Squeeze - The Velvet Underground

For whatever reason I've been siting on this review for at least a month or two. This review was done in a day, outside of one song (which i had to look up for the description. That was actually what was holding it up). So I don't get why it wasn't up sooner. Considering that I now have some 200+ drafts accumulated for review, why not get some done. Anyway; this is the fifth, and often forgotten (intentionally), Velvet Underground album. It was released in February 1973, and was the final studio album by the group before the break up. Now I get the whole "not a Velvet's album" belief, because technically it wasn't. There were no original members, and the only member who played who was a member before Lou left was Doug Yule..  He replaced Cale in September 1968, making his first album appearance album titled The Velvet Underground from 1969. Now Lou Reed left in August 1970, Sterling left in August 1971, and Maureen officially left in December 1971. So from January 1972 to February 1973 Doug was the only actual member. This album also features performances by Malcolm (just credoted as the forst name) on saxophone, who is believed to be Malcolm Duncan was as founding member of the Average White Band. The other performer is a drummer from Deep Purple, Ian Paice. Though he plays on I believe every track. And to be honest, if you can look past the sort of false advertisement.... This ain't half bad. PS my next VUview will be my favorite, and in my opinion the first real punk album.

1. Little Jack: Opening the record, I'm surprised how not terrible this is. Everywhere I've heard or read about this its pretty much treated like its shit. Seriously, the places I've read about this mention it not being a good album, but this album is starting out pretty decent. It has a 
2. Crash: The beginning of this song reminds me of shit ton of one of the more child friendly, novelty esque White Stripes songs. It reminds me mostly of just their honky tonk cute piano vocal songs. It also reminds me a little of Bowie's more show tunes esque Hunky Dory. Maybe Fill Up Your Heart. This could would actually fit snugly on that album. Out side of those comparisons, I like the song, but I have nothing else to say about it. The vocals actually remind me a little of Transformer's more show tuney songs. And I guess the endings kinda funny. Okay now I have nothing else to say. :)
3. Caroline: This song sounds like it's a rocker, but not over powering. So maybe like an older rocker. But the lead vocals the second they started reminded me of the vocals singing the song from the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode Pod People. The part when he's in the recording studio, this sound literally sound like that could be the song featured in the movie they riffed. Well with a Beach Boy, Gary 'U.S.' Bonds inspired intro, but played at the end.
4. Mean Old Man: The title reminds me of Mean Old Frisco, or funny enough to a lesser extent Mean Mr Mustard. This is more of a rocker, like a hard rocker. The last was a more 50's rock and roll song... kinda. This is more of a 70's rocker I could hear Clapton playing.
5. Dopey Joe: This sounds like it'd fit on Transformer, just with more saxophones. Well kinda, the beginning at least. It kind of goes back and forth between one of those and honestly a Clapton or maybe a Stones song. It kinda reminds me a little of Start Me Up, among others.
6. Wordless: This sounds like a song off All Things Must Pass, but what song....... Either that or a Dead song.
7. She'll Make You Cry: Shit I can't think of..... The Dead. With a more rocking, at parts, played by not a member of the group.
8. Friends: Maybe a Badfinger song, a ballad.
9. Send No Letter: Another classic rock and roll tribute. Sung by a Reed sound alike.
10. Jack & Jane: This has a definite glam feel that songs like Wagon Wheel and the more generic glam songs on Transformer. The only real difference is switching out backing vocals, and instead of having Bowie having some less interesting.
11. Louise: This has a very ump pah pah piano. This is a pretty good song, that I honestly can't compare to anything. Well at least another artist. Except the whole Grateful Dead vocals, and the "Louieeeeeese eeeese" part. But I love how hypnotic it is. It reminds me of how hypnotic Being of the Benefit for Mr. Kite is, the first time they go into the psychedelic circus part. And I really wanna sing along to that part. That part reminds me of another song, but I really don't care. I really like the guitar tone here, and how in the beginning is more in the background. Also  I love the harpsichord sound,  and this song if you had the right guitar player it could be dragged out into like a long extended solo. And that part that follows the vamp, the piano voice part reminds me of if Elliott Smith covered Paranoid Android the same way he did Because. To be honest this is definitely the best, and most fleshed out, song here. I could totally see myself revisiting this song multiple times. Hell I might even want to learn it. With a few little touches up here and there this could be on par with the other classic tracks by the band. Honestly this is, if maybe fleshed out a little more could be as amazing as Paranoid Android. I could also be crazy. 

Overall I have to give this album a 6.5/10. Besides the fact it sould be considered a Yule solo album, this album isn't that terrible. It actually reminds me of the Tony Visconti solo album. Just a mix bag of styles, sounds, influences, and songs he wrote over a period of time. This is more of a solo album for a member of a band who wanted to play songs he loves and pay tribute to those styles. I think if the Velvet name wasn't tagged on here it wouldn't be so forgotten and hated. I mean at the end of the day the music here is very inoffensive and this could possibly be the most diverse of all the Velvet albums, and it's fun to listen to. Hell its more fun then Loaded, the "commercial album" by the group. If you can over look that little artist name, then I think you might like this, and if you like rock that's not bad or negative in any way, you'll like this. The only downside is there are a few generic songs, but what album post White Heat/White Light didn't. 

