Reviews (page 9 of 15)
ha da album scho easy lang seeehr gern vorallem movin out und just the way you are. ich lieb movin out ich lieb movin out sooo en ohrewurm soo en guete song es stimmt alles so viel hooks fuuck. piano intro zu the stranger seehr geil und er cha huuere pfiife. song nocher huere fuunky, d bridge au sehr nice mega en bruch zum rest. wieder langsam whistle outro niice. just the way you are isch unglaublich ziitlos und sooo guet. stevie wonder level songwriting, insane. aaaah d bgvs die churze sax iiwürf. d brudge wo d drums mit ihm mitgönd aaaah. sind d gitarre lüüter worde im lauf vom song? aah und d modulation uf de schluss. BOTTLE OF REED. jo scenes from an italian restaurant isch seehr cool au wenn unglaublich cheesy. text suuuper. lost touch long agoo. klarinette iwürf sund soo geil. meh klarinette. "OOH" es sind afoch 3 songs i eim finds suuper aber er het ebe sooo viel hooks uf lager. vienna isch sooo guet. meega cheesy wieder aber soo schön. zitlos. obly the good die young mega happy clappy. finds cool aber fallt bitz ab noch vienna. find alli 3 songs am schluss würkli würkli guet aber s het halt scho abgnoh mit de banger über alles gseh. möcht irgendwie weder es vieri no es füfi geh. 4.5. entscheid am mentig.
ANTHONY'S (THE GOAT) SONG?? guete ahfang, mega cute und upbeat hahaha für das dass stranger de title track isch, ischer sehr ah mier verbi just the way you are sehr herzig, au wenn echlii seicht scenes from an italian restaurant sehr en cool pace wechsel jaaap wunderschöns lied!! ahja vienna kenntmer chli hä es isch sehr es schöns lied aber us irgeme grund stört mich de teil bi "when will you realiiiize" weiss au nöd wiso aber megaa schöns lied only the good die young isch au wieder chli seicht iwie? aber nöd schlecht shes alway a woman langwilig sorry LALALALALALAAAAANGWILIG nei aber ich han lalalalala's eifach nöd so gern everybody has a dream cute hahaha jz ischsmer wieder chli zu dramatisch ok ja ich chegg es isch de closer aber ahh mitem hindergrundgsang es ischmer chli too much de schluss vom lied isch jz aber na cool mitem klavier undem pfiffe ohhhjaa sehr schön hee stabils album, mengisch echli zu dramatisch für min gschmack aber nichtsdestotrotz 1 4
There’s no real low points, but there are some points which are a bit too cheesy (and a bit too ‘Billy Joel’), such as “Everybody Has A Dream”. That being said, solid album.
Hmm never really listened to this before but really not bad
Full of bangers, 4 stars
I don't know how to word it, but I like this album. Joel's vocals and piano playing, and the backing bands playing on each track, come together really well to bring a rocking album to life. "Vienna" is a lovely classic, with my personal favorites being "Moving Out" and "Only the Good Die Young," and each track draws you in to vibe along with. I'd give the album a 8/10.
Pop/Rock, 1977 -> 4
Solid Album from Billy Joel, a very enjoyable listen.
Lots of bangers Italian restaurant bibes
"The Stranger" is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter and pianist Billy Joel. It was produced by Phil Ramone who would go on to produce his next four albums. The decision to hire Ramone over George Martin was that Joel wanted to use his touring band to record and not session musicians which Martin wanted. Good decision. His touring band included Larry DeVito (drums), Doug Stegmeyer (bass) and Rich Cannata (multi-instrumentalist including organ and sax). The recording also included 12 other musicians and singers. The album was Joel's critical and commercial breakthrough with general positive reviews and hit #2 in the US and #24 in the UK. "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" opens this hit-filled album with an anxious piano and guitar. Joel's stutter at the end of sentences and the backing vocals are memorable. Anthony is trying make it past his grocery store stint. Joel's whistling and piano playing highlight "The Stranger." A lonely vibe. Very 70's sounding when the band kicks in. Joel said there really was no song meaning although he said a man with schizophrenia fits best. Joel actually thought "Just the Way You Are" was too moopy a ballad. For better or worse, his producer and band thought differently. Nice sax and it's about his then-wife Elizabeth Walker. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" is Joel's favorite song that he wrote. It's a three part-epic about meeting a guy in an Italian restaurant, descrbing his own life and flashbacks to a hip neighborhood couple. I'd imagine it has been a concert staple. That familiar piano intro begins "Only the Good Die Young." The catchy hand clapping. The Catholic Church did not like it as the boy is trying to get the abstinent Catholic girl. I kind of like this song at the time and I went to CCD. Joel goes really soft with another song, a ballad, to his then wife in "She's Always a Woman." A nice clarinet/flute touch. I'm not the biggest Billy Joel fan but I don't hate him either. This album definitely brings back 70's memories as half these songs remained on the rock-pop radio airwaves for quite awhile. The storytelling, sweeping piano and the band in general stand out. This has to be his best album. I know everyone knows where they stand on Billy Joel but this sounded perfectly fine for me today. But tomorrow???
Very solid and enjoyable.
I have always enjoyed the diversity of the Billy Joel songs I've heard and my first experience with one of his albums didn't disappoint! Favourite track: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.
Loved Vienna
me sorprendio!!! que temazo vienna!!!!! fua loco!!!!!!! banqué bastante, algunos temas medio noni pero otros 👏 on point. mi top 3 son vienna (obvio. re yo) only the good etc y get it right etc etc. hes a girls boy no tengo pruebas y espero q asi sea. 4/5 ☆
Classic Billy Joel
4/5
It’s like a broadway musical. Really a 7
I like his voice. Nice songs and happy tunes.
