Reviews by galway_rat

A good ass-album
(desperately checks to see if anyone else in the reviews made this joke)

I feel like such a fake fan when I say I like this a lot more than Nebraska. After all, Nebraska’s stark, spooky folk tunes seem more up my alley than this fist-pumping album rock.
But I love it. Seven singles released, and I believe that even the lesser-played “Working on the Highway” and “Bobby Jean” could have easily been hits as well.
See what being raised on ‘80s AOR does to a developing brain?

5 stars

HL: "Dancing in the Dark", "Working on the Highway", "I'm On Fire", “Bobby Jean”, “I’m Going Down”, the title track

February 7, 2024

February 6, 2024

HL: "Moon Dreams", "Venus De Milo", "Godchild", "Move"

I found this in a used CD store for 5 smackeroos after recognizing the title from the 1001 list. It would take over a year for me to actually have this on the website, thus making me listen to it in full (I've definitely heard the odd track throughout the year tho)
Complete world away from the last Davis-- Bitches Brew-- particularly due to its accessibility and short tunes. Whereas that one felt somehow rejuvenating but also totally exhausting, this breezed by and was over before I knew it. Maybe there's a happy medium between 3 minute and 27 minute songs :0

*eyes Kind of Blue expectantly*

also February 5, 2024

HL: title track, "So You're Leaving", "I've Never Found a Girl", "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"

First things first, that first track is a CLASSIC

2nd round of "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" in the last ~3 weeks? I think this one's an improvement

Item 3: this is just banger after banger

February 5, 2024

HL: "Disarm", "Cherub Rock", "Today", "Hummer", "Soma"

When I implied earlier that "Blitzkrieg Bop" was the greatest opening song, I forgot about "Cherub Rock" :/

Now, I gave Mellon Collie a 5er back in '22, but part of me feels that was temporary insanity, considering I revisit several of the other artists generated around that week (FKA Twigs, Spiritualized, MBV) a lot more.

However, today is a reminder that I continue liking the Smashing Pumpkins' music, even if Corgan's angsty lyrics don't always hit the spot.

HL: "Blitzkrieg Bop", "Beat on the Brat”, “Chain Saw”, “Havana Affair”, “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”

After the Sex Pistols & Dead Kennedys last month, I thought that’s about all the classic punk bands I’ll be introduced to on this list. Psych! Here’s the Ramones, with a debut that’s spiky and catchy, if somewhat one-note.
Is “Blitzkrieg Bop” the greatest opening song ever or what

February 3, 2024

It’s all trendy, innit? Like if I had to describe a rock album that did well in the mid-90s, this wouldn’t be too far off the mark (besides having a predominantly female lineup)

HL: “Blue”, “Connection”, “2:1”

February 4th, 2024

HL: “Let’s Start”, “Egbe Mi O”

February 2, 2024

February 1st, 2024

HL: title track, "He's the Greatest Dancer", "Lost in Music", "Thinking of You"

Annoyed that the 1995 remastered album doesn't have the album version of their title track. (which is twice as long) Isn't that what albums are for...?

But good vibes all around. Since I didn't say it in my notes for the last Chic album (a year ago :o), BERNARD EDWARDS WAS THE GOAT.
The rest of the album is pretty good too imo

HL: “Sleeping Gas”, “Treason”, “When I Dream”, “Reward” (bonus track), title track (which oddly is a bonus track)

I approve of this seeming blend of Magical Mystery Tour & Talking Heads ‘77

Kinda makes me want to Watch Rafferty turn into a serial

3.5

January 31st, 2024

HL: “Plastic Bag”, title track, “Identity”, “Highly Inflammable”, “Art-I-Ficial”

Haven’t heard of this before

Apple Music doesn’t have the songs in original release order- but at least all the songs are there!

Punk album of the month? I realize I just had the seminal Never Mind the Bullocks…, but in terms of vocals I’ll take Poly Styrene over John Lydon most days

Part of the Wikipedia article for this album is just shitting on “Plastic Bag”. I liked it tho…?

January 30th, 2024

Album #666

2nd 90s British electronic album with a grey, screaming face on the cover this month.
Unlike the Prodigy… well it’s pretty much nothing like the Prodigy.

A bold celebration of disparate music styles, AND a meditation on nuclear weapons.

Hard to believe the piano jazz of “Immigrant” and the scatting in “The Conference” are part of the same project.

Though I didn’t enjoy every track, there’s something to be said about an album that resists comparison so strongly.

HL: “Tides”, “Nadia”, “Anthem Without Nation”, “Homelands”

January 27, 2024

HL: “Are You Happy Now?”, “Only Dreaming Now”, “It Won’t Get Better”, “Nine Pound Hammer”, “Magic Hollow”

Ye’d think I’d’ve had enough of this after all the Dylans, Simons, Youngbloods & Young Rascals. But no
This was very enjoyable
Short, but not slight. “The Wolf” is perhaps the most indulgent in 60’s psych-folkiness, but for the most part these tunes are concisely crafted and orchestrated without being overly corny or sentimental.