Let's Dance - David Bowie

Album number 15, and overall number 17 (19 if you include Baal Ep and Peter and The Wolf). This is the album that directly follows Scary Monsters. That album is kind of awesome. This album is a big, huge leap from the former in terms of sound, players, and even producers and the label too. It's more of a dance album. It's also definitely more commercial, definitely less personal. I don't believe there are any real Ashes to Ashes moments. Not that nor Teenage Wildlife nor any other. This LP was also the first album since 1977's Low, to not be produced by on and off again producer Tony Visconti. It should be noted Visconti first started with David Jones on his second self titled album, and in the states titled Man of Words/Man of Music, back in 1969. Instead you have Nile Rodgers of the disco group Chic producing. He would return ten years later to produce Black Tie White Noise another more pop oriented record, for the time at least. Though it's much more artsy than this one. The other change was this was the first of 4 records, including the collaborative soundtrack to Labyrinth, on EMI America. And lastly the players, I don't recognize a single on for any album prior to this. I may be wrong here or there about it, but I'm pretty sure.

1. Modern Love: One of my favorite songs ever, this has such an infectious beat. This song makes me want to get up, sway my arms like an idiot, and not give two shits. This is such a feel good song, I wish the rest of the album was like this. Everything about this song is done right, from the performance to the vocals to the infectioustisoty to the instrument choice. It's something that holds up after 60 or so odd listens and multiple months of not hearing it. I have to fight my self to not sing along. I love the little piano and the sax solos and the just 80's this is. This is done right and much like other 80's tracks done right, that include sax, being Rio and Just The Two of Us I feel this isn't going anywhere. Honestly I can't find anything wrong with this track, other then why is it so good and everything else here pales in comparison.
2. China Girl: This is a cover of a song that was co-written with Iggy Pop and features on his 1977 album, The Idiot. My favorite thing about this track is that I watched a documentary. In the documentary Niles was the one who said he came up with the riff and said something like "you can't have a song called china girl and not have it convey something about chin". Something along the lines of that. So  Bowie was only racist in the slanting if his eyes for the music video, not for the arrangement. :') But seriously, I dig this track. And yes its another case if the originals better, this is an interesting arrangement and execution but not on par with the first. The singing here isn't really that anything, the best part is probably the bass, especially on the part "I walk into to town, just like a sacred cow". I love Carmine Rojas' playing, on the track at least. But in reality, even by way of soloing this is underwhelming. It doesn't even sounds like Stevie is playing. Hell I played a better solo on the spot while listening vs the on that made the record. The solo should be spit fire, Width Of A Circle esque. Packs a punch, this just ends like a little old lady, not powerful enough to hit anyone. It has a decent music video, just like the track before this and following. But look for the uncensored one, just because there is one. All and all Pop's version is the far far far far far far far far superior. This is the type of track the needs a General Turgidson character performing it vs a non personality driven person whom I can't quite think of at the moment. 
3. Let's Dance: The only track with a co-credit form Rodgers, this is the song where the album gets it's title. When I first started listening to Bowie I liked this song a lot. And I still dig this song, though 7 minutes of this can be difficult. I mean I can't really complain, there isn't anything wrong with this track. It goes at a good pace, it have interesting sound choices, a killer solo from SRV and even great vocals. Vocals that quite frankly, in a different song, could bring a chill down your spine. Maybe it's too many listens, maybe it's that it's 7 minutes, maybe it's I want another Modern Love but this isn't the best song here. 
4. Without You: "I can't live, I can't give anymore." Sadly it's not a cover of the classic track if the same name I just quoted. No instead this is a Bowie original. And hey another Stevie Ray guitar performance. Honestly I really can't say much about this track. I just started and ended. And even when I listen I still don't have anything to say
5. Ricochet: Question; if this track is "on the ricochet", will in then indeed "going to hit" me. Another original, but a terrible horrid arrangement. I mean hearing this and how off it is I'm not shocked Bowie has a track like this. Hell The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and any other hugely talented artists will have (regardless of if they stole a song, or about a back catalogs worth of songs) some tracks that just don't work. Some that sound off. That's what's called an demo, or an outtake or a track you don't use for an album. What I can't understand is how the fuck did this make it to the album. Upon re-visitation thought, closing my eyes and envisioning what's really wrong.... I got it. This is in it's simplest form a reggae number. Now this band, because most of it would go on to play on Tonight, would do a solid easy pretty reggae with the title track from that album... but here it just doesn't work. Not only does it not work, it could have worked if they took the time to rearrange it. Slow down the refrain, practice it more those two thing could have made it work. But the fact that they didn't do that proves, and clearly shows they either didn't care about the track or didn't track the time. David on the worst tracks here shows no emotion, but at least the backing track is either pretty great (Cat People) or good enough (Shake It). But on this track.... not it just doesn't.  And it could have..... UGH. And that's cutting the whole radio telecaster thingy some slack. It kinda just sounds like they just cluttered a bunch of Oingo Boingo tracks together.
6. Criminal World: This is a cover of the 1977 Metro track, off their self titled album. The original is actually a pretty solid track. I like it, but this cover.......... Well at least Stevie Ray plays the solo again. The original has feeling that builds up from the beginning. While I don't believe it has the full impact it could, it doesn't take away from it. It's still like a solid 7 or 8. Also that solo, and ending in the original awesome. Then you get this. Yes it is very faithful to the original, and is even faithful to the previous tracks and style of this album but I don't know. I feel like this could possibly be better and more exciting then the original. Thought the solo is lesser here than on the original.
7. Cat People: This is a noble effort, sorta. This is a re-recording of the track from the Cat People soundtrack. You know the song that he wrote the lyrics to and Giorgio did the music too. Bowie wanted to use it but he couldn't get the rights to the far far far superior version so they reworked and rerecorded it for this album. The original is very bare bones, synths and vocals and then the instruments come in. But it maintains a primal-istic feeling, like a primal urge. The first thing you hear on this is a guitar, and if I don't expect this to play I usually laugh. The instrumentation and Niles again has an interesting interpretation for the instruments but here the biggest flaw his Bowie himself. He isn't even trying. Where on the original I envy him and his vocal chops, here I feel nothing. And the backing vocals accompanying him for the "Putting out fire". I give them props for the rearranging the track and making it kind of an ambitious rerecording, the solo even sounds pretty solid. And what a tone, but Bowie literally sinks it when he's present. Hell this solo would have made China Girl a better song.
8. Shake It: " off" (?). Actually that's good advice. This is the last track, shake off the negativity and biases your forming towards the album. Allow yourself to view this, hopefully worthy of letting go of the past encounters that led to me beginning to accept the stereotypes of this album as fact, as a new experience and truly end on a high note. Does David do that? Will this be another blunder like previous tracks? Will I ever get to the point? Do I really care if i use proper English and grammar? Have I been watching too much Danger Mouse lately? The quick answer no to all but two. Also you can never have too much DM. But I will give them credit for reminding me of two artists that were putting out much better material during this period Duran Duran and Prince. And the backing vocals that don't really sound that great reminds me of The Mothers back in the 60s, those gave the song personality, theses...... don't.

