Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Not really my thing
Nope
vibey and croony lounge music. it does get a little trying eventually but for the most part it's very pleasant. Jackie is pretty sick, perfectly bombastic. i also quite like The Girls And The Dogs
Rating: 4/10 Songs are fine and well made enough I guess but weird and not my thing, and I don’t want to spend my time listening to this
NO clue what the album was about but interesting sound 4.4/10
"Next" - What the fuck did I just listen to. 0 Scott out of 100 Walkers.
It's fine
I genuinely have no idea what to make of this one. It feels witty... Is it supposed to be satire? Comedy? Real commentary? Is this taking itself seriously, or not? And should I? I just can't tell. It's bizarre, it's a little avant garde,and yet the music itself is quite good. His voice in particular is really solid. I find myself less loving or hating this, and more just bewildered. As is often the case though, it's not bad. I don't dislike it, I just don't feel I understand it. There are some unfortunate dated lyrics here, but I'm usually willing to overlook that as being just a product of its time. Only because I don't understand it, I'm giving it a 2. If I manage to work out what the point of this is and what it's trying to be, it may get bumped up a little higher.
3.5
Why is this song about the artist losing their virginity in an army brothel so familiar? Feel like I've heard this one before. Wait, is it a Jacques Brel cover? -Real thoughts I had while listening to this album.
'If I could be for just one little hour / A cute-cute in a stupid ass way.' Scott Walker is like a midway point between Tom Jones and Associates lead man Billy Mackenzie, until he goes country on the Tim-Hardin cover and gives you his best Harry Nilsson. As theatrical as Screamin' Jay Hawkins, but in his own way a man very much keen on authenticity and pushing things only as far as they need to go, Walker is an excellent comedian - 'And never to be next / Oh, never to be next / next!' - w/o collapsing into sheer farce. As a vocalist, he can't really be doubted, but he doesn't coast on mere talent since he's a helluva songwriter and when he covers a song he covers the right one (save 'The Girls And The Dogs'). No Bowie w/o this Ohioan, too.
Yeah nope
This is like sitting through a Vegas lounge act. I'm NOT drunk enough for this bullshit.
Wasn’t my sort of thing
Why this dribble would even be considered on any list (except the worst of) is beyond me)
ahhh, shit. hes back. pass.
That was so weird.
I hate this album. cannot get through it honestly. Thanks but no thanks
I'm not sure what to say about this album. It's show tuney, without being an album of show tune covers. He's got a nice voice.
This guy slaps… ass.
Hilarious
Y’all, this is some corny shit. But it is totally transporting if you give yourself over to it. The lyrics are incredible, his voice is evocative. Sometimes the orchestral arrangements are a little overmuch but I can’t really blame them when the songs themselves sound so cinematic. Actually I loved this a lot. Must-listen #249.
Music that makes you stop.
This album is frikken hilarious...is it supposed to be??
I know this guy has a cult following but it’s not for me. I don’t get the hype. What makes this guy different from say Tom Jones? Lyrical content? It’s still cheesy music even if the songs are darker or whatever.
The music is stupid and the lyrics are ridiculous. What's not to like? Next!
Well, this is definitely a contrast to recent albums in the rotation. I'm not sure it's for the better, at least for those (like me) who don't particularly enjoy orchestral pop, but I appreciate the detour from rock/punk/indie-rock themes, sort of. The highlights for me were his covers of Jacques Brel songs--particularly "Jackie" but "Next" and "The girls and the dogs" are also fun--as well as the rolling western-style cover of Tim Hardin's "Black sheep boy". Taken together, it felt like I was listening to an English-language version of a soundtrack to some important/obscure 60s French movie/musical. As much as his sound is a refreshing change of pace, I'm a bit disappointed to see that we also get "Scott 4" in this collection. This one felt too much like a novelty album to justify another entry from Scott Walker.
I'd never heard of him before; he seems like an interesting guy--I wonder if this is the best album to represent him? Great voice but I didn't like his interpretations or song choices very much.
Weird energy-elevator music
Started off strong, but wow repetitive. It was fine. The first song is a cover, on top of that!
A bit David Bowor, a bit Robert Gpulet
I SWEAR ON THE WET HEAD OF MY FIRST CASE OF GONORRHEA
What the what did I just listen to!? Music was melodic and sounded good, lyrics were a bit out there.
I liked the energy at the start, but... I dunno. This one gives me weird vibes. The orchestral backing is great but the audio on the vocals feels detached in a distracting way. On top of that, the lyrics feel dated in places. 2 stars for Scott 2.
Jesus Christ! There are TWO Scott Walker albums on this list. There are ZERO Warren Zevon albums on this list. What the hell is wrong with the compilers of this list!?! I guess if you're nostalgic for voices like Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck? I mean, as a performer and producer (and probably less so, but a bit as a songwriter), Walker did influence a number of great artists from the 70s (most notably David Bowie), but two albums seems like at least twice as many as he probably warrants.
Really not for me.
Actually made me get why people fw Geordie Greep. There’s a few really great songs on here. Sometimes got a bit too showtunes-y, but it was unique I’ll give him that. Feels old and new at the same time. I hear a bit of Walker in the Magnetic Fields
That was unexpected!
At times it’s like an edgy broadway production. Scott Walker’s baritone is different than most male vocalists at this time. But at its lowest this album feels like the stereotypical ‘60s album with its wall of orchestra and easy listening arrangements that are now cliche for that period.
var musik
Kind of a funny album, the dude is a little funny too after reading about him. Pop sensation that kind of sounds like a shitty Barry Manilow. I'm probably not giving it enough credit. Also weirdly sounds like a Christmas album sometimes. Huh. Kind of forgettable, sounds like Scott 3 and 4 are a little more fun.
