Album Rating: 5.0

Uh oh, I feel the pressure now haha

Album Rating: 4.5

i'm still not sure how i feel about this album. i've fully listened to it three times now, and each time it has only been to get to know it better. that's pretty unusual for me. it usually takes me all of ten seconds to make up my mind.

Album Rating: 5.0

I was instantly *intrigued*

Second listen I knew I wanted to review it at a 4+

Third listen I was head over heels and decided to make it my parting rec to the site.

Fourth-->however many listens I'm at now (probably 15-20) have only solidified my adoration and now it's sitting at a 5.

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm doubting I'll give it that many listens... As much as I love it, it's not really the style I tend to gravitate toward... I'm definitely dusting off an easy-access perch on my virtual shelf, though. It's ready for me whenever I'm ready for it.

Album Rating: 4.5

I'll just listen to it once or twice more... to know for sure...

Album Rating: 5.0

Hey whatever it takes man! Just cool to see you digging it in any capacity. This definitely isn't my normal cup of tea either but that's part of why I like it so much. It takes a style I'm not usually interested in and made it an AOTY contender.

Honey Harper did the same thing for me with country this year.

Album Rating: 4.5

Did Honey Harper lead you into that review of Caitlyn Smith, or did that happen in reverse order? I really enjoyed that new Caitlyn Smith, like whoa.

Album Rating: 5.0

My journey into country is long and complicated, but started in 2016 with Sturgill Simpson. Honey Harper was instrumental in keeping my interest in modern country from being a one-hit wonder, so I'd say HH led me into Caitlyn (and every other country artist I've reviewed/rated in 2020).

Album Rating: 5.0

This might be a left field comparison but the orchestration and urgency here is almost like a much, much better version of The Last Shadow Puppets.

Album Rating: 3.5

Concrete is so damn good

Album Rating: 5.0

Yes, yes it is. I can't even pick a favorite anymore. Every song bangs.

Album Rating: 4.0

We'll miss you sowing, best of luck in the future :=)

saw pop as the lead genre and did not expect *this*

Album Rating: 5.0

Yeah it's something else. I almost skipped over it too. I sampled a few random clips of different songs and wasn't convinced - but I was intrigued enough to go back a day later and download it. From there it's grown exponentially and quickly.

Album Rating: 5.0

And thanks bobshat :-)

On my second listen. If I can figure out references to what I'm hearing I'll be back.

Album Rating: 3.0

someone finally discovered him 8 years after I added him to the data base :*]. this album is everything I ever wanted from him and more

Album Rating: 3.0

wow and this is your last review?! talk about a bittersweet ending to a fine career. you will never know the impact Azier had on my late teens. he was the soundtrack to a complicated yet beautiful relationship with a wonderful woman I will forever consider my first and only love. I remember her sending me the video of "Red Eyes" on a rainy night in the spring of 2012 while I was driving back from her house. She said "I forgot to show you this". I stopped my car on the side of the road because I was so taken aback by how captivating his haunting voice was but even more so by my love for her and her taste in music.



I appreciate this thoughtful and technically perfect review and all of your contributions to the website. We have had a strange relationship but at the end of the day you have been an integral part in keeping this site relevant years after the so called "golden age of sput" in the late 2000s/early 2010s. I will never forget the sowing's marriage thread and the countless late night discussions in the TDAG thread, and of course your audacity in banning me for a year ;). But seriously, thanks for everything man.



-mitch

Album Rating: 5.0

Thanks so much for all the kind words. It's awesome that you've known about Azier for as long as you have and I'm definitely jealous. I heard of him in 2017 with the release of Rouge and found that album to be good, but his 2014 debut Hoyas to be even better. This, in my opinion, blows them both out of the water. It's such a gorgeous album but in a menacing, haunting sort of way that I can't quite describe. The best way I could summarize it was to qualify it as a visceral reaction to the world; because even though the content and aesthetic approach is widely varied, there's this lurking element of fear and uncertain tension that never goes away. His vocals are immense and haunt the melody of each uniquely fathomed and executed song. It's so damn close to perfect if it isn't in actuality.

Also, for what it's worth, I don't recall banning you ever - especially for that long. Weird.

Album Rating: 3.0

that describes how i feel exactly. It is so fun to watch an artist become exactly what you wanted/knew they were capable of becoming. It’s that wonderful feeling all of us on this site have had at one time or another where we find an artist and they are completely unknown and you watch as they gain steam and evolve into something you both expected but also never could have dreamed of. I really hope this is the album that gets him the notoriety he so deserves.



And yea who knows who banned me it was a long time ago and i literally asked for it. Who cares now i just thought it was hysterical at the time and still do. It’s so funny the impact that this site has had on so many of us.