Reviews (page 11 of 14)
Opening song had me convinced it was the opening to a shitty sitcom. This record did not resonate with me. It just sounds like slow dirty hill music. Which is fine. But nothing special really.
honky tonk
J'aurai du aimer cet album beaucoup plus. Il est proche de choses que j'apprécie voire plus : des fois un peu Randy Newman, the Avett Brothers, mais à quelques exceptions près "Across The Great Divide", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", c'est un peu lassant. Trop brouillon, pas assez catchy, trop d'instruments qui font leurs trucs dans leur coin.
December 29, 2023 An open-faced steak sandwich of a record With extra gravy HL: “Across the Great Divide”, “Dixie”, “When You Awake”, “Cripple Creek”, “Jawbone”
Langweilig
It's nice. Heartfelt, bluesy trad rock. It passed by pleasantly but I don't know if I could pick a track out if I heard it again. The band definitely have a few great songs, but only the closer on this is one of them.
Klassisches Country / Folk Album ohne Ecken und Kanten
fun
I love the Band, my dad listened to them all the time so there's a lot if nostalgia too. Oddly enough, I'd never listened to this one front to back and I'm glad I have now.
Music from Big Pink has gone up from 4 stars to 5 since I rated it on here - maybe this will too. King Harvest was a great ending!
Good stuff, definitely wouldn’t be ‘band’ from my playlist.
Folky, funky. Not necessarily my type of music and the song sound a bit samey to me. Not sure if I don’t have an appreciation for this album just because other things I’ve heard are a derivation of these guys.
Enjoyed the callback themes and another good entry for 1969 but didn't break through for me
masterpiece, no skips
wel een lekker album
Missing the The Weight, but otherwise fine.
Much better than I expected. Not some bland 60s folk rock, but actually had some great songwriting and performances, plenty of extra instrumentation to flesh the songs out too. Kept my attention the whole time. Can't bring myself to give it a 4 though as it wasn't blowing me away, and it's not really the sort of stuff i'm too used to, but a good album nonetheless.
It's fine
Okay in the background but nothing special
Didn't seem that well resolved to me. A bit all over the place.
Hey not bad! Was a fan of cripple creek
Yeah, a classic
Really really wanted to give them 2 stars because the Confederate song pissed me off so bad but I do mildly enjoy some of the songs. King Harvest is a great closer. Do you know that that one Village Voice critic said this was the best album of the year, beating out Abbey Road? Imagine if Paul had made Her Majesty be a sad song about a British person who suffered because colonialism ended or whatever the fuck. Give me a BREAK!
excellent. close to a 4 though
Solid album.
Certaines pièces m'ont semblé précurseures des Flaming Lips. Je sais que c'est considéré comme un super band, et c'est agréable à écouter, mais je ne trouve pas que ça se démarque tant que ça.
1. 3/5 2. 3/5 3. 3/5 4. 3/5 5. 3.5/5 6. 3/5 7. 3/5 8. 2.5/5 9. 3/5 10. 3.5/5 11. 2.5/5 12. 3/5 = 3/5
For most of this album, it was a pretty clear 2 for me. But the last 3 songs push it to a low 3. i'm just not american enough for this I guess, most of it I found to be pretty uninteresting. Maybe they were really revolutionary for a style that has become a convention later but it still feels really generic for most of the album
I somehow know all of these songs and do not remember listening to the album on my own. My parents must have listened to this a bunch when I was younger. Because of that I have this familiarity with all these songs and really really enjoyed this listen. Ronnie Robesrtson is from around the area I grew up so his songs just kind of feel like home.
3/5
Snooze fest.
Cool to have
The Bland strikes again.
very stellar folk album i think :0 7.8/10
An album drenched in a folky Americana. Good vibes but didn’t fully connect with me. Really liked “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” which makes sense because of its critical success! Fav song: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Meh, not for me
I wanted this to end so much. Yes I can see the influences but future bands have done it so much better
Forgettable
Upbeat and modern sounding for the era, but not one that's left an impression
could not be more middle of the road
The original Americana rock by Canadians (mostly)
Not my cup of tea
Unfortunately, not for me. Having it on in the background as a chill presence in the room? All good. Actively listening? Unengaging for me. I may have a hard time separating records like this that helped originate these Americana sorts of sounds from the legions of hokey imitators that followed in the years after. Either way, I couldn’t really get into it. Certainly didn’t hate it, but it failed to capture my attention. Top tracks: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Jemima Surrender, King Harvest
Wow. Probably not a 5, but this is a boys having fun album. Just great vibes and great tunes
Why are they Canadian?