• 2/5 • Nobody needed translated covers of Jacques Brel songs . . . Next!
Normaalne
Walker is an undeniable talent and master of baritone excellence. The song choices are a little too repetitive here though to fully work for his vision. The arrangements are lush and beautiful but start to wash out the songs by the end. But his interpretation of chansons and cabaret songs lifts them into a distinct pop sensibility. It’s good, but I’m sure there’s much deeper depths to dive into.
I was kinda waiting for this as i'd not heard him but knew it was here. I didnt know scott walker apart from that Alex Turner ripped him off. Turns out its not just Alex. I also hear Neil Hannon, Nick Cave and lots more. This album seems to be an inspiration for so much more that came after due to its conspiratorial and acerbic lyrics, its sweeping instrumentation and deep rich baritone. I really enjoyed this and will work through the back catalogue.
Interesting, this sounds like one of those easy-listening Pop records with lush orchestration from the mid 70s, but it precedes that decade by two whole years. Apart from that .... you have to be in the right mood to listen to this, but it's not bad by any stretch. 3/5
Lyrics sound like Scott was writing a musical and midway through changed his mind and made an actual album.
Wiii, Scott Walker! Sm pa do zdaj poslušala samo 4, k mi je kr ljuba. Wo, ker začetek, najbl hitri orchestral march ("Jackie"). Pa Scottov žametni glas. (Ah, očitno cover od Jacques Brel komada.) In v umirjen "Best of Both Worlds" o ljubezenskem trikotniku. Dobra izbira za po taprvem komadu. Všeč mi je naslov "The Amorous Humphrey Plugg". Sam komad pa tud. Ha, a se vsi coverji od Brela začnejo z neki hitrim orkesterskim marchom? To je zdaj že drugi z " Next". Sicer pa tak, mal jezen vajb (wiki sicer prav, da je Brel bil originalno bolj razpizden). In ostajamo pri prostituciji, ampak in a different way. "The Girls from the Streets" ma večinoma počasen ritem in tak temačen ton, kar ustreza besedilu, k raziskuje to plat prostitucije. Ful mi ma tak mal moreč, bad LSD trip vajb prva polovica besedila. Po pa tak dreamy začetek za "Plastic Palace People" (<3 aliteracija) z letečim Billyjem, vmes pa totalno drug vajb. In spet k Billyju. In spet nazaj k plastičnim ljudem, kjer ni zasanjano kot pri Billyju. Zanimiv komad. Ok, pršla do tretjega Brel coverja, "The Girls and the Dogs". Tokrat ni blo podobnega začetka, je pa še zmer tak hitr komad na splošno. Ženske smo očitno the worst. "Windows of the World" k so covered in rain je tok primerno za tale vreme zj. Sledita še dva lepa in chill komada za zaključek albuma.
roughhhhh
Mostly covers, but enjoyed the instrumentation a lot. Scott's use of spoken word was very interesting but I did feel like it was a bit too much for some songs - although I'm not sure if that's how the songs originally were composed. Wish we'd get more of this genre today, I'd kill to have a subgenre of crooners and such still around. A few too many ballads as the album goes on for me though.
Ehhhhhh I'm not sure about this one man. Some good songs but I never caught a cohesive direction for the album
Nope, this is absolutely not for me. It feels very self-indulgent and over the top. Like it belongs as part of a musical or some overly theatrical performance. Another reviewer had a good observation, it seems like mediocre James Bond music. This is one of my least favorite albums on this list so far.
Meh, it's ok I guess.
I don't know why but I literally hated this. I don't like his voice, I don't like the fact that it sounds like a cheesy movie musical but with none of the catchiness. I don't know it just did NOTHING for me and I was waiting for it to be over the entire time. There's just no way that this is in the top 1001 albums. No way. Maybe because it sounds like bad 1980s music but it was released in 1968? Still. Just not it for me.
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Interesting, seems like it was ahead of its time
Entertaining, but I lean more Scott 3 and 4.
Another crooner album I would never find on my own. Solid
I kept singing "The Love Boat" theme in my head while I was listening to this album. When reviewing Scott Walker's 4, I mentioned I wasn't sure I would enjoy this album as much because it contained a lot of cover songs. Fortunately, this was not an issue because I didn't know many of the cover songs so they were mostly new to me. I enjoyed this album slightly more than Scott Walker 4, though I do not know if I would add this to my collection or not. This sounds like if Leonard Cohen had an orchestra behind him and tried to sing Bond theme songs. My favorite songs were: Jackie Best of Both Worlds Next Plastic Palace People Come Next Spring
amazing voice, i think this deserves more than 3 but it doesnt deserve a 4 since i probably wont listen to it again. Its an example of how a great voice with decent covers makes for a decent album but not much more than that
Excellent crooning. Each track sounds like a piece from a musical with orchestration providing the drama. Doesn't seem to have a high view of women, which sucks. 3/5
Completely new artist to me. Entertaining style, not quite like anything else I've ever heard, but not sure if it's want to search out more of his work
I loved this. Had no idea I was going to enjoy it like I did. Comparable to Neil Diamond whom I also very much enjoy. Massive voice, huge musical sound, the strings are out of this world. Well produced. Really enjoyable.
