Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Folk rock with jazz influence? Sign me up for that! Love the mix of styles here and his lyricism seems fantastic. I should dig in more.
Good style enjoyed its folky ness
Great album. I do prefer No Guru, No Method, No Teacher.
Simple, classic flower child music
All I knew was brown eyed girl previously. This was a great listen.
És un disc que a l'escolta sempre promet més del que dóna. Curiosament, o precissament per això, sempre s'acaba escoltant de nou, trobant-hi nous detalls per disfrutar
I never this was Van Morrison. Lots of sentimentality and candor. Killer combo for me.
so. here's the deal. van morrison was my first album. so whenever this playlist starts I hear. and it stoned me. whenever this playlist I'm building ends I hear. and it stoned me. sometimes I just hear and it stoned me. in my thoughts. this man's voice is in my head a lot. so, now, i like it more thank i did. it.wore.me.down.
Already owned, so obviously I quite like it; although it's not in regular rotation and evokes memories of 15-20 years ago. The title track stands out.
Sounds like Morrison. great background music but nothing i'd probably go out of my way to play, but this album will go on shuffle
Van Morrisons voice is such an incredibly powerful instrument. They could’ve stripped the record of instruments and it would still sound intriguing. The songwriting is beyond incredible (especially on Beside You), even though the scarce instrumentation is beginning to wear out towards the very end. It’s feels like one cohesive stream of consciousness - and what a journey it is.
Lost my notes! I thought it was beautiful and definitely worth your time. Inventive, intricate folk songs.
I've heard this album several times. It always makes me feel like I'm 12, in the backseat of my parents' car, trying to fade into sleep during a road trip by watching the moon through the moon roof. I'm sure that never actually happened, but that's the part of my brain Morrison's unique drug of a voice triggers.
Nice
Fav songs: - Sweet Thing
Great little album. Loved the jazz influence.
muito bom mas a concorrência tava o aço
Madame George, dat maakt het voor mij een prachtalbum.
Mijn held Jeff Buckley heeft veel nummers van Van Morrison gecoverd. Dus 3 nummers van dit album kende ik eigenlijk alleen in Buckley uitvoering. Erg tof om ze nu ook een keer in de originele versies te horen. Prachtige stem heeft die Van.
Fantastic album. You feel the highs, the lows, the triumphs of a successful love. For the majority of the LP, I felt as if were walking through an open tree-line thanks to the acoustic guitar. A couple of the songs drag on, but that's supported by the wonderful horn section, and Morrison's rising and lowering voice that keeps the energy of the song intact. Overall, sweet experience.
You have to be able to enter Van Morrison's dream space to bear him, but I'm often able to do so and was in an especially good position for it tonight. Highly noodly, the songs hang together in sequence better than they ever do internally. Not a boring dream, musically speaking: We move through substantial terrain.
No particular song stands our, but the passion and purity of his voice put the lyrics to life. It was really enjoyable to experience.
Enjoyable and diverse album with folk, pop, rock, psychodelic elements. No song really stands out but it's an overall great album
Classic Van from before he was eaten alive by his ego.
I really like the "disjointed but worked" aspect of Astral Weeks. It's full of little instrumental arrangements here and there, but it never seems completely written. Van Morrison seems to have no qualms about expressing himself a bit more eccentrically than other folk singers of the time. I wouldn't listen to this record every day, but I always liked it.
I enjoyed it and everything suggested subsequently! Would listen to more. : ]
Not my favorite
The way young lovers do and sweet thing are definitely my favorite (maybe because they're the shortest in the album lmao) but Ig that won't be my favorite album of Van Morrison
I wonder what we'd think of Van Morrison if we didn't have Brown Eyed Girl. Personally I like his 1979-1991 period the best, but this is a great, great early album.
Mega-cheelin
Easy classic. A quite singular creative vision
Great album. A little meandering at times, almost sounding like some stream of consciousness from Van, but it works. 4 stars.
Mystic. Cosmic. Ecstatic. Romantic. Contemplative. Meditative. Pastoral. Joyful.
Beautiful album. Enjoyed the music and the lyrics
Rock de Van Morrison. Demasiado lento para el vinilo.
Decent 70s chill.
I loved this album. Polarising as an individual but musically what a talent.
Van Morrison may be an anti-vax asshole, but damn if he’s not able to write a good melody. I do prefer Moondance, as the tracks here go a little too long for my tastes, but the songwriting is just splendid throughout. B
Classic Van Morrison
I liked this. It was a little meandering at times, but it was very emotive in the storytelling and made me nostalgic (?) for a time I wasn't even alive and for things I didn't actually experience.
It made me feel exactly what I imagined being in my twenties in the 1960s would feel like
Pleasantly surprised as an only-brown-eyed-girl-knower-normie
Didn't know the artist, this album is a nice surprise !
Good listen, few songs i hadn't heard
Awesome, loves it!
felt like a well balanced album. liked it. nothing much more to say.
too many flutes, only critique
Surprisingly enjoyable
Classic wandering Van album. In a lot of people's top ever albums. I like, but don't love and prefer other albums from '70s/'80s
I'm not sure if I've listened to this album before or not. I know that this album is regularly cited as some of Van Morrison's best work. All the tracks felt new to me, but they also had a familiar 'Van Morrison' sound. I could easily listen to this album again.
Gorgeous.
favorite songs are beside you, madame george, & slim show rider. has jazz/blues elements, stream of consciousness style of writing.
Lejrbålsmusik møder cirkus. Dejligt legende og svævende. God stemning hele vejen igennem
I wish that - at least once - Van would sing a big long high note on the syllable AAHH.
