Reviews (page 10 of 13)
i'd enjoy it a lot more if i was drinking whiskey on my porch or at a woodstock festival with the boys, but folk rock isn't my thing in general
Enjoyed
I like this one more than Music from Big Pink. Good selection of classic country rock jams. 3.5/5
At the risk of sounding like a certain political leader, The Band is a band full of members that make up The Band. I’ve never really understood why folks think that The Band is so influential. To me, the music sounds a lot like other rock music that was put out at that time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good rock music but I just don’t see how The Band influenced the acts that succeeded them. But what do I know? I am sure that some music critic, who declared this album “one of the most influential albums of all time” knows. My favorite tracks are “Across the Great Divide” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”.
You know, I didn't mind this. It's not something I would listen to on my own, but if it were a road trip and someone put it on, I would listen.
Niet bijzonder, wel leuk!
how are you gonna call yourself "The Band" but not call your album "The Album" ???
After all these years, I’ve never got it. There are hundreds of albums from the seventies which I like more.
3/5 I started this project because I wanted to broaden my musical horizons and to be exposed to new music that will change my life. This is just not one of those bands. Sure they had good enough technical skill, and the music sounded ok. But when you know a song because another artist did it better, it makes me question the importance of an album. I'm sorry to be harsh, but they weren't The Band. They were just "A Band."
The band. Maybe "A Band" would be more accurate, as these guys were unremarkable to me. Not terrible, not great.
Not sure about this album, gave it at least two listens as I usually do but nothing stood out, just an average album to me
Is this where Americana came from? It's just not really for me. Maybe it takes a few listens, but I don't have the time or patience for that. Maybe I'll enjoy the debut since there's a few songs on it I actually know. Whispering Pines was alright, a bit Brian Wilsony. Look out Cleveland was alright, wouldn't be out of place on the Big Lebowski soundtrack. Actually the second half of this album is much better than the 1st. Or perhaps I acclimatised. Because of this I gave it another listen later on in the evening, and I still didn't much like the first two tracks. After that, it's a whole mood, I could grow to like this quite a bit. When You Awake just fades away when tbh I want more... I'm torn, there's great tracks here, and some I'm just not feeling. But would I given time... Unfaithful Servant is a slow burn banger. I think that leaves me with a stronger impression at the end of the album than the album does overall. Loads of words not saying anything from me there.
Well, not my style, but I see the appeal to those who sung their praises in the 80s. Folk, predecessor to southern rock, I hear it, I like understanding the lineage through the songs.
Fairly familiar with this album, very very familiar with certain tunes. I'd agree this is an album everyone should hear at some point. These days, the production seems very "open" i.e. the sound isn't very layered, so it is a sparse recording... it is both soulful and yet obviously a studio recording. There are classic tunes on this record, but I like Big Pink better.
Album 102 of 1001 The Band - The Band Rating : 3.5 / 5 Favorite Track : Up On Cripple Creek I find myself comparing this to their 'Big Pink' album, which was awesome. Their 2 big hits from this album are unquestionably great. The others hold their own, as well. Not as powerful as their 1st album but still enjoyable, without a doubt. I really wanted to go 4 on this on, but can't seem to do it. A delightful album, though.
I'm not a fan of folksy country rock but this has one of the most iconic songs of this genre and it's by a cracking legendary band sob that must be acknowledged
It was alright
im not all that country or blues but these guys were alright
Screwing with database is since the 1960's these guys clearly were experimental and willing to mix different styles which I guess that's why it's in this list it's a Fusion kind of crossover in a bit of Bluegrass mix it country mixed with I don't know probably do I love it no do I hate it no it's it's ok soft background country 20 fun stuff 600mm
For those about to drop, I have mixed feelings about whether to recommend this for your death list. While I prefer the Brown over the Pink, a lot of this has not aged well and it goes to Robbie taking over the song writing. Two things: one he never could write an album's worth of material and two, the other band members were clocking out for a range of reasons, drugs, booze and I think a sense that Robbie and Albert Grossman were pulling a scam on the publishing (they were right). Robbie himself admits that so many of his songs were completed with the other band members, Garth in particular telling him where to next on chords etc. What is good is great: the three lead vocalists and the harmonies, just brilliant. I'm not a big fan of Richard's lead, but Rick and Levon are amazing and do some of their best work with these tunes. Rockin Chair and Rag Mama are straight out white boy Americana and Cripple Creek is almost biblical in its tone and tenor, Robbie's finest lyric. The Night They Drove, is an interesting take on the demise of the slave autocracy, a white boy's lament on the death of his brother and what he knew, written by a Canadian through the eyes of an Arkansan son of the post Reconstruction South. Knowing the poverty that Levon grew up in, this is more a meditation on how it is that the disadvantage do the fighting, and Virgil wondering what that was all about, except for a reverence for that old slaver Lee. Fundamentally anti war, reflecting yet again the futility of Vietnam. Lyrically interesting, but a dirge like tune that has not aged well, and is of course sullied by Baez's out right weird cover, makes me ill just thinking about it.