3/5. Scott is an interesting artist because he takes the role of a Sinatra-esque singer but you listen to the lyrics and there is a clear inspiration given to Nick Cave. The lyrics are dark, like a seedy basement in a fever dream. Like the songs they would play during an overdose. The songs are not all original which does take away from the score and his singing is not excellent but it is unique, especially since the covers are the better songs. I can't say I liked it but I also didn't hate it, a very interesting and still progressive record for its time. Best Song: Jackie, Next, Black Sheep Boy
I get it ,subverting the crooner archetype, but still don't like it 2*
Wasn't a fan of any other the other Scott albums and this was no different. Biggest standout for this listener was some pretty messed up lyrics. I did get excited about Best of Both Worlds but quickly found out it wasn't the VanHagar song. I did think of Van Halen and that's the best thing I can say about this album. 1
2 Oh God, this dude again. Scott 1 and Scott 3 seem all but inevitable from here. I have the exact same feelings towards this album that I did Scott 4, though I think the man himself summarized it best by retroactively calling this “the work of a lazy, self-indulgent man." At least the guy had some self-awareness. Okay, “lazy” feels a bit harsh considering he put out like six albums over the course of four years (six more than I can say I have to my name), but this consists mostly of covers and reeks of self-indulgence. Scott’s an impressive singer and none of the songs are bad per se, but the overdramatic nature is incredibly off-putting to me. Sinatra could probably pull this kind of thing off and make it cool, but it’s just not working for me here - it feels like this guy’s whole solo catalog is an attempt at breaking away from his teen pop icon status by showcasing how complex and deep his musicality is, and there’s just something sort of artificial about it to me. I guess there’s a novelty to hearing an album from 1968 say things like “stupid-ass”, “slapping asses”, and “gonorrhea”, but that’s just chalked up to covering a French-Belgian songwriter - and that charm is very quickly gone once he starts throwing slurs around. The guy is talented, but this just isn’t my kind of thing at all. That said, look out for Luke 1, coming to a store near you this holiday season. And while you’re at it, you can go ahead and pre-order Luke 2 through 8 as well. Look for my face on the cover looking all moody.
Great little album. 3.5 stars
Parody Bond themes. I don't know why I hated this so much. There was just something about it I really did not enjoy.
In the 70's on Saturday Night Live, Bil Murray did a great bit about a lounge singer who was completely non-self-aware, the cheesiness dipping off him ************************* like a plate of bad nachos at the ballpark 🥸 ************************* I forced myself to listen to Scott2 all the way through, and I had Iron Maiden queued up to go afterward. Kind of forgot about that, but the contrast between Scott's "Come Next Spring" and Maiden's "Prowler" could substitute for a defibrillator.
The music here is very theatrical sounding. Almost like a David Bowie & Sinatra blend. Cool sound. Not something I'd revisit, but pleasant to listen to. Lyrically it's alright.
I think this just isn’t for me
An odd choice to include. I like Hot Chip, but I don’t think any of their albums are must listens essential to understanding the evolution of pop music. Fun, but not essential.
6.5/10
Alright, I got Scott 4 first, which was tolerable, but damn I couldn’t stand this. The orchestration is really cool but I’m getting sick of his voice. It’s annoying and kinda ruins everything else that I would probably would have enjoyed about this
i really like the music behind the lyrics, it’s dramatic and fun. i also like the lyrics.
Well that was weird. Kind of enjoyable, but for me more as a novelty than anything else. 3/5
Old timey adventure movie vibe, I liked it
Not for me. 1/5
Haha
Tenkte det kunne være ok i starten, men bliiiir for slitsomt over tid. Hovedsaklig gnål om å ligge med unge horer og at folk er idioter.
It was certainly entertaining, I thought I was in a musical the whole time.
Good
Scott 2 is such a paradox, isn’t it? On one hand, it’s Scott Walker at peak Scott Walker—baritone croon so dramatic it could part storm clouds, lush orchestrations dripping with grandeur, and lyrics that seem to swing wildly between torch song sincerity and absurdity. On the other, it never quite lands. It’s as if he’s standing on the edge of brilliance, staring at it, but refusing to take the final step. The album opens with Jackie, a Jacques Brel cover about a seafaring gigolo that somehow involves ass-slapping and drug smuggling—already telling you this isn’t Sinatra territory. Then there’s Plastic Palace People, this long, strange, floating piece that feels like it should collapse under its own weight but doesn’t. And Black Sheep Boy is the rare Walker moment that nails intimacy without losing the theatrical veil. Sure, Hazlewood had the gravitas, Bowie perfected the art-pop croon, and Morrison weaponized darkness with more menace. But Walker’s appeal is that he lived in the in-between. Too weird for pop, too pop for the avant-garde. That tension is exactly why Scott 2 still pulls you back in—it’s endlessly interesting because it never gives you the satisfaction of being fully good or fully bad. And let’s be real: only Scott Walker could sing about “naked derrières” with a full orchestra behind him and make it sound like high art. I don’t know if I like it, but I get a kick out of listening to it.
Yep, no. Just no.
disappointing tbh. but i liked black sheep boy
Álbum maravilhoso! Os vocais são os destaques, mas as partes instrumentais são excepcionais! Virei fã. QoA Vesper.
A bit too old-fashioned and bombastic for my taste.
I don't always like this style of theatrical orchestrated music, but I am fond of Scott Walker due to Scott 4, and his voice is just perfect for this genre. This music would probably come off as rather cheesy or overwrought coming from most singers, but his machismo comes across quite authentically. Interesting to hear this evolution of his sound from this album to Scott 4.
I probably need to be in the right mood for this.
Strange mix of styles? The Jacques Brel inspiration is evident but somehow this is like if Jacques Brel did dirty Disney songs. Some of it is interesting I guess but not my thing.
Jackie was a real treat, and the rest had a great experimental vibe
Probably my least favorite album out of the first 4. It's good but let's be honest, 3 and 4 are where it's at.
Jacques Brel for people that doesn't speak French. Love it!
