Good Old Boys

Randy Newman does crazy songs. He’s pretty good, and I usually like his stuff.

In the current year, Good Old Boys is a bold and potentially controversial album as Newman tackles southern American platitudes in the form of a satirical voice. Good Old Boys covers racism, class disparity, and tragedy, all in Newman's signature singer-songwriter piano cadence. While the song performances are an enjoyable listen, it is the wit and lyrical acumen of Newman that tends to make the songs memorable. Lines like "President say, 'Little Fat Man, ain't it a shame what the river has done to this poor cracker's land'" and "She will laugh at my mighty sword, why must everybody laugh at my mighty sword" showcase a lot of this ablum's appeal. While impactful, I feel a lot of Good Old Boys relies on it's clever songwriting, and for me it falls just short of being clever enough to praise. Newman still wrote some great songs here, but the overall product of this album doesn't quite sit with me the way it intends to.

Nice, but all the songs sound kind of same-y.

Helt okej inte nån speciell låt som var tråkig men albumet var lite tråkigt i sin helhet.

Randy Newman’s haunting and enigmatic musical confession to a string of unsolved prostitute murders with occult overtones in the backwater bayous of Louisiana keeps it boozy and bluesy all these years later. While contemporary critics on the coasts gave him a pass at the time, probably owing to his charming piano trills, oozing authenticity, dripping contempt for his kinfolk, and romantic notions of power-drunk socialist Governor Huey Long, it’s impossible for the trained listener to un-hear Newman’s mocking taunts to criminal investigators in virtually every track, (and particularly evident in ‘Marie’ — doubtless a reference to Marie DuChamps — a down-on-her-luck mother of two who turned to truck stop solicitation to afford baby formula and went missing October 8, 1972), concealed behind the carefully crafted artifice of a folksy, simple-minded, slack-jawed drunk and mediocre ‘pye-ano’ player. The law may never catch up to Randy Newman, but the truth, while inscrutable, can be found in every bar of this absolute banger of an album. Three enthusiastic stars! You’re killin’ ‘em, Randy, or as you might say, “Bizzle bazzle BWOOMP-a-doo-boopy-doop — and that’s just how the bitch payyyys…”

I know this might sound surprising but I'm a sucker for cheesy American country. This guy doesn't seem to take himself seriously, I'm reading the lyrics of his songs and it's like this cliché American redneck, ngl I kinda dig it. The music itself is nothing special, but it made me smile. 3/5

Was not ready for the toy story dude to drop this much slurs. what a ride. This made me realise we need to bring back working class country.

eh

Not my style of music, but can appreciate the song writing.

Quite enjoyable, very obvious sarcasm. Even when it's from an ironic viewpoint as a protest I can't stand the N-word. The New Orleans style playing is enjoyable and is a refreshing twist on this piano-led music than straight Elton John/Billy Joel troubadour stuff (as excellent as that is). A high three stars.

It was ok. Some of the lyrics were clever with good word play. But the whole thing felt like they let the theater kid play the piano at the party.

A charming album. Imagine you combined a bit of Ray Charles, Bette Middler without the over-the-top-flambouyant Schtick, stride piano and some New Orleans flavor and you’d arrive at the heart, wit, and singalong fun of this album.

you can hear the toy story voice!

Pretty sure Randy Newman is Jewish. Fuckin GOT EM

This was refreshing. Newman clearly has his own style and unique voice and instrumental arrangements. He sounds like the bar piano player or western times sometimes.

I'd heard Randy Newman before, from Toy Story. This is not kid friendly Toy Story music. The Way he combines political and social commentary into an upbeat piano tune is actually impressive. The beginning of Rednecks really surprises you, and then to throw the n-word around like that, until you listen to the lyrics and realize he's throwing the whole country under the bus, everyone's guilty. Is it really satire if he's telling the truth that no one wants to hear. All of it done while sounding like the soundtrack to Toy Story.

idk man, even if we ignore the first song, i saw this one and was like "cool, i wonder what the you got a friend in me" guy did with his actual music, turns out its all kind of that, its not baaaaad but its also not super creative??

Another solid album from Randy Newman chock full of cutting acerbic wit and lots of shady characters. The arrangements keep me at arms length with Randy's albums never drawing me in completely 3.5 stars

3.1/5 Best Track: idk

A son style particulier et reconnaissable. Je pense toujours à Toy Story! Certaines paroles me semblent un peu équivoques avec le recul…

Good vibes, pretty chill. Not much special.

Sérstök stemming hjá Randy. Hvert einasta lag er sögustund sett fram á gamaldags kvikmyndatónlistarhátt. Ágætt í heild sinni, en sérstakt.

The arrangements make it sound like Toy Story, but the lyrics make it sound like edgelord.

Not the Randy Newman I thought I knew…

Guh, it’s really hard to judge. I like the guy ok but it’s really hard to take his voice seriously.

Crazy that this guy ended up doing film scores for like half of the Pixar movies. Album was ok I guess

Lucinda gave me a geography lesson, Randy sprinkles in politics and social commentary. Fave track: Rollin'

Got to say, I liked this one significantly more than the last one. I kinda groaned when I saw another RN album just days after the last one. But this one was much more enjoyable.

I think Randy is getting a bad rap here. I'm as fatigued as anyone of white guys from the 70s but he is different and distinctive at least. He reminds me of a guy writing show tunes without a show to attach them to (or Pixar film). The orchestral flourishes added to rather than took away from the songs

I imagine this will be a 3. It was. Chill, mellow, a little dumb and forgettable, but easy at work.

Probably the most sarcastic record I've ever heard. Kinda glad to be done with Randy Newman now though.

toy story working blue

People obviously find it hard to shake the Pixar thing, but there's some good songs in here, and some nice music. I got over it pretty quickly. I like the backing orchestral bits. Overall quite easy-going and it didn't outstay its welcome. 3.5 rounded down.

Long before he became the go-to composer for film scores/soundtracks and the Toy Story franchise, Newman was a well respected, critically acclaimed singer-songwriter who released quality music much under the radar. A lot of it was satirical, observations of American life, it's politics, it's people and the little things we try not to think about. His life changed commercially with that annoying, Short People song in 1977, but Good Old Boys was three years before the album Little Criminals (that contained Short People). For the most part, Good Old Boys is enjoyable, the songs were fine, but to me, it's not that memorable and unless you really concentrate on the characters and story (it's a concept album!), it's loses me a little.