Interesting album. Thoroughly enjoyed start-to-finish, although one or two songs could have ended a bit sooner. Minor complaint overall.
The "Vertigo" of Albums: Few cared about it when it was released, but many now consider it one of the greatest albums ever made. It's not on this album, but "Tupelo Honey" is possibly my all-time favorite song. At least it is on most days. There are hints of "Tupelo Honey" here. But his next album is really when he gets into Tupelo territory. Like Hitchcock's "Vertigo", I think this album has been overpraised to the point where it's a tad overrated. The real magic awaits on Van Morrison's follow up. There are three types of women in this world: Those who think "Brown Eyed Girl" is about them (this group has never heard of Astral Weeks); Those who only know Van Morrison's "hits" and are aware that "Brown Eyed Girl" was recorded and sung by Van when he was a member of the band Them (these women don't especially care for Brown Eyed Girl); and those who own Astral Weeks on vinyl. If a woman in the latter category invites you to her place, chances are she'll put this on and pour country club portions of red wine until one of you cries listening to young Van marvel at the way young lovers do. But there's a good chance you'll get laid before "Slim Slow Slider". So at least you have that going for you.
Opening song is unreal. Reminds me of Tony B Rip
An astonishing album to this day.
Needs more listens
Shame he's a massive whopper
Interesting blend of orchestral sounds against the backdrop of Morrison voice. Would listen to again
Nice
Classic rock. Favourite track The Way Young Lovers Do. Needs a relisten.
Early, raw Morrison. Very lyric heavy, fairly slow. Good listen.
Fav tracks: beside you, madame george, slim slow slider, have i told you lately that i love you (hermosa canción, suena a amor puro) Me gustan los arreglos de guitarra, violines, saxo la reverb del saxo paneada a un lado suena genial es el tipo de música que hubiera hecho si hubiera nacido en los 70 De hecho, algunas canciones de Podría terminar pronto... tienen detalles parecidos Música para viajar en carretera por zonas desérticas, rurales, etc...
Super chill vibes from this album, but not my kind of music. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it! It transports you to a simpler world - "in a different place, in a different time".
Good - enjoying it
Supposedly, there has never been an album like Astral Weeks--certainly, I've never heard one. Compositionally, the songs are dead simple--they're just vamps, repeated endlessly over which Van Morrison vocalizes his poetry. There aren't a lot of real melodies--rather, Van Morrison improvises modally over the vamps. And these songs aren't short either--the longest is almost ten minutes and three others top the seven minute mark. So it's a minor miracle that Astral Weeks isn't a complete snooze. Why not? Well, probably the credit can be split between arranger Larry Fallon and the band. The band consists mostly of jazz musicians, which doesn't mean this is a jazz album in any way. It's pure, if ruminative pop. Rather, the musicians percolate through the vamps with subtle variations that average session musicians wouldn't have been able to manage. Bassist Richard Davis gets the honors here, with his full round bass tone and aggressive attack. And the inventive and tasteful arrangements of Larry Fallon makes these skeletal vamps seem more like full fledged songs than they have any right to. Okay, I'll give Van Morrison himself a little credit, too. His lyrics, mostly ruminations about places and people from his past--if you're in the mood to drift with the atmospheric vamps--weave an undeniable spell. And his vocalizations disguise the threadbare character of the compositions. I don't hear folk or the blues here, by the way. I'm more reminded of Sam Cooke's vocal inflections. So, how to rate something like this? Considering what Van Morrison is going for here, it's how to imagine how it could have been better done. But would I choose to listen to an album of poetry sung over vamps, however pleasant? Probably not. As usual, I'll try to err on the side of generosity.
I liked his high vocal range. Didn't pay much attention to the lyrics. Some songs seemed pretty similar to me.
Sweet Thing is pretty sweet
Zacht en mooi.
Zeer rustgevend album, met een pure sound
It's not as good as Moondance or Blowin' your mind but it's still damn good
This one is so deep and really a great listen when you’re in the mood for it. Not a very uplifting album, but unique in its own way
Van Morrison siempre me ha sido un si pero no. Tiene cosas que me gustan como este disco y trabajos completamente infumables.
A classic.
Solid.
lovely
Always beautiful to listen to this classic album by Van the Man
Amazing classic, can be a bit slow at points
not much to say other than Van Morrison is king
This album is clearly top notch late 60's/ early 70's singer-songwriter stuff. It's got a great sound, but I kind of have to agree with Van Morrison himself about dismissing the transcendental and exalted position of this album. On the one hand, I can ABSOLUTELY see why people put this up on a tower for all to see - I can totally interpret the music that way. On the other, I can also see Van Morrison saying literally nothing at all and just delivering pretty meaningless stuff in a super competent soul/R&B manner. Maybe that's the genius?
Beautiful instrumentation. Melodic, but dreamy and wandering. Very raw. Great flow and consistent concept. However, Morrison's screams of anguish become repetitive and songs lack some needed focus or change-up.
I guess you had to be there. It's good and all, but it doesn't feel like some turning point in music like the music writers make it out to be. Great lyrics, some wonderful licks and passages, but the songs themselves meander too much.
Liked the sound
Was alright! again, all songs of Van Morrison I like were in this album, so worth listening to again.
En otrolig resa mellan fantastiska texter och melodier. Instrumentation fantastico. Historisk skiva under musikens, troligtvis, mest intressanta och viktigaste tid.
I get the feeling I would need to listen to this record multiple times to appreciate it. I have purposefully avoided Van Morrison in the past because of "Brown Eyed Girl," a song I don't really like much. Hearing this record might make me reevaluate looking into his work. The background behind the album and the "mystique" it has garnered are interesting. Seems the type of record where knowing the lyrics would enhance the overall impression. I enjoyed listening, but I did not hear anything that jumped out to me as a truly transcendent track.
