Scott 2

Fucking awesome. He is so goated and his stuff has aged so well. Next has a really dated couplet in it but god damn that song is so hype

You know it you love it. Scott Walker rocks! Great writing and songs all around.

It's very much a cinematic and stage show type album with crooner style vocals. I enjoyed the opening, familiar 'Jackie', mainly because of its upbeat tempo and unusual rhythm. The rest of the album, whilst ok, is just that. Put it this way, most people probably only need to listen to one Scott Walker album and that would be Scott 4.

Odd really terrible music, but lyrics of a madman.

Some entertainment to be found in some of the lyrics but the delivery wasn't great and I struggle to see the point of this really.

Crooner croons covers.

Opening track is fun, the rest heads straight to yawnville, next!

I don't get the appeal of his early works at all

Arrangements were nice, but I’m not big on crooning.

1,4/5

Sounds like a bad Disney movie.

Crying with laughter at this album title. What is this album?? It's weird top to bottom. I like musical weirdos, this stuff is so unnecessarily misogynist for a list like this though... and it's not the type of weird I needed to hear before I die. (Weird I need to hear before I die: The Shaggs Philosophy of the World.) The music is well arranged, the vocals are decent, the songs are interesting enough. The only thing that stands out though are the lyrics and those are edgy teen jokes written by a 50 year old. Don't need to hear this before I die at all.

All I can hear is the Divine Comedy - no bad thing and the lyrics are pretty spicy in places so interesting juxtaposition of style and substance.

Way more theatrical and dramatic than I was expecting and I really like that about this. Funny to think how this is more tame than his later material. What did I experience?

Wow. This was pretty wild for when it came out

I don't have the faintest clue what this is. Doesn't exactly read as inspiring, but I don't have any good reasons to be negative about it. Could always be a hidden gem. Jackie I don't know what I expected, but it was not this. The instrumental sounds kinda flat. It's different at least. Kinda dislike the lyrics. The vocal style feels kinda manufactured. Average. 2.5/5 Best Of Both Worlds Intensly boring. He's a fairly talented singer, but lacks any personality or charm. Generic 60s crooing with an overbearing instrumental. Strongly dislike. 1.5/5 Black Sheep Boy I appreciate the guitar. I don't understand why they felt the need to insert strings here, feels completely hamfisted and unecessesary. Lacks subtelty. Still hate the vocals. Did not like. 2/5 The Amorous Humphrey Plugg Clunky. Hard to get invested in. Tells of an idealized lifestyle that's difficult to relate to. Instrumentally it feels pretty much thr same as the first few tracks, really samey. Did not like. 2/5 Next The theatrical nature of the track is kinda compelling. The more spoken word style is pretty cool at times. Awful lyrics at points. Has some haunting qualities to it. Fine. 3/5 The Girls From The Streets Approaching self parody territory with the vocals. There's some pretty alright writing here. The lyrics have some effective imagery here and there and the instrumental has a bit of variety to it which is a huge improvement from the last few tracks. Generally kinda boring though. Average. 2.5/5 Plastic Palace People Inoffensive. Still dislike the vocal style. The lyrics are somewhat interesting, though I am confused to what is actually happening. The effect on the vocals don't give the intended vibe, just makes him sound creepy. Instrumentally it gets chaotic at times, but never really strays away from the album's formula. Average. 2.5/5 Wait Until Dark Forgettable. Can't say there's anything here that stands out. Did not like. 2/5 The Girls And The Dogs Annoying rhyme scheme. Annoying lyrics. Annoying concept. Torture chamber circus music. Awful. 1/5 Windows Of The World I guess it's pleasant at least. Insanely cliche. Bores me to sleep. Did not like. 2/5 The Bridge It's too much. Feels like a repeat. Lacks any personality or differentiating factor. Did not like. 2/5 Come Next Spring An absolutely nothing song to end off an absolutely nothing album. Got nothing to say. Did not like. 2/5 A slog to get through. Don't understand the appeal at all. Incredibly boring to the point where I'm struggling to find anything to talk about. I guess there's something to be said about his voice which is objectively pretty alright, though I still don't like the vocal style so it doesn't really help. There's very little here that's outright bad though, it rarely strays into unpleasant territory musically, though the lyrics can have a tendency to worsen the experience with dated language and strange expressions. Don't have much more to say. Would rather just forget this exists. 2/5

like

Really like, very lively Kind of weird. But I genuinely liked it, more than talking heads, and I think it definitely deserves a 4. I'd consider listening to again. "Next" either favorite or second, least favorite is "The Girls From The Streets"

2.5, got better as the album went on. But most of it was eh.

No va

ähm, etwas langsamer und gemütlicher. und viel streicher, kuschelig und alles in allem nicht gut gealtert. sorry.

Viel Orchester um nichts.

What an album! If you like 60s crooner pop music with bizarre lyrics, then this is right up your alley.

It is like a musical with a musical

I've listened to 4 tracks on the album. I don't like the arrangements. I don't like the music and I don't like the voice. Incidentally, I don't like Jaques Brel either. The album reminds me of hypocritical American stage shows in Las Vegas. I don't need that. 1/5

Starting with a Jacques Brel cover is one way to get my attention… I have long heard about the mystique and cult following that Scott Walker has, but I think this is my first exposure to a full album. I dig it. In some ways it sounds like a musical, but if musicals sounded like this, I’d be more apt to enjoy that genre. The guy had real chops.

Boring rubish

Not for me

One of the most dated albums I've ever listened to (lyric wise). Great voice though

Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: 😱🙀🙈 Production: 📼🎙️🕰️ Music: 🎻🌑📖 Rating: 🎞️🎞️/5

A bit slow

Holy cow. I have never heard an entire album of what sounds like 70's movie intro songs. This album either deserves 1 star or 5 and I can't tell which. The lyrics are trippier than any YES album. I am glad that I have heard this album. I will tell everyone I know to listen to it. Just to get their reactions...

Not at all my thing

Meh

I enjoyed this one, really clear easy voice.

i've listened to this once prior to using this generator to get through the 1001 album list. i'll give it a proper rating Jackie - 3/5 Best Of Both Worlds - 4/5 Black Sheep Boy - 5/5 The Amorous Humphrey Plugg - 3/5 Next - 3/5 The Girls From The Streets - 3/5 Plastic Palace People - 3/5 Wait Until Dark 3/5 The Girls And The Dogs - 1/5 Windows Of The World - 4/5 The Bridge - 3/5 Come Next Spring - 4/5 Average score: 3.2/5 this was alright i guess. it kinda just feels like a cover album for the most part. over half the tracks on here are interpretations of Jacques Brel's songs or covers of songs from other artists, so i'm not really wowed by this won't deny the fact that he's got a pretty good voice though. i quite liked the cover of Black Sheep Boy (Tim Hardin)

Not a good weekend from the list generator. Nick Cave yesterday and Scott Walker today. Not into this at all. 1/5