This might be my least favorite album out of the first 4 by Scott Walker, but I was so happy to listen to it that I'm gonna give it 4, I don't care. And the song Plastic Palace People deserves it all alone.
Sorry iscott'a be walker away from this
Welp this was a weird surprise. Had never heard of this Ohio-born artist. Oddball songs even now, cannot imagine how this landed in 1968. Liked it too much to leave it on a 3.
Beautiful voice, beautiful music. Not normally my genre.
I don’t quite understand why this is on the list. Good voice. 3 star
This is like something my parents would have liked in the 70's. 3 *
great voice but this was hard for me to get through
Some might say Scott Walker is a bit odd. They might be on to something.
Ok
Scott Walker perplexes and fascinates me. Of course, I discovered him through Radiohead, but at first I couldn't quite understand how a 70s crooner could be such an inspiration on so much of the modern, contemporary music that I love. And then I heard "It's Raining Today", and I was frozen to the spot. We'll save that for when Scott 3 comes up on this list. This album doesn't seem like that Scott Walker. It feels more like "part of the Scott Walker origin story". Having listened to Scott 3 and Scott 4, this album feels like a stepping stone en route towards the more experimental work he'd do there. Sounding like a score to a 70s Hollywood movie set in Italy, the thing that makes the songs on this album stick out are the lyrics. They're quite risque and out there, talking very openly about encounters with prostitutes, STDs and sometimes brash tales of sexual experiences. The strings are pretty epic at times. "The Amorous Humphrey Plugg" and "Come Next Spring" in particular. The one song that sticks out the most to me on this album is "Plastic Palace People". This is a real sneak peak of the direction of what was to come. It feels like three songs stitched together with some pretty interesting transitions, and at times using either a delay effect or possibly overdubbing two separate (and different) vocal performances at the same time to create an unnerving and unique feeling. Overall, an enjoyable piece, that acts more as a milestone on the path towards those next two albums where the really interesting side of Scott Walker came out. In his own words, talking about this album: "Now the nonsense must stop, and the serious business must begin."
Theatrical, croonie, classical.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never heard of this dude. The instinct is to classify it, which I guess is crooner parody, maybe, but that also insults it, because it’s not musically composed to be written off as a joke. Vastly different sounds, but it reminds me of Frank Zappa, in the way that it’s smarter than it comes across. But at the end of the day, this isn’t making it into my collection.
Eh
3.9/5 I did really enjoy this
I'm not super into showtunes and this was very showtune-y
I like that this guy names at least four albums after himself. Definitely not what I would have expected from a 60’s era album. The dude loves to say ass. It felt like a musical almost.
It's all the things I hate about '60s music all rolled up into one.
Hmm. Mildly interesting groove and he’s definitely got style. But at the end of the day it’s a confection, like eating some cotton candy.
unohdettava
Very interesting.
Sorry but no Scott
Had Scott 4 before. Getting Scott 2 now. Liked that. Like this. I’m a Scott Walker fan, I guess 🤷🏻♂️ 4/5 Highlights: Jackie Best Of Both Worlds Next The Girls And The Dogs
Spotify tells me i listened to this but I dont remember it
Scott Walker has a beautiful voice, but this album was definitely a product of its time. The lyrics were interesting.
I tried but not really my tempo
Cinematic songs, great voice, but very dated lyrics. Nothing particularly memorable.
Mér leið eins og ég væri að hlusta á bíómyndalög úr óþekktum bíómyndum. Ekki slæm tónlist fannst mér, bara mjög skrítin plata sem ég mun örugglega ekki hlusta á aftur því ég mun gleyma henni
I felt like I was listening to the soundtrack of a mocku-biopic of Barry Manillow staring 1970s Martin Short.
my worst nightmare
Weird talk-singing isn't doing it for me
A 60s crooner who just doesn’t work for me
It was okay but definitely not my cup of tea
A crooner. Not generally what I'm into but some of the songs were really well done.
I really got into this one, which is great seeing as I never got into Scott 4 as much -- that's something I need to revisit. I never expected such bangers from the album cover.
Not a fan. I can appreciate that the lyrics and the style are... unique. Some of the musical backing sounds epic and like it belongs in a Bond movie, and I did actually appreciate one song called The Bridge. But overall, the vocals felt overwrought and the whole thing felt kind of manic. When the song 'Next' came on, all I could think of was, well, 'Next!'
If Metallica's "...And Justice For All" was cruel, then this is clearly unusual punishment. What did I do to deserve this?
First I thought this was going to be Scott Weiland from STP - and then it was this…. Not a fan of this at all.
Yuck, sounds like Tom Jones attempting rock. 2/5
Theatrical pop album with an orchestral sound, but I didn't find any of the songs very exciting or interesting.
I genuinely don't know, so 3 I guess? Definitely a crooner sound but not like any crooner music I've heard before. Some of the songs/lyrics are bizarre, some of them are alright. I can definitely hear bits that clearly influenced later bands/artists. Overall not a bad listen, I didn't hate it, but I don't think Scott Walker is going to be one I listen to regularly.
Better than I anticipated.
Not bad. I'm not fully on board with the vocal work but the instrumentals are good!
2.5 - Meh
Scott’s voice is amazing. It’s a shame this is such an overlooked lp
This album is so over the top and honestly it delivers. It’s theatrical, it’s unapologetically dramatic, and the lyrics are awesome. Its definitely a style that doesn’t fit every day for me but man I would buy this and spin it while doing some chores or something.
pretty good. Very 60's
The listener is greeted by a not-too-deep baritone, which is backed by orchestra with soulful horns and seductive guitar, creating something pompous and theatrical making this some Baroque Pop.
