Reviews by syrinx

Not a lot to say about this one. It's ok. Super short songs, but a lot of them. It definitely all ran together for me and I found myself not paying attention to it at all. I don't really know why this album would be included on this list, and surely one from The Byrds would have been enough. This is my first one from them but apparently they have 5 on the list? Seems excessive to me... 2/5

Ska has never really been my thing, but I do have to admit that my experience with ska is pretty much limited to the sort of ska/punk from the mid to late 90s.
I appreciate the Jamaican rhythms and percussion and the sort of harder edge (I guess that's what you'd call it?) that 2 tone has. And from my little experience with this kind of music, this album seems to fall right in line with that. I don't particularly like the vocals on this album but there are things I do enjoy - some good guitars, great bass, great percussion. But it got a little wearing. I was ready to move on before it was over. 2.5/5 and will round up.

It's kind of hard to comment on this album without mentioning The Idiot too. Both are great and I can never decide which I like better. It's also hard to discuss this without talking about David Bowie, he had such an impact on both of these albums. For this album in particular, I feel like the production is obviously Bowie. But it's definitely more of an Iggy Pop album that The Idiot. That album might as well have been a Bowie album with Iggy singing instead. Or at least that's how it sounds. Which isn't a bad thing. But I feel like this album, The Idiot, and Bowie's Berlin Trilogy are all part of the same whole. I love them all.
Obviously everyone knows Lust for Life and The Passenger, and that's fair - they are definitely the standouts. But there is so much on this record to like. Iggy Pop was so distinctive with his vocals. Drums sound huge, guitars and bass are fantastic. It's a fantastic record that maybe not everyone will really appreciate but if you're a fan of Iggy Pop or David Bowie you'll love it. 5/5

This album sounds like a the soundtrack for a weird rom com from the 60s where a man down on his luck goes to Rio for business and meets a flighty, free spirited woman on Copacabana Beach. They begin what will become a whirlwind romance that turns into something more serious at the end of the movie.
Is it a good album? I don't really know. It's not bad. It's kind of fun to have on in the background maybe. But it doesn't make me want to listen to anything else he's done. I'm curious about the choice of that photo for the cover though.... 3/5

I'm sure everyone has a Sabbath or Ozzy record today. Such a loss yesterday. Whether or not you're a fan of heavier music, Ozzy's influence and contributions to music in general are undeniable.
My first thought listening to this album today is that it's incredible that this is from 1971. It's pretty heavy even listening to it now 50+ years later. I would imagine when this came out it was kind of like that line in Back to the Future: 'I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it.' When this was released I bet most people couldn't really even fathom what they were hearing. It was so much different from even the harder rock at the time. I mean Led Zeppelin IV came out that year too but this just kind of hits different I think. And actually now looking at records from 1971, that was a great year for music - Hunky Dory, Who's Next, Maggot Brain, Sticky Fingers, Fragile, What's Going On. Damn. But still, this is a little different from all of those.
This is a great album. I don't like it as much as Paranoid, that's an absolute fucking masterpiece. This album has a couple slow spots on it for me - Changes isn't my favorite, and the weird 2 minutes of random sounds kind of takes you out of it. But then you come back strong with Supernaut and that's a banger. And I feel like Bill Ward doesn't get enough credit - that guy was a monster drummer. Really good drums on this record. 4/5

This is straight down the middle New Wave. Like almost a stereotype for this type of music. I like it but it's not exactly going to wow anyone. It's fun to listen to and I think it is produced well. I'm not sure I would actively listen to this album much, but I'd definitely throw it on and play it in the background every now and then. 3/5

I really liked this album. I've always liked Joy Division but was only vaguely familiar with New Order. But damn, I think I've kind of been missing out. I would definitely buy this if I saw it in the record shop and would probably play it a bunch of times, forget about it for a year, remember I have it, and play it a lot again. Rinse and repeat.
I think with these kinds of band from the mid 80s, you're rolling the dice when you start an album but I really enjoyed this one all the way through. The vocals are not the greatest, true, and the recording is a little uneven, but the album as a whole is really strong. Would absolutely recommend to friends. 4/5

I don't really get the hate for this album. Yeah it may not be the best from The Cult but it's a solid rocker. The cover of Born To Be Wild is kind of bad and unnecessary. This may not be a life changing album for anyone but I liked it. Peace Dog and Aphrodisiac Jacket are the two that stand out to me. I think their more gothic-centered stuff is better for sure. This album is pretty straightforward and simple but has some great elements. The guitars are great. Drums sound huge. Good vocals. 80s rock isn't everyone's favorite, myself included, but I liked this album well enough. 3.5/5 but rounding down because it's not good enough to round up.

