Reviews by forestfly2009

Man, this was a struggle to get through. What a dark, bleak record. I know the circumstances surrounding the release of the record are terrible, with the lead singer committing suicide a few months before its release, but man was that a mournful album.

Everything from the unenthusiastic, moaning lyric delivery, to the dark and somber themes. The album cover is even dark, showing a tomb. JOY Division is a poor name for a band this bleak.

The instrument playing was simplistic and boring. At one point, during the song The Eternal, they decided a helicopter blade/static whirring was a musical instrument. Atrocity Exhibition contains not much musical stylings unless you are in to guitar screeches and scratches. The singer was hard to hear by times because it sounded like he was standing 20ft from the microphone.

Needless to say this WAS NOT my favourite record. The first half of the album was much better than the second.

They say that Joy Division can be traced to the beginnings of goth, and I can see that.

Favourite song: I had to really search for one, but I think it will have to be Isolation (an injection of energy into an otherwise glum record)

Least favourite songs: The Eternal, Decades, Atrocity Exhibition, A Means to an End, Heart and Soul

2/5

I am familiar with Cream's hits, but never delved into their back catalog, so I am looking forward to this listen.

I immediately recognize Sunshine of Your Love and Strange Brew. This is some fantastic psychadelic rock, and Eric Clapton's guitar playing is phenomenal. The bass groove in Strange Brew is awesome.

There are some "out there" lyrics throughout, especially in the song SWLABR (got that rainbow feel, but the rainbow has a beard)

Both the album cover, and the strange lyrics tell a tale of psychadelic drug use.

Overall, a great album! Glad I listened.

Favourite songs: Take It Back, SWLABR, Tales of Brave Ulysses, Strange Brew, Sunshine of Your Love, Outside Woman Blues

Least favourite songs: We're Going Wrong, Blue Condition, Dance the Night Away (in certain songs, they employ a mournful wailing lyric delivery which I find irritating)

4/5

Before today, I've never heard any of Gene Clark's solo stuff. I was only familiar with his work with the Byrds, so I am looking forward to listening to today's album.

This was a fantastic folk rock/country rock album with hints of psychadelic rock mixed in.

The story behind this album is a sad one. Apparently, Gene and the record label had differences of opinion. Gene wanted to release a double album, but the record label didn't want to. Upon its release, the label didn't promote the album at all, and as a result it flopped. It wasn't discovered until a re-release in the 90's, however the initial failure of the record was a financial blow that Gene wouldn't recover from.

I really enjoyed this record. The use of steel guitar, especially on Life's Greatest Fool and True One was amazing, and added an almost melancholic feel to the songs.

Overall, a fantastic record, and one I definately will listen to again!

Favourite songs: True One, Life's Greatest Fool, From a Silver Phial, No Other, Silver Raven, Strength of Strings

Least favourite song: Lady of the North (this song just didn't resonate with me like the others)

5/5

This was the second solo album for Iggy Pop since the break up of the Stooges, and his second of three albums he would make that year. He was spending his time in Berlin with David Bowie, trying to get clean after a period of drug addiction.

Bowie provided keyboard support to Iggy on this album, allowing more of the spotlight to be cast on Iggy himself instead of on Bowie. This album was apparently written, recorded, and mixed in 8 days!!

This is a great rock/post punk album! A few songs dealt with heroin abuse (notably Tonight and Turn Blue), however there are a few lighter songs to counteract that heavy topic (Lust for Life, Success). Apparently, Bowie's famous riff in the song Lust for Life was inspired by the Morse code intro to the American Forces Network News in Berlin.

Overall, a great record! I really enjoyed it. Before this listening experience, I was only familiar with Iggy's work with The Stooges. I'm glad I listened for sure!

Favourite songs: Some Weird Sin, The Passenger, Lust for Life, Sixteen, Neighborhood Threat

Least favourite songs: Turn Blue, Success (just didn't like the repetitive, simplistic lyrics. The music was great though)

4/5

Never heard of Shuggie Otis until today. From what I've read, his father had a band which Shuggie would start playing guitar for at age eleven. He had to disguise himself with a fake moustache and dark glasses so he would appear older and could play bar gigs with the band!

