Reviews (page 9 of 13)
I did rather like this! :) Musicianship was top-notch, and I think I preferred it to the other album - this felt a bit more "focused" and it didn't feel quite so sprawling.
one of the most boring albums i've ever heard in my life 🥱😴 17/100 ⭐️
It’s alright and better than the last one though of theirs.
Oooh, c’est vraiment bien ça, je le garde dans ma collection
Really lovely!
A mix of easy rock and country. It was okay but nothing really stood out.
this is a masterpiece
I grew up listening to this album and Hanging out in Woodstock/Saugerties trying to get into the Big Pink (apparently, I wasn't old enough). The band was a huge part of my life. This is a great, great album.
Ved det er et band Nicholas enormt godt kan lide, og det lyder også godt. Specielt deres mere funkede tracks swinger. Jeg synes bare det er gjort bedre siden. En del lyder lidt gammelt, lidt Grateful Dead og så det der fandens orgel fra the Doors. Måske undervurderer jeg og kan være de lander på en højere vurdering en anden gang, men det klikker ikke med mig.
No. 262/1001 Tears of Rage 3/5 To Kingdom Come 3/5 In A Station 3/5 Caledonia Mission 3/5 The Weight 5/5 We Can Talk 3/5 Long Black Veil 3/5 Chest Fever 4/5 Lonesome Suzie 3/5 This Wheel's On Fire 3/5 I Shall Be Released 3/5 Average: 3,27 The Weight is an awesome song. Otherwise this wasn't that great. I prefer their self- titled album.
I think it's a little arrogant that they call themselves THE band, as there are many, many bands in the world. Unless they're trying to trick purveyors of wine into giving them more wine whenever the crowd cries "more wine for the band", and the purveyors mistake "the" for "THE", so they ship off a crate of their cheapest product to these guys instead of giving it to the musicians that are *right in front* of them. I mean, other musicians are due their perks too, right? Why should these guys usurp those? Plus their music is kinda dull. Maybe someone should give them some more wine to liven things up. Although the cover art seems to indicate that perhaps they've had too much already. Maybe it's the wine that's the root of the problem. I mean, I like wine too, but don't think I'd go so far as to put a cup of it on my head while I'm playing the guitar. I'd use one of those caps with cupholders and a straw. But that would make it hard to look down at the strings to see which chord I'm playing. Maybe I'm just a lousy guitar player.
I listened to this whilst cleaning so I didn't read the lyrics along with the music. I regret this as really I only experienced the 'vibe' of the music instead of paying attention to the words. That said, I enjoyed some songs on the first listen. It was a very different world back then without autotune and I appreciated the rawness of some of the harmonies. I'd give this album another go.
Classic Americana folky rock.
Kudos for birthing roots rock—and “The Weight” is one of my favorite classic rock songs. The rest feels like a bunch of cool guys jamming in a house, but in a historically important way.
Embarrassed to admit did not know a ton about The Band. Obviously everyone know The Weight. I can see now why they incfluenced so many others - such a great combo of southern rock, blues, 60’s feel, etc. so glad to hear this one!
One of Canada's finest.
if you've ever wanted to know the answer to the question "What would it sound like if a bunch of Canadians made Civil War songs?" this is a pretty good proximal answer
The weight er frábært lag. Restin af plötunni fannst mér frekar meh því miður, eins og þetta er nú þétt band. Mjög basic stöff.
La la. Eitt gott lag og einn góður Dylan cover. Ekki plata sem ég nenni að hlusta á aftur.
Is it possible this is a 3? Maybe a 4? “The Weight” does a lot. 3.5 I’m sorry.
bueno bueno
e bueno
Muy lindo el sonido late 60s, pero ya había cosas más interesantes pasando en ese momento
Qué himno The Weight
Chill, mellow, hard hitting.
Meh
It’s a pretty fun collection of songs with great musicianship throughout, and quite impressive how different it sounds from their output as Dylan’s backing band at the time - still kind of folk influenced but more of a psychedelic Americana sound. It flows pretty well and there are some very evocative lyrics here and there, but unfortunately other than the stone-cold classic The Weight nothing really leaves a lasting impression. The vocals are especially lacking, as The Band share singing duties throughout the record and no one has a particularly distinct or interesting voice, and they’re either quite bland or outright bad on songs like Lonesome Suzie
Pretty groovy, never really gave them a listen. A bit too 60’s for me to casually listen to. Don’t like their Long Black Veil.
Classic 60’s Americana rock. Chest fever 🤘
I didn’t like this album nearly as much as I wanted to. Hard to explain. Lead singers voice kept reminding me of Randy Newman.
I had coffee with Garth Hudson once. I realise The Band are a Big Deal and also HUGE influences on some of my faves like Counting Crows and Whiskeytown but this record just didn't resonate with me.
Enjoying this album. Will return to listen further. Album art has great composition and interest. Loved finding out it's a Bob Dylan painting. The Weight was a cult classic at college in the arts community. Never knew who sang it until now.
Pretty decent album. Feels like I've heard 'The Weight' somewhere else, but not sure from who. Or maybe I'm just imagining. Anyways, nothing that really stood out, but not bad either. Solid 3.
I have really only heard "The Weight" by The Band before this (also contender for worst band name ever). Tears of rage was a really good opening for the album. Really dug the harmonies and general feel of the album. "The Weight" is as always a very good song. The rest of the album was a nice listen. I also only knew "This wheel is on fire" by Bob Dylan and didn't have a clue that a member of The Band helped write it. Settling on a weak 4 star. While not the whole album is great I think there is enough good songs that a 3 seems a bit harsh.
I mean, c'mon. It's arguably the best album by The Band. But any album with The Weight, Tears of Rage, I Shall Be Released, Chest Fever, This Wheel's On Fire, and Long Black Veil is probably going to be anybody's best album.
Americana Rock & Roll. A sound all their own. Majestic vocals. Great title for an album and a house.
