Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby

Very much drawing inspiration from the King of Pop. Horn lines are delectable but I feel there is a sense of loss - too much trying to be the king of pop and individualistic character is removed from the pieces. Just looked it up - released in 1987 so perhaps not so much an influence but a direct competitor to Michael Jackson himself. Not sure how to feel about this album - the cohesiveness I feel is all over the place and nothing stands out to me specifically as Terence - but a tenor imitation of Jackson. To play in the shadows of a king is suffocating.

Something about this album just didn't sit right with me. I feel like the production on the instruments could have been a little smoother. I also don't think D'Arby has the best voice; it's not bad at all, but there were moments where I was questioning it. Idk, the album was a bit all over the place. A true rating would be 2.5, but I gotta round down cause most of the albums I've rated a 3 are better than this.

Did not enjoy this one. Whole thing felt cheesy. It's trying so hard to be catchy and it's absolutely not. Singing style isn't my favorite either. L

The easiest 2 I've ever given.

It's certainly of its era. The production is good and there are elements I like, but it doesn't do a great deal for me.

He is obviously a talented singer and songwriter but the layers and layers of dated 1980s production make this album almost unlistenable. All I could think of how bad it sounds instead of the songs, the music themselves. This is a really generous 2 stars because otherwise I would rather give it 1 star.

2,5

wishing well is the best prince song of 1987…other than every song on sign o' the times.

I definitely appreciate the Prince vibes, and he has a wonderful voice. All that said, can't see myself coming back to this one much. Favorite track: Who's Loving You

Man th 80s

Meh. Very indifferent, sounds like any other late 80s/esrly 90s R&B record.

Blind album and artist. Gave off Michael Jackson vibes but the album wasnt as strong. Walmart Michael jackson.

This felt so much longer than 47 minutes. Absolutely not a fan of the 80’s production.

Holy 80s! This is not soul, and it is not rock. It is 80s pop. And that's okay! Except actually it's not. Damn, I don't like this music. He has a nice voice and there are certainly some hits here, but woof man, this was a pretty lackluster listen. Fave tracks: - If You Let Me Stay - Wishing Well - Dance Little Sister - Seven More Days - As Yet Untitled

Dude recorded the “rain rain go away” song. But sign your name is a bop

Never knew this guy sang wishing well. Nice first album

A core staple of 90s jazz ballet teachers....no doubt

Reminded me of other artists at times, not least Prince on tracks like Wishing Well. But overall left me pretty cold.

Not for me

I don't know what to think of this so I'm giving it 2

This is very Steve Winwood-coded. Some good tunes on here, lots of slappa da bayaass, some shite too though.

Nothing really wrong with this album. Good voice, great melodies. It's just low key boring.

Pound shop prince.

So a couple of hits buried within an over hyped and overplayed 80s album is enough to make the list? I don't think so. At best this is a historical footnote to the 80s.

Afrobeat funk and soul album that is a solid debut from an artist I am not familiar with. Some good tracks on this, but not quite special. Also someone I just found out shares a birthday with me.

Whatever

Budget Michael Jackson. Couple of decent tracks but nothing outstanding. 5/10

I have mixed feelings about this one.  Wishing Well is a great song and Sign Your Name is ok, but the rest is a bit bland for me.  I hear too much 80s electronic drums/drum machine and synth bass to be taken too seriously. Liked Songs Added Wishing Well

His debut album. Rock / Soul. This is plastic 80s music with awful production. D'Arby has a good voice but everything else on this album is not so good. Of the one hundred and sixty seven albums I've listened to so far, the track Rain is a low point. Sign Your Name is the best track but everything else is meh.

I k ow people who love this album. Im not one of them but it's good enough. Better than i could so

It's a very typical 80s album, what more can I say. Wishing Well is a great song though, I found it to be really catchy.

I recall Sign Your Name as a staple of the 1980s, and I think it holds up pretty well. Seven More Days, I think, is the most interesting track here, though I’m not sure I like it, exactly. Terence Trent D’Arby/Sananda Maitreya has a beautiful voice, but overall the album is boring.

Unfortunately I couldn’t quite get into this. Clearly a good singer but this is very 80s in a way that didn’t work for me

Today’s album does very little for me, but isn’t bad as such, it’s getting some kind of 2 from me though

Liked a few tracks but wasn't that into it. Wishing Well slaps

Pathetic that he thinks he makes better music than the Beatles.

Being an american-born musician and going to the UK to find success is an indication of the quality of music. Four songs in, I was hoping I was eight songs in so I'd be more than halfway through. It sounds like Foreigner, put Michael Jackson out as front man and they were tasked with making elevator music. 1.8 outta 5

I can understand why this album probably made an impact back in the 80s, but I personally think it aged horribly. It’s basically soul and contemporary R&B with that cliché 80s sophistipop feel. The production and style just scream “product of its time,” and not in a good way. Overall, this just isn’t for me, and I don’t see myself ever coming back to it.

The only actively good song on this album was the last one, but then you realise that is was originally a Jackson 5 song and it all sort of makes sense why you like that one so much…

Well… lots of thoughts. I’m mostly glad I can pinpoint where some of Twin Shadow’s slow jams came from.