When I signed up for this project, I was expecting more albums of this kind of stature and reputation. Despite constant prodding from my mate Dave Lewis to give the Band some attention, they have largely sat on my back-burner. I mean, I've seen the Last Waltz, I know the hits, I even have a favourite deep cut ("Don't Do It", probably the funkiest thing they ever recorded). And I've certainly read a thousand hagiographic magazine articles about The Band. I know the legends, and this is a legendary album from a legendary band. _The_ Band. So what is it like to sit down and properly listen to the album? Well, I can certainly hear how this was massively influential in both song-writing and production approach. And like many super-influential albums, it was followed by a few people who did it better, and a whole lot of crappy imitators playing terrible and increasingly pale carbon copies of this record. The Band really did set the template for Americana. People are still copying this record. There are a few absolute classics on this record (Cripple Creek, Dixie, King Harvest), but some filler, too. The recording quality is a bit more coherent than Big Pink. But here come my blasphemous opinions; some of the singing is weak (especially Richard Manuel), and I have never really rated Robbie Robertson's playing. This album is, possibly, a bit over-rated. But it really is hard to judge an iconic album like this; so much of what has come since has been shaped by it; "authentic" production, band dynamics, the embrace of American roots styles, country-soul... And I do love that it isn't polished to the point that there is no life left in it, unlike so many albums. I can respect it, but I don't know that I really love it. I'm glad I have given it some proper attention. See Dave, I told you I would, eventually.
different kinda rock more country i like it but some songs seem a bit dated and boring. I like the more emotional songs and slower songs, mostly good choruses
My 2nd The Band album - continues to be good ol' classic rock.
Some decent songs but a fair bit of filler for my taste
It's alright
Straight forward easy listening rock.
Pretty good and clearly very influential. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first couple of songs but from Dixie onwards it was relatively strong. There’s just no it factor for the songs really, and their work with Dylan is much more exciting
As far as folk music goes, not a bad album at all. I feel like maybe I would get more out of it if I were American though.
Easy listening
Whole Album seems solid, without much that really stand out or stays with you long after listening. Probably nice to put on some occasions as a fitting background
Alright
it was ok
Meh
Eh this album was just merely ok. Nothing really stood out to me while listening to this.
Good but just sounds so old!
Fín músík, en söngurinn er svo ómerkilegur að mér getur ekki fundist þetta neitt svakalega skemmtilegt.
Du bon vieux rock, ça sonne vraiment classique de ces années là et c'est rafraichissant de tous les bands brit des années '60 qui sonnent tous pareil (Byrds, Kinks, etc.). Par contre c'est un peu monotone et ça parait un peu long : l'album est un standard 43 min, mais on a l'impression qu'il dure 1h. 6/10
Папик бьёт меня за то, что мне не нравится.
Across the Great Divide on toimiva aloitus, ja Dixie on alisoitettu klassikko. Noh, kaiken kaikkiaanhan levyn biisimateriaali on varsinkin B-puolella vähän tasapaksua, rytmi turhan tallusteleva, ja laulajien kaverillinen taitamattomuus alkaa pidemmän päälle ärsyttämään. Toisaalta muistan miten esim. Rag Mama Rag ja Up On Cripple Creek menevät, ja voin kuvitella, että pidemmän päälle muistaisin enemmänkin. Levy on siis kai 2,5, johon luotan sen verran, että olen valmis pyöristämään ylöspäin.
Some great writing. A few classics. Overall, a fan of this band.
Good for the times. 3/5
Great classic rock album, shared with Dad.
Buenardo, el 1ro de The Band.
чуть завышу свою оценку, потому что это отличный отходняк после предыдущего альбома)))))))))))
Группа "Группа" представляет пластику "Группа"! Боги неймингов... Обычный альбом из 60х. Мне кажется, мы уже столько их прослушали одинаковых, что они нас теперь совсем-совсем не впечатляют. Причём опять же, вроде как и не придерёшься к нему: звучит он хорошо, не противно, нет проблем со стерео. Но и не удивляет.
11.04.23. Приятная уху "чисто американская" музыка. Самое то для погружения в атмосферу "деревенских" США конца 60-х годов. Понравилась работа с инструментами. Думаю, этот альбом мог бы играть фоном в каком-нибудь "охотничьем" ресторане.
Quaint, sonically pleasant. Not something I would go out of my way to listen to, but I don't regret listening. Whispering Pines is FANTASTIC.
What am I missing? Was this proto-roots rock? Am I simply living in a post-"The Band" world much like my eldest son is living in a post-Beatles world and doesn't much understand what all the fuss is about? It's Americana. It's competent. But it's not blowing my mind.
Pretty sure I had this album back in my college days. I do remember most of the tracks, and although I rarely listen to The Band at present, I still appreciate their work. Such a great band.
It was ok, passable even, I didn't hate it and I found myself tapping away for most of it. Would I go back for a second listen? probably not though.
Bonus points for the original name of both the band and the album. Typical sound of that era. It was OK.
It was ok
I'm fairly certain I've never heard a song by The Band before or if I have I didn't know it was them. Good old 70s rock! Lots of different styles intertwined throughout the album.
Eh
I love this album. Alluringly unpolished.
I enjoyed it but I didn't super enjoy it.
The Band is like the Dead or Phish, you either really love them, or have no strong feelings. Overall this album was a nice chill, easy to listen to album. No real feelings about it one way or another.
Good
I just don't get the Band. Tried to listen a few times. This album has some songs that i've heard before, know of, and think are ok, but its so ho-hum I can barely finish. Just sounds like hipster music from 1969. Very grateful dead vibe with no jam band/guitar work. Weak 3.
Not for me. A little boring and slow. Soft 3 to 2 territory
Fine but not really to my taste
The Band is undoubtedly a great group, but I just don't click with roots rock.
I don't hear that this is such a classic. It's definitely solid but nothing really grabs the attention.
