Reviews (page 2 of 9)
There was nothing bad about this album, but ultimately it's about as cliché and stereotypical as you can get when it comes to earlu 70s folk rock. One thing I'll definitely add is that, while listening to it, I couldn't stop thinking about the movie American Pie from the late 90s. The title alone kept bringing it to mind, even though the album and the movie are completely unrelated.
You know what, this is a beautiful album. It has beautiful songwriting, beautiful arrangements, beautiful guitar picking and a beautiful voice.
this was lovely. really enjoyed vincent and winterwood. great time
Not the most exciting album, but it was quite pleasant. My brother seems to like it so it must be doing something right?
++: American Pie, Till Tomorrow, Winterwood, Everybody Loves Me, Baby, Sister Fatima, The Grave +: Vincent, Crossroads, Empty Chairs, Babylon 8,2/10
One good song does not a good album make.
The titular songs is nice, but overall kind of a lame album.
❣️❣️❣️
Two massive tracks on this album, but surprisingly, not my favourite track, which was the 'B' side to Vincent. But a decent album on the whole. Worth a solid 3.
American Pie the song might just be my least favourite song I’ve ever heard. It’s in the conversation for sure. American Pie the album met my expectations. Appalling. I didn’t know ‘Vincent’ was by the same dude, but as soon as I heard that intro ‘Starry starry night’ I cringed even deeper.
It was surprising how many songs I knew off this, a grand total of three. The highlights of the album are the first two tracks. Well. I use the word 'highlight' generously, almost everyone would know 'American Pie', but I do believe I've heard it covered in my local pub more times than I care to think about. Plus those part time rock 'n roll bands probably do it better, especially if its the last song of the night when the remaining punters join in.... it always sounded great at the time, but the hangover sort of dulls the memory. 'Vincent' is ok, my mum used to sing it occasionally, better than the original of course. Move along. Young Don has such a soft voice, his spiritual successor could well be Noah Kahn (I don't like him), as he has the same gentle vibe. Another thing I don't like is this is the same age as me, it sounds so fucking old, hippy early 70's shit. I'm now rambling incoherently, it could be the heat or it could be my age. Getting through the blessedly short remainder of this record only took about 25 minutes. A result as dear Don. You went very melancholy on us towards the end, I liked that.
Great. A lot more melancholy than I expected, but each song did very well.
Defined my high school years. Great music and American Pie is a Classic song!
The title track is undeniably, catchy, and easy to sing along with. the rest is OK but rather forgettable. Just goes to show that songwriting is really hard!
A range of pop-folk, with McLean’s controlled vocals leading the way. Iconic titular song rounds this one upwards.
American Pie one of the greatest songs ever made but the rest of the album was boring
Not for me - good to listen
The title track and "Vincent" are good, but like most troubadour albums, it gets old fast.
Normal
loved that, made me feel patriotic :(
Peak boomer music in a good way.
Vincent is a beautiful song but this album is boring.
Too many songs not available on Apple Music. Not memorable at all
Starry, starry night ... Good memories aside, this is a beautiful album.
A win on every aspect: songwriting, music, voice, lyrics.
A beautiful voice matched with the right music.
Two masterpieces and a whole lot of not much else.
I feels like he kinda poured all the juice into the big hit, the rest feels fairly mild
Legendärer Titeltrack, der Rest ist Mittelmaß
Toller Titeltrack, aber danach wird es für mich schnell langweilig.
just another reminder curators are painfully usa and uk people. who the heck cares for so much americana in a single list, if not those who were shoved this kinda music down their throat growing up ? what the hell does "world music" mean ? got irritated by the over-representation of americana music, though this album wasn't so unenjoyable towards the end. but minus point for its name and cover, cuz i'm a salty prick. just thought this list might be a good opportunity to expand your horizons, you know ?
Overly scmaltzy and melodramtic but there is some decent songwriting here. "Vincent" and the title track are to the two most known songs for a reason.
Love Vincent. Always have to follow it with Rue St Vincent
American Pie is great, but then the rest is alright but meanders a little without many stand out moments. FT: American Pie Rating: 3/5
Snooze fest mate. Hard pass on this lamo John Denver wanna be
Not big on McLean, or Folk for that matter, as I've constantly mentioned in countless reviews (sometimes it feels like it's 1001 folk albums I should hear before I die). I think you have to try to look beyond the pages of his music and see what's gently crafted. I didn't love the album by any means, but there are some great tracks (and don't get me wrong, some crappy ones too). "American Pie" can kiss my rear, it's overplayed and I don't really like it. "Vincent" is superb. Overall, it's not as bad as some of the reviews here, but hardly something I will go back to in a hurry. 3
Perfect driving music
I know the title track and that's about it... --- I was not expecting the comedown after the title track. Anthemic folk rock energy crashes into to eight tracks of competent acoustic folk. The only outlier is "Everybody loves me baby" which tries to recapture the title track with a swinging 60s rock number that is a welcome relief from the medium. "The Grave" is the pick of the other tracks, with some more interesting elements and a dark tone that I can get behind. The guitar playing is technically proficient, Don has an emotional voice but most of these tracks are not anything I'd return to. There's nothing wrong with it - another review used the word nice. That's the sum of it for me.
There was nothing bad about this album, but ultimately it's about as cliché and stereotypical as you can get when it comes to earlu 70s folk rock. One thing I'll definitely add is that, while listening to it, I couldn't stop thinking about the movie American Pie from the late 90s. The title alone kept bringing it to mind, even though the album and the movie are completely unrelated.
Incredibly mediocre. Except for the title track, this could be any generic album.
I don’t think I have much to add to this. People seem to have strong opinions about why McLean is pretentious or excellent, whatever. All I know is that the two hits on this album are all time greats. I’ve been listening to them for my whole life. I have early memories of asking my dad how the singer could possibly remember all the words. It doesn’t matter if the words are stupid or overly convoluted. They touched a cultural pulse and transcended their meaning. How many of us have done that? McLean himself never accomplished it again. His young wife looks really weird with his wrinkly husk though, so I’m sure he’s happy. His old family claim the way he conducts his homelife is cultlike and manipulative. Awesome.
Let’s get it out of the way first - Don McLean is a gross and shitty person. But I’m separating the art from the artist here, and the art is fantastic. “American Pie” and “Vincent” are brilliant songs that I was already familiar with, but wow this album is strong top to bottom. “Everybody Loves Me, Baby” might be my new favorite Don McLean song, and “The Grave” is one of many moving anti-war song from the time period. There wasn’t a song on here I didn’t like. This album is so much more than just the song “American Pie” and deserves its spot on this list.
3.5
I’m pretty sure I’ve never heard the whole album but I thoroughly enjoyed it all but one song. And of course the nostalgia of the two songs I know well. I’ll give it a four.
It's so boring. It started ok, I was ready to give 6 but it's so boring, no instruments, no much difference between songs. Yes I can understand there are strong topics but the songs like "Here, I have a guitar and I'm a musician". Of course there were other instruments in some songs but it's not always the case
Give it a 4
Didn't hate it. Used to love the song American Pie, sort of lost its magic after hearing it so many times. Was surprising to find out that Don McLean actually wrote more than one song during his life.
"American Pie" and "Vincent" are doing a lot of heavy lifting in this rating, but the overall album is still pretty solid. It's got a good folksy sound to it, and the length is perfect.
Sometimes the best place to say your piece is from the middle of the road. Listening to this is like being shown your skeleton for the first time: it has always been here, but I’d never recognised it as an object that could be studied. Such sumptuous bones, soft too.
Two all-timers, remainder is pretty similar if decent folky fare.
Solo conocía American Pie y ya, pero Vicent se me hizo tremenda canción y en general un álbum muy disfrutable.
I didn't expect to like this so much. Only ever heard american pie before this one, and I found myself singing along to it at home. "Vincent" and "Empty chairs" stood out for me. I felt the need to look up the background of "Everybody loves me, baby" since it felt a bit too close to home in these Trumpy times.
How fucking long is that song?! Decent enough album. Favourite track: The Grave
He blew his load on the first song and then cuddled through the rest of the album.
American Pie is an enjoyable song, but that’s where the enjoyment ends. The rest of the album is super boring. I couldn’t finish this one.
solid
Classic
American Pie is one of my all time favorite songs and it's on my bucket list to visit the crash site. The rest of the album was a bit ho hum but still pretty good.
