Reviews (page 3 of 9)
Great album, except for the track “Free Form Guitar”, which is worthless and the sort of messing about I did as a teenager with my guitar and amp. “He did it in one take!” No kidding.
Mostly OK although uncool until Free Form Guitar, which really stinks up the album. Even Nigel Tufnel wouldn't subject a Spinal Tap audience to a guitar solo this bad. The jazzed-up cover of I'm A Man is also much worse than the original. And the final track, the self-indulgent, solo-laden, masturbatory and ironically-titled Liberation, leaves me with a really bad taste in my ears. No thanks.
The first part was quite good once it warmed up. The second half was a bit hit and miss though.
Eclectic album with a wide variety of styles, positively surprised me.
In snippets this is great. You’ll get a snatch of something genuinely great. Only to be absolutely ruined 10 seconds later.
i honestly can't think of a single song of theirs... but i feel like i know them? well clearly i don't actually know chicago cause this is not the sound i was expecting. i was probably confusing them for boston lol. this is bluesier than i was expecting. once again i am begging, BEGGING, musicians to understand the length of their songs. i don't actually care to listen to 7 minutes of free form guitar wailing. maybe that took significant skill? i don't know. and 14 minutes???? are you kidding me? i'd love to give points for the blues but this wasn't really the best of the blues either. 2/5
Like his singing, he seems to put a lot into it. „Free from guitar“ is like diabolic, but since I like the other ones a low 4.
I have forgotten how really terrific the brass is on this album
A full side of this record is a can't skip rock fusion masterwork and the rest is...hey look they were still figuring things out. For a band in 1969 to come out this red hot, with a tight rhythm section and wildly cool guitar playing and a dash of psychedelia, it's impressive if uneven. It's good times but it's got some room to grow
Cool stuff. Came in completely unfamiliar, but adored the jazzy tight musicianship here. 4
Nice
Classic.
I wasn’t all there when it was in but some groovy REALLY 70’s rock was to be had. Might revisit.
Not so sure about that. Upbeat album, but nothing stood out. More like 2.5
a faixa da guitarra distorcidissima é certamente uma faixa para se lembrar
Not what I expected. Very jazzy rock, lots of instrumental segments and one of the mos annoying "songs" ever (Free Form Guitar). There are some parts that are enjoyable, but this listen-through was mostly me waitimg for it to be over...
Free Form Guitar is a stain on an otherwise fantastic album
This is interesting, it sounds very solid but is almost so bombastic at times that it muddies itself up a bit. Great to have trumpets. Good voice. Easy to listen to. Poem 58 to Free Form Guitar is like there are two brothers working on this and the skilled one gets to make a song so the other gets one too. This is a bit too indulgent but it has moments. What the heck. This is a debut album?! This is a good debut.
Oh good a brass section. This is big, thick music. Poem 58, put it in your ears. There is a great album in here, but there is some content that tests the listener. I can't even process the idea of a debut album being a double album.
Hard, maar free form guitar is kut
The algorithm hates me. 9 albums in 5 have been jazz. Saw Chicargo thought might be alright. At least their is some singing. However still the tuneless playing. Song two Does Anybody Really Know starts with what sounds like a monkey playing the piano. Hold on we have an actual song. Praise the gods of music. Curates egg. Free Form Guitar is as bad as expected list of messing about and feed back. Why?
I was expecting something entirely different.
Just not my cup of tea. Jolly jazz rock with horns.
Yeah the music is good. But i couldn't go through tree songs in a row. Maybe it were trumpets or overall happiness of this album. I don't know man. Just not my cup of rea.
At first, I wasn't much convinced by this album. And some parts are far from enchanting me, but I've found it a really great record. There are some fantastic tracks in here, and, sure, other "experimental" ones leave not quite a great feeling at times, but the last songs really make it grow. So, maybe I am too generous today, but the overall has been very impressive and, even if I don't love some songs, most of them have amazed me. Also, this album is very enjoyable, with such a great bluesy touch.
It was good until “free form guitar” which should have been kept in their acid trip nightmare
Clasico, pero no tan chido
Any album with a 6 1/2 minute first song just called "Introduction" wins some points with me. It's uplifting, jazzy with long instrumental passages. I'm engaged. The next song takes it to another level. Something about this stuff just makes me happy. It does blend together a bit but there's a pleasing cohesion to everything. Questions 67 and 68 is particularly good, lively and dramatic. Listen has a bit more of an edge to it with a driving bassline. Poem 58 ups the intensity again, plenty of tempo changes, and we're no longer in easy breezy territory. It settles in to a nice mid paced groove. Free Form Guitar is... exactly what it sounds like. Not sure we needed this. Back on track with some organ and more funky bass after that. Someday is very good and feels like it brings together the first and half parts of the record, with just enough dark overtones. And we close with a meandering 14 1/2 minute song. Yes. This feels right.
eh
je suis jamais allée à Chicago, mais c'est exactement comme ça que je me représente cette ville. j'avais l'impression d'y être. j'ai beaucoup aimé le début mais moins la fin, ce qui a terni un peu mon appréciation globale de l'album.
Obviously stellar playing, such an over the top horn party! I'd actually categorize this double album as a 1-star side 1 (maudlin 60s easy listening holdover claptrap), 2-star side 2 (horn and early prog-jazz), 3-star side 3, and 5-star side 4 (actually, the last tune is a complete ripper).
This was fun!! The music was a really great listen, the songs did start to drag on by the end
The first half of this album is a standout. It touches on many genres, I was having a hard time of guessing where the album was going. Is this an old school show-tunes album? Are we listening to a rock album??? What a journey! Personally, I lost interest after Free Form Guitar. However, the composition/instrumentation was still great. This is a well-deserved 4. Favorite tracks: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Beginnings? Poem 58
Sit Back And Let Us Groove 1001 Albums Generator 269 (4/15/2026) Dude why did I think Chicago were a lame AOR pop rock group? You're telling me they had serious jazz, psych, funk, and prog chops back in the day? Holy cow! The instrumentation here, first of all, is top notch. From the standard rock instruments (all done at an extremely high level) to the more unique elements, like the prominent, often jazzy piano to the unavoidable horns, everything just really works here. Even the tribal drums on Beginnings are really cool. Unfortunately, Free Form Guitar is total nonsense, and generally the songwriting after it isn't as consistently interesting as the first half, but there's still some good stuff here. I did really like the I Am The Walrus callout on South Carolina Purples. Also, the closing epic Liberation is really good, although it gets a little noodly in the middle. Overall, Chicago Transit Authority is a really great, eclectic album that shows a band in peak form, somehow on their first album. 4/5. Also 67 mention. Favs: Introduction Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Beginning Least Fav: Free Form Guitar
I was under the impression Chicago was supposed to suck, but this did not suck. Band was tight and I was toe tappin on the way to work. This album was everything I thought Steely Dan was supposed to be. 3.5
3.0
I did not expect to find an album that kind of slaps here. I like the Tom Jones-esque vocals, the CSNY adjacent jams, and the big band horns. Do I hear yacht rock in there as well? I’m here for it.
