Random Album Reviews | NathanWoo.com

Albums Review

Reviewing Random Albums Recommended to Me

Jump to an Album:

Foreword: This page is a pretty unrefined page I'll admit. I've just been periodically updating this page as I meet with my album club (like a book club, but we review an album every week). Maybe there's something useful to read in this page, but probably not. I've found out through listening to the albums (so far) that I do have a pretty niche music taste. I thought I was a guy who liked almost all genres, but I've found that is definitely not the case. I thought I was open minded and able to appreciate all sorts of music but, as you'll see below, I'm nothing more than a hater. Well, with that great intro, here are my random album reviews:

More Than You Think You Are by Matchbox Twenty (2002)

Overall Thoughts: I was familiar with half of this album before, but now that I've listened to it fully I can confidently say that this is a very good album. Despite the vast differences in song mood and style, the overall album provides a consistent feeling and firmly rests in the versatility of the adult contemporary genre. While not every song is amazing, the overall power of this album lands it an 8/10.

Song by Song Review

"Feel" - I think this is the weakest song on the album, which is unfortunate as it's the first song. I was really hoping this entire album would be amazing, but right away I realized it wasn't. This song wasn't particularly bad, it just felt too much like a modern bro-country song.

"Disease" - Now this is a rocking song. It's one of their most popular ones, and for good reason, as it's a strong song. It's kind of goofy but I really like the lyrics "you taste like honey, honey, tell me can I be your honey bee, bee strong" as the flow between the lyrics just makes me smile. Really good song when you're in the mood for something harder. Sidenote: As I was reading the Wikipedia page for this article, I learned that this song was co-written by Mick Jagger - I don't know what to do with this information but nonetheless it's interesting.

"Bright Lights" - I'll admit, I wasn't a huge fan when I first heard this song (I was listening to their compilation album, Exile on Mainstream). But I gave this song another chance, and boy am I glad I did as it's a great song. I'm a sucker for songs with multiple drastically different parts, and the way this song changes is powerful. Great song.

"Unwell" - While I do like this song, I am angry at it. The dang banjo made me think I might like country music (I used to hate country music) and now I have several country artists in my music library. Therefore, I have concluded adult contemporary music is a gateway genre to country. I digress, decent song.

"Cold" - The chorus of this song feels very different from the verses. And that's okay, because I like the chorus a ton while the verses are just decent. It's a pretty middle-of-the-road song in terms of hardness relative to the rest of this album.

"All I Need" - This is my favorite song on this album. Such a good melody, chorus, and overall feel to the song. Unfortunately, Rob Thomas himself (when I saw him in concert) told me that this song was about a one night stand. If you know anything about me you'll know that I don't like that meaning. Since then, I've avoided looking up the actual lyrics as I don't want to know how bad they are as I really like the music.

"Hand Me Down" - This song really slows everything down and provides a much needed rest in the middle of the album. But it's not a rest to passively ignore - this song has some gravity of its own. The power exhibited in the middle of the song as Thomas sings "I'm here for the hard times" and continuing to the end makes this a really good song.

"Could I Be You?" - This is a somewhat forgettable track relative to the rest of the album. However, that more is a testament to the overall songwriting prowess of Thomas as this song could very well be a lead single of a weaker album. It's a solid, unassuming, yet strong song to ease you back into the album after the slower "Hand Me Down."

"Downfall" - If this song was only the first half of the song, it would be an okay song. But once the choir comes in late in the song, it feels like a complete song. And it's a very good complete song.

"Soul" - Hands down the most underrated song on this album. Upon hearing it the first time I instantly knew this was an absolutely awesome song. I don't know what it is about it, but the mid-tempo feel just makes it an incredibly good windows-down song. And while I don't listen too close to lyrics usually, the chorus of this song is super easy to sing along to and seems to have a decently positive message. This is probably now my second favorite favorite song on this album.

"You're So Real" - This song is kind of cheesy as it mentions a couple of the other song titles in the lyrics ("feel", "cold", "soul") but I'm not sure if that was intentional or not as it's ambiguous enough. Regardless, it's still a good song, even if it is the second weakest on this album in my opinion.

