Current Events > ITT: I rate and (short) review your album recommendation

(+) Yeah! (+)

A while back I asked for must-hear but lesser-known albums to listen to. I compiled a list based on CEs post and will be listening through and posting my thoughts

will also take new recommendations posted in this topic. Mainly interested in stuff I havent heard before but I might post my thoughts on stuff I know just for funsies

---

Powerglove - Continue?

---

Taggage for the metal music baggage.

---

Sloppy Seconds - Destroyed

---

Vespertine by Bjork? Or Pornography by The Cure? Those are my two favorite albums anyways.

---

Wildflowers by Avalanches

---

The Darkness - Permission to Land

---

First up

Kirsty MacColl - Kite (1989)

This was a surprising grab bag of styles, mostly rooted in new wave but most tracks went in a surprising direction. I was reminded, musically, most of Elvis Costellos early/mid-80s work in that respect. It kicked off with a song that had a country twang and that vein kind of permeated much of the record but Id hesitate to call it country in any way. For being a record from 1989 it didnt sound very dated at all and I could hear elements that probably were very influential to future musicians, particularly Jenny Lewis and Neko Case. The vocals throughout are excellent, probably the strongest point of a very good record. For someone Id never heard of its interesting to see the credits on Wikipedia which include contributions from David Gilmour and Johnny Marr.

8/10

---

[Fujii Kaze] - Help Ever Hurt Never

Modern city pop

---

Carpenter Brut - Trilogy
---

TheGoldenEel posted...

First up

Kirsty MacColl - Kite (1989)

This was a surprising grab bag of styles, mostly rooted in new wave but most tracks went in a surprising direction. I was reminded, musically, most of Elvis Costellos early/mid-80s work in that respect. It kicked off with a song that had a country twang and that vein kind of permeated much of the record but Id hesitate to call it country in any way. For being a record from 1989 it didnt sound very dated at all and I could hear elements that probably were very influential to future musicians, particularly Jenny Lewis and Neko Case. The vocals throughout are excellent, probably the strongest point of a very good record. For someone Id never heard of its interesting to see the credits on Wikipedia which include contributions from David Gilmour and Johnny Marr.

8/10

Ooh, I recommended this last time. Glad y'liked it.

---

DragonForce - Reaching Into Infinity

Thanks to a new lead singer, I think DragonForce have gotten way better since the time when they were mostly known for "that one super hard song in Guitar Hero" and were treated like a meme rather than a band. I think this album is their best example of how much they've improved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFeBkHJUZDg
---

Shotgunnova posted...

Ooh, I recommended this last time. Glad y'liked it.

Couldnt remember but its probably your list thats first up on my list of stuff. lots of new wave stuff it looks like

---

Princess Catgirl by Cashmere Cat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piv3XwFpd9E

---

Gospel - The Moon is a Dead World
The Pax Cecilia - Blessed are the Bonds
Have Heart - Songs to Scream at the Sun

---

it's an EP but....

Sodom - In the Sign of Evil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plk2bK1-FLc

---

Ill comment on these because Ive heard them all

Pus_N_Pecans posted...

Vespertine by Bjork? Or Pornography by The Cure? Those are my two favorite albums anyways.

I enjoy Bjork when Im listening to it and I respect what she does but her music has never left any lasting impression on me. Ive listened to most of her albums multiple times and I honestly cant remember much about any of them

pornography The album is excellent. One of the cures best for sure, although Id probably go with disintegration and/or kiss me x3 as my favorite depending on my mood. I do love the dark atmosphere of pornography though, it does a better job setting a gloomy mood better than any of their other albums imo

furb posted...

Wildflowers by Avalanches

Amazing followup to an amazing album. Im very happy that it even exists, even better that it turned out so good. I think I most like the rap tracks but I love the sound collage style of what the avalanches do. Was supposed to see them at a festival for this but they canceled last minute :(

ZeroX91 posted...