I took up all of my winnings And I gave my little Bessie half And she tore it up and threw it in my face Just for a laugh Now there's one thing in the whole wide world I sure would like to see That's when that little love of mine Dips her doughnut in my tea Its funny in retrospect that a bunch of canadians wrote a song (not the quoted one) that the american south held so dearly. But in the end the whole thing is actually worth a listen. 3/5
Interchanging singers gives this album an eclectic feel but the organic instruments keep it linked together. King Harvest, Unfaithful servant, Drive old Dixie down and Cripple creek are such well crafted songs
Country correct
Got a little too Cletus the Slack Jawed Yokel by the end.
I like The Band and this was enjoyable to listen to. 3.5.
Yeah this was ok, but it didn't leave me longing for more of it.
In an unusual turn of events, I actually liked this album less on my second listen. So, 3 stars instead of 4 it is.
- Nice old folk songs - Enjoyed it, not sure I'd listen in full again - Criminal that they didn't call this 'The Album' - Fav songs: The Unfaithful Servant, When You Awake, Look Out Cleveland
Ok. Some better than others.
Classic rock_folk
Artistically well done, but not my cup of tea
Solid album by a solid band. I can't say I love it, but I definitely don't hate it either. I mean that in the best possible way. Like, it's good all the way through, but it doesn't "do" much for me either.
This is fine. It seems a lot of these album of ‘60s and ‘70s rock and this band The Band are a great example of it done right. Top to bottom it’s sufficiently made and has nice production quality to it.
7/10
I love the Last Waltz but this album is just run of the mill folk rock to me. I appreciate the influence they have to so many bands
Just a late 60s/early 70s sounding band. Nothing stood out on the album. In fact, it all sounded the same. 5/10.
3.75
American
6/10. The Band was all together, and it was... alright.
Relatief makkelijk doorheen te komen. Over het algemeen een best leuk album. Met vlagen enorm matige zang wel. Hoe invloedrijk en uniek voor die tijd het is kan ik niet beoordelen, dus daarvoor geen bonuspunten. 3/5
a banda
Un album que je qualifierai de gentillet
Not a huge fan of the twang. I don't even really like "The Weight" which seems to be a beloved song by almost everyone. Again, not a bad album but not one I would seek out again.
An album must click with you emotionally. No matter how good the music is, how non-intrusive the listens, when no song makes you listen closer and no lyrics stand really out, there's also not really a use to listen to it anymore after these first 3 playthroughs. The Band does nothing to me.
I don't really know what to say about this album. It has a cool sound. I enjoyed it. I don't think there's really anything wrong with the album, but I don't like it enough to give it a higher rating. My favourite song is Across The Great Divide.
Rock clássico que segue interessante.
Wanhanliiton juurirokkia. Ei oo kyl juurimusa välttämättä ihan mun musaa, mutta onhan tää nyt hyvä levy siitä huolimatta. Kelpomaukasta. 3/5
Nautinnollista, mut on kyl aika faija :D Ehken oo vielä ihan valmis. Tyhmästä nimestä myös aina näille miinus.
The song I loved most on this album was actually the Wilco song that auto played after the closing track.
Classic 1960s
Decent album, with piano and synth. Lacks in energy sometimes, some songs could gain from a little punch to them. Decent 3/5
Still,don’t get all the hype,on the band. Emjoyed it. But not revolutionary
Good
It all sounds nice and well done, but in general this style of Americana-ish rock does nothing for me listening back. Live I bet would be a hoot but it doesn't speak to me at all, unfortunately since I can recognize that it's all well done.
I think one reviewer said MEH. Pretty much sums it up. The Band doesn’t offend anyone but it didn’t advance much in the music canon. Cover art 2/5. Did anyone think it was good.
3 stars, good tracks.
Another good background album. Enjoyable but nothing jumped out at me though.
This is a nice album, was nice background music. But nothing really stood out other than Night They Threw Old Dixie Down.
Music seemed pretty generic. Cripple creek was fun, but not a huge fan of the album in general. 2.5 rounded up.
Nice
This was a fun listen. Crisply produced prog rock. I could hear a little Pink Floyd in here at times.
A good time
King Harvest
folksy, country sound. Just okay to me, didn't knock my socks off.
Pretty okay music by a band.
Buen rock-blues-country, movido y bien hecho. Lo hubiera disfrutado más si una de las voces no me hubiera sonado a Ray Romano, restándole seriedad al asunto. Jemima Surrender es mi favorita. Está bien, a secas. 2.5 que sube a 3 porque está más bien que mal.
