26–50 | My Favorites My First 100 Album Reviews
In celebration of reviewing 100 albums on my blog, here is my favorite picks from my 26th to 50th reviews.
26.) Cake & Pie/Hello Lisa by Lisa Loeb — “The Way It Really Is”
When I combined my reviews of Lisa Loeb’s 2002 releases of Cake & Pie and Hello Lisa, I was sad to see it not get the attention it deserved. I love the summery way she plays with folk and alternative pop sounds. “The Way It Really Is” stands out as one of the few stormy sounding tracks in her catalog. As such, it was a favorite of mine from the albums.
27.) BK’s Wave Pack EP by Brian Kelly — “Party on the Beach”
I was very shocked that I even liked Brian Kelly’s, one half of Flordia-Georgia Line, debut EP. The album it would spawn was not as enjoyable. On second listen, this record didn’t stick with me as well. I still enjoy the island country flavor or “Party of the Beach”. I could drink a Corona with lime to this one.
28.) Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan! by Aaron Lee Tasjan — “Up All Night”
Aaron Lee Tasjan went full 80s synth rock on his 2021 release Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan! While some of the album doesn’t click with me as much as other parts, I do love these experimentation with synth heavy psychedelic sound and his openness on his sexuality. “Up All Night” has to be the best song off this record. His carefree nature comes off nicely on this sizzling number.
29.) Khlebnikov by Danny Michel — “Fall” (feat. Chris Hadfield)
When I found Danny Michel’s music, I was taken by his documentary on his recording on the Khlebnikov around the Arctic Circle. The project really captures the feeling of the cold landscape and Russian crew. “Fall” featuring Canadian astronaut/musician Chris Hadfield is the most evocative piece. It feels icy, desolate, and large.
30.) Wide Awake by Rayland Baxter — “79 Shiny Revolvers”
I quite enjoyed Rayland Baxter’s brand of indie rock that he brought on 2019’s Wide Awake. Several tracks stood out to me, but the best off the record has to be subtle nod to The Beatles with “79 Shiny Revolvers”.
31.) 5 Songs Written 4 the End of the World EP by Izzy Heltai — “My Old Friend”
It was by happenstance that I discovered singer/songwriter Izzy Heltai’s work when searching for new artists in the LGBTQ+ realm. The trans artist’s folk pop EP 5 Songs Written 4 the End of the World is lovely autumnal blend of acoustic gems. My favorite is the soft tones of “My Old Friend” that grab me with its worry of leaving home.
32.) Black Country Disco by Tom Aspaul — “W.M.”
Aspaul’s debut album draws from the bright tones of disco music while grappling with the end of a relationship and moving back home. The best track off this record comes in with the catchy hook of “W.M.”. It’s a great song to put on and dance the pain of starting over to.
33.) Ma by Devendra Banhart — “Abre Las Manos”
Having not listen to much of psychedelic folk artist Devendra Banhart’s work, I loved the soft edge of Ma. This Spanish folk tune paints a vivid picture of the hardships that Venezuelans have dealt with under the current government. His reverence for his home country adds a bittersweetness that makes the song all the more powerful.
34.) Honky Tonk Hell by Gabe Lee — “30 Seconds at a Time”
Gabe Lee is a raising voice in the Americana scene out of Nashville to keep an eye on. His songwriting and vocal cadence reminiscent of the late John Prine is something to behold. His songwriting on “30 Seconds at a Time” is the best on the entire album. Each verse’s spiritual depth makes the song feel extremely full.
35.) Sinner Get Ready by Lingua Ignota — “Pennsylvania Furnace”
Lingua Ignota knows how to take her classical training and warp it into something wholly visceral and enthralling. This project was no different. The wilted sound of lead single “Pennsylvania Furnace” takes her powerful voice in an even more hard hitting route. Her resentful pained performance takes you right to plea to be delivered from this hell you’re in.
36.) Sam Outlaw EP by Sam Outlaw — “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drink (And Fall In Love)”
I was only mildly acquainted with Sam’s work when I decided to dive into his debut EP. My favorite to come from this release is the humorous look at drunken rebounds of “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drink (And Fall In Love)”. I love a good “don’t let me make the smae mistake again” country number and this one delivers.
37.) Lost Girls by Bat for Lashes — “The Hunger”
Natasha Khan was inspired by the 80s for her 5th studio album and it shows. I had a hard time choosing between the shimmering tones of the lead single “Kids in the Dark” and glorious 80s synth rock of “The Hunger”, but the fantastic guitar work of the latter always keeps me coming back for more.
38.) Carrie and Lowell by Sufjan Stevens — “Fourth of July”
Sufjan Stevens tale of loss, grief, and resentment hit me in the stomach hard when I listened to it the first time. Nothing left a more lasting mark than this story of the acceptance of death that “Fourth of July” brings. You will be hard pressed not to get at least a little misty eyed at this song.
