American Pie

In Conclusione: Anche questo album lo conoscevo già perché apprezzavo già alcuni pezzi come Babylon, Vincent o The Grave. Poi vabbè penso che American Pie l'abbiamo già sentita tutti. Pure questo album secondo me risente un po' del peso dei suoi tempi, capisco l'impronta folk ma a tratti mi fa un po' troppo bob dylan che me devi per forza fare la storia bittersweet di disillusione americana. Diciamo che quando va sull'allegorico/popolare vero tipo Babylon secondo me dà il meglio di sé ma spesso sconfina un po' nel melenso. Mi ha colpito anche che il modo di cantare ha dei rimandi ai cantanti degli anni '50. Il suono non mi è dispiaciuto, sicuramente apprezzo più il sound anni '70 che quello '80. Diciamo che c'è talento ma è un po' troppo modaiolo.

Ho apprezzato la delicatezza dell'arrangiamento specialmente nell'uso dell'hammond. Non è uno stile con cui connetto particolarmente ma comunque è stata un'esperienza piacevole.

Alright, so - I still like the title song a lot. I always have, since I was a kid. I don't know if it actually means anything, but it sure sounds like it does! And the song 'Everybody Loves Me, Baby' is pretty great, too. The other songs didn't really get me, but they didn't turn me off and I kind of loved the sound of the album, the acoustic guitar and all that. So this one I liked purty good.

A classic.

Fine collection of songs overwhelmed by the title track.

Iconic

Mediocre

Never could get into Don's music

Mindestens zwei Songs für die Ewigkeit

Ein paar Welthits, der Rest war meist solide.

some songs there from Don. not offensive, probably not going to bother with that album again though.

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

Not a big fan of Americana, quite boring

Very good

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

A nice mellow album. I enjoyed it.

classic symbolic storytelling with a great hook

At the 1971 Grammy Awards, Don McLean performed Vincent, a lachrymose ballad about an artist (Vincent Van Gogh) who commits suicide because he's too good for this world. As a self-centered, self-aggrandizing, and self-pitying pre-adolescent, the song struck a chord with me. Now it offends me. People don't kill themselves to make a point--they kill themselves because they're in pain. That song is representative of the basic vibe of American Pie, the album, as opposed to the single. Don McLean's lyrics are pretentious, sanctimonious, self-pitying, stilted, and basically full of shit. McLean has a strong voice, but he uses it in a sentimental way that strips any true emotion from his songs. It's as if McLean doesn't trust his audience to come to their own conclusions but rather is determined to tell them what to feel. Musically, the playing is competent enough, but the arrangements and performances are forced and unnatural in keeping with McLean's agenda. Thankfully, there is one standout from the album, the title cut. I think what saves it from the sins of the rest of the album is that McLean is celebrating something from the past instead of simply castigating the world for essentially moving on without him. American Pie, the song, is engaging because McLean's passion informs his performance. There's energy to spare in the song, real emotion, and it's quite tuneful as well. So, how to rate? 1.5 stars for the title cut, 0 stars for the rest.

4.0 Classic.

I'm bettin' this is gonna be more Blah Old White Guy Music. Folk is really not my bag. At Song #2/10, I'm thinking this might be a 1/5. WAAAAAAAY too fringe-jacket-and-round-sunglasses-playing-guitar-on-the-lawn for me! Ick. Triple ick. So much hippie-ness. I'm feeling bad that I want to give it a 1, but really, a 2 would be charity. Not my bag.

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.

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-

Prove me wrong: American Pie is spoken word with a backing band. Vincent is another hit, love this song, beautiful, just as good as American pie if not better. A lot of nice songs here, relaxing, folksy, nothing really standing out other than Vincent and American Pie though. 3

Don McLean is a two-hit wonder. Overall boring, simple album with a couple moments of genius.

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

I had a right good snore up to this. Fucked me right off. Right, I'm off to guzzle a gallon of Guinness in a beer garden. Ta-ra.