I hate the title track. Always have done lol. It goes on for a bloody eternity Once that unpleasantness was over it was a decent enough album. Vincent and The Grave were by far the stand out tracks for me. Beyond them there was nothing I would rush to revisit though. Top Track - Vincent
While it's a soft rock record that's pleasant on the ears, with some actually quite emotionally stirring lyrics, the opening track is the obvious highlight. Unfortunately, everything else, while also decent, isn't the most exciting musical offering to be had and is pretty forgettable.
A couple of decent singles on here
My daughter as a baby / toddler used to like me (badly) sing American Pie to her at bed time so it has sentimental value to me. I also like Vincent. 2.5 stars.
Didn't actively hate it
Absolutely dreadful, not perhaps quite as universally unpleasant as many of the albums we’ve endured, I might even go as far as to say that “Everybody Loves Me, Baby” is a good tune but still pretty much unlistenable. One star. Tom.
#55 The opener/ title track is an all-time classic, and overshadows the rest of the album as a result. But that's not to say the rest of it isn't good, I actually liked the whole album. Nice mellow folk music, with good songwriting, lyrics, and arrangements to keep it interesting. Highlights: American Pie, Till Tomorrow, Vincent, Empty Chairs, The Grave.
I've heard the title track so many times but never this album or any of its songs. Great listen on the road and very soothing voice. A little slow and somber but very well put together album
Such a sad album to be called smth so goofy </3
It's OK. Worth owning. Never an album to get excited about though.
The song is obviously a classic, and deservedly so. The album is a solid beautiful collection of folk songs and it’s hard to fault much. One track in the second half did sound like McLean was trying really hard to sound like Dylan. When he’s being himself though, this is great American folk music.
The One-Hit Wonder Fallacy states that the album of the one hit must be on the album list. Srsly, quite the hit tho. Modulo the hit, he doesn’t get a contract.
En fin lytteoplevelse, men ikke noget, der stikker ud.
Ugh, bueno, aunque sea habla del sufrimiento del trabajador 2.9
He has a calm voice , I actually really like most of the songs but I wouldn’t intentionally listen to this album, it surprised me that there were some really great songs that I enjoyed listening to, but there was something country about most of his songs which I just don’t like
This has no business being on this list.
Skipped
Carried by Pie, the rest are nice warm and sad tracks. And one wannabe Pie. Not horrible but definitely can just listen to track 1 and be done, as it is indeed timeless. I also liked that it was shorter and digestible. 3.5
The title track is, of course, an absolute classic. Vincent is even better, and has a strong nostalgic pull for me from a very specific time & place in my life (early 2000s, western Newfoundland). The rest of the album doesn't live up to those, but is perfectly fine.
If it was just the title song, it would be worth the price of admission…But then there’s “Vincent” too
I always thought that Madonna’s cover was actually really good.
5/10 - nice to have in the background, obviously the epic American Pie song is here too
Starting off strong with American Pie then the rest is quite mellow, frankly.
Till Tomorrow, this will be considered the Babylon of albums.
-i’m apparently the only person who hasn’t heard the song American Pie. i was worried this album would be incredibly corny but i really appreciate it… very nice early Americana aesthetic -not much other than the title track that speaks to be personally on here, but the whole thing is really pretty and i’m glad i got to listen yay -Favorites: American Pie, Winterwood
So there’s “American Pie” (nothing else to say about that tune, good or bad) and there are some (mostly) innocuous folk-pop tunes in the John Denver vein. I enjoy McClean’s voice and melodic touches enough to go with the flow (like a pleasant trip to Target). I can also understand why the cynics don’t tolerate it much.
Каждая песня прямо в душу, то что нужно мне сейчас
Mid
When I was a teenager, one thing that I absolutely disliked, was how older people—we’re talking people about my parents age because that’s who I had contact with—were hung up on the music that they listened to when they were young, and dismissive of music that appeared later. I’m now that at age, give or take, and I kind of get it now, because I think a lot of the music I listened to in my youth is still some of the greatest music ever made. And I will totally defend that. Here’s the thing though: I’m wrong, just like those adults I disliked for not being able to allow that maybe there was new music that was just as good as their treasured Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd records. And nothing against those bands, but there’s a funny thing that happens where the music becomes not so much about the music itself and more to do with its association with youth, of having freedom but few responsibilities, of seeing your future as possibility, of experimentation, and all that. Because adulthood is often not fun. It feels crushing and oppressive. And that has nothing to do with what music people are making now. “American Pie” is a song about taking this concept and turning it into myth. Music never dies with Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper. Don McLean just got older. And there’s something maybe interesting in that, because from this and some of the other songs on the album, he seems like an intelligent and sensitive person; I have a suspicion that I’m not willing to put much thought or energy into that the sentiments expressed here are deeply retrogressive. Sorry boomers.
Beyond the classic title track and Vincent, there wasn’t much for me here. I like his voice and it’s great for what it is, just not something I’d regularly return to.
Mæ: ah, gøy, «American Pie» e jo en fin sang. Mæ etter fire minutter av American Pie: … thefuck? Takk gud for radio edits, ass. Ellers helt ok album, klage ikke.
Some thoughts: - I knew he is a one hit wonder, but upon listening you kinda get why. - Very dull middle section. The lack of interesting melodies makes it a boring and tedious listen. - The instrumentation is ok, but nothing that elevates these already meh songs. - Vincent and American Pie are ofc great songs. Babylon was an unexpected change at the end of the record but it's more of an oddity. Definitely not enough to save the record.
It's got a classic song on it and Don is wholly inoffensive but I also find it just sort of fine to listen to. Hammock music?
Too much pop in the folk. Like a gentle migraine induced from eating too many Kraft slices
The title track is an absolute classic and as a Dutchman, Vincent holds a special place in my heart. The rest of the album is only about 25 minutes and more of the same. McLean has a nice voice, the songs are fine, but all in all it feels bland
Like a less interesting Paul Simon with few songs doing anything to stand out. It has a couple of moments and I admire the witty lyrics. Just a solid three.
Listened
Obviously the title track dwarfs everything else here, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I dug the rest of the singer-songwriter tracks on here, particularly on side A.
Not great.
If you like the song American Pie, this album maybe hits a bit more. I'm not a fan of the song, so this album is extra tough and I'm surprised he didn't churn out any other hits in this session. Other than The Grave, nothing really jumped out at me.
Not really my type of music, but I still accept that it is a good album. Not really much to say about it, but a decent album. This is in between a 3 and 4 for me, but I'll round up. Low 4.
Nice... the perfect ending to a full week of 1-star albums... Look, if this were the first time hearing the title track, I might have felt differently about this. But it's not. Not by a long shot. And speaking of long, that title track feels so much longer than a mere eight and half minutes, doesn't it? Whenever I hear that first "A long, long time ago" on the radio, I reflexively flip to something else or just turn the radio off, as silence would be preferred to having to endure that "long, long" rambling yet again. Hopefully, today's full listen (on principle of the challenge) was the last time I ever have to hear this song again in its entirety. As for the rest of the album, it's pleasant enough, I suppose, though a bit too sleepy for my personal tastes. In fact, like the title track, it feels much, much longer than it really is. For me, this is a 1. The main feature of the album is the title track, and it's simply too long and has been too overplayed for me to feel anything but disgust for it. Damn, what a terrible week this was... I dare say, the week the music died...
Fuck this was a snore. I guess it had American pie so that’s something?
