On April 7th, Father John Misty's third studio album Pure Comedy was released. What truly makes this album is not the melodies themselves, but rather the lyrics. This album holds messages pertinent to today's society, especially when it comes to being human.
Pure Comedy may sound soft and ballad-y, but underneath tunes that seem gentle lie bombs of truth. Josh Tillman critiques today's society throughout each song, from political standpoints to the technology takeover. The album begins with the title track that sets the tone for the entire album: human existence is comedy. Suffering makes us feel alive; we take pleasure in things that harm us, but ultimately, we only have each other in the world.
What artists doesn't comment on what they know? Tillman does not leave out American politics and viewpoints when he wrote this album. "Two Widely Different Perspectives" comments on the differences of conservatives and liberals, labels that are becoming more and more relevant with each passing election. The increase in technology and probability of it one day becoming the only source of happiness as it takes us out of our own mundane lives is brought up in "Total Entertainment Forever". "The Memo" focuses on various issues in America, such as technology, social media and narcissism, and even how commercial boy bands have become.
Of course, this album is not just a statement on humanity as a whole. "Smoochie" is a sweet tune that explains how Tillman's wife helps him cope with his depression.
Compared to I Love You, Honeybear and Fear Fun, the album is much longer. I was not too keen on how long "Leaving LA" and "So I'm Growing Old on Magic Mountain" were. The chorus in "Magic Mountain"ended up feeling too repetitive, and "Leaving LA" used the same melody for nearly every verse; this made it feel as if I had those songs on repeat. Other than those, the song lengths were fine.
Rate: 7.5/10
Favorite tunes: "Things It Would Have Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution", "In Twenty Years or So"
Showing posts with label album review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label album review. Show all posts
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Monday, March 27, 2017
Album Review: Hot Thoughts, Spoon
Spoon's ninth studio album, Hot Thoughts, was released March 17th. I was initially excited to listen--their eighth album, They Want My Soul, is in my top 3 favorite albums by Spoon. Maybe it set the bar too high for Hot Thoughts, but as a whole this album doesn't cut it for me.
The title track, "Hot Thoughts", is a catchy and chill tune that blends seamlessly into the second track, "WhisperI'lllistentohearit". There's a definite tonal shift into "Pink Up", the nearly six-minute long song (that feels a bit too repetitive overall). However, the group switches back into an indie-pop feel with "Can I Sit Next to You". The last song, "Us", ends the album on the same tone as "Pink Up", and even mimics the same beat.
In a way, Hot Thoughts reminds me of The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour, with instrumentals mixed in among catchy-yet-trippy piano accented songs. I hear this specifically while listening to "Tear it Down", "Us", and "Pink Up".
Hot Thoughts isn't bad, per say. Simply put, it feels lackluster compared to the past albums Spoon has released. The songs sound too similar, and after a while I started getting bored listening to it. This one ain't the one for me.
Rating: 6/10
Favorite tunes: "Shotgun", "Do I Have to Talk You Into It"
The title track, "Hot Thoughts", is a catchy and chill tune that blends seamlessly into the second track, "WhisperI'lllistentohearit". There's a definite tonal shift into "Pink Up", the nearly six-minute long song (that feels a bit too repetitive overall). However, the group switches back into an indie-pop feel with "Can I Sit Next to You". The last song, "Us", ends the album on the same tone as "Pink Up", and even mimics the same beat.
In a way, Hot Thoughts reminds me of The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour, with instrumentals mixed in among catchy-yet-trippy piano accented songs. I hear this specifically while listening to "Tear it Down", "Us", and "Pink Up".
Hot Thoughts isn't bad, per say. Simply put, it feels lackluster compared to the past albums Spoon has released. The songs sound too similar, and after a while I started getting bored listening to it. This one ain't the one for me.
Rating: 6/10
Favorite tunes: "Shotgun", "Do I Have to Talk You Into It"
Monday, March 13, 2017
Album Review: Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams; Cameron Avery
My first experience seeing Cameron Avery live was hearing him play bass with the rest of Tame Impala back in June of 2015. Imagine my surprise to find this same man opening for The Last Shadow Puppets, presenting a completely different sound than the psychedelic band I'd seen the summer before. I wanted an album then and there, but it was well worth the wait.
Inspired by voices like Dean Martin and Etta James, Avery has given his songs that same vintage, crooner-esque feel. This album uses melodic notes and beautiful lyrics to tell stories of love, heartbreak, and lust. "A Time and Place" has a soft start to the album, while "C'est Toi" brings a sense of pure, whole love at the end. However, not every song sounds as romantic and smooth as these. "Dance With Me" has a vampy feel; it's a song you'd expect to hear being played in a dimly lit jazz club. "Whoever Said Gambling's For Suckers" sounds like it could be narrating a Tarantino film filled with blood, sex, and adventure.
The variety keeps listeners interested in the voices Avery has written. This album will make you feel like you're in a black and white film every time you put it on--why not give it a listen?
