Fun-sized reviews of albums
Deadbeat – Tame Impala
**RE-RATING** Again, my anti-techno predispositions made me initially more hateful than needed. I find myself returning again and again.
Top songs: Obsolete, My Old Ways, Dracula
Currents – Tame Impala
**RE-RATING** Previously thought it was too techno for my liking, then realized how these songs are all over my playlists and was forced to realize how I must like it
Top songs: TLIKTB, Let It Happen, New Person Same Old Mistakes, Taxi’s Here (B-Sides)
Deja Vu – CSNY
“Must be because I had the flu for Christmas.” Real. Perfect delivery. Gives you a taste of many different moods in that America-style way.
Top songs: Almost Cut My Hair, Country Girl, Woodstock, Carry On
House of the Holy – Zep
Two albums shy of completing a Zepathon and outside of I and III, this took the cake. I get Heart’s obsession with them more and more every listen.
Top songs: The Rain Song, The Ocean, literally all of them
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STREETS? – 21
Intro made me think it was going to be so menacing then it ended up sounding like a bad Drake album. Unfortunate indeed.
Top songs: CODE OF HONOR, HALFTIME INTERLUDE, WHERE YOU FROM
The King – Sarah Kinsley
One of the cutest EPs to ever exist. Clean and simple yet lovesick and complex.
Top songs: The King, Karma, I’m Not a Mountain
Norman F***ing Rockwell! – Lana
What a spunky and sad girl. Solid studying music when the air is too cold to go outside.
Top songs: Cinnamon Girl, Bartender, California, Mariners Apartment Complex
The Cars – The Cars
Top 100 album. Top 10 album cover. Not sure how unique their sound actually is, but this is the definition of late ’70s rock.
Top songs: Moving in Stereo, Good Times Roll, All Mixed Up
Coming from Reality – Rodriguez
100% had to have inspired Warehouse Dave’s “Stones of Jasper.” Written on a beach, with nothing to do but surf and write.
Top songs: To Whom It May Concern, It Started Out So Nice
Cold Fact – Rodriguez
Insanely unique sound. I feel like you could find him sneaking around with the tumbleweed and such out in the wild west.
Top songs: Rich Folk Hoax, Hate Streets Dialogue, Forget It
Tapestry – Carole King
Convinced she recorded this in a closet. Jess from New Girl would love this album. Not exactly for me though.
Top songs: I Feel the Earth Move, It’s Too Late, Way Over Yonder
The Art of Loving – Olivia Dean
If Adele and Celeste had a love child during COVID TikTok. Where did she even come from?
Top songs: Nice to Each Other, Close Up, Baby Steps, The Art of Loving (Intro)
The SteelDrivers – The SteelDrivers
No skips. If If It Hadn’t Been For Love has not been put over the opening scene of anything like Yellowstone or Where the Crawdads Sing, then the world has been done a disservice.
Top songs: If It Hadn’t Been For Love, Blue Side Of The Mountain, Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey, Heaven Sent
Higher – Chris Stapleton
Jazzy, blues rock. Not Traveller, no, but something much more Watchhouse-esc. Something that (to me) could only be created in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Top songs: Think I’m In Love With You, The Fire, Crosswind, Mountains Of My Mind
Live on Red Barn Radio I & II – Tyler Childers
29 minutes that sound like crispy leaves falling from the trees. My favorite Childers’ release that gifts us with a perfect, folk-filled transition into November.
Top songs: Charleston Girl, Whitehouse Road, Deadman’s Curve, Shake the Frost
Rodeo – Travis Scott
Psychedelic, experimental, monumental–whole album reminded me how good and great La Flame is. He should collab w/ Tame Impala again.
Top songs: Pray 4 Love, 3500, Oh My Dis Side, Maria I’m Drunk, 90210, Nightcrawler
Off the Wall – Michael Jackson
Classic ’70s transitioning into ’80s, so clearly early Michael, the better side of pop that leans disco. Good for post-work, early evening excitement.
Top songs: Off the Wall, Workin’ Day and Night, Rock with You, I Can’t Help It
If You’re Reading This it’s Too Late – Drake
An era of greatness I don’t see Drake ever touching again. No heartbreak, no BS, just solid beats and fire rap.
Top songs: 6 God, 10 Bands, Know Yourself, Star67, Madonna, Jungle, Used To
Submarine – Alex Turner
Feeling 15 years behind on the Alex Turner train. This 6-song EP gives a slower, more reflective tone to Taylor Swift-type themes. I think he struck gold with the chorus in Piledriver waltz.
Top songs: Piledriver waltz, Stuck on the puzzle, Hiding tonight
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