3/5
First song did not grab me so I just moved on
Don't get me wrong, this album is good - and an interesting listen. I listened to this a few times, and I really did enjoy a lot of the songs on here; but the latter half of the album really detracts from my rating. This record feels so top heavy, I found myself disinterested and left feeling like they ran out of things to say and it kind of just all blurred together in a bad way after We Can Talk. Definitely would listen to this again, but the tapering off toward the end where all the songs sound the same or touch the same concepts really didn't do it for me. Tears of Rage was a damn good song though, I listened to that like 5 times and loved it.
With a name like 'The Band', I really expected this to be a lot more up it's own ass than it was. I was only familiar with Weight & Long Black Veil (covered by other artists) before this and seeing the folk/psychedelic genre tags had me feeling like this might not be up my alley similar to a previous album covered on the list. But this surprisingly won me over as it went along. I enjoyed the more psychedelic rock tracks here than the folk ones, not to say those are bad by any means though. On that note, while they have their own distinct sound, I liked that there was some separation between the country/folk music and the rock tracks. Rather than just merging them together for a whole album. Highlights: To Kingdom Come, This Wheels on Fire, I Shall Be Released, The Weight
The Weight - really solid and catchy track, bass and guitars doing wonderful things. Liked the lyrics a lot. Chest fever - quite enjoyed, liked the central progression and instrumentation Not a fan of a few vocal performances throughout, I found it a bit grating at times. The instrument work was consistently good however. I’m a fan of the live jam quality that many of these tracks have.
https://youtu.be/CxK_nA2iVXw?si=IiwJJCM_D27wbqh9
May as well get Jackbot to write this review cause that's about how I feel towards this thing, it's got that dad rock vibe and makes for alright background music I guess, but it's not really my thing. Actually that last bit isn't true this is normally massively my thing but I just didn't have enough to sink my teeth into. Didn't help that after each listen a beach boys track played and juxtaposed the mediocrity. Then on the third listen a track with them and bob Dylan played and was infinitely better. Not a bad all by any means it's even got some tracks I'll definitely return to. 6/10 Fav tracks - Tears of Rage, In a Station, The Weight, We can Talk, This Wheels on Fire Least Fav - None really
Mid time with this one, I know the song The Weight from all the 60s playlist I've listened too and always skip it. It is for sure from the era, something about the sound that strikes me as soft Rockish country bullshit, but just not good. This wasn't offensive to listen to but man it was just so boring and fuck it you know what the more I type this out the more I realise I did not enjoy it. 2/5
Whenever I hear The Band, specifically The Weight, I think of the scene in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes when they turn on the hydro dam and the gas station starts working again. From wikipedia: "Bob Dylan offered to sing on the album, but ultimately realized it was important for the Band to make their own statement. Instead, Dylan signified his presence by contributing a cover painting." AND THANK FUCKING GOD. The worst thing that this album does is make you wait till the end of side one to hear The Weight, arguably the most well known song that this group recorded. Side one itself is great, Tears of Rage is a wonderful opener and the variety in vocal performances from different members works really well here. The quality of each of these members of Bob Dylan's touring band really makes you considering how much more talented Dylan's contemporary BAND MEMBERS were as musicians than him. Side two fucks just as hard as side one and has probably the best song on this album, Chest Fever. We Can Talk and Long Black Veil are standouts here too. If The Weight wasn't on side one I would say side two is better bit honestly both halves of this album are as good as eachother. Easy 5/5 from me, will be getting this on LP.
Heard of The Band. First song sounds like Ray Charles singing.
so good, love this album
Meh
Didn’t hate it didn’t love it very middle of the road for me
Solid album, no dull moments
Great album!
Will this album live up to my memory/the hype? Citizen Cope owes these guys a lot. There's a proto-Southern Rock vibe to this album...so good, but funny that they were all Canadians except for Levon Helm, I guess that's why he's regarded so highly. Caledonia Mission is a great song, really encapsulates the sound of The Band. What can you say about The Weight but that it's an amazing song. Long Black Veil brings it too. They are great storytellers as well and songwriters and musicians. I Shall Be Released is such a great song to close an album on.
Can’t deal with it I had to stop after the first song
Great
Decent album.
Piola agradable
Very classic 70's.
Really just one good song and the rest are meh
I love their messy, drunken, bluesy ways. Ignoring any polish, they march through songs that are funny and heartfelt, while demonstrating a knack for finding grooves. I always thought “Big Pink” was a movie I hadn’t seen. I now know that it was a house where a lot of cool people hung out to make some cool music. Oh to be a fly on the wall.
Pretty chill vibes and some good tracks in there.
Oh, The Band. Every time I start the album I'm like, "Oooh yeah. Nice vibe!" Every time I get to the last few tracks, I'm like, "GAHHH! Make the muppetian falsetto STAHP!" Overall, I definitely dig it, but it's pretty clear to me that their strengths lie in their abilities as a backing band, not backing vocalists, up to that point for a reason.
The Band came up from the Basement, and from behind Bob Dylan, to record their own album. It is fantastic. So is their self-titled second album. This was recorded in two weeks, live and without overdubbing, per Wikipedia - its strength is the chemistry the band enjoys. Don’t miss the great story song “Long Black Veil,” the strong penultimate “This Wheel’s on Fire,” the jam “Chest Fever,” or the beautiful closer “I Shall Be Released.”
Hard not to like an album that features The Weight. Though it's not my favorite album of theirs it's a pretty strong leadoff.
I've never felt the urge to dig into The Band's discography, but I know people revere them. My only background comes from The Weight, which is a fine enough song that is incredibly singable and messy in the best of senses. Any time it plays it evokes the feeling that I'm having friends over who I haven't seen in a long time. Tears of Rage is a soulful opener that takes its time. Can certainly feel Dylan's influence here. Love the distorted guitar + thrumbing bass. The composition on Caledonia Mission is fantastic. Nothing feels rushed -- that's a prevailing theme here -- but they do a great job of playing with the tempo between more hopping and more drawn-out sections. Everything sounds great here. Chest Fever is familiar sounding. Unsure if I've actually heard it before or just its reverberations on other songs. Either way, its is a jam. I Shall Be Released is a great closer for this album -- slow and peaceful progression with some pretty piano melody plinking in the background supported by some echoed reverberations of some variety. Just a really nice end of party song that puts a nice bow on the whole thing. This album really grew on me with repeated listens. There is something therapeutic in the pacing of it. For me this falls in a mid-high 4 territory. Lot of good ones on here lately
Great album. The weight is obviously a banger. The Band is general is an easy classic rock listen. 4 stars for me.
