Reviews (page 10 of 14)
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)
Previously known. Sounds like my childhood.
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.
Wearing a leather jacket that was a gift from your mom. 3.5/5
might get shot for not quite liking this, but what can i do...?
Me gustó y es bastante interesante
The first part’s really good you know there’s some definite hits. It’s probably a no skip album. I do not like Billy Joel but he used to be cool a little.
I know of Billy Joel, but never listened to a whole album of his which I did on my morning walk yesterday- yes some classic tunes here, but a bit MOR for me, but ok
Enjoyed much more than I thought I would, still not exactly my type of music but enjoyed the listen
essential mom type album (complimentary)
Not my favourite nor his best IMHO So, I'll stick with a 3/5. Also, it didn't help the day I got this, it was not the best day to listen to it. Again, sorry :-(
1977, a mountain of amazing, interesting, innovative music is being made around the world. Billy made this. Recoganise a lot of them though, wacks of muzak. 2.5 rounded up Heard before? Some Owned: No: 68/277 (24%) Will I get: No
high energy story telling, great songwriting, very interesting song structures, the melodies are simple but emotional and catchy it is a great melodic pop record, even though the music doesnt really resonate with me completely; rhyming two words in the same sentence gets old really fast, the pseudo anecdotic perspective of the lyrics is the best part of it, makes it feel authentic
142. cool
6/10 Billy Joel is one of those artists that has sort of sat on the periphery for me. I know his biggest hits, but I’ve never really felt inclined to dive deep. The Stranger was his critical and commercial breakthrough album, so it’s an interesting prospect, and there are a couple of recognisable titles on the tracklist. Straight off the bat, it’s clear that he’s got a great ear for melody and a classic pop-rock delivery that’s easy to engage with. There’s a decent edge of groove in various places too, even if it is a tiny bit on the safe and controlled edge of the rhythmic spectrum. When those strongest elements combine, there’s some really compelling songs in here; top notch pop music that gets you tapping your toe and swept up in the hooks and melodies. There are places where it sounds a bit Elton John-esque and places where he borrows from the pop-soul of the 60s and early 70s, building those sounds into a digestible soft-rock format. But boy is it cheesy. He’s clearly a fantastic song writer, but he also seems to make a lot of clichéd choices, both musically and sonically and while I enjoyed decent amounts of the work, there were times when I was taken out of it a little by the wheels of ripe camembert that came rolling out of my speakers. That wasn’t really helped by how dated some of this sounded, particularly the synth strings and horns used in various places that sounded fairly weak and of their time. Had I grown up with this record, I can imagine that I would be likely to look past those factors, but with fresh ears, the production did fell pretty dated and added to the air of cheese that floated over the record. That being said, underneath it all, there is some great musicianship at play here that compliments the songwriting well and, despite the of-its-time production in places, the mix was crisp and easy to digest and I did enjoy getting to know this record. While it may not be one that I’ll dip back to often, I’m certainly intrigued enough to check out a bit more of his work. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - Great track to kick us off. It’s a slow groove, but it’s got great feel to it. The cadence of the bass line and chord structure shifting up and down is super cool. There are some really cool rhythmic blends across the different parts that give it a constantly shifting feel that’s used really effectively when he brings everything together on the odd occasion. A quality pop song. The Stranger - A nice, lazy intro and then some cheesy but delightful guitar that feels like it belongs to the 80s rather than 77. The vibe shifts really nicely through the different sections and the feel of the groove is pretty easy listening, but with a little twist that elevates it above that. I’m not in love with it, but it’s well written and executed. The fade out to a repeat of the intro is weirdly jarring though. Just The Way You Are - Sweet gorgonzola. I mean, it’s a brilliant song, with some incredible melodies, delivered with great feel and swagger, but it’s so incredibly cheesetastic. The lyrics, the general vibe, the sax solo, I mean, wow. The production is great too, with everything having its place and all offering an essential part of the blend. The finest cheese money can buy. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant - This has more than a whiff of Elton John about it. It’s a tiny bit rambling, but in a very cool, organic way. There are more moments of übercheese, particularly the sax solo, but there’s just so much going on that it flitters on to something fresh quickly enough. There are some very groovy parts that have great pace and feel to them. It’s kind of hard to sum up feelings about this song because it does go everywhere, but I think it still feels pretty coherent and when it’s grooving along it’s excellent. The piano playing is top notch, and there are some great vocal hooks too. Vienna - A jazzy number now with an edge of pop soul. He delivers with a great swagger here and there’s an excellent gentle touch to the playing. Great vocal melodies again and more of that organic, rolling compositional flair that’s been a highlight of the record thus far. The string synths sound pretty dated and cheesy now, unfortunately and I’m not completely sold on the accordion either. But compositionally it’s great, I think it may just have aged a little poorly from a production and instrumentation point of view. Only The Good Die Young - Another classic full of white boy swagger. It’s got great touch and groove to it and that main hook is so, so good. Again, this sounds pretty outdated and cheesy in places due to the production choices and some of the synth patches, but the quality of the song writing does shine through. Weirdly, with actual horns on this record, the seemingly synthesised horn/organ calypso lead line that comes in during the choruses is pretty terrible mind. Still a cracking song though. She's Always A Woman - Great piano playing again and a lovely vocal performance. The layered guitar and piano work is really nice, underpinned by a simple but effective strolling bass. As with much of the album, it’s cheesy as anything, but melodically lovely. I find it less engaging than the more uptempo stuff, but it’s still a great composition delivered with skill. Get It Right The First Time - Back with some great uptempo groove again now. There’s excellent touch to that beat and this shifts along really nicely. He’s giving things a bit more grit and attitude in places, but he doesn’t forget to add in some cheesy flutes and la, la, la vocals too. It’s a pretty cool blend, and while I don’t entirely love it, I’m still having a pretty nice time. Everybody Has A Dream - And to close us out, there’s a gospel inspired number. It’s not bad, but a little bit slow and meandering. There’s some cool playing, but it doesn’t really manage to give any particularly hooky melodic moments like much of the rest of the album and while the vibe is decent, it does feel a bit like a pale (literally) imitation of music of this type that at its best has a LOT more soul than this. This is the favourite song of the sole white guy in the gospel choir who is always swaying out of sync with his choirmates. Oh, and then we get a little dip back into The Stranger. Meh.
What is sometimes a pity about this list is that it contains good artists who, in my opinion, have made better albums. Perhaps those will appear on this list as well.
You know Billy Joe? Cheesy love songs and faux blue collar novelty songs, amirite? Turns out he’s a bit more than just a piano man, with some cleverly constructed songs. I remembered the hits from this, but the big romantic ballads Just the Way You Are and She’s Always a Woman fall a little flat when you find out that he’s now on his fourth marriage to a series of increasingly younger and more glamorous women. I was more impressed with the mini song cycle Scenes From an Italian Restaurant that looks at the ups and downs of a relationship over a lifetime, and Vienna which is a tribute to that city with an appropriately Brechtian European feel. I also found out today that George Martin was initially tapped to produce this album which I think would have made it quite a different experience. As it stands, it’s a fine piece but probably just a bit too smooth for me.
"Movin' Out" and "The Stranger" are kinda nice, but otherwise I wouldn't relisten. Just not my cup of tea probably.
Ik vind dit over het algemeen wel goed en aardig om te luisteren. Het is me alleen richting het einde net iets te saai en langdradig om er 4 sterren voor uit de kast te halen. Het had net iets korter mogen zijn. Of één nummer met iets meer tempo in plaats van een balad mogen hebben.
Good
I can imagine me liking this one day but for now its just a bit too bland, and too sentimental.
I appreciate Billy Joel. I like quite a bit of his stuff, especially later in his career. There are three songs on this album, all big hits, that I have HATED for decades. It also has one of my favorite Joel songs of all time "Only the Good Die Young". I get why it's here. I also get why people adore this album. But for me, it's just average.
good vibes
Not really my thing, but clearly talented.
