Reviews (page 8 of 14)
Good ole folk, Country, americana rock. Good songs, good stories, good musicians, good vocalists, and a good groove. They don’t pack a punch in the studio as well as live (The Last Waltz is my go to for them), but this is still a solid album.
Previously rated: Music From Big Pink (3/5) ***************************** Reminded me of Randy Newman. This one didn't have the hits like Big Pink, so I would rate it slightly lower.
2/5 Too much folk, no psychedelic rock :(
Understand that there this band was a huge influence (and I can see why!), and while I liked a couple songs it really wasn’t my thing
The generator is on a heater at the moment. Three elite albums in a week! With this release, the Band make their case for the best debut and sophomore album combination of all time. One of the more bizarre things about this group is that the guy who sings lead on most of their songs, Richard Manuel, isn't as often discussed as Robertson, Danko, or Helm. I've wondered if getting relatively little screen time in the Last Waltz is to blame for that. Anyway, he has one of the great voices, and this record is his masterpiece.
A strong case that when great musicians play together, great music occurs
Enjoyed this top end 7/10. Threshold for 4 stars not quite reached
Certainly good musicians, who play music that is not my vibe.
A good effort but just didn’t hit all the notes I was hoping for
Yawn
Thought the other album was much better. Seems like a lot of average 70s rock. Meh
some pretty solid classic rock
Not at all my thing, but I can't say it's an affront, either. A 3 in the truest sense.
I can see why this made the list. The musical arrangements The Band was able to pull off in this album are truly inspiring. It must have inspired every white, middle aged man with a beard to pick up a guitar and pretend to play the guitar with their best boyfriends. They will of course play for free at their local brewery, church picnic ,or maybe even a Texas Roadhouse if they are oh so lucky. I’m kidding of course. Texas Roadhouse is a little too big for those folks. Maybe they should partner with a Bojangles, or the Chevron that hosts the “my wife kicked me out of the house because I like bourbon more than her” mixer. Everyone should thank The Band for being the trailblazers that they were. Whatever would we have done without this.
as boring as the album and artist titles suggest.
Super
The Band? More like The BLAND.
I love The Band. But this is not their very best album — the Last Waltz is the touchstone for Americana. And I’m surprised the critics who made this list wouldn’t have put Music from Big Pink on the list, since that’s “where it all began” for The Band.
Although there are a few good songs on this album ("Rag Mama Rag", "Up On Cripple Creek") in total it sounds a bit aged to me. Especially because of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" I give it the three stars. 2,5
You only need one album by The Band on a list like this, and even that’s debatable. Again, this is The Grateful Dead for high school English teachers. Completely fine progenitor jam band stuff, and they’re a lot tighter on this record, so like, if you’re forced to choose one, choose this one over Music From Big Pink, although they’re about the same quality track-over-track in my view, and I actually personally prefer Big Pink ever so slightly, but also…whatever. Who cares. It’s for someone; I’m just not that someone. I am thankful I got these two records back-to-back in chronological order, though, so it’s now out of the way and I can move on with my life.
1969. US. Roots rock, folk rock, country rock. Americana
feels like quintessential old white people music. no way they started yodeling thats crazy (it was kinda hard though i like it)
first listen good stuff
The Band played the Songs really good on the Album. Simply put, this record is filled with the Music. Average but enjoyable.
It all sounds the same. Not bad music, though, just unremarkable.
Interesting folksy style. The vocals weirded me out. Very Randy Newman. And the harmonies fell flat for me. I only really liked cripple creek, and that's mostly because of the drums.
I don't have much to say about this one other than it's just really good and all you have to do to know it's really good is just throw it on.
I love this record and I love this band. Its kind of the source code of country / folk rock. I love all of country and blues elements. The yodelling singing, the bluesy guitars and funky bass lines. Its no wonder their music has been covered by hundreds of artists.
Kjipare enn forventa
Was torn between a 3 or 4 rating. Gets a 4 because it really is interesting to hear this and hear lots of other bands I know they influenced. 4/5
RIP
I love the first half of this record but the second half always drags for me. Still a tight band and that funky bass line in Cripple Creek makes me smile every time.
So warm, so cool, so much more agriculture than most albums.
The first notes and melodies promise more, but then the song is destroyed by the country-inspired vocals.
4 stars. I personally wouldn't loop it but that's bc of my preferences. Overall every enjoyable and chill #to #me album that I would play in the background of a calm morning task.
Pretty great vibes here.
Ehh I like the background sounds the lyrics are not really my cup of tea
A pretty nice listen-to.
Rag Mama Rag The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down- maybe the best song ever written about the Civil War- not sure why Canadians memorialized the Confederacy
Better than the last offering from them. There are flashes of stuff I really like but not enough to stand out or entice me to want to listen again. Meh is the word that springs to mind
This one just didn't appeal to me
3.5
Probably not as good as Music from Big Pink, but a classic nevertheless.
I would think that by excluding country and folk, it would catch this but I guess not. Man do I hate Americana.
Favorite track(s): Across the great divide, the night they drove old Dixie down Will I revisit?: low priority Current rating: 7/10
it’s a tough call because the band were completely fake but they were trying to be completely authentic and somehow every once in a while they succeeded
A record I’m very familiar. Great songwriting and sound. The original Americana.
Damn, I'm gonna feel kinda bad for this one. Its just boring to me. There isn't too many musical ideas that stand out in any way. It's just a few little guitar embellishments or even a little bass lick but it just ends there for me. Nothing wrong with the vocals but again there isn't enough interesting in the way he delivers his lyrics. I'll have to figure out what to give it. A one is kinda harsh but a 2 is almost giving it too much credit. Man.... Its not unlistenable it's just too blah nothing for me. Jawbone is alright. but alright isn't too high a bar to set. 2*
One of my buddies is obsessed with this album and the movie. It’s incredible musicianship.
LETS GOOO I love the band but i have Not listened to them enough. I didn't expect this one but I'm looking forward to it Enjoyed it quite a bit! love Up On Cripple Creek
A nice Americana album, without veering too much into country, which is always good in my book. No tracks that blew it out of the water for me though, 3*
- Ah...almost had me. Enjoyed the catchiness of "Across the Great Divide" as well as the melodies and harmonies of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." But then there was more of the album. - Nothing offensive here. The Band is just not my speed. If late 60s rock could be consolidated into a single miasma, they would emerge.