1.5 stars Forgettable. It was like off brand Prince. It wasn’t terrible. But I just didn’t care.

If You Let Me Stay Wishing Well Sign Your Name

Okay

Just didn’t perk my ears, weird sounds

Please, no more. 2 cause I guess this appeals to some people and it's not outright shiz, just can't stomach it.

First song really drew me in, loved the drum machined high hats especially, such a refreshing contrast to the the otherwise folkish/blues to open. But then... What's happening here?? So many of these songs feel crowded (derogatory), the lyrics feel shallow/perfunctory ("let's go forward with our love"???), and while TTD has pipes, I remained unconvinced that he has power behind his voice. Compositions feel repetitive, and while they're not doubt fun to play and jam on, but they just are NOT ENOUGH to carry it forward. Without any sort of X-factor to guide this, it really leaves me scratching my head as to what all the fuss is about.

Pretty dated, cheesy lyrics and overproduced. Seems to be a lot of these albums on here so far. Running out of things to say about them

Pretty typical 80s pop. Not bad but not my thing.

Not my thing

Wishing Well is strong, however the rest of the album doesn't live up to that track.

This was pleasant. I feel like that’s all I have to really say honestly, not much more. It was relaxing but I kind of lost interest?

The Prince comparison seemed embarrassingly transparent from the start so get that out of the way immediately. I bought this record based off of "Wishing Well" even though that little flute riff annoyed me (and still does), but it is still a damn catchy song. But the album overall comes off as more than a bit cheesy - I can't remember if I felt that way back then but "get up outta your rocking chair grandma!" followed by some very 80s dated keys isn't aging well. What does age well is his voice - more Teddy Pendergrass than the aforementioned artist - and that alone might be what makes this worth one listen at least, but that's enough. I'm probably too hard on the dated aspect of it - nearly everything from c1984-1989 has/had "new" keyboard sounds for the time that sound like ass now - but it's real and it's not spectacular. TL;DR: It's fine for a few songs' worth, but not anything close to the entire album. Honestly kinda disappointing after all these years. 5/10 2 stars.

This is not at all my thing...

Fav songs: Sign Your Name; Wishing Well My whole life I thought TTD was British. I stand corrected on that fact. As for the album, it is full mostly of pretty conventional soul. 'Sign Your Name' recalls Prince the most with its stripped down production, especially when compared with a lot of the songs on this album. More of this. His vocal talent is obvious. I think he should have long term been paired with a strong producer/songwriter who could provide more direction.

This was an interesting album, could see myself listening to it again on a chill day

Meh. Nice, but not something I'll think of again any time soon.

I didn’t think I knew of this artist’s music at all. Then “Sign your Name” came on and I was transported back to the orthodontist’s office, having my braces tightened to the adult contemporary sounds of K-OST 103.5.

This didn’t age at all well. It’s vey 80s, with all that synth, and over production. I like his voice, but I can’t help feeling it wouldn’t sound so good in a live setting. This is not my kind of music, and it sounds very dated.

Didnt fuck with it, boring

Not good

Ich kann mich noch gut an den Einschlag des Albums erinnern. Einige feierten schon den neuen Prince. Irgendwas muss dazwischen gekommen sein.

boring

I was hoping to rediscover an album I recalled being popular for reasons I didn't understand at the time. Alas, no rediscovery.

liked songs: As Yet Untitled (I think?) Some stuff to like here, but I didn't love it. It felt like it was trying very hard but didn't execute well. 2.25

God that sucked. I guess I missed that one when it charted in the 80s because nothing on that album was vaguely familiar.

No thanks

Music built around a voice that's almost, but not quite, good enough to carry it. Sign Your Name is a stand-out single because it's the only song that understands Terence's/Sandana's appeal. Belting passionately, he sounds weak - give him a song that focuses on being tender, layer up the harmonies, and that weakness becomes a strength.

A couple of catchy moments but I like my pop with a little more punch

Fine, but not my thing.

“Mom, can we stop and get Michael Jackson?” “No, we have Michael Jackson at home.”

I haven't heard anything from this album since I was a kid (I remember my mom played this album a lot). I was hoping it was going to be good in a nostalgic way, but aside from the single Wishing Well, there wasn't any nostalgia and it really didn't do anything for me. Not a style I'm into, so not going to be listening to this again anytime soon. 2/5

I didn't really care for this. It reminded me of Prince but more boring, and I already don't really care for Prince? I dunno, I don't get how this sold 3 mil records in 3 days. 2/5

Bleh

Really wish I connected more with this album. Great vocal performance, but less than interesting songs make a surprising amount of this album forgettable. Good moments, but inconsistent. Top tracks: Dance Little Sister, Who's Loving You

Not my style bruv

You know what? I’ll pass.

Not a fan of 1980s compressed pop. Last 2 songs in other genres are good.

LW

Fine and totally harmless pop record. I would have liked to call it Prince from Temu, but it wasn't actually that bad. That being said, I don't remember any of it a few days later.

I imagine when this came out it sounded cutting edge, but now it just sounds very dated. Production is so of it’s time - overtly 80s percussion, treble-y bass tone and his voice, though no doubt is talented, just somehow grates on me. Album gets very same-y after a while too. Though i liked and recognised Sign Your Name, it wasn’t enough to save the album. 1.5/5

Never really got why this was a big thing in the 80s.

