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American Pie

Don McLean

1971
American Pie
Album Summary

American Pie is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Don McLean, released by United Artists Records on 24 October 1971. The folk rock album reached number one on the Billboard 200, containing the chart-topping singles "American Pie" and "Vincent." Recorded in May and June 1971 at The Record Plant in New York City, the LP is dedicated to Buddy Holly, and was reissued in 1980 minus the track "Sister Fatima". The album was released to much acclaim, later being included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.At the Australian 1972 King of Pop Awards the album won Most Popular Overseas L.P.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.25

Votes

6971
Genres
Rock
Folk
Singer Songwriter

Reviews

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Thu May 13 2021
2

Don pilots this album into the sky for an 8 minute Pie, then grabs the yoke and flies the plane straight into the ground. Once the music dies on track 1 it's not coming back to life. Don tries CPR on the Pie-duplicate Everybody Loves Me, but its just chest compressions on a corpse. Beyond the timeless Pie singalong, I think Don also deserves a shout out for creating the "rock is dead" narrative that comes up every decade, and then rock reinvents itself slightly and is hyped as returning. Rock is really dead now, though, and that's ok because we still have the Mayonnaise. C-

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Fri Feb 19 2021
5

I’m reminded how much shorter albums are enjoyable. At 36 minutes this feels digestible. Also weird al is deeply ingrained in my psyche. I keep thinking of his version of American pie. Also also, the piano on the title track is underrated. Bluesy and great. “Till tomorrow” is a surprisingly short and sweet song. “The grave” is an eerily beautiful song. “Babylon” is another eerily beautiful song. Very good album. One I might return to that I wouldn’t have otherwise not for this project. 4 stars. Maybe even more if decimals were allowed.

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Wed Oct 13 2021
4

This guy could write a sad song. American Pie is of course an iconic song, but many of the other songs on here are beautiful and heartbreaking. Vincent in particular can bring me to tears just listening to it. 3.5 stars, rounding to 4.

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Tue Mar 23 2021
3

My mom had this album and I listened to it as a kid. I can't deny the lightning in a bottle he caught with the opening track. Quite an achievement. Other than that I like the more raucous "everybody loves me" but listening to this years later, nostalgia can't save most of this for me. Generally not a fan of the folky acoustic singer songwriter thing. If he had a more rocking band behind him and more interesting arrangements I might like it more. Sounds like it could use a remaster to my ear.

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Tue Oct 12 2021
4

American Pie by Don McLean (1971) Most boomers are so familiar with the opening track “American Pie” and the third track “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)”, that I recommend listening to this album starting with the fourth track “Crossroads”, then proceeding to the end before hearing tracks one through three. It’s a rewarding experience. As a a folk/rock singer/songwriter, Don McLean surpassed his mentors (Pete Seeger et al.) in several notable ways. His voice is resonant to the point of being powerful without being strong. His acoustic guitar stylings are well chosen and performed. His poetry is highly descriptive, allusive, and evocative. And it is sung with phrasing that is conversational, spontaneous, and varied. One can easily imagine that his live performance of these songs would inspire other great songs in turn. (McLean’s concert rendition of track six [“Empty Chairs”] was allegedly the inspiration for “Killing Me Softly” performed by Lori Lieberman, Roberta Flack, Lauryn Hill, and others.) The album is superbly recorded, with microphones capturing the tiniest tidbits of resonance and timbre in voice and guitar, from one edge of the fretboard to the other. Pianist Warren Bernhardt (on “Crossroads”) puts the ‘piano’ in ‘pianoforte’. And the engineers at The Record Plant caught it all. Even after fifty years, “Vincent” draws a tear from my eye still. Perhaps it always will. In several ways, the famous opening title track “American Pie” is one of the two weakest cuts on the album (the other being “Everybody Loves Me, Baby”, for similar reasons). Is it possible for a poem like “American Pie” to be too cryptically allusive and cheaply ambiguous? Do some of the alliterations and rhymes border on triteness? Can a chorus can be repeated once or twice too often in an 8:33 recording? Even if the answer to all these questions is ‘no’, McLean’s delivery of the backbeat rock ambience is second-tier. Given that his purpose was to convey a sense of loss, it could have been presented in a less sprightly way. Nevertheless, it’s still a classic. For the identification of the allusions, see Wikipedia references to the mountains of literature on this. My overall take on the meaning of the song “American Pie” is that if you don’t want to be disillusioned, you should avoid having illusions in the first place. But if one listens to this album in all its intended unity, and not dominated by two ‘hits’, one will experience folk with soul—a twofer suitable for any old day. 4/5

