The following is an archive of my albumoftheyear.org reviews with the scores attached to them. This post is dedicated to all reviews from 2024. Any review edited after posting is labelled as such, and if necessary I put a clarification to try to explain what I meant.

¥$ – VULTURES 1 (edited after posting, 5)

Kanye went modern rap… and it’s really boring

SCORE ADJUST: 50 -> 6: What was I thinking when this album came out? This is one OK song and 15 of Kanye’s worst.

Beyonce – Lemonade (89)

I have never heard a Beyoncé album so marriage troubles was not what I was expecting, it’s great though.

Jeff Buckley – Grace (95)

I think this album has weird sequencing, like Lover You Should Have Come Over could’ve been the greatest closer of all time, but no, instead it’s the 3 quarters mark of the album.

The Strokes – Room on Fire (95)

CLARIFICATION: This is a rereview, but the original review seems lost.

REREVIEW:
A bit better than I originally thought. My only problem is the 4 seconds of silence at the start of every single song.

Shiro SAGISU – The End of Evangelion

tumbling down tumbling down tumbling down

Prince and The Revolution: Purple Rain (99)

Reranking the Apple Music Top 100 Albums: Never heard this one before despite how iconic it is, and surprise surprise it’s a magnificent album.

FAVORITES: Let’s Go Crazy, Darling Nikki, When Doves Cry, Baby I’m A Star, Purple Rain

Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly (90)

To Pimp A Butterfly as a whole is magnificent. This album has what is quite possibly the greatest 6 track run to open an album, and an equally as crazy 6 track run to close the album. I understand why this album is loved like it is, and to some extent, I share that with everyone else, but there’s that small issue of the middle tracks just not doing it for me. Alright is fitting for a title because that’s all I find it, it feels like a decline in quality from the masterwork the album is before that. For Sale (Interlude) is a fine song but it does absolutely nothing outside of its place in the story of the album, a sentiment I share with the next two songs, which I don’t have any reason to go back to, and in the case of Hood Politics, downright hate. But then How Much A Dollar Cost comes and I realize I’m stupid and the album is great again.

Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city (99)

I feel that good kid, m.a.a.d city is almost a perfect album. The story of the album, while not the most impactful of Kendrick’s career, I feel better suits an album as unlike To Pimp a Butterfly, I don’t feel the middle of the album makes perfect sense but I have no urge to ever go back to. So it’s a better album, no complaints, right?

What makes this album imperfect in my opinion is that just like To Pimp a Butterfly, I downright hate one song. In To Pimp a Butterfly’s case, that track is Hood Politics, but here it is Compton. Surprisingly to me, Real is often seen as the most hated track on this album, but I don’t get it. I like Real a lot actually. Compton is just downright boring, and the vocoder hook is what people act like the hook of Real is.

Tame Impala – Currents (99)

Currents is modern psychadelic rock done to near perfection. From the multiple part absolute ascension in Let it Happen, to me resisting my primal urge to sing along to The Moment, to Yes I’m Changing and Eventually hitting me in the feels, to Gossip and Nangs before that serving as perfect interludes, to The Less I Know The Better once again needing me to sing along, and the last 4 tracks hitting me with the vibes again in the middle 2 and being bookended by the feels.

SCORE ADJUST: 95 -> 99: The two songs I thought were just OK have grown on me a bit. Masterful album.

Radiohead – In Rainbows (90)

In Rainbows stands in stark contrast to Radiohead’s previous five albums. The Bends, as an album, is angsty and anxious, and to some extent that feeling of anxiety is present in the next four Radiohead albums. OK Computer and Kid A take that anxiety and add a more depressive mood to it, and those albums are brilliant for it. Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief also use the feeling of anxiety, but similar to The Bends, they’re angsty albums.

In Rainbows feels different. The band feels free, the anxious feeling of the previous albums is gone. Now, at the same time, Radiohead was no longer under a record deal, so could that allow them to be free and do what they want without the pressures of record executives? Absolutely. And what Radiohead wanted to do was something brilliant.

My problem with the album is that Videotape doesn’t really click with me, it just doesn’t feel right coming after nine songs of the new free Radiohead happier and at peace with the music. Videotape is sadder, which is nice in a way to break up the pace, but In Rainbows I think didn’t need that. So while I find the album magical, Videotape feels like you’re snapped out of the album’s spell.