Los mitos son una torta que solo la abuela tiene la receta. ¡Hola, amiguitos! Sean ustedes bienvenidos y bienvenidas a esta receta de cómo hacer un símbolo americano. Un caballito de batalla ideal para tiempos de transición: económico cuando hay que reestructurar ideales, rendidor cuando el sueño americano de los años cincuenta te deja a pata y las inversiones sesentistas de la mano de los hippies resultaron demasiado riesgosas. Les aseguro que sale siempre bien. Anímense a probarla en sus países. En caso de tercermundismo puede costar un poco más. Antes de empezar, les paso algunos tips para reconocer cuándo están frente a un futuro símbolo nacional estadounidense y sacarle todo el provecho ideológico posible. Un niño indefenso que todavía ignora la codicia corporativa y no tiene intereses comerciales siempre es un excelente comienzo. Un potencial Tío Sam si jugamos bien nuestras cartas. El 4 de febrero de 1959, un chico de trece años llamado Don McLean repartía los diarios que anunciaban que la música había muerto. Ya teníamos un muy buen prospecto. Segundo: mezclen siempre con movimientos envolventes para que no se escape el aire. Sobre todo cuando sea momento de incorporar las contradicciones. No hay nada más interesante que un símbolo cultural tan marmolado que nunca terminás de saber si American Pie es solamente un gran estribillo o una epopeya sobre la identidad estadounidense. Tal vez no salga la torta más linda, pero sí la más americana por dentro. Ingredientes 1 productor llamado Ed Freeman. 3 huevos. 2 tazas de country tradicional. Si no consiguen, pueden reemplazarlo por himnos religiosos; en "Babylon" funcionan incluso mejor de lo esperado. 4 tragedias estadounidenses para darle consistencia y evitar repetir errores anteriores. 1 cucharadita de polvo para hornear. Esencia de Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley y Bob Dylan. Fraseo folk a gusto. Preparación Batir primero las tragedias hasta que aclaren el color. No es fácil mezclar la muerte de Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens y The Big Bopper con el final de la inocencia de los años cincuenta, así que tengan paciencia. Cuando la mezcla empiece a crecer, agreguen la polarización política de a poco. La idea es que aporte cuerpo, pero sin tapar el gusto que todavía dejan los flashbacks de Vietnam. Incorporen lentamente las influencias del folk estadounidense hasta alcanzar un fraseo cálido y orgánico. Si notan que la mezcla empieza a desintegrarse como el movimiento hippie después de Altamont, no desesperen. No toda receta termina siendo Woodstock. Dividan la masa en dos, como la propia Norteamérica de 1971. Ahora sí, agreguen los huevos; El primero es American Pie, todavía analizada por generaciones enteras incapaces de ponerse de acuerdo sobre qué quiso decir exactamente. Esa ambigüedad es parte de la receta.El segundo es Vincent, criado en un gallinero donde prefirieron hablar de la sensibilidad y la incomprensión antes que romantizar al artista atormentado. Es el momento más íntimo del disco y uno de los retratos más conmovedores que se hayan escrito sobre Van Gogh. El tercero es Everybody Loves Me, Baby, bastante más liviano e irónico, para que la mezcla no termine siendo solemne de principio a fin. Lleven la preparación a un horno precalentado a 180 °C entre cuarenta y cincuenta minutos. Durante la espera aprovechen para pensar cómo vender el producto sin sentirse como "Crossroads", aislado entre el folk tradicional y un mundo que ya estaba cambiando demasiado rápido. Muy importante: no abran el horno antes de tiempo. La creación puede pincharse y quedar tan frágil como "Empty Chairs", donde McLean recuerda que al final solo el tiempo decide quién trasciende. El momento de la verdad llega con "Sister Fatima". Ahí uno ya no sabe si el mito cultural está listo para convertirse en el nuevo faro moral de una generación o si se nos fue un poco la mano con la espiritualidad y la crítica social. Introduzca un cuchillo. Si sale limpio, pueden retirarla. Si sale con "The Grave", significa que su símbolo nacional será profundamente antibélico y preferirá mostrar la muerte sin heroísmo ni épica. Antes de desmoldar, dejen que la historia lo necesite desesperadamente. Si lo sirven demasiado pronto, corre el riesgo de parecer prefabricado. Espolvoreen finalmente con pérdida de inocencia y una buena dosis de nostalgia. ¡Y listo! Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, John Mellencamp y Josh Ritter ya tienen algo para llevar al episodio especial de acción de gracias. Es la receta de la abuela salvadora para sacar referentes culturales cada vez que el sueño americano entra en crisis. Nada como una buena American Pie para reflexionar cómo los mitos al ser creados por personas pueden ser igual de frágiles. Recorda que la clave de la receta es precalentar el horno y sacar el bizcochuelo antes que se vuelva contracultural.
It's interesting how many things from the 70s exist that I have no idea even know exist. I loved it, give me more.
2/4
the compositions sound really modern, I enjoy it as a more of a neofolk fan (DiJ, C93 etc)
music is love
Like most re-blooded Americans, I'm a little over "American Pie", but listening to it in this context gave me a new appreciation for it. "Vincent" is, by far, my favorite track. As for the rest, Don is not pretending to be anything but his true authentic self. I'm not too in to the whole "'70's singer songwriter" thing, but at only 36 minutes, this is easily digestible... and I'm glad I got to listen to it today.
American Pie is always going to be so nostalgic for me. The rest of the album is okay
The title track of this album looms large over everything else, taking up a quarter of the entire running time, and as revered as this track is, it’s pretty much a case of diminishing returns. Does the chorus really need to be repeated seven times? What was all of the nostalgia for the music of the 60’s for in a song on the cusp of a brand new decade? What the heck is a Broncing Buck anyway? For what it’s worth, I prefer Madonna’s version which is (a) shorter and (b) skips the faux mawkishness in favour of wistful longing. The rest of the tracks on the album are a mixed bunch, with a strange religious narrative with an arrangement of The Rivers of Babylon and a song about a Catholic saint. The song The Grave is a bit of an oddity too. The highlight for me Starry, Starry Night which is probably the only hit song about Vincent Van Gogh. Broncing-Buck-Tastic!
Easy listening but still really enjoyable.
"American Pie," the song," is obviously a classic and a "once in a lifetime" song from any artist and defined an era - or more, as the song is still used to capture that feeling of nostalgia and things being better before than they are now. However, much of the rest of the album is pretty "par for the course" folk from the early 70's, which is good but not anything that stands out too terribly much.
Looking forward to listening to the rest of this album. American Pie is such a cultural touchstone but I've never listened to anything else by McLean. This album was good. McClean's voice is simple but strong and deftly accompanies the guitar work. I'd give this one a few more spins and see what shakes out from the shadow of American Pie.
The title track, of course, is an epic and hugely successful recap of two decades of popular music history, and "Vincent" is a brilliant, mournful tribute to Van Gogh. I wasn't familiar with the rest of the album, but I enjoyed it; in its meandering gentleness and lyrical complexity, it reminded me of some of Paul Simon's early solo albums. There are a few more upbeat, peppy moments (like "Everybody Loves Me, Baby"), but I think those are the least successful parts of the album. The arrangements are understated but successful, leaving the focus on McLean's expressive voice. I think I'll listen to this again.
solid
I'll always have a fondness for this album, but the extra star is for nostalgia. Even at 36 minutes the last two or three tracks dragged a little.
Final few tunes and first few tunes feel like completely different albums.
Surprised at how much I ended up enjoying this as the title track was always bit overdone in my view, but there is some really solid stuff across the rest of the album, especially the final two tracks
Folk rock and singer-songwriter pop built from acoustic guitars, gentle band arrangements, and earnest vocals feels like listening to a nostalgic uncle retell the same cherished stories at a family gathering—occasionally insightful, often charming, but ultimately more sentimental than moving. The album aims for warmth, reflection, and cultural significance, yet for me its earnestness frequently drifts into sentimentality. While its craft is evident, the emotional impact rarely matches its ambitions.
Title track is ok but a bit thin after god knows how many years radio play, rest was a bit boring and dirgey.
So I've never actually heard the song American Pie in full. I get why that's a classic now. Rest was nothing spectacular. If I bought this album, I'd be so disappointed. It's not entirely shite, but it peaked way too early. Title track is a 5, the rest isn't even close. 2.5 stars
I enjoyed the title track as a kid. musically it's sort of ok, in a hokey way. the most pathetic kind of boomer nostalgia is grasping at the straws of big pop culture moments hoping for shared experience and shared lament that the world ever changed. American Pie is an "I'm too stunted to talk about my feelings" anthem masquerading as oblique and poetic 1.5 stars
One time I saw Don McLean at a folk festival. It was enough years ago that the average baby boomer was noticeably younger and more with it than they are today. Don reassured the crowd multiple times that he definitely was going to perform American Pie, and then when he finally got to it, it was like someone had popped a cork. Those boomers went NUTS. Album basically fine.
The title track eats up the time and the weight of this album. It is also a massively overrated song that has had too much analysis dedicated to it based on a bunch of stupid, ham-fisted references. I can't imagine what Don McLean's life must have been like after American Pie. It has over a billion streams on Spotify. I'm not hating Till Tomorrow, standard 70s folk ballad. The whole album feels very non-descript...except for the one exception. Maybe a little on the treacly side of folk though. Everybody Loves Me, Baby is more in the style of American Pie so maybe it wasn't a fortunate accident for him. I like Rodriguez better than this.
