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Boxer

I think this album gets slightly overlooked in discussions about the best of its era, which is a shame because it does so many things right. The arrangements are inventive without being showy, the performances are committed and emotionally present, and the overall arc of the tracklist is really well considered. My only real criticism is that it occasionally feels like it's holding back when it should be going for broke. There are moments where you can sense a bigger, bolder idea lurking just beneath the surface. But what's actually here is still great — a confident, cohesive album that rewards close listening and repeated plays.

gleam_jazz92onBoxer·3.5·27d ago
Boxer

There's not a wasted second on this record. Even the interludes and transitions feel purposeful. I've seen people debate which track is the best and the fact that there's no consensus tells you everything about how consistently excellent it is.

fogrune87onBoxer·4.5·27d ago
Boxer

A decent listen but it doesn't hold up to repeated plays the way their best work does.

solar-chain7onBoxer·3.0·27d ago
Boxer

There's a before and after with this album. It changed everything.

thermal-hymnonBoxer·5.0·27d ago
Boxer

A few good tracks don't save a mostly underwhelming album.

cloudy_pandaonBoxer·2.0·27d ago
Boxer

The arrangements here are stunning. You can tell real care went into every detail.

white-sleuth512onBoxer·3.5·27d ago
Boxer

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

mossydrum652onBoxer·1.0·27d ago
Boxer

An absolute masterpiece from start to finish. Every track earns its place.

coremesa8onBoxer·4.5·27d ago
Boxer

I respect the ambition but this doesn't work for me.

stage-little76onBoxer·2.0·27d ago
High Violet

Decent album with a handful of really excellent tracks. The problem is the material between those peaks isn't compelling enough to hold your attention. Worth cherry-picking the highlights for a playlist.

High Violet

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.

High Violet

I come back to this every few months and find something new each time.

honest-duneonHigh Violet·5.0·27d ago
High Violet

A few tracks could have been cut without losing anything, but what's here is largely excellent. The production is gorgeous and the performances are top-notch. One of the better albums I've heard recently.

dreamcrow34onHigh Violet·4.0·27d ago
High Violet

This album exists in its own universe. Nothing compares.

hazy.zoneonHigh Violet·5.0·27d ago
High Violet

Probably the most perfectly sequenced album I've ever heard. Each track sets up the next one beautifully and the climax hits like a freight train. The fact that they pulled this off is honestly kind of miraculous.

guru-light46onHigh Violet·4.5·27d ago
High Violet

A monumental achievement in every sense.

pure_wolfonHigh Violet·4.5·27d ago
High Violet

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

High Violet

This is one of those albums where even the deep cuts could be singles. The level of quality control here is insane. You can tell every decision was agonized over and it shows in the final product. A genuine landmark.

The Soft Bulletin

Some interesting ideas here that don't always pan out. You can tell they were trying to push in a new direction and I respect that, even if the results are mixed. A couple of tracks are genuinely great.

The Soft Bulletin

A monumental achievement in every sense.