Reviews by tape-boy

This is #day162 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here's to the first Metallica album on the list. Now, including Master of Puppets and the self-titled album is an obvious choice, but I’m curious why ...And Justice for All won over Ride the Lightning (arguably their best effort). This was my first time listening to the album front to back, and while it's solid throughout, I can see why people complain about the missing bass in the mix. Maybe Metallica intentionally subdued that space to honor Cliff Burton, even though this is the first album to feature Jason Newsted? What stands out most is the variety of themes: political and legal injustice, government corruption, censorship, and the horrors of war. The album is dark, aggressive, and super technical. The song structures even lean a bit prog, if you will. I'm not sure I'm fully into this side of the band. I still prefer their first three albums (or rather the second and third), though I also enjoy their '90s material. On the other hand, you still get an hour of Metallica mastery, and isn't that the main thing? This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day163.

This is #day161 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... this is Fats Domino, right? A few tracks were blocked on Spotify, so I didn’t bother searching elsewhere and just listened to what was available. Honestly, the music is pretty straightforward—good ol' blues, rock 'n' roll, and all that jazz. Not something I'd be reaching out for regularly, if ever. This is a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day162.

This is #day160 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here's to a signature psychedelic hard rock from 1968. The title track, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, is an obvious standout here. With its hypnotic drum solo and eerie organ, it's sure to send you into a trance. The bassline, in particular, gives me echoes of Cream's Sunshine Of Your Love, released just a year earlier—though I could be wrong about that comparison. The whole record feels like a wild trip through the acid-drenched 60s. While I’m fine with discovering it, I don’t have a deep urge to revisit it soon. Who knows, though? This is a solid 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day161.

This is #day159 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it seems I’m on a jazz streak—this is the third jazz record in a row on the list. To call this one just jazz, though, would be slightly misleading. It’s more psychedelic jazz-rock. Not the softest listen, but still interesting. Avant-garde, droney... I learned about the Canterbury scene, after all. This gets a 3 out of 5 from me. After reading some reviews, I wish people were a bit more open-minded. There's no way Kanye West albums are rated higher... Looking forward to #day160.

This is #day158 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here we go with the second jazz album in a row. Ellington at Newport, an album that's almost 70 years old—crazy, right? The big band jazz takes me back to around 2011 when I was first getting into jazz on my own, so I’m at least familiar with classics like Take the 'A' Train and Tea For Two... This concert also brings to mind the Dzyga Art Center and the Jazz Bez festival in my hometown of Lviv, held at the beginning of December. But, 38 tracks on Spotify? That's too much jazz to get through, and I couldn't. I’m giving it a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day159.

This is #day157 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it looks like this is my first jazz album on the list. I like the album title, Home Is Where the Music Is. Never knew this guy’s name before, but that’s part of the fun, I guess. Is this the kind of jazz I gravitate toward, though? I'm not sure. It’s a bit too traditional and smooth if you will, although the record does have its edgy/more experimental moments. My personal highlight, for example, is Blues For Huey. But I wouldn’t reach for this the second time. Also, it's mercilessly long... This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day158.

This is #day156 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here's to da roots of hip-hop! The golden age of hip-hop is not just the epitome of cool. This is when every album and single was breaking new ground. It was experimental, it was interesting… Take Run-DMC's debut. With just 9 tracks, this record hits you like a statement. Irresistible beats, hard-hitting rhymes, and innovative use of samples make it iconic. "Hard Times," "Rock Box," "It's Like That," and "Sucker M.C.'s" (one of the very first diss tracks), this album is full of classics. This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day157.

This is #day155 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... this has to be one of the most diverse punk records in music history. Released in 1979 as a double album, it’s one of the most compelling records of a plethora of genres—new wave, pop, reggae, dub, lounge jazz, rockabilly, ska, hard rock, and more. What could be more punk than going further than just punk? Nineteen tracks fly by before you know it, documenting the spirit of the time. The sound is tight, with the rhythm section of drums, bass, and guitar still feeling as fresh and exciting as it did in the late '70s—absolutely pleasurable to listen to. It’s a 5 out of 5—a must-listen, and indispensable album of the turn of the decade. The title track alone is an anthem for years to come. Looking forward to #day156.

