The Idler Wheel.. is definitely one of my favourite albums on the list. I love almost every song. I'm not really a fan of Valentine though, or of the aforementioned lyrics.
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, #68, #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 Erykah Badu's 'New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)':
Let me just start by saying her voice is CLASSIC. All throughout this record, Erykah shines incredibly vocally and as a result nearly all of these songs are just great to listen to. She is filled with so much soul, and that breathes life into these tracks. While some of the longer tracks seem to drag on a bit ("Love", "Fall In Love"), she is able to maintain my interest relatively well, solely because of her voice. The standout tracks for me were "20 Feet Tall", "Window Seat", "Agitation", "Umm Hmm", "You Loving Me (Session)", and "Out My Mind, Just In Time". My two favorite tracks would have to be "Umm Hmm" (her vocals and the musical production just melds perfectly), and the incredibly classy "Out My Mind, Just In Time" (even while on the longer side, it is really just a beautiful song that transforms from a classic to more contemporary sound). Overall, this album is great, and has some great standouts, with only a few tracks seemingly dragging on a bit. It really is a record that melds classic and contemporary sounds together perfectly. It is worth listening to.
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, #38, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #68, #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 EMA's 'Past Life Martyred Saints':
There is something interesting about EMA. When this girl gets it right, she gets it RIGHT, which is why most of this rather short album is a great success, especially when considering that she wrote, composed, produced, and sang on all of these tracks. I mean what she was able to do with this album is pretty insane. She released this album on a completely unknown record label (Souterrain Transmissions), an unknown 22 year old singer-songwriter, and was able to impress some of the top critics in the world in about 40 minutes, essentially by herself. She impressed me as well. This album has some beautiful moments like "The Grey Ship", "Anteroom", "Marked", "Breakfast", and "Red Star", but that moment that just made me say "YES!" was "California". It is just one of those tracks that you just instantly fall in love with and know that you will be playing years in the future. The production is perfect, her quick flowing vocals are infectious, and the lyrics (which you know mean so much to her) all work together to create an utterly amazing moment. In short, 'Past Life Martyred Saints' is a small glimpse into this 22 year old's life experience, it's emotional, it's heartfelt, it's real, and it's life... and is that not what all great music should be?
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, #27, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #38, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #68, #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 Bon Iver's 'Bon Iver, Bon Iver':
I don't know about this one, I mean it is a great album to admire, but after listening to it I do not really feel anything. The tracks are beautiful to listen to, but they do not evoke much emotion. The entire album has a very cohesive sound to it, with every track sounding very soft, reserved, and light, which is fine, as it is pleasant to listen to, but it does not really offer much more than that. In other words, I can appreciate this album, but I do not see myself listening to its tracks very often. There are a lot of good tracks that are worth noting like "Holocene", "Minnesota, WI", "Wash.", "Calgary", and "Beth/Rest", but none of them have that infectious quality to them that will make you consistently play them. As a result, I feel that 'Bon Iver, Bon Iver' is one of those albums that you can admire, but not use.
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.
That Fiona Apple album really is great. I don't listen to it enough. My personal favorite track is "Hot Knife," it's just such a crazy sounding track, I love all the production, the vocals, everything going on there. I do need to listen to the album more. I don't know how you feel about rap in general, but the Big Boi album is really really solid, truly deserves more. And I love Waka, but he's pretty polarizing, I'd come close to calling all the little details he puts in his albums genius.
Quote:
Originally posted by Playa Playa
I love all the hip-hop albums you rated too. Flockaveli is a game changing album.
Flockaveli is completely awesome. I love everything about it. I personally think Triple F life has some stronger tracks though. I can't get behind Danny Brown's mixtape being higher than the majority of the hip-hop albums here though.
@Inception, I completely hate Bon Iver, I'm planning on listening to everything here also (even though I'm moving slowly) but I can't be even minded listening to him. Something about his music just makes me completely angry, looks like you listened to some good stuff though.
Cloud Nothing's singer has the perfect voice, though, I love how snotty and shrill it is. But overall, I like your write-ups and opinions, except for your taste in rap features that is.
