Reviews (page 4 of 9)
Between a 3 and a 4 here. Most of the music in this album is amazing while the lyrics are questionable at times. Some tracks are also a bit lackluster and I thing they could be cut out, but overall a vibe.
Singer-songwriter folk indie pop. A weird collection genres, it touches on a lot of sounds. Mostly acoustic guitar with the normal bass and drums accompaniment. I was a pretty big fan of the singing, not so much the lyrics. They felt very honest but in the same way quite childish and weak. There was a lot that I liked on the album, I don't think any song really stood out as being the worst. But also none of them really stood out as being greater than the rest. Just an overall solid enjoyable album. Might revisit, maybe I was missing something. 3.5/5
nice album, reminds me a bit of what i enjoy from jeff rosenstock. pretty unique, 7/10
Caramel
At first I didn't really know what to do with this album. It showcases a wide range of emotions, musicality and styles and I didn't feel it was an album as a whole. But slowly with listening a second and third time (only the album, not the lesser 4 bonus tracks) it is really growing on me. The Midlake flute and subtle orchestrations in Marz, the anger in JC Hates Faggots - writing away the hypocrisy of religion and homosexuality in his youth -, the humour in Chicken Bones, it all fits. I'm also glad that the album balances the heavier songs with the fluffier. An album that will go a few more times into rotation after this last 24 hours. I'm intrigued.
Some pretty good stuff here but some weird lyrics as well. Thought about going 5 stars but ultimately couldn't do it.
This was a very good record. Highlights were the title track, "sigourney weaver " and "outer space" .
Actually quite nice, didn't know it before!
What a remarkable album. This one is not perfect, but it has an eclectic charm to it. A lot of the lyrics and vocal melodies are downright clumsy and trite, but then it'll swing wildly and connect. What is consistent throughout is the backing provided by Midlake. I centainly hope one of their albums made it onto the list (they didn't). This is just different enough, crazy enough, bold enough for me to take an interest.
Some really beautiful lush moments
Muzikaal en fijn om naar te luisteren, maar mis een nummer dat je grijpt.
I was fully expecting this to be a bad album, but it's actually really good folk (even if it is occasionally weird/odd). His voice is perfect for the genre and vibes. I don't really appreciate the use of slurs in any music. But outside that, this is a great album.
Hat was, aber auch nicht übermäßig dieser Soft Rock.
Man's dropped the hard r in a song and I was not expecting it lol what a ride
Witty and blunt!
It was nice
I liked this one! Funny, smart songwriting; cohesive vibe across the album without letting every song sound the same.
When I first saw the album cover I was not expecting good things, but it grew on me!
Wasn't sure what to expect, but I quite liked it!
4.25
Alussa kuuluuu happoradion hittibiisiä, ja sitten kolmannessa biisissä tv sarja raidin tunnaria, että viulun säröä, Y&V lunesta. Neljännessä biisissä kuuluu oh lord i cant changeee, This boy's too young to be singing The blues, ah, ah ja mahti keikka taivaassa biisiä.. kaikki uskomattomia teoksia tähän asti.. Caramel on Tout'luniversin mourningia... en suurin fani euroviisu pelleillylle... Viimeissä biisissä ollaankiin echoesin suurissa vesissä increible.. Lyriikoissa keikutaan suuntaan ja toiseen... tämä harmistuttaa monia.. heh hyvä jso kuuntelit harmistuspäillä.. hyvä...
A more polished version of something like Magnetic Fields' 69 Love Songs. An interesting combination of unmediated shower thoughts, rhyming doggerel and slippery images.
"Chicken Bones" is perfect. Songs: The music is beautiful and the lyrics are odd. Personal and aloof at the same time. There is something engaging about the vocal melodies on this album that remind me of songs from the classic rock era. Production: The flange/chorus effect on the vocals make everything sound like John Lennon's vocal on Across the Universe. The backing tracks sound authentic and are absent of whatever ugliness was happening with recording in 2010. Performances: Solid.
I really like this album, I love the overall sound, the humour the instrumentation, lots of great tracks. It's quite refreshing as a lot of this list is similar sounding rock bands.
What a great album by someone I had never heard of. The instrumentation was pure, like, 1976 bliss, with refreshing lyrics. I'm a fan, whoever this person is.
Good album, a little strange at times. I'm gonna need a few more listens to fully appreciate this album. I enjoyed it a lot though.
Great album, really enjoyed Sigourney Weaver and Queen of Denmark, 8/10
3.5
The music on the album is really good if you don't try to understand the lyrics. Some of these are very direct.
Very cool
One of those albums that effortlessly walks the line between beautiful and familiar, comical but heartfelt. Biased here as I already enjoyed Midlake's reserved but emotional jams from knowing them as a local band, but coupled with Grant's effortless storytelling and a symphonic punch, their songwriting takes on a new dimension and sounds larger than ever before. As for Grant, he's one of the rare songwriters who doesn't sound like he's fishing for snaps at the local poetry night. It's crystal clear what the lived experiences channeled here are, but never do they feel forced or insincere. Amazing how this man manages to plumb the depths of depravity and pure human kindness in the same verse, all with the cadence of your buddy you grab a beer with once a week at the local bar. Big props as well for giving this forever-topical treatise on the queer experience some needed outlets as well with the dryest humor known to man - 'Sigourney Weaver' had me dying, and I wish I could say more singer-songwriter albums from this project have elicited the same reaction.
John Grant is an excellent songwriter, creating heartfelt, engaging tunes like what you'll hear on this near-perfect album. Even when he's corny, like on "Sigourney Weaver", it's clear he's being so on purpose. It's charming! By the way, what is it with gay people and wanting to go to Mars?
A third of my way though my journey I was like eh...its a 3. I'm not sure why, but it really started to grow on me and I'm still thinking about it now. So it's a 4 because I think it deserves another listen. Lyrically it's fucking weird, there's a song which I think is about ice cream favors, and a song about Jesus hating minorities...
