Reviews by forestfly2009

This album is like a teleportation device that instantly brought me back to middle school. I don't think I can separate my nostalgia from an honest music review on this one. Linkin Park were one of the bands that I would consider the soundtrack to my youth.

I can clearly remember the first time I heard Linkin Park. I was sitting in the basement listening to Much Music, as a kid in Canada would do in those days. This song came on that was heavy, with screamed vocals, and hip hop mixing going on in the background. I was just starting to dip my toe into the "hard rock/metal" scene at the time, and was also hard into listening to hip hop, so this was a blend of the two music genres I was fond of, so it immediately grabbed my interest. The music video had a super industrial feel to it. Then came Chester's hook in the middle of One Step Closer, where he yells "Shut Up" several times with increasing intensity, and I was hooked. These lyrics immediately spoke to me as I was in my "rebellious youth" phase of life. From the song One Step Closer:

"Everything you say to me,
Takes me one step closer to the edge, And I'm about to break!
I need a little room to breathe,
Cause in one step closer to the edge,
And I'm about to break!"

Chester was saying what I wished I could, so I immediately went to the store "Records on Wheels", bought this album, and proceeded to fan boy everything they put out until into my high school years. I must have listened to this album hundreds of times in those years.

Nu metal has always held this stigma that it is an "introduction to metal" which I would agree with. For Someone just trying to get into the metal scene, I was finding that bands like Slayer or Sepultura scared the shit out of me. Bands like Linkin Park or Korn were firmly rooted in the same metal style, but wasn't so abrasive, so it was almost like a stepping stone to the heavier and darker bands of true metal.

Chester Bennington's voice was absolutely stellar! I simply love the live video that accompanied the song Given Up, where he held a scream for 17 seconds. Amazing. That powerful voice, coupled with Mike Shinoda's turntable work created this softer, more welcoming metal/hop hop hybrid that just immediately hit with me.

Overall, an amazing trip down memory lane to some great times in my life, when things were simpler, and time ran slower. I have a soft spot for this music, this band, and specifically this album that will always be there. RIP Chester, you were a hell of a frontman, and were gone too soon!

Favourite songs: In The End, One Step Closer, Papercut, Crawling, Points of Authority, Runaway, A Place For My Head, Forgotten

Least favourite song: if forced to pick: Cure for the Itch

5/5

I've never heard of Nick Drake before, and from my research, I'm not alone apparently. This guy suffered from depression for a number of years, and he would hardly ever do interviews or play shows, so upon release, each of his records only sold a few thousand copies. He remained a well kept secret until after his death, which is unfortunate. It is too bad he couldn't have lived to see more people appreciate his music.

I have no idea what to classify Nick's style of music as. It is listed as folk. It may have its roots in folk, but the backing band is strongly vested in jazz, so it is a weird mishmash of both genres, with some blues mixed in.

The music is really good, and I learned that a lot of the backing music was provided by members of Fairport Convention. Nick's guitar playing is amazing, but I find that a few songs have some really weird time signatures that are kind of abrasive in that they make my brain itch trying to fathom them. I also don't particularly enjoy Nick's voice, and find that you may need a degree in philosophy to understand his lyrics. Critics say that this album deals heavily with themes of depression, but I didn't hear it, unless it was in that song where he sang about wanting to be a signpost?

Overall, excellent music, but it just didn't hit with me. I didn't hate it, but I also didn't like it. I will probably never seek this music out again, but have to give props where they are due.

Favourite songs: Northern Sky, Fly, Introduction, Bryter Layter, Sunday

Least favourite songs: One of These Things First, At the Chime of a City Clock, Hazey Jane II

2/5

I love Fleet Foxes. Ever since my sister got me to listen to their EP, Sun Giant, which had the song Mykonos on it, I was hooked.

I've listened to this album many times before. White Winter Hymnal, and Blue Ridge Mountains are simply beautiful.

I love this "chamber rock/folk" type music, which was big in the 00's - 10's. Fleet Foxes sound a lot like Boy & Bear and Mumford & Sons.

The harmonies that they can hit on this record are simply beautiful, and the imagery they spin through their lyrics is amazing. I love the folk instruments (mandolin, woodwinds, upright bass, violin). It is so calming and peaceful. Really good vibes every time I listen to these guys.

Favourite songs: White Winter Hymnal, Oliver James, Blue Ridge Mountains, Ragged Wood, Tiger Mountain Peasant Song, He Doesn't Know Why, Your Protector

Least favourite songs: If forced to pick, Quiet Houses

5/5

I have been known to not like the Beach Boys as a knee jerk reaction, so upon first seeing today's album, I didn't hold out much hope that Brian Wilson's solo stuff would be any different. Boy was I right. This is actually much worse than anything the Beach Boys ever put out as a group.

