Reviews by jacjac

Sure, Sinatra's voice is gloriously silky, and I like a love song sometimes. But man, this got tiring after about 3 songs. I think I would have more patience for this big-band jazz standard stuff if I were still in choir class and had to sing this sort of thing, but I'm just never going to gravitate toward this style in my casual listening time. I got bored really quickly, considering the theme and the sound itself are nearly identical from song to song. Plus, the flashy finale formula just doesn't work for me at all (I think it's a little corny, to be honest).

Favorite tracks: Pennies From Heaven, I've Got You Under My Skin

This album is an example of precisely what I was hoping to discover with this project. I would have never discovered this on my own, and what a cool blues project out of Mali! Really vibey, more upbeat and interesting than a lot of blues music - great grooves all around. I got a little lost in it at times just because I couldn't understand the lyrics, but I don't think that took away from the mastery of this album. Not exactly the style of music that I gravitate toward on a regular basis, but I'm glad I listened nonetheless.

Favorite tracks: Soubour, Petit Metier

I don't think I could say that I like this any more or less than Funeral. I'll be honest, I kind of zoned out after the first 3 songs (which I'd already heard & like). What I tuned in for sounded kind of Springsteen-esque at times, which was sort of interesting, but then whatever interest I had was countered by whatever "Rococo" was. This is pretty middling to me, but I think in the future the only songs I'll return to are the ones that I've already been listening to on a semi-regular basis. Thus, I don't necessarily think this fits the list for me; my comments from Funeral about drinking AF Kool-Aid haven't really changed (I am not enough of a Millenial for this band).

Favorite tracks: Ready to Start, Month of May, We Used to Wait

I had never heard of this band before today, and honestly, I think I could have gone without them (which I suppose defeats the exact purpose of this list). Obviously, the vocals are impressive, but everything feels a little too polished to me. I also got tricked by the first song into thinking that this was going to be trip hop or at least Prodigy-adjacent - what I got instead is probably my least favorite kind of rock. Leans too metal, is too showy in all respects, and paved the way for shit like Evanescence. I can't say whether there were any songs I particularly enjoyed, and I will most certainly not be listening to anything from this album again. Unimpressive despite trying really hard to be exactly that.

Favorite tracks: none, sorry

An album giving me immediate chills is always a good sign in my book. I am someone who isn't well-versed in Latin music, so I was blown away by the instrumentals, having not heard anything like it before. Beautiful, tight vocal harmonies too. It made me feel serene at times, and had me joyously dancing around at others; I love when an album encompasses a variety of vibes. I want to keep this in rotation in the future, so much so that I'm adding it immediately to my vinyl wishlist (as I need to spin this on a Sunday morning expeditiously).

Favorite tracks: Chan Chan, El Cuarto de Tula, Candela

Not really a fan of this one at all. I am historically not a fan of talk singing, and this falls exactly within that category to me right off the bat. This is like Lilith Fair meets Bob Dylan in a way I really didn't care for. I didn't even think the songwriting was anything to write home about. The best thing I can say is my boredom didn't last very long because at least the album is short.

Favorite track: Marlene On The Wall

Love love love love love. LCD were clearly allergic to the sophomore slump and produced an album that I completely adore. Listened digitally this morning and man, does this album just work for me. Sure, it's repetitive, but in a way where you can just sink into the song and let it bore into your brain in the best way possible. So hard for me to pick favorite tracks here, as this album is stacked with some of my top LCD tracks of all time. Will listen to this again and again (as if I haven't already been doing that before today).

Favorite tracks: North American Scum, Someone Great, All My Friends (a generational 3-song run)

Surprise surprise, nineties rap strikes again. I haven't listened to much Public Enemy beyond "Fight The Power", so this was a very welcome introduction to the group. Topical as hell, excellent flows, and even better beats - what more could you ask for? Not sure if I'd listen to the entire album again, but there were certainly a few tracks (especially from the beginning of the album) that I'll be returning to.

Favorite tracks: Brothers Gonna Work It Out, 911 Is A Joke, Fight The Power

I was lucky enough to see YYY in 2023, and it was kind of a life-changing show. Needless to say, I've been a little obsessed with Karen O since then (and since watching "Meet Me In The Bathroom"). I love this era of NY music, and YYY is no exception; their debut came out positively swinging. Gritty, angsty, feminine, and in-your-face - what more could you want from an early 2000s punk album? The group shines during "Maps", of course, but I was happy to find several other gems here that I hadn't taken the time to listen to before.