39.) From the Choirgirl Hotel by Tori Amos — “Spark”
Choirgirl marked a darker, more electronic turn for Amos after the baroque sound of Boys for Pele. I find the bleak yet angered rush of the opening track “Spark” to be the album’s best. Tori’s knack for melody and emotion tears the pain of miscarriage through you as she sings on this lost spark of life.
40.) Ray of Light by Madonna — “Frozen”
The vocal training for Evita and motherhood placed Madonna into a more introspective zone for her trip-hop infused album Ray of Light. The drama of “Frozen” places the song above the rest for me. Nothing hits like Orbits production against the icy strings and Madonna’s crystalline vocals.
41.) Tuesday Night Music Club by Sheryl Crow — “I Shall Believe”
I originally broke my review of Sheryl Crow’s debut into vignettes on how her career evolved before, during, and after the album’s release. It was a little top heavy (something I may do as completely different articles in the future). As for the record’s best track, you’re hard pressed to find anything better than the spiritual country ending track “I Shall Believe”. The pedal steel really makes the song something special.
42.) Amen by Paula Cole — “I Believe In Love”
I wasn’t very impressed with the overly pious and preachy tone that Cole’s third album Amen took. I couldn’t deny her vocal skills for the R&B/soul genre though. It’s a shame the lead single “I Believe In Love” didn’t get more love. This swirl of disco inspired strings and funky guitars makes it so good against Paula’s beautiful voice. I may not have liked the album, but loved this track.
43.) Echos by The Jerry Cans — “On The Rocks”
The Jerry Cans 2020 album Echos pulled me in with their mixture of throat singing, indie rock, and English/Inuktitut lyrics. The group’s best comes off the blustery rush of “On The Rocks”. It’s throat singing and crispy tones make the song sparkle like the Nunavut frozen landscape. Truly beautiful.
44.) Semisweet by Highnoon — “Upswing”
Highnoon’s work reminded me of a more DIY take on the growing rise of Shoegaze in the indie rock scene. “Upswing” stood out the most with its darker guitar melody that caresses you like a cool autumn breeze. If you are a fan of some of Soccer Mommy’s earlier work (i.e. off of Collection), I think you’ll love this track.
45.) Home Sweet Mobile Home by Nellie McKay — “Bruise on the Sky”
I have been a fan of Nellie McKay since her idiosyncratic debut in 2004. Her 2010 album, Home Sweet Mobile Home, had a variety of influences (from jazz to reggae). The best of the project comes from the single “Bruise on the Sky”. Her soft Doris Day-like vocal style works well against the contemporary pop sound of the track. It feels both vintage and new all at once.
46.) Is This Desire? by PJ Harvey — “The River”
Harvey took a more literary and atmospheric route on her 1998 album Is This Desire? I really loved the abrasive nature of this album. The best comes from cool rush of “The River”. Harvey’s softer tone against her moody guitar, piano melody, and the addition of horns makes the song a permanent resident in my playlists.
47.) Impossible Princess by Kylie Minogue — “Too Far”
Kylie Minogue took a risk by experimenting with trip-hop on her 1998 album Impossible Princess. The album may not have charmed critics then, but it has aged wonderfully and remains a gem in her catalog. The opening track, “Too Far”, mixes drum and bass with Minogue’s more introspective takes on pushing herself. It’s a shame the response scared her away from trying this again as this song proves she’s got skills as a songwriter.
48.) reputation by Taylor Swift — “New Years Day”
Taylor Swift decided to go a darker route after a public shift in the view of the star’s persona. To me, it was a swing and a miss. She comes off more like a Spirit Halloween costume of a bad bitch than owning it. The album closer, “New Years Day”, brings back in some authenticity that the record desperately needed. The emotion the track conjures makes it a beckon on a relatively flat pop venture.
49.) Rina EP by Rina Sawayama — “Cyber Stockholm Syndrome”
Model turned singer Rina Sawayama hit the scene hard with her smash debut EP Rina. It made a statement that she not only had the vocal chops, but also could write deeper, interesting songs. The single “Cyber Stockholm Syndrome” pulls from the R&B sounds of the late 90s/early 2000s beautifully while keeping it fresh. This ode to social media addiction is one of her best in her catalog and a worthy listen for any pop lover.
50.) Debut by Bjork — “Venus as a Boy”
My beginning of diving into Bjork’s discography came with her aptly titled debut, Debut. The album’s mixture of influence from across her career as a musician is something to behold. “Venus as a Boy” is a masterclass in sensual songwriting and trip-hop/electronic sound. The track still hits as hard as it did 30 years ago.
