Reviews (page 7 of 8)
Would have never listened to this if not for this app. I appreciate her creative vision and disregard for whatever pop junk was trending in 2016. The whole album flows and feels very intentional... nothing by accident. Sometimes that's not a good thing, but in this case, it is. The interludes add depth to the album and give you something to think about in between songs. This really feels like an art piece more than an album at times
An extra point for attempting to hit Jay Z in the lift.
She can sing but too much politics on this for me.
Nothing amazing on here. Point off for trying to hit Jay Z in the lift that time, the daft mare.
It's fine, I'm not really a fan of Solange personally but this is one of her better albums
Really enjoyed this album
I think I’ve heard some of her songs before. I really like her style. Tremendous voice and she’s an excellent writer and composer. Very cool that she started her own recording label, too, good for her!
I really liked this album. I had never heard of this artist tunitl now and this specific album is pretty powerful and at the time in 2016 was probably pretty cutting edge. I liked the narrative pieces in the middle of the album, set up some great songs.
That was beautiful and important.
This thing has luscious vocals and instrumentation but as a whole it just doesn’t do that much for me compared to R&B records like it
норм! рнб не моё, но было интереснее чем Бейонсе и чем я раньше пыталась Соланж слушать
I tried to listen to it and none of it stuck with me. I didn't like it.
Really strong album. Doesn’t try to do too much. I’m always gonna be biased towards neo soul, but I really enjoyed this album.
a really fabulous album, her voice is of course excellent, the production is perfect, and it has a real emotional heart to it. solange has always been underrated.
Kinda ponderous but still more listenable than her sister
Pleasant enough, but not my bag.
Digging the groove, and this was a completely new one to me. A lot of the production felt like homemade 90’s - like if Happy Rhodes made a soul record.
musically very good, lyrically thoughtful if a little preachy at times (spoken word parts). A fine album in sum. 3.5 stars
Verrassend genoeg heb ik enorm van deze plaat genoten. Ik had iets melig, poppy verwacht, maar het was een sterke sound met interessante lyrics
This is an interesting album, but it never quite delivers on its potential. I think that it's a little too "light touch" to full achieve what it could. Not bad in any way, just not moving beyond "pretty good".
Not my usual sort of thing, but I can appreciate it.
Relaxed, night driving music? Not my style, but chill.
3.5 stars. Laidback, modern R&B with interesting beats. Pretty voice, hits high notes in a nice way. Interludes weren't irritating. Standout is east-Asian influenced "Cranes in the Sky".
mid
Good messages in the songs but other than that it felt kind of boring
Cool album gonna have to grow on me for a bit I think, felt a lil bloated but had nice transitions and a good voice. Favorite Tracks: Cranes in the Sky, Mad, Don't Touch My Hair, F.U.B.U
this used to be one of my favortie albums, so I think it deserves to be on this list - but looking back it's quite one-note and only really has the beautiful vocals going for it (and prod obv)
Beautifully done but not for me
BEST SONGS: -Mad -Where Do We Go -Borderline
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Rise, Cranes in the sky. Don’t you wait
Didn't do it for me
Album 123 of 1001 Solange - A Seat at the Table Rating : 3 / 5 This was much more enjoyable than I anticipated. Not my normal genre but happy to give a listen. Not sure about all of the interludes, but I guess that was the thing at the time. Good tunes. Obviously very well produced. While not really my thing, I see why it was so successful. My ears were not totally displeased but any album with lyrics that I'm banned by society from singing isn't something I'll be listening to again.
I waited 52 minutes, and nothing of note happened on this record. At all. This has to be the most boring album I've listened to thus far. Solange is apparently Beyonce's sister, and was a background dancer in Destiny's Child before she broke off and did her own thing. Solange has a beautiful voice, but the simplistic musical accompaniment (just keyboard, drum machine, and sometimes bass) just renders this album so bland. The message pushed through the interludes is powerful as hell, and should be heard, but dear Jesus, don't lull me into a trance, inject some energy into your music ffs. This style of music is stripped down pop teetering on R&B, which could be another thing working against it for me (I don't really like R&B music). Overall, it was such a boring record. I hope never to have to listen to it again. Time to go listen to a record with a fucking pulse. Favourite songs: Mad... I guess?? Least favourite songs: F.U.B.U, plus all the interludes (why was this a thing with hip hop /pop records?)... And other songs, but I was so bored, I didn't catch the name of them. 2/5
Never heard of her before and didn’t know what to expect. I absolutely loved the cover art - love the stare, the hair, the clips. However, as for the music, I have rather mixed feelings. I enjoyed the beats and the smoothness of it all. I think it lacked a bit of stronger hooks sometimes because I’ve listened to this like three times today and I hardly remember any melodies. The lyrics are ok, but sometimes seem a bit too naive I guess? In particular the Cranes song I felt like these metaphors were a bit like something this one artsy friend from high school might have written. I much preferred the lyrics of the interludes which is a bit ironic. Also, I think that it’s one of the rare occasions where the album is backloaded. Don’t touch my hair and FUBU are my favourites! I don’t know how to rate it, the vibes were great but there’s this feeling of something missing. Let’s try 3.5 down to 3 for now with a definite potential to grow on me with more listens.
The sound of this album is so intricate and perfectly executed, and there are a lot of really strong messages that are well communicated through the lyrics and the interludes. Something has just never fully clicked with me though, and I seem to be one of the few who prefers her follow-up to this
Les Solange de ce monde existeraient pss si y'avait pas eu d'Erikah Badu avant elle. On sent l'influence du style, mais c'est pas le même vibe R&B soul non plus. Pas mauvais, bin des interlude. Au final, juste pas tant mon style.
It's chill... And that's pretty much it...