Classics. He masters the pause and gives space for his music to breathe, creating the perfect amount of emphasis on several songs. I was surprisingly impressed with the album.
This is a tough one. I think I can say I have never listened to more music by an artist of which I don't really like much less owned an album. So many songs are just in the ether for as long as I can remember consciously hearing music. I am trying to open my heart to any and all artists - especially ones on this realm (my realm - not the general public). I can say this - Joel is at his best when he stays within himself and try to say too much about about the world and focuses on the whims of the heart. This album does the latter - and quite well. It's like a greatest hits album. Sturdy songs. Quality arrangements. I heard most of them but hearing them together I have to tip my hat - not that he needs my support.
Been meaning to listen to more Billy Joel, and what a great album to kick that off! Good songs, 4.5
Cheesy as hell, but I'm enjoying it.
4.5 stars. Quite the breakthrough album with a ton of hits. Simple and basic yet captures the listener without using cheap hooks. Joel's singing is just so easy on the ears. Standouts are a lot of the big hits "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant", "Vienna", and "Only the Good Die Young".
I only knew two songs by Billy Joel, but the album is great. The style and the voice remind me a lot of Elton John. Casual laid-back songs mix with sophisticated compositions and powerful ballads.
das ist doch mal wieder was vernünftiges
Not quite 5 but 4.5. Really good.
Billy going hard in the paint here.
3.8 - I thought I was meant to dislike this more than I did. It was really not that bad. Some people get pretty aggy around billy joel but this is the first time I've heard more than a couple of his songs and it really good solid song writing. I do think there is a similarity with Elton John, but just not as good
I guess I'm casually familiar with a lot of Billy's work, without ever really actively listening to any of it (except We Didn't Start The Fire). This album feels very familiar, and it has a very strong consistent mood to it. I think its a very cohesive project, reminds me at times of Steely Dan and Bruce Springsteen. Songs like She's Always a Woman and Just The Way You Are are really beautiful in the context of the album, even though they're not the sort of thing I would normally expect myself to go back to. Fave Tracks: The Stranger, Just The Way You Are, Get It Right the First Time 4.2/5
Some absolute bangers and some really good chill tunes. A brilliant singer songwriter.
I like Billy Joel. He's got a nice voice, and his songs are easily digestible for a casual listener. 4 stars
# 312 ; This was Great. My first Billy Joel Album off this list (assuming there are other ones!) I really like this. Many classics and all the tracks work together to tell a story. Favourite Tune : Moving Out (Anthony's Song)
first time listening to Billy Joel. His influence of the Beatles-esque music is clear first song, and I for one am a fan of his now. This album is very catchy, with ominous lyrics that can confuse others who aren't that quick.
- Hab ein Softspot für Billy Joel, den ich erst so richtig vor ein paar Jahren entdeckt habe - Toller Komponist und übelst sympathischer Dude - Kannte jetzt nur wenige Songs von der Platte, wie aber mit allem, was Billy Joel produziert, ließ es sich für mich wunderbar "weghören" und wurde nicht langweilig - Ist jetzt aber auch nicht so, dass da große Momente bei mir hängen geblieben sind 3,75/5
Dang. I grudgingly admit this is good album with a bunch of good songs. He is a talented singer songwriter. I'd like to hear an edgier, or funkier cover of some of these songs. That could be fun. Now I just hope Spotify doesn't get confused because I listened to this and it's recommendation algorithm barfs up We Didn't Start the Fire or Uptown Girl.
Not quite my style but was surprised with some songs like: - The Stranger - Just the way you are - Scenes from an italian restaurant - She's always a woman
Cool wat to start this journey
8/10
4.3/5 listened 3x classic songs
A fun listen
É tão bom ouvir um álbum coeso, com uma temática. Alguns arranjos tive a impressão que foram sampleados recentemente.
So fucking good ugh. One of the greatest songwriters of all time. 4.6/5
If you asked me on the street if I liked Billy Joel, I'd probably have a pretty non-committal answer. I don't listen to him often, but I did know 90% of the songs on this album. What can I say? It's just fun.
This album is nostalgic to me because I used to listen to it when I was a kid a lottttt, it was one of my go-tos once my parents taught me how to use their record player. It holds up pretty well and I still really enjoyed it! I feel like a lot of his songs come really close to being great and then have one element that isn’t as good which prevents it from being truly great, but I still had fun. I definitely like the songs on the first half a bit better than the last few, although I am a sucker for the end of the album reprising the beginning so that was a redeeming quality of the last track for me. Favorite tracks: Movin' Out, The Stranger, Vienna
This is a very nice Billy Joel album. I like a couple of his songs but this was a nice listen, even though it was released 47 years ago. I like that it was a short album, so it was a quick listen, although I wouldn't mind a few more songs on there, as we have had 3-hour albums that have been worse than this.
Much better than I remember
Love it. Favorite song: Vienna.
Definitely a hit-heavy album. I do like a lot of these songs individually. I personally still prefer them as singles, and didn't really think that the album format really enhanced the body of work. Like, I was pretty tired of Billy Joel by song 3. That said, it seems criminal to give it less than a four.
This, along with 52nd Street, was the first contemporary rock album I bought for myself as a pre-teen. Great nostalgia and much of it still holds up in 2024 for me.
My aunt is a militant Billy Joel fanatic and will broker no criticism of the man she deems to be the second coming of Christ, so I’ve always hated Billy Joel and all his extra sharp cheddar cheese. But damn, I have to admit this is a pretty good album. It’s schmaltzy in that Billy Joel way, but it’s not 80s cheesy.