Good stuff
Nice country-rock infusion vibes, some oddballs tho, but all-in-all a great listen
The piano is really nice. I like harmonicas too. The singing is fine, both good and bad - a little whiney. Pretty good album to work to.
Dated, but captured a point in time with heart
It was fine, not anything I'd seek out again but I didn't mind listening. If I could do half stars it would probably be like 2.5 but I'll generously round it up to 3.
Across The Great Divide - this is definitely a song. a lot more on the gospel side of a blues/rock song than i expected. (3/5 so far middle of the road and not jumping out at me) Rag Mama Rag - i like the big band sound. a little surprised to hear a tuba. it was actually a saxophone. (4/5 for the brass) TNTDOD - i can't tell if this is satire 2/5 When You Wake - i don't know why this sounds like psychedelic country almost? (3/5 this is what i could see a 60 year old listening to that might ride a harley) UOCC - i think i don't like this. (2/5 its getting samey) Whispering Pines - it's almost like a church song and i hate it (2/5) Jemima Surrender - nah (1/5 this is not as sexy as you think it sounds) Rockin' Chair - i'm getting pretty bored of this album now (2/5 i cannot relate to this at all) Look Out Cleveland - a pick up in energy. i can see this playing in a bar that is honestly just somebody's barn. (2/5 this is pretty predictable at this point though) Jawbone - lean really far away again please. (1/5 i can't keep doing this. oh my god it's 4 minutes. Bluey theme) The Unfaithful Servant - oh boo hoo. appreciate things while you have something or whatever. (2/5 the sax being used for train sounds was very good. that's it though) King Harvest - a way to close out the album. sure 3/5 i guess i feel like i listened to the same song at different points for 40 minutes. the blues rock n' roll thing wears me down really fast. due to personal taste i put this at 2/5. if you like the blues + classic rock n' roll sound mixed in with country you will like this.
Thoughts before listening: Another band that I love but only really know the hits. I've seen the Last Waltz a bunch and probably owned a compilation cd of theirs, but I don't think I've heard this album. I'm sure I'll know most of the songs though, and I definitely know that this is considered a masterpiece. Review: Yeah this is awesome. Such a great album. The hits are some of the best songs of all time with The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and Up On Cripple Creek. I remember the first time I ever heard these songs when my roommate in college took a music history class and started playing them...and I loved them immediately. These songs feel timeless as if they should have existed for years before the Band actually wrote and recorded them. I forget just how much I love the Band. They were looking back to older music styles with country and jazz elements in their sound while still very much being a contemporary 60s rock group that played at Woodstock. Outside of the hits this album has so many absolute classic deep cuts: Across the Great Divide, Rag Mama Rag, King Harvest, etc.
solid ma pur sempre country
Kind of fun! Liked the motown/honky tonk vibe to it. It didn't hold my full attention and I found it mildly enjoyable rather than a proper set of anthems
crap
- The Band geht meiner Empfindung nach bei den großen Bands der 60er/70er immer etwas unter - zu Unrecht! - Geiles Roots-Folkrock / Americana Album - viele Blues-, Country-, teils sogar Soul/Gospel Einflüsse - Klang ist immer noch absolut Top - gut durchzuhören - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down ist ein geiler tiefgründiger Klassiker und tolles Storytelling (sowohl textlich als auch musikalisch) + Bilderwelten, die einem beim Hören eröffnet werden - Geheimtipp: King Harvest (Has Surley Come) - Leider kommt The Band mit ihrem "Brown Album" nicht an das unfassbare Vorgängeralbum "Music From Big Pink" heran - Freue mich schon auf "Music From Big Pink"! Rating: 3,75/5
- Mir war The Band bisher nur im Zusammenhang mit Bob Dylan ein Begriff - Das Album hat einige starke Songs und ich finde leider auch einige sehr schwache, die einem ein bisschen wie Sand zwischen den Ohrfingern durchrinnt. - im Gesamteindruck durchaus solide und auch retrospektiv noch schöne Ideen, toller Einsatz von Mehrstimmigkeit, souveräne Überblendung von Blues-, Rock- und Folk-Elementen - Im Vergleich zu Genre- und vor allem Generationskollegen (CCR, Crosby Stills Nash, Fairport Convention) fehlt mir aber einfach ein deutlicher stilistischer und charakteristischer Einschlag 3/5
- meist sehr entspannt - ganz coole Rock, Country und Blues Mischung - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down klang ein wenig, als würde Kermit singen - ab der Mitte hat es mich irgendwie verloren Rating: 2 / 5
2.5/5
Should’ve been called ‘the album’, might’ve got a third star
I can appreciate the musicianship but not really my cup of tea. Started off slow, and only slightly picked up for me.
