Average Rating: 3.76 Rating Variance: 0.42 Objectivity Score: 65% (Fairly Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicMalcolm Middleton Waxing GibbousAbsolutely brilliant rendering of nihilistic dadaism; self-aware of its blasé, animalistic beats in such a way that reveals tremendous care and thought. Spectacularly different.4.5 superbBen Howard Every KingdomMilo So The Flies Don't ComeThe addled zen scientist with his inwardly infinite capacity for self-reflection just demolishes. Flow knows exactly where to linger and stumble ("well there seem to be some misconceptions/...there seems to.there seem/......I don't think that you understand") and where to exalt (Busdriver). Qua black art aspiring to splice more than samplesOwl & Mouse Somewhere To GoSimplicity that belies an astounding ability to carry emotional weight, primarily powered by thoughtful, novel (pun intended) lyrics carried by a tender, knowing voice.Ruhe PatriarchsKind, soft, tender. To have discovered this album in the stillness of a snowstorm was incredible.4.0 excellentAngharad Drake SwordThe delicacy of Drake's voice belies a story holding much more than I was prepared. Moves beyond the stale songer-songwriter shtick somehow. Will need to relisten to album to determine what sets it apart.Ben Howard These WatersBon Iver For Emma, Forever AgoCircle Takes the Square Decompositions: Volume Number OneForeign Fields Anywhere But Where I AmIndeed reminiscent of Bon Iver while standing in a field foreign to that group and it's myriad imitators through the intimacy of the space in which one finds herself while listening to the album, caught between two imperfect, slightly syncopated voices that tell such warming stories.James Blake The Colour in AnythingLost my last soundoff. Album has grown on me significantly since first listen. Obtuse, soaring interplay between trademark modulated voice, its grimy synth background, and the lyric content. A pop album through and through. But done so well.Piglet lava landbarn burner of a good time. Album is comfortable playing in the background, but I keep thinking "my god that is cool" and getting pulled into it. Don't recommend this album if you're trying to get work done. Multiply realized and competing melodies and polyrhythmic percussion sound effortless.Ryo Fukui Scenery"Pianistic exuberance" is all that comes to mindThe Books Lost And SafeSubtle usage of sound collage in a wholly unprecedented, surprisingly coherent album. Very rewarding to listen multiple times. The Dear Hunter Act IV: Rebirth in RepriseCompletely unexpected in terms of the emotive movements elicited by The Dear Hunter, all overlaid upon technicality whose subtlety continues to become apparent with repeated listens. Excellent release. 3.5 greatAdjy Prelude (.3333)Grammar-centric and linguistically rich pop emo. Enjoy primarily for the (somewhat) subtle grammatical treatises.Intervals The Shape of ColourVery impressed with Marshall's ability to output great technicality while creating an uplifting atmosphere. That is a combination that I don't see to often. Reminds me of a better-executed migration by scale the summit.Kauan Sorni NaiKendrick Lamar To Pimp a ButterflyExcellent musical exploration of race and it's relation to success, most notably the improbability of success as a young black man. A well produced exploration of what life looks like after having obtained what he was never supposed have, influence. That said, I was not as impressed with this album as I had hoped to be.Ulaan Khol La Catacomb3.0 goodGregory Alan Isakov The WeathermanInitial impression is of a nicely executed, softly atmospheric (all puns intended) release in the singer-songwriter category which offers occasional distinguishing lyrics and moments amongst a mostly-standard-fare composition.Linton Kwesi Johnson Forces Of VictoryWorking to better understand reggae. Tthe tension between clever lyricism throughout and monotonous (to my uninformed ears) song structure is anxiety-inducing; something should happen, but it doesn't. Maybe that's alright2.5 averageAidan Baker Sorry for What I Said to You in Your DreamSuffers from the lack of memorability to which drone music threatens to fall without being redeemed by emotional movements of consequence. That said, nice to listen to.Miasma & The Carousel of Headless Horses PerilsGrandiose, dissonant chamber rock whose experimentation is duly noted, appreciated, and a grind to persevere through the last couple of songs.SHALOSH The Bell GardenTraditional jazz instrumentation whose accessibility probably means that it is not a very significant musical accomplishment. Relying on major keys makes the melodies appear predictable in retrospect, which might be indicative of excellent musicianship or perhaps of a lack of genuine experimentation. I certainly don't have any background in jazz and this album seems to be an excellent primer into the modern genre given its traditional forms.
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