First time listen Good piano rock in the first half that gets pretty let down by a boring second half. Listen to the first half + Vienna and I don't think you'll miss out on much Favorite tracks: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), The Stranger, Scenes From an Italian Restaurant Least favorite: She's Always a Woman, Everybody Has a Dream 3/5
It was alright! Harmless and easy listen, probably won't return to the piano man but ya know.
Quiye a groovy album, loved Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
3.75
First and only Billy Joel album, surprisingly. I'd figured him for more prominent musician than only having one list album to his name, though in all fairness I've never listened to his music. I think I can very safely pin this as a 70s singer/songwriter rock album a la Bob Dylan. Anyways, here goes. A bit of a mixed bag, truth be told. The first half of this album carries itself very well, but side B is packed full of indistinct filler. That isn't to undercut the strengths of this album, however. This album is pretty great when it lands. The songwriting is incredibly tight and dynamic, the vocals hold their own very well and the piano rock stylings are liberating and fun. Good chord progressions too, and I like the distinctively 70s mellow-tempered flourishes of this album. Even if side B was a bit of a slog, I can commend the runtime of this album - it's at a good length. Overall, I fall down the middle on this album, though I'm favourable to giving this another listen somewhere down the line. I've heard the title track before, though I've no clue where. I think it might be another song my Dad used to play in his car. It's pretty good. The bouncy, discerning vocal style is fun and paired nicely with those signature guitar riffs during the chorus. The bridge is pretty great too with how much levity it grants to the song. Overall, a watertight and commendable song, particularly for how lightweight and free-flowing it is. "Just the Way You Are" is another song I'm familiar with, but I have even less of an idea where I've heard it from. It's either another Dad song or has been covered by another artist (this version is only faintly familiar). In any case, it's a nice song. It doesn't match the pure dynamism of The Stranger, but it's a good tune all the same. I like this mellow, mildly decadent sound which was present throughout a lot of 70s and early 80s music, particularly with the brass and organ-sounding instruments. The vocal melody isn't as strong on this track as it is on The Stranger, but it carries itself well all the same. Good tune overall. Man, what the fuck? I've heard "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" before, too. I distinctly recall hearing this song through my Dad's car. Guess he's a fan of Billy Joel. He's always been a "puts individual songs onto his phone" type of guy rather than an album fellow such as myself, which is why it's particularly surreal to hear three songs from his music library back-to-back. Anyways, this song is the best of the album. It has a commendable level of ambition which it pulls off quite well. The introductory section is nice with those spacey saxes, but the song really comes alive during the remaining three quarters, once again due to the songwriting. The mile-a-minute vocals are at just the right tempo, placing enough emphasis on the syllables while also having a fun, free-flowing airiness. Underscoring the vocals are the great pianos, which add further emphasis to the vocal performance while also contributing a parlor song sound that is befitting of this song's setting and subject matter. I'm sure there's a lot of crazy shit going on with the composition of this track thanks to how it transitions between different tempos and styles, but to my plebian ears that's more or less the extent of what I could impart from this song. Good tune overall. I've heard "Only the Good Die Young" too, once again through my father. I think this might be my Dad's favourite album. It definitely has a high strike rate with him. It's a fine song, though admittedly the weakest of the tunes I already know. The chorus is strong and I can appreciate the lyrics, but the remaining parts of the song aren't as tight or cohesive. Like I said at the beginning of this review, I'd figured Billy Joel for a more prominent musician than only having one list album to his name, so I'm not going to consult the book on this occasion. I imagine this album is in here on good authority. I cosign this inclusion.