Hey, all! SCOTT 2 here. Yeah, I couldn't help myself. Anyway! I'm a couple of days behind on my album reviews right now, so I'll try to keep this a little brief. Off the top, I wanna say this: if I'd gotten this album even just a little while ago, I don't think I would have appreciated this album as much as I did. I mean, this is an album that's all about the lyrics, and I only just recently figured out how to enjoy and appreciate that stuff. I'll tell you for a fact, if you listen to this thing without paying attention to them, it's... Y'know, it's whatever. It's fine, I guess? Maybe a little sub-fine? You get some Disnsy-style orchestration and a guy who reminds me of Engelbert Humperdink, and,y'know... Sure? I had this album on while I was writing something else, and that was a mistake, 'coz not only did I not really have anything to say about the album, I couldn't think of much terribly positive I wanted to say. So giving the first side another listen and keeping in mind the importance of the lyrics... G'woof, goodness, yeah, it hits a lot better. 'Coz y'see, it's all exercises in contrast. It's taking these teen baroque pop orchestral arrangements and pairing them up with words that, well, let's just say they're not exactly sunny. And it's really interesting stuff, honestly. I can dig it. Although that's also why I still can't be all **that** gungho for this thing. After all, I just don't normally have the kind of focus required for a record like this. I mean, it really is all about getting immersed in the words and letting it paint a cinematic scene alongside how they're sung the orchestral arrangement. I can't see myself just putting this thing on casually. It's a "me" problem, absolutely, but it's also why I can see how this thing ended up with as low an average rating as it did. Y'know, I don't wanna assume too much about people, but if I had to guess, it seems mostly people only heard that Engelbert Humperdink voice and nothing else. Still, if you're the kind of person who loves to dig into lyrics and the scenes they can evoke, this is a pretty good one. And heck, even if I'd never do it casually, I could see myself going a little deeper on this thing myself... Just not right now. I got another thing to write.

He's got a good voice, that's for sure, but this really isn't clicking for me. Solid 3 Stars.

I’m at a 5. I dunno, something about the “Disney” feel of this album really clicked for me – the blend of the orchestration, his vocal tones, & the rather rich & vivid lyricism on each track all fall right into my wheelhouse. I’m a big fan of music that forces the listener to feel involved, if only because I really enjoy trying to catch and figure out the vibe of each track. That’s not to say there’s not a place for easy listening “turn your brain off” music, because I adore that all the same. This is just an album that mixes the best sensibilities of both – really good lyricism & really easy instrumentation, that provides the “correct” soundtrack to each song. I’ll say this – this is mostly an album of covers, which does diminish it a little bit, but his delivery & poise & confidence on each track overrides that for me. It really is all in the delivery; something like “The Girls & The Dogs” only really works if you approach it with a Mary Poppins-esque whimsy. That works both ways, like with the triumphant vibe on “The Amorous Humphrey Plugg”, which wouldn’t feel the same without the bombastic tenors of his voice. Of the four tracks Scott wrote for this album, I think that one is probably the best, but there’s not really a miss here. It’s definitely not an album for everyone – to ignore the lyricism would probably lead to some variant of “pretentious orchestration by a man who’s trying too hard”, and to focus too heavily on the lyricism might lead to some variant of “pretentious poetry by a man who’s trying too hard”. I think this album finds a healthy balance, but the onus is on the listener to find that balance in their own right. Whether or not placing so much on the listener is a good strategy is for other people to debate. With that said, I don’t understand how this has an average of 2.46 on the site, because I really think it’s a 3 at worst. For my tastes, I really enjoyed this, & I think it’s deserving of a 5.

Listening to the Scotts out of order :/ Favorite track: Jackie

It’s better on a second listen, but this is an album you need to be in the mood for. ‘The Amorous Humphrey Plugg’, ‘Plastic Palace People’ and ‘Wait Until Dark’ are the most palatable tracks here and worth a listen, but mostly I found this to be a drag. The baroque/cabaret style of pop is not my favourite style of music, and this album generally did nothing to change that view.

The entire time I listened to this album I couldn't stop thinking about Roger Moore as James Bond and I can't for the life of me figure out why

Getting two Scott Walker albums out of the way in one day. This made me wonder how some albums get on this list.

I mean, it's bad. There's no other overriding thought for me right now, it's just bad. Maybe I'm not the target audience, but I can't imagine who that is.

This is worst than Nick the Lounge Singer. I would listen to Nick all day. Horrible, Welcome aboard the LOVE BOAT but not something exciting for everyone.

Seriously good songwriting, epic conposition and equally stupendous production. They do not make music of this caliber in the modern era and it fucking shows. Scott Walker paints detailed scenes with his words and phrasing that teleport you into the story and allow you to go along for the ride. I'm a fan of this album and find it so soothing to enjoy a long drive with this as a soundtrack.

Had some western vibes to it for me. Would be a great fit for some movies. Liked it a lot and was something different in this list. Felt entertained and had some silly vibes to it. (3.5/5.0)

Modern crooner with substance.

Great voice. Dull as fuck songs.

Hei, tykkäsin kuunnella näitä tarinoita! Enkä yllättynyt, kun nyt katsoin, että osa on Jacques Breliä. Orkesterikin on jees tuolla taustalla.

Artistin ääni ei ole vain itsetietoinen, vaan itsetietoisen itsetietoinen (hello Nick Cave). Sopii musiikkiin, joka on elokuvallista melodraamaa. Ei sovi korvilleni. (PS. avaus ei ollut paha, ja Tim Hardin -coveri oli ihan ok.) 1,5

This sucks. I can smell the whiskey and fancy cigarettes through the speaker.

"Scott 2" is the second solo album by American-British singer-songwriter Scott Walker. Baroque pop is the musical genre and that's that. The album is an assortment of pop cover songs, selections from Jacques Brel and original songs. Commercially, it reached #1 in the UK and was critically well-received. A charging beat and orchestra open the album in "Jackie." It's a Jacques Brel cover. Walker's baritone vocals are quick and dramatic. He almost raps in spots as he dreams about living a life of luxury with brothels, drugs and other assortments. A song about remaining grounded. Walker covers a contemporary song in Tim Harden's "Black Sheep Boy." A traditional band with an acoustic guitar and drums with strings in the background. Hey, we got baroque folk. He's back home to rest but that's all; he'll be heading west. Swirling strings open "Plastic Palace People." Walker seriously signing. The song changes pace. There's an air of pyschedelia. Walker describing dreams of a child fearing the bleakness and phoniness of adulthood. There's a really creepy element to this song. Walker's voice goes deeper and sadder in his cover of Hal David and Burt Bacharach's "Windows of the World." Vibraphone and soft strings. A boy yearns for the rain of the day and shittiness of the world would go away. This album is beautiful sounding. Walker's baritone vocals are strong, emotional and dramatic. He sings, talks and raps some. It's a very eclectic selections of songs. The orchestral music is juxtaposed with mentions of brothels, losing virginity, drugs, nightmares, dreams and romance. The story-telling style in the songs reminded me of Leonard Cohen for some reason although the music, voice and story content couldn't be further apart. I liked his other album in the challenge "Scott 4" slightly better but this is a very good album and worth a listen for anyone.

Some said this isn't elevator music. They were right. Its far far worse. This is music to take the stair to avoid.

This is a baraquoe pop album that seems well revered by music critics. It sounds like John cale but without any real groove or edge to it. I'll revisit this but I found it to be a boring listen.

I dig it.

Кинематографичность, лирика, но как-то совсем не вызывает эмоций

Decent. Liked a couple, especially the Girls and Dogs song haha.

Worst governor ever

Honnêtement, c'est pas si pire, et ça fait changement en plus des albums de d'habitude. C'est pas INCROYABLE non plus, mais ça bouche un coin, quoi

Brilliant

Meh. It’s like, fine?