So, obviously, a hell of a talented guy. I then learned that he played all of the instruments (except horns and some strings) and sang/wrote all of the songs himself. At 21! Crazy!

Delving into this record, it is amazing! I don't quite know how to classify it though. Shuggie was obviously an innovator because there are touches of jazz/funk/R&B/psychedelic rock/blues throughout. Shuggie's voice sounds a lot like Jay Kay's from Jamiroquai, and by times, his music sounds similar as well, so I would bet that Shuggie was an influencer of Jay Kay's.

Overall, this is a phenomenal record, and I am very happy to have discovered it! Will definately listen again.

Favourite songs: Sparkle City, Inspiration Information, Aht Uh Mi Hed, Ice Cold Daydream, Strawberry Letter 23

Least favourite song: if forced to pick one, Freedom Flight (it was a psychedelic rock number that ran for 12 mins and change. There were wind chimes in the background for the whole song, and they just became a bit annoying after a while)

4/5

I am not very familiar with much jazz, so I am looking forward to listening to this album.

This was some very cool, smooth jazz. It immediately reminded me of something I would hear on the show Peanuts. I can picture Charlie Brown and Snoopy dancing to this kind of music.

There are some very complex time signatures used in this album, which is phenomenal; 9/8, 6/4, and 5/4, which was unheard of for jazz.

Overall, it was a good album, one which would create a perfect mood when cooking, or while sipping a warm beverage on a cold day in a coffee shop.

Favourite songs: Kathy's Waltz, Blue Rondo a la Turk, Take Five, Pick Up Sticks

Least favourite song: Strange Meadow Lark (it just drug on a little too long for me)

3/5

I had no idea what I was in for when I saw this album pop up this morning. 90's electronica from the UK. I had reservations because the last British electronica band I listened to in this generator was Orbital, and my God were they ever awful.

I was pleased to find out though that these guys are much better than Orbital. Still not my favourite type of music, but it didn't irritate me like Orbital's stuff did.

These guys had a few exploratory songs which were irritating, but they also tended to be shorter. When they were experimenting, the band tended to enjoy metallic tings and bangs which was annoying (Theme 4, Bubble and Slide, Bubble and Slide II)

One thing these guys did do well is explore the stereo channels, making you (the listener) feel like you were standing still, and the music was moving around you, which was cool.

The flow of different sound bytes, noises, and beats was by times so soothing and repetitive that it almost put me to sleep a few times.

The one thing I don't get about electronica is the mostly lack of a bass line (it's there, but subtle, unlike techno or house music). Electronica has a beat which is perceived through the repetition of noises and it just doesn't hold my interest the same way a sternum rattling bass does. If this kind of music was played in a club, I can picture zombie like listeners just shuffling about and standing there staring at the wall, lulled into a trance by the music.

Overall, this wasn't a terrible album. I can't see myself ever listening to it again, just because it isn't my genre of music, but I didn't mind the listen today.

Favourite songs: Planet D (Portishead Remix), Theme, Tow Truck, Wilmot, Ballad of Nicky McGuire

Least favourite songs: Theme 4, Bubble and Slide, Bubble and Slide II, Flight Path Estate, Jacob Street 7am, Return to Planet D

2/5

I've never heard of Stereo MC's before today. They are a 90's hip hop/electronica band from the UK.

Their music reminds me of Moby or Bran Van 3000 a bit (typical run of the mill 90's hip hop). The album was good, I didn't have a compulsion to skip any of the songs, but it also just blended in with all of the other average hip hop bands of that era.

I enjoyed the addition of the saxophone at times, and the mixing of beats and samples was well done. I also enjoyed the female harmony accompaniment as well.

Overall, an average album, not terrible, but also not groundbreaking.

Favourite songs: Everything, Playing With Fire, Creation, Ground Level, Pressure

Least favourite songs: Chicken Shake, All Night Long

3/5

I've heard of Public Enemy, but never delved into their stuff before, so I am looking forward to today's listen. I do enjoy some 80's hip hop.