Rating: 7.5/10
Favorite tunes: "A Time and Place", "An Ever Jarring Moment"
Inspired by voices like Dean Martin and Etta James, Avery has given his songs that same vintage, crooner-esque feel. This album uses melodic notes and beautiful lyrics to tell stories of love, heartbreak, and lust. "A Time and Place" has a soft start to the album, while "C'est Toi" brings a sense of pure, whole love at the end. However, not every song sounds as romantic and smooth as these. "Dance With Me" has a vampy feel; it's a song you'd expect to hear being played in a dimly lit jazz club. "Whoever Said Gambling's For Suckers" sounds like it could be narrating a Tarantino film filled with blood, sex, and adventure.
The variety keeps listeners interested in the voices Avery has written. This album will make you feel like you're in a black and white film every time you put it on--why not give it a listen?
Rating: 7.5/10
Favorite tunes: "A Time and Place", "An Ever Jarring Moment"
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Album Review: How To Be A Human Being, Glass Animals
Forget pineapples, this album is in my head and has been since it was released August 26th of last year. The idea for Glass Animals' sophomore album, How to be a Human Being, began with stories frontman Dave Bayley had heard as the band toured around the world.
In an article on creativereview.co.uk, Bayley tells of how he would record tales people would tell him. "I sat back and listened to all of these stories and started thinking about the way that people tell stories and what that means about them as people; what they might have embellished, what they might have left out and what that says about their life." And thus, How to be a Human Being was born.
Mothers, stoners, young boys being seduced by older women--Glass Animals have given everyone a voice. The songs themselves reflect whoever is telling the story. "Season 2 Episode 3" sounds like a video game, with quirky sound effects accenting the other instruments, whereas "The Other Side of Paradise" conveys the heartbreak and bitterness of a girl who was left by her star basketball player boyfriend.
Though 11 stories are being told, they come together to create this unique album that shows just what it means to be a human being.
Rating: 8/10
Favorite tunes: "Season 2 Episode 3", "Take a Slice"
In an article on creativereview.co.uk, Bayley tells of how he would record tales people would tell him. "I sat back and listened to all of these stories and started thinking about the way that people tell stories and what that means about them as people; what they might have embellished, what they might have left out and what that says about their life." And thus, How to be a Human Being was born.
Mothers, stoners, young boys being seduced by older women--Glass Animals have given everyone a voice. The songs themselves reflect whoever is telling the story. "Season 2 Episode 3" sounds like a video game, with quirky sound effects accenting the other instruments, whereas "The Other Side of Paradise" conveys the heartbreak and bitterness of a girl who was left by her star basketball player boyfriend.
Though 11 stories are being told, they come together to create this unique album that shows just what it means to be a human being.
Rating: 8/10
Favorite tunes: "Season 2 Episode 3", "Take a Slice"
Monday, January 9, 2017
Album Review: Young Chasers, Circa Waves
Circa Waves' debut album, Young Chasers, is a great album to put on this time of year to beat the winter blues. Each of the 14 tracks could become part of your next summer soundtrack, with beachy vibes that make you think of the sun and waves.
The album starts off fast paced. The second track, "T-Shirt Weather", is sure to become the anthem of your summer after just one listen. Things begin to mellow out a bit with "My Love" and "Deserve This", but pick right back up with the title track "Young Chasers".
"Lost It" and "Good for Me" specifically remind me of Wavves and early Best Coast, so if you're a fan, give this album a spin.
The album has a good flow overall, up until the end. "Talking Out Loud" would be a better closer simply for the fact that it has an air of finality about it. Because of this, "100 Strangers" feels more like a bonus track and disrupts the flow of the album. As a whole, the album shows a promising start for Circa Waves. Let's wait and see what the future holds for them.
Rating: 6/10
Favorite tunes: "Stuck in my Teeth", "Fossils"
The album starts off fast paced. The second track, "T-Shirt Weather", is sure to become the anthem of your summer after just one listen. Things begin to mellow out a bit with "My Love" and "Deserve This", but pick right back up with the title track "Young Chasers".
"Lost It" and "Good for Me" specifically remind me of Wavves and early Best Coast, so if you're a fan, give this album a spin.
The album has a good flow overall, up until the end. "Talking Out Loud" would be a better closer simply for the fact that it has an air of finality about it. Because of this, "100 Strangers" feels more like a bonus track and disrupts the flow of the album. As a whole, the album shows a promising start for Circa Waves. Let's wait and see what the future holds for them.
Rating: 6/10
Favorite tunes: "Stuck in my Teeth", "Fossils"
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Album Review: Currents, Tame Impala
Yesterday, Tame Impala released their third studio album, Currents. Fans waited with anticipation since January, when the first single for this album was released. Was it worth the wait? In my eyes, yes; this album is a good follow up to 2012's Lonerism. It shows the band's progress with a synth-heavy sound, yet still has a good balance between upbeat and slower songs.