It seems like an accomplished piece of work, thoughtfully tied together by the many, many interludes, but nothing struck me as exceptional, or particularly new. I certainly didn’t dislike it while it was playing, but struggle to recall any of it afterwards (except Cranes in the Sky, though I have heard that one before). Probably very good if you’re into soulful R&B. Personally I find it a little bland. 2.5
A collection of seemingly dreamy modern R&B songs interspersed with interview like interludes. There isn’t one aspect of this album that doesn’t work. The features are solid. The writing goes hard, especially contrasted with the airy quality of her singing, which is also solid. I have no complaints with the production, structure, or instrumentation. Melodies are original and intriguing. The only aspect that could have been improved on is that there isn’t quite enough excitement going on to hold my interest. Every now and then I’ll get pulled back, but it’s a little too low key and easy to tune out. For the most part, very enjoyable. 4/5
Nice music.
Hope others like it, because this album certainly isn't for me.
Oh this is for me right here. The calm rage, the sparse but interesting instrumentals, the great features, the integration of the interview interludes. No wonder this got all the acclaim and love it did!
Truly impressive presence of consistency and cohesiveness, but the interlude heaviness was a little distracting at points.
There is an ultra clear vision happening on this record, and I really appreciate that. I think if you cut a few interlude tracks, you have a tight, chilled out record that really sticks around way after you’re done listening to it. But as it stands, I think it lingers a bit too long, and that length leaves a bigger impact than what’s trying to be communicated. Well worth it for the vocals and superb production.
I don’t belong at the table, but I’ll gladly play the part of enthralled fly on the wall.
Powerful messaging, beautiful voice. The music didn't quite do this justice, she could have used a little help there.
Favourite song: Where Do We Go
Good but not great, interludes work well, decent but forgettable songs, a worthy inclusion but not one I am likely to come back to.
Better then I thought. The political message was nice and some of the tracks catched me
Good album, but not for me
No real substance to this album so far, the most popular song (Cranes in the sky) makes me want to fall asleep. The interludes kind of stink. The beats are very one note and as basic as they come. This album felt like it took an eternity to come to an end. Won't be revisiting this any time soon.
Nepobaby? Kan hende. Jeg synes det er et album helt på det jevne, ikke dårlig, men heller ikke inspirerende. Behagelig å ha på øret når man jobber med noe sol krever litt fokus.
Oh, its that whiny vocal style in front of mediocre song writing and its way too long. All the anti-boxes ticked
Well ain’t that some smueth rhythm n blues for a Friday afternuen
Nice alternative R&B. Like it more than Beyonces recent albums so nice job lil sister
This was really boring. Each song sounded so similar to each other, and her voice bored me. Definitely not my type of music.
Meh to the 10th power of meh. At least she actually writes a lot of her own songs unlike her sister.
2.5
Smooth and relaxing
Kind of dull. Good vocals but the music is just boring and lifeless.
Ultimate a very boring and uneventful R&B album
I can probably think of 1001 albums that are not on this list that are better than this one.... She has a famous sister.... After I cut out all the stupid interludes the album was much nicer to listen to. Still not deserving of a spot on this list. Standout: Where Do We Go Singles: ------------------------------ Cranes in the Sky (#74 USA) 2.5
I do enjoy listening to very passionate projects with a clear story to tell, but musically there wasn't much that piqued my interest. The slower pace made it harder to stay engaged, but otherwise it was nice to feel like I gained a perspective that I would otherwise never have.
Bland and uninteresting. The hip-hop/rap bits were especially atrocious. 1.5/5
Good, not great.
This 2010s release is a poignant and introspective album, focusing on a sonic narrative that tackles issues of race, identity, and empowerment with grace and vulnerability. The album flows seamlessly, with each song transitioning into the next, resulting in a cohesive and immersive experience. Solange's soulful vocals effortlessly guide us through a captivating journey of self-reflection, as she explores the complexities of her own experiences. Whilst the songs blending together is a nice touch sonically, it does lead to the album losing it’s excitement factor at times. The album tackles themes of black womanhood, social justice, and the quest for self-acceptance in a society that often marginalizes and silences marginalized voices. Tracks like "Cranes in the Sky" and "Don't Touch My Hair" serve as powerful anthems of resistance, highlighting the struggles faced by black women and their determination to reclaim their narratives. It’s a lyrically powerful stance from Solange as the message proves to be the album’s most important and shined upon asset. It’s a powerful record and a good soft listen.
Boring.
Reverenciat tant o més que els últims discos de la seva germana, en realitat no és més que un altre disc de r&b ensopit, lletres pretencioses i no gaire cosa que aportar
2.5
Yeah nah.
Very quality. One of the best R&B albums I’ve heard Although I don’t care for all the “ayo being black is sooo beautiful and amazing” shit
Con ritmo y estilo. Pop femenino. Buen timbre de voz. No es un estilo que me guste.
A Seat at the Table is the third album by American singer-songwriter Solange. This funky, neo soul, and R&B album was acclaimed by critics and was her first number one album on the Billboard 200. The lead single "Cranes in the Sky" won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance and the album has been certified gold in the US. This album was beautiful and had some social points to make. Besides that though, there wasn't much that intrigued me. The music didn't have that punch that I'm looking for, although it was soulful and had that feeling where you know Solange poured her heart into it. A great R&B album, but not the best.
Un album bien fait, se laisse écouter. Mais ce n'est pas tellement mon style de soul/RnB, donc je suis un peu biaisé. Mériterait une seconde écoute. 7/10
I always found it odd that people hailed this very good album as a masterpiece then had nothing to say about When I Get Home, an utter masterpiece. Anyway, this *is* a very good one. Solange deserves more.
Nice vocals, nice chill out vibe, spoilt with the theme of black lives matter lyrics. Would be ok in the background, but it would be an album of choice to listen to.
Really chilled vibes, not the same screeching that you get from her sister. Wouldn't have ever considered this before but would listen to this one again.
