Reviews (page 4 of 7)
Thoughts before listening: I'm pretty sure I once owned this album. I'm also pretty sure I thought it was slow and boring. Perhaps age will have changed my mind. Review: This is fine. There are certainly some moments that grab my attention, but for the most part this is a little dull. Definitely a slow burn for most of these songs and some get more interesting the longer they go on. My favorite parts are when the horns kick in on some of these songs. Ultimately, this is a perfectly fine alt-country album that has a few highlights but never really rises to the heights of their contemporaries i.e. Wilco or Son Volt. 3-stars
Nice calm Sunday morning drive
Completely new band and album for me. Bit of a duff name Lambchop especially for an American band from Tennessee. Thought a lambchop was very much an English delicacy. That aside the album had a bit of everything in it so chapeau to that. Was wondering what Wiki described as countrypolitan was. So now I know but i do sometimes have to laugh what lengths some people go to when trying to describe a genre of music. An enjoyable hour spent listening but probably something I will not readily return to. 3/5 15/6/25
Little short but not bad.
Sorry, I just don't have time for this.
I have never really listened to Lambchop. I was aware they existed and was under the impression they were something to do with Wilco but apparently not. This is primarily indie-country in feel although there is a mix of styles which works sometimes, others is a bit of a mess: country-ish, Philly soul, new wave (Joe Jackson), and strings. Singer, Kurt Wagner's voice is fragile and almost disappears when he tries falsetto. His falsetto is terrible. Some of the otherwise musically fine songs sound like the vocals have been demoed for other singers. Unlikely to listen to this again although it wasn't unpleasant. At least it reminded me that it has been a while since I listened to (the completely unrelated) Wilco and Uncle Tupelo...
Probably would have benefitted from a second listen
Pretty mellow, chill rock
"The Old Gold Shoe" -- sounds like low-volume YLT ("Our Way to Fall" maybe?). Syrupy in a not-too-bad way Production, engineering sounds great. This dude's voice is not my bag (which is why I avoided listening to it when it came out). Strangely felt a little like David Bowie's Blackstar at points -- maybe it's the clean production. But without jazz influence.
Had not heard of Lambchop before, so I’m not sure what I expected but this wasn’t it. Kind of reminded me of Father John Misty or some of the more ballad like Arctic Monkeys songs. I’m not sure the songwriting gets to the level of Alex Turner or FJM but it feels like something one has to listen to a few times to really get.
2.5 Up and down on this one, started strong and ended strong, middle was a bit of a slog
I think I grew to kinda like this record. Or more so grew to not hate it haha, I don’t really love it all too much but off my first listen I was not into this much at all. Giving it a lot more chances though I found some parts of this album that were great and I quite enjoyed.
Lushly orchestrated and mellow (small r) rock. This album doesn't really jump out at you with hooks or catchy melodies - it's more like a warm breeze or a cool stream that's continuously flowing. Ease yourself into it and relax. Best Tracks: Grumpus; Up With People; What Else Could It Be
Pretty smooth - good to listen to while finishing off an assignment
This was my first encounter with Lambchop. It was... pleasant but fairly forgettable. I found the singer's voice comforting, though.
5/14/25. Country isn’t my favorite genre, but I always like diving into alternative country! Really enjoyed the vocal performance and string arrangements.
Music was kinda ok, kept waiting for a more upbeat song and it just never came. After reading the band's bio I was definitely not expecting strings and vibraphone. Giving a second listen (with headphones) because technically I should like this and I feel like I'm missing something.
its like if brit rock met country western folk music. its not bad, nice string section, its like looking over a vista in the old west as the sun rises and touches everything, ready for a long day on horseback. its just gentle all around, maybe a little too much.
Not the biggest fan of the singer’s singing style
Recognise the cover not the music. Lent this from a friend when came out, seems never gave it back but until today never listened to it either. Well on hearing, it’s strengths are its weaknesses, it’s chill and relaxing, the essence of smooth pop, country soul Easy-listening, but does little to and can see why people have said bland. Personal found it a Pleasant listen to be doing nothing, if not particularly anything memorable other than the chill feeling. 3 Star
Well, I wasn't expecting this kind of music by a band called Lambchop. A lot of the album was dreamy, some was smooth seventies soul, there was some Leonard Cohen inspiration, some of it sounded like a movie score, the falsetto reminded me of Prince, and the album title is after Richard Nixon. All of this makes for a weird album that was somehow cohesive? I didn't hate it and was intrigued.
The country pop side of the record was pretty good, but the falsetto parts grated a bit too much. For anyone interested in massively different takes on the same song, try comparing "Butcher Boy" off this record to "Lankum - Go Dig my Grave". When I realised it was the same song I had a little chuckle to myself.
Didn't speak to me
I kinda liked it. Never heard of 'em. Weird at first, not crazy about the guys voice, but it grew on me. Even went to listen to other albums of theirs. Will be back!
Chillovo
This album is yet more evidence that I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, or music based on the band name. I don’t know why but this isn’t at all what I was expecting from a band called Lambchop. I was fairly indifferent for most of this album, but I enjoyed Up with People, the Petrified Florist, and Butcher Boy. Probably not enough to ever revisit this album though. Favourite tracks: Up with People, the Petrified Florist, the Butcher Boy
There are parts of this I like a lot, but the. The falsetto comes in
Definitely an innovative and dynamic album. I appreciated the variance between serenity and chaos. While I appreciate many aspects of it, it's not really my thing.