Ehdin jo vähän innostua tokan biisin kasariafroilusta, mutta kokonaisuudessaan levy jää jumiin genrensä, no, kornimpaan ilmaisuun. Seuraavan kerran innostukseni osoitti merkkejä itsestään viimeisen kappaleen paluussa Sam Cooken universumiin.

Very 80s. I liked Wishing Well and remember the video but probably wouldn't listen to the full album again.

2.2 1x not a fan of 80s but not awful

Ok

What is this?

2 decent tracks but not my thing

"Wishing Well" is cool, and "As Yet Untitled" actually kind of blew me away. There are a few other elements here and there that I like fine enough, too, but overall, this just isn't a sound I dig very much. He also cribs a bit too much from Prince and MJ for my liking - two artists I'm not big on anyway, but I respect their singularity. 2.5/5

Wishing Well is cool but mostly not my scene

A couple of bangers here but wow the rest of the album is just filled with crap songs. Disappointed

2.5

Not for me

2/5

Budget mj, wel ok maar niet mn muziek

This has typical late-80s production values - make it chimey, and the bass, while not absent, doesn't sit in the mix at all, so that it might as well be not there at all. Speaking of which: Do you know what's also not there? - The songs. Wishing Well and Sign Your Name were chart toppers in their day, but the rest is derivative and quite forgettable. As is this album. 2/5

The biggest surprise with this was that on searching for 'Terence Trent D'Arby' I was presented with 'Sanansa Maitreya'. Found it quite bizarre that even with a name change post-album, the whole library of music had changed to represent said name change. That aside, this was okay, some recognisable songs from a recognisable voice but not an album I'd feel obliged to listen to again. His voice isn't really for me

I listened to this yesterday and already remember nothing about it. It was just a little too consistent throughout I think so nothing stuck out. If i remember correctly, wishing well was fun. I think if i could have just paid closer attention to the lyrics the whole time it could have been a good experience but it didn’t draw me in.

OK I don't get it. Like there isn't that much to actually get but I don't. I just hear some like movie credits songs and some singer songwriter stuff. And that'd it. I guess I just don't understand this one it should at least be decent to me but I didn't even gel that much. Idk mannnnn

Bit of a snoozer this one. Couple of decent tracks which i gather were the singles, but the production is a bit bland and his voice wasn't stirring much emotion out of me. Doubt i'll return.

Production is solid but this doesn’t click for me

Meh...just a load of meh. 1.5/5

Not really my cup of tea. Too watery.

Not really my jam

Plasticky overproduced 80s soul. Sounds like a one hit wonder artist. Maybe with a more organic arrangement it would have sounded better. That said the second half is slightly better.

This would not have been a quick album to make. Heavy Heavy Heavy production and has not aged well. TTD'A is clearly a talented man, but this is too polished and slick for my punky tastes.

Pretty meh except wishing well

Now I know who Bruno Mars ripped off. Doesnt make it sound any less dated, though. 2/5

Artificial sweetener.

3 hit singles and I vaguely recognise the rest because my sister bought this and played it loads. I never liked it!

Bland 80s nothingness. Last track was pretty good though.

I am preemptively annoyed by this album. OK, fine, the artist changed their name. I still sort of think it should be under the name used when they released the album(*), but ok. But Spotify also changed the name of the album to Introducing the Hardline According to Sananda Maitreya with a release date of 1987. WTF, you don't get to retroactively change the name of the album, that is very much not the name of the album that was released in 1987. This is the mood I'm in going in to listening to this album. It's fine, I'm just in no mood to listen to it today. Sorry Sananda. (*) ok, so discussion item. Elliot Page transitioned during the run of Umbrella Academy. Cool, good for him. But if you go back and watch (watch, not read about or something - they re-edited the video) the earlier season, the credits lists Elliot Page. But that wasn't Elliot Page. I know this is just one of the wonderful things about humans that don't need to fit into my programmer brain, but it seems strange. Kind of want to buy our local librarian a beer and ask questions about a personal right to identity and a societal right to accurate data. Or a slightly abstracted form of that which doesn't involve gender identity, which is in itself not really the point.

Hmm, I don’t really know this artist by either name. Tried to give it a chance but I skipped through this one pretty quickly, I guess it’s not my favorite.

Better than I expected but not great.

Meh. It's an 80's pop album. This guy was a one-hit wonder, and I don't know why he's on the list. There wasn't anything special about the album. His straining to hit higher registers got annoying.

Too poppy for me, but a couple of classic tunes

Two or three catchy tunes. Not much more.

Tries very hard to be Prince. It's a noble ambition but there is only one Prince. As Yet Untitled is a good song but the rest is just filler and the singles don't hit.

Gospel album produced like an 80s pop album. Undeniable vocal talent, very indicative of 80s pop music.

Favorite Track: Who's Loving You

you gotta love that 80s pop production where all the instrumentation sounds like it was recorded in an aluminum shack

Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D’Arby (if that is his real name) Uninspiring. Was hard not to skip tracks. I understand he had some singles off this but it’s all just boring 2

supposedly sounded better before, now the voice sounds like it's being squeezed out. It's still bearable, but one listen is enough.

