The Stranger

Ok

The album was okay. My girlfriend listens to one particular song on that album, but it's not my favourite of hers anyway. Pretty average listen.

probs a 3

I can see why this album appeals to some people, but it’s definitely not my style. It’s very much music for the radio.

There's some good hits on here. Over-all I feel so-so about the album, because some of it isn't particularly interesting to me.

Probably the most Billy Joel I can manage at a stretch but I listened while making a pizza in the middle of a snowstorm, breaking to dance around the kitchen, with my partner yelling "what's with all the sax?" at some point during one of the many sax solos.

3.5

Some classic songs on this album but wouldn’t listen to it all again.

I like some things by Billy Joel, and there is some really great instrumentation and singing on this, but sadly it feels like it passes me by a bit.

I guess I only really know 80's Billy Joel so I was expecting much worse. It was still kinda cheesy but in a good way?

Always quite liked Billy Joel, but never listened to a full album. I was glad that this album had "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" as it's a song a like very much. It's where Billy is at his best for me with his storytelling. There are the other big songs "Just The Way You Are" and "She's always a Woman" which I of course like. Overall I enjoyed the album, but it's the hits that stand out for me. A great album to put on when people are around for a meal, but not one I'd listen to repeatedly myself. 7/10, the hits carry it, and there is no doubting the talent, just doesn't blow me away.

I’m not very familiar with Billy Joel’s music, so the only one from this that sounded familiar was Only the Good Die Young and that’s never been a song that’s made me want to explore further. Fortunately, I enjoyed songs like The Stranger, Just the Way You Are, and especially Vienna a lot more. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant compares both favorably and unfavorably to Paradise by the Dashboard Lights — unfavorably because it reminds me of it in style and scope, favorably because at least it’s a better song! The album kinda loses me in the last two tracks though the reprise of the whistling from The Stranger was a welcome coda. I’ll definitely come back to Vienna and I won’t be upset about drawing another Billy Joel album, but I’m not converted either.

Knew alot more billy Joel than I thought! A nice album, very time defining, storytelling aspect with imagery was cleveley done

She's always a woman is the song i can relate most to. it's somehow frustrating to hear how good the song 'get it right the first time' is but that chorus and bridge sucks! everybody has a dream is a good song

It was very nearly a 4. But just a few too many songs that I didn't rate.

not really a Billy Joel fan tbh

+ fajne, przyjemne + bardzo współczesne jak na lata 70. + znalałam jedną piosenkę!!! + fajne teksty (imo gościu był alkoholikiem tho) + przyjemne melodie i frazy + fajny wokal - nie urwało mi dupy - rozumiem że na tamte czasy to był hit, ale współcześnie nie jest to nic niesamowitego - zbyt długie utwory / powtarzalność - nudne

Was nice.

Heard this before 3/5 or just above just 2 really great bangers Vienna & She's only a woman.

5/10 в целом альбом неплохой, слушать можно, но ничего интересного для себя я не нашла, к сожалению ни одна песня не зацепила но обложка прикольная

Not half as bad as I expected. Obviously overly saccharine at points, but generally a pleasant listen and wittier than I'd ever given Billy Joel credit for

Well, Billy Joel....thanks for the experience.

"mama, if that's movin' up then i'm movin' out." - a drag queen probably

borinh

This guy is cheese: some of his songs are pretty gouda, but a lot of them stink like gorgonzola. Bonus star because Only the Good Die Young is one of my go-to karaoke songs.

I’ve maintained for around 20 years now that Billy Joel is terrible (minus 1 song). This album actually doesn’t suck. Some good stuff here and doesn’t sound super dated like his later stuff does.

I knew most of these songs and it probably deserves a 4, but I don’t feel like giving it a 4.

A few cool tracks and good vibe.

Me gustó, me distraje un segundo y ya había terminado, es muy fácil de escuchar, todas las canciones están buenas.

3/5

ik vind sommige nummers best leuk zoals shes always a woman (wel super populair maar oke boeie) en the stranger en vlgsm movin out maar de rest vind ik een beetje te idk niet heel leuk

not my vibe

a good listen. recognized most of the songs.

Was a fun album to listen to, not much meat on the bone for me.

A finely crafted set of songs, worthy of inclusion

Pleasant. Accessible. I prefer the slower songs over the faster ones. The best song is Vienna. 3 stars.

Most enjoyable songs ------------ * Everybody Has a Dream * She's Always a Woman * Moving Out (* Vienna) ------------

Easy listener with some classic songs you can tap your foot to

Між Біллі Джоелом та Елтоном Джоном я завжди оберу Елтона Джона. Але треба визнати наскільки канонічним став семпл зі The Stranger. Взагалі в мене з Біллі Джоелом складні стосунки, деякі пісні сильно подобаються, а деякі зовсім ні. Також в нього доволі цікаві тексти місцями.

I grew up with this album being played in my house and it's nostalgia for me. Not something I'd go out of my way to play but will sing along when it's played. Good songs and lyrics and worthy of a chance at this list but not one I'd seek out.

Very boppy, classic Billy Joel sound with piano and quick lyrics. Movin’ out was my #1 song of the album. It’s a good one to put on the background if you have company because it’s not too bombastic and his voice is smooth & even

It started off as a great listen, but it got a little tiresome after a while.

Classic vibes and a whole lot of pathos!