"The Difference" - This song's a great way to end the album. I was thinking as I listened to it that Rob Thomas is such an incredible songwriter. I knew he had received a lot of accolades for his songwriting in the past, but this album definitely solidified that he deserves it in my mind.

A Sailor's Guide to Earth by Sturgill Simpson

Overall Thoughts: I was pleasantly surprised (I'll go a step further and say "blown away") by this album. I didn't know I needed "Country Soul" or whatever genre this album is in my life. This was an amazing album that hit me hard out of nowhere. Such a weird type of music that just works. While I don't know that all of these songs are rock solid that I'd listen to on their own, the album in totality is an incredible concept album, resulting in me giving it an 8/10.

Song by Song Review

"Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)" - This song starts slow, and I was thinking it was pretty solid. But suddenly the horns came in and I was metaphorically knocked off my feet. My only complaint is now that I know the swing-style is coming, it makes the first part of the song boring upon relistening (the same thing happened to me with "Hard to Say I'm Sorry/Get Away" by Chicago).

"Breakers Roar" - This was one of the more popular songs when I was looking to buy this album on Amazon, which kind of confused me. In my opinion, this is the weakest song on the album (although it's still not a bad song). I am notorious for not listening closely to lyrics so maybe that's what makes it so good. But the overall music and vocals were just slightly uninspiring.

"Keep It Between the Lines" - This was my favorite song from this album the first time I listened to it. Such an upbeat song, and the most country song on the album. There's something about it that just makes it a relatable song. It's also at this point in the album that I started to think about the album as a whole. After looking at the whole thing, I realized it's possibly meant to be a parallel of life itself, starting with birth and ending with death (except for "Call to Arms", that doesn't really fit the rest of the narrative) like The Dark Side of the Moon almost.

"Sea Stories" - Also like The Dark Side of the Moon, the two most single-worthy songs come right in the middle of the album. This song's solid - not as strong as the previous or next song but still interesting.

"In Bloom" - This is was my favorite song on the album, but then I found out it was a cover and I was slightly less blown away. Don't get me wrong I still love the song (and think it's better than the original), but knowing old Sturgill didn't write it himself is less impressive, even if the musical arrangement is incredible.

"Brace for Impact (Live a Little)" - This song rocks. Straight country rock, and I love the music, even if the message is questionable/not exactly what I believe.

"All Around You" - Okay, I know I've used the word "favorite" for two songs previously, but this is actually my favorite song on the album. Something about the lyrics working with the slow, waltz-style pacing of the song creates a very great song. The piano and the sax work so well with Sturgill's country voice, it's actually scary.

"Oh Sarah" - Another great song. Definitely the book end on the concept album of the progression of life. Unfortunately, Sarah is the name of my sister, which kind of ruins the theme of this song (as well as songs like "Sara Smile" by Hall & Oates, "Sara" by Fleetwood Mac, and "Sara" by Starship).

"Call to Arms" - As I've mentioned before, this song doesn't really fit the rest of the concept album in terms of placement. I still really like it, as there's such a funky-rocking sound to it. And while I'm hesitant to say I support the message (and by that I mean put it online in writing), I do agree with the message. There was a time (pre-2018) that I probably would've gladly taken my patriotic duty to fight for the USA in times of war. But as I've matured and learned history and current events, the more I've realized that the US Military is not where you should go if you want to do good. Even though most soldiers are probably okay or good people (all respect to our veterans), the people making the decisions are either homicidal egomaniacs or incompetent. In conclusion (as I get off my soapbox): war crimes are bad, this album is very good.

The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle by Bruce Springsteen

Overall Thoughts: While the whole of the album is very experimental and creative, it's almost the tale of two albums: the bookends of the album are some solid songs while the middle is full of stinkers. While I really did want to like Bruce Springsteen, he still rubs me the wrong way for some reason as overall I was not a huge fan. Giving this album a 4/10 overall.