Love this. Definitely moments where I was thinking 5, but I think the ending just fell a little too low for me. Loved the variety with some classic folkiness, some electronics, some ragtime-esque sounds. Plenty of depth with a couple of hits too. Great stuff.
Love the origin story of The Band being Bob Dylan's backing band and just decided to do their own thing if I remember correctly. This album was pretty run of the mill but still enjoyable. Nothing super crazy on here, but The Weight is an awesome song. Easy enough listening to music.
This album had some real good stuff on it besides the Weight, which is an obvious classic. Chest Fever stood out to me and sounded wildly different than the rest. Great album.
I love the Band so much, this album is a work of art.
Definitely knew The Weight, nothing else stood out. It's a laid back album. I'm not going to scrutinize it closely, but it feels like (most) every track is the same plodding tempo. Bit sleepy. Songwriting's great. Not enamored with the vocals.
3.5/5. Pretty good, about what I expected. I would not mind listening to this again.
Bob Dylan's backing band > Bob Dylan. To borrow a Gram Parsons expression: this is true cosmic American music
Yeah, this was OK, but not something I would seek out to listen to again.
I thought I would like this more. The weight is an all timer, but overall I thought this was just OK.
I did not care for this one. Based on the global reviews, I am an outlier but I guess I am just not a fan of the Americana folk style, though the soulful bits were nice.
3 stars
The album cover immediately won me over, even before I knew it's Bob's art. The music is adorable, want this album to be among my number 5 family
Easy five for this classic, defining album that led the Americana music movement. All five musicians fantastic. "The Weight" alone makes this album a classic but the rest of the album showcases the bands talents. I will revisit this recording time and time again
Im kind of ambivalent here. A short, sharp, well played album is always welcome. I only know them via Dylan and enjoyed The Weight, though im not sure who did it first. But the vocals are weak and there is nothing incendiary here.
The review
surprisingly, "chest fever" is the only non-starter for me on the whole album. i dunno how it's possible for an album to feel like a warm hug, especially with such simple instrumentation, but somehow the Band do it. it makes you wanna take to the guitar and write a few things. plus, don't lie to yourself -- it's fun to sing like Robbie Robertson on "The Weight". we've all done it once or twice.
Forgettable even though I heard this album a bunch growing up. 2.5 stars
Not bad, but I liked the cover more than the music
It was…ok
Slightly too jazzy for my taste.
Appreciate the importance of this album but it's not one I can get into, although I would not argue it's bad. 3.5*
“I shall be released” alone is enough for a 5, but this album delivers on all fronts. It’s so loose yet somehow so polished. Great stuff.
The Weight is so good but the rest didn’t jump out at me.
Found it annoying.
in theory i should like this but something about it made me really miserable i cant really place why it took me so long to get through this entire thing. fav tracks are the last 3 probably i wanna grow old and marry someone and listen to this song on snowy mornings on winter vacations w our kid in the backseat. this is so beautiful i cant wait to be an old man and finally grow an appreciation for this type of music
A true classic.
Started off good but I slowly got tired of it as the album went on. It's fine; there are a few bangers in there, but a lot of the songs are forgettable. A decent Americana album overall.
Little bluesy, little funky. Crazy how modern this album sounds. A lot of it is slow and sleepy for my liking but in general not bad.
Das Album bietet einen faszinierenden Mix aus verschiedenen Musikstilen. Das Album vereint Elemente aus Folk, Rock und dem Beatkeller-Sound, der in den 60er Jahren populär war. Diese Mischung erinnert stark an den Stil von Bob Dylan, was nicht überraschend ist, da einige Bandmitglieder zuvor mit ihm zusammengearbeitet haben. Der Sound des Albums ist geprägt von harmonischen Gesangspassagen und einer Vielzahl von Instrumenten, darunter Klavier, Orgel, Gitarre und Schlagzeug. Die Arrangements sind sorgfältig ausgearbeitet und schaffen eine dichte, fast schon intime Atmosphäre. Besonders hervorzuheben sind die mehrstimmigen Gesänge, die den Songs eine besondere Tiefe verleihen. Trotz dieser positiven Aspekte fehlt es dem Album an einigen Stellen an Energie und Innovation. Einige Tracks wirken etwas eintönig und wiederholen sich in ihrer Struktur.
If the Muppet Band were people. But I happen to love the Muppet Band.
Not bad, but it lacked something to really set it apart from other southern folk rock
Another one that's perhaps too familiar for me to be objective. This has always been a solid choice for me: the rootsy combo of country, blues, and folk is pulled off perfectly; the original tracks are great little pieces; the covers bring out new dimensions of the originals. The album is greater than the sum of its parts (perhaps fittingly for a group that started as Dylan's backing band): it's more a mood than a collection of individual songs. It's a perfect example of its kind. For me personally, it's not an album that obtrudes in my thoughts much, nor one I'd necessarily think of when identifying my favourite albums of all time. I wouldn't necessarily put it on first; instead, it's one of those that I'd see when leafing through my collection to pick the next one to put on, and think "of course, that's the perfect one!" and be very happy with my choice. It's been dipping in and out of my life for the last twenty years - and I'm sure it'll be with me for the next twenty and beyond.
This was a little too dad rock-y, a little too folksy for me.
As much as I like and appreciate The Band their albums always seem like a nostalgia tour that makes me more sad than reflective. It’s got its high points but there’s some meh here too. If it was half’s I’d say 3.5 but …
Perfectly serviceable classic rock. I didn’t realize I would know “The Weight” but that’s probably why this album is on the list.
1. rage - 1 2. kingdom - 1 3. ztation - 1 4. mizzion - 1 5. uueight - 1.5 6. talk - 1 7. veil - 1 8. fever - 1 9. zuzie - 1.5 10. fire - 1 11. releazed - 1.5
Quintessential dad rock. Nothing wrong with that. Got some great hits on this old thing
classic.