Apparently Brian started this album as a Beach Boys record, as a follow up to their album Pet Sounds in the 60's, then had a mental breakdown, and ended up taking 40 years to get his life back in order. As a nod to the Barenaked Ladies song: Brian Wilson should have stayed in bed.

First off, as with every Beach Boys song ever released, there are so many layers of La La La's, Ooo Ooo Ooo's, and Do Do Doo's that it's sometimes hard to hear what Brian is saying. Not that it matters, because his lyrics are mostly nonsense. Also, I found it very hard to get into the groove and listen to this album because in one song, Brian may change up instruments, tempos, and storylines about 50 fucking times.

I don't know if Brian was on good drugs, or bad meds but my fuck, at least the Beach Boys music had a direction. A lot of the time this music made me think there was someone who owned an obscure music shop who kept going out back and fetching new instruments, and the exchange would be like:

I have this trumpet.. OK, I'll play that for 22 seconds...
How about this choir bell? Perfect, I'll use that for 36.5 seconds...
A tambourine? Excellent I'll wail on that for 56 seconds...
How about this fucking drill and hammer? Excellent, I'll make a whole song using them!!

For some reason, it seems like Brian was obsessed with the harpsichord on a lot of this record for some reason, so all I could think of is the Addam's Family theme song with many layers of shit laid over top.

This "compilation album" is garbage, and I truly think I would take the lowest rated album on this list: Einsturzende Neubauten's Kollaps over this any day. A horrible listen, and I will never listen to it again. I barely got through it once today.

Favourite song: if forced to pick, Heroes and Villains

Least favourite songs: the whole album, but most of all, Mrs. O'Leary's Cow

1/5

For some reason, when I saw the name Gary Numan this morning and looked at the album cover I felt like I knew something of his, but couldn't place it. Upon listening to the album, it is the song Cars. It has been in movies/commercials/and TV shows in the past.

Gary Numan is a synth pop artist who is accredited with helping to jumpstart the shift to electronic music in the 80's. It is easy to hear how influential his music was to so many artists who came after him.

This music is very synth heavy, and he uses an interesting effect from time to time where he feeds his synthesizer through a guitar effects pedal. All of this while a drum machine beats along in the background, and Gary delivers his almost robotic vocal delivery. There is another sound he achieved in the song Engineers that almost sounded like robotic birds or something. There was a lot of experimentation going on on this record.

Apparently Gary liked to dress as an android, and it even had a persona. This sounds like the music that Robots would bang to. And I mean that not in a bad way. This music would sound right at home on a 80's - 90's sci fi tv series.

Overall, not a bad listen. I can see how influential this music was. Not something I would put on every day, but not something I would quickly switch off either if it was playing.

Favourite songs: Cars, Observer, Metal, Bombers, M.E., Asylum

Least favourite song: Engineers

3/5

This was my second album by Nirvana on this generator, and in my opinion, this is one of their greatest albums!

The MTV Unplugged series was great, and led to some awesome records (my favourite being "Alice in Chains Unplugged). The premise of the show was that a popular band was brought on to play an acoustic set in front of a small studio audience, giving the whole thing a real intimate feel to it. My favourite thing about this record is that most bands would focus on their hits, but Kurt Cobain decided to include a few hits, a bunch of Nirvana's B-Sides, and 6 cover songs. If that isn't the epidomy of grunge, I don't know what is!

The covers on this album include songs by the Vaselines, Meat Puppets, Lead Belly, and, most notably, David Bowie. Nirvana's version of The Man Who Sold The World exploded on the scene after this album was released, and he did an excellent job covering it too, even though he can be heard saying "I'm probably going to fuck this up" before the song starts.

The fact that this album was recorded in November of 1993, and Kurt Cobain committed suicide in April of 1994 makes this an even more special performance. In my mind, this was Nirvana at their peak!

Overall, a record I am very familiar with, and one that will continue to be spun regularly by me. An easy 5 stars!

Favourite songs: Where Did You Sleep Last Night, Lake of Fire, The Man Who Sold The World, Plateau, Come As You Are, Polly, All Apologies, About a Girl, Jesus Doesn't Want Me For a Sunbeam

Least favourite song: Something in the Way

5/5

I didn't think I knew of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but turns out I'm familiar with the song Heads Will Roll.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an indie rock band with a female lead from New York. This is their third studio album. This album was co-produced by TV on the Radio's keyboardist/guitarist David Sitek. These guys sound quite a bit like TV on the Radio, or Arcade Fire. Karen O's vocals are awesome!

