andconham's Diary

More thrash than their previous album, perhaps taking inspiration from other bands at the time. There is still some of that hardcore sound in there though, and it makes for a pretty kick ass sound. Great energy on this one. Favourite Tracks: - Death Camps - Days of Confusion - Fugitive - Age of Quarrel

A great, vibey, introspective listen here. Doesn't stray too far from it's established sound, bit it rolls along quite nicely. I like Rashads mostly understated style of rapping, and the production is cloudy and nice. Favourite Tracks: - M.O.M - Same Shit - Boy In Red - Do I Look High - GTKY - Cameras

Late to the party with this one. Really a great pop album with great production throughout. Not all of it is my personal flavour, but every song has its place here. Great songwriting that varies from surface level, to introspective. Deserves the hype. Favourite Tracks: - Club classics - Sympathy is a knife - Von dutch - B2b - 365

Not much can be said about this album that hasn't already been said 1000 times. It's a classic that mostly holds up pretty well. This really was the last album of his that I enjoy though, and it's crazy to look back on his fall off because he really seemed untouchable at the time. Favourite Tracks: - White America - Cleanin Out My Closet - Sing For The Moment - Superman - Till I Collapse

Coming off the heels of Randy's prison stint, this album had great energy and plenty to say. This album sees LOG deviate from their formula more than previous albums had, which mostly worked out quite well. I also enjoyed the surprise features from two of my favourite vocalsts, Chino and Puciato. Favourite Tracks: - Still Echos - 512 - Overlord - Torches

I've always liked the singles of The Smiths, but never really delved much deeper. This is a great album, with a beautiful sound the whole way through. Songs flow well together, just needs a few more standout moments. Also thing the last song let the album down a touch. Favorite Tracks: - Reel Around The Fountain - Pretty Girls Make Graves - The Hand That Rocks The Cradle - This Charming Man* - Still Ill - What Difference Does It Make

Putting the 'trip' in Trip Hop, this album flows along so well. The production is great, and has aged so well. The vocals maybe a bit less so, particularly on the male side of things. The ethereal vocals from the woman however are timeless and these tracks are where this album shines. Favourite Tracks: - Angel - Teardrop - Black Milk - Mezzanine

A great, somber emo album here. The songwriting is pretty good, and it's all put together well. The vocals match the pained, desperate lyrics well. Great listen if you're in that kind of mood. Favourite Tracks: - Figure You Out - Sleep - How Does It Feel - The Night I Drive Alone - Speaking With a Ghost

Chapman's warm voice carries you through this honest, peotic, still relevant album. The fact this album still holds relevance lyrically means she may have been a touch too optimistic, but I can't fault her for that. The songwriting here is great, with a couple of all-timer songs on this. Favourite Tracks: - Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution - Fast Car - Baby Can I Hold You - If Not Now

A light, fun, poppy punk album from the masters of it. Blink comes through with another collection of catchy tunes about how hard it is to be a teenager, and it instantly transports me back to being a kid in the 2000s. Favourite Tracks: - Anthem Part 2 - First Date - The Rock Show - Stay Together for the Kids - Everything I Look For You

Must've been hype when this one dropped. The combination of indie pop vocals, classic samples and heavy distortion leads to a unique style that still hasn't really been matched. Great energy on this one. Favourite Tracks: - Tell 'em - Riot Rhythm - Infinity Guitars - Rill Rill - Treats

Chunky riffs, brutal breakdown, and aggressive vocals combine to make a great Hardcore album. Not reinventing the wheel here, but the brief run time prevents and feelings of repetition creeping in. Just a kick ass Album to get the blood pumping. Favourite Tracks: - Darwinism - Theory Of Mind - 972 - A Hopeless Fate

No one sets a vibe like Travis Scott. Doesn't match the hype of Astroworld, but the production on the album still rules. Lyrically, Travis doesn't break any new ground but a list of great features help carry that weight. Favourite Tracks: - Hyaena - Modern jam - I Know? - Circus Maximus - Looove - Telekinesis - Til Further Notice

Like Fontaines D.C., Idles first album is probably the most neglected from me. Not sure why though because it is a great album, I guess I just prefer what was to come! Great punk energy on this one. The instrumentals all sound great and I love the raw vocals. Most of the themes hit well for me too. Favourite Tracks: - Well Done - Mother - Date Night* (Joe sounds like a fukn dog at points on this one, so good) - 1049 Gotho - Stendhal Syndrome

This album sees Idles dial back some of the brash attitude of the previous album, and experiment with some different sounds. It's less immediately attention grabbing, but rewarding on repeat listens. I think it fizzles a little towards the end though. Favourite Tracks: - When The Lights Come On - Car Crash - Stockholm Syndrome - The Beachland Ballroom - Crawl