Peak Billy Joel before he plagued the world with We Didn't Start the Fire.
This was a lot better than I thought. Such a great storyteller and I recognized most of these though I tend to skip past Billy Joel on the radio thinking it's not for me. I listened to this whole album and have a much better appreciation for him afterward. definitely a 4 I think for me
Having grown tired of hearing Billy Joel on classic rock radio for years and years, I was kind of dreading this one. This is the first time I've ever listened to an entire Billy Joel album start to finish. Damn if this isn't an excellent album. Starts strong with "Movin' Out" and remains strong throughout. The weakest track is the closer, "Everybody Has a Dream." My favorite track was one I'd never heard before: "Get It Right the First Time." 4.25 stars.
So. Many. Bangers.
Love the piano, man.
It sounds so... normal. But somehow I like it.
She’s Always a Woman, Everybody Has a Dream are too slow
Great singer songwriter album. Some odd musical instrument choices for some of the solos but it was the 70s I guess.
listened to this right after paul simon's self titled. it's a good night of east coast white boy energy
BJ doesn't miss on this one. Makes me yearn for a bottle of red on the patio of a bustling NY restaurant or a line of coke in the bathroom.
Music for horny middle aged, middle class people. I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way. This reminds me, weirdly, of John Updike? It’s especially apparent in the earnestness, if not in it’s writing style. Updike is one of the great American prose stylists, and my big problem with this album and Billy Joel in general is that I’m not a great fan of his writing style. There’s too much of an emphasis on clever word play and wise-sounding platitudes written in the first person. When you compare his writing to the other great American songwriters of the age, your Paul Simons, your Springsteens, your Lou Reeds, then the difference is apparent. That being said, I like the music enough that I can ignore my issues with the lyrics, which makes for an overall positive listening experience
Years ago I never would have admitted to liking this album, but my daughter loves Billy Joel, so now I love some Billy Joel. The entire album is good, but first 6 tracks are great.
Some classic songs.
was gonna rate this lower but then i got kicked in the teeth by vienna
Balanced, but not my genre.
great album. better than expected.
Never liked Vienna in my youth, now I relate to it more than Movin' Out. Great Album.
I enjoyed but none of the songs hit as good as Vienna
Enjoyed listening to this one
Muy buenas canciones. De lo mejor de Billy
4/5
A masterpiece. The opening track is so crunchy. The lyrics on the album are valid and from the heart, joel isn’t trying to say something he doesn’t believe. These are all his legitimate stories. A classy, catchy album with vividly memorable lyrics.
Det startede godt ud, så blev jeg sq lidt sur på den da midter stykket levede op til de foregående. Også sluttede det helt festligt af.
Great Album! Classic songs!
The only reason this isn't getting the full 5 is because my parents conditioned me to dislike Billy Joel (but this was wonderful)
-Okay so I actually ended up liking this a lot more than I thought I would. Very catchy and soulful, and there’s something about his voice I really like -It honestly had no bad songs too so it was hard to choose standouts -Favorites are Movin’ Out, The Stranger, and Vienna
classico, já conhecia algumas musicas de filmes e series... foi bem bom de ouvir
Very well developed album. A solid contribution to the genre and worth listening to. Not sure I'd throw it on at any time, but wouldn't balk if someone else did. I have to be honest, knowing that this album almost faded into obscurity had it not been for the efforts of two radio DJs makes me value it even more.
“Brender’s” favorite album. Big album for a big talent. Another album for it’s time.
My family got sick of me listening to this album on repeat
Fun! 4/5
im normally not the right demographic for this, but i thought it was pretty good. the entirety of side a was nice; the run from side a to vienna in side b was all hits. although i thought just the way you are was a little cheesy for my liking, the instrumental was nice. speaking of side b, it was definitely underwhelming compared to side a. she’s always a woman, and of course vienna, was great, but i was pretty indifferent to the rest. overall, i enjoyed the listen, and would relisten to most of the tracks here. 4 personal favs: the stranger, scenes from an italian restaurant
fucking fantastic 4.5/5
the whistling in this makes me wanna watch kill bill for some reason??? i can't rate billy joel low my mom would be so mad at me but ykw it wasn't bad i could listen to this again
everything about this was lovely and soothing for the soul. i support this white man.
A classic romantic album
Greatest Hits!
serve essere simp nella vita
Bellissimo, sembra quasi di vivere una notte nell’Upper East Side: il rumore della grande metropoli è un sottofondo che non si spegne mai, ma attraverso la finestra puoi intravedere qualche stella e sognare.
I'd say 4.5 if I could. Long time fan of Billy Joel and this one has some of the classic hits. Only losing slight marks cause he has other versions of some of the songs that I prefer
Y'know, I've never been much one to joke on Billy Joel, and this album here is pretty much why. Now, sure, before the first time I listened to this album in, I'unno, 2021, I just generally didn't have much of a reason to. But giving this thing two relistens in 2024—oof, boy. This is some amazing piano-led singer-songwriter 70's pop rock. And there's all those qualifies, yeah, but still—it's real good stuff. Maybe a little cheesy in some parts, but like I'm not at least some-percent cheese at this point in my life. I do with cheese; I enjoy cheese... This is good. Just look at "Scenes From An Italian Resturaunt". It's an epic for sure, and a fan favorite for a reason. And if I'm not giving it a 4, it's only just because it hasn't quite yet reached the "entered my soul" phase yet. I can't say I don't see this album doing it, but as it stands, it's just a really great listen. So, y'know, ultimately, no. I might not have provided a lot of explanation, but in general, that's why I won't joke on Billy Joel. Even with some of the stuff he made after this. Or some of the stuff he made **before**. You ever hear Atilla? Goodness me. Joke on that stuff all day.