Boring crooner music. Not even interesting orchestrations. Especially with certain songs when compared to their original versions from Jacques Brel. I seriously don't understand why this album is on there and not any Brel's

I've never heard of this before. As the first song, Jackie, started playing, my eyes grew wide, and I mouthed "wow". Not sure what I expected but it certainly wasn't this. The song is filled with borderline inappropriate lyrics, and then halfway through I discover the singer was actually "Jackie". Didn't see that coming either! As much as I'd love to live-blog this album, I'll give the abridged version: - Psychedelic Cattle-driving song (the aforementioned "Jackie") - Weird Tom Jones - Vanilla Neil Diamond - Creepy James Bond Theme - Really creepy Spanish-themed soundtrack song ("Next", but could be called "Jackie Strikes Again") - Song to Murder Hookers To - Bad Trippy Beatles - Slightly Creepy Engelbert Humperdinck - Raunchy Rogers and Hammerstein - Sappy Burt Bacharach - If Ernest Hemingway was more misogynistic - Frank Sinatra sings a bad song. Glad I've heard this monstrosity, but will definitely never listen to this again.

Why did this over get added to the 1001 songs list? Just a waste of time. I didn't want to poke my ears out, but it was just so bad.

The first song started off OK. It was weird, it could be something you enjoy ironically or could be a song in a Quentin Tarantino film. The lyrics were funny. It went downhill from there. The music was like a deranged Disney ride through the 60's and eventually became unbearable. I couldn't finish. The Girls and The Dogs put a stop to that.

Is this meant to be a joke? Or an ironic satire? Certainly his voice is good, but I feel like I wandered into a lounge in a dystopian noir film.

Nope. The lyrics on "Next" are...um...interesting. Had to look them up to make sure I heard them correctly. I swear on the wet head Of my first case of gonorrhea It's his ugly voice That I forever hear Next, next That voice that stinks of corpses Of whiskey and of mud It is the voice of nations That thick voice of blood Next, next

Just kind of weird.

Okay…

I get it, but not for me.

Scott Walker had a peculiar and meandering career. On this album, among many other things, we can hear the precursor to the typical "James Bond" sound. Scott would of course go on to record a track for the World is Not Enough in the 90's. However, it is this listener's opinion, that the real essential Scott Walker albums came during his resurgence in the early 2000's, those albums are of course missing from the list. Start with 2006's "The Drift", and work your way from there. It's just... way more interesting.

Очень красиво, а какой голос!!!

Intersting, I knew nothing about this artist. Liked the sound, but it felt like music for parents in the 60's.

The first track really pulled me in. I loved the dramatic sound, the off-beat lyrics, and the high energy. So I was ready some a fun, quirky, theatrical, very British jaunt through 12 tracks. Then the rest of the album happened. Ballad after ballad. Sure there were some moments of energy, but nothing that matched the first track. Sometimes things got a little more interesting in the slower songs. But it wasn't enough to get past the production choices. The theatrical nature of the album works in the first track and then quickly becomes grating and dated. It just gets boring after a while. What the hell is he even going on about? I guess I just wonder who this is for? Like who is going to sit there and listen to "Windows of the World" and just eat that shit up? Please reveal yourselves, Scott Walker super fans. I didn't hate this enough to give it one star, but it's close. Especially when the final, what, three tracks are these slow-ass ballads? Like way to go out with a whimper, dude. Two stars and it feels generous. Standout Track: Jackie

Entertaining.

Weird, but you cannot deny the production and ambition

Sounds like theme songs from 60's Bond movies.

Sounds like a 60”s Bond soundtrack.

Great voice, but it feels very soulless

cool listen

# Album Name: Scott 2 # Artist: Scott Walker # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: Wow, this was an absolute snoozefest. Hasnt aged well at all. Couple of decent tracks like Jackie and next. But the rest tries to be OTT. It just gets too much. I didnt hate it but definitely disliked it. # Top Tunes: Jackie # Would I listen to it again? No

cheers scott, i don’t have alot to say about this one

It’s ok. Halfway through I was eager for it to be over with

This album doesn't always hit, but holy hell when it does it fucking HITS!!! "Jackie" and "Next" are worth a spot on this list alone, and those 2 songs alone would bump this up a star rating. Then you add in the other incredible tracks on here and it just has to be a 5, no matter the few dud songs

I actually liked it cause I didnt know what really was going on amd it kept surprising me with influences from different generes mixed.

Can hear how this must have influenced the likes of Nick Cave and Divine Comedy, but not really one for me.

Is this a joke? Like a bad SNL sketch

I really didn't know what to make of this album. Reminded me very much of Neil Diamond.

I love how dramatic and bitchy this is. Will definitely listen again.

Not my kind of music, but the songs are good and the voice is powerful and emotive. But the sappy production is off-putting for me. If it was presented in a more singer-songwriter style or troubadour style, but the string arrangements are saccharine sweet. Non mercy. 2.5 stars

I don't really have much of an opinion on this one. It is fine, kind of interesting for 1968, but a little boring in 2025. I can see some parallels with Geordie Greep's The New Sound, which is cool, but overall this album didn't do much for me. Mid 3.

Punchy in a way that kind of blurs the lines between singing and comedy. Hasn't aged well, in some ways, but is fun in the others.

I checked the track-list hoping I was close to the end at song 4. The music sounds like it belongs in a campy musical, and gets tired very quickly. Which is a shame, because reading through the lyrics, there’s some really good storytelling on this album.

Frank Sinatra meets Tom Lehrer meets Jacques Brel. Doesn't always work. -1 half-star for lyrics since this was mostly covers. - Half-star for instrumental quality; ie his voice. -Half a star for catchiness, it's hit-and-miss. -Half a star for innovation. -Minus 1 star for being repetitive. Thought it was gonna be 3, but I guess not. Eh, what the heck. He deserves a 3.

I dont really see the need for this dude. This world already has one Neil Diamond and one Neil Diamond is enough for everyone. Plus I got a gross vibe on the whole album. Without looking into this guy at all, I'm guessing there has to be loads of allegations out there regarding his conduct around the ladies.

This was an odd one. The singing style was unusual. A crooner who often followed his own melody. The song comparing Girls and Dogs was like proto-incel stuff. The production though. I want to say "killer" but that's obviously in poor taste. Spector's genius strikes again.

😮‍💨 Crooner music gone weirder and creepier?? Not an easy listen.

Beautiful, captivating voice. Perfect for 60s music

check ich nich

Who is this guy? What is this album? Scott Walker created an album that's pathetically named and full of tortured baroque pop. I enjoy baroque pop, but not when the music is over the top. Walker's lyrics were meant to shock and grab attention, but they were just dumb and meaningless. What was the point of this album? Was it meant to be a caricature? I couldn't tell you.

What the fuck IS this "oh no Frank Sinatra overdosed on LSD and was let loose in Vegas" concept album? The presence of "Scott 2" on this project has left me very worried that what I can only assume is "Scott 1", or god forbid, "Scott 3" might be lingering on this list, somewhere, still waiting to get to me. This album just struck me. Unfortunately, what it mostly struck was my nerves.

Good voice, but a bit boring and dated. Standout songs: Best of Both Worlds

Sounds like if lumiere from beauty and the beast had a lounge act in Vegas.

Absolutely sensational. The divine depth of Scott Walker's brilliant voice accompanied by superb arrangements and production.

Wow, that was terrible. It was unsettling in a way that almost made it interesting, would make good music for a haunted radio to be playing in a horror film (like other albums we've had). But to actually listen to full songs of this? No. Was like listening to the worst frank Sinatra tribute act while on drugs. Never again.

I bought into it at the start, but got a bit bored. Not as interesting as Scott 4, I think he was doing original material by that point. Not a fan of his covers of Jaques Brel.