-1 pour les morceaux à la Sinatra et l'espèce de délire affreux en milieu d'album.
Ass
I only knew Chicago from their 80s hits which I never liked. I was hoping to like this version of the band much more, but I don't really
Hadn't thought of these guys in years, but they were everywhere in the 70s. This one's pretty damn good except for the one song. You know the one.
I enjoy my listening but I don't think I will listen to it again. Not a bad one but sure not for me at least not 100%
Not my thing.
Muy buen álbum con muy buenas canciones. Me hizo querer escuchar más de la banda
I don’t like what Chicago became, but this album is ok. Terry Kath rules!
Really liked it. Low cortisol music.
This was not what I was expecting at all. I had bland middle of the road 70s soft rock in my head, but this was far more enjoyable. A lot depth, some good playing and overall a good album. Solid.
Pretty cool
Chicago Transit Authority slaaaaaaaaaps!!! Damn. I was not expecting that kind of ride. Real talent across the board and just, jams. Foot tappin', hip thrustin', good ol' time. Not quite a 5, but damn close.
This album is pretty listenable right up until the 7th track "Freeform Guitar" where it grinds to a halt. Who thought sticking a track that sounds like a car exhaust backfiring for 7 minutes in the middle of the album was a good idea?
2,2/5
Chicago's debut album shows what a great guitarist Terry Kath was at this peak. 25 or 6 to 4 doesn't come until Chicago II but his guitar can be found prominently on the debut album as well, especially on Poem 58. A lot of listeners are probably surprised the debut isn't full of saccharine ballads and focused much more on the horns. Four of their biggest hits (pre-ballad Chicago) on here and they are all really good songs. I am a fan of Chicago's early work and this album doesn't do anything to dispel those feelings. I find their early work to be very interesting and quite the dichotomy from the later work by the band. I honestly haven't listened to every album by Chicago but I think this is the appropriate introduction to them. I am not sure why Free Form Guitar is on here. It's a good song to perhaps include as part of a live act, but it does seem to break up the rhythm of this album since it's plopped right down in the middle. This is a really great introduction to Chicago even though non-Boomers may not know any of the songs on here. Favorite songs: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Beginnings Questions 67 and 68 Listen South Carolina Purples I'm a Man
Kind of like jazzy rock. Not bad.
#899. I've only ever heard a few songs of theirs on the radio, but a whole album is basically the same but more. Just super white yacht rock for boomers. 3/5: acceptable
This is making me realize what a disaster the 80s were for this band and how disappointing the 80s version of Chicago must have been for their original fans. Solid effort.
They hooked me then they lost me then they hooked me then they lost me. The whole album is like that
El primer disco de Chicago muestra a la banda segura de sí misma, ya que todos sus componentes eran grandes virtuosos y experimentados músicos de jazz y blues. Y muy seguro hay que estar para lanzar como primer disco un doble álbum y meterle ademas largas canciones, entre ellas una de 14 minutos. Musicalmente, un trabajo jazz rock y blues rock, con cierta tendencia a lo progresivo y donde la sección de metal tiene un protagonismo decisivo. Para mí, ha envejecido mal, peor que otros discos posteriores donde, por necesidad, tuvieron que hacer caso a las tendencias del momento.
I love it when music is just fun to listen to 🎵😊
Not my thing, but I kinda get it
Nice drums! The trumpets ar soulful and bring Joy. Im not sure if I like his Voice.
Free Form Guitar is one of the worst sounds I've ever heard, could genuinely be used as torture.
Forgot how good early Chicago were. Why did they fall inti that 80's/90's ballad crap. This album is great.
I really do enjoy later Chicago but this was not enjoyable overall for me. Too much 60’s BS with organ solos and guitar tracks that really serve no purpose.
Yet another gem, a sound is from the 70s but before it's time
jfc these 70s double albums are self-indulgent
nothing but bangers
Bad suburban high school jazz band meets AOR meets absolute wank. If you have enough songs for your debut to be a double album, either get an editor or release two albums.
Early weird psychedelic Chicago is the best Chicago
its just okay. kinda a weird mash-up of everything you know about jazz but like with a weird twist on it. idrk how to describe it, its like air supply created a jazz band.
I really appreciate the musicianship and freshness of this album, I knew it was a 5 before I finished it, though I do think it could have been a single album.
Love this album. My favorite Chicago offering. Highlights: Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is, Beginnings, Questions 67 and 68, Poem 58 and I’m A Man. Easy 4.4
We really enjoyed this and were very close to giving it five stars, but the extra long screechy section meant the album sadly took a bit of a dive for us. Would listen to quite a few songs again, but probably not the album in it's entirety.
Pretty good, oftentimes Chicago is too sappy for me but their early era has a lot more pizzazz
I liked some
This ain't a rock album. It's more like some funky soul stuff. The bass is real nice, so are the horns and vocals. And the prog-length tracks are neat. Makes for a fun listen when I'm constantly bobbing my head. But I didn't really think, "Wow! This is some life-changing stuff!" Guitar in 'Poem 58' was amazing however. Probably my favourite track off the album. Then comes in 'Free Form Guitar' and ruins that energy with grating guitar noise. Least favourite track. I also quite liked 'I'm a man', very nice energy to it. 3.5/5
Some good stuff here, but way too long and bloated of an album.
I was already quite familiar with this album. It is one of my favorite jazz-influenced rock albums, and even one of my favorite albums overall. Along with Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago perfectly blended horns into their sound. This album is full of great stuff from start to end. The catchy, more radio-friendly stuff tends towards the beginning and the latter part is more stretched out and experimental. This album will continue to be in my rotation, and I would listen to it any time.
7/10
Jovial music from the late 60's. An odd mix of big band and rock, it seems out of place now days as there's just entertainment at it's core.
huhhh, schon coole Momente, aber hat mich insgesamt nicht überzeugt, auch einfach soo lange tracks teilweise
Great 70’s band. Love the use of brass. Great sound, and music.
Early Chicago. They got better after this, but I'm assuming included in the list since it was new.
Also, shouldn’t have changed their name.
Appreciate a song about time but not my jam overall.
I usually don't like jazz much, but this one is alright.