It's not bad but it's not buttering my parsnips
6/10 - It was pretty relaxing but was also quite repetitive. I think it did a nice job making the atmosphere. I could feel myself sitting around a campfire or on a porch swing listening to someone play this song
Pretty chill. Music was fine
This was really interesting - I'm not really sure it knows what it wants to be. Some tracks I was really into the instrumentation but not really the melodies. At times it felt like a light folk record. Then at times it felt like it wanted to be this soul r&b groove. I like all of that - but I don't really think this record had a 'consistent voice'. Not great - but not awful. A fine album to listen to on my commute in!
Soft och skönt.
Plätschert so dahin, viel Streicherbegleitung.
Disco buena ondita.
Ummm not sure what all the fuss was about with this, it's alright but kinda just background noise. Mid 3.
It was interesting album, I enjoyed it. However it's not a style of music I am use too.
I usually hate talk-singing, but it definitely depends on the music that type of "vocals" are paired with. This guy gets away with it. The music is chill and the talk-singing couples decently. But would I revisit any of this? Nah. "Butcher Boy" definitely should not have been the ending track. "Yeah let's put the most anxiety inducing track that seemingly finishes very abruptly at the end of a mostly chill, relaxing album." That made me almost bump the rating down to two.
So much potential ruined by god-awful singing. The jazzy style with strings and horns on top got me going. Then the dude opens his mouth. Who Could It Be could be an incredible track. I was literally laughing at his singing. What a shame.
Subtle
Completely unexceptional.
Generally a pleasant album. I liked the staccato cadence of the first song. In fact, the first song was my favorite song. Everything after felt a bit samey, and I didn’t love the falsetto.
I've been meaning to get round to listening to this for years, now I finally have but was a bit underwhelmed. Probably takes a few listens to really get why it's so acclaimed but on first listen not much stood out for me.
Stopped after 3 songs, because I know where it is going... Nowhere. Meandering around and simply boring... Definition of background music. Extremely meh, middle of the road. Well produced, but not a single edge... Already forgotten after T-5 minutes...
Good production, good arrangements, not so good songs, and a little boring, but enough variety to deserve 3 stars
Easy enough listen but nothing stood out. Did not care for the vocal style either.
Cool, lofi, and unique.
Didn’t like it’s one at all on the first listen but it grew on me with a second listen. Start and end were quite good though it did still dip in the middle.
Not really sure what it is about this album that I like but I do. Maybe it’s another one of those underdogs that I latch onto? The production is tight and the vocals generally fit the music, but it fails to kick on.
A solid, interesting, varied, rock album.
A turn of the century chamber pop album that seems to have slipped out of the mainstream consciousness - and for good reason it seems. It's good, yes, but I don't see how this was so praised upon its' release.
Enjoyable, would return to learn more about lambchop and their other albums
Enjoyable 3/5
Entspannter wholesome Country-Rock
Not a terrible listen...just pretty boring.
Some nice songs like Nashville Parents but for the rest I'd say its just background music. Nothing really to remember here
All over the place genre wise def interesting with some decent tunes. 3.5
Smooth, gentle (chamber?) pop, with a little southern lean (slide steel)
Not sure but I listened to it all
romcom zene, a háttérben elmegy de nem hiszem hogy gyakran beraknám magamtól, vannak azért jobb trackek
Kedvenc/Favourite: Up with People Volt egy fura, jólesően szomorkás hangulata, ami eléggé tetszett. A legtöbb szám sajna elég hasonló, de van pár kiemelkedően jó közte. Nekem kicsit az az érzésem, hogy annyira azért nem jó ez a hangzás, hogy ennyi ilyen hosszú számot érdemeljen, de el tudom képzelni, hogy van, aki nagyon szereti. It had a strange, comfortingly sad vibe, which I quite liked. Most of the songs are unfortunately quite similar, but there are some outstandingly good ones in there. I kind of get the feeling that this soundscape isn't quite good enough to justify so many long songs, but I can imagine that some people really enjoy it.
I want to like it. I'm not sure about the falsetto and the general tweeness of the music. Not terrible.
Lambchop could easily be someone's favorite niche band. The twists and turns in their back catalogue providing enough interesting nooks and crannies to explore — songs, albums and eras in the oeuvre to debate and draw lines of distinction across...lyrics to plumb the depths of — that sort of thing. Maybe they edge out Giant Sand for one person or Mercury Rev for another. Or, maybe the listener of Nixon just can't seem to latch on to them and the album just sort of slides by, remaining a little too cloaked in the corners, a bit angled in ungraspable ways...or maybe a bit meh in their mind. Turning this record over and over I can't say which it is for me today.
3 stars
This is alright.
3 stars for the great voice. 2 stars for the album. I couldn't get into it. Some songs were ok, the others just felt sad and not like there was much variety. Probably wouldn't listen to Lambchop again.
I like the general alt-folk/rock sound. Reminds me of Wilco. The only song I really got into is the intro track: "The Old Gold Shoe". I semi got into "The Distance From Her To There" but I don't love the singer going falsetto there. In the rest of the songs I liked the orchestration (some slide guitar, some horns, etc) but the songs themselves were so so.
the first song was super cool but then the rest of the album didn’t live up to it. a lot of the meandering sameness and he sometimes sung in this terrible falsetto for whole songs which was a very bad choice.
Light 6 to strong 7, need to listen a bit more for it to click. I like the sound, but it's not very interesting.
Not bad, but nothing stood out
This one was up and down for me. Some were really pretty, relaxing and chill while others tried but the pieces didn't all come together. Sometimes that might have been related to the fact that the album was more an art piece then radio music. I tried to refocus my lenses on how I interpreted and enjoyed the music. I can pick out the reasons for some of the parts I enjoyed less (Falsetto in You Masculine You) and appreciate the artistic value. The music was very aethereal against some darker themes, which made for some hauntingly beautiful melodies. Overall it wasn't my thing, but there were some nice moments and I can appreciate the value it brings to the musical world.