A great album from one of the best singer-songwriters. Plus, the fact that the title track and Just the Way You Are both sampled on Daft Punk's Phœnix does give it bonus points in my eyes.
Billy Joel was one of my first favs. Such range as an artist who just make excellent pop songs. 4.5/5
Great album, great artist. Hit after hit.
Just great songwriting and performances all around on this thing. Especially the longer tracks on here, keeps it fresh and interesting and doesn't lose any steam. Surprised i've never bothered to check this out. Maybe the tag of 'piano rock' made it sound slow, but it isn't.
What a lovely and beautifully-composed record. The songwriting is passionate, inspiring and relatable. Billy touches on many familiar topics, but in a way that just makes me feel good. His voice is so easy on the ears, paired with instrumentation that is sultry and smooth. Great one.
I've never given Billy Joel much consideration beyond just what you get through cultural osmosis, but I actually really enjoyed this! It's catchy throughout with clean and upbeat production.
Lost 2 points on the last two songs
Used to play “Movin’ Out” while driving around by myself feeling like a REAL adult at 17 (I wouldn’t move out for 4 more years)
Thought it was Greatest Hits of Billy Joel for a second
Knew like all the songs and I hadn’t even listened to the album
High points were the first songs
Not a huge fan of Billy Joel, but this album has a lot of good songs on it IMO.
I am not a huge fan of Billy Joel, especially his later work, but I have to give him props in this album. When I read the track listing I forgot how many hits were on this record. This one and 52nd street are the pinnacle of his career IMO. I remember these vinyl LP’s around the house and hearing them in the background and much on radio. Soft / mom rock, but he made it work to make a significant splash at the time.
I always thought Billy Joel’s music was safe and comfortable for people who don’t like to color outside the lines. Me included on some days depending on mood. But hits are hits and no matter how soft and somewhat cheesy his songs can be, there is a timeless aspect to his tunes that definitely remains. Even if we refuse to admit that we actually do know the lyrics and can sing along. Five out of nine songs that saw heavy rotation gives this a high number.
I've always found Billy Joel's music to be corny as hell... not that it's bad, just has a corny sound to it. But hey, I'm not ashamed to admit sometimes corny is good and this album is a prime example. Also, everything sounds better after a Mavs win! 3.75/5
7/10 zomg...so fucking 70's. I...I...*sigh* I really like Billy Joel. 5-23-2024
This is a great album. Plenty of hit singles, and is easy to listen to. It does miss on a couple songs, but nothing you need to skip. 4.5/5
Love Billy Joel. Still hate songs over 6 minutes. 4/5
This album to me is the prime example of Billy Joel's wide range of musicianship that helps his songs stand the test of time. There are consistent piano-centric motifs throughout, but stylistically this record had the best of both worlds. With sentimental pop classics like "Just The Way You Are" and "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" to more traditional rock songs like "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" (my personal favorite Billy Joel song ever) and "The Stranger", this album showcases excellence in multiple areas. With "Only The Good Die Young" having those sounds plus more with the killer saxophone solo, this record scratches just about every musical itch one could have, and to me encapsulates the perfect retrospective of Joel's catalog. 8.5/10
Det här var bra. På tiden. Många bra låtar. Hög kvalitet genom hela. Stött på referenser till scenes from an Italian restaurant många gånger i tv-serier/film. Men aldrig hört låten, den var bra! Only the good die young är samplade i en hiphop-låt, E-dubble Palm trees. Oavsett, bra musik!
Det här visade sig ju vara en riktigt bra skiva rakt igenom. Hade hört 2-3 låtar sedan tidigare och övriga levererade på precis samma nivå. Kul!
This album is so good. Somewhere between a 4 and a 5. I think it's a better collection of songs than it is an album, but I love it.
Great album.
Some of Billy’s best bangers on here! Lovely stuff! 4.0
Great, last too songs just too sleey
5/10/24. First time really giving Billy Joel a chance and I'm glad the album generator finally forced me to! This is very good from the songwriting, musicianship, and Billy's vocals. I'll need to listen to more of his work.
I don't like to admit it but I do love a lot of this album. It seems very post-punk but pre-punk, maybe moreso in it's influences in the new wave movement, when I hear Movin' Out it sounds like a lofi version of a Buggles Song. The Stranger's chorus also sounds almost Stan Ridgway. No wonder Daft Punk and everyone else had a field day with the sampling this album.
Arguably Billy Joel's best album. "The Stranger" really strikes alot of chords with me. The thematic elements, the inclusion of some of his finest songs from "Anthony's Song (moving out)" to "Vienna", the fact that the rollicking story of a song that is "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" was his attempt to emulate the beatles, there's a lot here I like.
Some great tunes and piano playing!! Lots of cheese whiz and story telling brings vibrant nyc imagery but also keeps this album at a 4 instead of a 5 🧀
I have spent quite some time avoiding Billy Joel, mostly cause I remember him to be a sappy mom-pop star, but this is actually some lovely soulful singer-songwriter music with genuinely soft and catchy tunes all over.
Phenomenal
Classic album, Vienna and She’s always a woman are highlights.
I crushed on this album pretty hard in college. It's not really the type of thing that I'm into these days. But I do think it holds up as a solid piece of pop songwriting craft. IMO, Vienna is still the best Billy Joel deep cut.
A classic to be played more around the house! Glad to have it reintroduced.
Good album, I like It.
Great songs on this
I like this album it's before he got pretentious
Heard all the hits before, but first time listening to the full album. 2x.
