Happy Mondays – Pills ‘N’ Thrills And Bellyaches

by stan · June 7, 2019

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

brit-pop with an incorporation of dance ideas (80s style)

Moods

Manchester kids discover rave

Thoughts

A bit dated but I can understand the influence. This sounds like a definitive representation of rock kids discovering the joy of raving, there's something undeniably youthful about this. I prefer modern versions of rock / dance-pop hybrids as they sound more refined, the initial impact of this albums originality is waning.

There are comparisons to the stone roses ( I guess cause their both from manchester?) which I don't agree with. I much prefer the stone roses brand of brit-pop infused with psychedelica.

I don't plan on revisiting this. Though give it a try, allmusic thinks it's a perfect 5.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Happy-Mondays-Pills-N-Thrills-And-Bellyaches/release/79847

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6i_a6UGrhs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WifHgsBhd4M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CQLAhNlbfQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M0xdLO_bmo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD4Nfdv0tcc

Spotify

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Happy Mondays – Pills ‘N’ Thrills And Bellyaches

Description: Album Review of Happy Mondays – Pills ‘N’ Thrills And Bellyaches

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

The Cure – The Head On The Door

by stan · June 5, 2019

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

80s alt rock with a bit of jangle pop

Moods

A radio friendly cure record

Thoughts

a mediocre cure album with some standouts like 'six different ways' and 'close to me'. It's still the cure so even mediocre is great, there's something so timeless about their jangliness. Here there is a wistful love of life and exploring the world. Robert Smith has a knack for creating enjoyable pop.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Cure-The-Head-On-The-Door/release/379923

Listen!

Spotify

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The Cure – The Head On The Door

Description: Album Review of The Cure – The Head On The Door

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Magik Markers – Boss

by stan · April 25, 2019

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Desert spooky kind of spoken word folk with tense instrumentation

Moods

Enlightenment

Thoughts

Enjoyable, reminds me of Sonic youth a bit. The aggressiveness and slight angularity is something I probably would've liked when I was younger but not something I'm as attracted to now, definitely reaching for chiller songs overall.

I like her spoken word lyrics. She's got a kind of all knowing confidence that works really well, it's hard to imagine these songs succeeding without her.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Magik-Markers-Boss/release/8170173

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwmUKg5Sp3Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUu60J19xpU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA2cV-s8W84

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrYS9FW73EA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmYEZJ9r8VI

Spotify

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Magik Markers – Boss

Description: Album Review of Magik Markers – Boss

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

by stan · March 5, 2019

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

An American rock folk alternative band

Moods

A calmly anxious American masterpiece

Thoughts

It took awhile for me to recognize the genius here. I think I was too young when I first heard it, I wasn't drawn to it's sound. Even now I wouldn't recommend this to anyone under 30, the essence is lost without that unnerving only adulthood can provide.

At surface level it's boring adult pop, listen a little closer and you'll hear solid American folk songs. Backed by light (mostly) and tight instrumentation, it's just the right amount of precise while not feeling overly polished; a quality which typically bothers me but here it fits. Tweedy's got a pleasant voice and is an exceptional lyricist, switching between abstract thoughts and relatable lyrics on love. Few writers can capture anxiety, in its many forms, so poetically. It's his ability that elevates this album, turning these dense subjects into carthic singalongs. Ultimately the listener is left with a feeling of hope through the reliability in his words. True art captures some element of the human condition and I think Wilco nailed it on Yankee hotel foxtrot

Anyone who's ever experienced that spinning out of control feeling will understand the value of something grounded. The perfect soundtrack for something as enjoyable as a pleasant autumn day or as heavy as your car ride after checking out of the insane asylum.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Wilco-Yankee-Hotel-Foxtrot/release/1073285

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gupjrl5ZSX0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBhj73WtiZU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxH9-TYseY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efq95Pfqt5U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKj5xIp4Kkg

Spotify

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Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Description: Album Review of Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Written by: stan
Rating: 5 out of 5

American Football – American Football

by stan · February 13, 2019

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Golden age emo meets math rock

Moods

Songs I play when walking over to your place

Thoughts

Adds to the typical somber 'classic' emo format with well timed brass and tasteful/tight percussion. All of this additional instrumentation is good with songwriting that builds in a skillful way. I think it's a stretch to call this emo jazz as it's referenced on Wikipedia but it's distinct enough to call out.

