Reviews
Indie, Rock
Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Indie, Rock
Indie, Rock
Too Sweet Reviews Presents Our Official Playlist Collection:
Follow us on Instagram: @toosweetreviews
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The Killers - Pressure Machine
Rock
Released August 2021
TSR Date: August 27, 2021
www.toosweetreviews.com/reviews/pressuremachine
‘I’m willing to bet this was a fulfilling experience for Brandon. The folks from the Beehive State will be able to tell stories of the kid that made it…I encourage followers to give it a shot but the documentary-esque Pressure Machine won’t frequent this guy’s playlist often.’
- @reido778 6.4/10
‘Pressure Machine is a heavy listening experience that’s bound to leave an effect on its listeners. However, from a purely musical standpoint it leaves much to be desired. More of a social commentary and personal anecdote from Flowers, it’s a commendable effort but ultimately a forgettable experience.’
- @rozkilledit 5.5/10
‘The concept album is no doubt deeply emotional to Flowers and to him I’m sure this is an extremely personal piece but from the outside looking in it feels like the band has nothing meaningful left to add. Simply feels as they are going through the motions.’
- @stevelundi 5.1/10
@thekillers #pressuremachine #albumreviews #newmusic #newmusicfriday
In honour of our robot scammer friends check out our glowing review of TSR’s favourite robots for Throwback Thursday 🤘
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Electronic
Released: May 17, 2013
TSR Date: March 5, 2021
www.toosweetreviews.com/reviews/ram
‘At a cost of over a million dollars (from their own pockets no less) and with 5 Grammy wins, their final album as a duo definitely made its mark. Thanks for everything Daft Punk! Enjoy your retirement.’
- @rozkilledit 9.8/10
‘Songs like Instant Crush, Doin It Right, Lose Yourself to Dance and the generational song Get Lucky just do not get old. They were hits then, they still are now, and they will most certainly be in the future.’
- @stevelundi 9.6/10
‘This is a great album. It’s a very fun 74-minute listen. There are low points but the high points really outweigh them. This qualifies as vinyl worthy because of its quality but also to add some variety to the collection. Here’s to their 2030 comeback tour.’
- @reido778 9.0/10
@daftpunk #RAM #electronic #music #musicreview #daftpunk #throwbackthursday #tbt #albumreviews
#thearkells
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Cool Sounds - Bystander
Indie Pop
Released February 2021
TSR Date: August 20, 2021
www.toosweetreviews.com/reviews/bystander
“I really enjoyed some of the songs on this album but the lead singer's singing style is just a bit too goofy for me. Like I mentioned before, I’m sure it’s an acquired taste for some however it will definitely end up turning people away. I recommend that every reader gives Bystander a listen and decides for themselves – you’ll either love it or absolutely hate it.”
- @rozkilledit 6.2/10
‘Most songs on Bystander piqued my interest briefly but lost me shortly after. I’ll look back on this album as a big meh with a couple of singles.’
- @reido778 6.0/10
‘I’m just going to be brutally honest here. I wish I was a bystander to this album and never had to take part in listening to it. I simply found limited things to get excited about with Cool Sounds and hope to never listen again.’
- @stevelundi 2.0/10
#coolsounds #bystander #newmusic #newmusicfriday #albumreviews
#thearkells
CONTEST🤘
Too Sweet Reviews are stoked to see music festivals returning to Newfoundland and to celebrate we’re giving away two tickets to see @Arkells live on George Street September 1st, 2021.
Rules:
1. Follow @toosweetreviews
2. Like this post
3. Tag 3 friends! (Singular comment)
4. Share to your story (tag @toosweetreviews so we can confirm!)
5. Local pickoff/drop off only.
Draw Date: August 30th, 2021
Good Luck! 🤘
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Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Pop/Electropop
Released: July 30, 2021
TSR Date: Aug 13, 2021
https://www.toosweetreviews.com/reviews/happierthanever
‘Billie & Finneas are just extraordinary. Generation defining talents. Happier Than Ever is their best work yet. Critically and personally it’s damn good.’
- @stevelundi 9.0/10
‘This sibling duo does not miss - I've been impressed by all of their music so far and this album is no exception. Combining fantastic pop productions with one of the nicest singing voices of this generation, Happier Than Ever elevates itself outside of the pop music bubble and onto a level of it's own.’
- @rozkilledit 8.5/10
‘In ‘Happier Than Ever’, Billie shows off her ability to be sexy, clueless, playfully confident, weak and honest. She oozes similar talent and swagger levels as her previous, chart topping release. This time with more fuel to the fire with additional freedom of expression.’
