Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Sometimes I listen to tunes like this, but Neneh wouldn't be my first choice normally.
Interesting. Enjoyed it more than expected. 3.5
The first song is good the rest is mostly cheeks
I used to think Neneh Cherry was cool. I don't think anymore.
What... really. I dont think i will last long listening to this one. Whats a buffalo stance? - I looked it up... "an attitude you have to have in order to get by" "Don't get fresh with me".
"Buffalo Stance" slaps. What a riot of a chorus (and what a terrific synth hook just before said chorus surges!). And so does proto-trip hop ballad "Manchild", co-written with Robert "3D" Del Naja, from Massive Attack. Its slow beat is infectious, and its string section, following so many great harmonic twists and turns, modulates the hell out of the song. With such a lush canvas, Neneh Cherry only needs to spin her yarn through both enticing crooning and youthful rapping to take that cut to a whole other level. Unfortunately--and apart from a third cut nicely winking to Marvin Gaye ("Inna City Mama", a little above the fry)--everything that follows those two great singles is absolutely grating and has aged pretty horribly. Neneh Cherry is an endearing figure, but the music she sings to is here pestered by all the worst clichés of the pop / R'n'B commercial fodder of the late eighties. Case in point, "Heart", which could have been a highlight without all those awful choices for the instrumentation and arrangements. And I'm not even gonna bother mentioning all the songs that are even worse than "Heart". OK, maybe that terrible, *terrible*, supposedly goofy duet with whoever that r'n'b clown is on the last proper composition of the album (just before the mandatory-yet-absolutely-useless remixes of the LP's singles), whose name I don't even care checking out again... *Raw Like Sushi* "almost comes across as satire," as that other reviewer puts it. Except that it's not. If there is one thing that the bulk of this album comes off as today, it is that it appears as totally cringeworthy. Incidentally, second Neneh Cherry LP, *Homebrew*, is far, *far* better than this very mixed bag of a debut. Had "Buffalo Stance" and "Manchild" found their way into that other record attuned to much more interesting strands of music that were popular at the time (namely trip hop, indie rock and old school funk), you would have a perfect album for this list. Alas, I'm daydreaming about an alternate universe here. In *this* universe, I still have those two CDs at home, and once in a while, I return to my favourite moments in them. But you can't label them as "essential" albums. And neither can you say that their contents are striking enough to become mandatory listens for anyone who was not born in 1989 yet. At least as a whole, and not by a long shot. After all, sushis are delicious, but they have a very short peremption date, don't they? 1.5/5 for the purposes of this list, rounded up to 2 6.5/10 for more general purposes (5+1.5) Number of albums left to review: 95 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 390 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 228 Albums from the list I certainly won't include in mine: 287 (including this one)
Pass.
Very cool Hip Hop type album and she is Swedish! Does that mean this is a UK album? I'm not sure where it was produced but this was a fun one. Reminded me of a lot of the early 90's hip hop pop similar to this. But I enjoyed the lead Buffalo Stance, The Next Generation, Outre Risque Locomotive.
Putting the "eh" in Neneh, eh? Look, I understand what she's going for here, it's that hip, cutting-edge hip hop-adjacent sound that would come to define a good chunk of pop music for the five years or so - maybe she was slightly ahead of the curve? But it's a style that doesn't have a tremendous amount of depth, and the lyrics on a lot of this hit me as goofy, almost cringe-worthy from time to time. Of course, there are a few good songs, I'm saving three. But it's just not a style that appeals to me that much, and it's pretty dated. Not necessarily her fault, but the whole thing makes me think of the recent Olympics breakdancer from Australia, some woman with a PHD in "cultural movement" or whatever the hell putting on a show for spectators to give them a glimpse of "cool." I don't know anything about Neneh or her background, but I feel like this music gives audiences the same sort of superficial glimpse at "cool" culture. I don't really find it to be that cool, sorry. But it's a decent listen. Favorite tracks: Manchild, Kisses on the Wind, So Here I Come. Album art: Just a portrait shot of Neneh, looking cool and tough. Very, very '90s. Perfectly fitting for the music. 3/5
Not my thing at all - dated sound.
Listened to over and over on cassette when this came out (thanks Lynn!)
What a great voice. Love it.
First song, "Buffalo Stance", is kind of a banger. The rest, not so much. Interesting time capsule, though.
It is very 1989. And not in a good way.
Goofy, amateurish and uninspired. Asinine lyrics that sound like what some put of touch executive thinks sounds like music for teens. Very dated, and aged poorly
Oh, I tried. I just really wanted to like this more than I actually did, because I got such a softspot for Neneh Cherry, who with 'Buffalo Stance' in 1989 and 'Woman' in 1996 wrote 2 songs that have never left my rotation playlists. But this album just isn't of the quality that I hoped for and sounds incredibly dated. And I can't help the feeling that in 1989 a lot of these songs were even then already feeling dated. Buffalo Stance is still an absolute banger though, and with
Not my usual genre of music but I liked it
3/5
Very late 80s hip hop. About twice as long as it needs to be.
Don't like this one. Will I listen to again: 0%
Pretty good lyrically, pretty forgettable musically
Don't really know what to say about this one. It has its moments, but I'm not sure I really care for much of it. Also never been a fan of the incessant record scratch sound.
A good 90s album. You can hear what comes after it
Nothing special in my eyes. Why would anyone compare this to Madonna? Are you crazy?
Just not fully my jam
I quite enjoyed this. It has that late 80s/early 90s dance/R&B vibe that is very nostalgic to me. “Buffalo Stance” is a fantastic song, and there are a lot of other good ones on the album too. Wish I could give this a 3.5, but I’m rounding down as it’s not quite a 4 for me, but I still enjoyed it.
Always loved Buffalo Stance--it's such a strange song, almost impenetrable. Most of this album is like this and the songs are richer the deeper you go. I love Phoney Ladies, Love Ghetto, Outre Risque Locomotive. Solid and I wish I had bought the album back in the day.
Fun little hip-pop album.
Kind of fun, somewhat naïve, and a little bit shit? It does kind of get better as it goes on, and there are some nice beats, but this one just doesn’t land for me. Feel there are similar records from this era that are better.
