Reviews (page 4 of 7)
Go down Knoxville girl
Ol' country!
Thoughts before listening: Interesting addition to the list. I half a soft place in my heart for these early folk and country songs, although the recordings can often make them hard to listen to. Looking at the songs on the cover, I do recognize a number of these songs, mostly from covers by more contemporary bands. It will be nice to hear these songs in an earlier form. Review: Well, this definitely sounds better than I thought it would. Maybe I am listening to a remastered version, but its much more crisp than I was anticipating. Other than the clarity of the recording, this reminds me a lot of music that I have heard throughout my life. Being from the south, my family listened to and played old country music very similar to the Louvin Brothers. This album would have been released when my grandparents were in their 20s so perhaps this was something I actually heard them play when I was a kid. I really like some songs and others are a little grating honestly. I'll give it 3-stars.
Kind of a cool document of its time but today it sounds outdated and the religious part then killed the vibe.
Yeehaw, the song about the girl he murders in Knoxville has me fucked up. Pretty easy listening overall
Deeply titled
Now that's country
This is the most deserving of 3 stars I've given an album. Just your standard 50s country album.
Simple folk album. I liked it, thought the brothers harmonized well. Not enough to elevate it for me but still I enjoyed.
I definitely like their style but these songs didn’t really captivate me.
I thought this was ok. There wasn’t anything here that I would go back to but it was fine.
Some mighty fine music ! Yes, mighty fine indeed !
Pretty good old timey stuff. I can only take bluegrass in bits and pieces usually, but I enjoyed this the entire playthrough.
This is fine. C
Very dark lyrics that made the songs interesting to listen to - not usually a fan of country stuff but this was alright
It reminded me of the old country back home. I haven’t even been to America before.
I've often said I don't like country. But I do like old country.
I like bluegrass now and then but typically when it’s live music and fits the feeling I’m ready for. I’ve noticed doing the one album a day, sometimes my mood is mismatched with the music and I try not to let that bias my reviews. With this album, it felt like a lot of the songs blended together and even in the mood for this music, it can be hard to get into when nothing pops out well in the album.
This album fits nicely within the Fallout universe for your Pip-boy.
Tragic Songs of Life I do like country and due to that podcast I do appreciate The Louvin Brothers place in the development of country music and therefore rock music. Their harmonies are excellent, the sounds of their voices intertwining together in a way that only siblings voices can. But there is no disguising that each song is broadly identical in terms of tempo, arrangement, instrumentation and melodic style. I suppose that’s typical of the country music of this era and a lot of country music in general but a lot of the tracks do merge into one, with only Kentucky, In the Pines, Knoxville Girl and Mary of the Wild Moor standing out. I think I liked it most on the first listen, it diminished a little on the 3rd and 4th go round. It’s by no means an unpleasant listen though, it just does lack a bit of variation, even within the structure and harmonics of 50s country. I’m glad it came up though, the vocal harmonies are great and I like it as a document of it’s time and as one of the touchstones for the development of the later music that I love. However I’m probably unlikely to re-visit, I think I got all II can from today’s listens. Pure musical interest wise a 2, but cultural and historical value wise it just pushes up to 3, and I don’t think it’s fair to just dismiss it against what it helped sow the seeds for. ⭐⭐⭐️
Some interesting lyrics on this!!
Murder ballads are less cute when sung by someone as horrific to women as Ira Louvin
Country triste años 50's.
Totally fine 50's country music.
3.25
A record of it's time, rather than aging well it stands as a time capsule for 50s folk and country. The Louvin Brothers have some great harmonies and the guitar work is brilliant too, and the storytelling on display is great, as good folk as music should be.
I’m pretty sure Mark Kermode raves about this lot. And I can see why they are revered. However, this was like a big bowl of soup where it’s tasty and nourishing but each mouthful is exactly the same. I needed more variety and it did seem to drag.
I love the Louvins, though i admit this one is a lot to take in in one setting as the songs, arrangements, and singing are the same from song to song. Each individual song is great. The lyrics are often downright shocking, and the material will leave you scratching your head wondering what exactly is the point of view of the songwriter (though the Louvins wrote none of these songs). Anyway, for an album listening experience, I prefer Satan is Real. It has more variety. I think the Louvins are best served by compilations. I hope this album won't turn people off of them. They are fantastic and they influenced so many musicians, both in and out of country music.
I liked.
Old-timey. My bluegrass friend loved it.
Boy...as advertised! Tragic songs from the hills of Appalachia. Evocative of that simpler time
It was a very... different album. That las song, though :'(
Again as with a previous country album, it just feels like I’ve heard these kind of tunes parodied too much to take them seriously. But I’m not sure there’s anything here I can be too negative about. Simpsons: No
Really like this style of music, but if I fancied it I’d just listen to the O Brother, Where Art Though? soundtrack
Enjoyed this one. Between 3 and 4 stars.