@Inception, I completely hate Bon Iver, I'm planning on listening to everything here also (even though I'm moving slowly) but I can't be even minded listening to him. Something about his music just makes me completely angry, looks like you listened to some good stuff though.
Cloud Nothing's singer has the perfect voice, though, I love how snotty and shrill it is. But overall, I like your write-ups and opinions, except for your taste in rap features that is.
Bon Iver makes you angry? That is a bit strange.
It just seems like a copy of the Sex Pistols' lead vocalist, and the music sounds like it is in exactly the same vein to me as well. I don't know, I just could not enjoy it because of that.
Where do you disagree with me on the rap features?
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, #26, #27, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #38, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #68, #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 Deafheaven's 'Sunbather':
"With Sunbather, Deafheaven have made one of the biggest albums of the year, one that impresses you with its scale, the way Swans' The Seer did last year. Like M. Gira's masterpiece, it has the ability to capture the attention of people who don't normally listen to heavy music." This was a statement made by Pitchfork in their actual review of this album, and I have got to say that I agree with it so much. This album is in the same vein as 'The Seer' in that it is massive and heavy, but unlike 'The Seer' it feels warm, energetic, and uplifting. The genres here are post-metal and blackmetal, which are genres I am not familiar with at all. I was very very apprehensive about listening to this release, as metal has always been a genre I have had a dislike for, but I knew I had to give 'Sunbather' a fair chance, and I did, and it was a lot better than I thought. I mean, I am not a fan of the "screaming vocals", and never really have been, but for the most part they work beautifully with the music on this record. Similar to 'The Seer', most of the tracks are rather long, and feel more like musical experiences which is why it would be fruitless to attempt to choose standout tracks, but I feel that this album did have its great moments that deserve to be recognized. "Dream House", "Sunbather", "Vertigo", and "The Pecan Tree" are all the epic pieces, each ranging from nine minutes to fourteen minutes with a collection of interludes between them. I feel that all of the tracks have their strong qualities to them that make them deserve to be heard. 'Sunbather' really offers an opportunity for people who have never listened to any metal music to really just give it a shot. After listening to this record, I am glad that I went into listening to this with an open mind and accepted all that it offered. 'Sunbather' offers a collection of beautifully constructed songs that will overwhelm you, energize you, and make you appreciate a genre of music that a lot of people ignore. For what it's worth, I think it is pretty great, and I think you should give it a shot.
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, #25, #26, #27, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #38, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #68, #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 Bill Callahan's 'Apocalypse':
Similar to metal, folk is another genre that has always been rather difficult for me to enjoy, but 'Apocalypse' actually had some enjoyable moments. About half of the songs on this album did not induce me with boredom while intently listening to them, and the other half showed that this album does have its share of weak tracks. 'Apocalypse' is an interesting album though, because I believe that fans of many different genres would be able to enjoy what this album offers, regardless of their preconceived outlook on folk music. I feel as though half the album is worth listening to, and the other have would work very well as background music that is not worth your complete attention. Songs like "Drover", "Baby's Breath", "Free's" and "One Fine Morning" are worth listening to, while "America!", "Universal Applicant", "Riding for the Feeling", are tracks that you can zone out to. "One Fine Morning" is a beautiful track and is the highlight of the record, it is a must listen! I feel that this track encapsulates everything that this album could have been entirely, so raw, full of emotion, and real. It is a brilliant moment. Overall, the album is a decent collection of folk songs, it's neither a great or poor album, it is a decent collection, and I encourage you to try out a few of the songs if you're interested.
your reviews are really good
u should know that bill callahan dated joanna newsom for a while, and some of the songs on Have One On Me (#18 on the list; #1 in my heart ) might be about him
your reviews are really good
u should know that bill callahan dated joanna newsom for a while, and some of the songs on Have One On Me (#18 on the list; #1 in my heart ) might be about him
Thank you.
Oh, that is actually pretty interesting. I will keep that in mind when I listen to her album. I have never heard any of her work before, but I really want to listen to her album because her being a harpist really intrigues me. Thanks again!
