The Stranger

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.

inlikey

This album kicks open the door with "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" and Billy Joel doesn't stop letting you know how smooth he is for the duration off the album. Beautiful storytelling, great instrumentation, great voice, with minimal lulls. Not quite my style, but a very good listen

Piano driven Classy montage like pop rock Almost too catchy

Not my type of music, but I can appreciate its cultural relevance

Decent album

So many hits but doesn’t talk to me

It's fine. There are a few good songs but I found it a bit boring.

Tiene buenos temas pero es muy meloso. Me hace acordar mucho a temas de Paul Maca en el piano.

кантри в перемешеу с блюзом 5/10

Listened a few times. Recognized a few tracks. Had fun. I like this album more than Piano Man. Folks like Billy Joel, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, and the like have always ran together, this 1001 project has been very helpful in separating that knotted ball of yarn.

OK

A few good songs, but mostly too schmaltzy. 3.5 stars

Done

It’s a decent album, and I enjoyed listening to it, but almost immediately after finishing I forgot what it sounded like.

Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) 3.7 The Stranger 3.6 Just the Way You Are 3.4 Scenes from an Italian Restaurant 3.7 Vienna 3.2 Only the Good Die Young 3.3 She's Always a Woman 3 Get It Right the First Time 3.1 Everybody Has a Dream 3.1 Score: 3.344444444

I would probably enjoy this more if I kept listening to it. Why am I scared to like Billy Joel, even in secret?

Well written with some cultural canon songs, but it is all a bit too safe sounding for me to really get into it.

Lotsa bangers. Good start to this lil endeavor. Kinda drops off after she's always a woman to me. Everybody has a dream definitely Billy's finest vocal work but weakest song on the album.

It was fun hearing the classics and I definitely get the appeal, especially for the time. It's fairly innocuous background music for me, though

some people i know love this album. i don’t. i get the appeal but who knows maybe it will grow on me

very well crafted, packed with radio staples

I think I am of the same mindset as many others that when I hear the name Billy Joel, I think of Uptown Girl and a small part of my soul dies! This album is better than that and in fact the songs I have heard before are the weaker ones here. It has a bit of funk and hints of Paul Simon and the Beatles. 1970s Joel was obviously better than 1980s Joel.

Not bad Mr piano man, not bad indeed. A strong 3!

Heard it. Scenes from Italian Restaurant is probably the best song Billy Joel ever wrote so I can see why this one is in there. Sure, Billy Joel has a spot in the 1001 this one is as good as any.

Great album. Still sounds fresh. So many hits.

I like Billy Joel. This album well reflects his style and I especially like the title song She's Always a Woman.

Sounds like the music I expect to run in the background of a hotel bar...

Classic but not my style to actively listen to, however does sound pleasant

De to første sange var vildt Nice, resten var alright

Ok

Billy Joel is like Marmite - you either like him or you don't. And I'm not a fan, but I understand his popularity. This album contains a number of his biggest hits, including "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", "Just the Way You Are", and "She's Always a Woman".

I enjoyed this album. It helped me kinda just zone out and relax. Its feeling helped relax me and it feels like a awesome background music.

Yacht rock.

Hadn't really clocked that Billy Joel is basically the American Elton John. That's not necessarily a negative judgment. My impression is there was quite a bit of this singer-songwriter-y stuff around at the time. This is professional and competent. Can't remember any of the songs the minute after they played. Except for Get It Right the First Time but for negative reasons. Its sort of swing rhythm and exuberant la-la-la-la-la chorus stand out in an annoying way.

Awesome until vienna then it's like he forgot how to make interesting songs.

Quite decent

I feel like it was pretty good but I have forgotten most of it now. Will I listen to again: 30%

Not for me. Yet maybe?

billy joel is a very talented man in that he somehow manages to make an album with only 9 tracks on it feel overlong and bloated. how does he do it! 2.5/5 stars if we're being real

I have listened quite a lot to Billy Joel but didn't this album. It contains several well known songs, though, most of which I like. The others are not so good, though.

Highlights: Movin’ Out, Only The Good Die Young. In a nutshell: all aboard the yacht of rock. Some surprisingly fun jams and reflective world building songs. Many are great, an handful are cheesy. It’s strange that this is the only Billy Joel album on the list. No 80’s Billy Joel. Glass Houses or A Innocent Man should be on here too! Overall: 6/10

Favourite Song: Moving Out (Anthony's Song)

Billy Joel is an awesome songwriter. Although a bit dated, I enjoyed listening to this album this morning. I also reflected on how he retired from songwriting whilst on top of his game (let's just ignore the misfire "middle of the night") Solid 3

Yep, it's Billy Joel - who doesn't like Billy Joel? I like Billy Joel. Fave Track: Just The Way You Are Rating: 3

A bit bland to be honest, I had to stop the disc a few times, put piano man and come back to this album.

Hard not to tap your foot to Billy Joel!

3.5

Billy Joel is a performer and singer of the highest degree, but unfortunately his songs just don't really hold my interest.

