The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Great production and a couple of stand out tracks - but 50% meh - Didn't really hold my attention for the whole album I'm afrraid

Stabiles Album.

Classic. Track 3 & 4 are the most memorable.

Could not connect with it, not as good as I thought it was going to be. I appreciate the artistry

Inte min genre, men välgjort och medryckande.

I’ve never been much for this style music, but it was nostalgic. It’s one I don’t mind, but I wouldn’t seek it out.

Very much a product of its time, but it aged well. I like most of the songs. The skits could have been left out, I feel like the message was clear without them explaining.

I thought this one would be a little more definitively four star than it is, but it dtill earns it. Most of the songs are high quality and enjoyable, I'd just say some of them go on a little longer than needed. I do understand why the big songs from this album like Ex-Factor are the big songs, though. The skits at the end of some of the songs are cute and don't hurt the songs they are attached to like I was led to believe. Just a more solid than average 90s R&B. This should be the album getting the praise for this genre, not crazysexycool.

Einige gute Songs (e.g. Lost Ones) aber insgesamt eher unspektakulär.

🤷🏼‍♂️

An okay album for me, but apart from Doo Wop, nothing really sparked my enthusiasm.

Given the success and accolades associated with this album, it's a shame that she ultimately felt that "...scores of tentacled obstructionists, politics, repressing agendas, unrealistic expectations and saboteurs everywhere..."* kept her from doing a follow up. *eonline.com, 1/6/21

Nice. Classic. Do wop that thing.

Feels like something that would be played as part of a Chappelle Show episode. There’s great beat, message, and voice. Not an album I’d have actively sought out, it’s a spirited album that was a decent listen for a work day afternoon. Wild to think nothing has followed since this release, making this album really an instance of lightning in a bottle.

I am aware that this album is a seminal work and am happy this project has once again given me a record I know I should have listened long before now. Better late than never. Overall this work is much prettier than I was anticipating. To Zion is powerful and beautiful as is Final Hour. I'm not religious but I can certainly appreciate the heartfelt sincerity. I also particularly liked Doo Wop and Everything is Everything. There's a lot here, I don't love it all, but I do think it is a substantial achievement and belongs on this list. I'm glad to have heard it and have asked Spotify to put some of the songs into rotation for me.

It lost me half way through tbh

I love the vibes

This means nothing to me. Reading Wikipedia, you'd think she was the female Messiah, but the most memorable moment on the album is the blistering guitar break on Ex-factor, which is credited to Johari Newton but which sounds to me by like Carlos Santana (which, incidentally otherwise owes a lot to Stevie Wonders Past time Paradise). I think it's miscredited, because the next track (To Zion) is credited to Santana but doesn't sound anything like him.

Ok, so beautiful voice, and some truly top tier rapping. Leaps and bounds better than most rappers. But each song felt dragged out a minute too long. And too many skits. But man her voice is pure.

Before this, the only song I ever knew by Lauryn Hill was Doo Wop (That Thing). Listening to her music, there is strong influence from genres such as R&B, Reggae, and Rap. The late 90s/early 00s hip hop beats are a great throwback. In Lauryn's high notes, I can hear Mariah Carey, and in her song structure/delivery I can hear Missy Elliot. Hip Hop/R&B isn't necessarily my favourite, however, I can definately understand and appreciate why this was such an influential album to so many. Favourite songs: Everything is Everything, Doo Wop (That Thing), "Every Ghetto, Every City", To Zion, Forgive Them Father Least favourite songs: When it Hurts So Bad, Nothing Even Matters, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 3/5

i can see how this was influential because i’ve heard so many of these songs in other ones before. she has an interesting voice and i thought this was an interesting album. i didn’t love the talk parts of it but occasionally they were alright.

Straight up: I've never been able to fully connect with this. I don't dislike it at all - but maybe it's *too* smooth at points? I don't know - everything here sounds amazing, it's soulful and melodic, but at the same time is - for me - missing *something* that gives me chills. But...I do love the theme/concept aspect of the album. Teacher & students discussions at the tail of many of the tracks, it does give it a certain cohesiveness and after going through it as an entire unit....that's the attraction. It's a vibe album; a definite feeling that listening to a track or two at a time doesn't nearly give the same fulfilling aspect as the full album. "Ex-Factor" [love that lead guitar near the end], "Doo Wop" and "Every Ghetto, Every City" are favourites. Yeah in the end it's not going to be a favourite but it's an impressive piece of work that you have to give the time to. 7/10 3 stars.

I didn’t realize it but I do think I know ex-factor. I normally don’t like speaking/breaks in music, but I actually really like the classroom love talk thing that’s going on in the intro and the other songs. I just gave the intro 2 stars cause it’s not really a song to me. The songs in the middle started to all sound kind of the same to me. Overall I like this album, but a lot of the individual tracks kind of fell flat to me.. I also recognize can’t take my eyes off of you.

It's a very long album with some nice patches. I like how she ties it all together with a nostalgic school theme. There are some good tracks, that thing for example and she's a very good singer. Having said that, it went on a bit as an album and had plenty of what seems like filler. I would probs listen to parts again but not as a complete unit. I also think that, to some degree, the album was created without me in mind. I think Lauryn would more than tolerate my mild criticism.

