Reviews by scritters

Pre Listen:
Yet another band I've never heard of, with no hints from the album cover telling me what they could be about. I'll guess from the band/album title it's a punky-rock band made up of mostly women? Idk. No expectations.

Notable Tracks:
Blister in the Sun | Add It Up - It was these two tracks that reminded me I actually have listened to this album before. Growing up my dad had a copy of this album either on disc or cassette and played it a couple times for a period. One of my earlier memories of learning what 'Fuck' meant.
Promise - Least favorite track. Stop talking bro, idgaf!
Gimme the Car - Weak way to end the album. Shiet song with every aspect of it ugly.

Post Listen:
My guess was incorrect about it being a women-led band, but I got the punky-sound of it correct!

Rating is teetering around a 2 and a 3 for me. On one hand, I heavily disliked the vocalist and how he sometimes just talks in the songs. I also disliked the lyrical content, and how it was more punky in nature. On the other, the instrumental work was quite solid, more-so than usual with these sorts of albums. Each song also had its own feeling and identity for the most part, which is also uncommon with these sorts of albums, and was appreciated.

I don't think I'll remember this album yet again. Back into the memory hole with it. 2/5

Pre Listen:
More Latin music? Cool. I've enjoyed most of the sort on here so far. Slightly higher expectations than usual as a result?

Notable Tracks:
Dos Cruces - First highlight of the album for me, it has an almost arabic sound to it? I love the guitar mostly.
Clube Da Esquina N.2 - Another highlight of the album, lets the instrumental work really shine here.
Lilia - Least favorite track. It's too experimental with the vocals for me, and the melody is rather repetitive.
Trem De Doido - Favorite track on the album. Man, the guitar and drums are going absolutely crazy on this song, they're at their best here by far. The vocals too go well with the melody, and the experimentation is kept at a minimal, resulting a really great song. May be adding to my playlist.

Post Listen:
It was a Portuguese album, not Spanish. That said, of the Portuguese albums I've heard so far, this one's the absolute best at this point.

This album was insanely, frustratingly close to being a 5 from me. The instrumental work is the best part, the guitar, drums, bass, and every little instrument in-between is so well done. The melodies they play too are almost hypnotic, with the odd discordant bit here and there, and each song having a unique identity. Where it fell a point from me was the vocals, as with many, many such cases. Perhaps it was the mix I was listening to, but they were always coming out of the right-channel mainly which was very distracting. They also took an experimental turn too often than not for my tastes, or were rather flat, which also distracted from the instrumentation.

Still, I'll likely be adding a few of these songs to my playlist and may come back to bump this to a 5. Thanks Milton! 4/5

Pre Listen:
Another album I've been putting off. The Smashing Pumpkins were another one of my parent's top bands back in the day. I could never stand them all that much, they live right next to Green Day in my head. Low expectations.

Notable Tracks:
Today - First one that I remember from days past. Ugh. Been a slog to get here so far.
Disarm - This sucks. The vocals and lyrics utterly ruin a good piece of instrumental work. My god I hate Corgan's voice.

Post Listen:
About as painful as I recall.

I hate the vocalist, so much. His voice is so squeaky, he's like a fucking discount Kurt Cobain, or a Kurt who's balls never dropped. The lyrics too are so stupid, cynical sarcastic drivel coated in a layer of thin edge. His voice makes the already unusually long track feel so much longer. The guitar constantly has this dirty, grungy sound that's so utterly boring to me, it sounds so similar between every single song. When the guitar doesn't have that sound, it's actually pretty enjoyable, though those moments are far and few between. The drummer's alright, doing his job alright, as is the bassist. That's about all the praise I can really give.

Smashing Pumpkins makes me want to smash my headset. 2/5

Pre Listen:
Bruce Springsteen is a name I'm familiar with, but couldn't name a song by off the top of my. I don't even know what genre the guy's known for. No expectations, outside of after this album I'll know if I like or dislike Bruce.

Notable Tracks:
Badlands - I think I've heard this before? Hard to say, it might just be it sounds a little generic?