Solid album by the band.
A great laid back honky-think Americana album. I will be listening again!
from the cover art i really thought this album would resonate with me. however, after the initial listen it really was not my vibe. my favorite songs on the album were “up on cripple creek” and “king harvest”. Both songs were the classic rock type vibes i grew up on. So for that reason i didn’t mind listening to the rest because the really good ones made it worth it. lastly, i would love to know what provoked the listener to choose this album for such an esteemed list. No hate everyone interprets a song differently i am just genuinely curious.
Was hoping to enjoy this more than I did, still not bad though. 3.5
excellent album but not my cup
not bad, just kinda dull
Yeah, that's a good time. Nothing truly outstanding but it sure is a big ol' pile of solid jams and I'm here for that.
Some sort of loose jamminess was missed from the first album, but it was still a nice Americana vibe.
A little too boring for me honestly, unfortunately.
I think soul music is too slow for me.
Didn't get a chance to really dig into this album, but I would like to revisit it.
It started off pretty laid back, not something I’d choose to listen to, but would definitely leave playing. Song three though appears to be a lament for the good ‘ol’ days of the confederacy, and I couldn’t really get past that.
Such a great album! I had three of their cd’s when I was a kid. One of them being their greatest hits. I have never heard this album before. I think I never bought it because five of these songs are on the greatest hits. Strangely enough, Moving in Stereo is not one of them, but it might be my favorite Cars song. I forgot how enjoyable this band is to listen to.
Struggled to pay attention. Was fine but nothing really stood out to me
nice rock
The Band is the second album by the Canadian-American rock band the Band. It is an Americana concept album focusing on people, places, and traditions, and the music genre is similar to folk/country rock. Critically acclaimed, this album contains many of the Band's best known songs and performed well commercially at release. This is a great album of folksy music from the late 60's. The songs are fun and some are really good like "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up on Cripple Creek". This is a classic Americana album and may be the best Band album, so give it a listen!
10/10
I'm a casual fan of The Band. I usually listen to The Last Waltz or Music From Big Pink and I adore The Basement Tapes with Bob Dylan. I haven't played this album much besides Up On Cripple Creek. It's really good. The album as a whole paints a beautiful landscape. Not too much stood out for me. The standards, plus I really liked Jawbone. I'd hear it again.
Nice and blues. Cool to hear the band that did the weight. Not sure I would relisten
A truly authentic album, where the musicians came together with creative honesty. Sublime.
Jemima Surrender onwards I loved. King harvest a highlight!
Has some good songs.
weird to hear some guys from ontario cosplaying as kentuckians the night they drove old dixie down jemima surrender the unfaithful servant
Great
Listened to most of it, was as expected, saw them 10 years ago!
Really fun, tons of catchy songs
Alright, never heard of them before.
This is what I want to hear on classic rock stations. Great listen.
Nothing special, just typically folk rock that sounds like it was on the radio in the 60s. Listen again: no Purchase for my collection: no Favourite Song: the night they drove old Dixie
I have forgotten this album only three days after listening to it.Neither bad nor good.
Bob Dylan picked a good backing band, still gotta see their Scorsese concert flick.
some highlights and some truly dull moments. don't love it. best tracks: across the great divide, the night they drove old dixie down, king harvest
Classic. Some of these songs I have heard way too many times and I am not sure I need to hear again, but classic nonetheless.
Bit bland...
Some nice songs I did not know.
It's definitely The Band.
The album is far better than you would think at first glance. “Up on cripple creek” is a fun ride.
People really love this album and I’ve never gotten why. I like this album, probably my favorite album by them, but I don’t understand why some people act as if it’s this special creation that belongs with “the greats”. It’s a good album, that’s all. It has a couple flaws here and there, but overall, good. 4/5
My first 60s album Didn’t expect to enjoy it
Leuk achtergrond album, verder niet heel bijzonder
All killer no filler
Hoary old rockers. Sounds very of its time and I don't really see the appeal.
There's a real ragtime theme running throughout this. Contemporary references can't be heard. The only way you can describe this record is that it's an album by The Band. You can almost hear the sound of beards growing from start to finish. I wouldn't call it funky, but they know how to lay down a groove with the bass. The album is very wholesome and worthy in a way that only The Band can get away with. Mumford and Sons this is not. Thank fuck for that.