Buen bajo la ptm, buenas armonias vocales y lead vocal

3.5

6.5/10 Highlights: Doo Wop That Thing, Final Hour, Nothing Even Matters all of the school skits, multiple samples also used by Wu-Tang (can it all be so simple, something in “I Used to Love Him”)

Overall, a good album. It’s not my usual style of music but it was quite enjoyable. My favorite song would have to be ‘Lost Ones’. Good album. Didn’t manage to add any to my playlist though. Not sure why it’s not very popular. It’s definitely underrated.

The album was pretty good. The album as a whole was a little long. This is due to some songs being entirely too long themselves, the need to end the song earlier and useless skits. I am not sure I would listen to the entire album again but there are some songs that are worth a revisit. It is better than a 3 but not really a 4. I will round down.

Hip-hop bueno, disco muy largo, sólo reconocí Doo Wop (That Thing). 3.5 que baja a 3 porque no me gusta el género.

That girl can sing, can sing, can si-i-i-i-ng.

consider me unschooled

Her version of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of yYou” is one of my favorites, and has been in my playlist for many years. I also like the classroom sound effects on the album.

It was ok

Solid, but the production hasn't agreed the best

No

Good album. The 1st half had a lot of great tracks. The second half does not. Which keeps it from being a classic album to me.

Grew up surrounded by this album.

Her rapping is very good. But I HATE all the talking between songs. It ruins it for me. Without the dialogue it would be great.

Cool

Rólegt, einfalt og næs. Engin flugeldasýning imho

There's no denying that Lauryn's pretty magical but this isn't something I'm adding a future playlist. The album has a nice flow and the classroom bits add to the atmosphere. Fave: To Zion

Listened to on 5/10/22 3/5 Favorite song: To Zion, The Miseducation of Ms Lauryn Hill This album was so soulful and the lyrics were beautiful - great music that was easy to throw on and listen to

Better than I expected. 3.5/5

i understand it's good, but it's not my thing

Was expecting more but still good.

Fun, lighthearded sound. Was not expecting to like, but was pretty good fun. C+

Not really my kind of thing but I liked it more than I was expecting. Definitely ran a bit long though.

I dislike the Fugees so I wasn't expecting to enjoy this album as much as I did when I picked a tape of it (yes a cassette) at a discount music store selling it as part of a 5 for $20 deal. I do love her voice, the production and some of the songs are amazing. It is a bit all over the place and a few of the not quite cover versions border on over indulgence. First time I have listened to this in ages and can hear the influence it has had and understand that it was ground breaking at the time. I still enjoy it just not as much as I used to.

Enjoyable 3*

This album is fine. Lauryn Hill is clearly an incredible talent but there were only a couple of songs I really liked on the album.

I hadn't heard this for years. Vastly overrated at the time but it still sounds pretty good I think. The good bits are brilliant

Beyond the hit songs I didn't enjoy this as an album.

Not bad

It’s ok, although she’s not got that much interesting to say at least she can sing even though it gets s bit warberly towards the end.

The Talking/ conversations inbetween songs was distracting and long. Some good songs, a bit "preachy" for me.

I wasn't really sure I even wanted to listen to this as I don't really like much hip-hop. Ended up skipping through quite a few songs but some of the soul/R&B sounding cuts were enjoyable.

Love the oldschool vibe and I can tell this album inspired a lot of people since it's still being used in this day and age.

I get why this is good, but it’s not for me.

Smooth album all the way through. Brings me back to 98 when it seemed like every car that went by had this album playing. This has stood the test of time and would still be a chart topper today.

Cava, beetje overrated wel.

I can see why people like it, just not my style.

Hip-hop-soul, un tanto tostón, pero buena voz.

nice r&b rap combo a bit more literate than the usual rap music

Just didn’t hit for me. It’s always a challenge when an album comes in at 60+ minutes

Hip hop. Soul. Muy buena voz. R&B. Mejor de lo esperado.

Enjoyed some songs, To Zion and Doo Wop. the school audio was a bit distracting .

3. Algunas canciones con una melodía más soul y pegajosa como forgive them father me molan. Aunque al ser tan largo se me hace un poco pesado y solo hay tres canciones en el álbum que me hagan levantar la cabeza.

Good singer, conscious funky soul Oh and pay your taxes Bono, sorry, Lauryn...

nah

lost ones is a bopping track, already like this a lot more than a seat at the table by solange. to zion is a really good song i enjoyed it. doo wop is deadly, such a good tune. wasn't a fan of superstar.

I like this but would like it more if it wasn't 77 minutes and 16 songs. Most of the songs are in the 5 - 6 minute range. In isolation, each songs is good but it becomes a bit of a chore to listen to it all. It still has some of the hip hop tropes I hate; all the uh-uh-uhs, yo-yo-yos, skits, etc. Some of the ballads are very syrupy in a bad 1970s way. The personnel credits are something; so many people. Fun fact: album includes Frank Dunnery from It Bites. It's some culling and editing away from being a much better album.

Attitude and chops. This bridges a couple of styles, and I'm amazed there hasn't been a follow-up as big.

6/10

Like a hilly lunar surface, it has its ups and downs. Wasn’t awful

can't compare to anything I listen to. Pop? solo? idk. reggae according to theyAlexander

This is a good album, but really long.

There's some pretty good stuff and some stuff that didn't interest me. Prolly wouldn't go out of my way to listen again but didn't exactly hate listening to it this time.

A unique voice.