The Darkness - Permission to Land

fun as hell. Mostly just listen to the hit singles nowadays but its a solid listen from start to finish. They do one thing very well and very consistently. Looking at the track listing and not having listened to most of the songs in a long time, I can still sing any of those hooks from that album from memory. Great stuff

---

TheGoldenEel posted...

I enjoy Bjork when Im listening to it and I respect what she does but her music has never left any lasting impression on me. Ive listened to most of her albums multiple times and I honestly cant remember much about any of them

Fair. I think you have to be in the right mood for most of her albums, and not all of them do it for me, but Vespertine is absolute bliss imo.

---

The Style Council - Our Favourite Shop (1985)

Now this album does (musically) sound datedbut I dont mean it in a bad way. Its just very clearly an 80s album. Reminds me a lot of Lets Dance-era Bowie, dance music but from a different direction, if that makes sense. What was striking to me right now was the political/racial lyrics, that seem relevant even today. Looking it up I learned that its a project from Paul Weller of The Jam, a band I dont know much about but recognize some singles, and that sort of theme tracks with what Ive heard from them as well.

8.5/10

(side note most of these records were recommended to me as essentials so good chance I give a lot of them high scores)

---

Yeah, OFS is a little dated, but it still has some great songs. I wish all their albums were that solid -- some of the later ones aren't nearly as good. I do like this funky-ass title track, though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkabIOfBm8I

---

From hell with love - beast in black

---

Cheap Trick- In Color
Jellyfish- Bellybutton
Frank Iero & The Patience- Parachutes
Redman- Docs da name 2000

---

I love Bjork and everyone should listen to her.

Short album? I don't remember if I posted in the last topic, but...
Wax Fang - Repetition

ElatedVenusaur posted...

I love Bjork and everyone should listen to her.

Short album? I don't remember if I posted in the last topic, but...
Wax Fang - Repetition

The reviews will be short, the albums dont need to be

although I do feel 40-45 minutes is the sweet spot

---

Squeeze - Argybargy (1980)

Squeeze is one of those bands Ive always been aware of but never really listened to. People whose opinions I trust love them but Id only heard a couple singles. But this is a great, concise power-pop album loaded with catchy hooks and great melodies. I particularly liked the more fast paced songsof which there were manyand I thought the album only dragged a bit in the middle with a couple slower tracks. But overall, it feels like timeless pop music.

8/10

---

Garioshi posted...

Powerglove - Continue?

I listened to a couple tracks from it and its fine but the concept is just not that interesting to me. Good musicianship and all but gimmick covers are just not want I want to spend 75 minutes of my time listening to. Ultimately I wouldnt turn off these tracks if they popped up in a shuffle, theyre pretty neat, but as an album, no thanks


---

Sloppy Seconds - Destroyed (1989)

gotta admit I was a little concerned heading into this album with track titles like I Dont Wanna Be a Homosexual and Janie is a Nazi... not to mention the band name and album cover... but I was pleasantly surprised. There are certainly a lot of immature lyrics here but its more in the lineage of bands like The Descendents than anything, pop punk fight the power music that has a satirical, humorous bent. So for the most part the offensive stuff holds up. And musically I found it to be enjoyable pop punk, if a little one-note. There was definitely filler; even at 40ish minutes I think they could have cut a few tracks. certainly indebted to the Descendents as well as the Ramones, both of whom I feel did this style of music better. But a worthwhile listen for sure

6.5/10

---

Psychostick - Sandwich

Phoenix - Cei ce ne-au dat nume
Romanian progressive / folk rock from the early 1970s.
Highlights: Nunta and Negru Voda

---

Balrog0 posted...

I want you to rate and briefly review this album for that other topic

Run the Jewels - RTJ4 (2020)



9/10

---

TheGoldenEel posted...