Brilliant works: simple yet complex? Still bothers me that Mr. Robertson gets most of the writing credits.
Very timid folk/bluegrass. Not my type of tunes, but I don't hate it. Rather, I just won't listen to this record again intentionally. Hopefully other folks enjoy it.
Not for me. 1/5
This is the 35th album I’m rating. I’ve heard of The Band and The Band before because it was apparently good and the name is stupid. I hope the music is as good as the name. Adding to my Playlist - Across the Great Divide, Rag Mama Rag, The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down, When You Awake, Up on Ripple Creek, Whispering Pines, Jemima Surrender, Rockin’ Chair, Look Out Cleveland, Jawbone, The Unfaithful Servant, and King Harvest (Has Surely Come). Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. Across the Great Divide - This was not what I expected at all but it’s great. All in all I liked 12/12 of the songs. This was great and probably the best folk album I’ve ever listened to. Great music.
Didn’t like it
Classic
very good. did not expect this from a 56 year old album. i think the sound is timeless. i could say that this was pink floyd level. giving this a 5 i don’t give a fuck about what you guys have to say
I’m starting to doubt my love for music because of this list which I have NEVER done before, what the fuck xx
Just great songwriting. Maybe not my favorite sound, but it’s played really well and sounds good — so many layers! Definitely interested in revisiting this. Must Listen #78
4.7 - Again just my type of music
Apple Music doesn't have the track "Up on Cripple Creek", in the UK at least. I have to assume they spit loads of horrific ableist vitriol. 1 star. Jk, its ok. But pretty dull. I like the last track actually. Fave Tracks: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, King Harvest (Surely Has Come) 2.8/5
Did nothing for me. Had it playing while working, but with headphones. I eventually noticed that the music stopped.
Pretty solid folksy album. A weird ode to Robert e. Lee at one point but good aside from that
cool atunes
Average good!
the influence of this album on the music ??? speechless
first time heard 4,5 round up to 5
Vocals are grating, liked this much less than their debut
Fav: Whispering Pines Least Fav: Rag Mama Rag The Band prove to be a good band by making a country rock album that sounds pretty good for its length. It’s a shame many forgot this simple trick when making their own albums
Nice but a little bit dull for me.
This was an interesting one - a few excellent songs and a satisfactory folky vibe, but as a complete body of work, slightly lacking.
Is it okay to like Big Pink better, because it seems a bit more contemplative and serious-sounding than this one? Plus, “The Weight” and “I Shall Be Released” are stronger than the hits on the eponymous record. However, one must respect the deep commitment in the The Band's approach here. Even if one feels like The Band gets too much credit for restoring a tradition (or creatIng the Americana category) that was never really lost (much like the demytholigizing of the American West massively outweighs and has been going on longer than the initial mytholigizing).
Day 10: Music From Big Pink - The Band. The Band Album 2/2. Like with Music From Big Pink, The Band's self-titled album is a very pleasant album that combines elements of various different genres. It features a lot of really enjoyable harmonies, and the instrumentation is quite pleasant. Sadly, The Band's final surviving member, Garth Hudson, recently passed away. Now, this album, along with the rest of The Band's work, feels a lot more haunting. Nothing is inherently scary about this album, but the knowledge that every sound that you hear on this album comes from the dead is somewhat scary to think about. I didn't find the experience listening to this album to be very deviant from the experience of listening to Music From Big Pink, but I do have a slight preference for Music From Big Pink. I think that only one album from The Band would have been enough for "1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". The inclusion of a Phish album would have been rather interesting in lieu of this album. Personal Enjoyment: 4/5. How Much It Belongs Here: 3/5.
5/10
Einige coole Titel mit vielen Dad Rock-Anleihen. Auch ganz gut produziert. Favorit: Up on Cripple Creek.
Listened to this while in a Rockin’ Chair with the Whispering Pines in sight.
I quite enjoyed this.
2.5 It’s fine. I like the voices, I like the history, I just don’t like most of the songs. Also why are a bunch of Canadians writing a song praising the Confederacy? lol
Shrug
Feels like The Band missed a golden opportunity not naming one of their albums in their discography "The Album". But alas... This album feels like distilled Americana with classics like The Night They Drove Down Old Dixie and Up On Cripple Creek. It feels super folksy but not in an overbearing way. The instrumentals and production are excellent throughout. Might need a few more listens to get a better feel for this, but I do think it firmly belongs as a solid 4.
On par with the Beatles
The third best album by the Band after Big Pink and Stage Fright. I'm a fan, but could get by in life without ever hearing The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down again. Across the Great Divide is a weedy beauty of a song. A lot of the rest runs together much like the cars in a demolition derby. I though I hated Up on Cripple Creek for years until I listened to it on purpose. The recently departed organist Garth Hudson really shines on this record.
Not really my thing up until maybe the last song.
Alright
Do we really need two The Band albums on this list? No, the answer is No. I heard everything I didn't need to hear the first time around. So I listened to this thing all the way through but it wasn't easy, didn't like it, and don't want to do it again. There better not be a third The Band album on this list.
I was only gonna give this three stars but then they closed with an absolute BANGER in King Harvest (Has Surely Come).
Like big pink that we got last week, I'm just not into this style of music. But this album was okay, though I'll never pick it up again. That last song, King Harvest, was my fave and I would have loved to see Queen cover it.
The Band, Dylan, The Band...all in a week? Seems we're stuck in a rut here of random selections. Not a BAD rut. But...hoping for a bit more variety next week. Anyways...this album...I like it better than Big Pink. Maybe just because more of the hits are on this one. But...that's enough The Band for now. Let's something new going on...
Some songs ok, didn't really connect
Meh. I personally don't understand the hype that The Band gets. Fairly boring album, IMO.
5/10 Emmet Otter's jug-band did it better. 1-27-2025
Not my atyle
Interesting.