Un album très mélodieux et satisfaisant dans l'ensemble, on regretta simplement que John se transforme en Helmut Fritz vers la fin et se mette à lister toutes les choses qui l'énervent. Incompréhensible.
Délicieux album de la part de notre desormais ami John Grant.
This is exactly the sort of thing I came here for. This was kind of amazing. Not quite five star musicianship but certainly a five-star experience.
Extremely clever. Nothing about the music wows me, but the lyrics are magnificent.
Man this guy was going through a breakup when he wrote this 4/5
not sure the genre but it reminded me of a mix of David Bowie and The Beatles at times. Really enjoyable
Pretty good. 3.5
Definitely didn’t expect what I got from the album cover, but really enjoyed the down to earth similes and pop references alongside unmasked insecurity and vulnerability.
This one is good! No song sounds like the other; the lyrics are oftentimes hilariously funny. This is a great find. 4/5
Based on Spotify stats, this is quite the hidden gem. It has the full feel of a singular artistic mind perfecting his craft. Witty, albeit sometimes non-sensical lyrics, a sometimes haunting sometimes upbeat fun music track come together to put in a nice package. I recommend reading up on John Grant's background to get a better understanding of the music he is going for. Not sure if I will ever come back to this, but it gets two thumbs up from me.
Great instrumental interplay in this album (see: acoustic guitar+piano+strings in Marz). The smooth, light harmonising in many of the choruses also makes for some great easy-listening. The harmonies and melodies are generally strong and enjoyable. That being said, nothing in this album blew me away or demonstrated some idea I'd never seen before (apart from possibly the quirky lyrics). The track "JC Hates Faggots" is pretty on-the-nose with its lyrics - just a fair warning. Sixteen incredibly solid tracks well worth a re-listen, but nothing outstanding. Key tracks: TC & Honeybear, Marz, It's Easier, Outer Space Huh tracks: That's The Good News, Supernatural Defibrillator, What Time?
Really good. Love me some John Grant. His lyrics are unique and his voice has a really rich quality to it.
Well crafted and unique, but not my vibe.
i liked this album! Like keane but in the 80s.
I was put off by the album art at first. That one review was right about this sounding like Bo Burnham, it’s like his style but way more serious. The songs here are great as well, the melodic piano bits are awesome. Love the sound here! Pretty good.
I quite like this album. Will probably give it another listen…
Pretty good. I was skeptical but I think it deserves another listen.
Very surprised by this album. Goes to show you can't judge an album by its cover. Very lou Reed meets David bowie.
Whoa, this was so good. Never heard of John Grant before, but I love his vocals and his honest writing. Going into the regular rotation.
Lyrics and delivery - 10/10! Chilled and ethereal - but with a sense of humour.
I'll admit, I was maybe too eager to judge a book by it's cover here. I didn't know what to expect at first glance, but what I got was an intimate, funny, lyrical, and somewhat theatrical album that has zero issues holding my attention. Some of the songs get a little goofier than I expected, but it would still quickly find it's way into my collection (if I had one). Highlight: Where Dreams Go To Die Lowlight: Marz Surprise Hit: Silver Platter Club
I was previously familiar with John Gran and a fan of Midlake, but I didn't realize they collaborated on. I still don't particularly care for the way Grant often layers his vocals, but these are strong songs with clever lyrics.
This was good. I knew I liked a few songs on it already, and everything else was solid. There's some cool themes present in the album that are interesting to see. I might look into some of his other stuff. My favourite songs were Jesus Hates Faggots and Caramel.
Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would and it ended up being a 4-star album for me. I have to say that, unlike other reviewers, I thought the last third was a dip in quality and became a bit more generic.
I thought it was boring at first, but then it grew on me as I went along. Particularly chicken bones and queen of Denmark.
great voice and subject matter took me by surprise and very funny. will need a few relistens
New record for me and this was really good. I love the music, the vocals and especially the lyrics. Great spectrum of emotions laid out in his music.
Took me a minute to click with this. Around "Sigourney Weaver", I got into it and started getting his humor. Really ended up enjoying it.
Surprising album. It’s very funny, not in a joke album way but I still laughed a few times. I also like his voice. A few of the songs in the middle got a little same-same but overall I really enjoyed it.
tout a été dit
Never heard of this guy before - or the Czars either. The Album cover doesn't do the album any good. The cover sucks, the music inside is amazing. Smart, thought provoking lyrics. Truly wonderful. Such a smooth voice, I can listen to him forever. His style gives me Alan Parson's Project vibes - and I love the APP. Standouts: Jesus Hates Faggots, Marz, It's Easier, Queen of Denmark Others: TC and the Honeybear, Where Dreams Go to Die, Sigourney Weaver, Chicken Bones, Silver Platter Club, Outer Space, Caramel, 4/5
The chorus in Where Dreams Go To Die gave me goosebumps. Ez 5 star song. First half is better but I’ll check this out again soon. Ez 4.5.
Good message in a few of the songs
Very solid, entertaining lyrics
Depressive breakup, everything sucks, no filter, fuck off vibe. "When you talk to me I vomit inside" ahahaahaha so petty... Some tunes I really enjoyed, "Chicken Bones", "Silver Platter Club", "Queen of Denmark". Liked the use of trumpets.
Quite liked this and surprised it has passed me by in the early 2010s. Mixed pop, folk and Country sounds. Lyrics I thought were interesting and quite humorous at times. Will probably listen again
actually pretty good
TC & Honeybear // Marz // Where The Dreams Go To Die // Chicken Bones // Silver Platter Club // JCHF // Caramel // Queen of Denmark // 4-4.5/5
Very enjoyable listen, could imagine this reworked into a future pop musical
It gets more out there as it goes on, and I like it more the further out there it gets. A very witty, well put together album with gorgeous layers and lots to find within it. I'd never bothered with John Grant before, but I'll definitely do more now I've heard this. Feels like a grower.