Post Listen:
This album transitioned into background music like no other since I reviewed "The Band". Hell, even when I went back to try and re-listen to some songs, I couldn't focus on it because my brain autopiloted so quickly subconsciously.

It's not bad, it just feels so generic to me? Complete and utter background music. Bruce's voice, and all of his bandmates play professionally and smooth, but I can't get in to it at all. It's just music, nothing more. Better than just noise, better than music done poorly, but absolutely nothing stand-out I can really identify. No single instrument, no lyrics, no moment of greatness. It's just...alright.

I should've known this album would be boring, since the album cover is one of the more boring ones I've seen on here. 3/5

Pre Listen:
No Fucking Way. I get this album a day after Dolly passes away? This has got to be intentional, right? The chances of this are simply too unrealistic.

Shock aside (R.I.P. Dolly), I've not listened to much of her work beyond her most surface level of hits. I've lived in the Appalachians a good portion of my life now, and her reputation is near angelic here, so I'm more familiar with her as a person rather than a musician. Not many other cases like that here on this album, especially in a positive way. Looking forward to this album.

Notable Tracks:
Wildflowers - My favorite track by vocals and lyrics. I feel dat lyrical content, Mmm.
I've Had Enough - Least favorite song on the album. I've never been a fan of these Disney-esque Ballads.
Rosewood Casket - My favorite track by instrumentation. I like this.

Post Listen:
It took me a while to get through this album. I did it in 4 or so song batches. The reason? I felt my soul crumbling to dust in utter despair, as I realized song-by-song, that I somewhat dislike this album.

I really wanted to like this album. As mentioned, Dolly's reputation is magical where I live, and especially right after she passed away, it feels wrong to dislike this album. And yet, I do. The vocals are the best part of the album, sugary sweet, but sometimes it's a little too sweet..? Gives me a toothache, you know? Meanwhile the instrumentation is just sort of alright. It's professionally done, but it feels overproduced to the point of being sterile.

I'm weeping inside. R.I.P. Dolly Parton. I'm sure the other part of this trio was great, but she was the star. 3/5

Pre Listen:
Never heard of the fellows, but assuming another Portoguese album based on the title/cover. The album art is pretty lowkey, definitely something I'd overlook at a records store. No expectations.

Notable Tracks:
Girl From Ipanema - While this isn't the original, it is a classic song, and they do it justice here. I was confused why it was included twice on here twice, but I learned from the wiki page after the album that the 2nd inclusion is simply a shorter version included in the 1997 rerelease of the album.

Post Listen:
I liked this album. It got me sleepy at some points, but in a good way.

Getz's Saxophone is a wonderful and welcome addition every time it comes up, it's much appreciated. Gilberto's guitar work is very solid as well, however I'm not much a fan of his vocals, so much as I'm a fan of the female vocalist. Her voice is so soft, like new velvet on a warm day. It's a warm album overall, makes me feel like I'm inside of a warm coffee shop/bakery. It's a very short album if you don't include the two bonus tracks which are just songs from earlier, from the '97 rerelease. I do wish it was a little longer.

Best Bossa Nova album I've heard on here to date. 4/5

Pre Listen:
First Rolling Stones album encountered on here. I consider myself a pretty big Rolling Stones fan, they were one of the first bands I ever purchased a vinyl by, but I'm not a big fan of this album specifically. Haven't listened to it in years, so who knows, maybe my tastes have changes.

Notable Tracks:
Shake Your Hips - So this is where ZZ Top got La Grange from, eh? It's a shame, cause I like ZZ's take on this rift more than this song here.
Sweet Virginia - This song feels like it goes on for so long, it's so boring holy fuck. Least favorite song. Makes me feel like a prisoner in Virginia.
Let It Loose - My favorite track. That consistent distorted guitar sounds so great, and the little piano here in there compliments it. The vocals here also feel more soulful than elsewhere on the album.

Post Listen:
My tastes have changed a little bit, but not by much.