Its Ok doesnt bother me. Good songs and productionwise it works. Not my type of music but I can hear its a good album overall

3/10 This shit used to put me to sleep at night when I listened to the local R&B station. This and Don't rock the boat baby. I bored myself writing this and am now done. 1-28-2025

stopped listening 4 songs in, not my thing

One hit, too much 80s schlock.

Was not familiar with the artist or the album. After listening, I realized I did not miss much after all these years. Unmemorable.

This just didn't do it for me. Didn't really find the songs too memorable, but his voice is incredible.

It aight

2-3 - Interesting….

My review vanished. I was underwhelmed.

I had real nostalgia for this album. But not as musically or vocally great as I remember.

i couldn't get into this record back then, and i still didn't care for it today. absolutely nothing works for me, but the 80s production really keeps me at a distance.

2.5

Couple good performances- great voice. Dated flat album.

Sorry, but this does not do much for me. He sounds like a worse and more boring Prince. 2.5 stars

I've only ever heard "Wishing Well" and "Sign Your Name", and that's with good reason I suppose. The rest is pretty mid 80s R&B. 2.5 stars.

No hardline as such, this is album is squishier than the squishiest clean up on aisle 3. Perhaps more like The Flatline. Super rancid 80s hospital. radio squared with supermarket radio featuring soggy, boring grooves all played by a singer who seem like a bland smush between Prince, MJ and Stevie Wonder. I’m normally a big sucker for 80s pop and RnB but this was way too iffy and derivative.

Feels like such a waste of time to even put effort into this. Trying to type this album name made me take up smoking again 4/10 Fav tracks - If you all get to Heaven

I could have gone without hearing this.

Just didn’t really do anything for me

Fairly cringy. 80s - world - R&B. Like a cringe vortex

Modern/80s soul by great vocalist but only 2 or 3 great tunes

Terence Trent d'A was big when I was in secondary school and I found him OK, no more. I recall reading an interview where he seemed quite full of himself, proclaiming he was the new Michael Jackson and Prince combined I think. He said it was something to do with his name. He must have changed his mind then because he now goes by a different name. Anyway, what do I feel about the music? Not much. It's OK but a bit "meh". Some songs have nice arrangements and his high pitched gritty voice is good. It has soul and funk in it but it's mostly just quite commercial sounding pop. It also feels a bit dated and I can't see why I'd listen to this again. Could have been a 3 on a very good day but I'll go for a 2.

He seems to have a great voice but this was just really not for me.

This album was alright I guess. He obviously has a great voice but the style of music just isn't for me.

It's just not my cuppa tea. I quite liked some of it but on the whole not for me.

I think Michael Jackson just ripped this dude off. Fave: As Yet Untitled

I didn't really think the hype was justified.

2.18

His sound really encapsulates the 80s. I don't think this is super easy listening.

These people from the East Midlands swear a lot

I liked it at the start but quickly turned pretty stale. Nice sounding voice and music but just nothing that particularly made it stand out to me. Rating: 2.5

Now That’s What I Call music that would be blaring over the speakers while you’re overstimulated in a Dillards dressing room “GET UP OUT OF THAT ROCKING CHAIR GRANDMA … or rather … would you care to dance grandmother?” this is the first artist i haven’t known so that was exciting

Good vocals I guess, but super 80s in the worst possible ways? 2.2 stars

Didn’t love it. Too nondescript.

Introducing the Hairline Torn between 2 and 3. Obviously impressive vocals. Nice production. Very 80s R&B

For as much as this guy said he made the best album ever recorded, I have to say that I am a little disappointed. That might not be the right word, underwhelmed might be better. First, this album just screams 80s pop and to me that alone disqualifies it from being called the best album ever. I get the comparisons to Prince but there really is no comparison there, this guy will never be Prince. I listened to this whole album and don't think I added any of the songs to my liked songs on Spotify. I didn't dislike any of it really, just nothing stood out. I would be interested to hear more from him, but I suspect he kind of got stuck making the same record over and over. It's fine, middle of the road for the genre. 2.25/5

Classic 80s production. Wannabe prince/stevie wonder vibes. Pretty solid fun songs but it's lacking some character

I generally love 80s pop music, and I was aware of his one hit wonder status as someone shunned for thinking so highly of himself and his excellent voice, so I was prepared to really enjoy this album. I did not. It's a one hit wonder for a reason, and jealousy wasn't it.

Terence Trent D'Arby (or Sananda Maitreya, as he's now known) was clearly influenced by just about every big 80s act. In this album, I can hear Prince, Michael Jackson, 80s Bowie, Genesis, Michael Jackson, and more. The cynical part of me hears this as a record label executive's attempt to capitalize on the popularity of others. I can certainly see talent agents courting him for that reason. Having said that, it has its charm, despite falling well short of the greats. This album obviously hasn't stood the test of time very well, although it's certainly not the cheesiest 80s album out there. There's a handful of decent songs here, including 'Rain', 'Wishing Well', and 'Seven More Days'. The rest is fairly forgettable and not that interesting. The album has been considered as a soundtrack to 80s prosperity, although I don't know that the image of a Wall Street banker dancing to it makes it any cooler.