Oh I liked this a lot. Great baroque pop music and arrangements. Excellent sometimes hilarious lyrics. Voice sounds similar to Josh Ritter. A very nice find 4 stars
Prefer to listen to the Czars - even thought they never fully delivered on their albums, they had some absolute stand-out songs and John Grant is probably the best singer of the 90s. Grant's solo albums sound different, and I liked his vocals more on the Czars records, but Queen of Denmark contains enough high-quality material for a 4-star rating.
Overall, I liked this album quite a bit. Grant has a very nice voice, combining well with the dreamy music and production. Most of the songs are strong and fit well together, but some of the later tracks change the overall tone of the album and perhaps could have been left out. Also, the lyrics feel rather clunky to me, though that might be a deliberate style of the artist.
Moving and very well delivered songs. Just not 5 stars because there are a couple of mishits.
Actually really interesting. John Grant's voice is all over the place on this record and it ends up sounding very different depending on the track, but all very honest in a way.
Much better than I was expecting. I think I'd probably have to listen to it a couple more times if I wanted to make a proper judgement, but in the meantime 4.
Nice tracks,good voice would listen more sometime
finely produced, maybe a little airless, so so sad
Quite nice.
Very good
Wow, what a ride. Just gonna give it 4 Stars so i will listen to it again
I actually went into this not interested at all, had my folk-rock fill with the Travis album I got yesterday, but I actually really enjoyed this. The music is very pretty, and the lyrics are never too seriously. It actually reminds me of Ben Folds (which makes me wonder where he is on this list) but gay. Really good, goes on a bit long, but most of these songs are very nice and a good mix of earnest and silly. Those last four songs are spectacular.
Another interesting album I had never heard before. It is a great blend of folk and rock.
Pretty good, one of the most recent albums I've had. Like sufjan Stevens but slightly less depressed, but only slightly. Kind of like walking through a weird amusing tourist trap and I have no idea why 16/06/23
Beautifully written songs well sung.
Low 4
Oh wat een ontdekking. Misschien wat te lang maar zeker wat nummers die ik nog ga luisteren.
Die titel pakt men aandacht direct. Heel mooi album. Beluister ik graag nog eens
Really enjoyable album. Like Mika wrote lyrics for Bowie
An unknown to me, but great
Yeah enjoyed, not as good as the one with owl eyes. His music sounds like a melancholic elton John
Great album, grew on me more and more
I hadn't listened to John Grant nor this album until a month or so ago. I've enjoyed listening a few times, it's good, but I don't seem to have the same affection that many of my friends have for it.
pretty damn close to a 5 star album. didn’t love the second half as much as the first which is why it’s a 4. through this website and this guy and elliott smith i’ve learned to appreciate the slower, male solo work more
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - you can throw the world's worst indie album at me and I'd still probably give it at least a 3/5. I'm enamored by gay indie records and I don't know why. John Grant has put a spell on me with his fabulous gayness and now my hand is forced to give this a 4/5 else I suffer the horrible fate of being deported to Denmark in a steel box. My favorite song was the one I can't say the name of. Also the piano melody from "Marz" is very familiar. I thought it was "Bloody Tears" from Castlevania, but nah. I'm 99% sure I've heard something that's note-for-note identical.
I love John Grant. This has a few songs on that I first heard in the movie Weekend and was stunned when I did. His voice is so rich and sad. So many layers of feeling. Just glad to listen again.
An incredible mix of anger, humor, love, and rage. Not an every day listen for me, but great to hear.
a new fan - will definitely continue to listen.
This was such a beautiful and pleasant surprise and I couldn't have said it any better... some days just chicken bones. Ready to go down a John Grant rabbit hole after this!
TC and Honeybear and Queen of Denmark both sounded great on listen #1 which is very rare
I found this simultaneously touching and weird a bunch of times. Chicken Bones, Silver Platter Club, God Hates Fs, really unique and keepers. Might need a real special mood for Carmel. Diverse moods, instruments, and topics. Really interesting throughout.
Good listening. Almost folk-like and funny. Catchy without any one major standout. 4/5
Grant's bracingly familiar, largely but not exclusively a Ziggy Stardust figure turned inside out. The musical tour is through plenty of available decades of recorded music, but the album's also unified and personal. Unified around the person, totally capturing, with strange references.
Very eclectic, took one or two songs to get into but as the album went on I enjoyed it more.
I'd never heard of this guy. The first 3/4 of this album I thought was quite amazing. Loved the drums and melodies. Last few songs were more, meh.
Tuesday 14th March. Bit cloudy in Florence today. I go to duomo today, climbing and gardens.
Really good. I loved the instrumentals.
Great album that sounds like it was made in the 70s. Very nice songs.
I went from thinking this was fine, to bad, to quite good. It grew on me once I settled into the vibe. Love the brutally honest lyrics and clean sound.
I've never listened to this one before. I remember the cover for Boy from Michigan being quite striking when it came out, but I don't recall whether I listened to it or only previewed a few tracks and decided not to. Either way, going into this fairly blind and unfamiliar other than that blip. The first half of the first song gives me big FJM vibes. Not just the Honeybear aspect. It felt almost like three songs by the end. The beginning of the second song is still giving me FJM vibes... "Chicken Bones" is awesome! Goddamn, "Jesus Hates Faggots" is a visceral tune. It's deeply evident that this is an album that will reward multiple listens. I'm quite taken with it and looking forward to going into those further listens to see where this shakes out in the long run. This one comes in for me at a very strong 4, likely to creep up to a 4.5 or higher with future listens.
Superb album. Full of singalongable tunes. I will probably put this into some kind of regular rotation
Ended up listening through this twice. Felt pretty neutral at first but kept getting into it more and more. Great album. His sense of humor is dry and jives well with mine. The songwriting and the instrumentals reminded me of James Taylor, though not the lyrics, especially on It's Easier.
Great music, wistful songwriting. What a gem.
