Reviews by theblanderman

Oh man, when this shit started out I was ready to give the album a 5. The first track Oyster was a pretty good multi phase 80s prog song, but the titular song was so goddamn interesting. I love the chaotic aspects of it. All the animal noises and the strapping young men muttering "Hoo. Hah. Hoo Hah." really call back to the cover art and the animal orgy art on the back. Relax was such a welcome surprise after that and totally kept the hype going. Unfortunately, it was downhill after that. Some mid and unimpressive covers, and exceptionally forgettable songs. I wish the whole album was the first three songs, but alas. 3/5

While I wanted to like this, it really just sounds like dated pop rock latin fusion. Way too catchy, sounds like Smooth by Santana/Rob Thomas but throw some rap that is safe for the masses. No gracias. 2.4/5 -> 2/5

Compared to the other XTC album on here, this was much more interesting. I won't listen to it again but was fine. 2.5/5 -> 3/5

I've heard a lot of essential 90s hip-hop on this list - this is not one of them. Jeru's flow is pretty mod, and his rhymes are simple and not that interesting. The beats are pretty weak, and resort to heavy repetition and cutting the sound entirely in moments. Not for me, unfortunately. 2/5

On first listen I found this ok, but on second I was so bored I could barely stand it. This style of ballad country is not my cup of tea. 2/5

Interesting backstory, crazy high energy, and the shortest song of all time!? Sign me the fuck up. 5/5

For a post-punk album, this wasn't horrible. Some tracks definitely went a little too into meandering territory, but there were some unique pop and even country twinges that made it not that bad. 2.7/5 -> 3/5

A solid album that is a good vibe. Some songs are less impactful, but many others are classics. 4/5

I've listened to Warm Jets for years - at first I thought it was a little messy and all over the place, but over the years it has really grown on me as a starting point for Brian Eno (an artist I greatly appreciate). I love how lighthearted and all over the place the tracks are. There are many memorable lyrics, and the last two tracks are the perfect ending to this album. Rough around the edges, but an album I love and have on vinyl regardless. 4.5/5 -> 5/5

For as iconic as the first moments of this album are, they do fall back to be background music pretty quickly. Nice while it's on, but boarders on a bit. 3/5

Some good early punk rock. I thought the closer Jer Boy was pretty interesting and went back to listen to the album again after which is always a good sign. Good overall. 3/5

I really engaging metal album. I wish more of the beats got your head nodding, but I looked forward to listening each time I did. It was a little on the long side but didn't detract much. 3.7/5 -> 4/5

I went into Quiet Life expecting to hate it. I couldn't have been more wrong.

What a cool, expertly crafted album. The song Quiet Life starts it off with a bang and really sets the tone. There is then the first subtle musical ?inversion on the album as it moves into Fall in Love with Me. This song and the following Despair are quite melancholy and pensive tracks that add to the overall atmosphere of the album. In Vogue is probably my favorite track, with amazing plucked bass and very subtle stringwork (an example of how to do this - many other albums on this list seem to think "I'll add strings and that will make it good" but end up just dumping an orchestra on a pile of shit - see the other 1001 album Hms Fable - Shack). Then comes the most clear ?inversion into the song Halloween. I don't have the music theory knowledge to accurately explain these ?inversion moments, but it feels like they flip the prior track and make it sound like a perfect musical compliment to the first. That's nowhere more apparent than this pair, imo. All Tomorrow's Parties sounds just like Another Green World era Brian Eno but which again ?inverts into Alien. And finally The Other Side of Life concludes with some more obvious string embellishments which act as a grand finale.

All around a very well crafted piece of dark synth pop. 5/5

A super pleasant listen overall and something I'd throw on during a beach party. Missing that bit of story or personality that takes it to the next level but pretty dang nice. 4/5

A well constructed album with a number of memorable songs. Some of the interludes were not great, and some of the songs were kinda forgettable, but overall good. 4/5

Some tracks that were borderline unlistenable, and Clapton is here which immediately reduces the score. But mostly ok. 2.3/5 -> 2/5

The same cartoony voice, recording boring covers on a piano. 2/5

Please just shut up and move to California already. 2/5

In high school I said I hated Linkin Park. I heard all the hits and found them grating and annoying, and I really didn't like the one singers falsetto. When the song the catalyst came out on 2010 I totally turned my back to them and talked shit for years.

Fast forward to 2026. I'm older now and don't hear these songs daily, so it's a bit nostalgic to listen now. The rap rock is pretty good for the genre. All around a pretty solid album. 3.5/5 -> 4/5

This album was nothing but overproduced covers of better songs. I like Ute's voice, and there was some good moments throughout, but not essential whatsoever. 2/5