It's crazy how many iconic songs are on this album. I guess they had to sprinkle in a few lengthy meandering songs to even it out.
We can hate on Joel all we want. But this album is undeniable.
It is so easy to instantly rate this a 4/5. Billy Joel is an absolute legend and his albums are masterpieces. A truly impressive musician and performer.
This was quite good, hadn't heard the title track before but I really liked it
4.75... I wish we weren't limited to integers here, lol
My first reaction was to rate this a 5, but that comes from a place of bias. I am a fan of his music and find myself drifting back to his singles, often. I've come to appreciate his albums for the musical creativity and well executed connection between songs. This might be top of the tier for a Joel album in that regard, but I'm not hitting a 5 on this one. I would, but I've found the lyrics don't live up to the same standards that Joel's music creates. There are so many great singles on this a wonderful vibe, but there are moments that the lyrical storytelling falls short of the instrumental performance. If I could give a 4.5/5 I would.
Albums like this one are why I’m living this project so much. Billy Joel was a guy that I never listened to even though I knew I should but never took the time to do it. This has given me the opportunity to listen to albums like this. Billy Joel is great. His style of rock makes me feel sophisticated. I recognized a few of these songs, of course. Great stuff.
Pop perfection
Heard of Billy Joel but never listened. Rock from 1977. Quite enjoy the vocals and vibe right away. Was a pretty good album, maybe a low 4.
yeah that's some tristate shit right there
Great album with many varied song styles. Italian restaurant is a classic and the title track is a hidden gem. The album tails off a bit with the last couple of songs but overall, one of Joel’s best works.
Lots of classics. Favourites: the stranger, scenes from an italian resturant, vienna, only the good die young, she's always a woman. Not really related but Billy Joel reminds me of an episode of brooklyn 99 where some weird racist old white guy who lived in his mom's house was really into billy joel. 4/5
It's just so smooth. Joel's lyrics are always great. The production is outstanding, and the musical ability is more than enough to carry the tracks. Everything is catchy, and I found myself just enjoying the album from start to finish.
Another one of those classic albums I only listen to when listening to classic album lists. It’s not bad, was probably more impressive in ‘77 I really love the stranger melody, having it on the outro was a nice touch. Also great last name Billy
Billy Joel owns the 70’s
Bien variado en términos musicales. Buenas letras
Liked it more than I thought.
Definitely has some songs that are much better then others, but those songs are so good that the album is still a really pleasant experience.
Nice more like a greatest hits album these days
a 3.75
Some beautiful classics
I liked this one already and scenes from an Italian restaurant is a great song I didn’t know before
fuck whatever youre thinking about
The Stranger is Billy Joel's break-through album. His first four albums were successful - especially the second - but this album made Joel a star. His "Piano Man" role is supported by the band that his touring band. This includes some of his biggest hits, like "She's always a Woman," "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," and "Moving Out." This may be the strongest album of Joel's catalog, establishing him as one of the most recognizable singer/songwriters in popular music.
Not bad. Couple of hits.
This album will always have a special place in my heart.
First actual listen to Billy Joel and I get the hype now. Hoping (and fully expecting) there to be more on the list, but I'm hoping to revisit this one soon.
Very nice. I'd say my favourite is Just The Way You Are for the beautiful piano and later the sax coming in.
Great album! Had never listened to it although familiar with several classics. Standouts I think are: Moving Out, Just the Way you are, She’s Always a Woman. And surprising like is Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.
Classic
Have I heard this album before? No Highlights: Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), Just the Way You Are, Vienna, She’s Always a Woman Rating: 8/10 Billy has a knack for writing great melodies, coupled with his excellent piano playing. Some truly incredible ballads on here such as ‘Just the Way You Are’ and ‘She’s Always a Woman’ that steal the show, with some of the rockier tracks a little less memorable in comparison.
This album is proof that Billy Joel is one of the greatest songwriters to come of the 1970s. Unfortunately the last 2 tracks on this album feel like duds compared to everything else.
8/10
Billy Joel is the 22nd best selling artist of all time (7th highest-certified all time based on certifications of albums and digital singles). “The Stranger” is his only album on the 1001. I’ve never considered myself a Billy Joel fan. I know the hits. But I feel like the Piano Man deserves more. (More accolades, not more album sales. That’s wild enough as it is.) Maybe it’s an issue with the overall strength of his albums. “The Stranger” is great start to finish. The tracks are not all hits, but the ones between the hits keep up the vibe and quality of the album. Of the four hits on “The Stranger,” “Movin’ Out” and “Only the Good Die Young” are all-timers. And while they are cheesy, “Just the Way You Are” and “She’s Always a Woman” are fantastic as well. I briefly checked out “The Piano Man” and “An Innocent Man,” and they don’t seem quite as consistent. Those hits I know are from the radio. So never together, never in succession. Going through and listening to them all now elevates every single one of them. I feel like I like each of them better when placed more properly in the context of his other work.
Very enjoyable listen
Muito bom.
An iconic album, kind of a staple in all senses of music. She’s always a Woman will always have a special place in my heart. 4.2
Lots of hits, a good listen
Mostly really good songs on here. I didn’t love everybody has a dream. Otherwise I at least liked and very much enjoyed many of the songs. Italian Restaurant is one of my favorites from Billy Joel.
Pretty deeply ingrained, and seems to hold up. Even the back of the album still pays well.
Best wel een prettig album zeg! De nummers vloeien in elkaar over en luisteren heel prettig weg. De muziek is ook afwisselend met trompetten en saxofoons op het album, Billy's stem is ook aangenaam om te luisteren. Ik ben best wel tevreden met dit album zo! Ken Billy Joel eigenlijk alleen van Piano Man en zn andere hits, maar ik vind dit echt beter dan ik vooraf had gedacht! Billerd, je krijgt gewoon een dikke voldoende, zelfs een goed van me. FAVO:Just the way you are, Only the good die young, She's always a woman
not bad
Very good album. Not really a bad song on here.
