Album Rating: 4.5

well, it's often the musical elephant in the room - if someone was around when an album came out they'll have an insight you can't contrive if you weren't



hence a million '60s bores...



and now I guess a billion '90s bores

Album Rating: 4.5

If I’m being honest The Bends is probably not a 5 for me in 2019 but I can’t bring me to drop it... That one does have its patchy/dated moments, it’s definitely more “of its era” so I won’t be surprised if this album overtakes it both personally and in the general estimation.

Album Rating: 2.5

Fake Plastic Trees was constantly playing when I was a child so I have an attachment to it.

Album Rating: 4.0

I *was* there, though. I just didn't really love it at the time, either. My 90s gem, and the album I listened to on repeat, was 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness'.

Album Rating: 2.5

"if someone was around when an album came out they'll have an insight you can't contrive if you weren't"



They'll have something unique but not necessarily one more valid. It could have been their first rock album they ever listened to so they would overvalue it more than someone who listens to rock today.

Album Rating: 2.5

Yep, the nostalgia factor, which is an absolutely massive selling point and a key element of advertising in consumerism for a reason.

Album Rating: 5.0

"I agree (first time for everything), you picked the best tracks as well. I do think it's a 'great' album, but not even comparable to OKC, Kid A or In Rainbows (personally TKOL is better too and Amnesiac is of similar quality)."



I like a lot TKOL or In rainbows. In fact, as an album, they are better than Kid A or Amnesiac for me. But can't deny those albums has some perfect songs.

Album Rating: 4.0

A Moon-shaped Poop

Album Rating: 4.5

I just think people forget that the musical climate and the artist’s intentions are often why an album is the way it is - I doubt too many bands release something thinking ‘I want this appreciated in the vacuum of the internet and to stand outside time and place’



Some aim for ‘timeless’ sure...but sometimes even aiming for that is part of a current trend etc



The Bends does get judged harshly by many in the cold light of reverse chronology, it did what it set out to do real well - it stomped on most of the alt rock/brit rock oppo



Most things are better understood with context...and some context can only make sense breathed in rather than read about

Album Rating: 5.0

@Pikazilla: This is an awesome album, why you rated it so high?

Album Rating: 4.0

Qwenta, I believe the answer is contained within the very question you pose

Album Rating: 2.5

It is easier to get the whole picture on their musical climate today, than it was back then.



"and some context can only make sense breathed in rather than read about"

Agreed 100%.

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah, I mean saying all this 50% of what I’ve listened to I prob don’t have a handle on much of the context for whatever reason and it’s only one factor - but sometimes you read criticism of an album (which is personally valid) and you can’t help but think ‘you’re sort of missing the point/vibe my dude’

Album Rating: 2.5

Judging an album by the standards of something else?



e.g a prog nerd dismissing something based on its simplicity

Album Rating: 4.5

Yes, judging a band’s whole discog as if they're the same band at the start and end of their career is one example



I’m as guilty of this as anyone with other bands - just saying if you do have the context of ‘living the band’ it just stands out in other’s critique and you think ‘nah, you got the wrong handle on this’



It’s not bad as such, and it’s natural, but if you’re on the other side you don’t take those opinions so seriously usually



‘I discovered Radiohead last week and band were shit before Kid A’ etc



It’s valid as an opinion. It’s missing quite a lot.

Album Rating: 5.0

"Qwenta, I believe the answer is contained within the very question you pose"



I was being sarcastic .I was surprised to agree with you, that's all.

Album Rating: 3.5

Class

Album Rating: 4.5

You’re spot on Doof mate. The whole missing the historical context thing grinds my gears.

Album Rating: 3.0

Everything before kid a does suck deal with it

Album Rating: 3.0

Working class yuppie twaddle