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Discussion: Acclaimed Music Thread | Discuss Acclaimed Albums!
Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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Pitchfork's Top 100 Albums of 2010s (Albums I Have Listened To In Full So Far):
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #8, #9, #10, #12, #13, #14, #15, #17, #19, #21, #22, #24, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #46, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #74, #75, #76, #78, #81, #86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95, #97, #99, #100
My thoughts on Frank Ocean's 'Channel Orange':
When I noticed all the rave reviews this album was getting in 2012, I promised myself that I would listen to it, but then I never did, because reasons. Anyway, after listening to it, I am a little confused. I mean, there is no doubt that this is a strong album, but I expected every track to just be flawless because of the reviews and I really do not believe that to be the case. When Frank Ocean establishes a more clear structure to the song, he is unstoppable. However, there are a few cases on this album, where the songs are a bit directionless and static."Sierra Leone", "Super Rich Kids" and "Lost" are examples of the tracks that really feel a bit lost in their musical direction. Every other fully realized track is absolutely great though, and makes this album easily one of the strongest on this list. The ultimate standouts were "Thinkin Bout You", "Pyramids", "Bad Religion" and "Pink Matter" with each of them being incredibly powerful and epic in their own way. The vocals on "Thinkin Bout You" are beautiful and really evoke a lot of emotion. "Pyramids" might just be the best track on this album and is nearly a ten minute epic that is produced and structured to perfection. "Bad Religion" is a short moment on the album, but one that demands to be recognized, you simply cannot ignore a track as real as this. "Pink Matter" is a collaboration with Andre 3000, and both artists thoroughly shine on this song, the vocals are just perfect. Overall, 'Channel Orange' possesses some utterly insane tracks in terms of quality that really raise it to an incredible standard, and ultimately overshadow the more empty tracks on the record. It is not a perfect record all the way through, put the peaks are so high, it really does not matter much.
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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Quote:
Originally posted by Inception
Oh, it is fine.
Yeah, that name does suck. Yeah, I love his sound on the mixtape and can see its influences.
Haha, thank you! It really is a terrifying experience musically. They are definitely not metal, but more artistic heavy rock. It is not like always clashing loud rock, it is more of rock that will slowly build, and is also definitely experimental. It is honestly very difficult to describe as I have never really heard anything like it, but that would be my best guess.
Atlas was definitely more enjoyable than Mature Themes. Mature Themes ultimately was a drag to get through, while Atlas had some shining moments that I really enjoyed. The Seer did not necessarily feel like a short listening experience, it definitely FELT like 2 hours, because of its mind-controlling sound, but it was still an incredible album worth listening to, unlike Mature Themes. Haha.
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Gotcha, I've never really known metal or not. They have always sounded heavy though. Probably the album I'm looking forward to most
Sounds like Mature Theme's influence on this list and on music this decade is... premature
Also, good points on Frank. People hyped him up too much. Only Pyramids is great and Thinkin About You is good but not great. His singing bugs me, like he just sings around a beat instead of singing to it.
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Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bloomers
Gotcha, I've never really known metal or not. They have always sounded heavy though. Probably the album I'm looking forward to most
Sounds like Mature Theme's influence on this list and on music this decade is... premature
Also, good points on Frank. People hyped him up too much. Only Pyramids is great and Thinkin About You is good but not great. His singing bugs me, like he just sings around a beat instead of singing to it.
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It is definitely memorable to say the least. Good luck when you listen to it!
I believe that he is over-hyped a bit, but he is still incredibly talented and deserves praise. I actually really like his singing a lot (his vocals are insanely good sometimes), I just feel that on tracks without enough direction and structure, his voice loses its power.
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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Quote:
Originally posted by Inception
It is definitely memorable to say the least. Good luck when you listen to it!
I believe that he is over-hyped a bit, but he is still incredibly talented and deserves praise. I actually really like his singing a lot (his vocals are insanely good sometimes), I just feel that on tracks without enough direction and structure, his voice loses its power.
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i like the tone to his voice for sure, it's just his singing is too aimless for the most part. I feel similarly about Jhene Aiko, but I'll give Frank another chance soon, it's been awhile.
Blood Orange - Cupid Deluxe #69 Mid-Decade List
Blood Orange is a producer (see "Losing You" by Solange for all the evidence that this guy should be as big as he possibly can as well as an artist that releases music under his Blood Orange title. His voice is reminiscent of a warmer and more contemplative Prince, his voice is nice, but it's the music that really shines.