Every song before this should go down a rating. New Ratings 1:bad album 2:not a fan 3:could listen to again 4:would listen to again 5:people should listen to this album
very groovy, some very interesting instrumentals. not entirely sure how i feel about the freeform guitar. maybe a few songs could have been a liiiittle shorter but overall it was a pretty solid record and I'll probably listen to it again
Jazzier than I figured it would be, maybe I just haven't listened to much Chicago
This was good until the last few songs, which I skipped on my second listen. A single album might have got a 4/5. I added “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” To my Generator Playlist,
A three part album for me. It started like a 70's variety show orchestra. It could easily have been Ronnie Hazelhurst or Norrie Paramor. Then the guitarist started getting a bit bold (better). Then the guitarist (and everybody else) totally lost the plot. The whole album is just too self indulgent, long and drawn out. It could and should have been a single album, though I'm not sure it would have been that much better. It's difficult to believe that this is the band et Cetera that was shitting out the easy listening houswife friendly ballads a few years later. I'm not sure which incarnation I hate more.
Pretty sweet album, a little long. Heavy in places that I wasn’t expecting, enjoyed the back half more than first which was more heavy on the guitars
Soms kan ik me er mega aan ergeren
Uff, das letzte Stück dauert 14 Minuten! Ein bisschen psychedelisch, tolle Bassläufe, gute Gitarre
Was NOT expecting to vibe with this
Previously I thought of Chicago as the lamest of all the dad rock bands. I must correct my opinion. That was pretty damn good.
Well, here's me thinking this was going to be middle-of-the-road, soft rock. Spoiler alert... it's something else. The massive surprise was how interesting and unexpected it was, full of brass and funk, experimentation and some relatively heavy guitar noodling I mean, at 76 mins, it's too long, at least it felt that way. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ Surprising ★★★☆☆ (5/10) Total reviewed : 253 Already owned : 58 Purchased : 14 To buy list : 2 Nope : 179
As someone who's only heard Chicago's more popular songs, I had no idea they had something like 'Liberation' in their locker. Holy hell, what a tune.
Interesting, but not quite My thing
Unexpectedly great! I really liked the second half of this album, South California Purples was groovy. The horns are fun.
Happy album.
Super fun album. Super cool that this came out in the late 60’s. It has that super experimental sound, and it’s also almost got big band sound/feel to it with all the different instruments that debut.
This is one of my dad’s favorite albums and I listened to it so much growing up. Starts out with a BANG. So freakin groovy. And the piano solo before does anybody really know what time it is so unique. Thought this was gonna be an easy 5 but I guess I hadn’t really listened to the B side as much. Unfortunately has a pretty big drop off in the second half.
It’s really hard to rate this album without considering just how well Chicago hits their stride later on in their time as a band. Is it an absolute jam with solid instrumental tracks? For sure. Are there a couple of their greatest songs on this album? Yes. Is it what I’m expecting when I think about Chicago and how many times I played through their greatest hits on the CD player in my old Mazda? Most certainly not. I want to rate this higher but it’s just not there. Later albums will be though.
I want so bad to give this five stars but just not quite there. Honestly, if you cut out the long meaningless guitar solo song in the middle that might put it over the edge. Overall an absolutely amazing debut album with some amazing songs on it. I just wish it could be perfect.
A double album debut? A DOUBLE ALBUM DEBUT?! Who the fuck do they think they are? Sure, it seems to be a right of passage for a band to become so self confident that they think they're in such a purple patch that they couldn't possibly leave any track off the album, or withhold it from the public any longer than absolutely necessary. However, that normally comes after at least a couple of successful albums (and usually loads of coke). That said, there's some surprisingly good stuff on here. I had no idea Chicago made bluesy, psychedelic music like this, even if it does feel slightly watered down. Unfortunately there's a lot of bloat here too, that waters my review down to 3 stars.
Could have been a 5 without the guitar song.
Some good tunes here but a lot of self indulgence and filler.
I liked it. I don't even mind Free Form Guitar, although I might skip it on shuffle.
Not a fan of these kinds of jazz blues rock with horns and this old style of singing. The highlight for me was actually the Free Form Guitar song.
Buenardo, rock clásico entero chorizo.
I thought I'd quite like this when it started, but I think I was perhaps anticipating something more proggy. I think it's the amount of horn section I was finding too much after a while. The track lengths are pretty punishing, too
4 could have sworn I heard Jimi Hendrix through this whole thing. Learned some interesting history on it in the process.
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is & Beginnings were pretty good. However, some tracks were just too long.
I'm blown away by this album. Every element of it is executed. The songs are diverse. The instrumentation is groovy and skillful. The vocals are fun. Some 5 star albums just barely clear the bar. This one bounds over it with no issue.
I had heard a number of Chicago songs before this album, including a number of songs from this album. I can safely say they are at their best when they include the horns and write punchy, hooky songs. There are a few of them on this album and it shows how a debut album like this could be so well received. All they needed to do was remove some of the noodling and meandering tracks like Free Form Guitar and this would have really had the juice.
This was a ton of fun for the first half. Fell off at and after poem 58. That next track was horrific. An hour and 16 minutes is too long. First half alone may have been a 5 but we settle on a 3.
What an absolute mess of an album. At various points it offers some good blues rock, and as a historian I enjoyed the references to the 1968 Democratic convention on ‘Someday’. But basically every song is twice as long as it needs to be, and some really drag- Free Form Guitar is a genuinely offensive listen. A real mixed bag, even within songs.
Usually when a double album is described as ‘sprawling’, this refers to a long tracklist covering many different styles/genres. In this album’s case, however, the adjective could equally be applied to the individual tracks, which often meander all over the place through multiple sections, only sometimes seemingly connected to each other. When it’s good, it’s often really good, but when it’s bad (ahem, ‘Free Form Guitar’, ahem), it can be really bad, so it balances out to about 3 stars overall. I enjoy the brass-heavy jazzy/prog-rock sound, but it definitely would have benefited from some tidying/tightening up.
i enjoyed many parts of this album.
Melkoista sähkökitaran vingutusta ja ajoittaista makeeta rokkia
There is something about Chicago that I’ve have never cared for but couldn’t put my finger on. Now I know it’s the lead guitarist. This band does so many things right, but for me it just doesn’t connect. Their choruses are just weak. Their songs are too long. The horns here are too loud in the mix. The singing in his also a weak spot in my opinion. I know many people love this band, but I’ve never been one of them. After listening to this I know I never will be.
Nope
nice and jazzy
My heart sank when I saw this come up, you know, average yank MOR, but you know what, bloody love it, it’s got real soul, fabulous brass section. Love it
Old Chicago is badass
In sound and spirit Chicago is so wholesome I forget they go HARD sometimes @liberation
Jarring (and kinda cool) to hear Chicago play so fucking hard. But album felt way too unstructured and...long.
Free form guitar ain’t for me, but I can still rock out sometimes
Woah. First albums can be different.
Songs are too long, with lots of freestyle riffing which meant there was no consistency. Probably was genuinely wild at the time...
This would be a 5 without that guitar stuff in the middle.
