The Cure – The Head On The Door

★★★☆☆ = 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

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The Cure – The Head On The Door

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


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Cure – Three Imaginary Boys

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Basic post punk

Moods

Of importance to those in their 20s

Thoughts

Need to revisit this, liked a bunch of the songs on the first half though the 2nd half waivered. I think my experience with the Cure would be very different had I been discovering them as they were releasing material.

As someone most familiar with their ‘greatest hits’ this is a curious listen. They're remarkably stripped down and feel like a young post-punk band with a certain rawness I appreciate. Less dramatic then their later material, still just as emotional.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Cure-Three-Imaginary-Boys/release/236654

Listen!

Youtube

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faAOrf07lHY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01VRyQlYTRY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaMMbxNXGV0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mAQCSGWHdg

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The Cure – Three Imaginary Boys

Description: Album Review of The Cure – Three Imaginary Boys


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Palmistry – PAGAN

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?
Basic diy dancehall production with cutesy shy singing

Moods

Headphone introvert

Thoughts
I like the idea here but it’s repetitive as an entire album. He’s not engaging as a singer and the production is kind of flat.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Palmistry-PAGAN/release/8694249

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Palmistry – PAGAN

Description: Album Review of Palmistry – PAGAN


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Bush Tetras – Boom In The Night (Original Studio Recordings 1980-1983)

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

What’s it sound like?
New York’s version of early Clash: dark and divey.

Thoughts
This is a great record, right up there with other punk and post-punk of the era. At times they can sound like more modern dance punk but with a refreshing straight-forwardness that I think is lost in current bands.

I mention the clash because they incorporate a world/dub sound that I think the clash does so well.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Bush-Tetras-Boom-In-The-Night-Original-Studio-Recordings-1980-1983/release/4786346

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Bush Tetras – Boom In The Night (Original Studio Recordings 1980-1983)

Description: Album Review of Bush Tetras – Boom In The Night (Original Studio Recordings 1980-1983)


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Gorillaz – The Now Now

★★☆☆☆ = 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

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Gorillaz – The Now Now

Description: Album Review of Gorillaz – The Now Now


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

The Fall – This Nation’s Saving Grace

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

What’s it sound like?

Dive bar erudite rantings over raw distorted jangly 80s rock

Thoughts

Might just be the quintessential 80s post-punk album.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Fall-This-Nations-Saving-Grace/release/469451

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The Fall – This Nation’s Saving Grace

Description: Album Review of The Fall – This Nation’s Saving Grace


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Various – Uneven Paths: Deviant Pop From Europe 1980-1991

★★★☆☆ = Good!

What’s it sound like?

A curiosity cabinet of sparse 80’s DIY-sounding pop. Styles range from folk to r&b and synth driven.

Thoughts

Inconsistent and dated at times but mostly good album. Interesting as it almost fills a gap in the music timeline as to how art-house was fully incorporated into pop.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Various-Uneven-Paths-Deviant-Pop-From-Europe-1980-1991/release/11610234

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