The Band – The Band The Band? The Band. - The Great Divide – A song about the divide between men and women. Mixes rock and roll, jazz, country sensibilities etc. Not a style I’m a huge fan of, but it’s well done. - Rag Mama Rag – Some ragtime influences on this one. Another example of a track that is very well doen but that I fundamentally dislike. Lyrically, it’s a bunch of folksy-isms that just annoy me, and musically it’s a ragtime/country bounce that I just don’t like. - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down – Discusses the last days of the Civil War and the hardships faced by white Southerners. Good song, but it just feels too much from the Confederacy’s view for me to be comfortable. I don’t think it’s intended to be a “Lost Cause” perspective or anything, just hard for me to connect with the white Southerners being victims. - When You Awake – Lyrics are better on this one, but the instrumentation isn’t one I care for. - Up On Cripple Creek - Nice bass in intro. Describes the narrator’s (a truck driver) escapades with “Bessie” including betting on horse races and drinking. Doing a deep dive into a single character is a solid idea for a country type song, so this works well. Don’t like the weird yodelling thing they do at the end, though. - Whispering Pines – A lonelier track led by the keyboard and soft drums. I like this one a lot. It’s sung by Richard Manuel (their keyboardist) at lead, and I like his voice way better than the others. My favorite track so far. The line “for if I live again, these hopes will never die” is especially chilling in light of the fact that Manuel committed suicide many years later. - Jemima Surrender – A sex song for the eponymous Jemima. Don’t like Helm’s voice. That plus the rather gross lyrics makes me dislike this song. “You can jump and shout, but can’t you see girl, that I’m bound to win.” Um, that’s not ok. - Rockin’ Chair – Song about an old retired sailor longing for the good times on his rockin’ chair with his best friend Ragtime Willie. Concept is good. Music isn’t to my taste. - Look Out Cleveland – A bit more of a blues track than their usual country folk. I like blues more than folk, so I like this more than much of their output. - Jawbone – Not my favorite. Pretty repetitive and forgettable track. - The Unfaithful Servant – Sings about an unfaithful servant being sent away by the lady of the house. Odd subject matter for a band in the 20th century, long after servitude was abolished in developed countries. Descending chord progression makes this unique, but I don’t really like it. - King Harvest (Has Surely Come) – A song about sharecroppers being exploited, first by the landowner, then by the union boss who claimed to help. He suffers misfortunes during the Dust Bowl, and the union offers no true relief. It’s a decent story song. Overall, way too country for my taste. The exaggerated Southern accents make me cringe. The whole aesthetic of southern/country music doesn’t appeal to me, and some of the problematic attitudes (e.g. in Jemima Surrender and Dixie) reinforce my dislike of the entire Southern genre. That said, some of the stories on this are quite good, especially in Cripple Creek and Rockin’ Chair. The songs with more personal lyrics are also great, Whispering Pines most notably. Overall, the Band tells interesting stories and has some notable musical innovations, but there’s very little that I actually like listening to. I’ll chalk them up as a band I’ll respect and probably not listen to much at all. The quality is enough to get them a 3/5, but I’m reserving 4s and 5s for albums I’d actually listen to again. Top Tracks: - Whispering Pines – Most personal lyrics and most emotional music. Good stuff. - Look Out Cleveland – Nice blues-inspired track.
Some songs I really liked the others where mediocre. Not good not bad. 3.5/4
The album isn't perfect, but there are some classics here. The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down, Up on Cripple Creek were my favorites.
I’m not sure this has aged well. I enjoyed it much more when it came out than I do now. I can’t quite put my finger on it, though. I’ll have to give this more thought.
Really enjoyed the bluesy elements, not my favourite album but was a nice easy listen
I've seen too much of The Muppets, I think. This band sounds like The Muppets, but without the jokes. I'm pretty sure The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is gonna be stuck in my head for weeks now...
Another 60s album, what else can I say
A little too long, but does have some absolute classics. 3.5/5
The Band is another group for which I know that I do not understand their significance at the time they were making music. I know they are talented, but I'm not drawn to their sound. I may have listened to this album before to try and figure out why The Band gets so much praise, but it didn't stick with me. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", and "Up on Cripple Creek" (my favorite from this listen) are the only tracks that sounded familiar. There is some good keyboards / organ on several of the tracks, and competant musicianship throughout. I wonder sometimes if the vocals aren't to my taste - ¿a little too strained and shouted rather than sung? - and that pulls me away from becoming a fan. The Band's The Band was okay, but I'm guessing I won't come back for seconds.
Standouts: Whispering Pines, Rockin Chair, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Jawbone
Lekker sfeervol op een bloedhete dag
Voor ouwelullenmuziek best leuk en vrolijk.
"The night they drove old Dixie down" and "up on cripple creek" are classic tracks off this album. Reminiscent of the Grateful Dead
Solid 3.5, but forced to choose I'm rounding down today.
Generally really the Band and a couple of my faves on here (The Weight) but found some of them a bit samey. Wish I could give a 3.5
Enjoyed this. Had some really good bangers but some of it was a bit samey...
Bluesy style country music. Unusual and well worth a listen.
Rockin' Chair was a very fast skip. The rest of the album is tolerable - nothing to write home about,
Maybe the alt-country period really inoculated me against this album. If I had heard it before that period, and if I had been inclined to Americana and C&W which it took me into my mid-20s to get it after growing up in the 80s, I would have dug it.
I think I understand the historical significance of The Band in rock music. And their importance given their connection with Bob Dylan. I've heard the quotes from rock music "A" listers about what The Band means to them. Plus I'm Canadian so I gotta be proud, right? And I am. But....this album leaves me cold, I much prefer Misic From Big Pink but even that one doesn't make me swoon. All in all it's mostly uninteresting music...3 🌟
recommended for: drinking southern comfort in ontario. this album grew on me. probably a 3.
The Band is another really famous band that I haven't ever really connected with emotionally for some reason. Nevertheless, there were several moments that I enjoyed, like how the guitar and piano move in unison on Look Out Cleveland or the understated use of horns on The Unfaithful Servant. I also really loved Whispering Pines - such a comforting song. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is weird because it's lyrically fishy but formally good, with all the instruments in the right place (particularly the haunting harmonica-esque sound, drums during the chorus).
Not great, Not terrible
Surprisingly good listen. And only surprisingly because I am uncultured enough to have not listened to them before.
Folk-rock. Ni fu ni fa.