3.5
Very sad country, got a little too jesus-y at the end. Overall enjoyed
"In the Pines" and 10 songs that sound identical to "In the Pines." Excellently crafted though.
Not too long, not too tragic. Pleasant.
Solid harmonies. Rockabilly influence. They have a "sound" and stick to it. The only way to distinguish the songs is by the track number. They all sound essentially the same. Definite tragedy in these mini-novellas. Some were very grim indeed and would have received the parental warning label today. Worth a listen, maybe not more than two.
Old school country. Too bad today’s country artists have diverted from what country music really is. I’d rather listen to this any day.
I guess it’s not bad if you’re into it, but a little too country for me.
This sounds the band they would have been expecting at Bob’s Country Bunker before the Blues Brothers hijacked the gig. I appreciate the style to some degree and this seems like a great representation of the time. I’ll go average here 2.5/5 rounded up.
So I hear a lot of this type of music where I live in the heart of bluegrass. And although I do now have an appreciation for it, the genre is not something that I seek. These brothers are expert harmonizers.
There is better country / bluegrass out there, but this was at least interesting. Reminds me of my wife’s country church and her aunt/uncle singing.
Interesting. A lot of the songs sound the same. For a minute there, I closed my eyes and thought I was at Disney watching Country Bear Jamboree which I don’t hate.
Classic bluegrass album. Really liked the mandolin work. Instrumentation is very sparse, all the songs sounded very similar. Standout song was "in the pines" covered so many times. Hearing a bluegrass version close to the original was interesting
old-timey and super interesting. Very west-coast country. Some of this music is really old and it's neat to have such high quality recordings to bring it to life 100 years later. The close vocal harmonies were pretty impressive actually.
50s harmonic folk that tells stories. It's all fine and good though I would never choose to play it.
Taking a page from the book of Irish/folk tunes of yesteryear, these guys continue the practice of providing happy melodies with words of sadness, loss, tragedy and murder. I mean who doesn’t love a good yodelling murder ballad? A little repetitive sounding all the way through, but enjoyable nonetheless. I almost wanna give them a 4 based solely on their album artwork from 1959’s album Satan is Real.
Well yeehaw! This album makes me feel like taking my betrothed by the hand and do-si-do-ing all over the county fair. Or maybe just pondering all over yonder. A tip of the Stetson to these chaps for what feels like a solid execution of the genre. Can’t help but feel like there’s probably a lot out there pretty similar to this. But def enjoyable
I have a soft spot for this old school Grand Ole Opry stuff. I love the juxtaposition of the upbeat sound with dark lyrics (Knoxville Girl…..SHEEESH ). Influenced by Baptist upbringing, but clearly in Ira’s case did not walk the walk. Do yourself a favor and read up about the guy. I thought this could be a sneaky 4*, but I found the songs to be a bit repetitive. Still very much enjoyed the listen. 3.5/5
Thought it was interesting, not the type of music I listen to but I liked the storytelling. The version of the album I listened to had some religious songs tacked onto the end which I didn't realize and it threw me off a lot. But only taking the original album into account, its pretty decent.
did not expect the country vibe, but kinda liked it, but also it was very religious which is not something i usually like in my music soo... 2.5/5
This music has a time and place. It's a very classic kind of bluegrass/gospel sound that you could see on a TV show or movie. Not something I'd listen to all the time. It has a very earnest quality that comes across as pretty cheesy to me.
Interesting sound, very American, heavy on the religion but generally listenable for its quirkiness.
nothing negative to say. The harmonies are beautiful, the playing is supportive and the stories are lyrical and sympathetic. It's just not the kind of music I enjoy. 3 stars
C+ Kentucky 3 I'll Be All Smiles Tonight 3 Let Her Go, God Bless Her 3 What Is Home Without Love 3 A Tiny Broken Heart 3 In The Pines 3 Alabama 2 Katie Dear 3 My Brother's Will 3 Knoxville Girl 3 Take The News To Mother 2 Mary Of The Wild Moor 3 Surprisingly soothing.l
Old timey folky country gospel.
Excellent for what it is. Just not music I care for.
This is more bluegrass than CW to me. Nothing more fun than a good old bluegrass festival. I enjoyed the nostalgia of this. It actually makes me smile thinking of times when I heard this music live. Tapping my foot sitting on a wooden picnic table next to a creek in the mountains. And the harmony is much appreciated. Don't hear that much these days. Simon and Garfunkel, CSNY . . .