3.5
Soul. R&B. Hip hop
She has a beautiful and powerful voice, it was a pleasure to listen. All of the songs were creating a strong, unite whole. In my opinion it's much better to listen with headphones on.
Quite nice calm album, just not exactly in my type.
Well that was boring. I had no idea who it was until I read wiki, but I knew something was up when the album cover was just a picture of such a plain jane. Yeah I'm a pig for pointing it out, but that's just not how the entertainment industry works. You don't get to plant your wholly unremarkable face on an album cover like that unless you've received a solid leg up, ya know? Anyway it was just lo-fi r&b that droned on for a FAIR WHILE. Artsy and directionless. Interludes that the media would call brave (probably the reason the album didn't instantly disappear like other vanity projects do). Guest appearances by rappers with the IQ of river mud ("put dat drank in dat red cup thurrrrr"). I gave Madonna a 1/5 yesterday but that album at least had a dance beat. This didn't even have that. 1/5.
Good record, but not my kind of music :)
Listened to this a couple of times. I like it.
I have tried about a handful of times, but I just cannot get into 'A Seat at the Table'. The production is perfect, Solange has some nice vocal phrasings, and the themes are important and interestingly covered. But I find the songs so so boring. Yes 'Cranes in the Sky' is really good, bu that's about it.
Truth be told. I have never listened to this album in full before. I know the hype and all. I just didn’t jump on the train. Sue me. Now I have. And my expectations were high. But I leave disappointed. The production is stellar. Most songs are beautifully written. Solange is a great singer. But this whole album is going nowhere. The songs have little to no room to evolve and after a few seconds of any given song you’ve heard the entire thing.
Nice voice and producion, liked the genre
Soooooooooooo bad. This is the definition of a 1
Likte enkelte element, men så blei da for masse rnb
A pretty good album elevated by a few great songs. This probably would have a tougher time making this list if it was made by anybody else, but she gets street cred for being Solange. Most of the songs don't really stand out on a first listen, sort of like background R&B music. The interludes don't do much either. They add context I guess, but I was never one for interludes in the first place so I think they could be omitted without affecting the album either way. However, the good songs are really good - Cranes in the Sky, Where Do We Go, FUBU, and Don't Wish Me Well. With some editing, this probably would have been a much better record.
Not a fan of R&B in general so I can't properly judge it, maybe good?? (50%)
Expected to like this more but her whisper singing gets annoying over the course of the record.
Great modern R&B album; I honestly prefer this to Beyoncé’s work. It has an impactful message told through amazing songs, ‘Cranes in the Sky’ being a real highlight.
this album just purely vibes. her voice is immaculate and the production is incredible. float along with the music kinda album that i can get behind
Dug this quite a bit. Wasn't quite sure what to expect, honestly. The processing of vocals was not overdone (thank god) and the interludes were more transitional bits rather than sketches. F.U.B.U. was a bit... jarring. But still has a definite groove to it. Probably my favorite track was "Don't You Wait". That could have been done a whole bunch of different ways, I liked how she sang the chorus. Some of the tracks I imagine coming back to at some point, so it's a pretty positive album for me.
It's a fine album, but such waste. An intro track that doesn't really lead anywhere, a closing track that fails to close, a bunch of interludes that aren't necessary (profound exceptions: Dad was Mad and Tina Taught Me). Just tighten the whole thing up into a 40 minute album. I mean, I get it. The album is aptly titled and the interludes try to get at that but the songs generally do a better job. Most interludes are too loose; like they got a soundbite that was good, just not totally on point. But even the songs drifted at times; lost focus on key messages. Like Scales, what was she trying to say? Just like her sister, Solange can sing, so let her at it. Less featured artists (Lil Wayne had a decent message in Mad but as a vocalist, he sucks) and more songs like Don't Wish Me Well (a lot of Solange with a cool spacey backup beat). Some beats were better than others - Cranes in the Sky is her big grammy winning song but Weary sounds better. Don't You Wait sounded like it sampled In the Air Tonight - whatever it was, great beat. Overall, the album was good, but it could've been a lot better.
This album caught me off guard. I didn’t know much about Solange going in except that she was Beyoncé's sister and was in Destiny’s child. I expected the album to sound like the Beyoncé albums that I had heard but this is completely different. It’s a lot more experimental with elements of jazz, Funkadelic and even Aphex Twin. It felt like a concept album all the way to the end. There wasn’t a moment that bored me or a track that I didn’t like. I love how she used vocal her harmonies to add color to a lot of the tracks rather than instrumentation. This is going to be on constant repeat for a while and I’m looking forward to going down the rabbit hole and checking out more of her music.
Minimal, restrained grooves and good songs
Wowza. The better Knowles sister. To think she was at one point just a back up dancer for Destiny’s Child. ROFFLLLLL Very nearly gave this a 5. May change at some point in the future, who Knowles?
If it wasn't for this 1001 album club I would never of listened to Beyonce's sister but Solange, you stand alone my mate. Well played. Boss album. Is it missing a get up and fucking have it Beyonce type song? Maybe but it's not needed. You do you amirite? I can't give it a 5 however, because I still have to compare and it is not as good as Beyonce's best albums. Solid 4
7/10 I liked this a lot but I feel like it had potential to be better. Like the themes didn’t really come together or build over the course of the album
6/10. Chill music, interesting interludes, but didn't drive me wild.
Decent album, the instrumentals were a little sparse for my taste. In terms of women-led R&B from the 2010s I might have preferred Sza, Hiatus Kaiyote, or Noname. 7/10
Beyonce sucks and this is even worse. This only exists because of another shit pop singer and it's obvious. I'm hard pressed to think of a worse record on this list. Why is this on the list of 1001 records I HAVE to hear? Wtf? I really struggled to force myself to get through this. It's all the same. It's OBSESSED with race in the weirdest way. And nothing on here is worth my time. (Or yours)
This was a pleasant listen with one track I particularly enjoyed so 3*
Read the blurb and was suprised that this was so highly rated. I thought it was fairly bog-standard.