grocery store music that low key slaps
Putain 1977, rendez-vous compte deux secondes du décalage ! Pendant que New York brûlait sous l’étincelle du punk, que les mecs du CBGB s’envoyaient des décharges d'électricité brute dans les veines, Billy Joel, lui, était sagement assis sur son lit, en costume, à regarder un masque posé sur un oreiller (c’est l’image de la pochette). Je vais être honnête avec vous, en écoutant cet album, j’ai eu une impression persistante de déjà-vu. Ou plutôt de "déjà-entendu-en-mieux". L'analogie m'est venue tout de suite et je ne peux plus m'en défaire : Billy Joel, c'est un peu le Elton John du pauvre ou pour être plus moderne, c’est le Elton John version Wish. On a le piano, on a le sens de la mélodie qui accroche l'oreille dès la première seconde, on a cette capacité à brosser le portrait d'une Amérique de banlieue... Mais il manque le panache. Il manque le côté flamboyant, le génie mélodique stratosphérique et cette espèce de folie baroque qui rend Elton intouchable. Ici, tout est à sa place, c’est du travail d’orfèvre, merci Phil Ramone à la production. Et musicalement, il n'y a rien à dire, ça tient la route. Le mec sait écrire des chansons, c’est indéniable et il sait comment construire un pont, comment poser un refrain qui va rester coincé dans ton cerveau pendant trois jours, que tu le veuilles ou non. Mais il y a ce "petit quelque chose" qui ne passe pas, ou qui passe trop bien, justement. C’est trop poli, c’est trop "civilisé". Prenez le titre éponyme, The Stranger. Ce sifflement introductif, tout le monde le connaît. C’est efficace, c’est mélancolique à souhait, mais dès que le rythme s'installe, on sent qu’on est dans un confort acoustique presque trop douillet. C’est de la pop de luxe pour cadres moyens qui veulent se sentir un peu mélancoliques en rentrant chez eux le vendredi soir. Et puis, il y a Just the Way You Are et là, on touche au summum de la ballade sucrée. C’est beau, c’est mignon, c’est la chanson parfaite pour un mariage dans le New Jersey mais c'est justement "trop" sucré à mon goût. Et même quand il essaie de faire le dur sur Movin' Out, on n'y croit qu'à moitié. On sent le bon élève qui veut jouer les rebelles de classe moyenne. Mais attention, l’album n’est pas mauvais, loin de là. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant est une pièce ambitieuse, presque une mini-opérette rock qui montre toute l’étendue de son talent de compositeur. C’est bien foutu, les changements de rythme sont impeccables, on voit le film se dérouler devant nos yeux. C'est du storytelling de haut vol, très "Broadway" dans l'esprit. Mais encore une fois, c’est très académique, c’est de la musique qui ne prend pas de risques, qui veut plaire au plus grand nombre et qui y arrive avec une insolente facilité. Ce qui me dérange le plus, c’est ce côté "entre-deux". Ce n’est pas assez rock pour transpirer, ce n’est pas assez variétoche pour être totalement méprisable, ce n’est pas assez expérimental pour être intéressant sur la durée. C’est une sorte de perfection pop un peu chiante, un peu trop lisse. Quand je compare ça aux disques qui me font vibrer d'habitude, ceux qui te prennent aux tripes, qui te bousculent ou qui t'emmènent dans des zones d'ombre inconfortables... Ici, c'est le calme plat. L'eau du bain est à la température idéale, ni trop chaude, ni trop froide et on finit par s'endormir dedans. Pourtant, je ne peux pas décemment dire que c'est une bouse car ce serait de la mauvaise foi pure et simple. Les arrangements de cordes sont superbes, les musiciens sont des pointures, et Billy Joel est un chanteur tout à fait compétent, bien qu'un peu trop scolaire dans ses envolées. On dirait qu'il a pris la recette d'Elton John, qu'il l'a passée au tamis pour en retirer toutes les excentricités, tous les costumes à plumes et toutes les drogues, pour n'en garder que la structure mélodique de base. Le résultat est une version déshydratée, très efficace, une version "soft" pour