Reviews by fique

Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Imperial Bedroom (1982)
On Day 237, despite cutting Costello some slack on past records, this one was complete buns. At several points throughout the runtime, the overly theatrical and dense production felt genuinely cringey to sit through, making for a brutal 50-minute slog. However, in a complete sea of shit, I did manage to salvage "Tears Before Bedtime," which ironically described my exact emotional state after finishing the album. A frustrating, tedious listen that completely missed the mark.

Blondie – Parallel Lines (1978)
On Day 236, I experienced an absolute banger of an album. As I've alluded to before, this genre and this album specifically, gives you that quick energy, hitting you with banger after banger precisely and tightly in short bursts of time. Debbie Harry absolutely killed it here; her performance across the entire album was unbelievable. The exact same praise goes to the production capability, seamlessly blending a fast-paced punk-rock wave with lush, glittering pop. It genuinely cannot get any better than this. A perfect introduction to Blondie and a flawless 5-star milestone. An undisputed 5/5.

PJ Harvey – Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea (2000)
On Day 235, I experienced a solid, polished indie-rock LP. The overall production and atmosphere were great throughout, but the absolute highlight was the vocal work; I especially loved both PJ Harvey's and Thom Yorke's performances across the record. Their collaboration on the project added a fantastic dynamic to an already strong, melodic body of work. A great, memorable turn-of-the-century alt-rock listen. A solid 4/5.

The Jam – All Mod Cons (1978)
On Day 234, I really enjoyed this LP. I'm finding that I really love punk records that are rhythmic, short, yet completely comprehensive; this was genuinely a great record. Every single track added to that continuous rush of dopamine from start to finish. I liked "English Rose" the most, while "David Watts" and the title track "All Mod Cons" were also major highlights. A concise, high-energy triumph that was more than enough for me to reward with a flawless 5/5.

Sepultura – Roots (1996)
On Day 233, Roots proved to be an exhausting album to get through. I already knew "Roots Bloody Roots" coming into this and thought it was a good, energetic track, but that was pretty much where the highlights ended for me. As for the rest of the tracklist, I unfortunately can't say the same. It felt dense, repetitive, and genuinely taxing to listen through in a single sitting. An ambitious blend of heavy genres, but ultimately a tiring listen. A low 2/5.

Pink Floyd – The Wall (1979)
On Day 232, I experienced undeniably the best conceptual and storytelling album ever made. While I can't say it's the absolute best album I've ever heard because The Dark Side of the Moon and a few others exist; this record walked so modern narrative masterpieces like Good Kid, M.A.A.D City could run. Every single track adds a literal brick to the wall, playing out the narrative seamlessly while integrating the instrumentation perfectly.
Every guitar tune, drum hit, and vocal line was calculated with absolute precision to serve the story. If a track had a vocal or a melody, it was instantly incredible. Highlights like "Mother," "Comfortably Numb," "Hey You," all parts of "Another Brick in the Wall," and both versions of "In the Flesh" were standouts. Much like DSOTM, this album has a genuine soul behind it and executes its main idea so flawlessly that you simply cannot judge a single track in isolation. Maximum score is a 5, so take a 10. A legendary 5/5.

The Electric Prunes – The Electric Prunes (1967)
On Day 231, I learned that with psychedelic rock, one day you'll come across the best album you've ever heard, and the next you'll encounter one that sounds like a room where everyone is furiously throwing paint at the walls during a tantrum. This debut sits right in the middle, leaning slightly toward that chaotic paint-throwing side. While a few songs sounded good and hit that classic garage-fuzz mark, others felt so disconnected it was as if they weren't even recorded for the same project. A decent, uneven psych experiment. A middle-of-the-road 3/5.