The Weight carried this album and there wasn't much else I enjoyed here. But it wasn't awful, just a bit turgid.
I love this album a lot. The Band will always be very special to me as it reminds me of my dad. For fucks sake, if I were a boy he would have named me Levon (after Levon Helm obviously). This album is the perfect mix of folk, rock, blues, and country.
Some good songs, some duds, but The Weight is god tier
Might have been groundbreaking and spectacular at the time, but now I’m mostly bored. The Weight is an honorable exception, and the two following songs are also listenable. The rest I can do without
Wow that's disappointing. I get that the scattershot sound of this album probably helps it sound authentic for a lot of people, but this straight up does not sound good. The three singers clash and run into each other a ton, and the production is kind of a mess. There's some strong songs here, but I have serious trouble enjoying them. Best song: The Weight
This was a tough one. I had a hard time making it through this album, and I knew I would when I heard that first song. I was familiar with The Weight, but that's it. I liked Chest Fever, but that's about it. I like This Wheel's on Fire better on AbFab. I know people love this band/album but I just don't understand what they hear in them/it.
Not a huge fan of the Band, but this album has a great feel that can't be denied. I'm struck it came out as early as it did - ahead of its time 3-4 years in terms of its sound. I also love it when rock n roll bands start an album with a ballad. It's perverse and I love it. Can also hear how other bands I love were influenced by this - for example, play Steely Dan's "Pearl of the Quarter" immediately after "In a Station" and you'll know what I mean. Also, this album kicked off the whole concept of a "band house," a musical collaboration and production style these guys pioneered, as well as a slacker lifestyle that served many quite well.
I actually got this album a long time ago, before being part of a listening group, and gave it 4 stars, so it's nice to get a good album again, even if I'm kicking myself for not leaving any notes to myself on that first listen. "The weight" seems to get the most attention on this album, and well-deserved, but what I liked the most about the album has how consistent and solid the band is on the entire album; I can definitely see how this album sounded incredibly fresh and different in the midst of acid/psychedelic rock. In addition to "The weight", I particularly enjoyed "Caledonia mission", "We can talk", and "Chest fever". And pretty wild that they had to convince Levon Helm to come off oil rigs to come to Woodstock to sing and play with them.
I'd heard a lot of songs from this album and knew this album was supposed to be great, but never listened before. And it is great, esp Long Black Veil and the Weight. Gotta give it a 5 on the strength of those classics alone.
Ist es der mehrstimmige und wundervollen Gesang? Die eigenwillige Produktion? Die wunderbaren Songs? die Mithilfe von Bob Dylan? Ich hab's von vorne bis hinten genossen. Besonders angetan haben es mir die Songs: "In a Station", "WE can Talk", "Long black viel","Chest Fever" und "I shall bei released"
The Band rarely disappoints. 3.9
This album really didn’t do it for me. So many midtempo bores, and the lyrics felt meaningless. Vocals weren’t great. By 1968 standards, this album lacks any real sort of experimentation. Pretty poorly recorded and produced. 2.7/5
A lot of the tracks start with very interesting sounds and ideas, but then somewhat devolve into something that sounds similar to all the rest of the tracks when the vocal takes hold. I think that's a shame because they clearly have had other ideas. I'm thinking of tracks like 'Chest Fever', and 'This Wheel's On Fire' as examples for how it can work. I think they should lean more into that stuff Standouts Chest Fever This Wheel's On Fire 3/5
Gear: Hifiman Arya Artwork: 🍭🧸👶 Mix (2000 Remaster): 🎧👂🧈 Musik: 🔝⏳🥱 Wertung: 🐘🐘🐘/5
Extra star for The Weight, the rest is pretty forgettable
Quite liked
3.7/5
Absolutely no complaints. Timeless classic
Awesome awesome awesome. Deserves more listens.
Not sure why this The Band album was here. I preferred the self-titled album to this one and gave that one a 3. I was bored and annoyed most of the time. Even "This Wheel's on Fire" had no life.
Definitely a slow starter for me. I gave it three listens, and by the third, I came to appreciate much of the album.
Shades of The Grateful Dead and Traffic. I'd not heard any of this save The Weight. Liked but didn't love.
I think I started listening to this album in the wrong mental state, because I was a bit underwhelmed when I heard the first several songs. I had to take a break and when I came back started listening and really loved this. So I started listening all over again and all was right with the world. This is a really fantastic album. I love the artwork!
This is an album you always hear mentioned when it comes to influential and classic albums. While I enjoy The Band, I've never listened to this album from top to bottom. "The Weight" alone gets it a few stars, add in "I Shall Be Released", which has been covered by everyone & their mother over the years, and you have a strong collection of songs. From the opening tune you can feel the passion of Levon & Robbie's voices, they aren't posing, they're releasing emotions. I like "Long Black Veil" and the storytelling throughout the album. Not all killer, but not all filler, it rolls and fits together, reflects the time it was released and it's cohesive.
3 alright, carried by the weight and a couple others
Not really fan of these dudes voices for the most part. Some very good songs tho. Hope I will like the follow up a bit more 🙏
Fiilis album, kivoga vibbisar.
Extra star because The Weight is an all time classic jam
Starts out slow then brings out all the stars!
The Weight is great. I like the intro of Chest Fever. Overall I thought it was alright. Not great.
Still holds up well today
Just relaxing and enjoyable :)
Nothing stands out to me. Even the songs I am familiar with are quite boring. This project is making it clear that I prefer experimental things, even if they end up being bad. This Wheel's on Fire is comically bad. I Shall Be Released has an almost silly falsetto voice. Really unimpressed with this album.
Bad
Sounds like your typical 60s album. I don't know why I had to listen to this over other albums. It's pretty basic.
So good!