-He’ll yeah bubblegummy Europop/ rap… 6th grade me would’ve eaten this up -I still really like it actually, the energy is so fun and it has some surprisingly poignant social commentary lul -Favorites are Manchild, The Next Generation, and Heart
Meh. Not really my thing.
Ooh, baby, I like it raw, but outside of “Buffalo Stance,” this whole album is pretty whack.
first listen it's got soul but like a lot of 80s releases, not enough production
Buffalo Stance is a great song but otherwise this album did not hugely pique our interest. Decent enough.
Kinda fun.
Maybe it's just that I had to listen to Beyoncé, Destiny's Child, and this all in one day, but it's just a no. This album caused me way more stress than I needed today.
This is another of the 1001 albums that was a hit in Europe, but never really landed in the US. I don't feel that I missed much. It's a pretty bland hip-hop production. And the CD version runs well over an hour. I guess you had to be there.
That was very fun and an immediate throwback to the era. It is also very cringe and is it good? Hard to discern between fun and amusing lyrics and good music.
It's very 1980s, a meld of all the influences. But kinda boring to me, like most rap. At least it has some interesting music with it. Something about it is compelling. 3 stars for being somewhat compelling and not terrible.
Better than most 80s and early 90s hip hop but that's a pretty low bar. On the whole, pretty forgettable except for the lead off track which I'll throw on at parties occasionally. Not really worth the rest of the album.
Bleh - it was fine. It is probably the most 1989 album of 1989.
Pretty solid, kinda surprised she didn't make it bigger in the states. Great mix of 80s pop and early hip hop
Charming nostalgic romp through 80s multicultural optimism. Interesting that she’s Swedish given how much it sounds like NYC but then the monoculture of the times, from Madonna to Fame to Paula Abdul that influenced the sound, made this more an assemblage and a performance of all those identities. Some fun songs. I was between a 2 and a 3 and ultimately went with 2 but keep in mind 2 isn’t bad, and generally I liked it but probably wouldn’t play it again.
"Eclectic mix of genres." Interesting. After a passable beginning it settles into a predictable late '80s meh. Every song has that same beat and embarrassingly familiar instruments. The genre is cringe.
An average hip-hop/pop album from the late 80s that was perfectly innocuous with nothing to write home about. A lot of the beats sounded quite generic like they came from a basic keyboard synth with nothing that really stood out. Best: Buffalo Stance Worst: My Bitch
It's a nay nay from me.
A lot of different flavors of 80s pop are here; it sounds like an end of a decade. I enjoyed my listen more than I expected, but I don't plan on revisiting. I respect the personality and craft on display here. Highlights: Buffalo Stance, Inna City Mamma, Love Ghetto, Phoney Ladies
1001 Albums Day 10 The summer of '89 boiled and distilled and thus is best enjoyed with a glass of Hi-C and a copy of Golden Axe. While the style of Hip hop on this release is certainly dated by modern standarts, it's earnest execution and commitment makes it still very enjoyable and just great fun. Neneh has an interesting twist on the classic 80s Rap formula, by being both a great rapper by the standarts of the time and great R&B singer by the standarts of the time, and throughout the album the combinations possible by mixing those two are explored satisfyingly and thoroughly. My biggest complaint is that, very much in line with Hip Hop of the era, several of the songs are 1-2 minutes too long, extended unnecessarily by running the chorus back, followed by the instrumental, followed by the chorus and so on. But at the end of the day, the beats are swanky, the emotion is for real and the 'tude is wicka-wicka-wicked. Favs: Kisses on the Wind, Buffalo Stance, The Next Generation 82/100
It’s an average pop rap record. I lean more towards disliking this album than liking it but it really could go either way. Nothing special or anything.
Few bangers
With the still cool, still classic album opener like Buffalo Stance, Raw Like Sushi has a tall task ahead of itself following it with equally incredible songs. While it falls short of the mark due to the datedness of some of the songs, the results are indeed interesting, in particular deep cuts like Outré Risqué Locomotive, Love Ghetto and the remixes of Buffalo Stance and Manchild. Overall, a solid representation of what pop music was heading into at the turn of the decade. Favorites: Buffalo Stance, Manchild, Kisses on the Wind, Inna City Mamma, Love Ghetto, Outré Risqué Locomotive.
Not bad but totally dated.
Fun
Perfectly fine
another blast from the past
3.75
Not sure why this is on the list. It’s pretty mediocre.
Better than I thought it would be.
Couple of good songs
Not great.
szwedzka czekoladowa typiara probuje nasladowac klimat NY, w trzecim utworze nawija po hiszpansku, takze ten... ogolnie jej nie idzie
Having just observed some bison in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, it gave some new meaning to what exactly a "buffalo stance" is. This was an enjoyable trip back to late '80s pop.
I dug this one. It gave me the throw-back feels.
I had Cherry's Homebrew on CD back in the day (for the song Buddy X) but I don't think I ever listened to Raw Like Sushi. What fun! A lot of catchy grooves that captured the late 80s perfectly. Shame I waited so long.
“Buffalo Stance” is a terrific song - I really love it. So I’m ready to rate this a 5 from the get-go. I don’t recall ever hearing anything else from Neneh Cherry though. The rest of this album is a BLAST! Really great songcraft - I thought “Oooh that figures” when I read that Neneh is Swedish - and great vocals. Full of attitude but so infectiously delightful. Not to mention another song to add to my “once bitten twice shy” playlist. Really really terrific!
Solid...kind of fun album. Not one I had a lot of exposure to in the past. 3.5/5
Meh
The first two songs were pretty good. The rest did not grab me.
What is he loooiiike?! Great question Neneh, I'm like someone who enjoyed this album to a surprising degree. Buffalo Stance remains a banger, and to follow it up with Manchild is a super-strong start. After that, it never quite reaches those heights again, although Heart is excellent. It's let down quite badly with The Next Generation, which sounds suspiciously like at best a message of 'it's morally incumbent on us all to have children' and at worst a straight up Pro Life message. But leaving aside my distaste on that front, a very good and enjoyable album.
