Rated 6/10
People obviously find it hard to shake the Pixar thing, but there's some good songs in here, and some nice music. I got over it pretty quickly. I like the backing orchestral bits. Overall quite easy-going and it didn't outstay its welcome.
3.5 rounded down.
Rated 6/10
There's some good jams in here but I'm not massively keen overall. I know people love her voice, but for me it's just way too bombastic.
2.5 rounded up.
Rated 6/10
It's interesting having a solely instrumental album for a change, and there's some nice songs in here... but it's a bit limited.
Rated 6/10
This is a nice record and it's well made, there's just something that's not quite taking it to the next level for me. Some bigger hooks and memorable choruses maybe. It feels a bit paint by numbers perhaps.
Rated 4/10
This is a well made enough record and I'm sure a fine example of the genre. It's just... reggae is so boring.
Rated 6/10
It's ok. It's quite murky and rough around the edges, and his vocals are definitely an acquired taste. There's enough variation on display and a few standout tracks, but I wouldn't revisit.
Rated 4/10
I'm not really a fan. Most of it is sitting solely in the background and it's not grabbing or interesting me. There's some nice synths, but it's quite pared back. It's mostly forgettable.
Rated 6/10
I like the chilled vibes of this. There's some interesting instrumentation and soundscapes in it, and the overall atmosphere is pretty nice.
3.5 rounded down.
Rated 8/10
Lots of great songs on here, lots of experimentation with genre, lots of changes to tempo and style. Sprinkle on a ton of classic riffs, iconic vocals, big interesting guitars and you're looking pretty good!
4.5 rounded down.
Rated 4/10
It's not really my thing, but it's put together well enough. Plenty of weird and wonderful instruments and sounds. I'm not a fan of the rapping style and content.
Rated 4/10
A bit more interesting than I thought it was going to be based on the most popular reviews. There's at least a bit of inventiveness in there, with some interesting soundscapes and changes in mood and tempo at times. That said, it's still not good. UK Garage beats are all pretty much exactly the same. Some tracks are incredibly vacuous and irritating as hell. And it's SO long.
I almost gave up after 10 tracks, but then a few good tracks dropped. Incredibly frustrating that there's some good stuff in there, but that so much of it is just actively shit.
Rated 8/10
Well this was much better than I was expecting based on the cover and title. I like the singer... those are some real nice vocals. He doesn't sound like he should be singing in this kind of band, more like he should be in a rock/indie band or something. I like the mix of fiddles alongside the kind of upbeat rocky numbers. Some nice mandolin in there too.
It turns way more traditional towards the end of the first half, which is quite a nice way to end I think. The songs are very nice. They're very tight musically and it's all solid.
I was going to say it was way too long, until I realised the original album is just the effective first half of the special edition. That makes it a much more appetising package I think and means it doesn't outstay its welcome.
Rated 8/10
Fast-paced and snappy, with a decent energy and plenty of personality. It's pretty good. I feel like it picked up the more it went on. I'd have to be in the mood for it though.
3.5 rounded up.
Rated 6/10
This may sound a bit cynical, but it feels a bit X-Factor-y for me. She's got a big voice, but it's like a lot of the songs are just a vehicle for her voice and not a lot more. I don't find the songs themselves that particularly interesting bar a few. It's ok overall.
Rated 8/10
Overall this is a pretty good package. There's lots of energy, and some great iconic songs. Some don't work for me, but being a punk album it's quite quick, gets in and out and does it's thing.
3.5 rounded up.
Rated 4/10
It's nice enough and made with enough skill, it's just not my thing at all.
Rated 2/10
Jesus Christ, it's so minimalist. It's like literally nothing is happening. There's some interesting sounds and backing bits that sound kind of sci-fi, but it's just so empty. I don't think any single song distinguishes itself as something separate from the rest. Just high breathy vocals over some basic minimalist beats on every single song.
It faded into the background easily enough for the most part, but that's hardly a winning endorsement now is it?
Rated 8/10
Beck is such a great musician. Everything he does is at least interesting.
This isn't his best album, but there's plenty of great songs on here. You have real upbeat numbers like E-Pro, which is a great kick-off for the album, via weird electronic robot songs like Hell Yes, and then a gorgeous ballad like Broken Drum. The music and instrumentation is so varied and interesting throughout.
Beck transcends genres even as he re-invents them, and I for one applaud that.
4.5 rounded down.
Rated 6/10
Much like the other album I had by these guys, I like it. There's good rhymes and beats and I really like the sampling. It's quite a noisy record, with lots and lots going on (which I like) but it's also 20 tracks so it's quite a lot in one sitting.
3.5 rounded down.
Rated 10/10
There's so many great songs on here. I love the big sounds they create, with lots of layered instruments and backing vocals and so on.
Intervention is such a fucking tune, real power and building to SUCH a crescendo. Been working for the church while your life falls apart - DADAA DADAA DADAA!
4.5 rounded up.
