Mitski - The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We

Release Date:  September 15, 2023

maybe i need to be on tiktok

Review:  Mitski has a certain singing style that I still haven't warmed up to yet. I know the first song started out okay, but I though the album was pretty boring with not a lot of memorable hooks. Until "My Love Mine All Mine" and "The Frost," it started to sound good. The later parts of the album, I felt like I gained something. I was hoping on a re-listen, I would find something, but yeah, it's still on the boring side. Like there's strings in the songs, but I heard them before. Maybe if I loved her voice, I would catch what her words mean, but I feel like I'm listening to someone be deep for the sake of being deep.

Summary:  It's rare, but i feel like the backend is stronger than the first.

Favorite Songs: My Love Mine All Mine, The Frost, I'm Your Man
Rating: 7/10

Model/Actriz - Dogsbody

Release Date:  February 24th, 2023

Review:  can't say i was a fan of NIN, but i hear their sound on this album, to my surprise, i can let this album play out and don't get bored until maybe 2/3 into it. The back to back of Mosquito and Crossing Guard should win people over. I also really like how bare the closing track is.

Summary:  This is what I think Nine Inch Nails sound like

Favorite Songs:  Mosquito, Crossing Guard, Sun In
Rating: 8/10

McKinley Dixon - Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?

Release Date:  June 2nd, 2023

I really liked his 2021 album and outside of RYM, I barely saw much discussion on him.

Review:  Well, the same thing is happening again, except the Needle Drop did give a good score so that should give him some attention.  Anyways, I was expecting this to be overrated simply because this would be their first exposure to him, but I would think its a repeat. The good news is, I like it. I think that wave of being blown away wasn't there, but I enjoyed the jazz instrumentals and his lyrical content.

Summary:  Let's Go!, I don't think it's as good as his 2021 album, but maybe it's because that element of being surprise isn't here. This album is what I expected.

Favorite Songs: Run, Run, Run, Tyler Forever, Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?
Rating: 8/10

MiSaMo - Masterpiece

Release Date:  July 26th, 2023

if you know the story, this album is a dream come true for the girls.

Review:  Vocally, i don't think anybody considers these ladies to be main or lead vocals, but they all have their own tone. so how would this work? well, I'm glad they kept it within their strength which is that smooth silky rnb vibe. Sometime Momo raps and it's awesome. The best songs are the ones with music videos. As for the rest, it's fine. it's good. but it's hard to tell because I'm too deep into Twice. This album isn't very catchy so I know it's not something I will choose to listen to, but I don't know if it's amazing or just middle of the road. It does sound mature because it has a sexy vibe to it.

Summary:  walk rest running, rest rest running

Favorite Songs: Do not touch, Marshmallow
Rating: 7/10

Michael Jackson - Bad

Release Date: August 31st, 1987

alright, i believe this is the last album of Michael's golden era.

Review: I was gonna start by talking about the singles, but apparently 8 of the 11 songs were singles, 9 if we included UK only singles. anyways, starting with the songs I recall, I don't "Bad" is that good, "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Man in the Mirror" are top tier. I feel like I heard the name "Dirty Diana" but it sounds entirely new to me and it's really different from a MJ song. And "Smooth Criminal" is the most played track on this album, but I honestly never heard of this song until Alien Ant Farm did it. it's crazy how it was a stable of 00's pop punk, and it doesn't differ too far from MJ's version.

for the songs i don't know, "Speed Demon" sucks. and i was expecting to dismiss "Liberian Girl" and "Just Good Friends," but I really don't mind. i hate to compare MJ to lesser 80s music, but I can hear the Paula Abdul industrial sounds. I originally disliked "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," but if i don't compare it to MJ's biggest hits, it's a fine track if sung by another artist today.

Summary: This one feels more like a relic of the 80's than a timeless classic.

Favorite Songs: The Way You Make Me Feel, Man in the Mirror, Dirty Diana
Rating: 8/10

Michael Jackson - Off The Wall

Release Date: August 10th, 1979

The real debut of Michael.

Review: I've heard the first two songs before, and when i got to the midpoint of the album, I actually thought this would surpass Thriller. "Girlfriend" isn't a bad song, but it's a bit fluffy, and sadly "She's Out of My Life" kind of sucks.  "I Can't Help It" is chill, and i like "It's The Falling in Love." I was ready for this to be over when the last song came on. anyways, the first half of this album is really good. Not catchy like his later singles, but it has a good vibe to it. I don't know what it was like to be out dancing to disco, but i can picture people enjoying themselves for the entirely of those songs.