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Tue Jul 13 2021
4

I was shockingly surprised at how much I loved this album.

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Tue Jan 04 2022
2

After leading off with one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, sing-along songs of all-time, this thing turns into a snooze hard and fast. It's almost like those 8 minutes and 42 seconds of the title track were a tease. I guess that song along gives this album a spot on this list. But McLean should have titled this album Ambien because it'll put you to sleep in a hurry.

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Thu Jan 14 2021
5

Starts off with "American Pie," which I believed is overplayed, but has an interesting history. "Vincent" is a beautiful song about Vincent Van Gogh and drew tears from me as I have contemplated the purpose of living. The rest of the album has melancholy folk tunes, with "Everybody Loves Me, Baby" throwing off the vibe a little, but resettles as the album finishes.

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Sat Nov 26 2022
1

Why even is this? I hate and have always hated the title track, and the rest is literally nothing.

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Fri Mar 05 2021
5

Como album en general, es un poco modorro, pero solo el tener Amercan Pie merece estar en la historia de la música

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Sat Apr 03 2021
5

Mindestens zwei Songs für die Ewigkeit

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Wed Jun 02 2021
5

The album title is 5/5 alone

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Wed Jul 14 2021
5

I really loved this album way more than I expected to. Don's fingerpicked guitar playing is smooth and thoughtful, and accompanies his voice really well. His singing is great, with carefully considered melodies and delivery of lyrics that are really poetic and laid bare. He tells a story, and you get sucked in - pair all this with a really good use of strings and other intrumental features throughout the album... it's just great

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Fri Jun 04 2021
5

only listened to the title track, but listened to this for the first time and it's beautiful! wonderful folky acoustic tracks, will definitely listen again

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Tue Oct 12 2021
5

It's an all-time classic - there's so much more than 'American Pie' on here though. Don is a lovely songwriter and this is a wonderful sunny afternoon listen.

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Fri Oct 29 2021
5

A lovely, lovely, quiet, gentle, evocative, sad album.

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Tue Nov 23 2021
5

Fantastic voice!! Vincent makes me cry. American pie kicks ass. I also liked the last two songs a lot. He's good at the slow tender acoustic songs. A couple of the slow songs sounded a bit too similar imo (especially empty chairs and vincent, for example); wish he cut out a slow song or two and added a more upbeat one, perhaps. that's just me. but still deserving of a five i think.

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Mon Jan 24 2022
5

American Pie is still an amazing song. And Vincent. McLean really has a wonderful voice.

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Sat Feb 05 2022
5

I was looking forward to listening this one when I saw it on the list, but then enjoyed it even more than expected. The voice and songwriting are top notch and this album is easily among the best singer-songwriter albums I've ever heard. I listened to it a second time right after finishing the first spin. The instrumentation is sparse with bare bones arrangements, but every note is exactly where it should be to showcase the pure feeling distilled into every track. I can see how people may be disappointed, as it starts off with the stellar American Pie and then every other track on the album seems to be a lot less energetic. But it makes up for that with serene, melancholy beauty and feeling.

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Sat Feb 26 2022
5

Another classic. American Pie and Vincent are standout hits.

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Sat Feb 26 2022
5

Who doesn’t love this? Vincent is my favourite!

