andconham's Diary

Found myself a little disappointed with this one. While not bad, I found most of the songs just okay. Though I did enjoy the second listen more than the first so maybe this album will be a grower. 19.08.2026 Update: A year on, this album has grown on me a bit. Still not my favourite Turnstile album…

Unique, influential, ahead of its time. Pixies shed some of the quirk from Surfer Rosa, and put out a more direct record here. This album holds some of their biggest tracks, with the first half almost playing like a greatest hits album. Favourite Tracks: - Debaser - Wave of Mutilation - Here Comes…

A Dub album, that works well as a backdrop while working. It's chill, and vibey so it flows along well but there is a lack of standout moments or songs for me. Favourite Tracks: - You Bliss - Positive Touch - On the Seven Seas Dub

It's not my favourite NY album, as i much prefer his earlier output. Was surprised to see this was a collaboration with Eddie Vedder, as I don't think that was really evident in the music. It's good, but lacks a little something to bring me back. Favourite Tracks: - I'm the Ocean - Downtown - Throw…

Some nice alt metal here. Saw a recommendation on an insta reel and decided to check it out, glad I did because this is great! Alt metal in the vein of Deftones which is always welcome for me. Will have to dig into some of their earlier stuff. 18.08.2026 - Score upgraded to an 8. Growing fan of th…

Perfect Hardcore for the gym. It's all a little samey, but it also all kicks ass. One of the first Hatdcore bands I got into back when, and it still holds up. Favourite Tracks: - Pretty Low - Fiction - Forgetting - If it Were Up to Me

I get that the mundanity is part of the point, but I don't find it hugely engaging in this LP format. From what I've seen, it does come across better live though. This may be a band that grows on me over time, but it's just okay for now. Favourite Tracks: - I Can't Die Like That - The Radiator - St…

Quite disappointed with this one. Loved Channel's EP's earlier in his career, but his two full length albums have not hit the same. The cool House/Hip Hop combo has given way to more EDM inspired production and tacky as hell lyrics. There's glimpses of good stuff throughout but it's surrounded by bl…

Hard to give a numerical rating to an album like this. Obviously deeply personal lyrics, primarily dealing with grief, and the loss of her father. The usual Bridgers melancholy is here, with sprinkles of optimism throughout out. It makes for an engaging listen, even if I'm not huge on all of the com…

This is great stuff. Energetic Hardcore with groovy as hell riffs. All the songs are quite brief and pummel you one after the other. The breakdowns are sweet, and the vocals top it all off well. Favourite Tracks: - Born to Die - Pleased to Meet You - Victimized - Time Waits - True Love - Disconnect…

Crazy that 25 years later, System are still a one of a kind band. Toxicity would be the peak of their fairly short discography, before they traded blunt-yet-creative songwriting for kooky novelty songs. Mileage may vary with the vocals, but i can't imagine it any other way. Favourite Tracks: - Pris…

This is smooth as hell, and such a nice listen. This holds up very well in 2026, with the production still sounding great. The jazz/soul/rnb inspired instrumentals paired with the lush vocals make this a classic in the soul genre. Favourite Tracks: - Smooth Operator - Hang On to Your Love - When Am…

Great Emo revival here. Contains the staples of the Post Hardcore genre, but does it all very well considering this is a debut album. Just rough enough around the edges with great harsh vocal throughout. Some of the guitarwrk throughout is pretty tasty too. Favourite Tracks: - Two Beers In - Pallet…

A more mature effort that would end up being there last. The short songs are oddly structured, which doesn't always make for a seamless listen but the songwriting is good. It's a shame we never got more from these guys. Favourite Tracks: - Note to Self - Everyday - Just Another Face

Great alt-metal debut here. Wasn't aware this was a vein.fm spinoff until afterwards, explains the quality though. The band shows their influences quite clearly, but also put their own stamp on things to prevent feeling like a retread. Great stuff. Favourite Tracks: - Baldpate driver - Closet - Lin…

A great sophomore release from Citizen, combining Alt Rock and Post Hardcore well. Some great arrangements through out and the vocal performances are great, striking a good balance between cleans and harsher vocals. Favourite Tracks: - Cement - Numb Yourself - Heaviside - My Favourite Colour - Stai…

It took a few listens for me to 'get it', but I got there. I still think it's missing some defining character, but this is some nice shoegaze inspired post-hardore here. There is a fine line production-wise when rock albums try their hand at shoegaze, this album achieves the sound without fully wash…

I prefer their first two albums, but this was Zeppelin experimenting a little which I appreciate. Less blues rock, more folk rock. They would regain their form on the following album, but his is a nice little deviation on the way there. Favourite Tracks: - Immigrant Song - Friends - Since I've Been…

Sometimes I need a reminder why certain albums are considered classics. This is a near flawless album, full of fuzzy guitars, one of a kind vocals, catchy hooks and interesting lyrics. Classic/10. Favourite Tracks: - All of them

It's no brat, but there's plenty to like here. The ironic it-girl attitude still works, and the album breezes by. Could've done with another heavy hitter or two though. Favourite Tracks: - Rock Music - SS26 - Camera - Persona

Much like Hypnotize, it's all unique and interesting, but not always good. Instrumentally this album is great, but some of the lyrics and vocal performances are just too wacky. The highs justify the lows though, and there are some bangers on here. Favourite Tracks: - BYOB - Revenge - This Cocaine M…

Heard one song in a playlist and decided to give this album a go, not realizing until after that it was their debut! Pretty solid stuff with a few standout tracks, though some songs in between were a bit samey. I enjoy the punky, noise rock sound though and I'll definitely be looking out for future…

A more vocally restrained Ariana has put together a smooth, sonically pleasing album here. I think it is lacking some stronger, more memorable vocal performances that previous albums had though. I am glad to see that even with the dogpiling she is receiving at the moment, she can still put out quali…

Some pretty good alt metal here. Influences of Shoegaze, Modern Metalcore, and Deftones throughout this album. I think the front half of the album is the stronger half, with the momentum faltering a touch towards the end. Still great stuff though. Favourite Tracks: - Leather Wings - Blue Velvet - A…

This album peaks early with the first handful of tracks, but struggles to maintain that throughout the album. It's all a bit of cheeky fun with lots of character, just not their best output. Favourite Tracks: - Spit It Out - Hypnotized - Consume or Be Consumed - Take Control