Reviews by stade

It's like a misunderstood Disney villain doing a musical, with both bluesy and orchestral accompaniments to match. Hilarious album - perhaps unintentionally - but within that humour is a nugget of charm that I never got out of Bone Machine. In that respect, I suppose I see Tom Waits' appeal a tiny bit clearer on this one.

Standout: Downtown

This proved to be a challenging listen. I'm assuming that Kate Bush's singing is an acquired taste and that the content of her lyrics offers something deeper to appreciate, but I'm not really there yet. Heads We're Dancing was a particularly rough listen. Sorry Kate! I will say that the 80s synth production, as cheesy as it may seem, is at least consistently interesting and textured.

I don't trust Paul Simon. I think there's something about his writing that does not match the tender and melancholic singing I hear, but my dislike of his music goes deeper than that in a way I have so far failed to articulate. I'm chalking it up to a gut thing. My gut hates Paul Simon.

The Smiths with no Morrissey, sure, but also no Andy Rourke. And they're Australian.

I guess that's not really The Smiths anymore, is it?

This was pretty nice to listen to! Very breezy overall.

Standouts: You Can't Say No Forever • Streets of Your Town • Clouds • Dive for Your Memory

What’s interesting about such a stripped down, vocal-focused album is that you get a bit of cultural insight into what makes a region’s music unique. I feel like it’s harder to connect with it without the appropriate lived context though, so even if I understand the language and appreciate Jacques’ singing chops, I’m afraid I don’t have much to say about this.

Standouts: Les vieux • Tango funèbre

I love this album. At this point in time, Kanye is still just a young dude trying to make a name for himself, and you can tell he’s putting his whole heart into it because his pen game is about as good as it gets in his entire discography. His production chops are already apparent, though nobody would be able to guess the sound direction he’d go in just a few years later. That’s what crazy to me every time I listen to The College Dropout - this is the man who made Yeezus 9 years later, and as insane as that contrast is, you do see a logical progression between the two with each project he put out.

As impressive as his evolution as a producer ended up being though, never again would we get an equally soulful, bright, funny, and optimistic album as this one. I mean damn, even the skits are a master class. This is the Old Kanye at his peak!! And for that reason, even if it’s a relatively imperfect project, it stands uniquely high among his entire catalog.

Standouts: We Don't Care • Spaceship • Slow Jamz • School Spirit • Lil Jimmy Skit • Through The Wire • Family Business

I mean yeah, the singer gets goofy with it as usual, but the mood the music sets is nothing but carefree and fun, so in the end it all comes together pretty nicely.

Standouts: Let's Make This Precious • Old • Until I Believe In My Soul • Come On Eileen

I'll just say it, I hate the Pink Floyd cover on here; the idea has potential but it sounds like their heart is not in it at all. It's weird, too, because the rest of the album shows that they can make some pretty danceable and funky disco songs. Solid listen for the most part!

Standouts: Take Your Mama • Lovers In The Backseat • Return to Oz

I really love how this album alternates between making you levitate and making you dance. I almost want to give it the 5 stars just out of appreciation for Robert Dimery's surprising inclusion of IDM on this list, but I'll leave it at 4 and add it to my rotation for now.

Solid and out-of-left-field pick for this genre!

Standouts: Water From A Vine Leaf • Time To Get Wize • Harry Flowers • A Hazy Shade Of Random

....I mean, it's alright.

I'll say this, it's rare to hear a rock album that could fit right in a bar playlist without actually sounding too boomer-coded. I just don't know what to do with that observation. At the end of the day it's still not really my thing.

Standouts: Alive • Black

It's.... not very good. If you look past the cheesy synth drums plaguing every song, you will find a legitimately well-produced album, a fair bit more intricate than anything else I've heard from this era. It's just unfortunate that it goes all-in on a sound that's aged like milk since then. The end result is a weirdly novel-yet-dated experience, though not one I really want to revisit. Sorry Janet!

Standouts: Miss You Much • Alright

IF YOU GOT A BIG [sfx: 🐘], LET ME SEARCH IT!

This is a fun one. Sometimes you just need a no-frills rap album with good beats, and I feel like that's exactly what this is... but then it's also inexplicably jam-packed with high-profile features?? Great performances all around.

Standouts: Bring the Pain • Gossip Folks • Work It • Back in the Day

Interesting album! Any fellow Kendrick listeners might have perked up at track 1 like I did, recognizing the sample for Poe Mans Dreams (His Vice). It definitely had my full attention from there!

Unfortunately, while Gil's singing is properly soulful, it feels strangely at odds with the enchanting jazz instrumentals at times. The mixing doesn't help; listening with headphones is almost an uncomfortable experience because his vocals come in so damn loud compared to everything else.

Still a solid listen overall though, and I really want to like it more because it does have a lot of elements I usually enjoy.

Standouts: Peace Go with You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum) • Back Home • H2Ogate Blues

How awful. Gotta respect a full commitment to the bit though. This must be the exact bone music Tom Waits envisioned. It's terrible. But I can recognize the artistic merit behind it. It was painful to get through the whole listen. I admittedly cannot think of anything that sounds like it. I could feel my musical palette growing with every song. But I hated it.

It's disappointing to see All Eyez On Me's G-funk/West Coast bangers get snubbed on this list, but this album might indeed be a more focused and concise demonstration of what made Tupac such an icon. He gets personal, emotional and introspective in his lyricism without totally rejecting the gangsta rap genre, and that presentation might be the very reason it connected with people who wouldn't have otherwise gravitated towards a Tribe or a De La Soul (two groups that I adore, mind you!). Listening today, you realize how big of a blueprint this album is for any contemporary "conscious" rapper. Great stuff!

Standouts: Young Niggaz • Lord Knows • Dear Mama • It Ain't Easy • Can U Get Away • Old School

Say what you will, but the man knows what to do with his voice. The whole record keeps a vibe going with its gorgeous ballads and ties it all together with a beautiful and contemplative piano instrumental at the end. Even the cover art evokes it well: this is some peak nighttime listening!

Standouts: Coles Corner • Just Like the Rain • The Ocean • Last Orders

It's unmistakably a British punk album and that will always be a tough sell for me.... but between the killer industrial grooves and gloriously menacing bass tone, I was nonetheless hooked the whole way through. Pretty good album, I can't lie!

Standouts: Tomorrow's World • Bloodsport • S.O.36 • Primitive • Change

I actually liked the more melodic take on punk from this band! Some 80s pop influences here and there while still remaining very much in their genre. Not too bad!

Standouts: Unsatisfied • Sixteen Blue

I refuse to choogle.

Standouts: Lodi • Sinister Purpose

Fitting title for what might be the most minimalistic Leonard Cohen album, but while his voice does have an ethereal quality that undeniably lends itself to this style, I personally find more enjoyment when he has some production behind him.

Standouts: Sisters of Mercy • So Long, Marianne • One of Us Cannot Be Wrong