Ihan hyvin säilynyt levy, mukavan melankolista rämpyttelyä. 3/5
FIAT actually really interesting
Like Loretta Lynn, I just picture folks on a Friday or Saturday night at the local dance hall. I didn't mind it until it got too religious. Seems pretty obvious Satan would be a big fat liar, based on his reputation.
A sort of storytellery country/bluegrass thing.
Old folk songs. Not bad but I get bored on a full album of these. Stand-out: Let Her Go, God Bless Her Stand-out from previous album (The Modern Lovers) that I forgot: Roadrunner
I didn’t expect the Louvin Brothers to show up on this list. I had not heard of them until the Cocaine & Rhinestones podcast did an episode about them. If anyone is confused as to why this album is on here I’d recommend checking out that podcast. It does a great job of explaining the Louvin’s historical significance and their contributions to country music. However, even after listening to that podcast I still don’t love the Louvin Brothers. I appreciate them more but the music is still very dated. Much respect for all that they did but I’m still not going out of my way to listen to it.
Decent story-bluegrass. Darker themes are prevalent, but for those of us that don’t necessarily focus on music for the lyrics, but more so for the melodies and emotions that they generate. To that effect this music is interesting and delightful. Great harmonies, and decent fidelity.
uhhhhhh
Good bluegrass/country and mandolin with great harmony and vocals.
Being a country album already indicates that I'll listen to the same song for 30 to 50 min, but this is just the usual when country albums are picked for me on the list. Despite that feeling, I think we have good work on this album, given the time it was released. The instrumental work is well done, and the voices are not annoying, even when singing annoying songs. The gospel section of the album was a surprise for me, but it was also good enough for a gospel country. I'll probably forget this album in some weeks, but I'm happy for not having another bad experience with country music.
More of a slowed-down bluegrass than country, in my opinion. While repetitive and overtly dated, I never got tired of it. Just pleasant harmonies and simple tunes.
Charming. Very O Brother Where Art Thou. Couldn't discern the words to know if they truly were tragic. Oh then they killed a girl who was meant to be their wife
Will probably never listen again, but it's fine for what it is.
While it could be considered a somewhat conceptual album it was just too much of the same on a long line of songs. Ok to listen to, nothing special.
13 fois la même chanson mais tranquille
l’album est tres mal noté je m’attendais à pire
Great bluegrass some classics.
Nice version of In The Pines.
I liked the country harmonies. Easy listening.
Nice easy listening old country. I wonder what the oldest album on this list is. Rating: 3.4
This was a very, VERY specific flavor of country that I'm not gonna always want. But when I do... this is a pretty great execution of it.
Not for me, but solid
ok whatever
Yeah I feel like most music that sounds like this is solid and easy to listen to
I've been listening to some Country fuckin music Tryin hard to get my fuckin mind less stressed I've been fiddlin with the dial on the fuckin iron Tryin to get the creases out of my fuckin vest I've been wanderin around the local shit-farm Thinkin hard about, cleanin up my fuckin mind I've been tethering Alsatians to lamp-posts Hoping to get my fuckin chakras realigned (chorus) I'm not hu-un-ky I'm not bright as a spark I'm Andy Daw-wson I'm pissin on shadows, (shadows, shadows) In the fuckin dark I've been stickin my fuckin fingers into duck shit I've been throwin sticks and stones at my fuckin cat I keep hopin all day for a fuckin miracle Like waking up and finding out that my bellies flat (chorus) Cus I'm not hu-un-ky I'm not bright as a spark I'm Andy Daw-wson I'm pissin on shadows, (shadows, shadows) In the fuckin dark
Tof om 1 keer te luisteren. Maar verder niet zo speciaal
More upbeat than the album title makes it sound. Hillbilly twang. It’s alright, but repetitive and predictable.
Ok, this is why we do this, to find gems that you wouldn’t ordinarily come across. I do have a bit of a soft spot for this era of “rock” AKA early country. Not something I would put on regularly, but at a nice dingy bar on a Sunday afternoon as you swill some PBR in a can, definitely.
Not exactly musically adventurous but enjoyed the super dark lyrics juxtaposed with the cheery delivery. Era adjusted 3/5
2.5 echo the Shawn's comments except for the Franz Ferdinand jab
They weren't kidding about the album title, were they. These guys seemed to have a pretty bleak outlook on life and had some surprisingly heavy themes. I suppose that was the concept and also a product of its time. It's good, but I was ready to move on to the next one.
I love it, but 47 minutes of this is a bit much. The mandolin in country is such an interesting sound. Mixing that classic Irish Gaelic sound with American country for reason sounds perfectly Appalachian.
I wouldn’t say I louv-ed it, but get a little shine in me and sure, I’ll jig to these ditties.