Oh so viel Sehnsucht hör ich da raus! Schöööön <3

Very Randy Newman. One very difficult song. Some other good ones.

Great story teller. Music is fun. If you don’t read the lyrics or understand satire you will not like this album. 3 stars

This one is tough to evaluate for a few reasons. Just like with Short People, we know that his usage of the N word here is to indict those who use it earnestly, but man does he really lean into it on several tracks. Overall I think I appreciated it but this isnt the sort of thing you can listen to without headphones, especially when he brings in midget and whore again. So odd that the Toy Story guy mostly wrote these biting social commentaries. Like James I struggled to differentiate the songs other than via the lyrics.

Unfortunately my favorite song was also the one where he keeps repeating the n word. I’m kind of torn on Newman. I like his lyrical style at times but can’t really help but tune out as his albums progress. Kind of reminds me of Cohen that way actually. This was not as strong as yesterday though.

Overall decent songs lyrically, minus the fact that today he probably wouldn’t use the n word. Instrumentally they sound quite similar to me. Wasn’t expecting the Toy Story song writer to be using this kind of language, though I know it was mostly for social critique. Probably wouldn’t listen again

Sin más.

Uh...interesting. Randy Newman, guy we all know for the Toy Story song, makes an album about the American South. He's in character for most (if not all) of it, portraying a southern "Good Old Boy," but knowing that still doesn't help the shock of hearing him sing about a "smart ass New York Jew" and then drop the N word repeatedly on the opener. Just strange, man. Totally understand what he was going for, and there are a few songs that I enjoyed, don't get me wrong. Just reeling from the initial shock. This is our second from Randy, obviously more conceptual than the first, but I'd be lying if I said that intro didn't give me whiplash. I'm sure that's what he was going for, and in many respects I think this album succeeds at what Randy sought to do. But it's not something I'd spend much more time with. Favorite tracks: Marie, Back on My Feet Again, Naked Man. Album art: Is that Randy? Guy with some woman at what seems to be a bar, nothing apparently Southern about it to tie the theme together. But I guess he looks like a bit of a jerk so that works. 3/5

Randy is a tough one to rate. I really love his music as I'm listening to it but I never really put it on. The social commentary is great but I don't really listen to music for biting satire. I guess it's a 3, but it's damn good.

It was ok, he sure does have a quirky sense of humor. The strings with the piano pretty much guarantee I won’t be listening to most of it again any time soon, but I would explore more Randy Newman in the future.

I just don't know about this one. It is pretty catchy and wacky, for sure.

I like Randy. I fell into a couple tickets for an opera house show of his and he’s the penultimate showman. Rednecks and Guilty are solid tracks. This is the second album cover so far with an out of focus picture. Was this a thing?

When somebody says country music sucks, this is what I imagine they've heard.

Quirky and inoffensive, nothing stood out though other than hey this sort of sounds like Pixar.

I've never heard Randy Newman besides Toy Story. This is a weird hybrid of like 5% almost Bob Dylan, a chunk of Tom Waits, something almost easy listening like Phil Collins a tiny bit, 2% Paul Simon almost. It's such a strange mix of sound and feeling. Several parts had me look up what year this was released in. Time certainly changes some of these songs. The music and feeling and his voice is actually pretty great at several points. I don't know where he fits into music but I can see why he had a career for sure. I almost have a hard time picturing what someone who bought this album looks like. Maybe AP Mike.

For me a Randy Newman song once and a while is fine. I don't want to listen to a whole album at once. No doubt he is amazing at his craft.

Scathing piano-driven R&B

Woof - this is a real "statement" album. Without reading Wikipedia or understanding that this is a critique of Southern culture, one might mistake the lyrics for something else. I'm not sure what to think about the use of the n-word in a modern context, while it's used as criticism of racism, it's still just awkward to have a white singer use it somewhat flippantly.

OK nothing standout special

A piece of very specific US history packed in pleasant blues and soul tunes.

He wrote Toy Story?!?!

All I can hear is Toy Story & Pixar songs. If my mind wasn't predisposed to think about kids' films, I'd say this is an okay album.

This was one of those in one ear out the other type albums except for all the satirically racist stuff that hasn't aged well. I'm sure randy newman knew what he was doing and was just trying to shit on "good old boys" in the South but that still doesn't fix him using the hard R quite a bit. I think it mainly starts to fall into the pitfall of becoming a bit like the thing you're satirizing. I liked his other album a lot more.

I'd never really looked into Randy Newman's work, but I'm sure most people my age have certainly heard him before. Of course I know of "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story but I had no idea he scored so many Disney-Pixar soundtracks! That of course made it really jarring to hear this biting, satirical record, opening with the hard-R heavy "Rednecks". Damn, not sure you could get away with that now, even if it is scathing satire against bigotry and institutional racism, both back then and still today unfortunately. It's a really complex album for sure - I know I can't really give much commentary about it as there's a lot of concepts I'm neither old nor American enough to understand. Adding to that, it's country music so naturally I don't care that much. Usually I have some aversion of Southern-accented male-vocalist country music, but in Newman's case I can't fully get on with it or take it seriously as he's just typecast as "That Toy Story Guy" in my mind! I'm conflicted. This album definitely deserves to be among the 1001, no doubt. It's important, and worth the thinking, conversations and debates, both about the subject matter of the songs and the general meta of this album's satire. Personally I didn't care that much for this musically, and I don't know if I'll really come back to it, but I'm glad to have heard it. Favourite: Back on My Feet Again

Never got super into Randy Newman. I like him OK, but it doesn't do much for me. I'd rather hear Nilsson singing Newman.

Ikke noe minneverdig, utenom første sang, og ikke på en bra måte 2.8

I liked the non-sappy songs, especially the first one. This album's really got that Disney sound, I recognized it even though I've never seen any of the films he made music for

Easy listening tunes accompanied by sharp satire. Not sure whether I am able to appreciate the latter fully, I imagine I’m missing a lot.

It’s like the hidden second soundtrack to Disney’s The Princess and the Frog

Okay album, but I didn't have time to make through it properly. I will listen again to it soon.