Run the Jewels - RTJ4 (2020)



9/10

Nice

---

[Fujii Kaze] - Help Ever Hurt Never (2020)

so this is all in Japanese so I cant comment on any lyrical content. This was pretty good, with some tracks being certified bangers. Hes definitely a good vocalist and I liked many of the melodies. however I think it felt too overproduced throughout, something about it just felt too clean in a way I cant quite articulate. The bass in particular reminded me of lounge music in a bad way. Was also reminiscent to me of a certain strain of 90s R&B that was just a little too saccharine. I imagine I would like this music a lot more in a live settingthis was enjoyable in the moment but not something I see myself going back to

6/10

---

UnholyMudcrab posted...

Carpenter Brut - Trilogy

Tempted to skip this because I just read this guy produces nazi sympathizer band Deathspell Omega

---

...what?
---

UnholyMudcrab posted...

...what?

The guy behind Carpenter Brut is the producer for the band Deathspell Omega

Deathspell Omega employs white nationalist Mikko Aspa as their vocalist

ergo, the man behind Carpenter Brut works directly with white nationalist Mikko Aspa

i dont want to support that

---

You should check out Above by Mad Season.

---

Bernard Parmegiani - De Natura Sonorum

Uh, okay then

The Midnight - Endless Summer
---

Mac DeMarco - Salad Days

Cashmere Cat - Princess Catgirl (2019)

cant remember if Ive listened to this before. I enjoy Cashmere Cat, Ive seen him live a couple times. This album if you can call it that is a little too slight, at 7 tracks and 18 minutes it seems very tossed off. Overall good. Clearly influenced by PC Music with the vocaloid stuff which is a new direction for him. I dig the chill instrumentals contrasting with the high pitched vocals but again, it just doesnt feel like a proper release even though Its billed as an album

6/10

---

TheGoldenEel posted...

[Fujii Kaze] - Help Ever Hurt Never (2020)

so this is all in Japanese so I cant comment on any lyrical content. This was pretty good, with some tracks being certified bangers. Hes definitely a good vocalist and I liked many of the melodies. however I think it felt too overproduced throughout, something about it just felt too clean in a way I cant quite articulate. The bass in particular reminded me of lounge music in a bad way. Was also reminiscent to me of a certain strain of 90s R&B that was just a little too saccharine. I imagine I would like this music a lot more in a live settingthis was enjoyable in the moment but not something I see myself going back to

6/10

Good review. Imo is a 7 but yeah would sound better with some more punch. Too over produced

---

Next do Natalia Lafourcade - Musas vol 2

Or if you want something in English do Sorry - 925 one of my favs of this yr

---

Brand New - Deja Entendu

---

ZevLoveDOOM posted...

Mac DeMarco - Salad Days

Mac Demarco is great. That album is chill af

TreyFlowers posted...

Brand New - Deja Entendu

i still listen to Brand New even though Im conflicted about it now... I prefer The Devil & God but DE is great as well. Play Crack the Sky was in my daily mix today

---

Street Songs by Rick James.

If you still want recs, I could give you my guilty pleasure album: Scritti Politti - Cupid & Psyche 85.

---

Stitches - For Drug Dealers Only

---

mansfield.TYA- June

may have rec'd this before...
one of my favs, mix of french and english vocals tho.

---

Y Kant Tori Read - Y Kant Tori Read (1988)

so this is the first album from Tori Amos, apparently. It was a commercial failure and was hard to even come by until being re released a few years ago. Its pretty easy to see whyits mostly just the most generic 80s dance pop, like Janet Jackson lite or something. However Tori Amos vocals were a bright spot. It wasnt terrible, just basically one song repeated ten times that sounded incredibly dated... I imagine even by 1988 standards

5/10

---

Stanley Clarke - School Days (1976)

Now thats what Im talking about. This is a funky jazz fusion Jazz session with tasty lick after tasty lick. Clarkes primary instrument on this is the bass but the musicianship all around was impressive. Jazz fusion can get a little masturbatory and this was good for avoiding that, with six distinct tracks that felt like songs and not just recording sessions.

8/10

---