Most of this album is a smooth dreamy groove with washy country slide guitars and happy vibes with occasional horns to brighten things up. It's a good album to get high and think about life to. The lyrics are poetically interesting and give me more of a folk artist feel. Overall it's a little slow for my speed. What Else Could it Be is a little more up beat but I'm not a big fan of his falsetto singing. Especially on The Distance from Her to There (sorry he sounds like Miss Piggy). I like that they change up the mood with the last two songs but it's kind of too little too late because it just makes them feel tacked on and doesn't really go with the vibe of the rest of the album.
They sound like a far less dynamic version of Mercury Rev, a band from the same time period. This is pleasant, sunny day music to chill to on a long leisurely drive, or to sit with a drink in the park on a warm quiet evening. Nothing really stands out except for the chill vibes. I’m ok with that. I’ll note as well that with this project, I’m noticing that Apple Music only offers the extended reissue versions of many albums. I’m not interested in anything further than the original album for a band I’m not familiar with so I won’t be listening to extras unless I fall in love with an album. This album is originally 49 minutes, but the reissue puts it at 74.
Great for elevators and falling asleep.
nice. But not wow.
Chill music. Can run in the background quite nicely. Sometimes a bit slow
Cool album. Liked the mixture of genres.
I liked the music, really would benefit from a better vocalist
Middle of the road. Not over or underwhelming. Appropriately whelming.
Guy with a buttery sing/speaking voice tries to convince you he can hit those high notes. He sounds like the He-Man meme song when he attempts the high notes. Really kind of rips you out of the songs when he is singing/speaking normally and randomly cuts to high notes. Amazing instrumentals.. HIGH NOTES! 6/10
There are a surprisngly large number of these indie / country hybrid albums. This is a fine album, though it isn't particularly stand out at anything. I enjoyed listening through it, with my favorite being Up With People. The music is calm, but repetative. A bit refreshing after a couple of punk albums in a row, though not sure when I will be back for it.
This grew on me
Very cool but got a little boring.
What a strange album--or I guess I should say unexpected, but in a good way. I'm not sure I've ever heard of Lambchop, let alone heard any of their songs. Kurt Wagner's style and voice is vaguely reminiscent of the Magnetic Fields, or maybe the mellower sounds of Pulp, but not in an imitative way. I didn't listen as carefully to the lyrics as I probably should have, but I can tell there's a lot going on in the songs, and I enjoyed the experience overall. The only tracks that stood out were "You masculine you" (not a fan of the falsetto, although it's much more tolerable on the somewhat more hard-hitting "What else could it be?"), the video for "Up with people" (pretty much the only direct reference to Richard Nixon, and a super creepy mouth-overlay making it seem like Nixon was singing the song during some (presumably disastrous) press conference), and the darker and more rock-oriented end to the album with "The petrified florist" and "The butcher boy". On the whole, I pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the album as much as I did, despite what would otherwise seem *way* too far along the easy-listening spectrum than I'd prefer. (In that sense it reminds me of Ween's "country" album.)
Not a bad relaxing album. It would be so easy to just sit back and chill to this.
3.5
This was decent. A nice mellow listen. Not memorable enough for four stars, but better than I expected.
This was pretty. Really relaxed and mellow. Lots of little nuances. Very clever. Not pretentious. Just really nice music, genuinely well made. The second half I could live without, but the first half is very nice. 3/5
What a bizarre album. Can't say I liked or hated it. It just sort of exists. I'm not sure why this was popular in the UK either. I'd rather listen to Jens Lekman.
Musically it was very vibey and just kinda floated in the background. Didn't really do anything for me either way. His voice however was just plain bad. Did. Not. Like. Did not remind me of Cohen the way his voice sounded but the lyrics sure did. Most of it was poetry-esq nonsense that felt like he was trying too hard to be mysterious and deep. It was just stupid. Don't know why this was on the list.
Sometimes I feel that rating on one listen might not be fair to the artist. If I have never heard them then at first blush, it is difficult depending on my mood. This selection is prototypical... I am in the mood for upbeat/punk aggressive and this is not it. It is melodical and smooth. I will need to come back and re-listen.
Kinda passed me by without much fanfare. Not what i was expecting at all but not really my bag.
Not entirely sure what this is. Mellow. Lounge music. Very monotone. But not unappealing.
Music was playing! It was (with kindness) nothing :)
I've never listened to Lambchop before, but they've been recommended to me by several people so I'm excited to get into this. This was nice, I was expecting more of an alt country sound so I was surprised by the lounge and soul vibes that kept popping up.
soft
Nice if somewhat short mix
I'm not a fan of the singer, especially his falsetto and when it's almost spoken word. I enjoy the instrumentation though. It's quite nice.
6.5/10
5.5/10 Feels like the kind of album I would hate, but I don't. It's pleasant enough and goes in all kinds of directions that aren't quite as boring as the mellow sounds and raspy vocals would suggest. Highlights: Petrified Florist Butcher Boy The Old Gold Shoe
I liked it alright enough but I don't think it belongs on the list
This would be a pretty cool album without one of the most irritating singers I've ever heard in my life
3.3 bit forgetful
This was a decent vibe I suppose, if not a little forgettable. Simpsons: No
Solid fine album. Didn’t pay too much attention but I enjoyed the bits I did tune into
Pretty good but not fitting my vibe right now. Would have loved it on the day it was scheduled probably
Bit boring
A little repetitive... But good chill vibes shit. Grumpus was a song I really liked before but it feels like an early peak in the album. 2.6
This is exactly what I think of when I see the words "countrypolitan" and "chamber pop".
Didn't care much for the first song but Grumpus is groovy. Also really loving Up With People. This started out really solid but kinda fell by the wayside along the way. Still had its high moments but the voice got super boring after awhile.
