Alex Cameron - Oxy Music ALBUM REVIEW
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2024
- Listen: alkcm.bandcamp...
Oxy Music, between its underexplored concept and hit-and-miss songwriting, doesn't meet the high standard of Alex's previous albums.
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FAV TRACKS: BEST LIFE, SARA JO, K HOLE
LEAST FAV TRACK: HOLD THE LINE
ALEX CAMERON - OXY MUSIC / 2022 / SECRETLY CANADIAN / SOFT ROCK, NEW WAVE
6/10
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?
No joke my ex girlfriend cheated on me with Alex Cameron after one of his shows and now I can’t listen to him anymore. This was in 2016 and I’m still salty.
you’re allowed to be salty, i would be fucking pissed tbh
@@aurora-cc6hk true but it’s not like it was his fault. Just can’t listen to the guy anymore.
Hope you didn't lose faith in women and relationship or your attractiveness. Have been there, it truly sucks.
Alex Cameron is Mista Steal Ur Girl :O
I'm sorry bro but that is very funny
Idk what it is about Forced Witness but that album is 10/10 in my brain so both following albums haven’t really lived up to my (very high) expectations. I do feel like he’s weirdly become less confident in the silliness ? However, obsessed with the lyric ‘it might appear like I’m driving straight for the moat, oh baby but it’s one of those cars that turns into a boat’ I want this energy in every single verse lol
I’m exactly the same. I feel like he’s not as willing to be over the top and ridiculous now and I don’t know how it’s disappeared so quickly
Forced Witness was robbed from the strong 9 it deserved for sure. About the silliness, I recall that in one interview, Alex and Roy said they were afraid of turning into a full-on humor act, using Tenacious D as an example lol
@@NotRealMusicRyan forced witness is one of the catchiest, most memorable pop rock records of the last 20 years, it could easily be a 10 for me as well, so yeah, really hard to follow up that work
@@TheLuxma I mean, it still got a 9
He was very much embodying the same persona on both Jumping the Shark and Forced Witness, so I don’t blame him for not wanting to keep that up through his entire career. While I love Forced Witness, I don’t think anybody would wanna keep that up for that long, and I also wouldn’t want people always associating me with something that distances me personally from my art.
I've never heard Alex before, and just listened to "K-Hole". It's bittersweet, and clearly an homage to late period Roxy Music, specifically "Avalon". The font used on the title is a pretty blatant clue. edit: I just checked out "Forced Witness", and he's definitely a fan of Bryan Ferry. I'm in.
I've listened to all four albums twice, and I don't hear much difference between them, except "Shark" is sparer and more synthy. "Oxy" has some standouts. They all do.
This album is fire I think it's a huge grower
I was disappointed on the first listen through, but I've been spinning it back to back and I like it more than Miami Memory at this point. Every hook has been stuck in my head in the last week.
Nop
are u sure it's not more of a shower ?
@@ark4b50 i dont know if I like it more then Miami Memory but it is definitely growing on me with each listen and I like it just as much as his other albums.
It really is
Hold the Line is an absolute banger. Better than anything on Miami Memory in my opinion. Also, Oxy Music is such a brilliant album closer. The first half is a lot of fun and the 3 minute outro locks into that incredible, melancholy groove that rounds off the album perfectly. That repeated refrain about only needing one bullet in the gun is spine-tingling.
I'm drunk and I've never heard this album but I think you're wrong
First listen I thought it was a huge disappointment but damn if this hasn’t grown on me in the last week, and I’ve found a lot off kilter grooves to become super addictive and find myself with the crazy lyrics in my head constantly. I do wish the production was a little more lavish but hey, this is still some classic Al Cam material for me.
Anthony’s day is ruined and his disappointment is immeasurable.
Following Alex's patreon was telling leading up to this. COVID really did a number on his finances so I think the budget was much lower for this and it shows.