The Band sounds like the music I grew up listening to with my Dad. Back then, nothing really stood out to me as super catchy, no lyrics stuck with me to sing along with, it was just kind of generic “Dad music” that I tolerated. Decades later, I feel exactly the same about this. I really tried to give this a couple listens, give myself the time to sit with this classic and appreciate it - but I kept finding myself slightly bored, and reaching for the skip next track button. It’s not unlistenable music, just falls flat for Rock n Roll.
Classic American rock band, fun listen, thought Bob Dylan then read they played with him. Nice!
These Canadians sure do love America! But does this American love these Canadians? Kinda. There's a jaunty, ragtime gitbox way about this humble slice of Americana. That's cool, and I totally understand the importance of this album when it came out. Is it a first choice pick when I'm looking for some rock and roll music from this era? Not personally! Not a bad album for me, just not one I vibe with all that much. It's ranked #57 on the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time and has a perfect 10 rating on Pitchfork, so this jugtime hullabaloo certainly resonates with a lot of people!
Ace
Not for me
Nekakav country rock s primjesama bluesa i folka. Korektan album, na pocetku dosta cudni vokali (malo glasni malo tihi), sredina albuma najzanimljivija a pred kraj malo potone. Fav tracks: up on cripple creek, whispering pines, jemima surrender 6/10 = 3+
Some really fun highlights, but also a clear drop off in the second half. I like the authenticity of the sound and acoustic-ness throughout, but some tracks didn't quite hit the mark. Best Tracks: - Across The Great Divide - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - King Harvest Worst Tracks: - When You Awake - Jawbone Rating: 4/10
Twangy, soulful and just scrumptious in places. The setting sun over a cornfield, with a cold beer and a joint in each hand. Glorious.
They're definitely not 𝘁𝗵𝗲 Band. They're 𝗮 band. A perfectly fine band, that is. Warm, upbeat folk music.
Why is this album on the list? There's isn't a single notable song on the entire album. Nothing that screamed at me "listen to me again". The only song on the album I'd heard before was "Up on Cripple Creek", and that song really isn't that good. It's just '60's roots rock nothingness. Rating: 1/5. Hard pass.
the album by the album (generator)
8/10 a bit more my vibe ! again I maybe wouldn't add any to my playlists but wouldn't necessarily skip a few if they came on shuffle. can see how for their time it would be a big thing and can see lots of influence into modern music.
Handful of ok songs, handful of godawful songs
A record I specifically despise. Not that the songs are all bad, on the contrary, some great ones her, but all massacred by the sub-par (albeit potentially intentionally so) delivery, terrible voices, inconsistent sonics, incidental and misplaced fade-outs, stylistic inconsistency. Sounds like a band demoing to a producer, asking whether they shall go vaudeville-country (don't think that really exists), country funk, Nashville style or whatever in between.
Pretty mellow album but has some really good songs, especially The Weight.
Good, album art makes them look like red dead characters hahah.
Ultimate road trip with your Dad music. Enjoyed listening but won’t be adding anything to a playlist or liked songs. Can understand why it’s on this list.
An easy 5
Way to Slow and boring
beautiful, soulful voices, none of them perfect but they blend to make magic
Not for me
This is one of those bands i’ve only heard of. This album is on the country side of classic rock. I’ve enjoyed the guitar bits but have to give it more time hear the lyrics because that makes all the difference for country music. I can see how Dylan was involved with them. Because it was more of an introduction for me i’m going to give it a 3.
Bit boring
Xxx.
Definitely a vibe - feels like modern alternative rock
Ahh, Hippies! I briefly lived that life, thanks to my mum. Loved that simple world view… and the drugs were fun too. But I left it all behind soon after I shook hands with Punk. The Weight is still one of my favorites songs. It’s not on this album. This jam reminds me of the Dead. Average.
Bland, uninspired, and dull -- a slog to listen to. I would never play this album by choice.
Some of my favorite songs
How can Dixie and Cripple Creek be so good, and then there's dreck like Unfaithful Servant and Whispering Pines? The good nets out the bad (barely), meaning only 3 stars.
#88 - Nice easy listening but nothing remained
country-rock classic with a couple of absolute belters
Slow 60s/70s rock. Did not catch my interest.
Fucking awesome, love folk rock stuff need to listen to more of these
Bit boring tbh
Blast from the past! Took me back to college in the 80s!!
A classic, 5/5. Great voice, great tunes. Notably the first 3 tracks.
Da heisst s erste Album vo The Band tatsächlich au The Band und ned The Album, was für e verpassti chance Leander Leadsinger, Daniel Drummer, Balthasar Bassist und Gilroy Guitarist!! So, denn chunt die Band scho es zweits mal, bzw. szweit mal chund e Band wo The Band heisst, WILL s erste album vom Leander, em Dani, em Balthasar und em Gilroy hani sehr sehr guet in erinnerig und dütlich spannender und wenniger rednecky wie jetzt das. Und da frag ich mich: isch es würklich die glich band "The Band" oder isch The Band eifach es Sammelbecki vo allne Amateurbands miteme Hang zur Comedy? Ufjedefall chund mer bi dem Album wider chli de Ärger uuf wie d Amis hald es musigindustrie-monopol gschaffe het obwohl so Ami-kack eifach ned die best musig isch. Und wahrschindli biz dur die überamerikanisiert verzwiiflig, aber au willi das Album nüm lose wird, strecki nur ein Mittelfinger richtig Donald Trump PS. sind scho die gliche boys
The band by the band S letste wo mir dezue ifallt isch im timmyG sini grandiosi wortwitzstory zum andere album Und es erinneret mi ah de track vum andere album wo mir sehr gfalle hed „i shall be released“ zudem hani oft mis neue möbeli im keller baut. Das album hami nani richtig drigeh, zerst zu fest cöntry und nachher hends biz d kurve kriegt. Doch na 3 cervelats ufm lagerfür für sie
da hemmers wider - bim erste album hanis scho einigermasse verstande aber ezt langets denn hey hans gester gloset und hüt wider vergesse wies tönt hett mini ohre sind aber no dra, das heisst nachem haagsche kriterum abkomme vom Dezember 2024 am europäische hof für menscherecht und sterndli vergeh uf websites: en klassische fall vo TWEE PUNTEN!!