Song by Song Review

"The E Street Shuffle" - This song was aggressively funky, and that's a good thing. What a way to set the tone for the rest of the album - it immediately got me excited about the rest of the album. For some context, I am generally not the biggest Springsteen fan. I would be very unhappy if he was my personal "boss". Regardless, this song had me rethinking if I judged him too harshly as I did enjoy it a lot.

"4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" - I thought I was going to like this song based on the start of it. But after two minutes I was ready to skip to the next song as I just couldn't vibe with it.

"Kitty's Back" - There were parts of this song I didn't mind. Again, a very strong start, and an overall funky beat. The part in the second half of the song where the chorus comes in is actually pretty good. But this album is helping me realize how much I hate freeform jazz. The horns in the middle of the song I know are "experimental" and "creative" but to me it just sounds like a group of 4-5 high school trumpet players are playing random notes together. If this song was split into a "Part 1" and "Part 2" I would definitely download the second part.

"Wild Billy's Circus Story" - The good thing about this song is that it didn't have any moments I absolutely hated. The bad thing is that it didn't have any moments I loved. I don't know what my problem is with Bruce Springsteen but I just can't vibe with him.

"Incident on 57th Street" - At this point in the album (on my second listen through), I was really hoping this album isn't critically acclaimed. I know my friend Tib likes it (because he was the one that recommended it) but if a bunch of people like it maybe I'm just stupid. I know some of my tastes of stuff (for example, The "Dwayne Johnson" Rock movies) is objectively bad, but my taste in music? I just don't see the hype as I don't like this song.

"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" - Okay, finally another decent song on this album. I actually liked this song, as it sounded reasonably pleasant to my ears. Perhaps the album isn't all bad.

"New York City Serenade" - I've seen enough memes that I figured I thought the slow piano intro was going to lead into "Still D.R.E". But after listening to this full song, I actually really liked it. Perhaps I'm partial to long songs that shift a lot, but I believe this is the best song on the album. Too bad it came after 4 stinkers. But overall, I realized listening to this song that this album is like a less commercialized "52nd Street" by Billy Joel. This song was the equivalent of "Until the Night" but not as good.

Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder (1976)

Overall thoughts: Songs in the Key of Life is a good album. I'm not sure if it belongs at the number four best album of all time (as it is according to Rolling Stone magazine) but it is a carefully crafted album and could very well be Stevie Wonder's magnum opus. I have yet to find a better album from 1976 that deserves album of the year accolades over this masterpiece. I can see why this album is so loved, even if not all the songs were to my liking. All in all, I'll give this album a 6/10. Of course, this ranking should be taken with a grain of salt as it's the first album I've ranked in this arbitrary way.

Song by Song Review:

"Love's in the Need of Love Today" - This is a pretty groovy song. Really sets the tone for the whole album, yet also eases you into it with some pretty chill vibes. This being said, it also sets the tone that this album will be full of long songs that don't really care about radio play, as no 7 minute song is slated to be a massive billboard hit.

"Have a Talk with God" - this is a decently funky song, with a pretty wholesome message. Mildly dangerous theological undertones but overall good. "Village Ghetto Land" - I was not really a fan of this song. The violin was pretty weird and not in a super fun way. This felt almost like an orchestral Christmas song.

"Contusion" - This was a violently funky song. I enjoyed it somewhat, but not enough to warrant adding it to my music library.

"Sir Duke" - I knew "Sir Duke" before listening to this album and liked it a lot. This is a masterpiece of a song, and while I did not used to give it the recognition it deserved, in the last year or so I've really come to respect what a great song this is. The horns are great, the vocals are great, it's just an incredible song.

"I Wish" - A very funky, fast paced song that I'm a fan of. Somewhat nondescript though, to where it's hard for me to remember/describe it.

"Knocks Me Off My Feet" - Holy crap I was not expecting this song to be as good as it was. It's a very enjoyable song. The female vocalist works very well with Stevie Wonder.

"Pastime Paradise" - Threw up in my mouth upon hearing this, my reality has been flipped and I'm beyond disappointed in Coolio for deceiving me. While this song itself isn't particularly good or bad, the damage it's done in terms of creating doubt and questions within me is immeasurable. Did Weird Al really parody this song? Is the Coolio version technically a parody? Does it still count as a sample? Much to think about.