Summary: first half is really good.

Favorite Songs: Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Rock With You,
Rating: 7/10

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Release Date: November 30th, 1982

so many albums are influenced by this album, plus i wanted to listen to MJ's other albums, but I know I listened to this before, I wanted a refresher.

Review: lyrically, I don't connect with it, but musically, this album is amazing. It's surprisingly short at only 9 songs so if there is a skip, it'll just make the album tighter. The album closer is a skip. and that Paul McCartney song is a dud. But the other 7 are so good. To be honest, I heard "Thriller" "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" way before I was into music. Part of me feels like it's overplayed and a bit corny, but also in it's own separate category because those three songs are so iconic in pop culture. Revisiting it now, "Beat It" is the best. And the opening track "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" should be top tier in any MJ list. I have no issues with "Baby Be Mine" because i can hear it in today's music. I really like the melody of "Human Nature." and "P.Y.T." is a bit corny, but kind of fun.

Summary: 7 of these songs are great

Favorite Songs: Wanna Be Startin' Somethin, Beat It, Human Nature
Rating: 9/10

Mitski - Laurel Hell

Release Date:  February 4th, 2022

I became aware of Mitski because of Puberty 2, and I told myself I would dig deeper into "Be The Cowboy." I mean, it sounds fine on the surface, but seeing it so high on people's year end list, that was baffling. What was I missing?

Review:  Now on her 6th album, after having a 4 year break, she really embraced the 80s. Those upbeat 80s vibes are probably for people like me. Yet, Mitski has a boring voice or she sings like she's bored out of her mind or she sings like she's emotionless. i dont know, her vocals have always felt out of place for me. I do like "Heat Lightning" and "I Guess" for similar reasons, it's bare bones and she sounds great in it. "Stay Soft" is a cool song, very St. Vincent like, and I like the lyrics to "Working for the Knife." "Love Me More" and "Should've Been Me" are really catchy. "The Only Heartbreaker" sounds good, but it felt like they were chasing for that hit song.

Summary:  I know, I want to support my fellow Asian-Americans too, but the tiktok generation have already claimed her and I simply don't know if I like Mitski or not. on the surface, she's fine. I just don't like her voice most of the time so even if the lyrics are good, I wouldn't know because they go in one ear and out the other.

Favorite Songs: Heat Lightning, Should've Been Me, I Guess
Rating: 6/10

Marlowe - Marlowe 3

Release Date:  October 28th, 2022

shout out to hiphopgoldenage for having this album on their list of best albums from 2022, I never would have discovered it. There's not much coverage of this album, or their past albums. L'Orange is the producer, Solemn Brigham is the rapper.

Review:  From the opening track, I think they sampled a Vietnamese guy. Thanks for representing my people. Then on track 2, my honest first thoughts were that this guy sounds like B.o.B. And as the album progress to track 3 and 4 and so on, I was just really impressed by the production and the samples because the music sounds like it's from a 70's action film with lots of trumpets. It gets me energized. Truthfully, I don't know what he's saying most of the time, but I like the way he flows and the music just matches his energy so when they meet during chorus, it just feels nice. 

This is their 3rd project as Marlowe, I haven't listen to their past two yet, so I don't know if this album is trending new waters or a rehash of their older albums. I just know that I really enjoyed my time with this record.

Summary:  Production is excellent, Rapper is very chatty. This album is a good time.

Favorite Songs: My People, The Jeweler, Royal
Rating: 8/10

Muna - Muna

Release Date: June 24th, 2022

I remember discovering them because I couldn't find any other bands like Chvrches or Haim and their song, "I Know A Place" blew me away. that song sounded like it could transcend generational wealth. How did I not know them?

Review: Anyways, I couldn't get into any of their other song, but there are on a new label with phoebe bridgers as their boss? The first song is very good. "Silk Chiffon" has phoebe on it and she fits well within the song. The guitar strumming made me think of the early 00s pop rock songs, maybe Miley's "7 Things." I thought the next two songs were what you'd expect from a synth-pop group. But the next song, "Home by Now" is really pleasing to the ear. Very soft, but easy to digest, something you could run to. "Kind of Girl" is very different, maybe country, but I actually like it. I think it works as the emotional gravity for the album. Very surface level, but striped down, it's easy to follow the lyrics.

