★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine
What’s it sound like?
jagged raw indie rock
Thoughts
An OK record, likely one of their more accessible and it’s interesting hearing them in this stripped down setting as they aren’t one for ‘pop’ formats.
Falls short of something good in my opinion. Daydream Nation remains my one and only sonic youth album.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Sonic-Youth-Experimental-Jet-Set-Trash-And-No-Star/release/703500
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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening
What’s it sound like?
Prog rock meets sea shanties
Thoughts
Not usually a fan of goofy concept records but the songwriting is impressive here.
Reminds me of super furry animals at times, enjoyable listen.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Ween-The-Mollusk/release/261830
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
A west-coast chilled out version of the strokes
Thoughts
A gem, perfect little beach acoustic record.Nothing extraordinary but a positive vibe like a precious local band at an outdoor spot.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Little-Joy-Little-Joy/release/1603486
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★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening
What’s it sound like?
The best of 90s radio alt rock.
Thoughts
A very important record to me, I could not stop listening to this when it came out in the summer of 1995. I know I wasn’t alone cause it was played constantly on the radio. It’s an important part of the development of my musical taste.
However even without that attachment the record has some all-out classics and otherwise great songs. Her lyrics are as the title would suggest, jagged. She’s observant and articulate which is why I think this has such universal love. The lyrics are highly memorable. Her songs often employ a juxtaposed approach: aggressive and then a quiet ‘innocent’ moment. It creates a dynamic aspect to her tracks
Instrumentation- love the textures, where was that bassline in the original master of you oughta know? There’s an interesting drum-loop like thing happening there. It appears again on you learn, giving a slight hip hop like bounce. Overall a perfect balance of alt and grunge textures in the singer-songwriter space. Her vocal range is impressive and perhaps best on display on forgiven. Perfect is over the top in it’s forced emotion around bad parenting.
An enjoyable trip down memory lane that stands the test of time.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Alanis-Morissette-Jagged-Little-Pill/release/1358782
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Folksy rock. Chilled out, just being bill.
Thoughts
This is the 2nd album I’ve heard of his and I’m thoroughly impressed. The music strikes a great balance between classic freewheeling folk rock and modern indie. He’s got a great voice, deep and sure, and is sharing heartfelt but interpretive and relatable lyrics.
Not a bad song on it, very accessible.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Bill-Callahan-Woke-On-A-Whaleheart/release/975091
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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening
What’s it sound like?
Precious trio that creates spacious but intimate indie rock
Thoughts
An incredible debut album for modern indie. Its very sparse but incredibly effective, somehow they’re able to sound both as expansive as a desert landscape and intimate as a dark cozy room.
A technically basic album, the dual vocals of Romy and Oliver are hard not to love. Jamie xx has proven himself to be a master of texture and there’s a certain atmosphere that’s captured well here. By letting single notes hang and drift or adding some bits of wobbly bass he creates a distinct and fresh sound.
This album stands the test of time and has left an impression on indie rock.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/The-XX-XX/release/2546873
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★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine
What’s it sound like?
New Wave Punk, erudite bar hero
Thoughts
Another heavily played wfmu album. X is an intriguing band, reminds me of new wave punk like later Talking Heads. Instrumentation has a good energy if nothing that special.
Lyrically distinct, I like the straightforwardness and humor of the lyrics, cynicism isn’t done as well today.
Not my thing but planning to check out more by the band.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/X-More-Fun-In-The-New-World/release/853984
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★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening
What’s it sound like?
Singer songwriter with pop sensibility and a strong backing band
Thoughts
An all around masterpiece: compositionally, lyrically, sonically. I like the mastering as the sparse instrumentation is brought forward in the mix, creating a distinct texture as if you could reach out and feel each of the instruments.
Her lyrics are pure poetry, singing relatable vulnerabilities in a confident and experienced way. She’s Fiona as she’s always been: fierce, intense and bursting with feeling.
Not a bad track on here, this is ‘singer songwriter’ at a master level.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Fiona-Apple-The-Idler-Wheel-Is-Wiser-Than-The-Driver-Of-The-Screw-And-Whipping-Cords-Will-Serve-You-/release/3673207
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Indie, alt, art house punk. The opposite of overly produced, raw but articulate.
Thoughts
I like this band and promote the type of rock their making: straightforward pop with witty lyrics. I appreciate their not hiding behind layers of electronic mess. Karen O adds a good element lyrically to songs like flush.
Solid album.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Daniele-Luppi-Parquet-Courts-Milano/release/11061185
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⭐⭐
Suggested by a friend for pre-kaputt destroyer, this fell flat on my ears. Lacks chemistry and seemed pretentious, not surprising coming from these drama queens.
Bejar’s lyrics are good, album highlights are tracks where he’s singing.
More Info:
https://www.discogs.com/Swan-Lake-Enemy-Mine/release/1853631
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