The original album was simple and effective. A basic country album that works even now, almost 70 years later. The CD (and Spotify) also has their Gospel Bluegrass album on it "Satan Is Real". Each track has on its listing "religious overtone", as if you could not tell from "Satan Is Real" that there was a religious overtone to the song. As for the other songs... they were fine, your basic country songs, and they worked fine. It's nice to hear, a bit of a change of pace, but not something I'm going to hear over and over again. You would think the songs would sound same-y, but they didn't. Maybe it was because of their brevity, or how they told the story in the songs, but they did feel different. The "In The Pines" was interesting to her, to see how they took the song and made it their own. All in all, it was decent. But definitely not my go to.
Fun! Lotta murder! Maybe a bit too long!
Good for what it is, but their life story is more interesting.
Enjoyable and shortwhile
Music for when you're waiting for your table at Cracker Barrel.
Surprisingly enjoyable!
Nothing like a happy sad cowboy's tales of woe to pick you right up.
satan is real, bros, and he's the real atomic power
Ngl this is among the most beautiful sounding duo I have ever heard since Lennon and McCarthney from early Beatles. Not that I listen to a lot of duos, but amazing harmonies they had. Unfortunately, this album is incredibly monotonous. Listen to one track and you heard it all. Very country, which is not bad per se, but again, monotonous. Nobody likes half an hour of the same tune.
I have to admit, I enjoy the Louvin Brothers album cover art more than their music. This one and Satan Is Real have a goofy, bizarre horror film poster quality to them, which clearly gets points from me for originality. The music is country, sort of a parallel-universe Everly Brothers with tight harmonies, good instrumentation and a fiery relationship. It's almost too country to me and their baptist faith surely influences their music. It was an okay listen, though I can't say I enjoy that much mandolin and I was looking forward to it to end, which isn't a good thing.
Hank Williams Lite. Ok if you're just thirsty, but not enough if you're looking for something more.
3.7 - Think Soggy Bottom Boys from the film “O Brother Where Art Thou?” As in bluegrass fingerpicking, vocal harmonies…But look beyond the sedate oompa-pa rhythms. Pay attention to the lyrics! In particular, pay close attention to “Knoxville Girl” - such a crazy dark murder ballad!
Pleasant harmonies
Probably historically important, but I’m not getting into that
Tragic indeed, this is insanely listenable and depressing, being a non-stop litany of destitution, violent death, exile and sundered love. But they sing it all so beautifully these Soggy Bottom Twins. Not my genre, but shows exactly what was lost when bluegrass and country became Big Nashville. 3.5 really.
This is stereotypical country music - it's exactly what you would expect of country music, if you weren't aware of modern styles in the genre. It's almost comical in its pathos. Twangy voices backed by twangy guitars.
I like the story about the deeply religious Ira Louvin, who had a drinking problem and wild temper, four wives, the third shot him four times after he abused her, who died while awaiting his DUI trial, when his car was struck by a drunk driver. It’s a great back story for an album of songs about heartbreak, Satan, accidently shooting your brother while hunting and beating your girlfriend to death with a stick. The latter of which charted on Billboard! All in 1956!
Pure stripped-down old-time country. Enjoyed this
This one worked really well for me until it went full on gospel there at the end. But I like this mix of not-quite country and not-quite bluegrass. It's all held together by the voices and harmonies, but there's some nice guitar work in here, too. Mostly though, pretty much every song about a state or city stood out to me. If I ever wanted somebody to write a song about my hometown, I know who to ask.
I don't listen to very much country music so it's always a nice change when this project introduces me to another group or album I've not yet heard. I actually like this album. So different from most everything I usually listen to, and although it's easy to see how present-day people might mock this music, I like the simplicity of the style and story-telling of the lyrics.
Some really wild lyrics.
Interesting thinking of O Brother Where Art Thou
Twangy bluegrass. Crazy murder ballad lyrics mixed with gospel religious lyrics. Weird, but enjoyable.
For myself it's a bit plain, but my grandad would have loved this so I wanted to give it 3 stars. But then I noticed that they stole a song from Nirvana, which cost them 0.5 star. 2.5 stars gets rounded up to 3 stars.
Im not a big country fan but since i played Fallout NV i've developed a kind of nostalgic feeling for 40-50s country. It was pleasant to have in the background when working.
Really lovely, traditional country with a crisp and resonant sound. Subject matter is surprisingly stark and unsettling at times. Ultimately a little one note for me to want to hear often, but an essential listen to anyone with an interest in roots music. Fave Songs: Take the News to Mother, In the Pines, Katie Dear, I'll Be All Smiles Tonight, Alabama, Knoxville Girl
Not sure why it makes the list. Early Americana that’s ok
A great example of country music in the 1950s. The harmonies were beautiful and the instrumentation sounded great but I’d be lying if I said I did not get bored while listening to stone do this. I was fascinating to hear such a different interpretation of “In The Pines” so close to the now iconic Nirvana version. I liked Kurt’s better.