I like the album I don't love it and I have little urge to seek it out when I want a dose of hip hop. 3 stars

It was an all right listen

Some absolute classics on this album, but a lot of it doesn't land as much as I would like

Okay

Hip-hop-soul, un tanto tostón, pero buena voz.

Could do with some trimming. The singles are great though - especially Doo Wop (That Thing).

Not really my genre, but perfectly listenable - even when working.

I recognize that I am the problem here and there is cause for this to be a required listen, but it is just not for me. I lack The necessary chill to be able to enjoy these tracks. I am no Kosmo Vinyl, but these songs are too damned long and languid. I need a narrative, not time to ruminate on how little is being said.

I like the album I don't love it and I have little urge to seek it out when I want a dose of hip hop. 3 🌟

When I was in university, you didn't have to go far to find a copy of this album in someone's apartment. It's possible that the only song I've heard off of this album is "Doo Wop". "Doo Wop" was a good choice for a single off of this album. Hill is not my taste in music, but the album is good.

Pretty standard 90s sounding R&B/Hiphop. Not my thing but I respect it.

Pretty neat...featuring Zion (with Carlos santana)...managed 4 tracks so far

Lauryn Hill laat hiphop zomers klinken, maar af en toe ook wat langdradig

3

A well made album which touches on difficult subjects, Could be a bit more but I enjoyed the vibe

This is one I’ll probably throw on again. 3.25.

Good album.

I thought it had some really catchy songs and good lyrics, but it didn’t flow together too much except for the classroom bits. Though, it did have songs i recognized as a sample so that was cool, i’ll even it out with 3/5

Like Zappa yesterday, thoughtful lyrics. Hiphop style and much better vocals

I’m not a fan of rap ...

Never listened all the way through. It’s good. Not my favorite but I get why people like it.

Is it as good as everyone says it is? It's pretty great, but doesn't seem stand out classic to me. Maybe it sounds so familiar already, even though I've never owned it...

I think a full album of hip hop is too much. Ditto for a full album of soul most of the time. This was a nice blend which worked for me. I also like the guitar solos thrown in which I wasn't expecting with the genres but worked. I'm almost at 4 except I think I've been giving too many 4s lately so deflation has set in.

Tykkäsin enemmän Laurynin sekä räppi- että laulutaidoista kuin varsinaisesti levyn kappaleista. Mutta jo pelkästään taidokkuuden takia 3.

When I was 16, I asked a girl out called Lauryn. She laughed in my face. Feeling low I decided to go to the 24 hour garage just down the road to mask my disappointment by buying some top shelf porn mags. I didn't need Lauryn, I could have a great time by myself. It was only as I was nearly at the counter, ready to pay, that I noticed it was my uncle working. In a panic, I disgarded the porn mags and instead got a cheese and onion pasty and had to satisfy my needs with that instead.

She's a talented singer, rapper, and lyricist. I love the overall vibe of this album, but I feel like I'd have to listen to it each time as an album. There wasn't a single song that stood out to me. I was actually bored with it by the end, but I feel like it warrants another spin.

There's a couple of bangers here but it's a long album with loads of r&b filler. Her warbling annoyed me by the end

false

7/10

8

Recognised some songs, album as a whole wasn't my taste

Very nice modern R&B album. I liked it most because I can recognize many influences in some very good songs that I like (Alicia Keys for example).

Yup. I liked it. Good music is what it is.

Really well produced. Some great tracks but not sure I'd add it to my regular rotation.

A true classic. Back in the day I didn't care much for it, but now I see its potential to grow on me.

Un disco con muchos géneros dentro. No está mal y su voz es increíble

Ett par riktigt sköna låtar. Är lite kluven till hela albumet. Det flyter ihop till bakgrundsmusik för mig, och jag måste vara på rätt humör för att uppskatta det fullt ut.

Not my favorite genre but not a bad album

I'm a fan ever since her MTV Live, she's a little weird though :)

he, used to listen to Lauryn Hill back when i was a teenager. Good memories. Never listened the whole album, tough.

Nie mój styl. Aczkolwiek można posłuchać.

No fugees but good

Ok ok ok

Some good tracks. Annoy fake crackle on some records was just annoying

Not a bad album, just not a fan of the genre. Because I've listened to so little like this its hard to judge it. Her rapping is solid, but the slow soul stuff im not familiar with. I've definitely seen the album before though.

Number: 210 Familiarity: None (1) Rating: 2 ======= Not really a fan of most of this type of music but it there was a decent variety. My favorite track was Doo Wop (That Thing) which I rated a 4 but most of the others were a 2 for me.

Nothing Ever Matters followed by Everything is Everything is kind of confusing

One of those albums that I respect more than enjoy. It’s clearly good, just not for me

Some great songs but struggled to hold my attention for 1h17m

Good album, no proper stand out tracks although “Forgive Them Father” remains a great song. Two stars. Tom.

Pleasant but understated.

4/10

5/10

I remember the accolades given for this artist and album when it came out. Lisa had a real love and admiration for her. The Doo Wop song is still catchy but the rest of it just doesn't speak to me. It's pleasant enough but my measure is whether I would put this on or change it if it were to come on. And for all but one song on this record, it's the latter. 2/5

It's okay, but it's so long, and a lot of it you just want to skip.