Good enough but a bit tame for my general tastes.
DA FUCKIN BEST
Loved the horn/saxophone work in The Great Divide. Lots of horn work throughout. Strings too in Rag Mama Rag. Not to mention the Tuba coming through. An album I hadn't spun in full, few songs recognizable, Can't go wrong with Up on Cripple Creek!
big Crosby Stills and Nash vibes for sure, Stones too, the Americana and blues rifts are good, but didn't hook me
I feel very neutrally about this one. I can work with how it leans into folk vibes, not bad there. First song is pretty good, the rest were fairly forgettable to me. 3
Influential, well known songs. Raw, not great. How is this the same band that rocks in The Last Waltz? Ah well.
Smooth gentle Rock Album. I really like the piano parts in Whispering Pines, which is my album's favorite. 4.3
Rating: ** 4 ** Notes: Actually really liked the Album, prbl would have not even found it on my own. Really nice music. Note to myself: look for other songs of literally the Band Songs which stood out in no particular order (credits to Uncle Gue for the idea): "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Town" "King Harvest" "Across The Great Divide" ------------------------------------------------------------- Rating Scale: 1- very bad 2- bad 3- neutral 4-good 5-very good additonaly -/+ sign if necessary
The Brown Album is really awesome. Just knew 2 songs of them. And totally forgot about them over the years. Big contributers to the rock genre. Personal Top3 in no order: Rag Mama Rag The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down Up On Cripple Creek
Hört sich gut an, die Band. Sehr toll finde ich, wie The Band andere große Rock-Künstler beeinflusst hat. 6.1/10
Pretty good. Up On Cripple Creek is a five star song. Overall this album is weaker than I remember. I went through a small phase of getting into The Band about 20 years ago. Honestly my favorite album of theirs is The Basement Tapes, even though that is basically a Bob Dylan album.
A classic and a perfect fall album!
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is problematic, but besides that The Band was fantastic and this album is a great example why. So good. I’ve listened to this album many, many times. I was planning on giving it a 4, but changed my mind after re-listening.
This is how I wish Grateful Dead sounded
I really like Up On Cripple Creek. & then Look Out Cleveland came on and it brought me back to Goose at Terminal 5 when they covered this song. Absolute ripper of a song! LFG. The rest of the album wasn’t too too memorable tbh
Great album. Definitely worth many more listenings. All pure gems and an amazing gentle moving fun vibe.
This is a prime example of peak musicians at peak power. There are few wrong notes on this album; the ethereal, gauzy tone of “whispering pines” might be a bit much, but even then Richard Manuel and Rick Danko’s haunting vocals make it worthwhile. This is one of the tightest albums by one of the tightest bands. Epic.
Perfect. One of my favorites
Love “Cripple Creek” - was able to feel the relaxed vibe of the album but did not find a groove. I think there was too much rock to be folk and not enough energy to be rock. I like southern rock with more energy - didn’t feel like the brass section added a lot on this album.
me copó bastante ah 7.5/10
Pretty boring and very white southern male
this was interesting! just not really for me
Average
Album was generic
Surprisingly enjoyable big fan of the saxophone
Not bad. Could really hear the influence of Blues, Gospel and maybe soul.
Feels like a compilation rather than a complete album. Still got several of the hits
Who could have guessed that a band named "The Band" would be incredibly boring and middle-of-the-road dad rock? I mean... it's alright. It's competent. It's just not exciting in any way shape or form. 2.5 rounded up
Not for me
Not for me I guess. Reminded me of CCR and Tom Petty but not as good.
Enjoyed the listen. The Band is one of these groups that I really enjoy the music and the lyrics, but have to be in a laid back mood to listen to. Not something to put on the running list, but good stuff nonetheless.
Generic Americana. Pleasant listening, won't blow you away
I have listened to the full album before but not many times. A few really big hits, but the entire album is great. Nice listen.
This album is among the roots of seventies Southern rock. It's good, but seventies southern rock is just not my thing.
