Reviews by tape-boy

This is #day422 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… I must've been around 18 when I first saw "Mr. Brightside" on TV and fell in love with it right away. It's safe to say this record, along with Sam's Town, the Sawdust compilation, and most of Day & Age, I guess, was an essential part of my youth and early music explorations, back when you were just starting to have access to the Internet (yeah, I remember those days) and the world was your oyster. Anyway, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me listening to this one. But otherwise, it's a great record on its own. This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day423.

This is #day421 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's to one half of Simon & Garfunkel. Something that seemed like an inoffensive listen for the first song or two got boring really fast. "Cars Are Cars" is one of the dumbest songs out there. Is this record worth hearing before you die? I doubt it. This is a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day422.

This is #day420 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… an absolute no-name for me here. Some tight fem punk rock with plenty of '90s flair. Is this what they call riot grrrl? As others have pointed out, though, and I'll echo it, the lead vocals get extremely grating sooner than you think. Guess I'm landing on a 2 out of 5 eventually. Looking forward to #day421.

This is #day419 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… It's October 1st today, so school's pretty much in full swing, as is the autumn. Otherwise, typical early '70s hard rock I wouldn't mind hearing on a classic rock radio. Loving the sax in "Blue Turk," though. There's another Alice Cooper record to go, and, surprise, surprise, it's not Killer. Let it be a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day420.

This is #day418 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… I've seen this cover many times, but, like with so many records on this list, never actually listened to it until today. Last day of September: the cold creeping in, raindrops splashing outside my window, while the news reads that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been in blackout for seven days straight, an unprecedented incident. The plant is running only on generators, with unknown reserves, since it's been under the occupation of russian terrorists since 2022. The situation is severely critical. I don't think I need to spell out the consequences... As for the band itself, I had somehow always thought they were Canadian (probably because of the name), but it turns out Boards of Canada are actually Scottish. Music Has the Right to Children feels creepy and menacing at times (those voice alterations, though), but also warm and vintage. I'm glad I've listened to it now. This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day419.

This is #day417 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… I don't get why this Goldfrapp album made the cut when their debut is already on the list. Seventh Tree feels forgettable and utterly inessential. I'm landing on a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day418.

This is #day416 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… make some noise, aka here's to my third Sonic Youth record on this journey. Although "Dirty" doesn't quite feel like an important album in the context of musical history, as I don't think you really have to hear it before you die, it does hold the title of one of those records that captures the spirit of the times, specifically grunge. "Drunken Butterfly," "Wish Fulfillment," "Sugar Kane," and "Youth Against Fascism" are the obvious standouts. This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day417.

This is #day415 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… out of the three Tim Buckley records I've got, Happy Sad turned out to be the most fun. I like its experimental/avant-garde side, particularly in those two longer gems. Perhaps it's also the late-September days, or the blend of psychedelic folk and jazz fusion; it all plays around nicely. This is a 3 out of 5. Now, bring on Grace from Jeff Buckley. Looking forward to #day416.

This is #day414 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… we're saying bye-bye to yet another artist as this is my second and last Pavement record. What can I say? Wonderful, good old early '90s indie rock. "In the Mouth of a Desert," though. Almost on par with the sophomore, which I rated a 5. Let it be a 4 this time. Looking forward to #day415.

This is #day413 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… it's time to close out another artist, as this is my second album by Orbital. Snivilisation is further proof that this just isn't my kind of electronics. So, despite their impact, the band hasn't clicked with me. This is a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day414.

This is #day412 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… I've fallen into a habit of listening to '70s records on my Technics SU-7300, which I like to think gives the music from this era a particular feel. A case in point is this Genesis album today. I've never heard a Genesis record front to back before, except, oh well, "I Can't Dance." The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is an epic story set against an extensive progressive/art rock backdrop. I'm not a huge fan of this kind of setting (rather the opposite), but I appreciate the band's impact. "The Chamber of 32 Doors" is a highlight among a few others. And again, I like the album artwork. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day413.

