My Amazon Music Divorce, Part Three
Part One
Part Two
New crop of reviews!
Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not by Arctic Monkees
A hard one, because I think this is good, it’s enjoyable, loud and fun, and not every song sounds exactly the same, but it feels like the audio equivalent of a frat party (is lad-rock a term? That seems like what we’re dealing with here).
Dudes being dudes, and that’s fine, but I’m not interested, even if “I Bet You’d Look Good on the Dance Floor” is a banger.
I've always liked the song “Yellow” from this album, and turns out I'm a fan of the whole album too. Didn't see that coming, but it's a soothing listen, relaxing without being boring.
Recommended songs: Yellow; Spies; Parachutes; Everything's Not Lost
Under the Table and Dreaming by Dave Matthews Band
This is a little much. I don’t think it’s bad, and I suspect if I was hearing this for the first time in middle school or high school I would love it, but that’s not what’s happening. There’s a very adolescent feel to this music, the rambling instrumentation and songs about not knowing where you fit in the world, that I’ve grown past. It’s too late.
Black Cherry by Goldfrapp
I did like a couple of songs on this (Twist, Tiptoe), but overall I was pretty underwhelmed. For electronica, it’s so subdued. I have another Goldfrapp album on this list, maybe I’ll like that one better.
It took 15 years, but I can finally say I like this album. I can't really explain it, but for whatever reason, Radiohead is just the right amount of weird, smooth without being boring, with hope amid the dark. It shouldn't work, but damn, it does.
Recommended songs: Nude; Bodysnatchers; Videotape; 15 Step
Fevers & Mirrors by Bright Eyes
I bought this album way back when because a friend had made me a CD with “Sunrise, Sunset” on it, and I loved that song, but I do have to admit that 11 more songs with that same depressing spirit is just not for me. This album is 26 years old, and the most I can say about it is that I really hope Conor Oberst is in a much better place now.
Hummingbird, Go! By Theresa Andersson
This is an enjoyable listen, light and breezy, and would make for excellent background noise if you just want to fill the air with something not too distracting. But there’s also nothing to really hold on to either. I bought this because Andersson happened to be performing in the music store I was visiting, and no regrets, but I don’t see myself ever listening to this one again.
Another surprise, really like this. It’s easy to see the doom in these tracks, but the people who live in these songs aren’t giving up yet. It’s not so much hope as spite, something I’ve found useful here and there. I don’t think I’ll be putting this CD on all the time, but I’m glad I finally gave it a chance.
Recommended songs: The World’s a Mess; It’s In My Kiss; Sex and Dying in High Society; I’m Coming Over
Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier
This one is gonna hurt. I love his first album, and I jumped at the chance to get both albums for a decent price from the same seller. But “Wasteland, Baby!” has committed the cardinal sin for me … it’s so boring.
Heartbroken, but here we are. 🙁
Icky Thump by The White Stripes
Jack White is quite the guitar player. I’m not sure I care for his singing voice or his songwriting skills, but goddamn, the dude can rock. And sometimes that’s enough. Such an odd album, but what can I say, it worked for me.
Recommended songs: Little Cream Soda; Catch Hell Blues; You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You’re Told)
