Reviews by tape-boy

This is #day143 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here's to some post-hardcore classics. I was a bit surprised to see this album on the list, but the band's name did ring a bell. After a bit of thought, I remembered that Girls Against Boys made it onto Chino Moreno's list of his 13 favorite albums. Not only was it the band’s name that stuck with me, but this exact album was the one he picked. Now, I'm a huge fan of Chino Moreno, both as the frontman of Deftones and in his various side projects, and I really admire his taste in music. So, I had a bit of a bias going in, expecting to enjoy this more than I might have. I'm comfortable with this style of rock, especially knowing how much Deftones were influenced by it. Plus, I've always appreciated the alternative scenes of the '90s. As for the album itself, my highlights were tracks like "Learned It" and "Bullet Proof Cupid," along with a few others. There's this cool, riff-driven sound that isn't always associated with post-hardcore, and it was a fun surprise. Also, I can't overlook the raspy vocals and the delivery from the singer... there's a raw intensity there that stands out. Overall, I’d rate this a 4 out of 5 (I think it's a bit too niche to be on the list of albums you must hear before you die. That said, it's definitely worth a listen, especially if you're into 90s alt-rock and exploring the scene. This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day144.

This is #day141 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... somebody, call The Police! Now, Sting is a musician I get to associate with my childhood and early teenage years, like, his work on Brand New Day ("Desert Rose" still gives me goosebumps) and Sacred Love (I remember watching "Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing)" on TV and hearing "Send Your Love" on the radio). There was also, of course, Leon and "Shape of My Heart." I even remember a mash-up of Every Breath You Take by P. Diddy (just checked, it was called "I'll Be Missing You"), which wasn't exactly the ideal introduction to The Police, but I think I also recall Message in a Bottle from somewhere. I only hope it was the original version! Why do I remember so much? Or, rather, why do I link so many memories to music? I’ve come to appreciate The Police relatively late, probably in my '20s, but I do love them. Not sure if Sting's presence influences that, but when I listen to their music, it just feels like home. Songs like Walking on the Moon with its atmospheric groove, and "Bed's Too Big Without You" with its mix of reggae and post-punk influence have a timeless quality. That said, I guess I'll always prefer Synchronicity, the band's swansong and peak in terms of musical exploration and lyrical depth, or its more experimental predecessor "Ghost in the Machine." The Police had a knack for mixing pop, rock, and reggae in a way that feels fresh decades later. As for this album, it still holds its own with classic hits and some lesser-known gems, which is why it earns a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day142.

This is #day140 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... what the funk? It's all about jamming and jiving here. Cosmic, groovy, and jazzy. What else to add? I'm giving this album a 3 out of 5, though, as I'm not sure I'll be coming back to it soon. Looking forward to #day141.

This is #day139 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... what are the odds of getting a Christmas album on Christmas Day? Magically, it's December 25th as I listen to this. And this is where the spell gets broken. Because what is it that a person is remembered by? Is it how they lived, or how they ended up? The contributions they made to history (music history in this case) or the mark they left on other people's lives? Is it either or, or both? What we have here is a "gift" from a psychopath, an abusive maniac who pulled a gun on women when they rejected him, eventually killing one (also known for waving guns at recording artists in anger or for fun). We all know what happened 40 years after this compilation was released. But here’s the thing: the 2003 murder of Lana Clarkson wasn’t the last straw. Let's talk about what he did to his then-wife, Ronnie (one of the members of The Ronettes, featured in the compilation). In her 1990 memoir, Ronnie alleged that after their marriage, Spector subjected her to years of psychological torment. He sabotaged her career by forbidding her from performing. She claimed he surrounded their house with barbed wire and guard dogs, confiscated her shoes to keep her from leaving, and when he did allow her out, she had to drive with a life-size dummy of him in the car. He had a gold coffin with a glass top installed in their basement, telling her he'd kill her and display her corpse if she ever left. In 1972, Ronnie finally managed to escape barefoot and without belongings, with her mother’s help. Yet this album still holds its place on the list. To the panel of critics who compiled this list (and who don't exclude albums like this when revising it), you must be nuts. Sincerely. It's a 1 out of 5. Looking forward to #day140.