First track "Chamakay," is absolutely stellar, one of the finest pop tracks produced in recent times. The track is endlessly replayable and dreamy, there is a slight African touch to it, but cloaked in a cool synth and warm vocals. Really the track is breathtakingly perfect and can stand on equal ground with any of the greatest tracks of all time. Unfortunately, this means that the album peaks early. Blood Orange is a producer and often producers, when they make an album, will produce a couple amazing tracks surrounded by tracks that are hard to live up to in comparison.
Cupid Deluxe still is pretty great as a whole, it's just difficult to get past the first track to the point where it might be best if Chamakay be placed last on the album or left off. Besides, the first track, the rest of the album is very consistent without being too same sounding. There are numerous guests that make great contributions, only the rapper on "High Street" disappoints ("The late king Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk on the telly / and I was like who's Bad? ) which is a shame because the instrumental is great. Overall, the album is incredibly solid and filled with a warm tropical beachy feel. Definitely worthy of a place here.
Perfect tracks: Chamakay
Great Tracks: You're Not Good Enough (a groovy kiss off track), It Is What It Is (a bouncy and warm disco accented track, about coming to terms with the end of a relationship), On the Line (maybe the most poppy song here)
Good Tracks: Time Will Tell, Uncle Ace, Chosen
tracks: High Street
For Fans of: Prince, Phil Collins
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Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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Great review! 'Cupid Deluxe' seems to have a really great warm vibe to it! I will try to listen to it tomorrow, after I get through a few of those rap albums that I will likely strongly dislike. Haha.
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Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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Pitchfork's Top 100 Albums of 2010s (Albums I Have Listened To In Full So Far):
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #8, #9, #10, #12, #13, #14, #15, #17, #19, #21, #22, #24, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #74, #75, #76, #78, #81, #86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95, #97, #99, #100
My thoughts on Future's 'Pluto':
Ok, so I am just a bit confused as to how this album made this list? Like what? I mean, there are hints of experimental music in here, but they are very slight, and are essentially completely masked by very basic and conventional hip hop. After playing the entire album (cutting some tracks short because of boredom), I have determined that the one minute intro is the best part of the album honestly, at least it is interesting. Overall though, this music does not have substance, and really does everything that any other generic hip hop album would do. The lyrical content is horrifically basic. The rapping really is nothing noteworthy. The production, while being slightly experimental, is not incredibly amazing or interesting. This is perplexing. I mean number forty-five? Really?!? Oh well, as it is clear Future did not dwell on the lack of quality on this record I will do the same and move on.
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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I think I remember reading that sometimes he raps in iambic pentameter, but really though, he's not Shakespeare and who wants to listen to that?
The music really doesn't sound that different from your average Mike Will joint and at least your average Mike Will joint doesn't have what sounds like a half drowned guy bubbling along.
Quote:
Originally posted by Inception
My thoughts on Future's 'Pluto':
Ok, so I am just a bit confused as to how this album made this list? Like what? I mean, there are hints of experimental music in here, but they are very slight, and are essentially completely masked by very basic and conventional hip hop. After playing the entire album (cutting some tracks short because of boredom), I have determined that the one minute intro is the best part of the album honestly, at least it is interesting. Overall though, this music does not have substance, and really does everything that any other generic hip hop album would do. The lyrical content is horrifically basic. The rapping really is nothing noteworthy. The production, while being slightly experimental, is not incredibly amazing or interesting. This is perplexing. I mean number forty-five? Really?!? Oh well, as it is clear Future did not dwell on the lack of quality on this record I will do the same and move on.
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dying at your review. Perfectly said.
