Rate the last album you listened to

[Lion Heart 15,041]

 

Iggy Azalea- The New Classic

Rating: 7.5/10

 

Iggy Azalea recalls stories of her upbringings and personal struggles on her rather late debut LP The New Classic. "Don't know where I'm at now/ Ain't no going back now/ This is the line that I walk alone" she raps on the album's opener, "when I reminisce sometimes I can't even keep a dry eye/ But my how time flies by when you on top of the world sky high." Although it's not a game changing album, Iggy brings the best of her "I don't give a **** attitude" in songs like "Goddess," "**** Love," and "New Bitch" and she's definitely filling the void that Minaj left after her sudden disappearance. Only time will tell if Iggy is here to stay, but with not one, but two songs occupying #s 2 and 3 on Billboard (with an imminent #1 hit on the way, with a potential 2nd no. 1 hit assuming that the cards are played right), and with a third song "Work" slowly climbing its way to the top... who knows maybe Iggy will become a new force to be reckoned with.  

[n0ne 13,105]

Ghost Stories - Coldplay = 5/10

Not as good as Mylo Xyloto. I only really liked 2 songs, Ink and A Skyfull of Stars. The album is relaxing but boring. Critics are speculating that the album stepping stone for something bigger and better; I hope so because this isn't cutting it imo.

 

Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse - Mariah Carey = 7/10

Better than her last, but I'm still waiting for another Emancipation of Mimi. That album is still her best album to date imo. Her vocals are still amazing and I am still rooting for her. I just wish the public was supporting her, all the singles from the album have underperformed or went without notice when some when some quite deserved to pickup.

 

Behind the Light - Phillip Phillips = 8.5/10

I guess the sophomore slump is a true. This album isn't as strong as his debut album, but it is still exceptional. His direction is more mature and relaxed and folk as opposed to americana from the debut album. I think this album more of a grower.

[Rocky 21]

Coldplay - Ghost Stories

 

The band's sixth album feels a bit short, but the 12 tracks of the deluxe edition is just average for a Coldplay album. The standouts for me are "Magic", "Ink", "O" and "True Love". "Magic" is one of my favorite Coldplay tracks ever, the production of "Ink" is noteworthy as the intro of "O" and the lyrics and pain in "True Love". They have experimented with electronic music before, but "A Sky Full Of Stars" is something entirely new of them. At first I wrote it off as a boring, soulless EDM song and I love Avicii... I'm rather easy on it now, it's not bad.

It's my second favorite album, right behind The New Classic, but that may change.

9/10

[Lion Heart 15,041]

 

Swans- To Be Kind (Disc One)

Rating: 8.5/10

 

(Because this disturbing and cacophonous large body of work is relatively long, I figured I'd review one disc first and then the next disc because I couldn't possibly finish this in one sitting.) To Be Kind is a monster of a record that completely surrounds the listener and takes him to a post- Apocalyptic scenario in which humanity has been nearly depleted, and there's widespread death and suffering- chaos all around- all while delivering cacophonous onslaughts one after another and disturbing hypnotic chants that punishes the poor victim (you). It's not just music that you can hear... you will feel it all around you too.

[aquaprincess 23]

 

It's an EP but oh well.

20/10

I love it so much, words can't describe it. the melodies go so well with robyn's voice. Royksopp and Robyn are match made in heaven.

Standout tracks: all of them tbh but monument is just everything!!

[Lion Heart 15,041]

 

Cher Lloyd- Sorry I'm Late

Rating: 5.5/10

 

 

She's moved away from bubblegum pop, but has remained in the Demi- Lovato side of pop if that makes sense. In her previous effort Sticks and Stones, she had a moderate hit in "Want U Back" that was certified 2x Platinum and was very- very close to reaching the top ten on Billboard; however, with this record she has yet to score a single hit. "I Wish" her collaboration with T.I. that was released nearly a year ago failed to chart in the Billboard Top 100, and so far the album's second single "Sirens" is not looking like it will do much at all. Her best chance of having a hit this era is with her collaboration with Demi Lovato on "Really Don't Care." 

[ShadesOfCool 1]

Born to Die - Paradise Edition by Lana Del Rey

 

Born to Die 10/10

Off to the Races 10/10

Blue Jeans 10/10

Video Games 10/10

Diet Mountain Dew 10/10

National Anthem 10/10

Dark Paradise 10/10

Radio 10/10

Carmen 10/10

Million Dollar 10/10

Summertime Sadness 10/10

This Is What Makes Us Girls 10/10

Without You 10/10

Lolita 10/10

Lucky Ones 10/10

 

Ride 10/10

American 10/10

Cola 10/10

Body Electric 10/10

Blue Velvet 10/10

Gods & Monsters 10/10

Bel Air 10/10

Yayo 10/10

Burning Desire 10/10

 