Fine music for a lazy summer day
Really love this album. A voice like no other.
@@@@. Very nice acoustic album.
It’s got a good feel to it
Quaint, meditative...
Did get a chance to fully listen
It's a sweet album with a lot of nice instrumentals. A lot of surprising little instrumental moments that fit really well in the overall context of the album. I can't say that it really grabbed me, but there's also nothing to take issue with. A great album to play in the background. Very summery feel. It drags a bit at the end, though it is overall a very pleasant listen. I might be even more fond of it if Van Morrison wasn't a COVID-denying dick.
Surprisingly good.
Van the man
verbal
I don't dislike Van Morrison, but he's always seemed to me to be the product of the English press trying way too hard to make him into an Irish Bob Dylan. The lyrics here are mostly non-sensical, and there's way too much flute, but it's a solid album. I get why it's on this list, but I don't get why it's treated as if it's part of the Pantheon of Great Music. Best track: Cyprus Avenue
I liked it, but it kind of started to blur together at times.
Beautiful but boring
The jazz band that Van Morrison brought in for his sophomore album gives the music a rich and relaxing sound. A lot of the songs here are quite lengthy, but don't feel it. My favourite song on here is actually the shortest. On "The Way Young Lovers Do", the band are at their most busiest and bustling. Morrison's voice is a sticking point for me. When he strains, he distracts from the otherwise pleasant music. This is most noticeable on "Beside You". I'd like this album more if it had someone like Nick Drake singing over these tracks. The folk-jazz hybrid instrumentation actually reminded me a lot of Drake's Bryter Layter, but this is nowhere near as excellent as that record is though.
I don’t know what to make of Van Morrison. He’s a nut job, but he also creates some pretty chill music. It’s a bit flighty and chaotic at times. Mostly due to him screaming at random intervals. This is one of my wife’s favorite albums, I didn’t dig it nearly that much. It does have the impressive feat of each song being done in one take in the studio. Overall, it’s not a bad listening experience.
I'm afraid I just don't like his voice very much.
I would love Van Morrison's songs more if they were sung by someone else. I can only take his voice in small doses and then it starts to grate on my nerves.
A fine album but isn’t there a better one by him? I don’t know his catalogue well but these are not the songs that I know.
Van Morrison has a very timely vocal style, and the music is pleasant enough. I don't mind listening to it and the album went by fast enough, though Madame George is way too long.
This is, like, THE Van Morrison album you always hear about but… not one recognizable song, nothing stands out, it’s just… fine.
Van Morrison is what it is. Not exactly my cup of tea but beloved by millions. Solidly ok.
van morrison. like it or leave it.
Ganz nett.
I would’ve enjoyed this album so much more if the songs were more succinct and most of them were anywhere between 2-6 minutes shorter. They go on for too long. Otherwise, I liked the production.
Although Vans writing and songs sort of feel the same throughout, his appeal is timeless. he is poetry in music.
I liked this one much less than Moondance, but it was nevertheless a very enjoyable listen. Most of the tracks warranted their long runtimes with satisfying progressions and well-rounded conclusions, but a couple of them simply miss the mark. Morrison's vocals are a bit hit-or-miss for me and the tracks like Beside You really start to grate on me quickly as a result. The melodies are also surprisingly repetitive throughout the album. Overall, though, still a very solid album. Favourite track: Astral Weeks
Two reactions, first being, will Astral Weeks be the record that finally changes the way I feel about this guy? And second reaction, I thought with 945 records and two verified Van Morrison reviews behind me I'd have escaped him — but he just keeps going. He's like the energizer bunny of Irish singer-songwriters and I do at least respect that. I'm not going to lie, I have nothing to lose, each subsequent Van Morrison album I hear through this project chips away at the distaste he earned with Brown-Eyed Girl. And although there's too many folk elements to this album for me, as well as bouts of unexpected Idiopathic Glossoplegia, to ever want to reach for it as a first option, it's really not bad.
nice 3.5/5
5/10
01) Astral Weeks - 7,0 02) Beside You - 6,0 03) Sweet Thing - 7,0 04) Cyprus Avenue - 7,0 05) The Way Young Lovers Do - 7,0 06) Madame George - 7,0 07) Ballerina - 6,5 08) Slim Slow Slider - 6,0 TOTAL: 6,69 (67/100)
It was more interesting than brown eyed girl (one of my least favourite songs of all time) but it was more of a set of freewheeling jams than an album of coherent songs. That is fine if the jams push the envelope but this was a bit beige.
Distinctly average album in my eyes - no songs particularly catchy and memorable, even though they all seemed decently written. His voice does very little for me, and for an album where the vocals and lyrics are so front and centre, they really have to be something you enjoy and I did not. Too raspy, sounding like he’s constantly on the edge of pushing it too far. Orchestral arrangements behind it were nice though.
This just didn't click with me. I liked most of the instrumentals, some parts sounded dated in a bad way, and the vocal weren't the worst either. Just not for me
Very Surprised with this one. I actually like Van Morrison, but this album is full of unremarkable, strangely-structured songs.
Never quite got what all the fuss was about with this album. Yes, it's good but I don't think it's brilliant.
It wasn't bad. "Cyprus Avenue" is quite good.
Beautiful songs maybe a bit too long but very relaxing and insightful as an album
Van the Man delivers a unique listening experience, but it's one I'd save for rainy days. Like he set up camp and decided not to stray too far from the tent. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Astral Weeks - Sweet Thing - The Way Young Lovers Do
It's nicely made, not totally for me Will I listen to again: 12%
Prima
S'alright. Nothing for me here.