Thought I recognised the name and it is the second offering we've had from Scott....I checked my previous review and I could basically copy and paste it for this album too, so I will: Didn't know of Scott Walker before this and this hasn't inspired me to want to hear more. All a bit dull and dated sounding. Not terrible though. Sorry Scott

3.5

Enjoyable songs, kind of feel like these should be in a 60s movie soundtrack. It’s another that was nice enough as a listening experience but probably won’t be revisited much

Enjoyable for sure. Not sure where this lands, but I’ll say high 3 for being interesting but not making a huge impact.

Okay sorry but, this one gave the ick. Also the affectation of his voice is not enjoyable. There was such a divide on the vocals with the sweeping instrumentals. Anyways, not really a fan and really not that well written.

Smörigt och lite musikalaktigt. Hoppar denna

This has convinced me on Scott more than anything so far. I dig some of the subversiveness. 3.5/5

Rating: 2/10 This is shit

Windows Of The World // 2.5/5

Great voice. Terrible taste of music. Cover of Alex Harvey's Next is the worst cover version I've ever heard......and that includes William Shatner.

Great Scott! Or not, in this case. American trying to cover Brel and to sound like a chansonnier is doomed to fail.

Ok so I might be being too harsh with this one and I wanna lead with that. Nothing too enjoyable here. Just not my kinda thing. Big band idk whatever kinda club music from casablanca. It has a couple of weird things in random places that make it seem slightly tongue in cheek. I may be very dumb and I wouldn't blame u for thinking that but I didn't enjoy it. It's a one I think. Or maybe I should have given other stuff a one recently and I'm picking in this one but I'm rolling with it.

Never heard of before, loved the orchestral accompanimente and lyrics

When I saw the lazy album title, and generic name, it gave me Peter Gabriel vibes. The first half of the album pumped me up on a Tuesday morning at work, but the second half let me down. Favorite Track: "Jackie".

First song was fun then it became a struggle. Low 2

If you asked Scott Walker what to do when life gives you lemons, I’d bet he’d answer something along the lines of “make the most elaborate, decadent, flavorful, bright, sugary lemon cake.” There’s so much character and rapid fire imagery here within the first minute of the first song that you kinda gotta meet the album where it’s at. I’d love to ask him to slow down but that’s apart of the fun of it all. “Jackie” sets the tone for the whole record, and depending on how you receive it, you could be in for a great, vivid trip, or a tiresome, theatrical display. You know who I’d like to draw a modern comparison to? Orville Peck. Especially on the song “Black Sheep Boy”. Everything is so galavanting and turned up to 11, even on the softer cuts. “Next” is both incredible and kinda harrowing/sad. It’s so specific that I wonder if this was a lived experience. “The Girls From The Streets” continues some fantastic story-telling, but locks you in your listening seat and doesn’t let you move. This album on the whole is full of songs that seem just a beat off from achieving massive pop success. The colorful instrumental arrangements are there (“Wait Until Dark” was one of my favorites), the even more colorful vocal performances are there. It’s just that Scott never turned it down a notch. I really respect it, I think he has a great intuition for songwriting and showmanship. It’s just a lot to take in. Still, I had a lot of active listening moments throughout Scott 2, and for that, I appreciate this album a lot!

Dreck lounge music but fun lyrics!

Weird. But good

👎🏻

I think I loved this, it was like it's music for a made up movie and it's just a real joy to listen too but you have to be in a specific mood and I'm not actually too sure what mood that is, still I had a riot

7/10. Great voice, kept it interesting. Good overall.

Tekstene hans er overraskende og ofte underholdende. Ellers var ikke det noe i musikken som var spesielt gripende. Ekstremt søtladene instrumentaler. Måten han synger på ble etter hvert distraherende og irriterende, spesielt på tampen av hver sang. Komisk mye vibrato.

60% Bond theme, 40% mariachi band, 100% genius. His voice is heartbreaking.

I love Scott Walker (not one of the best from his self-titled releases but it’s great)

Интересный альбом, по звучанию напоминает саундтрек к какой-то сказке. Обожаю барроко-поп за богатый ассортимент инструментов. Красивая оркестровая музыка

Not good, not much else to say about it

UK’s Neil Diamond.

Ridiculous and brilliant at the same time.

Sometimes I like this kind of music but the lyrics made it really difficult to like. Very outdated and misogynistic.

It’s so totally of it’s time awful.

This felt like a joke

Hard pass on this. Either I didn’t get it or doesn’t deserve to be understood.

That first song caught me well off guard it sounds like it was made for a movie or a theatre performance. I quite liked those sort of dramatic songs that appeared every now and again, considerably more than the slower stuff. His voice is undeniably great It's very, very dated though. Not just in the music but the lyrical content too

At best boring, at worst irritating. The guy kinda icks me out, voice and lyrics. Also I’m not a fan of the string orchestral vibes which some of these songs had.

Feels very dramatic at times with his powerful and emotional voice, which can definitely be a good thing or a bad thing depending on what you like. I didn’t hate it myself but I didn’t love it either. The music itself isn’t much interesting to me though. Feels like I’m getting serenaded on some Italian villa. Alright I’m getting sick of this voice and music now I just want the album to be over. Yeah this was pretty uninteresting, I am not a fan of the overuse of the dramatic voice with dramatic violins and then the occasional just weird track where he puts some weird ahh beat on to sound a little creepy or something and starts singing some really strange lyrics about like sex and stuff (I didn’t like Next if you couldn’t tell lol)

I usually find some redeeming qualities to most albums. And then there's this album

My grandparents’ grandparents probably loved this

Easy listening in the style of Andy Williams, with all the songs sounding one note. Though none of the songs are horrible, they aren’t that memorable either. 2.5

This all sounds like old-fashioned pop crooning with soft big band / orchestra backing, musically it all sounds like the theme tune to some forgotten off-brand James Bond film from the 60s. It's impossible to take seriously as art for me. However, "Next" is perhaps the wildest juxtaposition of message and presentation I have ever heard. It's absolutely psychadelic and totally arresting, at least for me. I was so stunned listening to the story and experiences (not in a good way) that this album kind of justifies its inclusion on that basis alone apart from any historical value. "The Girls and The Dogs" I guess is supposed to be an amusing song, but I am basing that on the musical backing and final "punchline" as opposed to the bitterly misogynistic lyrics.

Nope.

Big personality singer with backing instrumentals that highlight the highs and lows of the performance. Some of the lyrics just don’t match the vocal style and almost give a “I’m make this up while I sing it” feel. Other than that it’s great and at time a sincerely great experience. 7/10

Very theatrical and melodramatic, but with some surprising detail at parts. Not too bad.

What the hell even is this?

No way--life's too short for this.

What an odd album. I was over it by the end of track 1, but stubbornly listened to the rest of the album. I'm not sure why... maybe to just confuse the streaming music algorithm. There were some questionable tracks. Incredibly not my thing.

Хорошо

ruim

He's like that one weird uncle that unfortunately sings really well

Bild, adventurous, unexpected. For those qualities I'd give it a 10, but combined with execution, technologies of the time and a certain pretentiousness it boils down to a flat 5. Extraordinary record, like so many of Scott Walker's.