Songs perhaps okish. Classroom interludes are annoying. Does that somehow tie it all together and make it a theme album and thus greater as a whole? Not to me. I find myself checking back to see if we have moved onto the next track or is this dribbling just part of the last track. Perhaps if it happened for one track i could forgive it but enough already. "Everything you drop is so tired. Music is supposed to inspire, so how come we aint getting no higher?" I couldn't sum it up better myself. The vocal histrionics over dubbed I just find annoying and unfortunately not confined to Ms Lauryn Hill. I was planning to listen to this straight through but had to take a mental sanity break. I wonder if her legacy might be dimmed if she had next released another 3 albums that were deemed to be mediocre or even the same. Then this one hit album and then done legacy of hero worship might not happen.

too slow and laboured

Back to school, Lauren

The average song on here is 5 minutes long. 5 MINUTES OF HOOKLESS RAMBLING HIP HOP. There’s glimpses of something better but sometimes the production and repetition just drives into your brain and it just sucks

I enjoyed 2-3 tracks and didn't care for the rest.

I think I’m just not a huge fan of her voice. Some of the songs are catchy but don’t wow me.

I wanted to love it/ EVERYBODY loved it... I didn't love it

I believe that recent “best ever” lists have this at #1 and I totally understand why that would be the case. However, I’m not a black woman so this meant nothing to me.

I never really understood the hype around this album. Enjoyable but nothing special to my ears.

R en b album. Ken ik van vroeger, maar niet mijn muziek

A rap album where I actually enjoyed the talking in between songs, when I could hear it. I got bored pretty quickly with this album though. Can't believe Apple music named it the #1 best album of all time.

No me enganche

Meh... Just not a style I'm really in to.

It was ok but long and my attention wandered

Alright. Outside of the hit it’s whatever

The interludes are annoying. Doo Wop is decent. She has a good voice but I'm bored. Now for some reason I need to go listen to Fake Patois by Das Racist...

Critically acclaimed … blah blah blah … it’s gonna be a no for me.

Ts album is not actually new to me i used to listen to it i rly love lauryn 🫶🏼

Good album. Not my type of shit, but good. 6.75/14 69.43%

Never been keen

I don't know where all the high ratings come from, but if you ask me, listening to 16 songs of wailing over the same beat is quite an ordeal

I don’t really like the genre and I wasn’t looking forward to it. The positives are: - the songwriting and was better than expected - the musicians were highly competent The negatives: - The musicians were too competent; it sounded like the very best session musicians coming together to create something devoid of personality - The vocal embellishment is unnecessary and becomes a distraction from the melody you have actually written - it was way too long, padded out with pointless covers that add nothing to the originals

Aivan jumalattoman piiiitkä albumi. Ja en voi sille mitään, että juuri tämän tyylinen jenkki -r&b lähinnä ärsyttää. Ei mene ymmärrykseen, miksi tämä on ollut muka mullistava albumi; ihan tusinatavaraa. No, hyvin tehtyä oikeata musaa ja varmaan mustille amerikkalaisille kova juttu mutta miksi tämä kolisisi Euroopassa….? Ylipitkä, yliarvostettu albumi. 2/5

I really did not like the long outros of some of the songs with all of the talking. Those seemed really unnecessary and distracted me from the music. I had always heard good things about this album, but I just didn't see it.

Favorite: Ex-Factor

The challenge is aligning my energy with this album

One and done - Lauryn made what is probably the best female solo hip hop album of the 90s, dropped the mike and walked away.

One listen. Won't be getting a second.

Not really my style

some good RnB but too much talking not my cake

Far, far too long. Fairly samey, and besides the hit songs nothing that really lingers.

Not a fan

Long. Lots of filler. Only one or two highlights. I imagine when it came out it was revolutionary but there have been too many new albums that are better to make it worthwhile.

Just ho-hum.

I was disappointed in this album. I liked Carlos Santana’s guitar work on “To Zion,” and I’ve appreciated “Doo Wop (That Thing)” since it came out. I also liked the Motown influences. Unfortunately, this really dragged on for me.

I kinda can't stand this, but at least it's sampled well

Nice R&B album with not too much rapping. Smooth vocals and some nice funky lines too.

Did not understand the hype back then and don't understand it now.

Tracks I liked: zion, forgive them father. Would I revisit this: no.

Eh. Overrated.

Don’t hate me! I know I know such a low rating for an iconic album but I’ve told myself I’d be completely honest in rating these in no way at all do I think that Lauren hill isn’t a good singer in fact, I do think she’s great and has a lovely voice but unfortunately I just think this one wasn’t for me not my style of music and just didn’t really enjoy it however I can definitely see why people love her so much she’s pretty great! Just thought it went of for a bit long for my liking… So here’s my top 3 1)Doo Wop (that thing) 2) Ex-Factor 3) Everything Is Everything

First listen I wasn’t feeling this at all, but second listen was another story I enjoyed it. Could I listen again, no, the album does drag on. It is very repetitive this album but there is some brilliance in there. I like the fugees, I think I like the more then her on her own. Doo wop is the track I’ve heard in general over the years and I must say I enjoyed the samples and the singing on that track. Ex factor the music samples and singing are also 👌 I don’t know maybe I’m missing something on here I just don’t think there’s enough of everything. Just snippets of brilliance, is that enough to carry an album, I don’t think so.

It was ok , can’t deny she’s got a hell of a voice , just didn’t elevate me much musically , Felt like the songs seemed to keep the same tempo roughly , wasn’t much variation of instruments coming forward in the songs , felt like it dragged a lot

Unbearably long. All the songs sounds the same and all of them are 90's R&B as fuck. I hate the melisma/vibrato way of singing, it feels so incredebly extra and I can thank Christina for making me hate it so god damn much. Fuck you Christina.