3.5
3.5
Cool jazz-rock, but drags a bit at times and gets a bit too jammy. 4 stars
I enjoyed today's album a lot more than I thought I would. I thought it would be too jammy and unfocused after the first song, but it got surprisingly good for a while after that. I think the run of "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?", "Beginnings", and "Questions 67 and 68" is cool. The cover of "I'm a Man" is also quite good. I think some of the Terry Kath stuff does get a little jammy, particularly "Free Form Guitar", but I think it's a really good album nonetheless. 4 stars.
4.5
Okay in places but also an almighty slog. I could have used the time to cook a Chicago Town pizza and then another Chicago Town pizza followed by yet another Chicago Town pizza and then another Chicago Town pizza and maybe one more Chicago Town pizza after that. And I’d rather eat them all in one go than sit through tracks like Free Form Guitar or Liberation. At least if Jimi Hendrix were to do some completely pointless painful feedbacky jam (which he’d never do as rubbishly as here) he’d at least give it a creative title like Third Stone From Chicago or And The Chicago Bears Made Love. I’m A Man along with Beginnings are the main two decent songs but I’d definitely stick with the Steve Winwood original because it’s not 7 minutes for a start. 2.5 stars or 6 to 4.
Meh. It’s ok. I grew up with my parents listening to Chicago and even have seen the live twice. Good musicians, don’t get me wrong. The hits and solid. The rest is too long and that guitar feedback part is just terrible.
Took big band and modernized it.
TIL Chicago's original name was Chicago Transit Authority. Blind album. Decent and fun at times but not something I actively seek out. Was never super into the band either.
I already dreaded listening to this album when I saw it was today's pick, based on the old adage that there was never a good band named solely after a geographic location (Chicago, Europe, America, Flo Rida, Kansas, Boston etc..). This adage has served me pretty well, as long as you don't include bands with other words in the title, aka Georgia Satellites, the Africa 80 etc. That aside, the first track starts off kind of interesting. Kind of like a Frank Zappa meets the blues sort of thing going on. I'm not sure they continue to pull that off throughout the album though. Kind of a bit flashy for a rock album--comes off a little hotel lounge barish. Second track in particular is dumb. Mostly stays on that tip for the rest of the album. Not super bearable. 2/5
Pretty good
Not really my style. A couple songs that were decent though. 5.5/10
I liked about 40% of this album, but it was a little too noisy for me however it should get higher than a two star rating so I'm giving it three stars
A really cool playful album that is somehow between blues rock, psychedelic rock and proto-funk (so much for calling it a "very white album"). In that respect, it's a great listen if even some tracks are hit and miss and that obligatory guitar schreeching album is a bit unnecessary. I still rate it 4 stars.
I can’t say I’ve ever been a fan of Chicago’s debut - it’s all over the place and combines too many elements, which often don’t convince. Blues rock, jazz and sophisticated pop are the foundations of their sound, but it’s only the rockier tracks that really come together – tracks like “Introduction” and “South California Purples” being the prime examples. The jazz workouts aren’t that exciting when compared to their contemporaries and the pop stuff, “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” and “Questions 67 and 68” sound terribly dated, with more than a hint of cheesy TV theme about them. Originally a double album, there’s far too much of it as well, which doesn’t help. 5/10
Pretty ok/ I like Chicago, but I don't think this is their best
I like it, but it’s definitely too long. Free Form Guitar also pissed me off, because there’s no need for 6.5 minutes of that crap on an already long album. That said, most of the album sounds great. Had more than one moment of “Oh I know this one.” And the bit of historic political drama chronicled near the end of the album makes this a solid 4.
It took me over a day to finally listen to this bc I'm sick of 1001 making me listen to boomer shit. Fortunately, this isn't as bad as the Eagles which was my fear. They describe themselves as rock and roll with horns, and while they're often more pop rock with horns, I actually really enjoy the brass. Not as bad as I was expecting, a bit more soul and less cringe. 3/5 for surpassing my expectations. The album probably needs to drop some fluff and get under 50 minutes to really deserve 3 stars, but oh well
I feel like I was misled as to what Chicago was. The only song of there's that I knew I had heard before this was "Saturday in the Park." And this was not that. For the better! This thing is too bloated though for a five-star rating. Many of the songs have an unnecessary guitar interlude. And the album itself has an unnecessary, and musically offensive, guitar interlude of of entire song - Free Form Guitar. If that monstrosity wasn't there, I'd look over the bloated track length and give it those five stars. But I just can't because of Free Form Guitar.
Me parece que tiene una buena calidad musical, con buenos músicos; pero muuuy cansador.
Well this was bad in a bad way, but I have to thank it for one thing only. I was thinking in almost every song "why hasn't the producer told them to leave something out?" Whether it's the drummer constantly putting flourishes where they aren't needed (and I mean constantly), songs that go on about 100% too long (most of them), the track that is solo guitar. Some reviews are rapt in amazement that it was performed without effects pedals, as if it wouldn't have sounded better without a guitar or any recording equipment. When they threaten to break into a tune, it makes you wish they were playing one of the insipid songs that ended up bring their legacy. But no, it always goes back to sounding like a double album of the pinball music from Sesame Street. It would have got two stars if it wasn't for the "I can make my guitar sound like I'm throwing it down the stairs for 6 minutes" track. What do I have to thank it for? I wondered which producer was responsible, and a wiki link took me to the same guy's year owning the Caribous of Colorado soccer team who genuinely had the most unhinged kit I have ever seen. Seriously worth checking it out.
I had reservations as to whether I would enjoy this, and my initial impression didn't do much to change that. However, there is some excellent playing on display here, very Hendrix in places (did they influence him, or he them?), and there's a least a little Beatles worship in here too. The vocals don't always land with me, sometimes they feel a bit middle of the road but as the album goes on that feeling dissipates. The end of Beginnings feels like a Brazilian celebration, very much percussion led, and when the album really started to grab my attention. Poem 58 is a great jam and the bluesy South California Purples is a favourite, followed by I'm a Man, which I instantly recognise. Amid some of these great tracks is Free Form Guitar, which marred the album slightly for me and felt a little unnecessary. Someday is a bit of a throwaway track towards the end but the 15 min jam, Liberation closes out the album in style. It's far from perfect but there is a lot here to like and the craft and instrumentation is impressive, particularly for a debut.
Some funky moments but a lot of directionless shite
Haven't heard this album before. For the first couple of songs I was actually quite hopeful. Then the random guitar feedback song started and the rest of the album after it was boring 2/5
I love this band so much. The horns, the vibe, all of it. No notes.