Deep, thoughtful ideas contained within a pop sensibility. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-scott-2-by-scott-walker?r=4ztyq&selection=eed57597-2c03-43d6-a8ac-c0819f95dfa5&utm_campaign=post-share-selection&utm_medium=web

Respect the naming convention. Overwrought that makes the full use of Scott's impressive voice, but other than being background music in a movie from the 60s, not sure where this fits for me. It's too much at once, but people probably ripped some great samples from this. Cannot for the life of me figure out why it's on this list. Decent cover of Black Sheep Boy but not my favorite. Really, seems like the later albums should be on this list, not this one. Maybe the weird shit was really weird in the 60s but it just seems normal today?

jag är nog inte så hemskt förtjust i den här barock-pop genren

Operatic-esque vocals over old school pop/orchestral

Scott 2 can only be described as a transitional album. Fresh off the success of his first solo effort, Scott 2 features more original songs (along with a few covers). In addition, Walker's own songwriting features mature or risqué topics, hinting at Scott 3's more serious approach as an artist. Constant throughout his career is the power of Walker's voice: Amazing!

At one point, I was thinking I wished I could give a 2.5 because the music itself was delight - but man, those lyrics.

👎

Tom Jones wannabe

Honestly, didn't really like it...

This album really sounds like a parody. Of what, I'm not sure. Music itself maybe? It's filled with some really beautiful orchestrations but I had to skip several songs because I couldn't enjoy the man's voice. He sounds like he wants to sound like Sinatra but also wants to be a better singer than Sinatra so as a compromise, he only recorded vocals when he had a cold. What a weird experience this is. The Girls and the Dogs is great. It feels really cinematic but also theatrical. Man it is weird to hear him croon words like ass and piss. Totally bizarre. Totally parody.

An absolute struggle from start to finish. like a musical that i don't want to see

Favourite shop - black sheep boy

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.

2.5

Did not expect this! A sort of dirty, sort of beautiful collection of musical stories with the some of the most wonderful arrangements I've heard in a while.

Shouldn't be on the list. I get it and he's charismatic, but a waste of a spot and a waste of time

The backing band is solid but I find Scott, his vocal style, and lyrics to be shite.

This is pompous, self important, overbearing, and just generally unenjoyable to listen to. I guess there’s some political commentary sprinkled throughout, but finding any sort of subtlety is like milking a concrete slab. I don’t understand why this album was included on this list, but that seems to be a reoccurring question for me. Hard pass.

Wtf? I have no interest in a guy crooning some ballads about gonorrhea and prostitutes. To the bargain bin with this. 2/10

Definitely some tunes here that I enjoyed. But the crooning & high-pitched strings are things that I can only take in small doses.

Barry Manilow but cheekier? Not terrible. Good production

Awful....probably the worst album I've ever listened to...and I tried, I really did

Jesus fuck, ale ten album jest unhinged. Nawet nie wiem, co to za gatunek - trochę traditional pop i easy listening w stylu Franka Sinatry, trochę jakby wyciągnięte z filmowych musicali, trochę zaciąga jakimś country czy innym folkiem. Wikipedia podaje "baroque pop", cokolwiek to znaczy. Teksty brzmią, jakby typ wylosował "chaotic neutral" na karcie postaci. Dragi, prostytutki, alkoholizm i boomerski seksizm podane są w gładkich i pozytywnych aranżacjach przypominających mi rozwodnionego Sinatrę. W zasadzie podkład muzyczny jest tylko i wyłącznie tym - podkładem do wokalu, który szczelnie wypełnia każdą piosenkę od początku do końca. Ta podległa i służalcza rola nie dodaje albumowi wdzięku, zwłaszcza przy mizoginistycznych tekstach. "Next" jest jedynym utworem, który wzbudził we mnie jakieś wyższe emocje - jest naprawdę przejmujący, a dziwnie kontrastująca muzyka przypominająca orkiestrę mariachi albo coś hiszpańskiego, chyba tylko to potęguje. Swoją drogą tekst tej piosenki zdaje się tłumaczyć mizoginię wszystkich pozostałych. Podkład "The Girls From The Streets" dziwnie kojarzył mi się konstrukcyjnie z muzyką Wojciecha Kilara do "Draculi" Coppoli, bardzo dużo słuchałem ostatnio tego albumu. Przez dużą część albumu byłem z lekka zniesmaczony i bardzo skonsternowany tym, czego słuchałem. 2,5/5, bo przynajmniej dziwność albumu przykuła moją uwagę.

being a cursory fan of a couple of Scott Walker's later albums, Scott 2 offered me more of a look at his origins, in a very different sort of musical lane. compared to the terrifying experimental music he would make in the latter stage of his career, this is a total cakewalk. that being said, it's not without its quirks. the lyrics, especially on the Jacques Brel covers, are often overtly sexual and a bit maudlin. they come across as something akin to show tunes, especially because of the grandiose orchestrations that are an omnipresent feature of the music. this is tagged as Baroque pop, but the inspiration seems to be less Baroque and more Classical, or even Romantic at times. my highlight, apart from the minor hit "Jackie", is the sensational arrangement of Henry Mancini's "Wait Until Dark". strong 7/10.

Just no

Production and vocals were spot on, but it became a bit droning for me after about 4 songs. Everything just kind of ran together, and started sounding the same.

this guy just named all his Albums “Scott”

Lounge lizard music - ugh

Horrible lyrics.

Not my style. Meh pretty though and a strong start

New to me. Who knew??

It's only the first song, but is this the ST from a Musical? The huge instrumentation plus the lyrics plus the delivery. wtf? This guy should have written a Bond theme. As a popular music album, I have no idea or what to do with this. But my joke about it being musical theater ended up helping me. If I treat it as a ST to a play I've never seen and get in that headspace it's kind of fun. Jackie and Next are both good examples of this. I'm never going to listen to this again or even think about it again after this, but I'm glad I listened to it at least once. 3 addendum: I came back to this to add "The Girls and the Dogs" to the list of particularly-musical-y songs, and decided to actually read up on this album. Those three songs are actually covers of Jacques Brel songs, the Belgian "composer and performer of theatrical songs." That's kinda interesting, but that led me to realize that the song Next on this album was also covered on the Sensational Alex Harvey Band album we listened to last week. It's kind of fun to compare these covers. The Alex Harvey one is sparse and kind of fits with a German Cabaret. The Scott Walker one is much more lush and belongs in a play, it's much better. But most likely, the Scott Walker one fit better in the vibe of his album than the Alex Harvey one did in his I like this album must less now that I know most of these songs are covers. I thought this was a weirdo taking a big swing, but as a covers album it's just sort of a mismash. Boo. I'm leaving it as a 3, but this kinda dropped from a 3/4 to a 2/3 in my mind

I liked this more than I would have expected. Knew nothing about the artist, but it’s pop/crooner style but with a bit more socially conscious lyrics. It’s not something I’ll probably circle back to, but it’s definitely interesting.

Good grief, another crooner album? No thank you, I’ll pass.

Nice, fast, alot of instruments

It starts beautifully, then it doesn't amount to much.

Yeah, Scott 2 starts really well then gets old very quickly. He thinks he has top-tier crooning chops but can't hang with the best of them, and most of the work isn't his, so it's quite shallow, even if Jackie is really good. 2.

I quite enjoyed this - it's a reasonable balance between crooning and some songs with a bit more energy and oomph behind them. Reminds me somewhat of the Ute Lemper album we had right at the beginning of our journey. His voice isn't good enough to go toe to toe with the best of the crooners - his storytelling is decent though. All comes together pretty well, not my favourite but a comfortable 3/5.

Weird weird album. It’s the sound of the oldies without the charm of the oldies mixed with the singer/songwriter pontification style that I’ve heard in other list albums from the 70s/80s. I hated it

Like if Zap Branigan made an album

So weird and kind of awesome. He's like a crooning Eric Burden with the humour of Nick Cave and Warren Zevon performing an operatic spaghetti western in Vegas.

Interessante, ma va in calando.

Like if Zap Brannigan made an album. That being said, the flamenco flair to the music was pretty neat.

