This is my music collection! Here I document every album I own on CD, vinyl, or any other form of physical music, as well as give short reviews and a letter grade (in the tradition of Robert Christgau). I will update it whenever I make a new purchase and listen to it. Enjoy! or don't. I don't mind ;)
Currently this page is not up to date, as I have only recently started this. I intend to go back through my entire collection of 33 albums, listen, and review. I will listen to one each day and add it onto this page once I do.
Artist: Depeche Mode
Purchased on: January 3, 2025
Format: CD
Rating: B+
I was not let down by my first CD purchase. This album captures most or all of Depeche Mode's moods; celebratory, cynical, and horny. They have also honed their sense of drama and suspense (Little 15, Pimpf) which gives the album a sometimes ominous mood. DM achieved a perferct blend of chiming keyboards, shimmering synths, mechanical samples, and even a grand piano. The songs themselves are well written and interesting with a few sample or atmospheric - heavy songs (To Have and To Hold, I Want You Now) that perhaps mask lower quality offerings. On the whole, it's a good and interesting album that falls just shy of being an excellent and interesting one.
Artist: David Bowie
Purchased on: January 3, 2025
Format: CD
Rating: B-
Bowie had yet to write the material he is most known for, nor had he adopted any of the styles he is now associated with. The precursor of the "chameleon of rock" is a fascinating listen, in both good and bad ways. Although Janine finds Bowie imitating McCartney at his worst (a la Lady Madonna or Get Back) and Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud sounds like Disney music, there is a very sweet, candid, and homey side of the album, best illustrated by Letter to Hermione, An Occasional Dream, and Memory of a Free Festival. The record's greatest mistake is the addition of the outro on the former. It could have been one of the best things David has ever done - instead it has this pseudo-hippy mantra for 2 minutes. There's also Space Oddity, the only culturally enduring song on the album. The record is a bit all over the place and fairly inconsistent, but is certainly more enjoyable than not.
Artist: The Smiths
Purchased on: January 3, 2025
Format: CD
Rating: B
The Smiths' debut album is perpetually glum and crestfallen, with a few spots that are less so (I Don't Owe You Anything). Johnny Marr's excellent guitar work is the obvious standout, but after subsequent listens, bassist Andy Rourke's playing shines too. There's fine musicianship throughout the album. Many different types of songs are present, from upbeat sad songs, slow sad songs, and angry sad songs. Morrissey's words add bitter and longing tones, and this time he isn't too snivelling. I detect an overarching theme of heartbreak and disappointment lyrically. The album almost has a sense of backstory (Pretty Girls Make Graves, This Charming Man), as if Morrissey was trying to explain himself. I really want to love this album, but Miserable Lie is quite possibly the worst song ever written, and the "full stop" over the last two songs is a negative. Suffer Little Children is far too over the top, musically uninteresting, and perhaps a tad insensitive. So I guess, apart from two songs, this is a great though deeply flawed album.
Artist: The Cure
Purchased on: March 24, 2025
Format: CD
Rating: A+
I can't really find anything wrong with this album, so I won't even try to. I honestly think that this is the best album I've heard yet. Guitars and keyboards work hand in hand to create both strong melodies and vivid soundscapes. The first half of the album is more sweet, melodic, and poppy. The second half is more somber, atmospheric, and sometimes gritty (Fascination Street, Prayers for Rain). While the first half tends to get more love among the fanbase, I prefer the second. It's much more captivating and I adore it. I'd love to spend a night in the world of The Same Deep Water as You. Robert has a lot to say on this album. Disintegration is about the end of an era, the death of youth, the pains of growing older, and reflecting on your life thus far. The title track is heartbreakingly resigned and Homesick is bitter and hopeless with a gorgeous piano. The album also happens to have four monumental singles, perhaps the best of which is Lovesong, a sincere promise to a loved one bathed in an evening glow (and with a great guitar solo). Lullaby is a standout too, an ominous prescence. They really got nothing wrong with this album. I can't point out any noticeable flaws, except perhaps that it ends.