Not my type

I don't think I'd ever heard this the whole way through, and considering what a massive success this album was (and how good Lauryn Hill was in the Fugees), I expected to like it. Instead I actively disliked it as it went on (and on). The cursive singing drove me nuts, with seemingly every syllable being dragged across multiple notes and dragging everything out interminably. These songs didn't need to be five-plus minutes or have all these interstitials. (This was the heyday of skits on albums, I guess.) Aside from "Doo Wop (That Thing)," this is shockingly a miss. 2.5 stars.

Not my thing.

There were some pretty songs, it'll take some time and distance to accurately rate this one. This album has been hyped up to the stratosphere and it didn't take me there sadly which I get is an unfair expectation. The continuous use of skits takes me out of the album. I guess she gets a pass because hers has a message and is sweet but hip hop gets dragged all the time for that. It's a fine record but it's nowhere near an all-time album for me. Rating: 2.5

This album reminds me of an ex girlfriend who used to always have this on every time I got in her car. I didn’t rate it back then and unfortunately I’m still feeling the same way about it now.

Don't get it at all. In addition, did she really need to add minutes of tedious chitchat after almost every song? Was it not long enough?

I sold this at target. Only DEI fanboys and fangirls would buy it, says enough about the album.

not really my thing

Annoying

Not my jam

I’ve never understood the hype of Lauryn Hill. It’s fine I guess but nothing spectacular. I knew Doo Wop (That Thing) and Everything is Everything. I didn’t like any of the other songs.

a música com o Santana é nice but I'd just rather listen to Santana instead then álbum interminável e não fiquei com vontade de re-escutar nenhum track. I might be missing something já que é TÃO criticamente respeitado, mas it might just not be for me.

2.5

Not for me

I was hoping I'd come back to this and like it more, but I still have the same problem as my last listen. Almost every song is like 2-3 minutes too long, and it just makes the album such a drag to listen to. If you can cut your album 20 minutes without cutting a single song, then you have a problem. Also by NO MEANS the best album of all time, no clue what apple music was on with that one. Favorites: Ex-Factor, Forgive Them Father, Everything Is Everything

An amazing album but not my type of music

2⭐️ not my usual style or genre songs I already knew: doo wop (that thing) fave new one(s): can’t take my eyes off of you cover

5/10 Disappointing. Musically boring and repetitive. Obviously the lyrics are strong, but they didn't particularly connect for me.

more like miss education, am i right guys? huh? no? 2.5/5 rounding up cuz it was pleasant enough but lets all be honest with each other, they ain't gonna be spinnin' this one in a decade

Ikkje så fan

It was fine. Not my jam

Oon varma et tää levy on julkasun jälkeen jaettu jokaiseen vaatekauppaan, joka on olemassa. Tän tyylinen R&B on just semmosta mitä ei jaksa juuri ollenkaan. Niin tasapaksua ja löysää meininkiä.

Kyllä tämän nyt läpi kuunteli, mutta mitään ei jäänyt käteen, ei edes kasaa paskaa. Siitäkin huolimatta annan kakkosen.

Never understood why this was so popular at the time, and >25 years later, I still don’t. Boring bog standard R’n’B production, nothing interesting in terms of tunes, and flat delivery of unimaginative lyrics most of the time. And the interludes after several of the songs with sounds from a classroom make me feel like stabbing myself repeatedly………..

I really liked the Fugees albums and she was my favorite part of it. This just isn’t hitting for me.

Football commentator Jonathan Pearce loves this album apparently. Does he have good taste in music or is this just one of those albums that had hundreds of thousands thrown at it by the record company and became popular because it was unavoidable? Right, so she has a great voice - she can both sing and rap with equal aplomb. But like a lot of modern R&B records, it has the sort of production that smooths out all the rough edges. It's AOR for the 21st century. As a rule, inoffensive = popular, unfortunately. There's a great record in there somewhere, but it feels sanded down. I like to catch a splinter or two off of the music I listen to. Also, wayyy too long!

It’s not bad bad but it’s always in these sorts of lists and I’ve never really got what the hype was

Honestly, same review as Fugees. I get it, I get why it was popular, I hear the influence, but R&B just does nothing for me at all. It's also way too long, Jesus Christ.

Cool. Not something I’d go back to though.

So overrated. Lauryn Hill has a great voice, but it is wasted on this generic 90s R+B. It's the rap performances which are the best (track 7 is not bad). The duets seem to be vanity appearances more than anything worthwhile. It's all a bit boring. It didn't annoy me; it's not interesting enough to do that. I just don't get the hype. I would call this album "The Meh-seducation of Lauryn Hill".

Didn’t really enjoy this all. Good for what it is, but it sounded just tired, clichéd and dull to me - despite it being highly rated. Some really poor lyrics stood out too (“He was like the ocean and I was the sand” and “He came to me like a thief in the night”). Yeah. Scraped to a 2.

Classic ‘90s R&B with hip-hop influences & undertones. I understand the broader influence to the scene contextually, but—controversially?—this also doesn’t really do it for me, unfortunately.

I can appreciate the artistic merit here but still feel like it’s just not for me.

Successful concept Hip-Hop album - written out of the persoective of a pregnant Woman.

