Reviews (page 10 of 14)
After a run of uneven and commercially disappointing albums in the early 70's, Joel hit it big with the release of The Stranger. This was my introduction to Billy Joel with plenty of radio play for Just The Way You Are and The Good Die Young which fit in with what I was listening to at the time (Elton John, Paul McCartney...etc). I didn't buy this album, as most of the good songs were already on the radio, back in a time when I used to tape songs directly off the radio. I hadn't heard the whole record in a while and I must admit it brings a lot of nostalgic memories. I would never admit I'm a fan of Joel's music, but this album personally is all I need to hear from his exhaustive catalogue.
A pretty dang good album. Billy Joel does good. Four good songs, four stars.
Good album with some classics. I feel like I need to give it a few more listens to really appreciate it though
Above average album, fun to listen to
No me pareció nada del otro mundo. Un disco difrutable en el que todo el tracklist es mas que llevadero. No hay mucho hilo conector pero si que logra cautivar aspectos de la vida amorosa de billy y dilemas en los que se ve envuelto. Una reescucha que me la guardo para un domingo tranquilo 7/10
Solid
The Stranger is cool and cheesy together, it's a great listen. Just The Way You Are is an all-timer, then it's followed by the sweet sax of Scenes from an Italian Restaurant which is mega playful and heartfelt and everything else building to a cinematic crescendo. Vienna is a wonderful song and She's Always a Woman is stunning. This falls short of a 5/5 by the finest of margins but my word is it good. This is so well-crafted.
Billy Joel gets a lot of shit, and I totally understand why - stuff like Uptown Girl is painfully cheesy. But, this album is so much better... Apart from the last two tracks, he stays on the right side of schmaltzy, tells some good stories (although occasionally they do slip into being lectures), and does it in a really catchy way. Works as an album, has some really memorable songs, 4/5.
Just like your favorite Italian restaurant. Fills you up with the right amount of cheese.
Okay, this album is good. Very very good. Billy Joel is usually too schmaltzy for my taste. But like, come on! Movin’ out is undeniable! Phil Ramone is very good at his craft! I wanna get into him more. This just feels very specifically New York, Philly, jazzy, theatrical. I like it. It’s not Paul simon for me. I think the comparison is unflattering. The lyrics aren’t often to my taste, but like… this is a story. There’s a throughline. That’s what I want in my albums. And this one is undeniably a story of a lot of America from a time long ago, one that seems almost extinct except for when you turn on the radio. It’s not my favorite listen of the era by any means, but it definitely belongs there. 4/5
This is from what I’d consider Billy Joel’s golden era. Brings back lots of memories of just random pieces of life in upstate NY, where Billy Joel songs were everywhere.
Great songs from start to finish. Favorite is Vienna.
Quite enjoyable, although the titular track is meh.
Lots of bops on this. Solid 3 tracks I already knew and enjoyed. Great work Billy!
Good stuff
Upbeat pop rock album using a wide variety of instruments. Very catchy songs make for an easy listen. Some are better than others but there’s no shockers. I liked Movin’ On, Scenes, Vienna, and She’s Always a Woman.
There’s such a humanness in this album. That’s weird to say but whatever. The songs about his wife are really sweet too. There are some sort of reggae elements to a couple of the songs that caught me by surprise. I absolutely love the first song it’s sassy and an anti capitalist anthem bitch!!!! The title track reminds me of an old noir detective movie. The whistling is iconic paired with the piano. The whole track has an air of mystery to it for sure. The piano playing through the album is quite simple but suitable. The thing that really shines on this album is the groove of the guitar (even though there’s a different guitarist on every track) and the sax playing is wonderful as well with the engaging vocals of Joel. The organ is used sparingly and I didn’t enjoy its use as much but it’s not bad by any means. Least favorite track is probably just the way you are but I can appreciate the sentimentality of it and i love the sax playing on it. Scenes from an Italian restaurant transports you to Italy and is a jazzy delight for sure for sure the piano is so fun on this and all in all it’s enthralling. Vienna to me is like a companion piece to movin out. Idk what that fuckin instrument is that I also heard in scenes from an Italian restaurant it sounds like an accordion but I like it. Love Joel’s vocal performance on this track his voice crescendos in pair with the instrumentals as they build to the chorus. The attitude on only the good die young is so fun and I think I hear a trombone on this track. It ironically sounds like something you’d hear in church like a gospel. The sax solo on it tooooo. Slay. She’s always a woman makes my heart hurt. One of my favorites off this album. The flute playing loans a gentleness to this track that perfectly matches Joel’s vocals. Get it right the first time is jarring after the previous track but goddamn if it don’t seeeerve. This is the reggae sound I was talking about. The flute is used creatively in this id never think it would work. Joel’s performance is so energetic and he’s got a growl in his voice that adds a conviction to the song. Bro was singing for his LIFE fr. Everybody has a dream seems inspired like the church sound that we occasionally hear in the album with the organ and this time a choir. I don’t love the use of a choir as I don’t think the buildup is suiting enough to warrant for a choir and it seems out of place in an otherwise sober and solemn track. However in the final chorus I like it. The return to the melody of the stranger is kinnnnd of jarring because the last song doesn’t fade into it quite right. But I like the callback to it. It helps me frame the album in my mind more entirely. Overall I rate this album an 8.5/10 I really enjoyed it and will continue to revisit it.
This is an interesting album with great textures and lovely storytelling. Billy Joel gives a short-and-sweet demonstration of his talent in an honest way. I can definitely see him with stumbling upon Tom Waits while playing around 2:00 AM in LA bars. Thanks for the recommendation
still good
An album that allowed millions to fall in love with Billy Joel. I've never noticed how much Billy's voice sounds like Rufus Wainwright before. Well I guess Rufus sounds like Billy.
