Reviews by zmzamarripa

I get it, its just not for me. I'm probably not cool enough.

The funny thing is that quite a few of the artists I love cite Pavement as a massive influence and yet... I find them unexciting, messy sounding and Mr Malkumus has a voice that sounds like he's purposely trying to not sound good and all with the delivery of a flat tire. Granted, that's probably the point is to be messy and so cool that you aren't trying. I grew up in the time that these guys were all over the magazines (thats how old I am) getting sucked off by all the critics. I don't get the adoration then and I definitely don't get it now. Its not terrible so I wont 1 star it but its not good either. 2 stars all day every day.

Spectacular vocal performances highlight that even if I can't understand the words the sentiment behind the harmonies shines through clearly. THIS is something that should be on a list like this.

Pleasantly surprised after an 8 record run of absolute watery shit recommended by the 1001 albumgenerator.

Jesus...

As with most of the Beach Boys discography this is terribly uneven quality wise. Ill award a star for every song that is not anywhere from crap to just ok. Granted those 3 songs are probably better than most recording artists 3 best songs over a career.

I am in the camp of people that believe The Rolling Stones are unbelievably overrated. Here is the catch that separates them from other overrated bands... when they write a good song its AMAZING. This album is a clear cut example of that, 2 flat out great songs, 2 decent songs and the rest sounds like the majority of their catalog, messy and not messy in a good way.

I would say half of this record is 4 stars and rest is 2. 3 stars it is. Special shout out to the dick print.

Are you REALLY into Big Beat and EDM? If so, this is essential listening. If not, dont bother.
2.5 stars.

When Kurt writes a good song he REALLY writes a good song. Problem is there aren't all that many good songs on here.
Nirvana truly were a phenomenon in their time which is why I could see putting a record of theirs on this list.... that record should be Nevermind and this should be for people that want to go digging deeper.

This is a great album. It is difficult to quantify just how different this was at the time and how quickly a lot of it was copied.

That being said I can totally understand how someone could truly dislike this, it isn't for everyone.

The best tracks are far and away the less commercial (though it could be said the polish on the production is that it is in fact incredibly commercial for the time period) non single tracks.

A masterpiece? God no. A really good album? Eff yeah.

While not being specifically my taste their very clear influence on electronic music cannot be understated.

Kraftwerk and specifically this album being cited as major inspiration and influence for New Order, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and countless others speaks volumes.

Its cool, its very of its time and theres nothing wrong with that.
However, I will never gargle Mr Bolan as deeply as the UK press.
Having said that, this album along with the majority of the big Glam movement sounds incredibly dated today and not always in a fine wine kind of way dated. This is not Salma Hayek at 53.
Solid 3 star record.

I can appreciate James, I think he is an underrated guitar player and he can clearly lay on the emotion in his songwriting.

I will never purposely seek out his catalogue to listen to. I will never jump up to turn his songs off whenever they happen to come on.

This is nice as is the orchestral work. There is absolutely nothing remarkable about this.
Solid 2.75 stars.

Its not bad, it just is. I cant imagine someone going home specifically to put on this album because it speaks to them on some deep level.

The good news is this is better than about 70% of the absolute ass on this list. So theres that.

This is good, not great. This album falls flat beyond the singles. 3.45 stars

What an amazing, warm, smooth and feeling sax tone.

I dont see myself seeking this out or playing it on purpose but if its on I am definitely paying close attention to that incredible tone.

Well that's 42 minutes I will never get back.
The very definition of unremarkable.

Another case of revisionist praise. This was accurately received and critiqued when it came out. It's OK, better than what the Beach Boys were putting out at the time but that's not saying much.

An absolutely rock solid 2.25.

Fantastic hair and beard though... don't even get me started on that chest rug teasing its way past the neck of that tshirt.

2 admittedly great songs do not make an album essential listening. Besides, you've heard these songs a million times already. Unless you're completely immersed in the 60s folk vibe this album gets pretty boringly repetitive. I would go 2.75 but that is not an option here.

I could do without all the extended bass solos, in all honesty some of them sound like a kid just plucking away. I'm convinced the guy was just going to town and the rest of the trio were trying to make sense of what's happening.
Albums like this are why I'm not a jazz guy. Clearly talented musicians but it just never gets off the "we are kicking around ideas to see what sticks" stage for me.