2024 Album-A-Day: Week 13

Link to playlist here. Like you give a shit.

March 25th: The Return Of The Space Cowboy by Jamiroquai

Funky basslines. High-pitched vocals. Groovy keyboard licks. Jamiroquai's funky-jazzy style is something I don't listen to nearly enough. "Just Another Story" makes it clear from the beginning that this is going to be an epic journey of rhythm, and that continues through "Half The Man," "Light Years," "The Kids," "Scam," and sweet mother of syncopation "Space Cowboy." I'm sure to put many of these songs on my dance mixes.

March 26th: Close To The Edge by Yes

This wasn't my first go-around with Yes- I've heard The Yes Album and Fragile before- but this was my first time with Close To The Edge. In case you thought those albums weren't prog enough, this album is three songs, ranging from eight to eighteen minutes in length. I need to listen to this album more to fully comprehend the genius on display, but rest assured, I really like it at the moment.

March 27th: Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde by the Pharcyde

I expected to like this album, seeing how much I love A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul and the Wu-Tang Clan, but I was profoundly disappointed. I knew this album wouldn't be what I expected when the first song ended on a transphobic punchline. Yeah, the beats are jazzy and fun, but the lyrics on this album skew immature and just kinda gross. I was reminded of Bloodhound Gang at least twice, which is something I hope to all that is good and decent I never need to say again. I mostly like "Officer" or "On The DL," but nothing else really stood out as better than those two. Also, the skits. Jeez. Too. Many. Skits. This is a problem with hip-hop in the 90s.

March 28th: Ants From Up There by Black Country, New Road

I listened to their first album a little while after it came out, but I never got around to this one until now. This is very different from that. Instead of the manic, dissonant post-rock chaos of For The First Time, we get these tuneful depressive ballads, such as "Concorde" and "The Place Where He Inserted The Blade" (which is my favorite track on the album) and "Haldern." It's an interesting change of pace, and something they do better than I expected. Sadly, I don't think they'll continue in this direction, as their lead singer Isaac Wood has left the band. Still, this album is great.

March 29th: Scissor Sisters and Ta-Dah by the Scissor Sisters

Thought that after a terribly depressing album, I'd do a fun, pop-glam-rock double feature. Some things I've found:

• Both of these albums are at minimum good.
• The second album is a great improvement on the first one.
• "Take Your Mama" is an eternal banger.
• "Better Luck Next Time" is my favorite non-single song on the album.
• The first album ends on an uncharacteristic downer.
• "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" was co-written by Elton John.
• "I Can't Decide" is a meme classic for a reason.
• "Might Tell You Tonight" rules.
• "Kissing You Off" is also very good.

Overall, a worthwile exercise.

March 30th: Cartwheel by Hotline TNT

I don't listen to nearly enough shoegaze. That's my main takeaway from this album (which I missed when it came out). I've realized that I need more washed-out vocals and layers of distorted guitar in my life. Standouts include "I Thought You'd Change," "History Channel," and "BMX." These are probably songs that will need to sit with me for a while before I fully fall in love with them, but I already like them, so it shouldn't take too long.

March 31st: Malibu by Anderson .Paak

MMMMM. YEEEAAAH. Anderson .Paak's Malibu is the kind of self-evidently amazing music that I'm glad that this project introduces me to. "The Bird," "Am I Wrong," "The Dreamer," "Come Down," "Lite Weight," HOW IS HE THIS COOL. Every note of this album is immaculate, there's no questionable lyrics (I'm looking at you, Pharcyde), it's just well written, well performed, and well produced funk/r&b/hip-hop. Also, did you know he's half Korean? I didn't. I intend on bringing more .Paak into my life.