Tag: reviews

Posted in Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, New Tunes, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Ep. 49 | Common & Pete Rock

Posted on by misterstory

EP. 65 | Zach Bryan | With Heaven On Top – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 65 of This Is Not Happening. An Album of the Month podcast. In Part 1, we review our Album of the Month. This month Nolan brings a big chunk of country (or is Heartland Rock?) with Zach Bryan's latest release 'With Heaven On Top'.In Part 2, we play Spin It or Bin It, we pick a theme and all pick songs that represent that theme. This month the theme is 'New Music', tracks released since January 1st.__________Part 1 | Album of the Month | Zach Bryan | With Heave On Top ____________Zach Bryan is a relatively divisive, country artist who is HUGE in the states but can his latest album help him become (even more of) a global superstar? At 25 tracks and 1hr 18 mins he's giving the album every chance of making an impact.This album has genuine, authentic heart. It's length is a big talking point, so is it's genre, is it country? Americana? Something else?Listen to the original album here.Listen to the acoustic version released 3 days after the original here.Watch an interesting conversation with Bryan and Springsteen here.       ___________________Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | New Music _____________________Every 3 months we pick the theme 'New Music' and each pick 4 tracks that have been released in the last 2 month. Listen to our 16 track play list that we created for the New Music theme.We then each pick select 1 track and ask the simple question 'Spin It Or Bin It'?Joey chose 'Aperture' by Harry Styles.David chose 'Miami' by Pigeon.Nolan chose 'Milk, Blue' by Pem.Guy chose 'Out of Phase' by Alexis Taylor and Lola KirkeWe've been writing the blog for years come and have a look – https://thisisnothappening.net/
  1. EP. 65 | Zach Bryan | With Heaven On Top
  2. EP. 64 | Rosalia | LUX
  3. EP. 63 | Our Top 10 Albums of 2025
  4. EP. 62 | Juniper | Joy Crookes
  5. EP.61 | Blood Orange | Essex Honey

Welcome to Episode 49 of This is Not Happening (TINH).  An Album of the Month (AOTM) Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play ‘Spin it or Bin it’.  This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

This month, in Part 1, Nolan goes back to his spiritual home, Hip Hop and has picked an album that the genre has been waiting decades for – Common and Pete Rock, The Auditorium Vol. 1.

In Part 2, Spin It or Bin It, the theme sounds simple but it turned out to be deceptively divisive. This month we delve into ‘Power Ballads’ … but what actually is a Power Ballad?

Part 1 | Common & Pete Rock | The Auditorium Vol. 1

If you’re age (old AF) and you like Hip Hop then you’ve probably been listening to these two legends for 30 odd years. Common is 52, Mr. Rock is 54. They’ve been at the top of their games for decades but does the combination deliver synergy or something a little less?


Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Power Ballads.

So what is a Power Ballad? We all know the classics, but if we try and bring something a little different then first we have to have some sort of definition. We’ve picked 4 tracks that aren’t on many Power Ballad playlists … 

See you on Episode 50 … 

Posted in Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, New Tunes

AOTM – May – Vampire Weekend: Only God Was Above Us

Posted on by nolankane706

As we’ve discussed for many years; making music is tough, consistently making fantastic music is near impossible. Vampire Weekend’s span has placed well placed albums that have all sounded great and have stood the test of time. Not bad going, nevertheless resulting in high hopes for their latest release ‘Only God Was Above Us’.

Since their debut (2008’s self titled Vampire Weekend) I’ve been a big fan of the band. It was like they were the perfect band for me. With a well balanced mixture of something old, something new, something borrowed and something Paul Simon they filled a gap that was missing. Over their previous four albums they’ve created some of the best songs to dance, sing and not know all the words to over the years. Although a pod favourite, we have only reviewed one Vampire Weekend album previously (2013’s Modern Vampire’s of the City) the love for this band has never been hidden within the ThisIsNotHappening crew.

The initial singles were great, though listening to the album as a whole for me resulted in pure joy and excitement.  There’s a well-rounded confidence on this album. The evolution from their first album has been evident through their previous albums. Only God Was Above Us exudes a confidence that they have found the sound they’ve been working towards. Brother David has already (controversially) argued that this may be their best album.

So what’s so good about the album?  Each song holds its own for me which says a lot. Classical is a great example of the band’s ever so slight evolution as it tips its’ cap to the experienced ensemble at their best. Creating a welcoming hug of a song that makes you want to dance and sing along like you’ve heard the song a million times before and it’s full of memories. For clarity my wife isn’t fully sold. It’s too screechy for her. I get it what’s she’s saying; but I sort of think it makes the song.

I’ve read a few reviews of this album, and have listened to a few internet audio reviews. They generally have been very good. One unnamed reviewer had issues with The Surfer. He said it let the album down. I disagree. It nicely breaks up the album…. And it’s SO Vampire Weekend. And there it is. This is a band that have their own distinct sound. I get that their influences are vast and obvious at times. But they’ve found a seamless way of navigating through a mish mash of things that shouldn’t work together. With each album this melting pot has been more complex. With this album they seem to have found their purple patch. Connect is a great example of this. What could be a very confusing song is just, well, sonically brilliant.

Whilst previous albums have presented a Riddler like lyric sheet from Ezra Koenig, his lyrics seems less aloof this time around. Not downplaying their content and meaning as there’s a lot to go at. Perhaps his accomplished approach has allowed confidence in more upfront lyrics to communicate his thoughts? Is there anyone that makes talking about mortality, plus his and others emotions so well whilst sounding like he’s having fun?

Each song is a joy to the ears, complimented by seamless programming. Hope is a wonderful album finisher. It’s wall of sound delight. An eight minute wave goodbye (ironically) delving into not trying too hard letting go.

With the exception of their debut album, none of their albums have clicked as quickly as Only God Above Us for me. Currently at #6 on Metacritics best albums of 2024 (at time of writing in mid April), the latest effort from Vampire Weekend has already embedding itself into the hearts of many (me included). It will struggle to stay out of my top 10 for the year. But is the familiar nostalgia enough to tick the rest of your boxes. I look forward to your thoughts.