Fine music, a few absolute classics, just missing full marks at the end.
Movin’ out (Anthony’s song) Bra Just the way you are Klassiker Scenes from an italian restaurant Bra She’s always a woman Mycket bra
Hasn't aged well and he definitely copied from the Beatles on at least one of the tracks, but some classic pop songs on this. All round a staple of 80s pop.
A trip down memory lane. The lyrics are clever and the music is crafty. Each song stands on its own, and the album spins an overall story that works from start to finish. Fun to listen in its entirety after so many years. Those sweet, romantic teenage nights: album was great back then and still is. (3.75*s)
This album is great through and through, he has such a talent for painting stories for the working class. It's very New York (before the internet), it's like memorabilia from a more innocent time (all the feels). How is "Vienna" not a bigger song? I love everything here. In fact, if you don't like this, you're not American.
Was not a fan of Joel for a while but after hearing this album all the way through, I came around. I now prefer Joel over Elton. I like that Joel is not always on the piano here and almost all the songs can stand the tests of time.
Great album, a couple really good songs
Love Billy Joel.
super catchy and very beautiful melodies - unique and yet approachable chord structures and musical design
Had this on an 8 track tape in 1977, nuff said
7/10
- Billy Joel might be the goat - Great sing along jams - The man can tell a story - 4.5
really liking this one, very well produced and arranged. the vocals seem to be very well thought for each song style. that main theme on the beginning of the album with the piano and whistle is my favorite part of this, such a misterious and different sound. love the way the album ends like this too.
class
Higher than I anticipated
Will need to give it a proper listen, but the mix is superb, the songs are unoffensive with a couple of classics thrown in
Very good album from the piano man
Great. Feeling 4 right now, maybe later could be a 5
Great album but slightly overrated high 7
Good at times, maybe too country-ish
Good album, not what I expected from Billy Joel.
A lot of classics from Billy Joel
This is my first time listening to a Billy Joel album, but I already knew most of these songs just from radio/the culture. This was a strong collection of tunes, I liked the ones I hadn't heard before as well.
It was nice to revisit this album.
💖 movin out (anthony’s song) 🗣️ 8️⃣
Die Instrumentation und Produktion wirken teilweise veraltet. Und zwar nicht die großartigen Saxophon-Parts und das Akkordeon (!) in "Vienna", sondern eher Synths und Perkussion, die für ein Ohr im 21. Jahrhundert einfach etwas klischeehaft klingen. Was soll man sagen, der Lauf der Zeit ist unerbittlich und nicht alles altert gut (fragt mal ein Wurstbrot, das in der Brotdose vergessen wurde). Aber im Grund ein perfektes Album.
Had no idea these were on the same album. Good writing, thematically cohesive, but musically diverse.
01) Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - 9,0 02) The Stranger - 8,0 03) Just the Way You Are - 9,0 04) Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - 7,5 05) Vienna - 9,0 06) Only the Good Die Young - 8,0 07) She's Always a Woman - 9,0 08) Get It Right the First Time - 7,0 09) Everybody Has a Dream - 7,0 TOTAL: 8,17 (82/100) A nice sounding pop album with a few timeless classics like "She's Always A Woman", "Vienna" or "Just The Way You Are".
Short, poppy without being too pandering, chock full of bangers. Not my favorite album, but this slaps.
great story telling, great listen.
The word simple always comes to mind with Billy Joel Simple, pretty melodies. Simple, earnest lyrics and delivery. No pretense, no showboating, no gimmicks. Simply good songs. The older I get the more I appreciate Billy Joel. 8/10
not my exact taste but so many classics on one album and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant is something else.
Favorites: Travelin Band, Lookin Out My Back Door, Run Through the Jungle, Up Around the Bend, Who’ll Stop the Rain, I Heard it Through the Grapevine, Long As I Can See the Light. Awesome!
An old familiar one. He was always a bit too pop for my taste but the wife was dancing around the house and singing along while it was on. 4 stars for longevity and wide appeal.
Mjög fín plata hjá Billy, Yndisleg lög eins og Just the way you are og Vienna, en líka öðru vísi lög eins og Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.
They don’t make piano music you can groove to anymore :(
He’s the piano man. He played me a song tonight. Some of those songs were pretty good. I may ask him to play them again.
Its strange that I think this abum starts out perfect, its tight and clear and then it gets to scenes from what are considered the masterpieces Scenes from an Italian Restaurant and Vienna... and I am not as impressed, while these maybe grander in scope I like the hits on this album. I think the slower think pieces are not as fun or moving.
I like Billy Joel's penchant for storytelling in his lyrics...fun album overall.
Very good album no real filler and several stand out tracks. Only the good die young has always been a favourite of mine.
This album starts with Movin' out which is probably my favorite Billy Joel song. The whole album is really great from start to finish, it feels almost like a 'Best of'.
Very very good. Never paid much attention to billy Joel but he had some amazing tracks on here. F.song: The Stranger
I wasn’t that excited when this one came up, but really loved listening to it. I underestimated you, Billy Joel! So many good songs, all the better for being familiar (some very) yet seeming new.
The good songs are great, the others are just okay.