298 Pretty in places but not sure I’ll return to anything here. Highlights Astral weeks Slim slow slider
Pretty much a perfect album just not really my thing personally. If you are a Van Morrison fan though, this and "Moondance" are as good as it gets. Favorite track: Astral Weeks 3.5/5
It was pretty pleasant to listen to and I am not a big folk music fan
This wasn't bad at all. Maybe not my favorite music, but there was lots of interesting stuff here. Van Morrison isn't my favorite vocalist, but he isn't bad at all! This was a solid 3. Liked Songs: "Astral Weeks" , "Sweet Thing" , "The Way Young Lovers Do" , "Madame George" , "Ballerina"
So I really wanted to like this…normal course I love Van Morrison’s voice and musical styling. But what happened in the 1970s that drove musicians to add the flute? Was it entirely Jethro Tull? How did this disturbing instrument ever find its way onto the rock stage? And why play it like you’re whistling the lyrics through your teeth? It’s so unsophisticated and flat in tone - I’m almost certain I could play it as well as they do. It’s jarring and out of place. Including here. 3/5
This album tricks me every time I listen to it. I think I'm finally getting it, and then I'm five songs in and I desperately want it to be over. I appreciate the light flourishes he adds here and there, and some of the interesting instrumentation, but this album accidentally looped in my car and I didn't even notice.
Meh. Too much going on. Not horrible. But it's a bit stained because I know how much of a right wing nut job he is now.
I read all about how this one was such genius, and I've always been a Van Morrison fan, but there are many others of his albums I much prefer.
I don't know why this one gets the level of praise it does, it's good but I don't find it overly impressive.
3.5 favs: astral weeks, the way young lovers do, madame george
Not his best work but ground breaking.
Eh this was an okay album from a sauceless Bob Dylan. Finds his voice much better on swingier tracks; when the instruments die down his ramblings become more prominent.
This has a very nice psychedelic atmosphere to it. If I had to describe how this album makes me feel it would be going on a walk in a dense magical lively forest in the jingle-jangle morning, and hearing all the birds singing a song to each other. It's so pleasant. Lot of the songs are alright, but the texture is amazing, it's a high 3 from me. Highlight Song/s: "Astral Weeks"
Não é necessariamente meu tipo de música, considerando o foco que o disco possui nos vocais de Van Morrison, mas não foi ao todo desagradavel pra mim. Teve vários momentos que curti o álbum. E pelo menos, quando o assunto é folk, a voz de Morrison é bem mais palatavel que de outros cantores como Dylan. 3.5
Pas choquant
Pas marquant mais pas déplaisant
So theres this idea in music theory that every song should have a "shape". Basically a natural progression or flow that helps form the idea of the song. While I didnt know about this idea at the time, my entire life listening to music has been for the idea of listening to unique and different music. I cant stand the idea of listening to different songs but I cant tell them apart because they sound the exact same; and by extention I cant stand songs that if you close your eyes and pick a random timestamp you cant tell where in the song you are at. Not for this artist to catch strays but thats exactly why I dont like Tame impala, I have no clue where his songs are in beginning middle or end. And ll that to say that is what is bothering me about this album Van Morrison is incredible, extremely talented and this music is straight up good, but I have no fuckin clue what this album's shape is or where I am at in it at any given point.... it blurs together. The way young lovers do, its the best song on the album mostly bc its the most unique of the bunch
Would not buy
Van Morrison's a prick, but here we go. I liked the back half a lot more than the front. The Way Young Lovers Do and Madame George are both really good. The rest is kinda meandering and messy.
I don't have that much of an opinion on this other than my like for its background music, neutrality towards the vocals and the want for something just a little more than this. But good, nonetheless.
I enjoyed this
Familiar with this album but haven't listened to it lately. Looking forward to it.
Blissful folk mixed with Van's wails that anyone would recognize from Brown Eyed Girl. Its slow and takes its time being slow so if you aren't into to it then you had a while to go for some songs. The vibe is like drifting on a boat away from the problems of life which is more to the instruments than the vocals which I think hold their own. Astral Weeks and Sweet Thing.
Gutes album, vor allem "the way young lovers do" ist mir herausgestochen. Der Sänger hat auch einfach eine wahnsinnige stimme. Trotz alle dem gibt das "nur" eine 3/5 von mir
Gutes album, stimme gabs zu aber es gab nichts, was mich TOTAL abgeholt hat.
Might this be considered “psychedelic folk?” Whatever it is, I can’t say I loved it.