My first run-in with Solange was on SNL, where she performed "Cranes in the Sky" and "Don't Touch My Hair." She impressed the hell out of me, and "Cranes in the Sky" will forever be in my regular rotation. I'm pleased to see that I enjoyed this album as much as her SNL appearance. It's clear that she's not just Beyoncé's sister, but an artist in her own right.
After hearing only great things about Solange, I can honestly say that I am WOWED. She's got a gorgeous voice, her songs & interludes are beautifully told, and the vibe vibe is wonderfully chill. I've officially added her to my library. 4.5 stars *On a separate note, I wish we'd have the ability to edit our reviews since I accidentally hit the vote button before I finished writing my last review.
Didn’t really find this interesting. Just kinda boring.
Not my music at all and couldn't get into this.
Beaucoup aimé cet album. Je l’ai trouvé plein de subtilité et de nuances, avec une portée sociale. Recherche musicale et belle voix sans affectation.
Thank God she's not another Beyonce
I'll just say it. The only way she could compete with her sister was to play the serious card. It's not a horrible listen, but it's not much of a repeat listen. At least not with all the speaking parts.
3/5
Couldn't get into it
Very excellent record. I probably need more time with it to fully take in the themes of prejudice and blackness, but this record just sounds so good. Solange has an excellent voice that is highlighted so well in the context of timeless funk and soul music. It's an almost psychedelic soul record and it's an excellent record.
Love the album cover. I like her voice and her vocal dynamics. Instrumentally fun and interesting, things like the drum beat in Don't Touch My Hair having one drum sound almost like metal on metal. Lyrically leans more poignant than carefree. One of the very few albums I feel like the interludes actually add to the album. I deeply respect the restraint to do an album with interludes that's not over an hour long. Favorite tracks were Junie, Mad, Don't Touch My Hair, and Borderline. There were a few tracks I couldn't get into. Don't You Wait was my least favorite.
Didn't really like this. I usually like neosoul but this just didn't really click with me. Felt too pop-ish
Meh
The album that introduced me to Solange. My favorite songs are Don't Touch My Hair, Cranes in the Sky, Mad (featuring Lil Wayne), Borderline (An Ode to Self-Care), and Scales.
i found myself unimpressed with this album. i wanted to be fair to this album when the artist is beyonce's sister. while solange discusses empowerment and injustice and other worthy topics, the music itself is just okay. not that it's bad! it's that beautiful soul music with an updated edge with some great funk. but it isn't memorable. every song left my head as soon as it ended. as a final note, i don't care for the decision to include interludes that were not performed by solange. they were all written by solange, unless if i'm mistaken, so it is her perspective. but i wanted to hear her voice--it's her album, after all.
Honestly, this album just really wasn't my jam. I appreciated some of Solange's vocal stylings here, as well as the funk aspects that lingered in this album with the soul, but really, nearly everything about this album just faded to the background. I was bored with it. I want to stress that there were some good, overt messages in here, though. The album title alone clearly communicates what this album is going to be about: addressing black prejudices and injustices. And the album approaches the topic quite palatably. Particularly, I appreciated the very easy to grasp message behind the interlude "Tina Taught Me", followed by "Don't Touch My Hair". But the point remains: for me, the message was good, but the music was boring.
Mmmm OK. Lovely voice. Buuuuuttttt really lightweight insubstantial songs/grooves with few hooks and the interludes don't make it profound. Dont get it really. Underwhelming.
Respect. This was a great r&b album and really surprising.
This was fine, went into it with no expectations and can add it to the listen again someday pile.
I heard the first note and immediately dread and regret the fact that there are 21 tracks of what I now expect will be modern RNB-- my least favorite genre. Some of those tracks are less than a minute, so there's no need to have a defibrillator on site. I mean honestly, if I wanted to go to church, I wouldn't be an atheist. That's really my bone to pick from RNB that I can't parse it out of gospel church music since both are so steeped in the same tradition. At one time, RNB had its own identity and then those lines at some point inexplicably blurred and the genre expired. All the Interludes were the best part because the singing wasn't very present, but even these weren't very interesting and didn't lift the album above the static. Junie and Don't Touch My Hair were the low points to me. I was surprised Q-Tip would associate with this project. Terrible for me.
Snoozefest... Amazing voices are a everywhere and this is just one more of them. She even sounds half asleep when she's singing. I hear nothing on this album except zzzzzz's...
There has been much talk in recent weeks of the privilege of so-called "nepo babies" in Hollywood, building careers off the connections of their actor and director parents. While nepotism usually is cross-generational, Solange's famous older sister surely had an impact on her record deal and collaborators. But if someone is deserving, there is no shame in leaning on your connections to benefit your talent. And Solange clearly is not lacking for talent. R&B is not my genre. But "A Seat at the Table" is wonderful. Even a brief Lil Wayne appearance didn't deter my head nodding while I enjoyed the chill vibe. "F.U.B.U." almost lost me, but overall it was consistent and enjoyable, and fresh and different from a lot of churchy bombastic R&B I'm used to. In the end, whether or not her familial connections helped launch Solange's career, she is now boosting others around her with an album regarded by numerous industry publications as one of the top albums of the year.
The music may not hold my interest but the interludes and messages do.
I found this really boring
The message that resonates the most is delivered by Interlude: Tina Taught Me. The speaker is spot on. The morons crying about white history month should be ecstatic about not needing one (nor a white pride month either). Too often, the music is too low key to hold my interest more.
Como album, fluye perfectamente, incluso a pesar de los interludios.
Not really my cup of tea and nothing stood out. It kinda sounds like someone had a megastar of a sister and was able to get a record deal as a result. Nice voice at times but don't really care for it. 6/10.
Lovely album. The cover picture is a perfect match to the music.