Not my thing, but hey, its the Toy Story guy. Who knew he drank so much

Album 152 of 1001 Randy Newman - Good Old Boys Rating : 3 / 5 Favorite Track : Rollin' It has become hard to listen to any Randy Newman tunes without thinking of a Toy Story soundtrack. That could certainly become confusing when taking in the song subjects from this album. Some scathing satire, one could say. He goes in hard at what he finds to be the bad aspects of the 70s south but, at the same time, gives respectful recognition of the good. So many directions one could go with this. The album is an awesome listen. It certainly is a subject driven album. Got me curious and a little research finds that there have been several studies and essays done on this album. That is where I'll be for a little bit. Give this one a listen, if you're not familiar.

There's a feeling of comfort that comes with this, but I did grow up with the Toy Story movies... Parents were also a big fan of "Little Criminals", the album following this one. Gets a little samey throughout, but it's not enough to not enjoy it. Favorite tracks: "Birmingham", "Marie"

Rhythm and blues with ironic lyrics on social issues. It's alright. Not really my style, but it's done well. I would probably like every song if it popped up in some playlist of random music, but an entire album is too much for me. Favorite song: Louisiana 1927

I really respect his ability to tell a story with each song.

Twijfelgeval. Saai, maar ook wel mooi.

El començament amb 'Rednecks' és un xoc, text valent amb una tonada que s'adhereix fàcilment. 'Birmingham' i sobretot 'Marie' continuen amb el to més que notable del disc. Després la cosa va minvant, però la peculiar veu de Newman i el concepte sobre el que gira el disc, parlant de la vida al sud dels Estats Units sense péls a la llengua, fan que el treball sigui interessant de recordar i de recuperar de tant en tant

Classic newman

This was alright, I had no issue with it. It's not really my type of music, however.

Toy Story man got real racist on this one - good tunes though.

Great stuff

Not really sure how to take this one - some classic feeling story songs, a great charactered voice, and catchy little piano ditties, but some strange content that I'd need to dig into more, and nothing totally got me rootin and tootin. Fave track: Kingfish

It's hard for me to take Newman seriously. It's not that he sounds like a muppet, it's just that there's some quality there that reminds me of them. So, when he puts a bullseye on the south, it's like, shouldn't you be writing stuff that goes in a kids' movie? It's not bad, it's just...Randy Newman. Best track: Rollin'

Good olboym ;)

Inte en så stor fan av soundet tbh men helt fine. Kan förstå varför det är med, unikt är det i varje fall

If you ignore the lyrics, the whole album sounds like it could the soundtrack to a Pixar movie. If you don't, be prepared for a very surprising number of racial slurs! It's an interesting album, for it's social commentary on class, race and the divide between North and South in America. We're meant to laugh at the "redneck" narrator, but also to admit that he has some good points (e.g.: racism still exists in the North). I'm never entirely comfortable with the idea that singing as a character gives you license to say whatever you like but that opening song, and its bigoted lyrics are undoubtedly the most memorable part of this album.

Mixed bag on this one.

meh

The people calling "Rednecks" a racist song failed first-grade listening comprehension. Pretty funny little album. Not something I would personally ever return to, but it's definitely in the best quarter of country albums I've heard. I keep expecting him to start singing "You Got a Friend In Me".

Well, that was different. Satire, sure. But I'm not sure Rednecks wouldn't be interpreted literally at times - wouldn't surprise me to hear it had been played at a Trump rally. And that's not a good thing. I'm struggling to rate this. The music is fine and I didn't hate it so I think it's a three. But...

Hard satire as Newman tends to do. But my ears aren't used to hearing that these days.

vibe

Ummmm it’s ok I guess.I get he’s playing a character but wow lots of racial slurs immediately from the guy who did “you’ve got a friend In me” was kinda shocking.The music is kinda dull though so that shock factor doesn’t even help it that much.

HL: "Marie", "Rollin", "Louisiana 1927" Put this on first thing after I got up, no I was not ready for "Rednecks" (though I appreciate the sentiment behind writing the song). Attention to the music waxed and waned, but there were enough pretty ditties to make the listen worthwhile May 24, 2023

прочитала что это сатира... ну допустим. так-то шок-контент

I really didn't want to listen to this one. Started off super weird with the hard-R n-word kind of liberally used. (I get it's satire/from the perspective of a character but it still felt weird.) A few songs definitely stuck out to me, but I lost interest about halfway through. Something about Randy Newman makes me not want to dig much deeper in his catalogue, but honestly, this could have been worse. Standouts: Marie, Mr. President (Have Pity on the Working Man), Guilty

That's a bold start right there. I like the sounds of his songs - interesting chords, plaintiff singing, but something about it doesn't make me want to return to it.

Pretty classic RN. Little ragtime, clear vocals without much range. But not too difficult to listen to.

Whoa, wait! Made in 1974!? It is still an uncomfortably relevant musical homage to an US subculture that people are either way too proud of, or much too critical of. Both views are merited and yet both are equally flawed. I definitely didn't see this coming. PS: Man, that first track is hard to listen to.

This was nostalgic because it brought me back to Toy Story so much. Surprisingly I liked this album- I thought it’d be boring or too much for me but it was a nice length and nice overall.

extremely randy newman sounding, wasn’t expecting the slurs

Toy Story guy

Unless it's the Toy Story soundtrack, I can do without Randy Newman.

The songs are well crafted and he is hugely influential, but I don’t see myself ever listening to this

Newman's voice is amazing and his composition of the songs is really great as well. Very impressive, but the album does feel a bit racist. Wikipedia says it is satirical though.

I don’t know. It all sounds like the dark side of you’ve got a friend in me.

The problem with evolving your image over your career to the point you end it making massive music for Disney® is you become so identified with those movies that its forgotten that you've made some popular music long before. Randy Newman has always been one of those show-tuney writers that somehow gotten popular on the pop charts. A lot of this sounds like what others have already said, raunchier versions of his Disney music.

Too associated with toy story for me

This is SO NOT MY THING. I can appreciate that the lyrics are satirical, but I was super turned off by the use of the "n-word" by a white guy, etc. That said, the musicianship is on point here, and there's no question that it is well done. I just don't want to listen to it. I'd give it a 2.5 but I'll round up to 3 just because I can see why it's on the list and why others might enjoy it, and there is no shortage of excellent musicians on the album. But not my cup of tea.

Toujours sympa d'écouter Randy Newman, mais il se répète un peu trop. Le concept de l'album me passe un peu au dessus ou est toujours sur le même mode.