Dylan knew what he was doing when he put together these dudes.
pretty great songwriting tbh! i love the groovy instrumentals i fw this heavy
its peam
This is the second album by The Band that I’ve been handed here, and I have to say I liked it much better than the other one. The first one was fine, but I didn’t feel like it could be their best work and bordered on corny at times. This one felt more authentic and fresh. They’ve always had a specific sound that sits somewhere between folk, country, blues, and even a little rock. It’s a sound that I feel doesn’t commit to anything too definitely, which allows the music to come across somewhat unassumingly. It’s a bunch of dude playing music about characters they’ve created, stories they’ve written or things they’ve seen. The name of the band could be seen as pretentious (“we’re THE band”), but I don’t think that’s meant to be it. I think it’s meant to just convey that they’re simply a band. The music is simple in arrangement but so very effective in conveying the emotions of the songs. My one gripe is probably the vocals. From what I can tell there’s two singers. One is the guy who sings the opening line of “The Weight” (all time great song), the other is the guy who sings the verse about Chester. Chester guy…he doesn’t need to sing. Not in love with his voice at all. But that doesn’t define this album, nor does it detract enough from it to make it an average piece. No, this gets four stars. Great stuff. Standout Tracks: To Kingdom Come, Caledonia Mission, The Weight, This Wheel’s on Fire
8.5/10. This is a fun album. The Weight is a great song! :)
Meh
They really just chose the default band name
Decent album with one huge hit. Enjoyable listening experience
Kind of impressed. Had never thought much of the band because they are soft rockbut thos album was a great surprise. Very chill easy to listen, very well produced and song order flowed like wine. Cool to put as background on a camping trip or something like that. The slow falsetos songs didnt do it for me.
It's ok
Boring with maybe two interesting moments (one of them being Siouxie and The Banshees' cover which is not actually part of this album)
It took until "The Weight" before I could place this voice and band. I thought they were some kind of supergroup at first, and while they are pretty good, the members weren't really all that established elsewhere. For these 60s-70s kind of rock groups I really dig the various keyboard instruments. They really add a nice later of sound beyond just guitars and drums, and this album has at least 3 different key instruments from what I can tell. Multiple vocalists is also something I'm a pretty big fan of. I'm not sure the Band and Mushroomhead have been compared, but those elements are a big part of why i think both bands are interesting amongst their peers. At least a couple of tracks here will make a playlist for me, and that counts as a good to great album for me. Favorite track "The Weight" 4/5
fire
Oof, this was a hard one to get through. It's boring and irritating. I kept waiting for it to get better, but it never did. I knew "The Weight" going into this, and I've never liked their version of it. I've always preferred the Staple Singers' version. The album opens with kind of a bummer ... a sad Bob Dylan song (it's not a bad song, but it's an odd way to open an album) and it's one of the rare times I've wished Bob were singing instead. The voices of these guys are not good. The rest of the album never really changes much — it kind of plods along with the same slower, anemic sounding kind of songs. Well, until the last two tracks, which randomly become uptempo disco songs out of nowhere (they may be different, but they're not better). This album is like soulless soul. The music is boring and one note, the singing is terrible — it's like bad Neil Young karaoke. And the weird biblical allusions make it feel like you're stuck listening to a bad church band. The songs aren't terrible in other performers' hands. As noted, The Staple Singers' version of "The Weight" is a great song. And Chrissy Hyndes' cover of "I Shall Be Released" is very good. These guys probably should've stuck to writing for other people. 2/5
#294. The Weight is one of the best songs from the 60s, but the rest of the album isn't nearly as good. 3/5: fine Song added to playlist: The Weight I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
This is the stuff that raised me. Hard to disentangle critical appreciation from sentimentality but I don't even care to try. Banger
Solid album. Great tunes. Eminently listenable.
I was definitely familiar with The Weight but not really any of these other songs. The songs are full of soul and the production is raw. It's crazy that they can be Bob Dylan's backing band but make a record that doesn't sound like they're Bob Dylan's backing band. This is a solid record.
I love this album and I love this band. I can honestly say that The Weight changed my life. It's one of my favorite songs. This record was always hard for me to find. I first heard The Weight and I just wanted more of The Band, especially as a Bob Dylan fan. I somehow came across The Last Dance, think at the South Jordan City Library. Its a live album and was harder for me to get into at first, but it had all of the songs I like, so that I went with a long time. When I listen to Song from Big Pink, I'm almost now just wishing I was listening to The Last Dance. Something about the live production, the guest musicians, the energy of the recording. But I guess this review is about Songs from Big Pink. I love this album too. The Weight, obviously. Tears of Rage, Caledonia Wind are all great songs. My favorites though are still Long Black Veil and I Shall Be Released. I know they're covers, but they're just so damn good. What a band.
No real problems but nothing really stands out either. The Band really is the definition of middle of the road when it comes to music to me. Immensely talented but their songs feel as generic as their band name. the Weight is a pretty solid song tho
I've never heard of The Band. Writing this during the first song, a 5+ minute whine-fest, I wish I'd still never heard of them. Through the third song, this is awful. The vocalist is very bad. I understand why I've never heard of them. OK, song 5, The Weight. I've heard this song. I think it's just one of those songs that has been in movies or something. I don't know, I just know it sounds familiar. I'm through song 8. I am definitely considering some of my life choices. Mistakes were made. OK. Wow. That was painful. 1 star. There is nothing here for me.
Tears of Rage The Weight Chest Fever This Wheel's on Fire I Shall Be Released
Such a great album. I'd heard The Weight before but nothing else. The last few tracks especially I really enjoyed, especially I Shall Be Released and Chest Fever. Will absolutely listen again.
Classic Americana. RIP Robbie Robertson.
Not gonna lie, I have no idea what the hype is around this one. I know this album and band are acclaimed, this just sounded like regular old folk rock to me. Very little stuck out.
I love The Band and this album is fantastic, including one of the GOAT songs, "The Weight".
One of those albums that probably influenced a lot but on its own is nothing special.
Like I said when I reviewed the other Band album on this list, although you cannot doubt their musical ability, I just cannot stand this style of music at all. They were a big thing in my youth but in those days my head was full of Prog Rock and the stuff The Band were producing was pole opposite. Happy to give it a more considered listen nowerdays but it still is a big miss from me. 1.5/5 19/7/24
I love the band but this is one of their weaker albums. Need more Levon Helm singing about the civil war and farming.
Die Band Bobs. Ganz gut.
Ok
Great harmonies and lyrics.
