album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
'October Road'
Following the success of 1997's Hourglass, James Taylor laid low professionally for a few years. In 2001 he married current wife Kim Smedvig, with whom he subsequently had twin boys, Rufus and Henry. Despite his dedication to his new domestic life, by 2002 James had assembled enough songs for a new album. To produce this album, he brought in a face from his past--Russ Titelman who had co-produced (with Lenny Waronker) James's 1970s albums Gorilla and In the Pocket. The album was made in fits and starts--was recorded at various studios from 2000 through 2002. Finally, on August 13, 2002, the completed October Road was released.
By Sean Callaghan5 years ago in Beat
'Ghost and a Guess' -- Toby Kane and Brian Masek [Album Review]
There’s a raw energy that permeates the entirety of Toby Kane and Brian Masek’s musical experiment “Ghost and a Guess.” Recorded remotely with the help of regional musicians during the pandemic, the effort feels like an escape from the stresses of being a citizen of Earth in current times. It’s light and breezy, clocking in at around 37 minutes and having fun for every second of them.
By Samuel Lenz5 years ago in Beat
Punk — Album Review. Top Story - October 2021.
It’s been a while since I’ve indulged in trap music. I’m more attracted to the calming nature of R&B music. But this highly anticipated Young Thug album gained my attention, primarily from the live Tiny Desk Concert provided by NPR. Thug has always been a master at blending and even creating new genres, and this album is no different. You still have the traditional hard rap and trap elements with the introduction to — as the album name alludes to — a rock element (shoutout Travis Barker), and a straying from the norm with some slower, more intimate songs that take advantage of classical string instruments. Despite traversing through several genres, Young Thug still holds tight to his signature sound and creates an enticing listen.
By Josh Herring5 years ago in Beat
'The Quest' – Yes Music to My Ears
A new Yes studio album without Chris Squire was always going to be a hard sell for some people. Squire had been on every Yes studio album prior to this new one, titled The Quest. He appeared on 2014’s Heaven & Earth, which did not get the best reception from fans, to put it simply. When he passed away in on June 27, 2015 due to leukemia, fans were in shock. But the band carried on, with Squire’s longtime friend and collaborator Billy Sherwood fulfilling his wishes of taking up the Yes bassist role. He carried on with his fellow Yes members: vocalist Jon Davison, keyboardist Geoff Downes, guitarist Steve Howe, and drummer Alan White. There was a lot of pressure in terms of touring without Squire, and eventual reports of a potential new studio album surely meant more pressure. There were certainly many challenges for the band over the last several years.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight
Following the breakout performance from Travis Scott in Rodeo, the modern rockstar was highly touted for his addition to new trap music. Scott added to his high-quality repertoire with Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight. With help from some of the game’s biggest stars, the artist added to the excellent year of music in 2016. Such features include Andre 3000, Kid Cudi, NAV, 21 Savage, Young Thug, and Kendrick Lamar. 5 years after it’s release, it kinda flies under the radar due to the explosion of popularity from the coveted Astroworld. In order to reach that level, it is entirely necessary to acknowledge how he got there with Rodeo and Birds In The Trap.
By Josh Herring5 years ago in Beat
Change
I think there’s beautiful irony that the fifth album from the Sugababes is called Change. Having survived two line-up changes, is something that would kill off many pop groups, but not Sugababes. With this album, they got their second number one album and their biggest hit, About You Now. It follows nicely from Taller in More Ways and helped them retain their crown as one of the pop girl groups from the UK. The changes they were known for would be the final line-up’s biggest downfall. But at that moment, they were doing alright. It was clear many people were missing Mutya, and some were missing Siobhan too, but they had some good solo albums to listen to from Mutya and Siobhan.
By Chloe Gilholy5 years ago in Beat
Workingmen's Dead
A lot of people have heard of the Grateful Dead , but know nothing of the band and know nothing of their songs. There are also a lot of people who have never heard of the band at all, which give the sheer size of their following , the Dead Heads, is at least a bit of a mystery.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 5 years ago in Beat
Catfights & Spotlights by the Sugababes
With the popularity of the first five albums and the notorious reputation of the last album, it’s a shame that the sixth album of the Sugababes is so overshadowed. It may not have sold as well as the previous five albums, but it’s pleasant album to listen to because I love the 60’s vibes to it and the ballads are lovely. The album does have some weak links, mostly the singles for me because I’m not too keen on them much. The Sugababes have had a fair few flop singles, but they’ve always seemed to bounce back up afterwards.
By Chloe Gilholy5 years ago in Beat
Sweet 7: What Went Wrong?
There’s a lot to be said about the last studio album of the Sugababes. It’s the first and only one to feature Jade Ewen. Keisha was cruelly kicked. Everything that surrounds this album seems to play like a car about to crash and burn. Yes, that pun was intended. The album was delayed a few times, but when the album did leak and was officially released, it made a lot of people angry.
By Chloe Gilholy5 years ago in Beat
