One Sentence Review: 5 Random Albums

Portishead: Third (2008) - Darker and harsher than earlier efforts, creating an unavoidable atmosphere and many surprises that warrant a more rewarding experience than earlier albums, though Dummy is still catchier and thus the ideal place to start. 9.0/10

Talking Heads: Remain in Light (1980) - Funky quasi-African polyrythms conjured up by four white folks in their conceptual prime guarantee an immediately accessible, danceable, immersive experience that never lets up momentum until it has to, when we are all sweating and panting. 10/10

The Zombies: Odessey & Oracle (1968) - The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds with Beatle-esque attitude equal one the most unfairly overlooked, absolutely essential album of the 1960s. 10/10

Pavement: Wowee Zowee (1995) - The quintessential indie band of the 90s seem to have lost inspiration for their third full length effort, successfully creating one of the most frustrating albums by one of the decade's best bands. 5/10

My Bloody Valentine: Isn't Anything (1988) - More immediate and edgier than the more influential and beautiful Loveless, but by no means any less essential. 9.6/10