Paramore – This Is Why (80)


This is a great album that oozes personality, has some fantastic instrumentals, and shows that rock in the current day is alive, if only for one album. My problems are as simple as two tracks, those being Big Man Little Dignity and Liar, don’t really click with me. However, that’s more a problem with my subjective opinion of the album than the album itself, as is all music criticism.

MF Doom – Operation: Doomsday (90)

Some of the songs on here are one of the most fun rappers giving us A-game level material over some very nice low-fi beats, and I love it for that. My problem with this albums is it feels more of a proof of concept than a whole album. You could easily shorten this down to 10 or so tracks and it would be one of DOOM’s best, as it is it is a little bloated.

Fishmans – LONG SEASON (99)

LONG SEASON is a brilliant, 35 minute album that is absolutely enchanting and magical. The only problem is during Part 3, the water sound effects take me out of the magic a little, and if there was a version of this album performed live on the 28th of December in 1998 without that part, I’d find an already magnificent album to be improved to be an absolute masterpiece.

Radiohead – Amnesiac (99)

Amnesiac is different than Kid A. Kid A is depressive and anxious, much more like a synth-heavy OK Computer in tone. Amnesiac, with guitar-heavy and angsty writing, reminds me much more of The Bends. While I think it’s slightly worse than Kid A, I think Amnesiac is a brilliant album on its own that shows Radiohead at some of its strongest in rock tunes, with some different songs to break things up, such as the piano-centric Pyramid Song, the electronic Pulk/Pull, the backwards Like Spinning Plates, and the jazzy best song on the album, Life in a Glasshouse.

Nirvana – Nevermind (99)

12 iconic songs in a row. While I don’t like the cleaner sound as much as Bleach and In Utero’s unrefined sound, I have to acknowledge Nevermind is a phenominal album.

Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (100)

CLARIFICATION: If I remember correctly I think I gave this an 80, and then rereviewed it.

Relistened to this one, and the songs that didn’t click the first time around did now. This is just 10 beautifully crafted rock songs and 2 funny interludes.

Weezer – Weezer (Blue Album; 90)

It’s fun nerd music

Radiohead – In Rainbows: From the Basement (100)

In Rainbows but every song is somehow elevated to an even crazier level.

Martin Luther King Jr. – Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam (no rating)

CLARIFICATION: I don’t know exactly how I found out MLK is on albumoftheyear, but these next two reviews just me writing nonsense because I could.

I agree vietnam was baaaaaaaaaaaaaaad

Martin Luther King Jr. – I Have a Dream (100)

Shoutout civil rights loved you in Black Panther (2018)

Daft Punk – Random Access Memories (100)

This is my favorite album of all time. Every last second and note is a wonderfully crafted tribute to not just the inspirations of Daft Punk, but music as a whole.

C418 – Minecraft: Volume Beta (100)

I think the nostalgia of playing Minecraft for 11 years may have hit me while listening to this one. Regardless, the music is fantastic.

R.E.M – Murmur (80)

The beginning of Alt Rock. It deserves a lot of credit.

Weezer – Pinkerton (edited after posting, 95)

The raw sound of this album is something I really enjoy, and the lyrics add together with that to create a very unique album like nothing else I’ve heard.

SCORE ADJUST: 100 -> 95

Oasis – Definitely Maybe (80)

This album to me, while good, feels more of a proof-of-concept for a bigger, louder, and better sophomore album. Still not bad but just feels like it doesn’t experiment enough.

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (100)

Pink Floyd made two perfect albums in a row, this being the first. The human within the album is what makes it such a joy to listen to.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Nonagon Infinity (99)

CLARIFICATION: This is a joke relating to the fact that the album is an infinite loop, and not really a review. My Murder of the Universe review is like this too.

It’s been 3 weeks when does the album end

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – I’m in Your Mind Fuzz (edited after posting, 100)

Please stay in my mind it sounds nice
SCORE ADJUST: 95 -> 100

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – 12 Bar Bruise (60)

Some jams and some songs I just don’t like.

