album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
Revisiting Blink-182’s ‘Neighborhoods’
In many ways, Neighborhoods is one of the most controversial Blink-182 albums. Gone were the traces of the carefree, buoyant, anti-boyband sound, and in came a lyrically deep record full of weight and gravitas. It’s an album that regularly finds itself at the bottom of the pile when fans of the band discuss their personal favourite releases from the California natives, but is it something worth ignoring, or is it simply just an album destined to be shoe-horned into the underrated category for life?
By Nathan Sartain8 years ago in Beat
Best Albums of 2018
One of three artists on this list to come back after a five-year hiatus, Miles Kane, roared back into the indie world's consciousness with this lush, bombastic LP full of melodramatic power pop ballads and lyrically vague guitar anthems. It's definitely the most showy of his three albums, shifting from a softer, more boyish sound to one resembling disco and glam rock, with Diana Ross and Marc Bolan as clear inspirations. Standout tracks include the pour-your-heart-out chant "Wrong Side of Life," the wordy, Faustian "Loaded," and the funky, danceable title track.
By maddie nagy8 years ago in Beat
My Top Artist's of 2018
Its so crazy to think that 2018 is coming to an end and 2019 is right around the corner. The year 2018 has brought us some amazing artist, albums, and songs. For me, this year, many of the artists I listened to have made their return to the music industry after taking hiatus for a couple of years. Their returns were definitely worth the wait because the albums each of them released have been nothing but amazing and on repeat everyday of the week. I wanted to share some of my favorite artist of 2018 and hopefully you guys enjoy the list as much as I enjoyed making it.
By Shadora Robinson8 years ago in Beat
Top 30 Albums of 2018
Wow, what a year overall am I right? From everything in the world to what I can only imagine personally this year has been a roller coaster for a ton of people! I will say musically it has been a crazy ride. Let’s reminisce one last time on this year of major ups and downs through these albums, starting at number 30!
By Rip Mitchell8 years ago in Beat
Album of 2018: 'LM5'. Top Story - December 2018.
As someone who appreciates music from all genres, my opinion on music is varied. Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd is the album I consider to be the best of all time; however my personal favourite album of all time is Eye to the Telescope by KT Tunstall. Selecting LM5 as the best album of this year for me was tough and I absolutely have to give a shout out to Janelle Monae with Dirty Computer and Ariana Grande with Sweetner; however, Little Mix just delivered for me in 2018.
By Grace Lynch8 years ago in Beat
Jelly Roll—'Goodnight Nashville'
Jelly Roll Releases 'Goodnight Nashville' Jelly Roll released his solo project "Goodnight Nashville" on December 7 and was met with high praise from fans. What fans expect are slick rap flows, big hooks and melodies that wrap listeners minds into the music, not only did Jelly deliver what was expected but he brought more to the table. The track titled "Still Falling" boasts Jelly’s articulate rhythm and smooth chorus but also brings an unexpected early 2000’s R&B vibe. "Still Falling" features Robin Raynelle who executes her part to perfection. Jelly Roll often sides with the downtrodden and strives to empower them with his blue collar style, his lyrics target those in bad times and offer relatable art for them to own and cherish. Songs such as "Believe" and "Go and Get It" are tailored toward the underdogs and misfits, whether in the style of hard rock or old school hip-hip the message is clear. If he hadn’t already, Jelly roll solidifies his place in Southern rap as one of the greats with "Goodnight Nashville."
By Kurtis Pryde8 years ago in Beat
Ben LaMar Gay - 'Benjamin e Edinho'
Ben LaMar Gay has been a continuous presence on the Chicago music scene for years now, he is a member of the prominent AACM (The Association of the Advancement of Creative Musicians) and he has been collaborating with the likes of George Lewis, Theo Parrish, and Makaya McCraven. Still, until 2018 his solo recordings were barely to be heard.
By Ljubinko Zivkovic8 years ago in Beat
Late Review: 'Swimming'
"My regrets look just like texts I shouldn't send." From the very first line that comes out to the last beat you hear, Mac Miller commands your attention on 2018's album Swimming. With a mix of jazz-inspired beats and modern-day production, Mac Miller raps about his struggles with self-love (along with self-respect), his battle with drugs, relationships (both old and new), and his place in the world around him.
By George Gomez8 years ago in Beat
Day6 - ‘Remember Us: Youth Part 2’ Review
As we approach the end of another year, the final few releases flood in, with numerous artists wanting to go out with a bang, or just sit alongside Michael Buble’s Christmas album on the shelf for a little while. Artists like The 1975, Little Mix, and Clean Bandit have all found themselves marketing solid efforts in the last 30 days, but one that may go under your radar is the latest offering from Day6.
By Nathan Sartain8 years ago in Beat
My Favorite Music Releases of 2018
Hiya! As we come up to the end of the year I thought I’d share a list of my favourite music releases of 2018. It’s been a weird year musically for me, I’ve fallen out of love with guitar music countless times, only to fall back in love with it just as often. I’ve explored the realms of post-rock, delved into ambient music further than I ever have before and discovered that drum n bass isn’t awful. So to sum it up, here’s a mixed bag of apples to sink your teeth into if you so desire! In no particular order, here we go! (P.S. At this point of writing I am back in love with guitar music, I might do an exclusively not guitar music list another day).
By Alex McCudden8 years ago in Beat
Realm of Wolves—'Oblivion'
Formed early in 2018, Realm of Wolves was formed in almost a supergroup fashion by the members of vvilderness, Silent Island and other projects in similar style. The band members in true (Or is it Trv? I can’t keep up) black metal fashion, the members all go by pseudonyms with vvildr contributing lyrics, vocals and drums, Stvannyr on guitars and Ghöul on bass. The music they craft is dark yet serene, like a dream constantly on the edge of a nightmare yet somehow in the right mindset a listener can all but see the fog this music envokes appear before their eyes! Their first EP, Shores of Nothingness, I did on my band camp finds, which I said I cannot wait to see where they go from them then like I had said that guy with the honey and bees name one too many times this album formed before me. If this album is anything like their EP, I would compare it to a good horror movie, such as 2015’s The Witch in that there is tension the whole runtime, like modern horror fans waiting for the ninety-fourth jump scare of the movie but no one ever came. Or does it? Let's wander deep within this Oblivion that is the Realm of Wolves and see if there is a final screamer after all.
By Rip Mitchell8 years ago in Beat
A Gushing Review of Anderson .Paak's 'Oxnard'
Anderson .Paak is the rebirth of Death Row era g-funk on his newest album Oxnard. And it isn’t the pre-packaged, edited for commercial pop standards funk that we’ve gotten in recent years from other artists. Rather it is a soul-infused modern fusion of R&B, funk, and rap. The album acts as a tribute to Oxnard, California and, seemingly, California in general and acts as the third installation in .Paak’s set of albums that are dedicated to iconic cities. Though Oxnard is not necessarily an iconic city for most of the world, it is obviously one that played a large part in .Paak’s life.
By Azaria Brown8 years ago in Beat
