Tom Vercetti Posted January 3, 2018 Author Posted January 3, 2018 1 hour ago, K$Ellie said: Pop 2 grew on me Stan for Track 10 I don't think it's better than Number 1 Angel tho Track 10 is one of her best~ 50 minutes ago, theblackestday said: S2 is a cute girl. Cute describes Brockhampton's music quite nicely 25 minutes ago, Legend E said: Is POP2 good? I was not a huge fan on N1A. Yes. It's not as accessible on the first listen but overtime the tracks become catchier.
ATRL Moderator madonnas Posted January 3, 2018 ATRL Moderator Posted January 3, 2018 Japanese Breakfast, Pop 2, alvvays, Brockhampton Your best set so far! I think that II >>>> III I don't know why everyone is putting III above it...
Pink Matter Posted January 3, 2018 Posted January 3, 2018 Nice set! Sat. 2, Drunk, and Pop 2 were all great I still need to listen to Pop 2 and N1A some more. 4:44 is something I never bothered to listen, mostly for the same reasons you stated, but I've seen a lot of love for it so I figure I could give it at least one liste. Plus I like The Story of OJ too.
Tom Vercetti Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 3 hours ago, madonnas said: Japanese Breakfast, Pop 2, alvvays, Brockhampton Your best set so far! I think that II >>>> III I don't know why everyone is putting III above it... People may say III just because it's newer and Boogie Hype. But II is definitely more consistent imo. 2 hours ago, Pink Matter said: Nice set! Sat. 2, Drunk, and Pop 2 were all great I still need to listen to Pop 2 and N1A some more. 4:44 is something I never bothered to listen, mostly for the same reasons you stated, but I've seen a lot of love for it so I figure I could give it at least one liste. Plus I like The Story of OJ too. I feel more would've given 4:44 a chance had it not been an exclusive. I think it's worth a least a listen whenever the chance is there.
Wicked Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 Crack Up, Pop 2, Arca, Peasant, Japanese Breakfast, Drunk, 4:44 I need to listen to that Brockhampton
Wondervisions Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 Amazing set of album, never listened to Japanase Breakfast, now might be the time.
MP2K Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 Brock, I'll be checking out late. Crack Up - I was so excited about them being back but I just never had the energy to sit through this album Antisocialites, Drunk Overall good set
Vilppu Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 Japanese Breakfast is my favourite from this set but I liked all of what I've heard a lot Unlike everyone else, I'm actually glad Jay Z got so many Grammy noms, otherwise I probably wouldn't have bothered with his album and it knocks.
Tom Vercetti Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 1 hour ago, MP2K said: Brock, I'll be checking out late. Crack Up - I was so excited about them being back but I just never had the energy to sit through this album Antisocialites, Drunk Overall good set Crack Up is definitely their most demanding record which is probably why some weren't as keen on it as their past work. 19 minutes ago, Vilppu said: Japanese Breakfast is my favourite from this set but I liked all of what I've heard a lot Unlike everyone else, I'm actually glad Jay Z got so many Grammy noms, otherwise I probably wouldn't have bothered with his album and it knocks. Well that's one good thing the Grammys have provided so far. OT: This next set, a certain someone lost.
ATRL Moderator Unoriginal Posted January 4, 2018 ATRL Moderator Posted January 4, 2018 1 minute ago, Tom Vercetti said: OT: This next set, a certain someone lost.
theblackestday Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 5 minutes ago, Tom Vercetti said: OT: This next set, a certain someone lost. This better not be about you know whomst.
