First impression: Wow! I’ve listened to some tracks on this album before.
Favourite track: Subterranean Homesick Blues
One sentence: Very bluesy, more harmonica than expected, and Dylan’s lyrics--for the most part--are golden.
Will I revisit? Probably
First impression: Surprisingly nocturne-esque in the opening and heavily contrasts itself with a sonic avalanche as you go along. Overall the album possesses a drastic range of dynamics and tone.
Favourite track: Tonight Tonight
One sentence: I love them, but admittedly this must be their most overrated album
Will I revisit? Maybe a few songs but not the entire album
First impression: I was really excited because this album is outside of my typical taste in music. Although I’m already well acquainted with Adele’s music (thanks to the radio in 2015), it’s been awhile thus re-listening felt novel again. She definitely has one of the most cinematic voices out there. I love how percussive the album was with iconic bells solidifying her sound. Sure many songs were repetitive but all in all still good.
Favourite track: Send My Love (surprisingly resonated/inspired me)
One sentence: Adele blends nostalgia, youth, heartbreak with grace and sincerity; and I adore that.
Will I revisit? Yes
First impression: was not impressed with the first half of the album, but the second we reached when doves cry, that track and everything after was a banger.
Favourite track: When doves cry
One sentence: provocative, fun, a fusion between 80s pop and rock with a splash of funk.
Will I revisit? Only the second half of the album yes.
First impression: The silliest intro ever. Really enjoyed the album all throughout. Beats were bussin, bars were slappin, what else could you possibly ask for?
Favourite track: Stan (grew up with it)
One sentence: A satirical album made to underscore the industry's largest hypocrisies, enveloped in personal struggle, emotion, and violent imagery that is borderline concerning yet reeaaally catchy.
Will I revisit? Hell ya
First impression: I already knew I was giving this 5 stars before I even pressed play. This album was part of the soundtrack to my early high school years. I’m not even sure if it’s my favourite album they’ve released, but it’s such a classic that it absolutely deserves this rating.
I will admit I probably overplayed it back then, so revisiting it this time around (probably for the hundredth time) didn’t have quite the same magic as it did on that first listen. Because of that, this rating is really honouring that initial experience and the album’s role as one of my gateways into rock music.
Favourite track: (this was so hard for me to choose) In Bloom
One sentence: Kurt’s vocals blessed my ears once more. May he rest in peace.
Will I revisit? Yes
First impression: Back in the USSR is an awesome tune so when I first put this on I had high hopes (I was an avid Beatles listener at one point, but it’s been awhile and the white album never really interested me so it was a semi fresh listen) yet I was met with utter disappointment. Sure dear prudence is an alright song but there are some tracks on this album where you can tell they were high off their rocker. I mean revolution 9?? It sounds like analog horror so I guess you can say it was ahead of its time. Other tracks like why don’t we do it in the road, piggies, wild honey pie were uninspiring. However I must admit tracks like Back in the USSR, While my Guitar Gently Weeps, I Will, Helter Skelter are spectacular. Additionally I noticed a romanticization/ fetish for guns in this album with tracks like Bungalow Bill, Happiness is a Warm Gun (notably a great track), Rocky Raccoon so idk exactly how I feel about that theme. What I’m certain of though is my feelings towards the song blackbird. I know technically it’s an amazing song, but it annoys me beyond end (maybe due to it being so overplayed). Overall a decent album, but I prefer their earlier stuff to be honest.
Favourite Track: While my Guitar Gently Weeps (Helter Skelter is a close second)
One sentence: John, George, Paul, Ringo… what shrooms were you guys on???
Will I revisit? Mainly spectacular tracks
First Impression: Not a fan of this one. Listened to it twice because I felt like I didn’t really catch the lyrics the first time since I kept zoning out and the music just became background noise. To my disappointment, the second time around wasn’t any better.
Also did some research about the meanings of some of his songs, especially after Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right irked me to great lengths.
(Just ranting about the song lol. Feel free to skip these paragraphs if you just want the album review.)
Dylan’s prose here just comes across as really passive-aggressive and bitter towards a lover who wanted to branch out. He’s shifting the blame onto her because she wanted to follow her dreams, and that just doesn’t sit right with me. If she decides to move to Italy and study what she loves, yeah, it sucks if you’re the one getting left behind, but as someone who genuinely cares about her happiness, autonomy, and fulfilment, I’d expect you to respect that decision. It’s her life. She doesn’t owe you what you want.
Of course, it’s entirely natural to feel disappointed and heartbroken when the person you love chooses a different path. My issue is with the way the song handles those feelings. Saying “I don’t mind” and then following it up with “you just kinda wasted my precious time” is so backhanded. Also, “don’t think twice, it’s all right” sounds fine on the surface, but when you actually break down what he’s saying, the implication reads more like, “I’m totally fine and over you,” while spending four verses proving how bitter he actually is. The entire song is basically one big, “Goodbye, and by the way, this is your fault”, without ever communicating the issue!
I guess if I step back and look at it more objectively, I can appreciate what it’s doing. It captures the sense of betrayal, bitterness, and resentment you can feel after someone leaves, even if they didn’t actually do anything wrong. Those feelings are deeply flawed, but they’re also very human.
I’m not trying to write Dylan off because of one song here, but I do have to say this track is not his best moment.
Favourite Track: Blowin in the Wind
One sentence: Blues + Folk + slurred Dylan speech + lacklustre instrumentals = this album
Will I revisit? No
First impression: SOOOO groovy!!! yes this album is repetitive but for an acid house album I think it's perfect. It was an incredibly interesting listen, and let me tell you revolution 909 did a far better job than revolution 9 ever could. I loved how diverse the tracks were. I mean you've got rollin' and scratchin's aggression and around the world which arguably radiates the best vibes ever. LOVE this album.
Favourite Track: Da Funk
One sentence: thank you French ppl for bestowing upon us such great artists.
Will I revisit? Yes
First impression: Not a singular memorable track on this album. Out of everything I've heard thus far Costello did not hit the mark with this album. Musically everything sounds nice, but predictable; and the lyrics are so corny. Not a fan of Elvis Costello but I know he's capable of releasing bangers like The Beat. Overall this album was a dud for me.
Favourite Track: everything was so forgettable it just melted into one big track. Literally nothing stood out to me except for Boy With a Problem due to a smidge of shock value in his lyrics. To clarify I would never pin Boy With a Problem as a fav (fuck domestic violence). I like Costello's voice but sometimes how he decides to deliver certain lines sound really unpleasant to me in terms of annunciation.
One Sentence: subpar and unremarkable.
Will I revisit? No
First Impression: Genuinely may be my favourite Beatles album. The compositions all throughout are just lovely. I'm so in love with the sound of this album, hands down the Rickenbacker 360/12 exudes the most breathtaking and majestic tone. Shorter than most albums but I think it's the ideal length for this one. Nearly every song is sososo catchy, and the cherry on top, the cover is just iconic.
Favourite Track: I genuinely couldn't pick one, that's an impossible task.
Instrumentally: I'll Be Back.
As a whole package, instruments & lyrics: And I Love Her.
One Sentence: Heaven in a record.
Will I Revisit? A million times YES
First Impression: I liked her voice it is quite soothing to me. The album itself was ok, surprised to find the original Fast Car. Most songs were pretty good, although Baby Can I Hold You Tonight was a bit sappy for my taste. I found Behind the Wall really interesting, along with Across The Lines, and For My Lover.
Favourite Track: Fast Car (most familiar track so it scratches my brain in all the right places)
One Sentence: Carried by a beautiful mellow voice, Chapman's album is very insightful and full of compassion.
Will I Revisit? Possibly