Almost 4.5, amazing
legendary rock, fabulous music - I like it
The
When I was in junior high I had a dubbed cassette of his Greatest Hits record and a bunch of these tracks were on there. Always A Woman hit pretty hard for 13 yr old me haha. Also I’ve always wanted to be able to do an acoustic version of Only The Good Die Young - such a killer song and it seems like it would be a good campfire tune if one could work out how to pull it off. I always appreciated the varied instrumentation on Billy Joel recordings. It’s like NYC Beach Boys or something. It’s not always to my taste exactly but it does keep things interesting. Goddamn the acoustic + doubled electric guitar parts in Only The Good Die Young is really fantastic. Cool recording technique and it sounds great. I’ve only ever listened to this through FM radio/dubbed cassette and Spotify is giving me the good today quality-wise. This stuff is very well recorded. Doing the review the morning after I still have the chorus from Movin' Out rolling around in my head. So catchy and smooth. This is. great record with a couple of low points but overall just a great time.
Pretty good!
ACK-ACK-ACK-ACK! You can imagine this album popping up as the soundtrack to a Dudley Moore film from the 80s, but holy hell it makes me want to move my feet.
Well-known songs that are still a pleasure to listen to
i would give it five except…the handclaps. in only the good die young. handclaps always deduct a star. sorry Billy, you should’ve known better. other than that, this album is sublime! a proper album with proper songs.
7/10
Surprisingly good
I was really into this album in high school, but then probably decided it was inadequately pretentious and set it aside. I returned to it a few years ago and the unabashed lameness of Billy Joel is pretty great.
This is an accomplished but of pop music. Joel has a way with melody and also for creating characters that feel like they are real.
Great Album!!!
7.5/10
Good to hear some of the lesser known, yet awesome songs.
This album surprised me. Enjoyed it
Haven’t heard him before! I like it! But a bit monotonous
All around great album with a good mix of up tempo songs and amazing ballads. Vienna is a perfect song.
Favourite song - Always a women
Goated. Absolutely love The Stranger and Vienna is an all time favorite followed by OTGDY is an amazing 1-2 punch. Starts off strong with movin out and carries the momentum. The outro to the album is hauntingly beautiful. 8.5/10
Nice Piano and melodic songs.
Billy Joel is great. The diversity of the songs throughout the years is impressive. I'm more used to his 80s stuff except Piano Man of course, everyone knows that song. This is s more softer type of rock than his more upbeat songs from the 80s. Do I like it? Yes.
sooo passionate, it's a great pop rock record, really fun if we consider the year it was released. it's that 70s love story album, and i don't careit still sound cute. it's one of those cases where the peak of an artist is also it's mainstream peak. someone told me it found the album kitschy, but why do we care? is it really that bad of a critic?
Never bought a BJ album - never put one on a turntable or in a player. Yet, I know every single song on this album which speaks to the power, origiality and listenable nature of these songs. Great voice, great songwriting, but as evidenced by my lack of ownership, not really my listening wheelhouse.
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - 8/10 The Stranger - 9/10 Just The Way You Are - 8/10 Scenes From An Italian Restaurant - 8/10 Vienna - 10/10 Only The Good Die Young - 8/10 She's Always a Woman - 10/10 Get It Right The First Time - 8/10 Everybody Has A Dream - 8/10 TOTAL - 78/90
Never listened to a BJ album and kinda loved this. Storytelling through engaging songs. It just works. 3.75.
Some of the songs are pop classics, and for good reason. Some probably shouldn't have ended up on this (or any) album. On the whole, it is a seminal album which foreshadows the great works to come by him.
Whistler at beginning and end, nice lyrics
Average Billy Joel album. Enjoyable.
No one doesn’t like only the good die young
I absolutely love this album. Billy takes a lot of heat from folks, but his music has a HUGE following, and for good reason. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant is always a great listen. The title track is a keeper as well. Love this one.
This album starts with Movin' out which is probably my favorite Billy Joel song. The whole album is really great from start to finish, it feels almost like a 'Best of' with all of the recognizable songs.
Knew all the words to the songs.
More enjoyable than I expected. Song writing chops. The Stranger / outro’s whistle theme is an ear worm. Anthony’s song hits you in the feels. She’s Always a Woman, however corny, is a great song.
Better than I thought. Recognize handful of songs. Good listen
Loaded with bangers. Better than expected.
I liked the vibe. Scenes from an Italian restaurant had all kinds of cool instruments. 8/10
I've not listened to a Billy Joel album before, and wow this guy can write a hell of a song, what a great Album!
mikið af bangers, get ekki annað en gefið þessu fjórar
It’s cheesy and not my style, but it’s also endearingly earnest and well-crafted. I also give it credit for not overstaying its welcome. 3.5 rounded up, though not something I’m likely to seek out and listen to again in its entirety.
Movin' Out Just the Way You Are Vienna Only the Good Die Young She's Always a Woman
God damn, I don’t think I could have predicted just how much I would enjoy this. I don’t think I’ve heard a Billy Joel ever in my life before. But this immediately made itself clear and I was immediately attached to it. By all means, this album lays all of its cards out from the start, but it’s like a really good hand in poker. And that hand carries Billy through the entire album. The sound you hear on Movin’ Out is the sound you get for the rest of the album. But it’s amazing, so why does it matter? The only way I know how to describe the feeling I get from this, and this is probably very stupid, but like theater kid music. I get the same appeal from this as I do from Ben Folds or Elton John. I just can’t help that my brain is simple and I like the way Billy’s voice sounds and the way he plays the piano. Good shit. That’s all this is. Rating: 8/10
Gutes, anhörenseertes Album. Faboriten: „Moving Out“, „Just The Way You Are“, „Only The Good Die Young“, „She‘s Always A Woman“.