Still, this grew on me a lot and I've really come to love the last two tracks. Hold the Line and Dead Eyes are a bit lackluster but there's enough great stuff on here to keep me happy. The 3 singles are killer.
Was expecting a 6-7 from you. Can't help but be sad about it though and really wonder what AlCam would have put our if not for COVID derailing his career as it was picking up. Absolutely adore the guy.
I thought Dead Eyes was absolutely brilliant
Dead Eyes is a near perfect tune
I'm a big fan of Hold The Line and Dead Eyes. I'm not a big fan of the Mods verse and the cover photo though.
I was a little underwhelmed at first, too. And then I listened to it more. And more. Almost every day since I first heard it. It's currently my favorite album of the year. FURIOUSLY catchy. Probably floating just a little under Forced Witness for me, and that album was my runaway favorite of 2017.
I wouldn't go as far as you, but the tracks I wasn't as crazy about on first listen did grow on me. Would still only put it at like a light 7, though.
Do you think you like it because you listened to it constantly for days, or do you think you liked it so much that it deserved to be listened to for days
@@Szanth it made me want to listen to it again and so I did :p
I’m 20 & i smoke weed on my RUclips channel as my job..
Honestly this is my favourite album of 2022; it brings me to tears everytime, but maybe that's because I find it so relatable, and the instruments are just phenomenal. Easily the highlight of 2022 for me; he's wonderful. Alex is also fantastic live. Saw him recently in Bristol and my goodness, the songs on this album are phenomenal live.
Poor Alex.
Gonna be another case of people just expecting the same shit out of him over and over. This is easily his best songwriting and yes, it is let down a tiiiny bit by the production, but it's easily the most emotive and direct (and self-referential) his writing has ever been.
It's probably my AOTY.
Wholeheartedly agreed, I'm worried about this too, but I think most fans love his new music.
Honestly this is my favourite album of 2022; it brings me to tears everytime, but maybe that's because I find it so relatable, and the instruments are just phenomenal. Easily the highlight of 2022 for me; he's wonderful. Alex is also fantastic live. Saw him recently in Bristol and my goodness, the songs on this album are phenomenal live.
This is definitely in my top 2 albums by him. I personally thought it was his best songwriting too, and my goodness, I disagree and think the production is absolutely fantastic.
Alex Cameron is one my favourite artists, and this album only certified that opinion more for me.
No...It's not in Anothony DNA to praise an artist after he's hyped on the first couple album. It's the only thing needle drop doesn't have the vocabulary for. If u read the comments on Alex's new music videos...its all good stuff. On Alex's next album Anthony will sing his praises. He'll claim, "everything Alex did was an amalgamation to get to this point" Bowie definitely found himself in predicaments when trying new thing and growing as an artist. I've always thought of Alex Cameron as "the working man's Bowie"
The lyrics you read made complete and total sense to me bc I’m an addict. I used opiates for nearly a decade and I get what those things mean, plus I get the humor behind it too. I guess that has to mean he really knows about and understand addiction.
I’m also an AlCam fan for awhile now. I especially love Forced Witness. At first I wasn’t crazy about Oxy Music, but it grew on me a ton. I fucking love it now. So good.
My expectations were so high for this.
It’s nearly impossible to beat Forced Witness.
6/10 is the perfect score. It's good, and there's definitely some standouts for sure. But the last two tracks felt at odds in comparison to the first handful of tracks. K Hole is one of his best songs to date.
calling it right now, Crash is gonna be a decent to strong 6
I think Oxy music is one of his best songs
They'll grow on ya, I promise
@@fourevertwentysevenOxy Music is probably his best song, imo.
Hold the Line is one of my favorite tracks, it really hit emotions i haven't felt or even remember having. If you know you know
Well, didn’t know about this till now, but it sounds awesome, in theme/concept and musically, in spite of the six/10.. I’ve loved everything he’s done so far, and think Forced Witness is one of the best pop albums of the 21st century, and this is what I need right now (assuming it’s good).