"Handle Me" sounds more like your traditional singer-songwriter song. I like the vibe here. "No idea" is a low key song. I actually liked it at first, but not so sure anymore. I wanted it to be a bop, but it's just a firm walk down the street. "Solid" sounds like a shitty 80s song. "Anything But Me" sounds like a single, and it is. "Loose Garment" is sad. Did not expect this sound on this album. cool strings. Finally the album close "Shooting Star" is another soft song, but i like this one. doesn't even feel 4 minutes. Has a strong ending, which makes me wonder if phoebe had any input with it because her song "i know the end" has a big ending.

Summary:  Alright, time to come clean. This album is only okay to me. I guess i thought this would be full of catchy songs, but they aren't. Even the ones that are suppose to sound like they would be catchy, only sound fine to me. I wanted songs to blow me away or songs I would be excited to share on a playlist, and there are none. Still, fine album, but I did not think it was noteworthy.

Favorite Songs: Home by Now, Anything But Me, Shooting Star
Rating: 6/10

Michelle Branch - The Trouble with Fever

Release Date: September 16th, 2022

I gotta be honest, on my first listen, i thought this album was very bad, super boring, soulless. Obviously it's not fair to expect this album to address why she was in the headlines this summer, but as an old school fan of Michelle's, she doesn't sound like her old self and her new stuff doesn't have much in common with her contemporaries either. So listening to her Patrick Carney produced songs have always felt like she was in another person's world. And another thing, why does she sing certain songs with that country twang? you can't do that once you already establish that you don't sing like that.

Review:  Anyways, I hold Michelle Branch pretty close to my heart, not enough to go see her in concert, but I watched a few of her live performances of her old songs. She still sounds good even thought the tempo is slower. And from the interviews I've read, this album was a pandemic album, but got delayed due to her pregnancy. Anyways, it may not be what I want, or what anyone wants, but for what it is, it's shit. I'm sorry, but I have never liked The Black Keys. The Black Keys somehow how make fart noises with their instruments.

I do think the opening track is pretty enjoyable and I really like the soaring vibes of "you got me where you want me." The lead single "I"m a man" is cringe, but if i didn't know English, its a pretty catchy song. I do like the line "I'm so tired of being told by everybody/That I can't make decisions 'bout my own damn body." If you're not a trash human, it's obviously. Still, the song is fairly surface level. 

The melody of "Not My Lover" is catchy too, but what's up with these lyrics?  I mean, they make sense, but I hate it when songwriters have their rhymes so close together. Feels like they want credit for using a rhyming dictionary. Although this one is basic, "When That Somebody is You" feels the most natural. It has a country vibe to it, like the "Everything Comes and Goes" EP, and would have fit nicely on that album.

"You" could be good. kind of a coin flip depending how tired you are. "Zut Alors" is a standout. There's some french in it and it's the most different. almost has a creepy vibe to it, which makes it very interesting. "Fever Forever" gave me the feeling of listening to an album that you already know the singles to and when you reach this one, you just know why. It's a very deep cut, and I do like the way Michelle mumbles some of her lines with attitude.

As for the final two. they sound like standard songs with singing that drag you alone where the lyrics don't really grab you. so yeah.

Summary:  Michelle Branch is literally my first love in music so I will always have a soft spot for her. I can listen to this album, I can tolerate it without skipping. But, do i want to? probably never. even  hopeless romantic was better.

Favorite Songs: You Got Me Where You Want Me, When That Somebody is You, Zut Alors!
Rating: 5/10

Michelle Branch - The Spirit Room (20th Anniversary Edition)

Release Date: October 15th, 2021
Genre: pop rock

Review: Kinda interesting that if you google Michelle Branch at the moment, it's mostly fake outrage about her Virgin Mary Halloween costume, despite being raised catholic herself. Anyways, Michelle Branch was my gateway into listening to music. I legitimately didn't care about music until I discovered "All You Wanted" and needed to hear her beyond the two singles. 

With that said, it's very hard for me to review her music because at one point in my life, I really thought Michelle Branch was going to be the greatest singer-songwriter ever. Her lyrics resonated with me. This album isn't a faithful rerecording like Taylor Swift is doing. It's just an album if Michelle could do now, 20 years later, without all the early 00's production.