Overall I have to give this a 6.5/10. Bowie has personality, just not here... minus the first track. He was probably too busy almost marrying Janet Majors to make a records, and also staring in a movie with Farley Flavors and Janet as a vampire. But then again.... I don't blame him. I'd rather do that, especially back in the day, then make a stupid album. All and all this isn't his worst. Trust me its not even close.... Well I mean if we were in 1983 and you were able to look 4 years in the future that's the worst thing he's ever done. But regardless I still have enough here go revisit this and even revisit the "not very good" tracks. So yeah. Also the whole, two Giorgio kinda reviews in a row was unintentional. Also a plus here is that it's only 35 minutes long. Also I don't know how to feel about Sammy Figueroa playing on this... he also played percussion on a favorite Mingus track of mine Three Worlds of Drums off his 1979 Me Myself and Eye.

Déjà-Vu - Giorgio Moroder

Finally deciding to review this, and to save myself from a terrible review of Underworld, I finished this up. Besides it's four and I'll just watch Caligula tomorrow.This is the 19th, or so, studio album by Giorgio Moroder. It is also his first since 1992's Forever Dancing. Now I can't say that what I've heard by Giorgio as a solo artist has blown me away, he's a much better producer in my opinion. On that front he's made some of the greatest disco tracks with Donna Summers to ever exist. So I was kind of looking forward to this album, when I heard it was announced. After hearing the first track to drop I quickly lost faith in the album, and the only thing that kept my interest alive was the features. I was curious. I didn't expect to like it, I just wanted to listen out of curiosity. Also I am working on the B.B. review just haven't finished it yet. Note: I need to mention that I listened to the commentary album that was on Spotify. It helped me a little I think. And it's kinda like the intro to Giorgio.

1. 4 U With Love: This opens the album with something that reminds me of whats current. This sounds like something that I'd hear being promoted in dance music on a Spotify commercial. I can't say I'm a nut about those tracks, but I do enjoy them while they last. This track I love the little wood block thing sound, or at least it sounds like the wood block or wood log setting on my keyboard. Not as strong I think as the others, it's just an interlude, but still pretty solid and gets you pumped to hear the rest of the album. The only real complaint is it doesn't segue into the following track. The U is his wife, according to the commentary.
2. Déjà Vu: This is the title track and features Sia and damnit.... I heard it the day the album dropped and shit. I genuinely dig this. I mean I have heard her hits, and I thought his gimmick was bullshit because she doesn't want to show her face on her. My complaint about Sia is the pre-chorus, where she sounds like.... I don't know. But the chorus, where you understand even less, is fine by me. The music really has a great disco vibe to it. This is so damn happy, I feel like you could play this for someone who may be sad, and it'll cheer them up. Hell I feel great when I listen to that track. Hopefully it isn't like most bubble gum pop though, and fade quickly. I really want to listen to this three years from now and if not like it as much, like it more. And after the initial happiness wore off, I"m still digging this thing.
3. Diamonds: This track features on Charlie XCX. This is another surprisingly great track. I mean I don't care for Charlie, outside of her physical appearance, but here she sound great adding to this being another solid track. I can hear the more current EDM sounds here. I'm not as in love with it upon re visitation, but it's still pretty solid. I mean I could careless about the lyrics. The thing is this sounds like an older song. The lyrics and the vocals, sounds like they were taken from the 60's. If not inspired by, maybe sampled. Hell I could see this being a cover of a 60's song. A song like The Supremes or another girl group would do.
4. Don't Let Go: Mikky Ekko is the feature on this track, and I can't quite pin it down but the intro reminds me of something. At first it was Paradise by Coldplay, but I don't think that's it. I've never heard of this guy before, but I think his voice is pretty good here. The strings more than anything remind me of that song. The keys, I can't quite pin down. I like that little click that comes in during the second verse. This doesn't drag me off my feet like track two, but hey it's still pretty damn solid.
5. Right Here, Right Now: Featuring Kylie Minogue, and it's great. The song has this bassy, vocoded voice (vocoded something). This reminds me of 90's music and I have a deep love for cheesy 90's house music. I also dig this sound presented here. The bass in the background reminds me of Daft Punk's older non RAM stuff. This song makes me kinda wanna dance. This is another track that doesn't sweep me off my feet like the first time. But still solid and upon revisitation I can say is probably my favorite track here.
6. Tempted: "By the fruit of another, Tempted but the truth is discovered". This track features Matthew Koma. This is very sweet sounding, and very easy to listen to. But Mat reminds me a ton of a mix of a few different people at parts. First someone I can't think of, but then at other parts reminds me of Andrew VanWyngarden and then at other parts a higher pitched Adam Levine. The thing is there isn't much to complain about here, I mean it reminds me a little of one to the remixes of Get Lucky, but this proves the album came out at the perfect time. Summer. Also I swear they sampled a song for this track. It's uncannily similar to another track that I can't think of. 
7. 74 is the New 24: The first single, and to be honest...... I lost faith in the album. But the thing is upon revisiting this with hearing the other tracks.... it's not that bad. I'm digging the Get Lucky guitars, the piano break, and even that techno "drop". This title is taken from the fact that he noticed there were young people in his crowd.
8. Tom's Dinner: This track features Britney Spears. Seeing how the others went over so well I can't wait to hear his track. This samples a track I can't think of, Its in the Hooked on Polkas or Polka Power. I think it's a pretty decent track, and doesn't has Britney really singing. She's most talking in a hushed voice. This is actually completely different than the rest of the album, it's not that it sticks out like a sore thumb. I just don't think it's a good as some of the others. But I do like that it does change pace, rather than giving us similar sounding stuff. It is a actually a cover of Tom's Dinner which was from 1990 by DNA featuring Suzanne Vega (Originally just by Suzanne from 1987), and was featured in the Polka Your Eyes Out.
9. Wildstar: This track features Foxes. Sonically this reminds me of the other tracks, but the voice reminds me of Eisley at parts. Of which Rising Fawn has a new album coming next month on the 28th.
10. Back and Forth: This features someone I don't know Kelis. I was feeling the intro, but when the vocals came in I was really feeling it that much.
11. I Do This for You: This track features Marlene ∞, someone whom I don't know. Another song that really has little to no impact on me. 
12. La Disco: This opening grabs my attention, especially the guitar in the song. Not as exciting as I'd wanted, mostly because the instrumental exciting parts kinda of sound similar elsewhere, but hey this is still a solid record.