As evident by the title (and some song titles), this album is about changes. The title seems to be an ode to the ocean of music pushing and pulling them with currents. Opening with "Let It Happen", the nearly eight minute tune sets the tone for this album. Its use of Kevin Parker's vocals and drums give it an upbeat, funky tempo. All the songs flow well together, and even short songs like "Nangs" and "Gossip" act as good transitions and pull the album together as a whole. "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" has a bittersweet tone that closes the album well. The synth in this song is reminiscent of Mac DeMarco, yet is still uniquely Tame Impala.
Quite a few times I found myself headbobbing to songs, and I don't expect that to quit. Give it a listen when you get the chance and see how you like it yourself.
Rating: 8.9/10
Favorite tunes: "The Less I Know The Better", "Disciples"
As evident by the title (and some song titles), this album is about changes. The title seems to be an ode to the ocean of music pushing and pulling them with currents. Opening with "Let It Happen", the nearly eight minute tune sets the tone for this album. Its use of Kevin Parker's vocals and drums give it an upbeat, funky tempo. All the songs flow well together, and even short songs like "Nangs" and "Gossip" act as good transitions and pull the album together as a whole. "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" has a bittersweet tone that closes the album well. The synth in this song is reminiscent of Mac DeMarco, yet is still uniquely Tame Impala.
Quite a few times I found myself headbobbing to songs, and I don't expect that to quit. Give it a listen when you get the chance and see how you like it yourself.
Rating: 8.9/10
Favorite tunes: "The Less I Know The Better", "Disciples"
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Album Review: Junk of the Heart, The Kooks
Junk of the Heart is The Kook's third studio album that was released in 2011.
The album starts off with "Junk of the Heart (Happy)". It immediately grips the listener's attention with its upbeat tune. It's dance-able and really is happy. The track moves right into "How'd You Like That", which I felt had a very Kooks sound to it. The guitar in the chorus was nice, and the verses flowed well especially the pre-chorus into the chorus. The guitar solo felt a bit lacking, and I felt they could have done more with it. "Rosie" is a slower tune, still using a simple guitar line with some electronic tones from the last song. The fourth song, "Taking Pictures of You", is The Kooks I know. The beginning of the verses are almost acoustic-y, and the harmonies are absolutely lovely. "Fuck The World Off" has a funkier beat and is a nice change of pace from the past songs. It has a nice transition from the past track. When "Time Above the Earth" popped on, I thought it was an instrumental. It's a nice song with it's use of different instruments. "Runaway" had a cool beat to it, with a pre-chorus that blended the whole song together. It transitions nicely into "Is It Me", which has a melodic feel to it. The drums seem to drive this song along, as it flips between a slower feel to a more upbeat jam, especially when the guitar solo comes in. The guitar in the pre-chorus of "Killing Me" is great, but the pre-chorus/chorus itself doesn't sound like them too much--in a way, it's too slow. "Petulia" has a great intro, and I love the simple guitar it uses. The lyrics are cute, and the harmonies really help make this song. "Eskimo Kiss" reminds me of their older stuff, with it's quirky feel. The last song of the album, "Mr. Nice Guy" has awesome melodies and a steady, driven tempo. The use of piano is wonderful.
Overall, I thought the track transitions could have been made a bit better. The songs alone are nice to listen to, but put together they sound a bit clunky.
Rating: 6/10
Personal favorite tracks: "Is It Me", "Petulia", "Eskimo Kiss"
The album starts off with "Junk of the Heart (Happy)". It immediately grips the listener's attention with its upbeat tune. It's dance-able and really is happy. The track moves right into "How'd You Like That", which I felt had a very Kooks sound to it. The guitar in the chorus was nice, and the verses flowed well especially the pre-chorus into the chorus. The guitar solo felt a bit lacking, and I felt they could have done more with it. "Rosie" is a slower tune, still using a simple guitar line with some electronic tones from the last song. The fourth song, "Taking Pictures of You", is The Kooks I know. The beginning of the verses are almost acoustic-y, and the harmonies are absolutely lovely. "Fuck The World Off" has a funkier beat and is a nice change of pace from the past songs. It has a nice transition from the past track. When "Time Above the Earth" popped on, I thought it was an instrumental. It's a nice song with it's use of different instruments. "Runaway" had a cool beat to it, with a pre-chorus that blended the whole song together. It transitions nicely into "Is It Me", which has a melodic feel to it. The drums seem to drive this song along, as it flips between a slower feel to a more upbeat jam, especially when the guitar solo comes in. The guitar in the pre-chorus of "Killing Me" is great, but the pre-chorus/chorus itself doesn't sound like them too much--in a way, it's too slow. "Petulia" has a great intro, and I love the simple guitar it uses. The lyrics are cute, and the harmonies really help make this song. "Eskimo Kiss" reminds me of their older stuff, with it's quirky feel. The last song of the album, "Mr. Nice Guy" has awesome melodies and a steady, driven tempo. The use of piano is wonderful.
Overall, I thought the track transitions could have been made a bit better. The songs alone are nice to listen to, but put together they sound a bit clunky.
Rating: 6/10
Personal favorite tracks: "Is It Me", "Petulia", "Eskimo Kiss"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)