Never heard of this artist or album, first song is epic! Has a Pink Floyd feel but with less of the experimentation, more of the straightforward parts of PF. Second track very Father John Misty type vibe, I like the ending. Song three, slow jam, I should listen to the lyrics more, I'm sure they're saying something. Song four, seriously this is Pink John Misty, with a touch of Lynard Skynyrd? Song five, back to FJM, boom cussing! Kind of reminds me of Gordon Lightfoot vocally a little. Song six, some swinging ragtime business! Song seven, the FJM stuff is distracting. Song eight, it's like a song Bowie would write and throw out, then hear the arrangement and be like, nope, still don't like it! Song nine, title is WILD, odd synth but I kind of like it, feels like a personal song, a bummer subject and yet it's really upbeat, man goes hard on this, unexpected n-word! Song ten, piano is back, FJM is back, maybe more Anthony and The Johnsons, getting into that range, this sounds both new and familiar! Song eleven, sparse piano jam into a nice build, cool little song. Song twelve, same as the others! Overall I can't get past all the things that it sounds like, too distracting, that being said, never heard this album or artist but feels like I have heard every song on this before, except track nine, that's a wild one!
i like the writing on this album a ton. the instrumentation does get boring at some points but it still is fresh enough to where it's interesting. i hope this website keeps giving me more albums from lgbtq+ singer-songwriters i haven't heard of before because man, they are interesting.
Ancestral father John misty
so this is the first album ive had to review that's been a complete new experience. hadn't heard of this guy, or this album, or any of these tracks. nothing, nowt. blank slate. was quite exciting! my immediate observation? WOW this dude has an absolutely beautiful voice. i really love this kind of music. really instrumental and emotive music. so evocative. this is exactly my vibe. i've listened to it once so far but i know for a fact i will be returning to this album, and also checking out this dude's other shit too. both his solo and also the czars. my holiday plans got half ruined this year. we were supposed to visit my parents for the second half of the holiday. but they got covid - pretty badly too - and we had to bin that off. so that was the backdrop for this listen - sitting on a train that should have been taking me to my family but instead was taking me home. looking out the window and seeing shit fly by. ngl it was cathartic to listen to something so melancholy. made me feel a bit better. 4/5, would absolutely come back to listen again fave track: marz. already gone back and listened to it a bunch of times by itself. favourite lyrics: "i feel just like winona ryder in that movie about vampires. she just couldn't get that accent right and neither could the other guy" lmao, rip keanu reeves
When I saw the cover of this album I thought it’d be fucking terrible. In reality, this is the kind of white boi meta soul Father John Misty thinks he’s making: genuinely vulnerable, self-aware and funny.
Big John Grant fan Like the sharper edges of Pale Green Ghosts … but great tunes on this You’ll be singing chicken bones out loud in the supermarket …
Brilliant. Great lyrics, funny, wry.
Very melancholic
I had no idea what to expect going into this. I've never heard of John Grant. I was pleasantly surprised.
Хороший альбом. в очередной раз не то, что я ожидал когда увидел что он мне выпал, правда долгий, но ему это не мешает. Много смешной и забавной бытовухи в lyrics, невзаимной гей-любви и ностальгии по детству. Так же во время прослушивания альбома я заметил что он есть на альбоме Би-2, на том же, где есть их трек с Оксимироном. Но в целом довольно личный и приятный к прослушиванию альбом, как бы я не мог сопоставить себя с исполнителем, но слушать его истории под красивый инструментал, а в некоторых песнях даже очень (Caramel) было круто. Любимые песни: Marz, Silver Platter Club, Outer Space, Queen of Denmark
I keep coming back to this. Hauntingly beautiful. Where dreams go to die.
Decent singer songwriter stuff backed by the underrated Midlake
tc & honeybear - 3 marz - 3 where dreams go to die - 6 sigourney weaver - 7 chicken bones - 8 silver platter club - 7 it’s easier - 6 outer space - 5 jc hates f - 8 caramel - 5 leopard and lamb - 6 queen of denmark - 8 that’s the good news - 6 supernatural defibrillator - 7 fireflies - 6 what time? - 5
Great song writing / storytelling with wit and intelligence.
A welcome surprise
Mooie rustige liedjes
One of my favorite albums of all time
I like the Czars (Grant's prior band) quite a lot and think John Grant is very good vocalist. Midlake is his backing band (I like them as well) and they provide the requisite soundscape for Grant's baritone, although lacking the Czars' very real tension. The lyrics display a both a wry sense of humor (Sigourney Weaver is a hoot) and biting insight (Jesus Hates Faggots). Well done.
One of the most tasteful, sophisticated and intelligent pieces of music of the last 20 years. Maybe not perfect, but still an overwhelming record from start to finish.
Pretty great album. Catchy tunes, fun and powerful lyrics. Not my first choice in genre, but I enjoyed it.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I've never heard of this artist prior to this but I am glad this record was so fun. The lyrics are fun though at points they can be corny. I really enjoyed just how different the record was. I expected a very safe pop record but instead it was so much more. There is a fair bit of experimentation going on and it feels like something that might have inspired newer pop sensations such as Harry Styles. The instrumentals are beautiful and as said prior the lyrics were fun, a lot of lyrics made me go back to read them again. It does feel like the record has two halves with the second half being a lot more melancholy. Favorite Track: Queen of Denmark; Sigourney Weaver Least Favorite Track: Silver Platter Club
me re gustó kjj 8 / 10
Never Heard of him before. Not bad. Gets steadily whackier as it hoes on. Cover art: 2/5
4/5 ballads valid
Cool cover art, I don’t really want to write a review today so I’ll just score it after my listen. Actually I will do a little bit but not track by track, this thing is brilliant very unique all of the instrumentation is clear and crisp the lyrics can boarder on the abstract but makes it so each song has a memorable one liner or two. It’s a 4 ( a high one though) as there is a bit too much autotune for me (and the song with the n word, while it sounds like it’s going against racism I still found it a bit on the edge personally which is a shame because I really like the instrumentation on that one).
expected an electronic album, got a really good singer-songwriter album instead. 4/5
Enjoyed this album. Started off good and ended strange but enjoyed it none the less
Enjoyable album from someone I had never heard of before! Very pleasantly surprised and may listen to it again!!