I’m not sure if this is a novelty record, but the joke wore thin after a while and I chose to listen to Dusty Springfield instead.

Lmao wtf is this, nevertheless he had a song about dogs and ending up charming me with his strange music.

Old school Geordie Greep, interesting album, wasn't vibing at first but it grew on me.

I absolutely get why people love Scott Walker... this is so strange and weird and dark and beautiful.

It's like fucking Michael Buble meets Nick Cave. Baroque pop or chamber pop. Super boring. His other album I had (Scott 4) was more rock oriented. This leans further to the crooning/pop. Definately not in my wheelhouse. Hate this crooning shit. Favourite songs: Black Sheep Boy, Jackie Least favourite songs: Next.... and others..... 2/5....i dunno.... I lost interest very early on.

Surprised how much I enjoyed this, some excellent sampling.

Not my cup of tea at all but Scotty’s got a pleasant enough voice

Sounds like Neil diamond on drugs

This guy obviously had a heavy influence on The Divine Comedy (the band, not the poem), and to be honest I’d rather listen to them

I'm really glad to have heard this album. It's odd and interesting, sort of Cohen-esque with a better singing voice. The Brel songs are great, but the amount of covers kind of hurts the overall album IMO. A 3.5 for me, but dropping to 3 for the cover reliance.

I think I gave this a fair chance, I didn't listen to the last couple of songs but judging by how much I hated the rest of the songs on this album I really can't imagine they would've saved it for me. I just hated this album so much.

Like musical rock or something. Idk, not for me.

Divertidísimo. Amo lo épicas y gloriosas que se sienten las canciones de Walker. Si en el 4 parecía que escuchábamos la música de un western, en este sus temas nos hablan de amores imposibles y desesperados, de amor desgarrador por aquella persona que vino a enseñarnos que cuanto se podía amar, para después irse y dejarnos la vida vacía para la eternidad.

Ziemliches Gejodel, viele Geigen

He's always interesting. Might come back to Black Sheep Boy later

Cinematic. That is one word I would use to describe this album. It feels large and looming; I can just picture a movie being played along with this. That is the biggest compliment I can give to this; the album feels far grander than it has any right to. Unfortunately, while it does have some great songs, it also has a couple of duds that knock points from me. Still, it is a very grand album altogether.

This was fkn weird man

This sounded more like a movie soundtrack than something I'd listen to on its own, and some creepy lyrics about women, so not my favourite that's for sure..

I don't know this is odd but I can respect that unique oddness I suppose. This felt like a musical more than an album in terms of it's style which was interesting. Didn't really enjoy it but kind of cool

Pretty standard, albeit pleasant-sounding baroque pop. It sounds simultaneously ahead of its time and well past its time, especially on the vocal side of things. But I guess this vocal style is ultimately timeless, and the lyrics are certainly more interesting than I'd expect out of an artist who takes on this sort of grandiose, theatric vocal style. It was the instrumental end that tired me out by the halfway mark - I can only take so much whimsy and strings I guess. It was cool the first time on 'Jackie', but kind of got old after a few songs. It's orchestral and grand but lacks the variety I'd hope out of an album like this. There were a few standouts, the best song here was the acoustic-driven 'Black Sheep Boy'. I also like the groovier horn-backed portion of 'Plastic Palace People', and the sweeping strings in the more ambient portions were nice on the ears as well. And while it's the most generic-sounding song here, 'Wait Until Dark' just did something for me...for some reason. By the end of this album, I also started to appreciate the warmer switch-ups, especially the minimalistic 'Windows Of the World'. One of those albums that's perfectly okay, and feels like something that'd soundtrack an old movie or something, but it's just never been my cup of tea. But again, I'll give it to Scott, he is a very talented vocalist and a compelling lyricist.

It's like an old old dream, I slept while listening to it. Cinematic music but in a weird mode sometimes. The music and voice are amazing, lyrics maybe not so much. Nice btw.

Very theatrical and kitschy, dives straight in, very expressive, dramatic voice. Full orchestra. Shmalzy Bond or Western soundtrack. Crooner. Very cheesy.

Very strange. 2

gloriously stylish, mannered drama

Surprised, as I didn't know what to expect. I don't mind crooner type music, but this felt off. There's an ick factor I can't place. The instrumentals were good, and he has a nice voice but I wouldn't listen again.

I really liked Scott 4 - but this grabs me less. Its a bit overwrought / slushy and lacking the magic of Scott 4. I liked Jackie alot - I think my mum played this alot when I was younger.

# Playlist track - Jackie # Notes - Repetitive. Very, very repetitive. - Dude's a decent singer, but definitely a one-trick pony. Spends most of the album over-singing and over-acting. - The whole thing is built like it's a grand, monumental even, act and it does show potential, but ends up falling flat on its face. No amount of orchestras and producers can save this from being super slow and boring.

the first song Jackie is definitely the strongest and great sense of humor then all downhill from there

I could swear that this was Annibale Giannarelli, the cheesy singer in a few spaghetti westerns, and made popular again by Quentin Tarantino. Anyway, this album and I did not connect in any way. Memories of the Lawrence Welk show minus the accordions.

Interessanter Stil, fand ich insgesamt gut. Hatte so n bisschen was von Frank Sinatra Sound, aber ein paar Jahre näher an die Moderne gebracht.

Gar keine Ahnung was ich zu ne Meinung zu dem Album habe. Hat mich nicht genervt, mich aber auch nicht überzeugt. Die Songtexte sind teilweise sehr weird? Songs der Playlist hinzugefügt: Keine

Not really my vibe, but interesting!

2 scott 2 furious

Albumi #126, 06.12.2024 Scott Walker ei myöskään ollut aikaisemmin tuttu artisti. Musiikkityyliä on luonnehdittu barokki popiksi tai kamaripopiksi. Albumin luonnetta kuvastaa teatraaliset sävellykset ja vahvasti orkestraaliset sovitukset yhdistettynä kevyehköihin ja ajoittain hassuhkoihinkin sanoituksiin.

This is #day118 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... this album's name speaks for itself. I guess I'm just not a big fan of crooners and this kind of music. It does sound dated. I was leaning toward a 2 as the title suggests, so be it. Looking forward to #day119.

Part crooner, part Moricone soundtrack, Scott Walker's (not the douchebag from Wisconsin) Scott 2 is an over the top (in a good way) belting of a record. 3.5/5

Apparently controversial at the time due to its risqué content, particularly on the opening track "Jackie" which was banned by the BBC in the UK. Sounds a bit dated now.

Walker’s second untitled album, which is part of a series that includes two more albums identified only by numbers, has a sugary sweetness that leans towards kitsch. Despite this, he manages to deliver a convincing experience. His fascination with Jacques Brel is evident throughout the album, particularly in his covers of "Jackie" and "Next."

Leadoff "Jackie" is good and he has a good singing voice but this baroque pop isn't for me.

Surprisingly enjoyable, but not something I'll listen to again. Great voice and catchy music. Come Next Spring and The Girl From The Streets the standout tracks.

Scott 2 deserves 2 stars. Boring. I would rather see a movie than listen to it

he sings like a guy who's trying to make his voice deeper

4/10 Flat imitation of a better album felt like

This man should do musicals and it is not very interesting as an album

Has some cool stuff. English chansons?

Could've died without hearing this shit

Wears on you as it goes on. I got really tired of his voice. Not to say it’s bad, it just gets very showtune-sy

Scott's epic voice and some lush production (heavy with the violins is this) elevate this album. It's not his best solo album (that's Scott 4), but this is still very much worth a listen.