To keep this short, none of the songs surpass the original version of The Spirit Room. Her voice doesn't get that high anymore. I remember she said in the past that she wrote most of these songs before falling in love, so the lyrical content does feel, authentically teenager, but listening now as an adult, it feels very surface level.

There is a recording of "Paper Pieces," which is cool of her to include, but again, it's hard to beat the original. Then, there's an alternative version of "Everywhere" that is dark, mysterious. I don't like it.

Summary: I listened to it, glad she did it. it's alright, it's nostalgic, it sounds like it was recorded in a room and not a studio. so it doesn't feel the same without that 00's production.  I'm only giving this a low score because I don't think it sounds as good as the originals and I don't see myself choosing to listen to these songs over the originals.

Key Tracks: n/a
Rating: 4/10

McKinley Dixon - For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her

Release Date: May 7th, 2021
Genre: hip hop, rap

Review: n/a

Tracklist/Scorecard:
1. Chain Sooo Heavy 8/10
2. Never Will Know 9/10
3. Bless the Child 8/10
4. make a poet Black 9/10
5. protective styles 9/10
6. Swangin' 8/10
7. brown shoulders 8/10
8. B.B.N.E. 8/10
9. Grown Man Voice 8/10
10. Mama's Home 9/10
11. Twist My Hair 8/10

Summary: Discovered this album because of rateyourmusic and I'm shocked to not see much chatter about this album when I google it. Pitchfork didn't even review it. I know rap isn't my specialty, but the album reminds me a little bit of kendrick, chance, the roots, and the music sounds good. There are a lot of guest features so it doesn't get too boring hearing the same voice over and over. But for the most part, I really like McKinley's flow.

Key Tracks: make a poet Black, protective styles, Mama's Home
Rating: 8/10

Mach-Hommy - Pray for Haiti

Release Date: May 21st, 2021
Genre: rap

"conductor"

Review: n/a

Summary: I usually agree with the consensus, most music sounds like a 7 to me, and I know this album has great reviews, but I gotta be honest, the beats on this record are so boring. None of the beats are memorable. Maybe that's the point. Maybe I need multiple listens to absorb the lyrics. Last year, I tried listening to Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, Ka, Jay Electronica, and they had the same vibe as this album, but I basically felt indifferent. I know it's not for me, but I'm fascinated with how some are calling it a modern classic. Very curious to see if this leaks into the mainstream.

Favorite Tracks: The Stellar Ray Theory, Kriminel
Rating: 5/10

Meg & Dia - Cocoon

Release Date: 04/5/11
Genre: Indie Pop

Review: I was shocked when i heard that they were released from their label, but when i heard their EP last year, It's Always Stormy In Tillamook, i thought it was justified. Dia has an interesting voice and the lyrics are pretty storytelling-like. My first few days of listening to Cocoon were filled with disappointment because it was more naked in terms of music. The surgery pop energy felt toned down. But the more I listen to the album, the more it gives back to me.  I think because of the way the album is un-unified and the pop melodies arent so forefront, the imperfections make it a better lasting album for me.

Favorite Songs: Love Is, Breakdown, Separate
Rating: 8.0/10

Michelle Branch - Loud Music

From Album: TBD (2011)

Officially it'll be release on June 14, nearly 8 year after the release of Hotel Paper. Yep, i remember stuff like that, so I'm extremely bias towards anything Ms. Branch touches. But unlike my disappointment in her b-sides and that awful Timberland single, "Loud Music" is a lot like The Spirit Room, but without that innocence. It's a bit annoying that she name-checks classic rock bands and the ending minute is just a repeat of the chorus without much of a punch.

Rating: 7/10

Moving Mountains - Waves

Release Date: 05/10/11
Genre: Indie Rock

"Don't fall back so carelessly."

My Story: I feel like i should write a proper review for this album, (despite my poor writing abilities) because Moving Mountains is an important band for me.  You see, 2007 was the year my music taste changed dramatically.  It's when i became invested with music blogs, last.fm, and of course, let go of my teenage-self's music.  In its place were two New York bands, The National and Moving Mountains. While Boxer ushered in my new appreciation of lyrics, Pneuma was basically a combination all the good parts of all the genres I enjoyed in the past into something seamless.  When I learned that they were unsigned and younger than I, it worried me that they would never have the opportunity to pursue music full-time.  So I did what any fan would do.  I shared it.