Well, it’s different certainly. To much cheese for me really, and lyrically weird. What’s with all the slapping of arses? Not my thing. It’s the sort of tripe that Top of the Pops producers insisted on putting on the programme when the charts were full of really cool bands with a proper lasting legacy. When you see those episodes now it just seems a bizarre set of choices. One listen was enough.
That's not my taste in music - But some pleasant songs
This album sounds like an old musical. I absolutely hate old musicals. Walker's singing and sometimes songwriting are good, but I'm not keen. How did a week that started perfectly turn into a nightmare? Scott's discography seems to get better in the years that follow, but none of those albums are on the list. 1 star for "Scott 2".
Soul, 1968 -> 2
Classic album a must for everyone.
Стиль европейской эстрады, бытовавший и в СССР.
Christ this sucks
That was OK I guess - not sure if he's trying to be Frank Sinatra, but he does a decent job of it. I'll say 2.5 - round down.
Lyrics were pretty crass for an album from 1968. I like that, he’s got an old soul and that’s cool haha
Scott 2 by Scott Walker is a fucking masterpiece of baroque pop—an album dripping with lush orchestration and dark, moody vibes that hit you like a gut punch. Walker’s baritone is haunting as hell, delivering lyrics that are poetic yet twisted, wrapped in arrangements that blend classical strings and brass with a kind of brooding theatricality you just don’t get in most pop music. Tracks like "Jackie" and "The Girls from the Streets" aren’t just songs—they’re mood swings set to symphonies, balancing melancholy and drama like a goddamn tightrope walker. But holy shit, I gotta admit—trying to write this while craving some spicy, crispy Popeyes chicken is driving me nuts. I keep picturing that golden, crunchy coating and juicy inside, and it’s seriously fucking with my focus. Here I am, trying to appreciate the complex, layered genius of Scott 2, but my brain’s stuck on “where the hell is my damn chicken?” The sophistication of the album’s arrangements is clashing hard with my ridiculous hunger for greasy, satisfying goodness. That said, Scott 2 is an intense, beautiful beast of an album—baroque pop at its darkest and most compelling. It grabs you by the throat with its rich orchestral depth and emotional weight, demanding your full attention. But damn, if I don’t get some Popeyes soon, I might have to stop being all highbrow and just go raid the fridge instead.
not bad, felt kind of like a soundtrack
Scott 1 was better
Really very good.
Not my thing. Interesting to see where other artists have got inspiration from this artist
Instrumenals were okay, questionable lyrics at times
What a strange album… He has a Tom Jones type of voice but has a song about how dogs are better than women. His voice sounded good but huh?
8/21/25. Another interesting, fun album. Aged really well from its time, enjoyed the arrangements and somewhat quirky lyrics.
Fuckings bra. Minne meg om å vandra gatelangs på Sandaker under corona
Scott Walker: Scott 2: What happened to Scott 1 and 3? At least I have found 2. Too bad this shit is boring as fuck. There really isn't anything interesting about this album. Yeah, this sure is music I guess. I don't know what to say, I didn't like it and I will forget this very soon. Scott Walker is NOT it! 4/10
I don't know. Meh.
It was a little to broadwayey and slow for me but yk. The storytelling was good. One save
What is this? TomJones on drugs? I didn’t know how to receive this but I liked it.
Fucking beautiful
Was expecting pretty kind fmrock, but this was almost a musical. Bombastic almost. His voice is clean and clear.
Scott Walkers zweites Soloalbum erschien 1968 und wurde in den Philips Studios in London aufgenommen. Der aus den USA stammende Sänger arbeitete hier erneut mit großem Orchester und setzte die Linie seines Debüts fort. Neben eigenen Kompositionen wie „Plastic Palace People“ oder „The Amorous Humphrey Plugg“ enthält die Platte mehrere Stücke des belgischen Chansonniers Jacques Brel, darunter „Jackie“ und „Next“, die wegen ihrer Texte in Großbritannien teilweise als provokant empfunden wurden. Auch Songs von Tim Hardin und Burt Bacharach finden sich auf dem Album. Musikalisch bewegt sich Scott 2 zwischen orchestriertem Pop, Chanson und Einflüssen aus dem Kabarett. Das Ergebnis ist ein spannender Schritt, der Walkers künstlerische Ambitionen noch klarer erkennen lässt.
meh 2/5 sounds like christmas. like his voice tho
Way too dramatic for me
Going full speed into Jackie is a bold opener. Old style crooner , some tunes better than others
I really don’t like The Divine Comedy and therefore I don’t like this as this is clearly where they got their influence. In fact it’s not even an influence, the music, the lyrics and the tone of his singing is basically identical. Anyway. This was not that much of a fun listen.
A very accessible album, the songs are both simple and catchy. My initial reaction was that The Divine Comedy didn’t just draw influence from this, they basically ripped it off! I really liked the theatrical theme, it sounds like a soundtrack to a jaunty sixties film, that is all about style rather than a story. The slower songs let the album down, but I like it!
Joy, pure unbridled joy, was my feeling when this pretentious over-affected baritone gobshite stopped singing.
One Scott walker is enough.
Overly theatrical voice, schmaltzy arrangements. At best, tracks are like mediocre Bond theme songs ('Best of Both Worlds') or unconvincing country pastiche ('Black Sheep Boy'). While the music is cheesy and cliched, the lyrics are often strange and unfiltered ('Next'). Weirdly honest, yet highly artificial. I did not enjoy this album.
Okay music, but a good deal of misogyny
Not really anything here I'm interested in. This is clearly made for someone else's ears.
More like it this don’t mind if I do
Loved this. Perfect for a dinner party. Will definitely listen again. A beautiful voice right there!
