album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
My Essential Albums: 'The Beatles' (The White Album) by The Beatles
Also known as The White Album, this self-titled album by the Beatles isn't only famous as being the "Charles Manson went Batshit Crazy" album, but is also remembered as being one of the greatest albums ever recorded. The Beatles have many albums that you may see in this series over time, but seriously, I wanted to start with this one, purely because it's such an icon of who the Beatles are. They aren't a boy band, they aren't a set of manufactured rock stars, they cannot be defined or padlocked into a group, and they cannot be imprisoned in one type of music. They are everlasting and they are incredible—they transcend the term "music" itself.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Beat
My Essential Albums: 'Innuendo' by Queen
This is by a flying mile my favourite Queen album and I have to say, though I'm not really that into Queen as it's a bit after the period of music I normally listen to—I do like this album a lot because of its intense drama. The album has served to be an iconic reminder of the demise of the band's lead singer, Freddie Mercury, known as one of the greatest male vocalists to have ever lived. The album also serves as a reminder of the brilliance of dramatic, hard progressive rock music—and the fact that even though the 90s came around, it wasn't about to die.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Beat
My Essential Albums: '20 Golden Greats' by Buddy Holly and the Crickets
This album, also known as Buddy Holly Lives was released in the February of 1978 as a tribute to Buddy Holly and the Crickets. Holly, who died in a plane crash in 1959, went on to become immortalised through his incredible musical abilities at such a young age. He was just 22 years old at the time of his death. This album is filled with all your favourite Buddy Holly and the Crickets songs and is an absolute pleasure to listen to at any time of the day.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Beat
My Essential Albums: 'Highway 61 Revisited' by Bob Dylan
One of the most essential albums in music history, and also one of my personal favourites, Bob Dylan's electric folk-rock album has stood the test of time and become a myth in itself. With a track listing of only nine songs, it is a short album, but it also shows you exactly how much work goes into each and every song Dylan writes. The iconic cover art has been copied for decades afterwards, with a slightly annoyed Dylan staring directly into the camera almost asking you out for a fight (in which he will win, because believe it or not, Bob Dylan loves boxing). And, with ease, Dylan takes you on a tour of his new sound, debuting the kind of man he is in 65 and 66, before killing him off to start over.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Beat
Ariana Grande 'Thank U, Next' Album Review
Ariana Grande is one to know the feeling of pain and defeat. With all that 2017 and 2018 has thrown at her, the outcome has been utmost amazing. Winning Billboard's “2018 Woman of The Year” award, a Grammy, and many more acclimations. With all of this, Ariana released her second album in six months, giving fans a total of five albums. Let’s take a deeper look into Ariana Grande’s fifth album, Thank U, Next.
By Mackenzie Coberley5 years ago in Beat
Avril Lavigne, 'Head Above Water' Album Review
Avril has been one of the prominent examples of a pop star over a decade. Her ground-breaking debut album Let Go has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, becoming her highest selling album to date. The sophomore album Under My Skin shows much more maturity from her both vocally and lyrically. Sadly, the pop-rock queen (sometimes punk) started to deliver something more generic and sloppy projects. The Best Damn Thing wasn’t tragic at all. It was just the beginning of confusion. You know, when you go through puberty and you’re so confused and don’t know what to do with your emotions? The album was "it." She was getting old and singing those provocative lyrics. "Goodbye Lullaby" was absolutely a step … No a few steps back from what she has achieved in the past which I wasn’t expecting from her. She tried too hard with her self-titled album where she clearly struggles to establish her sound whether to go fully pop or pop-rock. "Hello Kitty" is a 3 minute of torture and slightly culturally inappropriate.
By Luigi K.D.Cruz5 years ago in Beat
Broods - 'Don't Feed the Pop Monster': Album Review
From New Zealand to the world, this alt-pop duo, Broods’ (Georgia and Caleb Nott) third album Don't Feed the Pop Monster is their most instrumentally focused work to date. After a long break from their sophomore album Conscious, they seem to establish a new solid ground with their new material. While the first two albums were more inclined towards synth and electronic production, this album takes more organic approach in terms of the overall sound. The debut album was musically very unique and cuts like "Bridges" and "Never Gonna Change" really cultivated their alt-pop sound. The second album felt more commercial rather than focusing on evolving their sound, they penned some decent radio-friendly songs like "Heartlines" and the lead single "Free." Even so, the album didn’t stick out unfortunately.
By Luigi K.D.Cruz5 years ago in Beat
South Korea’s Love X Stereo Releases Title Track to NYC LGBT Short Film
Out of the darkness of Love X Stereo’s new video, lead singer Annie Ko emerges and brings somber reality to the pain of love lost. “Love is dead,” she begins, and her compliant look seems to agree. The signature electro rock beat of Ko and Toby Hwang doesn’t bode well for a resurrection either. But that’s not how Ko thinks, and neither does Zero One, which is the official sound track to the short film of the same name.
By Rich Monetti5 years ago in Beat
ONE OK ROCK — ‘Eye of the Storm’ Album Review
When you look at the state of rock music in 2019, you will see that it’s all about one thing: reinvention. Whether it’s heavy groups dabbling in softer sounds, once raw, gritty bands trialing with electronic, synth-driven instrumentals, or even a cookie-cutter gateway band trying to add some extra edge, the genre of rock is fast becoming even more fluid.
By Nathan Sartain5 years ago in Beat
Album Review: Glasses Malone – 'Beach Cruiser'
Glasses Malone’s debut album, Beach Cruiser, was originally scheduled to come out in 2006; however, numerous setbacks and label changes kept the album from seeing the day of light for a long time. Finding a home at Suburban Noize Records, Malone has finally released the album to masses, who were anxious to see how it would turn out. So was it worth the wait? Well, that’s going to depend on what you’re looking for.
By Justin Runyon5 years ago in Beat