May 19, 2025

248. Philip Glass - Koyaanisqatsi (1983) [May 19th, 2025]

"Pruitt Igoe" was on the GTA IV soundtrack (which I'm currently replaying) so I decided to put this one on. I started reading Don Delillo's White Noise while listening to this, but I enjoyed it a lot. I haven't watched the film it's named after, but the soundtrack to Koyaanisqatsi is very grand, and honestly pretty overwhelming (in a good way) at some points. Pretty good time, even if "The Grid" goes on for WAYYYY too long

 

May 19, 2025

The record I was referring to was the leaked version of Kanye's CUCK, but considering that it will (sadly) probably end up releasing officially at some point, it wouldn't be a good idea to log in an unofficial release (plus, I'm not giving a record like CUCK the honor of being reviewed twice lmao)

 

May 20, 2025

249. Calle 13 - Calle 13 (2005) [May 20th, 2025]

"Atrevete-te-te" is undeniably a classic track, but this is my first full Calle 13 and fully Reggaeton album (Pretty sure that Motomami doesn't count).

I f---ing LOVED this record. Residente's raps are so playful, and raunchy as h---. The whole record is a perfect example of what I love about 2000's Reggaeton. It was definitely a trip to see Residente diss Diddy 20 years ago on "Pi-Di-Di-Di". Songs like "Cabe-c-o", "Suave" and "La Aguacatona" are so f---ing nasty, that I can't help but love it. I do think the record loses a bit of steam near the end (the beat to "La Madre de los Enanos" is terrible lmao), but still, Calle 13 is a d--- good time.

 

May 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM

250. OutKast - Stankonia (2000) [May 22nd, 2025]

The log slowed down a bit, but we're finally at album 250!!!! Stankonia is a pretty divisive album for a lot of people. Most people (rightfully) agree that it's a great record, but many people debate over where it ranks amongst OutKast's discog. Although I admit that I'm more of an Aquemini guy, I can't deny that Stankonia is a close second.

Although the "Nation of Stankonia" concept really isn't explored too deeply on this record, "Gasoline Dreams" is an incredible opener, and it sets up the album's energy straight off the bat. Andre and Big Boi are at their absolute peak on this record, I swear. Songs like "So Fresh, So Clean" and "Mrs. Jackson" have become classics for a reason, and "B.O.B." is one of the greatest hip-hop songs ever made. Some lesser known cuts that I want to call attention to include "Spaghetti Junction", "Xplosion", "Red Velvet" and "Gangsta s---". I do have to admit that the album loses a bit of steam (at least for me) around track 21, but Stankonia is still an incredible record.

 

May 22, 2025 at 11:29 PM

251. Future - Monster (2014) [May 22nd, 2025]

[For the record, I listened to the original mixtape release that includes 2 interludes and "f--- Up Some Commas" + the classic DJ Esco tags]
Is it safe to say that Monster is one of the most influential rap records of the past 15 years? One of the main things that makes Monster such a great record, is how it establishes Future's work from this point forward. The Future present on records like Pluto and Honest is completely replaced by a nihilistic, drug-fueled monster (GET IT!!!) from this point forward, and its incredible.

The original mixtape release begins with "Intro", a quick collage of newsclips, interviews etc, revolving around Future's rise to prominence and his breakup with Ciara, which is a topic that is present throughout this entire project. Songs like "Radical", "Monster", and "f--- Up Some Commas" are great examples of Future's greatness, and the beats to songs like "Gangland" are f---ing nuts.

There are two songs that I want to focus on, and if you've listened to Monster, you probably know which tracks I'm talking about. The first is the two-parter "Throw Away". The first half of the track shows Future at his most toxic, but he sounds so f---ing cool while saying it. The second half legitimately elevates the track to be one of the most emotional trap songs ever. The total shift in energy makes the whole track hit deeper, and the chorus...my God. The second track is of course, the closer "Codeine Crazy". CC is one of the best rap songs ever, without a doubt. After an entire record showcasing Future becoming increasingly toxic and nihilisitc, "Codeine Crazy" ends the record on an incredibly depressing note. Seriously, the following verse absolutely captivates me every time.