Idc
Surprised by this. More chill than expected.
Easy going, feels like dad music. As in it's a dad making music
Interesting. I think I like it.
Not a bad album.
I am in need of a very chill vibe right now so this started out on a high note for me. It was like a more modern day easy listening. And then it got weird. Giving it a 3 though cause of the vibe I needed.
Sounds like Pink Floyd, Nick Cave, and Elvis had an orgy with a church choir and this band was comprised of the offspring and influences of that. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but I'm also not saying that's a good thing. In fact, it's very possible that listening to this music may prevent future offspring of any kind due to being pretty boring, which usually invites sleep instead of procreation. It is important to note, I am also not saying is a bad or good thing on its own.
Hints of Nick Cave, Elbow and maybe Cohen. Quite twee and gentle. Nothing offensive. Just not really my cuppa tea.
It was pretty good. The singer’s voice sounded uncomfortably strained at times and it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea overall, but still good.
This is certainly one of the albums i've listened to. As album 1007 I have nothing else to say. It certainly is an album.
I had zero expectations and it was actually an ok album with a nce voice.
This was my first exposure to Lambchop and I almost bailed on the first song, mostly due to Kurt Wagner's drab vocals and somewhat sparse instrumentation, but luckily I stuck around for the second track. Grumpus is a nice bit of life added to this album after the snoozefest of The Old Gold Shoe. You Masculine You ends up being a bit of a cross between the first 2 tracks with very so-so vocals, but far more engaging arrangements (great melody, but the soft falsetto was distracting and ultimately just meh). So all that said, you can pretty much get a feel for this whole album in the first 3 tracks. Solid arrangements with beautiful strings and other accompaniment topped with dull vocals. I feel like this album would have been more enjoyable with a different singer. I guess 3/5?
This artist is Cat Stevens meets Remmy Shand. It was a decent listen. Some cool vocal choices: interesting alto and falcetto vocals. Nothing too crazy. But it was enjoyable.
This is a strange one, but I'm into it.
Par la voix, la structure des pièces et les ambiances, me fait beaucoup penser à Eels, un de mes artistes favoris. Pourtant, j'ai trouvé l'album de Lambchop assez banal et convenu
ничего такой, интересный. но заунывноват)
A proper curate's egg of an album but some good tracks on it I'd listen again.
1. Glad I heard this. It's good. 2. But I wouldn't call it great. 3. I see that most of the hype was in the UK... typical of the 1001 project. This is definitely different. And good. So I may return to it from time to time.
very interesting one this time around, what happens when you mix soul music with soft country influence. not only are the songs pretty mellow throughout, unfortunately the tracks aren't too interesting to listen to. they're not bad, just... i'm just not amazed. i feel nothing when i listen to this. it sounds nice, but just... yeah. nothing. i don't have a lot to say. it puts me to sleep, and the sudden high notes from the singer put me off if anything else.
Interesting. Have never heard of this guy and although it’s not my typical vibe, it was good to have in the background.
Already really love Up With People, so I’m curious to hear the rest of this. This was pretty. Really relaxed and mellow. Lots of little nuances. Very clever. Not pretentious. Just really nice music, genuinely well made. The second half I could live without, but the first half is very nice. 3/5
Cozy background music, got better when stripped down
Varied but congruent
This is a great sound for 2000. It fits into the Will Oldham and Bill Callahan club. I can see how it influences bands like My Morning Jacket. Ultimately, this album reach the heights of those bands. The falsetto is sometimes forced and I find myself thinking they’re doing something they’re not entirely cut out for. But, I love the soulfulness and the genre bending.
Enjoyed it. But nothing stood out as 1000 to hear before die worthy.
I was skeptical when this popped up as my daily listen but it was actually pretty good. Plus, it was my 501st album so, regardless of what comes next, I'll be able to say that Lambchop and Nixon played a memorable role in my completion of this marathon!
🎧Strange little album. I get Ween vibes from some songs but there’s also Up With People (favorite track) which sounds like Belle and Sebastian fronted by Bill Callahan. I also like You Masculine You and Butcher Boy.
Good
Aptly named after a cut with a disappointing amount of meat on it. Decent enough background music.
so much fluff
None more mild
Lambchop is an interesting artist. He's a wordy songwriter and does some interesting things with his voice. I first discovered him a few years ago with the 2016 album "FLOTUS," which features auto-tuned vocals. I have a soft spot for artists that use auto-tune in unconventional and artistic ways, and I listened that album a few times when it came out. He certainly sings in interesting ways on this album too. His typical style is somewhere between a talky poetry reading and crooning. But wait, what is he doing with his voice on "You Masculine You"? Whispering in a falsetto that he can't hit? So strange. And again on “What Else Could It Be?” On that song he sounds like he’s going for a soulful 60s R&B style but because he can’t get anywhere near, say, Smokey Robinson’s upper register, the end result is almost parody. Honestly though, I’m kind of vibing with it. It’s absurd but sort of works. The music throughout is wistful, melancholy soul for the most part. It’s very pretty. There’s also some interesting alt-rock tracks. Not sure I connected with those as much. But this is an interesting album. I’m curious to listen to more Lambchop. Funny album cover. I think it captures the mood here — there’s a sweet, nostalgic tone to the music but also a fair amount of irony.