I only know about Billy Joel by his famous name, which I see here and there in movies and TV series. Apparently, he is important for TV productions as a reference, but I have never listened to one of his albums. This one was a nice introduction. It still sounds like I am listening to something purposely made in 2024 to sound like something from the 70s/80s, but being really produced around 1970 makes a lot of sense.

Appreciate the talent and really love “The Stranger.”

fun but all the songs sound the same

Listened to the album on a Friday, now reviewing it on a Monday. The only things I remember are that it was ok and "Vienna waits for you". I guess that's something

I want to write this album off as pure unrelenting cheese, but I cannot deny how strong the first two tracks are. I hate ballad Billy Joel, and I despise his signature uptempo corniness, but the intrigue of those first two songs are enough to bring this album up somewhat for me. The title track's verse sounds like a Ronnie James Dio song???? I read another review describing Billy Joel as a lesser Elton John, and while I've definitely always have agreed with that comparison, I have to say it's just the opposite.

I love this lyric melody of the music of 70s' Dramatic, romantic and tender But generally not what I listen to

It's fine.

This album mixes punk energy with modern twists, but it didn’t quite click for me. Tracks like “Neon Nights” have a spark, yet the experimental pieces felt off. This type of music just isn’t up my alley

another enjoyable classic rock album

surprisingly good

Billy Joel is the best. I loved this album.

Egentligt en ret fed åbner, jeg var generelt ret godt underholdt. - Der var også lidt Elton John over det. Tror godt det kunne vokse på mig, men det blev ikke lige kærlighed ved første genemlyt.

Virkelig en blandet oplevelse. Vi er langt fra Uptown Girl. Meget tættere på Piano Man. Dog med mere optempo og elguitar drevne sange smidt ind imellem. Titelsangen, Vienna og Everybody Has A Dream stod ud som fængslende musikalske oplevelser.

Bit of gentle listening.

I mean, there's a couple of decent tracks on there, but it's vapid poppy nonsense.

It's okay. Moving out is probably the best song. The rest is kinda just background music.

Finally, a quality album to listen to.

i really liked the first half of this more than the back half (the best songs are the first 2.) but overall it was good and i get the feeling if i had been born in 1954 i would think he was the male taylor swift (interpret how you will)

3.5

Like songs from a musical, not for me but I can see others enjoying it 3*.

not my favourite billy joel record

Title track is good, and I liked the sax in Just The Way You Are. A bit too sappy from the Piano Man at times, but when the pace picks up it's better. Vienna is the biggest song off this? Another ballad and it doesn't really connect with me. She's Always a Woman is more interesting, albeit yet another ballad. Just not enough here for me to get excited about.

Solid easy listening album. Couple big hits even 45+ years later.

nice and smooth

A case where I'd have preferred his greatest hits. Or the Kennedy Center Honors performances from 2013.

Gostei! Vou tentar ouvir mais...

It is cheesy but I rather enjoyed this while gazing wistfully from the window of a train heading north though the Highlands. Always kind of think of Billy Joel as a horrible wee guy but there's some good story-songs here.

ok

It has some good songs

This is an album by a talented musician who draws from some respectable influences but can’t help but write music for moms.

Some good tunes on this. Probably deserves a 4 but just gets a little too sappy for me at times. I also don’t know why he has Robert Downey Jr on the album cover.

Great songwriting.

C'était cool

There were a few high points, but the album felt bogged down by the songs in the middle. Favorite track: "Scenes from sn Italian Restaurant," I think.

Gillar första låten riktigt mycket så snälla låt det fortsätta så. Förstår att The Stranger blev en hit. Trist med visslandet dock. The Way You Are är fin. Gillar också Scenes from an Italien Restaurang. Trevlig lyssning. Tycker skivan är bra

Ich tue mich schwer mit Singer/Songwritern. Keine Ahnung warum. Allerdings scheint mir das hier so etwas wie ein Goldstandard zu sein.

This is Springsteen lite. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The songs are well crafted and the playing is sound. But I wish it would rock out a bit more. Joel is guilty of going too soft at times which doesn't appeal to me. But there's enough quality on here to give it a passing grade.

I'm not the biggest Billy Joel fan in the world, but this album has some classics and I respect it. There is some really good songwriting on this one, particularly Vienna and She's Always a Woman.

Billy Joel's The Stranger is a compelling album that intertwines great storytelling with memorable songs, showcasing Joel's songwriting prowess. Each track on the album offers its own narrative, drawing listeners into a world of vivid characters and situations. However, like Father Ted and Father Dougal, he really needs to lose his sax solos. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 4 STAND OUT TRACK - She's Always a Woman

A couple of really nice tracks here (Vienna, she's always a woman) but overall not my vibe.

I'm not the biggest fan of Billy Joel. Something in his music always makes me cringe a bit. Formally it's all fine, the man has talent and all that. Maybe it was novel back in the days. So this goes all for his album "The Stranger" too. I still rate it 3 stars: It's a nice listen, nothing that I will revisit, but well enough.