Terrible. I don't like that kind of music at all. Simplistic, commercial urban pop is very far away from my tastes.
2.5
Вайбово, движово, приятно Для 1989 прям вайб лютый Алкоальбом: ликер куантро
I tried with this album but it just didn't land with me
There are some parts that were interesting and started to pull me back in, and then it would just be awful bars set to the worst beat available in 1989
There are some songs I feel she has better vocal skill/range than others. I do appreciate her enthusiasm, it definitely carries some of her work. The sound of the album is fun, and really enjoys the 80’s atmosphere it was produced in, but I just can’t give it a higher score than a low 3 at highest compared to other music out there from similar genres and time periods. I do like Inna City Mamma 👍 and the album feels like it improves as it goes. Buffalo Stance is a decently fun opening, but not my favorite on here.
Not my particular cup of tea when it comes to hip-hop (a little too old school), but I imagine it was pretty groundbreaking at the time. I don't remember much representation for women in that genre then.
fun 80's stereotype
Never listened to this whole album. Pretty fun actually.
I had previously only heard 1 song off this album but I was surprised at how serious the tone actually was. The music sounds like 90s pop/r&b but the lyrics cover a wide range of serious topics
Good 1st half. Some great singles. Became a bit samey after. Great sounds, production and memories.
3/5
Tiene rollazo. Un disco super animado, con piezas muy distintivas y para ser un estilo de música que no tiendo a escuchar, me ha llamado mucho la atención. Estilo propio, las letras lo poco que he atendido me parecen interesantes y no se hace lento a pesar de ser 1 hora de disco. Un completo descubrimiento.
Good album
I can tell this is very well done. I just don't particularly like it. 2/5
Very, very much of its time. She's really getting very excited about really bad electronic versions of hi-hats and tambourines. And that's in the first few seconds of the album, which has a surprising amount of cringeworthy production, raps and lyrics. I mean... She's definitely matured since then, but I can't bring myself to give this 2 stars. It's just... Phew. It has so much really bad 80s stuff on there in bloody 1989.
Ugh
I dug the grooves and she kept me interested throughout. It was a while since I listened but I think my favorite was Heart
It was ok but pretty forgettable. Not sure why it’s on the list. Solid 3.5
I thought this was fun but forgettable. Reminded me of spice girls
She set the bar too high with Buffalo Stance. But that bar was so damn high that it makes this a high rated album for me.
I don’t understand how multiple human beings with functioning ears could be involved at every level of the production of this album and then just release it out into the world like this. Did they lose a bet or something?
Absolute shit.
There was nothing that good on here. I have heard buffalo stance on the radio before, but never really listen to it properly. The most offensive thing about this album is that she drinks beers through straws, absolutely disgraceful
I just didn’t enjoy this at all. That being said it wasn’t bad
Buffalo Stance und Manchild: ok Rap: no
probably a good example of what it is but what it is is not for me
Like sushi that's been left out too long. 1 case of musical diarrhea out of 5 💩
Bad
Thought about two stars but really didn’t find much to like
Unlike sushi, this didn't have the freshness that I seek in a hip-hop album
It was pretty funny. Generally a catchy production as well. Lyrically seemed to dwell heavily in "stay away from my man" territory. Also every song felt a tad on the long and repetitive side. But the sound was different enough from song to song to keep the album fresh.
eh, i got pretty bored with this one, and did not listen multiple times. There's nothing really wrong with it, just not the style of music for me
This was a wonderful surprise! Fully had never heard of this, but was a great, high-energy way to start my morning. The songs are catchy, the lyrics full of humor and fun wordplay, the music funky and the samples fun! Not to sound reductive but kinda like if Madonna were black. Points off for some…weird politics in a couple songs! But I’ll just skip those on a relisten! Most of the time just good fun! And the sister of the “Save The Night” guy, apparently!
Somehow this led to me listening to Paula Abdul, and that Straight Up song, which is the best.
cool late 80s album.
80s hip hop pop. Well done but not really my thing
This being the first hip-hop record on my list, and with an artist I had never heard before, this was a fun experience. The album started off hot with "Buffalo Stance", a very of-the-time (in a good way) 80s rap banger. Followed soon after by the more sentimental "Kisses On The Wind", Neneh shows some diversity here. However, not much more was notable to me on this album, especially in the middle of the 11-track record. There are a couple more strong songs to close out the tracklist in "Outre Risque Locomotive" and "My Bitch", which saved this album from being completely front-loaded for me. Overall though, a pretty fun listen, and "Buffalo Stance" remains an underrated gem. 5/10
such a vibe until some of the lyrics are like 😳
She's cool, we're cool.
Cool
Neneh Cherry’s Raw Like Sushi feels exhilarating. It gives the vibes of dance-pop, but there is obvious Hip-Hop elements littered through her delivery and flow. For me, it comes down to stylistic preference. On some tracks, I like how she sounds and the instrumentals used to complement her voice (Kisses on the Wind, Inna City Mamma). However, often times I felt the songs off-beat and not enjoyable. I can respect the album though. All in all, Raw Like Sushi is an alright album. Best Song: Kisses on the Wind Worst Song: Heart
Not really my jam. There’s probably some decent lyrics in there, but not really my thing.
Very eclectic and sounds exactly like an album recorded in 1988-1989. Learned she is half sister of Eagle Eye Cherry. On first listen I felt she was likely from NYC and surprised to find out she is Swedish.
Early hip-hop and rnb hasn't aged too well, and this isn't an exception. The opener is pretty fun but after that it's all some basic beats and rhymes that don't hold up anymore.
No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't connect with this album.
im so tired wth
Swoon. I love this album and her!
meh, 80s slop
I didn't like it much but it wasn't that bad either
Would have been 5/5 but i had to take a star off for the last song being so outrageously misogynistic for no reason
Not my cup of tea. This was just bad pop late 80’s music.
