Infinity On High – Fall Out Boy
October 18, 2024
Long live the Car Crash Hearts!
Last week, we hit 10 album recommendation posts here on YouTube. This week, I am featuring Infinity on High by Fall Out Boy. They really found their sound on the previous album From Under The Corktree, but fittingly with the 11th recommendation, they turned it up to 11 on Infinity. Infinity on High is likely the most diverse of their punkier first four releases. It brings together hard-rocking, thrashy tracks with depressed ballads and funky jams. While Folie brings together many different influences, Infinity really commits to them in each track. Not to mention, this album features some of Fall Out Boy’s most recognized hits, including the orchestral Thnks Fr Th Mmrs, attitude-packed anthem This Ain’t a Scene It’s An Arms Race, and beautiful I’m Like a Lawyer. However, I think this album shines best with its non-singles. My personal favorites are heavy Fame<Infamy, super catchy Don’t You Know Who I Think I Am?, soul-crushingly existential Golden, and my #1, the exceptionally dramatic You’re Crashing, But You’re No Wave. As always, the lyrics are creative and catchy, and the instrumentals never get stale, even after many listens. As they’ve gone on, one thing I always appreciate about Infinity is that every song is clearly distinct from one another. Take This To Your Grave sometimes blends together a bit to my ears. Infinity On High, however, uses orchestra, synths, and even random instruments like harpsichord really effectively to bring out the individuality in each track, without losing that comfy cohesion from start to finish. I don’t need to tell you what to do next! Enjoy!
Soul Punk – Patrick Stump
October 25, 2024
I feel like I’m about to Explode!
It seems we can’t escape Patrick Stump! Is anyone complaining? This week, we’re looking at Patrick solo from Fall Out Boy in his album Soul Punk. Since listening to it the first time, I was enthralled by how complex and yet how catchy every song is. They say that every time you listen to a great song, you hear a new detail to it. There is so much depth behind so many tracks off Soul Punk that it really elevates the replay value. The sound is almost a tribute to the likes of Prince and David Bowie, incorporating rock, R&B, soul, synthpop, dance, and more. Patrick described the concept as being pop songs that, when you listen to them, tell deep and individual stories. This element definitely comes across. My favorite tracks have to be the fittingly explosive Explode, uplifting Spotlight (New Regrets), ridiculously catchy, sardonic Run Dry (X Hearts X Fingers), and musician’s dream Allie. It’s hard to tackle many themes effectively, but Soul Punk nails it. Alcoholism, depression, greed, bullying, faithfulness, loneliness, and more all play a role, all set to adaptive instrumentals inpressively performed, recorded, and produced by Patrick himself. There is a certain disdain toward so-called “solo” albums, as if they’re a fraction of the “real” band albums. But Soul Punk more than holds water all on its own. I highly recommend listening to it.
Fallen – Evanescence
November 1, 2024
Holding MY LAST BREATH…
Hello all! Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, has passed—and as the name suggests, today is All Hallows! Stay safe. The veil between our world and the beyond is still mending…and while it does, if you want a truly modern classic to listen to, there is no better record than Fallen by Evanescence! I loved the opening tracks of Fallen before I could speak coherently, and I’m not exaggerating. The band’s gothic, orchestral, heavy-hitting major-label debut boasts massive hits, including Going Under, Everybody’s Fool, Bring Me To Life, and My Immortal. However, I must confess that my favorite tracks lie on the back half of the record. Haunted is perfectly spooky, Imaginary is iconic in its dreamy, surrealist mood, and Whisper is a haunting conclusion to the record. Those deep Latin vocals always creep me out. My two top favorites are Taking Over Me and My Last Breath. Both have stellar lyrics, rocking instrumentals, and like every performance she’s ever given, flawless vocals from the one and only Amy Lee. While their later work deserves just as much praise as Fallen, it’s not hard to see, or hear, why it was such a success. In fact, last year marked the 20 year anniversary of its 2003 release. Take a listen and enjoy, and if you can, support them by buying an album? They have earned every bit of it.