Album 240/240

[Lion Heart 15,041]

 

Naughty Boy- Hotel Cabana

Rating: 7/10

 

Hotel Cabana is a soulful mix of vintage R&B, contemporary pop and hip-hop, with appearances from Emeli Sande, Wiz Khalifa, Bastille's Dan Smith, Ed Sheeran, Tinie Tempah, and more, all who contribute to the diversity of the album. Emeli Sande dominates most of the album and although there is good chemistry between her smooth vocals and Naughty Boy's uncomplicated old school productions, it's a bit too much- especially when guest star Ella Eyre sounds just like her. Although it's supposedly a conceptual album, it feels more like a collection of songs- mostly average to good songs, but still.. a random collection of songs. Two tracks that stand out are "La La La" featuring the emerging Sam Smith, and "No One is Here to Sleep" with Bastille. 

[ShadesOfCool 1]

ARTPOP by Lady Gaga

 

Aura 8/10

Venus 10/10

G.U.Y. 9/10

Sexxx Dreams 7/10

Jewels N' Drugs 8/10

MANiCURE 6/10

Do What U Want (feat. R Kelly) 10/10

ARTPOP 8/10

Swine 8/10

Donatella 6/10

Fashion! 7/10

Mary Jane Holland 8/10

Dope 9/10

Gypsy 10/10

Applause 10/10

 

124/150 - 8/10

[Lion Heart 15,041]

 

The War on Drugs- Lost in the Dream

Rating: 9/10

 

Lost in the Dream's main motifs are those of over aching pain, hopelessness, and a cry for help. "Holding over like an illusion/ When it all breaks down and we're runaways/ Standing in the wake of our pain/ And we stare straight into nothin" cries Granduciel as he recalls breaking up with his lover during the earlier stages of the album. Some songs start of slow with a predictable albeit beautiful melody and then explode into something larger than life as Granduciel reaches an emotional catharsis. For me, the highlight was "The Haunting Idle" an atmospheric track that serves to transform the listener's landscape as it leads into the Springsteen-like "Burning." 

[n0ne 13,105]

 

In the Lonely Hour - Sam Smith

9.5/10

 

An astonishing debut. I can see him having a long prosperous career or at least he really deserves one. I honestly think he's like a better, R&B/Soul geared, male version of Adele and deserves her success. I know he won't get it with his debut album but hopefully his sophomore attempt will. The only issue I had with the album, is that Nirvana wasn't included; it's my favorite song of his. 

[Nein 508]

Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse

 

 

8/10

 

This album is wonderful, though at some point of the album can be further improve and it will be much more amazing. Hats off to Mariah for this album

[ShadesOfCool 1]

Miley Cyrus - Bangerz

 

 

8,5/10

 

 

01 Adore You 6/10
02 We Can't Stop 10/10
03 SMS (Bangerz) 8,5/10
04 4x4 6/10
05 My Darlin' 5,5/10
06 Wrecking Ball 8/10
07 Love Money Party 9/10

08 #GETITRIGHT 8,5/10
09 Drive 10/10

10 FU 9,5/10
11 Do My Thang 8/10

12 Maybe You're Right 8/10
13 Someone Else 9/10
14 Rooting For My Baby 9/10
15 On My Own 7/10
16 Hands In the Air 7,5/10

[PopBitch 1,218]

Tegan and Sara's 2013's Heartthrob..   I give it  8.5/10, sometimes a 9/10 by the time I get to the end because it's such a satisfying album.

 

It's a beautiful synth-laden album about heartbreak but never feeling heavy because of the synth and melodies. Love I was a Fool and many other songs.  It just gets better and better as it goes along.  I love Love They Say, Now I'm All Messed Up, Shock to Your System being songs closing out the album..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeu7BjX9HYk

[PopBitch 1,218]

Ghost Stories - Coldplay = 5/10

Not as good as Mylo Xyloto. I only really liked 2 songs, Ink and A Skyfull of Stars. The album is relaxing but boring. Critics are speculating that the album stepping stone for something bigger and better; I hope so because this isn't cutting it imo.

 

Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse - Mariah Carey = 7/10

Better than her last, but I'm still waiting for another Emancipation of Mimi. That album is still her best album to date imo. Her vocals are still amazing and I am still rooting for her. I just wish the public was supporting her, all the singles from the album have underperformed or went without notice when some when some quite deserved to pickup.

 

Behind the Light - Phillip Phillips = 8.5/10

I guess the sophomore slump is a true. This album isn't as strong as his debut album, but it is still exceptional. His direction is more mature and relaxed and folk as opposed to americana from the debut album. I think this album more of a grower.

I'm thinking if Coldplay had stripped out some of the dull songs in the middle, as the album started dragging and sounding samey, and put the bonus tracks on instead it would have been a better album.