‘Honestly’ is a great highlight showing the strengths of this album: mellow catchy introspection breaking into an extended jam type thing; letting emotion and tension playout in a natural way. You can feel the frustration and confusion of a breakup.

This type of genuineness is what drew me to emo initially and is captured beautifully here. Recommended for golden age emo fans who need something more than the pop-punk mold.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/American-Football-American-Football/release/450722

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NfnXdXpjL0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uj2JpvsvX4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CU4VGgX0nA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsCBUK_mvY4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr_DMGZ-JrY

Spotify

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American Football – American Football

Description: Album Review of American Football – American Football

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

The Books – The Lemon Of Pink

by stan · January 30, 2019

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

String acoustic sample electro experimental

Moods

There's a creative thread here that's awesome to watch unravel, I love revisiting this album

Thoughts

I've come back to this album a lot over the years, why? Partially because it sounds lovely: an intimate folk album that incorporates just the right amount of sample based electro elements. I particularly love the first few songs but always find myself staying for the entirety.

The primary reason I keep coming back is due to an inspiring feeling that isn't easy to capture in music. It's almost as if you can feel the creative push at work, forcing themselves to explore new territory.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Books-The-Lemon-Of-Pink/release/196682

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiXpi5u5Vu8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiuC8A8eKu4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC0jSezdwTU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1irbhY_dgY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku-g3LiBxmg

Spotify

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The Books – The Lemon Of Pink

Description: Album Review of The Books – The Lemon Of Pink

Written by: stan
Rating: 4 out of 5

Tropical Fuck Storm – A Laughing Death In Meatspace

by stan · December 23, 2018

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Dense heavy psychedelic punk

Moods

Protesting

Thoughts

Distinct heavy rock with astute protest lyrics. Perhaps too dense for regular listening, I appreciate what's happening here. It's groovy and biting with a passion that's executed well.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Tropical-Fuck-Storm-A-Laughing-Death-In-Meatspace-/release/12457187

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYWHjfVtoSM

Spotify

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Tropical Fuck Storm – A Laughing Death In Meatspace

Description: Album Review of Tropical Fuck Storm – A Laughing Death In Meatspace

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino

by stan · September 12, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?
an indie rock band doing drunk late night lounge

Thoughts
Remarkably different than I remember the arctic monkeys, there’s something intriguing about the direction. After reading the wikipedia its clear Alex Turner is clearly inspired by all the right people. Production is gorgeous with that modern style where everything is turned up in the mix and makes for a rich listen.

I think the lyrics are the weak point: self indulgent, forced poetry that’s trying too hard to be weird. Its not bad but at best like a cult record I’ll enjoy as passive listening; unnecessary at worst.

I want to love this record, and believe I haven’t given it the full chance, but after two listens it still hadn’t set in.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Arctic-Monkeys-Tranquility-Base-Hotel-Casino/release/11952906

Listen!

Youtube

Spotify

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Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino

Description: Album Review of Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Gorillaz – The Now Now

by stan · September 6, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?
Damon albarn’s brand of fun and funky synth pop

Thoughts
I’ll always like returning to this cartoon dream of the gorillaz but I feel the songwriting just hasn’t been on the same level it was on the earlier albums. There’s a few good tracks, snoop continues to work well as a Gorillaz guest, but not sure I’ll revisit this one much.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Gorillaz-The-Now-Now/release/12216605

Listen!

Youtube

Spotify