Catchy, quirky, sounds like Father John Misty with a sense of humour.
I love this album - and it's not even his best.
Gives Father John Misty vibes
Diferente y especial
Amazing, was just relistening to this a couple of days ago. It's a great intimate album, which I cannot relisten to right now because of separation issues - it's too strong on the feels. His storytelling, word-choice and mundane discourse always fascinated me, one of the greats lyricists. 7/10
A collection in the style of 1970s songwriters. Impeccable, great lyrics, but a bit derivative and repetetive (7/10). FT: Marz, Queen of Denmark, Outer Space, Sigourney Weaver
Interesting album, the lyrics seem to be all over the place, sometimes on the nose and sometimes way out there metaphorically. I liked the production and music. Could hear a lot of synth influence from the 70's and 80's Overall enjoyed
Never heard of him before. This started out sounding fairly bland (if pleasant) indie folk. Then it got a lot more interesting. I really liked his voice and there was plenty of different styles on show (some more successful than others). Overall a good listen. Highlights: Chicken Bones, Silver Platter Club and Sigourney Weaver.
4/5. A fairly interesting album. Very good instrumentals and melodies. Most songs had interesting lyrics, but some were just strange.
Sold. Quirky modern folk
Good album. Melodic and pleasing lyrics are great
bom album, musica empolgante no começo, caotica no meio e calma ao final, 4/5
Wow this was depressing, but it was beautiful. I can honestly say I liked every song on the album. I especially liked Sigourney Weaver, Silver Platter Club, Caramel, and Leopard and Lamb
Liked songs: Where the Dreams Go to Die, Sigourney Weaver, Silver Platter Club, Caramel Depressing as fuck 4/5
Ended up really liking the album! Great voice, I guess I was in the mood for slow, melancholic music today.
I like this. It has some unique and quirky lyrics to some absolutely beautiful melodies. It does go on too long, but I enjoyed it!
I had never heard of this album, this artist or anything to do with him. So a real delight to find something I really enjoyed, even to the extent of recommending it to my 18 year old daughter. Beautiful production, lyrics which are clever without being annoying, and some real hooks. A find.
I really liked this.
Not heard John Grant before. Enjoyed this. He's definitely borrowed a bit from Pink Floyd, sorry I mean "been inspired by".
- very calming opening songs - feels like this came from an earlier decade - songs feel a bit "samey" - "Jesus hates Faggots" was 🔥
Great new listen
Superior singer songwriting full of charm and wit. A really compelling listen.
5/29/2022 - ALBUM #122 Today's Album: "Queen of Denmark" by John Grant - This album is really striking and impressive. Coming from 2010, there's a very stark difference from this project and most of the ones I have reviewed before. However, that isn't just because of the difference in time period/sound quality. This album really feels like something that I haven't heard before. The vocals are incredibly smooth and there is way more emphasis on these synth-lead instrumental soundscapes. The lyricism is incredibly unique because it's rife with social commentary and it is all hidden under obscure language, but it also is incredibly catchy with great hooks and choruses. It feels a lot like Bo Burnham's Inside or Father John Misty's Pure Comedy, where there is a heavy emphasis on great songwriting, song structure, and production, but there is also a unique flare to this record that isn't present in those. The writing is like hella goofy and does not take itself seriously at all and I love it. There's shit like him talking about his hairline receding and being unable to find clean underwear and then talking about pissing in coffee and women in athletic wear. It's probably the weirdest lyrics I have ever heard before and sometimes it takes away from the project, but most of the time it comes across as really charming and different. The instrumentals are really great with frequent synth solos and really solid bass playing throughout. The chord progressions being used are really pleasant to the ear and vocal effects coupled with the way it's mixed make it really fun to sing along with all of the weird lyricism. The amount of autotune on the vocals might be a bit much to others, but I actually really like the way it sounds. Overall, this is a crazy unique album that really deserves a listen by just about anybody. It's inventive, fun, easy to listen to, honest, and a project that makes me extremely interested in where this artist went from here. Highlights: TC and Honeybear, Marz, Sigourney Weaver, Chicken Bones, Silver Platter Club, It's Easier, Outer Space, Jesus Hates Faggots, Caramel, Leopard and Lamb, Queen of Denmark. Score: 8/10 Incredibly unique and very gay
8/10 Best Song - Marz
first listen great songwriter vibes
I really quite enjoyed this. Heard some interesting influences (divine comedy and others). Would listen again.
This was a very different experience. I never heard about "John Grant" or about this album. However, during my listening session, almost all the songs were so recognizable that was a scary situation, although almost all songs are very nice. I was reading the (short) Wikipedia page looking for some information about the use of these songs in movies or things like that and my search was unfruitful. My only conclusion is: This album is excellent in mimicking exactly my preferred indie-ish songs from the 2000s and I liked it more than I tough at first.
I missed this one back in the day, but I am definitely enjoying it.
Verrassend album met af en toe een kwinkslag in de tekst en wat afwisseling van type nummers
If there were such a thing as a thoroughly enjoyable bad trip, this is what it might sound like. Very dramatic.
I love John Grant, and this is my favourite if his albums. Bold, nutty lyrics, excellent song craft and production, and that gorgeous voice. The title track on this album is one of the best tunes written in the current century.
I liked this one.
Lovely slice of Americana that i wasn't expecting to like.
8/10 quite enjoyable , really fun lyrics and very emotive performance
8/10. The music was pleasant if slightly dull sounding, but I enjoyed the humor.
Really clever and fun! 8/10
This album was awesome. Weird but impactful. Made me laugh and think. Really enjoyed.
Can't put my finger on it, but really enjoyed this!