Oh man I know I'm gonna struggle with this one. This kind of country is one of my least favorite types of music. It's going to be a 29 minute slog for sure. But at least it will be a short slog.
And a slog it was. Maybe not quite as bad as it could have been, but still I will never like this kind of music. So not for me. 1.5/5

A good record, not a great one. It's a fun live album and I would play it every now and then in the background. Not the best jazz record out there and I am little surprised to see it on this list - I feel like there were better choices for Duke Ellington. It's not one that I would play for someone to try and sway them to become a jazz appreciator. 3/5

This album is suuuper 70s. I liked it but I feel like it’s so dated it would be a tough sell for anyone these days. It’s jazzy, sure, but in such a specific 70s way. And I’m not sure I could even say why it’s that way. Regardless, I enjoyed listening. Probably wouldn’t listen again. 3/5

Oh man, I vaguely remember this when it came out and I was a teenager. I (thankfully) haven't heard it since then and can't imagine I'm going to like it any more now. We shall see...
Yeah man, this is still not for me. I just don't like this kind of music at all. Not a real instrument in sight, bad lyrics, repetitive beats. I get that this is regarded as one of the best hip hop albums of all time and it's a cultural cornerstone, but it's just not something I enjoy. 1/5

I had hear most of this record but not all at one. I mean, really, you had me at woman-fronted punk band. People seem to hate punk music for some reason, especially if you're reading some of the reviews on this site. I don't get why. The music is generally simple and repetitive, yes. But it's raw, it's emotional, and more often than not it has a lot to say. This is a great record that is all of those things. I get it if punk isn't for you, that's fine. I love this album. 5/5

I mean this guy has a good voice but this is just not music that I enjoy. I basically hated every minute of this. Nothing else really to say about this one. 1/5

Have you ever been to maybe a local farmer's market and, set up under the trees, there's a guy with an Taylor T5 thinline electro acoustic guitar, an ungodly amount of PA equipment, and some pre-recorded samples on a multitrack sequencer/drum machine that he plays along with while he sings? Clearly he's a decent musician but the music isn't anything that people would really sit and pay attention to. It's just kind of filler in the background that most people don't even realize is being played by a real person. And you start to think to yourself, 'I bet this guy is like the brother in law of the event organizer or something' before you go on with your organic produce purchases and walk away from the small stage that's hosting said lone man. You move on without another thought about the music whatsoever. Then the next day you forget he was even there.
That's this whole album. 2/5

Meh. I like Depeche Mode in general. But I don't think I'd ever really want to sit and listen to them with intention. I've always really liked the vocals on all the Depeche Mode records, this one is no exception. I don't really have anything else to say about this one. It's an album that exists. 3/5

It's been a long time since I listened to this whole album all the way through. This is a really good album, but I don't think it's their best. I feel like The Wall and Wish You Were Here are both better albums. For this one, you kind of have to be in the right mindset to really appreciate it. And I don't mean you need to be high, although that's probably how this was intended to be experienced. I mean all the parts of this album are there - guitars, bass, keys, vocals are all great. I think that it's biggest weakness is that because of the feel that they were leaning into with the whole album, it feels a little lazy and sleepy. But again, that's probably the point. Not a prefect album by any means, and it is certainly overrated, but it is still a great record. 4/5

This is a fun album to listen to, although I don't think I would ever play it again all the way through. Maybe if I was cleaning the house or cooking or something on the weekend when I could have something playing in the background that I don't really need to pay attention to. It's great for that. Some interesting parts here and there and the whole thing is pretty atmospheric. Although a little cheesy and dated sounding now, I can appreciate that this was a brand new kind of music in 1977 so there is something to be said for that. 3/5

I've always wondered why Hole wasn't more successful. I think it was probably because of Kurt Cobain and how Courtney Love was overshadowed by him while he was alive and then she was kind of villainized after his death. Had she not been involved with him at all and made the same records with Hole, I think they would have been a much bigger band.
This album is still pretty solid nearly 30 years later. I remember hearing this album a lot when it came out and liking it back then too. I don't think it's anything that is going to change your life but it's a great pop-rock/grunge mashup that is still fun to listen to. I don't think Courtney Love has the greatest voice of all time but it works with the music well enough. This is a good album, not a great one. 3/5

Just what I wanted today - another hip hop album full of misogyny, homophobia, glorification of violence, shitty electronic beats, and music stolen from other artists. I get that this is sort of a cultural cornerstone but that doesn't make it good. I think that makes the whole situation unfortunate. There are much better ways to promote African Americans and the amazing culture they share. We don't need Dr. Dre to tell everyone it's cool to assault women and kill people. I have to wonder if this music actually originated from an intention of just shock value. 0/5 but that's not an option.