l'Amérique qui n'aimait pas les paillettes britanniques. Au final, j'écoute ça comme on regarde un vieux téléfilm bien produit : on ne s'ennuie pas vraiment, mais dix minutes après le générique de fin, on a déjà oublié de quoi ça parlait. C'est l'album du "oui, mais". Oui, c'est bien écrit, mais c'est fade. Oui, c'est culte, mais c'est daté dans le mauvais sens du terme. C'est le genre de disque qui a sa place dans une collection, parce qu'il représente une certaine idée de la réussite commerciale et de l'efficacité pop de la fin des années 70. En résumé, c’est pro, c’est propre, c’est l’archétype de l’album qui mérite la moyenne parce qu’il est techniquement irréprochable, mais qui n'aura jamais plus. C'est un produit de consommation courante, de luxe certes, mais de consommation quand même. Ce sera donc un 3 sur 5, pas un point de plus, pas un point de moins. C’est la note de la compétence qui ne parvient pas à se transformer en génie. C'est la note de l'élève sérieux qui rend une copie sans rature, mais sans aucune imagination. Billy, tu resteras mon Elton John de substitution quand j'aurai épuisé toute ma discothèque de post-punk dépressif. C'est-à-dire jamais, mais bon, l'intention y était. On passe à la suite, et si possible, quelque chose avec un peu plus de distorsion ou de désespoir authentique. Parce que la vie, ce n'est pas juste boire du vin dans un restaurant italien avec une nappe à carreaux. C'est aussi le bruit, la fureur et les ombres soit tout ce que cet album évite soigneusement de toucher pour ne pas salir son joli costume gris.
Bastante bien.
Reminds me of my childhood. My mom played this album A LOT.
This album was ok. There were a few big songs on there obviously with the likes of Vienna but I didn't/don't find them than enjoyable anyway. The rest of the album felt pretty average and it hasn't really stuck out to me. Probably one i will forget about. Still i'm going to give it out a 3, there's nothing really to fault it and there wasn't any songs that i was wishing to skip. Movin' Out 6 The Stranger 7 Just the Way You Are 6 Scenes from an Italian Restaurant 4 Vienna 8 Only the Good Die Young 4 She's Always a Woman 7 Get It Right the First Time 7 Everybody Has a Dream 5
Knew a few of these
good
Vienna
Listened previously. Expectations: Mid - Verdict: Very Good - I haven't listened to this all the way through in quite a while and it is really quite good. A few songs are a bit lacking compared to others I think, Just The Way You Are is definitely not as strong as the preceding tracks. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant is better but I'm not sure it's quite the masterpiece some make out. Vienna is gorgeous, as is She's Always A Woman. Overall a very good album, bordering on all time great status.
It's alright. The songs are beautifully written, and aside from cheesy saxophone solos and the predictable pastiche of a big climactic ending, they're timeless. Even I am not immune to a song like Vienna--I'll listen to it in my car and think to myself "I'm fine. This won't make me cry. Why would it? I'm not tearing up at all" as a lump forms in my throat. When it comes to the two big ballads on here, I prefer Vienna over Just The Way You Are. In regards to the two biggest hits, I'm definitely on team Movin' Out. But other than the straight New York heat, I'm not a massive fan of the album. I personally feel it loses steam after Only The Good Die Young. But I can't deny that it's a beautiful piece of work.
6/10
Some big hits on there but a few came up short for me.
Bardzo przyjemny, ale raczej nie w moim guście. Spokojny. Jak słucham to rzeczywiście się czuję jakbym cofnęła się do lat 70.
no me puede interesar menos su sonido y su rollo, pero no negaré que lo hace bien
I understand, but not my taste
nice
Nice songwriting with some really lovely numbers if a little schmaltzy in places. Some of thought was Elton John if I’m honest. I prefer Billy’s voice though.
Pretty good!
