Reviews by lukeice1

PornographyThe Cure

Rated 6/10

A dark, moody record that does some interesting things with the guitar work and noise; however while listening to the record one can't help but call comparisons to predecessors like Joy Division which simply sound like an elevated version of this record. It's serviceable, even enjoyable at times but doesn't stand out much otherwise

When folks think of the greatest live albums of all time, the list is short - and Nirvana's unplugged is at the top. In one hour long live set, Nirvana vaulted to the zeitgeist of 90s, fueled by a punk aesthetic packaged in a lackadaisy grunge band. The genius of the record though is in the acoustic and slower pace which shows Nirvana's depth as a band. The playing is wonderful, and perhaps the best segments are the interactions of Kurt and the crowd. An all-star record, showcasing just how much impact Nirvana had on the world of music

In purple rain, Princes skill as an instrumentalist, composer, and producer is on full display. Undeniable talent combines with music that is catchy and socially aware, making the record an obvious standout even on such a list as this

ParachutesColdplay

Rated 8/10

Parachutes doesn't break the mold, but instead approaches near perfection for an enjoyable and easy listen; a smooth indie rock experience that continues to worm its way into charts from sound bites on tiktok. The melodramatic vocals and instrumentals give a greater gravity to this record than the simple pop rock atmosphere would indicate, and so it's easy to misconstrue the record as something grander than it is, but it does remain a light, enjoyable experience - the McDonald's of indie rock

An experimental and bizarre album, with sections of crooning and whining strings that succeeds in creating an atmosphere that feels like a rip off of world music. While it is clear to see the influence of the album, that does not mean it is an enjoyable listen, but some tracks like Minotaurs Song do standout

An outstanding foray into rock, covering everything from rockabilly to punk and back. Few records have ever maintained the musicality and social commentary that this record does and for that it is a perfect record

This album is a lovely mix of funk, soul, and latin that I would have never discovered if not for this project. Wonderful sampa rock record that's sound and influence is heard today!

ParklifeBlur

Rated 6/10

Albans songwriting chops are on full display in this record, containing some fun and catchy britpop songs but the album does drag on a bit too long and too varied in focus

Opus DeiLaibach

Rated 10/10

A record that satires the war machine and fascism of 20th century Europe should not be this catchy, but it is. Life is life!

This record feels like an attempt at soul but it is missing all of the heart that should go there. No songs are bad, but none are elevated by vocal performances that stand out besides perhaps the title track.

With a number of catchy rock and roll anthems with a heap of trash metal, Motörhead manages to produce strong album of singles; however the sound does get repetitive after some time and some of the songs like "jailbait" are deserving of a scolding.

Public enemy proves it is one of the heavy hitters of 90s hip-hop with a classic boom bap record that dares to use hip hop as a vehicle for conversations on a myriad of topics facing the community and country. The flows and prose are of a caliber few artists attempt nowadays and for that it deserves its laurels

The Mama's and the Papa's deliver a timeless classic where vocal harmony shines front and center in this classic folk rock record, with multiple standout tracks. While the album lacks any particular standout or redefining feature it is an incredibly strong and consistent record

In 1987, it's clear to see how this record was ahead of its time; eschewing the clean polished guitar tones of hair and glam metal bands, dinosaur jr pushed the limits of noise with distortion, grime and sludge. The resulting record is not just ahead of its time; it's the father of many musical genres, the prognosis of grunge, screamo, noise, hardcore, shoegaze. It's hard to understand how clearly these sounds shine through in tracks like Lose which could fit on a Nirvana album, or the opener little fury things which sounds picked off of a MBV record. Dinosaur Jr manages to clear every hurdle and land as a statue to underground, noise, and the influence of indie to this day

2112Rush

Rated 8/10

A seminal prog rock album with a standout opener, that said the second side falls off in consistency but does not mean the music is any less impressive, just not as cohesive thematically

Fats Domino encapsulates the sound of rock and roll, soul and blues in the 50s in such a perfect manner it's hard to rate this record as anything other than great.

A wonderful and emotional record that contains stupendous hits like Father and Son and pleads to be bigger than it's parts, like acres of sky

Divine comedy manages to strike a chord of sardonic humor that resonates in ways other heartbreak albums just don't; the song writing is witty and vocal delivery manages to be varied and engaging. While a bit over produced, the tracklist is tight and cohesive making the album quite enjoyable

This album manages to be an enjoyable record with some funk elements that are intriguing, but it feels like it struggles to stand out or maintain a palpable identity