Meh
Chicago, et band alles foreldre har et forhold til. Det er riktig nok mer grunnet power balladene (av typen You’re The Inspiration) de har gitt ut, og ikke jazz/prog-rocken vi finner på dette albumet. Den første gjennomgangen, da jeg var sulten og sliten på vei hjem fra jobb, høstet ingen positive reaksjoner. Et andre lytt forbedret inntrykket betydelig. Foruten katastrofale Free Form Guitar, er det en mengde kvalitetssanger her. Noen låter kan oppleves som langdryge, men albumet skal få en firer. Det er enormt imponerende til å være 60-tallsmusikk. Top 3: Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?, Beginnings, Questions 67 and 68
it’s giving jazz i like it
What's with all the jazzy classics the past 2 days? I enjoyed yesterday's offering, but this did not compare. Some parts were OK, but mostly a bit too experimental for me.
Banger album with the worst guitar interlude I've ever heard. Like, wtf was that? Minus 2 just cause of the headache that shitty interlude gave me.
Yeah ! Crazy, I always Saw discs of Chicago without ever putting one on play. Damn, it's really great ! I thought it was something bit funky like Chic, like funk big band and it's like kind of this but with a psychedelic touch, like this all screaming guitar un the middle of the album... Really nice discovery
It’s funny because I read the reviews first and saw everyone talking about this horrendous guitar solo halfway through. I was listening and though, wow, it’s pretty good! And then… it came. Why would they put that in there??? Otherwise, really nice. Love horns.
It’s fantastic, but some of the songs are just really really really too long.
Wouldn't turn it off the radio, but wouldn't seek to put it on myself.
So good!
Lots sampled from this
3,5
Old sitcom opening music.
y’a trop de choses qui se passent ça m’angoisse
This was a weird one. Jazzy and Rocky. Felt like The Fast Show Jazz Club in places then went mad experimental guitar. It was fucking weird. Don't know if I liked it. It was emotive. Think I'm gonna rate it higher to keep it in memory. It needs another listen. Fucking long though.
gostei
Man, that was mostly boring. Kind of picked up in a few spots, but definitely would not choose to listen to this.
Yuck. Started funky then degenerated into "just for me" jazz. The dissonance is grating. The worst part is there are great moments, but are ruined by the WAY TOO MUCH of it all.
Another 16+ minute song. It was a fine listen but not a album I’ll go back to.
I really liked this album! It's very funky and has a lot of riffs and extended solos. It's one I'll absolutely buy if I see it!
Well ... it has some great songs on it, that's for sure. But it's the first half that really shines! When you get to #7, Freeform Guitar, it goes off the tracks for the rest of the album for me. That does NOT belong here. And then there are only two other songs worth listening to, South California Purples and I'm a man. So - if this were an album I buy, I listen to side one. Only.
Interesting mixture of jazz, lounge, prog rock, soul, pop, psychedelic rock and whatever.
This album didn’t start particularly well, but it improved significantly as it went on. The latter half was very easy to listen to, and by the time I got to songs like “Free Form Guitar,” “I’m a Man,” and “Liberation,” I was deeply affected.
Not what I was expecting, at all. I think I've confused the band with something else all together, the horns really threw me. I was expecting AOR style music, like light hearted stadion rock or something to that effect. Instead, this sounds like big band jazz in comparison to my expectations. Also, this album had one of my all time favourite songs on it, I'm a Man, I especially love Ty Segall's version of the track, but hearing the original is always great, especially when it's also a great "version".
Didn't care for the buzzsaw solo in the middle.
67
Synes faktisk dette er ganske gøy! Treffer litt samme spotten som Hot Rats, bare ikke liiiike kult. Kunne også vært litt mindre vokal, men det funker greit nok. Terry Kath er helt rå, og på Poem 58 kommer han nesten på nivå med Zappa. (På Free Form Guitar kommer han nesten på nivå med Reed. Synes faktisk det er litt kult -- spesielt fra et band som tydeligvis er et av de bestselgende bandene i historien.) Jeg kunne nok klart meg med en enkel-LP, men det er sjeldent kjedelig. Sterk 3er? Lunken 4er? Her runder jeg opp! Heier på Kath og messingseksjonen!
Chicago er et flinkisband. Syns det er litt tannløst og sjelløst, med mye fokus på instrumentrunking. Her i Norge skjønner jeg at Undertakers Circus er den nærmeste referansen til dem, men de hadde i alle fall tekster om norrøn mytologi og hadde et kortere album. Det var sikkert veldig kult live, men syns ikke studioversjonene når helt opp. Syns "Poem 58" har noe for seg, og starten på "Liberation" kan minne om noe fra Blues Brothers, men så sukker jeg tungt når det går ut i endeløs jamming som høres ut som sirener. Ja, også var gitaren en bil på "Free Form Guitar", brumbrum Chicagobil bæbu. Det er nesten så man kan høre bandet selv si "Det høres fett ut, det må vi ha med" Det meste høres ut som et helt straight band fra 60-tallet, men med blåsere.
Det er synd, for dette albumet er altfor langt og ufokusert. Det er så utrolig mye kult her. Men hver gang jeg bestemmer meg for treeren, kommer det noe nytt kult som gjør at jeg kan ikke gi den noe annet en fire
Guitar is great throughout
What a fun album. Honestly I liked the rock elements just as much as the jazz and the big band stuff.
The Freeform Guitar really threw me off this album.
Would you like some bread with your jam sir? You know, I might be completely out of whack here, but I don't think Chicago get the recognition they deserve. The amount of genres the manage to bridge throughout their career is almost on par with the amount of lineup changes. Whatever the musical landscape shifted to at the. time, Chicago were able to stay on top of it and craft compelling tunes, even if they lost the plot a few times. Look no further than their debut—some instant classics here like I'm a Man, Beginnings, and who could forget Free Form Guitar, a sprawling epic of frankly horrid sounds that completely removes the listener from the flow of this record? I love this band, and this is a hell of a debut, but it could be tightened up, no doubt.
Not what I expected, but equally good. A lot of fine tunes and great playing. Always heared that Terry Kath was great guitar player and finally had a chance to hear a proof for this. Excellent stuff!
Don't think I've ever gone this far back on Chicago's discography. In fact, I didn't even know that their original NAME was Chicago Transit Authority. Anyway, this was mostly an enjoyable album. I knew that Chicago was an impressive collection of talented musicians, but I was still a bit surprised at points here. Other points I was less than pleased though, including the (presumably) infamous Free Form Guitar track. That just felt a bit out of place to me.
Pretty solid
This one is better than i expected, with great songs. The instrumentals are the best part here, so good.
Not for me. This is exactly the type of music I dislike, but the brass made it a tiny bit better. Sounds like lots of 70s US TV soundtracks.
It's, fine, very groovy. Taking a break on listen. Quite the odyssey, sent me down a rabbit hole reading about Terry Kath, what a nutter.
Does anybody really know how good this is?