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Tue Apr 12 2022
5

This is so incredibly good. "American Pie" and "Vincent" are literally some of the most beautiful songs in the whole world, and the rest of the album somehow manages to do them justice. Holy shit what an experience. 5

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Tue May 17 2022
5

Fucking finally. A good, classic American album to just revel in. And by American, I mean heavy on the ballads and storytelling. It's a tradition that this record follows so satisfyingly well. And I'm happy to say that the entire album, not just its calling card (which is "American Pie", duh) is fucking excellent. Every track is worth it. But my fave deep cut is "Everybody Loves Me, Baby." And may I say that if you don't like this album, then just know that everybody loves it, baby. What's the matter with you? Gladly giving this one five stars.

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Mon Jul 11 2022
5

There was a time when I didn't like the song 'American Pie.' I heard it all the time and tuned it out every time. Then I listened to it and realized it was actually a beautiful song despite its length. I then figured that, on the album 'American Pie,' it would be the only good song. A one-hit record so to speak. Then I listened to the whole thing and realized it was actually a beautiful album. I'm sure people will complain that it's kind of a tone shift after the titular song, but if you embrace the slow, quiet nature of the rest of the album, it's a fantastic, calming listen.

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Wed Jul 13 2022
5

that was actually a really beautiful listen super enjoyable - 10/10

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Tue Aug 30 2022
5

很温情很深情很舒缓很经典的一张专辑，能让人放松。

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Sat Sep 03 2022
5

Fuck yes fuck yeah ohhh mama

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Wed Sep 07 2022
5

Saaaaaad folk music Listened to this in the cemetery - big time vibes So simple and so beautiful Vincent, Crossroads, and Winterwood are on repeat Listened to this in the bath - also big time vibes The harmonies in a round on Babylon are great And American Pie is on this album

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Wed Sep 14 2022
5

Un album incredibilmente malinconico. American Pie e Vincent sono due colonne portanti della musica, ma gli altri brani non sono da meno.

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Sat Oct 01 2022
5

I always laugh at Rach when she goes into a full rendition of the song American Pie because it just feels like something that has always existed and is about 3 hours long. I’m a bit familiar with Vincent, but I can’t say I’ve ever paid it much attention. I’m intrigued to hear the full album. Songs I already knew: American Pie, Vincent Favourite after listening: Vincent, American Pie, The Grave This is the second album during this music spree that hit me right in the heart. I’ll admit it, I started crying while listening to Vincent. Maybe it’s partly because I slept badly last night and had nightmares, so feel not quite all there this morning, but the outcome is the same. This song broke me a little. I did read a few user reviews before listening and the consensus seemed to be that this album only has one good song (no prizes for guessing which). I absolutely disagree with this. Maybe I’m wrong, but singers don’t tend to be as silky smooth with vocals any more like this used to be. I’d also feel bad if I didn’t comment on the excellent guitar composition in The Grave - it doesn’t sound hard by any means, but it’s perfect for what the song is. I wouldn’t necessarily say American Pie is perfect, but it’s not far from it.

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Mon Nov 14 2022
5

Best song ever and the rest of the songs are great too.

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Wed Nov 16 2022
5

The Rolling Stones get a raw deal on the main song, but there's so many great moments on here it'd be churlish to knock any marks off.

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Wed Dec 07 2022
5

An amazing album that I love listening to.

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Mon Dec 19 2022
5

Not only did Don McLean write two of my favourite tracks of all time - 'American Pie' and 'Vincent' - he also managed to put them on the same album. A record that stood upon the shoulder of the hippie movement of the late 60s but managed to create its very own long lasting cultural impact. McLeans voice is hauntingly beautiful - exemplified on the very visual anti-war track 'The Grave' - and his phrasings on the guitar matches it perfectly. His rendition of 'Babylon' as the closing track is also phenomenal. I don't have anything bad to say about this record at all.

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Thu Jan 05 2023
5

Amazing folk album, with lovely understated acoustic guitar, and outstanding vocal performances.