Daft Punk – Human After All (95)

evil discovery

C418 – Minecraft: Volume Alpha (100)

Yeah I’m not immune to nostalgia

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Murder of the Universe (90)

This Nonagon Infinity was sponsored by Audible

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Flying Microtonal Banana (90)

Microtones is a very interesting sound for a rock band to go to but this is King Gizzard so of course they pull it off

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Infest the Rats Nest (75)

KING GIZZARD AND THE BAND ARE WIZARDS HOW THE HELL CAN THEY DO EARLY METALLICA PERFECTLY

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Paper Mache Dream Balloon (95)

What nice music I sure hope the lyrics aren’t about murder

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Float Along – Fill Your Lungs (edited after posting, 75)

CLARIFICATION: I think the second score adjust is referring to me changing my scoring system of music. I’m not quite sure when I did that, though.

I liked it but nothing really stood out

SCORE ADJUST: 75 -> 80
Head On/Pill became a very big standout.

SCORE ADJUST 2: 80 -> 75
Yeah this is kinda carried by Head On/Pill, but I am rescoring all my reviews so

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Fishing for Fishies (99)

I like the boogie

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Quarters! (edited after posting, 79)

I know it kind of ruins the concept but I wish these songs were all 8:08 instead of 10:10

SCORE ADJUST: 85 -> 79: With time to reflect, I absolutely ADORE God Is in the Rhythm and The River. The other two tracks are solid 6/10s.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Flight b741 (edited after posting, 80)

Silly billy

SCORE ADJUST: 75 -> 80

Nektar – Remember the Future (edited after posting, 99)

Thank you @frogofprog for the recommendation. In one of my previous reviews, I called Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here a joy to listen to. @frogofprog said this was a joy to listen to as well. He’s right.

UPDATE: SCORE ADJUST 95 -> 99, please help I can’t stop listening.

Metallica – Ride the Lightning (100)

Re-listened to recently, I would like to formally apologize for not liking The Call of Ktulu.

The Beatles – The Beatles (White Album; 70)

This is an album that I always know how I feel on. It’s the band’s best and worst work, an absolute mess. But that mess is also the band’s masterpiece, in a weird way.

HIGHLIGHTS: Back in the U.S.S.R, Dear Prudence, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Happiness is a Warm Gun, Birthday, Yer Blues, Helter Skelter, Revolution 1
DO NOT LISTEN: The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill (this may just be my least favorite song of all time), Piggies, Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?, Honey Pie, Revolution 9, Good Night

Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral (89)

This is a gross album. Not that it’s bad, it just sounds gross in a way even though it’s really good if that makes any sense at all.

Eve – Bunka (75)

Recommendation from a friend. I like this guys vocal range.

Highlights: The two instrumental tracks, Dramaturgy, Anoko Secret, As You Like It

Eve – Otogi (69)

I liked it but I thought the album didn’t really change much. It kind of explored one sound and kept at it for 40 minutes

Highlights: Last Dance, Dawn

Tyler, The Creator – CHROMAKOPIA (70)

Is this what happens when you turn 30?

Talking Heads – Remain in Light (30)

This is a hot take I know, but the first half of the album to me is just NOISE. It also gave me a headache, so that sucks. Then you get Once in a Lifetime, and yeah, I am not afraid to admit that it is the one part of this album that isn’t horribly overrated for me. But the second half of the album, while not the headache-inducing mess of the opening, is just kind of…boring?

Highlights: Once in a Lifetime

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Sketches of Brunswick East (75)

Jazzy Gizz? Jizz?

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Phantom Island (100)

CLARIFICATION: This is the release of the single, not the album!

The single best musical moment of 2024 is when Amby screams “16 HORSES GALLOPING” and the song ascends into another dimension.

David Bowie – Blackstar (100)

Bowie’s final album, the second I’ve heard from him, is simply outstanding. I adored the jazz-influenced sound; it reminded me of the sound of To Pimp a Butterfly. Although I think this album utilized that sound much better than TPAB did. The experimentation on display is so much fun, even if the lyrical content and context of the album are not.

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV (edited after posting, 100)

I liked this one. For me, songs on this album could be sorted into 3 camps: ones I know, ones with Lord of The Rings references, and Four Sticks (the bad one). But outside of Four Sticks, my main problem with this album as a whole was sequencing. Stairway to Heaven should not be a halfway point to an album.