I liked this more than I expected to. Really not interested in the more popular jazzy hits. But when they lean into more rock groove, I actually liked it especially “I’m a man”
Fun! Things get a lil masturbatory at points but it’s the 70s and they just invented the guitar so
love me some Chicago. love all the horns but the second half of the album was kinda crazy with the 17min songs. 2.5
What the hell was Free Form Guitar? The rest of the album had great grooves. They're clearly world class musicians, and vocalists. I would say however an hour of Chicago in one sitting is too much Chicago for me.
My only gripe with this album is Free From Guitar. I don’t know what I listened to when that song came on. Can that even be replicated live or is it just improvised? Let’s take out that song. What a collection of music. Super funky, groovy, some slick solos and verses that just keep kicking me in the face.
Lots of recognizable songs. I feel this is the best version of Chicago, not the cheese ball late 70’s/early 80’s version.
Classic dad rock
I was unprepared for this to be a jazz-fusion jam band. I really enjoyed this record...mostly. Some of the songs were absurdly long
Overall: 8/10 This was a lot jazzier than I expected! Sometimes I get bands named after U.S. cities confused so I expected this to sound similar to Boston or Kansas. Not at all. There were times that the musicians seemed to just be showing off and I wasn't a huge fan of that, but at least it wasn't constant. Will definitely be checking this out again! Fav Song: I'm a Man
3.5 An equal parts impressive and frustrating album. For all the good moments and the 'wow I can't believe they were doing this in 1968' feeling I have towards the album, be fucking tighter album. Felt too much like a live album at time. Keep it tight on the LP, save the exuberance for the shows. For example Beginnings - great 6 minute song, ruined by a 2 minute Glock n fucking spiel solo at the end. Free from guitar is just a waste of everyone's time. As expected with most double LPs, trim the fat and it's a great album, rather than just good. Also, if I asked someone on the street what time it was and they responded with "does anybody really know what time it is, does anybody really care" I'd put my fist through their face.
Something about a near-7-minute-long track just ominously titled "Free Form Guitar" makes my blood curdle, but actually he spent the whole track making funny distorted airplane revving noises so it was all cool in the end The rest of the songs are pretty engaging and good though
Kind of interesting but not really my thing.
I was expecting dull US MOR tastefulness, but this was surprisingly out there in places, not a million miles away from someone like Zappa. That's possibly giving it too much credit - i'm in no rush to go back, but it wasn't as awful as feared. Even 3.
1: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is 2: Questions 67 and 68 3: I’m a Man
vissa riktigt trevliga. Sommar bakgrund album! (guittarsolo är unikt)
When I was a kid my dad had Chicago’s Greatest Hits on vinyl. I was quite taken by this record because the COVER looked like it was made of WOOD. It stood out even from the side in his little pile of records. Content-wise I didn’t really like it, but I remembered WANTING to like it. That said, There was one song I did like. Questions 67 and 68. The mercurial title. The blaring horns off the hop. The in media res nature of the singing when it kicked in. I was obsessed as only a 10-yr-old can be. That track made it on many a personal mixtape, let me tell you. Second story: when I was, ohhh, about 20 or 21 a very close friend came to visit me in the rental house I shared with 3 other people. Most importantly, my friend was bringing his new girlfriend, with whom he was head-over-heels. In preparation for the visit I shrouded the light in the spare room in red crepe paper, plastered the walls with words like “LOVE” and “PASSION” alongside numerous sketches of human butts, and I had “You’re The Inspiration” playing on a loop. When I showed them in she was rattled. They broke up within the year, but she became the standard in his mind against whom all future women were unfavourably compared. So, what about this album, you wonder? The sheer chutzpah to deliver a 76-minute double album as your debut demands applause. And it delivers a fun low-consequence listen. Hey! What’s that there? Questions 67 and 68!
Well that was quite the ride. I was getting ready to put on my chinos and snap my fingers to some soft rock, but somehow got blasted with funk and a track dedicated to noise. Bravo.
Solid album, I see why Hendrix liked it. I didn't really hear a hit though. 3.5
I have always found Chicago to be kind of boring
É um bom álbum. Tem alguns momentos firulentos que acho que são características da época que foi gravado. Kawanoaudio Horaiko.
First half of the album reminded me of a nice sunny day. The second half on the other hand was somehow draining and unpleasant. Unfortunately not an album for me.
Steely Dan-esque. Decent.
Not bad. Does needs a second visit. Steely dan-ish. Standouts - south California purples, I'm a man
Chicago rules✌️ Great debut. The songs are a bit long tho.
Bit self indulgent. Enjoying smell of own farts too much. Quality musicianship. But too long for that reason. enjoyable at times. Same ballpark as Steely Dan. But Not as good Wont get a revisit
Strong start to the album. Was really getting into it. Only downside was it was a bit too long. By the time the 14 minute guitar jam came on at the end I was over it
Not my cup of tea
Previous to this album, I had never listened to an album by this group. There were some songs which I had heard on the radio, and I thought it was interesting that the songs on the radio were a little different than on the album; example: "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is" has an introduction that I don't remember being played on the radio and I don't remember the guy talking during the bridge of the song either which I heard while listening to this album. The songs were okay, but I still don't understand why they have to be so long. I didn't think that repeating the end of the song over and over or the long jamming sections in the song added to the song, but whatever.
45. :(
This wasn't bad at all, I just didn't find it that exciting. But it was interesting enough.
I have a higher tolerance for fuzzed out psych garage guitar solos than most people, but this was tough even for me. A surprising debut from a band I associate more with super corny 70s radio rock, this album pairs fuzzy garage experiments with big brass riffs and soul/funk/jazz arrangements. Sometimes it works to create a kind of unique pop sound (heavy Abbey Road era Beatles with sax). The best bits are the countrified funk psych (I'm a man) but when they tighten up the sound gets really stressful and agitating but also bland (Someday). Sometimes they go full prog noodle experimental mode and while that was maybe interesting in 1969 (even then, not really) it really isn't in 2026. Favorite: South Carolina Purples, I'm a Man
Bit long winded but not bad
Evidently I thought I liked Chicago more than I do. This was a bit of a drag.
I’m gonna be honest, this album wasn’t for me. We watched spinal tap before and it was similar enough to that but I think I would have preferred to listen to spinal tap.
Jam bands just aren’t for me. I get that they’re all very talented but this is just way too much self indulgent noodling for my taste
Jazzy, rocking and experimental. This record is great. It spans so many moods and vibes and really flexes the potential for music creation. "Free Form Guitar" is one that caught me off guard, immediately reminding me of something Hendrix would do. I knew of Chicago and had heard many of their hits before listening to this album, but as a whole, they know how to put together a great piece of art.
Hell of a thing! It almost lost me during the grating guitar solo, but the rest was clearly excellent. The double album is also just an impressive amount of music to release all at once. Honestly I was only vaguely aware of Chicago's existence (terrible name, by the way), so this was a pleasant surprise.