Play it fucking loud
Topplaat van The Band. The Band die The Band heet als in ‘dit is The Band waarmee Bob Dylan elektrisch ging. Dan mag je u die titel wel toe eigenen. Had The Weight niet op hun debuutplaat gestaan maar op deze was het een 5. De grote nummers van The Band heb ik mogen leren kennen in de Olense delta, waar er een lokale band was die de nummers inclusief harmonisch gezang alle eer aan deed. Het is het soort muziek dat live wel nog beter tot zijn recht komt, gemaakt voor een podium. Dat is ergens normaal als je hoort dat er naast wat scheuten moonshine en volksverhalen er een heel wat liter levensvreugde over de muziek gekapt is. Overigens wens ik ook enorm veel levensvreugde toe in het leven van kleine Teo Briones, da gaat er in dat warme nest zeker niet aan ontbreken. Nogmaals proficiat aan de papa!
In verband met the band van The Band Als je in Gent bent, en je slaapt in een tent. Is dit het album dat zich naar je toe wendt Van Folk en Rock maken zij een mooie blend. En dan heb ik nog niet gesproken over de prent, die een duidelijke boodschap naar de rest van de wereld zendt. Ik ben alvast fan, van mij krijgen ze hun verdiende cent.
Ah, een band uit een tijd dat muzikanten nog cool konden zijn, zonder cool te doen. En een groepsnaam die alles zonder probleem samenvat. Leuk! Dat is ook wat ik van de muziek vind: leuk. Niet meer, niet minder.
Ik heb een kleurenfoto van de bandleden opgezocht, omdat het deze muziek zich ontbreekt aan wat meer... ziel. Tot mijn verrassing bleken ze niet allemaal ros te zijn. Ik heb nog een paar oneliners bedacht: - Zo generisch als hun band naam en gelijknamig album, zo generisch klinkt het. - Dit is kampvuur-muziek waar ik het niet warm van krijg. The band... Ik snap het toch niet zo goed. En dan zeker dit album waar The Weight ineens niet op staat. Het ontbreekt deze band duidelijk aan een goede zanger om het die bezieling te geven dat het mist. Iemand als, ik zeg maar iets, Bob Dylan bijvoorbeeld. Het lijkt me weer zo'n 'muziek-geschiedenis-wise' belangrijk album dat niet meer dan dat is. De zang klinkt saai en het productie niveau van het album valt ook tegen. Ik dacht, misschien wel geniale teksten? Maar dat vond ik ook niet heel bijzonder. Mijn mening is juist, hier blijf ik bij. 3 sterren ipv 2 uit respect voor Dylan. Bezie het als een positieve 2,5.
Total snoozefest - there was the odd bit of interesting guitar here and there, but mostly just dull as ditch water.
Nothing I hated but also not particularly inspiring
Slušao bi ovo na svom ranču u Wyomingu.
Liked Rag Mama Rag but other than that it wasn’t my thing
Fascinating. Dixie especially, the political shifts. And the cool time signature stuff.
Meh
meh. notbad either
Exceptionally good. That opening 5-song run is really great. The warmth.
Not really my type of music.
3,8
The second album by The Band still stands out as one of their most cohesive. Unlike, Music from the Big Pink, they also wrote all the songs on this album, making it more like a true debut. Drawing influences predominantly from country music, but also Cajun and even jazz, The Band becomes completely themselves here. This album also generated two of their most enduring hits, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and Up on Cripple Creek. This is one of those albums I wish I had on vinyl.
So good!!
A staple of old folk rock that fits in well in a Playlist but other than drove old Dixie down these feel like meat and potatoes, classically good but blends in with its peers.
Love their warm brown sound. Want to listen to the album more and get to know the songs that are less familiar. Until then, I’m giving this 3.5, rounding up.
All time classic. One of my favourites.
i couldn’t shake the feeling that this album was inspired and was recorded by the Muppets Electric Mayhem band. i can really hear it when the second vocalist comes in—sounds just like Floyd!
Didn't think I'd like it but it has a very nice vibe. Vocals are top notch and some lovely acoustic guitar work. Favourite song: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Quite bland for my tastes
Folk rock vibes. Bob Dylan like
This just wasn’t my vibe ! Sawwy
FUN
How many of them are the lead singer? Oh, cripple creek. Classic. Would give this a two and definitely won't listen again. Up it one point though, 3/5, but only for cripple creek.
Classic rock. Mix of blues and folk and rock. The mix could be clearer. 2 stars
Difficult to listen to, very old-fashioned and American, but I can see why it is on this list due to originality
It’s a good mood for an album. great music and vocals. It’s a good rock and country fusion. 7/10
meh
Nearly a 5
Band I like their super raw vocal sound . it’s just like a bunch of guys shouting in harmony. The whole vibe is like a drunken singalong. “When I awake” is great never heard that song. “Cripple creek” is so groovy. Always liked Levon helm’s feel on drums and voice. “Look out Cleveland” is cool. Kind of cool that these guys all sing and play a bunch of instruments and switch off on drums guitar, keys, trombone, sax and fiddle. Weird amount of songs about the old American south. Super influential band and album. Tough one to rate.
