Grammy's Album Of The Year review: "Hollywood's Bleeding" - Post Malone

 

With the Grammy nominations out, its time for my "album of the year" reviews.  I score each track on whether it stands out, is merely okay, or is a miss. The final score will be out of a high of 100.

"Hollywood's Bleeding" - Post Malone

(All Rights to Republic Records)

1) "Hollywood's Bleeding"

This deals with the toxicity of the hollywood lifestyle; "Dyin' in our sleep, we're livin' out a dream. We only make it out alone". A nice beat kicks in during the verse.

2) "Saint-Tropez"

Dealing with Malone's lifestyle, this track drags along with nothing else much to say about it.

3) "Enemies" ft/ Dababy

"Enemies" is about how fame impacts relationships/friendships; "money tend to show all they tendencies"

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4) "Allergic"

With an energetic beat, this deals with a toxic relationship; "I took your pills & your drugs just to feel something else, 'Cause I can't feel you no more".

5) "A Thousand Bad Times"

Lamenting past relationships, there's a nice beat to this track...but the writing is quite poor.

6) "Circles"

This deals with maintaining a relationship; "We couldn't turn around 'til we were upside down". There's a nice chill beat to "Circles".

7) "Die For Me" ft/ Future & Halsey

This track fails to get its message across. The only decent verse in this belongs to Halsey.

8) "On the Road" ft/ Meek Mill & Lil'Baby

This is an anthemic track about work ethic that doesn't do a whole lot.

9) "Take What You Want" ft/ Ozzy Osbourne & Travis Scott

Quite a collaboration, the lyrics really hit here; "you bled me dry like the tears you never show". Along with a nice guitar rift, this track blends very well.

10) "I'm Gonna Be"

About letting loose, this track is very repetitive and bland. 

11) "Staring At The Sun" ft/ SZA

This deals with reminiscing about the past; "if you keep staring at the sun, you won't see what you have become, this can't be.....everything you thought it was, blinded by the thought of us".

12) "Sunflower" ft/ Swae Lee

This is about the loyalty and persistence of a woman; "then you're left in the dust...you're a sunflower, I think your love would be too much". There's nice imagery here.

13) "internet" 

Dealing with the frustrations of social media, this track is very stereotypical.

14) "Goodbyes" ft/ young thug

This is about trying to move on from a relationship; "I want you out of my head...There's no way I could save you, 'cause I need to be saved too".

15) "myself"

Reflecting on Malone's own journey, this track drags along without doing much.

16) "I Know"

Reflecting on the outcomes of a broken relationship, there's a good feel to this, but once more the writing is lacking.

17) "wow."

Focusing on his wealth, etc this track provides a very tired message.

I've come to the conclusion that Post Malone is a good singles producer/radio artist....but as for a whole album, he just doesn't have the skills. With multiple tracks dealing with shallow messages on his journey to fame, there just isn't much to enjoy here. (30)

Taylor Swift - Folklore (100)

Haim - "Women In Music - Pt. III" (85)

Post Malone - "Hollywood's Bleeding" (30)

Grammy's Album Of The Year Review: "Folklore" (Taylor Swift)

 

With the Grammy nominations out, its time for my "album of the year" reviews.  I score each track on whether it stands out, is merely okay, or is a miss. The final score will be out of a high of 100.

"Folklore" - Taylor Swift

(All Rights to Republic Records)

1) "the 1"

This track deals with myths and "what could have beens" of relationships; "I hit the Sunday matinee. You know the greatest films of all time we're never made". Taylor is reminiscing on the possibilities that she missed out on; "In my defense, I have none".

2) "Cardigan"

This track sets up a larger story of a love triangle, continued in "august", and "betty". There's a very 'Lana Del Rey' feel to "Cardigan". The imagery is impeccable; "You drew stars around my scars, but now I'm bleeding".

3) "the last great american dynasty"

This track is about Rebekah Harkness. Quicker paced, Taylor tells a life story.

4) "exile" ft/ Bon Iver

Two exes are seeing each other again in this track. Justin Vernon and Taylor are in a bit of a call and response; "you're not my homeland anymore, so what am I defending now? (Vernon)", "you were my crown, now I'm in exile (Swift)". The bridge is exquisite .  

5) "My tears ricochet"

This track is possibly about the betrayal that Talor felt from her publishing group. Its very mournful sounding; "And if I'm on fire, you'll be made of ashes too"...."And if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake, cursing my name". 

6) "mirrorball"

Taylor is reflecting on her different personalities, and the idea that she has to fight to stay relevant; "I'll show you every version of yourself tonight"..."I can change everything about me to fit in". The bridge in particular shows how she feels she has to constantly reinvent herself.

7) "seven"

This deals with childhood innocence. The 2nd verse gets quite personal.

