Pinkerton

I genuinely don't understand the hype. This was a slog to get through.

I've introduced maybe a dozen friends to this album and every single one of them has become a fan. That kind of universal appeal combined with genuine artistic depth is incredibly rare. This is the real deal.

This has some of the best individual songs of the decade even if the album has weak spots.

A monumental achievement in every sense.

Really impressive album that showcases an artist at a creative peak. The range of sounds and moods they explore here is remarkable, and what's more impressive is that it all feels cohesive rather than scattered. The transitions between tracks are so smooth you barely notice them. There are a handful of moments where the ambition slightly exceeds the execution — a lyric that doesn't quite land, a sonic idea that needed a bit more development — but these are minor blemishes on an otherwise excellent record. The standout tracks here are among the best songs released in the last decade.

The emotional weight of this album is remarkable. Very moving stuff.

Pushes the boundaries of the genre in interesting ways.

What sets this apart from other great albums is the consistency. There's no filler, no dips in quality, just track after track of brilliance. The emotional arc from start to finish is perfectly constructed. An easy 5.

I tried multiple times but can't connect with this at all.

Just when you think you've heard it all, an album like this comes along.