Reviews by mattrickpow

Overall: 6/10

Every musician on this thing is incredibly talented (especially the god-like Jaco Pastorius on bass), but I can't help but think that this album feels empty? I definitely got enjoyment out of it, especially with the closing track. Maybe I just haven't listened to enough jazz but at least the stuff I've listened to in the past elicited some sort of emotion out of me. I'd recommend giving this a listen just to experience Jaco's bass playing.

Fav Song: Havona
Least Fav Song: Rumba Mama

Overall: 8/10

Pretty classic album, I don't normally love this style of southern rock but Lynyrd Skynyrd were really great with this style. My friends and I love to make fun of Free Bird but it's actually an amazing song (if a little lengthy, but it earns it's length). Well worth your time!

Fav Song: Simple Man
Least Fav Song: Things Goin' On

Overall: 5/10

Not much to say about this one, I really don't see what makes it stand apart from all the other garage rock bands that were popping up in the early 2000s. The songs are catchy and inoffensive but kind of boring with not much variety. I will say though, they at least beat Arctic Monkeys to the punch...too bad Arctic Monkeys did it better.

Fav Song: Narcissist
Least Fav Song: The Man Who Would Be King

Overall: 7/10

I'm glad I got to experience this. It's very heavy on atmosphere and I find the compositions to be (mostly) relaxing and beautiful. It's not something I see myself listening to on a constant basis, but it's definitely worth your time and it makes me excited for more post rock to pop up.

Fav Song: Glass Museum
Least Fav Song: Dear Grandma and Grandpa

Overall: 6/10

This album started out really strong to the point that I got Beatles vibes from it, but I got pretty bored by the end. There's much better rock from the 90's that was missed in place of this. I still enjoyed it for the most part.

Fav Song: It's Only Natural
Least Fav Song: All I Ask

Overall: 9/10

Coincidentally, I just got really into Steely Dan this year! I love this debut, it's a bit disjointed and a couple of tracks are less than stellar, but I give it a pass as they were still figuring out their sound. Songs like Do It Again, Kings and Only a Fool Would Say That will never not get me hyped. Now I just need a copy on vinyl that doesn't skip during the guitar solo in Reelin' in the Years.

Fav Song: Do It Again
Least Fav Song: Change of the Guard

Overall: 10/10

An album so loved that I avoided it in fear that it could never live up to the high expectations that it's reputation instilled in me. I'm such an idiot cause oh my god this is so so so so good. I wish I was smart enough to decipher these lyrics but I can tell they're incredibly political. The guitar work is disjointed in a way that adds to the music and that bass is gorgeous. This is gonna be a favourite of mine for a long time.

Fav Song: Damaged Goods
Least Fav Song: Return the Gift

Overall: 6/10

Lyrically, Prine's music is really impressive. I find his voice to be pretty whiney though and it really stops me from being able to appreciate it the way I'd like to. I'm also just not a huge country fan and this doesn't do anything different enough to amaze me. Still enjoyable and I think it has merit.

Fav Song: Pretty Good
Least Fav Song: Sam Stone

Overall: 10/10

This is (in my opinion) the quintessential album from a band with a long history of hit or miss albums. Every song is great, they take risks without straying too far from their established sounds and they honestly just sound like they're having a great time making music together. If you're gonna listen to any Stones album, it should be this one.

Fav Song: Country Honk
Least Fav Song: Midnight Rambler (Oh god every song is so good this hurts)

Overall: 2/10

Ooey gooey vanilla music. Big pass from me.

Fav Song: Sad Old Red
Least Fav Song: Jericho

Overall: 5/10

Decent instrumental album, the title track with vocals is the best song though. Not something I'll listen to a lot.

Fav Song: Street Life
Least Fav Song: Carnival of the Night

Overall: 6/10

The songs get a little repetitive but they're still really fun! Buddy Holly's personality really shines through in his vocals.

Fav Song: Oh, Boy!
Least Fav Song: An Empty Cup (And a Broken Date)

Overall: 8/10

Just some classic rock to spruce up your day! T. Rex should have been bigger than they were, and this album is why. It's a lot of fun and I'll be listening to it lots!

Fav Song: Jeepster
Least Fav Song: The Motivator

Overall: 3/10

So uninteresting that it's already left my brain. I enjoyed only one song and it seems to be the band's biggest hit. Big pass on this one.

Fav Song: Another Girl, Another Planet
Least Fav Song: The Whole of the Law

Overall: 7/10

This is a pretty good punk album! I like that it slows down the tempo occasionally and tries to stand out from the insane amount of punk bands coming out at the time. They even use acoustic guitars and trumpets! Nothing stands out as exceptional but it's still a fun time.

Fav Song: No, Your Product
Least Fav Song: Memories Are Made of This

Overall: 8/10

This album inspired so many rappers that its hard to analyze it on its own. The beats are chill, which I find hilarious given the lyrical content (Nas grew up in a violent environment). Pretty stellar album that I'll need to revisit.

Fav Song: Memory Lane (Sittin' in the Park)
Least Fav Song: Halftime

Overall: 10/10

An album filled with banger after banger! I think Disarm is one of the best songs of the 90s and I absolutely adore their mix of Alt Rock, Shoegaze and Heavy Metal! If you can can get past Billy's strange vocals then you'll love it.

Fav Song: Disarm
Least Fav Song: Sweet Sweet

Overall: 6/10

Mr. Burke has a pretty great voice, but most of the songs didn't impress me on their own. Pretty good time capsule of the early days of soul but not something I see myself coming back to.

Fav Song: If You Need Me
Least Fav Song:

Overall: 7/10

This was a pleasant surprise, as I've always heard of Moby but never actually listened to any of his music. It's fun music that you can dance to, and I loved the gospel vocal samples.

Fav Song: Honey
Least Fav Song: 7

Overall: 8/10

For some reason I never had much interest in Paul Simon. I've always liked You Can Call Me Al, especially with it's Chevy Chase starting music video, but none of his other songs got any attention from me. Now that I've listened to a full album, I'm a bit more intrigued! I love the use of world music (exclusively Africa?) and Paul has a pretty good voice. It at least made me interested in hearing more! I also have to point out the incredible bass playing of Bakithi Kumalo, easily my favourite part of the whole album.

Fav Song: You Can Call Me Al
Least Fav Song: Homeless