will mich 2-4 lieder vom letschte the band album die vegangene wuche loyal begleitet hend bini mit hoche erwartige (5 puntos) ih das self titled abentüür gstartet weiss zwar nöd genau ah was es liid, probably wieder chli zu fescht amiköntry vibes, will objektiv isch es an und für sich quality stuff, aber hed mi chli enttüscht… am mentig morge tönts aber ufjedefall scho um einiges besser als am fritig namitag! trotzdem leider nur 3 wiisschopfseeadler vo mir, han euch aber immerno ganz fescht gern
Isch nüd s 1. Album, obwohl mer das vermuete chönnt. Hetti nie dänkt, ds sie ursprünglich am Bob Dylan gsie sind. Feelgood-Musig, abwächsligsrich. Whispering Pines sooo schön, King Harvest mega.
across the great divide findi sehr simpel aber no nice. aso nüt speziells. rag mama rag sehr cool mit viele fiddle und coole chords macht nöd so die wendige womer wür erwarte. bass tönt seeehr geil. the night they drove old dixie down cute. etz au nöd meeega. when you awake etz au nöd bahnbrechend irgendwie. up on cripple creek swirige titel. aber es tönt wie little tommy vo maltschik. aso country rock halt. ok ich finds super. whispering pines isch niice sie singed suuper schöön, seehr geili melodie. ihri gitarre töned soo geil. so crunchy. gad uf jemima surrender. rockin chair so country so schön super. unfaithful servant isch meeega schön! king harvest au suuuper. love it. nüt schlechts a dem album aber s het mi au nüt umghaue. vieri.
hahaha across the great divide isch ja vill meh upbeat als ich denkt hett rag mama rag tönt sehr andersch! nöd mega min fall, chli zu quirky the night they deove old dixie down isch uhuere schön up on cripple creek findi de bass und d drums recht modern? kei ahnig wiso s so uf mich würkt whispering pines uuuhuere schön sie chegget eifach hert, was mached look out cleveland isch super allgemein hanis gfühl, s isch chli weniger verspielt als big pink jawbone hanis gfühl, kenni?? halt eifach de refrain mitem 6/4 aber vlt tüschi mich au unfaithful servant isch easy jaa, wie gseit weniger guet als big pink, aber finds immerno sehr guet! via
Mmmmmm...
First, Whispering Pines is clearly a lost Flaming Lips track sent back in time. This isn't great, but it's much better than the Big Pink one.
All the worst parts of soft rock and country, mixed together for your enjoyment. And lemme tell you, there was not a lot of enjoyment on offer. Sorry, the band The Band of 'The Band', but this was rubbish.
Seriously awesome banger album!! So many songs that I forgot are hidden in there that are so marvellously beautiful
meh
All pretty good but nothing stood out in particular.
Pretty solid.
It's pleasant enough to listen to but equally as forgettable.
This album sounds pretty nice.
I don't say this about many albums, but I really, really HATE this album.
It's a sound I really detest: country-rock. Two stars for the obvious musicianship.
Not for me, I’m afraid.
Full and complete
I'm sure it's good, but it's not for me. Got a little bit through before giving up. Might listen to it more when I'm in the mood.
horrible american stuff 1/5
This is the kind of music I should like, but it felt very bland and didn’t capture or hold my attention. A low 3.
Thank the moon and stars for giving us the Band today. Nice to have Spike Jones on the box. Dad rock to the rescue!
Back to basics stripped down Americana folk rock. The entire album feels warm and comfortable. All the stars.
This is prime Americana. The fusion of folk country and rock elements are solid. I don’t particularly care for it although I recognize its significance. Look out Cleveland was a standout for me as it gets more into rock territory.
Up on cripple creek Drove old dixie Rag mama rag Wispering pines
A great record that still feels relevant. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-band-by-the-band?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I know The Band goes beyond a support band, but Why do they sound so much like a support band?
4 great folky album. Favorite songs: up on cripple creek, the night they drove old Dixie down
Decent 3/5
do have a soft spot for this kind of music
Decent easy listening
More like "The BLand" Not for me.
A bit of a surprising gem considering the overwhelming amount of soft rock dross that accounts for 60s output on this list. The album definitely drags during slower tracks, but when it leans into its groovy brand of gritty country rock, I can really go for it.
no thank you
Can't put my finger on what bothers me about these guys but anyway this is one of their better records.
I really enjoyed hearing their debut album a while back in this collection, and I guess I thought this album would be more of the same, in a good way. And I guess it is, sort of, and I can see that this is considered a seminal album both for The Band and for rock music in general, but I found it really hard to get into it the way I did with "Music From Big Pink". There's no denying it has a lot of classic and revered songs, and it's all but impossible to avoid enjoying tracks like "Up on Cripple Creek", or appreciating the panoramic "The night they drive old Dixie down", but in the end it just didn't really click for me. A bummer, as I really enjoy and appreciate a lot of what Robbie Robertson has penned and composed, and The Band had a great cast of characters. It's clearly me, not them, and thus I bow to the wisdom of decades of music critics and feel compelled to award four stars for its place in the pantheon.
Robbie Robertson is an effing great songwriter, and The Band will always have a sentimental hold on my heart, created when I was a kid and my parents would play "The Weight" and we'd snicker at "Take a load off, Fanny." Though that track isn't on this album, no worries because you've got Cripple Creek, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Rag Mama Rag, and an old favorite "Across the Great Divide" (got my name in that song!). Play side A on repeat and pretty much ignore side B, imho.
0004 / 24.12.2024 I expected a band called The Band to be the most generic shit, and while it kind of is, it's not bad music in the slightest. I'm not a big country fan, I don't think this album is anything special, but I respect it. It's just nice Choruses - ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Mixing - ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Lyrics - ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Vocals - ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Instrumentation - ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Rating: 66 Highlights: Across the Great Divide; Whispering Pines; Jemima Surrender; Look Out Cleveland; Jawbone; King Harvest (Has Surely Come) Lowlights: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Two great songs and the rest are ok
The Band is always a welcome sound in my ears. Four stars.