Also wanted to say, as a recovering addict, I think if mental illness is “also” a theme on this, then it sounds like maybe the theme of addiction is explored maybe more than Antny realized? I say this, and use quotes on also, because I don’t even see addiction as a thing in one box, with mental illness/disorders in another box; not all mental illness is addiction, but all addiction is largely mental illness, and usually addiction is comorbid with other mental illnesses. I know I haven’t listened to this yet, but I’m just saying I think that maybe it’s actually more cohesive on the addiction theme than Antny realized. ✌️
Was expecting a 7, but it’s fine. I personally loved the record, the instrumentation was really cool, and I loved the themes of the songs as a whole.
Beautiful Nigerian guy
While Miami Memory is a unique darling of an album, Oxy Music is consistently rife with bangers that will worm their way into your head one way or another (K-Hole, Prescription Refill, Hold the Line)
It was like a drug that had me hooked, looping the album over and over for like two months.
IMO it's my favorite album of his now.
"If I ever break down will you break up with me?" Is such a great cheesy country line I love it
Always interesting to hear needle's perspective. The tracks he dissed the most (Hold The Line and Dead Eyes) are my favorites.
This album is phenomenal, I have grown tired of American music journalists focusing on its “cheap” production. Alex is huge in Europe and the European music press has been much more fair in regards to Oxy Music, this comes down to the simple fact that America isn’t quite ready for a pop star of Alex’s caliber. Sure there are a few songs that I regard as filler (Cancel Culture and Best Life) but the rest of the album is pure genius. The closing track “Oxy Music” sums up the bittersweet struggles with opioid addiction and deteriorating mental health issues. This is the most honest and real portrayal of the opioid and mental health crisis you will ever get and Alex’s ability to find beauty in the darkest of places grows by leaps and bounds on this release. Don’t listen to this guy, I haven’t been taking him seriously for almost a decade now. Do yourself a favor and give this album a listen, I give it a solid 8 and I’ll go as far as to say that this is far superior to his previous album. Cheers!
It's no Miami Memory but I appreciate its focus. Fun vocal work on it too.
Hold the line is my favourite track that’s crazy
Probably my favourite sax moment on the album.
Bought the album after seeing this review, still listening to it. Amazing. Simply amazing album.
ROSALIA ÁLBUM NEXT
A fair review. I like it a bit more than a 6/10 but it's my least favorite of his albums at the moment.
A few of the singles really get me going and I like the overall sound but the lyrics and hooks aren't as brilliant and memorable as on his other albums. It will most likely keep growing on me but as of now it's not that great as a whole.
It's absolutely more catchy than MM. I really do not understand this (really commonly held apparently) point.
ALL of the structures here are designed to have multiple earworms per song
Alex is genius ,never miss a beat ,never disapointed, he's talented 👨🎤😻 lyrics🔥
As someone working within the pharmaceutical industry this album hits home and I think it’s a top 10 album of the year for me.
Anthony, do you think that Hold The Line lacking good mix/decisions were part of the general persona within the album which is a slight disconnect from clear thought? It's a very easy excuse, but I could see it being part of the character Alex is bringing. Usually people are heavy handed in these situations, but in this song in particular he seems to be in the "active coke guy" world and when someone is making music in that situation it may turn up lacking some properties. In summation, he may have sacrificed making a actual song he was proud of for progressing a character arc. As well as the album is called Oxy Music! I think that a lot of the criticism is warranted in a musical standpoint but I think Alex cares a little more about the art of what he wants to create.
thank you for an interesting review of a very interesting artist. i can't say that i enjoy or like all of AC's output, but even tracks that i dislike, i am compelled to confess are well-made and quality efforts. although not the music itself, regarding the packaging which you didn't address: AC's parody of Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry is both clever and funny in a music-lover-insider way (from the title's font, right down to the Bryan Ferry pose on the front cover. it's great!).