What makes it make this list because it did not seem to reach any threshold at all
Boring and stupid. This should not be on this list, the amount of sub par pop/hip hop albums on this list is astounding. Really dumb. Not impressive at all, just stupid. Did not like.
uuuuuuggggghhhhh. no thanks. this is why late 80's pop music was so lame. overly synthesized, over styled, weak vocals. pass. 1.5
I was on board with the opening track Buffalo Stance, but had a difficult time getting into the rest of the album. Some fun songs but nothing great. I guess you had to be there.
It’s fun, but also repetitive. Fun and dated. Maybe a perfect album just given how it’s a time capsule for a vibe
This was the most 80s teenage pop music you could make in a lab if you had to. I like how she taught us the instruments for the best of the song. All we needed was a fun math problem and a zany side character and we’d be all set for a weekly show. This was really some Sesame Street level music. Surprisingly awful for having Norma beats and being in English. 2.0/10
Meh. Early example of rapping. The best I can say is that it doesn't have the swearing or braggadocio of modern rap - but it's still awful and I still hate it. No tunes worth remembering.
The most 80s of albums. But seriously pretty good fun, even if it does get a bit tiresome by the end. Buffalo Stance is a tune though.
8/10 As someone who was just discovering music around this time, this one is pandering to me. Still really good though British pop music made by people who love early hip hop 80s production is spot on, the drum programming is excellent Start of super strong with Buffalo Stance and Manchild She knows her way around a hook and chorus Some of the verses and lyrics aren’t exactly deep, but there is no pretension here Best: Buffalo Stance
Wow: zurück in den 80zigern, wobei mir nur der erste Titel wirklich bekannt vorkommt. Nach dem Hören des gesamten Albums weiß ich heute auch warum...
Kitschy late 80s pop. Shades of Madonna and Prince with Hip Hop sprinkled throughout. I surprisingly didn’t hate it.
Buffalo Stance might be one of my all time favourite songs. I listened to this album in full for the first time only a few months ago, and have to admit that I’m happy to have been generated it today, as it gives me an excuse to come back to it. Let’s listen! Songs I already knew: all to some degree Favourites: Buffalo Stance, Man Child I love just how empowering this album is. It’s all about rebelling about the patriarchy, and that’s something we could all do with getting behind. It also has great beats throughout, and Neneh’s rapping is so fun to listen to. I still find it funny how she and Eagle Eye Cherry are siblings. There music is so different!
It's not a good hip hop album, it's not a good pop album. It's just not good in general, with boring tracks, unspecified style, all just levels below than the stars from that time. Record true to its name.
Meh, is my best response. The album feels very amateurish. The music is thin and soulless. This album does not belong on this list.
Wasn't a fan. This is lower tier 80s/90s hip-hop for sure.
This was really cool! I didn't expect this album to be as old as it is
An 80s pop/rap album with one hit on it. One of the songs sounded like the theme to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Why the fuck is this on the list.
Buffalo Stance was good. I was really into this for the first few tracks but I felt it kind of started to drag towards the end.
Very 80s sounding. Synth pop, but not my style.
Buffalo Stance 2.5 Manchild 2.4 Kisses on the Wind 2.5 Inna City Mamma 2.5 The Next Generation 2 Love Ghetto 2.3 Heart 2.1 Phoney Ladies 2.8 Outre Risque Locomotive 2.2 So Here I Come 2.4 My Bitch 2.4 Heart (It's a Demo) 2.3 Buffalo Stance (Sukka Mix) 2.6 Manchild (The Old School Mix) 2.5 Score: 2.392857143
Stevie wonder sample!
Gets some points for Buffalo Stance and Manchild, but quite irritating listen
Couldn’t get through this one. Dreadful. Some things need to stay in the 80s.
Unbekannt
The cover art is a snapshot of a very specific phase we all went through. The music is similarly frozen in time. Buffalo Stance has undeniable charm and Neneh herself is brimming with charisma, but the rest of the album, oof. It isn't dreadful but I absolutely did not have to hear it.
Good listen!
Would be good to dance to but sounds very average.
A testament from a past era. Does not stand well the test of time IMHO. 2 or a bit more.
Definitely sounds like 1989
There’s a such thing as having too many ideas at once. I’m normally a fan of this era of turn-of-the-‘90s pop that blended hip-hop, dance, r&b, and synth-pop into a chaotic soup, but normally, all those artists either had a) a standout hit with a couple supposed-to-be minor hits [because most were one-hit wonders], and/or b) a dominant genre they fit within, where they used all the other genre aesthetics as textures to their sound. This album doesn’t have either: “Buffalo Stance” charted, but it is really difficult to imagine how or why with today’s ears; meanwhile, the rest of the album is just an onslaught of different of-the-era sounds, all of which are done poorly for the time, and sound worse together today. I see the appeal of Neneh Cherry on paper, especially for 1989, a year of changing tides and potential, but the execution is subpar. It’s not bad in a campy way, either, it’s just deeply forgettable. I guess it’s valuable to see how weird pop music was at this time, but there’s better reference points than this.
not for me
Really good, little dated production but hey
hi hat...some good musical bits and singing voice. But nothing particularly earthshaking going on. Lyrics all come across as run of the mill.
Der erste Song ist ein Pop-Knaller, der Rest naja. Andere Rapperinnen aus der Zeit (z.B. SaltnPepa) fand ich authentischer.
Not for me. Not even the nostalgia could keep me engaged.
it’s alright some decent tracks some absolutely unlistenable parts 3/5
Honestly a pretty pleasant surprise of an 80s album
4 stars. I dug this one more than I thought. Really like the production and energy paired with the lyrics of womanhood.
Based on the description, I was thinking that this would be another mid-tier hip hop album that hasn't aged well. I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoy new jack swing and it felt short enough that it didn't fall into the traps of the eras. A nice breathe of fresh air.
Buffalo Stance is a stone cold classic Man child is pretty great But there’s a lot of filler outside of those two
I almost like Buffalo Stance, Outre Risqué Locomotive, So Here I Come
almost hated this
Ugh. I don't like the genres of dance music overall, but this lacked distinction for me.
There's so much on this album that's corny as hell, but it all works so well together. Read about Neneh performing Buffalo Stance while pregnant at an awards show and brushing off reporters that were trying to make a stink about it. This woman was almost 20 years ahead of her time and it shows. Great music, just wish the production wasn't as badly dated and her flow had some more nuance to it. I was surprised by how much I liked it, especially after the first minute of Buffalo Stance.