There are other albums of theirs I like more but rag, Dixie, and cripple creek are all great classics. I like the last waltz version of Dixie a lot more.
This album started off great and then the back half is really boring.
Phenomenal album. Best form their catalogue after Big Pink
Meh
cannot relate.
This is the first time I have listened to an album by The Band. Maybe today we would call it "Alt Country", or "Folk Rock". Whatever you want to call it, it's good.
Great album. Love the band
7/10 good
Forgot how good this record is...
Love this band sounds and style. Got some kinda chill southern rock something to it, but easy to jam to.
Never got the hype with these guys, despite a few real tries. It's all so...fine? Feels like a college project about americana - well thought out, tastefully arranged, and performed skillfully, but without any real gusto it ends up pretty bland and lifeless. I didn't realize the last few songs on the album are so good, but it turned out Spotify was just auto-playing Gram Parsons and Buffalo Springfield.
One of the finest written, and finest performed, albums of all time. Which is better, The Band or Music From Big Pink? Tough one, I don't care. Both albums are brilliant.
Un concept album. Relax, ça s'écoute bien, pas de wow. Ça sonne pas jeune.
Home spun , organic and totally singular. Weaving disparate sources together beautifully. Perfection.
Nothing in my life has changed by listening to this album. The only impact it has had on me is some wasted time.
Muziek is ok, maar niet mijn ding.
Fine
Good at their genre but its not for me
Never heard of this band. 'Bout to listen ! Okay it's good but nothing too impressive. You can really hear the Beatles influence on this one. It's just not really my thing. 5/10
Just another good ol' boys album. Away with you!
Did nothing for me this. Sounded very samey in terms of songs and in comparison to its peers. A couple of ok parts but I couldnt get on board. Not sure how it gets so much hype. 1.5 rounded to a 2 as it’s clear they are good at what they do, but what they do aint for me
Complete wet flannel of a band, every song sounded like an 80s sitcom theme. The most middle of the road as it is possible to be. More like 'The Bland by The Bland', ey? They completely deserve a pun as terrible as that.
On paper this is something I should enjoy. I didn't - lame, meandering, and aimless. The best track was where they turned themselves down mid-chorus. It isn't unlistenable, but I don't want to hear it again. I've given 2 to better records than this.
Thought this was bearable. It had some good tracks, some awful and most just forgettable. Highlights: Rag Mama Rag Jawbone King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
I've actually listened to this album before on a list of the greatest 100 albums of all time.... To me it kinda sounds of it's time but equally not too dated. I think the album starts well, but does tail off as it goes on and by the end I had had enough. My favorite tracks were: Across the great divide Rag mama rag Up on cripple Creek
First listen Saved 7/12 Top track: King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
This sounds too much like Randy Newman's part-time country funk band. No thanks.
yeah ok whatever
good quality folk rock. really enjoyable listen. highlights: “the night they drove old dixie down”, “up on cripple creek”, “look out cleveland”.
This is like Death Cab and Guster meets the Beach Boys. I actually really liked it.
Just listened to this a few weeks back when Robbie Robertson died. Good stuff.
I was not in the mood for this today, perhaps not for music at all, but given how parts of this still linger in my head, this is probably a good record, though I've a lingering suspicion of this sort of earthy, country-blues racket.
I've tried to get into this album before, but found it as cheesy as the Calico Saloon at Knott's Berry Farm (and I say that as the world's greatest fan of Tumbleweed Connection which is, shall we say, "inspired" by this record quite obviously). It's also probably shoulders some blame for the glorification of confederate losers in popular culture - I don't want to hear any song about the Civil War that isn't titled "Glory To Tecumseh Sherman" or "You Lost, You Racist Cunts"; repeat after me: THE SOUTH WILL NEVER RISE AGAIN! Nevertheless, this won me over eventually, good tunes, great musicians, yadda yadda. Grudgeful 4*
Nicht schlecht
I enjoyed this, but also think the music is a bit generic and I’m unlikely to return often.
Sounds okay but dang that’s some TWANG and I mean “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” should be thrown in the trash with any other American media that paints the confederacy as anything but domestic terrorists. Yuck
I liked it better than the other The Band album I listened to. still an organ or voice tone that can grate.