Favorite tracks: Maps, Y Control, Modern Romance (an incredible 3-song run)

On its face, this album doesn't appear to be the most impressive thing ever. However, after reading about what it took to make this album and how single-handedly it was crafted, I have a much greater respect for it. It's simple, "I love my wife" music at the heart, but with a Paul McCartney je ne sais quoi that gives the album its special something. Sure, it's not the best thing I've ever heard, but I'm nothing if not a lover of lo-fi and a glazer of the Beatles. 3.5/5 rounded down

Favorite tracks: Every Night, Oo You, Maybe I'm Amazed

Absolutely not. I don't care how "impressive" this guy's voice is; this belongs nowhere near me and certainly nowhere on a best albums list. This might have been revolutionary in the 80s, but that’s exactly when this genre should have died anyway. This had no business being released in the 21st century, or at all for that matter. The worst combination of corny and milquetoast. I powered through this one, but never again in a million years would I listen to this.

Favorite tracks (favorite is a strong word): Love Is Only a Feeling

Unfortunately, I grew up in an anti-Elvis Costello household, so I came into this one pretty biased. After giving this album a shot, I can't say I hated it, but it didn't really impress me either. His voice kind of gets on my nerves (I would love to try to hear Elvis say an "ee" sound just once in his life), and the lyrical content of some of the songs was a bit creepy in a way I didn't love. Instrumentals were okay but the whiny synth really isn't my favorite either. Overall a very middling album.

Favorite tracks: The Beat, Pump It Up

As established, I'm not the biggest heavy metal fan. So, when I peered at the reviews and realized how metal this was going to be, I was not exactly looking forward to it. Plus, the Deep Purple tracks I've heard before haven't been my favorite. It appears my preconceived notions were pretty correct - I am just really NOT a fan of Ian Gillan's voice, the vibrato and random screaming really got on my nerves. (Side note: you can absolutely tell David Lee Roth was a fan.) This really did not have any sticking power for me, as I didn't care for any part of it beyond the drumming and some of the guitar riffs. If I'm going to pick a 1970 metal album, it's going to be Paranoid...sorry, not sorry.

Favorite track: Living Wreck

1977 punk strikes again! Seriously, what was in the water in England in 1977? An absolutely formative punk project and a clear inspiration for many post-punk bands to come. It was hard for me to pick just 3 songs to include in my favorite tracks because they're all so damn good...so I picked 4. I really liked the changes in tempo throughout the album; instead of being thrashy the entire time, there was some good moodiness interspersed throughout. What an absolute banger, I'm kicking myself for not listening to this earlier.

Favorite tracks: Reuters, Ex Lion Tamer, Lowdown, Mannequin

I love this challenge so much because I truly wouldn't have sought out a Willie Nelson album without it, despite him being so beloved. I have mixed feelings about concept albums, but this one definitely worked for me after initially being thrown off by the early reprise. Just good classic country tunes, heavy on the twang and paired with a perfectly syrupy croon. Plain and simple in the best way.

Favorite tracks: Red Headed Stranger, Denver, Hands on the Wheel

This was one certifiably funky time capsule if I do say so myself - this album feels like if the 70s and the 90s had a baby. Definitely what I would consider "conscious" rap, which I do like but tend to get a little tired of when I hear a lot of it in a row. That aside, there were several tracks I could see myself returning to again. I really do like this early 90s era of hip hop (ATAQ, Naughty by Nature, Eric B. & Rakim, etc.), and somehow Arrested Development hadn't reached me before today. An upbeat and fun listen!

Favorite tracks: People Everyday, Mr. Wendal, Natural

Loved the chopped up drum beats right from the jump - I legit don't understand how people's brains work to create things like this. I am in awe every time I hear beats that are made of layered samples, and this album of course is no exception. This is DJ Shadow in his rawest, most creative form, and I am 100% here for it. Every song is an utter soundscape of funky experimental grooves that demonstrate DJ Shadow's mastery of his craft.

Favorite tracks: Changeling, What Does Your Soul Look Like, Pt. 4, Midnight In A Perfect World

Once you get past the two most popular songs from this album, Bowie's involvement in this is SO obvious. A little theatrical at times, but with an unmistakable core of punk, this album was overall a fun listen. I think the two songs I already knew are still my favorites, but I'm glad to have finally listened to this one all the way through. This album is unapologetically itself, and its sound totally reflects Iggy's unmatched stage performances.

Favorite tracks: Lust For Life, The Passenger, Fall In Love With Me

Beyond feeling like I was having a stroke listening to "Too Much Too Young", I thought this was pretty alright. Probably some of the best ska I've heard, though unfortunately not enough to make me a ska convert. Good political messaging and coherent sound, but this just kinda went on for too long, and I ended up feeling a bit bored by the end.

Favorite tracks: A Message to You Rudy, It's up to You, Night Klub

I'm kicking myself for not listening to more Dolly Parton until after she passed. What a gorgeous voice to match a beautiful soul. Something about 70's country really gets me, and it still surprises me every time as a former country music hater. This was such a special collection of songs; all of them feel like they go together, but they explore such vast topics in such a short run time. I am now MUCH more motivated to explore more of Dolly's vast discography, as I had a wonderful time with this album.

Favorite tracks: Traveling Man, If I Lose My Mind, Early Morning Breeze