Overall I have to give this album a 6.5/10. I need to be honest, of all the Giorgio stuff I've heard, as a whole this is my favorite album of his. This is quick, easy to listen to and just all together fun. This kind of reminds me of Random Access Memory. Like his last album was released in 1992 and this might be the album that was written back in the 90s and he was waiting to record. But this sounds like it's just updated version of an older, possibly retro, style. I may not be blown away by its genius, but I'm blown away that I dig this so much. I read somewhere this combines disco and EDM, I guess it does. I mean I don't listen to EDM, so I wouldn't know. Maybe in a year from now I'll be going to EDM festivals, hell if "EDM" sounded like this I'd have not problem. The thing is though towards the end it gets very tiring listening to the same exact thing over and over. I wish he would have played with the whole Britney song or the pacing of that song more. Like adding more variety outside of the vocals. Needless to say, this will be in my CD collection by the end of the year. And I can see myself coming back for multiple listen front to back. Now I need one more review to keep up with my two per month. Or to equal rather :) Also Sirens sucks. Hopefully his follow up will be this fun.

High Hopes - Bruce Springsteen

This is the eighteenth studio album by Bruce Springsteen. I did this review yesterday, and was inspired to do it by the stupidity of track 2. And yes I did Darkness on the Edge of Town two months ago, but even if it was a month ago as long as the reviews don't directly follow each other it doesn't matter. A rule I made after the Green Day trilogy of 2012. now after realizing what I got myself into I realized it'll be more work that originally planned, but who the cares right. Lets just say I am a little disappointed by the use of covers and studio version of past material. Also the American Beauty Ep was released containing 4 tracks that didn't make it..... that EP blows. Now that's as fast as I can go, lets review this. Also all tracks but 5, 7-8, 11-12 features Tom Morello on them. Note: this was done right after the last review was finished yeasterday

