Reviews by shankss

I'm always mildly disappointed with a Stevie Wonder album. I think it's all about managed expectations. I expect something subversive or at the least artistically innovative, but my takeaway is mildly pleasant and a little too sweet. That being said, this album did unlock a little bit more appreciation for him. you can't help get sucked into his little musical world. There is substance there mixed with the song about his baby. there is quite a lot of genre bending. but it all seems so ephemeral.

It's weird to think that there was a time that this album didn't exist? This just feels like it's just always been in the background of everything. It exists and doesn't. It's good but not good enough to seek out? It's a classic in that it's the perfect example of middle of the road?

Tennessee is a perfect pop song. It's been lodged in my head for 30 years..Mr Wendell is terrible. I think that sums up the album. Some of the best pop/rap beats and lyrics mixed with some terrible interstitials.

It's wild to me just how much of the 60's and I guess the basis of rock and roll generally, is based in mental illness. and how much of a double edged sword it is. because just like the Syd Barret album this is completely unlistenable. and it's just inconceivable to me that they would let someone this ill access to a recording studio now. not to mention that this is celebrated while he lived homeless without access to any help for years.

Still probably need way more access to mental health both in America and England, but man. this is just painful.

Are there worse albums on this list? Definitely. Should this be on the list? No. It's so middle of the road it sounds like she is bored halfway through this album. So repetitive and and dull jumping around genres because it feels like she can't get anything to stick. Is there a 35 minute good album in this? Maybe but I'll never listen through 80+ minute snooze fest again to find it.

I don't know. It's one of those bands that are important, but it also feels like they wrote it so people will think its important. In a way people are vegan so they can say they are vegan to anyone that will listen. They have a really good flow, the lyrics themself are kinda meh. Well produced, it just seems like I'm listening to broccoli.

I think this is probably the best doors album. Jim Morrison is nuts but not quite belligerent. Band is tight but still hungry. Clean and well produced and I'm struck with how full the band sounds with just the core members instruments. Is the little girl references creepy as hell? Yes. But I know it gets worse the more fucked up he got. I think this shows why they were a unique and interesting band without jumping the shark. I also never knew I had a censored version growing up. The fucks in the end were a new touch I haven't heard before.

I don't understand the appeal. I think something is lost in translation as it goes across the atlantic. No matter how many times I hear he is a genius will convince me that this is good.

I think if anything it just proves the genius of Aretha Franklin. How you can change a song about implied spousal abuse to a women empowerment anthem by barely changing a word. The rest of the album is good. satisfaction is better here than the rolling stone version. Honestly better than I was expecting. He's got such a unique voice.

As someone who was around junior high when this came out and the band instantly labeled as a junior high band, I kinda get it. The lyrics are pretty juvenile but listening to it now the music is surprisingly complex. Decent album. The double entendres aside.or maybe because of them?

I listen to this album once a week..love it.

It's weird that I'm getting the beatles discography in order. I think this is the first "good" album by them. in that it feels like a cohesive album and not a series of songs. That being said, John Lennon is still creepy as hell. The more I listen to these early albums the more I realize just how good Yoko ono was to him as a person? or at least as a songwriter. Run is such a demented and terrifying song. But I love In My Life. Probably one of my favorite songs of them. I'm having a hard time giving this such a low rating because of that one song, but man what horrible lyrics...

It is a Brian Eno album. I don't know what else to say. The only single was on the last album, this is just his decent into mediocre Philip Glass.

I want to like this, but it's just so abrasive in the most dull way possible, I moved between bored and annoyed in equal measures. How does that happen? At least throbbing gristle wasn't dull...

I was avoiding this album. The streets are so uniquely British that I have no way of really understanding how this is supposed to be listened to. That being said it's incredibly well produced and the lyrics and sounds of life are quite effective. But it all just comes off as a really corny musical. Feels very much outside looking in and really inauthentic. But maybe that's how British listen to rap?

It's not perfect, but it fits the era perfectly. just a great album and a great feeling.

Holy hell this is a good album. The production value is insane and would have been amazing in any style he wanted to make. but with these songs its just about the most perfect album I think I've heard on this list yet. I found myself constantly grooving along to this. Man. I know I've heard every one of these songs individually, but to be on one album is incredible. 10/5

This seems to be getting a bit in the weeds of middle of the road 60's bands/albums. Never heard of them and it's a decent album but sounds like something that was on the radio and you would forget it the second the next song came on.

Love the concept of the album, but like a lot of these concept rap albums the production seems a bit muddy the more you listen to it. I just wish the music was as good as the lyrical content.

I was really dreading this one. Not a fan of Morrissey and the early 90's were pretty annoying generally for British alternative. But not as bad as I thought? Still rather dull but I was expecting the worst. I wouldn't turn this off. But definitely wouldn't seek it out. Better than Neil Young that I listened to yesterday.