Overall, a great album. I didn't know how it would go. It seems like there is a fine line with indie music between excellent music and shit music. This falls into the excellent category. I will definately listen again.

Favourite songs: Heads Will Roll, Runaway, Zero, Shame and Fortune, Hysteric, Faces, Soft Shock

Least favourite song: Little Shadow

4/5

Today's album was the second Pink Floyd album I've gotten on this generator.

This is Pink Floyd's 8th studio album, and it is another concept album, based on the pressures faced by the band during their busy lifestyle, and loosely touched on the mental health issues of former band member Syd Barrett.

This is the first of Floyd's albums not to feature Syd, and instead to have David Gilmour on guitar and co-lead vocals. With the departure of Syd, the one noticeable difference is the lack of long acid induced guitar solos. This album is much more concise and direct than its predecessors.

I love how this album flows together into one cohesive song. Also the way it starts and finishes with a heartbeat.... Leading the listener on a rollercoaster ride through the life of someone who grows up, chases money, and battles mental illness. It is absolutely phenomenal, especially the song Time.

Overall an amazing album, and one I have heard before, and will definately listen to again.

Favourite songs: Time, Money, Us and Them, Brain Damage, Breathe (In the Air), Eclipse

Least favourite songs: If forced to pick, Speak to Me

5/5

Before today, I've never heard of Miriam Makeba. She was a South African jazz singer, similar to Nina Simone or Billie Holiday.

A lot of her music is sung in her native language, with a few in English. One song in particular called One More Dance was sung with Charles Colman. This song was about a wife sleeping around on her husband while he dies at home. The whole song features Charles laughing while singing, which is a bit odd. The most amusing lyric he said was " Darling go home, your husband is dead".... And then burst out laughing..... Lol.

Miriam's voice is beautiful, and her version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" called Mbube is fantastic! There is a lot of sing, and repeat type vocalizations that took place throughout. Miriam was important in bringing afropop to the world stage.

Overall, a great album, and not one I would have ever discovered on my own. These albums are what this generator is all about.

Favourite songs: The Naughty Little Flea, Mbube, The Click Song, Lakutshon' Ilanga, Holilili, House of the Rising Sun

Least favourite songs: Where Does it Lead

4/5

I can't believe that I've listened to 157 records on this generator before I got 1 Beatles album, because I'm assuming that there are quite a few in this list.

Historically, I've been known to not be a huge fan of the Beatles. I never cared for their poppy stuff too much, but always understood how influential they were in the grand scheme of music.

This album, however, was a bit of a stray from their usual poppy crap, and they were testing the waters of psychadelica/blues rock a bit here. Certainly albums that followed (Revolver/Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band) delved into these genres heavier, but this album was the start of that shift.

I thoroughly enjoyed the country/blues rock feel of the song What Goes On, and the inclusion of a sitar in the song Norwegian Wood was great! The song Run For Your Life was a bit jarring, and a weird way to end a record, but it was still a great song.

The reason I tend to hate the Beatles is because apparently to make a Beatles song, all you need is harmonizing, "Ooh La La La's", and a fuck ton of tambourine work, which this album has a bit of, but not too much.

Overall, a good record from a very influential band. The Beatles aren't in heavy rotation for me, but a few of these songs may make it onto a playlist for sure.

Favourite songs: What Goes On, Run For Your Life, Norwegian Wood, I'm Looking Through You, Drive My Car, The Word

Least favourite song: Girl

4/5

Hell yes!! Iron Maiden is my favourite heavy metal band!! I've listened to this album many times before, but that won't stop me from listening again!

This is Maiden's self titled debut album. This was before the legendary Bruce Dickinson became the lead singer of the band, and gave them that signature sound of vocals soaring overtop of amazing heavy metal! Paul Di'Anno was a great singer as well, but his voice didn't have that strength that Bruce is known for. Paul is well suited to singing metal though, because he has a gravelly voice to match the hard hitting heavy music that accompanied him.

Prowler and Phantom of the Opera are classics still to this day! Even though this album pales in comparison to some of the rest of Maiden's vast catalog of music, it isn't as bad as The X-Factor or Virtual XI (two albums made in the middle of Maiden's career when Bruce took a hiatus), and it is a super strong debut album!

Iron Maiden are one of the originals in the heavy metal genre, and they have influenced so many!! This is a phenomenal album, and a hell of a talented band! Steve Harris has a vision, and ran with it, and thank God for that, because what we got out of it was this stellar band making this amazing music! Steve's bass work, especially in Transylvania is fucking amazing!!!!

UP THE IRONS!!!