Scaled And Icy – Twenty Øne Piløts
November 8, 2024
I don’t wanna go like this…
Today I’m recommending an album many misunderstand—Scaled and Icy by Twenty Øne Piløts. Let me get one thing straight. This album is full of great songs. Some view this as a weak point in their discography, but let me make my case that it’s actually great. As we learn right off the bat, “I can feel my saturation leaving me slowly”. And that’s just what’s going to happen. The point of this album is that it’s not a Good Day in Dema, despite the bright colors and happy sounds. Shy Away is such a powerful jam, and The Outside is as vibey as it claims. Then comes Never Take It. “Why cure disease of confusion—When you’re the treatment facility?” It’s becoming clear that something is going on under the surface. Mulberry Street is a beautiful song with really meaningful lyrics, and is a wonder at bringing up your mood. Formidable is a great love song. Bounce Man, while perhaps the weakest of the album, serves an important role—as the breaking point. No Chances is suddenly dark and threatening. The lyrics convey futility and surveillance. Things are not right in Dema. And the hidden message of the propaganda is beginning to become clear. The whole album builds toward what may be TøP’s best song, Redecorate. Subdued and minimalistic, the lyrics of Redecorate tell such a deep story from multiple lenses about mortality. The last chorus, drumless and intense, always gets me. One thing I can’t fail to mention is the production conveys a strange wateriness to it, which fits with the theme of the album. It just feels like you’re underwater, to me at least. To me, the album conveys something I really connect with, something the band has been suggesting since Lane Boy—what’s happy and flawless isn’t always trustworthy, and there is honesty in sadness and darkness. People knock SAI for being a “happy disco-pop” sound. But it’s not. That is its face. Underneath, there are many layers we’re still uncovering. I highly recommend Scaled and Icy. Check it out, and see you next week!
Scripted – Icon For Hire
November 15, 2024
Caught in The Grey…
It usually takes me a while for an artist to grow on me before I really like them. This album was not the case. As soon as I heard Make a Move, I played it front to back on repeat. The album is Icon For Hire’s debut Scripted, and it is awesome! I’ve always had a soft spot for pop punk, and this is pop punk at its best. The rock elements are always catchy, and the electronica influences are clean and really elevate the sound. Ariel’s vocals fit perfectly over all of it. The track listing has great rhythm as well, capturing defiant energy in some and heartfelt emotion in others without compromising the hard-rocking sound. It’s hard to create an album where all of the songs pull their weight, but this is one of the most balanced I’ve listened to in a long time. It’s not only balanced sonically, but lyrically. Fitting to the title, Scripted follows themes of originality combatting falsities and the façade of public image through the metaphor of theater. Some highlights include Get Well, hard-rocking and anthemic, The Grey, the first calmer track of the album that doesn’t fail to pack a punch by the end, and Up In Flames, which is energetic, vibey, and so catchy. My current favorite track might be Pieces, which serves as a dramatic and moving album closer. I must admit, my favorites change day to day depending on which song gets stuck in my head. I am looking forward to checking out the rest of Icon For Hire’s discography, and if my quick appreciation is any indicator, Scripted is a great place to start. Check it out now!
Madvillainy – Madvillain
November 22, 2024
Just remember ALL CAPS when you spell the man name!
It’s time to recommend an album that needs no introduction—Madvillainy by Madvillain. The sinister dynamic duo of legendary lyricist MF DOOM and producer Madlib, Madvillainy is lauded as not only one of the greatest hip hop records of all time, but one of the greatest records of all time. The production of the album is top-notch, using creative samples from old-fashioned jazz, foreign music, and random soundtracks. Every track exudes the theme of classic comic books, capturing vibes and adventure. I am a big fan of extra long songs (when done well) but Madvillainy is a great example of succeeding in the opposite— most of the tracks come in at under 2 minutes, never overstaying their welcome and leaving you wanting more. This leaves a lot of variety across the track listing, including lots of fun instrumentals and interludes to break up the more hard-hitting tracks. DOOM’s rhymes are on point as always, flowing like stuff you might put on movie food. My favorites are the moody Meat Grinder, energetic Raid, fittingly villainous Money Folder (in which the delivery of the line “Money Folder” is unmatched), luscious and silly Operation Lifesaver aka Mint Test, sinister Strange Ways, the iconic All Caps, and the ultimate villain theme instrumental, Supervillain Theme. Overall, Madvillain is a really vibey, fun listen on the surface, but relies on many layers in the lyrics and the beat to keep you finding details every listen. The album is a goldmine of clever lyrics, too many to list. Suffice to say, they have more soul than a sock with a hole. Check it out! (To sensitive listeners, there is some swearing throughout.)
Blackwater Park – Opeth
November 29, 2024
The sun sets over Blackwater Park.