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Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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Pitchfork's Top 100 Albums of 2010s (Albums I Have Listened To In Full So Far):
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #8, #9, #10, #12, #13, #14, #15, #17, #19, #21, #22, #24, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #74, #75, #76, #78, #81, #86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95, #97, #99, #100
My thoughts on Waka Flock Flame's 'Flockaveli':
Ok, so on the bright side, at least the album was not terribly boring like 'Pluto'. It turns out that is because of the style of music 'Flockaveli' actually is, which is actually Crunk, instead of just conventional hip hop. This is a different style of hip hop that sounds more like upbeat energetic club music. In short, it is something you can bop mindlessly to, and I guess in that respect it does not fail completely. There are actually a few tracks on this album, I enjoyed slightly, I mean I would not add them to my daily playlist, but they were alright. I really just turned my brain off for a second, and tried to just mindlessly enjoy the record, and these were the ones I actually liked: "Bustin' At Em", "Bricksquad", "**** The Club Up", and "O Let's Do It". Mostly because the production on these tracks was great, the lyrics were not too vile, and I could mindlessly bop to them fairly successfully. Overall, this is not a great, or even good record, but at least it was not outright terrible. It is just kind of alright, and perchance that is all Waka Flocka Flame was going for with this record.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/22/2011
Posts: 16,128
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I've been looking through this thread from time to time; your reviews are great! We have a lot of the same opinions on many of these albums.
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Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bloomers
I think I remember reading that sometimes he raps in iambic pentameter, but really though, he's not Shakespeare and who wants to listen to that?
The music really doesn't sound that different from your average Mike Will joint and at least your average Mike Will joint doesn't have what sounds like a half drowned guy bubbling along.
dying at your review. Perfectly said.
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Right? It does not really matter when the music is terrible.
Lol, thanks!
Quote:
Originally posted by Marq
I've been looking through this thread from time to time; your reviews are great! We have a lot of the same opinions on many of these albums.
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Thank you!
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Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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Pitchfork's Top 100 Albums of 2010s (Albums I Have Listened To In Full So Far):
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #8, #9, #10, #12, #13, #14, #15, #17, #19, #21, #22, #24, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #74, #75, #76, #78, #81, #82, #86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95, #97, #99, #100
Ok so you know those things that are so bad they're good? Yeah, this is not one of those, this **** is bad. However, that might be the reason behind Pitchfork believing that it deserved a place on this list. The most enjoyable part of this record was the intro to the first song "Love Sosa". It is so hilarious, and at least made me laugh a bit, but that was the last thing I enjoyed. There really is nothing else to say about this album. It is a straight up joke, which is why this review in itself is a joke. **** music. That's that **** I don't like!
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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Quote:
Originally posted by Marq
I've been looking through this thread from time to time; your reviews are great! We have a lot of the same opinions on many of these albums.
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Yes Marq! Which is your favorite from here? Just curious. And also which is your least? Cuz some of these albums
Quote:
Originally posted by Inception
Pitchfork's Top 100 Albums of 2010s (Albums I Have Listened To In Full So Far):
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #8, #9, #10, #12, #13, #14, #15, #17, #19, #21, #22, #24, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #74, #75, #76, #78, #81, #82, #86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95, #97, #99, #100
Ok so you know those things that are so bad they're good? Yeah, this is not one of those, this **** is bad. However, that might be the reason behind Pitchfork believing that it deserved a place on this list. The most enjoyable part of this record was the intro to the first song "Love Sosa". It is so hilarious, and at least made me laugh a bit, but that was the last thing I enjoyed. There really is nothing else to say about this album. It is a straight up joke, which is why this review in itself is a joke. **** music. That's that **** I don't like!
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I'm going to have to listen to this soon.
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Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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Pitchfork's Top 100 Albums of 2010s (Albums I Have Listened To In Full So Far):
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #8, #9, #10, #12, #13, #14, #15, #17, #19, #21, #22, #24, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #74, #75, #76, #78, #81, #82, #84, #86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95, #97, #99, #100
My thoughts on A$AP Rocky's 'Live.Love.A$AP':
I am thoroughly confused as to how this mixtape is lower than the three last albums that I reviewed earlier today. 'Live.Love.A$AP' is so much stronger than all of them combined that its position on this list in relation to those other albums is extremely questionable. This album has a great style to it, and A$AP Rocky carries a lot of these tracks to success superbly, something that those artists failed to do on their releases. His flow is so nice, and most of the guest appearances shine as well, never as bright as Rocky though. The standout tracks were "Palace", "Peso", "Bass", "Get Lit", "Kissin' Pink", "Houston Old Head'", "Acid Drop", "Demons" and "Out of This World". I really have no clear favorite on this mixtape and feel that most of the tracks flow together very well. Overall, the lyrics are good, the musical direction and production (Clams Casino!) are great, and as a result, A$AP is able to deliver a solid debut that is worth listening to so much more than a lot of the other rap albums on this list.