Al Green – Let's Stay Together (1972)
On Day 230, I experienced a complete masterpiece. With Al Green's sweet croon and lush, seductive vocal delivery, nothing could possibly go wrong on this LP. "Let's Stay Together" is an absolute banger; from the effortless vocals to the rich, soulful production capability, it has it all. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" was equally incredible, and the exact same level of quality carried through the rest of the record. It stands as a truly great body of work: deeply intimate, incredibly concise, and a album I definitely see myself playing the absolute life out of in the future. A flawless 5/5.

: Hookworms – Microshift (2018)
On Day 229, I really liked this record. To me, it came across as deeply ambient and atmospheric, delivering a great, fun listening experience even down to the lyrics. The electronic transition gave the whole project a great bounce, making it an engaging listen from start to finish. My absolute standout tracks across the session were "Negative Space" and "Short Sighted." A really fun, atmospheric 4-star synth-psych discovery. A solid 4/5.

The Beatles – The Beatles [The White Album] (1968)
On Day 228, listening to this entire record in one sitting was absolutely crazy, but completely worth it. This LP really exposed me to their incredible craft, showing off everything they were capable of as musicians especially in how they layered their production. Watching them shift effortlessly through blues, psychedelia, rock, and even hard rock kept me fully engaged and curious from start to finish. While a few tracks felt like filler on an album this long, landing 26 standout songs out of a 30-track list is an unbelievable feat. I don't even have to say much more. A true 5-star masterpiece. A solid 5/5.

Beck – Sea Change (2002)
On Day 227, I fell in love with a truly remarkable album. It was filled with pretty cadences, deep atmospheric elements, and an incredible sense of sincerity. Nigel Godrich absolutely cooked on the production here, reminding me a lot of OK Computer with how they share those lush, immersive, and spacious sonic elements. I honestly enjoyed every single song from front to back, a rare, flawless listen where every track hits. An undisputed 5/5.

The Specials – The Specials (1979)
On Day 226, I experienced a genre-defining LP. The fusion of punk elements with ska and reggae made this record genuinely laid-back to listen to, and I really liked how they conveyed crucial social messages in a sharp, sarcastic way. The production capability from Elvis Costello was clearly visible and executed exceptionally well, proving exactly why this album became such a landmark release.
"A Message to You Rudy" was easily my favorite track on the record, with "Too Much Too Young" serving as another major highlight across the session. A solid, danceable, and brilliantly written 2 Tone classic. A solid 4/5.

Nirvana – In Utero (1993)
On Day 225, I dove into a raw and abrasive album that, despite its noise-rock edge on tracks like "Scentless Apprentice," didn't completely veer off from the core vibe of Nevermind. A song like "All Apologies" felt like the true remnants of Nevermind's melodic beauty.
The opening run on this record was a complete chef's kiss. "Serve the Servants" served as a phenomenal opener, launching an unbelievable initial streak through "Scentless Apprentice," "Heart-Shaped Box," and "Rape Me." Hearing Kurt Cobain's vocals over that raw, aggressive production capability is unmatched, you honestly can't top that. A legendary, raw masterpiece. A flawless 5/5.

Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) (1982)
On Day 224, I wasn't the biggest fan of New Gold Dream, but I could definitely see the vision behind it. The production was grand, and that New Wave / post-punk crossover energy was lowkey hitting in moments. I was especially fond of the title track "New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)" and "Glittering Prize," but beyond those standouts, the rest of the tracklist didn't fully capture me. A decent, ambitious effort. A middle-of-the-road 3/5.

Radiohead – OK Computer (1997)
On Day 223, I experienced a genuine art-rock masterpiece. The album spoke to me in two distinct ways. The first half—which I enjoyed the most—was more upbeat yet cutthroat, packed with deeply impactful lyrics and some of my absolute favorite tracks on the entire LP. "Subterranean Homesick Alien" spoke to me in a new way, especially its immersive ambient chorus production paired with its complementary lyrics. "Let Down" remains an outstanding, heavenly record that I can never get enough of, delivering a soaring, ascending choir-like feel and a chorus that is pure perfection. "Exit Music (For a Film)" fit seamlessly right after those two, while "Airbag," "Paranoid Android," and "Karma Police" rounded out a phenomenal opening stretch.