1. High Hopes: Actually not a half bad song. Considering how lots of people in his position in his career put out either bullshit or boring uninteresting bland material I kinda got my hopes up for this. Now the downside, this is a cover. It is also a rerecorded version of a cover from a 1995 live Ep Blood Brothers. Now is this still a solid verison, yes. I dig it and I feel like it's a good interesting intro to grab you.
2. Harry's Place: Okay I'm only using this because it's said in the song. This is so fucking dumb. It sounds like a song from Human Touch, I'm thinking 57 Channels but just kinda cluttered. That's a dumb song, which it has a purpose, but it's so bare bones (bass and vocals) and it's catchy (to me). This is just no..... Also seriously Bruce what's up with the cussing.
3. American Skin (41 Shots): I heard the original version of this, which was on 2001's Live in New York City. Ok, I don't really remember the original, but the bad part is this is two minutes longer than the original. This is 7 minutes of uninteresting bullshit. How the heck could he make the greatest rock song ever Rosalita, which is 7 minutes.... then this. It sounds as interesting as the deep cuts off Tunnel of Love. Then it comes into the solo............................. I looked it up and it's a political song inspired by a shooting, but please make me interested.
4. Just Like Fire Would: This is the second cover, also of an 80's track. Actually this isn't half bad, it's a Saints track. I kinda wanna check out the original. It sounds like a song my dad would have on his mixtape CD from when I was a kid. It kinda reminds me a little of 90s music also. This, minus the horns, could be a cover of  Small Town by John Cougar Mellencamp.
5. Down In A Hole: I feel like I'm listening to the song at the end of Gladiator. But with English lyrics, and drums added in. Which hurt the song more in my opinion.
6. Heaven's Wall: Actually I'm kinda digging this track. The intro pulls me and and gets my attention. It kind of has a Paul Simon feeling of like maybe African music. Or world music rather. Boring solo though. The intro was really the highlight. Also two solos, come one buddy.
7. Frankie Fell In Love: I guess this isn't bad, I mean I'll forget it after hearing it.... I've heard it before. I guess someone can like this. Has a kind of country vibe I'm feeling.
8. This is Your Sword: DAMN YOU BAGPIPES!!!!!!!! DAMN YOU FOR MAKING THE SONG HAVE TO BE STUPID ON YOUR DAMN LEVEL. WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :"( Actually I kinda stopped crying when I imagined the mandolin used being played and them going into the Stonehenge folk section of the track of the same name by Spinal Tap.
9. Hunter of the Invisible Game: An interesting title that makes me thing of someone spending their time searching for something that doesn't exist. There are really endless avenues you can use this for. one verse about looking for true love the way movies make it seem, or looking for other things that I won't give away because I got a song idea. Now what does he do, something that reminds me of one of the slower songs on TWTI&TESS. When he'd do them live there was a point in time they'd have violin in them. Now is this song interesting sounds, only slightly because of the remembrance of that slower tracks on that album, if not for that then not really. And the woodwinds sounds nice.
10. The Ghost of Tom Joad: Mostly rerecorded because Morello covered it with his band Rage Against The Machine. This is another song that was released in 1995 and rerecorded. This time though he wrote it. He literally took away what made it good and fucked it. Like seriously.
11. The Wall: Not huge on the use of Wall in a title twice on the album, unless the albums is called The Wall or it has a purpose thematically. This is more in line with Nebraska, Ghost of Tom Joad and what the predecessor should have more resembled. It even has parts the reminds me of Independence Day and other softer track off The River. This is clearly a homage to older stuff, but it's done right here. It's not missing something. It's not perfect, or amazing, it's just done right.
12. Dream Baby Dream: This is a cover of a Suicide track. At least it's not Frankie Teardrops. And it's not like this is a studio version of a song that was recorded back in 2005 on his Devils Dust tour and released on a split Ep back in in 2008 with a Suicide live version of the track and a song Mr. Ray by Beat the Devil. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! The thing is that this sounds more like a bookender than an out of place cover. Or a stupid dumb cover. Now as the song progresses, do I love the arrangement? No, but I still think it's a fitting ending. That last track, 11, and this together make a solid ending. Actually if this was the last ending for the last Bruce album I'd feel satisfied.

Overall if this is the best material Bruce has made in the last ten years :''''(. The best record was The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle. The last amazing record was Born to Run. The last great and surprisingly great, and isn't just ok, was Born in the USA. So sadly, 30 years later...... he only was albe to put out a 6/10. This is slightly better, or rather more interesting then Tunnel of Love. As a whole this is slightly better than some of his older stuff. There is still a variety and it isn't the same boring thing over and over. But this is nowhere near the high highs he once hit.

T.N.T. - AC/DC

So, I need to be honest. I used to love this band. Maybe not like as much as I love other bands but I much as I could in 8th Grade, I even bought and thought Black Ice was cool. Though I did buy every Aerosmith CD in 8th grade..... Ok I really loved this bands hits. That's very accurate, and to not bore you anymore I'll leave it at that. Now as I've gotten older, and my tastes have expanded, I can revisit this and be more objective (mostly because I feel Nostalgia isn't all that good when you can't look past it). They recently added all the albums to Spotify, thought I prefer to listen to the Australian versions, and I need to be real right now. Now before this revisiting there was a point where I hated this band, I hated how everything wast the same. But the good thing is that this revisiting has helped me, so...... This is the sophomore album by Australian Hard Rock band AC/DC. Now I hope I don't need to get into details about theses guys, but they have been around since 1973, the formed in Australia but are actually Scottish. This album was only released exclusively in Australia. These guys have a history of their 70's albums being different in Australia, then elsewhere. These include artwork, track listing, song edits and so on, some even have different release year (ie. High Voltage 1975 Australia, 1976 everywhere else, or even better yet Dirty Deeds 1976 Australia, 1977 UK, 1981 US).

