Apr 18, 2025

182. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Axis: Bold as Love (1967) [April 18th, 2025]

This one's gonna be quite short. It's fine, but its by far my least favorite out of the group's 3 records. Its not nearly as fun as Are You Experienced? or as monumental as Electric Ladyland. Its just not for me.

 

Apr 18, 2025

183. Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed (1969) [April 18th, 2025]

Yet another absolute classic. "Gimme Shelter" is one of the best intros of all time, without a doubt. This is my favorite Stones record, and a must listen for any rock fan.

"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is one of the best rock tracks ever made as well. The buildup to the choir is absolutely magical.

 

Apr 18, 2025

184. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (1975) [April 18th, 2025]

Where do I even start...

"Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (both parts) has to be the best track in PF's entire discography. So deeply emotional, and the reprise of "See Emily Play" at the end is a great touch. Such a great memorial for Syd Barett, even though he was still alive at the time.

I feel like "Welcome to the Machine" is by far the most underrated track on this record. In a lot of ways, this song kinda serves as a precursor to the Industrial wasteland atmosphere that's all over Animals. And as someone who f---ing loves Animals, its no surprise that I love this track as well.

Roy Harper does an incredible job on "Have a Cigar". Even though it was definitely not intended to be, the line "by the way, which one's Pink?" makes me subconsciously connect it with the character from The Wall. Great track, and it continues the messaging from the previous track pretty well.

"Wish You Were Here" is a great memorial track as well. Its such a great song, that its honestly hard to describe why. Gilmour is especially great on this track.

Overall, WYWH is an absolutely stellar record. I'm a big Roger Waters fan, so I do lean a bit more towards records like Animals and The Wall, but there's no denying that WYWH is one of the best albums eve rmade, and you could make a case that is the best prog rock record ever made (although King Crimson definitely has a few that challenge it imo)

 

Apr 18, 2025

TES Review will drop on either the 4th or 5th of May

 

Apr 18, 2025

Yes I do. Me and @albumdrill hold weekly potlucks where we eat mac and yeez with a side of mayonnaise

 

Apr 19, 2025

185. Travis Scott - Rodeo (2015) [April 19th, 2025]

I've given my thoughts about Travis' other work (minus Owl Pharaoh) in this thread, but Rodeo is just special. I mentioned this before when we did this record for AOTW Club, but Rodeo's loose storyline is what makes this record for me. Its wild to think that in the past decade, Travis has gone from a new, up and coming artists, to arguably the biggest rapper that isn't Drake or Kendrick.

I also have to address the bias that I have towards this record. I've mentioned this in the UGK and ASTROWORLD reviews, but I'm from Houston. As such, a record that is so heavily revolved around the city is bound to strike a chord with me. p---- C samples, the album's title, this record is a modern Houston classic without a doubt. There's a line on "I Can Tell" that is so f---ing funny to me, since there's like no f---ing basements here lmao

"It all started in the basement
Was an attic, but we called that s--- the basement"

I could go on for hours about certain tracks on here. The only track that I'd say is even close to a miss, is "Flying High". As it stands though, Rodeo is absolutely stellar, and its always a joy to revisit this record. T.I's narration at the end really sums up why I love this record, and it feels strangely personal for me in a way.

"Yet and still, the question that arises to the mind
Will he make it? Was it worth it?
Did he win? Will he survive?
The Rodeo"

(Probably should've mentioned that I listened to the original version of the album, which ends at "Apple Pie")

 

Apr 20, 2025

186. Led Zeppelin - IV (1971) [April 20th, 2025]

There's no doubt in my mind that IV is the best Led Zeppelin album. From the opening seconds of "Black Dog", to the climactic drums that are present all throughout "When The Levee Breaks", this albums is just, amazing rock and roll the whole time.

With albums as iconic as this one, its honestly pretty difficult to discuss them without sounding like a broken record. Like everybody knows that "Stairway to Heaven" and "Rock and Roll" are classics. As such, I want to focus on some of the "lesser" known tracks from this record. I've always loved the repetitive guitar riff on "Four Sticks", and "Going to California" serves as good segue into WTLB. "The Battle of Evermore" is another great Tolkien inspired track from the band, and "Misty Mountain Hop" is just, really fun.

 

Apr 20, 2025

187. George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (1970) [April 20th, 2025]

Lots of old memories tied to this one, for me at least. George Harrison is a very strange artist for me to place. He's one of my favorite guitarists, responsible for some of my favorite songs of all time, and yet, he's still my 3rd favorite Beatle. Well not really, he's tied with McCartney for 2nd imo, but Paul edges him out a bit in my view.