Chuck D's rhymes are smooth and powerful, and Flavor Flav makes a great hype man. Terminator X is a great DJ, mixing samples and beats flawlessly.

I enjoyed this album quite a bit. Especially because, unlike other 80's hip hop records, this one didn't have skits every 2-3 songs. It didn't have any skits at all, just music. I like that, beause I always found the skits took away from the album flow.

Overall, I really enjoyed this album, and will probably listen again.

Favourite songs: Bring the Noise, She Watch Channel Zero?! (interesting note: this song samples Slayer's song Angel of Death), Don't Believe the Hype, Prophets of Rage, Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, Night of the Living Baseheads, "Caught, Can We Get a Witness? ", Louder than a Bomb

Least favourite songs: Terminator X to the Edge of Panic (there is a looped squeal throughout this song that just grinded on me the wrong way)

4/5

I've listened to quite a bit of The Rolling Stones before, but never sat and listened to a whole album cover to cover.

Right off the bat, I knew Brown Sugar, Wild Horses, and Can't You Hear Me Knocking. I enjoyed the country/blues feel of the songs You Gotta Move and I Got The Blues. Sister Morphine is a beautifully sad song about drug addiction. The way the song starts slow and melancholic, and continues to build as the lyrics spin a tale of desperation and desire adds to the beauty of the track. Bitch and Sway both had rockin' feels to them.

I enjoy the addition of brass instruments by times (mainly in the song Can't You Hear Me Knocking)

Overall a great album. Got me familiar with some of The Rolling Stones lesser known tracks, some of which are gems.

Favourite songs: Brown Sugar, Can't You Hear Me Knocking, Sway, Bitch, Sister Morphine, Wild Horses

Least favourite song: Moonlight Mile

4/5

I am very familiar with Bob Dylan's work, and really enjoy his music, so I am looking forward to today's listen.

This is the 6th studio album from Bob Dylan, and his first electric album (all songs except Desolation Row).

Bob is one hell of a poet, spinning words together, that seem nonsensical at first, but when really thought about, take on a whole new meaning. You can tell he is a well read individual by his usage of different literary and historical references throughout his music.

Bob really can't sing, and there are imperfections in the instrument playing, but I think that is done on purpose. It gives you a feel of listening to a live concert of some obscure up and coming band who isn't yet polished. I just feel it adds character to the songs.

Overall, this was a phenomenal album, and going into listening to it, I didn't think anything could top Like a Rolling Stone for favourite song, but Tombstone Blues is so fantastic!!

There is a reason this album is considered one of the best albums of all time! Every song on the record is amazing.

Favourite songs: Tombstone Blues, Like a Rolling Stone, Desolation Row, Highway 61 Revisited, From a Buick 6, Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

Least favourite song: it forced to pick, Ballad of a Thin Man

Easy 5/5

Never heard of the band Japan before today, and for good reason. Just some typical run of the mill synthpop. Sure it may have been ahead of its time, having been released in the late 70s, and sounding like music from the 80s, but David Sylvian's voice is terrible. He moans most of the time.

By times, you can hear a lot of Duran Duran in their sound, and Mick Karn's bass playing is great, especially on the songs Alien, Other Side of Life, and Life in Tokyo!

All in all, I could have gone without listening to this album. I am realizing through this exercise that I hate synthpop new wave music.

Favourite songs : Alien, Halloween, Life in Tokyo

Least favourite songs : Despair, Other Side of Life, All Tomorrow's Parties, In Vogue, Fall in Love With Me

2/5 (a point added just because of Mick's phenomenal bass playing)

What a shot of nostalgia today's album was! I discovered Green Day with the release of their album Nimrod, then listened to a lot of their back catalog, and they quickly became one of my favourite bands in my teen years.

Every song on this album is fantastic! Green Day is an amazing pop punk band. They were always featured on Much Music in the 90's and 00's so I became very familiar with their work.

The songs were fast and loud, and the drums sounded amazing on this record. Basket Case is one of those songs you hear and immediately start singing, and the bass groove in Longview is so recognizable.