Billy Joel has a beautiful and clean voice but his music just doesn't do enough for me. it's very middle of the road. it's certainly a good vibe and he feels like everybody's wholesome music dad.
movin' out (anthony's song) // strong start. good song, it went in2 my not-enough-to-like-it-but-still-good playlist the stranger // that 1 part that sounds like steven universe music. i like the whistle part tho just the way you are // this reminded me a lot of oma. and also the alto sax reminded me of 17776. scenes from an italian restaurant // this does not look like scene from an italian restaurant. okay wait except the end a little bit vienna // this 1's piano has been my favorite so far, especially that end bit only the good die young // no she's always a woman to me // the only song i really know from this album, it's fine get it right the first time // ok everyone has a dream // ok .. the 2nd part was good
not my usual style but it's so homely
There's dad rock and there's grandma rock; this is grandma rock, but that's okay, because grandmas need music too
The Stranger is clearly a well-crafted and classic album. At the same time, it feels a bit like listening to songs I already know as “great” rather than discovering something new, so while I appreciate it, it doesn’t quite draw me in on a deeper level.
I expected to hate this album, associating Joel with elevators and shopping malls. I was pleasantly surprised. It was much better than I expected. Still not great, but good. An interesting bit of trivia from the book is that 24 musicians participated in recording this album. This is worth mentioning because in the end Joel is a composer.
The music is nice, of course Billy Joel is a great composer, but most of the songs are not what I look for in a song. I recognize their quality, but I don't find it appealing. 3/5.
Solid album. Kinda have to be in the mood for it.
This was fine couple of stand out tracks. Movin' Out being the one I liked the most.
Billy Joel is clearly really talented, and I love singer songwriter… but this music is so cheesy to me. I couldn’t really get into it. She’s Always A Woman was a stand out for me- my favourite track on the album.
As far as piano based soft rock goes, this is a great album. There are many of Joel's hits on here. Just not a style I would usually listen too. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Vienna is masterpiece. Love "she's always a women". Other than that, ok album
Bottle of red, bottle of white / per my dad. Some good sounds! Corny? Three.5 three!
Vienna is one of my favorite songs ever!!! I’ll most likely love the rest of the album
Cerramos la semana con un conocido que por conocido no significa que uno haya corrido a escuchar su discografía. Álbum con groove, tranquilo, llevado en los hombros por la voz de Billy Joel. Me gustó. Ideal para una juntada tranquila. Nos vemos el lunes, gente
pretty good
Sooo much fun. Billy Joel's songwriting is always a blast to experience. I loved some of the songs (the stranger, always a woman) but the last two left much to be desired imo. a solid 3.5 album; some songs to save but not consistent enough for a 4 :) favourite(s): The Stranger, Always a Woman least favourite(s): Get it Right the First Time, Everybody Has a Dream
Dad music
defo can see why the most popular songs are most popular.. good tho!!
straight elton john
Pretty fun listen, not bad at all. I am not the biggest fan of hits, but a lot of memorable tracks.
high 3 some good songs here but lacking fundamental appeal
I like Billy Joel. He has some undeniable hits and is a talented musician and The Stranger has more than a couple standout hits. But in ranking the best albums of all time… those hits really drag up the average of some otherwise uninteresting songs… TO ME….
More upbeat and fast paced music. I've listened to some of the songs before but probably wouldn't go and search them up. I believe my mom or sister would enjoy this album more.
strange
i'm way behind so i'm not gonna write a full review for this one- shoutout to billy joel. great music. get it right the first time was my fav on this one
Some upbeat bangers in the first half but looses it a bit in the second. Kind of liked it. My reviews are getting less in depth.
I wanted to love this but most of the songs just didn’t *quite* hit for me.
it's okay but nothing special for me
this was very good. i particularly really enjoyed “the stranger”, i find the message to be really true and also “vienna” is so good.
Slick and well played singer-songwriter classic. Probably Joel’s apotheosis.
Billy Joel siempre fue un señor, a sus 28 años suena a 53. Fuertemente influenciado por Elton John con pinceladas de Cat Stevens y Paul McCartney, arreglos cursis y cuasi épicos que funcionan. Cuando empieza a caer mal salva la canción con instrumentaciónes perras. Pop elegante y nostálgico y una que otra balada irresistible. La mezcla está muy fina, contenida, nada fuera de lugar, no hay catarsis.
