Apr 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM

Tried listening to the new Jane Remover album... I think this is how Michael Myers feels about Carti

 

Apr 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM

Maybe I just wasn’t in the right mindset for it. Gonna try again tomorrow

 

Apr 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM

205. Café Tacvba - Re (1994) [April 26th, 2025]

Arguably one of the most influential Mexican albums ever. A lot of people like to dub this record as the "Mexican White Album" and I think that's a great comparison. In an hour, Café Tacvba manages to explore so many different sounds and themes, that it's honestly insane.

There are some great ballads on here, with "Esa Noche" being my personal favorite, but the energy on tracks like "El Borrego" and "El Puñal Y El Corazon" is f---ing spectacular. This is arguably the DEFINITIVE Mexican alt-rock record in my eyes. Gotta give a shout out to "La Ingrata" which is probably the most popular track on here:

 

Apr 26, 2025 at 7:36 PM

206. JPEGMAFIA - I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU (DIRECTOR'S CUT) (2025) [April 26th, 2025]

After hearing it for the first time, I immediately knew that I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU was my favorite JPEGMAFIA project. And then, almost a year later, Peggy drops an extended "Director's Cut", making it even better.

The biggest change present in ILDMLFY when comparing it to Peggy's other work, has to be the electric guitar work. Although it was definitely present on some songs like "THE GHOST OF RANKING DREAD!" off of LP!, the majority of ILDMLFY has heavy amounts of electric guitar, and its f---ing greattttt. Songs like "Vulgar Display of Power" and "PROTECT THE CROSS" are probably the best examples of this.

Peggy's lyricism is at it's all time best on this album. "I'll Be Right There", "Exmilitary","either on or off the drugs", "I Recovered From This" etc. etc. When it comes to features, Denzel kills his verse on "JPEGULTRA!" but Vince Staples steals the show on "New Black History"

The director's cut of ILDMLFY primarily serves as a good extension to the original record, and it does a very good job at that. I do think that some of the songs on Side B are pretty unnecessary however. They are basically glorified bonus tracks though, so its nothing too dissimilar from the Pt 2's on Donda. Also, why the h--- is "JIHAD JOE" taken off the main album lmao. Overall though, I believe that the director's cut of ILDMLFY is Peggy's stronges project so far, and I can't wait to see what his collab album with Denzel looks like.

 

Apr 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM

207. Bruce Springsteen - Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) [April 27th, 2025]

I've got a pretty differing opinion on Springsteen's first 2 "big" albums than most people. A lot of people absolutely love Born to Run, and while it's definitely a good album, I think that Darkness on the Edge of Town is a much better record.

I think that "Badlands" is an incredible intro for the project, and it perfectly introduces the themes of disillusionment that permeate all throughout this record. Then we have what is probably my favorite Spingsteen track of all time, "Adam Raised A Cain". The track immediately starts off with some amazing guitar work from Bruce, and it has one of the best choruses in his entire discography. A key difference between DOTEOT and Born to Run has to be the attitude. While there were certainly elements of this on BTR, Darkness... is such a sad record ultimately. Tracks like "Factory" and "Prove It All Night" have protagonists that sound completely defeated by their lives, and many of the lines on this record resonate heavily with me.

As a whole, Darkness on the Edge of Town is Springsteen's best album in my view, and its not even close. I happily recommend this album to basically anybody really, because let's be honest, everybody loves Bruce.

 

Apr 27, 2025 at 4:02 PM

208. David Bowie - Blackstar (2016) [April 27th, 2025]

Here we are. Bowie's final record. As someone who didn't really get into music until their late teens, I can't pretend like I know what it was like to experience Blackstar prior to Bowie's death. As such, my views on this album are basically inseparable from his passing, as I'm sure is the case with most people who listened to this record after January 10th, 2016.