C’est tres tres bon en loundge musique d’ambiance, j’ai ecoute 2x 4.95
Ethereal, anthemic. Production is gorgeous on this. Favorite tracks: "Don't You Wait", "Don't Wish Me Well"
Absolutely loved this!!! It made lovely running music today. Chilled beats and vocals, amazing lyrics/poetry, beautiful words and more. I love the old-school hip hop style chatty interlude skits. Great variety. I even helped me find a newer Solange song which was used in my barre classes and I'm obsessed with it but could never find which song it was. Will listen to more Solange music after this for sure.
I thought this was excellent. Cool smooth beats with funky tones. Interesting story telling. Varied album. Glad I've heard this
Lovely
Groovy R&B. I enjoyed the listen
This is more like what I want from modern music on this list. It's not super pop-y, and I really enjoy that. Plus, I love the electronic and soul influences. I wish the songs differed a little more, but this was still a cool listen. The interludes were interesting. I may be learning that I like interludes in albums. My favourite song was Where Do We Go.
On the second listen, I hear beautiful music, but nothing moving. It's an interesting conundrum, but I just can't get into it.
Best Song: Mad. Solange's vocals absolutely stand up on their own, but Lil Wayne adds something special to this. Worst Song: Borderline. Q-Tip didn't really add anything, and the backing trip beats detracted (and contrasted) with the rest of what's on offer. Overall: Refreshing, solid modern soul, without any real slow points on the whole album. Can't definitely see myself returning to this. Candlelit dinner music.
Well that was a sleepy bunch of smoothness. Or was it snoozeness? Enjoyable, admirable - and all in all mild.
nice enough listen but nothing stood out to me. cranes in the sky is amazing but I already knew that.
It's fine, but I don't really understand why this album was so acclaimed when it came out. 3/5
Love the album. Also liked the interludes in between, album flowed seamlessly. Fav tracks: mad, don’t touch my hair, borderline, junie
This album is excellent, the production is perfect on every track, Solange's voice is beautiful, Q-Tip feature, great emotional lyrics, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature, Q-Tip feature Overall this is a great album with a great feature and great production from Q-Tip. My rating: 8.5/10 Need to be on this list: 7/10
Slow, pointless and self-indulgent. Like wish.com Lauren Hill.
A true classic.
This album really surprised me; I really like it. Clearly the more interestingly talented of the Knowles sisters.
I didn't like it, was ut me or the record I don't know but one of us is wrong, and I ain't apologising first.
Pointless. I didn't need an album's-worth to confirm that this is not for me
Good songs but very same-y.
I'd never heard of Solange, turns out she's Beyoncé's sister... pretty much sums it up.
Feels like a classic, politically charged with deep soulful feeling. Liked it.
Nope, didnt float my boat
I've been on the "Beyonce is overrated" bandwagon for years. This sucks, though... it boggles my mind why this was so critically acclaimed.
Snooze
Not my kind of music.
3, overall there is lots to enjoy
If I spent any time wondering why this was on the list, I would go down a rabbit hole and may never emerge again. I thought the Interludes were interesting, but the music might as well have been the soundtrack to a lifetime channel movie. Bland and meaningless. So, someone thought this was important enough to put on a list of albums that must be listened to before you die. I’ve done that now. Next!
I think I liked it enough. May be worth another listen
Varsin ok poppista! Hienot soundit muttei ehkä ihan tänään mua varten. Kovia artisteja myös vierailemassa Vahva kakkonen siis. Lähellä kolmosta. 2/5
Tosi magee ja tyylikäs! Edelleen freesi soul-setti. Ei edes kalpene siskonsa parhaille levyille.
Kuuntelen toisinaan pitchforkista hyviä arvosteluja saaneita levyjä, ja muutama genre on hyvin tyypillisiä siellä. Esim. just tämmönen poppis-R&B, jossa on rotuaiheita taustalla. Eipä siinä, ihan kiva levy, jossa on sen verran vilpittömyyttä, että voin pienestä tylsyydestä huolimatta antaa 3/5.
emmmmm nope, not my type, thank you, next
Perfect album for a chill morning, really got me in the right mindset to get some work done. Listened through twice!
Not too bad. Would listen to again.
Neo soul. Está bien. Un 4.
not my vibe
interessante devo dire. Non male, non un capolavoro, ma 4 stelle le merita.
A very cohesive album, definitely worth a listen.
Did not expect to like as much as I did
Solange has a beautiful like her sister Beyoncé but I don't think this is a must listen to album. It got some nice r&b soul but mixed with hip hop anger just doesn't quite fit for me. There are some strong topic here... love the black pride... not digging the "all my niggers in the world" call out like it's okay. The backing track instrumentation and the canned beats are uninteresting to me which should make them easy to convert to elevator music. Not sure why Rolling Stone magazine rank included it in there top 500 albums. This reminds me of just another kid with really good connections. I can listen to this album but it would quickly become background.
She has a great voice, but I found this album super boring. The ‘Tina Taught Me’ interlude was interesting.
I enjoyed this — dug the positive, provocative, no apologies nature of the material. The cameos and interstitials created a narrative feel to the album — this seems designed to be listened to as a whole. It's an album that will require more listens to fully appreciate, and I'll circle back to Solange. This was my introduction. Thanks Merryanne's Sound Machine!
I enjoyed this OK. Didn't make much of an impression on me. Seemed pleasant enough in the background, but there wasn't anything that really grabbed my attention. Then again, I could see this growing on me if I were to give it more spins. I enjoyed it more than her sister's music, TBH.
I was turned on to this album right after it came out. She played at BAM where my Beyonce-loving buddy worked and he dared utter the words, "I think she's better than Beyonce." Now I'm not going to challenge or agree with that statement. But I'll say that this album immediately enticed me; whereas when another good friend (Michaela!) said she couldn't stop playing Lemonade (which came out the same year as this album), I simply couldn't even get it started. Not the case with Solange's A Seat at the Table. Cranes in the Sky hooked me in real quick. The interludes are great vignettes of African-American culture. The cover--she's Gorgeous!
