UponFirstListen
9.15.2019
Chance, the Rapper - The Big Day: So much here to like.
Bouncing Souls - How I Spent My Summer Vacation: Fantastic melodic punk album.
Bon Iver - i,i: Feels like one long song. Too long.
Arrogant Sons of Bitches - Three Cheers for Disappointment: Jeff Rosenstock is a treasure.
Arrogant Sons of Bitches - This Is What You Get: Not sure if parody or homage. Great either way.
Arrogant Sons of Bitches - Pornocracy: Good framework for an album.
Arrogant Sons of Bitches - Built To Fail: Ska I can believe in.
8.23.2019
Mecht Mensch - Acceptance: Lost to tides of time.
Thom York - Anima: Far too quiet.
Violent Tumor - Abortion: Very rough sounding recording.
The Undertones - The Undertones: Classic.
Titus Andronicus - An Obelisk: Stripped down and glorious.
Antagonize - Slip Death: Muddy vocals strike again.
Thank You Scientist - Terraformer: Some great concepts, but could have used some focus.
State - No Illusions: Like a punch to the mouth.
Raconteurs - Help Us Stranger: Much more subdued than I remembered.
PUP - Morbid Stuff: Needs to tour with Jeff Rosenstock.
One Step Closer - From Me To You: Have Heart vibes.
National Skyline - National Skyline: Pretty good, Radiohead-inspired rock.
Mark Mulcahy - The Gus: His best work yet.
Magazine - Real Life: Just when I think I have mined all the post-punk classics, I find this gem.
Lost Sounds - Lost Sounds: A little Screamers vibe that has me interested in more.
Koro - 700 Club: Early '80s hardcore that scratches a certain itch.
Jaylib - Champion Sound: Does not always hit, but there is enough.
Frail - Make Your Own Noise: Great metallic emo from the '90s.
Forgetters - Forgetters: A few good tracks, but not enough to save it.
Flashlight - Poetry Class '96: Underrated midwestern emo.
Drums - Brutalism: Unmistakably Johnathan Pierce.
Downhaul - About Leaving: Settling into a routine.
Downhaul - Where We Started: Swinging for the fences.
Downhaul - About Leaving: Less quirky Front Bottoms.
Downhaul - Little Whim: Finding their footing.
Death Grips - Gmail and the Restraining Orders: Glad to have whatever they decide to put out.
Cyanamid - Stop The World: Bookend tracks oppose the chaos within.
Castor - Tracking Sounds Alone: Some many emo bands, so little time.
C.I.A. - God, Guts, Guns: Did not disappoint after finding it on a list of best 7"s of '80s hardcore.
Brave Little Abacus - Just Got Back From The Discomfort/We're Alright: Songs are definitely there, but it does not come together as an album.
Black Midi - Schlagenheim: Not sure how it will hold up, but current top 3 for AOTY.
Black Keys - "Let's Rock": The quotes are apt.
Baroness - Gold & Grey: Weird production on the vocals made for a washed out experience.
7.21.2019
Silversun Pickups - Widow's Weeds: All blends together.
Origami Angel - Gen 3: Best yet.
Coleman Hawkins and Henry Red Allen: Reunion in Hi-Fi: Some great moments.
Bob Dylan - Rolling Thunder Revue: Fascinating.
CityCop - Nesh: Looking forward to more.
6.14.2019
Vampire Weekend - Father Of The Bride: Beneficiaries of their past success.
Tyler, The Creator - IGOR: Not the biggest fan, but this was pretty compelling.
Playboi Carti - Die Lit: I can do a few songs, but at an hour in length it is a slog.
The National - I Am Easy To Find: Comes across as very safe.
Magnitude - To Whatever Fateful End: Great hardcore record that does not feel stale.
Knope - Picture Perfect: Really enjoying these smaller releases.
Joshua Redman Quartet - Come What May: Too clean on the production side.
I Love Your Lifestyle - The Movie: Some good tracks, but the album falls flat.
Holly Herndon - Proto: Interesting concepts abound.
Get Up Kids - Problems: Looking forward to a few more spins.
5.30.2019
Fury - Failed Entertainment: I felt entertained.
Full of Hell - Weeping Choir: A lot to like, but far too inconsistent
Editors - Violence: Not their strongest
5.28.2019
Editors - In Dream: Wish I had not fallen off these guys, because this is great.
Creative Adult - Fear of Life: Slower, sadder.
Creative Adult - Ring Around the Room: Much better in bite-size form.
Creative Adult - Psychic Mess: A little longer than I would have liked.
Creative Adult - Bulls in the Yard: A continuation of their previous EP.
Creative Adult - Dead Air: A little Fucked Up vibe.
Broken Social Scene - Let's Try The After, Vol. 2: Not as strong as Vol. 1 which was not as strong as Hug of Thunder.
A Certain Ratio - ACR:SET: Nice to have a one-disc overview of this essential post-punk band.
5.25.2019
Tallest Man On Earth - I Love You. It's A Fever Dream: A little less Dylan-esque, a bit more compelling.
Starflyer 59 - Young In My Head: Perfect album after a long week.
Mummies - Never Been Caught: I would have believed you if you said it was a long lost proto-punk band.
Mountain Goats - In League with Dragons: I wish it had a little more fire.
Martha - Love Keeps Kicking: And they keep writing hooks!
Magic Circle - Departed Souls: Feels too Greta Van Fleet this time around.
Jenny Lewis - On The Line: Looking forward to a Greatest Hits from her.
La Dispute - Panorama: I want to like it, but still undecided.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Fishing For Fishies: Unexpected, as always.
Craig Finn - I Need A New War: Or at least a new band?
Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks (Original New York Test Pressing): How different the world may have been.
Coasta - Sunzal: Interesting Brand New-related nugget.
Andrew Bird - My Finest Work Yet: Pretty close.
Beyonce - Homecoming: I was hoping this would be a good introduction. I am clearly not the target audience.
Autoclave - Autoclave: Feels so far ahead of its time, even for Dischord.
4.04.2019
Xiu Xiu - Girl with Basket of Fruit: The album I did not know I wanted, but now need in my life.
The Wrens - Meadowlands: Sorry I missed this classic when it came out. Scratched a lot of itches.
Watsky - Complaint: My least favorite, but still better than most others.
Various - Holy Split (Origami Angel/Commander Salamander): Love what both bands are doing in their own space and, now, together.
Spirit of the Beehive - Hypnic Jerks: The Unicorns would be proud.
Spanish Love Songs - Schmaltz: Just enough different from the current Menzingers/Hotelier sound to keep it interesting.
Sidney Gish - No Dogs Allowed: Skippable.
Retirement Party - Somewhat Literate: Somewhat good.
Radar State - Strays: Feels too comfortable for its own good, but sounds like they are having fun.
Amanda Palmer - There Will Be No Intermission: Always worth a listen.
Anderson .Paak - Oxnard: Not my favorite album of his, but still solid.
Anderson .Paak - Venice: You could already here what he would become.
Mono - Nowhere Now Here: Right place, right time. Really liked this.
Knope - No Life: Looking forward to more.
Kississippi - Sunset Blush: Not bad, but nothing groundbreaking.
Khayembii Communique - Khayembii Communique: Another forgotten screamo band.
Just Friends - Nothing But Love: Great little record.
Hatebreed - Concrete Confessional: It is Hatebreed and I did not miss much by not knowing this came out.
Ezra Furman - Transangelic Exodus: Would love to see a tour with of Montreal.
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