I really love this album cover. It's uniquely modern and retro at the same time- really right up my alley. When I saw it appear I was immediately thinking this must be a more recent album. I feel like there's some deeper meanings going on too but I haven't quite sorted that out yet from my wikipedia and "lyrics genius" investigating. I really want to like this. The music is so cool. I just don't like the vocals, I feel like the singer is almost too... approachable? Like it's only a few short steps away from spoken wordy at times? It's really hard to put my finger on but I don't find enough magic that attracts me to the singing. I do appreciate all the exploration that goes on- like those crazy falsetto tracks. It's kind of crazy to me though because as I listen on I feel like I would love to see this band live. They certainly offer something. "Up with People" was a standout track, I think mostly because of the cool laid back feel and the nice backing vocals. This one definitely made me stop listening and restart the track before sliding through the rest of the album. Around the mid way point in this album I was thinking it was a clear 2, but it's ending up as a 3.
Country legalzinho...nem é tão country assim na verdade
This is a bit mad, they mash up so many styles and genres across the 10 tracks that it's very difficult to know where to place it. It's almost every different flavour of easy listening, and thus ends up being a bit hit and miss. Think it's marginally more hit than miss, though it never really hits massively well and does sometimes miss really badly. Squeaks a low 3, I think.
This… isn’t bad as a whole. But the dude’s weird, strained falsettos and other vocal indulgences make it hard to listen to at times.
it starts much stronger than it finishes
Mellow and enjoyable but for me not too memorable.
Oikein mukavaa musiikkia ei tule miettineeksi aikakautta tai genreä.. Kuuntelee vaan menemään ja ei kuullosta liiaksi vanhentuneelta.. kuten vuoden 2012 Fujifilm kamera X-Pro 1 joka toi markkinoille uuden bajonetin, jossa elon muskin lempi kirjain. Heh.
Pleasant enough indie rock album that’d I’d be open to listening to againn
Up with people Grumpus Butcher boy
Pleasantly surprised with this one. Calm and dreamy the album passed by quickly and worked great as something to listen to while I was doing some stuff. I really like it's combined genres. Not the most unique or attention grabbing but it was solid.
Wel oke maar saai
Interesting, but unfocused.
"Monochrome" is the best word I've found to describe this album. It's full and lush and definitely sets up some other UK artists down the line in the Alternative area, but it's like watching a 1950's black and white movie in the modern era
I saw that these guys were on Merge; ever since Neutral Milk Hotel, anytime someone recommends an artist from Merge, I've always been pleased. The supple sounds of Lambchop are soothing and reminiscent of art rock, chamber orchestras, and at times, TSOP (The Sound Of Philly) à la "Me & Mrs. Jones." The end of the album moves a bit towards psyche rock with a thumping bassline that would fit with The Munsters theme song. Interesting find. I'm surprised and happy to see this one on the list. It shows someone is mining these smaller labels for gold.
I liked the retro vibe and arrangement of the instrumentation.
A pleasant enough album with a few exciting bits, but most passed by as nice enough background music
It alright 👍
Ein bisschen jazzig finde ich ganz schön
Like the music, not so much the singing.
A bit too mellow
Aldrig hört talas om tidigare. Snurrade i högtalarna exakt hela dagen igår och i början fungerade den som rätt trevlig bakgrundsmusik men inte så mycket mer än så. Plockade efter ett tag upp ett par låtar som jag tycker stack ut lite (Up with people, Nashville parent och What else could it be). Sammanfattningsvis en helt okej skiva men som jag inte tar med mig så mycket ifrån och sannolikt inte lyssnar på igen. Svag trea.
Sorprendente pero me ha aburrido un poco. 3'5 redondeando pabajo
Vond het best leuk. Niet bijzonder ofzo, maar fijne stem en gitaar was erg goed hierop. Hij ging daarna terug naar het eerste nummer, maar 1 keer is wel genoeg kwam ik toen achter. 3 sterren
Reminds me of '64 go
Actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would!
Meh!
Listened to this while playing Revive solo. I lost. I had a friend I met at Burning Man that loved this band and other bands with a country twang and a vocalist with "unique" characteristics. I really wanted to get into it to, because we shared a lot of music back and forth. It just never resonated with me the same way it did with him. I was hoping time would have changed things...and it did...but not very much. I was ready to give this album a 2, but I loved the final two songs, so it definitely gets bumped to a 3.
What the hell is going on with the vocal mix on some of these tracks? The weird falsetto just completely getting lost in the onslaught of orchestral strings just did not connect with me. Or maybe it was just my speakers? I think my biggest gripe is the level of inconsistency in tone. In one verse, you've got pretty strange mixing with an overload of synths, but then on the next turnaround, you've got dark, fuzzed out guitars complimenting a poppy, country backbeat, which was great. But hey, it's nice to get something unfamiliar for the first time in a while on this list.
Interesting mood I guess
Boring but an alright vibe
This album slowly grew on me over the course of my listen. Something about the instrumentation and composition I found really pleasing even though this not usually a style I would enjoy.
boring but pleasant. very long songs but some nice moments... it feels good to listen to.
Not my taste, but weird..some baritone guy sing talking for an hour. Some of the instrumental sections were interesting, with heavy trumpet use. Weird…
Very soft and silky while also relatively engaging. I was thrilled that it wasn't a boring listen. Seems like fancy dinner music.
This was okay. Some of the instrumentation could be quite lovely at times, but the vocals didn’t do much for me.
Pleasant
Country alternativo, soul. Ni fu ni fa.
So dull. What was that?? How is that something everyone must listen to. It wasn't bad, but was so hard to tell if it was good as it was instantly forgettable. 2.5*
I forgot this group existed and I'm more familiar with an older album, the hilariously named Thriller. This one is very easy to listen to. Standouts for me are the very RnB feeling Grumpus and You Masculine You. A lot of it feels like spoken poetry over chamber music and I think that is on purpose. I do appreciate horns and vibraphones getting some love.
Interesting album. Sounds older than it is.
Lambchop has never truly resonated with me, but it's still enjoyable.