A smooth subtle and subtle album with interludes that integrate rather than irritate. Good to chill out to. This all makes for a pleasant cruise down the runway, but somehow it never quite takes off...
Not what I like, too soft and boring.
Kinda R&B/Alicia Keys/India Arie type of a sound. Don't hear this type of music much these days (sounded more like late 1990s), so it was a refreshing change from the typical alternative tunes these days.
I had no idea no idea who Solange was before listening to this album. As I was listening to it, I kept thinking it sounded a lot like the most boring songs that Beyoncé ever sang. It wasn’t until I looked her up and realized it is her sister. Not my style of music at all. Too slow, too boring. Even the breaks and cuts in the song grated on me. I feel for her though, as it’s gotta be hard to be in the music business with Beyoncé as your sister.
Feels like an R&B version of TPAB. While I liked it, some of the songs blended together, and with the skits, the album felt longer than it actually was. Again, I liked the album, but I'm not sure if it has the staying power to be on the list long-term. Best Songs: Mad, Borderline Worst Songs: Weary
10/24/22 Enjoyed this a lot more this time around than in 2016. I like how softly and carefully she sings. Great lil Wayne verse too.
Nice. A bit overstated but a great album
Bit too slow for my taste, most of the songs felt dull
Absolutely love Solange's voice, and the album has an extremely powerful message. However, from a pure musical standpoint, not much stood out to me as interesting, or at least not as much as I was hoping for. Favorite track: F.U.B.U.
Brilliant listen, very strong middle section too. Fav track: Mad
I only like the interludes 1
Nice, but really not my bag
Cool chill mellow I like
Cool, nigga, chill, fresh, ok
Not for me
Tiny Tim did it better
If we put aside the fact she has a very famous singer sister, this album is okay, the singing is competent, the production is good and the music is alright, but overall this is nothing special and if she didn't have an "association" with Beyonce we probably wouldn't have heard of her. There are so many singers of this genre that sound just as good and the "train" of American Idol-ish singers will always be eager to record and flood the market. Clearly, I'm cynical, but why shouldn't I? I'm giving it a mid-range grade because there's nothing bad about this and it's listenable, but nothing more.
So incredibly boring. Which is a shame, really, because the lyrical content is so good. But everything else - the performances, production, and composition - are just so bland. In fact, the lyrics were delivered in such a soul-suckingly boring manner that I found it actively difficult to even pay attention to them. They just slid in one ear and out the other. Talk about diluting your message, sheesh.
Pleasant enough, but lots of serious skits broke up the flow. Kind of drifted in and out of focus.
Prima, jazzy, gevarieerd
This is a wonderful example of an album I wouldn't have listened to if it weren't for this project, and one I feel enriched for hearing. It was personal and interesting. I liked Solange's voice (in both meanings) and hearing the stories from her parents. Absolute appreciation. It's not the only soul-baring-over-slow-beats album we've listened to, but it's one I enjoyed more than others (even if it's still not going to be a "go to" record or genre for me). And wow, what a cover picture! Amazing.
This was definitely a pleasant surprise for me. I have never had any motivation to check out any tunes by Solange. This album was a real treat though. A smooth funk groove with meaningful lyrical content. I really enjoyed it!!
Wow! Smooth and personal. A great listen this morning.
I have loved some of Solange’s songs - she has some incredible dance remixes that can rip up a dance floor. But I had not idea what lay in store for me on this album. What songs! Deeply personal and moving. Intimate. Honest. Incredible. The music is smooth without being boring. It was engaging and it slowed me down and pulled me deeper into the lyrics. Speaking of lyrics - the thoughts and feelings being expressed take this to an entirely different level. Absolutely amazing accomplishment and a wonderful gift from Solange.
Good R&B album. Very easily listenable
First time listener - pretty good! Nice voice, meaningful lyrics- I may listen again some day.
The songs and the interludes are very effective storytelling
Never heard this artist before. Delicate, enchanting, soulful and heartfelt. Love the groove running all the way through this album. Solange has a beautiful voice... crystalline, it gets better with every track.
Better than Beyonce. Come at me hive.
I really enjoyed this album, though it did grow a bit stale. 4/5
I’ve never fully connected with this one, I love the lyrics and messages but find it hard to focus on the songs themselves.
I remember liking this
Decent, just not my thing
It's just really not for me, just too mellow, hard not to feel sleepy listening to it.
I liked the interludes throughout Cool lofi, R+B vibes Nothing wrong with this album but I'm confident I'll forget about it Great background vibes
She has a pretty voice. That is the only positive thing I can say about this record. This album was 10 songs too long. Way too many interludes. Also it was boring as fuck and I just wanted it to end the whole time. Awful 1/10
This was solid. A few tracks I’ll probably listen to again
Beautiful. Insightful, Celebratory, Sadness all in one
ignore the lyrics and you got yourself an nice album
wasn't feeling it at the start but then Cranes In The Sky came on and I was blown away everything else was meh and boring so full album is like 1,5/5 but Cranes In The Sky is a 5/5 song
Why is this on the list.
excellent
I like this type of album vibe but it felt so like it was the most bland execution for it.
god it’s good 8.5/10
La sis est douée
j'aime le rnb
Wish there were more female artists on this list. Solange is such a stunning singer. Tina's interlude! Preach! Beautiful vibe
Disco promedio del género. Está bien hecho y ella tiene una voz agradable. Justo a la mitad, 2.5 pero nada para recordarlo por lo que baja a 2.
an all-time favourite. hands down. masterpiece.
it cant get duller than this
I have never really gave Solange a listen before, and definitely this album because of its release year. I regret not hearing this before. Such a chill album and a great artist, must be in the bloodline.