The second half shifted into a quieter, more introspective, yet equally immersive vibe. While I preferred the first half overall, tracks like "Climbing Up The Walls" and "Lucky" stood out, with the absolute highlights being "No Surprises"—with its rewarding, lullaby-like feel—and "The Tourist," which served as a masterclass performance to close out the record. A deeply moving, flawless milestone. An undeniable 5/5.

Boston – Boston (1976)
On Day 222, I experienced complete perfection from top to finish, this record is everything I look for in an album. Knowing how labels originally rejected their demos is utterly mind-blowing because this LP delivers everything you could possibly want. The vocal performance was flawless, the guitar riffs were incredible, the production and overall instrumentation were perfect, and the cohesion was razor-sharp. I honestly don't know what took me so long to hear this album.
As for favorite tracks? Literally all of them. From the very first song down to the last, I physically cannot pick just one. Whether it's "More Than a Feeling," "Peace of Mind," "Foreplay / Long Time," "Rock & Roll Band," "Smokin'," "Hitch a Ride," "Something About You," or "Let Me Take You Home Tonight," every single track is elite. A flawless, legendary 5/5. AND YEAH IMMA GLAZE COZ IT'S THAT GOOD

Fleetwood Mac – Tusk (1979)
On Day 221, I experienced a record that is definitely not Rumours, and its single biggest issue is that it feels bloated. To me, it simply doesn't carry a consistent sound across the tracklist. I know they wanted to experiment with post-punk elements with "Not That Funny" being a prime example of that direction but that specific sound is precisely why it wasn't hitting for me in those moments.

It's undeniably a mix of hits and misses, but I have to give them props because they delivered some of their absolute best tracks on this record. "Over & Over," "Angel," and "Sisters of the Moon" were massive standouts for me during the session. An ambitious, slightly uneven, but ultimately great double album. A solid 4/5.

The Soft Boys – Underwater Moonlight (1980)
On Day 220, I found a decent album that really sounded like psychedelic rock and soft rock had a baby. The overall production capability carried a strong Beatles and Pink Floyd inspiration, making for a really enjoyable session with multiple great joints.

"I Wanna Destroy You" was an absolute slapper right out of the gate. Beyond the opener, I ended up enjoying a heavy stack of tracks across the session, including "Kingdom of Love," "Positive Vibrations," "Tonight," "You'll Have to Go Sideways," "Old Pervert," and "Underwater Moonlight." A solid, groovy, and melodic 80s psych-rock discovery.

The Jesus And Mary Chain – Psychocandy (1985)
On Day 219, I had really polarizing feelings about this album. I definitely liked "Just Like Honey" and "Never Understand," but as for the rest of the tracklist, I honestly don't know what to make of it. It felt like endless noise with the lyrics buried so deep beneath the heavy instrumentals and feedback that it became genuinely hard to grasp the overall concept of the record. A couple of solid tracks, but overall a frustrating listen. A flat 2/5.

Carole King – Tapestry (1971)
​On Day 218, I got sonically enlightened. This was one of those albums I deliberately saved myself from listening to until a moment like this challenge, and hearing the full LP from front to back was an immensely rewarding experience. The warm vocal delivery over mellow piano, blending a sweet, tender pop sound over traditional folk, was pure perfection.
​Honestly, every single song on the tracklist stood out. "I Feel the Earth Move" was a sweet opener that set the tone for the entire session. "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" was exceptionally beautiful (and learning Joni Mitchell provided backing vocals makes it even better). Her personal rendition of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" which I originally knew from Aretha Franklin was a major highlight. Tracks like "Smackwater Jack" showcased her songwriting pen at its absolute peak, while "You've Got a Friend" and "Where You Lead" were equally incredible. I can't fully explain how beautiful this record was. A flawless 5/5.