I'm not nearly American enough to understand the appeal of "The Band" and I don't particularly care. I just thought this was mostly a bit boring. Might have caught me on the wrong day but I think it's that flavour of American country rock that I just can't really enjoy. There were a couple of songs I kind of liked, but yeah, just not for me. Favourite: Jemima Surrender
Folk-rock. Ni fu ni fa.
Folk-Rock. Bien.
Enjoyable enough. Felt like somewhere between The Beatles and The Eagles.
2/5 Best: Up On Cripple Creek Worst: King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
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 was 15 years old when I first heard this album and fell in love with it after my first listen. A great blend of rock and country.. It's just a very good album.
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”.
They look like a bunch of rogues don't they? Music was alright but nothing to wow me, thanks.
It's kind of funny that I got this so close to a Bob Dylan album, but this left a lot to be desired. Felt boring the whole thing, and gave a vibe the same way CCR does for me where it feels close to being something I like but instead just feels like southern rock 'n' roll stereotypes all rolled into one album. I have nothing wrong with this, just disappointed really. Hope Music from Big Pink is better.
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.
Just as dreadful as Music From Big Pink
can we stop with the 60s music now? this was marginally better than music from big pink but did not leave an impression on me.
Niet bijzonder, wel leuk!
Pretty awesome. Cripple creek's going on the camping playlist
Some fine tunes on this album.
Bah luhlalalala hewhooo
Love The Band. Love this album
I don't really like how country they can get sometimes but this is obviously a very good album
Un excelente disco de americana, con canciones sumamente recordables y performances muy buenas. Un disco, también, sumamente influyente para la escena de indie-country que se generaría posteriormente.
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.
The Band bangs
Classic.
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.
Whenever I listen to The Band I start wondering if they might be the best band ever. Maybe not their best album here, but it's a great one.
spectacular, really really good
Grab a fresh julep, a rickety old rocking chair, and sit back on the porch with the best mountain boys this side of West Virginia. It really feels criminal that I'm not more familiar with The Band. I grew up on bands that ran in the same circles as them, I've read interviews and seen documentaries about how important they were to the musical landscape, shit, Helm is this seminal figure in music, yet I couldn't name 5 of their songs. I guess that's all going to change now. This album is tremendous. It feels like it's always been there, hanging out in the background just waiting for me to discover it. It gets just a touch weird (which I love) with tracks like Jawbone, but is rooted in traditional Americana. I'll definitely be revisiting this one often.
The kind of record you put on in the company of babbling brooks and crackling fires.
Absolutely love this album! You can’t beat a band that has three vocalists who all have an excellent and distinctive style. Everybody is firing on all cylinders instrumentally and they blend so many different genres together.
Since this list has such an obsession with this exact same style of underwhelming album, I'm just going to start copying and pasting the same review because they're all so interchangeable, the reviews should reflect that. Another bland "classic/alt/psychedelic rock with a touch of country" albums to throw on the pile.
I enjoyed this. A right rollicking bit of Americana and rock n roll. The longer tracks like Jawbone, Unfaithful Servant and King Harvest were a bit tedious but the rest is jaunty enough drinking music.
I ALREADY RATED THIS YOU IDIOTS
Amazing, one of the best Canadian bands.
Not my cup of tea but nice mixture of Country, blues rock.
You can tell that this is a great live band by this album. Whispering Pines is lovely. I like that the prettiness is kind of tempered with the organ's voicings. Makes me wanna drink lemonade on a porch.
Country/folky/classic rock. Lots of vocal.harmony
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.
The two hits are really good. The music has good pace and the harmonies are excellent. Once we get passed the two hits, I like the songs with tempo but don’t like the ballads. I’m between 3 and 4 on this one and will round up to show the Canucks some love.
A very rootsy, Americana collection, which seems to be more cohesive than their first LP. The multiple vocalists can make it sound like a compilation album, though that’s a good thing. I decided to watch the live, Last Waltz version of The Night they Drove Ole Dixie Down, which is spine-tingling.