Klinkt nog steeds cool, alhoewel ook gedateerd. Prima nummers, 2e helft wat zwakker
Neneh Cherry - Raw Like Sushi This album is a time capsule for the late 80s. I had only known the song, Buffalo Stance. However, this album was not for me and I found a lot of it unlistenable. Manchild and My Bitch are the worst offenders. 2/5
This is NOT one of the 1001 albums I needed to hear. Sounds like 30 year old teen pop.
Really loved the McDonalds kitchen line beeping thing sample on this one. A real Highlight
I wanted to like this, but I just didn’t. I like Buffalo Stance. This just feels so very dated.
Album Nr. 65 Bei diesem Album war ich zuerst etwas skeptisch. Wurde dann aber positiv überrascht.
...It's like a 2.5. Pretty fun at times, but certainly cheesy and a little hard to listen to from front to back.
De eerste nummers verdienen een betere rest van het album dan dit, en dat maakt het een gek album om te luisteren. Dat is in principe prima, maar waar 25% een 5 is en de andere 75% een 3, resulteert dat in een wrange net aan 4 sterren.
3/13/24. Meh, just okay. Feels a bit dated to a specific sound and time. However, this is far from awful and has a couple fun tracks.
Buffalo Stance is a banger, but the rest of the album feels bland and outdated. Salt-N-Peppa albums have aged better.
Cool sound. Reminded me of prince a little bit. Fun listen but nothing really stand out
Feels incredibly dated.
Fun. Cool. In your face. 3.5.
I feel like this album started with potential and then just flatlined into something mid. The first song was super fun and vibes then the rest just got mid and boring. Listened just to finish it.
If you weren't around to experience what 1989 life was like... just listen to this entire album - it was pretty much this. I secretly always liked "Buffalo Stance" when it came out even if I was almost exclusively listening to shitty hard rock at the time. Never heard the rest of this and it's kinda fun at first but really chintzy-1989-sounding at worst - and definitely that sound carries throughout the album which makes it ...not *bad* in any way but kinda tiresome. Not sure it all holds up for me, but I'll take Buffalo Stance on a mix and move on. 4/10 2 stars
Some heat on here
Released in 1989, Neneh Cherry's debut album, "Raw Like Sushi," remains a landmark of artistic innovation and genre-bending brilliance. More than just a collection of catchy tunes, it's a potent blend of social commentary, personal exploration, and sonic experimentation that continues to resonate with listeners today. Lyrical Prowess: Cherry's lyrical style is both playful and profound. She seamlessly switches between singing and rapping, tackling diverse themes with wit and honesty. Songs like "Buffalo Stance" and "Manchild" are social critiques, challenging gender stereotypes and consumerism. "7 Seconds" addresses racial prejudice with a powerful simplicity, while "Kisses on the Wind" explores themes of loss and longing with poignant vulnerability. Cherry's lyrics are never afraid to be bold and unconventional, often laced with personal anecdotes and cultural references that create a sense of intimacy and authenticity. Musical Tapestry: The music of "Raw Like Sushi" is a vibrant tapestry of influences. It draws from hip-hop, pop, funk, and even elements of world music, creating a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly unique. The album is characterized by its use of samples, synthesizers, and layered percussion, creating a dynamic and textured soundscape. Tracks like "Stop the Rock" showcase driving beats and infectious melodies, while "For Life" takes a more introspective approach with its use of piano and strings. Cherry's vocals are a key element, delivering lyrics with both confidence and vulnerability, adding an emotional depth to the music. Production Prowess: The production on "Raw Like Sushi" is masterfully crafted by Cherry and her collaborator, Cameron McVey. They utilize innovative techniques like sampling and layering, creating a cohesive sound that is both playful and sophisticated. The use of electronic elements alongside traditional instruments gives the album a timeless quality, avoiding the limitations of a specific genre or era. McVey's production choices are never gratuitous, always serving the purpose of enhancing the mood, message, and overall impact of the song. Thematic Exploration: "Raw Like Sushi" explores a range of social and personal themes, making it a deeply thought-provoking listen. The album challenges societal norms, particularly regarding gender and race. It tackles issues like consumerism, sexism, and prejudice with an unflinching honesty that was both refreshing and necessary in the late 1980s. Furthermore, the album delves into personal themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, revealing a vulnerability that connects with listeners on an emotional level. Lasting Influence: "Raw Like Sushi" left a significant mark on the music world. It paved the way for female artists to be more experimental and outspoken, influencing artists like Bjork, Missy Elliot, and countless others. The album's innovative blend of genres also anticipated the rise of alternative rock and trip-hop in the 1990s. "Raw Like Sushi" continues to be celebrated for its creative spirit, social consciousness, and lasting influence. Pros: Genre-bending innovation: The album's eclectic sound and use of diverse influences create a unique and engaging listening experience. Strong lyrical content: Cherry's lyrics are well-written, thought-provoking, and address relevant social and personal themes. Stellar production: McVey's production is innovative, cohesive, and expertly complements the music and vocals. Enduring influence: The album's impact can be seen in the work of numerous artists across different genres. Cons: Accessibility: The album's experimental nature and diverse soundscapes might not appeal to listeners who prefer more conventional pop music. Dense lyrics: Some listeners might find the layered references and wordplay in the lyrics challenging to decipher. Conclusion: "Raw Like Sushi" is not just an album; it's a cultural touchstone. It's a testament to the power of artistic integrity, social commentary, and sonic exploration. While the album might have its niche aspects, its enduring influence and undeniable artistic merit solidify its place as a modern classic. Neneh Cherry's debut serves up a sound that is as delicious as it is disorienting, and one that continues to inspire generations of listeners and artists alike.
Noy my style, nice mix of genres but feels too over the place for me. Interesting album though 4/10
Starts ok but gets shrilly and grating quite early. At points Neneh Cherry is rapping like an adolescent - a far cry from future acts like MIA who are more honest and articulate.
dos primeras canciones estupendas, el resto recuerda demadiado a Madonna. Hará mejores albumes.