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Mon Jan 16 2023
5

This album is actually marvelous

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Tue Jan 24 2023
5

Don McLean will always remind me of the year we (Danny) lived with Dan and Jason and Carmen. In spite of that, I love him. I was most familiar with his greatest hits album so it was fun to listen to this full album. 'American Pie' is pretty perfect to me and 'Vincent' always makes my voice break when I sing it. If ever an album made me want to sit by an open window in Spring after a long Winter it's this one. Simultaneously exhausted and hopeful. I really loved his performance of 'Babylon'. PS. He's still alive and touring! He's in Australia in April!

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Mon Feb 13 2023
5

something in me hit rock bottom, the day the music died.

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Wed Feb 22 2023
5

Баааай баай зис амэрикан пааай... Вообще поскольку надо бы делать развернутые рецензии, то расскажу историю. С творчеством Дона МакЛина я познакомился благодаря... группе Сплин. Да, я был огромным сплиноманом в школе, у меня даже кликуха "сплин" была классе в 6-7ом. Так вот, в 2016 году вышел кавер Васильева (точнее был исполнен на концерте) с переводом песни Vincent на русский: "Звёзды среди звёзд". Перевод меня очень тронул, а, открыв оригинал, оказалось, что он очень близкий. В общем сплошной кайф. А вообще эта песня вдохновлена картиной Ван Гога "Звёздная Ночь" и посвящена художнику. Маримба в ней - кайф! Если мы говорим о бард-роке, то вот это, имхо, то, как он должен быть сделан. Вспоминая Билли Брага, American Pie сделан в 100 раз лучше: и по текстам, и по музыке, и по сведению. Тексты здесь надо отдельно выделить, очень много сравнений и классных метафор. А особенно альбом красен настроениями: от лиричных баллад до кантри и блюза. Хз, вот даже пятерку что ли влепить... да, влепить!

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Wed Feb 22 2023
5

Удивительно точный слепок эпохи и отражения жизни + офигенное аккомпонирование, которое полностью поглощает + очень приятный сладковатый голос Алкоальбом: коньяк у костра в глуши

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Tue Mar 14 2023
5

Genre: Classic rock Review: The eponymous track from this album is one of my all-time favourites, but it also happened to be the only Don McLean track I had ever heard. But the rest of this album is pretty damn great by itself. A mix of cheerful tracks with quick, up-tempo beats and slower, introspective tunes makes for an album well worth its reputation as one of the greatest. Rating: 9/10

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Fri Mar 24 2023
5

The older I get the more this kind of music speaks to me, my fifth grade teacher played American Pie to the class for his birthday happy b day Mr. Burke

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Fri Apr 07 2023
5

That song is so good, though the rest is forgettable.

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Sat Apr 08 2023
5

Before I went to bed last night, I saw this was the album on the slate for today and had already written it off. I figured it was only on here for the title track and understandably so. A lot can be said about the title track, as it’s one of the most impressive pieces of songwriting ever, so dense with metaphors, it will make your head spin. While probably overplayed and not exactly an everyday listen, it deserves all the praise it gets. Now that that’s out of the way, let me just say, I love the rest of this album. Without the title track, this album is an incredibly easy listen at only 26 minutes. It provides beautiful melodies and some truly heartfelt moments. And in case “American pie” didn’t have you sold, McClean continues to showcase his masterful songwriting in songs like “Vincent” and “the grave”. Heard before: American pie The good: AP, till tomorrow, vincent, the grave, pretty much everything Okay, I’ll say something bad about it: While it’s not a bad song, why was “everybody loves me, baby” on this album? It just seems out of place. It’s also unfortunate that the albums two weakest tracks (“sister Fatima” and “Babylon” are two of the last 3. I would’ve liked a stronger ending. Overall, this album seems to have gotten a raw deal, suffering from the success of the title track and forever left in its shadow. The world owes you an apology Mr. McLean; this album deserves better.

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Thu May 25 2023
5

When this came out of the gate with "American Pie" I fully expected it to be a downhill coast from there. I was wrong. Turns out, Don's a beast of a songwriter. These songs are wonderfully written, beautifully performed, and exceptionally well recorded. Are they all "American Pie"? No, of course not. But there's not a dud in the bunch. Not even compared to the elephant in the room that is the title track. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the hell out of it. Full marks.

