r/albumbucketlist

Miles Davis-On The Corner (1972)

Korn-Korn (1994)

Billy Joel-52nd Street (1978)

Abba-Arrival (1976)

Johnny Cash-With His Hot & Blue Gutiar (1957)

Jackson Browne-I'm Alive (1993)

Kanasas-Point Of Know Return (1977)

Ministry-Land Of Rape & Honey (1988)

Big Thief-Two Hearts (2019)

James Blunt-Back To Bedlam (2014)

Lionel Richie-Can't Slow Down (1983)

Billy Joel-Streetlife Sereande (1976)

Simply Red-Picture Book (1985)

RS Synopsis:

The third and final album by R&B enigma Aaliyah is a hypnotic mix of gossamer funk and sounds from all over the pop diaspora. It’s also a sad reminder of the bright future that was cut off mere weeks after its release in the summer of 2001. Aaliyah’s voice, which was feather-light yet able to convey heavy meanings, glides over the serpentine beats of “We Need a Resolution” while driving home the romantic torment within; the Missy Elliott-penned ballad “I Care 4 U” evokes longing with its classically modern production and Aaliyah’s yearning performance. Aaliyah is a final statement with only one fault: It feels like it should have been the introduction of a new chapter.

The Review:

The album opens with “We Need A Resolution” ; it was the first single from the record. It sets the tone for a chilled out alt R&B vibe. The timberland produced beat gives off such a sultry energy that allows Aaliyah’s voice to soar. “Loose rap” has a chopped up jazzy instrumental. The song has a nice feature from Static Major. “Rock The Boat” feels so casual with its breezy R&B aura. “More Than A Woman” has a timberland produced funky beat. Aaliyah’s voice sounds so sultry and the harmonies add the perfect touch. “Never No More” is an emotional R&B ballad that highlights Aaliyah’s powerful vocal prowess. “I Care For U” feels like it could have been recorded in the 70’s with its classic R&B vibes but has some 2000’s production notes as well. “Extra Smooth” has this bouncy rhythm that just moves along with such energy. It just feels fun and energetic. “Read Between The Lines” experiments with a latin music inspired beat. Of course Aaliyah’s voice adjusted to the instrumentals. “U Got Nerve” has this dense R&B industrial beat. Aaliyah’s vocals sound so cold and compressed. “I Refuse” incorporates some thunder sound effects, heavy rhythm guitar, and classic piano motifs to create this chilled yet emotional theme. “Its Whatever” features an ambient smooth synth instrumental. It creates a surreal reflective energy. “I Can Be” features a twisted hybrid of R&B and alt rock melodies. Aaliyah’s voice sounds so menacing and sharp that it adds to the heavy industrial vibes. “Those Were Days” has this bouncy early 2000’s beat. Aaliyah’s vocals feel very reflective and nostalgic, perhaps remembering happier times. The album closes with “What If” features a heavy, distorted instrumental with Aaliyah’s vocals sounding so commanding and angry. Some of the international versions of the album include “Try Again” , a song she recorded for the Romeo Must Die soundtrack. I personally think its one of the best pop songs of the 2000’s and a reminder of what a great artist Aaliyah  was. 

Final Thoughts:

The tragic death of Aaliyah was a blow to the music world. I actually remembered where I was when I heard the news. This album was a new beginning for her and one has to wonder what her path would be in the future. Even though this isn’t my vibe I do respect the album and think it is a masterclass in alt-R&B that would flourish in years to come.

Synopsis:

Recorded in Brazil (where Cave was living at the time), The Good Son is deeply informed by a sense of personal reinvention, warmth, and romantic redemption, heavily contrasted against his usual themes of biblical judgment and tragic violence. Musically, the album leans heavily on sweeping string arrangements (coordinated by Mick Harvey and Billy McGee), elegant piano melodies, and more restrained, atmospheric instrumentation from the Bad Seeds. Lyrically, it explores complex notions of family, forgiveness, grace, and human frailty, standing as one of the most cohesive and emotionally affecting records in their discography. 

The Review:

The album opens with “Foi Na Cruz” the song title is Portuguese and translates directly to "It Was on the Cross." The song has this warm gospel undertone and the harmonies are from a Brazilian local choir. The Bad Seeds play a sparse rhythm all together it gives off such a subtle spiritual vibe. “The Good Son” starts out with a southern gospel chorus before the band dives into a blues driven cinematic groove. Cave’s vocals has an immense sense of urgency. “Sorrow’s Child” has a soft piano led melody. It gives of such a tender vibe proving Cave can write an emotional song without his usual darkness creeping into it. “The Weeping Song” is about a father talking to his son about the sorrow of this world. It features a subtle tribal drum beat. It also has a nice vocal interplay between Cave and Blixa Bargeld. “The Ship Song” is a beautiful love ballad that has this tender piano riff and lush string arrangements. “The Hammer Song” feels like classic Bad Seeds. It has this crushing heavy rhythm and crunchy guitar riffs. It gives off such a menacing chilly vibe. “Lament” has such a warmness to it. The lush string arrangement just takes over the melodies and Cave has never sounded more tender then he does on this track. “The Witness song” has this high energy blues driven groove. It feels like a mix of a bluesy jam and a church choir band  on fire fighting the good fight against the demons that plague this world. The album closes with “Lucy” an uplifting piano ballad that does have some melancholy within its melody. It is the definition of a  bittersweet ballad and the perfect way to end the record.