'Jackie' hit me like an uppercut that snuck through my defences. Same Scott grandeur but more energy. Thoroughly enjoyable. Three stars because I felt it tapered off a little.
Low 4 Best song: Jackie Scott 3 would of been a 5. Songs are much worse here but still great scott sound
I usually really like music like this: solo vocalist with big orchestral arrangements. I think I hated everything about this record: the lyrics are cloying and immature and sexist, the arrangements are often boring or poorly mixed, and I don't like Scott Walker's voice. I didn't like this record, and I probably won't listen to it again
Sorry fam, I couldn't get through this one. I appreciate that he had a run of albums simply named "Scott 1-4" but this is not something I'm capable of enjoying (beyond being slightly surprised that the phrase "stupid ass" was used back in 1968).
Baritone vocals are such a vibe. Really cool instrumentals and could be used sample something cool. Im not as big of a fan of ballads but the subject topic was interesting and new. Cool that hes from Hamilton!
Lite rolig kanske men inte min typ av musik.
A bit of a weird one. 4 is miles better.
Reminds me of the baroque pop my Mom used to listen to in the mid-70s. I might have liked it a little more had the lyrics been like Scott's. Also, I can definitely hear the influence on bands I liked in the 90s like Divine Comedy and Pulp. ("Live Bed Show" would fit unnoticed on this album.)
This is the Scott Walker that I love, not the stuff of nightmares he insisted on calling music. (If this was Drift, that would be the easiest one star I'd ever give). Beautiful voice and great arrangements.
I have no idea how this easy-listening dude got not one but TWO albums on this list. It is vaguely amusing that he is a crooner singing about depressing things like getting gonorrhea. Maybe that’s the “edginess” that makes primer like him? After listening to it a few times In willing to give him an extra star for the lyrics.
Is this a musical without the moving pictures? He's a good singer with a great voice, but it's all a little performative.
Not my type but gentle music
If Neil Diamond met Johnny Mathis and that creation was soulless and even more boring.
What an incredible voice. More familiar with his later weirder later work (mostly thanks to Wes Anderson movies). Have to admit I like this less, but there's plenty to love here. Not sure I'll return to it.
Superb
1/5
Quite liked this, could be a film soundtrack
talk about a big sound! i wouldn't be surprised if this guy was frank sinatra's long lost cousin. don't get thrown off though, because some of what he sings would probably make sinatra weep... his hit single on the first track was banned by the bbc for its obscenity. regardless of the arguably tame controversy, this album is a pretty great listen. at least to me, i enjoyed it for the most part! it's traditional 20th century pop music, but it subverts your expectations by the material and energy it displays to the listener. this album smells like sweat, perfume and cigars. walker sings like a prince from a disney film. it's an acquired taste, but most of what this album offers i give my seal of approval.
Easy to see why this album is so divisive. Some decent songs, but for me there for were misses than hits.
What a voice, I didn't love it as much as I thought I did on a re-listen though
I like the energy put into the classical style of musics. I really loved it.
A nice change of pace to some of what has been suggested recently, I think I'd potentially go back and listen to this again. Some of the reviews were right in mentioning that this sounds more like a movie soundtrack, not sure if it's because of how upbeat it starts/how dramatic it gets but it works well overall.
A horny beauty and the beast
I gotta be honest, was not expecting the line "I swear on the wet head of my first case of gonorrhoea" to be crooned at me, that really came out of left field. This man goes on to sing more about underwear and stuff. Honestly, not my cup of tea but I can totally see any of these songs being used in old films from the 50s.
Nothing notable.
It harkens to the 70s lounge singer.
zzzzmimimi
Haven’t heard anything that sounds quite like this. Not sure if it’s something i’ll revisit, but I had a good time with this
Solid
The album definitely doesn't belong to the list of my favourites, but it gave me a vibe of disney songs, especially the instumental introes. I enjoyed listening to it, but I won't come back to it very often fot sure.
Absolute nutcase. It's not always for me but I love that he was out there doing this, and somehow getting orchestral backing. I think I like the Brel and other covers better than his originals on 4, but those were cool too. Next!
Sounds like any of these songs in the album could be in a Tarantino film!
Weird one, hard to put in a genre... it's like Sinatra singing to music by John Williams... But enjoyable, fun and memorable... I will come back to Scott, 4.5 stars.
You know this guy spent a little too much time listening to the old standards and smelling his own farts.
Some good songs here, but i probably wouldn’t listen to again tbh
7/10
This is a weird one. I had no idea what to expect, and I'm honestly not sure what I got. After listening I was convinced that this was music for a play or a film, but it seems to just be a very dramatic performance. Certainly different from what I usually listen to, but super interesting.
Not my style but very talented and well executed
I'm not into it. At all.
I have no idea who this is, or even what era it comes from. I really enjoyed the lyrics being so crass. This is like something Robbie Williams would do.
Haven't heard any music from Scott before. I had no idea what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. It sounded really grand in an intriguing way 3/5
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: 6/1001 My first review of the decade and it surprised me in lots of different ways. The crooner sound appeals to me immensely, many of the songs are full of life, the instrumentation beautifully done. That beauty is juxtaposed against dark and taboo lyricism that was provocative, and at times certainly dated. Even still, this was a fabulous listen and I could envision it playing on vinyl during the weekend as I get a slow ramp up to my day. It's not quite fully engaging, but it is exciting at points, soothing at others. Scott Walkers voice is a bit cliche but works against this backdrop and for the sound of the time even as he pushed the boundaries of what could be vocalized in that sound. There are comedic undertones, pointed rawness, and though I wasn't fully locked in, the music kept pulling me back in even as the songs blurred together. 1. Jackie 2. The Girls And The Dogs 3. Black Sheep Boy Honorable Mention: ... Next Overall, the songs flowed seamlessly from one to the next and this album perfectly represents a crooner style that could be placed in any backroom. It didn't blow my mind or wow me in any meaningful way. There are multiple songs that stood out to me even as others never did, but I'd wholly listen to the entire album again. For these reasons I give Scott 2 by Scott Walker a 4/5
At first, it was a surprise, then it sounded monotonous. His voice is good, the music as well. Next time, I'd love to hear something more exciting.