Nah this aint it
Total 80’s vibe. Overall ok.
It's okay, music sounded good but I'm not a fan
I remember listening to the single for Buffalo Stance constantly as a kid. This is still a fun song but it is very dated. And long. The song could have been cut down a minute or so and been better for it. The whole album is pretty dated and does not hold up. I did not enjoy any of the other tracks. This is a 2 only because of my nostalgia for Buffalo Stance.
This is SO 80s, in a very fun but dated way. I can't imagine my kids enjoying this, but the nostalgia hit is great with this one. On further listening though this started to get very old very fast.
I liked the energy, but overall wasn’t really my thing.
Not bad but not for me. DNF
3.4 stars rounded down. “Buffalo Stance” and “Kisses on the Wind” are the stand out tracks.
had me dancing the whole way through
Ganz geil eigentlich, Drumcomputer Hip Hop, bisschen viel Gesang. Ordentliche 80er Vibes. Ich höre Madonna und Michael Jackson raus und bin erstaunt, dass es mich nicht nervt. Fazit: Die Hip-Hop-lastigen Lieder sind super, wenns in Richtung RnB geht, bin ich doch etwas genervt. Aber insgesamt ein gutes Album, wenn auch nicht komplett mein Ding.
Unlike sushi that album was terrible
I liked some parts a lot, but then some other parts became too noisy for me.
Fun, groovy and easy going. Like that friend from High School with whom you have not talked ever again.
Listened to the album again after a long time. The first two songs still stand out clearly and still sound contemporary
This was a fun bouncy album. Great flashback.
Never heard of this record. It's pretty solid - always fun to hear a well produced album in a popular genre that you've never heard. FEels ahead of it's time for 1989!
I can recognize it's good, but it's not my preferred vibe
You can't say that Neneh Cherry wasn't inventive, and Raw Like Sushi is a quite fun album to listen to. Too bad that it also sounds incredibly dated.
Neneh Cherry is cool and all and her debut album is at times quite the fun listen. It’s also exhaustingly dated. I know it’s from 1989 but even back then nobody could have thought that releasing “The Next Generation” would be a good idea. Later she even raps: “Chocolates, bananas, doughnuts and salami Ain't gonna fit coz you're full of boloni”. You’re better than that, Neneh.
This album reminds me of a cross between, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, and TLC. Which isn't a recipe that I'm after. That being said, the first song was a total banger. I listened to that song a few times. The rest of the album was ok. I'm sure fans of this genre were pleased with this record. There's some music ideas that feel dated. When she is rapping, her flow is pretty great. It honestly is a lot better than mainstream female rappers currently. So, I applaud that. Shocked that I didn't hate this and just as shocked that I enjoyed the listen.
A very unique album blending styles into its own amorphous genre. A sort of proto trip hop affair especially when you look at the list of collaborators. Sounds just as out there now as it did 3 decades ago.
Some 80s music sounds timeless today, but a lot of it doesn't. Unfortunately for me this fits the latter. Struggled to get through this one.
Highs and lows, but mostly rides the middle. She deserved a better album.
This album is crazy. It’s cheesy, catchy, and none of the songs are skips or boring. It all reeks of 90s hip hop and R&B. Nostalgic. Honestly glad I found this. I was surprised when I heard the OG lyrical sample from MF doom on My Bitch. Would for sure listen through again. 4.52
I said no rap
RnB, Rap, 1989 -> 2
This is bad in the classical 80's way. It just sounds so dated. The bits where she's singing definitely work better. There's some more upbeat numbers that are quite good, but overall it's just dated and feels hollow like so many other 80's mainstream pop albums.
Awful 80's sound effects and cheesy raps. Not good.
Only had ever heard Buffalo Stance before, pretty fresh old School Hip Hop.
Great but a Bit too avant-garde for me
She's pretty cool. Surprised I never heard any of this...
Never heard of her before but I thought this was really solid pop music.
pretty decent
Another pick out if left field. I mean sure track one was entertaining, and there was a fantastic piano breakdown somewhere in there about 20 min later but....
I enjoyed it, but wasn't blown away. A shame, because I really liked her released singles.
For an album with such a thirsty cover, it’s a remarkably unsexy album. More late 80s radio friendly dance pop, and it sounds very dated. I can’t think of a better example of the New Jack Swing style and, for me at least, that’s not a great thing.
Decent throwback to late 80s hip hop.
Wouldn’t you know it, this album is my lowest ranked album yet! Just like Lust For Life, it hits when it hits. This time, it barely hits. This is my first album with no 10s so far, but Neneh Cherry is truly someone who pioneered hip-hop in the 80s. From the smashing club hit “Buffalo Stance” to songs like “Heart” and “So Here I Come”, she truly has her moments. On songs like “Love Ghetto” and “The Next Generation”, her message tries but fails to reach me through all of the sensual lyrics. The only sense I feel with them is panic and cringe. The album is good otherwise and I give it a 75/100 or 3.75/5.
Pretty fun record
This album explains why the only reason she had one hit was because of a collaboration...
I wanted to be surprised with how much I’d love it but honestly so dated sounding!! Amazing that the female empowerment was so strong and bold and ahead of its time though.
This one was new to me. I enjoyed familiarizing myself with Neneh’s work and found it pretty cool that her father was a jazz musician and that her brother is Eagle-Eye. I cover “Save Tonight” often, but doubt I’ll be covering any Neneh anytime soon. Mad props to her though!
The scratching and rapping really suck and surely would have sounded old-fashioned even by 1989 standards. The pop RnB stuff, while still incredibly dated (those synths! those drum machines! the keyboard strings! that reverb tone! that rangey breathy vocal belting out the hook over a vaguely house beat!), has much more of a classic enduring quality just for being a lot of fun. Would be better if they cut 1-2 minutes off each song though - nowhere near enough ideas to flesh out all these 5 minute tracks. Favorites: Inna City Mamma, Love Ghetto, Buffalo Stance
This album is obviously a victim of the Michael Jackson era. The production is oh so dated. The lyrical content is ok, but I just can’t get past the cheesy production.
a vibe of Micheal Jackson's age
Somehow made it through the 30th Anniversary Edition / Deluxe, but really didn't like even a single track.