Favourite songs: Prowler, Phantom of the Opera, Running Free, Transylvania, Iron Maiden

Least favourite song: Remember Tomorrow

5/5

First time I've ever heard of X-Ray Spex. Apparently they are a female punk band from Britain.

Upon listening, that is exactly what they are! Good old 70's punk! The lead singer, Poly Styrene, can really belt out the lyrics, but there's something about her voice...I can't understand what she's singing most of the time.

Musically, this is right down the alley of the Sex Pistols, or the Damned. The strong female lead gives me vibes of B-52s, Blondie, and Garbage. One thing that caught me off guard was the inclusion of a saxophone (not something I'd ever heard used in punk music before). Oddly enough, it worked really well with the fast punk, and gave it their own flavour.

Overall, not a bad record at all. Spotify links to the bands Anthology, but I just listened to the original record, as an additional hour of live tracks and shitty B sides didn't interest me, and would have probably hurt the bands overall score.

Favourite songs: Let's Submerge, I Am a Poseur, The Day the World Turned Dayglo, Identity, Genetic Engineering

Least favourite songs : Germ-Free Adolescents, Plastic Bag

3/5

Today's album is the second of a trilogy of albums recorded in Berlin and known as the Berlin Trilogy. In the late 70's, Bowie and Iggy Pop spent a few years in Berlin, trying to get clean of drugs and alcohol, and that time turned out to be a super productive couple of years for both of them.

After he released his first of the three albums titled Low earlier in 1977, Bowie toured with Iggy Pop, playing keyboard for his band. When the tour ended, he assisted in the recording of Iggy's second solo album Lust for Life, then regrouped at the recording studio with Brian Eno to record this album that same year. Most of the tracks on this record were composed on the spot in the studio, with lyrics not being written until Bowie stood in front of the mic! What a busy year, and it goes to show how much of a stellar musician Bowie was.

The second half of the album, starting at the song V-2 Schneider is a huge instrumental number. It reminds me of outer space quite a bit, and is quite relaxing. I feel like it would be good music to meditate or do yoga to.

Overall, a great, typical quirky Bowie album. Not my favourite album of his, but definately a gem!

Favourite songs: Heroes, Beauty and the Beast, the whole instrumental second half (V-2 Schneider, Sense of Doubt, Moss Garden, & Neukoln)

Least favourite songs: Joe the Lion, Sons of the Silent Age, The Secret Life of

4/5

Before today I'd never heard of Joan Baez before. She is a folk singer-songwriter who rose to fame as part of the folk music revival of the late 50's. Upon first listen it is clear that she is one hell of a guitarist!

This album is all covers of older folk songs, and Joan's beautiful voice and guitar playing skills have definately done right by the original songwriters! One thing that is hard to get past with her style of singing is the register she sings in (it is so high that I think dogs down the street were barking because of it). Also, her constant vibrato can be a bit annoying, but none of this is to say that she can't sing. Actually quite the opposite, she is a master of her craft! It's just that that craft isn't for everyone.

I enjoyed today's listen! Not something I will revisit daily, but I can appreciate where she was coming from, and what she influenced as a result! A few songs I wondered if I would make it through, but after the song All My Trials, the album gets much better!

Favourite songs: Wildwood Flower, Rake and Rambling Boy, Little Moses, Henry Martin, Silver Dagger

Least favourite songs: All My Trials, Fare Thee Well

4/5

My second album on this generator by the Doors. This album, unlike their self titled debut, is much more blues rock forward with less acid induced organ solos. For those reasons, I found that it was a stronger album.

Another reason this album is stronger in my mind is because this is their fifth album, so the band had time to settle into their sound. Apparently this was a return to their sound after their fourth album which featured jazz notes with horns and strings, so it was recieved well.

Overall, a great album, and one I will definately visit again!

Favourite songs: Roadhouse Blues, Peace Frog, Maggie M'Gill, Land Ho!, You Make Me Real

Least favourite songs: Blue Sunday, Indian Summer

4/5

I didn't think I'd ever heard of Curtis Mayfield before until I heard the song Pusherman.

Curtis Mayfield is a soul/funk artist who was once a member of the Impressions, before branching off and doing his own thing. He was integral in the pioneering of funk, and was also one of the first soul artists whose lyrics told stories of the pride and struggles of the African American community.

This record was recorded for a movie titled 'Superfly' which dealt with the issues around ghettos and drug use. Some hard hitting topics on this record.

Curtis' music tells a story like no other. Every song on this record is awesome! His guitar playing is stellar, and the inclusion of brass instruments and Latin-influenced beats makes him stand out amid his counterparts.