- @reido778 8.5/10
@billieeilish @finneas #billieeilish #finneas #billie #happierthanever #newmusic #albumreview
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Tyler, the Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
Rap/Hip-Hop
Released: June 25, 2021
TSR Date: Aug 10, 2021
‘Not only did this album hold up to my expectations, it exceeded them. CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST took my favourite aspects of Tyler’s old discography and perfectly combined it with his new sound… With his seemingly unlimited potential and constant growth as an artist, I really can’t wait to see where he takes us next.’
- @rozkilledit 9.2/10
‘The album feels playful yet broaches serious subjects. It’s concise and never misses the point. The mix tape style is the cherry on top.’
- @stevelundi 8.2/10
‘CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST has a bit of everything. It’s more like a mix tape style than a bunch of singular beats and freestyles…I appreciate the hell out of its direction and the incredible effort that went into its creation but at the end of the day, it’s not a style I love.’
@feliciathegoat #tylerthecreator #callmeifyougetlost #albumreview
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***THROWBACK THURSDAY***
The Strokes – Is This It
Rock
Released: July 30, 2001
TSR Date: February 12, 2021
https://www.toosweetreviews.com/reviews/isthisit
'This album started an obsession for me. I just love The Strokes’ sound. They have a six album discography (plus an EP) and I really do love them all.'
- @reido778 9.7/10
'What an absolute killer 35 minutes. I honestly don’t know what else to say.'
- @stevelundi 9.2/10
'This album is fantastic. I honestly had a hard time putting pen to paper on this one as I couldn't find a way to really deconstruct it in a way to find high parts or low parts - it's just very, very solid. This album received high praise by most media outlets and deservedly so.'
- @rozkilledit 9.1/10
#throwbackthursday #thestrokes #isthisit #albumreview #toptier
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Lastlings - First Contact
Dance
Released: November 20, 2020
TSR Date: July 30, 2021
www.toosweetreviews.com/reviews/firstcontact
'....it has damn near everything that I look for when it comes to the genre. Fantastic melodies, warm analog leads and pads, crunchy bass synths, hard hitting kicks....just do yourself a favour and watch the video I linked on the bottom of my review, you won’t be disappointed.'
- @rozkilledit 9.0/10
'First Contact keeps me intrigued for the full 47 minutes. The dark pop vibes throughout make me feel like I’m travelling through outer space or the upside down world in Stranger Things….standout tracks are Last Breath, No Time and Visions. Fingers crossed they play before Rufus Du Sol as the sun sets at Coachella 2022.'
- @reido778 8.5/10
'There’s really no doubt in this album being strong in a vacuum to itself, but in the industry it’s as copycat as can be. It’s an album the guys from Rufus Du Sol would put on their fridge to show that they are proud when in reality how good can macaroni art be?'
- @stevelundi 6.2/10
@lastlings #firstcontact #lastlings #lastlingsmusic #albumreview #debutalbum #musicreview #electronicmusic #electronicdancemusic #pop
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John Mayer - Sob Rock
Pop
Released: July 16, 2021
TSR Date: July 27, 2021
www.toosweetreviews.com/sobrock
‘Mayer’s vocals and guitar skills are strong enough that Sob Rock can sort of hold its own, but with the cheesy lyrics this album best serves as easy listening background music. It’s perfectly mediocre. Or in TSR terms it’s sweet. Or as my score indicates it’s nice.’
- @stevelundi 6.9/10
‘By the end of the album I was getting very frustrated - if he's going for an "80's aesthetic" like the album's marketing has let on, then why is he playing it so damn safe? If this really is a “love letter to the 1980s”, it must have been one that was written in crayon.’
- @rozkilledit 5.9/10
‘Sob Rock marks the 30th Too Sweet Review. It is undoubtedly the worst and I’ve ranked it accordingly. I predict the first overall fail. John, I (generously) award you two points and may God have mercy on your soul.’
- @reido778 2.0/10
@johnmayer #sobrock #johnmayer #albumreview #newmusic #newalbum #musicreview #pop #rock #fail #whyyounoloveme
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Lucy Dacus - Home Video
Indie Rock / Folk Alternative
Released: June 25, 2021
TSR Date: July 23, 2021
www.toosweetreviews.com/homevideo
‘I recently dated a girl who gave me access to her MasterClass account. It’s still active. She’s not. If you don’t know what it is, you can learn so much on there. Videos of pros teaching you how to play poker, five star chef’s teaching you cooking skills. It really has everything. If there was a MasterClass on songwriting Lucy Dacus would be the teacher.’
- @stevelundi 8.7/10
‘Can you tell that I was impressed? As you can tell by my (longer than usual) review this week, I genuinely enjoyed this album from front to back. Lucy Dacus, you made a new fan today. This album really caught me off-guard and I love when that shit happens! I only have one request for you - please, please go to Coachella this year.’