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Wed Feb 24 2021
4

Since all I knew about this album was "American Pie" (which I've never been the biggest fan of), I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't pay much attention to the lyrics since I was working, but I found his voice really beautiful.

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Fri Dec 18 2020
4

1971. Key Songs: American Pie, Vincent

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Sat Oct 31 2020
4

Fantastic songwriting top to bottom. One reason I'm glad for this project is that I never would have listened to anything of his beyond the title song. Best track: American Pie

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Thu Jan 14 2021
4

hard carried by vincent and american pie though

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Tue Mar 23 2021
4

I’ve heard American Pie (the song) a hundred times and love it so much. I’ve never listened to the album before now. It’s really interesting that it begins with a song like American Pie and then the next four songs are all slower, ballad-y types. It sort of felt like whiplash. But at the same time, I don’t know how else you follow up a song like American Pie. It picks up with Everybody Loves Me, Baby, which was a nice change of pace. Really interesting album.

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Mon Jan 18 2021
4

4-4.5. This album suits a sunrise.

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Sun Apr 04 2021
4

Good lyrics, piano, songwriting, etc. overall very well done

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Sun Jan 31 2021
4

American Pie mega classic song test of the album is pretty good too enjoyable listen 3.8

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Wed Jun 02 2021
4

Was prepared to only like the title track, but wow, great work here from Don McLean. Not a one-hit wonder! Some fantastic songwriting all around. I especially loved "Babylon," which sounds so familiar. It may not be a very dynamic project, but McLean has a great pen and great voice, and he held my attention throughout. Favorite tracks: Babylon, American Pie, Empty Chairs, The Grave. Album art: Not sure about this one, Don. It seems to be a weak reference to the title track, but doesn't really capture the mood of the album at all. It's a decent visual, but cheesy and doesn't fit. Would've made more sense as artwork for the single. 4/5

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Sat Jun 05 2021
4

4 outta 5 mainly because american Pie is an exceptional recording. the record on average is good but a bit dull

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Tue Mar 23 2021
4

I LOVED the title track and played it over and over when I was young, but had never listened to the rest and was surprised by how good the folk-rock was! || The Anti-Vietnam sentiment is clear throughout. The tone and sarcasm in 'everybody loves me baby' is DELICIOUS. Also loved The Grave and the lament for Van Gogh on Vincent || Album clearly is important, but even though it is much deeper than the title track, there still were still some forgettable songs in the middle.

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Fri Feb 05 2021
4

How could you not love the song “American Pie”? The rest of the album isn’t quite that same caliber, but it’s an enjoyable listen. Favorite Track(s): “American Pie,” “Winterwood,” and “Empty Chairs”

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Tue Jan 19 2021
4

A really good album. Had trouble picking just one to be song of the day. Only one song that I really didn't like on the album. American Pie has a lot going on, of course.

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Sat Mar 27 2021
4

Was für ein Einstieg in dieses Werk, ein Jahrhundert Hit, der diese merkwürdige Postmoderne ins Persönliche zieht, ein närrisch melancholisches „On the Road“ durch die Zeiten, angemessen auf über 8 Minuten ausgerollt und fett belegt mit Referenzen. Dieses Frontispiz eines eigentlich dünnen Buches nimmt dann auch 1/4 der Gesamtlänge ein - alles folgende, nachdenklich und leise tretend Arrangierte umschmückt diese eine besondere Blume auf Gottes grüner Wiese angemessen poetisch und zurückhaltend. Nur als Beilage oder Untergrund darf man diesen gleichförmigen Korpus nun wirklich nicht verkennen, zu schön sind manche Stellen und wäre die Messlatte nicht so verrückt gelagert, könnte man unvoreingenommener davon sprechen. Wie so oft bei Songwriter Musik dieser Zeit fallen Namen wie Nick Drake, aber auch Belle&Sebastian können sich hier bedient haben. Ich mag das und suche mal kein fieses Haar in der Suppe: 3.6