Not for me. För mycket röstwankery. Gitarrsolot på ex factor kändes som ett skämt

The true last classic this list is gonna give me. By that I mean one that's always in the conversation when talking about classic albums. And this hits nowhere for me. Too R 'n B/soul for me and too little what I loved about the Fugees.

22/10/2025 I just didn't enjoy this, i didn't think it was very good. Spotify listeners: 14.3 million

don't understand the hype

Näin kehutuksi ja korkealle kaikissa listoissa arvioiduksi levyksi todellinen pannukakku. 2/5.

I wasn't really into this. It's not really what I like and I'm afraid the in your face religiousy-ness of it just put me off further. Doo wop and everything is everything stood out a lot as tracks that I preferred. The backing music was alright in places, but then that click in nothing even matters was driving me mad. I'm sure she is making valid statements and from what I've read makes some good female perspective views, but I just didn't get on with it.

Perhaps this is a good album for it's genre but I would never intentionally seek this out or listen to it. This is admittedly not my kind of thing and I skipped through every song.

It's good, it just doesn't really resonate with me.

Not my rhing

Pas du tout mon style mais une grande artiste qui a joué dans Sister Act 2 !!!

Not bad for a hip hop album. I liked the guitar solo on that one song.

I don't know how this would be classified. Mostly rap with some borderline R&B? Not for me.

Not my favourite genre, as has become plainly evident. This one was ok at best. The tracks are repetitive but at least not oppressive to the ears. It is very long though, and not really holding up as listening progresses. 2/5

So boring. Really just glazed over my ears. Wasn't painful enough for 1, though. Just uninteresting.

Done well just not my cup of tea

Does me no harm. But far too long! Therefore weak two stars. 1,5

If I was strictly rating this album off of production quality and how clean the sound is, this would definitely get a 5. This album just does nothing for me. The best song on the album for me is To Zion. I really loved the guitar parts of that song. But that’s as far as the compliments go. I just feel the album is boring for lack of a better word. Despite how clean and buttery the music may sound, there are times where it’s just a wall of harmonizing tracks that don’t feel as angelic as they are intended to be, and end up feeling overwhelming and drowning. Oh the other positive is that I appreciate the interludes with the classroom. Those are actually endearing and cute. I think I might be harsh on this album, but it’s just nowhere near as good as the Fugees album this list had me review already. I guess I was just disappointed. Nothing on this album hits like “killing Mr softly with his song”.

Ok but tracks samey. Didn’t really hit home.

I've seen this album pop up all over the place recently and it seems to be portrayed as some kind of masterpiece, but I don't know, I just didn't really like it. There were maybe 2-3 tracks that I enjoyed, but the time spent between those tracks was boring and far too long.

I know that people love this. I do not.

This one was a miss. A couple of highlights, but I mostly wanted it to be over.

Hiphop isn't my thing, so I'm not the right person to write or rate about this genre. For me it's really boring and repetitive. I like Hill's voice and the overall sound is organic compared to many other genre's albums, though.

I can see why people like it but its just not for me

I'm sure this is a good album for those that appreciate this kind of music, but it does nothing for me

Pas fan de RnB, et pas fan de cet album… Très redondant dans l’ensemble, et les extraits des cours donnés à la fin de chaque morceau « cassent » l’écoute de l’album 🤷🏻‍♀️

I do think this album is interesting. It's definitely unique in the kind of story it presents and the way it does it (least vague sentence in existence, I know; but I'm too lazy and stupid to explain what I mean exactly). But I didn't really vibe with it. Doo Wop is a banger, but I didn't find any of the other songs here particularly exciting (wouldn't say any of them are bad, through). This is hip hop with a heavy soul vibe to it, and I'm not a fan of that soundscape since neither 90s' hip hop nor soul appeal to me. It's too simple, too down to earth (although I completely understand that that's the entire point), and it's 77 minutes long. Although I wasn't expecting to like it, I was interested to listen to this album because it's pretty universally considered a classic, but I ended up finding it pretty underwhelming only because it doesn't fit my taste. 5/10

Good but the first song after intro went on for a bit and didnt change. Had a few songs that I knew but overall dont think ill listen to it again unless it is on in the background

This is going to be the first time I don’t complete an album because I’ve heard enough. I think Lauryn is a good singer. She also has good beats. However, they all are starting to sound so samey.

I don't think I would have liked this even when I was into R&B. Every song sounds the same all the way through. Her voice is great though.

Although I suppose that the spoken bits that were like it's recorded in a class room does fit the album title, I don't think that spoken lyrics should be on an album, especially this much.

Not bad but tiresome. I liked rapping more than singing. And why is it so long again ffs

Nice voice, and I know this is an important album. But it isn't to my taste. (Nor is most R&B and soul, as those terms have been used since the 1980s or so.)

Rap, R&B, & Soul are not my top genres of music to listen to, although I do like and appreciate some artists in those genres. Lauryn Hill just isn't for me.

Great vocalist. Beautiful harmonies, otherwise, Meh.

"Hey Lauryn! We're going to record an album. We've got two or three banging tunes but we don't have material for the rest of the album. We'll just make some rhythmic noise with different time signatures to fill the gaps between the good tunes and no-one will ever notice."

Tøff rapping. Tåler ikke all pratinga. Er dette en jævla gruppetime hos psykologen?? Trekker ned mye dessverre..