- @rozkilledit 8.6/10
‘Home Video is soooo sad and simply lacks jam. I understand it’s a sound a lot of folks enjoy but it just wears me down. And this is coming from a huge Radiohead fan. I envision a live performance where she simply sits in a chair, staring forward expressionless, aside from singing of course. I doubt I return to anything other than the opening track with this album. If I keep listening, my future is a benevolent black hole.’
- @reido778 6.2/10
@lucydacus #homevideo #lucydacus #albumreview #newmusic #nowplaying #musicreview
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Modest Mouse - The Golden Casket
Alternative
Released June 25, 2021
TSR Date: July 17, 2021
‘2021’s version of Modest Mouse is as random, strange and creative as their past. They’ve always done things their own way and it’s admirable. The Golden Casket continues this trend.’
- @reido778 7.6/10
‘Seriously though, is there a song on here you can sing along to? Does anyone actually understand Brock? He makes this album much too convoluted. It’s impossible to really understand the themes or messages he’s trying to portray, and maybe that’s the point, but it just doesn’t work.’
- @stevelundi 6.1/10
‘After an experience that could only be described as a fifty minute and twenty eight second fever dream, Modest Mouse offers a psychedelic experience through twelve songs that I don’t think will be for everyone - that list of people unquestionably includes me.’
- @rozkilledit 4.4/10
#modestmouse #thegoldencasket #albumreview #newmusic
🤘INSPIRED BY FOLLOWER INPUT WE PRESENT THROWBACK THURSDAY 🤘
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Rap
Released: November 22, 2010
TSR Date: March 26, 2021
‘Let’s get straight to it. Is there a bad song on this album? Nope. I’d even go as far as to say every song is GREAT. It’s pretty much a flawless album as far as I’m concerned…’
- @stevelundi 9.8/10
‘Enjoyable from start to finish and coming in at #3 on my personal “Top Kanye West albums” list, MBDTF has everything – I’ll be picking this one up on vinyl in the near future.’
- @rozkilledit 9.5/10
‘What more can I say? This 13 track album absolutely bangs. Kanye is at the top of his game. The mixes and the rhymes together are an incredible combination.’
- @reido778 9.5/10
@kanyewest #kanye #yeezy #yeezus #mbdtf #albumreviews
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Olivia Rodrigo - Sour
Pop
Released May 21, 2021
TSR Date: July 2, 2021
‘Rodrigo is at her best on Sour when she is heartfelt and leans into the angst of her heartbreak. It’s an overall well crafted pop album and I expect it will be looked on that way for many years. This isn’t post hype praise, it’s well deserved.’
- @stevelundi 8.0/10
‘Overall, it’s like a good recipe you’d find in a pop music cookbook…..her voice is fantastic, a lot of the songs are catchy and clearly her music resonates with a large audience. For me personally, I’m excited for the day that she has a few albums under her belt and starts to get weird with it.’
- @rozkilledit 7.3/10
‘I read someone compare Sour to Jagged Little Pill and I thought whoa whoa whoa, let’s not get carried away here. I’m sure Olivia Rodrigo already exceeded all expectations with her debut album and we may as well get used to it because she’s just getting started.’
- @reido778 7.2/10
@oliviarodrigo #oliviarodrigo #sour #albumreviews
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My Morning Jacket - Z
Alternative
Released October 2005
TSR Date: November 12, 2020
‘…this album killed it for me. I had never even heard of MMJ before and I was pleasantly surprised. I love the lead singer’s (Jim Janes) voice and it’s combined perfectly with synthesizers to form some psychedelic rock that is right up my alley.’
- @stevelundi 8.6/10
‘I had never listened to Z before that Wednesday evening and I’m pumped I chose it because I love it…I’ll continue listening to this one and will be digging deeper into their discography.’
- @reido778 8.5/10
‘Overall, I felt this album had its strong and weak tracks. I’ll definitely be giving it another listen (or three) and will make sure to check out the rest of the discography from these guys.’
- @rozkilledit 6.9/10
@mymorningjacket #mymorningjacket #albumreviews
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Manchester Orchestra - The Million Masks of God
Alternative Rock
Released April 2021
TSR Date: June 25, 2021
‘Everything comes together to form one giant cohesive story while also extracting many of the elements that I like from within the indie rock genre as a whole. The Million Masks of God gets two thumbs up from me.’
- @rozkilledit 8.7/10
‘Million Masks lifts Manchester Orchestra from Alt Rock label to the more progressive and experimental indie rock. It’s an album worth digging into by any fans of the genre and I hope to hear one day what these guys have to offer in person.’
- @stevelundi 7.9/10
‘Throughout the album, I’m waiting. Waiting for that umph, that it-factor and I never find it….The Million Masks of God has a few good tracks but as a compilation, it’s too long and similar sounding.’
