Reviews by tape-boy

This is #day82 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... I'm surprised to see another Fatboy Slim album on the list. I got You've Come A Long Way just a couple of days ago and gave it a 3. Now, this... Well, as I've said earlier, I clung to different artists in the genre back in the day. As for the record itself, it's woefully tedious... Aside from "Everybody Needs a 303" and (actually, what else is there?), I have nothing to remember it by. It's the third consecutive 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day83.

This is #day81 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it's already the third album by Steeley Dan that I've got. Unfortunately, this one's my least favorite among the three. It's way too "dad rock" if you know what I mean. And I know, when reviewing Aja, I said I might be turning into a dad for liking it. But that album was different. Pretzel Logic offers nothing too offensive, but nothing too extraordinary to be willing to revisit it in the future either. It's a 2 out of 5 this time. Looking forward to #day82.

This is #day80 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... what's the hype about? It's my first time listening to Fleet Foxes and quite possibly the last one. While I'm okay with some '60s-70s folk as you might have noticed in my previous reviews, this is way too much modern indie to my ears... Many songs blend into each other, and I can't tell the difference between them. I'm not a fan of this upbeat, positive-folk style either. That's not what I would choose to listen to before I die. Back to low scores because it's a 2 out of 5 this time. Looking forward to #day81.

This is #day79 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... we're gonna have a good time, we're gonna have a party! I literally can't sit still whenever this record plays. Screamadelica is undoubtedly one of the most essential albums of its time. It's a head-spinning time capsule with an explosive blend of styles: acid house, Madchester, dub-reggae, neo-psychedelia, and so much more. No substances required, the music does the trick. I also love to blast it on vinyl. If you like to drop the needle now and then, the 2015 EU reissue is bound to knock your socks off. With tracks like "Slip Inside This House," "Don't Fight It, Feel It," "Higher Than The Sun," and "Loaded," it's all about the v-i-i-i-be... Yes, this is the one to listen to before you die. But, I'm hell-bent on revisiting this album more in the future. This is a definite 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day80.

This is #day78 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... right about now, the funk soul brother, check it out now, the funk soul brother! Clearly, You've Come A Long Way, Baby is a product of its era, an unmistakable slice of late '90s break/big-beat electronica with plenty of sampled vocals. Somehow, though, this album and Fatboy Slim himself passed me by in the early '00s, aside from the ubiquitous "The Rockafeller Skank." Back then, I was more into The Prodigy and Chemical Brothers, I believe. I also liked Moby's 18. It's a jam for the ladies and the superstars if you know what I mean. Listening to this record for the first time now, I found it to be a fun collection of tunes that takes you back in time. However, I'm not sure if I'd want to revisit it in full anytime soon. But hey, I've ticked it off this list before I kick the bucket, so that already counts, right? This is a strong 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day79.

This is #day77 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... how many cans can a canner can, if a canner can can cans? Well, a canner can can as many cans as a canner can, if a canner can can cans! To me, Tago Mago is the embodiment of what music sometimes should be: a statement, an experiment. This album is more than music. A sound play, a sound performance? Either way, it's shamanistic, funky, and jazzy. Face it, Putting "Aumgn" on a record in 1971 deserves a fucking credit. This piece may well scare the shit out of you. One other fun observation: those reverse-taped vocals at the beginning of "Oh Yeah" sound like a precursor to the language of A Man From Another Place in Twin Peaks. If this "was an attempt in achieving a mystery musical world from light to darkness and return", sleep well, the mission is accomplished. But then, I'm not sure where I am now after listening to it. In the words of Special Agent Cooper, what year is this? Of course, it's a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day78.

This is #day76 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... this week the list seems to have gone sideways, offering entries from the 1960s to the early 1970s. Today's album could be a fun listen when you're hallucinating. But I am not. This was pretty boring as I was yawning during most of the record. And then, the storytelling started... Anyway, I wouldn't choose to listen to this ever again. Welcome to the company of 1 out of 5. Looking forward to #day77.