8) "august"

Continuing from the story in "Cardigan", this tells another perspective of the love triangle; "August slipped away like a bottle of wine, 'Cause you were never mine". This other woman is realizing that there wasn't much to this dalliance; "Cause you weren't mine to lose".

9) "this is me trying" 

Taylor is reflecting on the faults in herself in regards to past relationships; "I had the shiniest wheels, now they're rusting". She's always been trying to improve on herself, dealing with criticism that she's been self-sabotaging relationships; "they told me all of my cages were mental".

10) "Illicit Affairs"

This gives a wide view on infidelity; "And that's the thing about illicit affairs. And clandestine meetings & longing stares. It's born from just one single glance".

11) "Invisible String"

Taylor sees her past relationships as leading her to her current romance; "all along there was some invisible string tying you to me?"..... "something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire, Chains around my demons, wool to brave the seasons, one single thread of gold".

12) "mad woman"

This track centers around gaslighting; "what a shame she went mad, no one likes a mad woman, you made her like that".

13) "epiphany"

The central focus here is about finding a semblance of peach amid chaos; "only 20 minutes to sleep, but you dream of some epiphany". There are references to the pandemic; "someone's daughter, someone's mother, holds your hand through plastic now".

14) "betty"

This deals with the aftermath of "august" and wraps up the love triangle story with the perspective of the guy admitting that he cheated. There's a country-feel to this track.

15) "peace"

"Peace" deals with Taylor's maturation with romance. She'll always be hounded by press, etc, but will always be there and try for her partner.

16) "hoax"

This track sounds very melancholic; "my twisted knife, my sleepless night, my winless fight, this has frozen my ground".

"Folklore" sees some of Taylor Swift's best writing to date. She turns inward and gets quite personal, reflecting on her past and what has held her back. In terms of music, 2020 may have been Taylor Swift's year. (100)

Taylor Swift - Folklore (100)

Haim - "Women In Music - Pt. III" (85)

Grammy's Album of The Year Review: "Women In Music Pt. III" (Haim)

 

With the Grammy nominations out, its time for my "album of the year" reviews.  I score each track on whether it stands out, is merely okay, or is a miss. The final score will be out of a high of 100.

"Women In Music Pt. III" - Haim

(All Rights to Colombia Records)

1) "Los Angeles"

With a jazzy-sounding intro, this opening track is about the sisters' hometown of L.A. Through the chorus we see how it causes them at times to lose their faith and vision, and yet it still feels like home to them.

2) "The Steps"

This track deals with repairing a broken relationship as they're drifting apart; "I can't understand why you don't understand me". There's some nice imagery in the 2nd verse of their partner letting "ivy" invade the relationship. With some great guitar rifts, this is a really catchy track.

3) "I Know Alone"

This deals with feeling isolated (something we can all relate to during 'these troubling times'....am I right? anyway...). The writing is just superb here getting across that message; "I know alone, like no one else does".

4) "Up From A Dream"

The chorus feels a little 'wordy', whereas the interlude flows more smoothly with cool instrumentation.

5) "Gasoline"

The chorus gives off a tranquil feel, but the overall song seems somewhat slow & dragging.

6) "3AM"

There's a cool 90s hip-hop feel to this track.

7) "Don't Wanna"

This deals with an early relationship and whether its worth building on; "Left me low with my high heels in the parking lot".  

8) "Another Try"

"Another Try" deals with the extremes of a relationship; "Is it destiny, or just chemistry. We're living in such extremes". 

9) "Leaning On You"

This track is about accepting flaws and dealing with your own insecurities; "Now I get scared for reasons I don't know. Is it just because I ain't tough enough being alone?".

10) "I've Been Down"

This is about feeling down despite the highs of a relationship; "Would you even pick me out of the crowd, Cause I can't recognize myself now".

11) "Man From The Magazine"

This is a callout track that initially deals with an interviewer, but builds on that, where the sisters feel like they have to prove themselves to men throughout their musical journey.

12) "All That Ever Mattered"

The chorus is just beautifully chaotic, on top of a rad guitar bridge.

13) "FUBT"

This deals with a twisted relationship where they don't want to lose their partner. This track drags quite a lot.

14) "Now I'm In It"

This involves a mental health struggle; "We cannot be friends, cannot pretend it makes sense".  

15) "Hallelujah"

"Hallelujah" is about their sisterly bond; "I met two angels, but they were in disguise. Took one to look to realize.. Tell 'em anything and they will sympathize". There are just some powerful verses in this track.

16) "Summer Girl"

This track takes us full circle looping back to Los Angeles; "Your smiles turn into cryin', its the same release".

Some superb writing is on display in "Women In Music Pt. III". There's just something with the pacing and the vocals that really make them pop. Overall this album is just pleasant to listen to.     (85)

Haim - "Women In Music - Pt. III" (85)