Second album généré pour cet artiste, alors que je me demande encore pourquoi le premier (SW 4) est dans cette liste ... Même sentiment pour cet album, plutôt constitué de reprises mais avec le même travers que le précédent (orchestre grandiloquent qui me rebute) pas plus intéressant. =>1/5

Great stylish, atmospheric baroque album that loses a bit of its' momentum towards the end. Easy to see why The Divine Comedy are fans.

Contender for the most French album to ever come out of the UK. It’s rather atmospheric and Walker knows what he’s doing, but at the same time it’s also just too much and too monotonous.

What a wild album. I liked that it was strange, dramatic, and unapologetic, but his voice began to grate. The big bellowing gets old.

Sinatra-esque at times, got some cool ideas at points but would probably just rather listen to Sinatra etc.

Scott 2 is fine and all but what about that cover for Scott 3! What a great cover! And his compilation is called Fire Escape in the Sky/ the God Like Genius of Scott Walker?! Who is this man?!

Are these songs from a play or something? I feel like I've already listened to a different numbered Scott Walker and wondered the same thing. I didn't hate it but can't imagine why anyone would think it should be on the list. Wowza, "Next" takes a turn with the narrative. "Plastic Palace People" is rough. I think I might hate it now. "Wait Until Night" might have turned it back around. Nevermind, the rest of the album is pretty forgetful. Doesn't belong on the list. More off than on.

Jackie

I just don't know how to describe this album. It's like some strange amalgamation of movie soundtrack, show tunes, and Tom Jones.

look I'm not saying this is totally without value and that scott walker lacks talent or skill, but i am saying that i found it boring and annoying

good album

He had a nice voice but it’s a big no from me.

The beginning of the album left me confused for what the rest of it would be like. I ended up enjoying a good part of the album, especially the mid section. He has a good voice, but sometimes the lyrics were strange. Standouts: Black Sheep Boy, Plastic Palace People, Wait Until Dark, and The Girls and the Dogs.

Saccharine strings at such a high pitch that never seem to cease are subdued by the crooner of a voice. This music was a moment in time that is well past now.

Schmaltzy schtick from a British-American teen heartthrob(?) in the 60's. "Oh, and another thing, from now on we're going to alternate our dinner music, because, frankly--and I don't think I'm alone here--I'm really tired of this Lawrence Welk shit!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRfZQN9cMfo

Nope. There's nothing special enough about this pretentious 60s voice to warrant a second placement on the list, let alone covers of some unspectacular pop songs.

No. The most commercially successful song on this album was Jackie which was banned by the BBC. I guess this proves the "any publicity is good publicity". So the first song is banned for being offensive and the rest of the album is forgettable. Why are we listening to this?!

No

## In-Depth Review of *Scott 2* by Scott Walker *Scott 2*, released in 1968, is the second solo album by Scott Walker, a pivotal figure in the evolution of popular music. Building on the foundation laid by his debut album, *Scott*, this record showcases Walker's unique blend of lush orchestration, introspective lyrics, and a penchant for darker themes. This review will explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while also highlighting its pros and cons. ### Lyrics ****Exploration of Themes The lyrics of *Scott 2* are characterized by their emotional complexity and often provocative content. Walker draws heavily from the works of Jacques Brel, whose songs frequently explore themes of love, loss, and existential despair. - **Jacques Brel Covers**: The album opens with "Jackie," a Brel cover that encapsulates a hedonistic lifestyle filled with drugs and desire. The lyrics reflect a yearning for innocence amidst decadence. Similarly, "Next" presents a raw narrative about sexual experiences that challenge societal norms. - **Original Compositions**: Walker's own tracks, such as "Plastic Palace People," blend surreal imagery with urban realism. The lyrics navigate the tension between beauty and decay, reflecting a world filled with disillusionment. - **Cinematic Quality**: Many songs possess a cinematic quality that evokes vivid imagery. For instance, "The Amorous Humphrey Plugg" captures the mundane yet poignant moments of everyday life. ### Music ****Musical Composition and Style Musically, *Scott 2* maintains the orchestral grandeur established in Walker's debut while introducing subtle variations that enhance its richness. - **Orchestration**: The album features lush arrangements dominated by strings, brass, and woodwinds. Tracks like "Wait Until Dark" and "Best of Both Worlds" exemplify this Baroque pop style, enveloping Walker’s baritone in a dramatic soundscape. - **Diverse Influences**: While rooted in classical instrumentation, the album also incorporates elements from other genres. For example, "Black Sheep Boy" introduces a country ballad feel with its acoustic guitar-driven melody. - **Vocal Performance**: Walker’s vocal delivery is one of the album's highlights. His ability to convey emotion through his voice adds depth to the already rich musical arrangements. ### Production ****Artistic Choices The production quality of *Scott 2* is notable for its meticulous attention to detail and lush soundscapes. - **Producer**: Produced by John Franz, who collaborated closely with Walker to create an immersive listening experience. The orchestral arrangements are carefully crafted to complement Walker's vocals without overshadowing them. - **Sound Engineering**: The album employs innovative sound engineering techniques for its time. The layering of instruments creates a full-bodied sound that enhances the emotional weight of the lyrics. ### Themes ****Recurring Motifs The thematic content of *Scott 2* delves into various motifs that reflect both personal and societal issues. - **Existentialism and Isolation**: Many songs grapple with feelings of isolation and existential dread. This is particularly evident in tracks like "Plastic Palace People," where urban life is portrayed as both alluring and suffocating. - **Love and Despair**: Love is depicted not just as romantic but also as a source of pain and longing. Walker’s interpretations often reveal the darker sides of human relationships. - **Social Commentary**: Through Brel’s works and his own compositions, Walker addresses social issues such as sexuality and moral decay, often challenging listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about society. ### Influence ****Impact on Music *Scott 2* has had a lasting impact on artists across genres due to its innovative approach to songwriting and production. - **Influence on Future Artists**: Walker's work has inspired numerous musicians ranging from David Bowie to Radiohead. His blending of orchestral elements with popular music paved the way for future experimental artists. - **Cultural Legacy**: The album is often cited as a significant entry in the canon of 1960s art pop. Its willingness to tackle complex themes within a popular music framework has influenced generations of songwriters. ### Pros and Cons ****Strengths - **Lyrical Depth**: The album's exploration of complex themes through poetic lyrics is one of its greatest strengths. - **Vocal Mastery**: Walker’s vocal performance is powerful and emotive, enhancing the overall listening experience. - **Rich Arrangements**: The orchestral arrangements provide a lush backdrop that complements the lyrical content beautifully. ****Weaknesses - **Predictability**: Some critics argue that *Scott 2* does not significantly expand upon the formula established in *Scott*, leading to moments of predictability in its structure. - **Controversial Content**: Certain lyrical themes may not resonate well with contemporary audiences due to their provocative nature. - **Consistency Issues**: While many tracks shine brightly, some may feel less impactful compared to others on the album. ### Conclusion In summary, *Scott 2* stands as a remarkable achievement in Scott Walker's discography. Its intricate blend of lush orchestration, profound lyrics, and emotional depth solidifies its place as a cornerstone of art pop music. While it may not break new ground compared to its predecessor, it enriches Walker's artistic narrative by deepening his exploration of complex themes. Despite some criticisms regarding predictability and controversial content, *Scott 2* remains an influential work that continues to inspire artists today.

will never get over how uncompromising even his early stuff can be 8/10

Man, I really hated this

I am trying to determine if I actively dislike this album, or if am just indifferent to it. Seems like a 1 if that is my thought process.