3.75

Decent album without highlights that is mainly remembered for some lyrical content that didn't age well

Starts off with a provocative reflection on the failings to truly desegregate America and the Rednecks of both the south to blame. He continues with both introspective and socially critical satire that stay close to his home and uses first person narrative to drive a compelling message. Unique sound and true to his style. Redneck, Louisiana, Naked man 3.2

There are some great songs on here but Randy's schtick gets a bit tiresome quite quickly

"Daddy, why is the Toy Story singer saying the n-word?" I enjoyed this but it didn't really leave much impression on me. I only listened to it once though, so didn't really get to absorb the lyrics. I'll come back to it another time, given his reputation.

Gotta say, wasn't expecting the toy story guy to drop the n word in the opening track. Musically the tracks were impressive, good storytelling, intricate piano. But man his voice just sounds like he's a little slow or something.

Nice clear story telling. Comes out swinging with the first song. Is a bit up and down, and musically didn't excite me, but defo glad i got to experience it.

Better than I expected with a few excellent songs, but still not my cup of tea. I think it's the way that Newman enunciates. Just bothers me.

Ok album, like the music comp. Some of the lyrics felt outdated and dismissive towards certain groups and backgrounds. May need more listens to appreciate it

Alright, not bad. Though I found Rednecks a little off-putting. It's all mostly good and I liked a bunch of songs, but the songs seem forgettable. I love Randy Newman's sound, but I didn't really feel a connection with this album overall.

listen

Some really good writing and Americana sound. Honestly mostly shocking to hear Randy Newman singing the N word.

I have not listened to very much of his music at all, so I'm glad this album came up in the rotation. I like some of the tracks. I'm not wildly into it, but I can tell he's an interesting songwriter and writer.

Gotta admire this guys songwriting and especially the lyrics but tbh I don't find it that easy to listen to. There's quite a lot of politics going on here. Some basic piano some lush orchestration so it does bear repeated play .....its just so....serious. Maybe it means more if you are American? 3

I know these songs well. Don't need another run through of the album and I don't think they've really aged gracefully.

Ok-ish album, a bit boring. 2,5/5

Vermakelijke teksten op een blij pianootje

Lester Maddox was quite the piece of work, it seems. Without passing judgement, interesting to read that Bobby Lee Fears, once of the Ohio Players, formed a twosome (gruesome qualifier subjective. perhaps.) late in the day. As for the album. I'm not going to say that it is irony free, but it does strip the joke down to its bare bones. That aside, one has to applaud Mr Newman for his resistance to change over the years. If it works, why change it? Actually, I'm being a bit unfair. For good or for bad, everyone knew who Lester Maddox was, and was able to make up their mind accordingly. Free world, freedom of association, etc. (yes. I know that Maddox went to extreme lengths to ensure that the only black folk in his diner were his workers. No, I'd have never stepped in it, even if I could. yes, I would judge anyone who, in full possession of the facts, did so. Yes, there is a powerful element of inequity and a lack of fairness in the story. But yes, so it is in many other aspects of life, many of which we cannot/choose not/simple do not engage with. We should always work towards fairness. Even in the full knowledge – particularly in the full knowledge – that we will *never* get there. Ever.) Did I like this album? No... Would I turn it off if it popped up unexpectedly? No. Do I remember anything at all of it? No. But all of this is me, not anyone else. Three stars again, but out of indifference (indifference of the most positive kind, mind)

Interesting to hear this guys songs that are not for Pixar films. Glad i listened.

An extremely concerning album if you don't know that there's satire going into it.

• God damn I was caught off guard by the topic of Rednecks • It’s interesting that his sound is identical to the sound of his Toy Story soundtracks, just with more politically charged lyrics • This album suffers from a lot of songs sounding similar, though most of them have at least one unique element to alleviate that • The overarching theme of the album is very melancholy, which suits his vocals very well Favourite song: Naked Man

Best Song: Rednecks. Imagine my surprise when Mr. Toy Story kicks the album off with liberal use of the N word. And it's funny, while still being listenable? Sign me up. Worst Song: Marie. Too slow, too conventional. Overall: Newman really shows his creativity here. Most songs tell a story, and most of those stories are interesting and unlike the standard material sourced for song lyrics. I didn't expect this level or sarcasm and satire. His unconventional voice is also pleasant to hear. Unfortunately, too many of the middle tracks eschew that creative energy for fairly standard love songs.

OK, I have to give it up to him... pretty good songwriting and memorable melodies. Enjoyed this way more than I expected, while being just as startled by Rednecks as everyone else. Worth a listen!

Its nice.

A biting sense of satire on many tracks ("Rednecks"). Some amazing string arrangements on others ("Guilty"). Randy Newman sure has a way with music *and* words. But for now, the whole thing is still a little too one-note for me. Number of albums left to review or just listen to:  more than 800, I've temporarily lost count here Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens:  approximately a half so far  Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: a quarter (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): the last quarter

Rednecks was really good and unfortunately still relevant. The album is enjoyable enough and many of the songs have some social commentary which explains the relevance to the list.

Randy Newman is a good singer and his songs are good. Mark Knopfler has some featuring with him with "It's money the matters".

I think he’s great but I don’t feel like I need a whole album.

Pretty solid album, love hearing the guy that sings you've got a friend in men say the n word while making fun of rednecks. 70s were a different time

Surprisingly very good. Not my style but not bad at all

Very unexpected to hear the guy from Toy Story using the n-word so liberally! Rest of the album is still not like anything I knew from him before, but not quite so startling.

My goodness that's jarring. Otherwise it's Randy Newman, who I've always had a bit of an inexplicable soft spot for.

its like a grown up version of toy story soundtrack/

Solid album. Decent melodies. Good music to put on for a relaxing evening.

"There Is a Snake in My Boot!" How can you listen to this man and not think about woody and buzz all the time. A voice that remind me so many great memories, but other than that it's not that special. Every song feel the same.

PSA to read about this album a bit before listening. It’s meant to be commentary on some societal issues. This album is not bad but not great either. I appreciate what Newman is doing with his lyricism in regards to the working class man in American and life in the poor south, but there were times I felt like the lyrics sounded very “cocky white man” that I couldn’t genuinely enjoy the music.

6/10. Interesting social commentary, but not great music.