Good album, sounds like classic American rock so I was very surprised they’re Canadian. Favorites: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Christ, am I missing something here? This is dull music. Dull 60s white boy, mediocre music. The big 100k+ streamed songs don't make up for the tiresome process required to listen to this. Would not go through the misery of hearing this again. A tolerable song was 'Across the great divide'. Overall I didn't like it.
It’s just dull
The vocals are completely uninteresting through most of it. But otherwise it is fine.
One of the top reviews for this album says that this should be called "The Album" and I really have to agree. Getting something generated called The Album by The Band would just be really funny. It would be even more funny if this album was my first exposure to The Band, but I got Music From Big Pink back in April so I'm not a total newbie when it comes to The Band. Anyways, this album's pretty good. It's not my favorite thing ever, but it's alright. I would call it good. The sound is nice. The whole album has this Southern Americana feel to it, which is funny since most of The Band's members are Canadian. This feel is also reflected in the songwriting, which is pretty solid. It does a good job at not sympathizing with the Confederacy. I hate the Confederacy. The singing is alright. Overall, there are things to like about this album. However, I just don't think The Band interests me all that much. They just kind of exist. Maybe it's because of their name. I don't know. The album's good, but not really my thing overall. I respect it though. High 3/5.
Never been the biggest The Band fan. There’s a couple good tunes. But overall this is the type of music you license to play in the background of a movie scene that takes places in a Southern bar. 3/5
I don’t hate the band but I think they’re just a bit basic, like it’s cool being bob Dylan’s backing band but their music’s just good 3/5
generic sounding country rock. some good tracks here and there
All time classic.
Nice, but not my cup of tea
country的魅力就在于此
Not bad, some catchy songs. Sounds incredibly 60s.
Great album with classics like Dixie and Cripple Creek
-I definitely liked a lot of these songs… though it’s not all really my kind of music if im being honest, so im not a good source for giving it an accurate review. but it was really cool, it’s always nice to hear old roots rock and see how it inspired other acts I listen to regularly -Favorites are Rag Mama Rag, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and Up On Cripple Creek
еще один альбом 60-х, скукота
Yawn inducing
Aujourd'hui, The Band, l'album éponyme, le classique, le monument intouchable du roots rock américain. L'oeuvre qui a, paraît-il, poussé Eric Clapton à dissoudre Cream pour chercher quelque chose de plus "vrai". Le disque qui a défini ce qu'on appellera plus tard l'Americana. Un album de 1969, putain ! L'année de Woodstock, de Led Zeppelin II, de Abbey Road, de In the Court of the Crimson King. L'apogée d'une ère de créativité folle, d'expérimentations sonores, de révolutions. Et moi, pauvre con de 54 balais, je suis là, assis dans mon fauteuil, et je me fais chier. Oui, le mot est lâché. C'est peut-être un blasphème pour la chapelle du rock authentique, mais l'honnêteté, c'est la base de ce carnet de bord, non ? Alors soyons clairs : cet album m'a laissé de marbre. Froid. Indifférent. Comme un documentaire en noir et blanc sur la culture du maïs dans le Nebraska au XIXème siècle. Pourtant, sur le papier, tout y est. On parle des mecs qui ont accompagné Dylan lors de sa tournée électrique, la plus houleuse de l'histoire. Des musiciens de l'ombre, des virtuoses discrets qui, fatigués des excès psychédéliques de la côte Ouest, décident de retourner aux sources. À la terre. Aux racines. Le concept est bandant, je l'admets. J'adore cette mythologie. Quand je tenais ma boutique de disques, j'en ai vendu des palettes, de ce genre d'histoires. C'est le genre de came qui plaît aux puristes, aux mecs qui te disent que la musique, c'était mieux avant. Mais la vérité, c'est que la musique, elle doit surtout être bien maintenant. Et la production de cet album, mon Dieu... elle a pris un coup de vieux monumental. Ça sonne plat, sans relief, comme si les mecs avaient enregistré dans une grange en bois avec des couvertures sur les amplis pour ne pas réveiller les vaches. Où est la dynamique ? Où est la pêche ? On est en 1969, George Martin faisait des miracles avec quatre pistes, Glyn Johns enregistrait un son de batterie qui pouvait faire trembler les murs, et là, j'ai l'impression d'écouter une vieille cassette audio qui a passé l'été sur la plage arrière d'une bagnole. Je sais, je sais. On va me dire que c'est voulu. Que c'est "organique". Que ça respire l'authenticité. Foutaises. C'est juste daté. Pour moi qui ai grandi avec le punk, la new wave, et qui ai vu l'explosion de la production léchée des années 80 et 90, ça ne passe pas. C'est une barrière quasi infranchissable. Passons sur la forme, et parlons du fond. Les thèmes. On est en pleine guerre du Vietnam, l'Amérique est à feu et à sang, et The Band nous chante quoi ? Des histoires de la Guerre de Sécession, de fermiers ruinés, de syndicalistes en grève, de misère et de famine. C'est un album sépia, poussiéreux, qui regarde constamment dans le rétroviseur. C'est un cours d'histoire, pas un album de rock. Chaque morceau est une petite nouvelle, une tranche de vie d'une Amérique rurale et oubliée. C'est admirablement écrit, je ne le nie pas. Les mecs sont des conteurs hors pair. Mais l'émotion, bordel ? Où est l'émotion ? Soyons juste, il y a deux, peut-être trois titres qui sortent du lot. Évidemment, "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". Impossible de rester insensible à cette complainte sudiste, à cette mélodie poignante. C'est un chef-d'oeuvre absolu, une chanson qui transcende l'album et qui justifie à elle seule sa place dans l'histoire. Il y a aussi "Up on Cripple Creek", avec son rythme boiteux et son clavinet funky, qui apporte une bouffée d'air frais et un peu de légèreté. On sent enfin les mecs se lâcher un peu, sourire. Pour le reste... c'est une longue procession de complaintes mid-tempo qui finissent par toutes se ressembler. Je comprends l'importance historique de l'album. En 1969, ce retour aux sources était probablement une claque, une bouffée d'oxygène pour ceux qui suffoquaient sous les couches de flanger et de sitars. C'était un acte de résistance contre la sophistication. Mais en 2025, pour un type qui a passé sa vie à écouter de la musique, ce geste semble anecdotique. L'authenticité revendiquée sonne presque fabriquée. C'est peut-être ça, le coeur du problème. Cet album est un classique intellectuel. Un disque qu'on admire plus qu'on ne l'aime. Un disque qu'on "doit" avoir, qu'on "doit" comprendre. Mais la musique, ça ne devrait pas être un devoir. Ça doit prendre aux tripes, faire taper du pied, donner envie de baiser ou de tout casser. Et là, rien. Le néant. L'encéphalogramme plat. J'ai l'impression d'avoir commis un sacrilège. De cracher sur une icône. Mais ce blog, c'est mon ressenti, pas une redite des encyclopédies. Et mon ressenti, c'est une profonde déception. C'est un album que je respecte, mais que je n'écouterai probablement plus jamais par plaisir. Il retournera sur son étagère, comme une belle pièce de musée, intéressante à regarder, mais froide au toucher. Note : 1/5 Et je suis généreux, c'est pour l'importance historique.
