Reviews by mikey_nc

They put their blood sweat and tears into this

Best song: And When I Die

There’s parts of this I enjoyed but overall kind of a banal listening experience. Very plain and muted.

The two big hits are great and the sound is very definite, self-assured, and often convincing. It’s also pretty busy and over-produced, and while the album itself is a good length several of the songs overstay their welcome. I think 80s synthpop just struggles to land for me in general, but as far as that genre goes this is pretty strong.

Best song: Hungry Like the Wolf

A rich and tumultuous suite featuring some gripping work from a master of the form. Not my favorite of Coltrane’s albums, though I understand why it gets the lion’s share of the accolades due to its high concept and how it serves as a bridge into his more inaccessible free jazz stuff. Still a tremendous and necessary album.

A very solid rock album though there’s not a lot on it that really grabbed me. Definitely sounds very “of the time” for that early 2000s rock revival.

Best song: Get Free

On the one hand, it’s a powerful and unique voice set free in a brisk, tasteful album. On the other hand, I had to listen to all four minutes of “The Naughty Little Flea.”

“Country rock” sometimes makes me cautious as that can involve a giant tasteless mish-mash of girls-n-trucks songs with 80s guitar solos, but this is a very humble fusion of the two genres’ basics with some great songwriting. Really enjoyed it.

Best song: Goodbye’s All We Got Left

Just like 25 this was definitely Adele. It was definitely good. She will still age well. All this said Adele does kinda make the same album over and over so I don’t have a lot to say. But hey it’s a good album.

Best song: Someone Like You

Probably my least favorite album from a band that I usually love. I get the impulse to experiment and show you can do more than just bash and crash, but piano-based indie-country-blues (or whatever you call this album's sound) is not the best use of these two's talents. There's still several good songs here, but the whole product is messy and not particularly cohesive: almost feels like a collection of B-sides?

Best song: Blue Orchid

A very adequate hair metal album, which is above par for my baseline opinion of hair metal. Mixing is kinda awful as the vocals are often washed out, but a pretty fun sound and mix of songs.

A very folksy and cozy album in the early psychedelic tradition. Verges on forgettable, but consistently pleasant with a hair of edge.

Best song: Nine Pound Hammer

These guys might not have saved rock ‘n’ roll like the pundits thought they would but they pulled it off in my heart. Not a perfect album but a really important one for me as a teenager that cemented my love for guitar rock. Still can sing every song.

Best song: Hard to Explain

An immaculate first half followed by a pretty lengthy and self-indulgent second half. Still, there is so much good music here that it barely matters. A bright and joyful album.

Best song: Sir Duke

Well I don’t think I will ever be the world’s biggest fan of Mr. Dan in all his steeliness, but I did like this album better than the last one I heard. Pretty cheery and straightforward with some good melodies.

Best song: Reelin’ in the Years

Some cool psychedelic guitars but those can’t really save this giant pudgy slog of an album. Overlong and self-important.

Love the style and the energy. Amazing rhythms, as you’d expect with Ginger Baker on it. This and Zombie have made me a fan.

Best song: Black Man’s Cry

Yet another British post punk/alt band from the 80s. I’m torn here because there’s nothing bad (except the first song and its out of tune main riff), there’s just nothing here I really want to hear again.

Best song: She is Mine

A very pensive and mature album, probably my favorite I’ve heard by REM. Lots of radio hits on here, which is kinda funny since it’s pretty quiet and slow. Definitely one worth replaying.

Best song: Nightswimming

Dark grungy rock full of pounding riffs and great vocals. A little too overlong and mopey, but more or less a strong album.

Best song: Black Hole Sun

Whoa that’s one of the most incredible guitar solos I’ve ever heard. Tempted to give the entire album a 5 off its strength alone but not sure I’m quite that high on it. Still a strong product as a whole with a really tight band.

Best song: Maggot Brain