She’s got a fantastic voice, but I found this album bland back then, and I still found it bland now

I will start by saying that I really like the production on this album overall, and I respect Ms. Lauryn Hill for spearheading the production herself. The use of classic R&B, motown and doo-wop sounds is done really smartly and beautifully. Conversely, I find the interludes of school children talking about love and life pretty annoying. I get that it's in keeping with the [mis]education thing, because how could you not?--it's not very subtle. Yeah, most of the instrumentals on this album I really like. I even really like her singing voice. Some songs where that's the predominant vocal mode I quite like--"Nothing Even Matters" and her cover of "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" stand out. But I just don't like her rapping style. I also don't like her lyrics generally. I've always found "Doo Wop (That Thing)" to be just... I dunno... condescending in a weird way. The general vibe on that and several other songs is that everyone else is trifling and concerned with superficial things, but not Lauryn. Lauryn is enlightened and operating on a higher spiritual plane than the rest of us. I would give this album 2.5 ⭐️ if I could, but with the ratio of skips to songs I actually like I have to round down.

Very pleasant, not my cup of tea. Honestly wish I could rate it higher. 2 stars.

Day547 - this has to be one of the most overhyped albums. doo-wop is a good one but the rest is blah

Oh my, this album really gets on my nerves. What a struggle to finish it. Is it the lack of grove and the slow tempo - I'm not a "soul" guy (oldskool, yes, though) Or is it the vocals? Lauren either "raps" monotonously and I wish she were singing more, or she "sings" but has the soulful habit to convert every note into a complete scale (the infamous noodle-neck style). I have never been a Fugees fan and this is very similar. I realise my almost hatred for this album (I will actively turn it off when it's on the radio) is totally subjective and I see this music it is made with skill (hence I won't give it a 1). Who knows I will some day get into this (I have surprised myself in the past) but for now it's got to be a 1 just because I loathe it so much, plus 1 because it's (technically) well made.

Känner liksom ingenting tyvärr, bra groove o så men känner inte att det låter tillräckligt intressant för att jag ska palla gräva mig ner i texterna osv.

This is well-done for a debut album, so a ratings bump for that. The album is too long for me, and after awhile I became less pleased with Hill’s singing style. There are sections which sound like the Fugees, even though I read that the artist was trying to avoid that. A bit too much rap also.

This album used to be *everywhere*, to the point where I thought we had it here already. I dunno why exactly I dislike(d) it so much; it's nothing personal, really just not my style. Having tracks with Mary J Blige and D'Angelo makes perfect sense because I feel the same way about them! Too slow, and the vocals don't compel me either. Like opera in a way. The lyrics and subject matter are mostly fine. I do like the cute little hidden skits, they're very wholesome.

Ik dacht dat dit heel moeilijk ging worden en ik de kwaliteit van het album moest afzetten tegen de rechtzaken en de onbeantwoorde vraag hoeveel ervan gemaakt, en hoeveel gestolen, is door Hill. Gelukkig was ik het tegen het einde ook gewoon zat. De rap nummers zijn aanzienlijk beter dan de zang nummers die helaas in al hun me-he-he-he-he-li-hi-hisme rijke antiglorie de overhand hebben. Productie is nice en dus vermoedelijk meer New Ark dan Hill, maar anno 2025 kan ik dat op menig plaat vinden zonder Hill haar stem er overeen.

Dit album heeft een paar nummers die heel goed oud worden en die ik graag af en toe luister (Doo Wop, Final Hour) Tell Him en Ex-factor zijn ook fijne nummers, maar wel zoetjes. Forgive Them Father, Everything is Everything en Lost Ones zijn prima. Every Ghetto, Every City klinkt reuze gezellig, maar de nostalgie hit natuurlijk niet helemaal zoals die voor anderen wel zou doen. Beetje teleurgesteld in de D'Angelo track. Klinkt net een tik rommelig vergeleken met zijn eigen werk. Nou is het niet zijn album maar ik denk dat een minder rommelig nummer beter voor hem en dus ook het album werkt. Het heeft ook nummers die niet ok zijn. Hoe lief de tekst ook is, To Zion is echt onluisterbaar voor me. Can't Take My Eyes Of You breng alleen teweeg dat ik een betere variant van dit nummer wil luisteren. Dit album heeft enorm veel legacy met allemaal artiesten die hier inspiratie uit hebben gehaald. Het heeft ook allemaal prijzen gewonnen bij release. Legacy of prijzen maken echter een album niet meer of minder luisterbaar. Ik denk dat het op het randje zit of ik het wel/niet als album op zou zetten. Dus het zit op het randje van 2/5 en 3/5.

Ik ben uitgeput van alle ad libs en vocal repeats op de achtergrond. Een hoop toffe beats met hier en daar wat leuke dingen zoals fluit en harpsichord flair, maar de zang is gewoon echt helemaal niet voor mij weggelegd.

Ik heb het album in stukjes geluisterd over het weekend. Vond de beats wel lekker en nummers waarin vooral gerapt werd cool, al is het totaal niet de muziek die ik normaal zou luisteren. Ben niet zo'n fan van de manier waarop gezongen wordt op veel r&b platen, waar de ad libs zo ongeremd stromen dat het sketch niveau bereikt. Wat dat betreft zit iemand als Selah Sue voor mij op de sweet spot en zit je al snel in de irritatie als je verder buiten de baantjes gaat. Maarja meningen verschillen 🤷‍♀️

I'm sorry lauryn it isn't personally I just really don't like late 90s r&b :(

Just not something I’m interested in

I’ve tried multiple times over the years to understand why people love this album, but it’s just never worked for me.. and at this point, I don’t think it ever will.

