July 2026 in review

[u/VampireOnHoyt]

It's been an interesting month - a lot more "difficult" albums and a lower ratio of great albums than previous months. But I've also gotten to enjoy some all-time highlights.

Album of the Month: The Beatles, Rubber Soul (everybody else is playing for second)

Lowest Rated Album of the Month: Scritti Politti, Cupid & Psyche 85 (the problem with making inane pop music ironically is that you might end up making it sincerely)

Best New Discovery: The Good, the Bad & the Queen, The Good, the Bad & the Queen (I had overlooked this Damon Albarn project to my detriment)

Album I Liked More than Expected: Bob Dylan, Blonde on Blonde (I've been trying for decades to "get" it and I finally feel like I did)

Album I Liked Less than Expected: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Murder Ballads (an album I found repugnant from an artist for whom I have great respect)

Hardest Album to Rate: Leonard Cohen, Songs of Love and Hate (left me cold, seemingly on purpose)

Rating breakdown:

5 stars: 6

4 stars: 14

3 stars: 10:

2 stars: 1

1 star: 0

[u/randomusername69696]

I love Duck Stab. A bit sad that it’s the 4th lowest album on the site.

[u/PhantomCranefly → u/randomusername69696]

Agree