Favourite songs: Basket Case, Longview, When I Come Around, Welcome to Paradise, Sassafras Roots, Burnout, Having a Blast

Least favourite song: All By Myself (which is just a short nonsensical song added to the end of the album)

5/5

I've never delved into much of Joni Mitchell's stuff before, I am just familiar with her hits, so going into listening to this album, I didn't know what to expect because I knew none of the songs on the record.

I don't know how to categorize this style of music. It is kind of jazzy/folky. Joni has a very unique voice that I didn't much care for at first, but it grew on me as time went on.

Upon the first listen to this album, I didn't much care for it, however listening a second time, I grew to like it more. I still don't love it, but I can understand the appeal in certain settings. Even on the first time listening I did like the music. Joni had some experimentation with moog synths and piano, as well as a nice coffeehouse acoustic feel. Something I found odd on The Jungle Line, was the inclusion of an almost 8 bit sound (sounds like the noise heard in 1980s Super Mario Bros on NES when you kill Bowser) throughout the song. That song, however, also featured Drummers of Burundi, which was revolutionary at the time (apparently worldbeat being included in pop music became trendy in the 80s) and sounded great.

What took me a while to grasp was Joni's lyrics. She is, for sure, a poet, but one of those poets who have really obscure poems that hipsters like to sit in coffee shops and think about for hours on end trying to make sense of them. It took me two album listens to appreciate what she was saying, and I still don't really know, but some lyrics are so weird that they stood out to me such as:

In the song Don't Interrupt the Sorrow, she says "God goes up the chimney like childhood Santa Claus"

In the song The Hissing of Summer Lawns she says "he gave her a room full of Chippendale that no one sits in"

In the song The Boho Dance she says "like a priest with a pornographic watch, looking and longing on the sly"

No idea what any of that means, but the lyrics are neat.

I may listen to this album again, but it isn't something I would pull up as a favourite.

Favourite songs: Harry's House/Centerpiece (Centerpiece is a fantastic little jazz number), The Boho Dance, Edith and the Kingpin, The Jungle Line

Least favourite song: Shadows and Light

3/5

I've never listened to any of Donald Fagen's solo stuff, but am familiar with his work with Steely Dan. This is his first solo album, which was made after Steely Dan broke up. It has a lot of the same characteristics as a Steely Dan record, but doesn't have as much of the "rock" sensibilities. This record is heavier to the funky/jazzy pop rock sound, sometimes termed "yacht rock". Heavy to piano and synth as well as brass instruments. It has the ability to make the listener bob their head to the beat.

Donald Fagen's vocals are smooth and layered perfectly with the funky music backing. Overall, this is a good record, not phenomenal or anything, but I didn't mind listening to it, just wouldn't rush out to buy it (I have the same feelings towards Steely Dan records... They're good, just not phenomenal).

Favourite songs: I.G.Y., Green Flower Street, Ruby Baby, New Frontier

Least favourite songs: The Nightfly, Maxine,

3/5

This is the second album by Aretha Franklin that I've gotten in this album generator. This particular album is her 12th studio album, and was made 2 years after the first album of her's that I listened to (I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You).

This album definately feels more polished, and complete. The backing band are more lively, and add a funky/bluesy feel to the music. Aretha's vocals, as always, blow the roof off of the place, and the addition of Cissy Houston (Whitney Houston's mother) and her group the Sweet Inspirations, along with Aretha's sisters Carolyn and Erma Franklin as background vocals just added that little bit of contrast to elevate the whole album that much further.

There isn't a bad song on the album.
Things of note that stood out: 1) People Get Ready has a fantastic gospel feel to it, 2) Eric Clapton was brought in as the guitarist on the song Good to Me As I Am to You, and his bluesy rock style was awesome, 3) Chain of Fools is a phenomenal song. Every time I hear the lyrics: "You told me to leave you alone, my father said "come on home" , my doctor said "take it easy", oh, but your loving is much too strong, I'm added to your, chain, chain, chain... " my mind goes back to the movie School of Rock when Tomika is convincing Dewey that she can sing. Amusingly enough, I referenced School of Rock with my first Aretha Franklin album as well.

