Reviews by mikey_nc

I thought this was pretty cool. Definitely different, rooted in atmospheres and suites instead of traditional pop song structures, and I think it works for the intended vision. Very pastoral/medieval English vibes, with a big sweeping sound. In my head I always associate them with 80s synth and solo Phil Collins, so I'm interested to explore more of the Gabriel-era stuff.

I vibed with this, though I didn't love it. Some good hooks, some dumb lyrics. Definitely see the Britpop + pop punk meld of influences.

Best song: Lost in You

Lots of quiet-loud dynamics. Songs definitely have some depth and variety, though there’s something about the sound I can’t totally gel with. Not something I’d be inclined to return to, but certainly interesting.

Best song: Flower

Old school British blues. This doesn’t quite sound like the Stones to me yet since it’s almost(?) all covers. Still, it’s fun, gritty, and fast with a clear sound and identity, despite some weak numbers.

Best song: Carol

A fun listen, full of catchy hooks. Pretty much the definition of same-y, although they do at least vary the tempo a few times. Not mixed particularly well, though maybe it’s a problem on my end. Maybe singlehandedly started the pop punk revival? Definitely a good album, even if it’s pretty mood-dependent for me in terms of how I feel about it.

Best song: When I Come Around

Listened to this before. Marvelous. Packed full of overdubs yet never feeling overly busy. Comforting and calming yet challenging and fascinating in equal measure. I can't get into the nitty-gritty of every little musical touch and I get how some might find it boring, but I love this. I could put it on any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

It's just OK. Not crazy about the sound of the band; pretty meh 90s alt type stuff. Her vocals are expressive but nothing I'm particularly drawn to. I do hear flashes here that intrigue me. Interestingly abstract lyrics and plenty of passion. I'd be interested to hear one of her later albums, but not a huge fan of this one.

Best song: Dress

All-time great band entering their peak. Songs hard, production simple but strong, and probably some of Jagger’s best vocal performances. The opener and closer do sort of carry the album, but they’re contenders for the best opener and closer I’ve ever heard so do I really care?

Best song: You Can’t Always Get What You Want

As someone who thinks the title track is corny I had low expectations, but this is pretty solid early 70s rock. More of a concept album than I would have guessed. Decent mix of tempos and styles. Nothing world-beating but mostly entertaining.

Best song: Blue Turk

Swaying and sharp, with lots of great trumpet playing. Maybe too experimental for me, although it’s hardly free jazz or something. Could use more devoted listening.

Vaguely familiar with Sufjan Stevens before I heard this, heard a few songs. I was really gripped by this. Folk music crossed with orchestral pop and indie rock(?) in a blend that seems kinda precarious but turns out positively gorgeous. The songwriting and melodies are the common links that hold everything together. Long, weird, disjointed, and not helmed by a traditionally strong singer, but ultimately beautiful. I’ll return to it.

Best song: John Wayne Gacey Jr.

I love this, call it my Hee Haw heritage I don’t care. There’s a couple very dreary same-y sad songs that do drag things down a bit. Also I love the live cut of Act Naturally but i do have to confront that that’s not on the original album. So it’s tough… but whatever YEEHAW

Best song: Wham Bam

I’ve heard enough this is awful. The penguin album deserves a 2 in retrospect.

Best song: none

Mid punk album. Sure why not. Idk why it’s on the list.

Best song: No, Your Product

Heard this one before. For a band that started out as Andy Warhol's controversial, challenging art-rock weirdos, this is a shockingly intimate and comfortable album. Soft and gentle without being mushy or forgettable. Even The Murder Mystery, while not exactly an easy listen, is a lot quainter and friendlier than their earlier long experimental stuff. Overall a really pleasant album with some gorgeous ballads.

Best song: Candy Says

As someone who's never heard a Leonard Cohen song, this is an interesting one. He's obviously a talented lyricist, with some legitimately piercing images. A couple songs achieved a cold atmosphere that really matched the lyrical content. But when I look at the product as a whole, I have to admit that this is pushing pretty far against the barriers of what I consider listenable music. Half or more is a guy mumbling in monotone over a five-second guitar line repeated to death. Fascinating, good as poetry, but not something I liked much as music.

Best song: A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes

Slow, almost to the point of sleepiness, but mostly a nice vibe. Vocals might not be to everyone's taste but I like the simplicity and gruffness. Contemplative and fittingly old-sounding. Weary more than dreary. Could be a 3 but I'm feeling generous.

Best song: California Stars

Fun, quirky sound. Lots of over-long songs that felt more like jams. Sometimes the quirkiness went a little too far into weird as well, though I wasn't totally negative on that. Overall a very interesting album from a great talent, although I was only really into a few songs.

Best song: 1999

Outside of Pet Sounds, the Beach Boys were definitely a singles band. Still, this is nice listening. Love the harmonies, love the pure simple sound, and the length is pretty much perfect. Why did they record themselves eating lunch as the final track? The world may never know.

Best song: When I Grow Up (To Be a Man) [Love Help Me Rhonda, but the recording on this album isn't the best version.]

A good palate cleanser after Thursday's noise rock. Often repetitive, but consistently sharp and lively. Surprised by how much I liked him as a vocalist. Wish there was more guitar. Very nice albeit not something that left a huge impact.

Best song: Worry, Worry