This is #day75 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... I have to say, the album cover caught my eye right away (I’m a fan of green onions!). When I learned it was a soul record, though, I was already bracing for frustration (Soul is currently among my worst genres), but then I found out it’s instrumental soul (with funk and blues elements to boot), and I felt somewhat relieved. The organ takes center stage throughout the entire album, creating a rich, engaging sound. Overall, it was a delightful discovery, and I can only imagine how impactful this was in 1962 when it came out. It's a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day76.

This is #day74 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... for the first time in this challenge, here we are with another album by the same band. Just a week ago, I explored Aja, and now it's time for Steely Dan's debut. While it doesn't quite match the brilliance of my first encounter, this one's still an enjoyable listen. I mean, look at that collage album cover, and it's 1972 outside. "Do It Again," and "Fire In The Hole" are personal highlights. As one reviewer noted, I might be turning into a dad... I wouldn't mind checking out more from these guys. Are there any other albums on the list? This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to#day75.

This is #day73 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... wow, that sax! This is my first-ever experience with X-Ray Spex, and it's already one of my favorite records of all time. My initial thought was that it’s like a female version of the Sex Pistols. Then, it made me think of Blondie's debut, but it definitely stands on its own, very much its own. The album is rowdy and raw, yet incredibly melodious, pure punk with bits of ska and reggae, plus a hint of new wave. Standout songs are "I Can't Do Anything," "Identity," "Plastic Bag," and "The Day The World Turned Day-Glo," but honestly, the whole record rocks... You just turn it up and let it flow. Poly Styrene was a true punk icon and a forward-thinking artist who did feminism before feminism was a thing. I’d go so far as to say she’s one of the most influential frontwomen in rock music. This is a fantastic discovery, a trailblazing record that deserves more recognition. I'm giving it a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day74.

This is #day72 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here we are with a live soul/jazz album from the '60s... All I wanted to do while listening to it was turn the volume down... I couldn't stand the singing. This outpouring of emotions (or soul if you will) makes me feel absolutely nothing. Not the kind of record I'd want to revisit, if ever. Just like soul music in general, I guess. This is some 36 minutes long, but it felt like forever... This is a 2 out of 5 this time. Again. Looking forward to #day73.

This is #day71 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here we are now, entertain us! The first grunge entry on the list and Nirvana's first album featured as well. Among the Big 4 of Grunge, Alice In Chains takes the top spot for me, followed by Nirvana, with Pearl Jam and Soundgarden sharing a tie for third. Speaking of In Utero... it stands out as a raw, abrasive, gritty response to the polished sound of Nevermind. It’s meant to be blasted loud with a middle-finger-in-your-face attitude that contrasts noise and melody, screaming and singing, and rage and serenity. Well, grunge, you know... Songs like "Scentless Apprentice," "Milk It," "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter," and "Tourette's" hit hard, while others like "Heart-Shaped Box," "Dumb," and "All Apologies" reveal a more introspective side, though still straddle those extremes. This is a hands-down essential '90s alternative rock record you must listen to before you die. It's also an incredibly poignant one, knowing it was the band's last. It makes you reflect on what could have been... It's a 5 out of 5, of course. Looking forward to #day72.

This is #day70 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... could this be where Radiohead's orchestral strings find their roots? I can hear echoes of "How To Disappear Completely," "Spectre," and much of "A Moon-Shaped Pool" woven in. No surprise, as the band has praised this album themselves. The music is interesting for its time, though I'm not particularly moved by the vocals. What pulled me away was that last verse of "The Old Man's Back Again," seemingly told from the perspective of an invading russian soldier... With my homeland invaded by russia for almost three years now, I don't give a fuck about that perspective. Invaders must die. It's a 2 out of 5 this time. Looking forward to #day71.

This is #day69 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... s-i-i-i-n-n-n-g bl-u-u-e silv-e-e-e-r! It's a straight 5 out of 5, and, honestly, the seminal artwork alone deserves it. Fun fact: back in June, the band finally revealed the identity of the woman on the cover, a story worth looking up. As an '80s music fan at heart, I can't stress enough how Rio is an absolute must-listen before you die. A bona fide new-wave classic. From the very first track (that sax from Andy Hamilton, though!), the synergy of guitars, bass (!), drums, synths, and vocals creates something truly majestic, seamlessly flowing from one song to another. The album is innovative, experimental, and daring, precisely what I love about young bands with the world as their oyster. It also has The Chauffeur, not only one of the most avant-garde songs of the '80s, but also one of the greatest '80s album closers. Have you heard Deftones' or Sneaker Pimps' covers of that song? Rio is one of Duran’s three pivotal albums over the decades. Think about it: the next decade gave us The Wedding Album and then... Astronaut in the following one. But for tonight, it's all Rio... Did I mention it's a 5? Looking forward to #day70.

