EARLY HINTS |

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I'm actually pretty hesitant to declare how I feel about an album until I'm well familiar with it. I still want to put what I'm listening to on my site somewhere, though, so here's a compromise. These are 140 character first impressions of albums that I know somewhat, but not enough to confidently write a review on. I'm pretty sure my opinion will change on these as they get more spins, so expect the final word in the main review section soon.

Everything But the Girl - Temperamental (1999): Like a club, a lot of glossy, boomy style, but hard to remember much afterwards. Tracey Thorn's soulful rambles are the best part about it.

Standout track: "Lullaby of Clubland"

XTC - English Settlement (1982): A surprisingly neurotic, socially aware pastoral pop rock album. Andy Partridge and friends have a knack for the almost annoyingly catchy.

Standout track: "Jason and the Argonauts"

Aphex Twin - I Care Because You Do (1995): Thanks Ryan, for giving me one of the most avant-garde, abstract, neo-classical Aphex Twin records to start with. Here's hoping I get it.

Standout track: "Alberto Balsalm"

Counting Crows - Recovering the Satellites (1996): For all its best tracks, gets lost in an hour-long self-pitying mire of wailing roots rock. Thank God they reigned it in the next album.

Standout track: "Daylight Fading"

The Reverend Horton Heat - Smoke 'Em if You Got 'Em (1990): How fun the Rev's junked up, speedy rockabilly is to listen to makes up for the repetition and obvious Brian Setzer et al cribbing.

Standout track: "Bad Reputation"

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