One Sentence Reviews

Recent music reviewed in one sentence for your ease.

Rod Stewart, Every Picture Tells a Story, 1971

All the Rod Stewart you'll ever want: 'Maggie May' and 'Reason to Believe' included.

Todd Rundgren, Something/Anything?, 1972

Double solo album with too much studio chatter alleviated by the knowledge that all the parts and instruments are Todd.

The O'Jays, Back Stabbers, 1972

Philly soul trio has lush, jangly sounds backing harmonies about peace, love.

Parliament, Mothership Connection, 1975

'The Chronic', and many more hiphop albums besides, make more sense having listened to what is probably the best thing P-Funk ever put out.

Black Flag, Damaged, 1981

This is when punk became holier than thou and starts rehashing the same ol' same ol'.

David Byrne and Brian Eno, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, 1981

Funky, loopy techno sounds with recitations, African beats, and atmosphere.

Elvis Costello, Imperial Bedroom, 1982

For the first time Costello starts to breaks out of the mold of his previous sound, with the usual good lyrics and tunes.

The Smiths, The Queen is Dead, 1986

Someone forgot to tell Morrissey that this is a happy album.

Eric B & Rakim, Paid in Full, 1987

Rakim is the smoothest rapper I've ever heard.

Aphex Twin, Selected Ambient Works 85-92, 1992

Groundbreaking ambiance with beats to give it some listenability unexpected until half a decade later.

Mary J. Blige, My Life, 1994

Sample-heavy, but very personal (surprise!) account of Mary's trials, loves, and tribulations as she copes with depression looking for hope.

Hole, Live Through This, 1994

Courtney Love sounds like Nirvana but her lyrics are more personal and occasionally, gasp, more interesting.

Sasha, Global Underground 013: Ibiza, 1999

One night's perfect playlist capturing the late 90s by the greatest living DJ.

Outkast, Stankonia, 2000

Lots of catchy hits in a concept album with genuinely amusing skits and quality lyrics.

The White Stripes, Elephant, 2003

She finally learned to play the drums, sorta, to match his guitar and lyrics in a nice little rocker.