73/1001 I recently enjoyed the Billy Joel documentary and have enjoyed his music on the radio but have never played a whole album before. This was alright. I’d add Movin’ out to a greatest hits playlist. 5/10

favs: vienna e movin out

billy joel very vibey in general, shld deffo listen to him more!

Surprisingly better than I expected. The problem that I have with this album is that the hits are the hits for a reason. They're good - Movin' Out, Just the Way You Are, Only the Good Die You, She's Always a Woman. But they're weighed down in equal weight by Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Everybody Has a Dream, Get It Right the First Time. So after the whole album, it's an equal weight of "that's unsurprisingly good" and "oh yeah, this is why I don't listen to a lot of Billy Joel."

At least it's not "Piano Man."

meh, few tracks are nice

the album is great, it's just not the kind of music i go for but i really enjoyed It.

Boooooring

Nunca tinha ouvida outras músicas do Billy Joel. Já conhecia Vienna. A outra melhor música é Movin' Out. Outras músicas são Ok. Voz sensacional. Mas as músicas não são interessantes.

Tiene ese ambiente y espíritu neoyorquino de los 80. Pop que quiere ser rock elegante y sofisticado, Letras nostálgicas

Billy Joel is a great storyteller in musician form. Randy Newman croaked so Joel could sing. These songs take me back.

Just the way you are

eh mei repetitivo memo, mas não achei ruim não. gostosim demais pra ouvir arrumano a casa domingo de manhã!!

Movin' out (Anthony's song) 16/20 The stranger 12/20 Just the way you are 9/20 Scenes from an Italian restaurant 13/20 Vienna 8/20 Only the good die young 10/20 She's always a woman 13/20 Get it right the first time 11/20 Everybody has a dream 6/20 Album 10,9/20 Amazing guitar and bass riffs on the upbeat songs Good piano on the slow songs Overall amazing vocals Great diversity of instrument but not a fan of the saxophone I like the upbeat songs more than the slower songs, that's why the rating is low cause there's more slow songs on the album

1. Soft rock vibes 2. Funky, groovy, good song 3. Smooth, angelic, a bit boring, saxophone jazz like 4. Longer ballad song, adventurous, more jazz saxophone solos, soft rock 5. Nice voice piano and drums, 6. Quicker tempo, “clap” beat good, saxophone solo 7. Love song, calmer, soft, 8. Up beat, faster, good drum work, 9. Softer and calmer except the chorus which livens up and is Beatles similar, piano at the end nice, Favourites - 2, 5, 6 Overall rating- 6/10 some groovy songs but overall boring.

day one: the strangers- billy joel (1977) 1. movin' out (anthony's song) - starts a story- expanding on the concept of money and defiance - multiple stories? interconnected? - 1:27 "cadillac-ac-ac-ac" - 1:50 nice slow tone before "moving out" - 2:54 exit with the car, more rock elements 2. the stranger - piano intro... love - one minute intro... yikes - leaning into the rock elements - 2:05 "don't be afraid to try again" - long song but super fast paced - makes it feel shorter 3. just the way you are - very different vibe - jazz solo? sax? - kind of boring 4. scenes from an italian restaurant - slow, mellow - this song is going to be sooo long - not loving it - speeding up, rock elements - better as it goes but not a favorite 5. vienna - this is his popular song - it's shorter so it's a break from the long songs - i like it 6. only the good die young - very different from vienna - this is nice 7. she's always a woman - loving the guitar 8. get it right the first time - loving the vocals - sounds like perfectionism in a naturally messy person - very faced paced 9. everybody has a dream - soooo long - boring after song 8 - i like the chorus rating: 3/5

I think it’s pop

Not my kind of music, but I can see why other people like it.

I've never listened to a full Billy Joel project before, much more catchy that I expected.

Hum… c’est un bon album, mais qui ne me parle pas plus que ça.

I don't know how to understand Billy Joel. He doesn't really fit into any category I can think of. That can be a good thing, but sometimes not. I was not keen on this album. I recognised a few of the songs but they were a bit plinky plonky.

очень красивно и денсно, приятно под него чуть-чуть поучиться, но не сохранила.

This was a huge record for Billy Joel and, by extension, for rock & roll history. At least 5 of the 9 songs here (see below) are Billy Joel classics you're guaranteed to hear on any greatest hits album ever made (or on easy listening radio on any given day). I totally appreciate the craftsmanship here but it's not my thing. I passively hear these songs so often, and might even sing along sometimes, but that makes it hard to CHOOSE to listen to this record, ya know? We don't have to be strangers, but I don't think we're gonna be friends. Hit List: "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" "Just The Way You Are" "Vienna" "Only The Good Die Young" "She's Always A Woman"

145 Piola. A ratos me recordaba a Elton John. Varias canciones conocidas. Piola.

Välspelat, välsjunget, inte för mig

Definitivt välgjort och känns verkligen som han gör det han ska, men jag känner mig inte som målgruppen.

This is #day480 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... how about some cool late-'70s pop rock? I've never actually listened to Billy Joel before, though the name sounds familiar. As is often the case with this kind of music, I loved the sax and piano, but I did prefer the softer songs. Very musical, all in all. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day481.