Looking at the global reviews for this album it is clear that media literacy is pretty low. Satire still can’t save this album from being somewhat boring. 6/10

Niet zo gek van dit album, maar wel ok

A bit repetitive but it's nice, bring back this 70s style of anti-racism tbh, Ibram X. Randy fr Strong 3

Randy Newman can be a tough putt for a lot of people. Sometimes I think he's going for shock appeal more than anything. I find a lot of his songs to be brilliant, although I hate his soundtrack work. Overall this has moments, particularly the song written by Huey Long that features members of the Eagles. And I'm all for anyone sticking it to rednecks. Just don't put this album on if you're expecting to get laid.

nothing special

Dropped the N bomb. Was OK otherwise.

Warm feelings, fun piano tunes. Reminds me of Toy Story.

My millenial ass (born in mid '90s) did a fucking double take with those lyrics on track one. What a way to start the record. Other than that, it was musically fine, if a bit borderline...boring, almost? I don't know if there really wasn't that much to offer or if I just need to try this one again.

just average to me.

I appreciate what he's doing on a deeply satirical level, but can't say it moved me. Probably because I was only six at the time it was released. Only reason that matters is I think living through the cultural context that was the nourishment and source of clear inspiration for this album matters on some level. What I did like was the clear musical sophistication and quality song craft apparent on the majority of the songs. Favs were Mr. President (Have Pity on the Working Man), Guilty, Louisiana 1927, Kingfish, Naked Man, A Wedding in Cherokee County, Back on My Feet Again, and Rollin'

Instrumentally this has a deep south laid back roots based sound which wouldn't sound out of place in a diner or roadhouse in the USA. Vocally Newman is limited but he's a decent songwriter and his persona comes across. He clearly has a lot to say but his slurry singing style often makes the sardonic lyrics (on things like poverty, slavery and racism) incomprehensible. But with an explanation, the songs are thought provoking.

Certainly sounds like Randy Newman

Randy put that one first because he wanted everyone to hear him say it

Ok. Newman wants to sing the first song from a redneck's perspective but c'mon man, you know a bunch of bigots loved this song, even with the lines that take a jab at them, it will just be bypassed. I don't think its effective, but I could be wrong. Regardless it has left a sour taste in my mouth. Maybe you get it more once you realize he is also Jewish but idk maaaaaan. Regardless, not my style but he's clearly talented. I mostly know his voice from You Got a Friend In Me.

This version of Randy Newman I have a little less love for. Musically it’s a bit monotonous, and the lyrics get snarled in the writer’s sense of looking down from a position of such superiority. There’s an unpleasant smirk lingering under it. I feel like Newman settled out to a subtler version of a similar music and message later.

Second one from Randy Newman. I enjoyed this one, concept and lyrics are very good, but I guess I prefer the other one I listened better (Sail Away). Still a good album tho.

Meh

I had to look up the lyrics for Rednecks just to make sure I was hearing it right.

All I can hear is Pixar Toy Story music or that Family Guy episode when listening to ole Randy. Mr President is an apt present day theme song. Guilty is an awesome song (especially when Bonnie sings it).

3, sin más.

Enjoyed this one. Sounds pretty dead on what I expected when I saw it was from the guy who did songs for Toy Story. That being said, it is VERY jarring to hear the Toy Story guy drop numerous hard R N-words. I understand it's a satirical thing and he's "playing a character," but yikes. From what I can gather people don't seem to have a ton of issues with it, Randy isn't cancelled (at the time of writing at least), so I don't feel the need to bash him for it. Music was good. Maybe don't listen to "Rednecks" with the windows down.

I see why Disney brought in this guy, but the songs don't mean anything to me now. I like his voice but they all just started to sound the same.

Uniquely his with some nice songs, but the swingy country just grates on me something fierce.

Nice, pleasant music...but it's a good thing I paid attention to the lyrics, because I definitely don't want to play "Rednecks" for the kids. Hey, kids, here's the guy who sang the theme from Toy Story! Oops. Powerful lyrics in that song, but oof. I heard Louisiana 1927 before - that was probably my favorite song, maybe since I was familiar with it. It's a good album, but not something I need to hear again.

I guess it’s fine? Who listens to it?

Doesn't every Randy Newman album sound like the last one you listened to?

Soul. Un poco aburrido.

Tranquilo de escuchar. Buena voz. No conocía al cantante.

Its okay i guess. Did not really captivate me

Funny, did not get through the whole album.

Really enjoyable. All songs sound very similar and all sound similar to Toy's Story OST. Nevertheless a good album to relax in the evening with a glass of wine.

Toy Story takes place in the deep south and Woody is a redneck

Un álbum con buen concepto, muchas buenas canciones. Definitivamente no sufrí durante todo el tiempo que estuve escuchando el álbum. Tres estrellas, lo mínimo que se merece (:

Didn't know he was that radical. Still not a fav.

I don't really love this. This style of songwriting reminds me of Elvis Costello and for some reason I can't jive with that. The last two songs are really good though, and I think musically this is nice, so those save it from two stars.

🤠🇺🇸🐂🐎🌵🌵🪵

Musically it's ok, lyrically however it's great. Amazing satire with some catchy tunes in the background.

sounds like Toy Story

Randy Newman -thank you for your service. My third and final wish is to set you, and us all free

I enjoy Randy Newman's schtick, but it really is just a schtick. I can't believe he has 2 (if not more!) albums on this list. A lot of these tracks are funny. Rednecks and Naked Man had me cracking up.

Kinda weird that this is the person who made the Toy Story and Monsters, Inc soundtracks, but all around it was alright. I like the satire in the first song, but beyond that it kind of peters out to be an average country album for me. Highlights: 1, and 11.

Leuk muziekje. Maar hoor ik dat nu goed? Rednecks en niggers? Ik weet niet of ik wil weten vanuit welk perspectief het eerste nummer geschreven is. Muziek blijft leuk. De rest van het album is eigenlijk ook heel verrassend. Nog nooit van Randy Newman gehoord, maar ik denk dat deze artiest wel potentie heeft om bekend te worden. Dit is een leuk album, beetje Billy Joel stijl, maar voor mij niet meteen een klapper. Het is lekkere muziek op de achtergrond, maar er is niet een nummer dat me echt opvalt. Bij het nummer "Louisiana 1927" ga ik me zelfs een beetje irriteren aan de uitspraak van het woord Loe-wieee-sie-enna. ***

Dit vind ik leuk. Muzikaal een luchtig album, totdat je de tekst goed beluistert.

Sin más.