This album is just so painfully boring to me. It's a Country-Blues album made to emulate the style of American Rock, from a UK Band who never experienced living in the countryside of the United States. Yeah, the sound for it is there, they each play their parts well, but I don't feel the soul behind it at all for the most part. Beyond that, I'm simply not a fan of this country style of rock whatsoever. It's so bland.

The Rolling Stones as a band from what I've gathered gets the most personal fulfillment out of playing this sort of rock though, and you can hear it. They're having a ton of fun on a lot of tracks, so cheers to that I guess. 3/5

Pre Listen:
Slipknot is a name that I'm familiar with, in a sort of infamous way? I can't really name any of their songs off the top of my head, but I know the lead guy wears a spooky looking mask in public appearances. I think Slipknot fans have a reputation of being edgy lil guys, and based off the album cover too, I'm expecting that sort of sound.

Notable Tracks:
Gematria - Alright, wasn't expecting this band to go this hard. This is some absolutely thrashing metal. I'm digging it more than I thought.
Psychosocial - Initially just a highlight for me, after getting through the whole album I gotta say, this one's my favorite. I don't know what about it is just so head-bang worthy. Maybe cause it's a bit catchy? I don't know.
Snuff - Ah, here's the mostly acoustic slow-down track every good metal album must have. This one's alright.
All Hope Is Gone - Fuck that guitar work is tight on this one. I think the guitar work is the best on this track.

Post Listen:
That was good metal! Shit, I hope I don't turn into a Slipknot fan.

The lead vocalist got screamo down well, heavy and gritty, while not just being screamed noise. The lyrical content too balances the line of being appropriately edgy while rarely crossing the line over to comically edgy. The guitar is a shining star as it should be on metal albums! Brings satisfaction to my heart, hearing that sort of rocking guitar from a post-2000 album. The drums too are absolutely banging through the album. They all got great talent all around. My only big gripe with the album is Corey's softer vocals on a few songs. They can come off as sort of whining.

Gonna be listening to this album again at some point, and will likely add a few songs to my playlist. 4/5

Pre Listen:
Haven't heard of em before, I think the album cover is kinda funny. It's fire, get it? No expectations.

Notable Tracks:
One Love - Least favorite track, the guys singing is horrible, sounds like drunk karaoke. The beat is lame, and the lyrics are equally boring. Goes on for wayyyyyy too long for how repetitive it is.
Be Thankful For What You've Got - Favorite track, gives me the same feelings as 'Once In a Lifetime' from the Talking Heads gives me, with a more Earthbound-like sound. Only track I really liked on this thing.
Unfinished Sympathy - What the fuck were they going for here. That triangle playing is so grating, the random samples layered with an ok-symphony is headache inducing. Close to being my least favorite.

Post Listen:
Another UK album which makes me question why it's here. This was pretty bad!

Through the whole thing they make a lot of references to better artists and albums, and it made me wish I was listening to them instead. The beats were mid, the singing was more often than not bad, the English chap who kept popping up especially sounded so white-bread I almost went comatose. The whole album felt incredibly amateurish, it was like eating at a fast-food restaurant entirely staffed by highschoolers.

I don't think anyone supports these Blue Lines. 2/5

Pre Listen:
Ah, good ol Simon and his dear friend Garfield. I got a couple of their stuff on my playlist, but none from the track listings I can see on the album cover. I like the titles of most of the tracks, and I like their sound from past experience, so I got a feeling I like this album.

Notable Tracks:
Homeward Bound - My favorite track. Love those harmonies, and lately I've been feeling that homesickness so this song struck that chord in me.
A Simple Desultory Philippic - Least favorite song on this album. The sound and lyrical content is great and stuck out to as much 'heavier' than the rest of the songs here, but it's a clear parody of Bob Dylan and I've found I dislike Bob and anything really Bob-adjacent. The random harmonica, slurred lyrics, and overall feeling of the whole thing being a run-on sentence sucks!
7 O'clock News / Silent Night - Cool way to end an album. Political.

Post Listen:
I liked it, but not as much as I thought I would.

