For some reason I’ve never listened to this one before. It’s not as strong as “Illinois,” but it’s still a remarkable album. I wish he was serious about making one album for each state. I’d love a “Pennsylvania.”
Good, not great. I’m worried that we’re getting to the point in the list where there are going to be lots of “good, not greats.” Because yeah, they’re great to a lot of people, but less universally adored.
Eh. Not for me. At least not right now.
Bonnie “Prince” Billy - “I See A Darkness”
I’m surprised every time I listen to The Weeknd because, on paper, I don’t love R&B. But yeah, this is good stuff. The Weeknd is probably half the reason that Drake’s “Take Care” is so damned good.
Please go see them live. Please go see them live. Their show blows their albums out of the water, which is saying a lot, considering how much I like their albums.
M83 - “Couleurs”
I mentioned before that Interpol was poorly contextualized in my mind, always trying to occupy some space that The Strokes had fortified. But “Antics” is a very good album. I was frustrated that “Turn On The Bright Lights” took #12 on this list, but #106 for Antics? Can’t argue with that.
Interpol - “Next Exit”
On one hand, it makes me think of “Blue Valentine” and I get sad. On the other hand, it’s Grizzly Bear, so I’m sitting and wondering why I’ve only listened to it a hundred times instead of a thousand.
Grizzly Bear - “Colorado”
Either I am in a weird mood where I like all music, or this is just another excellent album.
I’m pretty sure it’s just another great album, because the thought of listening to MIA still pains me.
The Strokes’ fifth album, Comedown Machine, is out March 26 via RCA.
Potentially awesome birthday-ish release.
I’ve been put off by Aphex Twin because someone showed me a creepy Aphex Twin music video (Windowlicker, I think) when I was too young to handle it. It was in this insanely pretentious “underground rock” class I took at Explo the summer after 9th grade.
The bottom line is, though, that I’m a bit of an idiot for avoiding Aphex Twin for all these years. This is an excellent album. I’m always looking for more albums like this.