Drownin' in Actavis, suicide
When I hit the scene, it's homicide
Diamond pinky ring a lollipop
f--- the hate, I pull up in a drop
Diamonds colder than a glacier
Ballin' harder than the Pacers
I been tryin' to have some patience
Told my momma she should pray on it
Told the streets they gotta wait on it
She gonna put a n----- name on it
I just dropped a whole thang on it
I'm making USD's overseas
That's U.S. dollars that you can't achieve
f----- my white girl, she said, "n----- please"
f--- that white girl, she said, "n----- please"
Playin' poker now we're back at Strokers
I forgot her name but her p---- soakin'

So yeah, Monster is a great time, and its my personal favorite Future record. DJ ESCO, LET"S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

May 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM

252. Godspeed You! Black Emperor (1998) [May 23rd, 2025]

[Listened to the CD release which is like 20 minutes longer]
I've been debating on buying the CD for this album in case I ever go on a long, overnight car ride. F# A# ∞ is one of the most dreadful albums I've ever heard, in the best way possible.

GYBE!'s use of field recordings make this whole record feel generally post-apocalyptic. Like, this record just feels like you're experiencing the end of the world. I was reading the "...Airborne Toxic Event" chapter of Don Delillo's White Noise while listening to this album this time around, and the album just feels like well...the end. It's been some time since I checked out LYSFLATH, but I've always been more of an F# A# ∞ guy. Stellar record

 

May 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM

253. Eminem - Recovery (2010) [May 23rd, 2025]

Time for one of my most unpopular opinions. I like Recovery. I'm not saying that it's a great album or anything, but I personally enjoy every time I listen to it for the most part.

Recovery's greatest strength is also it's greatest weakness. There are basically two different styles present on the album. The first is the predominantly rap-focused side with songs like "No Love" and "Almost Famous". I think that the beats for these songs are generally pretty good, and this shows Em's shouting voice before it became unbearable in the mid 2010's. Just Blaze's beats on this record are generally pretty good ("Cold Wind Blows" is underrated!!!), and the fact that we've only gotten 2 collabs between him and Em since, is honestly criminal. There are definitely some low points (I've never been too into "WTP", "Cinderella Man", or "25 to Life"), but tracks like "Almost Famous" and one of my personal favorites, "Seduction" show Em at a pretty good place delivery, and lyrics wise. The other side is consisted of poppier songs like "Won't Back Down", which I'm not too big on.

I used to not really regard Recovery too highly, and I eventually realized that I projected some of this record's influence on albums like Shady XV and Revival, which basically made me retroactively disregard this album. "Not Afraid" is fine, but the chorus is corny as h---, and I still think that "Love the Way You Lie" is a pretty bad song, and I f---ing despise Alex Da Kid. Legitimately one of the worst producers Em has ever worked with. "You're Never Over" isn't as depressing as "Difficult", but aside from the hook, I think it's a decent Proof tribute.

As a zoomer, it might come as a surprise when I say that my first listen for Recovery was on an actual CD (my first personal CD actually!!!). And as such, the hidden track "Untitled" caught me off guard, and I LOVE it. The Havoc beat is GOATed, and Em is at his hungriest on this track. One of my personal favorite Em tracks period. Overall, even though I'm not a big fan of the direction that Em took after this record (At least for the next 7 years), but I still generally enjoy Recovery.

 

May 24, 2025 at 4:52 PM

254. Aphex Twin - Windowlicker (1999) [May 24th, 2025]

Pretty short EP, so there's not much to talk about. "Windowlicker" is one of RDJ's finest, and it might be his most iconic track ever. Also the music video is still stellar

I'm very mixed on "ΔMi-1=-αΣDi[n][ΣFji[n-1]+Fexti[n-1]]" however, and as good as "Nannou" is, it gets beaten out by it's sequel on drukQs. Definitely recommend checking out the title track however!!!!

 

May 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM

255. Radiohead - Kid A (2000) [May 24th, 2025]

I remember getting into Radiohead back in 2020. The pandemic as a whole made me discover more music, and I went from listening to basically just rap, to enjoying more genres.

I'm pretty sure OK Computer or The Bends served as my intro to the band, but at least at first, Kid A was pretty daunting. This was before I got super into artists like Nine Inch Nails or Aphex Twin, so the electronic sound of this record was a bit foreign for me at the time.

Nowadays though? Kid A is stellar. "Everything In Its Right Place" sets up the album's cold mood right from the beginning. The bassline on "The National Anthem" is groovy as h---, and "How to Disappear Completely" always makes me feel like this.

"Treefingers" probably grew on me the most over time honestly. "Idioteque" is the weirdest b-----r that I've ever heard, and "Morning Bell" is also amazing (and its much better than the Amnesiac version!!!). "Motion Picture Soundtrack" is one of the band's saddest closers and the hidden track "Untitled" gives the whole record a beautiful note to end on. Kid A is an incredible album, and it's tied with OKC and In Rainbows for my favorite Radiohead album

 

May 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM

256. Aphex Twin - Girl/Boy (1996) [May 25th, 2025]

Pretty boring aside from "Milk Man" and the Snare Rush remx of the title track

 

May 26, 2025 at 5:25 PM

257. Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels (2013) [May 26th, 2025]

I think it's been like, 4 and a half years since I first checked this record out man. While it doesn't have RTJ2's energy or the strong concept of RTJ4, it's still a pretty d--- good time.