Buen disco, con ese estilo clásico que te transporta al igual que su voz, a las películas de Toy Story.

Decent

It's not the Toy Story sound track but it's alright I guess. Has some provocative lyrics...

2.5

Sounds like it was produced by Disney

Me gustó just enough para terminarlo.

Gotta be careful with this one. Very vibey. Whiskey vibes

Bit weird that anti racist is also the Disney song writer

Normal

Very interesting album. Couldn’t believe the boldness of the lyrics on the first track.

It's like listening to Toy Story and since that's my only association with Randy Newman, I don't think I can really see past it as music I would listen to outside of that context. Nothing wrong with it. But a little sappy and all kind of sounds like You've Got a Friend in Me. The un-ironic title of "Good Old Boys" admittedly didn't really make a good first impression either.

Bang average, probably

I’ve always liked Randy Newman's southern drawl of a voice and mellow stylings. I also knew he often pushed the edge on lyrical content, but I was not ready for “Rednecks”. I actually rewound the song the first time he dropped theN word, as I thought I must have misheard it. Even back in the early 70s this must have been pretty controversial - it ended up being a good history lesson for me, as I researched Lester Maddox and the eta a bit on Wikipedia. Rest of the album pretty good.

Wow he's not too subtle in the first song, it sounds ripe for a Lynrd Skynrd rebuttle. I like the idea that he's singing about issues in the deep south and political issues in the US in general and has devoted a full album to it. He's got alot of songs in him and it seems like he could go on all day, but he's limited by his delivery - especially on this album - which is why I guess others have taken his songs and had success with them.

\"You've got a friend in me\" singer

Famoso por sus canciones en las películas de Pixar aquí podemos escucharle en su disco del año 1974 quedando claro que ya era un compositor y cantante increíble. Y con un humor en las letras que hoy lo mismo no podría permitirse.

Semibängeri

it was ok, not a big Randy Newman fan outside of the Toy Story and popular stuff, this album didn't really change my mind, but did have some good songs on the album.

Little too much n word by Randy on that first song, amazing vocals, decently funky, enjoyable 3.3

Asså, det e fett mysig country, kände direkt igen musikstilen och rösten från You Got A Friend In Me från Toy Story. Men allt detta användande av N-ordet i flera låtar, främst i Rednecks? Låter hemskt om man inte vet vad han snackar om. Ahja, läste på lite nu, och det ska vara satir, och handla om fördomar mot just Rednecks, att dom e så rasistiska, och hyckleriet i att "dom i norr" är så snälla mot mörkhyade, men även om de gjorde mörkhyade fria har de nu låst in dom i ghetton istället. Lite spännande kanske. Oavsett, mysig country.

Nice album to listen to.

Randy Newmanista tuli nimen ja yleisfiiliksen perusteella ensimmäisenä mieleen pickupilla ajeleva countrymies. Jonkinlaista americanaahan tämä onkin, mutta paljon ruotsinlaivamaisemmalla fiiliksellä kuin oletin. Heti ensimmäisen biisin aikana kyllä kiinnitti huomiota satiirisiin lyriikoihin. Ei ihan minun kuppi teetä ole tämä, mutta ei sinänsä häiritsevääkään. 2,5 olisi oikea arvosana, mutta annetaan armoa tällä kertaa.

I've never known what to think about Randy Newman, he's got a very distinctive voice and style but I find him a bit repetitive. His satirical songs can be a bit hard to understand what he's actually satirising but maybe that's just a time culture difference. For example his 'Rednecks' song just seems to be 'Indon't like Rednecks so I'll pretend to be one in this song'

Fitting for the times

Very Randy Newman, Very in character as the southern 'good ol boy' - no major standouts, opening song had some shocking language for modern sensibilities even if in character.

This was a pretty good album. I was shook when he straight up said the N word in the first song, but I understand it was for parody. Otherwise I thought it was a nice country concept album.

Good fun.... unfortunately his voice is intrinsically linked to kids films though!

I really like Randy Newman - but you need to read up on the inspiration for some of these songs to really appreciate them.

No standouts

Randy Newman…. Zijn stemgeluid brengt je meteen terug in de nostalgie van You got a Friend in me. Muzikaal vind ik zijn muziek altijd prima in elkaar zitten, het vertelt een verhaal. Het probleem zit hem voor mij in het stemgeluid van Newman. Het klinkt altijd een beetje of het wordt gezongen door iemand die een doofstom is? Alsof er iemand met een beperking zingt. Ik wordt altijd een beetje naar van zijn stemgeluid… brrrrrrr

Randy newman het lukt mij niet om hem serieus te nemen. De liedjes zijn een beetje simpel, veel herhaling in de teksten en ik hou gewoon niet van zijn stemgeluid.

yikes. wouldn’t haven’t been too bad if it weren’t for all the slurs…. I understand it was supposed to be a piece speaking of the time in the south but damn

There are ways to talk about social justice issues and hypocrisies of establishment without using the slurs associated with the people being oppressed. Unbelievable this is the Toy Story guy lmao. Otherwise album was mediocre, significantly dragged down by opener and the fact that in one of the other good songs on the album he just throws it out again.

White guy thinks he's figured out this one clever trick that let's him say it. But oh no! He still can't! Even if he *continually* rips it in the first song under the guise of social commentary. 1. I don't think it's that clever. 2. I don't think that sense of irony was ready to be baked into pop-adjacent listeners ears. What's more, I don't think I'll remember much from this album. Some fine story telling here and there, Newman plays a few characters that seem interesting enough. But I can't get past the first song. A song that came on shuffle after this album got done, "For A Dancer" by Jackson Browne, kinda cleared this whole record. Soft 2/5

45

I just don't really like him as a singer. The songs are okay.

It's the Bob Dylan effect, in that Randy Newman is an excellent songwriter, but I just can't tolerate his voice. I find this album hilarious, though, in the song's narrators being supposedly from the Deep South, by way of a guy from LA. Newman is a comically gifted lyricist, but I'd much rather listen to other singers present his lyrics.

Weird kinda to find out this way

This is #day725 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's to some mid '70s roots and country rock or whatever this is? I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. Like, the piano is nice and the guy does have his presence, but otherwise... Oh, you mean, there's another record of his that I'd need to hear eventually... I mean, okay? Let it be a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day726.