The warm brass in songs like the title track and “It Won’t Get Better” enhance my enjoyment

The following comparison probably doesn’t help anyone but myself, but I liked this more than Elephant Mountain (Youngbloods) and Oar (Skip Spence). Conversely, I liked Moby Grape and Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme (S&G) even more

HL: "Bitches 2", title track, "Midnight", "Body Count", "The Tower"

The Halloween sample in "The Tower" is used to great effect.
Same with the Zeppelin/Sabbath in "Midnight"; "When the Levee Breaks" is used so much tho lol

Even though the lyrical content is anything but amusing, there's something about Ice-T coyly introducing his metal band 18 tracks in that cracks me up (Y'know, I'm not JUST a rapper...)

This has a trying runtime like a lot of 90's hip-hop records, but some unexpected musical diversity. I also felt it got better over time, after not being into the first few tracks.

3.5

January 26, 2024

HL: “Holidays in the Sun”, “God Save the Queen”, “Anarchy in the U.K.”

A cause of a lot of better bands than the Sex Pistols, and a lot of worse ones, too

January 25, 2024

HL: “Runaway”, “Terrible Love”, “Afraid of Everyone”, “England”

Having not really listened to the National, I’m getting very 2000s-indie-stadium, eg Coldplay & Arcade Fire.
(Brian Cox Succession meme) “I fucking love it here!”
Not all of it is enthralling, with some sleepy moments (see also: Parachutes & the Suburbs), but overall I feel uplifted, like I’ve just endured an inspirational montage where all my life’s hardships pay off in the end.
Can see how Berninger’s bassy voice isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m all for more bassy voices in pop & rock— having one myself 🎤 🐟

January 24, 2024

January 23, 2024

HL: “Mother", "Hold On”, "Working Class Hero", “Isolation”, "Love", “God”

Not first listen
I do remember how the minimalist musical direction didn’t wow me the first time, despite standouts like W.C.H. and “Love”.
As a Beatles fan (I should start every sentence with that), Plastic Ono Band is still an oddly challenging listen, not least because of the first and last tracks. Like John Lennon (and Paul McCartney), I lost my own mother when I was a teenager, so the emotion laid bare here is particularly intense.
Considering how much time I’ve had for this Lennon album to grow on me, I think it’s safe to say it’s another 5-star. Just not addictive in the way the other Beatles solo projects are on this list

Today gave me an excuse to listen to an album I’ve been putting off, Plastic Ono Band (Yoko’s Version). That was a bad move; but if you decide to check it out, do it for Ringo Starr. And Ornette Coleman

oo I got this one on vinyl
Despite that, I've only heard Side A; luckily, what's good in the first half continues in the second.
The feeling I get from seeing the album cover is very similar to what I get listening to the songs: like an aurora in that it's transient, & leaves me wanting more.
Generator has been on fire this month, more Scottish nonsense pls

HL: "Cherry-Coloured Funk", "Iceblink Luck", title track, "I Wear Your Ring", "Fotzepolitic", "Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires"

January 22, 2024

January 21, 2024

HL: "Panis et Circenses", "A Minha Menina", "O Relógio", "Bat Macumba", "Le premier bonheur du jour"

Surreal, a little creepy at times, loved it
Both the opener and closer of this album are bonkers <3

Liked this more than their debut actually, but I’m glad the editors of the book realized 3 White Stripes was a lot early on. Aka, I don’t mind that this was removed.
White & White try a lot on this album, and pretty much all of it works. Special s/o to the country “Little Ghost” and the supremely catchy “Doorbell”

HL: “Blue Orchid”, “My Doorbell”, “Forever For Her”, “Little Ghost”, “Instinct Blues”

Also January 21st, 2024

Radiohead, have you ever tried just NOT being depressed? -_-

This self-professed Radiohead fan has never listened to this properly all the way through.
Granted, I’ve most likely heard every song at least once, but in the iTunes days the songs would just come up on shuffle. Consequentially, I enjoy songs like “No Surprises” and “Paranoid Android” without appreciating where they fit into the album.

Well. It’s good. It’s very good.
“Airbag” and “The Tourist” are great bookends; the former’s anxious, cut-up drums contrast with the serenity of the latter. The contrast in mood between songs is also quite interesting. The rollicking “Electioneering” gives way to the eerie “Climbing Up the Walls”. “Alien” ends on what seems like an optimistic note, then the devastating “Exit Music” immediately follows it.

HL: "Paranoid Android”, "Subterranean Homesick Alien", "Exit Music (For a Film)"* "Let Down", “Climbing Up the Walls”, "No Surprises", “The Tourist”

January 19, 2024