SCORE ADJUST: 80 -> 100: I am a big dumb dumb

King Crimson – Red (85)

I liked how aggressive this was. But my main problem with the album is every song that isn’t called Starless goes on a little too long in my opinion. Providence also just completely doesn’t fit at all here.

Tame Impala – The Slow Rush (99)

14 hours has got to be the fastest an album has ever grown on me. Even though my first listen I gave this one a 90, I re-listened to it this morning, and it was somehow transcendent.

Assorted Song Reviews (100):

CLARIFICATION: I did a bunch of reviews for some of my favorite songs. All are very short, and all are scored 100.

The Muppets – Rainbow Connection: One of the best songs ever made.

Nirvana – The Man Who Sold The World: Thank you Bowie, but Kurt Cobain made the best version of this song.

Radiohead – Let Down: The part where there are two Thom Yorkes. That is music.

Oasis – Champagne Supernova: I get sad when this song ends.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Crumbling Castle: The outro on this song is the single best part of the entire KGLW discography.

Tame Impala – Let It Happen: The riff is so nice.

Kanye West – Runaway: What a great song on a great album! I’m sure this guy will not tank his career from 2019 onwards!

R.E.M – It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine): Might be the catchiest song ever made.

Daft Punk – Get Lucky: I have loved this song since it came out. While it is no longer my favorite song (apologies to my 4 year old self), this song is beautiful.

Daft Punk- Face to Face: Holy shit the sampling on this one.

Pink Floyd – Time: That last verse before Breathe (Reprise) is godlike. Not to mention right after you get Breathe (Reprise) like come on

Radiohead – Jigsaw Falling Into Place: JIGSAW FALLING INTO PLACE, SO THERE IS NOTHING TO EXPLAIN!

Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now: What a guitar solo.

Eric Johnson – Cliffs of Dover: Thank you Guitar Hero 3.

Daft Punk – Something About Us: Love.

Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven: AND AS WE WIND ON DOWN THE ROAD!

Kanye West – Lost in the World: 3:27 on this song is so good like seriously shame this song is made by that guy. Good he is at making music though.

The Flaming Lips – Fight Test: When the two vocals overlap in the outro is a nice (chef’s kiss)

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – All Along the Watchtower: Thank you Bob Dylan, but guitar solo makes song better.

Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees: I think this is the song that made Radiohead as a band click for me.

Modjo – Lady (Hear Me Tonight): oh we groovin now

Tame Impala – One More Year: oh we really groovin

Radiohead – Optimistic: DINOSAURS ROAMING THEEEEEEEEEEEE EARTH
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Daft Punk – Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger: Daft Punk is really good at making songs anybody will love.

David Bowie – Starman: The way Bowie sings “waiting in the sky” the first time on the 2nd chorus is ever so slightly different and so beautiful.

Nirvana – All Apologies: I’m gay now the song has ruled it.

The Strokes – Someday: Too short.

Black Sabbath – War Pigs: Outro is stuff of legend.

Pink Floyd – Atom Heart Mother (70)

Side 1, the titular suite of this album, is easily the highlight. It’s very much like a combination between Echoes and Shine On You Crazy Dismond, with the more experimental aspects of echoes mixed with the blues of SOYCD Part 8.

I like If a lot too, a nice acoustic ballad. Summer 68 is similar feelings-wise for me to If, although I think If is the better song. Fat Old Sun, closing the 3 acoustic songs I like but don’t have much to say, is indeed nice too.

Then there is breakfast ASMR. Easily the worst song on the album, especially considering the more musical elements on the track are actually quite enjoyable, I’d like them on their own.

Pink Floyd – Meddle (85)

Hell yes.The second album of Pink Floyd in the 70s is a welcome and big improvement from the first. Similar to Atom Heart Mother, one side of this album is a big song, and the other are little songs.

In terms of the little songs, One of These Days is an incredible opener. When the title is dropped and the song explodes is one of the best moments on the album. A Pillow of Wind is a nice acoustic track, I really like the guitar on Fearless, and San Tropez puts it all together into the best song on Side 1. Seamus is a peaceful little closer, not the best but it doesn’t harm the album in any way.

Then there’s Echoes. While I think the band will make greater long songs in the future, this is incredible. My only complaint is the “whale noises” go on a little long. But I love it nonetheless.

Pink Floyd – Obscured by Clouds (95)

An underrated gem. The band just makes some great rock songs.