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Staff
Reviews 99
Soundoffs 73
News Articles 1
Band Edits + Tags 35
Album Edits 58
Album Ratings 2476
Objectivity 79%
Last Active 01-01-70 12:00 am
Joined 01-01-70
Review Comments 10,238
| Being Wrong
As much as I dislike being wrong – the pedantic and argumentative sod that I can be – sometimes the consequences of being wrong, acknowledging it and correcting oneself, can be rewarding. A shift in perspective and a newfound appreciation for music are quite common when one’s opinion flips on a genre, artist, or album. What I say is not intended as some statement that music is something to be enjoyed objectively or that one can be, in some absolute objective sense, wrong about music (its all subjective and relative); I merely seek to highlight my appreciation of those moments when my experience and enjoyment of music is turned on its head unexpectedly, such moments furthering my development in taste and musical knowledge. In light of this, the following is me being wrong. | | 1 |  | Kendrick Lamar
DAMN.
K-Dot’s inkblot: Due to the project’s less obvious conceptual tones and eclectic palate of sounds, DAMN stands as Kendrick’s most differentially interpretable (and arguably most divisive) project. In contrast to the very direct concepts of GKMC and TPAB that are subject to only a select few logical interpretations, one can take away very different things from DAMN on each listen. Indeed, different listeners appear to take vastly different things from the project entirely, focusing on different running themes or finding nothing of value in what they view as an incoherent and half-baked mess. This shifting and divisive nature is interesting in and of itself and is part of what has made my evolving opinion on the record (going from indifference to infatuation) the enjoyable experience that it has been, peeling off layers to uncover new emotions and interpretations. Whilst I could be accused of searching for (and finding) meaning where there truly is none, the level with which DAMN has ... | | 2 | | Kendrick Lamar
DAMN.
... made me evaluate it makes it a worthy listen and, indeed, the inspiration for this list | | 3 |  | Orchid
Chaos is Me
Chaos is Me is an unwavering wall of noise; it’s also surprisingly intricate. Chaos is Me is abrasive, unforgiving and initially incomprehensible, only becoming more abrasive, more unforgiving and (paradoxically) more comforting in its catharsis with further listens. Chaos is Me is a climbing favourite of mine and it could be yours to – stick with it, its quite good. | | 4 |  | Bruce Springsteen
Born to Run
As a stereotypically narrow-minded teenager I used to have quite the prejudice against older music, quite ignorantly assuming that ‘newer’ meant ‘better’. In one sense its not an entirely illogical thought; innovations in recording and production technology have, in some cases, greatly improved listening experiences, whilst the online format for sharing and consuming music has arguably fostered diversity and experimentation. On the other, the heightened ability to share music means one has to sift through quite a bit of shit to get to the good stuff, and shifts from analogue to digital have had their downsides. Most importantly however, it is incredibly foolish (and I was incredibly ignorant to adopt such a way of thinking) to dismiss the musicianship, songcrafting, innovation and influence of the music scattered across the last century. I know this is absurdly obvious to many, and the fact that I’m even bringing this up may attract a few sneers and sniggers, but I think for many ... | | 5 |  | Art Blakey
Moanin'
... budding music lovers it can take a while to click. Born to Run is the album that opened the floodgates for me and has remained a personal favourite ever since, followed by the likes of Art Blakey’s Moanin’. I urge anyone still dubious about digging into some older works to dive in headfirst – you will not regret it. | | 6 |  | Dire Straits
Brothers in Arms
In a similar vein, I’ve come to love dad rock. It often comes with a fair helping of cheese and shows its age all too readily, but there is a lot of good stuff out there if you can get past its reputation and associated stigma. | | 7 |  | Brand New
The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
This album isn’t as good as I thought. The more I listen to it the more I feel the likes of Doof and Zak are on to something. I would be lying if I said I still didn’t really enjoy this, but the honeymoon period has long faded and the cracks are beginning to show. | | 8 |  | The Tallest Man on Earth
The Wild Hunt
A vocalist can make or break a project. The screeches of Vektor’s David DiSanto, the rasp of The Tallest Man on Earth’s Kristian Matsson, and the soft pining whines of American Football’s Mike Kinsella are cornerstones of these bands’ works and primary reasons why I return so frequently to them, yet initially I couldn’t stand them. Clearly, patience with an unwieldy vocalist pays off dramatically. | | 9 |  | Death Grips
The Powers That B
First Listen: Nope.
Second Listen: Nope.
Third Listen: Nope.
Fourth Listen: Nope.