I found this to be pretty mid. Nothing really hooked me. Everything is well done. But this is very little for me.
Have listened to this about 5 times now and its a real grower. I started a bit meh low 2 - but its swampy/country charms have worked on me and its now a 5 and added to my spotify favorites.
A few songs I really vibed with, the rest felt goofy by modern standards, but I get why its here.
Must be my age but I liked the album, even though I was only a kid when it came out. Easy listening.
High highs, low lows
This was fine. Classic album, classic band. Nothing super special about it.
the band 1969 review across the great divide -> liked this one (8/10) rag mama rag -> did not like this one (1/10) (0 but they put in effort to make it so 1) the night they drove old dixie down -> okay (3/10) when ur awake -> (2/10) was 3/10 until end did not like end up on cripple creek -> okayyyy opening is kinda funky i like but the frogs are making me LAUGH (5/10) whispering pines - chill. gives noah kahan i fuck w it (7/10) jemima surrender - i feel like im in a jukebox dancey club diner thing which is fun (5/10) rockin chair - (2/10) look out cleveland - i also like this one dancey club diner again (4/10) but lowkey repetitive jawbone - made me giggle. what was this (1/10) unfaithful servant - okay (3/10) king harvest - workers union? period but why SKID ROW in the same song confused (2/10)
they were just jamming and I cant fault them for that but sometimes the jams can go on and on
I feel like The Band is one that I never really understood why they are so well liked. They have an interesting story I suppose but that doesn't make them better at writing music. The Last Waltz film was great but that was due to the guest artists if you ask me. My father-in-law contends that Robbie Robertson is some kind of once in humanity genius and I respectfully disagree. This album is really just Canadians playing Americana/country-influenced 60s pop rock. There are plenty of bands that did the same thing that are basically indistinguishable from this. Most of the songs are fine, a few bordering on good, and a couple are basically unlistenable. 2/5
Incredible album - I can't fault it
The music is terrible, but I’m also suspicious of anyone who writes a song sympathetic to white southerners during the American Civil War. It’s like writing a song about the bravery of the Wehrmacht; there’s only one type of person happy to associate themselves with that side of the conflict. The defence on Wikipedia is also laughable, essentially amounts to “but he’s Canadian” - as if there couldn’t possibly be a racist Canadian.
Love a bit of theses geezers tbf Simpsons: I don’t think so
Might be harsh, but i'm getting a bit bored of this kind of music. It's fine but nothing stood out to me or made me want to listen again.
It's a bit of a bland album tbh.
Thought it was going to be a five but I think listening to anything after Genesis is going to sound amazing. Really enjoyed it to start with but Up On Cripple Creek got a bit repetitive and it got a bit boring after that
This is one of my all-time favorites. The Band (They called themselves that because they used to be the backing musicians for Ronnie Hawkins and Bob Dylan and that is what everyone referred to them as.) were five of the most talented musicians in the history of rock music. Everyone in this group was a phenomenal instrumentalist with three also very talented vocalists. Robbie Robertson was an excellent songwriter. There are no bad tracks here and the cover photo is very haunting, considering that all but one member has passed on. This album along with "Music from Big Pink" are definite desert island pics.
Probably the most influential band with a generic name that defies search engine optimization. They’re probably best known for backing Bob Dylan when he made his seismic step to electric guitar, but this eponymous album is a fine example of how good they are when they take centre stage. It still sounds fresh today, drawing on an American tradition that stretches back over a hundred years.
Somewhat a mixture of clichéd americana and clichéd 60s rock with organ (I was gonna write "Hammond organ" but apparently it's a Lowrey). It's not bad, but it feels so generic American rock from this period that it's boring.
Fun and a little bit gritty of a sound. Good Southern Rock feel. Heck Yeah!
Every bit as good as the debut. Heartfelt and full.
I do like this. No nonsense, good music.
Good but a little country for me
I did not enjoy this album.
Production and mixing across this album is fantastic. Best description I can give is that the songs are cozy but never cluttered. Great use of stereo to separate complementary elements into separate channels -- never distracting and always to great effect. I really like something about When You Awake. Up on Cripple Creek is an all time classic -- love the underpinning stanky organ lines and rootsy vibes. Reminds me of the Dead at their best. King Harvest taps a similar space, but with a stronger groove. For me this exists in a space between a high 3 and low 4. I don't think I'll come back, but its a fine listen straight through.
Sick album. 4.5 stars for me. Night they drove old dixie down is a classic.
The Review
I have no idea why I gave the last Band album a 3. They are so good and I have listened to them a lot. Every album that comes up will most likely be an automatic 4. Up On Cripple Creek is one of my top songs it is so fun to sing to. And Levon Helm is such a good singer while also drumming.
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is an absolute classic. \"How do you wake up dead??\" Up On Cripple Creek is another classic. Love that dirty funk sound on it. Looked it up and it's a clavinet with wah-wah pedal. We need more of that in songs.