Oh I do enjoy this album a lot. Some classic William.
Funkier than I thought. Enjoyed the samba influences
I'm a sucker for a good storytelling artist. This album had an amazing number of radio hits and even if they are a bit overplayed, the songs are just plain enjoyable!
Great album!
This is essentially a Billy Joel’s greatest hits. So many classics with poetic lyrics and piano.
I can't help it. I was raised on Billy Joel. Lots of memories with this one.
Such an interesting voice
Initially: recognizable. Cheesy. Nostaligic...but in a 70s theatrical way. I really wanted to dislike it. Unfortunately it's relentlessly upbeat and catchy, while also complex in composition and with interesting slice of life/observational quality to it. UGH. Good shit.
I enjoyed listening to this album, some classic tracks so I'm going to say 4*
Movin' Out slaps. Very catchy The Stranger (song) is groovy, but shouldn't end so slowly for the last minute. But it's actually so good Only the Good Die Young is a banger
I will be honest, was not thrilled to see this pop up but actually really enjoyed the album. He can really sing!
Un muy buen disco, optimista y vitalista, de un hombre al piano. Excelente voz, canciones y muy de disfrutar en directo.
me gustó mucho actually 8/10
Good smooth rock
I don't really like Billy Joel. I don't know if I understand how someone can categorically dislike Billy Joel, but there's a reasonable level of dislike that I can understand. I'm not a huge fan of his and there are certain songs I find unlistenable and annoying, but damn, the man can write a pop song. That much is undeniable, at least to me. This album feels like a Greatest Hits, and honestly I was surprised how many songs I recognized by sound but not by name. Very solid. Standouts: Movin' Out, The Stranger, Vienna
full of wonderful lyrical storytelling
Very nice to listen to
4.5, love many of the songs on here
Very good album
Very solid late 70s pop rock. Varied songs, varied moods and well made as a whole
These are some mf bops not gonna lie 😌👏🏽👏🏽
Such a great album
Track 1: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - I had heard this song before just because of its notoriety. I like the 'ack ack ack.' Also the backing vocals are pretty sweet. It reminds me of Piano Man, following these different stories in the city. The cymbals are really nice on the verses. The backing tracks fit Joel too. The song has such different paces throughout, it is interesting. (He is moving out) Track 2: The Stranger - Piano intro very nice. Whistling very nice. Very campy. Now we kick off with the guitar. This riff is fire. Relating heavily to the album cover. Trying on a new face that you do not show to the people around you. Book ending we got more piano and whistling. Pretty sure it is the same as well. Then silence. Track 3: Just the Way You Are - Probably the most popular song this album. I have heard it so many times. Oh hell yeah saxophone. Perhaps Richie Cannata. Almost an antithesis to the last track lol. Joel now loves the secrets that have been let out. The Saxophone just like with the piano last track carries us out. Track 4: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - I like the little "italian" esque interludes. Ok the sax is back second best track. Wow this is a long track. The tone has definitely changed. It feels like the first verse was asking out someone on a date. While the second verse was the chaotic beauty of going on the date. We are back to Joel singing about different characters lol. BrendaxEddie ship it now. It feels like we have switched from a first person pov to a third person pov. Now we got a sax that is upbeat even though the relationship is slowly coming apart. The drumming on this song is particularly carrying us through the track. Song has to end Joel didn't stick around long enough for the end of the story. Oh hell yeah. We are back to the beginning. Seems to be a common theme for this album. Life being a cycle or something. Perhaps Brenda and Eddie are finding someone else to meet in an Italian restaurant. Saxophone carries us out once more. Track 5: Vienna - Austria time. Like so many songs we are starting out with a sole piano. A reflection on youth hmmmm. I really like this one. Can just kind of vibe out to it. We got some of the same instrumentals from Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Taking a phone off the hook seems a little more poignant now lol. Feels like a self reflection for sure. Track 6: Only the Good Die Young - I have heard this at many barbeques. Joel anti-catholic tirade /j. Feels very late 70s lol. Bad boy trying to date a "good girl" lmao. Grease movie plot. I like the clapping a lot. Might be the best vocals on any track for me so far. That raspy saxophone *chefs kiss*. Probably the best dancing song lol. I like it. Track 7: She's Always a Woman - Starting out with a ballad almost. I think all of these songs have pertained to romance in some sense maybe besides the first track. Had to move out before finding love? I think I am reading to far into it. Oh damn she cutting him. Hope it is metaphorical. All these songs are just generally pleasant to listen to. Oh yeah hum that shit. Track 8: Get it Right the First Time - Ooh is that the bass. And a flute? This song is just pretty groovy. Don't really got to much to say about it lol. I did not get it right the first time :(. There is a very finite feeling to all of Joel's songs lol. Do what you want before your chance passes. Especially on track 1 and this track. I like the strumming at the end. Track 9: Everybody Has a Dream - Last track! Feels like another self reflection for sure. A song that an artist would definitely relate too. Feels like a high school graduation playoff song. Or an album send off (hehe). A very romantic dream. Feel like I should be swaying with arms over people's shoulders. Backing tracks are very nice. Makes the song feel communal. Oh shit there is more! The piano and whistling once again! I believe it is the same music from The Stranger. Track 1 now feels even more out of place lol. This is a book end for "The Stranger." Just as many tracks are. The cycle of life I suppose. Oh shit it looped and Movin' Out jump scared the shit outta me. Pretty good. Pretty good. I like Movin' Out but it feels almost out of place with the rest of the album. The others songs all pertain to love. Maybe Movin' Out is how he is able to experience all these different love stories he portrays in the rest of the songs. It is not typically my kind of music but I enjoy it immensely still. I liked the balance of ballad type beats and a groovy energetic instrumental. All in all. I give this a 8/10.