Decent. If I was around when this album was released then I probably would have been into it. I’m happy for Don his song is so popular and played so often. Even to the point where when we watched the movie Josie & The Pussycats the other night there there were multiple references to the song in the movie. Side note: Josie & The Pussycats was pretty good. It was my first time watching it and it was much better than I was expecting.
Not bad. Of course I knew the title track and a couple others. Decent but not something I’ll come back to.
The title song is obviously a banger, but it’s not something I seek out due to having heard it a hundred thousand times. Vincent is a better song. I had forgotten how good the rest is too. I was expecting this to be a 3, but I really enjoyed them and it earned a 4.
Very smooth, very folky. The title single does a lot of heavy lifting here, but there are some really interesting parts. His sound feels very reflective of the times. Ultimately it feels like really really good background music. I could bike through a field to this shit, but nothing more. I forgot I was listening to it at times. Highlights: American Pie, Everybody Loves Me Baby
so obviously the title track is really good but the rest of this album is ok not unlistenable but i probably wouldnt listen to it again 6/10 Favourite: American Pie Least Favourite: Everybody Loves Me, Baby
Hey, I know this song. Not bad otherwise.
None of the songs here are bad, per se, but other than the title track and “Everybody Loves Me, Baby” the songs all sound very similar. Nothing to dislike here but when 2/3s of your album all sounds alike and unexciting, it makes for a very boring listening experience.
american pie is great but needed to be 4 mins not 8. the rest of the albumbecame samey very quickly. fine but not special
Not being an.............. 'merican, I don't have quite the same cultural reference points for American Pie (song) but I'm pretty certain there are nomadic tribes in the Kalahari desert that will have heard the track at some point. Vincent was one of my Dad's absolutely favourite songs ever so was a near constant on the Ford Orion mixtape. I don't LOVE this album, so can't give it 5 stars, but for the sheer undenable impact it's a damn solid 4 from me.
If I could rate it off of 1 song and 1 song only, it’d be a 5. Because American Pie is a masterpiece. It’s a treasure. It’s something to cherish. It’s a song that should be revisited yearly, semi-annually, quarterly or even monthly. It’s an American classic. It’s our history and culture, tragedy and triumph all wrapped into an 8 minute song. And unfortunately, nothing else on this record even comes close. You start getting there with Vincent. You could probably call that a masterpiece in songwriting, but the rest of this is kind of sad and rough. I’ve tried too. I got this record in like 11th grade, because I was red to feel something. Nothing ever gets you back to the euphoria of the title track. So how do I rate this? 5? 4? Well, I certainly have a lot of opinions on this. Let’s go 4. We all know why.
Nothing amazing
The title track is a nostalgic track for me. My baby brother loved it when he was like 7. I'll always think of him when I hear it. I like it but im not sure its really good? Its the best thing here by a long shot but is that a high bar? There are a bunch of 70s ballads here. And maybe one or two other upbeat songs. Its kinda a downer for a pop record. Or OK par with a singer songwriter recoed. Whatever it is. All I know is beyond american pie im not too interested in knowing anything else this guy did. Its pretty bad for me dawg.
I like Don's voice and writing, there are two iconic hits on here, but tgere's also a lack of variety.
I refused to listen to this again; I hit my limit sometime in high school. And yet: after refusing, I found myself singing one of the minor tracks.
Hard to listen to now that I know what an ass Don McLean is, but I do have a soft spot for this album. I loved it when I was young, knew all the lyrics to American Pie and loved to sing along (although didn't think about what they meant at the time), and I loved Vincent and Babylon.
I was not expecting to be surprised in any way by this album, and indeed most of it was as anticipated (American Pie is still a kitschy singalong, Vincent is pure corn syrup, most of the rest is just drippy), but two songs grabbed me: Everybody Loves Me, Baby (what's the matter with you?) and Babylon. I recall hearing that one (not his version, but not too different) on Mad Men and being knocked over, but it was the dark ages when you couldn't easily track down a song, and then I forgot about it. So my 3 here represents an average, not neutrality.
2.5. i liked a few of the songs but most of them were way too sappy for me
American Pie probably has the record number of bad cover versions of any song ever written. To my surprise this Don McLean version is actually quite good. Otherwise this album is quite enjoyable country/folk pop and special shoutout to dylanesque "Everybody loves me, baby" and Leonard Cohen like "The Grave". To my surprise, I liked this one! Maybe 3,5/5, but i'm feeling positive so i'll round it up this time
#413 / 1089 Heard before? ❌ Revisit? ❌ The name Don McLean is familiar, but I've not idea from what context. I of course know the song American Pie, it's been played so much in all kinds of movies and situations, but I wonder if any other tracks are familiar. Oh yeah, he is folk artist. I hate folk. (I'll admit this is not the worst I've heard, the guys has a nice voice and timbre to it. That's a nope 1/5 from me.
Folksy but boring
😐
Really enjoyed this album, never listened before - “Vincent” is such a class song, as of course - “American pie”
3 stars for American Pie the song on its own. I didnt mind this album vincent is a also a great song although some of the latter songs felt like just fill.
he got famous off one song. eh. Would I listen again: no Deserves to be on this list: no 2.4
The title song is a classic, but I cannot hear anything but the Weird Al version in my head. The rest of the album is gernerally like it but less so.
This might be the most uneven album on the whole project. American Pie is just about perfectly realized, and Vincent moved me to tears. But… the rest of the album doesn’t keep apace, doesn’t even try, disappears in the rear view without a second thought.
Could always take or leave the title track, kind of an irritating ear worm for me. Rest of this is fine but unremarkable downbeat ballad stuff, Crossroads best of it. Low-end 3
What a weird thing, to have done this and then lived off it for so long.
Highlights: American Pie, Vincent and Winterwood. 2.9
Pleasant enough , definitely not for me. Title track outstays its welcome by about 4 minutes. At latest the whole thing was quite short. Onwards
Eh- it’s was kinda mid but the Best song was empty chairs
I never thought I'd say that the 8m32s song saves this album but American Pie genuinely has such a place in my heart bc of one summer camp I went to when I was younger. Aside from American Pie the rest of this album was boring. 3/5
It’s a little surprising how many albums are on here for one song
Great album. First time listen. I'll keep it in my rotation now.
I own this on vinyl! It was one of the first albums I ever listened to all the way through! Nice to get this one. And listening through once again… though not every song hits, there are some incredible songs. Take, for example, the titular “American Pie.” It’s 8 minutes long, and nothing short of a fucking magical experience. Every second, every note McClean sings is in and of itself a watershed moment in music. Frankly, that song alone justifies this album’s standing on this list. Other songs appear that shine similarly, such as “Vincent,” in its poetic preposition, or “The Grave,” in its frank reflection on the circumstance of the soldier. McClain’s voice is comparable to that of a younger, naïve Pete Seeger. Incredibly passionate, but strangely unemotional in a way that fits this album incredibly well. His writing is poetic, filled with incredibly well used literary devices, and figurative language. Everything else is pleasant enough for the album to float at a mid-8 for me. Real nostalgia trip for me today. Love this joint. 8.6/10
Notable Textzeile: You know I've heard about people like me But I never made the connection They walk one road to set them free And find they've gone the wrong direction Auch wenn die Variation klein ist zwischen den Songs ist das lyrisch und in dem was es ist, als klassisches Singer-Songwritealbum seiner Zeit, gefällt mir das sehr gut. Ich finde es immer noch faszinierend wie man einen achteinhalb Minutensong schreiben kann, der sich so subtil aufbaut und, obwohl die Varianz auch hier klein ist, nicht langweilig wird und sich, zumindest für mich, nicht repetitiv anhört. Und danach noch einige weitere ähnlich intensive Sachen anzuschließen und sie mit etwas quatschigem wie „Everybody loves me, Baby“ zu unterbrechen zeugt von können. Danach hätte er vermutlich mit Musik aufhören können (oder sollen, den überraschend großen Rest seines Oeuvres werde ich mir nicht alles reinziehen, außer man bezahlt mich) - und eigentlich auch mit dem Album, der Schluss ist mir zu pathetisch, selbst für den Standart den das Album eh schon setzt. P.S. Ich hätte das nicht nochmal hören sollen, jetzt ist mir fast alles zu süß und pathetisch, aber ich schreib das hier jetzt nicht nochmal neu.
Vincent war Tupacs Lieblingslied, sagt seine Mutter. Und manche der Lyrics sind ganz pointiert. Ansonsten seicht, ganz seicht. Wschschsch... So seicht.
