Tag Archives: Rock

The Zombies – Begin Here

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

basic mod rock and roll with a slight whiff of psychedelia

Moods

Underrated mod rock weirdos

Thoughts

There's a refreshing simplicity to their sound that's aged well: melodic and just the right layer of keys. Capturing the rock and roll sound of a number of bands of that era (see early Beatles, Stones) but with a genuineness that's a little weird, they feel like unaccepted outsiders. Lots of highlights here, and some familiar covers, which true to the albums title does feel like the perfect place to begin with The Zombies.  

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Zombies-Begin-Here/release/1483789

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g49ckFpRheo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2hXBf1DakE

Spotify


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The Zombies – Begin Here

Description: Album Review of The Zombies – Begin Here


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Strokes – Is This It

by ·

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

Modern guitar driven indie rock

Moods

A masterpiece of youth that captures the newfound excitement of urban independence

Thoughts

A simple masterpiece for two reasons:

Compositionally it's an album of quick chord driven indie tracks. Melodic, memorable, Danceable and remarkably varied; it works well in its entirety. Albert Hammond Junior is a competent guitarist whose style fits perfectly, loose and slightly technical, who seems to always sneak in the perfect crunchy solo.

Casablancas observant lyrics which perfectly capture a relatable time in life when you've come into your own independence and a 'is this it?' type of epiphany is made that's a mix of excitement and disappointment. I find 'Hard to explain' to be the precise moment in the record where this all boils over in emotion. He's in perfect form here.

A modern record with a Lou Reed vibe and post punk energy. Hasn't aged a bit and on relistens the strength of these songs is realized.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Strokes-Is-This-It/release/383812

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzO7IGWGxu8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knU9gRUWCno

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXkm6h6uq0k

Spotify


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The Strokes – Is This It

Description: Album Review of The Strokes – Is This It


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Dream Theater – Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Progressive metal

Moods

Self indulgent and overly technical

Thoughts

Did I like this at one point? I don't anymore. The whole thing feels self indulgent with overly technical instrumentation and lyrics that are forced.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Dream-Theater-Metropolis-Pt-2-Scenes-From-A-Memory/release/387439

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W4BwLEykGU

Spotify


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Dream Theater – Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory

Description: Album Review of Dream Theater – Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Owane – Yeah Whatever

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

jammy prog rock with nu-jazz chops

Moods

guitar wanking

Thoughts

Progs not really my thing. I admire the technical prowess on display ( this album is impressively precise) but it lacks heart and songwriting. It veers heavily into wanky jammy stuff, making music for the sake of making music; not sure what purpose it serves.

There are moments and talent but I think you can find a better album to turn on.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Owane-Yeah-Whatever/release/11900528

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNjiQt1GbH8

Spotify


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Owane – Yeah Whatever

Description: Album Review of Owane – Yeah Whatever


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses

by ·

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

British semi-psychedelica jangly 80s rock

Moods

I wanna be adored

Thoughts

There's a certain magic captured on this album that makes this essential music. It's a wanderlust feeling that speaks really well to a coming of age person, exploring relationships with poetry but not sappiness. The twinge of psychedelica gives it this slight haze that serves as a great balance to the expertly crafted pop. It shows it's age in places but I still really enjoy the first half which continues to age well, especially with newer fascinations with 'chill vibes'.

For years this was exclusively a headphone album. Relistening a decade later I think how great this would've been live at an outdoor festival, enjoyed with community. I'm really attracted to the jammy bits which I could see opening up into some cool things live (especially fools gold).

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Stone-Roses-The-Stone-Roses/release/156092

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D2qcbu26gs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD6Pq0bSMPo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NrLBlw9WZE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-WRa8jtZD0

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

Spotify


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The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses

Description: Album Review of The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

U.S. Girls – In A Poem Unlimited

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Gritty 70s rock with a strong modern lyricst

Moods

A gritty, literary, pop-rock masterpiece

Thoughts

I'm not familiar with Meg Remy's entire catalog but this is a good example of something that borrows heavily from music in the past but without trying to imitate entirely. Great textures and jazzy horns that move quick. Not polished, gritty and textured with modern electro flourishes here and there.

Great pop writing at its core. Her voice is a delicate alto which naturally adds a vulnerable personalness. She's a fantastic lyricst who can keep up with the best abstract and literary singers albeit in a direct wit. She's protesting, it carries aggression towards aspects of life from emotional abuse to plastics, most importantly the struggle of being a woman in today's world.

Very full, not a bit of filler on this and a standout of modern rock.

Incidental boogie.. damn love that track.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/US-Girls-In-A-Poem-Unlimited/release/11564458

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YkIvuGYGqA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9PLXHDEUFE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtGb5NiGBjc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cFnewlPpzI

Spotify


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U.S. Girls – In A Poem Unlimited

Description: Album Review of U.S. Girls – In A Poem Unlimited


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Happy Mondays – Pills ‘N’ Thrills And Bellyaches

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = 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


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

The Cure – The Head On The Door

by ·

★★★☆☆ = 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


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Kids These Days – Traphouse Rock

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Rap with a rock band

Moods

The energy of a live show with the polish of the studio

Thoughts

I really like some of these productions, distinct in their use of instrumentation. The album didn't really resonate with me. Almost felt like canned aggression, too polished as a studio album.  

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Kids-These-Days-Traphouse-Rock/release/4536212

Listen!

Spotify


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Kids These Days – Traphouse Rock

Description: Album Review of Kids These Days – Traphouse Rock


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

epic indie metal post rock

Moods

Cinematic

Thoughts

 I wonder what key this is in because it immediately inspires a grandiose feeling. Post rock elements for sure as this is exploratory and .. (wistful? In awe? Can't find the word) gets 'heavy' at times but really just borrows from metal with the lyrics otherwise I wouldn't consider it heavy at all. Telling that this is what classifies as metal now.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Deafheaven-Ordinary-Corrupt-Human-Love/release/12243069

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITgslYJhfx0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5eQuhBfDE0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yzGzQ8pu8E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU8g0XNyHRw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPntpS9A-lY

Spotify


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Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love

Description: Album Review of Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love


Rating: 3 out of 5