Was alright, but I find I much more into specific Joel sonfs rather than him as a whole. Great storyteller though

Standouts - Scenes from an Italian restaurant - Vienna - Always a Woman Pre Thoughts: I don't think I've listened to a soft rock album back to front ----Scenes from an Italian restaurant---- This album has hit it's stride with "Scenes from an Italian restaurant" and "Vienna" but I currently don't think it's anything I haven't heard before ----Only the good die young---- I always wonder if these albums were amazing at the time and then everything copied it so now it sounds bland ----Always a woman---- OH THIS SONG! Crazy how much this has stood the test of time. ----Everybody had a dream---- The last 1 minute felt really out of place not really sure what it was doing Post thoughts: I understand why this album is on the list, lots of classics on here and generally enjoyable but it's nothing special imo. 3-4? I'll probably round down unless brain says otherwise

Some good songs, but not really my cup of tea.

Buen album para cualquier amante de la música. Con toques que recuerdan a Beatles o Fletwood Mac

OK

Zuhause, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Ganz okay.

It’s Billy Joel, so, naturally, there’s some bombast. And the album is full of distracting 70s-era stylings. In other words, the album hasn’t aged all that well. But “Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)” and “Only the Good Die Young” are still good listens. Of course.

A very talented musician and songwriter who makes music for the most regular people alive

Have decided Billy Joel is his generation's ed Sheeran. Gets a bad rap because of some horridly overplayed pop ballads but has a little more (not a lot) under the hood than that.

I mean you're not wrong, but I guess I have limits to how much I like Billy Joel.

Meh 5/10 maybe 6

Not entirely to my taste although I must confess I enjoyed most of it. Credit where it’s due, Billy Joel knows how to craft a pop song

Hm I haven't listen to a full Bill Joel album, and I did, and hm yeah he is rather talented. Very Elton John-y and cool changes in chord structures etc. I can see why Gene Ween likes this dude.

some bangers but too many ballads for my taste. guess billy isnt it for me. still solid and i dont hate it.

Nice song writing

Billy is the OG when it comes to making pretty good music that sounds better than it is. Quite a few bangers on this album.

It was okay, Billy Joel doesn't really do anything for me...

He's an undeniable goat... just not my goat. Guy was young asf crying about how old and miserable he is all the time. Amazing instrumentals, fun song structures and unique blends that still are exciting. I just don't really connect with his writing at all

Even though it's not my type, lycris are really powerful. I think I'll come back to listen to this again someday. It's a really successful album.

Not too bad.

Really quite enjoyed this!

There's so many pop rock albums. Who decided it was a good idea to have that many pop rock albums? To be honest, I ran out of things to say about pop rock a while ago, and the albums individually are very rarely unique enough for the conversation about this genre's conventions to be an insufficient description of their sound—and that's kind of the main issue. Sure, they might have different influences, different vocal styles, different production styles, accentuate different instruments, and so on, but it just all still sounds like pop rock. I always get the impression that nobody on the production team is trying to make art (although I know they absolutely are), and the output feels the same as a thousand other albums before it. It's so watered down and fundamentally unimpressive that it's hard for me to find even the better examples of the genre fun. It's such a tired and rutted formula that should've become outdated in the 70s but somehow continued to be popular for decades onward. I listen to these albums once and might even enjoy them a little bit, but there’s absolutely nothing that would make me want to return to them later. What is surprising to me is how acclaimed a lot of these albums are. Even people who listen to a lot of music seem to generally like them despite the fact that they never push boundaries or try to introduce something unique. I just don’t get it. As for this album specifically, it's good, I guess. Has some fun parts, has some not so fun parts. But like… whatever, man. It's one of the many, and I can't see myself getting excited about something like this. 7/10

Started strong with Movin’ Out and I enjoyed the whistling on The Stranger. I hated the lyrics on Just the Way You Are. Overall, some good moments but overall left me feeling underwhelmed.

The first song is quite fun, Third song «just the way you are» a more somber song. Its pretty good with a good saxophone. Vienna is a highlight of the album so far, with otherwise decent music, except for the first song, thus far» The final songs are also fine, she’s always a woman is a little slow, but e very beautiful track, then it jumps into get it right the first time, where i did not particularly enjoy the instrumentals or the tempo. Overall, i think its a good album, aswell as incredibly influential, so that cannot be overstated, but its just not quite my vibe.

3/5

Liker det her egentlig, hørte på det i bilen og fikk ikke med meg så mye tekst. Men får lyst å sjekke ut mer Billy Joel nå. 3/5

2-3 et sted Fine låter og melodier Må lese tekstene for å få gått i dybden Blir litt lett og fester seg litt lite når man hører det nå, brotsett fra Only the good die young som jeg har hørt mange ganger før.

This is Billy Joel before he went crazy.

It's a bit basic and sentimental but if I think of it solely as a broadway soundtrack, it's quite enjoyable.

You know, didn't feel like it

AKAKAKAKAKA (C'était sympa)

This was OK, a bit boring though.

Not bad, but not a jam I'd jam to.

Decent

Pretty much exactly what i'd expect from a Billy Joel album. Good, consistent music throughout with a couple of standout tracks, but most of it doesn't quite 'click' with me. 3*, 7/10

Temmelig sukkersødt men dælme også en banger-tung plade!

Pretty good! American Elton John.

Obvious classics, dumb shit in between

The 1-2 punch of Movin’ Out and The Stranger almost made me be more generous with my thoughts on Billy Joel - as did the totality of production value here - but the casual misogyny knocked it back down. Hard to figure out where that settles beyond a 3

I did not like this, but giving it a 3 instead of a 2 to avoid being banned from the chat.

It's good. I wasn't expecting to particularly care for this album, figuring it was just gonna be some commercial radio hits from back in the day that my mom liked, but it's honestly quite well done. I don't think it hit me as hard as a lot of other people, most of the songs in here are solid but don't really resonate with me too much. That said, The Stranger and Only The Good Die Young were both really good. 7/10, 3 stars.