Man kann dem Ganzen nicht böse sein, so lieb und undschuldig wie das daher kommt. So überlegt, so nuanciert. Aber leider auch so ein wenig langweilig. 2-3 Hits sind dabei aber in der Fläche leider sehr dünn gestrichene Magarine.
american pie halt legendäre song au. kei ahnig um wases goht. wele day isch de music ge died? aah stimmt flugi absturz vom buddy holly und ritchie valens. scho cool well so lang de song. till tomorrow isch seeehr lamsam. meh. vincent au slooow aber schön und schöni keys plötzlich! crossroads isch seeehr klavierballade. chani etz bim erste mol lose nöd meega schätze.
HÄ ICH HAN EIFACH VERGESSE Z RATE han das scho letscht wuche glost hahaha uhhh kenn nur 2 lieder vom album und die findi super ich find bim title track v.a. die mischig vo iwie trurig aber upbeat megaaa spannend und ich han sini klari stimm mega gern! hmm oke iwie hanis nochli "spannender" im chopf gha, de refrain isch super aber wird für min gschmack doch 1, 2 mal z hüfig wiederholt hahaha und allgemein chli "gradlinig" füren über achtminütige song? omg vincent isch ja sooo unglaublich schön isch gkaub es album woni mehrmals muss lose winterwood hani recht herzig gfunde aber isch au echlii ah mier verbii JAAA EMPTY CHAIRS de song het anschinend killing me softly inspiriert, beides unglaublich schöni songs everybody loves me baby findi no en coole song zum s album chli uufbreche, demit nöd nur melancholischi akustiklieder annenandgreit sind de song ah siiich findi okay ahhh teilwiis erinnerets mich chli an nick drake!! AHHH OMG LOGISCH KENN ICH BABYLON AU manfred mann's earth band het de gsang au imene song puhhh also nöch amene 5i. muss nomal lose winterwood isch au soo en herzige UND trurige song hahaha EMPTY CHAIRS ISCH SO GUEEETWTFFF
First song’s a classic folk-rock singalong, the rest is a quieter folk singer-songwriter tunes. Sure, they’re tender, ruminative, and poetic, with soft supporting arrangements. But it doesn’t rise above the cream of the crop of the many artists in a similar style. Something about him just very much does not stand out to me. And after the epic opener, the rest of the album doesn’t hold up. The full band songs are better than the solo folkier ones, the band can find a decent groove.
Oh my God, we're on a ROLL! Like Tracy Chapman's self-titled album, I have already heard, loved and bought this album on CD. Every song on this record is curling with mysticism and Americana, like walking through the Smoky Mountains with nothing but a compass, or taking the back streets of New York, listening to elderly women selling metal flowers. There's also so much variety here: American Pie is the pinnacle of Rock and Roll, songs like Vincent, Winterwood and Empty Chairs are melodic, peaceful and sometimes even mournful, all set within a folk tome, Babylon even sounds like a mythological canticle, and The Grave is like a call to arms, not for war but for devastating and harrowing peace. My favourite track has to be Sister Fatima - there's so much mystery and intrigue, the guitar is sometimes dissonant and unravelling, the lyrics are vague and folkloric, speaking of a cryptic woman who seems to know everything, but will only reveal it to you in the comfort of her home-temple for $5/hour. This is a necessary listening experience.
Solid record, really enjoyed almost all songs.
I've always hated "American Pie". I think it's just an incredibly overrated and uninteresting song. But, I vowed to give the album a fair shake. What a bore. Most of it was worse than American Pie, though a couple tracks were enjoyable.
Come for the title track, but the other songs offered are also pretty, if not able to live up to the immediate bar which the album set. They're mostly a lot more calm, "American Pie" being one of the outliers in terms of energy. It can feel somewhat lacking but it's comfortable
Writing one of the greatest songs of all time is a hard feat to accomplish. It’s even harder to follow it up.
I think this album is on here only for American Pie. It's a good song but a bit done to death. And I really want to listen to Weird Al now
Should we all go and see Don McLean at the state theatre in October????
Firstly, thank you Don McLean for making American Pie to allow Madonna to cover it (maybe my favourite cover ever). But genuinely was not sure how you could follow up such an iconic opener. I was a little lukewarm until Everybody Loves Me, Baby which was so fun, and then the Grave and Babylon were haunting and beautiful pumping this to a rounded down 4.
I don’t know what you want me to say, the title track to this album is just always going to be That Good and is always going to have me rocking out and also in my feels. I reckon I listened to the whole album 4 or 5 times and it really grew on me. I think the first five tracks are such a beautiful run. Everyone Loves Me, Baby injected a bit of much needed fun and levity; and my beloved Mad Men made a return in Babylon! It’s featured as a perfect closer to an episode and I never knew that it existed outside of the bounds of the show (it’s performed at a bohemian open mic at a speakeasy). Anyway, all of this to say, I actually don’t think I can give it less than a 5 because I really enjoyed my 24 hours here!
sure it’s ok! Interesting to listen to the entire 8 minutes of American Pie, which I actually quite enjoyed. Don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t for the album to be so folky
i actually did listen to this but it made zero impact on me
I think that American Pie as a song is a good chorus surrounded by self indulgent dribble and Vincent is a good song but far too earnest and those are the only two interesting things I heard on this album.
the only songs I was familiar with were the title track and Vincent, and now that I've listened to the whole album I can see why. not bad necessarily, just blah. 2/5
Remember the scene in Animal House, when the guy on the stairs was playing the sensitive ballad to impress the girls, and Blutarsky grabs the guitar and angrily smashes it into pieces? Well, I felt like Bluto for the majority of this album. The only saving graces are the title song and “The Grave,” which are both brilliant and well written. The rest is awful.
Always hated the American Pie song but it's okay every 'blue moon', the rest of album is okay/tolerable country rock pop, ⭐⭐⭐
American Pie carries this album. Every other song is forgetabble.
This is probably the boomeriest of all rock songs. It drank from the garden hose, rode a rusty merry go round, was whacked with a belt, and it turned out fine! Except it didn't. By verse 3 it becomes a miserable, humorless “kids these days with their Beatles and Stones” sloppy metaphor. Like so much that is 50s nostalgia, it goes heavy into the least interesting bits of the American experience, eventually doing what American Nostalgia Politics does: it calls Mick Jagger Satan, because ultimately this sort of shit is religious zealotry. So the only reason this album is on here at all is a bloated missive from the culture wars. Imagine going so hard for “Chantilly Lace” that you wrote over 8 minutes about how modern rock and roll is ruining the world. But what about the other stuff on the album. Surely there IS other stuff on the album, right? Well, there's at least one more track about a dead artist, which is sort of funny, because if McLean had been alive at the time, he would have probably written Tarte Tatin Francais about how Van Gogh is tainting the true art of Delacroix or something. Otherwise, most of this is dull and sleepy, so musically American Pie actually is the best thing on the album. The only other thing that comes close to being upbeat is Everybody Loves Me, Baby, which is absolutely abysmal and the less we discuss it the better. Usually though, this is mid tier folk, with melodies that don't particularly differentiate from any of the others. Bet we could get ol Don to play some of these classics at the Freedom250 concert, tho. 2*
pretty mid other than the title track
Very boring
I hated this 30 years ago when it had a resurgence in the mid 90's and I hate it even more now. Everything about it. Even just the words I'd need to use to describe it. If you make it through "Vincent" in one sitting you should go get a hotdog or something to reward yourself
Good one!
A decent troubadour who created one of the most iconic songs of all time. And, back in the analog days, if you were in radio, 'American Pie' was long enough to allow for both a bathroom break and a coffee refill!
3 out of 5. First time listening to any of his songs other than American Pie. He has a good voice.