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, #23, #24, #25, #26, #27, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #38, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #68, #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 St. Vincent's 'Strange Mercy':
Yes! I love this album! After listening, I feel that this is pop music at its most grandiose and powerful. 'Strange Mercy' incorporates elements of indie rock music, baroque pop, and a surreal and absolutely infectious style that melds them together into an incredible collection of tracks that you simply cannot ignore. Nearly all of these tracks are INSTANTLY likable, and feel as though you have been listening to them for years. Honestly, as I was going through each track on this album, I would keep immediately adding each of them to my playlist for daily listening, and kept doing so until I had added the entire album. It is truly one of those albums that you fall in love with on first listen, and as a result, I will say that EVERY single track is a standout, this whole album is beautiful and not a single track is not worth listening to. I would recommend this album to fans of any genre, but especially pop music fans, because at its heart it feels like pop music. However, it is pop music with artistry, purpose, and beauty. It feels like an instant classic. It is artistic, but accessible. Brilliant.
It just seems like a copy of the Sex Pistols' lead vocalist, and the music sounds like it is in exactly the same vein to me as well. I don't know, I just could not enjoy it because of that.
Where do you disagree with me on the rap features?
I don't know how to explain it. Bon Iver's just so pretentious seeming, like everything he does is calculated to give himself a personality. It's a good thing he's not popular because I'd probably rack up the Warning Points talking about him.
You know, I've never heard the Sex Pistols, I should fix that soon.
And I was talking about the rap feature on that Blood Orange track, you liked it and I didn't I was just kidding though
Edit: looks like you've been listening to some good stuff. Now that I'm done with Jhene Aiko, I'll get back to business. I got to do the Seer today.
You better get into St. Vincent! She's one of the best indie girls of the past decade without a doubt. I've really fallen in love with her music this year.
I don't know how to explain it. Bon Iver's just so pretentious seeming, like everything he does is calculated to give himself a personality. It's a good thing he's not popular because I'd probably rack up the Warning Points talking about him.
You know, I've never heard the Sex Pistols, I should fix that soon.
And I was talking about the rap feature on that Blood Orange track, you liked it and I didn't I was just kidding though
Edit: looks like you've been listening to some good stuff. Now that I'm done with Jhene Aiko, I'll get back to business. I got to do the Seer today.
Haha, I don't know about that... hmm... your hate for him is kind of hilarious though.
Listen to "Anarchy in the U.K." or "God Save The Queen" first as those are their best songs.
Oh I see.
Good luck with 'The Seer'. It is just an insane album...
Quote:
Originally posted by Marq
You better get into St. Vincent! She's one of the best indie girls of the past decade without a doubt. I've really fallen in love with her music this year.
Yes! I already love her and it has only been a day. I have to listen to her new album as soon as I finish this list!
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, #23, #24, #25, #26, #27, #28, #29, #31, #33, #36, #37, #38, #39, #40, #41, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #52, #53, #55, #56, #57, #60, #61, #64, #65, #67, #68, #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 My Bloody Valentine's 'm b v':
After listening to this album I can determine that shoegazing really just is not my genre. I mean I essentially did not find any of the tracks to be really enjoyable. Perhaps it is because I tend to enjoy music with more energy and structure to it, which 'm b v' really does not contain. It feels sort of like a cohesive mass of very reserved alternative rock, which I understand is the style of shoegazing, but I guess that genre really is not for me on its own. 'm b v' really does not incorporate any other major genre influences throughout any of the tracks, which makes this album incredibly similar, and seemingly either a complete hit or miss. If you enjoy the shoegazing genre you will likely love this album, if you don't, well then... you probably won't.
Yes! I already love her and it has only been a day. I have to listen to her new album as soon as I finish this list!
Strange Mercy is probably my favorite of hers, but the rest of her discography is still very impressive. Can't wait to see what you think of her latest album!
I don't know what Pitchfork was trying by putting that Waka Flocka Flame album on the list.
) might be about him
I was just kidding though