Before the Clash, the Band was the only band that mattered.
The boys; hollerin’. The guitars; twangin’. The ivories; slammin’. Good ole fun this one. Best track - up on cripple creek
One of my GOATS
This was borderline unlistenable for the first few tracks, but it gets more enjoyably woozy as it goes on, and I liked it. Evokes the feeling of being drunk, in a good way. Favourite songs: Whispering Pines, The Unfaithful Servant, King Harvest
This had some good songs here but it did not leave a lasting impression on me. But I really dig the harmonies on the record.
Is it country? Is it rock? Is it folk? Does it matter? What really matters? Not this album, not to me.
This is not good or bad. It is simply mediocre and I am growing tired of this kind of music and the idea that I should listen to this before I die. Why should I? What I would be missing if I didn't?
Love the band. Some strong songs but also a few filler tracks.
meh
70’s pop
Fun folky rock
I had a Creedence album the other day. Levon Helm excepted pretending you were from the south of USA was quite the thing for other North Americans for a moment there. What was that all about? Anyway I think The Band's version was far richer and engaging. Plenty is said quite correctly about the great songwriting and them having three great lead singers but I think a major ingredient in what makes them stand out is the interplay between two keyboard players. It gives them a fluid sound with more colours than the more typical of the time two overdriven guitars approximating the blues.
Didn’t enjoy as much as I thought I would. Seems to be missing something. Hard to explain, but I compare it to Levon Helms’ The Mountain. There seems to be something missing from The Band that Levon could capture solo.
From the first note of the first track. Legendary band. legendary songs. A great album all around.
Jak się nad tym zastanowić, to nazwanie zespołu i płyty "The Band" miało zaskakująco dużo sensu. Bardzo generic nazwa, ale z drugiej strony zamknęli w tym albumie różne rodzaje tradycji muzycznej Stanów. Przez cały krążek wymieniają chyba z 10 różnych lokacji/stanów, czuć wpływy muzyczne nowoorleańskiego jazzu, bluesa, teksańskiego country. Jedna z piosenek brzmiała dla mnie jak ta muzyka z Południa Randy'ego Newmana (dobrze, że przesłuchałem go wcześniej, żeby złapać reference), fragment "Jawbone" skojarzył mi się z "Free Fallin'" Toma Petty'ego z Florydy. Całość faktycznie brzmi dosyć płasko i mało wciągająco, ale ogólnie to moim zdaniem dobry album, powiedziałbym takie 3,5. Pewnie w innych czasach spokojnie dałbym mu 4.
If it was a spice it would be a flour. I forgot all songs the next day.
Znów mam poczucie, że dobry zespół, ktorego nie potrafię do końca docenić. Ciekawie opowiedziane historie (znów - nie moje, ale mozna wejść w czyjeś buty), w porządku głos i nutka country-rockowa. Brzmi na klasyk, ale... nie do końca mój klimat. Mam wrażenie, że przez lata powstało już tyle wariantów podobnej muzyki, że dziś ciężko, by zrobiła wrażenie Dobrze znać, ale nie wrócę - no chyba że gdzieś na wycieczce po USA, przy ognisku, rzewnie odśpiewamy coś wspólnie z lokalnymi białasami, wtedy sztosss. Favs: Across the Great Divide The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down When You Awake
From the cover, I understood half of what this album would be- The Night They Drove Old Dixie down and Rag Mama Rag are both slightly Gram Parsons/the Byrds, a kind of semi-psychedelic country, but I was surprised by the Motown influence. Across the Great Divide and Up On Cripple Creek are very white man Otis Redding, and I like that better, which is a bit surprising. I like the whiney organ on When You Awake, it’s nice that in a song which refers to his grandpa and growing old there’s a kind of white baptist church energy. Whispering Pines opens a bit Bee Gees, which is generally a very positive thing for me, but doesn’t go much of anywhere- it’s pleasant but not evocative enough to be a Free Bird. I liked the piano where it’s scattered in (kind of like a Chuck Berry guitar on Look Out Cleveland, which is actively fun), and I’m a sucker for harmonica, but the singing left me fairly cold. Some of the lyrics feel pretty awkward. Rhyming “Virginny” with “Ragtime Willie” in Rockin Chair sucked. I think in general I prefer Creedence Clearwater Revival.
I meannnnn fine. Just fine. A few boos happened. I was a fan of The Night They Drove Dixie Down but calling yourself The Band is extremely annoying and I might never get over that.
Music for sad modern cowboys
Always a good listen
very earthy and americana but with more depth. comes out swinging from the first second and never lets the energy fade
Solid album. Some all time classics on this one. If you're looking for a little Americana country rock this is tough to beat.
Nice lil album
I'm a huge fan of The Band's music and this album could possibly be their best and at times my favorite.
This was fine. Nothing really jumped out as awesome or terrible. Just some 60s American blues based rock.
Better than "Music From Big Pink" which i suppose makes sense, since this was their second album. It feels more cohesive as far as sound goes. Folkesy genre-wise, which I enjoyed.
Bel mood, non molto di più
I should have liked this but I just found it sort of tedious and pretentious. Maybe it wasn't at the time.
Well, I got through the entire album, I can’t say much more than that. It’s fine, classic/southern(?) rock I suppose, but I wouldn’t be going back to it.
I always think I'm going to like this album (and the Band in general) more than I actually do. Its fine, well played stuff, it just never really catches my interest. Up on Cripple Creek is the one that throws it all off. Super catchy, oddly funky for Canadians in 1969, I think the rest of the album needs more of that energy. It does remind me that I still need to read "Across The Great Divide - The Band and America" by Barney Hoskyns. Suppose to be a good one about The Band.
Great, another set of scruffy looking white dudes from the 60's. I don't really remember much about THE BAND except that I think my parents had a few of their albums. Oh yeah, I had forgotten about "Up on Cripple Creek". Nothing much to day about this album. Pretty forgettable, not really what I am into normally.
I like the bands sound, so I probably rate it higher than deserves, but I enjoyed it, got a bit repetitive, but I'd be happy to listen again.
It is some good folky 60's rock. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down was my favorite, but Up On Cripple Creek stuck in my head the most.