Listened: 2024/05/08 Track List: 1. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) 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 * -- The piano and whistling from "The Stranger" and "Everybody Has a Dream" are so good, I don't think I'd get sick of hearing those parts ever.

Vienna is just a great song.

Good, but too cheesy.

Not a fan of his faux deepness, and he gets on my nerve a bit, but can't deny the excellent production and musical qualities. 3

Been meaning to listen to this album for ages so good to finally get round to it. Honestly, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would but it is still good. Some of the tracks stand out above the rest, but overall it's a nice album but not one I'm likely to revisit any time soon. Fav tracks: She's Always a Woman, Movin' Out, Vienna

Probably the best Billy Joel that I’ve heard. Not saying much, but better than expected

standouts: scenes from an italian restaurant - felt like 3 songs in one lol. vienna, she's always a woman - heard it somewhere before. vibe of the album felt kinda groovy. i thought it was sort of melancholic without being depressing yk. lots of piano. also felt like his voice was a focal point in most songs. not bad.

A few tracks I really enjoyed in this

This was a pretty decent listen. It's a bit vanilla to hit any great emotional heights for me (Vienna aside) but there are some gems on here, as well as a couple duds. Fav track: Vienna Light 3.5/5

Very well constructed pop ballads, but not in a style that works for me. Can't hold anything against Bill except some questionable lyrics and a little lack of variation, but he's never gonna be my guy. Two and a half. Fave track: The Stranger

Pop equilibrado, com a sequência das músicas bem desenvolvida.

Vienna is suchhhh a nice song

its okay

It's a shame the person with the Chandler Bing/Patrick Bateman review stopped after 10 albums. Think about the bangers they would have brought us!

Some real bangers and some real duds

Well-crafted catchy pop songs that I never need to hear again.

was cool but not my thing

Recognized most of the songs here, pretty good

It’s alright

Bien, agradable. Just the Way You Are.

Some great classic songs that alone give this 6/10.

Billy Joel is a classic bit touches to chord with me.

There were a few duds, but overall a pretty good album.

War mir nicht bekannt. Ähnelt teilweise Sting etwas, aber nicht so gut.

It’s hard to believe that this is the only Billy Joel album on the 1001 list. This album is quite a few of his famous songs on it. So if he only gets one this seems like a good choice. I’m not enough of a Billy Joel fan to have an opinion if he has a better album than this. The hits aren’t as memorable as I thought. There is too much sax and the like. I guess peak Billy Joel is a 3 for me.

Billy Joel is a greatsinger songwriter and entertainer, and there's a few of his songs I don't mind listening to, but for me, I need to be 20 years older to fit the target audience if his music.

Billy Joel is boring

Meh. Not horrible, definitely iconic in its own way, but bleh. Not my cup of meat.

One of my first albums. Had it on repeat because this, to quote someone else, “fed my teenage angsty soul.” This was Billy Joel’s best, before he got pop-y.

Correcto No es demasiado de mi agrado

Exactly what I expected. Just dont like the style of singing 🤷‍♂️ 3/5 because I can appreciate that the songs arent bad from an objective stance

Alright

Confirmed my general impression of Billy Joel, which is that when he’s writing really specific story songs, he’s great, when he’s writing more generic pop he writes the most vapid pablum.

Lots of classic Billy Joel on this album: Always a Woman, Only the Good Die Young etc. Good stuff.

I find it a bit Elton John-ish

Lot of Elton John influence. Good composition.

There's a lot of good stuff on here but I think I might like this more for the nostalgia and a reminder of a certain period of my life than I do the album itself.

some good tunes, but just felt too old fashioned for me

This for sure has some good songs, but I don't really feel like I'll ever want to listen to the whole thing front to back again. Feels like a solid 3, maybe leaning towards 3.5.

Great listen! I wonder if there ever was a Billy Joel VS Elton John rivalry. Stylistically, they're similar. You don't see many artists who sing while playing the piano at the same time; The piano is the driving force of the song. Which is a shame because it is a beautiful instrument. Lyrics are great in this album. Billy Joel is definitely a story teller, and a good one at that. Surprisingly, the popular song 'Only The Good Die Young' is my least favorite song... The rest of the songs on the album are far better written.

3/5. While I knew the first song already, every other song I had not ever heard before. I wasn’t too much of a fun and didn’t think any of the songs really did anything for me, but at the same time, I can’t say they were necessarily bad.

Billy Joel, I love you just the way you are.

Wow the amount I enjoyed these songs varied wildly. Some tracks I was super into, and others I really, really did not like. Kinda corny overall.

Never listened to much Billy Joel before, so i wasnt sure what to expect. I feel pretty neutral towards this album, definitely not bad, but not for me. My favourite song was Vienna.

"she's always a woman" is gross "movin' out" is good

Was crazy about Billy back then, but in the following decades, he was so overplayed that he'd become elevator music.

Upbeat and well crafted piano pop. Listenable and likeable if you like to listen to that kind of thing, which I don't, particularly.

I didn’t know anything about Billy Joel other than that he is old. This surprised me by being a lot more enjoyable than expected.

Its good dad rock.