I have kind a soft spot for Scott Walker AND he was bizarre as hell. This one's a bit moody mushy for me, but I get the appeal. Not one I reach for often, but I appreciate it.

Really stupid lyrics. Nice at first but his voice got very wearing by the end. Honestly, Alex Turner did it better.

Klingt wie Filmmusik und nicht auf die gute Art die ich mir anhören würde

I've studied French since 7th grade, spent several summers living in the French alps in high school and have a degree in french studies, so I knew Jacques Brel well. The stereotype of the french (he was belgian) crooner, talking about ships and drinking and the cold northern cost of europe really appealed to me. When I was given a mix tape with a Scott Walker cover of the Jacques Brel song "Sons of" years and years ago, I was again drawn to this wildly reclusive, stylish, overly bravado'd musician. (It helped that the mixtape was given by a guy I truly loved). We'd smoke cigarettes and fist pump to the overly instrumental earnestness of Scott Walkers delivery and pretend we lived in another time. I get that this is not for everyone, but damn, this man can sing. And digging into his life a bit, he has quite an interesting story (there is a cool doc about him making a record in the early 2000's) as a recluse and Brian Wilson-type genius. Anyway, I will gladly put this record on and revel in the melodrama.

This record confirms how I’ve summed up Scott Walker: he’s Sinatra if Ol’ Blue Eyes had a habit of spiking his Jack Daniel’s with LSD. What a great sounding, wild and weird album this is. Scott’s vocal performance is outstanding, the stories in the songs are bonkers, and it’s filled to the brim with odd and interesting baroque music that’s unlike much else. Jackie is a killer opener, and every song thereafter is great.

He has singing chops, but this album isn't for me.

Ok. It's intense and theatrical and ambitious but I just don't enjoy it. Sorry.

Scott Walker's Scott 2 is a magnificent showcase of his artistry, blending an unparalleled ability to interpret songs with his original compositions. Released in 1968, this album solidifies Walker's status as a formidable singer-songwriter, capable of transcending the boundaries of popular music. From the very first track, Walker's baritone voice grips the listener with a deep emotional resonance. His performance, whether on covers or original pieces, is nothing short of mesmerizing. He brings a dramatic flair to each song, infusing them with poignancy and an intense sense of longing. The way he navigates the complex emotions of tracks like “The Girls from Ipanema” showcases his skill as an interpreter, breathing new life into classic songs while maintaining their core essence. When it comes to his own work, Walker's songwriting shines with a lyrical depth that is romantic to the extreme. Tracks like “It’s Raining Today” encapsulate themes of love and loss, wrapped in stunning arrangements that highlight his vocal capabilities. His knack for storytelling, paired with lush orchestration, creates a dreamlike quality that draws the listener into his world. The rich instrumentation complements his voice perfectly, making each song not just a performance but an immersive experience. Scott 2 is infused with a pervasive sense of romance and melancholy. The production captures a classic sound that feels timeless, with lush strings and thoughtful arrangements enhancing the intimate lyrics. This album is not merely a collection of songs; it is a cohesive journey through the complexities of love, longing, and human connection. In conclusion, Scott 2 exemplifies the brilliance of Scott Walker as an artist. His ability to perform both covers and original music with such passionate intensity defines this album as an essential listen for anyone who appreciates the art of song. It stands as a testament to his unique talent, ultimately marking Scott 2 as a landmark record in the genre of romantic music.

OK, I guess

Never heard it before. Insane.

A 3 that is almost a 4! I usually don't like that style of music that much. Can get boring pretty easily, but he did in a masterclass way! Made me really enjoy a type of music that is usually not my taste!

Måste vara Marc Almonds största idol. De låter ju likadant. Vet att han åtminstone gjort en cover på första låten.

Good

interesting pop music

This was interesting. Lots of naughty words, but funny now. Trying to figure out who the core audience would be.

New greep album shitty theatrical bs like this obsolete

Here is someone who really likes singing. And is really good at it. He didn't write very much of it, so it's harder to judge him as an overall artist, but he's a master of his particular craft if that makes sense. A theatrical, amusing at times, collection.

I kinda don’t hate it

Anything by Scott Walker is good

This falls under the "what are you rambling about?" Category.

So awful

Well I see now who Neil Hannon and Alex Kapranos have been listening to. I wanted to like this but it wore on me more the more I listened to it, and by the end I was thoroughly sick of it.

He has a decent voice and a few of the songs are okay. I would listen to it again.

I did not know who Scott Walker was coming into this album. After listening, I'm glad he was included. This was a really easy to listen to album that was enjoyable. I thought he was a bit of a wild man with the lyrics but the music was solid start to finish. I would need to explore further to find individual songs that I like more than others but overall I was impressed and enjoyed listening to the album

Not a fan of his voice

Over the top, dramatic, lush, weird, surprising, romantic, crass in spots, and poetic in spots. Cool, and I respect it but somehow just to the left of love for me.

Same crap, different album.

cartoonishly campy crooning. while it probably stood out at the time for being provocative, it came across sounding like a two bit frank sinatra impression.

His voice is almost TOO good. BB couldn’t really take this seriously, to be honest. Nothing else much stood out, either.

Scott Walker, figura importante tanto por sus discos con los Walker Brothers (ni su apellido era Walker ni eran hermanos) como especialmente en solitario. Sin embargo, este 2, se queda a medias entre buenas melodías al estilo Bacharach/David y el estilo de Jacques Brel/Tom Jones y otros grandes cantantes de la época (aquí por ejemplo Raphael). Su influencia fue enorme: David Bowie, Marc Almond, Neil Hannon, Bryan Ferry, Richard Hawley, Edwyn Collins, Jarvis Cocker, Julian Cope, Nick Cave o The Last Shadow Puppets... y sus discos más reconocidos al margen de la tetralogía inicial fueron los posteriores y exeprimentales “Climate Of Hunter” (1984) “Tilt” (1995) “The Drift” (2006) y “Bish Bosch” (2012). En mi opinión, su mejor obra es 4, pero este es muy bueno. Más discos excelentes de 1968y superiores a este: THE BEATLES- White Album , THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE - Electric ladyland, Odessey and Oracle de The Zombies, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND - White light, white heat, THE KINKS - The Village Green Preservation Society, VAN MORRISON - Astral weeks, THE ROLLING STONES - Beggars banquet, CREAM - Wheels of fire, THE BYRDS - Sweetheart of the rodeo, THE SMALL FACES - Ogden's nut gone flake, THE PRETTY THINGS - S.F. Sorrow, OTIS REDDING - The dock of the bay, BLOOMFIELD , KOOPER & STILLS - Super Session, JAMES CARR - A Man needs a Woman, Dance To The Music de Sly & The Family Stone, Safe As Milk del Capt. Beefhart, Surrealistic Pillow de Jefferson Airplane, Lady Soul y Now de Aretha Franklin, The Notorious Byrd Brothers y Sweetheart of the rodeo de The Byrds, We're Only in It for the Money de Zappa, Idea y Horizontal de los Bee Gees, For Once in My Life de Stevie Wonder , A Saucerful Of Secrets de Pink Floyd, Spirit de Spirit, Bookends de Simon and Garfunkel, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida de Iron Butterfly, el Soundtrack to 1968 TV special de Elvis, Nuff Said! de Nina Simone, Blood, Sweat & Tears de Blood, Sweat & Tears... Debuts de JEFF BECK GROUP, NEIL YOUNG, THE BAND, CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL, OS MUTANTES, SILVER APPLES...