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 I know nothing about him, but my latent, genetic snobbery instinctively turned its nose up at the name "Van Morrison." Upon listening, I was kind of blown away by how spellbound I was from track 3 on. I feel a little sheepish about it because of how overtly cheesy his borderline scatting free-styling is, but the orchestration was so atmospheric and gorgeous. No one song really stood out, which kind of just makes the album a folk-jazz slurry. However, I know I'm pretty susceptible to saccharine sixties sounds on a first listen and I regret any interest later, so I have a feeling this score will drop. I'm a weird voice enjoyer, so the fact that I already find his vocals a little grating means things are bound to fall off between me and Astral Weeks eventually. 1: Bad | 2: Okay, No Desire to Revisit | 3: Good, Conditionally (OR Inconsistent Mix of Qualities | 4: Great (OR Technically amazing but missing the sauce emotionally) | 5: Amazing
First of all, I love how dramatic the cover is. I think it captures the sentiment behind the songs well. In terms of music, I just can't get myself to really enjoy Van Morrison. His voice is very unique, and he has this schtick where he raises it at different points throughout the song, which I find repetitive and a little annoying. I don't know what it is, because I'm sure other artists I like have a similar schtick. Although I wasn't a big fan of his vocals, I enjoyed the overall feeling evoked by the songs. The tracks were light, airy, a little whimsical (thinking of the medieval sounds on Cyprus Avenue), and down-to-earth. Not my cup of tea but it was okay! Favorite tracks: Astral Weeks The Way Young Lovers Do Ballerina
Then We Danced The Night Away 1001 Albums Generator 281 (4/30/2026) Consistently beautiful and unfortunately bloated. When Van makes shorter songs (Sweet Thing and The Way Young Lovers Do), he strikes gold, but some of the longer songs are too long, although the title track and Ballerina are really good. It's pretty enough to warrant a 3.5/5, but I don't see myself coming back to this, so 3/5. Favs: Astral Weeks Sweet Thing The Way Young Lovers Do Least Fav: Cyprus Avenue
just van morrison hooting and hollering over some beautiful instrumentation
I like Van (his music, not his bullshit), but I don't really get why this is THE Van Morrison album. It's kind of boring. Would rather play Moondance any day of the week.
He does one thing (and has since 1969). Its good, though.
me gusto, muy lindo 3/5
Why listen to the warbly vocal stylings of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks when you can listen to the vocal gymnastics of Grizzly Bear's Two Weeks? Or, for that matter, FKA Twigs' Two Weeks? https://youtu.be/tjecYugTbIQ?si=h0cpeVV9oKKE5Lag https://youtu.be/3yDP9MKVhZc?si=ASHNdESVTEzPFdm5
Typical Van Morrison, music sounds nice enough but not really catchy.
It wanders and drags a lot. Probably because melodies are replaced by "stream-of-consciousness" stylings. Van Morrison's soulful vocals combined with folk doesn't really work here for me. (2.5-3)
I think it was good. 3.5 stars.
Heard of him, but never heard this. Interesting.
Lovely songs and long winding themes. Great writing and performance, his voice captures the feeling and set the tone of the album along with these rythms. Great overall.
Morrison's voice is certainly an acquired taste, but I at least respect someone whose singing is this passionate. Ultimately a bit too rambling and hippie-ish for my tastes. However, when I went on a walk in the evening while listening to this album, I got as close as I will probably ever get to 'getting' this album. This is something you're meant to be listening to when you're sitting around a campfire with friends smoking pot and the sun is going down. All other contexts don't work for this album, at least not for me. At points the singer has the vibe of a guy who became a hippie and learned to play guitar so he could get laid (I believe the youths would call this a 'performative male'), but Astral Weeks still reminds me of my friends who would like this music, so I can't really hate it.
This would be great to like, walk through a forest to.
Prefer Moondance.
This project has helped me to discover that I don’t like experimental folk (or much folk at all, for that matter). But I read that many critics love this album and put it in their tops of all time. So I went into Astral Weeks with cautious optimism. My expectations were met - it’s a well-produced album with some great guitar playing, but the crooning poetry seems disassociated from the music. Van, give me Brown Eyed Girl any day over this! 3⭐️
Ehhh, not his best album imho
Astral Weeks - 4.5/5 Beside You - 3/5 Sweet Thing - 4/5 Cyprus Avenue - 3.5/5 Young Lovers Do - 4/5 Madame George - 3.5/5 Ballerina - 3/5 Slim Slow Slider - 3/5 The music is as good as a butterfly fluttering on a spring day, but does Van Morrison realize he doesn't have to stretch songs out that far? It would have been a four if he trimmed the fat but unfortunately for him it's a three because he can't stop adding filler Overall: 3/5 Favorites: Astral Weeks
Yeah. Solid. I'm not a super huge listener of Van Morrison, even though I respect him and this is a good listen. Moondance is definitely his big one though, and it's the one I'd probably go back to, if I were going to listen to him. I'm sure it's in this list somewhere and haven't gotten to it yet. I'd probably 3.5/4 stars for this one.
Nice to hear Van Morrison outside of the "Brown Eyed Girl" context, and good depth on lots of these songs. But the lyrics are sometimes harder to decipher than Joe Cocker. And maybe 3-4 songs could have been 2 minutes shorter, instead of just repeating the rhythm sections.
Great voice, nice songs. 3+
Nice chill sounds to get into, may need a relisten for any of them to stick though. Standouts were Astral Weeks and Madame George. 6/10
5 - AVERAGE
He’s certainly got a voice and a process that makes a lot of the song sound similar. But they all sound good.
This gives restaurant music that they would play to give some ambiance without being distracting. It’s not bad, but it all kinda blends into the background
I was unsure about this album in the beginning, but the sound grew on me the further I got into it. Nothing I am rushing to revisit, but it was not a bad listen. Favorite Track - The Way Young Lovers Do Least Favorite Track - Besides You ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another classic artist I really haven’t listened to much before, apart from the most known hits. Morrison has a very charecteristic voice, but I’m not a big fan of his vocal style. The songs are okay, but few songs stands out.
was not familiar with this album, but like Van the Man. Very calm and melodic. (Wonder if he looked at anyone while recording?)
A bit more shaggy, rambling and jangly than what I’m generally drawn to.
Astral Weeks drifts along with loose, wandering vocals over gorgeous instrumentation, but for me it still lands as background dinner music.
I'm not against long 7-9 minute songs... and generally the vibe is pretty chill and listenable ... but, maybe I just kinda don't love Van Morrison.
I knew some of these songs, but never listened to the entire album. I like it. Question: if you’re asked to kiss Van Morrison’s eyes, are they open or closed?