Not really a fan of this album

Not my type of music but I appreciate the emphasis on the piano. Sounded like I was listening to an unofficial Toy Story album release

dragged on. and i hate america. marie was so cute though

Nothing really stood out to me here. I can't say I enjoyed the lyrics or the stories too much, and none of the songs made a lasting impression on me. Adding an extra star because at least none of the songs made me want to hit skip. 2/5

4/10

Mix of Americana pub scenes?

I just can't, I'm sure the songwriting is great and he's got something to say, but it's just not for me.

Gary Newman is one of those artists where it feels like if you've heard one Gary Newman song you've heard...maybe not ALL of them, but like 90% of them. And I was never a huge fan of his music. I don't think it's bad per se, it just never really did much for me. And this album only reinforced my prior feelings. The tracks rolled off of me like water off a duck, and I couldn't tell you anything that stood out. It all just sounded like more Gary Newman.

#436 / 1089 Heard before? ❌ Revisit? ❌ Again, yet another album full of lyrics with a dash of music. Effin awful. I'll give a point for whomever made the effort with the arrangements. weak 2/5

No fav song

Randy is a bizarre case. Capable of writing beautiful songs, or massive hits. He is also capable of delivering the same songs in a way to make you think he is pulling your leg. I don't care about political satire, lyrics or even hard R. This is Randy Newman singing Randy Newman, and that will always sound like a dude recording a sketch. And I'm writing this as Randy croons "My papa was a midget, my mama was a whore."

I would probably buy in to the satirical, unreliable narrator vibe if this guy didn't ooze so much corporate fatcat sellout...

Pretty boring. Definitely not as good as his Pixar songs. Wasn't expecting all the racial lyrics 1.5/5

Pues con un disco ya vale, y Sail away es mejor que este.

Better than the last one, still a rough hangover.

I should like Randy Newman more than I actually do it all just reminds me of Toy Story and is very samey

Well, for what it's trying to achieve, this record is expertly put together. With a fleet of hotshot studio players and various rock stars out on loan, Newman simulates genuine down-home Southern authenticity to a T. However, the reliance on familiar-sounding music puts the focus squarely on Newman's lyrics which are a mix of satire and gentle affection for the area south of the Mason-Dixon line. How much you dig this album might well be dependent on how much you care about that specific part of the USA - for this particular Californian, the answer is "not much".

Kedeligt folk. Til gengæld recommendede spotify Bill Callahan bagefter, og det var god chill!

I'll probably never listen to this again. I get that there's supposed to be a humor element but I just didn't enjoy it. 2/5.

Seriously. All the music in the entire world and there are TWO Randy Newman albums on this list? I get the attraction to some extent... I mean everyone loves Toy Story... but thinking this is an album anyone has to listen to before they die is a stretch. 2.

Singer-songwriter pop and satirical Americana built from piano-led arrangements, orchestral touches, subtle grooves, and character-driven vocals feels like flipping through a series of sharply observed postcards from a country that has decided to dress its sentimentality in irony—sometimes clever, sometimes just sappy, and for me more emotionally distant than affecting. The album constantly walks a line between warmth and commentary, but too often the emotional tone tips into something overly cushioned rather than incisive.

Hade tänkt skriva ungefär som Fredrik Tvåan är stark

Randy Newman är bättre som kompositör än artist. Hans CV med filmmusik är en meter långt. Som sångare och framförare är han däremot rätt ointressant och slätstruken. Med en annan artist hade de här låtarna kanske kunnat väckas till liv. Stråkarna hade då också gärna fått tonas ner.

I got enough of Randy Newman watching the new Toy Story 5 this weekend. Didn't need to listen to his voice any more.

I do not think I like Randy Newman.

Man this guy stinks.

I have mixed thoughts on this one. They probably apply to all of Randy Newman's albums. I like the guy in theory. I like his satire and criticisms of social issues. I just like it in small doses. I dont love a whole album of it. The piano is good, as always, and Newman is an institution, but man, I just find most of this album boring. It's a dated album, many people will miss the whole point, but it exists and it's a 2/5 for me.

I could very much have lived without hearing this

Eh, not bad but really nothing special

This is pretty biting and deliberately challenging political satire. It's brave, in your face and unapologetic. However, for anyone that grew up in the age of Toy Story it's really hard to decouple that soundtrack and his doing writing as they all sound so similar. Hats off to the political bravery,I wish we had more of it today when it's desperately needed, but we are fed homogeneous fluff to keep the masses sedated.

Meh. Surprisingly racist.

Listened to it while having a roast dinner, it was nice but can't really remember it

zzz

Riktigt ointressant på alla sätt.

Ummm... Errr.... Uhhhhh.... . . . . No

I like his voice and this was fine. Should maybe have checked the lyrics before I put it on in the office right enough.

Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: Rednecks So uh... I think this is the first time I've heard a white person, in music, drop an N-bomb. I guess maybe except for Eminem... Does Eminem count though?? Randy Newman did it not just one time, but several times. And he tacked on a few Jew comments in there too. Why not use Jew slurs while he's at it? Listening to the opening song actually drove me to go immediately look at the comments of the album, here, to see what the general consensus about this was. I really try to avoid doing this, as I can see the album rating and this tends to influence my opinions, but I had to know. The general consensus seems to be that the song is a critique of racism in both the north and south. I gathered that much as it got towards the end of the song, but in my opinion, the critique, and the point being made, could have been just as easily established by saying the N word a single time, rather half a dozen. And why put it as the first track on the album. Talk about a mood-setter. The rest of the album sort of went in one ear and out the other. I don't much care for Country music, and this seems country-adjacent. It's just wild to know this album exists, and he also did song(s) on Toy Story.

Did we really need another Randy Newman?

Of every album ever recorded, did we really need 2 Randy Newman albums in the top 1001? Should have subbed one out for Gary at least.

Every theatrical composition could be the score to its own movie. He really does have a niche. A whole album of basically show tunes way too much. I couldn’t get through it.

This didn’t really make an impact on me. I just kept thinking about Toy Story. Good for what it is, but not really for me.

I'm not sure this satire has aged well - though its interesting to listen to this style and think about how it progressed into some of the most iconic music from animated films. It's not that I think there shouldn't be music around difficult topics, or satire, parody and humour. This just doesn't land for me, and maybe its a time and place thing, or maybe I'm just not that interested in this style of music, or connect with the humour through stereotypes used. I do find the lyrics along with the style of music confronting and offputting at minimum, no need to listen to this more than once.