My first time listening to these guys, and this is pretty good stuff! Pop punk with raw vocals that veer into hardcore territory. Pretty bouncy fun tube's with just the tight amount of aggression, will definitely be checking out more from these guys. Favourite Tracks: - And a Big Load - Bon Jonah - Monica Lewinskibidi - Carbon Monoxide Hotel - Slimdog Scungillionaire

Easily Jack's best album yet. I love the production on this, and Jack's hushed singing works very well over top. A very welcome change of pace and I hope he follows this path further. Favourite Tracks: - Trade Places - Prague - My Winter - Living Alone - Against The Grain

Pulling from a range of influences, Uchis puts together an excellent neo-soul pop album. While she dabbles in different genres throughout, the quality remains consistent apart from maybe the interludes. A confident debit, and a good sign of what was to come. Favourite Tracks: - Miami - Just a Stranger - Your Teeth In My Neck - After The Storm - Killer

Great on first listen, even better on repeat. Excellent post-hardcore album here both instrumentally and lyrically. I also enjoyed the instrumental breaks throughout. A timeless sounding album that will be entering my rotation for sure. Favourite Tracks: - Merchandise - Greed - Two Beats Off - Shut The Door

Hard album to rate. It's very short and doesn't break any new ground. But it's a fun little slice-of-life offering of pop punk that makes me feel good inside, and that's all that really matters, right? Favourite Tracks: - NBTSA - You're Not Famous Anymore - Gotta Let It Go - Did You Ever Know?

For me, this is an improvement over the original release. A much more intimate and relaxed Bryan improves on almost every song from the original, with a tighter focus on his songwriting and storytelling. Favourite Tracks: - Runny Eggs - Santa Fe - Slicked Back - Plastic Cigarette

A great hardcore/thrash crossover album, that kicks ass for it's brief runtime. The vocals are a little odd, which might throw some off but I enjoyed it. Will definitely be coming back to this one. Favourite Tracks: - World Peace - Malfunction - Seekers of the Truth - Life of My Own

30 Albums Before Electric Avenue 2026 - Reviewing the albums of artists on the line up. (30/30) Pendulums strongest album for me. Combining the best bits of their first two albums, and creating some great dance floor DnB. The vocals are still a bit flat but it's not a deal breaker. Also love the collaboration with In Flames. Favourite Tracks: - Watercolour - The Island pt1 - The Vulture - Witchcraft - Self vs Self

This album kicks ass. A solid collection of infectious thrash metal tunes that get the blood flowing. The riffs and solos here are killer, and although the lyrics feel a bit dated at points, the delivery is killer. Features on of the best opening tracks of all time too. Favourite Tracks: - Painkiller - All Guns Blazing - Between the Hammer and the Anvil - A Touch of Evil

This was a nice easy listen. I like the understated, somber sound and it all flows together nicely. A good start for my dive into Springsteens catalogue. Favorite Tracks: - Nebraska - Mansion on the Hill - Highway Patrolman - State Trooper* - Used Cars

This is good stuff. A breezy, warm, smooth neo soul album with solid production and great vocals. The songwriting here is great, with nice little earworms throughout the brief runtime. Favourite Tracks: - Nice To Each Other - Close Up - So Easy - Man I Need - A Couple Minutes

I wore this album out in my teens, so may be nostalgia talking here, but this album is great. A bit of a mess of styles but instrumentally it's great, and and the songwriting is mostly pretty good. Some of the lyrics might be a bit tacky, but that's part of the charm. Favourite Tracks: - Critical Acclaim - Almost Easy - Afterlife - Gunslinger - Little Peice Of Heaven

An excellent debut here, that has since gone down as a classic. The licks, songwriting, and story telling are all on point here and it's groovy as hell. Favourite Tracks: - Down to the Waterline - Six Blade Knife - Sultans of Swing - Wild West End

30 Albums Before Electric Avenue 2026 - Reviewing the albums of artists on the line up. (16/30) A surprising album from Sudan Archives, putting out a collection of hybrid R&B, house, hyper pop, EDM tracks that works quite well. Doesn't always flow super well, but that lends a kind of chaotic element to it that I think adds to the experience. Hoping her performance plays like this album does! Favourite Tracks: - YEA YEA YEA - THE NATURE OF POWER - MY TYPE - MS PAC MAN - NOIRE

Band I caught recommended on Insta so decided to give them a spin. Then listened to this album 4 times in a row. This is a great, grungy, chaotic alternative punk record. Will definitely seek out more from these guys. Favourite Tracks: - Puerto de Limosina - Horseshit On Route 66 - What Else Could I Be But A Jester - Squished Face Slick Pig Living In A Smokey City

30 Albums Before Electric Avenue 2026 - Reviewing the albums of artists on the line up. (9/30) Pendulum shows that they still have the juice, 15 years on from their previous album. Mixing stadium DnB with metal in a way that gets the blood pumping, and I imagine will sound incredible in a live atmosphere. There's some great features here as well that keep the energy up. Favourite Tracks: - Come Alive - Save The Cat - Cannibal - Halo - Silent Spinner

30 Albums Before Electric Avenue 2026 - Reviewing the albums of artists on the line up. (4/30) The second EP by these guys is another brief one, containing a handful of groovy tunes. Great retro inspired house here, with great production and sound design. Definitely a vibe I can get into, will definitely I'm to check these guys out at EA 2026.

