Pinkerton

I appreciate what they were going for even if it doesn't fully land.

Ambitious album that mostly delivers. There are one or two moments where they overreach, but the confidence and vision on display are admirable. The standout tracks here are absolutely world-class.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I genuinely think this is one of the most overrated albums of all time. I've tried to hear what everyone else hears — the groundbreaking production, the emotional depth, the artistic vision — and I just get boredom. Track after track of self-indulgent noodling dressed up as profundity. The emperor has no clothes on this one, and the fact that so many critics fell over themselves to praise it says more about groupthink than it does about the music. I'm sure the artist put real effort and passion into this, but passion doesn't automatically equal quality. Skip it.

A rich, layered album that reveals more with each listen.

I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this and how it made me feel. Very few albums create that kind of indelible memory. The craft on display here is extraordinary but it never feels cold or calculated — there's real heart behind every note.

There's a reason this is universally acclaimed. It really is that good.

Actively unpleasant listening experience for me. I can appreciate craft without enjoying the result, and that's exactly what happened here. Well-made music that I never want to hear again. Different strokes, I suppose.

I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this and how it made me feel. Very few albums create that kind of indelible memory. The craft on display here is extraordinary but it never feels cold or calculated — there's real heart behind every note.