1. It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock N Roll): This song is a good song, and honestly I really can't hate this song, there isn't anything to hate. It's not the rock epic or story I feel it wants to be (for me at least), but it's solid and a great intro to the album. Also it's one of two track that has Bagpipes and I don't want to fucking slaughter the player of the pipes. It's a fun track and I mean it pays homage to their homeland. And I also like, I'm part Scottish, so I'm glad someone finally figured out how to do 
2. Rock 'n' Roll Singer: This song is basically the same structure as the better High Voltage. Its a really dumb song, but it's kinda good in a sense. It's good in that it's whole hearted and you can tell. I mean really some of the worst bad movies are enjoyable because they have a human heart and the care for them. If you can tell the person tried and just didn't succeed it's endearing. The albums full of tracks that aren't exactly like that but you can tell they cared. And even thought the structure here is kinda dumb I still dig this track. It's kinda more of a shut my brain off and get into the rebellious rockin' spirit this best holds it's grips on me the nice thing. The nice thing about this track, as with most you can play in your head. I hadn't heard it in like a few years and I still played it in my head.
3. The Jack: The highlight of the track is the chorus. And I do like how the song is about well.... hopefully you'll get it from the lyrics. I mean this song isn't that different room certain tracks, but I still think it's good. And while the chorus is very similar to to what drove me nuts on Darkness, I can let this slide.... somewhat.
4. Live Wire: This song isn't that diverse from a Rock N Roll Singer but you know, with a chorus similar to Long Way to the Top. And a solo break, like sole guitar, that reminds me of an intro to a, fuck I"m drawing a blank. The solo here is pretty solid.
5. T.N.T.: One of the fucking stupidest songs I know. I'm not even gonna use proper grammar that's how dumb it is. It's making me dumber. If I could have anything to say to the group for this song I'd say this, "Mr. Scott and company, what you've just played is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent chant were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought or even enjoyable. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
6. Rocker: This is one of four track's I didn't remember before the review. And the second it played I remembered it. And it's really just a standard rocker. Its very reminiscent of Long Tall Sally. This is probably the best example of how I feel about this album. It's good, memorable, but not all that bad for you. And probably essential for all beginning rock and roll stars.
7. Can I Sit Next to You Girl: A rerecorded version of the first single the released the gear prior. The single featured their original singer, and was the only release to feature him. I dig the little , dun da dun dun dun dun things. It reminds me of a Thin Lizzy's track that's gonna drive me crazy until I remember it. I feel like it might be Black Rose or S&M. This has a cool solo, but the whole build up after the refrain I'm not feeling like at all. Also I looked up the track it is Rosin Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend. One of my favorite songs ever. It's pretty solid thought, but I'm curious about the 74 single.
8. High Voltage: This is kinda of another dumb song, but here its not that dumb. As mentioned earlier you can hear the care. Its still got a kick ass chorus, and is still a solid song. 
9. School Days: A Berry cover, you know the restaurant owner who recorded the audio of the women's bathroom to hear their shit and farts. I bring it up because its kinda funny, and also because I've used that word a lot so I it only naturally connected to my logical thinking. Anyway....... This sounds more like a blues track off the debut to me. It really honestly isn't anything that's that special. Hell this is probably the worst track here, just because it's boring. At least the track that shall not be named doesn't put you to sleep. And people genuinely seem to like that song a lot. Thought based off the original... it ain't no Brown Eyed Handsome Man or 

Overall I have to give this album a 7.5/10. So it goes, for not complete shit, this isn't half bad. It's fun to listen to, engaging, higher energy and they're into it. It doesn't sound like they keep reusing the exact same formula to write an album, for this one. Though, in reality, this is kinda were they became AC/DC. I really can't complain about most of these songs. Their solid enough to where they are what they are and confident enough to not mess with. Also I revisited the Aussie Let There Be Rock, High Voltage and Dirty Deeds and honestly, they ain't half bad, some even great albums. But after that they only go down hill. Fuck Powerage and anything following, thought it isn't really that bad for you. This is fun to listen to, and really disappointing Shit In Shack is theirs and one of the best selling records of all time. NOTE: I will review their other Aussie version of their albums, and prossibly their third most famous album.

Cherry Bomb - Tyler, The Creator

As I promised, here is Cherry Bomb. This is 4th studio album by California rapper and producer Tyler, The Creator. He is probably my favorite OF member for the fact that all three albums, prior to this albums, I've either loved or liked a lot. I reviewed all but Bastard so far for him. No other artist have I almost reviewed their stuff, the closest is probably The Weeknd, but I still need two more albums excluding Trilogy. I digress, this is something I'm curious about so why not review it. And well after one listen I know how I feel sadly. PS I'd do I Don't Go Outside, but its boring and I like it quite a bit less than this album. Straight up, I'm not gonna take much time to note samples or ever features beyond main or one that I care about. Tomorrow will see the release of my review for someone who should have had it a long time ago.