I loved it! Beautiful piano and voice, but still a rock album
I can hear how influential this is and it kinda grooves sometimes. But I find the vocals a bit grating and overall it’s just not for me.
organs and soul easy beats, beatles the weight - most popular song (take a load off annie)
Drape this album over me like a warm blanket.
I could enjoy listening to this once a week for the rest of my life
Easy Listening …
Another great album from 1968! I'm very sure that magical things happened this year. The last years of the 60s are at odds with everything that exists when we talk about music, and here it couldn't be any different.
The Weight is so good.....the rest of the album sounds similar just without any really really good songs. Would have loved to see them live.
And yet another album by The Band. I don't mind this kind of country rock. It's actually quite nice to listen to it. I'm sure it's nice to listen to them on long drives through the USA, but I'm not looking for this kind of music and probably won't listen to this album again. 3/5
Accomplished musicians, but for me not an exciting album. I understand this was seen as quite influential in the years following its release, but it's not an album I'm likely to play in the future as it's not a genre I care for.
This was a great listen. Having already heard The Weight I knew these fellas had bangers but man, I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. The vibes I got from this were immaculate. From the bluesy/R&B feel you get the moment you hear the first song to the psychedelic feel you get from the last song. The production on this is just so vibrant and fresh. I'll definitely be listening to this again. May these beautiful soulful men rest in peace. Best - Tears Of Rage, To Kingdom Come, In The Station, The Weight, We Can Talk (MPF besides the one named previously), Long Black Veil, Lonesome Suzie, and I Shall Be Released Worse - NO BAD SONGS 4.50-4.75/5
Classic album, easy listening. The weight is a classic.
Im Down with this, I remember the weight from the Easy Rider soundtrack. Easy to listen to
I like the lead singer's voice. Kind of an odd choice for track #1 - not a banger or a bop, as the kids say - but overall an interesting album and rather undefinable in terms of genre.
The weight's awesome. I relistened on a whim and honestly this record is solid
Could not get into this one.
For an album that is apparently really influential to rock, I don't hear it.
I officially hate The Band. I'll give them The Weight just because "Take a load off, Fanny," is kind of funny. Oh and the going rumor is that "Fanny" was a woman who slept with three members of The Band and gave John Belushi his lethal overdose? I no nothing about The Band and am surprised Bob Dylan made the cover artwork and they toured with Dylan before making this album. Still, this music doesn't do it for me. I was driving and it put me to sleep. A little later in the album it picks up a bit and switches from country to a more rock kind of sound - We Can Talk, Chest Fever, and This Wheel's on Fire all piqued my interest, but that's not enough to make me rate this album highly. 2 stars because I didn't hate everything but I hated more than I enjoyed.
I can appreciate that it's well performed and certainly well recorded but this is just not my bag at all. The hound dog vocals and village shuffle vibe of most tracks are tedious and relatively dull to me. I get that it was important/formative for many of the records I subsequently really enjoy but....not my thing.
The Band is one of those artist that just never crossed my radar before. I think that is a great thing as what I would have written them off as dull or just another 60s band. The depth of this album, the vocals.close to perfect
un tre senza infamia e senza lode. caruccio ma dimenticabile.
Some really great songs; a few less enjoyable ones. This is a classic for sure.
Fun! rly no thoughts but it had its highs. 8/10
This album kicks ass. Lots to like here. Amazing they made this coming off of backing Bob Dylan, as I find him fairly boring. Chest Fever is a jam. So close to a 5 for me. Just a song or two away. 4.5
Long Black Veil was my favorite of this album.
I'm a huge fan of The Band and this one is a classic for me.
Recognized The Weight. Enjoyed Chest Fever, but everything else was just ok.
Great album. Reminds me of Grateful Dead. Or does Grateful Dead remind me of the Band?
Sounded fine but super bored me
Not bad. A bit boring. The Weight will always play. Easy Rider is the lesson plan for America in the 60’s hippy era. Man, what a weird time it was. Still, better than what we got going down now.
I like a few songs on this - I realize it's the great, iconic rock album from Dylan's band and I'm expected to jump on the Band wagon, but I never much liked their sound without him. This is mediocre stuff for me. The Weight is a keeper - Long Black Veil is a popular cover and I've heard much better versions. Jagger, for example....
More painfully dreary, slow 60s folk.
A mild experience, good instrumentals, however no memorable parts for me.
Good, easy listening music. Nothing particularly crazy, but a good listen. Funnily enough I recognized some riffs that *definitely* influenced folk/folk rock bands I listen to.
A good listen in the car. I liked what I heard will need to listen to it again
Couple oldies. Ryan’s first concert. 3/5
A good, soulful album. There seems to be some passion shining through, and the whole band seems to have worked well together, with them all seeming to sing together as well. I do wish it had a bit more variety though.
Ok
Had me smiling the whole time. Such beautiful sounds and the coolest story creating magic in big pink!
Nice chill songs 3 ⭐️
I found this pretty dull and repetitive and was quite surprised to see how well its received here.
I could tell it was influential and well-crafted and all that, but it just didn't resonate with me.
I don't have any complaints, but there's also nothing about this I needed to hear. I will forget all about this album tomorrow.
Good album
Enjoyable but very few moments that stand out as particularly extraordinary. Though I do love I Shall be Released. Checked out the Dylan version after I found out he originally wrote it, and, to my suprise, found myself prefering the cover* over the Dylan version, which I rarely do. *(Though their version was recorded earlier, so…) The Last Waltz’s live version with Dylan co-singing might be even better though… might actually check out that album and finally get to watching the Scorsese movie just for that moment alone.
Not as good as the brown album but so good. The Weight is perfect.
Had no idea they sang the Weight! Good nice vibes
This album gives a new definition to the terms bland and mediocre
To me, this album is reminiscent of the the name The Band in and of itself - pretty generic. I didn't find it grating or annoying to have on in the background while working, nor did it really make me stop and listen either. I do like their more prominent use of the piano whereas alot of bands in that era and decades after either have piano-centric tracks or strictly guitars and drums, The Band blends both in a very pleasant way. I don't think I'll go out of my way to delve more into The Band's discography, but I wouldn't skip them if they come up on shuffle either. Notable Tracks: Tears of Rage The Weight Chest Fever (cool keyboard intro and solo) 6/10
good album no complaints
pretty repetitive but decently enjoyable. low 7/10
I have always liked the Chicago sound with the brass section. This album was a little too freeform for me. I definitely like their later stuff.