- @reido778 6/10
@manchesterorchestra #themillionmasksofgod #albumreviews
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Japanese Breakfast – Jubilee
Indie Rock
Released June 4, 2021
TSR Date: June 18, 2021
‘What more can I say? I’m a big fan of this album and think Michelle Zauner is a musical genius. Jubilee is lyrically and musically complex. Shout out to Lundi for this choice, I’ll absolutely be listening to older stuff from Japanese Breakfast.’
- @reido778 8.8/10
‘This album definitely had an “art pop” quality to it, which I was very much into. I haven’t listened to Japanese Breakfast before so after this I will definitely be exploring their earlier works to find out if this is a diamond in the rough or if they really are the real deal. To summarize, this band is super talented and I enjoyed the album immensely. It had upbeat groovy parts, it had slower melodic parts, and it ended with a dope guitar solo - what more could you ask for.’
- @rozkilledit 8.4/10
‘Jubilee, which is most often used in describing a celebration, fits perfectly for the title of this album. JB have put together an eclectic album of styles that’s no better described than experimental pop and it’s final form is a perfect reason for music fans to celebrate.’
- @stevelundi 8.8/10
@jbrekkie #japanesebreakfast #coachella2022 #albumreview
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San Cisco – San Cisco
Indie Rock
Released November 2012
TSR Date: June 11, 2021
‘Apple Music’s About section for them states ‘Australian quartet San Cisco are known for their hooky, synth-and guitar-based sound that draws upon classic post-punk and jangle-pop traditions.’ Boy, did they hit the nail on the head. Like Lundi’s quote from Peach Pit’s You and Your Friends, San Cisco didn’t do anything groundbreaking here but it’s an enjoyable listen.’
- @reido778 7.5/10
‘To me, it’s a synth-y summertime pop album that’s unfortunately combined with poorly mixed drums and somewhat strange vocal choices. It doesn’t hold up against the other indie-pop bands we’ve reviewed so far, and I made sure to take that into account when rating it.’
- @rozkilledit 5.7/10
‘There’s some good here don’t get me wrong, but the problem is the vocals and lyrics will always be the forefront of an album and that to me is San Cisco’s downfall. The album has some good production elements, offering upbeat guitars and timely synths sprinkled in but you really need to dig deep to get past the chaotic singing here.’
- @stevelundi 4.2/10
@sanciscodisco #sancisco #2012 #australianmusicscene #albumreview
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J. Cole - The Off-Season
Rap/Hip Hop
Released May 2021
TSR Date: June 4, 2021
‘J. Cole has mad talent. I love that he hasn’t conformed to the mumble rap/autotune movement, despite hints of it on The Off-Season. But other than three or four tracks that kill it, the album fails to keep me interested.’
- @reido778 6.7/10
‘I don’t have anything overly negative to say about this album. Not every track hit for me but overall the wordplay was clever, sampling was fantastic and the beats punched hard. You can’t ask for much more than that.’
- @rozkilledit 8.5/10
‘Maybe it’s just great to hear something that’s not mumbled or auto tuned to hell but I find Cole’s rapping packs a punch and hits you in the face with each verse.’
- @stevelundi 7.7/10
#jcole #theoffseason #albumreviews
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St. Vincent - Daddy’s Home
Alternative
Released May 2021
TSR Date: May 28, 2021
‘...I don’t understand the appeal of the sitar...St. Vincent shows plenty of promise but the direction she chose on Daddy’s home just didn’t do it for me.’
- @reido778 4.5/10
‘This album definitely had a cool aesthetic. Here I am, in a smokey jazz bar in 1980’s New York City... while St. Vincent pours her soul out on stage (maybe pouring out a bit too much at times).’
- @rozkilledit 6.1/10
‘I expect that many will brush this album off on first listen but St. Vincent deserves so much more. This album will most definitely be near the top of year end lists but you should pay attention now.’
- @stevelundi 8.5/10
@st_vincent #stvincent #daddyshome #albumreviews
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Hot Chip - A Bath Full of Ecstasy
Synthpop
Released June 2019
TSR Date: April 9, 2021
‘I really struggled to get into these guys. There were elements I enjoyed but overall it’s just not my taste. Remember years ago when Doritos had the roulette bag with the chance of a fiery surprise? Well, that’s what these guys were to me; some good but mostly shit.’
-@reido778 5.4/10
‘I’ve been on a real synth-pop kick and this album fit into that box very nicely.….the bonus edit tracks at the end of the album (specifically the Hungry Child edit) still get a lot of airplay from me while I’m cruising around in the car. Hot Chip – A Bath Full of Ecstasy gets a thumbs up from this guy.’
-@rozkilledit 8.4/10
‘I honestly don’t have much negative to say here. The music isn’t breaking any boundaries and the sound is pretty much the same across the album. These are no faults of Hot Chip as it just seems they’ve figured out their genre. Overall an enjoyable album.’
-@stevelundi 8.1/10
@hot.chip #abathfullofecstasy #albumreview