Tom Vercetti Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 30. Björk - Utopia (Art Pop/Flute) Spoiler A journey into Björk's perspective of a Utopia is a sprawled adventure of jungle scenes, flutes, extraterrestrial forces, a collage of arca beats and new found happiness. As someone who wasn't expecting her to already break free from the Vulnicura chain of heartbreak within a 2 year period, I was ready for a continuation of some sort. There are definitely beautiful moments in the album where vibrant sounds and melodies comes together (Arisen My God for instance) but there also other moments where tracks just remain stagnant (The Gate) or just filled with cluttered noise (Features Creatures). Overtime I've realized that this has similar issues with Lana's LFL, where it's more stretched out than it needs to be. As with most albums by her, there's still a cohesive element present with how each track flow, but on Utopia it stutters a bit quality wise. I would still put this ahead of 3-4 of her other albums as a body of work. Highlights: Arisen My Senses, Body Memory, Losss, Claimstaker, Future Forever 29. Godflesh - Post Self (Industrial Metal) Spoiler Post Self will be the odd one out of this bunch so I will keep it brief and say that this is their best album since their 1999 album Us and Them. It contains enough moments of both catchy riffs and moments of industrial hell to provide a best of both worlds kind of thing. The production does sound muddy in some areas but that oldschool touch is on the intentional side. Highlights: Post Self, Parasite, Be God, The Cylic End 28. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Flying Microtonal Banana (Psych Rock) Spoiler When I first discovered Nonagon Infinity I wasn't sure of what i was getting into, but it was a hyper fun experience in 2016. With Flying Micro-tonal, the first of the batch of albums they released last year, they went against the one trick pony critique and decided to slow things down a bit. With lack of spoken word, and a more concise package of mellow psych rock songs, it's a more easy listen for beginners. It doesn't pack the same punch as Nonagon for me, but it's also a great alternative for when i'm in the mood for something steady. Highlights: Nuclear Fusion, Rattlesnake, Sleepdrifter 27. Miguel - War & Leisure (R&B) Spoiler War & Leisure is Miguel's weakest album since All I Want Is You. It doesn't cover enough classic R&B highs like Kaleidoscope and it's also not as adventurous and diverse as Wildheart. The singles were also underwhelming for me and the features here are also kind of weak, some not even completely present on their tracks. However it's Miguel and the album was going to be enjoyable for me one way or another. I just think he released the wrong singles (Banana Clip, Caremelo, were just begging to be exposed) but I suppose he wanted to keep some of the best cuts for the main course. Highlights: Caramelo Duro, Banana Clip, Told You So, Pineapple Skies 26. Sampha - Process (Alt R&B) Spoiler Sampha always carried around a grand Mystique around him since the SBTRKT days. When his Dual EP came out, I found his vocal abilities to be highly appealing, and I've been wondering when is a debut gonna come from him. It finally happened and at early 2017 it was pretty much an AOTY contendor for me. I do share some common experiences in that Process over time did not age like wine as I thought it would. Perhaps it was because this year was on the weak side in R&B and he compensated for a good amount of time before more content came out? Who knows. I do find the moments of vulnerability and personal moments where he dedicates tracks to his Mother endearing. I also recognize that Process isn't completely R&B either (bordering on the same spectrum as a James Blake record) but all Sampha really needs is his emotive voice, his songwriting and some traditional instruments to seal the deal for me. Highlights: Plastic 100c, Blood On Me, Kora Sings, Reverse Faults 25. Lorde - Melodrama (Pop) Spoiler Lorde is all grown up and experienced enough with party life, social affairs and even more relationships to give us a detailed concept album about what it's like to be in a coming of age era. Green Light; which usage of metaphors entails a optimistic continuation of life is a nice opener in context. Her attention to detail in her songwriting gives her much boost in making her songs that much more descriptive and relatable. We also see her in vulnerable moments (Liability), carefree moments (homemade dynamite), romantic moments (The Lourve) and reflective moments (Perfect Places). However I'm not going to lie to myself and say that I was completely satisfied with Melodrama as a followup because I wasn't music wise. Compared to Pure Heroine, the latter seemed more impressive, charming, and mature at the time it was made. I didn't receive the same moved feeling i got from PH, but is this Jack's fault? Not completely. Each have their lows of course but with Melo, those lows are slightly more interrupting a fully satisfying experience. With that said, it's still one of the better pop albums of 2017 and perhaps when her next album in 5 or so years come around, i'll have more of a soft spot for Melodrama. Highlights: The Louvre, Homemade Dynamite, Sober II (Melodrama), Supercut 24. Algiers - The Underside Of Power (Post Punk) Spoiler I missed out on the Algiers train back in 2015 and that was a slight regret because their industrial/gospel cross sound appeals to me. They seperate themselves from other modern post punk groups by having those distinctive blues traits in their music. The Underside Of Power offers political commentary in a thrilling and gritty manner, making this album one of the more standout albums of the year. Highlights: Walk Like A Panther, The Underside of Power, Death March, Cleveland 23. Milo - Who Told You To Think??!!?!?!?! (Abstract Hip Hop) Spoiler Guess I'll keep rapping til they toetag me They said, Godspeed you black emperor Milo is often described as "Nerd Hop", probs due to aesthetic, expanded