I like Scott's voice a lot, but this album is just kind of boring in comparison to #3 and #4. Sounds very dated, whereas the others had a bit of experimentation, and better, more original songwriting.
Oh, the drama!
Interesting
Folk/ contemporary, not sure. Strange music.
Essentially the same song twelve times. I didn’t like the song.
Strange album this. Lyrics seem totally out of place for the style of music. But I quite enjoyed it. Not sure if 2.5 or 3?
I’m not sure anybody needs to be singing about setting themselves on fire courting their own legs off The actual songs and tunes themselves weren’t offensive but every song identical and lyrics complete madness
This guy just seems arrogant to me. And without the genius to make it acceptable. He thinks he's Zlatan when he's is actually Bendtner. I think it's the album title. Scott is such a generic name as well, like sorry mate you're always going to need the second name before someone know who you're talking about. I can only imagine Scott 1 and Scott 3 are more of the same irritating baritone swagger over a harpsichord. "Scott 2 be a 1 star"
I did not enjoy this. I do not usually pay attention to lyrics, and apparently Scott Walker is known for his poetic lyrics, but the first things I pay attention to are melody, the music itself, and then the lyrics, but I listen to a lot of music in foreign languages so maybe I've trained myself to think of them as secondary. But regardless, I would have to listen to this again and deliberately pay attention to the lyrics if those are the important parts, because the music and melodies did nothing for me, so it would be difficult for me to want to play this again. I've heard that his later work is much more experimental and weirder, which is more interesting to me, so perhaps I'd appreciate those works more than this.
Interesting! Crooner but with lyrics/subject matter that's more raw.
ekki hans besta, en nokkur stórkostleg lög hér.
<< the Beatles Hey, what if that cheesy and cliche music in 60s movies, ummm.... Sucked and had no charm?
Everything going okay, kinda getting into the groove, then plays "Next" ... makes awkward face and sheepishly ends the album ...
Ålreit
Fine
Cinematic crooning with a big orchestral sound, luckily some good warm horns to balance the cheesy strings.so it doesn't get too schmaltzy. Great baritone voice and an impressive performance, but it's pretty boring - drama without fun.
Very 60’s only recognised “only an hour” reminds me of cheesy Eurovision songs and creepy Cliff Richard. Not for me!
It’s like if a middle school boy tried to write awkward, uncomfortable poetry for his crush and then put it to royalty free music he found in a trashcan. No.
Felt like a strange hybrid between Nick Cave, Chicago, and a Broadway soundtrack. A lot to like on this album, though it didn't always land for me. Very diverse soumdscape that kept the album interesting. Top tracks: The Amorous Humphrey Plugg, Wait Until Dark, Come Next Spring
Good listen.
скучаю по временам мужского пения но не с таким мимонотным вибрато)
eh, the instruments are good, but mans needs to lay off the vibrato. His voice was grating for me. Sounded like a theatre kid. Next is good, though.
We enjoyed this a lot at first but the album began to grate a little as it went on; an album that outstayed its welcome. OK, and we've not a few of the songs for future listening, but we probably won't listen to this album again.
Quite dramatic. Enjoyed this, but had higher expectations. Loved the lyrics, but the crooning went a bit far at times.
Sunday morning music. A little over dramatic in places. But at least he sounds as though he actually cares. Camp as fuck.
Very uninspiring, the vocals and background music is fighting each other to be on top. If I wanted to listen to a guy talk in a singing voice, I would've just gone to lecture. Favourite Song: The Bridge
Big day for fans of the original Scott.
Over emotive
i just don't like this.
not expected given only familiarity with latter scott walker. this is very showtune / burt bacharach. in a good way, but not sure if I could stand the whole album frequently.
Like really bad musical theater.
Smooth crooning voice, just the lyrics aren't that deep or meaningful
2.5 -ok
1. jackie - 3 2. uuorldz - 2.5 3. zheep - 1.5 4. plug - 2 5. nezt - 2 6. girlz - 1.5 7. people - 23 8. dark - 3 9. girlz - 1.5 10. uuorld - 2 11. bridge - 3.5 12. zpring - 3.5 I LIKE HIZ VOICE AND HOUU HE ZINGZ , NEVER HEARD HIM BEFORE :)
Big voice. Fills a room, demands attention. Just not in my house.
2 stars. Far too cheesy and corny.
grand but not good
This is an interesting one I haven't heard before. Scott Walker has a great voice and is an old-school crooner, but the lyrics here are rather risque. Not my normal go-to, but entertaining all the same.
Opening with a western style song is a bold choice. I like it.
What a weird ass album. It’s like what I imagine Liberace sounds like, or the What’s New Pussycat guy, but it’s oddly…not bad. Each song is like a little self-contained story, and some of these stories are WILD. Like the one where he compares dogs and women, or the one where he tells us how he got gonorrhea for the first (first!) time. It’s a wild ride, and I don’t think I’ll ever listen to it again, but if I’m being honest, I kind of enjoyed my time with it. Solid three stars.
fire
extremely okay
It's like he's stayed up passed his bed time, knocked back a few whiskeys, and got overly sentimental to me, a complete stranger. All I can do is maintain eye contact and wait for the runtime to be over.