Very good. Orchestrated nicely, great musicianship. Billy's voice is quite nice. Gets a little bit draggy for a 5 stars but we'll deserving of a 4
Classic Billy Joel. #Scenes from Italian Restaurant.
Vienna alone prevents this from being less than 4
Great album, catchy songs. Saved tracks: Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), The Stranger, Vienna, Get It Right the First Time
Great stuff
Really enjoyed this one. I associate songs like "She's Always A Woman" to Billy Joel, but he's got a lot of variety on the album. 4/5
I’m not a huge Billy Joel fan, always been more of an pre-baritone Elton guy, but this is easily his best work. It’s already basically a greatest hits, since everything but the last two has become a part of the public consciousness since it came out. And it’s a highly enjoyable pop rock album, well worth the spin even if you think you’re too cool for it. B+
A lot of hits on this one. I have the vinyl in the basement and am almost certain it was stolen from my brother. Whenever I see the LP, I think of our mom which means a 2 or 3 rating ain't happening. I remember her in the kitchen signing the songs and being so happy and feeling cool since she was listening to modern music. I expect one of the reasons she took a shine to Billy is that she thought he was a fellow Italian. Trust me, in 1977 Sudbury, no wop would know that Joel meant Jewish. There weren't any Jews in Sudbury then - except, perhaps, the lovely and talented Elisa Sch. but I didn't figure that out in 1977. I wonder how she's doing? I digress. My favourite songs are Scenes from an Italian . . , and Moving Out. The sax and clarinet work are excellent and work so well with the piano interchanges. As a good ole Catholic, half Italian boy, I've heard every line on Only The Good Die Young so many times over in the hood and could see the song play out on every street corner in Gatchell. I even like the ballads. I could understand people using the "weinie" label on "Just The Way You Are" but his vocals are so genuine it makes the tune likeable.
+catchy choruses +all the hits +varied instrumentation but still cohesive +doesn't overstay its welcome -deep cuts not so memorable - maybe overplayed? Fav song - only the good die young, scenes from an Italian restaurant Least - get it right the first time
Hard to think anything will top movin’ out, starts off very strong
One of the best!
Beautiful
The piano man does not disappoint on this one. 52nd street may be a bit more familiar to most but this is equally as good.
Never intentionally listened to Billy Joel. Great catchy and story-driven songs. 4 stars
Bel album !
A vibe
Billy Joel makes you feel good.
billy joel’s breakthrough, what an album.
Good album.
So smaltzy! Billy Joel is so not my thing but I have to admit this has some fine pop stuff on it.
This man has a knack for story telling
I don't really want to like Billy Joel. Not for any particular reason, it just feels vaguely weird to like a musician that my mom is really into because she has terrible taste in music (sorry mom, but all Christian music is garbage). I don't want to like Billy Joel, but goddmanit if that man can't write a catchy song. There's a lot of variation in style in this album while still sounding coherent, and this album is wall to wall hits. It's an album full of bangers for people who like to sit down at concerts. This may not have been the most interesting musical movement happening in New York in 1977, but it's pretty undeniable. Fuck. I guess I like Billy Joel 4/5
Just the other day a clown uploaded a meme that implied someone had told him Billy had no good songs and he was proving them wrong. Yeah, like someone would have said that lol. Great record, I don’t whine I’ve ever listened to it in full before but I recognized most of the songs.
really good
Pop-rock de Billy Joel. Venga, un 4, que canta bastante bien.
Lightning in a bottle - so many familiar tunes from a great songwriter
Liked: Moving Out The Stranger Vienna She's Always a Woman Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
“Brend’er and Eddie are still going steady after the summer of ‘75 … Whoa, whoa.”
These days I have lots of respect for Billy Joel’s back catalogue - it’s not just Uptown Girl, like I thought when I was younger… This album in particular is stacked with great songs (+ the odd schmaltzy dud, but mainly just top-notch songwriting).
Bottle of Red 🕺 Bottle of White 🕺 Not crazy about “Just the Way You Are” and “She’s Always A Woman”, but if that’s my personal low point, it’s still better than the highs of other artists. HL: “Scenes”, “Only the Good Die Young”, “Get it Right”, “Movin Out”
Aikasemmin ei oo isommin tullu miestä kuunneltua, mut oli kova yllätys. Useemman rundi pyörähti tää levy
One of the best early Billy Joel Songs. I liked it listening, but wasn't blown away, even though most of the songs are quite good. 3.5/5
Boppin' soft rock from the piano man himself, this is just a fun time through and through. Melancholy and jovial in equal measure, and Billy is just having a blast on every track. I dig it.
I'll take it just the way it is.
i'll have the carbonara
4.4/5. Very good instrumentals and fairly good vocals
The Piano man played us a song, it was pretty alright
Nice
Surprising, like a bit of Billy Joel, but didn't recognise the songs I know looking at the tracklist. This was a great journey of an album though.
much better than I remember. A lot of fun songs!
Very enjoyable and not hugely removed from Steely Dan or Elton John. Several recognisable hit songs.
Pop-rock de Billy Joel. Venga, un 4, que canta bastante bien.
Even the lesser-known songs here are pretty strong. Really, everything through 'She's Always a Woman' is solid stuff. It was only the last two songs that I tuned out a bit. It's a lot of crafty songmansships and I dig it.
