Reviews by tjehl

Francisco Alberto Sinatra.

It’s been quite some time since the last time I indulged in some Django^2.

Django Django is one of those albums that sounds exactly like its cover. It’s a thrilling yet somewhat confusing ride that takes every unexpected turn presented to it.

Probably won’t be that long before I visit these guys once again.

It’s a rule of thumb that countries that include the word democratic in its name rarely is exactly that. The same goes for superlatives and band name (I’m especially looking at you Incredible Bongo Band).

Alex Harvey seems to be one of the exceptions.
You can clearly hear how much fun everyone had recording this and furthermore how this must have inspired several early post-punk outlets.

It’s charming, over the top, perhaps a bit too silly at times - and Alex Harvey sounds incredibly charismatic.

It loses some momentum in the middle, but the start and ending is high octane and just a lot of fun.

Another early pop rock masterpiece from one of the world’s most divisive groups.
Coldplay is following in the footsteps of Radiohead but further polishing the sound and making sure it reached literally every person on the planet. You can clearly hear, that ARoBttH and Parachutes are from the same era - the scope on this one is just infinitely larger.

It’s not exactly bad.
But I couldn’t for the life of me tell you why this was chosen over other country albums. It’s “just” another country album, isn’t it? Why do I need to listen to this?

The Stranger should be more than enough to put all the negative comments about Joel’s music to rest.

Obviously, plastering otherwise boring songs with vocal harmonies is not going to safe them, Brian.

This came completely out of nowhere. Never even came close to hear about American Music Club.

Beautiful, varied and never hiding even an ounce of emotion. This is not the last time, I have visited their discography.

The duo that it Zawinul and Pastorius really is something else entirely, so it goes without saying that the instrumental on Heavy Weather is amazing.
The only thing I’m missing is longer compositions that would let the instruments explore and progress further.

Opening on the magnificent “Box of Rain” is what ultimately does it for me with this album. It sets the exact tone needed for experiencing the rest of American Beauty. Beautifully crafted songs with very few minor misses in between.

The members of Fishbone are obviously talented musicians. And there might be a great ska, rock or funk album hidden somewhere here - but definitely not a combination of those.

I was physically angry at the album from start to finish. Apparently certain members were concerned with their image being to cartoonish prior to the release of this… And then they decided to release this?!

Talking Book is the album that most reminds me of watching Stevie Wonder live. There’s no denying the greatness, especially on the focused an funky stuff, but at times it’s also a bit meandering; live it would be the long, god fearing speaking passages - on this album it’s the jam-like soul sessions that at times never seem to end.

That being said, Talking Book is a truly innovative album and one of the peaks of Wonder’s career - even when he seems to have lost track.

Not many bands can get away with a Pink Floyd disco cover on their debut album. Scissor Sisters truly hit the scene with something else almost 20 years ago.

There’s a strong case to be made for Goodbye Yellow Brick Road being the greatest double album of all time. It’s what every 60+ minutes album should strive towards.

I think we can all agree that 2+ hours of drum and bass is a little too long. Luckily the music is pretty good while it lasts. It’s airy, cold, drumm and bassy.

I could have done with perhaps half of it to be brutally honest - but I enjoyed it way more than I initially thought I would.

Jeru is certifiably delivering some of the freshest beats of the 90’s on his debut album.

The cover on the other hand probably won’t be that prominently featured in most US record stores today, will it?

Whenever I listen to this I’m impressed at how two such talented musicians can make me feel this little.

It’s fine and parts are even really good, but I don’t really care for it. It’s as if nothing is truly on the line until the closing track.

Okay, this may sound more negative than it actually is. But… It’s Iggy and Bowie for crying out loud!

Gene Clark was an incredible songwriter who deserved way more recognition than he received.

Except for the Dutch reviewers. Apparently they fucking loved the guy. Good on you, Dutch reviewers. Good on ya.

Just like the album cover, the music itself is pretty much all over the place as well.
Some of it works. Some doesn’t.

I definitely don’t hate it.
Not quite sure why it’s on this list, though.

It’s a Sinatra record with Swingin’ in the title, so you know what to expect - and it’s not bad.

Songs For Swingin’ Lovers just doesn’t do the same for me as some of his other great recordings. Maybe the orchestration is a bit too predictable? Or maybe the choice of songs just aren’t as varied?