Never heard of this and didn't expect much, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Some really solid and fun melodies, plus the singer had this weird falsetto shift thing going on that I kinda liked, it's imperfect but leaning into that imperfection feels good and genuine. Nothing too crazy to note here, but it was really good. Favorite tracks: You Masculine You, Nashville Parent, What Else Could It Be, The Distance from Her to There. Album art: This one's interesting, it's an inset painting of two kids playing by a lake, containing the giant word NIXON. Below the painting is a pretty unusual band logo thing, almost looks like a fishing depth finder diagram? Not entirely sure. But enough here to be interesting, the painting is really cool honestly. 3.5/5
Nice and chill and some bops but also every time he did the falsetto voice in ‘The Distance From Her to There’ I finally related to and understood that tweet “me and my friends would have killed ET with hammers”. It set off my fight or flight adrenaline rush
A relaxing listen
This was a bit of a strange/interesting album. I either loved it or hated it, but can't decide. Definitely needs another listen. The musicianship, arrangements, etc. all sounded... pretty good? Easy, interesting listening. But the singing, I'm not so sure. Could be one of those things that grows on you after repeated listens. Or not! 2.5 / 5.
Good album. I don't recall having heard of this band before and I doubt I've heard their music before. Nice addition of horns and other instruments on most tracks, and quite a few layers going on but not in a messy or cacophonous way. Interesting stuff here. I like it.
Not something I enjoyed in any real way, although the last song wasn’t bad. It really just isn’t my style of music ultimately but I wouldn’t say it was a BAD album really. Very neutral 3 stars
Pleasant, easy listening, but essentially background noise. I'm surprised to see this considered as one of the top 1001 albums, it doesn't seem to be outstanding in any particular way. I enjoyed this, don't get me wrong, but don't think my life has been enriched by listening to it, and don't think I'll be saving this one for later.
Lugnt och gött, tarvar rätt sinnesstämning
Chill falsetto. 3/5
Ganz ok, aber bisschen langweilig. 3-4
Yesterday we bought a lamb chops from Tesco for the first time in, literally, years. Today this Lambchop album is generated. Just, wow. Mind blown. What is happening in the universe?! There really must be powers we don't understand. (Or it could just be a coincidence). Regarding the music, this is quaint, gentle orchestral chamber pop. It feels very similar in style to Richard Hawley's Coles Corner album and is stylistically right up my street. I love arrangements, but I'm not sure the song writing is all that, and it does get dangerously close to easy listening at times. The falsetto and neo soul are also very ill advised. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Up with People Date listened: 16/03/24
This is an album that I have had for a long time, I listen to it somewhat rarely but do remember enjoying it. So far, it's not as good as I remember but still enjoyable nonetheless, definitely one that I will be returning to at some point. 3/5
🥱
Nice instrumentals and some good easy listening. Favorites were You Masculine You, Up With People, and The Butcher Boy.
Another surprise
Reminded me a bit of Radiohead.
Fine country pop album.
Bit weird but ok
It was alright.
Every time I wanted to like it, it just got real weird. I just assumed it was an older album…the voice and the songs reminded me a little of mark knopfler. In the end, the album was only okay. .
Not sure what I listened to, but glad I did. Kind of a mix of a floydian Kenny G avante guard kind of thing.
2.5 - It was fine? Admittedly, I'm writing this days after actually listening to the album, and I remember almost nothing. I think I kind of liked the first songs and the vibe it set up, but everything else was whatever. Another forgettable album.
I've never heard of this band before, or this album. I read a review from a guy that attended one of their live shows. "14 outcasts in denim and pearl buttons, standing onstage and staring at their shoes, playing the pro-social sounds of country and soul with the graceful reluctance of indie rockers too polite to beg for attention but too obstinate to shut up and go home. " The wife liked it. I didn't hate it. 3 stars.
Klinkt prima
Group I never heard of, even under the old name Posterchild.
Honestly have never understood the lamb chop appeal. It’s good enough to put on in the background but doesn’t hold my attention.
Favourite songs: The Distance From Her to There, Up With People, The Old Gold Shoe Least favourite songs: Petrified Florist 3/5
I've tried so many times to get into Lambchop. It's not bad, I actually like the music here a lot, but his voice takes me out of it. Not for me.
I'll for sure consider playing this anytime I end up in a field of daffodils, with ample puppies, and a picnic blanket, and beautiful families in the distance smiling and frolicking in slow motion, while I have a head 1/2 full of mellow mushrooms.
I've never heard this album before. I don't know that I will rush out to listen to it again, but I would describe it as decent background music whilst accomplishing household chores.
That's nice. Its like the Silver Jews with a strings section.
3/5. A pretty chill and relaxing album, except when he tries for the prince-tier high pitched singing, takes me completely out, and that's like half of the songs. The instrumentation is so good but his vocals are kind of a negative for me. I enjoyed it but hard to find myself relistening.
Fairly forgettable, but pleasant enough as it goes. Perhaps an early (and American) forerunner of the British landfill indie movement of a few years later, with much more country influence. Only giving three feels too harsh, but it wasn't good enough for four stars - so 3 is what it has to get!
Une ou deux qui faisaient un peu balade dans la prairie ahah mais je n'ai pas trop aimé :/
The falsetto makes me think of the muppets.
A bit boring I thought. Some nice ideas but dragged its feet
There are probably better Lambchop albums, and better respresentations of this genre. It's fine. Didn't really grab me.
Nice easy listening with sometimes being a bit too smooth so that you forget about it and it becomes a bit bland. A mix of some soul, some motown, some country and some indie. During the first listen "Up With People" stood out as being more catchy than the rest. Can see myself putting this on in the background and it could grow with some more listens.