Hello all! This week, let’s keep the grateful spirit going by appreciating a modern classic—Blackwater Park by Opeth. I don’t often appreciate music with the fierce intensity the album brings, but I very much enjoyed this one. And my does it have a lot of intensity to bring. The prog metal record has no shortage of death growls and energetic, heavy shredding. However, where I feel the album shines best is its artful contrasts of gentler, more subtle instrumentation, especially on the back half of the track listing. Long runtimes give lots of room for many movements and experimentation each song, while never overstaying their welcome. My favorites include Bleak, The Drapery Falls, Dirge for November. I must give a special mention to the mysterious Patterns in the Ivy, a short acoustic instrumental that acts as a flawless break from the heavier sound. My personal favorite is The Funeral Portrait, a blend of haunting harmonies and awesome power. Unlike poppier genres, death metal is an acquired taste. Blackwater Park is a great place to begin, blending beautiful harmonies with the aggressive power of hardcore rock. Every performance brings subtlety and nuance to complete the sound. The album is so bleak, yet the glimmers of hope shine through brilliantly—and for any metalhead, Blackwater Park always provides an excellent listen. Check it out now!
Demon Days – Gorillaz
December 6, 2024
FEEL GOOD
Recently, we explored the album Madvillainy. I was introduced to DOOM through a track off of another classic album, and as November has gone away, I will be recommending the album today—Demon Days by Gorillaz! Many know Gorillaz best for this album’s awesome single, Feel Good Inc. However, Demon Days as a whole is a work of art, combining unlikely sounds into strange, spooky, and beautiful songs. Some are more rock-oriented, others based in orchestra and synthesizers, others hard to define. My favorites include peculiar, fan-favorite O Green World, addictive Feel Good Inc., moody November Has Come, and dancey DARE. Perhaps an unpopular choice, but the simple, aggressive, distorted sound of White Light has propelled it to my #1 favorite. I must give a special mention to Intro, while being something of an interlude, is excellent in its own right. Overall, I would describe the album as very dark and mysterious, without lacking glimmers of hope, sincerity, and wonder that make the journey interesting. I avidly enjoy Gorillaz later albums, but there is something unique about Demon Days that keeps me coming back to it. Take a listen and enjoy!
Fire of Unknown Origin – Blue Öyster Cult
December 13, 2024
Oh please, don’t let these shakes go on…
It’s time for another album review, and this time I’m recommending one that has truly stood the test of time—Fire of Unknown Origin by the Blüe Oyster Cult. I am surprised I haven’t covered one of their many great albums until now, but listening to this one recently has made my mind up. Fire of Unknown Origin combines BöC’s signature, innovative hard rock sound with a landscape of luscious classic synths. This album really demonstrates the band’s adaptiveness to then-contemporary music. I especially appreciate them finding their rhythm with vocals, with Buck and Joe taking the mic from Eric to bring a fresh approach for a couple of tracks. Burnin’ for You is an excellently soft lead single, while manic, terrifying Joan Crawford leads the album toward conclusion with Don’t Turn Your Back. We cannot neglect the energetic After Dark, hard-rocking Vengeance (The Pact), or mysterious Sole Survivor. My favorite track is the epic Veteran of the Psychic Wars, a powerful story of post-combat PTSD backed with an unforgettable, addictive instrumental. I always appreciate the uniqueness of BöC’s lyrics, telling fantastical tales of science fiction and the occult while capturing underlying themes and emotions. Fire of Unknown Origin is definitely the cleanest of their early discography, outlining their work for years to come. As a whole, it is a fun listen with deep meaning behind it. Check it out now!
Discovery – Daft Punk
December 20, 2024
Face to face!
It’s time for big recommendation #20, and we have a certified classic, considered one of the greatest of all time—Discovery by Daft Punk. This highly beloved, revolutionary record was made primarily through chopping tiny sound clips from classic disco and funk songs and cutting them together into awesome beats. For those who are concerned that sampling can never be creative, this album is proof otherwise. Boasting tracks such as ridiculously catchy One More Time, industrially funky Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger, and shredding Aerodynamic, Discovery incorporates many unexpected sounds and unrecognizable instruments, contributing to a truly unique soundscape. Track highlights include contemplative Veridis Quo, catchy High Life, and eclectic Crescendolls. I must give a special mention to Night Vision, a beautiful instrumental with dare I say flawless composition. My favorite track must go to Face to Face, a masterpiece of over 30 different sampled songs composed into a moving, danceable penultimate track. I aspire to someday recontextualize the sound of a vocal the same way they do with Kenny Loggins’s House at Pooh Corner. The sheer effort put into this album has been lauded time and time again, and it is deserved. House fans, EDM fans, music fans in general—check out Discovery. I trust you won’t be disappointed. Also check back this Sunday the 22nd, where I have a special recommendation scheduled!