This is #day154 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... the name rings a bell for me because of Massive Attack, particularly their debut Blue Lines. If memory serves me right, Neneh was pushing the boys hard to get into the studio, and they spent a lot of time recording at her house. There's even a fun story about her baby’s nappy and why Blue Lines supposedly smells of shit. On top of that, Neneh made additional arrangements for the last track, “Hymn of the Big Wheel”. As for Raw Like Sushi, I’m into the way it blends hip-hop, funk, and pop. It’s got that very late '80s vibe. You can even hear hints of what would eventually shape the trip-hop sound on Blue Lines, which is no surprise, since Robert Del Naja helped craft the third track on this album, “Manchild”. There’s definitely a sense of collaboration and community here, which is fun. I’m giving it a 3 out of 5, though. It's got some great moments, but not quite enough to make me want to revisit it in the future. Looking forward to #day155.

This is #day153 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... if you're making an almost 90-minute-long album, you've got to keep the listener engaged all the way through, right? And I wasn't. Actually, I couldn't finish it. This is a 2 out of 5. P.S. Overture–My Roots is blocked on Spotify, thanks God. Looking forward to #day154.

This is #day152 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... wow, this year marks 40 years since this iconic debut. One of the most influential albums in music history, and certainly in the new wave scene. Imagine hearing this album for the first time back then and being completely captivated. Romantic, melodic, catchy, and melancholically joyous, it proves that some of the best pop music comes from Scandinavia and Germany. I have a vivid memory of buying a 2018 reissue clear vinyl copy in Kharkiv, Ukraine, while attending a poetry festival with my wife in 2019 (I still keep that vinyl). Kharkiv has endured constant attacks from russian invaders and terrorists for the third year now, which makes that memory even more significant. Standout tracks for me include Take On Me, Hunting High and Low, The Sun Always Shines on T.V., Dream Myself Alive, and the closer Here I Stand and Face the Rain. Do yourself a favor and revisit this timeless album—it will never quite be the same again. From Scoundrel Days onward, the band would incorporate more pop rock and alternative rock elements into their synthpop and new romantic sound, which made their evolution even more fascinating. But there’s something uniquely special about this record—an immaculate snapshot of the time and talent—that you can't miss. Yes, this is another one you must hear before you die, and it's another 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day153.

This is #day151 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... this might just be one of the most eclectic albums I've heard. Not only was it my first time listening to a Beasties album, but I also caught myself thinking, "Am I listening to a hip-hop record, or is that free jazz I hear now?" (No wonder they were influenced by Miles Davis' jazz-rock albums while recording this). At one point, I was like, "Is it punk rock—or maybe hardcore punk now?" lll Communication is a fun and multifaceted album. It's so very 90s (but also 70s and 80s), I didn't want to leave. However, with 20 tracks, many of them instrumental, it sometimes feels a bit scattered. I’m giving it a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day152.

This is #day150 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here's to the second album from The Smiths on this list. The prophetic lyrics in Frankly, Mr. Shankly—"I want to go down in musical history"—speak for themselves. This album deserves a perfect score solely because of the presence of I Know It's Over and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out on the tracklist. But then there’s also the title track, Bigmouth Strikes Again, and more. Classics all around. Of course, this is a 5 out of 5, and I wasn’t planning for The Smiths to become my first favorite artist in this challenge, but here we are... and I don’t mind it. I also love Morrissey’s solo work, and so does my wife. And I love her, too. Oh, and it was interesting to discover who's pictured in the album artwork—never knew that before. Looking forward to #day151, aka back to work, since my winter vacation has sadly come to an end. Lovely way to wrap it up.