Falsetto in ‘you masculine you’ was a bit much Fun mellow rocky vibes coffee shop for first few until you masculine you
Halfway through the first song I had convinced myself that the vocalist was Gibby Haynes and that Lambchop was a side project he had started. It made me excited because I assumed the album would start getting REAL WEIRD soon. After the fourth track no weirdness had revealed itself. At this point I started to settle in and my mind wandered into the territory of those Scott Walker records. The music on them was OK but they also got weird. Now we come to Nixon. It's not a Butthole Surfers off-shoot. The songs are not meant to shock uptight 60s music consumers. Instead this was probably a hallmark of the alternative country or New Weird America or whatever scene was popping at the time. It's OK. Not really my thing, honestly. I wasn't into Wilco 20 years ago. Maybe if I was then Nixon would be a revelation.
This has that early 2000s slightly breathless, retro, twee feel - it kept reminding me of The Magic Numbers , or Corinne Bailey Rae. It does have some pretty dark lyrical imagery, but that is offset by the melodies and (over) production. It's perfectly nice, but I'm not sure it deserves a place on the list. Having said that, the falsetto on 'The Distance From Her To There' is really shit.
This album started out promising, with cosy, moody lounge music. But then the singer just had to sing very high, even though it sounded shit. So 3 stars it gets. Stand-out: Grumpus
So lala
Enjoyable although I didn't finish it by two tracks. 3*
Nett
Self-prejudice alert: I see "alt-country" and I'm immediately at the ready to peak at a 2/5 stars. Maybe. I don't hear this as alt-country. Or - perhaps in a moment of self-improvement - maybe I just don't know what alt-country can really mean. This is (or was for me) for the most part unexpectedly melodic, joyous, adventurous music. The negatives though....sigh: the lyrics are sometimes noticeable in an odd way ("Nashville Parent"). And the worst is that the vocals - again with vocals - start to become comically bad (holy hell the falsetto delivery on "What Else Could It Be?" has to be a joke? Whywhywhy and then continued here and there later on) ... The vocals are by far the biggest distraction which is a disappointment as they'd started out ... normal-ish? not-noticeable? When he sings in a plain matter-of-fact Bill Callahan style it works. This falsetto distracts from the entire project which is frustrating and as the album progressed the bizarre vocals became more noticeable to me. TL;DR: very very creative and skilled in composition, vocals (as always...) bring it down. Could listen to *some* of this again and happily. Sounds like a 3. 5/10 3 stars.
It wasn't as bad as the reviews suggested, or as good as the critics would have you believe
Este fue una grata sorpresa
Tooodella pehmeä levy ja sopi päivän tunnelmaan. Ei todella mitään hittikamaa, mutta kevyttä ja helppoa taustamusaa.
“Hey you guys want to make a pretty cool alternative country/R&B album? Ok cool, only catch is that the singer has to be quiet so he doesn’t wake up my mom.” That how I imagine it went down
1st listen
Album 246 of 1001 Lambchop - Nixon Serene. Peaceful. Chill. This album could be defined with any of those. I tire of the term "I really wanted to like this more than I do", but that is the case here. Seems so perfectly put together but the output is just "meh'. Vocals are on point, musicians are on point, production, as well. Not sure where it is going wrong. Another reviewer said "The emotional register of each song is perfectly uniform, bordering on monotone." That is an apt summation. Put them in there with Elliot Smith, Leonard Cohen, etc. I did like it.
What a strange album. The singing change in The Distance from Her to There and You Masculine You caused me to stop what I was doing. I listened to this twice and still don't know what to make of it. This almost has a bit of the vibe of Roger Waters solo work in some ways. I do like the range of instruments they used and how it all blends. I think a lot of this goes in a direction I really like but the sum of the parts isn't quite what I wanted. Strong 3+ for me.
Pretty creative and alri
Not what I was expecting but actually enjoyed it.
Like pleasant hotel lobby music, or a Subaru commercial. Unoffensive and very not groundbreaking. I will immediately forget this. 2.5 but rounding up cause I didn't hate it.
Unusual, varied, folksy/talky, a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.
Really enjoyed this one! Don't have any specific comments, but it was a great album and I'd never heard it.
2.5 - 3.0
I appreciate the unique style, but I'm not sure I'd come back to this.
Interesting mix of sounds Wikipedia potentially lists as ‘alternative country’ but largely sits in the broad label that is ‘indie’. Also great that it was a nothing burger in the US but found popularity in the UK and now is on this list from our UK writer
ok
Meh
Pretty chill, 5/10
Hmmm, there is a lot to appreciate here. Floating between a 2 and 3 my appreciation of the musicianship and my lack of enjoyment. The layers are dense and nicely orchestrated. I would need to sit with the words longer to work out clearly the primary themes. I won't do this, because Im not actually enjoy listening to it for the length of the record. It plods along like a slushy trudge through someone else's neighborhood. What are you hinting at, my dudes? Why are we stuck at 110 bpm? Why does this music feel so impotent? They're so restrained I feel like I'm handcuffed.
I love the idea of Lambchop a lot and when they come on in shuffle or something similar, they always strike a chord with me, but I am often left wanting when I listen to a whole album. I know this is their most praised but I actually think it stays a bit too one note until the end. Luckily that note is very cool and strikes a good vibe, but this will never be my fave band or probably even my fave in the more experimental side of the genre, but they’re cool overall.
Plodded away nicely but generally didn't move me. Like a less interesting Giant Sand.
I would've found this really pleasant were it not for the vocals. On most tracks, it's like Glen Hansard but instead of charming, awful. 3 stars for everything but the vocals.