I can't believe that I found myself enjoying a Billy Joel album so much. I felt the same creeping shame as someone entering their credit card details onto a German fetish website. Shame, mingled with pleasure. You can't deny that this man knows his way around a tune, even if his miniature dramas don't quite pulse with the same vitality as that of a Springsteen. I'm yet to hear a song that mentions 'Hackensack' that I don't like.
I feel like the only other artist I can really compare Billy Joel to is Elton John, and isn’t it weird that they both have names that are really just two first names slapped together and the second one in both instances starts with a J? It’s the magical formula for pop piano storytellers. Also, I’m changing my name to Shawn Jerry. This is an enjoyable record. Even when I lose track of whatever story he’s telling, the tune is there to keep me engaged. I wouldn’t mind seeing another one of his albums pop up on this list and I suspect we will.
tbh i was slightly disappointed by this — it’s still good, but i felt it dragged in a couple of places.
At first I found him too similar to Elton, but as the album went on, the songs diversified in tempo and musical instruments and maintained an outgoing ambience that was always there to enjoy. Great rock album.
4/5 I actually liked this!
Ya have to get excited knowing you have a little BJ coming your way
Fun wide range of songs with great lyrics.
Another album where I know almost every song to some extent individually, but have never heard the album front to back. There really isn't a dull song on this album. The music stands out with its piano-forward rock sound, and the lyric writing is truly top notch -- all of these songs tell a truly memorable story; the lyrics aren't overly simple, but the storytelling is never sacrificed for the clout of sounding artistic, deep, or edgy. Billy makes it all seem so cool and effortless. This album just has an all-around major display of talent. An excellent inclusion in the project.
fín
Not a huge fan of Billy Joel but still fantastic album of his. Everytime I listen to this album I enjoy it, but I don't understand why I never revisit it myself. An example of this is probably maybe The Stranger, a beautiful song but there are parts of the track that gets me out of the emotional landscape he creates.
Really wasn't expecting to like this one* but the first two songs immediately won me over. Yes, the album does veer into sappy territory on occasion, but it was still really enjoyable. *The only track I recognized by the title was She's Always a Woman, a song I've always considered too corny for life. Fun fact: my friend still cannot listen to it, after a boy once confessed his 'love' for her, accompanied by this song, when we were all like... 14 years old.
All gold (last two tracks more gold-plated), classic timeless piano rock veering into prog pop, a blend of ballads and lovesongs and stories, with melodies you can whistle till your lips drop off.
Good vibes, fun song writing
Great songwriter. The last two songs (Get It Right the First Time and Everybody Has a Dream) are complete garbage but everything else is top notch if you're looking for some well-crafted lyrics and perfect accompanying music. In other words, nothing super inventive or genre-shattering but still a great listen.
The album cover is clearly trying to be art. But what is that hanging on the wall? Boxing gloves? Is he torn between being a lover (of strangers) or a fighter? Is it the cultural proximity to Rocky? /shrug Of course we all know Billy Joel. But I can't say I've ever sat down and listened to a whole album end to end. The opening song is strong. Who can help singing along with Cadillac-ac-ac-ac-ac? Just the Way You Are was popular just as I started learning to play saxophone as a little girl, so it is impossible for me to listen to without intense consuming nostalgia. Goodness me, the hits keep coming on this one. In my head I lump Billy Joel in with Elton John and Tom Petty as a fellows who can reliably turn out a straight forward but catchy tune, often telling a sharply drawn story, with a singing style that invites one to sing along. To me this kind of music forms the common backdrop we can all pin our own personal stories to. This music is popular for good reason.
Classic.
Some great hits on this tune. Billy Joel is an artist that you have to know and understand his style. I think he's authentically "square" but I don't think that's a bad thing. I don't think he's trying any music that is not his genuine self.
Billy Joel's most successful album, by the metric that you'll hear a good chunk of these on the radio. Billy Joel is clean, playful, polished enough for the masses, making his songs a shoe-in for radio. He's also an extremely good songwriter. Sure it's piano pop rock, but it's really that good. Obvious standout is "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant", which is a sentimental song that tells a bittersweet story through a few "movements", if you will. Fantastic. Great closer to side 1. The rest of it is practically that good. I don't know what else to say.
I have incredibly beautiful memories with this album. Very beautiful moments and cheesy ballads. (8/10) FT: Nearly whole album :) Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Vienna, Everybody Has a Dream
This album actually surprised me. I've never been the biggest fan of Billy Joel's music, like, at all, and as such, had very low expectations going into this. I was surprised to find out that it was a super strong album. Was it great, or particularly mindblowing? No, but the album as a whole was still really good. The vocal delivery and just the vocals themselves from Billy Joel were great, as was the instrumentation and overall arraignment. I found the album to be consistent throughout; there isn't a song that I dislike (too much, that is). Overall, I'm glad I got the chance to listen to this album. Not great, but very solid.
Perfectly produced 70's radio pop/rock. More tunes knocking around than a pack of lozenges. Best Tracks: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song); Vienna; Only The Good Die Young
I thought this would be cheesy (and the cover art is creepy AF) but it was above average. Classic feel and none of the songs were terrible.
Pretty cool tunes
enjotyed this - MOR as fuck but great songwriting
The crew making this album had to know how big it was going to be. Far from big fan of his but this album is undeniable
Lotta hits and some filler. I wasn’t aware that “adult contemporary rock” existed when this was released, but that’s what it was in back 1977. Even though this isn’t my favorite style of music, Billy Joel scores with catchable tunes that have been radio staples for decades. I was struggling between 3 or 4 stars. Rounding up for “Only the Good Die Young” and memories of this track getting cranked up at our Jr. High School dances - fake silk shirts, arrowhead necklaces, red stripe Nikes, a lotta sweat and no girlfriends.
interesting to listen to more than just his hits. Real good stuff here, billy.
