Average Rating: 3.77 Rating Variance: 0.40 Objectivity Score: 64% (Fairly Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicKate Bush Hounds of LoveAn A-side of hit after hit and a B-side that's arguably something of a concept 'album'. This sounds as though it would be disjointed, but somehow, it all ties perfectly together and is a gorgeous, haunting experience that ends on a jarringly cheery epilogue (Which took me a few listens to get used to-- for the longest time, I thought the album should've just ended with Hello Earth. Viewing Morning Fog as an epilogue rather than a true ending made it make a lot more sense).Modest Mouse The Moon & AntarcticaSun Kil Moon Ghosts of the Great HighwayTalking Heads Speaking in TonguesThe Replacements Pleased To Meet Me4.5 superbBrand New Deja EntenduBrand New The Devil and God Are Raging Inside MeSun Kil Moon AprilSwans The Great AnnihilatorThe Afghan Whigs Black LoveThe Hotelier Home, Like NoPlace Is ThereThe Hotelier GoodnessI seem to have a weakness for bittersweet albums; albums about moving on from losses yet still holding onto them a little too tightly; about trying to find what is left; about trying to find constructive lessons from painful experiences. This album 100% fits that bill lyrically, and the music complements it perfectly (If I have one musical complaint, it's the percussion, which sounds a bit samey/overly repetitive at times).The War On Drugs Lost in the Dream"I don't mind you disappearing, 'cause I know you can be found." A beautiful, coherent, and emotional experience that blends together seamlessly. A bit of a nostalgic sound-- Bob Dylan mixed with Tom Petty, and Mike Scott of the Waterboys (Under the Pressure is a VERY early-Waterboys- sounding song, and Granduciel's vocals share similarities to Scott's in general), -- but never trite. In fact, I would argue that the 70s/80s heartland rock influence ties to the lyrical themes perfectly. It complements the overall message the album (moving on from loss; giving that loss meaning). A few songs sometimes blur together instead of just *blend*, but never in a way that truly detracts from the experience. Truly flows like an ALBUM rather than a collection of songs: the first song is a clear beginning, and the final song is a clear (and gorgeously bittersweet) ending. 4.0 excellentAni DiFranco DilateAni DiFranco Not a Pretty GirlAntarctigo Vespucci Soulmate StuffBeach Slang Broken ThrillsBeach Slang The Things We Do to Find People Who FeelChuck Ragan Los FelizThis live album is better and more consistent than any of his studio releases, what's up with that.CHVRCHES Every Open EyeFlorence and the Machine CeremonialsInto It. Over It. IntersectionsKilling Joke Night TimeModest Mouse Good News for People Who Love Bad NewsModest Mouse The Lonesome Crowded WestOwen No Good for No One NowThis sounds very, very similar to mid-to-late period Red House Painters: a mixture of acoustic guitar and Neil Young-esque calm-yet-fuzzy electric riffage, melancholy lyrics, etc. And honestly, I'm fine with that. Some might dock points due to the obvious similarities (Everyone Feels Like You would arguably be right at home on Old Ramon), and if I was rating this album from a purely analytical standpoint I probably would, too. I factor personal enjoyment into my ratings, though, and have a special place in my heart for music that sounds like mid/late period RHP. It's also good to note that the guitar work by Kinsella on this album is a bit more complex at points than on RHP songs from the same period (Kozelek would embrace a more complex style later on in Sun Kil Moon). Therefore, I can easily bump this up to a 4.Petal ShamePreoccupations PreoccupationsRed House Painters Red House PaintersRed House Painters Songs for a Blue GuitarSun Kil Moon Admiral Fell PromisesSwans The SeerThe Afghan Whigs GentlemenThe Replacements Tim3.5 greatAni DiFranco EvolveAntarctigo Vespucci Leavin' La Vida LocaBrand New Leaked Demos 2006Car Seat Headrest Teens of DenialChuck Ragan Feast Or FamineCHVRCHES The Bones of What You BelieveFlorence and the Machine LungsFlorence and the Machine How Big, How Blue, How BeautifulInto It. Over It. ProperInto It. Over It. StandardsJulien Baker Sprained AnkleLow Drums and GunsModest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even SankRed House Painters Ocean BeachSun Kil Moon BenjiTenement Bruised Music Volume 1The Afghan Whigs Do to the BeastThe Hotelier It Never Goes OutThe Jezabels SynthiaA catchy, dark pop album that has its effectiveness somewhat neutered by flat, muffled production. The War On Drugs Slave Ambient3.0 goodBrand New Your Favorite WeaponBrand New DaisySmog The Doctor Came at DawnSun Kil Moon Among the LeavesTenement Predatory HeadlightsThe Afghan Whigs CongregationThe Hotelier We Are All Alone2.5 averageAni DiFranco Red Letter YearRed House Painters Red House Painters IIThe Afghan Whigs 19652.0 poorCatch 22 Permanent RevolutionDo you want a lounge singer and a bar ska band performing a musical based off of Permanent Revolution by Leon Trotsky? ok u got it bud (i think a concept album based on the russian revolution and the fallout of it could definitely be great, the execution of this particular one is just Bad.)
Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