Fifth Listen: Wait … what … this is actually good. | | 10 |  | Stars of the Lid
And Their Refinement Of The Decline
I certainly used to have the stereotypical gripes many seem to express when it comes to ambient, claims of needless length, a lack of variety and direction, and of a paucity of purpose or emotional impact. The genre certainly challenges the listener in requiring an attitude and approach not asked of them by most music, much like drone and some post-rock, but once I cracked the code the reward was staggering. Its also fascinating in the way its songs can unexpectedly unfold and unravel with subsequent listens. | | 11 |  | Radiohead
OK Computer
When one is confronted with an album of the reputation and stature of OKC one can have a rough time. When delving into OKC it was impossible for me to listen to it without certain expectations and an almost overbearing pressure to like it or be labelled a musical dunce. I was also plagued by a sensation of a lack of ownership and connection; this was not my album, this was an album millions had already claimed as theirs, as their generation’s musical and cultural statement, and I was encroaching on this. Consequently, connecting with it on a personal level rather than a removed and distant appreciation tinted with slight disappointment took quite some time. Such hurdles were levelled with time, but not without patience. I suppose all I mean to do here is to articulate the lesson that I learnt (and something likely understood by most): when listening to a ‘classic’ for the first time, ensure you are aware of all of the pressures, expectations, and barriers in place that could hamper ... | | 12 | | Radiohead
OK Computer
... your enjoyment, rather than simply proclaiming on first listen ‘I don’t get the hype’; you may well never like it, and you may well conclude that the hype is unwarranted, but a cautionary approach is better than a dismissive one. | | 13 |  | Gorguts
The Erosion of Sanity
I’ve always enjoyed heavy music, but the depths of death metal has taken quite a bit of getting used to, overbearing in the extreme (by design, it seems). Still persevering through this in all honesty, but found some excellent records along the way. | |
AsleepInTheBack
06.02.17 | Probably a bit too wordy for anyone to actually read the whole damn thing, but to anyone that gives this a skim, cheers, I appreciate it. | verdant
06.02.17 | i read the whole thing.
your argument on OK Computer is really great and well articulated. it's something i think about a lot.
great list man | Papa Universe
06.02.17 | I never got into Death Grips...you think it's because I always give up after maximum of four listens? | AsleepInTheBack
06.02.17 | Cheers Diving for giving it a read.
Yeah Unique, that 5th is something special, just something about the number 5 ya know, makes it click | guitarded_chuck
06.02.17 | youre not wrong | guitarded_chuck
06.02.17 | ps dont worry okc is probably the most overrated album of all time (or at least on this website) | butcherboy
06.02.17 | some great points here, Asleep!! | Conmaniac
06.02.17 | nice list, def agree with you on 7...but I dont have the heart to bump it down to a 4.5.. also i listened to 10 last night to help me fall asleep, was quite pleasant | ashcrash9
06.02.17 | really nice list idea, love seeing that appreciation for 4 and I should really start delving into pre-90s shit as well. I also feel ya regarding OK Computer
or rather, I did 'til I put it on on a whim one day and nearly got in a fender-bender during Airbag and then the whole rest of the album immediately clicked. Surreal experience.
7 makes me sad though, 5/5 or die, my friend :) | AsleepInTheBack
06.02.17 | Thanks guys!
With regards to OKC I adore it now on quite a personal level (probably should have articulated that more clearly), but yeah it took a long long time to get past the hurdles I described.
Yeah 7 is an interesting one; I think if I'd heard it for the first time when I was younger it would have stayed with me on a personal level, regardless of my reduced enjoyment of it, but I think I heard it too late. I get that con for sure. And sorry ash mate, wish it has stuck with me. Still a solid 4 though.
Also, glad you dug 10 con, it really is lovely. | BlushfulHippocrene
06.02.17 | Whoa, beautiful list, friend. Great concept and this all reads amazingly. | neekafat
06.02.17 | Awesome work dude, wanna see more lists from you! | AsleepInTheBack
06.02.17 | Cheers Blush and nekka, appreciate it a bunch. Got a few list concepts lined up so will try get them done every now and then whilst I still have some free time. | Conmaniac
06.02.17 | it's lovely but I didn't retain enough for me to rate it yet. gotta get more into ambient... | Divaman
06.03.17 | I've never been that into what I heard of Radiohead, but in the spirit of giving an artist with a great rep another try, I picked up Moon Shape Pool last year, and really liked it. I've checked out OK Computer since, but while I like it, so far I like Moon Shaped Pool better. But OKC might continue to grow on me. | neekafat
06.03.17 | Looking forward to it! | AsleepInTheBack
06.05.17 | Hope the Stars of the Lid record has stuck with you Con. Definitely keep coming back to OKC Divaman, took me a long time so could be the same for you. I still need to check Moon Shape Pool, though I've heard mixed things |
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