Sorry Randy. Don't like his voice very much, sounds like a whiny, whiteboy version of Ray Charles on a bad day. Not my musical style at all, so it was very hard to appreciate. How did this album make the list!? 2 for effort

This satire reminds me of America now, 50 years later. The same people struggling to survive, assuming bad intent, being sold lies. Smae-same.

Unremarkable, weird lyrics throughout

4/10

Honestly not much to say about this one. It pretty much went in one ear and out the other, nothing I hated but nothing I overly enjoyed.

It's okay I guess....not my cup of tea - wouldn't seek out spinning it again.

1.92

- Well, this didn't age well with the slurs - I'm embarrassed listening to it. I understand it's satire, but I still can't. - I also don't like his cadence and total lack of enunciation, and I hate his vocal affectation that's somehow honking and elongated and pinched at the same time - it feels like one long diphthong. - Other than the problematic lyrics, it all feels jokey to me. If the focus is supposed to be the lyrics, then I would definitely like to be able to hear them, but I can't since he seems to be allergic to consonants (except for when he says that slur). I also can't help but tune out his voice because it's annoying. - Hate the Americana feel of it all. - The piano work is nice, but the instrumentation mostly feels like a waste of a symphony. His voice just doesn't match it and stands out too much, and the songs aren't interesting enough for the soaring strings to make up for that. That said, the symphony saves it from a 1 rating, but without it, it definitely would have been. - Also, thankful it's short. This site has given me a new appreciation for albums being short and sweet.

Can't say I enjoyed this as it faded well into the background. RYM: N Saved a song: N

Woof, ummm lots o slurs on this one, yikes

every song sounds similar and theres a ton of racial slurs

467/1089 - Never cared for him. Kingfish had an interesting dissonant intro but then it just went to cliche city like the rest of the album.

It's not bad by any means, but I just don't vibe with that storytelling / circus-y kind of music.

Good to know Randy Newman said the n-word on television about 34 years before the South Park guys did. He certainly nailed the shock value of it as well. It's like the point that The Drive-By Truckers were trying to get across on Southern Rock Opera, just WAY more direct and with 100% less Lynyrd Skynyrd references. The problem is that the guy tries to go for the exact same thing four or five times throughout the album, just without the flagrant use of the n-word. He does slip it in one more time right at the end of the album, but after saying it at least 20 times in the opener, it's hard to do anything but shrug.

Got off to a good start, I did like Rednecks, but unfortunately it couldn't keep it up. It was ok, but nothing to write home about. That's about it really. Glad I listened to it, won't do it again. 2

Meh. Pretty bland stuff here. "Rednecks" was mildly entertaining.

hey?

Feel like this didn't age super great.

uhhhhhhhhh. So this is labelled as "satire" and "concept album". It may be, but it sure does sound like he really wants to use the n-word. Often. It's either a great concept or it's not a concept at all. I honestly can't tell. The music itself is dated and a little boring. Maybe a 3 with better lyrics. Even if this is satire, the lyrics are too simplistic - and mean. I guess it gets a 2 because the music isn't terrible.

Me parece muy extraño escuchar los discos "normales" de Randy Newman, siendo alguien que lo conoció como uno de los principales compositores de canciones para películas de pixar. Y lo raro es que la música suena igual, la voz suena igual, pero en sus canciones regulares habla de lo mucho que le gusta el whisky, de la cocaína que le ofrecen sus amigos y de que su madre era una ramera. Pero todo con la tonadita alegre de "You´ve got a friend in me". Rarísimo y no, no me gusta.

Fucking Randy Newman. Satirical piano rock is most definitely not my thing, but I'm more angry about having Rednecks stuck on my head and feeling bad every time my mind cycles through it.

Mr. Toy Story what are you doing saying that?

Nothing wrong but wouldn't listen again

5/10

Eh ... is it politically correct these days? Mr President (Have Pity on the Working Man) is timely for sure. Never really been a fan, most of his songs just sound the same ... he is much better later in life doing soundtracks.

Wait….these songs weren’t in Toy Story….

Toy Story singer singing the N word MULTIPLE times? I don't care if it was "satire" and the 70s were "a different time"

1001 albums to hear before you say the n word publicly and get killed by a gang 61# Boring if you're not paying attention to the lyrics, but when you're paying attention to the lyrics, it's kind of the same.. boring. Oh no he said the n word, cancel him. Oh but it is a satire, let him be. Oh but he is too comfortable saying it, cancel him. Oh but he has done toy story and monsters inc., let him be. Well it's an average satirical album from the 70s that I'd prefer not take the time to hear but not all albums will be worth of note

This is the second Randy Newman the generator has thrown up in consecutive days and I fear it doesn’t do it any favours, i enjoyed the more political content matter, but despite having a nice voice, his phrasing makes everything blur onto one. It’s pleasant but I suspect Randy is an artist who is perfectly served by a compilation album (probably procured from a discount bin)

Well that was unexpected, but clever. The general point about Randy Newman does remain, but I liked this less. Country generally isn’t my bag. Nor are songs about the Mason-Dixon Line.

I don't really see the point in having 2 Randy Newman albums on the list when they're both so one-note. I preferred the other one without the racial slurs

On paper, I should love Randy Newman (leads with humor, weird voice, old timey, songwriter's songwriter) but I just do not have what it takes. The demo version of 'Marie" I liked, so maybe its the arrangements and the persona he puts on his voice, I have a problem with. Whatever it is is a deal-killer.

All I previously knew of Randy Newman was that kitschy song “I Love LA” from the MTV video and that he scored some films (I did not realize just how many). And honestly, with its dramatic orchestration, this album sounds like it was made for a film about working-class Southerners. He’s clearly good at this sort of thing, and he’s a talented songwriter and lyricist — I recognized the song “Guilty” from Bonnie Raitt’s superior cover version, which really brings out the pathos. But few of these songs really stir me. The big, lushly produced style seems at odds with the more intimate (or harshly critical) subject matter, his voice is meh and I’m highly unlikely to revisit this.

Hearing the Toy Story guy sing the n-word 7 times on the opener immediately put me in a bad mood. Then I realized it’s an outcry against the imprisonment of black people. I think it actually probably is good but on my listen I only caught some of the other lyrics and none of them really stuck with me (except the opener). The songs are undoubtedly well-written but idk it sounds a little over-produced.