Of course there's the classic single at the head of this, great track that really hasn't worn on me despite hearing it on the radio all the time. I haven't heard the rest of the album though. Wtf this is beautiful. I always assumed that American Pie was the most mellow of the tracks, but it seems its actually the most upbeat of the tracks. Vincent is lovely, albeit heartbreaking. These songs may run together a little towards the end, and the album loses some pace, but don's got a very nice voice, and some really nice folk story like telling of mid 70s America.

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

More 70s gold. I bet Robert Plant's favourite is 'Everybody Loves me, Baby'. Absolute baby botherer.

That one song everyone loves then a load of other less good songs sounding a bit like the one song everyone loves.

Thought I would enjoy this more than I did. Used to like American Pie (the track). Reminds me of a road trip round Ireland when I was a kid and rinsing it on my sisters Walkman. But it’s a bit boring now as was the rest of the album

A couple of classics on here. Couldn’t really pick any of the other songs out of a lineup, but was a nice listen.

Quite a sombre album that seems to reflect a changing mood in society/music between the 60s and the 70s. Not an artist or a style of music I'm massively into, but I can recognise the merit and the popularity of American Pie and Vincent. Having said that, I'd rather listen to NOFX's cover of Vincent than the original. 6/10

Solid 3 from me. A couple of classics and the rest of the album had some good folk tunes on it. Hadn't heard American Pie in years so was great to revisit that song as well.

A high 2 but still a 2 innit. Some nice songs but a fair few which passed me by too

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

Loved American Pie! Beautiful lyrics and guitar. But after 3 rd song I lost interest. I need more switch up to love a whole album.

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.

Not that into the folk thing

Apart from the 2,very well known, hits on this album it felt dated and mawkish- sorry

It was alright. "American Pie" is actually not the best song on the album.

Very samey

American Pie is and has always been an American classic. I feel like no matter how long its been since you've heard it, when it comes on everyone knows like half of those lyrics. I was surprised with the tone of the rest of the album. Aside from "Everybody Loves Me Baby," which was a bop, and a great tongue in cheek send up to imperialism. The rest of the songs felt very somber though. I loved his tribute to Van Gogh on, "Vincent," and closing with "The Grave," playing into "Babylon," made me feel like I died and was floating down the river Styx. Overall this album was just a collection of some decent, very pretty folk songs carried on the back of an American staple.

2 great tracks and the rest is kind of meh

Lululuuuuu

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

Auf jeden Fall schonmal Punkte kriegt er für den klassisch-schönen Singer-Songwriter-Gesang, der (Ausnahme und dafür kleiner Abzug) ohne Mittelalter-Folkismen oder theatralischen Emoquatsch auskommt (Falsett oder Tremolodramatik, brrh). Ansonsten pendelt das für mich zwischen nicht unangenehm langweilig, angenehm langweilig, lustig (bei Everybody Loves Me, Baby musste ich wirklich lachen) und schön. Zweite Hälfte Mother Nature und das auf Nick Drake gemachte Aftermath gefallen mir gut (wenn der mal im Original kommt, kündige ich schonmal 5 Punkte an), American Pie find ich nen schönen Song und kulturell spannend. Was soll ich sagen? 2,9 sind drin.

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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.

Difficult to look at the biggies on this platter with any sense of objectivity. 'Vincent' sounds sweet, yes, but there's a dorkiness to McLean that forbids me from taking him too seriously. He just sounds a bit...wet. Pleasant stuff, nothing more

We all know the title track on this one. I will say, I knew Weird Al's version more than this one but thanks to Rock Band I was introduced more fully to it. I wasn't a huge fan of this album. Comparatively to what we have been getting there is nothing exciting in this album to me. Just a man playing guitar talking about Americana. I do enjoy American Pie but it's also 8 minutes long (feeling about twice as long as Black Sabbath's longest if you catch my drift). The album cover could possibly be sued by Marvel as they looks identical to Captain America's suit.

American Pie is a perennial bop. Vincent is a tear jerker. This whole album is sad! Babylon is a choral piece.

Bah, pretty ignorable

2/5

Great iconic songs but a bit inconsistent. Overall good sound and pleasant listen, but the songs don’t stand out all the way.