I see a lot of people commenting that this sounds like old people day drinking. I absolutely agree. However, I don't know if that's a bad thing.
Very inoffensive. It's aight. I'd expect more from an album on this list 4/10
I can barely stand this. I finished listened to the record on the third try. It's boring.
Was beetje moe dus misschien daardoor wat saai
Maybe this is a timing thing but for such a seminal group and album it felt really watery and diluted. I guess it was harder to access folk, rock, soul and fusions from Black and traditional artists so everybody's rich friend's dad's favourite group of white dudes was what you had.
This is the most Canadian band with the most Canadian name. Pleasant music. As I said... Canadian way...
At first, I was like - why is this on the list? But as the album continued, I began to like the songs better. I get the impression it would land better if I knew what they were saying, but I don’t care enough to look up the words.
Delightful southern gothic cosplay from these Canadian guys
Nothing wrong with this but also not much to get the pulse racing. Fairly inoffensive stuff. I guess if you’re into this folksy American sixties rock it’s probably quite good.
I have to admit to being blissfully unaware of these guys. Is my life enriched by now discovering them? No, but I am not a rednecked American who harks back to the good old days (which I am sure they are hoping the Orange will return them too!). This album could only be more American if they used guns as percussion instruments. I can see the influences that the music has and it has some high points including the vocals and rock leanings. 2.5
It’s a reasonably entertaining listen, with an impressive amount of variety, and it’s better than their first album (which we’ve already had in here). But did we really need two The Band albums on the list? Tbh I had to Google what the fuss is all about and still don’t really get it, other than loads of contemporaries loved them. Someone get me a fence, I’m getting back on it.
Too rednecky for me
rather good album, i found it boring initially but then i found its value
Nice one.
I don't get much out of this type of music, and I'm afraid I found this as boring as the brown cover. The most positive phrase that came into my head was "quite nice" as in, "That bit was quite nice"; then I'd doze off again. They were probably better live.
Snooze
A very good album, but not my favorite from them. The best songs are inescapable on Classic Rock Radio and television commercials.
Nice album, couple hits that still get plenty of play time on the radio.
Likeable enough, but nothing too special.
A good old time, just great classic rock and roll. Contains "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", "Up On Cripple Creek" which were released as a killer double a side singe, both fronted by Levon Helms voice. Ridiculously good.
I enjoyed it but didn't love it.
1.5 rounded down incredibly funny to me that my highlights from this album ended up being the first and last tracks. i truly do not gaf highlights: across the great divide, king harvest (has surely come) (apr 7 2026)
'Up on Cripple Creek' was a high point overall, pretty good
At first I wanted to like this album a lot as one of the songs is a classic. But in the end it kind of failed for me.
Great album. The Band has a very distinct sound.
Old school whiskey drinking drown your sorrows type rock. Made me feel like divorcing my wife all over again. And I'm not even married. So naturally, I like it.
I honestly didn't think the style/quality of the songs would keep up after the first few songs, but this whole album is full of bangers. I'm most surprised at how vocally heavy the album is and how quality the harmonies are. I wish the melody didn't change voices so much from song to song. There's a voice or two that I don't think are quite as good as the others. The album is so incredibly vibey and a jam. It's just a really freakin good album from beginning to end. Favorite Song(s): The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Look Out Cleveland, Jawbone, Up on Cripple Creek
In a nutshell: Drag Mama Drag I agree with some reviewers on here - there's something lacklustre about this album compared to their debut, Music From Big Pink. Felt drawn out. The band members can jam. The lyrics are good. The singing, hit and miss. Overall: 4/10
cool
A big fan of this sound.
Really good album, not quite their best.
Epic
I didn't enjoy this as much as Music from Big Pink. Their style is inherently shambolic and experimental; when they polished it up, for this album, it just lost a little something. I'm not a huge fan of this late 60s hippy Americana to begin with. If I'm in the mood, I'd reach for American Beauty (for the quality of the songs), or Music from Big Pink before coming back to this.
The self-titled album "The Band" showcases remarkable lyrical craftsmanship, weaving together storytelling and emotion that captivates the listener. However, despite its strengths in songwriting, the overall pace of the album feels sluggish and does not resonate with my personal taste. The songs, while rich in depth, often fail to maintain my interest, leading to a listening experience that feels drawn out rather than engaging.
Not my first time with the Band but is my first time with the album. Nice chill music, 3.25/5
#5 This was a really enjoyable album. One of those I could put on during a road trip to just cut out a good 40 mins or put on during the weekend while cleaning or something. I like a lot of “The Band”s other songs. Just because I wish there was more “umph” to the album, I’m rating this one a 4
Прекрасный альбом. Музыкальный, мелодичный, динамичный. Классический рок и кантри. Есть и медленные песни и быстрые, и веселые и грустные. Replay value точно высокий
This is clearly a 5. Anyone who says different has no taste.
Interesting album. Not my style at all. Early yacht rock for Rednecks? Up on Cripple Creek is an ok song but rest is pretty meh.
I like it. Gives me a fuzzy warm feeling. Just like those glorious beards.
Coming fresh off Robert Wyatt, this album just wasn't interesting to me. Might have deserved a little more attention, but I didn't have any to give. Sounded okay.
One of my favorite bands from the 60s and 70s. Absolute classic with an unexpectedly awesome groove
Should've been The Banned. Like many artists of this ilk, the country/folk aspects are repetitive and boring, and the bluesy/funky parts are good. Unfortunately, the majority of the tracks lean hard into country/folk.
Una onda sesentosa. Buenas canciones pero sin que ninguna resalte tanto. Debería prestar más atención a las letras, suelen ser buenas en canciones de esta época. Me enganché un poco con "Whispering Pines".
Imagine having the nutsack to call you band ... THE Band.
I listened to this as the common clay of the new West voted in Trump. Again. I reckon The Band is quite popular in that demographic. I didn't care for this at all.
Absolute masterpiece.
80% Best: Up On Cripple Creek; Whispering Pines; Jemima Surrender; Look Out Cleveland; King Harvest (Has Surely Come) Must-Hear? Maybe