Reviews by nofaithmed11

Who fucking cares whether or not it's "real punk." It's perfectly constructed melodic, energetic rock and roll. Fuck the haters.

5/5

Although I’m not inherently much of a neo-soul fan, there are quite a few musical elements here that I’m really digging, particularly the bass work on “Didn’t Cha Know”, Roy Ayers’ guest spot on “Cleva”, and the string arrangement/coda of “Time’s a Wastin”. Really, really cool stuff. I definitely felt the length of this one a bit, and there are also a few aspects that I’m not so hot on (definitely just personal preferences, though), but the aspects that I like of it are enough to get me to 3 stars. Perhaps it’s because I listened to it once more out of context, but I actually quite like “Green Eyes”. The jazz kid in me really, really digs the soundscape and shifting sections in that one. Similarly, “Cleva” is hard for me not to really like, and as I mentioned before, that bass line on “Didn’t Cha Know” goes so hard.

One hour and 11 minutes of a genre I don’t love is a bit tough, and I don’t think I’m likely to visit the whole album again any time soon, but I do have a lot of respect for it/her and I’m glad I was finally given a good excuse to check it out.

3/5

I’m not sure if I like *Rum Sodomy & The Lash* or *If I Should Fall…* better, but I know I dig both of them, and “Bottle of Smoke” from the latter really hit me on this last listen.

These guys were truly just the coolest.

4/5

A wonderfully unique project.

4/5

Johnny Marr's excellent guitar work saves this album from the only two vocal melodies Morrissey seems to know.

3.5/5

I really, really want to like this album. I like a good amount of Zappa and appreciate even more than I enjoy; he's been an omnipresent figure in my life since I was a kid, so I forever have a soft spot for him. I think this album is pretty fascinating from a historical standpoint, and *some* of the messaging isn't too far off, but I've just never dug listening to it all that much. If I'm in the mood for rocking Zappa, funny Zappa, or experimental Zappa, I think he's succeeded far better in all of these areas on other releases. I personally think his disdain for the style of music he's mocking is a bit of a hindrance; in my opinion, musical satire works best when the artist clearly has some form of love, reverence, or respect for the source material. I understand why most *true* Zappa heads love it and I think it's a worthy inclusion in this book; it's just one I've consistently struggled to enjoy.

2/5

There is nothing about this style that I relate or react positively to. Whatever extremely valid reasons people may have for enjoying this type of music - it's "fun", "badass", hooky, nostalgic, etc. - are not reasons that I personally find agreeable or applicable. There is nothing on a musical, lyrical, or production level that moves, intrigues, or excites me in any way whatsoever. I like so many artists, albums, and songs for so many different reasons - for instance, I think some of them are fun, badass, hooky, nostalgic, etc. But when I consider every element that has ever brought me enjoyment in any given song, album, or genre, I don't hear any of them present in music like this.

0.5/5

Probably my least favorite Cave so far, but not bad by any means.

3.5/5

The production is (predictably) shaky, but I appreciate the stylistic diversity and especially enjoy some of the more melodic moments. "Open Letter (To a Landlord)" is quite effective, and in general, Reid's lyrics are excellent. Much better than most mainstream rock from 1988.

3.5/5

Perhaps a hot take, but my least favorite Spiritualized record. They get so, so much more interesting for me after this.

3/5

Not my favorite from this genre, but still easy enough to digest and *fantastic* drumming.

3.5/5

Probably only my 5th favorite Beatles album and still maybe a top 30 all-time album. Better than practically every album it inspired.

5/5

Not my favorite Cave so far, but still damn solid.

4/5

A perfect debut from a pretty perfect band.

5/5

I like most every style of classic blues, but I generally gravitate the most towards the stripped-down Delta players or the dirtier Chess/Chicago sound. B.B. often lives in this slightly livelier style a la T-Bone Walker, and although I do genuinely like that style, it occasionally veers a bit too close to this sort of jump blues that doesn’t resonate as much with me. This particular album hints at that, but there are also quite a few highlights, even though I’ve historically preferred Live at Cook County Jail and his opening set from the deluxe edition of Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out. “How Blue Can You Get?” and “Worry, Worry” are probably my favorites, and his voice and playing are both in strong form throughout.

3.5/5

Muddy is the coolest and this band is hot shit.

4.5/5

Definitely like this a bit more than Different Class. I felt like I locked in a lot more to Jarvis’ songwriting in this one, and it is indeed excellent. Still unsure exactly what to think of him as a vocalist, though I definitely don’t think I dislike his singing by any means. “Dishes”, “Party Hard”, “Help the Aged”, and “A Little Soul” made the biggest impressions on me on first listen, but I’m excited to keep returning to this one.

4/5

I can sense that I'm supposed to like this a lot more than I currently do on first listen, and I already dig it well enough. Once I have my true GBV breakthrough, I will revisit.

3.5/5

Hell of a voice. This one could keep rising for me.

4/5