Reviews by sterry2289

What a haircut! A few on here I enjoyed quite a bit. The first track rocks.

Kinda cool? Probably don’t need to listen to this.

Come on Frank! Wasteland!? Lot to like these days. I present Sault.

This album checked a lot of boxes for me in terms of style and genre, lot of obvious influences that I also love. Michael Kiwanuka makes an appearance and there’s a stark difference between what he did on the album we reviewed and this, and I think it’s keeping an edge and not neutering every track. Thinking about a lot of those neo soul acts.

The lyrics and themes are pretty vague and cliched at times, but when you’re singing about something as simple a racism I think you have the right to speak in simple terms. Don’t shoot me you racist fuck!! No need to get too philosophical about it.

I also place a lot less importance on lyrics relative to the actual music. I think of good lyrics as a bonus or a requirement to send a song to another level.

Great find! Thanks list!

Pretty cool but all this 90’s rap is starting to blend together. As a Boston guy I appreciated reading about the Gangstar connection.

Fuck it, going 4! Kinda loved this. My view of BS&T tears changed dramatically recently when I heard "Lisa, Listen to Me" in Licorice Pizza. It hits at the exact right moment at the end of the movie. It's interesting how your perception of a band or song can change from a small amount of context. Love a lot of this and the style of music, also a Chicago fan.

Bordering on “fuck this guy” but for some reason his thanking the crowd for coming out pulled him outta that territory. I just really don’t get it.

Pretty fun, liked Mama’s Always on Stage.

Had no knowledge of these guys and had low expectations but was pretty pleasantly surprised. A lot going on here! It reminds me of a lot of other bands but feels original. Out of the gates it sounds like The Flaming Lips, maybe a little Supertramp. Mott the Hoople, Phish, Radiohead. Fun as fuck. Will be back for more.

Little torn on this one, but landing 3. Pretty cool moments in here and some funny and thought provoking lyrics, but in the end I think the bit is a little too silly. I see the Kinks similarities but I think I need the arrangements to carry the day and the humor to blend in. Pulp firmly on the radar though.

I had never heard of this and when I saw 2020 I googled "best albums since 2020" and came across a Pitchforks list and this was #1. Probably not the best start, definitely wanted to hate, but it's pretty good! Still skeptical it's the BEST since 2020 but whatever. Feels close to 4 for its originality but i think a minimum requirement for a 4 is that I'll go back consistently. Happy to have listened to this though.

I fucking love it. Always loved a few of these songs but the full listen works just as well. Helps its only 35 min.

I don't want to be hyperbolic about Coconut, but I will. In my mind it's one of the funkiest songs ever recorded. Jump Into The Fire plays in the coked out helicopter scene in Goodfellas......which is sick!

Harry Nilsson Rules

I know a few Shuggie songs but had never done a full listen and really enjoyed this. Technically this album ends after "Not Available" but they added some hits in a re-release. Without the extra tracks, namely Strawberry Letter, its a very odd collection of songs. A couple well written songs and then some jazz/funk instrumental jams. Its probably a 4/5 but I'm really vibing with the oddness of Shuggie. Strange name, strange arrangements, sounds like hes recording these in secret in his basement. Hits some really nice highs and the low key tracks are lovely for any occasion. A mood brightener. Reminds me of Prince a bit.

Somewhere betwee 2 and 3. Cool moments, faded pretty hard. Interested to learn more about Goldfrapp and whatever world this is.

Pat and Chad, I’m sorry to tell you Frank will never love you.

As you may have guessed I’m with Frank here. Some kind of childhood mind meld group think. I have a very strong reaction to the vocal style. It reminds me of sublime for some reason, comes across as pretty “put on”? I don’t know. Chicks dig incubus is the real lesson here.

Is there a more compelling artist with just an acoustic guitar (and occasionally harmonica)?

Still fixated on Blood on the Tracks but will have this in the rotation for a while.

Bailed at Help! I thought I liked Tina Turner, I definitely like what I've seen of her in the late 60's, but this was horrific. Really sounded like a cat being strangled. I watched some documentary about her and was so moved and held her in such high regard but now I'm very confused as to why. The modern documentary are just really good advertisements I guess. I'll chalk it up to a bad album. Still team Tina.

Only listened once but really like it. Reminded me a lot of The Clash with maybe a splash of Ministry? Will be coming back to this one.

Easier listen than i thought, but definitely some really dated and generally bad choices. Was caught of guard a few times by some of these songs, the more R&B rooted ones. Always felt like she could have marketed herself better. Maybe more like a Winehouse instead of the bad Brittney Spears or whatever.

Kind of enjoyed this as background music for walks, but got pretty frustrated at the lack of structure. Maybe that’s a me problem and life is too structured, but if I’m giving you my attention for an hour plus I need some kind of progress.

Nice artifact and sounds pretty good but ehhhh