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
Got 2.5 songs in and quit
Another one of the albums which is major part of my musical dna. King Harvest, man. What a fricking song. If it was the only good song on the album this would be a five star album. But all are classics. The instrumentation. The voices. The songs. This is F*ck of music. You listen to it and say 'f*ck off. What else is this good?' There’s maybe 25 albums that are this good. 'Dixie' is one of the best songs about the defeat of the South in the civil war, written by a Canadian just over 100 years later. Its only real rival is 'my fathers gun' written by a couple of Englishmen. Rag mama rag, rocking chair. Just F*ck off. Poor tragic melancholy Richard Manuel. He of the voice of an angel, the subconscious of a demon and a fine piano player. Garth Hudson, a prodigy, a multi instrumentalist, a musical genius. When they say that the band combined played 26 instruments between them, Garth plays about half of that. Levon Helm. The voice of the south, and one of the trio of great sixties shuffle drummers - Ringo and charlie watts being the other two. Rick Danko: he of the dark eyes, different harmonies and world changing bass. And Robbie. Wrote the songs and played the guitar like nearly no one else. The album that preceded this one broke up two of the biggest bands - famously Clapton flew across the Atlantic and thought he could demand his way into the band. They said no. He leaves Cream and joins Delaney and Bonnie and friends. I also think George harrison looks at how things were run, and the Beatles start to lose their pallor for him. This album is better. This is what the Byrds and the flying burrito brothers tried to do. That they failed to get there isn’t really a reflection on them. This combination was unbeatable. If you doubt it, look at the solo careers. Some fine stuff. But nothing to this standard. Levon’s dirt farmer is about the best of it and it’s great but … For me, The Brown Album is beyond criticism. 25 stars.
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.
This album was released in 1969, about six months after Dylan released Nashville Skyline. The participants in the 1966 Dylan Goes Electric world tour were now all down- home boys. It was a few years before I heard this record, but the singles from it were all over the radio in the early 70’s. Amazingly, Up On Cripple Creek & The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down were a double - A- sided single that just about laid down the formula for what is now known as Americana. That single was followed by more of the same with Rag Mama Rag, though the plaintive flipside, The Unfaithful Servant, showed the other side of what The Band had to offer, & indeed the beauty of this album. The other two great songs here are the opener & closer. Across The Great Divide is a fantastic tune to begin the album with - it has multiple meanings - they almost called the album America. There’s an idealism in the song that contrasts starkly with the closing track, King Harvest(Has Surely Come), regarded by some as Robbie Robertson’s greatest composition. Sort of a what unions promise but can’t always deliver (I worked for a union for 20 Years). The band is great. The voices of Helm, Manuel & Danko are exceptional. Great record.
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
Meh.
I like this a lot. Definitely felt like a concept album even though I can’t identify a story or even a central theme in the lyrics; the sound itself is sepia-toned like the album cover. Great melodies. Did wish I was listening to the Joan Baez version of Old Dixie, but I’ll respect the original. Best song: Up on Cripple Creek
This sounds like the band was shot forward in time from the Dust Bowl to write folk, but I actually kind of dig it. It's one of those albums you have to be in the right mood for, but it feels like there was so much soul put into it that it kind of roped me in. If I had to work in a field this is what I would play.
Amazing album.
Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: Not for me Favourite song: didn’t have one
Some good old fashioned rock and roll. Sounds great, is a little funky and a bit of fun. Extremely easy to listen to. Nice progressive lyrics and vocals. Really enjoyable and accessible. Score: 80 Art: 60
My 2nd The Band album - continues to be good ol' classic rock.
Always good listening.
-Didn’t write a BL- AL: very cool folk rock album. My favourite one we’ve had so far. Pretty much all bangers on here. Inclusion of the organ juxtaposing the guitar very fun FT: “the night they drove old Dixie down”, “up on cripple creek”, “whispering pines”, “Jemima surrender” 5/5
I don't give a shit about songs illustrating the suffering of civil-war era white southerners...smh.
Some decent songs but a fair bit of filler for my taste
It's alright
Straight forward easy listening rock.
A lovely bit of homespun comfort from the country-folk-rock-Canadiana/Americana boys. How good is Dixie Down?
No sé bien qué pensar, supongo que adelantados para su época. Canciones correctas, no me genera mucho...
Excellent lazy summer 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.
Just a joy
Loved Big Pink but somehow never got round to this. It’s great and a reminder that I ought to watch Last Waltz finally.
Just some guys being dudes, hangin out. 7/10
Easy listening
not for me
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
It was ok not my taste of music but was well put together and preformed. Has a country feel with a little bluegrass thrown in.
Its The Band! OK album. Old country rock style.
Oh look, another circa 1970 Americana/roots-rock album. Is that all it takes to be included in the book? Because this is as dull as the band’s name.
Loved it
This turned me into a 78-year-old man and I’m not sure I wanted that
This was pretty milquetoast classic rock. Some cool horn sections but otherwise completely fughet-able
ok adam it's good
This was quite bland and unenjoyable.
Alright
it was ok