I've seen this album cover while flicking through my copy of the book. I think it's pretty obvious as to what this is - an early 70s hard rock album. Might as well get into it Nope, folk rock. I guess I was dead wrong with my prediction. Anyways, I didn't mind this album. It's hard to fault a 36-minute album with how grueling some of the longer picks on this list have been. Still, I didn't care much for it. McLean has a nice, pleasant voice and a few of the songs put him to good work, though for the most part I felt that his talent was squandered on this material. Most of the songs have a folky, waxing vocal style that I just find to be underwhelming. The instrumentals are notably more piano-centric than the other folk albums I've listened to, which is a welcome change. The pianos have a full sound to them in much the same way that the standard folk guitars do. It's pleasing superficially and works for much of the runtime, though I can't overlook the emptiness which overhangs some of the weaker cuts of this album. I don't like backhand complimenting albums as much as I have with this one, but this music ultimately got as much right for me as it didn't, which is decently commendable when considering the number of things I've had to say about it. Overall, this was an alright listen. I've heard the title track before - my Dad's played it in his car a couple of times. It's a decent listen, though the verses kind of falter and drag their heels a little. Still, that chorus is understandably iconic - I like the way that the vocals roll and build on one another. The instrumental is quite minimal, though it makes for a pleasing listen nonetheless. The folky guitars pair with the pianos nicely and inject a good tempo into the music. The moment where the guitars go away killed my enjoyment and the song is obviously too long for what it is, but overall it was a decent tune. Book time. The title track is McLean's finest hour and was inspired by reading the headlines surrounding Buddy Holly's death. The rest of this entry is meaningless wank. Wikipedia says this album won the prestigious "Most Popular Overseas LP" award from us Straliens. The first paragraph of the Wikipedia article says this album was "released to much critical acclaim", yet I'm looking at the critic response section and all I'm seeing is a positive review from AllMusic and a middling review from Robert Christgau. "Empty Chairs" apparently inspired Killing Me Softly With His Song, and the album topped the charts in America, Australia and Canada in addition to peaking at No. 2 in the UK. It doesn't appear to have made any year-end charts despite apparently having lingered on the US charts for nearly a year, though I think I can let this one through. I'm beginning to grow fatigued of the more standard folk albums, though I still think folk rock has a healthy number of nominations. I cosign this inclusion.
You can stop after the first song
Borin, repetetive, has 2-3 good songs; the grave was stunnin
Mellow classic
I'm only 100 albums in on this journey and I'm already feeling folk rock fatigue.
Basically a 12" single with 9 bonus tracks. The rest of the songs were nothing too special. Typical 70s singer-songwriter stuff. 2 1/2 stars.
This album is really all about the opening track. I dont think I have ever listened to the whole album, but I have listened to that title track a ton. Back in the early days of the internet, I remember a friend of mine and I would find all we could on meanings behind all the words. I still know all the words today, but it seems like the impact is slowly fading over the years. Today, I am probably more familiar with the Weird Al Yankivic version, and his words are probably more prevalent.
Falls of after American Pie.. which is the first song...
Nice and chill sound. I'm giving this 2 stars, not because I didn't like it, it was fine, but because I'm very unlikely to listen to it again.
One of the best things to come out of america
American Pie is one of those annoying ass Karaoke songs that every single annoying person loves to put on, it’s not even interesting. Rest of the album kinda boring with a lil soul in it
Does American Pie really have to be an eight-minute song? Like, it's a pretty good song and lifts this album quite a bit, but it stays over its welcome. Otherwise, the album is a decent folk singer-songwriter album that isn't particularly notable apart from Vincent, which is special.
The title track is an all timer and the rest of this is fine. Would never be here without that one banger though, that's truly lightning in a bottle
Having heard only the title track previously, I did not know what to expect for the rest of the album, but it was not what followed. I did like it, some songs really stood out like Everybody Loves Me, Baby. Just a solid rock album in my book.
First 3 songs were amazing, really felt this one.
Everybody Loves Me, Baby was the surprise track on this for me. A three and a bit minute enjoyable romp with very funny lyrics. I heard it as a homage to Dylan Obviously the title track everyone knows and loves but the rest is beige folk rock like Vincent.
Tired of American Pie due to too many listens. Vincent still moves me to tears. Babylon is also a standout.
Nothing exceptional.
I’m putting 3 stars because, aside from the title track, the rest of the album is pretty much a snooze fest. McLean is a good writer but too much of the same type of thing
I had the record as a kid. So there's nostalgia biasing this
I’m pretty disappointed with this album. For starters, I obviously went into this knowing American Pie. I might only really know it because of my intense love for Weird Al but that’s how I’m familiar to begin with. And I have to say, despite likening Al’s version much more, this is an epic classic American song. Genuinely it’s the best song on the album. And I was also really emotionally moved by two other songs, “empty chairs” and “The Grave”. Both horrendously sad but touching, and in the case with the latter, horribly depressing and frightening for obvious current American politics reasons. But as a whole I felt that this album was way too slow for me and too emotional. Especially knowing American Pie, I was expecting more life and energy in this album like the song “everybody loves me, baby”. I just wanted my rock squeezed in, or honestly it didn’t need to specifically be rock music, it could’ve been anything with a different vibe or energy would’ve been much appreciated on this album. Quality wise, this is a good album. But for my own personal tastes, it falls short.
I hate the title track but the rest of the album was ok
American Pie as a single surely deserves to be on this list. However, the brand of meandering and monotonous modern folk that fills out the rest of the album isn't enough to make the whole thing a must listen. I'm starting to have my doubts about the breadth of musical knowledge the book's author has. Did I get fooled by a Rolling Stone reading, boomer dad?
Good American jam. Iconic first song and the rest was pretty good too.
The title track was really the only interesting song on this thing. Very boring. Sorry Donnie
5 de 5 Obra fundamental del folk rock, que ofrece un repertorio sumamente sólido y con aura melancólica, ya que uno de los temas que maneja es la pérdida de la inocencia y el desencanto, haciéndolo un disco conceptual y poético que captura un momento de gran transición emocional y social.
Good vibes. America 70s, peace and love maybe but more melancholic. Can hear how Jake Bugg's taken inspiration from him.
This review can’t be unbiased since I grew up in the Hudson Valley where McLean was writing this and getting into and out of the folk scene around Pete Seeger, another local. Pie was a youth anthem as well as Vincent, reason enough to make this one of 1001 albums deserving to be heard again 50 years later though.
Lyrics like these... I feel the trembling tingle of a sleepless night Creep through my fingers, and the moon is bright Beams of blue come flickering through my windowpane Like gypsy moths that dance around a candle flame ...just wreck a song for me. BUT, it's not all that purple, and I was surprised by what a great recording it was, it just sounds great, I love the instrumentation, and guitars especially. It was a less boring and same-y than I expected. "Everybody Loves Me, Baby" broke up the ballads, thankfully. Am I going to play it again? no, but I don't think I can dispute that it's an American musical-historical signpost that's worth noting on this list of 1001. 3/5. But, no, it wouldn't be on my own list of recommendations, I don't think.
Great
American Pie is amazing, Vincent pretty good, the rest just meh. But boy, American Pie really is all that.
Giving singer-songwriters a bad name for five decades and counting.
I do like the line in Vincent “snowy linen land” cuz of the double meaning/descriptor. Painting on linen, but linen isn’t a perfect white, as most folks who write sappy songs about snow will describe it.
One song isn't enough to make a great album. But American Pie will both define the post-60's Americana rock era and be sung by all ages for many more generations.
Jamais écouté avant. Un album de soft rock folkisant (ou de folk rock softisant) tout à fait standard, peut-être plus mélancolique que la moyenne. À une exception près, la chanson titre, légendaire, qui justifie probablement à elle seule l'inclusion de l'album ici. Top : American Pie Flop : Babylon
American Pie song has been so overplayed over the years that I'd be ok to never hear it again. However, it is a good song and this is a very nice album.
It initially feels like this album was included simply due to American Pie being on the album American Pie. It's a song that is basically nostalgia meth for individuals born during a certain time period. I feel the opposite of how I tend to feel about albums in this book. I enjoyed it, and am glad American Pie was in this book, but I am not sure what is recorded here isn't already represented in this book. It comes down to the songs if there isn't an underrepresented genre. I think the songs are pretty good here, though I have always liked a certain part of Don McLean's music, as I feel it is more accessible than other folk music tends to be. I tend to like his covers a lot, such as Cryin', Everyday, and Since I Don't Have You. My favorite songs: American Pie (even if it is overplayed and just nostalgia meth) Till Tomorrow Vincent Winterwood Empty Chairs Everyone Loves Me, Baby Babylon
This guy really bet the house on American Pie being a hit because every other song on this is just a slightly less good version of it
Best Song: American Pie. An American storytelling classic. Somehow doesn't feel long despite its 8+ minute runtime. Worst Song: Sister Fatima. God I hate how plucky and shoe-gazey he sounds here. Overall: Beyond the titanic opening track, the rest is fairly banal. There are far more interesting singer-songwriters out there.
Enjoyed this lots more than I would have expected.
