Reviews by meemesker

Probably my favorite Tangerine Dream album. The introduction of the sequencers gives their sound more rhythm to sink your teeth into while still retaining a good amount of ambient atmosphere throughout. Absolutely love headphone rides like this in the dark. Blows my mind that this was top 20 in UK and top 200 in US at the time. Would love to jam in this more abstract way. Shifting in and out of movements. You can see why their sound lent itself to soundtrack work, very cinematic.

FragileYes

Rated 10/10

This is Yes at their peak before they are about to go off the rails. All over the place in a wonderful way with contributions from all band members. Love how each instrument/element/player is highlighted throughout the album. Wish more bands created output in this manner. They are one of the most listenable and original of prog rock groups. Prog gets a bad rap for some reason but I enjoy the structures and explorations. Quite a sonic journey.

This might take the cake for most self indulgent album of the cd era. I find the sheer length simply unbearable. I don't hear anything in the music/concept to justify its insane demand on the listener. Most of it is so half baked that I find it almost insulting. I don't get it. Both the singing voices and lyrics are irritating to me. In trying to march onward and listen to this there are some okay tunes buried in there but as an album its unrefined/unfiltered stance is utterly preposterous. If someone put this on, I wouldn't be sticking around.

What a rich and earthy album from such a mythic era. So much soul it aches. This is the personification of musical brotherhood to me. I think that most all of them share on the vocals is part of this feeling. It's funny cause many times I tend to shy away from rootsy music but this is the genuine article and I can't help but be drawn in to it. "The Weight" is one for the ages. Always loved "Chest Fever" too.

Took me until "the look of love" to get to a song that I recognized. Generally like this kind of sound but this one doesn't really grab me as an album. Like some individual tracks but the sound doesn't gel for me.

3rdBig Star

Rated 6/10

Big Star were a fav among college friends. Mostly #1 record and radio city though. This one is a bit too sloppy and unfocused for me.

To me, this is his last 5 star masterpiece album. Me and my friends were practically Dylan cultists back in high school so this one is burned into me. Probably the most personal Dylan ever got and perhaps the greatest breakup album of all time.

Signing OffUB40

Rated 6/10

I tend to like the more dubby instrumental tracks/passages here. Always a fan of deep prominent basslines. It's okay but wouldn't be my first choice for reggae, etc.

What a combination of influences.He brings so much together here. Nothing else sounds like this. This is one of the most original/experimental hip hop albums ever. All over the place in a great way. Love his different voices throughout. Very theatrical and atmospheric all at once. Got some great people on this too - particularly Thundercat. King Kunta is my favorite track and the one that immediately drew me in to him.

Can't really take this seriously. This era of pop/hair "metal" is one of my least favorite subgenres and one which I don't really understand. Maybe I just need to loosen up? I don't know. I mean the choruses are catchy for sure. But to me it sounds so superficial, and maybe that's intentional? I understand how this could make sense to kids and teens in a certain context but I feel like it doesn't age well outside of that context. It's like kids dressing up and playing rock star and I guess there's a certain amount of sincerity/directness and simplicity to that. I mean I grew up when this was wildly popular and I was never attracted to it then nor do I have any nostalgia for it.

Sheet Music10cc

Rated 8/10

Really like 10cc and think they are underrated. Love how they work experimentation and humor into pop music. Fav track is worst band in the world.

Pleasant fun. Only heard the radio single "lovefool" before. As an album it's a bit weirder than I had expected from the single. Are they quoting black fucking sabbath on "heartbreaker?" As I'm listening I think it's starting to grow on me. And then just straight up cover Iron Man?!

My perception of Rufus Wainwright is tainted by my association of his music with an ex girlfriend. Regardless of that, it is still not my cup of tea. Couldn't listen to the whole thing in one go.

My stepdad is a Todd Rundgren fan so I heard this one early on. Also a favorite among college friends. I love these kinds of kitchen sink affairs where artists have the freedom/time to really explore possibilities in the studio. I wish more albums flowed like this one. Makes for quite a ride. Love that the ambition is tempered with humor along the way. Definitely his best album. A tour de force.

Hot RatsFrank Zappa

Rated 8/10

Not my personal favorite Zappa album but it may be his best in many ways. Certainly the most listenable. Peaches en Regalia is like the theme to a TV show I'd want to watch. The track with Captain Beefheart is a fucking ripper. Zappa's a true iconoclast and this album proves his versatility. Motherfucker could do anything he wanted it seems, especially play the electric guitar - holy shit. He's largely underrated in that regard. I wish he went more in this general direction over the years but this album sort of stands out in his catalog. Nice balance of exploration and focus.

Listened to this several times. Like some individual tracks by them but doesn't do a whole lot for me really. Favorite track is the last one. I like some of their more recent albums more.

ParklifeBlur

Rated 8/10

So British. Very playful. Sort of all over the place. I think Blur is the most fun of all the Britpop groups.