1. Death Camp: I don't really... well I think I have to listen to this in order to say how I feel. I remember hearing this at the end of the Fucking Young music video and kind of being interested in what what to come. The guitar is very fuzzy and I like the sample that he used, but I prefer the original over this album. This is a very repetitive song, and if I'm being completely honest, I rearranged this in my head. There is so much more he could have done to make this song amazing. I mean the best part is definitely the "I don't like to follow the rules" clap, and percussion solo. Like the bass, such a missed opportunity. And while I think the fuzz works here, I think the over use gets old. I also like that old synth sound that reminds me of Miami Vice.
2. Buffalo: There a few different jokes I could make, "Shiny Shiny" or Buffalo Voice but no one would get those. This song opens up with a cheer of sorts, which is a sample from Shake Your Booty by Bunny Steiger. But the guitar on this isn't as fuzzy, but this seems a little cluttered. I mean only like at the first few seconds in the verses (?). Just listen to it, it's the part before the Goblin call back, you know the very "Kill People, Burn Shit, Fuck School" sounding synths. I mean I like it more then the last track, but it's a little cluttered. The ending is good though, like the every ending with it's just vox, piano, synth.
3. Pilot: Episode of what?  Damn it! This is a return to the not very good compression. I do like interlude thought, inbetween the vocals. This really honestly reminds me of Sara. It's not as good as Sara, but it's okay.
4. Run: "Run Run Run Gypsy Death" (?). But seriously this reminds me a little of Outta My Mind by B.O.B. and that's really all I have to say. Well other than may it modulates and that the vocals sounds pitched up. But picture Outta My Mind.
5. Find Your Wings: This title reminds me a lot of Spread Your Wings by Queen. Also I think it's kinda sick he got Roy Ayers to play on this song. My favorite thing he did was the soundtrack to Coffy with Pam Grier. My problem with Roy is that most of his albums are just covers. Now Coffy is original material and its music to a Pam Grier movie so it scores points regardless. Now I should talk about the track but honestly I'm more interested and invested in talking about the pointless filler I did earlier for this track vs the actual song. Because honestly I have nothing to say that isn't said anywhere else in the review, it's just not that great and interesting outside of the choices of instruments. 
6. Cherry Bomb: "Che Che Che Che Che Cherry Bomb". Actually, honestly I sing the little "cha cha cha" part before the song starts. I did it to the drum rhythm in the beginning. This title actually irritates me quite a bit. I mean Bastard, Goblin and Wolf aren't anything at all unique and original or different in terms of titles, but this is just so stupid. It takes the cake kinda. This is very distorted song that isn't done very well. I mean Death Grips distorted song stuff off Jenny Death but they, you could understand what Ride was saying. This just, it sounds like it was recorded on a cassette and instead of the hiss being too loud the hiss was traded in for digital distortion. And the part you can make out isn't good enough to make out the track. I wonder if he did this to cover up something that wasn't as interesting. Although I do dig the soul vocals and the very New Slaves vibe beat that you can make out when the female vocals come in. Also not huge on the ending, and the very very ending like that car radio thing, reminds me so much of nostalgia, ULTRA. and channel ORANGE.
7. Blow My Load: Classy title, well but then again it is Tyler. But you know, this title is just so dumb. But that ultimately won't effect my out look on the song. Another track that reminds me of Analog. I wouldn't be surprised if the synths are the same synth or this is based on that track. I kept singing "meet me by the lake" while I was listening to it. And the fact that there is a "hidden" song. Damn it it reminds me so much of Analog.
8. 2Seater: This title reminds me of Analog and Slater. This title almost sounds like it'd fit on Wolf without issue. I also play Bimer in my head when I see this title on its own and without music yo back it up. But anyway I feel like maybe if the synth wasn't so farty and "sawed" then it'd work better. I do like that saxophone in the track, but still.... I mean this doesn't really stick out as mind blowing. I do enjoy how it goes into that whole short string section thingy. It's arranged very well, but it still feels a little off. The whole idea of this jazz thing on the track has everything to sound good, it just doesn't really click for me.
9. The Brown Stains of Darkeese Latifah Part 6-12 (Remix): This track features Black Hippy member Schoolboy Q. I think the title is bizarre and like it for that reason, though I'm not digging the "remix" in the title. The hand claps in the beginning remind me of the hand clap section in Cherry Bomb. I like the Jared Leto reference, but not up to snuff.
10. Fucking Young / Perfect: This features Charlie Wilson (of the singing parts in Bound 2) and Kali Uchis. This is the only song that doesn't piss me off or leave me completely unsatisfied. Okay there aren't any tracks that piss me off, but just about every track leaves me unsatisfied. Just about, and honestly this track looses a little of it's appeal after multiple listens. Also I wish he would have done this topic a little more tastefully. I'ver tried to write a song in this vein, not because if it but love before it (like it dates back to last Fall). The thing is I have to wait to write the words more tasteful, but they are still more tasteful then Tyler's take. Thought I love the transitions between the songs and reminds me of a part in Siberian Breaks. This tracks ending also reminds me of Treehome, and honestly this is much more tasteful then the first half. I imagine a younger girl wouldn't realize the consequences of dating or fooling around with an older guy. She like the adventure and the thrill and to experience it, he just wants to not deal with the problems that come with it.  
11. Smuckers: This features Kanye and also Lil Wayne. The horns in the beginning of this track totally remind me of Goblin or Bastard, fuck what song is it. It's just better quality sounding and more clear. I think it's funny that that's what it reminds me of because there is a guy who said this album, in a review, sounds like he never made those two albums. This is such a great song Damn! This could be one of my favorite songs by TC. This is really great track, but then again, who knows. This is the only track that I'm probably a big enough fan of, maybe it's because it's slightly better than the others.
12. Keep Da O's: Shocker guess who comes to visit for round two Pharell, and also Coco O who was on Treehome 95. It also sampled I Only Have Eyes For You by the Flamingos. There are trap sounding drum sounds. But really it isn't anything I like. When I hear this I think of drill, which is a genre, but I am not sure if this is that. So I'm just gonna say it's sounds like an alien invasion drill. There is sawed or boxed. I don't' remember the second name because it's 7 in the morning and I've been up, minus an hour of sleep, since 2 yesterday.
13. Okaga, CA: And this ends with an underwhelming closer. This reminds me of the soul part in Fucking Young. Why it's because it's a reprise. You know I love the idea of playing with the idea of sex with a minor. You can make a compelling song about that taboo or a raw song. Examples of raw are Jailbait by Ted Nugent, Christine Sixteen by Kiss. Then the compelling thoughtful, for me at least, is I'm On Fire by Bruce Springsteen, and though Anyone's Daughter by Deep Purple is more tongue in cheek the music is very touching for me. Hell I think that Cradle of Love did it better and was more enjoyable. I think when you make a soul song you should make it either very creepy, when covering this topic, or make it very soulful. Like you love her. Whatever.

Overall I have to give this a 5/10. I'm very disappointed, though I quickly got over it, by TCs new album. To be honest there isn't much difference between this and Wolf, not conceptually but like setup wise. Instead of Jazzier stuff on Wolf he tackles more hard rockin shit, for lack of better word. This track also features more soul and r&b which are probably the better tracks, and moments,  here. But I can easily say this is my least favorite album by him. Well there are still other albums to look forward to, regardless of how well the previous 2015 anticipated albums have went down with me. At.Long.Last.A$AP (which wasn't what I hoped for, it didn't live up for me), Buckethead (he's probably gonna put out about 100 this year one is bound to be good), while I'm not looking forward to it I'll probably review SWISH. Oh, also i almost forgot, look forward to my upcoming Unconquered Sun review, which should be the next review of 2015 (release year not overall). 