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Tue Mar 23 2021
4

Can one song make an album five stars? American Pie may be the quintessential American song of the 20th century - (I listened at least five times today just to be sure). It rekindled memories of my fourth grade music class during our monthly “music appreciation” days when students got to bring their records to share. We all loved it, and American Pie was in regular rotation. A minor frustration was that our teacher had to stop and flip the record halfway through the song. Eight and one-half minutes was too long to fit on just side A of a 45! Great memories and greater song. Its melodic, it’s historical, it’s melancholic, it’s emotional, and it’s spiritual and it rocks, and, and, then we get the rest of the album. Unfortunately, it never comes close. Pretty cool album art - a positive / defiant 70s attitude. No. 4 stars.

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Tue Mar 23 2021
4

American Pie always trips me up because the first version of the song I heard was the Weird Al Star Wars version so thats the original somehow in my mind. That being said American Pie is SUCH a good song. Does a great job of blending the upbeat and slower sections. McLean does much better with uptempo so Everybody Loves me, baby was the other standout for me. American Pie gets this a 4 by itself but none of the other songs can tick it up higher

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Mon Jan 25 2021
4

Classic rock album, really good and easy to litsen to.

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Fri Mar 19 2021
4

Beautiful music, definitely a very talented guy. Album is a little bit samey, but still really good.

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Tue Mar 02 2021
4

classic symbolic storytelling with a great hook

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Wed Jun 02 2021
4

Remember this when I was in grade school... everyone seemed to be singing this tune

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Wed Mar 10 2021
4

The title track is era defining. I don't know the rest of the album well, but it's pretty good.

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Sat Apr 03 2021
4

Ein paar Welthits, der Rest war meist solide.

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Mon Jun 14 2021
4

Recited just sounds like he’s having a lot of fun making it the whole time. Even the last few tracks have spirit in them despite being sadder songs. Title track grows on me the more I hear it. Everybody Loves Me, Baby is clever in the best way possible.

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Sat Jun 05 2021
4

Great album. I've always loved the title track as well as 'Vincent,' but listening to the album as a whole makes me wonder why Don McLean isn't known beyond a few songs. His songwriting and musicianship are great and his vocal range is impressive. He can be a bit on the nose for some things, but when he's great, he's truly great.

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Tue Jul 20 2021
4

Two classic songs. 1st listen in many years. The rest of the album is so nice to listen to. Can't wait to listen again.

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Tue Jul 27 2021
4

Un disco melancólico, suave, a veces con efecto tranquilizador. Don McLean era un nombre que sólo conocía de oídos, pero tiene agradable voz. Creo que me gustó más la segunda mitad y pienso que Cat Power escucha esto. Canciones top: "Empty Chairs", "The Grave" y "Babylon". 8.5/10

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Tue Jul 27 2021
4

Me gustó. Sonidos agradables y chida la de Everybody Loves Me, Baby. Suena pop el disco en general a pesar de lo que sea. Mood: bonito

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Thu Sep 02 2021
4

So I definitely rated the first few albums far too highly. This album was touching and poised. McLean has such a gentle character and never needs to raise his voice to much above a whisper. Great album.

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Tue Sep 14 2021
4

Lovely guitar and some beautiful songs, though he rewrote Vincent (as Crossroads) and American Pie (as Everybody loves me, baby) - but it's still a great body of work.

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Mon Sep 20 2021
4

Excellent piece of americana in my opinion in spite of the title track. Very wistful and laidback.

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Mon Sep 27 2021
4

American Pie is a fantastic song. Also, the rest was pretty good too. He has a nice, soft voice. 2RS

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Thu Oct 14 2021
4

Well it starts off with a huge banger right away. Is pretty solid but slower. No real bad songs on the album, so pretty solid.

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Wed Oct 27 2021
4

Actually really liked this. I'd heard the title track loads of times but the rest was a pleasant surprise.

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