Driving through Brooklyn listening to this and the vibes, as the kids say, were immaculate. Then I got stuck in the tunnel and realized how much noodling was going on
Probably not for everyone. Honestly reminiscent of Bob Dylan's music in some ways (NOT the good ways). I'm familiar with some of Van Morrison's later stuff which is all fine and good, but the stream-of-consciousness and free-verse style lyricism just doesn't seem to work for me. It's all too loose. The composition and arrangements carry the album, though. The strings and acoustic guitars give this a sort of comfy and relaxing feel, with other instrumentation adding a jazzy flair at points. It's too bad though, as Van Morrison's presence kind of takes you out of these aforementioned feelings.
Alrighty, quite excited about this cause I never really found opportunity to explore more from this guy apart from Brown Eyed Girl. One thing which is pretty soon becomes clear is that this guy has really an amazing and versatile voice which I like. Album is enjoyable but so far I haven't found the reason why this was so popular at it's time. Definitely at least 3 stars, with possibility to REVISIT, but I keep getting distracted today and not finding time to listen to this in full.
Good man.
Not as good as the previous Van Morrison but ok.
i guess this is just the Van Morrison album per day machine now? good thing they’re pretty good
Van Morrison sings too loud. His music is very creative and often done with great composition. Guitarwork is interesting and sometimes the instrumentals come out of nowhere. The Way Young Lovers Do is a true banger, and I love the album’s ending
Never been able to pierce the veil with this one. There are certainly a lot of interesting production qualities fused together here, but I've never been able to connect to the album personally. That's Astral Weeks at its best - at its worst, it is a little irritating with seemingly few progressions. I can see this one being best heard on vinyl.
Was quite boring
Type of guy to kiss you on the cheek but you really wouldn't have a problem with it
I didn't love it ... I didn't hate it. I am not sure I even like it that much. More like 2.5 stars, and I am pretty positive I will never listen to it again.
The album was pleasant enough, but why did some of the songs have to drag on for so long? I don't think extending a song for longer than 5 minutes improves the song in any way.
Good but just not sure
Slum plate for en rolig søndag.
mid
I will probably never be a big Van Morrison fan, but this album is better than anything I've heard from him.
easy
When it first came out I really didn't like it. Thought it a difficult listen. Hearing it now it's a little easier on the ears but I still find his vocalizations sleep inducing.
The music itself was fine but I’m not a huge fan of this dude’s voice.
3/5
It is OK, probably his best album. I have heard. it before and enjoyed it, but this listen I just could not get into it. Seemed kind of bland.
Cool country/folk album although it all sort of ran together for me
Not bad nothing exciting but lyrics are pretty cool
I like the instruments.
I'm not really a huge fan of Morrison's voice. Sweet Thing is the standout track here; the rest is a little samey.
It's pretty dark, but the music is interesting. I don't like the vocals.
I managed to miss most of the album the first time I listened. I don't blame this entirely on the album, I was preoccupied, but it does say something to me that nothing really caught my attention during that time. It just lacks any kind of bite tbh. Like if you went fishing for me, and this was your bait, you would go home empty-handed.
I listened to this album first thing in the morning at my desk, struggling not to doze off. To put my thoughts bluntly, this is the least exciting album I've encountered so far on this list. My only knowledge of Van Morrison prior to this was Brown Eyed Girl, and I found myself craving some of that higher energy throughout this album. While I can appreciate that this project is more contemplative, the instrumentation tends to feel a little toothless and flat. A lot of the songs tend to flow together in a way that feels a little repetitive and hard to parse; there are some songs and moments which stick out, but much of this album becomes difficult to distinguish for me. I also don't know how much I feel like Van Morrison's voice fits this slower, more ethereal pace; there's definitely a groove here with this album, but it's not one I particularly feel that strongly. Highlights: Beside You, Slim Slow Slider
Love this man’s voice but was boring white guy stuff tbh
this is a very high 3... but it ain't a 4
This was ok, I like VMs iconic voice. That said, this is not his best work. Not sure why they picked this Album. Reluctantly rounding up but this is truly middle of the road. 2.5/5
I wanted to like this. Great rock voice and some decent songs. But this was a bit over sung and felt directionless. Madame George scared the bejesus out of me in the beginning when he came in. There was also a part in that song and others that was just weird repetition. 2.5 but I’ll round up because there are moments of vocal greatness.
I mean, it's good...but it's no Brown Eyed Girl. LOL 3.25/5
I have to be in a certain mode to listen to this I think. Its not bad but I wasn't really feeling it today.
Absolutely wacky vocals most of the time, but I enjoy the fusion of all these genres.
Mixed feelings, I really like some of the guitar work and musicianship, but sometimes felt a bit detached/disengaged.
乐器很轻盈，人声在有的歌里好不搭
gut
3.5/5
didn’t even have Tupelo honey
Wel oke
Interesting range of influences
Bilden på Van Morrison på omslaget är lite suddig, ofokuserad. Och det är lite så det låter också. Astral Weeks, Sweet Thing och The Way Young Lovers Do håller hög klass medan resterande låtar mer är ändlösa jam-sessions som aldrig leder någon vart. Dryga 20 år gammal låter han redan som en gammal gubbe. Jag gillar det jazziga soundet. Det är bra men inte fantastiskt.
3 - deservedly on this list
I love Moondance. Not so sure about this one.
3/5 I’m a van/fan of Morrison. The album is easy going and simple and I like it. Nothing too special but just okay. Maybe not a must listen.
It’s good, I appreciate this one as a whole package. I think Van Morrison is for someone, but this doesn’t grip me the same way similar music does, but I could listen to the album as a whole if it was on. 3 stars
Completely tolerable but nothing special
3,2/5
I was told this album was the best Van Morrison album and was hoping to have my mind blown, but it ended up sounding like every other Van Morrison song and nothing stood out
Payin' Dues er bedre.
