5.

First Elvis Costello album on this and first time listening to one completely. Other reviewers seem to be sick of him. 6 albums does seem excessive.

I like how raw this is. It's like pre-grunge. Vocal was off putting at the start but I warmed up to it. 3.5/5. Raising to 4.

I am familiar with Fleet Foxes, think they were hyped up on some end of year, decade etc metacritic list and grabbed my attention so I have definitely listened to this before.
Nice and easy listen. A folky Beach Boys sound. Finding it easy enough to link a lot of the production and stylistic decisions on this album to Pet Sounds. It's just not as impressive in 2008.
This music is too inoffensive across the whole album so never really impacted me.
Certainly an impressive debut and the album cover is very cool but it's just too "nice" for me. 3.5/5. Raising to a 4.

Went from Gary Numan to this. The evolution of Synthpop.

The Mother We Share is the best song on the album. It's feels overly long and got a bit samey towards the end.

3/5.

Pioneer of synthpop which is impressive but the world didn't need the Pet Shop Boys.

3/5.

Tough listen. Theres a very specific type of country music I enjoy and this is not it. Can see why the album was significant for the time and why its on the list but that doesn't make it an enjoyable listen. 2/5.

Exclude the people review bombing this album and this would easily be the highest ranking album of 2004 on this site.

Pity the people that can't separate the art from the man.
Suggest clicking "did not listen" and save the rest of us the holier than thou BS.

Bernie Mac intro kills me every time.

I remember the MTV days and seeing Jesus Walks for the first time. Blew me away. Took a mental note of the artist and song so I could torrent it later.

This could easily be considered Kanye's best album. So many bangers on this one. Production value is through the roof. Runs a little long though.

4.5/5. Raising to a 5.

Not for me. Kinda cheesy. Of it's time I suppose.

Learnt that The Ramones I Wanna Be Sedated is 100% a rip off of Elected.

2.5/5. Raising to 3.

Bit disappointed by this one. Just didn't live up the name in my eyes. Bohemian Rhapsody is one of the greatest/iconic songs of all time but there are far too many duds for this to be a "great" album.

3.5/5. Raising to a 4.

Iconic album. Iconic voice. What a way to go out. CD version omits Wichita Lineman and Big Iron. So I listened to these on Johnny Cash - Unearthed separately.

3.5/5. Raising to 4.

This is art born of tragedy. A parent dealing with the death of their child. Absolutely haunting album that I think anyone who has lost someone before their time will resonate with. Felt like a real gut punch.

4/5.

Certainly deserves its place on the list. Chuck D's vocal is iconic. The album and beats are super dated though. It's certainly of it's time and it's just not my thing. I'm not a big hip-hop or rap fan outside of a handful I grew up on so this album is doubly lost on me. 3/5.

Great vocal, poor quality recording. I'm familiar with Miriam Makeba through Pata Pata and the Click Song.
I feel like this list would be more accurate/interesting with more foreign language artists.
It's a nice listen and deserves its place on the list. 3.5/5. Raising to a 4.

I've never listened to a Bowie record from start to finish other than Blackstar. Heroes could be one of my all time favourite songs. As a whole album does nothing for me though.
Some pretty interesting recording techniques were used and it's pretty innovative but that doesn't translate to an enjoyable listen. My feeling is people are seeing Bowie and some sort of bias sets in. No way this is a 5* album. 2.5/5. Raising to a 3.

I'm familiar with this album but this is only the second time I've listened to it fully through. Very familiar with Sexy Boy due to one of those Lynx ad that was played around the clock.

The range of styles and instruments on display deserves praise alone. It's not often I seek out something like this with so many slow tempo instrumentals but I can appreciate it. I was thinking a 3 but going with 3.5/5 because it deserves a place on the list and like it or not it stands out from the crowd. Raising to 4.

Not the ideal album to come back to after a holiday. Pretty dated, the 20min intro song just comes across as pretentious but prog rock is in general. 2/5.

Alright was huge. Not a fan of the rest of the album. Dont think this is a album to listen to before you die. Blur and Oasis have you covered. 2/5.

What an opener. The top review comparing this to chocolate ice cream and every bite being the same is spot on. I don't think it deserves a 4 though...it's supermarket branded ice cream. 3/5.