I enjoyed this, however, only a few tracks stood out and others were quite repetitive. 3/5
It’s alright country gospel music.They say the morbid things in the most cheerful ways.It’s all pretty much the same though,but I don’t mind it.
Yeah, well, ok, country is not for me. At all.
It's not bad, but every song has the same pace, rhythm, and style. The best parts are the brief instrumental solos.
I understand it was a different time and that making an album full of songs that sounded identical wasn’t that bad, but as an album, today, it’s too repetitive. The songwriting is great, but no thanks to these two brothers. Instrumentation is great as well as the vocal harmonies being incredible. Other than that, it’s pretty lackluster. 3/5
was this inspiration for Nick Cave's murder ballads?
Country
I really like country, but that's a bit too much all the same
Not my regular listening and as much as I started not minding some country, this wasn’t my favourite. Some really weird lyrics and loads of “religious overtones” as stated next to some of the song titles Saved tracks: Let Her Go God Bless Her, In The Pines, Thankful
Another song from my grandma's kitchen radio
Fine.
Jesus fucking Christ. I do get the importance in musical history. I really do get the American playbook. But life (unlike America) has moved on. But how many of you will listen to this twice? Really?! Liars.
I dig it… y’all need to stop comparing country music from the 50s to your favorite stuff coming out these days.
Very dark
Harmonies goin in
Really nice little country album. Quaint. Felt like two people on a porch somewhere in rural Kentucky.
Weird
Old, very old, country, more my dad's taste than mine. Good example of this genre though, and I did enjoy it. Really surprised to find In The Pines, covered by Nirvana as Where did you sleep last night, turn up
7th December 2022 Listened on the journey back to the car from the office. Mum’s birthday in the evening. Classic country but with dark undertones in the lyrics. Think the white stripes covered in the pines, but home without love hit a particular cord given recent news with us…
Before there were Don and Phil, there were Charlie and Ira. The Louvin Brothers, also accomplished in close harmony singing, present murder ballads and odes to country living with both pathos and a bit of a wink.
Rating: 6/10 Best songs: In the pines
Perfectly fine old country music. Songs are all pretty similar, but the storytelling is top notch.
O Brother, Where Art Thou introduced me to bluegrass, but I haven't branched out much from there. Their harmonies are beautiful and they tell interesting stories. I don't see this going into my favorites, but I enjoyed this listen. I don't remember who it was, but I'd heard Knoxville Girl before but I forgot how dark it was!
Meh
Louvley. 3 stars.
I do like a deep dive into the classic country every know and then. This did not disappoint and was a fun listen. Some great songs like Knoxville girl and well not the best version of In the Pines, still enjoyable.
I really do enjoy this country music - piss funny.
I’m Louvin it
This made me want to watch King of the Hill. This is the music Hank would listen to and consider great. I really enjoyed it. It was a great story telling album
This was pleasant enough, but had some unexpected murder ballads (now I know what that is).
More familiar with later albums but this debut fits in well with sad but still upbeat sometimes bluegrass and country. Still prefer “Satan is Real” tho
It was good. Great musicianship but the songs were a bit monotonous
This is undoubtly one of the album of all-times.
Another album that remind me of my grand-mother who loved country. For that reason I need to give it a 3 stars
Honestly, I have no opinion on this album.
Not usually my go to style of music, but I can appreciate the art behind this album. Easy listening, nothing too crazy. Overall, a pleasant listen.
Bluegrass/folk and religious - liked it
Country. Ni fu ni fa.
Solid country sound
Inbred country pumpkins. Probably.
Going off first impressions and in this instance trying not to look at the history, I thought these recordings were a lot older than they are. I enjoyed this album but overall it was nothing I haven't heard before done better. Not writing it off, just intrigued as to how essential this is
Country, 1957. Obviously this record feels quite old nowadays but the songs are well written and played. Maybe not a great album or one of the best of that period or that genre, but definitely a decent one.
Pretty much as expected, pleasant country tunes very much of their time and distinctive close harmonies but didn't really hold my attention until the songs about marrying their dead brother's cheating wife and the next one about murdering their fiancee for no apparent reason. Probably worth a second listen!
Feels almost like a cliché of country music, but at 1956 it's probably groundbreaking for the genre for all I know. It's definitely inoffensive good-ole-boy country, so ehhh.
Classic country. Wouldn't say I'm exactly into it but I can see why some people would be into it. 5/10.
