Reviews by dthew26

Expected TJL to be a little more unlistenable than it ended up being. It wasn't bad, but also nothing I would return to. 2/5

Man...this fits exactly into what I would describe as "mehester"core circa 1998. As someone who tried to push his high school band in a ska-punk direction (and is from ~ 2 hrs away from Chicago) it is shocking to me I have never heard of Slapstick before today. Great fun tunes. Shame they broke up before really getting started. 4.5/5

This was one of the only aughts Pitchfork darlings that I never really got into at the time. Shame on me. I must not have given a serious enough listen because this one is pretty great. 4/5

Not an easy listen, but I found myself enjoying it. The music almost became meditative. 2.5/5

Didn't like it in 1995, don't like it now. Definitely held back by oversaturation. I do have to admit the music is well composed, but I'm just not a pop bro. 2/5

Alas...yet again foiled by the Hip. Maybe it is my lack of Canadian DNA, but everything about this band just screams average to me. 3/5

Love the vibe and attitude of the album. Seems like a fun band with catching songs. 3.5/5

Ween...freaking weirdos. 3/5

I just don't get it. I know this was one of the most critically heralded albums of 2025, but it was just so BORING. I realize I'm not a poptimist, but nothing about this was even catchy or interesting. 1/5

My previous experiences with BNL mostly had to do with the live Rock Spectacle album. While a lot of those songs are present on this album, for whatever reason I think they pop more in the live album. That being said, the songcraft and whimsicalness of this album is top notch, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the complete package. 4.5/5

Not the most exceptional Cure album (that is an extremely high bar) it is still pretty amazing for such a late period album. 4/5

Pretty awesome. Have been enjoying harder music again lately and this fit the bill. 4/5

Decent, although I scratch my itch in this type of music through Go Go Penguin (or even BADBADNOTGOOD). Not unhappy I listened to it. 3/5

I know it's Queen...and Queen is great....but this album is not great. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a Queen head in the mid 70s and be sorrily disappointed in this one after the Night at the Opera Masterpiece. 2.5/5

This is one that I have had exposure to over the years, but never really dove into it. I found it better than I remembered from early listens, but still nothing that is lasting or impactful. 2/5

Very similar to other Krautrock on the official list. Not sure it does much for me than any Kraftwerk album, but still a worthwhile listen. 3/5

Another one I had never had any exposure to. It sounds very off its era, and that isn't a bad thing. 3/5

Very easy listening jazz, but interesting enough that it doesn't sound like elevator music. I can understand why this one should have been on the list. 4/5

This one really surprised me. This is everything I had wanted Elvis Costello to be over the (seemingly) countless albums on the original list. This was fun, catchy and engaging. 4.5/5

I imagine this would be pretty decent if you're into blues. Big confession time...I just don't understand the allure of blues. Every song sounds the same to me and even that sound is just mediocre. 2/5