Overall, a phenomenal record today. One I will definately listen to again!

Favourite songs: Pusherman, Superfly, Little Child Runnin' Wild, Freddie's Dead (Theme from 'Superfly')

Least favourite song: if forced to pick, Think

5/5

The second Stooges album I've reviewed on this generator. This one feels less polished than the other one I listened to (Fun House). I was never a huge fan of the Stooges, but understand that what they were doing was mind blowing at the time.

Imagine living in early 60's America, listening to the swinging rock n roll of Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly, then hearing this! It must have been crazy!

These guys were creating the beginnings of punk rock with their fuzzy guitars, heavy drums, and almost screamed vocals. That coupled with Iggy's predisposition to self mutilation at his live shows!

Overall, a revolutionary album, but not my favourite. I do, however, understand how important this album and band was to music. The first half of the album was stronger than the second I thought.

Favourite songs: I Wanna Be Your Dog, 1969

Least favourite song: We Will Fall

3/5

Buddy Holly was a rock and roll icon in the 50's! Another life gone too soon! I can imagine how scandalous his music must have been in that time period. Looking back at it now, it is more of a pop vibe, but back then, those Strat's would have been making rebellious music that parents of the day hated.

Buddy blended his country roots with rockabilly, and pop, and came up with this good ol rock and roll, in line with what Roy Orbison or Elvis Presley were doing. Imagine what Buddy could have done if he had lived longer!

Overall, a great album today! Very influential, and trend setting! Will definately listen again to this classic artist and album!

Favourite songs: That'll Be the Day, I'm Lookin' For Someone to Love, Not Fade Away, Maybe Baby, Oh Boy!, Last Night, Rock Me My Baby

Least favourite songs: If forced to pick, It's Too Late

5/5

Today I got the luck of listening to the lowest rated album on this list, coming in at a whopping 1.87!

Einsturzende Neubauten is an industrial/electronica band from Germany. They are big on "found sound", meaning they will make "music" out of whatever they come across (water bubbling/blenders/drills/breaking glass/plumbing piping... Any assortment of garbage).

Taken from Spotify's bio on the band: "their early activities included a seemingly inexplicable half naked appearance on the Berlin Autobahn, where the duo spent some time beating on the sides of a hole in an overpass". These guys were wild. If nothing else, the stories of the band shenanigans is deserving of a star!

Apparently they were big showmen, dressing in costume, using props, and shooting fire/assorted garbage at the audience of their shows. Also, they were pioneers of "crowd-funding", which has allowed their dedicated fans to help pay for a few of their records!

The first 4-5 songs are horrid, but then it settles down into what will be the rest of the record (less abrasive noise with less shouting). I can see how many people couldn't make it through the first bit of the record and just wrote it off at that time, but power through it, because it gets "better" on the back end.

At the start of the record, the "singing" sounds like exerpts from Hitler's hate speeches (shouting while very close to the mic). Later on, it was just random, nonsensical lyrics, and the last 5-6 songs are fully instrumental.

Overall, an interesting listen today. This is absolutely terrible, but the antics of the band, along with my ability to see what they were driving at and what they influenced allows me to look past the awful noise I heard. I will never go back and listen again, but I still feel this is better than a 1 star album for those reasons. Also, this isn't as bad as that utter trash that Pere Ubu called music a few days ago.

Favourite songs: Kollaps, Draussen ist Feindlich, Rohrbombe

Least favourite songs: Steh auf Berlin, Tanz Debil, Negativ Nein, U-Haft-Muzak

2/5

Today's album was a much welcomed change from the garbage that I've been getting lately. I love Thin Lizzy, they are a super underrated classic rock band from Ireland. Their music has everything you want from classic rock: stellar vocals, guitar solos, drum solos, leather, smoke, and sex appeal. Hell, second song in, the singer is asking women in the audience if they'd wanna bang.

This live album is a compilation of the best bits from three separate shows they played: the Tower Theatre in Pennsylvania, the Hammersmith Odeon in London, and the Rainbow Theatre in London. That said, it contains all of their hits, plus some stuff I hadn't heard before, but was equally as awesome. One song even featured Huey Lewis on harmonica (Baby Drives Me Crazy)!

Overall, a phenomenal record! Who cares if they overdubbed applause, it is the music and energy that shines through! Listened to it 3 times today, and will definately listen again in the future.

Favourite songs: Cowboy Song, The Boys Are Back In Town, Dancing in the Moonlight, Jailbreak, Massacre, Rosalie (Cowgirl's Song), Emerald, Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed, Suicide, Baby Drives Me Crazy

Least favourite songs: Sha-La-La, Still in Love With You

5/5