Саундтрек к любому ч/б юс фильму
Everly Brothers but country. Don't need to hear it again but it's a nice listen. It makes me a little sad that the culture that produced this music has long since been destroyed. The world in which you were raised no longer exists.
It has a vibe, lol, but I don't need to listen to it again
Better than later country music, closer to old folk Mexican and Italian music. Nice sound
Great sibling harmonies. Top lyrics and traditional songs. Bit samey over the album as instrumentation is limited but still decent.
Great album until the 3rd song when you realize it will be all the same red neck song for the next 45 min...
not bad
Country. Aburrido.
didn't expect it to be country music, quite a relaxing album, reminds me of driving in GTA SA; nothin special to pinpoint about the album though
Some really sweet harmonies, even if tonally it wasn't always pleasant. Guitar work and mandolin work were quite lovely. I'm a sucker for murder ballads. Recording quality was hit or miss. 3.5, but closer to 3 than a 4. Not sure if I'd revisit, but if it comes on shuffle I'll listen.
Just made me wanna go listen to Hank, who has more pathos and more spice than this technically-proficient yet bland music.
Nah
I know Louvin Brothers from the Satan is Real album and In the Country of Country book. This kind of 50s country is a bit of a guilty pleasure.
Great music to listen to on a calm Saturday morning.
Post shuffle better than the album
Nothing like an Appalachian murder ballad
all songs seems to be the same, but it's very relaxing
Country triste años 50's.
Nice traditional C&W. Good mix of blue grass. Nice to listen to. Might even learn a song or two.
Interesting peek into early country/blue grass. Impressive musicianship and timeless lyrics. Vocal style can wear on you but the banjo holds strong.
Old, very old, country, more my dad's taste than mine. God example of this genre though, and I did enjoy it. Really surprised to find In The Pines, covered by Nirvana as Where did you sleep last night, turn up
Its classic, but I'm not getting much from it. Its well built and has a solid tone, I just don't find it interesting.
Proper old country
Pleasant and tradish country music. It sounds like it could have been recorded at any time between 1950 and yesterday. I suppose that makes it timeless. For what it is, I can't criticise it. 3.5/5.
72. Desculpa a demora, a vida tem-se metido nos entremeios. Vamos a esse café? Está tudo no sítio. MotA: I'll Be All Smiles Tonight "Kentucky, you are the dearest land outside of Heaven to me"
Not my bag but great harmonies.
TIL what a murder ballad is. 3.5.
Murder ballads and close harmony.
"Knoxville Girl"/"I Wish It Had Been a Dream
Quite fun and super coooountry
Wild. It was pretty great.
Beautiful harmonies. Not really my jam but I get why it's on here, and nice to hear some country to mix things up. That said, WTF at the murder-y and disturbing Knoxville Girl?!
Wanted to hate it but didn't. Satan Lied To Me is my highlight, I'm a sucker for those spoken word bridges. Still fkn hate the banjo though.
Funny album to have in the list. Christian rockabilly is an interesting genre.
Great harmonies, they must've influenced Simon and Garfunkel
That ain't it chief
Them good ol boys with the golden chords
please no more country - and why is this one like an endless italian american album?
скука 3/4 - танцуем 2.0
They really wrote the exact same song a bunch of times with different words. It's not a horrible song, but still.
Boring. Not for me.
For this list the first instance of the songwriters performing their own songs (excluding the jazz fellas to an extent, Miles has a songwriting credit on Birth of the Cool’s Budo). Hard to trace a line from this to the modern bro country iteration but more learned folks than I can surely find that vein. Guessing it’s Paul Yandell’s guitar that leaps out to me alongside the harmonies of course. Whichever Louvin is doing the higher tenor lead has a feminine affect which is curious..? As usual this stuff sounds staid to my ears, all 12-bar major progressions (would a minor or 7th be the devil?) although the material is to a degree about killing women, lamenting their absence, but the chords are all major, leaving the desperation/sadness only expressed via the vocals’ dynamism. And of course, off stage Ira Louvin was a wife beating asshole.
Not bad, completely listenable. But it’s just a little too much of the same thing and I wasn’t super crazy about that thing to begin with
These brothers really found their formula, and BOY do they stick to it.
Listening to Tragic Songs of Life on the day Dolly Parton died felt less like a tribute to country music and more like an administrative error. The Louvin Brothers somehow make murder, heartbreak and death sound relentlessly dull. Dolly made tragedy sparkle; this made 36 minutes feel like a life sentence.
Soggy bottom boys.
2 out of 5. It's old but to me still a weak album.
Echt niet mijn ding Dr zijn veel betere folk/country albums
Absolutely brutal, one song is enough!
eh,
Hot today. Hot yesterday. Gonna be hot tomorrow.