vocabulary and interest in philosophies. One of the main selling points of Who Told You To Think for me is the loungey instrumentals, that lays a cozy foundation for Milo's cunning and thought provoking flow. He looks at himself as an growing artist and evaluate both his role in the behind-the-scenes atmosphere of hip hop and the world spinning around him. A great album to turn to for an introspective approach. Hghlights: Sorcerer, Call + Form (Picture), Magician (Suture), Take Advantage of the Naysayer 22. St.Vincent - Masseduction (Art/Synth Pop) Spoiler It's really not Jack Antonoff's day around here huh. I think my main issue with Masseduction is that there's no ultimate high tracks for me that were present on St Vincent's last three albums. I will say tho it's more consistent than her self titled (which i still find to be frontloaded). Annie managed to turn her "most personal" album to equally her most accessible one too. There's still some fancy song structures to capture the attention (pills, savior) and some slow emotive ballads (Happy Birthday Johnny, New York). Personally i'm not that big of a fan of her slower tracks aside from Smoking Section, which is one of her best and fitting closers. While the trademark guitar is still present in some areas, there's more of the Jack synth around which means that the past grit sound that Annie used to have is lacking. As someone who hasn't been a victim of overplaying the album I can say for myself that Masseduction wasn't a disappointment. Slightly underwhelming? Perhaps but it's still a trademark Annie record. Highlights: Masseduction, Pills, Los Ageless, Savior, Smoking Section 21. (Sandy) Alex G - Rocket (Indie Folk) Spoiler Rocket isn't just any regular indie album, despite the cover. Alex successfully mixes multiple genre elements from proto-industrial, country, autotune, and general folk to make Rocket one of the more unpredictable and distinctive listens of 2017. The tracks seemingly flow together as well and there's also moments where he brings his Elliot Smith Game on, like on Big Fish. I'll be looking out for more material from him in future. Highlights: Proud, Sportstar. Brick, Witch, Powerful Man
Tom Vercetti Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 Recap Top 20 tomorrow Spoiler 30. Björk - Utopia 29. Godflesh - Post Self 28. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Flying Microtonal Banana 27. Miguel - War & Leisure 26. Sampha - Process 25. Lorde - Melodrama 24. Algiers - The Underside Of Power 23. Milo - Who Told You To Think??!!?!?!?! 22. St. Vincent - Masseduction 21. (Sandy) Alex G - Rocket
Tom Vercetti Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 1 minute ago, theblackestday said: U put the producer's album of your fave's album over it. Don't start
ATRL Moderator Unoriginal Posted January 4, 2018 ATRL Moderator Posted January 4, 2018 Melodrama lost Where was Vulnicura on your 2015 list? MASSEDUCTION deserved better too i've seen loads of HBJ shade but I love it I listened to Rocket for the first time last week and it was good but I need to go back to it again
theblackestday Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 Just now, Tom Vercetti said: U put the producer's album of your fave's album over it. Don't start You put the worst album of the year eight spots above a Björk record so I win.
Tom Vercetti Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 1 minute ago, theblackestday said: You put the worst album of the year eight spots above a Björk record so I win. Masseduction being the worst of the year is an edgy narrative that I refuse to entertain. Stay tuned to see if your other fave (Susanne) made it or not. Btw any guesses for the top 20 are welcome 3 minutes ago, Unoriginal said: Melodrama lost Where was Vulnicura on your 2015 list? MASSEDUCTION deserved better too i've seen loads of HBJ shade but I love it I listened to Rocket for the first time last week and it was good but I need to go back to it again Vulnicura was actually in the 20s as well but again my taste in 2015 was slightly different so it'd be in a higher area if I redid a 2015 one.
ATRL Moderator Unoriginal Posted January 4, 2018 ATRL Moderator Posted January 4, 2018 1 minute ago, Tom Vercetti said: Stay tuned to see if your other fave (Susanne) made it or not. considering MfPiT is an insane improvement over the already amazing TLS it better have
theblackestday Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 2 minutes ago, Tom Vercetti said: Masseduction being the worst of the year is an edgy narrative that I refuse to entertain. Stay tuned to see if your other fave (Susanne) made it or not. Btw any guesses for the top 20 are welcome I guess you're right, the other three Jack Antonoff-produced albums released this year are worse. But that's about it! I'd make "guesses" but I don't want to spoil your list Hoping to see Scandinavian legends Sundfør and Dreijer though.
Vilppu Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 Quote which i still find to be frontloaded all of her pre-Mass albums are, it's just the most prominient on s/t imo; this one I find more backloaded, if anything, but it really is v consistent and GOOD no matter how many times someone from above claims otherwise xx liked War & Leisure (better than Wildfart, I'll keep saying this until someone finally agrees), Melodrama and Process too.
World Eater Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 Another great set, whew Rocket is too low tho Also slept on Algiers back in 2015 but at least I was here when they released the better album
Pink Matter Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 Great set Process, W&L, Melo, Mass, and FMB are excellent. I listened to the Alex G album this morning and it's honestly one of the few folk albums to keep my attention. Definitely something I'm gonna back to. And Utopia is cute. One thing though: 2 hours ago, Tom Vercetti said: Perhaps it was because this year was on the weak side in R&B Gonna have to disagree with you on that one
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