andconham's Diary

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…

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

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…

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…

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…

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 pretty, transporting dream pop / shoegaze album here. On first listen I didn't find much that grabbed me but I just let it loop and I was fully with the vibe after a while. The production is nice, and I love the fuzzier guitars that come towards the back end of the album. Best enjoyed as a full al…

He didn't reinvent the wheel here, but the callback to his earlier style was welcome after a string of pop hits. The production is great throughout also, particularly the Gesafelstein tracks. Favourite Tracks: - Call Out My Name - Wasted Times - I Was Never There - Hurt You

Nostalgia evoking brit-pop, that has aged quite well. The singles obviously stand out but the lesser known tracks all hold their own as well, with great melodies and catchy lyrics. All capped off by maybe their best song in Champagne Supernova. Favourite Tracks: - Roll With It - Wonderwall - Don't…

A fun alt rock/emo combination that adds an arena rock styling to AFI's already established post-hardcore sound. The lyrics are a bit sappy at times but it's all catchy and has aged quite well I think. Favourite Tracks: - Kill Caustic - Miss Murder - Love Like Winter - Affliction

A scattershot album, that runs through different genres and ideas. Most of it works and Pattons at times unhinged vocals are good for a laugh, though when it's time to be serious they are great. Doesn't flow from track-to-track super well though, and could've maybe left a song or two off. Favourite…

I'm not super in tune with electronic music these days, but this is the best album I can recall hearing in a while. Creative combinations of house a garage, with interesting sampling throughout. The sound design is pretty great all around on this. Favourite Tracks: - Treat Each Other Right - Waited…

Continuing the journey of The Cure slowly becoming my favourite band. This release is quite cold and moody. Less catchy than albums that came before and after, but the craft is incredible. The bass guitar really stands out in many songs here which I love, and Smiths vocals croon over the soundscapes…

SMTB continue to show why they are one of the best Hardcore Punk band going today. They take a more simple approach this time around, and for me it works quite well. I will say the interludes are unnecessary, and bring the album down a touch though. Favourite Tracks: - Eat For Peace - No God - Good…

Music made by troubled deceased artists always seems to hit a bit harder, and this album is no different. Pairing good song writing with the indirect melancholy of their death can make for pretty effective listening. I think this album lacks a little variety for me personally, but I'll definitely be…

Another classic in the Zeppelin catalogue. I personally prefer their debut, but there is still huge tracks all over this one. Kicking off with one of the best songs they ever wrote, and the quality never really dips outside of a couple of meandering moments (Moby Dick being the worst offender). Fav…

A transition period in Faith No More's discography. New vocalist Mike Patton mostly stayed within the confines of the FNM had been doing prior to his arrival, the signs of his later vocal infelection would peek through in parts. Not my favourite FNM album, but essential none the less. Favourite Tra…

Ngonda follows up his great debut with an equally great follow up. While not as instantly snappy as the debut, repeat listens reveal Ngonda has a great ear for the past without feeling tacky or derivative. Favourite Tracks: - Doctrine of Love - Burning Temptation - Live is Gone - Hang it on the She…

Classic NYHC album here. Good lyrics over top of chunky riffs. It sounds a little dated but it still go hard. Favourite Tracks: - Born From Pain - New Ethic - The Discipline - Deliverance - Asphyziate - Fortress

Better than I remember. I remember being disappointed with the departure from their earlier sound at the time, but with time to grow used to their later sound I can now appreciate this album a bit more. While I still prefer the less 'serious' tone of their first two albums, the musicianship here is…

First time listening to this band, and I think this is pretty good commercial Hardcore. I was surprised to see these guys have been active since the early 2000s, as there is pretty good energy on this album. They alternate between the heavy and the easy, and there is some good catchy hooks. Lyricall…