Final Thoughts:

This record sounds so different from anything we have heard so far in Nick Cave’s discography so far. Nick has admitted he was in such a good place during the recording of this record. Thanks to his move to Brazil, his successful stint in rehab, and a new relationship with Brazilian Journalist Viviane Carneiro. This happiness resulted in a record filled with lush landscapes and tenderness. The darkness of the previous two records are gone. It is such a nice listen and deserves its place in any Nick Cave deep dive. 

Fionna Apple-Extraordinary Machine (2005)

Genesis-Genesis (1983)

The Who-By Numbers (1975)

Tom Waits-Real Gone (2004)

Dolly Parton-Here You Come Again (1977)

Beck-The Information (2006)

The Police-Zenyatta Mandatta (1980)

Green Day-Warning (2000)

Deftones-Adreanline (1995)

Beach House-Beach House (2006)

Franz Ferndinand-You Can Have It So Much Better (2005)

Merle Haggard-Mama Tried (1968)

The Hold Steady-Boys & Girls Of America (2006)

The Decemberists-The Crane Wife (2006)

The Isley Brothers are solidified, but when is "I Once Had Your Love" getting burn these days?! What's your favorite Isley album cut? BRING BACK GROUPS!!!

Synopsis:

Released in 2003, Metaphorical Music is the debut studio album by the late Japanese producer and DJ Nujabes (Jun Seba). Widely celebrated as a foundational cornerstone of the lo-fi hip-hop and jazzy hip-hop genres, the album effortlessly bridges the gap between smooth, soul-infused instrumental jazz and classic boom-bap hip-hop. Rather than sounding like a collection of standard rap beats, the record flows like an organic, cinematic journey defined by pristine piano loops, warm horns, and tranquil atmospheric textures.

The Review:

The album opens with  “Blessing It (remix)” built around a sample of Pharoah Sander’s song  “Save Our Children”.  It also features vocals from  Substantial and Pase Rock who do a nice job flowing over a light chilled out jazz beat. “Horn in The Middle” feels so refreshing yet so filled with funky jazz beats. “Joshua” from Miles Davis is sampled to give it the sharp  jazzed out vibe yet meditative vibe. “Lady Brown” is highlighted by the impressive feature flow  from Cise Starr instrumentally; it has this bright piano-string arrangement and some vibrant  guitar picking. “Kumoni” is a good mix of tranquil piano loops and jazz drum beats to create this surreal aurora that feels like you’re floating in the sky. “Highs 2 Lows” once again features Cise Starr’s impressive bars. Sonically the song feels more electronic with its heavy bassline and drums beats. “Beat Laments World” samples two Kip Hanrahan songs “Make Love 2” and “Blessing It” ; it gives the track this roving earthy vibe and maintains that electronica/jazz hybrid base. “Letter From Yokosuku” is a collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Uyama Hiroto. It has this tight easy listening jazz sound. The subtle saxophone playing adds so much lightness to the track. “Think Different" features Substantial dropping bars about intelligent hip-hop sensibilities and not conforming to the industry standards that constrict some hip-hop artists. All done over a  bass heavy groove and a sample of "Live for Life (Vivre Pour Vivre)" from the soundtrack of live for life  by Francis Lai. “A day Of Atmosphere Supreme" creates such a light moodiness that glides with such lightness. “Next View” meshes together hip-hop percussion with progressive jazz improvisation. Umyama Hiroto is featured on a saxophone who is just jamming out over the lush landscape. “Latitude” features a futuristic chilled out beat that samples “Clouds” by Gigi Masin. It allows featured artists Five Deez to just lay down their chilled out flows. “F.I.L.O.” features a sample by Deixa" by Baden Powell, played by Toquinho  on "O Violão de Toquinho"  that allows the track to be a hybrid of jazz/hip-hop/latin music. “Summer Gypsy” feels like a warm nostalgic stroll on the beach late at night. The album's unofficial closing track is “The Final View” samples Yusef Lateef's "Love Theme From 'Spartacus'" It mixes Nujabes’ hypnotic lushness with some heavy jazz beats.  There is a hidden/bonus track on the album called “Peaceland“ clocking in at over 8 mins it is the longest song on the album. It has this sprawling meditative vibe that feels like you are coming down from a trip and you can finally let go and relax.

Final Thoughts:

Nujabes’ was a pioneer of lo-fi/hip-hop who unfortunately we lost too soon. This album feels like a trip through a trippy jazzy meditation. It filled with incredible musical moments. If you never experienced this album I would put on your album bucket lists soon.