This is #day149 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... this must have been a fun record to make. Still, when it comes to plunderphonics, a word I didn't know (so at least I've learned something while listening), I will always prefer DJ Shadow's Endtroducing. I couldn't really finish this one. It's a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day150.

This is #day148 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... this is what you call a debut album. Released almost 31 years ago, it has not only stood the test of time but still sounds awe-inspiring, no matter how many times you've heard or will hear it. Innovative, cinematic, poignant... How many descriptors can you use to capture it? I have a nice memory of hosting a lecture/listening event about trip-hop as an anti-genre of the '90s at a local record store a couple of years back, with Dummy and Blue Lines as case studies, playing a 2016 reissue and the original 1994 copy, respectively. That's when I dived into both records and learned a lot. Yes, this is one of those albums you must hear before you die, so this is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day149.

This is #day147 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... this is how I learned that Ghostface Killah is a member of Wu-Tang Clan, a group I’ve never really listened to. I know Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and its place on this list, but somehow, it never was on my radar. My teenage hip-hop phase was more about Eminem, some 50 Cent, and a little Dr. Dre... I also enjoyed some alternative hip-hop like Fort Minor and still do. As for this album, it was kind of okay, but it felt too long, even for a rap record. Not sure it'll be something I revisit, though I can try to appreciate its place in the early '00s hip-hop context. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day148.

This is #day146 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... how about an acid house album from New Order? Or a kind of poppy Cure-like album, if you will? In Technique, you get both, and that’s probably its most divisive aspect. I prefer the alternative dance vibes, though. Some of the highlights for me include "Fine Time," "Round and Round," and "Run." Unfortunately, the rest of the album sounds like New Order on autopilot. Maybe it’s because it’s the first day of January, while, according to Peter Hook, this album captures a summer sound brilliantly that I’m not fully feeling it. Still, the band's performance at Rock Werchter 2019, which I was lucky enough to witness, remains one of my brightest memories ever, especially when they started playing Joy Division songs. Yes, I've heard "Shadowplay," "Transmission," and "Love Will Tear Us Apart" live. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day147.

This is #day145 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it's the final day of 2024, which turned into a catch-up on January 1st, 2025, as I forgot to listen to the album yesterday. When I was halfway through it, I learned about Eric’s love of russia, its music, and, as he says, "the mythical side of russian history". This discovery, in light of russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and the countless atrocities committed by russian terrorists, made me furious. You must have drunk your brains away, Eric. This album gets a 2 out of 5, only because of "Layla," the dog at my wife's parents' house, whom I named after the eponymous song. Looking forward to #day146.

This is #day144 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... I was listening, listening to the rain, I was hearing, hearing something else! Television is one of those bands I associate with my adulthood. I discovered them when I was about 20, with "Foxhole" being one of the first songs I ever heard. This was also when I started exploring Interpol, so there you go, the roots. The roots of post-punk, before post-punk even had a name. I mean, 1977 was still very much the punk era, right? Even though punk was one of the shortest-lived phenomena in music history. A couple of years later, I did a show about Television on my university radio program, called Midnight Express. You know, CBGB, and all that jazz. This past summer, I found a copy of this album on vinyl, a Japanese first pressing in NM condition. As an occasional vinyl collector, I couldn't be happier. It's a perennial record through and through. Tom Verlaine's lyrics and delivery, the unconventional guitar play, the crisp rhythm section, and the song lengths make this feel like a progressive post-punk, or rather art-punk. It's crazy to think it's been 47 years since this record came out. I'm giving it a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day145, the last day of the year.

This is #day143 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it's been a while since I messed up the numbers. It was supposed to be #day142 yesterday, and I wrote 143 in my review. Anyway. Unlike most of the rock and roll releases I've heard on the list, this one has some fine tunes. But this isn't the record I'll revisit soon, if ever. There's Love Hurts, which I didn't remember, was first recorded by The Everly Brothers... Anyway, this is a 2 out of 5, not a 3. Looking forward to #day 144, and I do mean 144 now.