Listening to Seven Albums a Day and Writing About Them (MAR 5 — 11)
ANTI — Rihanna
The hits on here sound as smooth as ever. Her personality flares on each track. You’d have to agree that “Love on the Brain” contains one of her best vocals performances. This album also made me wonder why more pop artists don't put random full-scale song covers on their albums. Is it to not be perceived as lazy or just label complications? Also, some of the cuts are dull, especially “Yeah I Said It.” “Woo” disappointed me as well.
Live Through This — Hole
This is an extremely passionate album. Courtney Love sounds like she has something to prove here. I read that she was competing with her partner Cobain at the time of recording.
Fleet Foxes — Fleet Foxes
This band is an indie darling that I have heard about off and on again for the last decade or so. Great songwriting on this one. Some good, heartfelt moments on this one as well. The guitar work on this album is consistently gorgeous and Robin Pecknoid's vocals are pretty endearing.
Steve Arrington’s Hall of Fame, Vol 1— Steve Arrington
Mr. Arrington is a legend that unfortunately many don't know. However, those that do know the legend appreciate how talented he is. While not as popular as his contemporaries, he has made funk and soul music at the highest level. It is a shame he’s not as widely heralded as he should be, but recent collaborations with Thundercat and a comeback album with Stones Throw should turn more heads. Anyways, this album is stellar. The band is excellent and Arrington’s voice doesn't miss a beat. I really needed a song like “Last Nite/Nite Before.” There is some really good heartwarming soul here. The keys on “Beddie-Bey” are incredible as well.
Almighty So—Chief Keef
Bad mixing. Bad quality. Excellent energy. Chief Keef has so much presence in each of these songs. He has an energy that cannot be reciprocated. He guides listeners through this dark murky haze which is an incredible accomplishment.
Abandoned Luncheonette — Daryl Hall and John Oates
This blue-eyed soul album is perhaps the duo’s best. I adore the performance on “Las Vegas Turnaround.” The saxophone on the track is really fun and all over the place. “She’s Gone” is one of the highlights of the album. I can see what made them such a strong duo.
Play — Moby
Drug issues aside, I wanted to know what made Moby a household name at some point. He is a producer that definitely knows his way around a sample. “Porcelain” is such a beautifully layered song. I never heard anything like how those strings combined with those drums. There’s an enjoyable mix of sounds on here. Exactly what I want from a record like this.