Favourite songs: Chain of Fools, People Get Ready, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone, Good To Me As I Am To You, Groovin', Niki Hoeky, Money Won't Change You

Least favourite song: if forced to pick one, Ain't No Way. Still phenomenal, just not as much as the other songs on the album.

Easy 5/5

Before today, I only knew the song Fast Car by Tracy Chapman, so I looked forward to listening to more of her catalog of music. This album was phenomenal. The acoustic guitar added an intimate feel to the whole thing, and her voice is beautiful. She sings about hard and heavy topics such as domestic violence (Behind the Wall), racism (Across the Lines), addiction (Fast Car), and poverty/welfare (Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Mountains O' Things).

With so many hard topics being covered in one album, it is pretty heavy, and makes you think about hardship, and the shortcomings of society.

I thoroughly enjoyed the album, and will definately listen to it again.

Favourite songs: Fast Car, Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Across the Lines, Mountains O' Things, Behind the Wall, Why?, For My Lover

Least favourite song: if forced to pick, Baby Can I Hold You (amazing song, just didn't move me as much as the rest of the album)

4/5

Never heard of GZA/Genius before this exercise. What I heard was some excellent flows and literate rhyming schemes. I didn't think I would enjoy all the samples taken from the kung fu movie Shogun Assassin that were laced throughout this album, but they flowed into the other music seamlessly. RZA did a great job mixing it.

There is some really cool music in this album, some excellent collaboration with the other members of the Wu Tang Clan, and some stellar 90s hip hop.

Favourite songs: 4th Chamber, Shadowboxin', Gold, Liquid Swords, Swordsman, Cold World

Least favourite songs: Hell's Wind Staff/Killah Hills 10304 (good song, just didn't care for the long preamble before the song started)

4/5

David Crosby's first solo album, made after the success of Crosby, Stills & Nash's debut album, and their first break up. He had a few other artists featured on this album as well such as Neil Young, Graham Nash, members of Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, Santana, and Joni Mitchell.

There were some exploratory works on this album that felt unpolished, but were also some fantastic songs as well such as Cowboy Movie. That song is apparently loosely based on the temporary breakup of Crosby, Stills & Nash. In this song, the individual members of the band are given aliases; Stephen Stills is Eli, Graham Nash is the Duke, Neil Young is Young Billy, and David Crosby is Fat Albert. The other character in the story, Raven, is apparently Rita Coolridge, who in real life had affair with both Stills, and Nash, and caused the bad feelings between them, and led to the splitting of the band.
The harp section in Traction in the Rain is great!
The song Music is Love had symplistic lyrics, and is underwhelming.

Overall, not a bad album, but nothing really stood out with it either.

Favourite songs: Cowboy Movie, What Are Their Names, Traction in the Rain

Least favourite songs: Music is Love, Orleans, I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here

3/5

This is Aretha Franklin's 10th studio album, and is her first with Atlantic Records. From what I understand, in her time with Columbia, they were trying to mold her into a pop star, forcing her to try and fit into a mold of what was popular at the time, and that just wasn't her. Atlantic gave her artistic freedom to just be herself, and man does it show on this record. Her vocal runs and creative freedom shines bright here!

Her backing band on this record, Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section, were super tight, melding seamlessly with Aretha's huge voice. It was with this record, that she blew the top off of the soul/blues genres and paved the way for future acts to aspire to.

Every song on this album is phenomenal, and just makes ya wanna move.

On an unrelated note: Every time I hear Aretha's name, I think of the part of School of Rock, where Dewey is trying to convince Tomika that she can sing in front of people, even though she's a bigger girl. "You've heard of Aretha Franklin right? She's a big lady. But when she sings, she blows peoples minds! Everyone wants to party with Aretha!!"

Favourite songs: Respect, Good Times, Save Me, A Change Is Gonna Come, Soul Serenade, I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)

Least favourite song: if forced to choose, "Baby, Baby, Baby"

5/5