Didn’t think I’d like it. I liked it
Vibes of Elton's Honky Chateau through a lot of this. Enjoyable Listen. 3.5 really
"Movin' Out" is a fantastic start, and "The Stranger" is great too, but then things take a turn for the saccharine - I definitely prefer his more upbeat numbers to the ballads. When I listened to this yesterday I'd have given it 3 stars, mostly due to disappointed expectations after the strong opening tracks... Listened again today with more of an idea of what to expect, and found it a lot more palatable... Fave track - "Movin' Out", for sure, with the title track a close second...
4.45 Billy Joel is a lyrical poet or a prose writer
Better than expected, plays out like a mob movie soundtrack.
As a whole album The Stranger is the best of Billy Joel. His other album are far less consistent in quality. To mention which song is the best ("Scenes from an Italian Restaurant") is almost a crime considering that apart from the last two songs (being only solid) they are all great.
This is the first Billy Joel album I've listened to all the way through and its what I expected from a billy joel album. Every song is at least listenable and there are quite a few bangers. Favs: moving out, only the good die young, everybody has a dream
I loved this album start to finish., Even the songs I didn't know were really fun to listen to and great 80s rock that you expect from Billy Joel. Loved Vienna and Get it right the first time.
Mooi rustig album met een paar prachtige schijven
Joel offers arguably his most complete album for the masses. By avoiding typical levels of corn and silliness, Joel has several iconic slow, ballad songs that leave to a worthy listen. The final two tracks aren’t close to the quality of the rest, but it doesn’t hold down the effort back too much.
This album seems familiar, I feel like my parents have played this album before
Great album, really enjoy Billy Joel and 6/9 of the songs on this album are hits. At one point, I would have given it a 5, but just seems a tad bit poppy to me now.
There was a time when I really liked the best of compilation of Billy Joel and listened to it quite a lot. That was pretty long ago and I now realize how super cheesy Billy Joel and his songs are. Still, there are a couple of pretty good ones, he has a very good voice and occasionally I like the storytelling of his songs. I think I might have rated this a 3 or 3.5 on its own merits, but the nostalgia factor pushes it up to a 4.
Really enjoyed this album. Great songs and writing. Didn’t realize how many classics were on here.
Peak Billy Joel. I hated this a lot more when it was on the radio for 20 years. Is it possible it’s not as schmaltzy or ick as I remember? No, it’s still schmaltz.
Gut zu hören
Großer Mainstream
MOVING OUT! and Scences From An Italian Restaurant. This album is basically all hits, though I don't know that I find Billy Joel especially compelling. It's supremely polished, no rough edges, and all about appealing to the widest audience possible. Which is a valid approach, but not one I find super compelling.
I dig it
Never considered myself a Billy Joel fan, but this has most of my favorites. Some really creative arrangements.
Great listen. Fun and interesting songwriting and Billys singing is fantastic as well. 7/10
So the only thing I previously knew about Billy Joel is We Didn’t Start the Fire and Piano Man. Impressed.
Many classic BJ songs from my childhood.
I'm from Jersey and my local soft rock station played half this album to death, but I'm surprised just how into it I am. Billy Joel is a dork. At certain points, he tries to portray himself as a tough guy (notably on "Only The Good Die Young"), but he's tough in the way that anyone who has ever portrayed a gang member in West Side Story is tough. I still can't help but really appreciate this album, despite the cheese. Favorite tracks: "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant", "Only The Good Die Young"
60 The Stranger - Billy Joel 9 tracks. This was lovely. Just a really enjoying foot-tapping, hum-a-longer. Enjoyed it so much I have listened to it 4 times over the last few days. It's really up-lifting. I loved it. 4/5
Great, familiar with the album.
nostalgic
Love the mix of groove and ballads
The American Elton John. Or is Elton John The British Billy Joel? Anyways, cracking songwriting.
Dobar
This was bloody brilliant and sums up why I'm doing all this. I know all The Hits, but would never have gone out of my way to listen to Billy Joel. Fav new track: Scenes From An Italian Restaurant (absolute goals to play piano like this)
There are some classics on this album. First time hearing the album all the way through. It was an easy listen.
Spunky, fun, and heartfelt.
In general Billy Joel's whole vibe kind of rubs me the wrong way, the kind of serious showiness he exudes. But in spite of myself I must admit that I really enjoyed listening to this.
Poprock, muntert, opløftende, masser af klaver
Listened 5/10/21
Weird listening to this. For some reason, "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" caused me to start reminiscing about 70s TV shows like Welcome Back, Kotter and Good Times. A solid album with a lot of recognizable pieces. Worth adding to your library.
I had only listened to the greatest hits albums and it was surprising to hear so many of the hits on just this one. Great sound!
Good album
Альбом простой, но понравился, похож на Маккартни сольного
Classics from start to finish. A bit dad-rock-ish and too much piano for my *heavily refined* taste XD, but what an outing!!
Enjoyed this one. Songs I knew
Excellentissime, surtout le moment où le fils de Schreck se saisit de Morrissey et déclenche l'interupteur de son briquet au plus proche de son corps tremblant.
Strong 4 stars. I’m still new to Billy Joel so his stuff may need some time to resonate with me. Sometimes his lyrics strike me as cheesy, but I love his songwriting and I think his storytelling is top-shelf.
good
Good album. Creepy album cover.
The first track is an absolute bop and it doesn't let up much from there. This was not what I expected when it gave me Billy Joel, but I love it.