The Stranger (1977) is the 5th studio album by Billy Joel and is recognised as his critical and commercial breakthrough. This isn’t an album I am familiar with except for the UK singles Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), Just the Way You Are and She’s Always a Woman (not released as a UK single until 1986) Listening to the album it was reminding me (and probably not in a good way) of Leo Sayer crossed with a softer version of Bruce Springsteen. Joel’s singing is very competent but the songs for the most part lack any real emotion. I do like some Billy Joel and the singles do stand out against the blandness of most of the tracks on this album. To be fair soft-rock isn’t really a genre that I listen to that much of so maybe three listens isn’t enough to give this a fair review, but I don’t think I’d be missing out on much if I never listened to this again. Side A: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - fun upbeat pop-rock - 4/5; The Stranger - boring soft rock - 2/5; Just the Way You Are - smooth love song - 4/5; Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - overly long and dull soft rock - 2/5; Side B: Vienna - apparently one of Billy Joel’s favourite compositions - it doesn’t move me - 3/5; Only the Good Die Young - catchy pop-rock - 3/5; She’s Always a Woman - romantic ballad written for his then wife - 4/5; Get It Right the First Time - funky but bland rock-pop - 2/5 Everybody Has a Dream - overwrought gospel style track - 2/5
The opening song — particularly the first two — are fire. Tight, confident, fantastic songwriting. The more languid ballads didn't grab me as much. They sound like the other artists of the time, Paul/Elton/Sade, but less engaging songwriting. That means, for me, I prob won't come back to the record, but I'm definitely going to play some Billy Joel greatest hits; blind spot on my catalogue.
I mean this in the best way possible. This is quintessential white people tunes. Expertly crafted and beige as hell! I agree that it’s an important album and Billy Joel did some great work here. 3.5/5.0
Ah, Mr Joel. Very very firmly in the "I don't *quite* get it" category. Clearly talented, very clearly a talented man. But the music doesn't speak to me. Similar to Springsteen or Grateful Dead - am I the wrong age? Born in the wrong country? The wrong socio-economic group? Whatever it is, I enjoy the songs, appreciate the levels of fandom, whilst still being left cold. I accept 3 looks harsh, but it feels even more wrong to vote 4 on something that I simply don't enjoy that much.
- billy joelin musiikki ei oo erityisen tuttua, toki nimen tietänee kaikki - aika eeppisiä, musikaalinomaisia biisejä - hieno levy, ymmärrän suuren suosion, itse en välttämättä kuitenkaan tule tämän pariin juurikaan palaamaan
Niceee
Listenable. Some songs did stand out though, but was largely just ok.
Starts pretty strong, but the second half is a bit weaker. Never really listened to much Billy Joel, but I am glad that I finally get a chance to listen this album.
It is clear how important Billy Joel is to the great american songwriter tapestry. However, I've always sorta found him a bit of a "the bones are their money" type lyricist. It sounds good but i think i'm not persuaded that it's something i'll return to often with particular focus. And to be clear i'm not sure i have ever heard anyone else be nearly as good at this songwriting mode where the lyrics are so transparent and heart-on-sleeve. The musicianship is quite fun throughout. "Vienna" is a song that I find much more well observed than the other tracks here. A good hang of an album.
Calming but not really my taste
pleasant enough but we really need to study what billy joel did to baby boomer's brain chemistry that he was their god for a not-insignificant period of time
Even if you don't know these songs, you know these songs. Having said that, Ubiquity isn't Excellence. The songs are fine, even if the backing is overblown, but in the pantheon of male singer songwriters you'd have to put Paul Simon, Randy Newman, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John (particularly the early Elton) well ahead of him. And the songs that remind you of other, better songs (She's Always a Woman and Dylan's Just Like a Woman or Don't Go Changing and Stevie Wonder's All in Love is Fair) just show up his limitations. You'll have a good time, but whether you'll be totally satisfied is up for debate.
Tiene algunos temas interesantes que incluso me gustaron de una pero otros me generaron rechazo.