Not my cup of tea, but it was good!
*Like an off broadway musical - fun and different, but wouldn’t revisit. RATING - 5.5/10
actually it's good but not for me sorry
neat album. it is very crooner-ish and i appreciate that about it. very atypical for a "pop star" of the time period to go in such a direction. scott walker's voice is so great. it's got a nice huskiness that i adore. there's some good stuff on here and the arrangements are pretty lush. my only complaint is that in terms of the song quality, there's not a lot here that i would say is above "good" - it's not bad, just wish it was a bit more. either way, i enjoyed listening to it!
I think without reading in about the album itself it's about a 4/5. The controversy of being a medley of covers mixed with some other songs does bring my opinion down a little bit on it, but I wouldn't have heard them without the recommendation. With that in mind, I'll still give a 4/5 even if it is over the top at times
The musical equivalent of velvet maroon men’s underwear, and a cigarette smoke filled banquet room in Tahoe.
eesh, Tone deaf
No thanks.
I enjoyed none of this weird British man talking at me to bad lounge music.
Man you the sad part is I liked the actual music but the vocals just sucked
A mix between a goof and a crooner. A gooner, if you will. Humorous lines over 60s John Barry Bond sounding orchestral arrangements, yeah, I’m gonna like this a bit. Would really love just an instrumental version.
Stupid ass
Kitschy late 60s club music. Cheesy ballad type singing. Did not listen after track 3
60s Geordie Greep His voice is unique
Musically I guess this could be 2 stars - not interesting but not offensive. But he hates women so much it bumps it down to 1 star
The more I listen to Scott Walker, the more I appreciate his music. His work has really stood the test of time. The orchestration on this album brings out the baroque pop side beautifully, and his vocals are so powerful and expressive. It’s easy to see why his music still resonates today.
01) Jackie - 10,0 02) Best of Both Worlds - 8,5 03) Black Sheep Boy - 7,5 04) The Amorous Humphrey Plugg - 7,0 05) Next - 7,0 06) The Girls from the Streets - 7,0 07) Plastic Palace People - 7,0 08) Wait Until Dark - 6,5 09) The Girls and the Dogs - 10,0 10) Windows of the World - 6,5 11) The Bridge - 6,5 12) Come Next Spring - 6,0 TOTAL: 7,46 (75/100) Current ranking: 271/575
Lovely Scott, being extremely strange. There's no doubting that this album is packed full of ideas, many of them very good. Some of them are just weird and a little daft, but mostly this is a really great experimental album - albeit one that can't get too high a score, failing the 'glad when it ends' test.
somehow sounds like christmas music
This was pompous and not very good. Didn’t like this. Decent voice but no reason to listen again.
STRONG START i love his voice
3/10
Scott 2 walks a line between grandiose crooner drama and European chanson melancholy. Walker’s voice is undeniably powerful and technically impressive, but for me, it lacks edge. There’s a glossy, almost Vegas-like quality to it that makes it hard to fully connect with. Despite the lush orchestration and some thoughtful lyrics, the album becomes somewhat trivial over time. It all blends into a beautifully arranged melancholy that, while polished, feels emotionally distant. I can understand the appeal – but I don’t feel it. An interesting time capsule, but not a record I’ll be returning to. 2/5
Nope. Too much talking-singing. Not for me.
This was interesting, weird in a good way but felt front loaded with the end of the album starting to drag. 6/10
I got turned onto Scott Walker In high school during a conversation about music that had genuinely scared us. Jake Kobrin Brought up Scott Walker's "The Drift". I listened to it at night really stoned and it freaked me the hell out. I wonder how it would land now? Now onto the album at hand. Hell yeah. Its a perfect example of that 60's post-modern/post-ironic sensibility. He's doing the schmaltzy crooner thing with a sincere love for the sound, and a full awareness of how silly it is. Returning to Scott Walker for the first time in 15 years, this rules. Album cover: (A-)
I like Scott Walker's voice. "Jackie" is a very grand feeling song immediately. It feels like it would've felt nostalgic even in the 60s. The album was nice, but it did get old pretty quickly. The soft strings and 'classical' backing over his slow dramatic vocals sounds nice, but not for fifty straight minutes. 6/10
Cover: 1. 1. No. This list really leans to only a certain type of person. Not at all open to other forms of music except here and there. 2. Ok song. I'm not the target audience for this list though. 3. There really are albums I like, like Blue, Joni Mitchell. Or Grace, Jeff Buckley. James Taylor. Etc. Why am I only getting this crap? I absolutely don't need to have listened to these befor dying. 4. Puff Puff Pass. 5. Next. 6. Is music stupid? 7. Well is it? Is it dumb, dum dum boink or no? 8. No. It's not. But yes. Blegh. 9. What happened in the 60s that this was done to humanity? No war? Was that the problem? 10. No. I'm out of the mood. I rather listen to backstreet boys. 11. So impatient. Might have to quit this damn list. 12 Yell you children to make a new edition of this book. .
One of the strangest albums I’ve ever heard, but not for lack of originality and/or effort. There are even a few good songs, imagine that.
Wow-so awful
Dramatic
The crooner songs were nice. The baroque pop was annoying.
Homophobic and misogynistic frank sinatra wannabe
Epic
Can definitely hear how it influenced Bowie and many others. But the music and overall presentation isn't my thing and the subject matter is quite dated. Pass.
I had never heard of Scott Walker until today. I’m not sure that I’ve ever heard music like this before. It sounds like it could be a film score, and the lyrics are far more poetic and artsy than I expected it to be. The vocal talents here are fine, but that feels like the least important part of this soundscape. The bigger picture is a piece of art. Calling it an album seems too reductive.