S & G's lyrical work is the highlight, as with every other piece of heard from them, one of the foremost poet musicians of their time all the way to today. The sound however, was a lot....floatier? More feathery than I thought, only one or two songs really *hit* all that hard. The rest blended a bit for me, despite the shorter length of this album. It's a well made album, just lacks that personal-feeling oomf for me.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme all are great ingredients in a dish, but as seasonings alone a 5-star dish they do not make. 4/5

Pre Listen:
I don't have any memorable exposure to Notorious B.I.G. but I know his name. I recall from my youth my Mom was a fan of his, but I don't recall any of his songs.

Notable Tracks:
The What - Realized P. Diddy was involved in this shit and stopped listening here out of principle. Will discuss further below!

Post Listen:
Not good, didn't enjoy that at all really.

Yet another self-aggrandizing dick measuring contest of a rap album, with the thinnest of political messaging veneers overtop it. B.I.G.'s voice is annoying, more talk-rap than any sort of singing. The lyrical content is as boring as dirt. We get it, you got women, fuck up your ops, and have lots of money, it's like a broken record with these sorts of albums.

What sunk this album from a low 2 to a 1 for me was the second I realized/remembered Sean Combs played a large roll in this thing's production. And so becomes the first album on here where I just can't separate the art from the artist. I do believe somewhat generally that the negative actions of the artist, for the most part, should be pushed to the back of your mind when listening or enjoying art.

It's impossible to separate the art from the artists when one of them is an Epstein-tier sex pest, and the lyrical content of the album glorifies that shit. 1/5

Pre Listen:
Never heard of Erykah, but her name follows the lame "more complicated spelling of a common name" stereotype of many other artists from this time. Always hesitant going in to albums post 90's :/

Notable Tracks:
My Life | ...& On - Major highlight of the album for me, and would've been my favorite if it weren't for a song mentioned a bit further down.
Booty - Least favorite track, it's the most hip-hoppy I think, the lyrics are dumb, and the beat is choppy and jumpy as hell. Song is cheesy.
Green Eyes - Favorite track on here. The lyrics are kinda stupid, but Erykah's actual singing, the audio mixing, instrumental performance, and overall sound is at it's absolute peak here for this group.

Post Listen:
Another toughie for me to place on a 1-5 scale. Times like this I really wish it was 1-10 scale, cause I really don't know where to neatly put this thing.

It was surprisingly better than expected, the jazzy and slightly disco-ish parts much better than the R&B or hip-hoppy portions. Erykah's vocals were a mixed bag for me, when she inflects hard it's great, but when she's a bit softer her voice has a bit of a nasally quality I wasn't much a fan of. The lyrics were alright too, for the most part. The beats across the album are solid, but rather plain. I know that's the vibe they were going for, more low-key. I sense a lot of inspiration from Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald.

I would give this thing like a 6.5-7/10 if I could. It has issues, but it *is* a good album. I was generous on my last album, may as well be generous again. 4/5

EDIT - After some thought, I also want to bump this one down to a 3. It's a high 3, but it isn't memorable overall enough for me to give it a 4. A hard choice to make, but a necessary one. 3/5

Pre Listen:
Never heard of these folks, though the album cover makes me fear it could be a live album? I really hope it isn't, too many live albums on this project. No expectations.

Notable Tracks:
Light Flight - Least favorite track, it's too zany and the vocals too flowery. Messy way to start the album.
Lyke-Wake Dirge - Favorite song on the album after much deliberation. One of the most unique sounding songs I've heard on here to date. Got a gothic-Christian feel to it that I wonder if I'll hear anything remotely similar to again on this project.

Post Listen:
This is one of the few albums that I felt like got better as it went in an almost linear way. The first song was awful. The last song was really good. Many mixed feelings about it overall.

The instrumental variety was much appreciated, the bell-playing especially stuck out to me as unique thus far. The lyrics and vocals were hit-or-miss, both with the female and male singers. The guitar work was consistently pretty solid throughout, it sounded the most authentically folk-like to me. I wish I knew what kind of drum they were playing throughout too, they got a super medieval sound to them.