I have always been fond of good singer/song writers. He is one of them.

Pretty enjoyable pop rock. Surprised by how ‘epic’ some of the songs are with multiple sections and long runtimes. Songs like Scene from an Italian Restaurant in particular. Others like Vienna give strong Macca vibes.

Some bangers

I hate Billy Joel, but….this does happen to have every Billy Joel song I like

Decent set of songs

3.1

If I had to listen to this more than once, I might go crazy

Perfectly fine Boomer music.

1977? Feels like this one's been around a lot longer really. I tried to leave as much of my memories and feelings about the hits on this one behind for this listen. Had marginal success. "Get It Right The First Time" felt fresh at least. I still think "Everybody Has A Dream" was unnecessary. That one feels like he was angling for the Saturday Night Live outro song. I"d have put my feelings about the hits behind and given this 4 stars if not for that song.

Two really great songs, no bad songs. Definitely like side one more than side two.

Tipazo billy joel

Le rescato algunos temas medios movidos

S- 8/10 M- 8/10

Not really for me

i like some of them a lot and the rest kinda sound the same

ACK, ACK, ACK, ACK, ACK! 3/5. Super catchy songs all throughout. I don’t usually enjoy such piano heavy albums, but it’s to be expected here. Standout: Vienna

ight

Pure 70s pop, not great and wouldn’t make my top 1000 or 2000 for that.

2.6 I've only just found out how massive Billy Joel is. Either I'm missing something, or it was great at the time but has since aged poorly. Album starts off alright, first three songs are enjoyable. Just the way you are corny but still quite a sweet, decent track. Then the album descends into nonsense 70s/80s shite. How Vienna has almost 1 billion listens on Spotify boggles the mind. Glad music moved on from this genre.

I love a piano ballad from time to time. I love great story-telling in music. But I just can't get into Billy Joel. I don't know what it is. Even his upbeat jams feel like someone trying to sound cool and I can't buy into it. I was hoping to come out of this album a fan of Mr. Joel but I'm left feeling the same.

Inoffensive flashback to childhood radio, may contain ear worms.

Billy Joel is nice. Everything here sounds nice. The melodies are nice, the piano playing is nice, the vocals are nice, the lyrics are nice. Something is missing, though, to make it more than just 'nice'. Key tracks: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) Just the Way You Are Only the Good Die Young

Lite halvbra, lite halvdåligt. Det blir en trea.

Melodies and arrangements are strong and I can see the appeal but the sound is a little bit safe for me.

Maybe just a younger age thing, sounds like a musical soundtrack. Just not my cup of tea. Some good songs and storytelling lyrics but nothing that evoked a lot of emotion for me

3/5. Пока единственный альбом, который могу оценить хоть как-то положительно.

Not a big fan. His music always feels like show tunes to me. But if I had to listen to a Billy Joel album it would be this one.

Big hits stand out, but kind of background noise otherwise.

I liked it. You oughta know was great. It had a lot of classic songs on it.

(66/100)

Never really listened to much Billy Joel and this wasn't what I was expecting. Starts pretty strong with Movin' Out and I thought The Stranger was decent (even if the whistling didn't do it for me). However I really loved the overblown theatre of Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - which was a standout for me. That said I think the second half is a bit weaker (I’m really not a fan of She’s Always a Woman)

I'm no stranger to Billy Joel's undeniably stellar storytelling, but there's something about his earnest piano-bar theatricality that keeps me at arm's length.

48/1001 :: Billy Joel - Stranger Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ❌ Rating: 6 Fav Tracks: Only the Good Die Young, Vienna Don’t let your hatred of Billy Joel get in the way. Don’t let your hatred of Billy Joel get in the way. Don’t let your hatred of Billy Joel get in the way….OK Shawn? Fine. I really don’t like Billy Joel. In fact I kinda think he’s a hack with a couple of really great songs. This album kinda proves that theory. Only the Good Die Young is easily my favorite Billy Joel song. It’s great. Vienna is also on this album which is pretty damn good. Just the Way You are also decent. But Always A Women? Moving Out? Are these really good songs? I’m not sure they are. Billy Joel is so big in New York. Did you know he basically does a residency at The Garden? The Garden! I feel like people who love Billy Joel are quintessential “Radio Listeners”. Meaning they like middle of the road radio stuff with no real taste in music. Maybe I’m wrong? But I listened to this whole thing and I don’t think so. Dude can play the piano though.

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.

I think this is the first time I've listened to a Billy Joel album, much less one all the way through. I've always thought of him as Bruce Springsteen for dorks. I think I still feel that way. I get that Billy Joel is a legend, and I don't disagree, but we strictly do 80s Joel music, sir!

Some good tracks

Was a classic album still is, was nice.

Rv/G

Movin out is a banger to start it off. Just the way you are is a classic. Vienna was good but doesn't deserve almost 1 billion plays on Spotify. She's always a woman is beautiful. Not really my usual style of music but I appreciate the lyrics and instruments. Quite a few classic songs on 1 album. A little cheesey, pub rock at times. 7/10

Never really listened to a full Billy Joel album before, it didn't floor me but I kind dug it.

Familiar songs.