More less.
los summer brothers en mis ojos
Better than expected, slightly irritating after a while
After starting this project over 2 years ago, I've gotten a lot more into hip hop and folk music primarily due to this list. But boy do I still hate country music. I hate how twangy it is, I hate how mopy they all are, I hate how every song sounds the exact same, and I can't stand southern accents in music. There is a LOT of country music that is way worse than this, but that doesn't make this good. I was still waiting for this to end as soon as it started. Low 2.
They started singing about killing their wife at one point, that was somethin
Right when the first song hits, I am stricken with this desire to listen to “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”. I think this is because these guys are laying the blueprint for better Appalachian country music to come. They’re not performing anything poorly, there’s even some above-average stories being told, but it’s just that this is so far back and so bare-bones. “What Is Home Without Love” was my favorite. Also “Katie Dear” is like “Rude” by Mag!c if it turned gruesome. Funny. Strong 2/5 the music is solid but why is this on here?
Instantly lost me comparing kentucky to heaven.
"Fine." Won't listen to any of it again.
This isn't a long album, but it felt long. Every song is a 3/4 waltz-style country ballad with the same harmonised vocal style. There's a quality to the recording here too that's quite grating. The instrumental side is clear, but the vocals sound like they've been recorded while driving over a gravel track. The vocals are however arguably quite good, it's just that the album is SO samey.
This is meant to be listened to in a museum wearing the worst headphones and reading a plaque.
Doing very little for me 2.3/5
#64 I actually like lots of country music, but archaic country like this doesn't do much for me. This album is mostly murder ballads sung in close vocal harmonies, with elements of folk and bluegrass music. Unfortunately, there is little variety in the sound and all the songs sound alike. I can appreciate this for what it is, but even as a country fan I don't see myself revisiting this one.
The country music isn't for me most of the time
Fairly run of the mill early country album. Just not for me. 2/5 Won't listen again
I mostly hate country but this isn't absolutely wretched. The guitar picking isn't bad. It's very old style, so there is still some soul, some folk elements. The tone of voice in the singing gets a little annoying pretty quick. Funny to hear them doing a Leadbelly cover. Obviously the original is better, as well as the Nirvana version (Where did you sleep last night/In the Pines). The story telling in some of these songs is pretty good though. 2/5 but for country I mean that's a solid score.
This is pretty monotonous throughout. It's various versions of the same song over and over with little variation.
Кентуки чикен, это не вы?
absolutnie nie moja filiżanka herbaty (mimo, że bourbon nalany w środku)
I love the harmonies. Their individual voices are unremarkable but the brothers combine so closely together. The instrumentation was rarely as impressive, but I did like Let Her Go, God Bless Her where the mandolin took flight more. What I am finding with traditional country, though, is how much the frequent waltz times make things drag for me.
qué ganas de tener un rancho
The same song 12 times, and it wasn't even that good... 3/10
The only impact this album had on me was to go re-listen to Nirvana's MTV Unplugged again. Kurt did "In The Pines" better 2
2.9/5
Fine enough country album to listen to, but is very samey from song to song. Minimal differences between the songs make them all blur together in a way that makes it hard to keep consistent attention. Might he better with a second pass, but there's not a ton going on musically. Still inoffensive to listen to, but has its limits for enjoyment. Top tracks: In the Pines, Knoxville Girl
Another country album! (Two in a row). This feels like I fell into O Brother Where Art Thou. Interesting but quite twee. Not for me.
I'm always up for another oldie, though I have very little idea as to what this album could be. Off the top of my head I'm thinking of Modest Mouse's "Sleepwalking". The song borrows the melody to "Sleep Walk", which is a 1959 instrumental rock and roll track by Santo & Johnny, who are also a musical duo comprised of two brothers. Fuck it, we're rolling with rock and roll for my genre prediction. Here goes. Country. I should have known. This was an alright listen. The Louvin Brothers harmonise with one another very well and the songwriting is competent in how quintessentially country it is. There also a bit of a spread in the genres covered by this album. I picked up bluegrass, folky, Gaelic music and your more standard, down-on-your-luck, drawling country affair. The result is a decent, varied album, though what can I say? It just isn't in my sphere of interest. It doesn't detract from my rating of this album, though the version on YouTube Music was quite scuffed. The music regularly stutters and drops out, with "Take the News to Mother" being hit hardest by the garbled sound. I'm pretty sure the person who put this album on streaming ripped it from a CD and didn't bother to check if it was copied correctly. Again, it doesn't factor into my rating of this album, though I do find it necessary to disclose. Overall, this album was respectable offering and I commend the concise runtime, though it just doesn't resonate with me. Book time. Hey, this is album #3 when going by how the book orders these albums. A true oldie indeed. Anyways, the book says that "This, their first full album, remains one of country's essential bedrock releases." and further states that it's "...gospel-fired bluegrass shot straight from the heart." Ira Louvin was a self-destructive, aggressive, womanising drunk, which strengthens the tragic themes of this album. This behaviour would result in the dissolution of the group in 1963 when Charlie Louvin went solo. Ira had apparently been shot by his third wife, though it was a car crash in 1965 which ultimately took his life. Wikipedia says "Knoxville Girl" performed respectably on the country charts and the album was liked by the two critics who have reviewed it, though that's about it. If this truly is a landmark country release, then I'm content with letting it through. I cosign this inclusion.
