Reviews by tjehl

Amazing opening, legendary closing.

The in-between is good, but it doesn’t compare - and given the number of Bowie albums already on this list, Young Americans might have been one to omit.

HUGE album by Drive-By Truckers.

Dealing with both harsh political subjects, adolescence, idolization and life in the South it’s a monumental album that I’m surprised they manage to not lose track of along the way.

The obvious highlight of Act One is the goosebump-inducing “Three Great Alabama Icons” (the “Fire Coming Out Of the Monkey’s Head” of southern rock) while the album’s closing track beautifully ends Act Two.

Southern Rock Opera is dangerously long, but it’s worth the runtime.

On “Mariá Lionza” they open up with one of the greatest horn intros of all time just to totally abandon it afterwards. Legendary.

The partnership between Colón and Blades works perfectly and Siembra is a testimony to both musician's craft.

I kind of like it? Maybe?
But I really don’t get it.

You couldn’t program the songs to be any tighter than what they already are.
CHIC is a well-oiled machine.

Risque runs the risk of starting off to strong with “Good Times” followed by the beautiful but less exciting “A Warm Summer Night”, but they still never fails to hold onto my attention. Another great Nile Rodgers record for the books.

On their debut record The Rolling Stones proved themselves better musicians than The Beatles did at the same time.

Jagger is a charismatic front figure from the get-go, but even with all of that the many blues covers quickly become too trivial to really make a lasting impression - go listen to their later releases instead.

No Other has gone completely under my radar this entire time. It’s a perfect record.

Sad to find out that Gene Clark never got to see the much deserved recognition this album would later receive. I already listened to it twice since my initial listen and it will definitely find its way to my collection soon.

Fine and totally harmless pop record.
I would have liked to call it Prince from Temu, but it wasn't actually that bad. That being said, I don't remember any of it a few days later.

Come for the iconic hits and Jim Morrison, stay for Ray Manzarek - the secret weapon that really makes The Doors stand out from the crowd.

Had Sufjan Stevens somehow gone through with his 50 States project, it would have been one of the greatest musical achievements of all time.

Instead we are left with Illinois(e) - and I can’t complain. Absolute masterpiece.

Weird inclusion considering this is a 1990 release and must’ve almost been dated by its release.

That being said, I did actually enjoy it - it’s rather fun and there are some catchy tracks; when they are not too bluesy that is.

The highs are nowhere near as high as those on Back To Black, but I prefer the sound of the “filler songs” on Frank a slight bit more.

I still don’t prefer Frank, but it’s really not that far behind.

Dangerously close to becoming too stupid for its own good. It’s a fun listen though - that saves it in the end.

Clever industrial hip hop from the future.
I had never heard of Mike Ladd, but that appears to be a mistake.

It might be slightly too long, but there’s enough variety and interesting concepts to keep you engaged.

Extremely ambitious project by Stephin Merritt. Even with a runtime of just under 3 hours, an illegal length under most conditions, there’s enough variation for time to fly by.

The idea is mad and shouldn’t work.
Yet it does.

This definitely didn’t destroy rock & roll.
It is quite fun and great for playing in the background while you dance around the room though.

Then why isn’t this a 4? I’ll tell you.
I’m doing this list with a friend and Mylo decides to mention Pink Floyd but not R.E.M. on the title track.
Giving my friend that kind of fuel won’t do Mylo any good as far as I’m concerned.

Few hip hop artists are as effortlessly cool and intelligent as Q-Tip.

The Renaissance might not be an actual renaissance for hip hop, but I would spin this over most rap albums on this list any day.

Great, great album by Matt Johnson.

An almost dystopian vision coming to live as clear as day through his bleak lyrics.

Infected is not quite as good as the excellent Dusk, but it’s a thrilling album through and through.

I had to listen a few times before reviewing this. I was absolutely sure, I was missing something.

I thought I was gonna love Forever Changes - but I just think that it’s fine? I’m really not that excited after multiple listens and I don’t understand exactly why.

Infuriatingly boring record.

Too bland to just listen to on its own.
Too artsy to be suitable for any party.

Foxbase Alpha has nothing to offer, but pretends that it's a full-course dinner. Saint Etienne is not nearly clever enough as a group to pull this off.