First impression pre listen: I don't think anyone really hates Billy Joel (except We Didn't Start the Fire) but I don't think I've ever met a Billy Joel superfan either. He's always just sory of been there in the background for me. Piano Man is a frequent karaoke song and Uptown Girl gets some radio play on retro stations, but for how popular he is it's not like he's been much of a presence in my music library. I'm not feeling much going into this, though Vienna is a pretty good song, so at least I've got that to look forward to. Individual song notes: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) I mean this is just sort of what I expected. It's an decent piece of unproblematic rock music with a New York backdrop that I can't exactly relate to. I think the class related themes are kinda interesting, and I like the perspective he's presenting the song from. While not the most exciting tune, it's still a solid start. Decent. 3.5/5 The Stranger The piano is quite somber. Don't love the whistling, though it does provide some atmosphere. I like the structure of the song, it has two completely different moods and tempos which reflects the Jungian inspiration quite well. Has a decent pace to it, and I think Billy Joel does a good job being a charismatic and likeable presenter. Decent. 3.5/5 Just the Way You Are I immedately catch something I don't really like - his voice is mixed really forward making his higher notes really loud and overbearing. Don't like the echo effect either. Cheesy production trick. Boring and cliche writing style. So on the nose it could've been a parody. Stupid sax. Absolitely drags. Strongly dislike. 1.5/5 Scenes from an Italian Restaurant Overblown sax solo, but I guess it fits the theatrically of the premise. I enjoy the switchup, the instrumental is kinda charming. Fun storytelling. Bombastic, grandiose and entertaining. Good. 4/5 Vienna Kind of a reassuring song. Has some decent wisdom and an empowering chorus. The accordion is a bit cheesy, but it fits with the sort of european riverside city romanticism he's going for. Good. 4/5 Only the Good Die Young The wiki article makes it sound really interesting. I like the quotes on the song's content from Billy Joel himself. The guitar is mixed way too loud. Yeah the narrator sounds like a bit of a creep. Kind of disappointing song, I guess certain people overreacting to something that's in reality kind of tame has always been a thing. It's otherwise just an alright rock song. Fine. 3/5 She's Always a Woman Oh it's this song. I really like the piano here. Really satisfying. I like the buildup to the chorus, it has a really sweet melody. I like the very specific lyrics. I find the line "she takes care of herself" kinda funny, that should probably be the bare minimum requirement. Decent. 3.5/5 Get It Right the First Time I think the instrumental is kinda cool with the cheery flute. Otherwise kinda just fine. I like his performance, he's got quite the presence and pulls a lot of vocal tricks to elevate what's a bit of an average song. Fine. 3/5 Everybody Has a Dream Doesn't work for me at all. It's overblown and a bit all over the place. The extremely dramatic presentation sort of goes against the premise. This worship inspired chorus feels really cheesy and disengenious. Dislike. 2/5 Final Review: It's good. Not "knock your socks off" amazing, but definitely not something I'd turn off if it came on. I think the main draw for me here is Billy Joel's lyrical writing style. He's clever when it comes to storytelling, interesting language and impressive use of perspective. This frames his songs in such a way that they bring you into a grounded but detailed world. They're simple to follow along with, but carry so much colour and charm that they'll still impress you. The songs are generally structured well around the lyrics, and the instrumentation is mostly complimenting of the lyrical meaning. Rather emphasising their emotional impact than distracting from it. The only word I can come up with to describe it is simply fitting. This has its exceptions though, and on a couple of tracks the instrumentation does cross the line and gets overbearing or just plain cheesy. This is also true for the vocals, that are for the most part charismatic and entertaining, can also be over emphasized and over performed. Individually these issues rarely ruin a track, but they're definitely noticable enough. I'd also say the production has moments where it sounds kinda dated, or the mixing is a bit raw on modern equipment. Overall I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and I'm happy to have heard it, even if it won't exactly be in my frequent rotation. It's likeable and pleasant, and sometimes that is enough. 3.5/5 rounded down to a 3/5

Better than I expected! Lots to bop along to, didn’t realize “Just the way you are” was his and not Stevie wonder’s. Also dug “movin out” and “only the good die young”. Pretty solid.

Never interested in Billy Joel or any of his (mainstream, polished) music, but I was quite surprised by this album. Undeniable seventies pop, but well executed and with some well known songs. Tracks like "Just the Way You Are," "Movin' Out," and "Vienna" became standards for a reason, they're just really well-written pop songs with memorable melodies and relatable lyrics. Not my personal favorite, and not sure that I have should listened to it before I die, but I don't mind it either. 3/5

Vienna awaits for you

ekki tónlist sem ég er almennt hrifinn af, létt píanó og gaul. en líklega toppurinn á þeim ísjaka. gef aðra umferð. 3,5.

favs: - movin’ out (anthony’s song) - vienna - the stranger

Sitting between a 3 and a 4. Could have been a five when I sat out in the backyard, wind chimes clinking softly, and Vienna came on. But aside from the tracks that I really really love I was just meh about it as a whole.

Billy Joel was played a lot in our house growing up. He is a great songwriter and this album has a few examples of perfectly crafted songs. "Moving Out" and "The Stranger" are particular highlights. Joel manages to make songs simultaneously feel personal and like a piece of social history. Unfortunately the album cycles from superb to uninteresting and ends with "Everybody Has a Dream", a song that sounded trite, weirdly out of place, and not up to the usual lyrical interest. Overall, the album has some great song writing and strong nostalgia, it's on the threshold of great but I can't quite push it into the higher marks.

Very gallant.

Billy Joel’s greatest contribution to the world is the sample from “Movin’ Out” that Das Racist used in that one song. “The Stranger” is also definitely a jam. I feel like it should’ve been a Steely Dan song.