This is #day138 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... learning about feminism, sexuality, and other themes through plastic TikTok hip-hop? Fuck, no. I prefer another way. For example, I'd talk with my wife. Because there's no one more knowledgeable and interesting to listen to in this regard. I object to this being on the list. It's a 1 out of 5 from me. Looking forward to #day139.

This is #day137 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... there's something about this band's music and Dexter Holland's vocals that never fails to give me goosebumps. Born in 1990, I was introduced to The Offspring in the early '00s through Americana, with "The Kids Aren't Alright" being my all-time favorite song. I also have a special place in my heart for tracks like "Want You Bad," "Da Hui," and the Greatest Hits compilation. I love those times dearly and treasure them like no other. As for Smash, this is probably my first time listening to it front-to-back. As expected from the title, some absolute smashers are here, like "Gotta Get Away," "Come Out and Play," and "Self Esteem." The record is a little more than 30 years old, and it still kicks your little ass. Since this is the only Offspring album on the list, I'm giving it a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to#day138.

This is #day136 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... I must admit, almost half a year later, I decided to give this another chance. The other day, I discovered there's an Enable Editing section on the site that lets you modify your initial score, and that turned into a bit of a rabbit hole. Anyway, I'm not a prog rock fan, but if we're talking about genre staples that you must hear before you die, this could be one of them. Still, I'd never choose to put it on again, at least not by my own will. I'm changing my rating to 3 out of 5, not a big bump but still. Looking forward to #day137.

This is #day135 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... guess who's here? This is my first-ever album experience with the band. I've only known a few of their classic tracks, like "My Generation" and "Baba O'Riley", so this list would be my reason for checking them out for the first time. It's funny to admit that my first real exposure to The Who came through Limp Bizkit's cover of "Behind Blue Eyes" in the early '00s. And honestly, I still like their version more. As for The Who Sell Out, I like the idea behind it. A concept album, but not in the traditional sense: more like a collection of unrelated songs interspersed with these fake commercials and jingles, which is fun. This is a strong 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day136.

This is #day134 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... another Yeah Yeah Yeahs album. Weird. As I mentioned before (when I got Fever To Tell earlier on this list), this band has never really clicked for me. While their debut was mostly unlistenable (or maybe I just wasn't in the right mood), this one has some good moments. It's well-produced, with interesting arrangements, melodic, and all that. But it still doesn't grab me. It feels like a blend of Blondie and Franz Ferdinand + synths. I love Blondie, and I'm not a fan of the latter, but I don't see the point of needing another Blondie, you know? One song did stand out, though, and that's "Runaway." I'm giving it a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day135.

This is #day133 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it turns out Bob Dylan and I are getting along better than I expected. There's something uniquely idiosyncratic about his voice and the way the music pulls you in. The fusion of folk, blues, and harmonica is eccentrically enjoyable. Blonde on Blonde also holds the distinction of being one of the first double albums in rock history, which makes it a pretty big deal in itself. I'm not super familiar with Dylan's discography, but his '60s work is iconic and enduring. Listening to a record from 58 years ago feels surreal, but this album fits perfectly into that legacy. And I'd argue it has one of the most recognizable album covers in music. I guess I've got to check out the I'm Not There movie (haven't watched it yet). For now, this is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day134.

This is #day132 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... I knew this was country! It just couldn't have been the other way around. Although country is among my top worst genres on this list, this one was okayish. At times, the music was veering into this alternative/progressive folk-country kind of shit, which caught me off guard. And I like it when music makes me feel that way. But, again and again, is this the one you must listen to before you die? Why not include some Mark Kozelek stuff instead? Have you heard of Red House Painters or the new Sun Kil Moon? That's what I'm saying. I'm giving this a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day133.

This is #day131 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... how about "a movie for your ears"? Honestly, this is my first time listening to Zappa, and if it weren't for this challenge, I probably wouldn't have. But I don't mind that I did, because now I know more. This album is a virtuosic, funky fusion, very much of the '60s and the hippie era. And I'm definitely into that. Plus, the album cover is just awesome. I'm giving it a strong 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day132.