30 Albums Before Electric Avenue 2026 - Reviewing the albums of artists on the line up. (1/30) This album surprised me. A nice, cruisy, comfy shoegaze/dream pop album. The tone is pretty consistent throughout and the brief run time prevents filler. Great start to this series! Favourite Tracks: -Last to Sleep - Lucky Girl - Misread - Jennifer - Shoulders

Excellent debut here from The Strokes. Short and to the point, with a great nostalgic sound. Not much more can be said that a 1000 other reviewers haven't already said, just a classic album. Favorite Tracks: - Is This It - Soma - Someday - Alone, Together - Last Nite - Hard To Explain - New York City Cops - Trying Your Luck

It's heavy, it's aggressive, it's raw, and it kicks ass. KL put together another great set of tracks that pummel you for it's brief runtime. There's also some fun features on here which is a surprise, especially that from Poppy. Favorite Tracks: - Piece By Piece - Suffocate - Don't Reach For Me - The Calm That Keeps You Awake - Blinding Faith

I'm surprised this isn't looked on more fondly, as this album is better than I remembered. A bludgeoning set of tacks that never really let up the pace all that much. The drums, riff, and vocals all sound great and are mixed well. The songwriting is groovy and catchy. Honestly I think this is some of LOGs best works. Favourite Tracks: - In Your Words - Set To Fail - Contractor - Fake Messiah - Grace - Broken Hands - Dead Seeds - Reclamation - Condemn The Hive

Great follow up to their debut. They keep up the energy with another collection of catchy tunes with lots of character. Doesn't quite reach the highs of their debut but it's pretty damn close. Favourite Tracks: - Brianstorm - Teddy Picker - Fluorescent Adolescent - Do Me A Favor - Old Yellow Bricks - 505

Fun catchy bops all over this album. A little front loaded but the back half is still solid. B Reals goofy voice over Muggs' beats just works and makes for an engaging listen throughout. Favourite Tracks: - I Wanna Get High - We Ain't Goin Out Like That - Insane In The Brain - When The Shit Goes Down - Cocktail The Hammer - Hits From the Bong

A thrash classic. A brief, pummeling, heavy album with punk influence all over it. May have the strongest end of any metal album I have heard with Postmortem/Raining Blood. Favourite Tracks: - Angel Of Death - Piece By Piece - Necrophobic - Criminally Insane - Epidemic - Postmortem - Raining Blood

How can a metal album be so dreamy? Deftones strip their sound to basics, and stick to what works. What could've ended up sounding phoned in, instead sounds focused and vibrant. Great album here. Favourite Tracks: - Swerve City - Leathers - Poltergeist - Tempest - Gauze - Rosemary

Pusha T might be the most consistent rapper in recent memory. Tight, blunt, no frills rap album here, and its great. Fill with his usual bravado, great beat selection, and decent features. Favourite Tracks: - Brambleton - Let the Smokers Shine the Coupes - Just So You Remember - Call My Bluff - Hear Me Clearly

Impossible not to hear this album without feeling the weight of what would happen to these guys not long after. Quite a melancholy listen but for me it's more if a 'celebration of life' feeling rather than full on depressing. Really it's a brief collection of catchy indie-pop tunes that serve as a teaser for great career that we never really got to see. Favourite Tracks: - Dorothy - Cool With You - Marcel - Medievil - What Once Was

Some great groovy metal tracks here, as Sabbath pump out great tunes without the album ever dragging. Great highlights but a couple of skips hold it back. Favorite Tracks: - Sweet Leaf - After Forever - Children Of The Grave - Lord Of This World - Into The Void

Excellent metalcore album here. Great riffs that force you to bob your head along, great range on the vocals, and generally good straight-forward songwriting. Great stuff. Favourite Tracks: - Daylight Dies - This Is Absolution - My Curse - For You - Still Beats Your Name - Eye Of The Storm

This seems to be the moment everyone realized Deftones were the real deal. As a whole I think this album is a (very) slight step back from Around The fur, but the peaks are higher. A few songs here remain Deftones best, and continue to be timeless. Favorite Tracks: - Back to School - Digital Bath - Elite - Rx Queen - Teenager - Knife Prty - Korea - Passenger - Change (In The House of Flies)

Killer album with some great thrash/groove tunes on here. Sepulturas best sound is on this album in my opinion, with Max sounding better than ever, great riffs and crushing breakdowns. Favourite Tracks: - Refuse/Resist - Territory - Slave New World - Propaganda - Nomad - Manifest - Clenched Fist