# Album Name: American Pie # Artist: Don Mclean # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: Cracking album. Loved it. This goes way beyond the title track. # Top Tunes: AP / till tomorrow / Vincent / Empty Chairs / Everbody loves me / The grave # Would I listen to it again? Yes
So yeah, the title track is obviously incredible. Inspired by the untimely passing of Buddy Holly, and also a love letter to the 60's, this 8 minute long epic more than worth the price of admission alone. You would be remiss however if you neglected the rest of the record. "Vincent" is an incredibly pretty ballad and Don's soft vocals really shine through and put emphasis on his poetic lyricism. In fact, it's worth noting that aside from "Everybody Loves Me, Baby" most every song here is pretty stripped back and very folksy or ballady. Which is not a bad thing whatsoever. I think McLean's lyricism is pretty awesome, and I found myself enthralled by most of the songs here. There are a couple weaker tracks, mainly the aforementioned "Everybody Loves Me", which sticks out like a massively sore thumb with it's overtly whimsical instrumental and very on the nose lyrics about corrupt politicians. A very apt song that sadly reflects our current debacle in the US, but on this record it doesn't really fit (also sounds like a style parody of Dylan's "Rainy Day Women"). "Sister Fatima" is also a rather underwhelming song, but what really disappointed me was the closing track "Babylon". It just felt rather tame without much of a lyrical statement to help close out an otherwise fascinating album. The penultimate track "The Grave" though? Chills. Evoking imagery of a fallen soldier fighting in a war (most likely alluding to the Vietnam war), the whispered singing and the delicate guitars make this song feel hallowed and sacred. It's extremely haunting and made me stop in my tracks. So yeah, honestly liked this album a lot more than I thought I would. I was certain that "American Pie" was going to overshadow everything else here but I couldn't be more wrong. I just wish it ended stronger. However, the bonus track edition that I have features two incredible bonus songs. First of all, "Mother Nature" is probably the prettiest song about a horny unrequited lover I've ever heard. The lyrics are super poetic "Don't toss me like the covers in the morning", and the jazzy Steely Dan-esque breakdown at the end was mind-blowing. "Aftermath" actually completes the song "Babylon", and makes the ending of the album feel more whole than it did before. It's a great song as well. If we count those two bonus tracks this album is easily a 5/5. So yeah, check it out! I sas pleasantly surprised.
The original divorced dad rock
I feel like I don’t typically fall in love with songs right away. Instead I need them to grow on me. Empty Chairs is not one of those songs. It smacked me in the face first listen. Emo emo emo I love it I love it. And of course, American Pie is an incredible song.
american pie is such a great song. the story of music through the 60s, told with rich imagery and imbued with mythic import
2.5 - Meh
A good album, I love American Pie. I also liked Winterwood and Everybody Loves Me Baby.
Bellísimo. Más allá del tema que le da título, el gran poema épico americano, Vincent es un tema devastador y el resto del álbum resulta igualmente muy agradable, honesto y conmovedor
This album is a great litmus test. It has one great, if overplayed, song at the very start while the rest of the album is uninteresting and boring, to put it lightly. So you can tell by someones review if they are actually considering the entire album or only thinking of the one good song they've actually heard before and ignoring the rest. American Pie should probably be included in 1001 SONGS you must hear before you die, not albums.
Good troubadour Americana some stand out tracks including American pie
it's a really good album. It's often over-shadowed by the song itself, but there are some really good tunes on it. "Vincent" and "Sister Fatima" are two of my favorites.
American Pie & elevates the Alblum to a 4 all by themselves. So close to a five. A throughly enjoyable alblum
Bella la canzone "American Pie" SE NON FOSSE INFINITA
I enjoyed this, although maybe I'm biased by how good the highs are. The title track is simply one of the best rock songs ever. I've always thought Vincent is a beautiful song too, when the strings pick up towards the end, it's spine tingling. Empty Chair has a similar vibe which I enjoyed. Urgh, I googled Don McLean after the last track and it turns out he's a massive Zionist. Like him considerably less now. Well I said at the start I'd rate on the music only, so better stick with that, but I don't feel as good about it anymore
Der amerikanische Singer-Songwriter Don McLean nahm sein zweites Studioalbum im Mai und Juni 1971 in Studio A des Record Plant in New York City auf – produziert von Ed Freeman, der bewusst auf das sterile Klima klassischer Studiomusiker verzichtete und stattdessen eine Handvoll einstudierter Individualisten ins Studio holte. Erschienen bei United Artists Records, bewegt sich das Album stilistisch im Spannungsfeld von Folk Rock und zeitgenössischem Folk: akustische Gitarre und Klavier als tragende Elemente, die Arrangements sparsam und auf McLeans Stimme ausgerichtet. Das über acht Minuten lange Eröffnungsstück „American Pie" ist eines jener seltenen Kunstwerke, die sich dauerhaft ins kollektive Gedächtnis einschreiben. McLean verarbeitet darin den Flugzeugabsturz von 1959, der Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens und The Big Bopper das Leben kostete – aber die Verse reichen weit darüber hinaus und kartografieren den kulturellen Wandel einer ganzen Generation. Das zweite herausragende Stück, „Vincent", ist das stille Gegenstück: ein zärtliches, fast meditatives Porträt Vincent van Goghs, das ebenso tief trifft wie sein berühmter Nachbar, nur auf andere Weise. Der Rest des Albums – „Crossroads", „Empty Chairs", „The Grave" – ist weniger bekannt, aber keineswegs schwächer: gleichmäßig sentimental, in sich ruhend, manchmal fast kammermusikalisch. American Pie ist kein makelloses Album in dem Sinne, dass jeder seiner Tracks Kultstatus beanspruchen könnte. Aber es ist ein in sich stimmiges Werk, das McLeans Fähigkeit belegt, existenzielle Schwere in melodisch zugängliche Form zu gießen. Wer nur die Singles kennt, unterschätzt den Zusammenhalt des Albums. Eines der einflussreichsten Folk-Rock-Alben der frühen 1970er – und eine der wenigen Platten, bei denen der Titelsong tatsächlich hält, was er verspricht.
I really don't like it when an album gets included in the list on the strength of one iconic song. Fortunately with Don McLean, little did I know there would be nine further lovely, folky treats on this pleasantly surprising LP. I also didn't know that American Pie itself was over 8 minutes long, or that beyond the 30 seconds that everybody knows is a really cleverly written song deserving of its ubiquitous status. A delightful little album that I'll be listening to plenty more.
There is some very good writing here but the earnestness is way over the top
The chorus of American Pie was the only thing I enjoyed about this. Just a bad Dylan impression someone who didn’t understand what made Dylan special
Pretty good, almost 4.
Don’t find it really interesting a bit repetitive and mainstream
Kind of glad that they started this on the mega hit. I listen, I get it out of the way (though don't get me wrong, I love it), and now I can listen to the rest of the album. Really really good, especially Vincent. Like I was moved by the misunderstood genius conveyed in that song (not saying I related to it, but the words were beautiful). Rest of the album is all composed wonderfully and I'm surprised more of these songs aren't popular. Don Mclean also has these fun inflections on how to sings that really stand out in all of his songs. I'll be coming back to this one
One of the greatest sing-along songs of all time to lead off, unfortunately that is the peak of this album. The rest is a bit more down beat americana folk music. He has a decent voice but I don't think the songwriting is the greatest out there. This is not an album I would consider must hear.
It’s a masterful album full of heart and wonder and great story telling. Don has such a smooth melodic voice and he’s clearly been expertly recorded with often minimal instrumentation just to augment his voice which does it all. His songs contain such rich and tragic stories and his wordplay and turn of phrase is unmatched. The two well known ones are obvious standouts here but many others worth a listen. Best listened to on a high quality stereo in a relatively dark room but with enough light to read the lyrics so you can fully appreciate the poetic storytelling.
One of the best of all time
I knew that title track is a big thing, but haven't heared it until now and see that it's totally deserves the praise! The other songs are very good too, but I just with there would be more dynamics with more louder stuff... Still I'm sure I will return to this stuff
Best to address the elephant in the room right away: this album is HARD carried by the title song. "American Pie" has an almost mythic quality to it. It is an astonishingly good song: the melody, the chords, the arrangement, the performance, and, of course, the genius lyrics. The song is a literal modern epic, poetry that is both listenable and expresses so much with relatively limited space. It sets the standard for storytelling songs of the era, that's how good it is. Now, onto the rest. It's not bad in the slightest. It is beautiful folk/singer-songwriter, with quality lyrics, chords, and melodies all throughout. But it is painfully overshadowed by the eponymous track. The rest is still worth a listen, but it won't strike you as special after you finish the first track.