This is #day130 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... what a relief to finally revisit an album by my favorite band. The past couple of weeks have been tough with the list's selections, so it's a welcome change to dive into something great. And, wow, what a record! Released nearly 35 years ago, Violator begs the question: How could it get any better after Music for the Masses (my personal favorite of theirs)? The answer lies beneath the sleek cover: a red rose against a black backdrop. Mysterious, sexy, sinful… This is Depeche Mode at the peak of their powers, sound, and creativity (Songs of Faith and Devotion would, without a doubt, be another level, but that's a different Depeche). Violator is what truly represents the Mode: the music, the vocals, the lyrics, the clothes, the visuals, every little piece that forms this band. I'd go so far as to say this album is synonymous with Depeche Mode. I can't pinpoint the highlights because every single song here is a gem in its own right. Of course, it's a 5 out of 5, and I'll never tire of listening to this album. Because you just can't get enough, can you? Looking forward to #day131.

This is #day129 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here's to my first experience listening to Elvis Costello. I'd like to say this was mostly fine, but actually, it was pretty boring. The instrumentation is kind of all right, but the vocals and the delivery... In a nutshell, I'd never choose to put it on again. It's a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day130.

This is #day128 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... kudos for being known as one of the first rock operas ever released, but I find it utterly unlistenable. I had to stop in the middle of Balloon Burning. This is a 1 out of 5. Thank you. Next. Looking forward to #day129.

This is #day127 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it just happens to be December 13th, Friday. I guess I just don't like Beck. The mix of blues, hip-hop, alternative rock, and whatever else doesn't do it for me. And the vocals... I feel like I'm hearing Bryan Adams gasping for air. There are still two more albums from him on this list, which begs the question: Why would anyone include 3 albums from this guy? You absolutely don't have to listen to Beck before you die. Giving this a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day128.

This is #day126 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... the only Traffic I knew before listening to this album was track #3 on Tiesto's trance masterpiece, Just Be. Today's Traffic was rather OK, but this is where it ends for me. It's Beatles-esque, '60s folk rock that I'm not going to revisit soon if ever. This is a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day127.

This is #day125 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... when it comes to essential albums, Nine Inch Nails has The Downward Spiral, The Cure has Disintegration (but also Pornography, right?), and the Manic Street Preachers have The Holy Bible. While the band's catalog has a number of excellent albums, I particularly connect with their more recent releases like 2018's Resistance Is Futile (which holds a special place for me, as it was the first album my wife and I bonded over as mutual Manics fans, and we look forward to Critical Thinking as well), The Holy Bible stands apart as their darkest, heaviest, and most striking work. This is also the last album to feature Richey Edwards (except the 2009 Journal for Plague Lovers, where the lyrics are his), and this fact adds a layer of tragic poignancy to the album's already brooding atmosphere. Until today, I hadn't fully engaged with the lyrics, and they certainly pack a punch (Hell, for some of the inspirations for the lyrics on the album, the band visited concentration camps). What to say about prostitution, the Holocaust, self-starvation, serial killers, the death penalty, fascism, suicide, and other topics? You bet. The post-punk, almost gothic nature of the music (the Manics cited Magazine, Wire, Joy Division, and Siouxsie and the Banshees as bands that inspired the musical direction of The Holy Bible) enhances its emotional impact, and tracks like "She Is Suffering," "4st 7lb," "Faster," "The Intense Humming of Evil," (the drumming vividly echoes "Atrocity Exhibition"), and many more are standouts. Of course, The Holy Bible is one of those albums you must hear before you die. This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day126.

This is #day124 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... believe it or not, last Saturday I ordered a vinyl copy of this album from one of the local record stores here in Ukraine, that is Quals, based in Odesa, one of the most shelled cities by russian invaders these days, hit with drones, missiles, and all sorts of weapons). The record was supposed to arrive today, but the postal service messed up the warehouses, so it’ll finally get to me tomorrow morning instead. But anyway, I was so surprised by the coincidence! As for the album itself, it's a distinctive amalgamation of alternative rock, industrial rock, trip-hop, electronica, and all things 90s, packed with gems like "Queer," "Only Happy When It Rains," "Vow," "Stupid Girl," and the unbelievable jewel that is "Milk." I'm giving this album a strong 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day125.

This is #day123 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... this is actually some beautiful vocal music with delicate arrangements. But I'd never seek this out as a record to play... That's just not my kind of music. The cover of The Windmills Of Your Mind stole my heart, though. I'm giving this a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day124.