Darkness on the Edge of Town - Bruce Springsteen

I wanted to review Lucille but I haven't gotten to it, but I plan on it. I also will get Cherry Bomb done. Maybe next week or something. Well anyway lets start this let down. This is the follow up to Born to Run, so this is album number 4. It took over a year to finish that album, about 15 months, this one took 6 months. The thing is that it was about two years before it could be recorded, and three in between the release of the albums. The reason for it was because of a legal battle between Jersey Devil and Mike Appel (his first manager). Appel sued Springsteen after dropping him as his manager in favor of the man who said Bruce was the future of rock and roll Jon Landau, who also was an editor for a magazine. The battle lasted, I believe, within the time in between these albums. This album was recorded as a whole band instead of overdubs. The thing that I think is neat is that there were 70 songs written for the album, 50 of which were recorded (though some where incomplete). Now the interesting this is tracks not used for the album include Fire, Independence Day, Because The Night, Heart of Stone, Rendezvous, Point Blank and many others. Note: I refuse to call him The Boss, I read somewhere he didn't like that name and I sure don't. Now let's get started.

1. Badlands: This opens the album and it's a rocker. The biggest problem is his inflection. I mean the "oh oh oh oh" almost takes me out of the song. This is a track that is a great opener, but I just can't get with it once I've heard it a few times, it's just not as good as some of his other tracks period.
2. Adam Raised A Cain: Another rocker, more rocking than Badlands. Now this is a pretty solid track, the only problem here is that I don't like the chorus at all. The chorus is probably supposed to make it like an anthem, but it just makes me, honestly..... It makes me loose interest in the entire song. Like other than for this review, I doubt I'll ever listen to this again. Maybe part of the album is its crafted and :(
3. Something in the Night: The beginning of this song is odd, and a little off. Off in a good way, to be clear. Now where does this song kind of not reach what I want. Well tracks one and two were straight, and this is a straighter version of a song on Born to Run. And well, no.
4. Candy's Room: Far superior to Candy's Boy, an early verison of this track. I do really think that drum thing is pretty cool and so far this is the most interesting song on the album, and I think that's kind of good. Like my ears perked up when I heard the intro. Now I really like the piano rolls and think the chimes help it. This is song, at first seems kind of cluttered, but who knows, maybe upon multiple listens it will unclutter a lah E Street Shuffle.
5. Racing in the Streets: I recently read somewhere that this has been, called by critics, Bruce's best song. The best songs he's made are Rosalita, Blinded By The Light, The River, Thunder Road, among others. Well actually if I could only pick one it'd be between Jungleland and Rosalita. It's funny I mention Thunder Road because this song most resembles it in the beginning. And while this is a very touching song. I dig the chorus, but for whatever reason it's not connecting with me. This is the superior version of the song, well at least I can take it more. This is one of the tracks with a repetitive chorus that isn't so bad.
6. The Promised Land: Even that organ doesn't save this song for me. Sounds like all the other songs.
7. Factory: This isn't that bad of a song, but again.... It doesn't have that Magic I desire from him.
8. Streets of Fire: "in a real death waltz, between what's flesh and whats fantasy". This has a very very very bare organ and vocal intro. Which when the part that follows shouldn't have surprised me, but completely kills the mood of hope for this song to be true-lee great.
9. Prove It All Night: This is ............ The chorus is the same as Adam Raised A Cain and most of the other songs here where it's just a repeat of the title. And it works on songs like Purple Rain is because it's full of building and full of emotion. This is just too repetitive.
10. Darkness on the Edge of Town: This song opens with something that is promising, and to be honest the first time I heard it I didn't care. Now after hearing in the context of the album, it's not half bad, and the fact that the chorus isn't just pasted in and cut out, it actually has changes instead of a loop. Possibly the best song on the album.

Overall I have to give this a 5/10. At one point the only song on here I liked is Badlands, but you know to be honest there isn't anything about any of these songs that I like enough to out way the thing I don't like. It's basically an album of Backstreets. He said he wanted to bring this album to it's barest elements, but I love albums that are very bare and straight forward. Examples are Either/Or, Draw the Line, John Wesley Harding, Double Vision, The Rolling Stones Ep,  Please Please Me and Five by Five ep to name some. Those are all great albums that are very straight forward, and this isn't great. I think he goes for the mature grown up version of Born to Run and it's not working for me. I think Born to Run is more engaging. It's more real, this is just like an old fogy talking about shit that he's too old to have the energy or emotional connection to. And He did a better job on tracks on the next album. Now critics said this was a more mature album, so I looked at the music, no there. Then I looked at the lyrics, and I really looked. I read every single word and dissected the album. I realized that the themes where all themes I could connect with directly at this point in my life. And seriously..... I feel nothing. I feel very bad, why? Well Independence Day was a track that he didn't use for this album. Now I think the best version of that song is a live version with the piano on it. I bet he would have played that version of it if it were here. Now would that hurt The River's impact on me, Yes. Would it help this album be easier to take, Hell Yes. I don't know, I guess it's better than the unbearable Nebraska (though that albums title track is better than anything here). The albums is just medium, average, nothing special. Also the track Give The Girl A Kiss is better than all but the other two bloded tracks on this album, and it was recorded back as an outtake and released on the 1998 comp Tracks.

On the bright side look forward to reviews for Cherry Bomb, At.Long.Last.A$AP, Just Like You, Either/Or, The College Dropout, Ok Computer, Sol Invictus, To Pimp A Butterfly, The Magic Whip and some others. Not all theses (besides maybe OC will be up by 2016).