I remember saving up to buy this cassette, cause there was so much buzz at the time. Was so disappointed when I finally got to hear it. Was hoping to find something this time around. Disappointed again. 2/5

Introducing The Hard Truth According To Blake Matson Becker: This Shit Sucks, Terence.

Instrumentation 5 stars vocals 1

Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby - Terence Trent D'Arby (1987) Não Não obrigado. Melhores músicas: Piores musicas: 2/5

This is so 80s I can’t.

Just nothing on here was interesting. Overall bland

Some enjoyable tracks here but the project is predicated on being an one-man anthem and there is not enough soul here to counteract the impersonal production.

Can't stand this bland commercial type of R&B. The guy is clearly talented, but I really don't see how he found himself on this list.

I have a hard time with contemporary R&B and pop soul straight out of an 80s production. Too cheesy and gentle for me, sorry.

Clearly made by talented artists, D'Arby has great energy, but it sounds too much like the 80s

He certainly had his 15 minutes of fame in the 80's with this album. Wasn't a fan at the time and honestly still not. It's just heavily borrowed 60's R&B with dated 80's production.

What am I missing? Because this sounds like a thousand other records. Everything here has been done before and better. Much is dated sounding 80’s R&B. And stop it with the Prince comparisons.

Nothing here for me. Didn't like or connect with the music, and didn't find much here that hasn't been done by others, better.

I didn't really dig this. The rest of my listening group liked it more than I did. I found it kind of insufferable actually - I was just bored and tuning out immediately and a few times cringing.... not my thing.

He has a nice voice. Their is talent on display here. It's just not a style of music I'm into.

Idc

Like a lot of albums here- this isn’t my thing. Not sad I listened to it -but not likely to ever do so again.

Arrived with one of the cockiest promotional campaigns in music history when he declared it "the most important album since Sgt. Pepper’s". Did I miss something?

I read people’s reviews and felt interested in revisiting this album. I’m certain I was not focused on this in 1987. Probably more on rap and what not. Found album very locked in the 80’s and just not particularly catchy or engaging. I don’t see why it’s on this list honestly.

Wishing Well and various inferior songs that are moderately catchy.

It's got those songs! Sure, Wishing Well and Sign Your Name were big when Top 40 was big, but it's so bad today. This guy isn't even Terence Trent D'Arby anymore, he's changed his name, probably in hopes to distance himself from his 80's music.

Well that’s a super familiar album cover. But not a super familiar album. Why do I know this picture? Is it just from looking through the 1001? It's a great photo. Conveys a lot very simply. And it’s the best part of the album. The rest is easily forgettable Michael Jackson and Prince knock-offs. That, combined with the cover and the fact that the album is attributed to Sananda Maitreya got me quite curious. Which wound up leading me to this article from The Guardian from 2017 - https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/oct/05/why-terence-trent-darby-became-sananda-maitreya-it-was-that-or-death. I can’t do justice to Terence Trent D’Arby (or Sananda Maitreya). You’ll just have to read it for yourself.

The guy has some pipes but the songs weren’t that good imo. Just not my favorite type of music

My review was initially going to be "Michael Jackson for the people who can't forgive MJ for having once been black." I later realized that this guy is also black and that the album didn't sound like Michael Jackson at all past the first half. Still didn't like it, but that would've been a colossally incorrect review had I not came to my senses

Not for me

Groaned when I saw this, halfway through, to be fair it's more enjoyable than I was expecting, but it's not going into rotation! Sign Your Name is annoying, Wishing Well is catchy alright. Terence (or Sananda, or whatever) can sing alright, but I don't want to listen to it thanks, I wanted it to end 15 minutes before it did.

It's good, but an entire album of music like this is not for me. I'd much rather these kinds of songs just mixed in with general listening.

I liked Wishing Well.

Mmm ok? Siento que el disco me regañó por no escucharlo brincando en la calle

I was still in Trinidad when I first heard Wishing Well. A catchy and interesting song with a cool lick that is memorable. I also remember Sign Your Name. I always thought he was just sort of a one or two hit wonder though. It's one of the those albums where upon listening to it I thought, 'ohhh so this is the other stuff he was doing in addition to the singles'. I am not sure I really see very much that is ground breaking or particularly special on this album. Terrence does have a really good voice though and a lot of control to do some of the vocal runs that he does on some of the songs. I could see how their might be a bit of a Michael Jackson comparison. The Darbs has a bit deeper of a tone of voice than MJ but similar vocal stylings...which really could just stem from James Brown,.who was a big influence on MJ, even though he was apparently very guarded about telling who is influences were. TTD even covers Who's Loving You, which MJ also did as a child. Good voice but the rest of the album didn't particularly grab me.

Meh

80s pop, sounds a bit like Prince. Knew quite a few songs already. Won't be listening again

Lovely timing to get this album the day after Terrence Trent D’Arby and the rest of the England squad make it to the Euros final.

Not for me. 2/5

Good start, but sadly declined fast. 2/5

Wishing Well is nostalgic and kinda fun, but there's just not much else going on in this album.

This is really TOO 80s for me

Not bad. Definitely some good rhythm and vocals but not my typical go to.

This one never really grabbed me. It’s okay I suppose tho. Fav Song: Wishing Well.