What I loved about Bowie's 70's work was the innovation. Whether it be the glam rock soundscapes of Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane, or the half rock/half ambient greatness of Low and Heroes, Bowie was a true innovator during that period. And almost poetically, that same innovation is present on Blackstar. The fact that Bowie was 69, and got inspiration from artists like Kendrick Lamar, and f---ing Death Grips speaks volumes about his versatility. "Blackstar" is one of Bowie's best openers, and at nearly 10 minutes long, it serves as a great example of what this album was about. The jazzy elements all throughout Blackstar adds incredibly to the haunting atmosphere of the record, which is best exemplified by tracks like "'Tis A Pity She Was A whor-" and "Dollar Days"

My two favorite tracks on this record would have to be "Lazarus" and "Sue (Or In a Season of Crime)". "Lazarus" is essentially the centerpiece of the record, and it has one of the most beautiful, yet emotionally devastating bridges that I've ever heard. "Sue..." is probaby the most "energetic" track on the record, and it has some of my favorite instrumentation in all of Bowie's discography. Seriously, that bass solo is insane. And lastly, "I Can't Give Everything Away" wraps the album up perfectly, and thus, Bowie's career concluded.

To say that Blackstar is an incredible record would be an understatement. The fact that Bowie was still innovating music right until he passed, is nothing short of breathtaking. I personally hold Blackstar in high regard next to his 70's output, and I have no issue declaring it one of the best albums of the century so far.

 

Apr 27, 2025 at 4:05 PM

209. David Bowie - No Plan (2017) [April 27th, 2025]

No Plan is essentially a collection of Blackstar era demos, so my thoughts on it are very similar to the aforementioned record. Some very strong material on here, but I can see why the songs on Blackstar made it onto the record instead.

 

Apr 27, 2025 at 7:24 PM

210. Jane Remover - Revengeseekerz (2025) [April 27th, 2025]

Exactly 2 weeks after @DiggleDogg69 asked me if I listened to it, here is the Revengeseekerz review

This album is a perfect example of how setting can impact a listening experience. Tried listening to it on friday in a library, and I barely made it to track 3. Today, I bumped it at the gym, and got my best pump in months. I don't really have much to say. Energy is off the charts, Danny kills his feature on "Psychoboost" and I had a great time. Similar to Carti's MUSIC, this album is pure energy, and I can definitely see myself bumping it in the gym in the future. Now, if there are any deep complexities in the music, it sadly went over my head. Also, the Mario Kart King Boo sample f---ing killed me lmao. Hoping to check out Frailty soon.

 

Apr 28, 2025 at 10:42 AM

211. 50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003) [April 28th, 2025]

Yet another Shady album while @Minato waits for the TES review.

In a lot of ways, Get Rich or Die Tryin' is very similar to 2001 and The Eminem Show. Incredible production, and it has 50 at his peak. From the opening lines of "What Up Gangsta" to the final chorus of "Gotta Make It To Heaven", 50 is rapping at the highest level that he ever has. I know I say this a lot, but this is an incredible gym album. Like, bumping "In Da Club" or "Blood Hound" while doing curls will make you get the sickest pump ever.

All the G-Unit members do great on this record, but Banks absolutely shines on "Don't Push Me" (RIP @poopdogg , I will continue your legacy). Nate Dogg is great on "21 Questions", and then there's the two Eminem features. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I honestly think that Em's verse on "Don't Push Me" is better than his verse on "Patiently Waiting". Seriously this section is f---ing nuts:

"Man these teenie boppers see me on these magazine covers
In these beanies and these rags living fantasies
Fronting like it's all fun and games 'til the s---t 'em up b---
And you see your brains hang and you see we ain't playing
Ain't saying we ain't laying down at night and ain't praying
I bullied my way in this game, man, I'm done playing
Man, I'm done saying that I'm done playing"

A common critique launched against this record has to be the subject matter. Aside from "Many Men" there is little to no introspection throughout most of the record. But honestly, I don't care. This is just a fun album, and its a classic undeniably. I gotta mention my favorite track though, which is "Heat". "Heat" has the best beat on the entire record, but it also has the worst video lmao.