Just 3 days ago, I was complaining that over 10% of my “assignments” here were Electronica, and how it is my second worst rated genre. I didn’t note then that the only genre ranked below Electronic is Hip Hop. So here we go, an album tagged both Electronica and Hip Hop. Groan. But also tagged Pop. Well let’s give it a shot…. I like this a lot more than some of the other Electronica or hip hop albums I’ve been served here. There’s songs that remind me of Madonna, and of the Spice Girls…. Maybe Paula Abdul. These are actual songs, with melody and such. Certainly dance music, but retaining the basic concepts of being music. Overall, it’s ok, better than any of the other Electronica albums I’ve listened to. It gets a little repetitive, especially when the bonus tracks roll along. But really decent overall. 3/5
I was a teenager when this came out and I hated it then because I was too cool for this pop dross. Now I'm an adult and suitably embarrased about my musical neophyte opinions from 25 years ago. That said I still hate it but for the terrible Blondie-quality rapping and the plonky plonky music which is absolutely not my style. Only song I could kinda enjoy was Kisses on the Wind. Buffalo Stance gets an extra point for nostalgia but it's not actually good.
A decent album in that it was better than I expected and listened (though not intensely) until the end. I'm not much to listen to club-style dance music, so it's not my kind of music, so I listened and moved on. Still, I rather listen to this than anything by Madonna and most things from Prince.
This was hugely popular during my last high school years. Other than what made it to mtv I am completely unfamiliar. 3/5
Ce n'est pas mauvais, mais je ne vois pas en quoi ça se démarque de beaucoup d'albums pop/hip-hop/RnB de ces années là, surtout en comparaison aux gros noms. Un album respectable, mais dont la présence ici est questionable. 5/10
Reading the notes, I thought this would be up my alley. I'm a huge Prince/80s/808 fan. This one just didn't grab me though. Sounds like one of Prince's backup singers made an album without his help.
Ugh - horrible. Bunch of screaming nonsense.
Very 80s sounding, which was nostalgic but some of the lyrics were kinda cheesy, although nice there wasn't any swears.
Aw yes... when hip-hop influenced music started infiltrating the top 40. I love Buffalo Stance, but I don't recall the rest of the album. Let's see how it holds up. Not really a fan of her singing vocals on this release. I know she can sing because her later cover of Marvin Gaye's Trouble Man is one of my favorite songs. Unfortunately I'm not hearing that Neneh on this release. Although to her credit I can hear some early trip-hop on a few tracks. Her blending of styles and creativity kinda reminds me of an 80's era M.I.A. Unfortunately, this feels a bit lopsided and dated
This album was not my cup of tea but it was alright.
The album was decent and listenable, but I was more fascinated that 1) members of Massive Attack worked on this album 2) that Neneh Cherry lost the Best New Artist Grammy to Milli Vanilli, which was vacated but then not awarded to her, and 3) that she was a member of the Slits.
felt like an inconmplete mixture between like classical 80s pop and 90s hiphop
No. 93/1001 Buffalo Stance 3/5 Manchild 3/5 Kisses On The Wind 3/5 Inna City Mama 3/5 The Next Generation 2/5 Love Ghetto 3/5 Heart 2/5 Phoney Ladies 2/5 Outré Risqué Locomotive 3/5 So Here I Come 3/5 Average: 2,7 Nothing I really liked, nothing I really hated.
This album is not my genre at all, but I think Neneh Cherry should have been a household name here in the US. Her mix of rap, pop, synth, and other popular genres is thoughtful and interesting if not a bit dated. There are moments here that remind me of Michael Jackson, and other moments that indicate that she was very much into a wide range of music that may have been on the periphery for most people.
I liked Buffalo Stance. But can't say I liked the rest of the album.
Good energy. If I could give it a seven, or a 3.5, I'd do that, but if I have to pick between three stars and four stars, given my previous criteria, it's going to be three stars.
This album is like a masterclass of 80s pop music. Whether it sounds dated or classic if a matter of personal taste. 'Buffalo Stance' is the highlight here by a wide margin. Overall, it's a more daring and eclectic album than her contemporaries but it's very firmly rooted in the 80s.
Okay. Not my kind of music. But I will give it try.
It’s a great travel-back in time, it gets a high rating for me just because of Buffalo Stance which I’ve always loved. I hadn’t really heard the rest of the album and was pretty pleasantly surprised how much I like the rest. It prompted me to seek out ever more so I spent even more time going through her catelog. Great stuff.
Extroverted, late 80s dance pop with hip hop influences - a dime a dozen. Manchild, which was hyped on MTV back then (if anyone remembers), is nice, but the album as a whole is as uninteresting as the genres suggest. 2/5
Very dated 80s music
The lyrics are too funny to only give this 1 star.
Havent aged that well, sadly..!
outstanding
4-
not my jam
Lord give me strength.
Tinny, silly, insubstantial, but perhaps slightly ahead of its time as music didn't really get this stupid until a few years later.
Still a very good late 80s album - perhaps it sounds a little less fresh to me than it did in 1989, but the first two songs are classics, while the other tracks are solid 3*-4* songs.
Fun album. Buffalo Stance and Manchild are still standouts for me, but the rest of the songs are pretty solid too.
The first two songs are still nice to hear; I don't care about the rest.
If 1989 made a clean hip hop album that would be it. Just, eh. 5/10.
Hip hop sueco e não percebi nada de mais.
Buffalo Stance
This was not for me. The beats didn’t really have anything going for them and neither do the vocals. DNF.
There was way too much going on here. Wasn't too bad at first but it really starts to drag towards the middle and back half of this album.