супер приятный альбом, под который классно немного подэнсить а еще интермедии меня очень порадовали, люблю такое
I like the message but the whispery musicality just didn’t work for me
R&B. Nee, ik vind het niks. Beetje saaie zang en vooral die rapper af en toe kan mij niet bekoren. Heel goede zangeres verder, maar de muziekstijl is niet mijn ding. **
Good album
Pretty standard and unremarkable R&B from the sister of someone very talented
A delightful and soulful record. I can see myself putting this on in the background for numerous occasions.
A Seat at the Table arrived at a neverending turning point in the discussion of what it means to be Black in America, especially a Black woman. Featuring poignant stories told by relatives and out of the box narrators (No Limit's Master P), A Seat at the Table serves as Solange's long overdue coming out party as an artist whose merits and credentials are worthy of appraisal, appreciation and anticipation for what comes next. Favorites: Rise, Weary, Cranes in the Sky, Don't You Wait, Interlude: Tina Taught Me, Don't Touch My Hair, F.U.B.U., Junie, Don't Wish Me Hair, Scales.
Went downhill from 5☆ to 3☆
Not sure what to call this. At times it reminds me of some of Joni Mitchell's work, but at other times it is too pop for this. While I understand the feeling behind the the protest element, this is a little overdone and causes a disonance that could have been avoided without weakening the message.
Groovy. Black empowerment lyrics
Boring and plain
Yeah that was good, I liked that overall.
Funky, got a groove. Throwback feel, but with a modern flair.
Chato pra caralho
Plaisant Prefs: Rise, Weary, Don't You Wait, Borderline (An Ode To Self Care), Junie, Don't Wish Me Well, les interludes. Moins pref: F.U.B.U.
Lovely vibes, chilled. Great album.
Would listen again
Typical problem here of critiquing something that is clearly (and very explicitly)made to celebrate and uplift a culture I’m not a member of. I liked it, anyway, and appreciated the artistry, though at times it seemed more like extended meditations than songs. Maybe by design, what do I know.
Nothing happens. Very low energy. Brilliant record!
What a delightfully smooth listen. I didn't really know what to expect but I enjoyed the ride. Cranes in the Sky is great, I love the way Don't Touch My Hair flows into Where Do We Go via the Interlude. The album overall has a good flow.
This was a real smooth listen. A more consistent atmosphere than Beyoncé's self titled album which I got on here recently and can't help but compare it with. It could definitely benefit from more than two play throughs... I liked the interludes a lot - gave the whole thing a kinda documentary air... Fave track - "F.U.B.U.", maybe? Or "Cranes in the Sky"? I need more listens for a proper standout to stand out...
I liked the storytelling, but this was boring :(
not so peculiar
So boring I nearly fell asleep.
Meh. Not unpleasant to listen to but, despite the punchy subject matter, the musical style is pretty slow and gentle which doesn't really work. Veers into being preachy and self-righteous. 2/5.
4/5
I had no idea what to expect with this. Turns out it was a low key Lauren Hill stylie R&B number sprouting from a bygone time in the 90s.
I didn't even know that Beyonce had a sister! A lovely voice and some pleasant-enough beats.
Hlustaði tvisvar. Fyrra skiptið ár fínt en ekki mjög eftirminnilegt. Seinna skiptið var eins. Jú jú, ma hlusta með öðru. Næsta plata.
Never heard the album or artist before, enjoyed the chilled vibe.
completely amazing
Good album. Great to have in the background
Odio a Solange
3.8/5. This is sonically amazing 4/5 but there are too many interludes! the interludes do push a point/ theme but having so many is overkill. Cranes in the Sky is a BANGER 🔥🔥🔥
Good album, I don't get much of the hate on the reviews. It's quite enjoyable, do I think it belongs on the list? No.
pretty rnb
I actually like the interludes more than the songs. I couldn't get into this and overall found it pretty repetitive and boring.
When this album first came out and people were praising it, I didn’t quite understand why. Now having listened to it fully, I still don’t get what’s enjoyable about it. It’s pretty bland r and b. So Lange isn’t the best singer and most of the songs are very dull. I think maybe one or two I thought ok this isn’t bad but a majority of it is missable. 4.3/10
nice family
Initially I am not a fan of the beat on the first song. She has a good voice but it is drowned out by the loud accompanying music. Does have a very powerful and uplifting message.
Ridiculously smooth.
interesting quirky sound. pretty good.
Solange is a great singer, and the production is pretty mild but consistent, focusing attention to her voice and her lyrics expressing her strong discontent with racism and her thoughts on women's values in modern US. I found it to be largely boring. Her voice sounded mostly monotonous to me, not expressing the emotions she writes about. She tries to be a poet at times, and those lines don't exactly hit. Most of the tracks are forgettable, with the only memorable characteristic tending to be an overtly repeated chorus. I didn't like Lil Wayne's contribution, either his voice nor his rap. I did like the funkier songs like "Where Do We Go." Q-Tip appears in "Borderline," but I was just disappointed his role was reduced to a barely noticeable back vocal. I also didn't like the serious nature of the album. The interludes touch sensitive topics, but they're not expressed in a new or interesting way, instead just reiterating issues that are already discussed and known about in our society, and I'm sure anyone listening to her music isn't the audience to learn anything new from this. I'm not saying it has to be entertaining, but when the purpose of the interludes feel like they just want me to agree with them, rather than for any entertainment, reinforcing values is not the purpose I listen to music. At the very least teach me a unique perspective to think about. This wouldn't be such a big issue if they weren't every other song. It felt more interruptive than enhancing.
Pretty good, doesn't stand out.
Not super annoying but also didn't particularly enjoy it. A bit boring and doesn't belong in this list imho.
Some of these songs are quite nice (e.g. Weary), but I didn't care for the interludes and many (most?) songs were not very interesting.
