Reviews by mikey_nc

Very traditional, stately, and cinematic. Good voice and production. Not something I would seek out, but I appreciate how unique it is from the rest of the list.

Best song: The Case Continues

Not as obnoxious as the Chemical Brothers, but not for me. It sounds like forgettable video game soundtrack music.

So big, so many strings, so many choirs… they can write a melody but damn dude, chill a little.

Best song: Mr. Blue Sky

Kinda hokey, but nice melodies and harmonies. Possibly a hot take but I prefer this to their disco music.

Best song: Marley Purt Drive

Utterly maddening. The 1980s and their consequences have been a disaster for the human race.

Good Lord do we really need three albums from these guys. I got the picture the first time.

Some good songs and a nice country tone. It is middle-of-the-road as can be, though, and I’m not crazy about the production—very distant sound on most songs.

Best song: The Needle and the Damage Done

This isn’t really bad, but it’s not very interesting and wanting for catchiness. Old school hip-hop has had more misses than hits sadly.

Kind of insulting to get an extremely British band on the fourth of July. Oh well, at least the album’s not bad.

Best song: Sunny Afternoon

Perfect summer album. I don’t really remember most of the songs but who cares.

Best song: Beach Samba (Bossa na praia)

Kanye’s definitive statement, a colossal and excessive portrait of an egomaniac in crisis. Huge beats, huge hooks, huge stars, huge everything. Full of sin, self-loathing, self-pity, arrogance, violence, and loneliness. Probably a masterpiece.

Best song: Runaway

Sounded like whatever Aaron Rodgers was listening to when he did ayahuasca on his darkness retreat

This album has a unique and consistent sound plus some interesting ideas, but it doesn’t speak much to me. British music started going in some weird directions from the 80s onward.

Best song: Be Thankful for What You’ve Got

Smooth, sleek, charming, relaxing. A worthy successor to her dad.

Best song: So Nice (Summer Samba)

I went in knowing this was the lowest-rated album on the list, and after a couple songs, I determined this was actual music (if extremely avant-garde music), not as bad as I was anticipating, and legitimately interesting in a few ways. So what the hell, 2. I got more out of it than hearing Dinosaur Jr shriek “WHY DON’T YOU LIKE MEEEE?!?!” for five minutes straight.

Pretty strong album with a classic opener. It does get same-y though, and Indian Sunset had me rolling my eyes.

Best song: Tiny Dancer

New jack swing sure was a genre huh

Best song: Buffalo Stance

Two Doves albums in a week was not on my bingo card. They’re clearly pretty good but just not the kind of band I’m gonna get out of bed for.

Best song: Caught by the River

Very 80s, but pretty original with some rich production. Worth more listens.

Best song: Party Fears Two

This album is the closest I’ve come to truly “getting” this band, though I still feel like I’m not quite getting the point.

Best song: Catholic Block