Reviews by oldmancthc

Man, I REALLY wanted to like this, but I just don't. It's so lifeless. It's got a few moments of interest, like the fuzzed out jam that closes Has My Fire Really Gone Out, but for the most part just languishes in old-guy soft-rock territory.

Vapid trash.

Fuck yeah! This is a statement that can apply to any of the first 5 (or 6) Sabbath albums, but sometimes this one is my favorite. Vol 4 has the boys expanding beyond the doomy version of blues they invented a few years earlier. More complex compositions, some faster tempos (thanks cocaine!) and more moments of melody (Changes, you and I don't get along but I still respect that you're on this album). They still deliver it all with that signature Sabbath "heavy". The inclusion of Supernaut alone makes this a 5 star album, but let's not forget that Cornucopia basically defined the stoner rock sound and is still being aped today.

Great example of a style of music I would normally hate, but something here pulled me in. Hard to even describe what I mean, but this is chock full of moments and movements that effortlessly flow into each other, creating a really interesting listen. Difficult to nail down any distinct genre here. This truly feels like a band doing what they want and not caring at all how it is received (I dig that).

Fiona's still got a great voice, even after almost 10 years without a release. I've got a lot of respect for the experimentation here, and love the idea that this is her, spending early COVID learning how to use GarageBand. That being said, it's just not a great album. Some good moments, but most of this almost hour long album feels like a demo that hasn't been fully fleshed out.

I liked this more than Moon Safari. Air is a perfect band for creating a movie score. Some chill background stuff, but when it cooks, it's very engaging. Excellent example of creating an emotional atmosphere using nothing but instrumentation.

It's got a few riffs for sure, but they are FAR overshadowed by the awkward changes and over-the-top cringy vocals. I think I was too old for nü.

I'm two songs in and I can already say with CONFIDENCE that this sucks. It's upscale-mall background music, made specifically for people who "don't really listen to music". Checking back in post-listen and the remainder of the album did nothing but solidify my initial reaction. What a pile of shit.

Another great listen. Probably not the most ground-breaking album for The Kinks, but still a solid offering of overtly British pop-influenced rock. I’m here for it.

I shamelessly love '90s groove-metal. Pantera are the kings and Vulgar Display is the pinnacle. It's defiantly a case of having to separate the art from the artist here though, because these good 'ol boys from Texas wrote some really mean riffs here.

This album requires your full attention while simultaneously doing nothing to hold it. I definitely caught a few "hey that's kinda cool" moments throughout... and I'm sure I zoned out through a bunch more. Really tough to listen to and I honestly think it's not worth it.

Liked this a lot more than I thought I would. Church has a nice soul sound I wasn't expecting, and the psychedelic funk on Old Times Good Times was a very pleasant surprise. I cold leave the mid-album slowdown seen in Sit Yourself Down and To A Flame. Cherokee brings things back to cooking temperature (fuck yeah, featuring Booker T)! We Are Not Helpless closes, and it starts off as kind of a downer, but quickly picks up and becomes a gospel-inspired soul celebration.

Side A is an untouchable example of funk, early hip-hop, and electro. Side B slows down for some R&B ballads I'm not crazy about but then closes out with the title track, which is nothing short of genre-defining. It's possibly the first example of hip-hop, at this stage mostly party music, that focuses on darker themes and emphasizing the growing socio-economic disparity of it's time. To say this album was influential is a gross understatement of it's place in history.

I'm a big new wave fan, but the B-52's have never really done it for me. I never really liked the "hits" and Fred's voice is a huge turn off. First time listening to a full album though, and that turned out to be a more positive experience. There are some really great things going on throughout this album, in between what sometimes feels like forced and quirky moments of sonic retro-kitsch. Hero Worship is a great example of what they're capable of without needing to do that, and I thought it was the standout track here.

This is an hour and 14 minutes of the same lifeless and monotonous dance beat. I can best describe this as unlistenable garbage.

The only Michael Jackson album for me. While clearly exploring the dance-pop sensibilities that will make him a superstar in years to come, this album remains rooted in '70s R&B and soul. Fun fact, Rock With You was the first 45 single I ever bought, spending my allowance at the local Woolworth's.

this is a classic for a reason.

Ok, so this has its moments of cringe; some vocals on Child In Time, and the vocal/guitar call and response on Strange Kind of Woman admitted as evidence, but it closes with a 20 minute version of Space Truckin’. I don’t know how much more I could possibly ask for.

This is pretty solid reggae, despite being obviously British. The only thing I knew from UB40 before hearing this was Red Red Wine, so this was a pleasant surprise.

Mostly what I've come to expect from Queen. I don't even like the hits on here. Few songs make my skin crawl like You're My Best Friend, and I've never understood the appeal of Bohemian Rhapsody. I just don't go in for this overly theatrical crap.