Tears of Rage // The Weight // We Can Talk // Chest Fever //
Great vibes, but nothing that stands out too much. I don't notice too much flow between songs, but there a lot of good tracks like We Can Talk, Lonesome Suzie, and Caledonia Mission.
Given everything about this I feel as though I should love it much more than I do. It’s just fine to me. I understand the influence it had, but the pieces don’t seem to come together for me. Favorite songs were The Weight, We Can Talk, and Chest Fever.
La famosa The Weight
O que tenho a dizer sobre este álbum, antes de mais, é bom, não se coloca em causa a sua qualidade. Contudo é difícil atribuir-lhe uma característica especifica. Todo o álbum flerta com várias sonoridades, mas de forma muito discreta, por exemplo na música Lonesome Suzie as influências de blues são aparentes e folks são aparentes. No entanto, em momento algum nos questionamos se é um álbum de rock, isso é muito claro. O vocalista tem uma voz bastante agradável de se ouvir, os instrumentos estão bem conseguidos, tendo uma certa diversidade. Onde é que álbum peca? Não sei bem, não existe nada de particularmente mau nele, o que faz com que algumas músicas sejam menos memoráveis, mas não deixam de ser boas. Fico aqui um bocado dividido no que toca a dar a nota ao álbum não me marcou suficiente para o 7 mas não é um 6. Mas devido a facto de ser tão bem conseguido devo dar o 7. Dei setes a álbuns piores na minha opinião. A melhor canção deste álbum para mim talvez seja a This Wheel's on Fire e a Tears of Rage. Nota: 7/10 Data: 15/06/2024
There something about this album that feels so warm. The songs feel like friends without knowing them. Magical.
Better than I thought. Full of rich arrangements and musicianshio
first album from Dylan's backing band, folk/country/americana, some great tracks
The Weightiä laskematta aika joutavaa menoa.
Rento ja hyväntuulinen.
So Americana gets invented in upstate New York in 1968? By Canadians? This is the father and mother of the 70s (and beyond) and we are better for it. (Think Wilco.) (And Neil Young.)
Surprisingly more mellow and less compelling than expected.
There are a few standout classics on here. I only ever knew the Julie Driscoll version of This Wheel’s on Fire and unfortunately that is the one that still stands out for me. Her voice is magnificent on it. But here it’s a little d’ombre although still a classic song. The Weight and I Shall be Released are timeless and iconic - my folks always loved The Band but in my mind they should have spelt it differently (think The Banned) and caused more controversy but that was just a flight of fancy. Three absolute blinders and the rest are a bit samey for me.
The Weight is a classic. Their cover of the Long Black Veil was not as good as Johnny Cash’s version. I was surprised to hear the AbFab theme song. And I just learned it was cowritten by bob dylan.
Turns out "The Weight" isn't the only song by The Band that I never want to hear again in my life. I know folks see this as a seminal album, so I get that this belongs on the list, but I find it ponderous and boring.
This was my first time hearing this. I'd always seen it on various "best of" lists, but perhaps because of their association with Dylan and/or their Grateful Dead like vocals, I always decided that this was not for me. I was wrong. This is great. Not sure I can go to a full 5 stars on this, but it's definitely a 4. The vocals still irk me on some songs. (Not sure who the culprit is, but it's not Levon.) But the grooves are great—loose at tight at the same time. The arrangements and production are kind of weird and perfect at the same time. That organ sound on Chest Fever is absolutely killer. Wheel's On Fire: I knew this was a Dylan song, but until today the only versions I'd ever heard were the closing credits for Absolutely Fabulous and the Siouxies and the Banshees version. This one isn't my favorite, but it was still cool to hear. And as for The Weight: It's so weird hearing a song that's so familiar on an album of tunes I'd never heard before. No wonder this became the hit, it's so obviously commercial. Sounds like it came from another planet. Anyway, this may grow to a 5 with enough listens.
Boring. Trite. Always thought The Band was overhyped. Even with Dylan involved, I find it so difficult to listen to this. Andre can tell you about the low-key rage I hit when a cover band goes into The Weight.
I think there’s a reason a lot of bands from this era’s best albums are their “best ofs”
Only knowing the song The Weight going in, I had some reservations going in, but this is a great album. It has a warm and rich sound with lots of variety. More amazing is that it's from 1968.
very chill
This album contains a couple of my favorite tracks from The Band - "The Weight" and "Chest Fever" - but overall the album is just okay
Tears of Rage - 3.5 To Kingdom Come - 3.5 In a Station - 3 Caledonia Mission - 3.5 The Weight - 3 We Can Talk - 3.5 Long Black Veil - 3 Chest Fever - 3.5 Lonesome Suzie - 2.5 The Wheels on Fire - 4 I Shall Be Released - 2
Big Pink by The Band Wednesday 6/19/24 2:17 S Tier————————— The Weight A Tier————————— Tears Of Rage Caledonia Mission Chest Fever B Tier————————— We Can Talk Long Black Veil I Shall Be Released This Wheels On Fire To Kingdom Come C Tier————————— Lonesome Suzie In A Station
3.75 I feel like I should rate it higher just because of who makes up THE BAND.... but, it's just ok for me.
That was so much better than I expected. The only gripe is the vocals were a little bit 'Dog & Duck', but as a whole it was really good.
The Band. The Album. The Songs. The Music. The mid.
A cool earlier rock folk kind of album. There’s a lot of fun to be had. Did not get sold until the middle of the album, but I found my listen to be endearing. Thought the storytelling was pretty good too. Looking at it now as I’m writing this before bed, however, I don’t remember what I had listened to without going back to the songs. Standouts: The Weight, We Can Talk, Long Black Veil, Chest Fever, Lonesome Suzie, and I Shall Be Released.
Very 70s. Overall good, but tears of Rage and the weight stand out.