A lot of emotion on this one. I can for sure understand why it’s on the list. Not sure I would listen often due to it being more serious but it was good!
first listen a good cultural exchange
For an album that appears to blend soul, hip hop and maybe a little funk it falls really flat and in essence is just a well recorded watered down version of those genres. The interleave of the spoken word doesn't evoke any emotion or feelings either, it seems rather pointless and makes the album disjointed. Overall It's just bland and boring. I guess the bar is so low for music made in the 2010s that this is considered a must listen before you die.
An OK hip-hop/soul record with some overlays of spoken word. Some important messages, but musically not a groundbreaking or particularly interesting album.
Didn't connect to this at all. Seemed like all filler.
Another album that has nothing in it for me. I'm obviously not the target demo for this album, but it was so boring that I'm not sure how there's anyone who is in the target demo.
One of my favorite albums ever! It all flows together perfectly and has such interesting and important commentary.
I spent my last review mentioning Pitchfork, and now here comes their critical darling Solange. Once again, I can't quite picture what the fuss with this laidback modern r'n'b album is all about, at least musically speaking. It's not that the music is bad: some arrangements are subtle and pleasantly intricate. And in a way, I can get *why* the whole aesthetics of this record are quite subdued throughout its course (more on that later). It's just that those aesthetics are a little too unobtrusive for my tastes. *A Seat At The Table* is no trip hop, that's for sure--it's not mesmerizing or repetitive enough. I wonder how it would have sounded if it had included more influences like that... I guess the whole idea behind this album was that the music should fit with the confessional atmosphere of the vocals while also retaining an alurring canvas on which Solange can brush very socially-conscious lyrics. So what we have here is *smooth* protest music, with very idiosyncratic ways to cover the grounds on which African-Americans view where they come from and who they are today. But even if it's *smooth*, it's protest music nonetheless. Which means that the lyrics are worth it, no doubt about that. And so is Solange's mellifluous performance, of course (I'm less convinced by the guest vocals, but they're a minor presence anyway). Some very clear emotions seep through such a performance, Solange perfectly understanding how to convey her views in a manner that's quite diginified and graceful. As Old Bob said, the times, they are-a changing, they did change in the past, and they are changing now. Such bridges between past and present are the ones Solange wants to build here. So, yes, *A Seat At The Table* is a record with that sort of ambition, and it should be commended as such. But to return to the music, I'd be lying if I said nothing rubs me the wrong way in it. On the paper, I still think the intent is marvellous. But I'm not so sure about the execution, though. Oddly enough, I wish Solange had taken a page from her elder (and more famous) sister's book when it comes to hooks and choruses. I don't mean she should necessarily have gone to the sort of pop extremes Beyonce Knowles is known for. Yet I feel like some middle ground would have made a stronger impression on me, and probably on many other listeners too, beyond music critic circles. In the meantime, I will leave this album the benefit of the doubt with a three-star grading, just because the lyrical contents are really personal AND interesting AND relevant when it comes to current topics. Maybe I just need more time to understand its music. This situation reminds me of Beyonce's *Lemonade*, actually, another critics' choice that left me a little nonplussed during the last decade... Yet even if I'm nonplussed, I get the picture somehow. After its heyday in the nineties and the naughts, "modern" r'n'b seems to go through an existential crisis of some kind, and as a result, It would be tempting to apply the prefix "post-" to it while listening to *Lemonade*, *A Seat At The Table*, or records such as Frank Ocean's *Blonde*, for instance. The only problem for me here is that such prefix wouldn't fully explain why artists and producers of such ilk are *also* having quite a hard time penning a melody that's memorable. Concept isn't everything in music. If it was, records would be... books. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 946 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 24 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 15 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important to me): 16
I was impressed by her voice but didn't really like the songs.
a ništa posebno, malo mi je dosadnjikav al ima ugodan glas pa evo
Okej ovo je sestra od Beyonce… Bila je dobra atmosfera dok san slušala album. Al ničim nije odskakala
Eto me nazad i bas mi je drago jer ovaj album je takvo vajbanje!! Šetnja po suncu i solange, jako opuštajuća kombinacija
It's unique. An interlude or commentary after each song. However, the bass is so overwhelming that it seems to detract from the album itself. I think it could use a bit of tuning down.
Definitely message HEAVY. The vignettes and songs definitely paint a picture which definitely delivers on what Solange wants. The music is fine, but uneventful. Nothing memorable but nothing difficult o listen to either.
So this is basically neo soul AFAIK, pretty lo-fi. Made by Beyoncé’s sister. Seems to be a concept album about the black American experience. This one was a pleasant listen. Solange had a great voice, which was really nice to listen to, but there’s not a massive amount of differentiation between the songs, particularly in an emotional sense. I feel like this album could do with being about 10-15 minutes shorter, then it’s Spiel wouldn’t get old so fast. They’re pretty basic stuff, nothing groundbreaking here. The concept of the album was interesting, though I would be surprised if this concept wasn’t well-covered ground in music. Instrumentation here is pretty basic. There’s these spoken word interludes which break up the songs. It’s nice how the album flows through these, making the whole thing sound like a cohesive project. A couple of these were pretty interesting anecdotes. However, I feel like spoken word stuff in general wears thin after several listens, so detracts from the longevity of the album. Overall I think another upper 2.5 stars. This wasn’t bad. But there wasn’t really enough to attract me for further listens.
Second listen needed
Heard it already. Solid album
It took me 3 seconds on the first song to know this was worth 5 stars.
Not quite R&B. Not quite Soul. Not quite good.
If you hear one song on this album, you've heard them all. The lyrics are better than the dull songs but lyrics can't save this album from being a dud.
I'm with the reviewers that say, "Sounds nice, good message, but oh so boring."
Not what I expected, soul with a hip-hop edge. Much more subdued and subtle than her sister's more bombastic work.
Seriously?!?!
Again, not for me, but was nice to listen to.