The first time I heard the album I was like, "shoot me now" I don't want to listen to this again...2nd time, I thought, "it's not too bad, but nothing special". Now, third time...I'm really getting into it. I think it's really great now. I still need to hear it a few more times to call it amazing....but, I'm getting there. One track, The Distance from Her to There I think is amazing. Standouts: The Distance from Her to There. Others: The Old Gold Shoe, Up With People, The Book I Haven't Read 3.5/5
Enjoyable style wasn't sure how to place this
I liked the instrumentation a lot. I just wish the vocals were stronger. It's said Kurt Wagner is the staying force behind this act. Surrounding himself with different talents, he fits the puzzle pieces to what he needs. The problem is that he needs to step up to the music that he puts together, and he doesn't do that very well. Only one or two songs do his vocals fit the song ("Butcher Boy" is. good standout). But I can't help wondering what some of these songs would sound like with a better singer. It has more of that demo vibe than I wanted. DIsappointing.
This album is definitely unique. Not awful, but a bit unusual. I don't know that being different is enough reason to get on this 1,001 list but whatever. Average at best, and I'm ready to move on.
3.25
Really chill album but not something that changed my look on the world
Interesting listen. The retro sound is very reminiscent of 60's easy-listening orchestrated pop or something Burt Bacharach might have had a part writing. Lush sounding, nods for style and the feeling of being transported to another time. I quite like it, but may wear thin after while. Worth the listen.
Galet mysig rock. Skön röst och en allmänt trevlig genomlyssning. Favorit: Up with People
Smooth listening country alt rock pop jams. Nothing that really grabs me but the entire album is a chill, enjoyable ride.
not actually Britpop- it's Texpop Actually though, now that I've read about the many influences behind Lambchop's music, and can hear said influences (country, soul), it still somewhat sounds like a Blur album to me Could it be that I'll love this more with time? It's really pretty in parts 3.5 HL: "Up With People", "What Else Could It Be?", "The Distance from Her to There", "The Book I Haven't Read" August 20, 2023
Nokkuð næs bara.
The music doesn't fit my taste. I guess it's good, so i gave it a three star.
cool ass chamber / bedroom pop shit. just a tad less string ensemble wouldve been nice. fav songs: grumpus, up with people, what else could it be.
I liked this, nice and varied but some really good song writing. Never heard of this Lampchop fella
"Grumpus" is a great track. I like "Up with the People" too. Kurt Wagner's has a good voice but he could dial back the falsetto a bit. I like the arrangements & orchestration, though some of the songs are a bit quiet for me.
I've never heard of Lambchop before, but I thought this was a pretty good album. The string arrangements, the horns, and the vibraphone all combined to make some really beautiful sounds. The lyrics and vocals were great too, especially on "Grumpus." Unfortunately, things took a turn for me on "What Else Could It Be?" I wasn't a big fan of the falsetto singing on that song, and I thought the album's second half was noticeably not as good as the first half. When things worked on this album, they worked well, but when they didn't, they were a big miss for me. I don't think I'll be carving out any time for more of Lambchop's albums in the future. Favorite track: Up With People
I enjoyed the overall sound of the album, but the lead singer kills the whole thing for me.
Weird album. They call anything alternative these days haha. I cannot take this guy’s voice seriously sometimes, but good songs even if they get repetitive.
Beautiful and subtle music unfortunately ruined by the vocals.
Fine, dull at times. Maybe a car stereo while on the 401 doesn't make for the best listening experience.
Embarrassingly recently I had my first experience with a collection of compositions let down by their recording. Nixon didn't let me down; Its output is a deep pin in Lambchop for the future. The reason behind the lacy production is less clear. The songs barely hang together, and are composed of many a gauzy layer. I think of a National where more sentiment is reified in synthesizers.
Something about this album was kind of nice but also really boring. I don't know, it was hard to tell what the singer was saying at some points and the tone was just weird sometimes.
Surprisingly easy to listen to. Overall was enjoyable
Kinda cool. Lo key and less punchy than I'd anticipated.
A chilled and enjoyable spot of early thou's indie, might come back to this
I liked grumpus a lot. Weird bro. Into it.
Reminded me of forgettable music I would hear in a coffee shop until the last two songs that actually started to come alive.
Quite liked it for the early Pink Floyd feels, but 'meh' overall.
more to be admired than adored
Þessi er misskemmtileg, aldrei mjög leiðinleg svo sem en ég þarf ekki allt. Lokalagið er töff. Falsetta Wagners er ekki góð en söngurinn sleppur annars fyrir horn. Nokkuð fjölbreytt sound, smá country. Jújú, allt í lagi.
This is so close to good, but sometimes I can’t let my ears wrap around some things, like vocal choices, that distract me from perhaps fully enjoying it.
Eh
I did not know what to expect, was really pleasantly surprised, then disappointed. It got a bit samey and not-for-me. You win some, you lose some and sorry Lambchop, you didn’t win me.
Listened at some point 3/5 Favorite song: up with the people Weird noises were very distracting but he has a beautiful voice
Very genre bending and interesting enough to listen to where I would again
This was okay but I wouldn’t listen to these songs again.
Not exactly bad, but not very memorable. I could give it a 3 because it could potentially grow on me.
Heeft wel iets
Best leuk eigenlijk. Echt een zondagsplaatje.
Dit vond ik best wel sfeervol en prettig op een zondagochtend.
Nog nooit van gehoord maar beviel wel goed!
Aangename verrassing.
Chill indie pop. It’s gonna depend on mood for me, but I was in the right spot as I listened to it.
chill
Ehhh
My favourite Nixon. That is to say: It’s decent
Not what I expected but I liked it
Hmm this was an interesting album. I had no idea what to expect based on how Wikipedia described the genres. I feel like I’d like it more if I listened to it a few more times. It wasn’t bad but I also wasn’t enamoured by it. I liked Up With People the most.
Not my vibe right now but I may go back to this later