"Summer Soft" - I really liked the chill first verse of this song (was getting major "Year of the Cat" by Al Stewart vibes). The song kind of pivoted for the chorus but despite the change of pace I still overall like it.

"Ordinary Pain" - I was not really a fan of the first 2 minutes and 45 seconds of this song. It just did not sound very enjoyable to me. However, when the funk meter was turned up to 11 and the female singer jumped in, I began to really like the song. Unfortunately, I don't know if I can get through the first part every time I want to listen to this song. While there are a lot of songs like this where I like the second part much better than the first ("Hard to Say I'm Sorry/Get Away," "Foreplay/Long Time," "Prelude/Angry Young Man," etc.) I normally am at the minimum neutral to the first part. All that being said, I don't think I'll be adding this song to my library any time soon.

"Isn't She Lovely" - This is a lovely song. Quite groovy, and despite being a very long song with very minor variation, doesn't grow old very fast as it's very catchy and funky.

"Joy Inside My Tears" - Another long song that I really like. A very good laid back song.

"Black Man" - This is a very funky song; I cannot dispute that. And it has a good message that all men are created equal, and that people of different races have all had very important roles in this country's history. However, I feel as though, as an off-white man, it is somewhat of cultural appropriation for me to play this song in public. So I think this will be just a song I enjoy privately.

"Ngiculela-Es Una Historia - I am Singing" - I don't dislike this song because it's partly in a different language - I have a few songs where I don't know the words ("Dragostea Din Tei," "Rock Me Amadeus," "C'etait Toi," etc.). However, I just don't like the melody of this song.

"If it's Magic" - This is a nice chill song. However, it (like "Village Ghetto Land') also sounds somewhat like it could be a Christmas song.

"As" - This could be the shortest song title I've ever seen. However, this is a long song. But, unlike this album's other long songs (with the exception of "Ordinary Pain") there is a lot of variation in this song. I am a fan of this song as it always keeps you on the edge of your seat.

"Another Star" - This is a good fast-paced song. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Unfortunately, I have no ideas what the lyrics are or what the song is about. Perhaps I will look up the lyrics later, but for now I just have no desire to potentially ruin a good song if I dislike the lyrics.

"Saturn" - The way Stevie Wonder sings the word "Saturn" gives me chills. I like this song a lot. It's one of those songs that puts you in a good mood.

"Ebony Eyes" - This is an upbeat and cheerful song, I like it. However, it seems to lack some of the sophistication present in the rest of the album. Basic isn't necessarily bad though, as this song is still solid.

"All Day Sucker" - I don't know why, I just really didn't like this song that much. While I hate that I like the Jonas Brothers' song "Sucker" better than a 70s song by a classic artist, I just am not a huge fan of this song.

"Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Calling)" - Okay what a bad way to end an album. Harsh harmonica, screeching other instruments, etc. make a terrible "easy going" song. Not a fan.

Fishing for Fishies by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (2019)

Overall thoughts: I was not ready to listen to this album. While the psychedelic rock aspect may sound very enjoyable and fun to a lot of people, I had trouble enjoying this album. I really was not a big fan of any of the songs on this album except for "Cyboogie," and listening to this album caused me to rethink my music tastes. I have for a long time believed myself to like weird music. But this album was too weird for me, earning it a 2/10.

Song by Song Review:

"Fishing for Fishies" - This song was weird as heck. Maybe a little groovy but overall just weird as heck. I don't know how to describe this type of music as it's kind of like some indie rock.

"Boogieman Sam" - Okay this song was more of what I was used to from a song. Kind of sounded like some "Spirit in the Sky" at first. By the end of the song, I actually found myself kind of liking it, despite not having any idea about what it was about.

"The Bird Song" - I think I figured out why I'm not a huge fan of this album so far. I think it's the lead singer's voice. While it seems pretty typical for indie/psychedelic rock, I just am not super happy with it. This song really seems like a modern Steely Dan song; and while I recognize there are about 5 Steely Dan songs I really like, overall, those guys suck.

