album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
Preternatural by Moulettes
Introduction - An Album That I Almost Never Played I am not sure why I bought this album, in fact, it was on my Discogs store because I didn’t think I would listen to it again. Then I just put it on and got blown away by the opening song, which is absolutely monstrous in a very impressive way. It has been described as progressive pop and the album impressed a lot of progressive rock journalists on its release in 2017.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 4 years ago in Beat
IGOR by Tyler, The Creator | Album Review
Simply put, IGOR is probably Tyler, The Creator’s best album. Having been entirely produced by the artist himself, the innovative and almost dramatic production pays homage to other legendary influences such as Kanye and Pharrell. The album itself focuses on love and heartbreak as hinted by the pink background of the album cover. This album was another step removed from the grotesque, outrage rap of an earlier era and another step in the direction of genre fluid music as a source of catharsis as hinted in Flowerboy (of which a review can be found here).
By Josh Herring4 years ago in Beat
Viva Glasvegas
Around 2008 in the same ballpark universe and country as the Jesus and Mary Chain, a name appeared that demanded an immediate investigation, and that name was Glasvegas. I can’t remember how I first heard them, probably on BBC 6Music but I heard them and immediately had to have that album.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 4 years ago in Beat
Avalon by Roxy Music - A Beautiful Soundscape
Introduction - Me And Roxy Music I was into Roxy Music from when their first single was released, “Virginia Plain” which apparently referred to a painting that Bryan Ferry had done or seen with a woman smoking in an open land panorama, so “Virginia Plain” could have referred to the location, the cigarette or the woman. That was followed by their eponymous stylish first album blending rock and roll, electronics, and styles that made them unique. I saw Ferry as the songwriter and Eno as the soundscaper with help from Manzanera and McKay.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 4 years ago in Beat
Love It To Death - The First Great Alice Cooper Album
Love It To Death is The First Great Alice Cooper Album I was listening to some albums in the Rhino Original Album Series this week and wrote about it in the piece below, and one of the sets was the Alice Copper one with their first five albums. The first two “Pretties For You” and “Easy Action” are very basic rock, although “Pretties For You” does contain “Reflected” which was resurrected as “Elected” on “Billion Dollar Babies” the band's last great album. People will probably disagree with me, but the band split after “Muscle of Love” which I don't rate that highly.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 4 years ago in Beat
i used to think i could fly
Up-and-coming pop artist Tate McRae released her debut album i used to think i could fly this past Friday, a monumental step for someone who not so long ago was uploading YouTube videos her playing made-up songs on her electric keyboard. It is exciting to think of the potential that her future career holds and of the ways in which her sound and style will evolve. With so much already accomplished at age 18, we can only speculate about what great things she has yet to do.
By Ryland Wilson4 years ago in Beat
Rap Albums from Underground artists in March
As we march forward and out of the month "March" we are going to take a look at different rap albums that were released this month. Some were released in early March and we all got to listen to them for the whole month, while others got late excitement and got the album in the final week of March. I am telling you this, so you would have the same opportunity to listen to these albums. The details and rating given to the album is within my own personal decision and my personal opinion (I want to make that clear to people who get offended by it)
By Dubisthename4 years ago in Beat
Rap Albums from Underground artists in April
Well, April was very different and a little bit better than March. More albums got released but these four are the ones that won the battle and got picked for the selection of "Rap Albums from Underground artists in April". Make sure to read last month's selections "Rap Albums from Underground artists in March". The details and rating given to the album are within my own decision and my personal opinion (I want to make that clear to people who get offended by it).
By Dubisthename4 years ago in Beat
Why 'Harry's House' feels underwhelming
'Harry's House' is the much anticipated 3rd solo album from Harry Styles. With song names like 'Little Freak' and lyrics like 'choke her with a sea view' being leaked in the week building up to the album's release, fans were expecting Medicine and Kiwi-esque sexually-charged rock songs. Theories of him returning to the sound of his debut solo album were circulating, which contained a mix of rock and ballads with the occasional softer sound to solidify his comeback.
By Hannah Macdermott4 years ago in Beat
Harry's House by Harry Styles | Album Review
The former One Direction member has made quite the solo career for themself thus far. With the with a debut and sophomore albums under the belt (the latter of which a review can be found here), Harry Styles looks to impress with the more intimate and exploratory Harry's House. Fine Line was filled with summer bops and the exploration of sex and gender, seemingly a focal point of introspection for Styles. Harry's House seems to capture a nostalgic summer rock pop, especially in the leading single, "As It Was".
By Josh Herring4 years ago in Beat
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers by Kendrick Lamar | Album Review . Top Story - May 2022.
It's been years now since the drop of award winning album, DAMN. We've gotten a taste here and there with teasing singles and features with Baby Keem, but a new album is finally here - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, a double album filled with x and y, topping off what has been one of the most incredible discographies of the modern era. The intimacy of family is front and center, with glimpses of religion, gun violence, and struggle hiding within plain sight - a Compton paramount. Kendrick, a modern rap king, has solidified his place atop the throne with this release.
By Josh Herring4 years ago in Beat