I think this album falls somewhere between 3 and 4, but being generous, I'll round up to a 4/5

EDIT - Sat on it, and after more deliberation, I think this album sadly is a 3. It just isn't memorable enough to warrant a 4. 3/5

Pre Listen:
I haven't listened to this album in years, but I know I'm a fan of Bob and his Wailers. I would consider this album a classic personally. Feels wrong to be listening to this thing without a lil somethin-somethin, but it'll be alright.

Notable Tracks:
Jammin' - Man I forgot how much I liked this song. Will be adding to my playlist, such a fun bit.
Three Little Birds | One Love - CLASSICS. Three Little Birds specifically is my favorite, a feeling I believe I share with the majority of folks who listen to this album. Growing up I recall One Love being my mom's favorite, so I always associated that song with her. Three Birds though is/was my go-to song for just calming down in moments where I was just about at my limit. It reminds me to take a step back, take some breaths, and keep living life.
Turn Your Lights Down Low - Probably my least favorite track on the album. It doesn't sound bad necessarily, I'm just not big on this sort of R&B.

Post Listen:
Ahhh I forgot how much I love this album. Brings back many fond memories.

Bob's vocals are so smooth and calming. Just makes me wanna chill out. I forgot the variety of sound in this album. Sure it's mostly good ol' Reggae, but it's got some nice tastes of Jazz and Afrobeat in there too, all compliment each other very well. Everything comes together in creating such a classic album associated with just zoning out, reaching that zen spot in your heart, and taking it easy.

I need to get this one on Vinyl. Absolute all-time golden record right here. 5/5

Pre Listen:
The Smiths! Here's a band I've heard loads about, from both friends and family, swearing up and down they are one of the best bands of all time. I've never given them a listen, so slightly higher than usual expectations going in here.

Notable Tracks:
Girlfriend in a Coma | Unhappy Birthday - Tied for my favorites on the album. Both have unhinged lyrics which made me absolutely crack up while listening. Even listening back to them I can't help but laugh at certain points.

Post Listen:
Yeah, I can see where folks are coming from when they praise these guys, though I'm not sure if I enjoy them for the same reasons.

To start, the instrumental work is pretty damn good. Catchy guitar chords, a nice thumpin bass throughout, and steady percussion all feel good to listen to. Each song has a fairly unique feel to it, spanning quite a few genres. The highlight for me is though is Morrissey's vocals. He has such a deadpan delivery on certain lines it creates this intentional (or unintentional?) comical feeling. He could be whining about some sadness he's feeling, but it comes off as clownish, which I find so silly and goofy. Very few cases like that for me. As a result I really didn't dislike any single track.

I didn't realize these were the "I was looking for a job and I found a job" guys. 4/5

Pre Listen:
I know and love Neil Young, but I've never heard of Crazy Horse before. I've listened to and enjoyed both Harvest and Harvest Moon by Neil, so higher than usual expectations going in on here.

Notable Tracks:
Round & Round - Favorite song on the album, this is peak Neil Young style. Easy folkish country with lyrics you can easily jump in with any time yourself.
Running Dry - Man do I love the fiddle on this track. That intro is superb. I wish the lyrics were a less dry, otherwise this one may have been my favorite.
Down by the River | Cowgirl in the Sand - Jam tracks are often really hit or miss for me. If you like their jam, they're highlights, if not they're slogs. This one falls into the former category, and man do I wish this album was longer with more of this jam.

Post Listen:
Thank you Neil for introducing me to your pal Crazy Horse. That was a great album.

The duet guitar work between Neil and Crazy went absolutely crazy. They blend a Western-Folk sound with a more psychedelic rock sound ridiculously well. I really can't gush about how much I enjoyed the sound of this album overall. The lyrical work is pretty dry through the album, which sucks because Neil's had some great poetic lyricism in his other albums, but it's alright. I enjoyed every single song on here, and will be adding several to my playlist.

Why was it only 7 songs. How come every great album on here is far too short, and every shiet one has like 20+ tracks. I need more :( 5/5

Pre Listen:
Never heard of this group before, but the title isn't filling me with hope. Normally when a band is this self-depreciating it shows in their sound as well. Low expectations.

Notable Tracks:
Supervixen - You're not that guy pal. You think you are that guy, but you're not that guy.