Had low expectations going into this one, based off the terrible artist name, and the even more terrible album cover, but was pleasantly surprised. Highlights include Across the Great Divide, which plunges you right into this 44 minute jambouree, Up on Cripple Creek is a funky jam ahead of it's time, and the album finishes off strong with the fun and lighthearted King Harvest. The rest of the material is solid and varied enough to keep this hoedown rollin'.
Not bad actually, the Night they Drove Old Dixie Down continues to slap
3, something to listen to on a porch armchair
Not my thing
hyggelig 60'er folk-rock, solide blues vibes, indflydelsesrigt
Ok
It's perfectly pleasant and competent from a musical perspective, but not really challenging. The themes / subject matter are interesting, but the music doesn't change enough to tell the different stories in a particularly interesting way. Re: the confederacy stuff, it does get dangerously close to tipping into longing for the good old days of slavery etc. - apparently the writers did try to make sure that it was telling the story from the perspective of one non-slave owning Southerner who lost his brother in the war, but they didn't clarify that until 2020... 2/5, not miles off a 3 though.
Was good, no idea what is was about though
A little too much honky-tonk in this one for me.
Awful
It was fun to listen to. Not bad but not really my thing. Folk rock bordering county. Standout tracks: When You Awake, Whispering Pines
Undoubtedly fun and funky, but may be too chicken-friend for my tastes. Personal highlights include “Whispering Pines” and “Rockin’ Chair” and “Look Out Cleveland.”I find the singing sort of labored at times, too, though mostly effective, even if vocal quality isn’t exactly first-rate. (Dylan would be the comp I suppose and vocals hold up well there.) I recognize that this may have been a very “of the moment” record in 1969, but it’s hard to hear that now or judge the music based in terms of social commentary or perceived impact. And anyway Big Pink is considerably better.
Wasn't sure if I'd like this, but was pleasantly surprised. Can't say I need to listen to it again, but as a kind of gentle background noise somewhere, it might be more interesting then some other candidates.
Solid Band album. No surprises.
Nothing super grabbed me but not so bad. Playing catch up with the albums so that’s probably skewing my impression.
Really good. 3/5
p176. 1969. 3 stars Yeehaw. Average band play average country rock songs. Well done of its kind I suppose but... just washed over me and left no residual trace. Only a couple of standout tunes, and a lot of the vocals veer into a thin whine far too often. I might be missing something, but on the other hand this album could just be really average.
I expected folky rock - with organ and from Canada - to make more of an impression, but only heard The Band as high quality background noise.
The Band is not my favorite band. But there definitely some good tunes. Vocals are really good this is a style of music I enjoy. I just don’t connect to it for some reason. I mean, it’s ok.
Thoroughly enjoyable. Certainly the yearning for the old South was disturbing but the joyful songs about sad things, honesty, equality of instrumentation, Americana made just really pleasurable listening. I had never listened to the Band but I actually liked them more than a lot of classic rock I've heard. It sounds like jamming with friends gone right. I didn't save any tracks from the album but I might listen to more in the future when in the right kind of mood.
Solid roots rock out of Canada. Kinda folksy, but all-around a nice listen.
Meh. Bored.
Great sound, I don’t think it can be a bother to anyone. Great passive listening from a very influential band.
Decent classic rock that, 50 years later though has lost a bit of its uniqueness. What's left is good music without any real highlights though
This album clearly had a lot of influence in the 70s. A whole genre of Good Ol' Boy rock was to follow. It has a nostalgic sound, as though many of the songs were old American standards instead of their own new compositions. The instrumentation is a lot of fun, and they switch and blend their voices to a good effect. It also has a bit of that Good Ol' Boy-ness that feels a little uncomfortable nowadays...
I was not familiar with most of the album, and it was okay. It just struck me as kinda meh... There are some up-beat and funky-ish moments that are fun, but overall not something that I really embrace.
I thought I would like this more. I love their general sound, this southern-fried rock sort of thing, with its fiddles and mandolins and honky-tonk pianos and yodels. I do still love Up on Cripple Creek and King Harvest was a nice new discovery. But I was ready for the album to be over when it ended. I know it was recorded 50 years ago and, at least in my circles and the media I consume, there's not a lot of this kind of stalkery caveman garbage left but I really couldn't stomach the lyrics of Jemima Surrender. ("You can change your name, you can find a new walk, you can change your lock, it's all the same. ... Jemima surrender. I'm gonna give it to you.") After that, I was just tired and sad.
Root-rock jam band with a bit of a honky-tonk feel. It's easy listening with a good vibe and some rich storytelling.
not for me!
Genre: Roots Rock 3/5 A collection of fake-Southern actual-Canadians, who used to be the backing band for a fake-Southern actual-Minnesotan, Bob Dylan, departs from their touring life and starts writing their own stuff. The harkening back, while a little cringey nowadays (re: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down), sounds somewhat genuine here, and The Band does a good job of sounding like the olden days in their production and playing style. Not a perfect album, but makes for good easy listening. Up on Cripple Creek is great.
Really liked it! Good to have in the background while working.
middelmatige Amerikaanse folk
Bändin paras biisi, The Weight, puuttui, sillä olisi nostanut arvosanaa. Kuitenkin kuuntelun arvoinen ja 2,5* antaisin. Yltää siis kolmoseen
To my surprise I rather enjoyed this. I've listened to it a few times and not been particularly impressed, but this time it kind of worked for me. I might even like it.