"Plastic Boogie" - I'll give it to King Gizzard, he (they? Is it a band?) produces very different sounding music from song to song. This was the most upbeat and happy sounding song so far, even with most of the album sounding on the surface like an upbeat mood.

"The Cruel Millennial" - Don't know how I feel about this song. On one hand it feels like it could be a good windows-down driving song. On the other hand it sounds like it's not good. Perhaps it's because of the song title, but I'm feeling like a Boomer right now as I don't really get this album.

"Real's Not Real" - Okay I now have a new least favorite song on this album if not just because of the first 30 seconds of this song. However, as soon as the harsh noises stopped, it led into a somewhat pleasant, almost-Beatles-esque sounding song. This is also the first song I was able to understand the words of, so that was good, I guess. But overall, I can't stand the very gritty guitar sound or intense piano near the end.

"This Thing" - Okay this is the first song on the album I could actually see myself listening to in the future.

"Acarine" - At this point, I don't know what all I can say about this song.

"Cyboogie" - I actually watched the music video for this song while listening to it and I must say, it created more questions than answers. I guess this is a full band, and not just two guys (King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard). Or maybe it is just the two guys as the camera angles/special effects were all over the place. But the good thing is that I actually thought this song was decent. It was very funky; sounded like an 80s song.

Time Out by Dave Brubeck (1959)

Overall Thoughts: Yet another album exposing my lack of versatility in music understanding. I didn't get it, but in a different way than not getting past albums. I recognize that this might be a very good album by 1950's Jazz standards, but my brain is too smooth to appreciate it. 3/10.

"Blue Robdo a la Turk" - Going into this album, I thought I was in a pretty jazzy mood. After listening to the first minute of this song that mood was soured. The more chill later part of this song was decent but I really did not like the first part.

"Strange Meadow Lark" - Apparently I am even less qualified to review Jazz music than I am the weird alternative stuff of Fishing for Fishies or the soul music of Songs in the Key of Life. This was a nice song, could definitely hear it being played in an elevator or at a fancy restaurant, but otherwise I don't really know what to say about it.

"Take Five" - Nice song. Could definitely see myself doing work to this in the background.

"Three to Get Ready" - Could not really tell that this was a different song from the previous one. It was playing in the background and I did not realize the previous song was over.

"Kathy's Waltz" - I am still absolutely befuddled on how to review this album. These are good songs I guess but I struggle to form any meaningful criticism or praise.

"Everybody's Jumpin'" - Okay, this song sounded unique. I've realized I'm really not a fan of the style of jazz where it's just a bunch of instruments quickly playing over each other. Not sure of what type of jazz this song falls into (I didn't take "History of Jazz" in college like one of my friends) but I'm not a big fan.

"Pick up Sticks" - Disappointed in myself for listening to this entire song and not remembering one thing about it the second it ended.

Feels So Good by Chuck Mangione (1979)

Overall Thoughts: While I did enjoy this album more than Time Out, I realized I am not a jazz guy at all. Still, because the amazing song of "Feels So Good" is on this album I have to give it a 5/10.

"Feels So Good" - This is an amazing song. Of course, this was the only song from the album I knew going into this. Even aside from its masterful use in King of the Hill, this is just a song that makes you feel so good. I've actually got my car radio to play this song every time the car starts and until my bluetooth connects, I love this song so much.

"Maui-Waui" - This is a very Hawaiian sounding song. I like it a lot as it makes me feel very carefree.

"Theme From 'Side Street'" - I really have never heard of "Side Street" but based on this song I can see it being some urban police show or some kind of cheesy 80s mystery. Very unique song, I will say.

"Hide & Seek (Ready Or Not Here I Come)" - This was one of the most aggressively jazzy songs that I've liked ever. I am normally not a big fan of such songs, but I like this one.

"Last Dance" - This was definitely the slowest song on the album, one I didn't really like. It was too similar to "Feels So Good" to me.

"The XIth Commandment" - This song reminded me of so many scores. I feel like it definitely has to be sampling the theme from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Plus, it really seems like the newish Star Wars show, The Mandalorian, sounds a lot like parts of this song too. Overall, not a big fan of the song though.