What a pretty album. I was happy to revisit the title track and pleasantly surprised when I recognized Vincent - a song I only became aware of just recently while going down a rabbit hole of songs written about famous figures. I listened to the album over and over during the day and appreciated the melancholy and thoughtful lyrics. While I didn’t have time to do a deep dive it felt there was meaning behind each song and as a whole the album was really pleasant to listen to.
Enjoyed this.
Liked this folky album, and Don McLean has a great voice and vibe.
Other than the title track, a bit dull isn't it?
= the Beatles Opening song is an all timer. The rest is good to fine
3.5.
No es mi género favorito pero me gustó. Si no fuera por esta propuesta jamás lo hubiera escuchado ni averiguado que en este disco está la versión original de American Pie, que popularizó Madonna.
A roommate played this a lot in my youth and I grew to love it. The standouts are well-known - the title track and “Vincent” - but I think all the tunes are superior singer-songwriter fair. I added “Everybody Loves Me Baby” to my playlist for something a little different.
American Pie is the best song on this and it’s not a song I ever want to hear again.
Couple of good as ones with fillers
Rolige singer-songwriter/folk tunes av herr McLean. Tittellåta har alle og deres mor hørt, og den er bra. Utover det, er det en håndfull helt ålreite, nedpå melodier. Ikke interessant nok til å få noe mer enn tre stjerner. Top 3: American Pie, Vincent, Winterwood
I really enjoyed this. Folk music via pop/rock, and with some of the strings that permeated 70s country. McLean has a lovely voice, and while I didn't pay close attention to the lyrics, he felt very sincere and honest in what he was singing. Had the album been more full-band in its arrangements (about half was solely guitar/vocals), I may have bumped it up in its rating. Very happy to have heard this. Now if I could just get these Star Wars lyrics out of my head...
Charming, and with a lot to say. I dont think its the reinvention of music, and some of them dont hit, but it has fun, depth, a point of view and ambition and that is enough for me to enjoy
Great first song and rest are meh
Wonderful (especially "Vincent")!
Normallement, je donnerais un 3 parce que c'est pas mauvais. Alors c'est ce que je vais faire.
Encore un bon exemple d'une toune qui mérite d'être entendue une fois. Pas l'album au complet. Quand 36 minutes feel comme 1 heure, y'a un problème.
WELL WELL WELL if it isn’t old Donny. One of my most controversial opinions which I always receive a slew of hate for is that I truly believe Madonna’s version of American Pie is superior to his original (Sorry white boys on karaoke) This album came at a good time, a reflective Sunday, walking back home, the wind graced me and decided to stop, or maybe I was just blanketed by this album? Particular highlights were Vincent, Crossroads and Winterwood. Tracks to listen by yourself with the lights down low sipping a tea, or in love. And back to the titular track: I hate to say it, but I may have changed my mind. The original occupies an important place in and of itself (still not discounting Madonna’s version altogether though). This and Everybody Loves me Baby had me dancing around the kitchen singing a long. Overall, a pleasant surprise.
Don McLean – American Pie (1971) On Day 126, I sat down with a true classic of the singer-songwriter era. The album is great, to be fair, offering a great look at the loss of innocence in American culture. Unlike some of the lazy folk vocals I've encountered, the performance here is clear. "American Pie" and "Vincent" were obvious standouts, but I also really connected with the conscious feel of "Till Tomorrow" and the "levitating" finish of "Babylon." It’s a decent and consistent body of work that hits the right notes without being boring, but it settles comfortably as a very strong 4/5.
boomer sentimentality
Pleasant enough album, containing as it does the well known title track and Vincent.
Blew his load on the very first track, and it was all downhill and a boring slog for the rest of it.
American Pie is a good song. The rest of the album fails to live up to that song's greatness.
Man this dude writes some sad songs. I will always love American Pie for being a great song and inspiring me to actually listen to the lyrics and look up the history it is based on. The Grave reminds me of Billy Joel’s Goodnight Saigon. Solid album overall.
This is an album full of beautiful and well written songs. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: n/a Best Songs American Pie Vincent Empty Chairs Sister Fatima Babylon
El día que esta lista murió.
A clássica, não poderia faltar. Digo que Don McLean é o mestre quando se trata de música triste com refrões que vivem no imaginário popular, mesmo que não conheçam diretamente, por algum motivo. O que torna o álbum extraordinário e atemporal pois, mesmo não tendo lembrança de ter escutado uma música ( que não fosse a faixa título) eu sei como começa e termina apenas cantarolando algumas partes. Dispara entre gerações e o verdadeiro motivo do disco foi uma história que imagino que poucos lembram, indo do ponto de partida de 3 de fevereiro de 1959, onde grandes exemplos para os jovens da época morreram em um trágico acidente de avião, onde tinha Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens e The Big Popper, “The day that music died”. As músicas que em maioria são cantadas em voz e violão dão a lembrança de música de acampamento onde tem agitação em um canto ritmado, pra faixas que o pessimismo toma conta com a preocupação do futuro da cultura, com uma melancolia particular e compreensível com o passar dos anos. As músicas favoritas deste são: “American Pie”, “Till Tomorrow”, “Vincent” e “Babylon”. Um disco memorável que entra pra minha tabelinha imaginária de “Orgulhos Norte Americanos” me fez refletir enquanto escutava, e imaginar um ambiente totalmente delulu. Que seria o seguinte: Um acampamento porém dentro de um seleiro com luzinhas amarelas e cobertores no chão com fenos onde, pessoas estão sentadas, cantando as músicas do álbum American Pie, junto de Don McLean com seu violão, no centro. Isso me trás um sentimento de coletividade e apoio, da mesma forma que esse álbum me trouxe.
Tudelad. Nej, det är absolut inte dåligt men det är inte jättekul heller?! En del låtar är magiska som American Pie (självklart!) och Vincent, även Till Tomorrow men resten är lite samma. Hans röst är fin men allt blir lite tråkigt i längden. Men fint album.
Good oldie but mildly puts me to sleep after song 1
La definición de languidez. Se nota que hay buena música, pero no es para mí lamentablemente.
The title track is probably one of the greatest songs of all time, but other tracks like Vincent, The Grave, and Till Tomorrow were fantastic. Solid 4
He sings well enough, better than most. He had an astronomical hit, possibly two. The rest of the album is ok, but leagues ahead of other shit we’ve listened to.
Not bad, crazy move having an atomic bomb as your first track, then a crying baby for the rest of the runtime
Vincent was good and so was American pie (obvs) but I didn’t have enough time yesterday to give this a proper go so will have to come back to it 3
The title tracks definitely brings this one up a few stars, everything after just isn’t as good, but I did find some enjoyment.
This album is kinda like a group project in college. Where one person does all the work (willingly or accidentally) because everything besides American Pie are not pulling their weight. Not duds. Just not enough. Nothing outwardly wrong with this album. Don's voice is great for recording and for the airways. The guitar and piano melodies are rich and the production value was oh so high. But besides American Pie, Im hard pressed to find a song I like on this.
It has a strong sense of traditional American rock, with simple arrangements and a clear focus on melody and storytelling. However, it feels a bit boring to me.
Once I got past the cheesy and long "American Pie", the rest of the album was a salve for the soul. "The Grave" was beautifully haunting and "Vincent" was a particularly gorgeous piece. I love Glen Campbell and I could hear McLean's tone & musicality hat influenced Campbell in this album. Immediately replayed after the album finished.
Honestly better than I thought it would be. We all know American Pie and most know Vincent, but the rest was both listenable and relatable - if a little depressing. 3+
Just for the first song
Very good album. Combines Rock N' Roll with folk music. The title track is the most well-known, but the other tracks on this album are very good as well. Very underrated songs. The piano melodies with the acoustic guitar where very good and pleasant to listen to.
Now, this one I know. A great album.
Meh.
The A side is surprisingly moving, but the B side fails to match the emotional weight. Still strong, but I wanted just a bit more.
Pretty generic folk other than, of course, American Pie. Not bad, just not anything special.
I didn’t want to be sad, so went into it not in the best headspace, but the poetry behind some of these lyrics was devastating ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Highlights: “everybody loves me, baby” “empty chairs” “Vincent”
Overrated song turned into an album.