Post Listen:
That's crazy how many albums on this project are such nothing-burgers. Every single song here felt like background music.

Another one of those albums where there's really nothing special I can point out. The only overtly negative thing I could really identify was the audio mixing, the volume of every instrument and the vocals was seemingly randomized with every new track. The vocals especially were so quite, I couldn't understand the lyrics 90% of the time. The whole album has this stereotypical late 90's sound to it, like something you'd hear from the Matrix and other movies like it from the time.

Ultimately I don't think I'm the target audience for this album. 3/5

Pre Listen:
I can't believe this is my 100th album. Fuck this shit man. Got the singular other Pere Ubu album on here like 10 or so albums back, and it was among the absolute worst pieces of shit I've ever head. I've been putting off listening to this. Expectations are so low they've reached hell.

Notable Tracks:
Nonalignment Pact - Instantly met by ear-splitting noise in my right ear. This band is so fucking stupid man, anyone who claims to actually like this needs to see a therapist.

Post Listen:
I'm just going to copy-paste my review of their last album on here. They're just not worth any more effort than I've already spent. Fuck this stupid band.

What a miserable piece of work. The vocalist really outdid himself making the worst possible noises a human can make and passed it off as "singing". The instrumentation was ok I guess a quarter of the time, for the first 15 seconds of each song until they are entirely drowned out by the worst drunken karaoke you've ever heard. The vocalist sounded like a washed-up Temu-brand David Byrne wannabe. He completely took any merit out of any song within moments of making a sound. I couldn't understand 80% of the slop coming out of his mouth either. Just awful, truly.

99% shit, 1% post type album. 1/5

Pre Listen:
Holy shit I forgot how a young Britney Spears looked. Blast from the past of an album cover. Of course I know the song the album shares a name with, though I can't think of anything else I'd know on this album. I'll probably know one or two others if I had to guess. I've never been a huge Britney fan, so mixed expectations I guess?

Notable Tracks:
...Baby One More Time - I've heard this song maybe a million times. I always thought it was about a woman being in an abusive relationship and refusing to stop loving the guy, but my wife informed me it's actually about a one-night stand. I trust my wife, so I'll listen to it with that interpretation from now on.
From The Bottom Of My Heart - Least favorite track. Goes on for too long, and Britney's breathy singing is shredding my ears. Skipped after about 3 minutes.
Deep In My Heart - My favorite song of the album. It has this intense bubbly cheesy 2000's feel to it that makes it fun to listen to. The 2000's club beat that comes with it too gives me nostalgia.

Post Listen:
This album made me feel nostalgia, but that's about it really.

This is one of those albums that has this overwhelming corporate feel to it for me. You can tell each song was designed to reach the broadest, most general audiences, so they're all incredibly inoffensive and safe. Nothing really jumps out at you, but nothing is necessarily bad. It's junk-food pop. Easily digestible, makes good enough background music, but anyone claiming this to be a masterpiece has been blinded by rose-colored glasses.

#LeaveBritneyAlone - 3/5

Pre Listen:
Never heard of her, the album cover looks more like a book cover to me. Measured expectations, as with any album I encounter post-2000.

Notable Tracks:
N/A

Post Listen:
This album sounds like it was made for Disney Adults.

Yet more millennial babble. This album is rough because individually each musician involved is clearly talented. The omnipresent harp player plays it well, the vocalist (while I grew to absolutely hate her squeaky squawky voice and lyrical noodling) can sing well enough. The backing violins and other miscellaneous instruments are all well played additions, but absolutely none of it goes together well. It felt like the vocals were recorded first, then the harp was backed over it, then everything else was backed over the rest. It's the musical equivalent of a wall that's been painted over 4 or 5 times through years; each layer may look good on it's own, but it covers the rest below it, doesn't cover the cracks and holes, and ultimately is still just a wall. Not to mention the length of each song, and how it all blended together completely and utterly.

This album was the musical equivalent of a toddler telling a grand tale, babbling out a run-on sentence, connected by "And then- And then-" over and over. 2/5