Jun 22, 2025 at 11:14 AM

I could never ban Eminem himself from this thread

 

Jun 22, 2025 at 11:15 AM

Jokes aside, I actually like when other people post in this thread. Some discussions like the Encore one can be pretty fun honestly

 

Jun 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM

303. Swans - Soundtracks for the Blind (1996) [June 22nd, 2025]

This was my first Swans record, and honestly, I couldn't think of a worst intro for the band. When I first checked this record out like 2-3 years ago, I'm pretty sure this was the longest full album I had ever heard, and to say I was overwhelmed was an understatement.

I've checked this record out a few more times since then, and while I enjoy it more each time, I still can't say that I "fully appreciate" it yet. I've said this in every single Swans review, but the band's evolution from the harsh No Wave present in a record like Filth, to this, is insane man.

"Red Velvet Corridor", "I Was a Prisoner in Your Skull", and "Helpless Child" do a great job at setting the record up. "Live Through Me" is a nice instrumental piece, that sets up "Yum-Yab Killers" which might be my favorite track on the record. Jarboe had increasingly increased he presence over the last few records, and she really shines on SFTB. "Animus" does a great job at closing Disc 1. Disc 2 has some great tracks as well, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't lose a bit of interest near the end.

Similar to Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works Vol. II, Soundtracks for the Blind is an "experience". Like, you have to set part of your day aside to fully listen to this record lmao. Soundtracks for the Blind is still a perplexing record for me. My love for ambient/drone music, and my familiarity(?) with Swans' earlier work definitely aided me in appreciating this record more this time around, but I don't think I really grasp it as a whole. Still, aside from a live record I plan to check out, this is essentially the end for the first run of Swans. While I am lukewarm on records like Cop and Greed, albums like Filth, Holy Money, COG, WLFTMOFI, and SFTB really make this band stand out, and I can't really think of any other groups that have evolved as much.

 

Jun 23, 2025 at 5:14 PM

304. The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die (1994) [June 23rd, 2025]

Talk about a great debut album. Ready to Die is Biggie's best record, and it's one of the best records ever, period.

"Intro" is a great tone setter for the record, and there are very few moments in music that are as memorable as Biggie being born while Curtis Mayfield's "Superfly" plays in the background. "Things Done Changed" has one of my favorite beats ever, and Biggie's verses sound downright desolate with his focus on how the world around him has grown darker over time. "Gimme the Loot" and "Warning" are some of the best storytelling tracks ever, and Biggie's use of voices is so f---ing impressive man. The title tracks is great as well, and one of my favorite Biggie songs, "One More Chance" comes right after. In a lot of ways, I'd say that Biggie created the blueprint for the coolness that would make fellow New York emcees Jay-Z and 50 Cent so popular

I gotta give "Me and My b----" a special shout out because of this of course...

When I met you I admit my first thoughts was to trick
You look so good huh, I s--- on your daddy's d-ck

"Big Poppa" is one of the slickest tracks ever too man, that beat is niceeeeeeee. "Respect" has one of the hardest beats on the entire record, and "Suicidal Thoughts" is such a brave ending for an album like this. Ready to Die shines because of how it depicts a full (albeit fictionalized) portrait of Biggie's life. From his birth to his suicide, Biggie lived a life of crime, sex, and respect throughout this album, and it's pulled off perfectly.

 

Jun 23, 2025 at 7:48 PM

305. Black Sabbath - Heaven and h--- (1980) [June 23rd, 2025]

The last Sabbath record I checked out was Sabotage back in early May, so it's been a while. This was my first time relistening to this album, and it's very notable since it's the first record that has Dio as the lead vocalist.

I'm kinda mixed on Heaven and h---. First off, Dio is an incredible singer, and his vocals on this record might be it's best feature. Like d---, that guy could SING. He's very different from Ozzy, but the difference is a good thing in my opinion. Instead of hiring an Ozzy wannabe, BS went with a radically different singer who's a legend in his own right.

The actual songs though? They're alright. "Lady Evil" is cool, and "Heaven and h---" is another example of how GTA IV has impacted my music taste (in a good way, thankfully), Seriously, that song rules. The rest of the record is okay. Part of what I love about the first 3 Sabbath records is the darkness. Songs like "Black Sabbath" and "Into the Void" sound evil. Dio is a great singer, and the rest of the band is still great, but I feel like it doesn't really "grab" me y'know?

 

Jun 24, 2025 at 5:14 PM

306. 2 Live Crew - As Nasty as They Wanna Be (1989) [June 24th, 2025]

I like to read reviews/comments about the records I'm listening to so that I can get background info, look at different perspectives, etc. While looking through reviews of 2 Live Crew's As Nasty as They Wanna Be, I saw a commenter refer to this record as "p--- Rap". And yeah, this is definitely that.

I feel like this record's reputation precedes it. When you have the first album to be legally declared as obscene, there's no doubt that the album would continue to be relevant. Admittedly, I'm not too knowledgeable on the Miami rap scene, so I was hyped to check out a Southern rap album that wasn't from Atlanta/Houston etc.

This record is good, but it is way too long man. I checked out the original version, which is nearly an hour and 20 minutes long. The opener "Me So Horny" perfectly reflects the album's strong points. The beats are fun and energetic, and the lyrics are so filthy, that they sound downright hilarious at points. The sampling was also very surprising, with the Hendrix and Guns 'n Roses samples catching me off guard. On the flipside though, tracks like "2 Live Blues" and "If You Believe In Having Sex" are honestly just kinda flat. The sex-crazed lyrics were funny at the beginning, but by the second half of the record, they get boring honestly.

I still want to make it clear that when it comes to the instrumentals, this album is stellar. But as a whole? I feel like the record could've benefited from some cuts. Still, I can definitely see why Uncle Luke was such an important figure in Hip-Hop, and I'm glad that I checked out such an important album. I feel like this would kick a--- at a beach party or something

 

Jun 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM

307. Massive Attack - Mezzanine (1998) [June 24th, 2025]

Talk about a defining record man. I first checked this album out like 3 years ago (d--- time goes by fast), and I've loved it more and more every single time. This was my first Massive Attack album, and it remains my favorite.

A big think that I love about Trip-Hop records is the atmosphere. This might be due to my love of Wong Kar Wai's Fallen Angels, which has a very Trip-Hop centric soundtrack, but whenever I listen to records like Mezzanine, its like I'm transported to a dark, sensual world, that's equally eerie, heartbreaking, and beautiful.

"Angel" is an amazing introduction, and it serves as the first of multiple incredible Horace Andy collaborations on this record, with "Man Next Door" being one of my favorite tracks ever. 3D and Daddy G continue to show off their inherent coolness on songs like "Risingson" and "Inertia Creeps", and the "Exchange" instrumental is a wonderful interlude. As much as I love Horace Andy's contributions, there's no denying that Elizabeth Fraser's collaborations are out of this world. Wether it be the heartbreaking "Teardrop" or the incredibly spacey "Black Milk" and "Group Four", all of her appearances on this record are incredibly. I really should give Cocteau Twins another try. I wanna give a shout out to the Sarah Jay Hawley assisted "Dissolved Girl" which was one of my favorite tracks on my first AOTWClub mixtape.

So yeah, I love this record more and more every time. I really enjoyed Blue Lines, so I might be revisiting that one soon as well. If you haven't checked out Mezzanine, do it, NOWWWWWW