Every song is a hit. Really well done and his voice is great. 4.5/5, but relegated down to a 4 star since it's not one I'll spin on the regular, but rather I acknowledge its greatness.
I emjoy
Great lyrics and the songs outside of the hits were really good.
good album great songs love singing the songs
6/10
A very solid collection of tunes
Full of classics, can't deny a great album.
This was a great experience. The only gripe I have with this album (and most Billy Joel songs) is that they sound good once in a one month period, and this album is no different. It sounds fantastic and held my attention, but I would never put it into a playlist or mix. It's likely the "pop" feel of songs that makes them unrepeatable. Favorite track: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
Oh, I've heard this one. Just looking at the track list, this is actually pretty single-heavy. Short in terms of number of songs, though "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" is on the list, so that's basically three songs right there. I'm not a big Billy Joel guy because I feel like he's a distant third of the Springsteen/Elton group and gets unjustly included alongside them, but I could see this being the album of his I find easiest and breeziest to just throw on. Oh, I didn't know "The Stranger" was this song. I've heard this one before too. Every time it got near the chorus, I kept thinking it was going to be "That's All" by Genesis. I'm still completely and thoroughly unable to listen to "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" without thinking of the John Oliver segment on public defenders. Anyway, pretty good album.
4
Det här GILLAS! Fan vad mysigt. Utöver Piano Man har jag varit i mörkret när det gäller denna pärla. Otrolig röst och ett välspelat piano gör att man känner sig alldeles varm inombords. Under någon låt sänks intresset något kanske. Men sedan återkommer lugnet och den fina känslan av trygghet. "Vienna" och "She's Always a Woman", är riktiga pärlor. Bäst: "Vienna"
A lot of hits!
A lot of hits. Easy listening.
Never listened to a whole Billy Joel felt good
Catchy but reminds me of Ted so I think will always have a sore spot - damn music and it’s power over nostalgia! And regrets? 8/10
I liked it more than I thought I would like a Billy Joel album. I enjoy his storytelling in songs in this album. Highlights: 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
This is definitely peak Billy Joel. I needed this one today.
Great tunes with good storytelling and dynamics! I didn't realize I liked Billy Joel so much.
Classic 70s
very good
Fun, upbeat, classic Billy Joel
Really enjoyable, especially Anthony's song. Great lyrics
Generally not my style, but total classic
4/5 Fint album
Didn't think I knew any songs on this album and ended up knowing almost all of them.
One of Joel’s best. A personal favourite. Side A is pure excellence, but side B lets it down a bit.
There's something comforting about Billy Joel. He's always been around, these songs are deeply embedded in the psyche as though they'd always been there. It's like a sign of maturity when you realise he's great, it happens in everyone's life eventually. Great songs, great music.
Tykkäsin monipuolisesta instrumenttien käytöstä. Silti yksinkertaisen letkeää ja hyvin ajanhammasta kestänyttä musisointia. 3,5 mutta nostetaan tällä kertaa ylöspäin. Annoin levylle toisen kuuntelukerrankin, vaikka kymmenet ja kymmenet rästit odottaa.
Not bad.
A true classic from a great songwriter. He's not my favorite, but there's no denying his talent.
false
good album, billy joel is one of the greats and he doesnt have many, if any, bad songs or albums
One of the great songwriters with possibly his finest album. Musically it’s somewhere between Elton John and the Beatles and that suits my own taste just fine. Only the good die young is one of my favourite songs ever. 4/5
Really enjoyed this one.
enfin ...un vrai meme si c est des chansons d amour c est tout bon voix texte musique
Très bon album! Pour une fois qu'ils mettents quelques hits d'un artiste! J'ai eu un faible pour la radio connexe que spotify m'a fait jouer après!
very yacht rock, I'd put this when I'm down to go down
Surprising, some great songs I hadn't heard, some classics, some a bit less.
I've never been a big Billy Joel fan, but this was a really great album to listen to! I mean, of course it has the hits like "Anthony's song" "Just the Way You Are" etc, but songs like "Vienna" and "Get It Right The First Time" were brilliant.
I've always appreciated Billy Joel even if not someone I listened to all that often. This album is full of great songs.
Suprisingly good. Pleasant surprise.
He’s an asshole but alright
👌🏽just 👌🏽
Very good album. Maybe it's just me but it gave me a lot of Graceland vibes even though it's quite different.
I like Billy Joel. Nice album. Nice to listen to. And some songs I recognized.
So many hits! Great album
Great album, scenes is a fantastic song
memories, was good to hear
Fav Song: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
Used to play this on Roy’s old vinyl
Some really great songs.
Nice to listen to the full album. "She's always a woman to me" very classic!
absolute classic, every song a hit
Oh who would have thought, another rock album...I liked the sax in just the way you are. It's a decent album.
det här är ett riktigt bra album. öppnar starkt med movin' out och fortsätter egentligen bara öka. har lyssnat hela helgen för att bestämma om det är en femma men dit når det inte riktigt.
swag
Billy Joel's biggest hits are elsewhere, but his best songs are here. This is him at his purest, I guess. Best track: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
Very moody, stranger makes me want to curl up during rainy weather,scenes from an Italian restaraunt have me viking while I do my marvel superhero intro walk-dance down the street while gliding my hands on windows and finger-gunning at people I don't know.Vienna reminds me to take a slow pace and take in the views and risk of nostalgia and romance of the mundane we take advantage of. Only the good die young is a nice song to have a sing along in the car to with a close friend with good taste in music.
What a delightful album! 8/10 FT: The stranger
Great album, loved it.