Mediocre album. Reading about this album was a bit wild as D'Arby said it was the most important album since SPLHCB. He's talented, but this is just 80s funk-pop, which I don't really care for. He's doing a bit of a Prince/MJ/etc. thing. **

wish.com version of Michael Jackson

Not a sound I enjoy.

Best Song: I'll Never Turn My Back On You. I liked the staccato delivery. Worst Song: Dance Little Sister. The Michael Jackson impersonation trying its hardest (and failing) here. Overall: This feels a bit like a poor man's Michael Jackson. It wasn't altogether unpleasant, but I also don't know when or why I would return to it. It's also full of a lot of really 80s production choices, that just sound a bit annoying now.

On the one hand, TTD is very talented, and knows how to compose a bop. On the other hand, the overly formulaic approach he takes wrings all the soul out of his songs. At the end of the day, I'ma sleep on this one.

Gear: Meze 109 PRO Artwork: Als Thaddäus das Maximum seiner Schönheit erreicht hat, wird im Hintergrund das Intro zu der Arie „Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre“ aus Bizets Oper "Carmen" eingespielt. Mix: "Dat soll Rio sein? Dat han isch mir größer vorgestellt!" Musik: "Haben Sie manchmal Déjà-vus?" - "Ich glaube nicht, aber ich könnte ja in der Küche nachfragen." Wertung: 🪃🪃/5

3.5/10

Could have died without listening to this album

If Prince was a Pick-Up Artist. (If You Let Me Stay is a banger, though)

Definitely hear the Prince and Micheal Jackson vibes. The 80's production is for sure there too. Those snyths are undeniable from that era. I Read that Terence played a bunch of instruments on songs. I always admire someone who plays multiple instruments. I enjoyed what I listened to for sure. This was definitely something I could of grew up on. A album my mom probably spun when she cleaned the house. As much as I enjoyed what I heard it's not something I would seek out again, but if it pops up on shuffle. It can stay on. It's a vibe.

It's all about the one song, and just didn't connect with the rest.

I thought the singer sounded familiar and then BOOM, a song took me right back to my days working at Rite Aid Pharmacy!

Kinda Michael Jackson with not as much unique delivery? One or two fun songs but I had a hard time recognizing the genius he claimed, or at least the notability reviewers do.

I didn't like this when it came out and it hasn't gotten any better for me. It was a slog to get through. Wishing Well is the best song and then it's a steep drop off from there.

80s-era R&B is pretty low on the list of things that I want to listen to most days. But I had hoped that, as a Brit, Terence would bring something new and interesting to the genre. He did not. The whole thing sounded exactly as you would expect any 80s-era R&B album to sound. I suppose, if that's your jam, this is a great representation of it. But, for me, it was just lame and samey. Nothing of note, nothing outstanding, and nothing that merits its inclusion on this list.

I can hear that this is good music, but it doesn't do anything for me. Go figure. I got bored about halfway and turned it off. Having heard most of this, I think he'd have been well served to slow things down and let the grooves simmer more effectively. The effort feels rushed to me, maybe that's why I don't resonate with it at all. Ah well......a girl can't like everything.

kinda fun

Meh

Perfect example of production ruining an album. Too much 80s cheese on here. His voice is great and obviously inspired by James Brown. If this was recorded in the 70s it would’ve been a lot better.

Very 80s Best Song: N/A Worst Song: Rain

I didn't need to know the hardline

A fun blast of 80s cheese - fwompy bass, disco guitars, unabashed synths laying down some funky pop.A great voice.delivers a strong vocal performance and some catchy hits. But it's basically a Stevie Wonder / Michael Jackson / Prince photocopy, so why not just listen to the real deal? Favorites: who's loving you? Wishing well

Jesus, what a bore

90s moody garbage, couldn’t finish-not bad or unpleasant just nothing interesting enough to keep going -2.5/5

Really not much for me to grab onto here. This guy has a completely new name now (Sananda Maitreya), not sure what impact that had on the music. I can't say I really understand the inclusion of this one. It's in a space between R&B and pop to me, a bit funky here and there but mostly a vocal showcase is my impression, and the vocals aren't all that impressive, the music isn't very showstopping. It sets a mood, sure, but so do a lot of better albums. The one thing I really liked was hearing a quick vocal melody that I was certain had been sampled (three notes on "As Yet Untitled" that reminded me of the instrumental underlying Drake's "Laugh Now Cry Later") but I think I was ultimately incorrect. My apologies to you Mr. D'Arby/Maitreya, but I've no interest in keeping this album around. Favorite tracks: Let's Go Forward, As Yet Untitled. Album art: Just a picture of the guy, looking very somber and sulky. It's honestly not a bad portrait shot, but it moves me as little as the music does. 2.5/5

It's one of those moments when your album generator updates, you throw it on and think "really? I had to hear this before I die?"

Meh. 80s music at its core.

Ok, again not my thing. I do like his most popular songs but the other songs are not great. Maybe b/c I was listening to a remastered album was not as good I don't know.

The first track is pretty good, but it went downhill hard and fast.

A collection of songs, a couple of which I know . I like more from an album.

lots of social commentary. some funk.