I remember with Foreword, it felt like a long unwinding process where I'll check their myspace and forum each day scratching for any type of news.  When release date rolled around, I've heard three of the four tracks on their EP and read pretty much every review and interview on them.  Once 2009 begin, I felt done.  Musically, they did what i expected them to do, yet I lost that element of surprise.  I wanted something "new" again.  So I stopped paying attention to the band for about two years and with news of Waves, I really had no expectations.  I didn't have doubts, but I felt like I've moved on. Most of my friends know that I'm heavily into pop music these so I don't think I'm part of Moving Mountains' core audience anymore.

Review: In board terms, Waves makes the jump into comparability since their previous efforts was, in my opinion, nothing else like it.  I could hear bits and pieces of other bands like Explosions in the Sky and The Appleseed Cast, but none of the bands the members of MovMou listed as an influence really gave me that fix.  With Waves, I can see them grouped with other rock bands like Thursday and Thrice, (but I hardly listen to them so I won't make assumptions).  I will say that compared within themselves, Waves has a more direct sound.  There are epic moments, but none of the stalling.

I watched an interview with them where they said, this is their first LP as a 4 piece and Waves is a more accurate portrayal of them live.  I can hear it too.  There's ten fully formed songs, but I'm less compelled to listen to the album front to back.  The first five songs are just ridiculous good.  The opener pulled me in with the atmospheric start and it goes from control chaos to passionate chaos. Afterwards, "Where Two Bodies Lie" starts and I only heard the song once when they released it, but i feel that the first two tracks are glued together because they enhance the experience.  Once it climax with "our hearts will align," things felt complete.

What I liked about "Tired Tiger" was how drowned it felt.  Seems heavy.  Then eventually the music just engulfs the vocals and then the chanters echo, "i can feel it, i can feel it" while the main vocals tries to survive with its screams.  It's ridiculous satisfying.  The beginning of "The Cascade" reminded me of "Grow on/up/out" so there's a bit of a mix feeling there, but once it hit to full power, It's probably their most accessible song to date. I begin to love that it has a familiar melody and sound and the ending again just feels magical.  However, it does make me frown when the lyrics are simple.

"Once Rendering" is a softer song vocally, but the drums really walks with us until the guitars start to pump.  Instead of a epic finish, they thin things out, keeping things simple.  the strings here work so well.  I really enjoy the way the wordless vocals float towards the end.  Why you so lost? 

Anyways, this is the point of the album where I hesitant to listen to the rest.  I love the first five, but i know with the second half, "Full Circle" is waiting for me at the end and I've haven't falling in love with it yet.  I'm not sure I will.  To me, it didn't close the album.  It was not an exclamation mark.  Basically, it was an okay song.  I actually like the second to last song better and I would not have minded if they extended that one further to use as a closer. Definitely check out "Furnace Woods."

But back to track six, "Always Only For Me" starts slow and steady, but since "Once Rendering" had that pace, i thought it was odd.  I really like the ending to "Always Only For Me," but the screams and growls did not work for me this time.  I didn't think they complimented one another.  So minor annoyances.  On "Alleviate," I'm reminded of "Lights and Shapes" because it's very fast pace, but the faint background vocals didn't work for me.  It felt too distracting and it didn't resonate with me too well.  I honestly felt they were on autopilot, but i can see how fun this would be for them live.

Summary: Overall, I'm glad they went with this direction because it challenges my view on music.  My taste is always shifting and Waves made me happy that it kept my attention.  The stuff that bugged me were only minor and I can still fine enjoyment with the whole album.

Favorite Songs: Tired Tiger, The Cascade, Furnace Woods
Rating: 8.6/10

Mike Posner - Bow Chicka Wow Wow ft. Lil Wayne

From Album: 31 Minutes to Takeoff

Once I throw on this, once I throw on this, it's over girl. HAHAHA.

Rating: 3/10

Michelle Branch - Take a Chance on Me

From Album: (Unreleased)

Michelle Branch is untouchable in my eyes. In terms of enjoyability, it's cool. But if i'm at my worst, it's a whatever song.

Rating: 5/10

Michelle Branch - Texas in the Mirror

From Album: Everything Comes and Goes (unreleased)

I'm so sad. This song is so good. sure it sounds country, but it's no lame country. It's singer-songwriter type and it's the direction i longed for her to take. no cheesiness, just passion for making music that means something.

Rating: 8/10