Correcto
Album #33 Chicago: Chicago Transit Authority I was already a familiar with Chicago due to the fact that I used to peruse every classic rock playlist Spotify had to offer, and Chicago’s greatest hits such as “If You Leave Me Now” (which I am also aware due to it being in Los Santos Rock Radio), “25 or 6 to 4”, and “You’re The Inspiration”. I did quite enjoy some of their songs as I am partial to some 70s pop/soft rock; Breakfast in America being the pinnacle of the genre, of course, though I never felt compelled to listen to a full album. Naturally, upon receiving this album, I assumed that it would be par for the course of what I was used to from Chicago; however, I was quite mistaken. This album has some elements that would later turn into their more accessible sound and structure, with songs like “Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is” not sounding too far off from their later work; but the track has a two-minute jazz instrumental introduction; similarly, “Beginnings” closes with a repetitive, almost obnoxious jazz instrumental. Clearly, the band was attempting to be progressive, though they hadn’t quite figured out what that meant yet, since prog rock was in its infancy and jazz was seen as the de facto form of progressive music. But seeing how In The Court of The Crimson King came out in that same year, it’s hard to cut them too much slack for including a track like “Free Form Guitar” (which I interpret as the bands best effor at imitating the sounds of a car using a guitar??) and stretching the album to almost an hour and twenty minutes, when King Crimson showed just how grand yet succinct a progressive album could be. If this album were cut down, even to just around an hour I think I would be comfortable giving it at least a four star, I even do enjoy the 15 minute closing jam session “Liberation”, it’s just that this thing feels like it certainly has some bloat, and if I were to relisten to the album it would primarily be the first half, and the last few tracks. In saying that though, this is still a really solid and fun album, filled with great musicianship and interesting ideas. I can see how fans of this album would be disappointed with the band's more watered-down direction moving forward. Best Tracks: Questions 67 and 68, Beginnings, Introduction Worst Track: Free Form Guitar Score out of 10:7.5
I liked the kind of mix of rock and jazz. It was fun and I liked most of the songs
Really enjoyed this. Very instrumental. Some of the drumming was fantastic - production sounded really nice on them. Favorite track was "Does anybody really know what time it is"
I trust I’m not alone is imaging that Chicago was an epic soft rock in the style of Boston, Kansas, and Black Oak Arkansas. Maybe that’s what they are or become. The American geographical bands rarely make much impact outside America, so i don’t know. But I was pleasantly surprised by this odd mix of Blood, Swear, and Tears and King Crimson. Or the few moments of that across the record. In reality, The Rite of Spring style blasts at the end of Introduction should scupper the record long before we even get to Free Form Guitar, but, for the most part, the balance between syncopated groove and prog’s rhyming unisons - there must be a name for that - is well-maintained. If you like that sort of thing. It’s silly stuff, but well-realised silly stuff. Even the parping TV theme sections. 2.5 For the most part this sounds like a succession of themes for undoubtedly awful 1970s tv shows. Chicago can play, sure, but whatever life and inspiration is in the musicians and the songs is arranged and produced right out of them. M&S Collection Percussion Solo. M&S Luxury Guitar Solo. The horns sound pristine and plastic. In this context ‘Free Form Guitar’ can only sound like a puerile account of musical freedom; a sniggering waste of 7 minutes of the listener’s time, the point driven home by the actual sniggering at the outset of the track that follows. A day after listening to Are You Experienced this is all particularly galling. I hated every minute of this. Note: M&S actually have some very nice stuff, if I could afford to shop there I probably would. 1/5
It wasn't all terrible, but none of it was good
Interesting and enjoyable album Standout songs: Poem 58 South California Purples Liberation
good for skating but got a little lost in the middle
Excellent album, although the random ten-minute solos each could have been about nine minutes shorter
I like Chicago, they're really a great band. But they just hadn't really found their sound yet with CTA. It has some very interesting tracks, and it feels much more boundary-pushing than their later work, but it just isn't a great album. If it were shorter, cutting down some of the longer songs, I think this could be a solid album, but as it stands it's rather disappointing.
THIS is Chicago???? There were some really cool moments on this album. I’d listen again.
Fun to listen to what Chicago was when they started vs. what they have become. This record had some fun stuff to it, including the variety of styles throughout the album, but nothing that grabbed me instantly and significantly. There were some low notes as well - Free Form Guitar was just poor playing, in my opinion. Good, but not amazing.
Love it. The instrumentals and the feel from the songs is unmatched. The album is long but in a rock opera-y sorta way that really works. Favorite track: Liberation. Least favorite track: Free Form Guitar
This album was great, honestly had only really listened to questions 67 and 68 before and the rest of the bluesy rock album wowed me. I would give this a 4.5 though only because of the free form guitar song otherwise no notes.
Fantastisch, gefällt mir richtig gut!
Eine Neuentdeckung für mich. Starkes Jazz-Gejamme, super Vocals und echt experimentelles Zeug mittendrin.
Boomer trash
3.4 2x liked some of the later instrumental tracks a lot
This album left me feeling very conflicted. There are some tracks on it that I think are awesome, while others are just terrible. If I liked all the tracks I would give it five stars, but since I don't, I will settle for four stars.
Not for me personally
Really great album and a really nice surpise. I love the amount of guitar solos in this, but "Free From Guitar" keeps it from getting 5 stars
A more digestible version would've been preferable
Some noise
The standard for rock with a brass section. Great tunes on this first album. Maybe a little indulgent at times though.
An excellent album, one I've been familiar with since the 70s.
Really enjoyed this one. It's long but doesn't overstay its welcome.
1. Introduction 2. Beginnings 3. South California Purple This album made me so excited right from the opening few notes. I knew I was going to love it. I’m not sure what genre it would be but I think that’s part of the draw. It blends genres together, often mixing harsher rock and roll vocals or electric guitar with saxophone instrumentals. A lot of the songs are quite long but they are often more like shorter pieces strung together rather than one long song which I like. For example, Pyramids by Frank Ocean does this. A song with stages. I hated Free Form Guitar though, so it was not a perfect album. This is what I wanted to come across in this project. Hearing artists that I’d never listened to before and then being excited to listen to their other work. I definitely will be listening to their later albums.
This is like a high school stage band on steroids. It's so good! Liked Songs Added: Introduction Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Beginnings Poem 58 South California Purples
Super!
Day728 - when i was younger i hated the horns and peter cetera’s voice but now i’ve changed my mind about the horns
3.5
I don’t care what ANyONe says about Chicago I moaned, I love this band. But then, and it’s my fault for having only their greatest hits, some of this seemed like a bad wedding band and WTH is all this jazzy intro stuff that is not on the single edit of “does anyone really know what time it is?” It’s time to just start with the horns guys, start with the horns. Ultimately, let’s face, it I adored it. Big Band meets Classic Rock is right up my alley!