The epitome of "Boomer Music."
Astral Weeks is an album built almost entirely on mood and flow rather than structure or hooks. It drifts from song to song in a loose, impressionistic way, favouring atmosphere over definition. The instrumentation is subtle and fluid, and the arrangements feel more like jazz sketches than traditional folk or rock compositions, which gives the album a distinctive, hazy identity. That approach is both its strength and its weakness. The album maintains a consistent tone throughout, but that consistency often turns into monotony. Songs bleed into one another with very little contrast, and the lack of clear melodic anchors makes individual tracks hard to distinguish once the record is over. Van Morrison’s vocal delivery is expressive and committed, but the abstract imagery and freeform phrasing rarely crystallise into moments that truly land. In the end, Astral Weeks feels more like an aesthetic experience than a compelling album journey. It is tasteful, influential, and undeniably well played, but it asks a lot of patience while offering limited payoff.
Great to get to a true classic that I haven’t heard yet. This really is a beautiful album. I’m entranced by the way he sings these songs with a lot of room to just stretch and vocalise however way he feels. Maybe after a while it starts sounding a bit same-y but there’s no denying his distinct voice and talent at emoting through these songs. Definitely need to hear some more albums from him!
Classic.
None of the songs I’m familiar work from Van Morrison. I’m the sicko who actually likes his voice. Enjoyed it for what it was though I doubt I’ll ever conscientiously come back to it. 3.5/5
Very pleasant stuff
The songs are actually pretty good, but I can’t stand his voice.
Some very cool stuff but also odd
Sooodeli. Isch gmüetlich, isch fun. Aber halt chli 60er einheitsbrei. Darum 3 wuche
Van Morrison has never been an artist I sought out - it was a little too old-timey folksy for my tastes, so I knew his hits but not much else. Putting on this album, really highlights his artistic sense—and his band he built up over time, between acoustic sessions, flute accompaniment—that made this whole album enjoyable. Reading about it, it sounds like this was his push to explore musically: reading it described as "a concept album" fits. I'm still not a "fan" overall, but it's a solid album to throw on and relax to.
It’s very soft and relaxing music, but all sounds very much alike. He has a unique and passionate voice, but I just can’t get excited about anything here. 3
I like this, but I didn't love it...
He was emoting and delivering songs with a lot angst. It was good, but I didn't get into that intensity for the full 47 minutes. Sweet Thing is a beautiful song, and I was pleasantly surprised by The Way Young Lovers Do. "And I will walk and talk in gardens all wet with rain"
Listening to this after Dexys Midnight Runners makes Morrison sound like the voice of an angel. I do like his voice but this album rambles too much. It's just too rambly with no point it feels like, and this makes it drag in places, especially "Madame George". Overall it sounds nice but that's kinda it for me.
***An ok album, easy listening
it’s alright. had a nice airy feel to it but a lot of the songs were boring. didn’t capture my interest too much
Beautiful album. I haven’t taken it all in yet. One I feel will go up ratings wise the more I listen.
I know this is critically acclaimed but I don’t find it all that great.
Vibing heavily with the Spanish guitar sound in “Beside You”. Feel like I’m running/twirling through a field of tall grass with his tunes. Overall very good but just not my personal favorite!
Genre: Chamber Folk (Singer/Songwriter) Folk and I have a love/hate relationship. Most of the time, I feel like I should love most of this shit, but I end up not loving it at all. This was in between. Van Morrison’s voice is so distinct/hearty that it brings a lot of these tunes to a better place, but overall it’s pretty tepid musically, even though I’m sure it scratches the itch for a lot of folks out there. Not bad. 3/5
I've never listened to this album (64). Pretty good, but I prefer when Van grooves a bit more.
This just sounds like what you'd think a Van Morrison album sounds like. I know he's supposed to be the big great Irish artist, but frankly I don't really get it.
I've listened to a lot of Van Morrison because Jenny really likes him. While I don't mind him, I have trouble distinguishing between one song and the next, except for the "hits," I guess. Like . . . nothing stands out in any way. This album - which I may or may not have heard before - follows that pattern. Happy Thanksgiving, all!
Not bad
I thought Van would need to work pretty hard to make me give anything under a 4, but, fair play to him, he managed it.
Thought the previous VM album was better. Perhaps should have given that a 4. Whatever.
Nascent
Pleasant enough.
The music on this is actually kind of cool but I just find Morrison’s voice grating. Pretty sure Mark Lanegan loved this record.
Never understood the fuss. But sure, it’s fine.
Started off strong, but 47 minutes made it monotonous.
Good album
295/1089 - Where was the jazz? (Nvm just got to The Way Young Lovers Do) Not really a fan of his big vowels.
Ethereal kinda reminded me of yoko ono and bob dylan
Van morrison er fin før han skriker. blir litt slitsomt å høre på den gaulinga hans, men noe fint her og der.
I have listened a bit to Van Morrison since my dad listened to him when I grew up. Interesting lyrics and a good voice. To me its good music to have on in the background while doing other things. Not something I will listen to actively.
Didn't hate it, but wasn't particularly impressed either
Mellow 3.5/5
I've learned I like Van Morrison in small doses, but a whole album of him can be a bit much. This album in particular had a specific sound structure to it, and the songs didn't vary much from that structure. One outlier that stood out was The Way Young Lovers Do. And I really like Sweet Thing because it's just a pretty, moving song. Overall, I enjoyed the poetic lyrics, and the instrumentation was quite lovely, but his vocals get kind of annoying after awhile.
fine
Some good tunes but Van’s vocal style becomes overbearing on a few tracks, almost to the point of being unlistenable
I love the improvisation. You get the sense that Van Morrison knows exactly what it is he wants to do, he knows the through line, and that the band are vibing around him, both him and the band adapting to each other’s movements. This is undeniably cool. The melodies themselves are a not as interesting as the song structures, but it’s a very cool artefact.