2022.12.14
Skemmtilegt kántrí rokk
I’m a union man… this goddamn album was a bop all the way through. Just groovy, head bobbin’ vibes. Get my cigarette and coffee and let’s go rangle up the crew
Rating: 5/10
Rockabilly rock.
This album is unoffensive and fine. A relic of the past. When I listen to this album, I can't help but feel like I should be driving an old Studebaker toward the west coast with a green frog in the front seat singing "Moving Right Along" https://youtu.be/Q6NQcO9KTBY
Canadians who couldn’t come up with a band name do Americana. Regardless of its origin, the debate about “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” is probably the most interesting thing to me about this album. It's from the perspective of a poor Southerner as the Confederacy is losing the Civil War. Does it glorify the rebellion in any way? Or at least not denounce it? Does such a piece of art need to denounce it? While those are worth discussing, what it makes me think about most is the everyday people who lack power and agency when their government starts a war. The song’s Virgil Caine was not a slaveowner, and may not have voted for secessionists or supported the war. But it ravaged his home nonetheless. No one really wins in war, whether you drive Dixie down or not. Second most interesting thing is “Up On Cripple Creek.” Decent tune. Third most interesting thing is the vocals. Interesting because they’re mostly not good. Neil Young-ish. Is that just what Canadians think American Southerners sound like?
3 1/2
Almost a 2 because of any song with lead vocals by Richard Manuel. I much prefer Helm’s voice.
I’m disappointed. I really thought I would like this album more. I’ve dabbled in The Band before and liked them although now I realize it must have been mostly a greatest hits type deal. I like Up On Cripple Creek a lot. The clavinet provides funky greatness reminiscent of Stevie Wonder. Jemima Surrender has some grit to it. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is a nice little ditty. Look Out Cleveland has some good energy. The rest of the album is a bit boring, but pleasant enough. An exciting aside to this album is that Martin Scorsese directed The Last Waltz. And that he was co-director for the Woodstock documentary. When learning these nuggets is almost as exciting as the album itself, mediocrity, and thus disappointment, hath be upon me.
Not awful, but nothing to write home about either.
I’m not a big Americana guy but this album is fun enough. I can understand the significance even if it isn’t 100% for me.
Frekar predictable, en gott í þessu.
It's good stuff, but nothing I'd go out of my way to listen to. The classics are certainly good (The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up On Cripple Creek").
It was OK... But not for me at all. Rating: 5/10
A mixed bag of an album. Simple rock with a bit of country. Liked "Night they Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up on Cripple Creek". But "Whispering Pines" seemed out of place on the album in my opinion. Though still enjoyable overall
7/10
Before this, my familiarity with The Band pretty much ended with "The Weight," which got played to death on the radio throughout the 70s. I never could figure out why it was such a staple, except the chorus lends itself to drunken singalongs. Listening to this self-titled release provides a clearer picture. The Band is a roots-rock band, mining pretty much the same territory as The Grateful Dead at the time. In fact, I had heard Up On Cripple Creek before and mistook it for a Grateful Dead track. Both bands share a loose (some might say sloppy) approach, with wobbly vocals, but I'd say that's intentional--they're avoiding slickness in favor of feeling and authenticity. Both bands approach various genres with respect, but aren't afraid of modernizing the textures, let's say with a clavinet on Up On Cripple Creek. And like the Dead, they don't restrict themselves to any specific genre like country or honky-tonk, but feel free to borrow from a variety of genres. This album is a modest, low-key effort, which tends to camouflage its strengths. One is that The Band has a real feel for Americana, unlike most modern attempts at the genre. Paradoxically, that makes the then modern interpolations of organ, clavinet, horn charts and so on an enrichment instead of a distraction. Another is that they're equally adept at ballads as rockers and everything in between. Over the course of an album, The Band builds up a ramshackle charm. The problem, if you can call it that, is that this music is comfortable like an old ratty coat. It's not designed to impress. It's meant to envelop you and keep you warm. I can't imagine ever going back to listen to this album from beginning to end, but I am going to put it on my 60s Spotify station.
This wasnt too bad of an album. Nice and easy to listen to.
Pretty good. 6-7/10
Not always what I would pick our, but still a good album. Favorites: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Up On Cripple Creek, Whispering Pines
Worth a listen but not really anything that sticks in my mind.
Nice and loose
A bit more AOR/Country/Americana than I usually listen to. I can hear the musicality of the album and admire the audible collaboration between the band members, but it's not really my cup of tea.
Clearly good but not my thing
Can see what the fuss is about may relisten
Enjoyed it more than I expected, not being a Dylan fan It's a bit Good Ol' Boys and I can hear how they have influenced so many after them
Good mixture of rock n roll, folk with a bit of soul. Not too country. Listenable. Not quite a 4
These chicks don’t even know the name of my band.
Can see how they influence bands like The Eagles who also had that Country Rock sound.
Pretty good…nothing special
Mostly good
Good album…but it is not ‘Music from the Big Pink’
Ok...1 or 2 good ones..the night they drove old Dixie down.....
Iconic
06/06/2021 Ricardo was here
Não é mau mas não é memorável. Meio folk which isn't bad
wasn't sold by the first song but I liked it more and more as it progressed.
Cool album, not really my vibe
Musically its quite good. Very of the time lyrics though.
Some interesting bits of instrumentation elevate it above generic sixties blues rock and I quite enjoyed it, but I'm unlikely to ever listen to this again.
Late 60s pop/rock. Similar to the Beatles. Seemed fine, some decent tracks, not my favorite.