Decent voice, soulful though not exactly OV Wright. Some 80s pop cheesiness to production and arrangement. Songs vary between were-everywhere-in-the-80s to the pretty ordinary. Not my thing. 2.5*

when gen z asks what music in the 80s sounded like, i’ll play them this album

groovy, good energy, cool instrumentation

Listened to the whole thing - kind of gave me a Stevie Wonder vibe, but not nearly as appealing to me as Stevie. Worth a listen I suppose, but not for me.

Nothing objectionable here but nothing spectacular either. It's pretty straightforward 80s pop/R&B. As an album. it is not something I would ever seek out to listen to, but some of the singles are pretty decent I guess.

Good, but in all honesty, there's really not much here that stands out.

MEH. This dude is a talented singer, I'll give him that. But, it reminds me of diet, spoiled, Michael Jackson.

Ehh not that good.

Thoughts before listening: I have heard of Terence Trent D'Arby but I am not sure that I would know any of his songs. He is definitely mentioned a lot as an example of a certain type of 80s/90s artist, but I am not really sure what his sound will be. I am thinking artsy R&B with elements of alt rock included. Review: I was pretty spot on with my guess. This sounds like a more serious, less playful Prince. I can hear Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder in these songs as well. The album is okay although not typically the type of music I would listen to. I don't love the 80s style production that makes a lot of the backing music sound manufactured and inauthentic. Apparently Wishing Well was a big hit while Sign Your Name has the most Spotify listens, but I have never heard either before. My favorite songs are "Dance Little Sister" and "I'll Never Turn My Back on You" which both utilize a 70s Stevie Wonder style sound. This is a 2-star album to me. Its certainly not bad, but just isn't really my style.

Didn't hold my attention at all.

Are we listening to the same music??? 1.6

Mostly inoffensive except the penultimate track with its nearly 6 minutes of acapella. Highlight: Wishing Well

Not for me. Not terrible music, it doesn't make me angry, but I do not dig it.

sounds kinda doodoo, old in a bad way

I knew one song pretty well: "Sign Your Name" which I like (reminds me of Sade). I was somewhat familiar with "Wishing Well" and it's OK. I also liked the harmonies in "As Yet Untitled". But a lot of the rest of the album wasn't my style. It has a solidly 80's sound that I now find a little annoying. And at times the vocals were too much for me.

Prunce

Not my cup of tea.

2 songs in and I don’t really give a shit about this so far. Wishing Well is kinda catchy. Couple more songs and meh. There ls some good instrumentals on the songs but nothing that grabs me at all. Just has a lot of the 80s sound I don’t like. Rain has some solid synths. Overall I don’t see myself coming back to any of these tunes. Was kinda close to a 1

"birds never look into the sun before the day is gone" I'm not sure what I expected out of this album, but I knew it probably wasn't going to be my favorite album from the recent history, and it wasn't. Very soul-y, and there are even tinges of what I would call influence from Michael Jackson, which I enjoyed, but overall, although I'm sure this album is a top 5 for those who enjoy this specific genre, it wasn't written for me (literally and figuratively). I often reference the amount of 'plays' a certain track has on spotify to gauge how well my personal tastes match that of the rest of the population. My favorite track was T8- "Rain," which has the second fewest plays out of any song on the album, is funkier, and has a cool, (egyptian-esque?) electronic synth in the back with a nice bass line (playlist). Lots of passion and clear talent in this album, but it didnt speak to me. This is probably blasphemy in certain communities but... 2/5

There were a couple of songs I enjoyed. I'll Never Turn My Back On You had a nice, bouncy rhythm, and the last song (Who's Loving You) had a good Motown feel to it. Otherwise, I didn't much care for it. I hate the artificial, inorganic drum sound. 2 stars.

Meh just a average album

It’s fine, not really for me

Sesame Street does 80s funk rock. Too groovy for me I fear

Loses a star for thinking he’s comparable to MJ,Prince,Beatles. This album isn’t even Eddie Murphy level. But it’s ok.

Great singer, many of the songs are not that great though

Kult at Martyn Ware va med å produsera albumet, men hjalp ikkje så veldig

Lovely voice, splendidly produced, ultimately unappealing.

Bit like a budget Michael Jackson. 3/10

Let's Go Forward

Terence can sing, if only he could make better songs to sing, the only song I enjoyed from this album was a cover.

The hits are remarkable as the rest stays mediocre. Also not my type of muzak.

Still waiting to be blown away by one of these album recommendations, but this is probably my favourite so far ! 'If you let me stay' is really catchy, I can feel that song getting stuck in my head already.. Finding parts of it , such as the non stop repetition, to be quite uninteresting (like the kind of music they play on radio stations for elderly people), but I'm still enjoying his voice and some of the more upbeat songs like 'Dance little sister' . I had never heard of him before listening but I don't feel like I was missing anything..

Meh

poor

I think this is an album and talent that got severely ruined by it's timing and production. I was ready to give it a 1 until As Yet Untitled really showed off how strong of a vocalist and even lyricist he is when not buried under a mountain of overblown and overstated 80's soul blah. If this album had came out in the 60's or the 2010's it really could have been something great. But it's not lol most of it still stinks.

Not my thing. Found his voice very irritating

Soul with some funky moments. Not really my kinda thing overall, but has some enjoyable parts.