Listened to half, it was medium.
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Strongly dislike brown eyed girl (which isn't on this album) so thought I might not like this. Pleasantly surprised. Light, kind of Neil Young esque. Wouldn't mind hearing again. 6/10.
Never really noticed, but he sometimes sounds a lot like those weird slightly spooky 1930s singers from the rubber hose cartoons, which I think is why his singing in a couple of these feel a tiny bit unsettling. I feel like instrumentally, its a lot like the more 'produced' Nick Drake albums, which is really good, feels very natural and organic. I feel his voice, while very powerful can get a bit grating at times, especially when he does that one vocal bit and keeps repeating things. His voice very much jumps out from the instrumentals, while Nick Drake blends in a lot more, and I guess there's no better or worse objectively, but I for sure like the Nick Drake stuff more. I do also like the longer-form songs, but I sort of wish he'd let some of the songs be instrumentals for extended periods of time rather than just improvising whatever vocals on top of them. The lyrics and storytelling are very good, and quite surreal as well in his description of certain things like people. I think this is probably similar in quality to the Moondance one, if not a bit better. Favourite songs: Astral Weeks, beside you, sweet thing, Madame George, Ballerina. Overall around 6/10 (feels close to 7)
A month or two ago, I started listening to my own copy of this record. After a few minutes, I got so irritated that I stopped it, removed the CD and threw it away. (EDIT: I didn't actually throw it away; I donated it to a charity shop.) Van Morrison's voice is a dull blade sometimes, and you can feel it tearing at you. You really need to be in the mood or in the right setting for it, and I was not. I'm giving it another chance today, and it's not terrible, but he does still stab at my eardrums in a way I don't appreciate like I think I should. The songs are interesting, though, and the music is nice. I especially enjoy the prominence of Richard Davis's bass. I'm not going out to buy it back, and it might not be one of 1001 records I needed to hear, but I think Mr. Morrison and I have achieved a certain level of détente.
1. Astral Weeks - 11 I'm not even a fan of Morrison's voice so much but this is just a brilliant track. The instruments guide you weightlessly through some incredible lyrics. 2. Beside You - 3 Really does not sound good. Vocally it's an absolute trainwreck and unlike Astral Weeks there's not an overall sense of the song building or lifting towards something enjoyable. 3. Sweet Thing - 10 Lyrically it's superb. The addition of the strings to help bring in and fade out the outro is an excellent touch. Absolutely incredible track. 4. Cyprus Avenue - 7 It's okay. It builds really well but it's not as grand a crescendo as Sweet Thing or Astral Weeks. Vocally there are times it's not enjoyable but other times it's a joy. Very hit and miss track but it's pretty enjoyable despite that. The way the strings go from flat playing to out of tune to back into flat playing is very clever and works really brilliantly on the track. 5. The Way Young Lovers Do - 6 Good upbeat song with some solid lyrics. It's not like anything else on the album and it's an enjoyable track. The use of brass is pretty good on the track but vocally it goes from being very good to at times a bit of a mess. 6. Madame George - 3 Insanely boring track that's just way too slow and goes on for way too long. 7. Ballerina - 5 Builds really well but at times it just seems like it's not going anywhere. Opening minute and the last three are the most enjoyable parts of the track. 8. Slim Slow Slider - 5 Lyrically very good but the outro is just an unnecessary increase in tempo and pace for ten to fifteen seconds. Makes the outro feel so out of place on not just the track but the album. Overall it's a decent track. Average Rating: 6.25 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 3.13 Rounded Down: 3 Stars
Unique (backing music sounds a bit like krongcong to me, if you know that niche Indonesian style). I enjoyed it, but won't lose my head over it like some others I know.
Beautiful arrangements. I love this era of production. Flutes everywhere. The record is a bit meandering, particularly the vocals. He’s often going OFF for 7+ minutes and it can get a bit tiresome. Lyrics are interesting though. Feels very loose, which is mostly cool but sometimes feels strange. The swung ride cymbal rhythm that barges in at the end of Madame George while the strings play a gorgeous melody straight is a really weird choice. Slim Slow Slider is a weird ender. It’s a beautiful record for sure, but I’ll likely only come back for the title track.
Enjoyable but blended together a bit by the end.
Nice
Baustelle, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Nett & so ein bisschen öde.
This man needs some tits n ass cause he is missing even hugs!
Speisa.
Didn't age very well, I think. It's an ok album, but it was probably a lot better in the 60s. Now, it's a 3/5
Gi meg månedans og brunøyd jente. Neia, ikke gæli denne heller.
Beautiful melodies, questionable lyrics. 3/5
Big fan of Moondance but not so much Astral Weeks. It's a fusion of folk, jazz, and blues that I don't particularly like. Definitely deserves a place on the list, it's just not for me. Sweet Thing is the highlight. 3/5.
Nice album, that I feel like could you listen while on a picnic. high 3/5
Nothing special about this. To me, Van Morrison had two hits and neither of them were part of this album. A high 2, rounded up to a 3.
Classic Van Morrison. Totally loved the vibes and instrumentation (who doesn't love great drums, horns, and was that a harpsichord?) Listened before? A couple songs familiar as singles Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): Astral Weeks, The Way Young Lovers Do ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it.