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Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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Pitchfork's Top 100 Albums of 2010s (Albums I Have Listened To In Full So Far):
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #8, #9, #10, #12, #13, #14, #15, #17, #19, #21, #22, #24, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #73, #74, #75, #76, #78, #81, #82, #84, #86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95, #97, #99, #100
My thoughts on Cloud Nothings' 'Attack on Memory':
I really feel like this could have been a good album. The musical direction is interesting, the instrumentation is great, but damn is the main vocalist's voice annoying. I mean I understand that this supposed to be grungy and punk-esque, but his voice just rings in my ear, and it absolutely kills the experience of the album. I feel like he was trying really hard to imitate "Johnny Rotten" from the Sex Pistols, but without possessing even a quarter of the energy or style. I don't really know what to say, I mean I really believe that this record had a lot of potential. Musically, it sounds great. Vocally, it sounds pretty awful. You may like his voice and have no problem with the record though, and that's great, but it's just not for me. Now let me go listen to some Sex Pistols, and get his voice out of my head.
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Member Since: 10/14/2008
Posts: 9,686
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I'm sorry but Pluto is a really nice album, not to mention that "Neva End" and "Turn On the Lights" are bops. I can't say the same for Waka and Chief though.
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Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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Quote:
Originally posted by M.R.
I'm sorry but Pluto is a really nice album, not to mention that "Neva End" and "Turn On the Lights" are bops. I can't say the same for Waka and Chief though.
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I am sorry, but it is horrifically boring.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/22/2011
Posts: 16,128
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bloomers
Yes Marq! Which is your favorite from here? Just curious. And also which is your least? Cuz some of these albums
I'm going to have to listen to this soon.
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Hands down, I have to go with Fiona Apple's The Idler Wheel. It's one of my all time favorites. The emotion is so raw and cutting and it makes for such great tracks. Fiona is a genius.
As for my least favorite, I'm not too sure. I haven't even touched some of the rap albums on here but listening to a track or two from them has shown me that I'm not missing too much. I don't know what Pitchfork was trying by putting that Waka Flocka Flame album on the list.
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Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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Pitchfork's Top 100 Albums of 2010s (Albums I Have Listened To In Full So Far):
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #8, #9, #10, #12, #13, #14, #15, #17, #19, #21, #22, #24, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #69, #73, #74, #75, #76, #78, #81, #82, #84, #86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95, #97, #99, #100
My thoughts on Blood Orange's 'Cupid Deluxe':
This album is very consistent in what it offers. Every track has a semi-upbeat, warm, and electro-chill vibe to it, that really is just pleasant to listen to. You could play any track at random on 'Cupid Deluxe', with the exception of one or two, and expect the same thing essentially. Almost any song you choose, will have relatively the same musical direction, with no track really straying too far off course. Being cohesive can be either a negative or positive thing for albums, but I believe that the musical direction on 'Cupid Deluxe' succeeds in this respect. Most of the album is simply infectious, with the standout tracks possessing their own differences within the general sound of the record that make them noteworthy. Tracks like "Chamakay", "You're Not Good Enough", "Uncle ACE", "It Is What It Is", "Chosen", "Always Let You Down", and "High Street" (sorry Bloomers, I like the rap feature), make this record worth listening to. Ultimately, 'Cupid Deluxe' is a rather strong release, with only a few minor slip ups like the rapping feature on "Clipped On", that are simply not enough to drag this album down. It's pretty great!
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Member Since: 10/14/2008
Posts: 9,686
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Quote:
Originally posted by Marq
Hands down, I have to go with Fiona Apple's The Idler Wheel. It's one of my all time favorites. The emotion is so raw and cutting and it makes for such great tracks. Fiona is a genius.
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I still cry when I hear her sing "While you were watching someone else/ I stared at you and cut myself" and "I made it to a dinner date/ My tear drops seasoned every plate". Such strong words. I thought she would never top "Never Is a Promise" but The Idler Wheel... pretty much topped that song.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/22/2011
Posts: 16,128
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Quote:
Originally posted by M.R.
I still cry when I hear her sing "While you were watching someone else/ I stared at you and cut myself" and "I made it to a dinner date/ My tear drops seasoned every plate". Such strong words. I thought she would never top "Never Is a Promise" but The Idler Wheel... pretty much topped that song.
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She is SUCH a brilliant songwriter and she never ceases to amaze me. It's a bit of a shame that she releases albums in such a slow pace.
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