The track 'Oxy Music' does really grow on you I found - I thought it was massively abrasive at first but now I can't stop listening. The album improves exponentially with each listen imo
Also I wanna hear your thoughts on the _Jeen-Yuhs_ documentary 🙌
Probably gonna be on the fantano channel
Mr. Fantano, you’re looking very neutral today
Ft. Byan Fey?
This really shows his command of lyrics and melody. The bass is great and I loved hold the line lol khole few others the opener as well.
More a 5/10 for me. Definitely my least fav AlCam LP so far, but hey, the guy is talented. I'll be waiting for his next project.
I was blown away by this album because I actually went into it with less-than-high expectations. I've had it on repeat over and over again since it released and my god, ALL the songs have grown on me so much! Hold The Line is easily my favorite of the album. The line about Snow White is so hilarious to me because I can totally envision a drug addict imagining himself as a disney princess giving food to animals in some park.
Great songs, I just don’t like the drum song for some reason. Sounds really papery. Also just didn’t live up to Miami Memories. Sara Jo is a classic though. Still a great album. 7/10
I dont know how people aren't seeing this album for what it is! it's absolutely amazing! Prescription refil is my favourite
I absolutely adore the album and I think it's another Smash Hit for Cameron
Song Review of Residente - This Is not América. ¡Please Melón!
I got the concept of this album in the first listen-through (whereas Forced Witness and Jumping the Shark took me some time). I would definitely consider it great as a standalone or as an evolution of the Alex Cameron body of work. I'm surprised you didn't go into the Roxy Music connection. Holding the Line is actually my favourite on the album along with Prescription Refill. The line "Mosquito mass hysteria, I'm serving up malaria" does not deserve so much shade, I feel like it is talking about visual hallucinations and fever associated with withdrawal. Also have to give a shout out to the best lyric in the album in K-Hole "They're acting like I went and said 'c**t' in a song."
Alex Cameron gets more attention from Fantano than he does from the entire Australian Music media despite being Australain himself...
Doesn't live in Australia regularly so they don't give a fuck
Most insular and nationalistic music scene you'll find anywhere, Australia.
Not as good as his first album. But it is a pretty good album 8/10.
Post-1 year, and I have decided this album is a banger.
I just saw this album on bandcamp and listened to it (enjoyed it btw!) and now RUclips recommends me this video haha
saw alex live last night, amazing experience
wasn’t expecting the billy mays feature but was happily surprised
i havent listened to the album yet. It is "billy mays here with -insert product-" ? that guy? also feutured in south park lol?
The album is an absolute banger
please review deception falls by exociety !! it’s the first album from them as a group but each member is a solid underground artist alone
Underrated album, underrated artist.
Like all of his album this album grew on me exponetially, i love it
cool review Anthony, but saying the artist is “pretty ugly” because it’s an oxymoron and laughing for 7 minutes was a little harsh
needs more carti features
I thought the album was great, except for Cancel Culture. It feels so out of place. It honestly just seems like a leftover from Miami Memory. Makes so much more sense thematically to be on that album instead. Otherwise I really enjoyed it.
hi tony i suggest you review crest by bladee and ecco, and also sweet trip's new album, both just dropped
Billthony Maystano here! I love cleaning my ears with OXY MUSIC! It even cleans up Imagine Dragons stains from your brain! Order now and get another album free!
I feel like a lot of gen z viewers aren’t going to get this reference
@@itsallenwow idk I’m a zoomer and I made the reference so there’s hope yet
@@itsallenwow Eh Billy Mays legacy runs through us all
Wow you guys really surprised as it has been a while since he passed. And I feel like I don’t see commercials on tv as much as back in the day so I’m surprised you guys know him.
Color me surprised to all of the melon’s gen z viewers for getting an old ass millennial reference
@@itsallenwow tbf some zoomers were 10 years old when he died
CRASH is a 9 or we riot
But did he really run over that dog wtf
I thought for a moment looking at thumbnail, Anthony was reviewing a new Roxy Music album.