Schönes Album, kann man sich auch mal komplett reinziehen, jeder Song hat was. Best Song: Only the Good Die Young
I'd like this one, it had a good theme. I detected several bands i listen to that are definitely influenced by this album. Ben Folds and definitely Weezer especially with the opening track. Didn't dislike any song, and the continual theme throughout was very well presented.
Pretty good, Billy Joel definitely has his own style
You sort of go into this expecting to be unimpressed and you are at first but then you listen again and there's a lot of sincerity in Joel's work and even when he is schmaltzy and a little hacky ('A bottle of white, a bottle of red / Perhaps a bottle of rose instead') you end up won over by the end because he is giving his all and you're humming the tunes throughout the day...
These are some real Stellar songs on here: just the way you are is a standout.
Old School/ Vintage Whole Album sounds good
Movin' Out - 5 The Stranger - 4 Just the Way You Are - 3 Scenes - 4 Vienna - 4 Only the Good - 4 She'll Always be a Woman - 3 Get it Right - 3 Everybody Has a Dream - 3
The Stranger by Billie Joel Monday 5/6/2024, 2:24, office S Tier————————— The Stranger Movin Out’ (Anthony’s Song) A Tier————————— Only The Good Die Young Scenes From An Italian Restaurant Just The Way You Are Vienna B Tier————————— Get It Right The First Time She’s Always a Woman Everybody Has A Dream
Ack ack ack
Polished, accomplished pop. A nice listen.
The yin to Bruce Springsteen's yang. I like a lot of Billy Joel Songs so this is pretty enjoyable already. This is full of certifiable bangers (for white people) In my mind's eye I can see a lot of these songs in commercials in the '80s and '90s; Only the Good Die Young being the biggest offender.
Before reviewing this album in its entirety, I thought Billy Joel nothing but schmaltz. Tasty for a nibble, but not something I would make a whole meal out of. I was wrong. It is a great album. With the exception of "Just the Way You Are", I loved each song. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" great lyrics, the first section manages to not become saccharine and in the second section uses pace and new instruments to build upon the early theme. Likewise "Vienna" mimics the same structure. This structure of slower, more deliberate, more sparse performing followed up in the second part as something more complete, more whole, more energized seems to be his "hit song" formula. It works well, like the best Broadway songs do. He is less strong when he keeps emotions vapid and strangles the rhythm of a song. Overall, a very fine album (really a 4.5)
This album is perfect in every way. Long live, Billy Joel.
Good, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I've listened to this before and was not too impressed, but this listen changed my mind.
Välproducerat! Svårt att inte le när jag lyssnar på detta.
It’s tough to beat a Billy Joel song when it comes on the jukebox, but a whole album of them at once is too much strained drama for me to really get behind it. I respect the commitment though, and was happy to hear some new ones for me that are fun - especially Get It Right the First Time.
I grew up listening to this album. One my moms favorites. 4/5
Fun piano ballads, Elton John ish? Although I've never really listened to him so couldn't say for certain. Enjoyed it. Five star rating system is too primitive as I keep rating them all 3 star
Bangers on bangers. Movin' Out, The Stranger, Scenes from Italian restaurant, and Vienna
Had this album growing up; it was a favorite then too!
Some of Joel's best work! Fantastic album.
Straight banger
Listened to this while playing Calico solo against scenario 4. I lost. This album was sooooo much better than i was expecting it to be! I had never given him much attention before. As a pianist, I owned the sheet music to his "classical" album, which I just was not a fan of. I hated it when people would perform "Piano Man" and I'd have to accompany. The sheet music is an absolute nightmare in the way that it is layer out, and for being a song called "Piano Man" it was really boring to play. Soooo...I had this preconceived negative bias against Billy Joel's music. This album was pretty darn fantastic though. So many recognizable songs...such great song writing and lyricism. This may be the best of Billy Joel's music that I've heard.
Very good album. Knew most of them already, but learned a few as well.
Slow but really fun and classic
I really enjoyed this album, it's held up incredibly well from the 70s. Highlights: Movin' Out Scenes from an Italian Restaurant Vienna Only the Good Die Young She's Always a Woman
4 / 5 Come on Virginia -- Catholic girls start much too late only the good die young
There was a time in my life when I was really into Billy Joel—I enjoyed his songs on the radio and bought a couple of his albums. But over time, my interest in him waned. He somehow become too schmaltzy in my mind and perhaps just because I’d heard his songs so much, I lost interest. This was my first time listening to The Stranger in years, and it really is a great album. Track after track is a hit, and there are some standout moments—particularly for me, the piano solo 2/3s of the way through “Italian Restaurant.” I also have always loved the Satie-like intro to “The Stranger.” It’s hard to find any real faults with the album… And yet, I can’t bring myself to give it a 5/5. Perhaps because the songs are overplayed or I know them too well to be amazed—and those reasons wouldn’t really be his fault. But it think in the end, while it is undeniably a great album, it doesn’t transcend the way the other albums I’ve given 5/5 to do.
wowzer
Solid rock album from the piano guy.
Good pop-rock album from the late 70s. Surprised at how much I liked Vienna, everything that wasn't already a hit single was otherwise filler.
Yeah it's good
Pretty good. Never was a fan of him but i see the appeal
Solid music even though it's not my jam. I can see why it's popular.
One of the greats for sure!
I love billy Joel
A bit cheesy at times but overall a pretty classic album. Actually feels like a connected album all the way through.
Joel gets shit on a lot (and sometimes deservedly so), especially for his 80s period, but the 3 album strech of The Stranger, 52 Street, and a Glass Houses is very hard to beat. This is just a very well crafted pop album. 4 stars.
4.5
Billy Joel’s best album and I don’t understand how anyone can disagree