I can understand why some fans would think of this as the real Chicago, rather than the soft rock hits, and there are some good tunes here, even if they are stretched out to breaking point. However, I’d take the cheesy charm of If You Leave Me Now over the torturous Free Form Guitar or never-ending Liberation any day of the week.
GANZ TOLL!!!
I had to re listen to this album because I forgot to rate it first time. Oh well, this is a good album, although a little bit all over the place. I love the inclusion of brass instruments, but the experiments are weirdly put on some songs (car engine sound, why???), but I appreciate the inclusion of Brazilian rhythms (they did better than a lot of musicians I know). I appreciate that it's a diverse album, theres accessibility fot people who want to listen to some groovy tunes and those who want some experimental stuff. 3/5
I don’t have anything against it, but there wasn’t anytime I was glad I was listening either.
Jazz rock. Not a big fan. 2/5
worlds longest sustained note
I didn’t enjoy this
I can do without Free Form Guitar but the rest is brilliant esp for a debut
Bis zum Song Free Form Guitar ein cooles Jazz Album. Alleine für den Free Form Guitar Song gebe ich einen Stern Abzug, und für den darauffolgenden Free-Jazz Dreck nochmal einen ganzen Stern. Wer hört sich sowas an und denkt, ja geil so mag ich das?
etwas anstrengend das Album, die Länge hilft auch nicht. Vl ist es an einem anderen Tag besser, aber hat mich nicht abgeholt.
Hat erst ganz gut angefangen, war bei 4 Sternen, aber wurd dann immer unsäglicher. Dachte ich mir 3 Sterne sind okay, aber dann warens ja teilweise einfach nur gitarrenschwingen. Next
Sounds like RetroJukeBox and then a whole lot of noodling around
Chicago is one of those bands I’ve known by name since childhood. One of my friend’s mom used to say she didn’t like country music, or most rock bands that leaned in that direction, but she always claimed Chicago was one of the few bands with a “country twang” she could tolerate. Because of that, I never really paid attention to Chicago growing up, since it made me assume they probably just sucked. Now, over 30 years later, listening to this album, I honestly have no idea what she was talking about, because there is absolutely no country twang here at all. This is their debut album from 1969, so I can’t speak on where they went stylistically after this, but this is a great early example of progressive jazz rock, especially before many bands were doing it on the scale Chicago was. There’s also a strong blues and funk element running through this album, which adds to how adventurous it feels. What I really appreciated is the improvisational, extended jam energy, but without the band losing focus. Even when the songs stretch out, they still feel like they have a destination in mind and stay structurally grounded.
Uh let me be clear, the streets are saying this is maybe the whitest album ever and I am struggling to find a convincing argument against that. However, I am white, so this album is great. Very much of the same styling as Blood Sweat and Tears. The latter half of this has a bluesier edge that I think pushes it above future Chicago material that got softer. The end of South California Purples features a very similar riff to Behind The Wall Of Sleep by Black Sabbath. The main thing holding this album back is it is a little long, but making your debut a double LP is ballsy. Favorite songs were Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Questions 67 And 68, South California Purples, and Liberation
I am a Chicago enjoyer. The horn work is just excellent on everything that they do, and it pairs so well with their electric guitar and bass work. As much as long songs can be a challenge to get through, I do actually very much enjoy their "jam session" songs like "Liberation". I do think the greatest strength of Chicago is their massive library of excellent music, and not just one album, though. This one might be their best? but I wouldn't say they are a great album band, but rather a Greatest Hits kind of band. The one thing that I don't really love on this album is the really experimental psychedelic guitar song. I don't think it really fits their style well. This is, ultimately, a very good album, though.
if you're gonna name an album after the CTA, you've got big shoes to fill, that's all I'm saying
Started good with some great songs but way overstayed its welcome and had some mediocre but long instrumentals in there. Was gonna give a 4 but the second half is some rough boomer jam band solo garbage.
Strong 3,5
Favorite songs: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Beginnings
Great compositions, hits, and the best tracks are the deep cuts. Five stars for an occasional listen.
I liked a lot of this, but it was overly long for my taste, so I definitely got distracted a few times. It's something I'd like to listen to again though. 3/5
Big moves making your debut album a double album. I really like the intro song, and then the rest of the album goes up and down, but never way down, and sometimes way up. I like this album. 3.5/5
Great album. Liked the sound and instrumentations. Only 4 stars because of the random addition of the Free Form Guitar track, it seem like an odd addition
Pretty psychedelic, of the good kind. I enjoyed the long jammy tunes. Not something I’d come back to again in a hurry but it was good for a Friday afternoon.
Favourite song was track #11 and if i hadn't sworn I'd listen to every track on every album of this challenge, I would not have made it anywhere near track #11. Bloated and self important.
What a pleasant and quite shocking surprise! Usually I thought "Chicago" were one of those "dad rock" bands, but not on this album, though. Let me just say, after listening to this album, it makes total sense why Jimi Hendrix and Terry Kath had mutual respect for each other. This is an, honest to god, jazz-rock album. Personally, I love a lush horn section, and this one here is magnificent. Combine that with solid songwriting and hardcore guitar experiments, and you've got something special. The album in general is excellently produced as well, with clean and precise sound, that also knows when to get massive. I really enjoyed this album, and I didn't expect that! Terry Kath and CBS 30th Street Studio and both gone, but their legacy is beautifully preserved here.
I fucking love Chicago. I don’t listen to them all the time but they’re just a jam and they make me happy.
My grandmother, whose first language was English, pronounced Chicago as Chircargo. And Tylenol was Thylenol. My father had one or more Chicago albums of the 70s, of which there are 10, plus 2 lives albums and a best of. I couldn't fathom a guess which one(s) he had because the covers mostly all look the same. This was fine but I can't see me returning to it. It's of a time and place I just can't access. 2.5 stars rounded up
I don't know how something can sound so polished yet empty at the same time. It's like listening to an AI generated image Except the guitar solo track. That sounds like someone someone ran a guitar through a trash compactor.
Not a Chicago fan.
The Chicago best hits album is one of my favorites, I was expecting to dig this…other than the songs I already knew I did not like any of this sadly.
There are certain bands that everyone knows from their big hits. They should stay that way.
One of my favorites from childhood! Used to put this record on often.
Was an interesting record to listen to .
often subverting my expectations, sometimes in exciting ways and sometimes, like in free form guitar, by attempting to literally assault me with sound. and look i get some experimenting but jesus christ what the fuck never really got over that. some of the music is fine but i will never purposefully return to any of this. awful. i've written this review as i wait for the interminable final song to end (holy fuck how are there still four minutes) and now i absolutely fucking hate this