I was seething throughout this whole album. I had to stop it and start it five times because I was so pissed off. Vienna is great but the rest can suck my left nut. God damn it.

He's kinda fine ngl

Fun listen but i won't come back to this

This was an enjoyable album. I knew many of the songs from childhood. Some definite hits but solidly in the “adult contemporary” category of the 80s and therefore a bit overplayed, safe, and unremarkable. I thought the Elton John album from earlier in the week was more entertaining. 3/5

I enjoyed the hits and the other songs weren’t bad but not my style. 3.5/5

Not a big Billy Joel fan but this album does have a lot of his hits on it.

I can hear the songs but not my thing

3,5

Some catchy classic tracks but not my steez. Probably heard Only the good die young too many times.

Quite like Billy Joel and some good tracks

I used to like Billy Joel when I was young. Now I find him utterly intolerable. It's hard to deny that these songs are classics regardless of how I feel about them. I never want to hear this album, or any song off it, ever again.

Billy Joel will always be a delight to listen to, but I get the feeling that this isn't really his stand out work.

It exudes a simple beauty of everyday life which it is worth celebrating for. The melodies are nice and catchy. But I also keep getting these thoughts of a less dramatic Elton John somehow.

Some bangers. Some not. Lots of sax. Solid 3.

One question: is this one of the top 5 whistling albums? 😗 🎶

I find that I like 2/3rds or 3/4th of every Billie Joel song. & that I only like 1/2 of his stuff. I always want to like him more but something just doesn’t connect. I think it’s that he feels so phony or something.

Some good songs.

Standard Billy Joel fare with some outstanding moments

it was okay

|---------------nice background music---------------| jumpscare tiktok song |-------------nice background music--------------|

Can’t help but love some solid pop piano. What’s good here is really good (Movin Out, Vienna). Other parts get overly schmaltzy, but overall an enjoyable classic nostalgic record.

Stellar opener, the rest is fine but boring, middle of the road.

Good songs all around, even if they're not something I'm likely to return to

OK it's cheesy and it's not Art. But it is generally, fine melodic pop. And I've always had a soft spot for Always a Woman. Some other songs are bit annoying though. Would be better with less lalala (Get it Right) and cacaca (Moving Out). Would be a 2 without Always a Woman.

1. moving - 2.5 2. ztranger - 2 3. uuay - 3.5 4. zcenez - 1.5 5. vienna - 1.5 6. young - 1.5 7. uuoman - 2.5 8. time - 1 9. dream - 1.5

Immediately reminiscent of Our Paul (insult and compliment). I know the unavoidable big ones but have never ever listened to a Billy Joel Album. He is not cool, or trying to be, and I respect that massively (was he once cool? Sorry BJ). OH MY GOD IT’S ONE OF THE SONGS FROM THE SHREK MEDLEY (Just the Way You Are). Easy listening. Schmaltzy? Is that the word? Candlelit slow dancing, fade to black before anything blue. A Tom Hanks romcom. A bit Disney (was it not him in dog and cat based Dickens adaptation Oliver and Company?). I know it’s the point of the song, but does he actually like the woman who is always a woman, or is he just pointing out the obvious, that she is always a woman? ‘She will rob you and stab you but she’s dead sexy’. I do get it.

I only knew Billy Joel through the radio, i.e. his singles. I like most of them, but I've never felt the need to listen to a whole album. And it's simply wonderful songwriting, the kind I miss in pop music today. There are real instruments, a saxophone, flutes, strings. That's also rare to find in the pop pike at the moment. Apart from good songwriting as I define it. A surprisingly good album for me

How can you not love Just The away you Are and She’s Always a Woman, absolutely classic tracks. However the minutes music and whistling at the end of The Stranger could have been cut for me, as could the very clunky lyrics of Scenes From An Italian Restaurant (a bottle of white, a bottle of red). Billy obviously unaware of my comments about the outro to The Stranger decided that wasnt long enough so extended for the album closer. Damn you Billy Joel, you just dont want these stars!!

Reminds me of supertramp a little. Music is easy listening, but the lyrics are largely not something I connect too personally. 3.5/5

Good

I think Billy Joel is overrated. Sure it's fine, but I don't get how people get so worked up over the guy. Like Springsteen, this gets a bump because of the sax.

6/10 It's a good album and Billy Joel is a Good Songwriter. But I don't particularly like it. Is it too polished? Is it the constant threat of the devil horn? Too many jazzy chords? I think so, but it is so Radio 2 l, it hurts l. Bet Ken Bruce loves it.

Not really my style, but not horrible. 3/5.

Not special but not bad either.

Qualche canzone di spicco come Shes always a woman. Però devo dire non proprio un album che riascolterei, nonostante l'innegabile talento

Some bangers.

Not bad but not really something I will listen to

I enjoyed some of the more electric/rocky parts of this album but then other bits I found a bit MOR. Reasonable listen overall

Yeah, okay, this was great. It didn't super hook me, but I appreciate the artistry and uniqueness.

Pleasantly surprised. Liked it. 3.5

American Elton John. Some great songs on here but found some really boring.

It was alright. 3 stars.

Nice

Having to listen to this again almost gave me a heart attack-ack-ack-ack. Joel's ivory tickling doesn't tickle my fancy, and I'm not sure this changed the trajectory of music for the better or worse. When he's not trying to put you to sleep, it's not that bad. He gets an extra star here ONLY because of Russia live punk meltdown years later.