Really like his voice, the richness of the music. Can't shake the similarity to Father John Misty, that first Honeybear song put it in my head. Irony lurks around every corner.
noticeable and unusual lyrics + a dreamy Bowie aesthetic make for a catchy, ironic, and fairly personal album
4.0 - How is this guy still so under the radar? He's great - he's got the experimental sonics of Harry Nilsson, sardonic affect of Father John Misty and the heartfelt piano balladry of Elton John. Wonderful dry humor throughout. Standouts: "Sigourney Weaver", "JC Hates Faggots", "Silver Platter Club."
quirky lol
Listened to this twice while working & thought it was fine, pleasing melodies. Then I listened again w/ the lyrics & fell in love. I like John's style & will check out more of his work! My highlights! Marz Where Dreams go to Die - I regret the day your lovely carcass caught my eye! Queen of Denmark And of course some days it's just Chicken Bones! You'd better fuck off now!
Erikoinen, hämmentävä, kiehtova. Alkupää nelosta ja sit muuttui, mut jäi kyllä positiivisesti mieleen
Took a creamy, measured musical moment and filled it with anachronistic, difficult language in "JC Hates Faggots".
Enjoyable listening
I'm a sucker for songwriters that can make non-lyrical lines singable, and that's this entire album. Some of these songs are absolutely hilarious and absurd - in a good way. There's also a song with a slur in the title that I won't type because I'm on a government computer, and it's a very honest, biting satire. Not something you want to listen to without headphones in, but also not what you think it is. Super fun. I've listened three times and I'll go back for at least another. Best track: Outer Space
From start to finish, a wonderful collection of songs made by John. I was actually aware of this record for quite some time, but this is my first full listen and I enjoyed it throughout.
This was a sweet and lovely album
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Where the dreams go to die, Caramel
89. Queen of Denmark - John Grant 16 tracks. Never heard of him but this has a really chilled vibe that I liked. I was listening to this for a 2nd time, & in particular "Where dreams go to die", as England capitulated in spectacular fashion, (again), to lose the #Ashes 4/5
Good album for the background enabling you to focus on your work without having to be drawn into melodies or your head turned by music. Feels quite satisying - like you know this album is making someone somewhere happy.
Fantastic listen. I'm a big fan of Father John Misty and it definitely has some strong vibes of it, maybe was even some inspiration for him. Love the cynical lyrics and criticisms. Might even grow on me over time. Fav tracks: Where the Dreams Go To Die, Chicken Bones, JC Hates F*****s, Queen of Denmark
I have never heard of John Grant before. His vocal harmonies, lyrics, rhythm and the calming effect of his music did catch me immediately.
Surprisingly catchy. Quite clever.
So glad to see John Grant on this list. It has been a few years since I was manic about this, but it's a joy to rediscover something I loved before. I remember I got the impression he was cool/silky/velvety, yet deeply ironic and sinister. I think of the deep toxic warmth of a radiating mass of plutonium. "Outer Space" is so infectious, both in the good way and the terrible way. On the surface it's reminiscent of getting caught in the gaze of a pleasant crush smile, but from the barely subtle subtext it's a searing acid bath of sarcasm. Still this record and Pale Green Ghosts are ample comfort in a sulfuric acid hot tub.
Also really great, much more chill but the melodies are more memorable. Would give it a 5 if it wasn't for that uhhhhh one song, which was very... interesting.
Really interesting
Finally something I had never heard of before. And it's not bad. At 16 tracks it's way over my preferred number, but it doesn't really drag on. Some weird numbers on it, though, which makes the balance suffer a bit. Still, interesting stuff...
Pretty basic sort of alt rock melodies, but the lyrics here are WILD and I think Grant makes some good hooks. This grew on me as it went along. I like it!
Surprisingly good - reminded me of John Prine, with some Goldfrapp synths at times and even a touch of Mr. Bungle ballad.
I'd never heard of John Grant nor his band The Czars before so I had zero idea of what kind of music this would be. And almost immediately after the first track "TC and Honeybear" started I had a feeling I was going to love this. Simple but beautifully-recorded acoustic guitars to start what is a song steeped in melody and unexpected but brilliant chord changes I'm noticing the lyrics which can often lead to me downgrading but they're so bizarre in points in a fun way (e.g. "Sigourney Weaver" and "Chicken Bones" - one that I enjoyed was "...my head feels like it's filled to the top with pop rocks and cyanide...") and still the melodies and music construction have constantly kept me engaged. (also thank beelzebub or whomever for this not being yet another lo-fi indie album. Just recording something on your 4 track doesn't make it automatically cool, in fact it's probably awful. Yes I have residual anger for having been forced to listen to too many bedroom indie lo-fi "aesthetic" awfulness...ok onward!) And so in the end yes - I am kind of loving this album - maybe keeping it at "only" a strong 4 because it gets a little slow in points but the melodies, instrumentation (one particular holy crap moment is the synth solo in "Outer Space" - I love that 70s ARP sound), production, and musical construction are all things I love - what a great surprise and a keeper. 8/10 4 stars
Actually really vibed out to this one. Thought the lyrics were funny and insanely personal. It gave me melancholy indigo wasteland vibes
decent.
Slow start, chicken bones is awesome
Brilliant. Would be a 5 star but for a couple of the less serious songs in the middle.
Yasss slay Queen! 💅
I've been on a bit of a rollercoaster with this album. First, the lyrics of Marz were like random words pulled from a dictionary. But a pretty good song. Then I started thinking that he was trying so hard to be David Bowie. From the album cover to the song writing. But then... the Chicken Bones song. What was that? Cool, catchy song. Then Queen! with Silver Platter Club. The longer I listened the more I liked it.
Flourishing vocals and instrumentation, a very solid debut album. Favorites: TC and Honeybear, Marz, It's Easier
It grows on me the more I listen Great and funny lyrics from a complicated person. Was going to be a 3 but over time im sure will be a 4
I'm at odds. I like this weird little album, it seems extremely personal and goes between folk and bombast. While I think it's good, I'm not sure it should be here? It's a solid 3.5 from me. Favorite tracks: "Marz", "It's Easier", "Queen of Denmark", "Jesus Hates Faggots"
I'm surprised that this album is only eleven years old. But also. I really like it.