Not much to say. Good album but not something I'd listen to regularly. I really only know "The Weight" from their previous album.
Not bad, but really not my cup of tea.
вау, дженерик рок эгейн. на этот раз кантри. ну ничего не сказать, достойно, пошёл ебать свою кузину
Тоже батя-рок, но уже с более негативной коннотацией. Тут уже отец на шашлык жарит, а скорее неторопливую зарядку. И при этом мешает читать. Между делом спрашивая: "Нравится? Но это же суп-пер". В таком батя-роке тоже есть мотивы, которые быстро усваиваются, но при этом они довольно скоро начинают бесить, а не подталкивать к напеву всуе. А то, что не бесит, оно хоть вроде и приятно, но на душе не оседает. Волею выходных вынужден слушать этот альбом чаще, чем слушал бы в будни. И вот после нескольких славных заходов начал уже сильно надоедать. Это раз на 4-5-ый. За такое четвёру ставить - уже грех. Но и вовсе парашу ебенить - хейтерство. Сойдусь с собой на тройбане. P.S. Наименования коллективов, что метят в безликий минимализм, вызывают некое отторжение. Особенно когда "the" в начало ебенят. Возможно, вьетнамские флешбеки по урокам английского. С The Beatles у меня таких проблем нет, так как "Beatles" - выдуманное слово, а с Queen нет, потому что, собсна, "the" не завезли. Группа "группа", конечно, вызывает некоторые приятные ассоциации с партией "Партия" Внука Елькина, но также и неприятные ассоциации с рок-группой "Рок-группа". Так же, как второй парень слева напоминает и Николая II, и Варга Викернеса.
Immediately sounds like a bunch of white dudes robbing black music of the time. Soul, blues, OG R&B etc (like Otis Redding). It's good music, but can't help but feel a bit like it isn't original. Developed though as the album went on, became more folly and Bon Dylan-esque, some good sounds. Jemima Surrender was decent. 3. 5 / 5.
Rustic beards. Best Tracks: Rag Mama Rag, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
Sounds like early 70s Lynyrd Skynyrd
6.75
fine
Goes all over the place, every song is so different it feels like a compilation. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "across the Great divide" stand out tracks. Hard to judge it without an appreciation of the times.
Nice. Should listen to it again
Yer Daw loves this one... and I think it's pretty cool too.
Buenos ritmos, melodías y tonos. Quizás le falte algo de chispa.
decent 1970s country rock. Not great, but also not bad.
pretty fun
Major southerner energy, ehhh 3/5
Not a great start, but i love where it went
Fun and poppy with slightly haunting lyrics. Almost twangy enough to satisfy me.
A definite classic, very easy listening, but nothing truly breathtaking
I like 'The Band', rock music. But it has something country to me. Did not know they were the band of Bob Dylan.
Decent album. Good for a mellow mood.
Honestly, I liked the rest of the album way better than their most popular song, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.
Good album if not my style of music. Favourite song was Across the Great Divide.
3.2
2.5 - 3, there are pockets where i really enjoyed this but not enough for me to long to come back to.
Not terrible, but not something I'd return to.
Ok this is gonna be late 60s folk rock for sure. And it is but not as super folky as I expected. It's not bad or good, it just is. Rock n roll and perfect harmonies etc etc. Boring by about halfway through, but not shit so 3/5.
It’s so whatever.
Wasn't a fan of this at all. Its not bad but it's just not for me and this is the second album from the band, the first was enough. 2.5 / 5
The classic rock by the classic rock
Dated
I've listened to this album twice now, and I do not understand the widespread universal appeal. Maybe it was a bigger deal in 1969 for this kind of sound to come onto the scene? But I just don't get it. More glaringly, the Dixie song, despite what appears to be years of attempted whitewashing after its release, is troubling. And that's not applying a current lens to a historical work. It was troubling when it came out at the height of the civil rights movement. Some critics call it an anti-war song, the songwriter was always a bit cagey when interviewed about it - but it feels like a Lost Cause anthem. No need to have that in my listening rotation.
Sort of struggled through this one. Too few catchy melodies for an album that seems to aim at being an Americana bar sing-along classic.
Fine. The singer’s warbly voice got to me after awhile.
An album that lacks creativity so much that you understand how they landed on the name "The Band".
Tylsää
They're considered to be one of the best bands ever by Rolling Stone Magazine. Clearly, I do not agree with that.
I can see the appeal, but it's not my kind of thing.
Not really interested, but I did like the piano on Jawbone
Got some good--if questionable--singles. Like the instrumentation and this blend of blues & rock, but honestly Exile on Main Street does this blend better frankly.
I've listened to this album a few times now, and my opinion hasn't really changed. It's a solid blues and roots rock record with strong musicianship, but it never fully grabs me. There aren't any bad songs, yet there also aren't many moments that make me want to come back. **"King Harvest (Has Surely Come)"** is the clear standout for me. I can appreciate why this album is so influential, but personally I'd reach for bands like Cream if I'm in the mood for this style of music.
The Bland more like
This is a folky country-adjacent record with some grooviness to some of the songs. A lot of it was quite catchy. It felt pretty same-y for most of it, though.
Admittedly I didn’t give this one a very fair shot. I can’t get over their stupid Americana while being a Canadian band
Day 9: ight
Det startede skidt, og var ret country hele vejen igennem. Sidste sang mindede mig lidt om noget Electric Six har lyttet en del til.