Some solid Americana, only really liked the title track though

1971, folk, folk Rock, ist gut

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

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”

American pie is the highlight, pretty clear why he’s a one hit wonder. Great song though

Some good songs here, but overall kinda mediocre.

A mostly instrumental album with a vibrant mix between psychodelic and eerie.

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.

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

Good folk rock sound. Slight Paul Simon vibes

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

I was familiar with a lot, but it's not my favorite?

love the long version of American Pie. The rest of the album is somewhat forgettable.

Better than I expected!

Well, I liked this more than I anticipated. I don’t know how much that’s actually saying, because I was 1000% dreading this. But I liked nearly every song more than I like “American Pie,” which I will count as a victory. Anybody else remember that great moment in an episode of MAD MEN where they used “Babylon?” If for no other reason than that, 5 stars. Okay, two.

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Found a lost gem 💕

american pie is fun but the rest are just country folk songs which is not my jam

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

This album was better than I expected. Very mellow and aged well. A couple of songs at the end were pretty bad.

As close to a 5/5 that I've heard so far. Stellar opener that leads into such a varied, interesting, and emotional album. There's only a few songs on here that didn't really sell me on them. Still, stellar.

Ok, pretty similar sounding songs

Woe is the album that opens with a song as epic and legendary as American Pie. What do you follow it with? It's like they weren't even trying - mostly slow ballads that felt pale after the AP roller coaster. "Winterwood" caught my attention somewhat, and "Everybody Loves Me, Baby was fun but sounded like an attempt at AP part 2.

The title track is still so fucking good, and much of this record is pretty good. But it drags and by the end I'm tuning out.

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

Was alright

why was the first song 8 minutes long and the rest 2 minutes. for what

Best redelijk

Nice lots of piano

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.

Another first track that everyone knows well, definitely heard this many many times so It's hard to objectively rate it. It's obviously a great song, but I am curious how the rest of the album will fare, not sure I've heard any of them. Oh guess I've heard Vincent. I remember when we got Napster and my dad downloaded a bunch of mp3s and I remember him listening to this song and singing along... wow memories. It's quite simple guitar folk overall, not bad. Kind of quaint, his voice is very pure and plain, there is a certain appeal to that.

Dom som gillar visor och så vidare älskar den här skiten. Jag är inte en som älskar visor. Men detta är välskriven musik, fattar att albumet är på listan. Sjunger fint. Men inte för mig.

Good. Best song is Vincent

Do not like

The only reason this is getting more than 1 star is because of the song "Vincent"

lovely and relaxing

Ugh. Schmaltz. Dull.

The title song is good but overall not my cuppa tea

Didn't really do much for me. Do McLean is just a one hit wonder, and that's how it will always be. I'm not an American Pie hater though, that song has its place.

bleh

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

Really chill album

4-4.5. This album suits a sunrise.

4.5/5

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.

boring

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.

I mean songs namesake a banger frfr. Then it’s like some sad suicide victim lament until the weirdest tone shift with Everybody loves me... like idk how I feel. Overall mellow chill vibes that blend together

hard carried by vincent and american pie though

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

Well, hmm. Not sure. Obv the title track is a classic, and I'm a big fan of Everybody Loves Me, Baby, but the majority leaves me cold. I do like the end songs, so it bumps up to a slight 3.

A simple album of ballads, driven by piano and acoustic guitar. In that, it's reminiscent of Billy Joel, who I see is up next. I find Don's voice less hammy and his overall presentation more believable. Every song is pleasant. The whole project is, in many ways, forgettable, but it achieves its emotional goal I think: I was a bit choked up for the full forty minuets. Babylon is a wonderful closer, and has the most interesting instrumentation. The only flaw is that it's too short.

1971. Key Songs: American Pie, Vincent

easy listening! don't know if i'd go back to it but it was nice to put on while i was doing work. "starry night" was my favorite.

A few good songs, but not a lot stuck out to me

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.

I did not find anything special about this album, it was fine.