Good option for relaxin
Faktisk et gort album. Lugter lidt af Father John Misty. Lækker lyd. Lidt langt og de sidste numre virker lidt underlige. Bestemt et genlyt værd
Pretty cool. Liked the instrumentation and the laid back feel of it all. Definitely strikes me as a precursor to peak 2010s indie rock. Would listen to again, many good songs for chillin out
Beautiful, queer as hell, and so we’ll written
A cheeky little album. new to me and enjoyed
added to my collection
Got real David Bowie vibes off a lot of this. Good stuff
Well this was very enjoyable. Having had a good old go at this album when it first popped, I still recalled parts of it and Marz in particular was stuck in my head for hours later. There's a real darkness in his music that means it isn't for everyday consumption but theres soul and there's hooks and there's fun and there's a little nudge at the man and there's a not-an-insignificant splodge of honey-like vocal melodies. Haunting and beautiful. Thanks MATE!!!
There was a moment in time, about ten years ago, when just about every artist seemed to be a solo male, with an appealing baritone singing catty-confessional lyrics over a piano and some horns. This is fresh out of that era, and I started off wary. It didn’t take long for Grant’s own brand of snarky to shimmer through and break down my defences, with his references to Sigourney Weaver, and Winona Ryder (she couldn’t really do the accent/but neither could that other guy), and his teetering a tightrope between debauched and debonair. His music contains enough crunch and delicacy to keep you hooked, and though not every song will stick with you, enough will, and the strong songs are spread nicely through its substantial length.
Really Great love his voice, very funny at times.
A deep, sometimes hard hitting album. John Grant has a great voice and his lyrics are wonderful.
This is a fantastic album lots of unique songs, various tempos from up beat to sad and romantic. Lyrics are fun and also serious. I like this album alot
Now, this was surprisingly great! I can’t go into all details as it confuses me a bit just listening to it…but it is tremendous! Album full of highlights! Not gonna lie either, when this showed up on my generator there was a part of me that was like “fuck sake, sounds shit, looks shit, what the fuck” but as always, gave it a bash and it’s outstanding! Highly recommended and another one that will be purchased!
Nice instrumentals, good vocals, some nice touches of humour in the lyrics
3.5/5
Dreams go to Die und silverplate Club in die hangover Rotation! Ansonsten Folkrock mit ups and downs alles gut aber nicht alles meins
It's good, with some things I dont like that much, but it's more personal, I liked it, the middle tracks are amazing with good lyrics
don't like some of the lyrics but can respect the pain he experiences.
This album simply captured me on first listen, his voice is beautifully set against the music. I agree that it is a reminder of the equally as beautiful as Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blues but I also hear other early 70s influences that haven't been referenced, in particular the Carpenters and Gilbert O'Sullivan. Throught the record both of these artists influences came across. If you haven't listened to Gilbert O'Sullivan check out his album titled Himself. Stay away from the hit singles and give a good listen to the entire album, not all songs will hit you but give it a good listen and I think you will see some similarities. Beautiful album, beautiful lyrics (some seem a bit harsh) set beautifully to music that captures his voice and the songs perfectly. I can't stop listening to Where Dreams Go to Die.
Very interesting record. I feel a bit Harry Nilsson/Magnetic Fields in terms of raw production/musicianship. Very striking lyrics and beautiful arrangements over Grant's crooning. It's a tad bit on the long side, but that also gives you more places to dig into upon further listens, which I assume will give me even more appreciation for this record. Fav Tracks: "Caramel" and "Outer Space"
John Grant's sweeping melancholy, rich baritone, and almost orchestral arrangements remind me a lot of Dennis Wilson's solo records. There's something so beautifully broken at the core of his music. I noticed I'd saved a more recent track by John Grant off a Spotify playlist, but regrettably never dug deeper until now. What a remarkable surprise that continues to unfold fresh beauty and heartache over every track. I hear echoes of Jens Lekman, Dennis Wilson, Louden Wainright III, Harry Nilsson, and many more tenderhearted piano pop crooners. It's like a more sincere Father John Misty. Every touch is so elegant and gorgeous. This album stopped me in my tracks. That major key turn into the chorus of "Where Dreams Go to Die" floored me. I wouldn't be surprised if my assessment grows over time. Favourite songs: "TC and Honeybear", "Where Dreams Go to Die", "Sigourney Weaver", and "Caramel"
Marz & Chicken Bones waren gut
Enjoyed it. Unusual but familiar.
Enjoyed listening to this
tres FJM
Mielenkiintoinen levy, kivasti vähän erilaisia biisejä. Alkuun ajattelin, että mikäs David Bowie -kopio tämä on, mutta ei se sitten kuitenkaan ollut ihan samaa tavaraa. Ehkä voisi tutustua jossain kohtaa myös artistin muuhun tuotantoon.
Really enjoyed this
Will listen again
bit wishy washy, but enjoyable. 7/10. 3 songs added to my music! P
Chido. Sin skips, la verdad. Aunque no sé que tanto de posibilidad habría de volver a escucharlo. Me gustó sobre todo Marz. Pero en general muy disfrutable la combinación de synth pop, algo de rock, algo experimentalón, un poquito de instrumentación clásica y un toque medio dark. Mood: Güeyes Blood
Creative, singing. Top ballads. Queen of Denmark. Where the dreams go to die. Sigourney Weaver. JC hates faggots
Surprisingly good
One of best examples on how to transform sadness into art. Beautiful melancholic songs with great arrangements. One of those albums
Melódico, blandito, nostálgico. Algunas canciones raritas. Sin embargo, interesante.
It grew on me as I listened to it. Wasn't enjoying it but by the end I was really into it. So I listened to it again, almost a throwback to older folk from the sixties.