I propose that the next nickname be "Adjective Fountaino".
REVIEW NEW BLADEE / ECCO
Do drain gang new album crest
My favorite part is how it's a respectable 30 mins for easy listening to the whole thing
Anthony please do not refer to yourself as fresh out the shower ever again, it got me bricked up and now I can't focus on the review. As a music reviewer, this is irresponsible of you. Thanks.
Oxy music is fire! I disagree with melon on Jason Williamson and Alex not sounding in sync together. I can’t tell if Jason is playing the “older self who weeps” character under the youthful Alex vocals but it draws this feeling of heartache from a wiser version of oneself who knows the pain to come. Love this track and album!
Where are the yb and durk reviews
Anthony, why don't you film new "Reading Comments" segments? It was one of the most enjoyable things on theneeedledrop and really encouraged healthy discussion about music and more creative memes. Please, bring RYC back and react to the best comments.
I love roxy music
**actually a band**
Ya I was disappointed at first too but with the exception of the last two songs which I still don't get, I think this album is really solid. It's a great breather between listening to the 80 min albums that have been coming out
PLEASE REVIEW NEW BLADEE AND ECCO ALBUM
I like it better than Miami Memory
Oh no, guess I'll have to only very mildly like one of my favourite artists new work
It’s also about a lot of the great parts of drugs too. I think that’s where you’re missing things. Best album yet.Oxy Music is probably the best rock pop song I’ve heard in years.
Man. I loved the album
What? Hold the Line is the best song on here. Don’t sleep on the Snow White of your area.
I honestly think this is his worst album. Still stoked to see him live in April.
Same! I get to see him live in May, I hope he throws in some of his classics.
You are wrong
friendly reminder: Rosalía dropped new album
anthony fresh out of the hot shower hotlanta smoking green cauliflower fantano
Oxy Music is my favourite 70's Art Rock band
It's not in Anothony's DNA to praise an artist after he's hyped on the first couple album. It's the only thing needle drop doesn't have the vocabulary for. If u read the comments on Alex's new music videos...its all good stuff. On Alex's next album....Anthony will sing his praises. He'll claim, "everything Alex did was an amalgamation to get to this point" Bowie definitely found himself in predicaments when trying new things and growing as an artist. I've always thought of Alex Cameron as "the working man's Bowie"
Can we talk about how the album sounds like it was sent thru a cheap reverb effect on the master?
I enjoyed it but it's a step down from Forced Witness and even Miami Memory. Not a huge fan of the last two songs mainly because of the collabs; Oxy Music would've been perfect if Alex sang the whole song, IMO.
I absolutely love Prescription Refill and K-Hole, probably two of Alex's best in his discography. So, it is a mix of highs and lows listening to this album, but it is a worthwhile listen.
God the title track is so hard to listen to, the feature is so sus
Drugs? I thought it was a play on Roxy Music.
review the bladee album
tbh i just dig the singles of this album, but i love the previous ones, this vid is a good introduction to Alex's work
Mr. NeedleTOK tell us your thoughts on those Kanye West leaks named _Kanye Drop Your Albums_
I personally despised this album, not my type of humor at all. Nothing worth relistening instrumental wise too. Interesting to see others like it though as this review does help me understand where the appeal is at.
Fantano. New bladee and ecco2k album. Review it
Video suggestion. a review of "HORIZIONS" from starset
review motomami!
Venom venom
Fair review. I really like some of these songs a lot but have a lot of the same feelings as you about the record as a whole.
I agree that thematically it's not as coherent as his other projects, but I've still really been loving the album. I think 7/10 would have been a little more accurate.
Checked it out. Sounds like a demo a housless dude would hand you out of the back of a van that smelled like mayonnaise, wheat bread, and four loco. Terrible.