Album Recommendations: Early Hints

Early Hints

I'm actually pretty hesitant to declare how I feel about an album until I'm well familiar with it. I still want to put what I'm listening to on my site somewhere, though, so here's a compromise. These are 140 character first impressions of albums that I know somewhat, but not enough to confidently write a review on. I'm pretty sure my opinion will change on these as they get more spins, so expect the final word in the main review section soon.

Everything But the Girl - Temperamental (1999): Like a club, a lot of glossy, boomy style, but hard to remember much afterwards. Tracey Thorn's soulful rambles are the best part about it.

Standout track: "Lullaby of Clubland"

XTC - English Settlement (1982): A surprisingly neurotic, socially aware pastoral pop rock album. Andy Partridge and friends have a knack for the almost annoyingly catchy.

Standout track: "Jason and the Argonauts"

Warpaint - Warpaint (2014): This dreamy all-girl outfit seems ready to disappear into air at any moment. The best material is cheekily tucked into the last few songs.

Standout track: "Feeling Alright"

My Vitriol - The Secret Sessions (2016): Bleepy bassy drum machine space Vitriol. All credit for pushing forward their sound semi-successfully, but don't expect Finelines.

Standout track: "Rest Your Tired Head"

Rob Thomas - ...Something to Be (2005): More overtly pop than even Matchbox was, loses me when it turns into The Lion King soundtrack halfway through. Great singles, though.

Standout track: "Ever the Same"

Starflyer 59 - Lust for Gold (2024): At its best, a gnarled, meatier update on the loungey, miserable Gold sound. At its worst, it's SF59 as usual with slightly more distortion.

Standout track: "Everyone Seems Strange"