From the beginning of "Run the Jewels", El-P's production is stellar throughout this whole project. He and Mike absolutely k--- every single verse, and the energy on tracks like "36" Chain" and "Get It" is super infectious. I do think that it does come off a bit weaker when compared to their later work, but it's still a decent time

 

May 26, 2025 at 10:39 PM

258. Radiohead - OK Computer (1997) [May 26th, 2025]

What can I even say about OK Computer that hasn't been said already. Masterpiece, 10/10, #2 album OAT on RateYourMusic, etc.

Part of what I love OK Computer has to be the atmosphere. I like The Bends and all, but this record feels like the record where Radiohead became Radiohead y'know? "Airbag" is a stellar intro, and it's probably one of the best intros ever. "Paranoid Android" is one of the best songs ever made, the fact that it goes from a slightly relaxed intro, to an intermediate midpoint, to the absolutely glorious third part, it's incredible. "Exit Music (For a Film)" is one of the most climactic tracks that I've ever heard, "Let Down" is the most underrated, and "Karma Police" is incredible.

People are mixed on "Fitter Happier", but I think it does a great job at bluntly stating the album's themes, and "Electioneering" is way too overhated. One of my personal favorites has always been "Climbing Up The Walls", with its paranoid lyrics, and its musical breakdown...oh my God. "No Surprises" has become arguably THE TikTok song, but I still love it, and "Lucky" took me a while to appreciate, but it's great. "The Tourist" is one of my favorite outros ever. You have Thom calling a shithead tourist and idiot, while the guitars croon throughout the closing minutes, and then the "ding" to close it off.

Over time, OK Computer has become an album that it just so perfect, that I ultimately end up listening to it less often. That's not a knock against this record at all, as it is turly spectacular, and I hope that I can enjoy it for years and years to come.

 

May 27, 2025 at 4:49 PM

259. Ol' Dirty b------ - Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (1995) [May 27th, 2025]

To say that this record is polarizing would be an understatement. Like many people, ODB's contributions to 36 Chambers were absolutely hilarious and they often stole the show on tracks like "...Chessboxin'", so. full record of ODB antics would have to be incredible too, right??? Not exactly.

Let's get this out of the way: this album is no Liquid Swords or Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. But honestly, most albums don't reach those albums quality-wise, so it's nothing too major. The strong point of this record as to be the production. This is RZA at his grimiest, and tracks like "Raw Hide" and "Cuttin' Headz" show him at his filthiest.

Then there's ODB. ODB's personality works on tracks like "Shimmy Yimmy Ya" and "Protect Ya Neck II...", but I feel like the energy loses its appeal after a little bit. It doesn't get irritating, but it does get pretty boring after some time. The guest features k--- their verses, with Method Man on "Raw Hide", RZA on "Snakes" and Ghostface Killah on "Brooklyn Zoo II (Tiger Crane)".

So overall, Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version is a decent album, that I think overstays its welcome at some points. Pretty good gym record though

 

May 27, 2025 at 8:02 PM

260. Radiohead - OKNOTOK (2017) [May 27th, 2025]

Basically jsut 3 unreleased tracks with a couple of B sides. Like many other B Side comps, it's fine, but I really wouldn't choose it over any of the songs that made it onto OK Computer. "Man of War", "Meeting in the Aisle" and "Polyethylene (Parts I & II)" are the highlights.

 

May 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM

261. Big L - Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous (1995) [May 28th, 2025]

Big L was the f---ing man, man. Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous might be one of the most terrifying rap albums ever, and the reason for that is quite simple. Instead of relying on the typical horrorcore schtick that many below average rappers use to sound "scary", L is direct. Basically what I'm trying to say is...

Big L is going to k--- you, just because he can.

Big L literally sounds like a demon with some of his bars on here. Whether it be through threatening the listener's entire family on "All Black" or bluntly stating that he'll willingly turn to crime in order to get rich, Big L sounds like the most vicious MFer alive on this record. Some of the features are also pretty notable, including Cam'ron on "8 Iz Enough" and a surprisingly diverse Jay-Z verse on "Da Graveyard" (it's crazy that this was releases a year before Reasonable Doubt).

So yeah, this is an incredible record, and I wish that L had been able to fully finish a sophomore record before his death.