Reviews by mikey_nc

Well that was an unremarkable but acceptable 2 until the final song. Dinosaur Sr I think you should give this kid a hug.

A legendary voice explores some soul standards (and one rock standard). Really like how the sound is tasteful but maintains some bite. Smooth, easy listening.

Best song: Wonderful World

Beautiful harmonies and (usually) melodies in a much simpler and more focused album than Deja Vu. It’s hippie music but damn if I don’t like a lot of hippie music.

Best song: Judy Blue Eyes

It may not be a magnum opus, but I still find this really engaging and well-made. Great use of motifs, and while the story isn’t especially coherent I also don’t think it’s a complete mess. Really love the mix of softness and hardness in their sound. Deserves its classic status.

Best song: Go to the Mirror

Sweet, mild, and soothing. Some might say they provide variety but I actually think the serene vibe is hampered a bit (and the saccharine vibe amplified) by the blues songs and the big band in the closer… either way, they don’t detract much from the whole product.

Best song: Fire and Rain

This isn’t bad or anything but wow is it not hitting for me. Pretty boring. Surprising lack of edge considering the album cover.

Best song: The Thrill of It All

Maybe my least favorite album title so far, but actually a pretty solid album behind it. Some good heavy tracks and some surprisingly strong use of orchestral drama. Great singer.

Best song: Lately

Wow that’s a lot of music. I consider myself a fan of Outkast but I’m both overwhelmed and underwhelmed by this collection—and I do think collection is a more accurate word than album, because this is two solo albums mashed together without much cohesion between the two projects (aside from both being packed full with mostly unfunny skits). Both of them are solid but not especially memorable, and listening to them back to back doesn’t elevate either of them. I think it deserves a spot on the list because it received so many accolades at the time and it produced one of the biggest singles of the decade, but I don’t think it’s an ideal showcase of this duo’s talents.

Best song: Hey Ya

Big, messy, wild, and brash, but also clinically tight and sharp. I think this has some of the Stones’ best work on it, but it also gets sloggy in the middle and there are a few throwaways, so it’s hard to rate. I think I prefer their more focused albums but there’s a lot to love here.

Best song: Tumbling Dice

Ziggy’s darker, weirder younger brother. I get why this album hasn’t had the same level of staying power because the mix isn’t that great and it’s not super immediate, but still a strong and rewarding album with a lot of interesting twists.

Best song: Cracked Actor

Pretty quintessential Led Zeppelin. More spacious and dramatic than their debut but not quite as raw and immediate. Very good though not what I would consider one of my favorite albums or anything.

Best song: Heartbreaker

A very clean and well-made album, though not an especially memorable one. A few of the songs were intriguing and the production was slick throughout.

Best song: On Hold

Middle career Beatles, in transition to being considered “serious artists.” The first proper Beatles album I bought so I have a lot of affection for it. Maybe their most laid-back and pastoral album, very folk rock.

Best song: Nowhere Man

A slightly quirky and highly energetic album. Very British with a very nasal singer, but consistently charming and melodic.

Best song: Lose It

I’ve always kinda liked their two hit singles from 2008 and this is pretty well-made on a technical level, but wow do I not like it. Very sludgy. What is the lead singer doing.

Best song: Slow Night, So Long

A weird little album. The singer isn't very good but I still find him kinda charming, and the songs range from banal and empty to refreshingly direct. I do think there's a good pop rock band here but they only sometimes manage to emerge.

Best song: Astral Plane

I dunno, just not really feeling this one. Some cool atmosphere but not a fan of the singer and lacking in memorable moments or melodies.

Best song: Desire Lines

My favorite live album. Such a distinctive atmosphere and concept. Love the interactions with the crowd and the way he infuses this pretty grim and dour set of songs with life and color. The masterwork of an all-time great.

Best song: Jackson

Hard to know what to say. Probably one of my ten or so favorite albums ever made. Every last song is a classic. If Bowie never made anything but this he'd still be a legend.

Best song: Moonage Daydream

Swirling indie rock with lots of shimmery guitars and falsetto vocals. This is really polished and well-produced though often a little too weird for me to fully connect with it. Not a fan of the vocals. Would probably revisit.

Best song: This is Our Lot