Album reviews 3/15/23

Biscuit- This Is Where the Good Bit Starts: I can’t remember if Biscuit is an old guard brony musician who changed his name, or one of those rare artists whose career started post-MLP:FiM and is actually kicking out good tunes. Whatever the case, this is a fun collection of rock, metal, late 90’s industrial and djent. The song “The Air That You and I Breathe Is Not the Same” is a must-hear, even if you don’t care about ponies, it’s got nothing to do with ponies. For the rest of the album, he also brings on some classic fellow shredders like PrinceWhateverer and MelodyBrony, so you know he knows what the hell he’s doing. And while the heavier stuff isn’t to my taste, I have to say this is a solid album, and a very good first impression if you haven’t heard him before. 6.5/10

Album reviews 3/12/23

The Darkness- Last of Our Kind: Catching up with a band who is notoriously difficult to catch up with! To wit, this is from 2015, and it’s… Not bad, really? It’s got a harder edge than the album the did before it (which I accidentally ended up listening to again), and it also sounds considerably more return-to-roots. Though the first two tracks, I swear someone else is singing. Either that or Justin Hawkins can do some really variable voices. But, yeah, not mind-blowing, but not bad. It was worth looking up. 6.5/10

Album reviews 3/5/23

Death Cab for Cutie- Asphalt Meadows: This album’s pretty cool, too. It shows a band experimenting in small ways that enhance their sound without taking it over or becoming unlistenable. Just thinking about the crunchy opening, it’s kind of amazing where this ends while still delivering a solid album experience. I cannot begin to explain how cool it is to be hooked into the Bandcamp page of a band like Death Cab. 🙂 7.5/10

Album reviews 2/23/23

LANY- Mama’s Boy: I was really into just how soft and gentle this album was, then they started singing about talking to Jesus, and I just… Uh, okay, did not expect that! This is all right, I guess, but I emphasize that word ‘soft’. It’s something they do well, but it’s not for everyone. 6.5/10

Album reviews 2/21/23

The Dangerous Summer- Coming Home: So the Dangerous Summer sounds like Bush now! That’s a thing. This is a pretty cool album that definitely goes through some distinct movements. There’s waves, up and down like the ocean. Is this poetic enough for anyone to care about the reviews I write? Am I maybe a little emotionally fragile right now? Doesn’t matter! Good stuff. 7.5/10

Album reviews, 2/16/23

Billie Joe Armstrong- No Fun Mondays: Oh my god, I can finally start listening to new things again! This is the lead singer of Green Day covering a bunch of classic tunes! And a few that are less than classic! From 2020! It’s great! This is easy! Next review! 7.5/10

Album reviews 2/7/23

Aleks Syntek- Anatomía del Amor: Oh my god, where has this guy been all my life? It’s not just this album, he completely rocks the house. What a great blend of pop rock and Latin music, I can’t even explain what it is about it that works so well, it just does. Maybe it’s his voice? Whatever it is, be sure to listen to literally everything he’s done! He’s just great. 7.5/10

Album reviews 1/13/23

Judah & the Lion- Revival: Not sure why this is on Youtube, but, uh, okay. If you haven’t heard of them, Judah and the Lion are here to keep the sound of the mid-2010’s alive. I’m talking Mumford & Sons, Of Monsters and Men, The Lumineers and more, that distinct yet hard to pin down mixture of folk music and indie rock that made the radio not suck for quite a few years. And they’re quite good at it! If you were a fan of that style of music, definitely check this out, it’s a cool album and has a really solid track in “Scream!” 7.5/10

Album reviews 12/28/22

Polisen- Music for Headphones: I don’t recall seeing this artist on Data Airlines before. Their first impression? Not bad. This is cool, chill house style music, the kind of thing I would recommend for either a relaxing drive or some kind of gravity-based puzzle game. Definitely one of the albums I have ever listened to. 6.5/10

Album reviews 12/10/22

Critical Role- Welcome to Wildemount: Hey, Critical Role released their first soundtrack! I don’t care if you have thoughts about D&D, or voice actors, or voice actors playing D&D. You need to listen to the title track of this album, because it is phenomenal. The rest, well, it sounds like a score from a fantasy movie or video game (fitting, since D&D hits right in the middle of the two), but it doesn’t carry the same energy. Not quite what I’d hoped for, but if you’re into movie scores, definitely give this a listen, it’s still pretty epic. 6.5/10