Jeg er simpelthen ikke Amerikansk nok til det her Canadiske band.
Meh
Underwhelmed by this one, not a bad album by any means though....
Nice musicianship and a couple good songs but mostly samey
I listened to it and immediately forgot about it. Not a good sign.
This album is infinitely more enjoyable if you imagine it being played by a family of animatronic bears. The instrumentals are strangely satisfying, but I recommend not thinking too hard about the lyrics as they will hurt your brain.
Bit basic and boring. All the songs started to sound the same after the first few. Jawbone was the only song that stood out
It's fine. Kind of just boomer hick slop
They utilized many of the folk music instruments. The mouth harp, harmonica , banjo and organ blended in the classic folk music sound.
Not bad, but definitely twangy and got old after 3 songs.
the opening track sounds like a sound track for a tv series. ponced a few tracks from oldies. and fucked the rest up.
This one didnt grab me this time. I think im going through a funny period in my life. Would listen again
too much country and not enough folk for me
Fine I guess. I know I'm wrong! I could hear some cool songwriting and some cool arrangement, presentation and performance. There's just absolutely nothing that I would especially write home about personally though.
After listening to The Band by the band The Band, I liked the two songs I already knew and the rest of the album was middling to blah. Cripple Creek and Night They Drove Dixie Down aren't fives. They may be fours. They're pretty good. Although, I didn't think either of these songs were by the band The Band. Had I been trying to name the band in trivia, I would have guessed someone else for both. The rest of the album is a mix of 2s and 3s. Very little stood out, and I was getting worn of it until it finally ended. Reading info about this album, it's often called Americana. It feels Southern at times to me, other times Western, but not authentically either. It feels like a teenager half heartedly dressing in a cowboy hat and fake tanned leather vest and plastic sheriff badge for a job at an amusement park that he doesn't care about. The band The Band is considered to be an extremely talented group of artists, but I feel like it is a little bit of a miss, the style is a bit sloppy by design, so their talent feels a little wasted. It's like asking Picasso to paint your shed.
The most average of average albums. I didnt dislike any song, but I didn't really like any of them either. I don't think I'll ever think about this album again. 2.5* Rounded down to 2*
Dad music. I realize I am a dad, but I am not a dad from this era.
I recognize the Band and its members as giants in their world, but this does nothing for me—when it isn't actively annoying me. And I find it more annoying than not. "King Harvest" is okay, but I won't be coming back to this.
If more songs were like whispering pines and rockin' chair I would have given a higher rating.
this is a prime example of why you should sometimes get "Best of" album of a band. This album has some good tracks bad the boring tracks are so bad that you dont want to hear the album.
It is very much of the genre, one could say as generic as the name. Together with a generous pinch of white-washed historical themes, it's not a mixture I enjoy.
There's a few good tunes on this one, but most of this just isn't my style. Rather hear these guys behind Dylan.
Not for me. Don’t enjoy the style, particularly the twangy vocal delivery. I heard a few Band songs back in the day. Didn’t like them them, nothing has changed.
I have never clicked with this band, and that's ok.
I think this album is decent for what it is. However, this genre in general does little for me. Bland and pretty unsurprising. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is a nice tune but yet still don't want to hear it again after this.
I think I'll take "Whispering Pines" as a favorite for its very different, introspective vocal delivery. I can't say I've ever heard the appeal in "Up On Cripple Creek". "Rockin Chair" was pretty solid too. A lot of this stuff kinda sounds like a worse Tom Petty with some dated lyrics and interesting adaptation of swamp rock and Appalachian americana. None of it was particularly good, but I can see how it was a new sound to hit the masses in the late 60's. The got a little too bloody breaking down the various rock subgenre walls. 2/5
up on WHAT creek???
4/10 - harmless but a bit boring
not my thing at all, doesn't have any nostalgia factor for me either...
Not for me
Bit of a slog
Pre Listen: I only know of The Band from Jojo's, they got a Stand named after em in Part 4. That's it. Notable Tracks: N/A Post Listen: I listened to this album while driving through the countryside, and it's the strangest thing. I think the album was intended to be listened as such, and yet I can't recall a single song standing out to me. It wasn't bad per say, but it was painfully boring. I'd peg this sort of music as Biker Rock. Towards the last 3 or 4 songs I was more than ready for it to be over. Nothing offensive, but nothing good. I had no favorite track, no least favorite track, nothing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxK_nA2iVXw The band's music is about as generic as it's name. 2/5.
Okay. Jawbone was the best track but listening to this in one sitting felt way too difficult. Don’t love the vocals.
That was boring, but way better than Mariah Carey’s bullshit.
Nothing too bad, easy listening, a couple of the songs I knew.
This is very American. I thought I might like this as it is from my era, however, I found the music to be very bland and a bit of a dirge. You can tell the music playing is very competent. I suppose the lyrics would be more meaningful if you are American. I remember "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and I quite enjoyed this track, but even this was slower than I remember. A bit disappointed overall.
Entiendo que ellos hayan como generado denuncia concepto americano, pero me costó mucho escucharlo. Lo sentí un poco aburrido, pero no es el estilo de música que a mí me gusta
Not my favourite, wasn't really my kind of music
Fitting name for "the band" because it sounds equally as generic.
Niet overtuigd
I liked this album, and I guess if I’d been born in the 1950s I would resonate more with this band - the band🤣
2 - Fine, but not really for me / kind of boring.
It was not the best nor was it good
Eh. Expected CCR esque jamming, was met with watered down southern rock. Not for me.