Reviews by owen

I liked this about the same amount as the last Sly album we got, which is to say, enough to score it a high three but not quite four. Funky fun, but doesn't reach the heights of (e.g.) Funkadelic

I've been holding off scoring this for a few days to see how it sits with me. I think I've arrived at a conclusion, having listened to it end to end three or four times.

I hate it; it's one of the worst things I've heard, but it's oddly compelling. I love it, but it drives me crazy. Possibly deserves five stars just for the phrase "fast and bulbous" which makes me giggle each time. Fuck it, four stars. I may amend to five in the future.

Roughly the same rating as Dusty In Memphis; good delivery of songs that are mostly somewhat unmemorable songs, or exist in other equally good or better versions by other artists (e.g. Anyone Who Had a Heart, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow)

There are two or three decent songs on this (I liked Another Part Of Me), but quite a few one-star efforts too. Jackson's delivery on Man in the Mirror doesn't suit the song at all. Overall, a massive drop off from earlier Jackson material.

The sound is really muddy, but to be honest even if it were pristine and sharp this still wouldn't be my bag.

I'm not saying this was bad, but it didn't do it for me at all. Stylistically couldn't seem to decide where it was.

Didn't really pay much attention to Skunk Anansie after their debut album and "Weak". Maybe I bought the debut on CD? Anyway this was fine, but probably not something I'll come back to.

Super dated sounding. It's a long way from here to Kendrick Lamar. Largely earns its three on the basis of It's Like That.

This guy has a similar vocal delivery to Matt Johnson, and I find it similarly dissatisfying. Songs were pretty unmemorable.

Overall, a lot of fun. Nicely funky. I admit that the bonus track duelling drum solo (duo) lost me a bit after a while - 16 mins is a long drum solo!

Maybe in my top ten favorite albums; I've listened to this more times than I can count.

There were little snippets of things I liked in here (Coming Down was pretty good and sounded a bit like a Stereolab predecessor), but on the whole this was an unfocused mess and I found it annoying.

I feel like anyone complaining that this is repetitive is entirely missing the point. Best listened to in a sweaty frenzy at a live venue, another long time favorite that gets an easy five.

I hated it, obviously, but by and large that's because of the vocals. I recognize that there's something there otherwise (hence a two not a one) - in particular I admire the skill of the drummer, even if the tracks are hard for me to listen to.

He's got a fine voice, and it's a good representative of its genre, but this isn't really my kind of thing.

The lyric "He's about the worst bucker I've seen on the range" made me double take when I (mis)heard it.

Track listing for this on Spotify and YouTube music is weird - only eight tracks of the 13 and in a different order. But it is available as the first 13 tracks on this album: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m9BT71MRj_rhoIBDCTV5NRovhrq-pJD-w

Wanted to give this a low score because, you know, JLL being such an asshole. But this was an exuberant lively performance that was hard to dislike.

What a talent! Imagine having a debut album this fully formed in concept and execution. Loved it!

I'd.previously heard of Berman but never listened to Silver Jews before. So this is a fantastic find for me; I really liked it. I think Berman's voice really works well with the music, but I actually thought the instrumental Transylvania Blues was the standout. Was in the mood for this today, so I'm going to give it a 5.

I liked this at least as much as It's Blitz, perhaps even more. I think the inclusion of Maps pushes it over the edge into five territory for me. Terrible album cover though.

We'll Let You Know is a bit of a drag, and has vaguely racist overtones. National Front Disco is a better tune, but again, worrying lyrics ("England for the English"). Musically this was fine, though I liked it less than "You Are The Quarry". Can't in all conscience give this more than three .