Despite that placing, All Things Must Pass is one of the best Beatle solo albums, rivaled only by JL/POB and Ram. This album is simply, beautiful. To start with the Bob Dylan-assisted "I'd Have You Anytime", and follow it up with "My Sweet Lord" and "Wah Wah" back to back? g.d.. "What Is Life" is one of the best songs ever made, and there are countless highlights later on, like "Let It Down" "Apple Scruffs" and the closer "Hear Me Lord". I do think the album is a tad bit bloated (1-2 tracks could be removed in my view), but this is still a stellar record.

I'm going to finish this log off with some of the collaborators on this record, because its honestly an insane list.:
Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman, Pete Ham, Bobby Whitlock, Billy Preston, Alan White, Joey Molland, Ringo Starr and many, many more.

 

Apr 20, 2025

188. George Harrison - Apple Jam (1970) [April 20th, 2025]
A lot of people like to view All Things Must Pass' last, instrumental section, Apple Jam as a separate entity. And I am one of those people. I've already established that I s--- at explaining what I like about albums instrument-wise, so I'll just say that this a great f---ing jam record. Its cool to be able to hear the sessions that Derek and the Dominoes sprouted out of.

 

Apr 21, 2025

189. Dr. Dre - The Chronic (1992) [April 21st, 2025]

The album that pioneered, and shot G-Funk through the mainstream. The Chronic holds a very special place in Dre's greater discography. The sound is much funkier than his Ruthless Records era prod, but it still isn't "futuristic" like 2001.

In a lot of ways, The Chronic feels much more like a blueprint for an entire subgenre, than a full on solo album. Basically all of Snoop's appearances are great, and the rest of the Death Row roster does a great job as well. I gotta give special shout outs to Kurupt and RBX, who absolutely k--- tracks like "The Day The Niggaz Took Over" and my favorite track on the record, "Stranded on Death Row."

I also have to single out "Lil Ghetto Boy" which is by far the saddest track on the record. The whole track feels very juxtaposed with the rest of the record, which is especially notable since it comes right before "A n----- Witta Gun".

There are very few negatives with this album thankfully. I do think that it is strange that the entire project ends with Jewell rapping about how great she is at sucking d----s, but its nothing too major. Overall, The Chronic is a defining hip-hop record, and there's no denying that its one of the most influential albums ever/

 

Apr 21, 2025

Rap God? d---, you're right, its about time I check out a NAV record

 

Apr 21, 2025

190. Swans - White Light From The Mouth of Infinity (1991) [April 21st, 2025]

What the h--- is up with that rabbit.

I know I've mentioned this in every single Swans log here, but the band's evolution is truly insane. To go from the harshness of albums like Filth and Holy Money to this is staggering. WLFTMOI is a very good record, and it goes further into the gothic rock territory that was seen on CoG. Definitely less accessible that TBW, but still a very good album I'd say. Gira and Jarboe are still great, although I still do have some difficulty when it comes to understanding what they're saying lmao. I feel like this album might be a bit better on future listens, so I hope I get to that soon.

 

Apr 21, 2025

191. Tyler, the Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST (2021) [April 21st, 2025]

What a record man. For me, this is when Tyler's rapping is at its peak, and only Wolf comes close to it in that regard. As someone who really enjoys early-mid 2000's Gangsta Grillz mixtapes, DJ Drama's inclusion is a big plus for me (WE JUST LANDED IN GENEVA)

Tyler's lyricism has never been this strong, before, or since. His braggadocio on tracks like "CORSO" and "LEMONHEAD" is infectious, and he absolutely kills tracks like "MANIFESTO" and "SAFARI". Most of the features hold their own as well, with Wayne, Domo, and Youngboy being my favorites.

I do have to mention this though...I despise Teezo Touchdown. His appearance on "RUNITUP" is the lowest point on this record for me.

I want to give a spotlight to "WILSHIRE" though. I think that this track has taken "Rusty"'s title of being Tyler's best written song. Nearly 9 minutes of Tyler just laying out the facts about his relationship with a taken girl, and he conveys it all masterfully. Every single word in this track is delivered so well, and its always the high point of the entire record for me.

I was a bit worried about revisiting CMIYGL since I wasn't too into CHROMAKOPIA, (although I have warmed up to that record, admittedly) but I still think its an incredible record. Tyler's features arounf this time were also f---ing PEAK, with special highlights being "Something to Rap About" and "327"

 

Apr 21, 2025

192. Tyler, the Creator - THE ESTATE SALE (2023) [April 21st, 2025]

Although this is essentially just a comp of CMIYGL era throwaways, I've always viewed it as more of a separate entity from the main album. THE ESTATE SALE is a pretty good time. "STUNTMAN" and "BOYFRIEND, GIRLFRIEND" are absolutely fire. Madlib kills the beat on "WHAT A DAY" and "HEAVEN TO ME" is the best track on the entire comp. I have some....less than favorable memories tied to "WHARF TALK" but its still a nice time, although I've never been a big fan of the comp's outro. Still a fun time though