Better than the other band album, but still a 3
Classic. 4
5 stars for The Weight alone, but the rest is great too.
Very good. Messy at times but fantastic folky psychadelic. I really enjoy the vocals. Track one sucked me in and I was having a great time until 'the weight' which is the kind of song like 'Our House' from a few albums ago that I've definitely heard before but had no idea when or how. Anyways, 'The weight' is great. Obvious highlight of the whole album. I really liked all the songs and I think the whole thing is beautiful and mystical. The album is tight which is rare for music like this. Considering it came out in 68, this thing holds up great.
The Band is a weird one for me. A friend of mine came back from his first year of college with a huge newfound fandom for them, and one summer our entire soundtrack was one of their live albums. His band covered "Long Black Veil" and I actually think his cover is better than the original. In any case I have a certain nostalgic relationship with them that affects my ability to objectively judge their output. I think this album is good, it's not as good as some of their others, but at least there are less references to the confederates in this one. I wouldn't call it revolutionary or particularly great but The Band are good at combining that lazy country style in to rock music, more so than the Allman Brothers and others of that persuasion. They're less polished and seem more authentic I guess? For me that's a good thing, for others it's a detraction. Long Black Veil, The Weight and I Shall Be Released are the picks for me, but the whole album is decent.
There's a groove here. Solid listen of some slow folksy rock. Girl Talk used The Weight in Feed the Animals.
I've often heard over the radio one or two songs by The Band, but until now I have not listened to a whole album of theirs. I'm thankful to this list for giving me the opportunity to fill in the blanks.
It's ok 3/5
Didn’t think I was going to like this but it was alright.
4.5/5
The Weight always makes me happy. It makes me think my parents. Puts me in my happy space.
It’s alright
Really couldn't connect with this.
has some classic tracks and was fun
“The Basement Tapes” is one of my favorite albums of all time. It is my favorite Dylan album by far. So, I should love this album. And I do like it. But I feel like Robert Christgau, who said he admired this album from a distance. I’ve listened to enough shitty psychedelic drivel through this project that I can imagine what a breath of fresh air this was when it came out in ‘68. But I think that outside of that context, this album is just decent folksy Americana roots rock. It gets extra points for having essentially invented folksy Americana roots rock, but you know, what have you done for me lately?
Never got into The Band until my mid 40s, better late than never - truly a classic.
Ok
I didn't dislike it but it was very samey. I recognised The Weight. Stand-out: This Wheel's On Fire
Weird album. Three good songs but didn’t like the rest very much. Songs all seemed pretty random and haphazardly thrown together. Didn’t really do much for me overall.
Good in parts. Some of the vocals are a bit too plaintive, some of the lyrics a bit too wilfully obscure for my tastes, but the musicianship is good and there are some great songs: The Weight, Chest Fever and Lonesome Suzie
Hall of Fame.
peak classic folk rock
Never heard this before but really enjoyed! 4.5
I wouldn't go as far to say this album was boring, but it was on the slower side. Aside from The Weight, I just can't picture remembering any of these tracks.
Can’t not give this a 5 as it was prob better than Clapton which I also gave a 5 Never made the connection that they did the weight. Great album and favourite song on it was chest fever
In general, when it comes to The Band, I always understand why people would enjoy their music, but I also understand that it will never be for me. It's like we started off at the same point but then branched in irreconcilably different directions. There are songs like This Wheel's On Fire where I have a pretty good time, but others where I'm just politely smiling and waiting for it to be over.
Muziek is vast en zeker prima. Het is gewoon heel erg niet mijn genre dus ik verveel me ontzettend. Heel erg oude muziek, en dat mag allemaal, maar ik word hier niet heel erg warm van. Beetje zeikerig ook op zn tijd. Dit zal voor die tijd vast ontzettend vernieuwend zijn geweest, maar nu vind ik het vooral saai. Ik heb hier ook geen favoriet nummer in ontdekt, maar vind het niet actief kut. Oftewel, 2 sterren, geen 3.
Some good some meh. Standout songs: Caledonia Mission Chest Fever
There is nothing special here. There is way better music out there.
Not bad, not especially good. It's 60s music that left me shrugging. 2.5/5
The Weight
Maybe the best music ever made.
Classic
‘To Kingdom Come’, ‘Caledonia Mission’, ‘The Weight’ and ‘Chest Fever’ are the genuinely good songs on this, songs that are actually engaging melodically and you will want to listen to from start to finish. The rest of the album kind of just plods along and you can pretty much skip it in my opinion. I’ve listened to it, so you don’t have to.
This is a solid album that is pretty typical for this list, I enjoyed it but didn't stand out as either great or bad.
The Weight and Long Back Veil are both great. The rest is good 60's rock. Feels pretty laid back and easy going. Music for lounging more than activities, but I would definitely throw it on for sitting on a dock on a hot day.
Quite boring or just not my jam
Vibe
I feel like I’m betraying the Band by giving them a 3. The Weight, I Shall Be Released, and their version of Long Black Veil are all amazing, but the rest of the album was just good, not great. Definitely iconic for the 60’s though.
Nothing on here as good as The Weight
The Band have been top of my list to ‘get in to’ for a while, and this didn’t disappoint, I think I enjoyed every track. Controversially, I also quite like the name. When you consider that they were initially Bob Dylan’s backing band, it kind of makes sense. Simpsons: very hard to figure out due to the name
It was alright but sounded like a lot of the average music on here. Was a bit bored listening to it.
I enjoyed this more than I was expecting. I recognised the song “The Weight” and it's bugging me, where I recognised it from. If this album were a football team, it would be comfortably stuck in mid-table, no chance of being relegated, but no realistic chance of Europe, but a solid team on their day.
It was fine music, I know it’s influenced a load of artists but if I never hear it again my life won’t feel like it’s missing anything
never knew The Weight was The Band's song. otherwise, not really a fan. I wanted to like this, but I could barely get through a single song without switching to the next one. it just sounds so monotonous to me and it has some folk/country music influences which are both genres I often find intolerable
Very enjoyable. It really FEELS like the 60s
It made my soul run with vigor. WOW
It was a good listen but wouldn't listen to it again. Felt very basic 60s-70s sound.