iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

“The coffee shop AU no one asked for” Wrong. I asked for it. If coffee shop AUs have no lovers, assume I’m dead. In fact, any time you read a particularly saccharine and adorable AU, just assume that I’m kicking my feet in glee over it. I love reading nice things.

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And that’s a wrap on this most recent batch of albums! 100 albums in a month - I think I managed it pretty well, lol. Next batch will be… whenever I come up with 100 more, I guess. I usually take about three months. I’m not pushing myself though, so shooting for June but it’s not set in stone.

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Today’s Albums (5/5): Ants From Up There by Black Country, New Road Verdict: First time. Interesting enough. There were some great soundscapes and melodies here, but it’s definitely a tad too long. Favorite cuts: Concorde, Bread Song, The Place Where He Inserted the Blade

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Today’s Albums (4/5): Elwan by Tinariwen Verdict: First time. Definitely the most unique suggestion I got this time! Another case of “I don’t understand the language, so I’ll let the melodies speak.” I liked it! Favorite cuts: Tiwàyyen, Hayati, Fog Edaghàn

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Today’s Albums (3/5): Ceremonials by Florence and the Machine Verdict: Pretty good, but too long. Probably could have cut a few songs. I do enjoy the overall soundscapes she creates though. Favorite cuts: Shake It Out, What the Water Gave Me, Remain Nameless

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Today’s Albums (2/5): If Blue Could Be Happiness by Florist Verdict: First time. Decent indie. I think you have to be in a particular mood to truly enjoy it for what it is, and I was unfortunately not. It’s still okay though. Favorite cuts: The Fear of Losing This, Understanding Light, Red Bird

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Today’s Albums (1/5): Don’t Look Back by Boston Verdict: Pretty good! Not quite as legendary as their debut, but you can still hear a lot of that Boston magic here. Track 4* is one of my favorites of theirs. Favorite cuts: title track, *A Man I’ll Never Be, Feelin’ Satisfied

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Today’s Albums (5/5): All-Time Quarterback by All-Time Quarterback Verdict: First time. Fascinating stuff. Some really unique and interesting instrumentation choices. Too short, but doesn’t FEEL short. Favorite cuts: Empire State, Underwater, Send Packing

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Today’s Albums (4/5): Lean Into It by Mr. Big Verdict: Decent little hair metal album. Doesn’t do a lot to distinguish itself, but it’s still nice. Another one where the one hit is easily the high point. Favorite cuts: Green-Tinted Sixties Mind, My Kinda Woman, To Be With You

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Today’s Albums (3/5): Planet Her by Doja Cat Verdict: First time. Some bright spots but kinda meh overall. I think DC has a nice voice, but nothing on here truly stood out to me. Favorite cuts: Woman, Love to Dream, Kiss Me More

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Today’s Albums (2/5): Blood on the Silver Screen by Sasami Verdict: First time. Very interesting. Not something I might have picked for myself, but I am definitely intrigued to check out more. Favorite cuts: Slugger, Figure It Out, Lose It All

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Today’s Albums (1/5): Van Halen II by Van Halen Verdict: Really good! Early era VH really understood the assignment, didn’t they? Fun rock, incredible instrumentation, tight runtime. Love it. Favorite cuts: You’re No Good, Dance the Night Away, Women in Love

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Today’s Albums (5/5): America by America Verdict: Classic 60s folk rock. Great CSNY-esque harmonies. A few songs could have used a trim, but it’s not egregiously long. Favorite cuts: Riverside, Three Roses, A Horse With No Name

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Today’s Albums (4/5): thank u next by Ariana Grande Verdict: First time. It’s good. Maybe a bit too poppy overall for my own taste, but that’s just me. Great vocals, of course. Favorite cuts: needy, in my head, title track

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Today’s Albums (3/5): Blush by Maya Hawke Verdict: Pretty good, but not quite as compelling as her later work. Chalk it up to it being a debut, I suppose. But I’m glad she keeps getting better! Favorite cuts: Generous Heart, So Long, Hold the Sun

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Today’s Albums (2/5): Fallow by the Weakerthans Verdict: First time. Really good! A good mix of fast and slow jams. Doesn’t feel like it came out in the late 90s tbh. Gonna need to hear more from these guys. Favorite cuts: Diagnosis, Letter of Resignation, Leash

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Today’s Albums (1/5): I Love You. by the Neighborhood Verdict: First time. Kinda underwhelming. Seems competently put together, but feels empty, if that makes sense. Favorite cuts: Sweater Weather, Alleyways, Flawless

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Today’s Albums (5/5): Happy Birthday by Finn Wolfhard Verdict: I’m cheating with another EP, lol. But it’s pretty good! A decent little indie. Kinda wish it was longer tbh - full LP length, you know? Favorite cuts: Choose the Latter, Objection!, Trailers After Dark

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Today’s Albums (4/5): Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard Verdict: First time. Decent album. Doesn’t sound or feel much different than every other pop punk/emo band from the time period though. Favorite cuts: Breathing, title track, Only One