Stone big pop classics here but not really for me

Big 80s drums, generic pop stylings from a guy who was in his right era but doesn't need to be relevant 40 years later. This is weak.

Yeah, this was pretty dull. Vanilla pop/soul stuff that doesn't say enough to make it interesting, and isn't funky enough to really get you going. Not unpleasant, but felt very dated. 2/5.

This was decent pop soul music that didn’t really make that much of an impact on me. Overall the singing was good at times but also pretty bad. This is a genre of music that may have fit the 80s a bit better than hearing it now. Overall it wasn’t for me but I can see how some people like it. Not sure if this was really an album I needed to hear. 4.3/10

Meh. A few songs I could attach to, however nothing spectacular. 2/5

Not for me this.

First listen Saved 3/11 Top track: Sign Your Name

Sign your name oli entuudesta tuttu, mutta muuten aika taustamusaa.

Ihan ok. Uus nimi, pari tuttua biisiä. Ei kuitenkaan mitään ihmeellistä, perus-2

Liked the jolly little flute (?) tune in Wishing Well. That was probably my highlight. Obviously good at what he does, but this aint for me. Times he reminds me of a less interesting Prince. the more it goes on the better it gets, still not really for me but it does grow more than I expected

Never heard such a strong Michael Jackson influenced singer, which is weird considering how popular he was. Michael should have brought him out on tour, following this guy would have made him sound even better. MJ sounded ridiculous even though he was really talented, this guy giving it the woos and that is cringe inducing. Definitely not my sort of music and I didn't find anything to enjoy here, but it went by reasonably quickly so a 2 will do.

Found little to like about this album, it just wasn't my type of music. Its not bad just not for me.

When you order Prince from a scam website.

I've always liked "Wishing Well" but I'm not a fan of the album as a whole.

This is one of those cases where the single he's remembered for is really the best song on the album. I appreciate the soul, but the songs aren't great. Especially when he urges his grandmother to get up out of her rocking chair and dance. It just feels very 80's. And I swear he musically quoted the theme to Green Acres. Terrence Trent D'arby is "We have Prince at home."

mid 6.5/10

Track 1 This dude has some pipes. Track 2 B: This is very MJ. E: Can't blame him. It's like a cross between Mikey and Stevie Track 3 I thought Tina Turner sang this. He apparently lost the best new artist to Jody Watley formerly of Shalimar in 1988. Track 4 Okay Track 5 Would you care to dance grandmother? I'm in. This was boppy. Track 6 Oohh. Getting srs. I could do without the screeching. Track 7 E: Reasonable and measured romantic gestures make terrible songs. B: you were just complaining about the misogyny. E: there are other options B: you do like the rapey songs. Track 8 This is where I list track. Meh

Excepting 1 or 2 songs, it sounds exactly like a Flashback collection from the 80s. I expect to listen to some of these songs in a restaurant or something like that. It's not that bad, but totally forgettable.

The Michael Jackson we have at home:

Too much hoot and holler

Soul, pop e funk com marcas dos anos 80. Reconheci alguns hits.

Wikipedia categorizes this record as "funk rock." In my opinion its not funk if it hasn't been sampled on any hip hop record in the last forty years. Also, TTd'A refers to himself as a genius which throws some red flags. He has a great voice. That's undeniable. However the songs and instrumentation are a little too serious. All in all its not a bad record. Ultimately its a couple of Top 40 sounding singles with some filler and a Miracles cover.

'Wishing Well' is a good song. 'Sign Your Name' is ok. The rest of the album is a 'no.'

I know the songs Wishing Well and Sign Your Name. I don’t completely hate them but I don’t like them either. The opening track wasn’t as I expected and piqued my interest a bit… maybe there will be more variety than I thought. The next song, If You Let Me Stay, underwhelmed and after that I was back to not loving Wishing Well. Not too excited at this point. After the first listen I didn’t hate this album. I tried two more listens to see try to discern why this was on the list. While I ended up feeling that most of this album was serviceable, I can’t say anything really jumped out and made me think I really needed to hear this. It’s alright and I didn’t mind having it on, but as I approach 600 albums on this project I’m expecting more.

2.8 - “Sign Your Name” is still a jam but the rest sounds dated. And not dated in a good way either. “Dance Little Sister” sounds like it could be part of a dance montage in a forgotten 80’s flick. We’d see shots of John Candy bopping along to the beat wearing sunglasses and a goofy grin. “As Yet Untitled” could be an arresting a cappella performance if only it were 2 minutes shorter. “Let’s Go Forward” is the dumbest love song I’ve heard this year.

Seems like the name Terence Trent D'Arby was not this artist's real name. The songs on you tube music all say Sandanda Maitreya as the artist. Strange! I had this casette once upon a time and liked a few songs, but now it sounds very dated.

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not into it

This feels like it was included because it was a #1 album in England and not because it's actually good? I actually liked a couple of the songs here, but mostly kinda sounded like blander and not as good Prince? *Shrug* I'll pass.

I find that the singer does it best with funk or doo-wop, but the slick 80s easy listening romance isn’t winning me over. Such a voice though.

Like Prince nothing new

Pop-soul con buena voz. Demasiado tranquilo y monótono para mi gusto