I'm new to John Grant, and what I've enjoyed most after the first three songs is his choice of tonal movement. It's nice to listen to music that isn't wholly predictable, and the first two songs on this album kept things off balance just enough to draw me in. From track six - "I wish I had the brain of a Tyrannosaurus rex so I wouldn't have to deal with all this crap" is a sentiment I can really identify with some days. Just finished, and I've come away a fan which I didn't necessarily expect after the first track. I'll come back to this album again for sure!
This is pretty great. Emotional, strong - definitely something I was skeptical of going into but it ended up hitting me pretty hard.
Dream poppy singer songwritery loveliness - will check out more of his stuff, for sure. Fave track - "It's Easier"
Zappa vibes. - @billythekid "JC Hates Faggots" - NSFW. might need the volume down if there are little ears around! - @billythekid
Prefer his later electro-y stuff but some fun tracks on this too.
Like, maar geen blijver
Interesting, playful.
This has a bit of a Zappa vibe about it. This is a pretty smooth album, great one to play while working. JC Hates Faggots maybe nsfw, lol.
Solid and moody
interessante
Elton John meets Bo Burnham
Good album with variation, my personal favorite song is "SIlver Platter Club"
I was not familiar with this artist going into it, but I did enjoy this album.
Witty lyrics, cool backstory on the artist, and fun listening.
This one was a surprise! I liked the songwriting
A nice surprise. ReListened to this one. Lots of interesting influences.
a couple good songs on here, particularly sigourney weaver
Great folk album, has a great baritone voice and great instrumentals, not the biggest fan of the lyrics
Great voice, great songs, great production
3.5
Lush and made me feel at peace. The lyrics threw me off half the time, but the instrumentation, musical arrangement, and vocal delivery saved it every time. So close to being a 5-star album but not quite there.
2/3 Got real deep on his personal struggles, not living up to certain expectations. Respect that alot. Standout Tracks: Where Dreams Go To Die, Chicken Bones, Silver Platter Club, Jesus Hates Faggots, Queen Of Denmark
First half a little lackluster, but really opens up in the back half
I like John Grant, but this is an odd album to choose. I suspect it was more of a timing thing and this is one of the albums that is a one edition wonder. There's nothing on Queen of Denmark that matches the self depreciating boastfulness of GMF the fragile beauty of Down Here or the fun of Voodoo Doll except on one of the bonus tracks that I accidentally listened to. If this is your first time Listening to John Grant, I'd recommend giving Pale Green Ghosts or Grey Tickles, Black Pressure a go before dismissing him completely. They are significantly more adept albums.
I was going to be very dismissive of this album, as it's musically not especially inventive, and it does things that so many others did better before it, but I genuinely was taken aback by some of the subject matter and listening to it a second time I appreciate it more.
gay traumacore done right
Enjoyable
2.5/5 beats are fire for some songs, I enjoy the electro sound. BUT what is buddy yapping about
I like the sound but the lyrics are kind of poop. I will ignore bros personal issues and separate the art from the artist.
Much better than I was expecting. I'm not the biggest Father John Misty fan, and this is very similar but at least has some teeth.
Vaca come back
hmm what a guy
Not as unsatisfactory as the first track led me to believe. I liked the one about sigourney weaver. Did not expect all those slurs, but I understand what he was getting at. Within the more emotional stuff, there is an intelligent wittiness to his writing, which I can appreciate. Otherwise, I’ll leave it at a listen with a relatively neutral stance.
(4/7) reminds me of Eliot Smith
Quirky in a way that grew on me, wore out its welcome and then circled back around to where I kinda liked it again.
At first I wasn't digging this that much but then I started listening to the lyrics more and really got into it by the end. I'm rating it 3 stars now but I think it could be bumped to 4 on a re-listen.
A bit of a mixed bag. Loved 'Chicken Bones' and that bonus track where he's doing a menacing German accent. Less keen on the first few tracks and the lyrics of 'Marz' made me shudder.
Genius. Sad, but genius. Good art can sometimes be difficult. Really heartfelt singer-songwriter stuff that comes at a time when that's been out of fashion for a good 30+ years. Sad, though
Has big father John misty vibes, sometimes in a good way and sometimes not.
JL : 3, Marz
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I have not heard this before. This has and interesting mix of a kind of folk pop and i guess acoustic electro-psych where there are synths doing noise wobbles behind some of the less poppy stuff. It’s an altogether enjoyable album with good melodies but it seems to me missing a little something, whether it’s more passion or more lyrical depth or more interesting guitar parts to put it over the top. It’s still a very good album of course.
It's okay I guess.. probably not coming back to this one.
I really dug the Czars once upon a time, but haven't listened to them or Grant's solo stuff in years. It's good, but not what I've craved lately.
Unusual but not bad. After a blah start, the album became more interesting as it went along, musically and lyrically.
For me John Grant is at his best on tracks like Caramel where he is being earnest without any guard - at these points he sounds like James Blake. I struggle with lyrics that deal mostly in clever asides. It’s probably why I’ve never really loved FJM. 3 stars
Some of the album is brilliant, some merely interesting and some just silly.
I have an occasional habit of writing needlessly confrontational sweeping opening statements in my reviews, which I’m trying to keep in check, but John Grant’s debut is inspiring such a response from me - I am convinced that labelmate Father John Misty has ripped off John Grant’s entire sound, especially on the album I Love You Honeybear. Queen of Denmark, is not as good as FJM but delivers the exact same unmistakable voice and persona, the same jokey, cynical take on Elton John’s balladry that FJM has since popularised. So why didn’t Grant blow up instead? Well, the songwriting is pretty good but it’s just not got that special sauce FJM has - that knack for a killer phrase or extra bit of songwriting genius. What is here though is a flawless vibe and a completely original approach, which he should get credit for. A more satisfying review would be to state that Grant is the original and the best, but what we have here instead is a sort of 1-1 draw, with Father John Misty winning on penalties.
John Grant a high 3 for me. I nearly really like it, and in moments love it, but a lot of the time he takes turns that don’t quite land for me but aren’t far off