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Today’s Albums (3/5): DeBí TiRAR MáS FOTos by Bad Bunny Verdict: First time. Pretty good! I can’t judge the lyrics, but I can appreciate the musicality and production regardless of the language barrier. Favorite cuts: Perfumito Nuevo, Turista, DTMF

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Today’s Albums (2/5): Freedom at Point Zero by Jefferson Starship Verdict: Pretty decent. Definitely has that Styx feel that a lot of late 70s/early 80s bands did. The overall length is okay, but a few songs could have been cut down by a minute or two. Favorite cuts: Jane, Awakening, Rock Music

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Today’s Albums (1/5): Room on Fire by the Strokes Verdict: Very good. All of those early 2000s rock bands have such a style and feel to them. It’s very nostalgic, even if I haven’t heard the album before. Favorite cuts: Reptilia, 12:51, The Way It Is

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Today’s Albums (5/5): The Crossing by Big Country Verdict: Decent 80s rock. I can definitely hear a bit of U2 in it, but they still distinguish themselves well. It’s about ten to twenty minutes too long though. Favorite cuts: In A Big Country, A Thousand Stars, title track

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Today’s Albums (4/5): Weathervanes by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Verdict: Really good! I always like it when an album has Things to say, but doesn’t feel preachy. A bit overlong though. Favorite cuts: King of Oklahoma, Cast Iron Skillet, Volunteer

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Today’s Albums (3/5): Fire and Water by Free Verdict: Good stuff. The vocals stand out really well, and it’s a super tight length. A few could maybe stand a tiny trim, but I don’t really have many complaints. Favorite cuts: title track, Remember, All Right Now

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Today’s Albums (2/5): Dancing in the Moonlight by King Harvest Verdict: Pretty good, but my main issue is it doesn’t do a lot to distinguish itself from other stuff from the same era. Sounds like it could be any band, you know? Favorite cuts: Smile on Her Face, Girl Come On Home, title track

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Today’s Albums (1/5): Being So Normal by Peach Pit Verdict: Decent. Very indie, but not necessarily a particular sound I’d seek out. Doesn’t overstay its welcome. Favorite cuts: Drop the Guillotine, Techno Party, Alrighty Aphrodite

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Today’s Albums (5/5): Don’t Say No by Billy Squier Verdict: Pretty good. The instrumentation is nice, and the pace is brisk. Might have trimmed a tiny bit here and there, but overall it’s a solid album. Favorite cuts: The Stroke, Too Daze Gone, Lonely is the Night

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Today’s Albums (4/5): Oracular Spectacular by MGMT Verdict: First time. It’s okay. Probably nothing I’d seek for outside of this project. Decent melodies but I’m not a big fan of the vocals. Favorite cuts: The Youth, Kids, Of Moons Birds and Monsters

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Today’s Albums (3/5): Sixpence None the Richer by Sixpence None the Richer Verdict: A very nostalgic 90s album for me. Didn’t quite connect with me as well now, but that’s okay. Still some great songs to be had. Favorite cuts: Kiss Me, The Lines of My Earth, There She Goes

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Today’s Albums (2/5): Living in the Material World by George Harrison Verdict: Very good. I’ve just never connected to GH’s music like I have with, say, John or Paul’s. The melodies and instrumentation is impeccable, of course. Favorite cuts: Give Me Love, Be Here Now, Deep Blue

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Today’s Albums (1/5): Fireworks and Rollerblades by Benson Boone Verdict: First time. It’s fine. Nothing particularly compelling nor offensively bad about it. Definitely not worth the amount of hate it gets, lol. Favorite cuts: Beautiful Things, Cry, Love Of Mine

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Today’s Albums (5/5): ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space by Spiritualized Verdict: Pretty okay. Some of the soundscapes are nice, but a few gave me a headache, which is never fun. Favorite cuts: Come Together, Stay With Me, Broken Heart

Today’s Albums (4/5): The Age of Plastic by the Buggles Verdict: Decent enough. Definitely feels like that transitional period between the 70s and 80s. You know the hit, and that’s all you need to know. Favorite cuts: Video Killed the Radio Star, Elstree, Astroboy

Today’s Albums (3/5): Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish Verdict: Pretty good! I like that I can see progression from her debut to this to the third album. Always nice to see growth. Favorite cuts: my future, Your Power, title track

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Today’s Albums (2/5): Songs of Innocence by U2 Verdict: Ah yes, the infamous one, lol. Which is too bad because it’s a decent album! With all the highs and lows one might expect from your average U2 record. Favorite cuts: The Miracle, Song for Someone, Raised by Wolves

Today’s Albums (1/5): Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple Verdict: Very cool. I like how jazzy it feels. Like I could picture her singing this at a nightclub or something, lol. Flows very easily to my ears. Favorite cuts: Get Him Back, Parting Gift, Please Please Please