This is #day68 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it brings me back to 2004, a particularly golden year in my musical journey. At 14, I was immersed in CDs, tapes, music channels, and radio, discovering new sounds that shaped my tastes. Albums like Encore, Collision Course, Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned, American Idiot, and others hold a special place in my heart. It was a time of polarizing yet unique music. Now, onto Cee-Lo Green's Is The Soul Machine... I wasn't familiar with him before. Listening to the album, I can hear the Timbaland production style that was popular back then, but unfortunately, it doesn’t stand out to me. This is a 2 out of 5, mostly because of the year it was released and a couple of familiar feature artists. Also, why are those hip-hop records always so obnoxiously long? Looking forward to #day69.

This is #day67 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it brings me to Steely Dan's Aja, my first-ever encounter with their music. From the very first notes, this record struck me as a perfect candidate for audiophiles to test their setups. But it's much more than that. The band spins a fascinating musical narrative, fusing rock and jazz in a way that draws you in. It's an album with a character and a mood. Even on Spotify, the clarity of instrument separation makes it easy to visualize the stage and the atmosphere. I'm genuinely impressed and happy to embrace this entry. It's a great start to the week as well. I'm giving it a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day68.

This is #day66 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here's to a real gem of the golden age hip-hop! What a fitting name for such an iconic genre. This era, spanning the mid-'80s to the early '90s, resonates deeply with me, not just for its innovation, experimentation, and undeniable vibe but for the way it captures a unique cultural moment. I can almost picture the sound systems, boom boxes, street dances, and rap battles that defined this time. The album brilliantly blends hip-hop with jazz, house, and funk, creating a sound that feels just as fresh 35 years later. I particularly enjoyed the interpolations of jazz. Done By The Forces Of Nature is a perfect embodiment of the creativity and spirit of its time. This is a strong 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day67.

This is #day65 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... next month marks 45 years since this album was released. It goes without saying that The Wall exemplifies breathtaking storytelling and showcases the band's brilliance not only as musicians but also as profound thinkers, even though it's largely a Waters-driven project. Much has been said about this LP... For me, listening to it feels like watching a movie with a picture off (I still haven't seen the eponymous feature film yet). The themes of agitation, alienation, and the main character's emotional turmoil resonate deeply and remain relevant today; it's easy to see parallels between the individual and society... I've been to those places many times. Among the iconic tracks like "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2", "Comfortably Numb", and "Hey You," my personal favorites are "Goodbye Blue Sky", "Young Lust", and "Don't Leave Me Now". Each of them is (pun intended) an irreplaceable brick in the wall. I also like to listen to this album with my wife on vinyl, whose 2016 reissue she presented to me last year. This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day66.

This is #day64 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudiechallenge, and... "where were you while we were getting high?" (c) Well, we were getting high on the music! Hailing from San Francisco, Creedence is a perfect paragon of discipline and devotion. They went further and made a pact that they would do no drugs or alcohol. The results? Green River is the second of 3 (three!) albums they released that year. And the year was 1969, if you know what I mean. While the title track and Bad Moon Rising are the obvious gems, the whole album is a smooth, bluesy rock journey. Not too long, not too short, straight up to the point. This is a well-deserved 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day65.

This is #day63 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... how about a shload of bleep-blah-bloo techno? When I give an album the lowest score, I have two reasons in mind: 1) I'm convinced that this album should have never made it to the list because of little to no historical, esthetic, or other value in it (there could be other grounds for that as well), and 2) The music itself doesn't strike a cord in me. Haunted Dancehall is a case in point of both. The good news is that one track was blocked on Spotify, so I didn't have to sit through the whole thing. But anyway, that was arduous. It's been the third album this week scoring a 1 out of 5 from me, and it's only Friday. Looking forward to #day64.