Just the way you are ! ❤️

Billy Joel seems a farce, I’ll never listen to one of his song again the same way after seeing the serie The Boys. 😂

Nice surprise! I barely knew the name, and I was expecting some 60s rock’n’roll vibe but instead I got bouncy Supertramp-like grooves and Elton John-style mid-tempos. Super clean and maybe a bit too polished, but honestly, there are some really good tracks. Totally works for me today!

some catchy songs but overall not my style of music

With the fact that I dispise the song 'Piano Man', I was prepared to have a bad experience when I was to have my first listen. But honestly, I ended up liking it a lot more than I expected. What I don't like about Piano Man is that it sounds too melodramatic for my taste. However, the tracks presented here have a lot more energy and power than anticipated. Even though I said I liked it more than I though I would, that doesn't mean I loved it. I still don't feel anything from piano rock from the most part, but I least I didn't disliked it or had a bad time.

It's as cheesy as I expected, but also surprisingly good, in the first half at least. On the fence between a 2 and a 3, but will bump it up to a 3, because let's face it, this is good as you'll get for this brand of adult contemporary soft rock.

i like this guy

Piano rock, surprised how much I liked it

Lori- 7 Mike- 6 Michael- 8 Miles- 6 Cole- 6

He talks a lot about how bad he is at conversation? It’s obviously a very high quality album and the dude is an extremely talented song writer. The songs are a little too showy for me, sounds like the soundtrack for a musical.

A step ahead of most singer song writer works here with its diversity of genres and instrumental creativity . Billy has a very inviting voice to top it . Very good, not enough experimentation for me to put it in that top tier

This is what my parents listened to when growing up. While not my favorite, there is a sense of nostalgia.

PRETTY GOOD. LAST SONG WAS GOOD. AND ITALIAN RESTURANT JOINT

Pure schmaltz, but at least it's high-quality schmaltz. The singles - Movin' Out, Only the Good Die Young - are clearly great, with the latter's conceit hilarious given the song's straight-laced demeanor. A lot of the rest makes me roll my eyes, including the interminable Songs From an Italian Restaurant. I like that he looks kinda like Chris Elliott.

What was the cocaine budget for this album?

Its fine, but it’s not for me

I'd always considered Billy Joel to be a fairly MOR dull American pop rock guy. And, to be fair, he is. But he does it very well. There's a depth to the lyrics and a variety of song styles that really grabs you. Not everything is amazing, but definitely worth a listen. High 3.

First two songs are absolute bangers. The rest is just Billy Joel.

Good album! If there were half stars it would be 3 and a half.

Buen disco. Tiene un sonido muy familiar, es decir, hay canciones, melodias, partes de piano, que siento que pueden encajar con otros artistas que escucharia. Le encontre ciertas similitudes con la musica nacional, por eso lo del sonido familiar.

Billy Joel's music is like Sesame Street music but instead of toddlers singing along it's intoxicated adults. Objectively it's probably a 5 but I honestly can't stand most of the songs on this album.

Of Billy Joel’s early records (his first…7?) this one produced several radio hits that were just not great songs. It’s inconsistent versus varied. Moving’ Out, Good Die Young, Scenes,… all good songs. Cheesy sax solos in Just the Way? Come on now.

A lot of radio hits on this. I know most of these from road trips with my dad.

It's alright, I guess. Not really a fan of the vocals but otherwise fine.

Поп как поп.

Billy Joel is the Type of music that I never skip when it comes up in shuffle but would never choose to play

Not really a soppy guy, this is good tho

Classic

Billy Joel has just never really appealed to me. I even had a teacher back in grade school who was completely obsessed with him—probably wished she could’ve married him. Even back then, his music never seemed all that impressive to me. And now, while I can admit he’s clearly talented, his music still doesn’t really do much for me. I’m not saying it’s bad, but it just kind of exists. Nothing I’d ever seek out on my own.

понравилось в целом но надо принимать условности

Great writing. Great playing. Just kind of passed by but I felt guilty about it doing so. Sorry Billy. Couple of belters there though

Not too bad

Considered a classic in the pop-rock genre, this album launched Billy Joel to stardom. This album is outstanding in what it's trying to achieve while also not being my style

Unexpectedly I enjoyed this.

Had negative bias going in but enjoyed it in its entirety

Not bad. But, my favourite Billy Joel album is still Glass Houses.

Some really great songwriting on this, most of which I wasn't familiar with. Let down when it gets too schmaltzy (e.g Just the way you are).

Another "classic" but one I liked a bit more than two I got in the la-a-a-a-st week.

Good album

very consistent

I knew more songs than I thought I did, not bad

Some real classic songs on here but for some reason it fell a bit flat. Maybe it’s because I’ve heard a lot of these songs before. I can tell it’s a good album I just don’t think I’ll go back to it

Classic

Strong start to the album, particularly the opening track but did get to the end a little bored. A 2.5 rounded to a 3 here.

It was okay

Good, I guess. A few catchy songs. Not really my thing. I don’t see myself seeking out this album, and it’s a little overplayed for me. I would rate this three and a half stars if that was an option. Will I be sued because of this review?

Apparently I'm very familiar with the work of Billy Joel, who knew? Highlight(s): Scenes from an Italian Restaurant Lowlight(s): Just the Way You Are

As a whole, pleasant to listen to. First Billy Joel album I've listened to though very familiar with some of his songs including the "hit" from this group. I ended up liking Viena the best. Not something I'd really choose to put on but not disappointed if it is on.