I've never listened to the album but I've heard a few songs from it on the radio/rage/etc. I'll probably recognise a couple of others as well. Easy 4/5. Billy Joel might be a real prick but jeez he can write a song. I guess Elton John comparisons? Either way I'm gonna remember this album for background drinking music etc (for when I get bored of malevolent creation ha ha ha)
Ihan kivoja kipaleita, mutta kovimmat hitit puuttuu.
Ihan kivaa poppismaalailua. Parit ikivihreetkin.
Ihan jees, vähän Elton John tuli mieleen. Ei mitään ihan isoja hittejä, mutta ihan oli musaa kuitenkin.
Great album - cheesy, but in all the right places
It was fine. Very fine at moments, but didn't really get hit big in the feels like I thought I was going to.
Kun ensimmäiset kaksi biisiä oli soinu, mietin, että tässä on potentiaalia viiden tähden levyksi, jos meno jatkuu samanlaisena. Ei se valitettavasti jatkunu. Musta tuntuu, että loppua kohti mentäessä biisit kävi jotenkin ikävän yksitoikkoisiksi ja keskityminen oli jatkuvasti vaikeempaa. Harmi, koska Billy Joel on taitava. Samanlailla harmi, että populaarikulttuurissa hänen suurin teoksensa on Piano Man, koska kyllähän hän ihan todella upeaa musiikkia ja tarinankerrontaa osaa tehdä, jota piano mies ei edusta. Harmi vielä kolmannen kerran, että hän ei selkeesti osaa myös lopettaa biisejään ko kaikki feidaa ulos. Kovin Disney-bängeri tulee tosin hra Joelilta, koska Why Should I worry? on uskomaton ja taidankin kuunnella sen hyvän mielen kipaleen juuri nyt saman tien.
Oli aivan jepa. No big feelings mut aivan mielellään tota kuunteli.
I am not generally a Billy Joel fan, but crazy how every song of his I do like is on this album.
Album n.12 I found the first few songs alright but a bit boring, not really my thing. Scenes from an Italian restaurant started a bit slower but when it picked up I really liked it. Vienna also very fun and enjoyable. Only the good die young had a very danceable sound. The last songs are nice to listen to but I'm okay with not hearing them again. I rate it 3.4
Silly Joel
I like this, but sometimes find the bombast a little exhausting. Vienna was my playlist pick. Kind of a working man’s Elton John.
When it's good it's brilliant, when it's not it's a bit tedious
Couple good songs
Billy Joel album. 3/5
Ikke helt for meg, men ikke dårlig.
Började bra men hann tröttna lite. Stark trea ändå för att den har ett gäng bangers.
mkt romantiskt
Some great songs and some very over the top songs.
I don't think I have intentionally listened to this album before, so I am amazed at how many songs I know from radio, TV, movies, etc. Not really my thing but you can't deny there are many great songs on this album.
Thought it was alright. A lot of songs I recognize (throwback to me in my younger years listening on repeat to Panic! at the Disco covering Moving Out). This seems to me like good music to put on if you don't want the music to be distracting. I definitely didn't dislike this, but it's not really my thing. Favourite songs: Moving Out (Anthony's Song) Vienna
superb!
Previously known. Sounds like my childhood.
Billy Joel always feels a bit like the American version of pub singer playing piano in some lounge bar. Not that there is anything wrong with this. It just feels a little bit like it is from a past time. And from the content of the majority of the songs on this album. That time was pretty patriarchal. The two major hits "Just the way you are" and "She's always a woman" are fairly damning of women being not particularly trustworthy or useful. It feels like poor Billy is going through a breakup here and is feeling quite sore about it. (2.500)
Instrumentation? Yes. Lyrics? Not quite the stories I'd like to hear
Never listened much to any Billy Joel, but was a pretty good experience. Very good song writing, he has a good voice. I can hear why this would be popular at the time. A decent 3.
Very average. Never thought “wow i could really go for some Billy Joel”
A poor man’s Elton
A lovely, lovely voice. Cannae move for ballads.
I didn’t know what to expect from a Billy Joel album and ended up quite enjoying this! Not many tracks stood out to me, even after a second listen, but I quite like Movin’ Out, Vienna (which I already knew), and Get It Right the First Time. Rating: 3.5
It was fine
Really like the song Moving Out, it feels like rebellious teen spirit. Whole album is like this. Has some all ahead of its, I can even say it's ahead of our time.
Pretty enjoyable I suppose, I’m not sure Billy Joel is really my thing. That said, Movin’ Out!! What an opener
Просто піаніновий рок. Я, буквально, не можу більше нічого написати. Альбом непоганий, але як же він не запам'ятовується. Оцінка: висока 5/низька 6
a lot of classics on this album!! not suuuper my thing but was good to listen to. enjoyed
i think its not my type of music, okay but not impressive enough
po prostu ok, dwie fajnie piosenki, moving out i vienna
Undoubtedly talented musically, with some great melodies, but something just falls flat for me here - none of the songs really stick with me, and the most memorable ones have a certain plastic-y sheen that prevents me from wanting to revisit this too much. It reminds me a lot of Queen albums - a musical theatre album put through the lens of a pop-rock act.
It was fine
I gotta say I don't really get it? But it was listenable enough with some fun tracks.
Cet album m'était en fait totalement étranger, mais j'aime bien. Playlist pick : Vienna
Pretty good
Surprising to me that piano heavy pop could become popular in the US. There are some good songs here, but also some inane ones (Italian restaurant, movie’ out) but also some good ones (she’s always a woman and everybody has a dream). Ultimately not something I would ever put on, but can appreciate it.
If this is Billy Joel's best shot, then I think it's confirmed I'm never going to be much of a Billy Joel fan. As I've said before, he's super-talented but also Springsteen for dorks.