Earlier this year, I was combing through the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 Singles charts for the late 80's and early 90's. I was wondering what the top singles were throughout that era, because I couldn't think of a specific way to categorize that era. I think it was such an interesting time, as what type of music was popular was changing at a really rapid pace through those years. I made a Spotify playlist of my favorites from those charts, and I've been listening to it off and on this year. However, I'm unfamiliar with Neneh Cherry's music, so "Buffalo Stance" didn't make my playlist. As I started listening to this album, I really loved the chaotic sound of "Buffalo Stance." It's definitely a product of its time, but I think that's what makes it so great. There was so many different sounds coming in and out throughout the course of the song, and I loved all of the electronic elements that contributed to the music. The vocals were fine, and the song had some great ebbs and flows as different sounds were utilized and then swapped out. After that first track, I had high hopes for the rest of the album. Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed. The beats throughout the rest of the album were okay, but nothing else on the album lived up to the energy of "Buffalo Stance." Overall, I thought Neneh's flow was not that great. I hate to be harsh, but it reminded me of "Top That!" in the movie Teen Witch. There were some clever lyrics sprinkled throughout the album, but their frequency was too sparse to keep me engaged. "Buffalo Stance" is an incredible song, but overall, this album was pretty much a snooze.
Listening to this was so much fun
Still not great Percussions are horrible
Buen disco de pop con sintetizadores y estilo muy de los años 80, con buena voz, aunque no haya canciones muy reconocibles. Se puede decir que me ha gustado.
Not gonna lie, this was bad 1/10
That was actually pretty good. A lot of really cool sounding hiphop songs. 7/10
Mostly fine with this album. The beats are fun and good quality that I found myself drumming along while in the grocery store. However the lyrics and rapping are so forgettable that it feels like she bought the beats and literally any other rapper could've done this album. It reaches a good level of quality but so generic for hip hop around this time I would always listen to artists like Missy Elliot instead. 4/10
This album has parts that on their own might sound good, catchy choruses, decent 80s background beats and somewhat interesting composition. When put together it is confusing, annoying and overwhelming. I like the guy in “Inna City Mama” who comes in and says the title in a voice that sounds like he is shitting his insides out. Each song is obnoxiously overcrowded with noises. My ears are raw like sushi after listening to this. 3/10
It was a bit shit, and also a lot of fun. It is so of it's era that it almost comes across as satire. Also, absolutely love how excited she is for a tambourine.
This album was kinda trash. I feel like could have made the beats on a game boy advanced. Definitely felt like a chore listening to it. Not my kind of music, although “Kisses on the Wind” was kind of a banger. I can see the appeal, but this is just not my type of music. I liked the songs where she actually sang more than the ones where she tried to rap. Don’t think I will ever listen to this again.
Following in the footsteps of Abba and at the start of the Swedish pop revolution. The mixing of rap, pop and other music styles is very well done in the album. Her rapping style reminds me of a Lin Manual song. Saxophone. The beats are fire. Some of the songs give me Fresh Prince vibes. Highlights: Buffalo Stance Inna City Mama* The Next Generation Heart Outre Risqué Locomotive* Genuinely enjoyed this album and would not have known about it without something like this.
While this album isn't bad, it felt like a weak attempt at a mix of Janet Jackson, Madonna, and hip hop. Most of the tracks were outright forgettable with how similar the vocal performance and production was to each other. Featuring decent singing, lacking much emotion for the subject matter, and hip hop bars thrown in - I couldn't figure out what this album wanted to be. For songs like 'my bitch' I would expect a lot more fire given the matter of the song. The length of the tracks played into my confusion as well. For an electro pop hip hop album I would expect tracks to range from 3-3:30 min but a lit of these went 4:45+ The production features: the same sounding drum you could hear on any other number of albums from this time, strings which fight the electro pop elements for attention, and an overall sanitized and heartless feel. While there was good content in terms of lyrics, or story telling, it never came together with the other elements of the album to feel special in any way. And I'll probably never listen to this again. Fav songs: buffalo stance, kisses on the wind
I'm not usually the biggest fan of hip-hop, but this was a great album. Tracks such as "Manchild" and "The Next Generation" were a couple that stood out for me.
Loved this album so much
Not usually what I listen to, but bangs nevertheless. Buffalo Stance definitely is my favorite.
It seemed like Neneh was going to be the next big thing. Turns out she was too cool for thi particular universe.
Excellent vocals and delivery with some very tight and creative sequencing, sampling, and blending of unique elements. Definitely a product of it's time but there are some really solid songs here and some which don't resonate so much with me. I feel like this album would take some time to sink in.
Buffalo Stance was pretty good! the rest, I could honestly do without, not bad by any means, but not great. However the themes throughout set her apart from her peers during this time.
Pretty good vibes. Buffalo Stance is a hit. A good example of the super conscious music that would go on to define certain genres in the 90s
Buffalo Stance was great and I really thought I had a 5 on my hands. It quickly drops off from there. Very Janet Jackson vibes to my unqualified ear. Maybe it’ll sound better in another 15-20 years but I doubt it. Let it be a single
Eh, not really my thing. Sounds very dated. 2 stars.
Left feeling empowered. Bitches better stay away from my man. Jokes aside, fun album.
To my non-lyrical mind this is very boring.
Relly nothing special.
3.5/5 i'll have to relisten, it seemed interesting
Very cool production heavy on FM synths and crunchy samplers. The programmed triplet fills and vocals that fit akwardly in the mix, I struggle with. This is well executed, and was proabably extremely fresh in 1989. Just not for me. 2.3
Poopoo
Lyden af elektronisk pop i 1989, lidt bangers, men også lidt irriterende
Maybe I am too used to current day's hip-hop and that makes me consider this sound stale. Also, I understand it is a little bit experimental, but I did not like the experiments she tried to perform. Did not enjoy, few songs can be saved.
M'ha encantat com comença i no baixa el nivell. No ho esperava gens però m'ha agradat moltíssim
Even though I was born in 88 and never hearing this before, this album really has me feeling nostalgic. It is pure distilled late 80s/early 90s. I love it. This is probably the best of the bboy trip-hop style music. It's catchy, smart and a time capsule of a genre that is mostly gone today. I would suggest this to anyone who may have missed it from back when it was released.
Catchy beats that I probably would’ve liked more if I spent more time listening
Hey Google, play all the music from the 80s in one album. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Buffalo Stance Date listened: 18/11/23