The instrumentation and her vocals are decent. The classroom concept seemed a bit gimmicky.

I remember when this album came out and I did not enjoy then and disliked it less now, but it was still a struggle. Exhibits all the things I found most annoying and distancing about 1990s Neo Soul and Hip Hop. I straight up wish that she sang instead of doing any rapping at all, and I would have cut all of the skit stuff. The rapping just seems to cheapen the emotions. Given the number of sales this album had in the late 90s I can see why it would be considered for a list like this, but that is true of many great popular albums that do not appear on this list (a complaint that I have made many times in my reviews). In my opinion 1998 and 1999 were really weak years for popular music, so it is not surprising to me, that as weak as I think this album actually is, that it could go on to sell 10,000,000 albums in 1998-1999. An album whose selection is a novelty at best and a virtue signal at worst.

I had high expectations for this one, knowing the buzz around it, but I found it boring aside from Doo Wop (That Thing), which continues to slap.

I understand this is a highly touted and influential album, it’s just not for me

WIEDER 1H9MIN AAAAH ah freumi denn uf de hidden track uiii de beat hani nöd gern, d bassdrum isch ooofff lost ones findi insgesamt leider recht arsch es hetmer leider nanüt mega gfalle iwie? aso finds jz nöd schlecht aber jo ok doo wop catched mich chli, aber jz au nöd insane kei ahnig und die skuts am schluss sind kinda cute und bringed eim sicher öppis aber puuh NOW I DONT JA ICH HANA VERSTANDE FREUT MICH FÜR DICH I'm so so sorry ich wetts gern haa aber ich langwiile mich nur ohh sie hend d hidden tracks ussegno??? SO SCHAAAAD es tutmer echt leid aber ich hans eifach langwilig gfunde

Musically talented but I can't really identify with really much of this. I'm not black, don't want kids, am not a Christian. Beautiful voice but I don't ever see myself wanting to listen to this again. It just doesn't speak to me at all. I get Ex-Factor I suppose.

Good singing, good beats, but it got tedious

I didn’t like this at all. The classroom segments add nothing to the recording and I found myself just wanting to hear her stretch out and just sing. She’s a great singer. I wish there was some different music. 1001 album worthy: no - 75/138

2.4 - Just felt a bit surface and preachy

2.5 ok just not my style. Hate it when vocalist do super long vocal runs for every other syllable

No doubt she is talented, great singer/rapper, just not something I'm really into, found it a little too long

It's alright I guess

Pretty good

скучно, пиздец, 2/5

Not my genre, but this was fine. I didnt know any of these songs. Docking a star for the in between song skits that were everywhere back then and have thankfully fallen out of favor.

Not bad, but not my genre.

Black hip hop is not for me, unfortunately. Maybe some other day

En yhtään pidä rapista / hiphopista, mutta bassolinjat oli ihan hienot.

Not a fan. Musiikkityyli ei uppoa, vaikka silloin tällöin levy sisältää hienojakin hetkiä.

I know this is a famous album and I thought I would like it more but it’s not for me.

I skipped the 90’s era rap class. She’s got a nice voice, and as far as rap goes, it could be a lot worse. Same old angry lyrics and tired cries of racism and oppression. Whatever…. Pay your taxes Sister!

This album is far too long and needs editing down. It's a very mixed bag in quality of songs as well some very good songs, some meh songs and some shockers.

R&B has to be really special for me to like it, this just isn't it

If I were a young girl in the 90s, going through my own juvenile love shenanigans, this album would really speak to me. As I am not, and never was, it's a little of a slog to get through.

Another album I used to listen to a lot previously (but have not picked up in years). At the time is was very zeitgeisty and I guess I just went with the flow. Listening today and its all very meh. Not terrible but not anything I am going to rush back to listen again - none of the tracks sparked the joy of rediscovery. Spotify was fucking around which has made be grumpy so unfortunately its a 2.

Not my kind of music.

Hab überlegt drei Sterne zu geben, weil ich glaube wenn man Lust drauf hat macht das Album Spaß. Die Lieder aber mal einzeln zu hören ist schwierig, weil am Ende vieler Lieder Dialoge zwischen Lehrer und Schüler drangehängt wurden.

Toll produziert, ein sehr gelungenes Konzept, Kreativität ohne Ende, in jeder Hinsicht technisch einwandfrei. Aber nicht meine Musik. Schade

It's not for me. Too smooth. I understand why people like it. I don't quite understand why people think it's one of the greatest albums ever made.

Great singles, the rest felt a bit unfocussed.

Totally not my music taste

Ok, good background groove

I love her voice and Doo Wop (the thing) will never not be great. That said I just don’t enjoy this album. As good as Doo Wop is “Nothing Even Matters” is why I can never get into this style of music. But then it’s followed by Everything is Everything and I wish for an album made up of similar songs.

Not really my thing, there's some real bops though. Good voice.

Vielseitig und nicht schlecht. Aber nicht so mein Fall (3/5), quasi keine Chance des Wiederhörens (1/5)

Really not feeling this one. Her stuff with the Fugees was much better.

Your basic rap formula. Nothing to see here. Move along.