After the success of their debut, self-titled album, 5 Seconds of Summer had lots of expectations placed on them for their second album, which they came out with a year after the release of that first record. It would’ve been very easy for them to stick to the formula they had gone with for the debut record, but instead they opted for a more aggressive sound and entirely different lyrical themes. And honestly, I thought this was a great album. You can tell that the band really wanted to move into more emotional territory than they were in on their debut album, and you can also tell that they wanted to create an album that their fans would really resonate and connect with. This is an album for people who feel like outcasts and misfits, and though that may lend itself to very emo/angsty songs, it makes for a very commendable musical statement.
Category Archives: Artists
Billy Joel: Cold Spring Harbor (1971) Song Ranking
Okay, I wasn’t planning on reviewing any more Billy Joel albums. Especially not this one, since it’s usually ranked as one of his worst (it was his debut, so let’s all be nice). However, one of my favorite BJ songs ever is on this album (you’ll see which one that is at the end of the ranking), so I decided to give it a listen. And honestly, this was much better than I was expecting. Is it as advanced lyrically and musically as most of his later work? No. But is there still enjoyment to be had out of this album? Very much so.
The Beatles: With the Beatles (1963) Song Ranking
With the Beatles is basically a perfect encapsulation of the early-Beatles trademarks. From raspy rocking tracks led by John, to sweet romantic ballads led by Paul, this album is chock-full of those early-years staples. Personally, I prefer their debut album, Please Please Me, to this one, but of course, this is a very strong record as well. While I do think a lot of the tracks on With the Beatles are filler-esque, I also can’t deny that there are some seriously amazing songs sprinkled throughout the tracklist of this album.
Summertime Playlist
Summertime is the time of year for popsicles, the beach, and fun memories. It’s a joyous and exciting period of time, and I’ve selected some songs that I think capture the feeling of summer. Hope you enjoy, and feel free to let me know of some songs that remind you of summer!
Queen: A Day at the Races (1976) Song Ranking
After the commercial success of their previous studio album, A Night at the Opera, expectations were high for Queen to deliver another successful and enjoyable album. This album serves as a sequel to that album in pretty much every way. From the names, to the cover art, to the musical styles, A Day at the Races certainly adds on to the group’s previous record.
Fleetwood Mac (1975) Song Ranking
This was the first album Fleetwood Mac put out with their most beloved lineup of Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks. To say that they put out a strong debut for the lineup would be a massive understatement. This is a truly great album, and it boasts some of the bands best songs to date. I can see why Rumours is more acclaimed (and I would say I prefer Rumours), but it’s evident that this eponymous album planted the seeds for the greatness that would come from Rumours.
5 Seconds of Summer (2014) Song Ranking
Even before the release of their self-titled, debut album, 5 Seconds of Summer had already achieved worldwide fame through several EP releases, as well as a stint in touring with One Direction. Though it was easy to brush them off as yet another boyband, they wanted to make a statement that they were no such thing (not that I have a problem with boybands of course. I’m a 1D girl for life). They played their own instruments, wrote their own songs, and gravitated towards a pop-punk sound, as opposed to a bubblegum pop musical direction.
One Direction: Four (2014) Song Ranking
With Midnight Memories, One Direction started to move away from the bubblegum-pop sound of their first two albums and into a more mature realm of songwriting. While I think that Midnight Memories is a great album, I also think it only planted the seeds for what became One Direction’s unique, personal sound. Four is the full bloom, and it sounds more artistic and personal than anything that came before it.
The Beatles: Abbey Road (1969) Songs Ranked
Abbey Road, though it was not the last album to be released by The Beatles, was the last album to be recorded by the band. And honestly, what a great piece of work to end on (in the recording sense, of course). This album is often heralded as one of the greatest and most iconic of all time, and I can see why. It’s a very pleasant and polished record (not to mention that it’s arguably the most well-known and iconic album covers of all time).
Louis Tomlinson: Walls (2020) Song Ranking
Walls, Louis Tomlinson’s debut solo studio album, shows a lot of emotional and musical maturity. While I am a huge fan of One Direction’s music, I don’t think it’s unfair to say that they weren’t allowed to get too personal in those songs. Walls sees Louis pouring his heart out about everything that’s been going on in his life, and I think he managed to put together an incredible selection of songs.
Anna's Music World 