Funny enough, I listened to this a couple months ago on my own volition, and I've been meaning to watch the new docuseries about Billy Joel. Although I loathe "Piano Man"—thankfully not on this album—I'm not reflexively anti-Joel. "Only the Good Die Young" is great, I like "Movin' Out," and "Just the Way You Are" may be sentimental, but it works. That summarizes Billy Joel in general. There's always a good amount of cheese, but he makes it work for the most part.
Ok, not my jam.
Ім,я знайоме)
Some of it isn't my thing, but some of it hits hard. Almost went to 4 stars just for "heart attack-ack-ack-ack-ack"
Sounded like I would expect.
Loved reconnecting with these old familiar tunes, transporting me back to nightshift in the printing factory, my first job is a brand new immigrant to New Zealand. Nevertheless a little too middle of the road for me
No me volvió loco
1. Movin'Out (★★★⯨☆) 2. The Stranger (★★★⯨☆) 3. Just the Way You Are (★★★⯨☆) 4. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (★★★☆☆) 5. Vienna (★★★☆☆) 6. Only the Good Die Young (★★★★☆) 7. She's Always a Woman (★★★☆☆) 8. Get It Right the First Time (★★★⯨☆) 9. Everybody Has a Dream (★★★☆☆) TOTAL = ★★★⯨☆ (3,5)
me gusto la onda , le di like a un solo tema
I grew up with this one. Great album, but there are some duds.
7/9 great songs
I don’t love it, but 1001 is a lot of albums so it’s okay to be there. I like it more now that the youngens are discovering Billy Joel and embracing it. Plus, this album is his good one.
This is going to shock the masses...I enjoyed this a fair amount. It's obviously very shlocky and hackneyed, but fair play to Jo-el, he can sing, he can play and he can write. Just The Way You Are is horrible mush, but there are plenty of songs on here that are just good honest fun. Well done Billy.
Never really cared for Billy Joel but this wasn't too bad.
Much better than I thought it would be. My main association with Billy Joel is hearing my Grandma listening to Uptown Girl all the time and fucking hating it, even as a little kid. But this album doesn't have Uptown Girl on it. It has She's Always a Woman, a pretty hard track to argue with; kind of the perfect version of itself. That being said: I still felt there was corny sheen over all the songs, a certain lack of taste that other singer/songwriters of the 70's cultivated much better, and that got in the way for me. I see a world where, being more acquainted with the sound, I could see through it to the very solidly written tracks, because that already happened with some of the highlights here. But on first listen, I still have quite a few reservations.
Billy Joel’s best album, which means it’s mostly listenable with some great songs, many okay songs, and a few annoying songs.
Есть альбомы про которые ничего нельзя сказать - ни хорошего, ни плохого. Послушал и ничего не осталось. Никакого впечатления. Этот из их числа.
Not a fan but appreciate his standing in music. So many great songs.
I actually liked this more than I would have ever expected. His style sort of annoys me, but the songs themselves are good. Too fruity though.
There are definitely some hard-to-deny piano pop melodies on this album… but it’s still cringy Yacht Rock.
Billy Joel is a really talented musician. Great album!
Could probably be a 4 or 5. But Billy we didn’t need a 7 minute song about an Italian restaurant.
3/5
Not really my kind of rock. Feels repetitive and too lighthearted? Makes me think of an old-fashioned-traditional-romance-movie soundtrack mixed with classic American dream. The only song I actually sort of enjoyed was the album-titled The Stranger. Actually became kinda annoying after a while…
Decent but didn't blow me away at any points really.
Ouve se, mas nao é a minha cena, se calhar um 3.5
Billiam Joel ain't for me. He's a weird nostalgia trip for a life I never lived. My parents never listened to him so neither did I - this is actually my first full Billy Joel album listened to all the way through - and I just have no attachment to it whatsoever. The songs are pretty richly told stories, but they just sound dated and campy. It's all a bit overperformed. But still, there are some pretty decent tracks on here. Standouts are "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" - I both kinda enjoyed and cringed at it, I dunno, it's complicated - "Only the Good Die Young" "She's Always A Woman" and "Get It Right the First Time" The second half of the album picks up, but then "Everybody Has a Dream" brings it back down to end in mediocrity, which is a shame. I just wish the songs didn't sound as cheesy as they do. There's a lot thats good about The Stranger but a lot that bugs me. It's a 3/5 for me.
My neighbors in college used to listen to this record over and over until I grew to hate it. Listening again after almost 50 years I enjoyed it.
The album that saved him from being dropped by Columbia. I don't have any Billy Joel albums, but this is pleasant enough.
Esta bien
Soft piano-driven rock, with those piano ballads Billy Joel is known for. Quite easy listening, solid song-writing throughout. Just the Way You Are is a bit too smooth and cliche for me. If you think about it, Billy Joel is kinda parallel to Elton John with the soft rock piano vibe. But I do think Billy is the better songwriter. Ah, ending the album on a gospel track.. not so original Best track - Movin' Out, The Stranger Torn between 3 or 4 stars. It's straightforward high quality soft rock. It doesn't blow my mind but it is such a polished project and an easy listen.. I'm not in a rush to listen to it again, so it will have to be a 3. Sorry Billy
не
Super
While I can appreciate that these are objectively good songs, reflected by the fact I knew almost all of them already despite never putting this album on before, it doesn’t really do much for me. Falls into the genre of perfectly pleasant but uninteresting for me. Not bad.
Fito Paez and Charly García vibes
A good album, I liked Movin' Out, The Stranger and Only The Good Die Young the most.