This is #day411 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… honestly, I've had a complicated relationship with this record. I initially rated it low, but it kept lingering in the back of my mind, so here I am, revisiting it. For me, it often starts with the cover, and Broken English is one of those that instantly grabs your attention. It's up there with, say, The Marble Index... that kind of striking, unforgettable image. Musically, this is exactly what I like about the late '70s-early '80s: a perfect new wave backdrop, dark and brooding to boot. I also get the sense that this record tells a story of the resurrection of an artist pulling herself back from a low point. Personal highlights: the title track and especially "Guilt." Guess I'm finally landing on a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day412.

This is #day410 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… I have to admit I first heard of Janet Jackson through the notorious 2004 Super Bowl incident; hard to believe I was just 14 back then. I don't think I've ever listened to her music, really, let alone the whole record. So this is another first-timer. Rhythm Nation 1814 is unapologetically late-'80s: funky, rhythmic, and catchy, if also a bit too R'n'B for me. As a concept album that tackles social issues, it leaves a footprint. I also like the artwork. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day411.

This is #day409 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… on the one hand, I understand why this Japan album was chosen as the one to be heard before you die. It's probably their first signature record, where David Sylvian sounds like, well, David Sylvian. On the other hand, I'd probably swap it for Gentlemen Take Polaroids (my personal favorite) or Tin Drum, which is often considered their magnum opus. I might even include Sylvian's early solo work, or one of his collaborations with Ryuichi Sakamoto. Still, "Despair" alone is enough to remind me why I like this band, and Sylvian in particular. This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day410.

This is #day408 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… until today, I'd only known Supertramp through two songs: "The Logical Song" and "Don't Leave Me Now." So, Crime of the Century is the first full album of theirs I've listened to. What can I say? Indeed, it's very '70s-sounding music, and feels just right being heard on a Technics SU-7300. Maybe I should give prog rock another chance? But then, Supertramp isn't just prog. There's art rock and pop woven in... The second half of the title track is sublime. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day409.

This is #day407 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… it's good to see this record on the list. I discovered the band about ten years ago, when I was dipping my toes into post-rock, slowcore, sadcore, and some post-hardcore. Spiderland is a gem that sits somewhere in between all of these. The music is dark, unsettling, and, well, like a spider creeping. It goes without saying that this is one of the most essential records of the early '90s, and of modern rock in general. "Washer" is my favorite piece here. This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day408.

This is #day406 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… believe it or not, this is my first-ever listening to Fleetwood Mac, aka the most expensive rock album recorded. I've seen the cover of Rumours a lot, and I know it's listed among the greatest records out there, and I also know it's still waiting on me, but I never got to hear the band itself. Until today. Because that's what happens when you sign up for a project like this. Do I like what I'm hearing? Well, I don't mind it. For the most part, though, it's an audiophile dad rock. Am I likely to return here? Doubt it. Although musically diverse, the record is incredibly long. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day407.

This is #day405 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… in the context of '80s New Wave, I've always felt a bit indifferent toward this band. Same goes for OMD, I guess... I never explored these bands beyond a couple of songs. I will have to eventually, now that I'm on this journey, right? "Pretty in Pink" is the obvious highlight here. The rest is decent, but nothing that really sticks. I doubt I'll be coming back. Let it be a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day406.

This is #day404 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... 1 h and 14 min of dreary '00s indie folk, aka a concept album about Illinois (?!), I mean... For fuck's sake. The average rating for this record makes me worried about humankind again. This is a 1 out of 5. Looking forward to #day405.

This is #day403 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... yet another artist is being ticked off the list, as this is my third and final album by Prince. One of those few artists whose albums I got in order of their release. A case in point that this random generator isn't that random at times. Now, Sign 'O' The Times is clearly a product of an era. Late '80s all over: the record is funky, jazzy, electrifying... Prince in his prime, or so they say. "Hot Thing" is a standout among a couple of others. As an album, I prefer "1999," though. After all, it's "1999" that I have on vinyl. Still, this is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day404.