The sound track of my childhood, this album still generally holds up. Mostly great (though occasionally lazy) song writing, with inspirations from the Beatles and disco mixed with the obligatory sax that became a sonic meme for most of the 80s. Respect that Joel is a writer of tight songs, respectable piano player, and reasonably good vocalist — a complete package. On the downside, it’s hard to ignore the inflated self-image & bravura of a 20-30 year old boy here. This was a feature. Joel was speaking to the boys & young men of newly middle class suburban families who were, let’s say — dramatic romantic hotheads. The cheese was en pointe. The album is so influential that it became the model for much of the less well-crafted easy listening and lounge music that came after. But, in the end, this album is like a cuatro formaggio pizza — too much cheese. It’s a 3

The hits are classics but the rest is not that interesting. I’ve heard better records from that era.

It’s all the hits. I don’t really like Billy Joel at all but he’s an exceptional pop music musician and singer.

This was tough. I LOVE Only the Good Die Young. And then there’s the rest of the album. I guess that makes it a 3?

Movin' Out (Antony's Song) Just the Way You Are Scenes from an Italian Restaurant Only the Good Die Young

GROOVY (I know the album) Just not something I go back 2 very often 4 whatever reason!!

пара песен понравились, но не настолько чтобы добавить их к себе

surprisingly quite a few songs that i recognized movin’ out (anthony’s song) just the way you are vienna she’s always a woman i liked movin’ out the best. ACK ACK ACK ACK. not really my kind of music, it’s music i’d tolerate in the car for 10 minutes or so before putting my headphones on.

Was just kinda neutral on the album

Billy Joel is unquestionably talented. However I find his music becomes very samesie real quick. His reliance on tempo shift into jangly little ditties, for me, often ruins an already good song. I find he can’t confine himself when he needs it most. To many songs are ruined by his need to burst into a keyboard piano mash. Piano bars had their day, so perhaps did Billy Joel.

Has some great songs but overall I like the individual songs more than the whole album

Not really my jam but the guy is very talented. Iconic tunes.

It's fine. Myślałem na początku, że wystawię 4, ale z czasem okazało się dosyć generic. Każdy utwór mi się podobał, ale był taki po prostu w sam raz. Chętnie jeszcze kiedyś posłucham z raz, może czegoś więcej z jego twórczości. 3,5/5, nie mogę przeboleć tego braku 10-stopniowej skali. 5 opcji na 1000 albumów to jest jakieś nieporozumienie.

Couple of good singles… But I just really don’t care for Billy Joel that much

good stuff before becoming a total hack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack

Better than I thought

Man plays piano but never mentions the piano man

Tror det er pop rock/jazz Hvilket er sandt

This was enjoyable. I actually knew a bunch of songs

Very easy listening, knew it'd be a good listen and Always a Woman is one of my all time favourite songs

I’m 18 years old and SCARED of Uptown Girl

Fav song: Movin’ Out I enjoyed the singles a lot but the other songs were a bit filler-y I think. The lyrics were really great though, and the production was good for the time period - kinda reminded me of the work Bowie was doing at the same time.

Sigh

Some great songs and I waffled between 3-4 but too many misses for me

Growing up in the 1980-90s meant hearing the most popular songs by Billy Joel on the radio but having no context or sense of chronology. The recognizable singles from The Stranger (Only the Good Die Young, Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), She's Always a Woman, and the overly sentimental Just The Way You Are) are here with the dated production of the era: accordion and saxophone solos, string sections and melancholic whistling smothering some incredible lyrics and melodies. Even the iconic "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" is positively restrained by the sterile conditions of the studio. It is Possible that having heard powerful live versions of this material prevents me from fully appreciating this essential album.

Fine!

I don't know. This has that sleazy seventies strings thing going for it. It depends how ironic I am feeling whether I am going to be able to enjoy this I think. For example "Just The Way You Are" is a great song but also really cheesy. I dunno. I'm getting some Elton John vibes with the old joanna. I didn't even know "She's Always A Woman To Me" was an old song! I thought it was by whoever covered it recently. I don't know. I'm just going to give it three stars and leave somewhat confused.

Good songwriting but not really for me….

Another 70s narcissist. One with much more talent though. Couple of absolute classics. Some schmaltz.

Se sei una casalinga romantica godibile

Know what? Fuck you *Un-gays your Elton John*

Tunes galore. Particularly Movin' Out. Billy Joel is still a net negative though and listening to this one comes with the risk of listening to his other, terrible albums.

It was ok but sometimes made me giggle

Some classic songs here along with a few duds. The classics are really good, though. I’ve never been into Billy Joel as he was pretty uncool for me in my punky youth. I’m still not quite sure how he fits in - Dad rock?

to be fair billy joel isn't really that bad but there's only so much a man can take

Not my kind of music, but good song writing and excellent production. Vienna is my favorite

I was never much of a Billy Joel fan but I really enjoyed the second half of this album and have a new respect for him. I Especially enjoyed Get It Right The First Time.

Viennaaaa

Fun. I can see why people like Willy

Was okay, some really good bits, and some Mehhhhhhhh bits was never the biggest fan

Kinda boring, but has some classics

I want to rate this higher. It is a really good album, but it is so much white bread you won't be pooping for a week.

It turns out that I have heard every single song on this album before. Who knew?

Billy Joel is not my speed.

aight

Billy seems to have some relationship issues. Top notch production though.