Bit of a struggle to get through. 2.5.
Nothing to hate, but not my preferred style of music. 1,5
Not enjoyable
tragic being the operative word
naff
Too much guitar and plonking on it.
Dla country quoi
Every song sounds the same
Buena musica country, antigua, me parece que será de la epoca de Johnny Cash o antes, pero buena, lo único malo es que todos son un mismo tempo y llega a aburrir
Here's another tally on the column for not going back to the 1950s.
Pov tu joues la country avec ton frère mais vous ne savez jouer qu'une chanson
Tragic indeed
Sounds pretty uniform throughout but it does work. This is what I imagine people listening to in the 50s.
Hard listen
Not my cup of tea.
Kinda dug this at first, despite how basic and old it sounded but it all ran together and went on too long. 4/10
Landmark album it may be, but this ain’t it. Boooooo.
Are we fucking kidding. Another 50s country album. Got through 1.5 songs and decided that’s enough. It’s a generic 50s/60s country album. If you’re 80 and you like country this is the album for you. I’m 26 and am very lucky about country. This album just isn’t for me. JAA. 2/5 for trying.
Meh 2
highlight of the album was 'In the Pines', which was covered by nirvana in their MTV unplugged this album was fine, but not really my cup of tea. closing out with religious overtones was seemingly a good choice for the time and their audience. but again, not really my cup of tea
Not great.
Keeping this one in mind for my next hootenanny.
It is just quite alright. not bad but dont we have enough albums like this one on the list
Nah not for me
Enjoyable enough to listen to but I’m never going to listen to this again in my life. I love the album cover though.
I guess I haven't paid enough attention to the lyrics to be sure, but it's less than tragic and more like sad or unfortunate. Sits together well with my feelings for this album being on this albums generator. It's not tragic, but it's unfortunate, as someone who doesn't already appreciate country music. Props for nailing it, I can't say it's got horrible production, I can't say they're talentless, they know how to hold a note and play it, too. It does sound like stripped down country, which is something I feel like I still hear around, like a genre that's fighting evolution. I can see why it's a must-listen, and now that I did I probably never will again. I listened to those four bonus tracks with religious overtones. Fuck that. I'm not docking points, but if they'd been part of the original release my rating would've decreased, and we're right on the edge of being a one star record. 1.6/5
It was fine for what it was. Boring, and twangy.
Not really my thing. The harmonies aren't bad
Listened Before? N 50s Folk/Country. Hmmm... this feels less like a must-hear and more like something you'd flip past in the $0.50 bin at the record store. It was fine I suppose. The story telling was well done but the subject matter was boring. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Kentucky
trying to be fair but this sucks, i'm so glad we've progressed past this Would I listen again: No Deserves to be on this list: no??? 2.1
Not really thing
Appealed to my inner hillbilly. Enjoyed the vibe rather than individual songs. Props for the Nirvana cover.
Wild turkey chasing music. Hillbilly shit 1.5
Nice Harmonies. Never heard of em. Heard the ine Nirvana covered, but dunno why Id ever seek em out again. Not offensive, but.. shrug
Some okay songs with at least nice harmonies.
Day 22 Tragic Songs of Life by The Louvin Brothers I’m European, and country has never really hit the sweet spot for me outside of a few albums. Going into something this old, I was a bit worried. It’s very heavy on religious themes and topics I just don’t really connect with. I tried to keep an open mind, but it just didn’t vibe with me. That said, they harmonise really well, and there are moments where the songs are actually quite fun. For something this old, I can definitely respect it. But enjoying it is a different story, and I just didn’t really get there. Food pairing? Beans and mashed potatoes sounds about right. Simple, old-school, nothing fancy. Wine pairing? Honestly, this feels more like something stronger. A whiskey or bourbon fits better than wine here. Favourite song? “Kentucky”. Vinyl? Don’t think so. First listen? Yes. Overall 2 out of 5.
I thought Steve Martin said you can’t be sad listening to a banjo? This “Knoxville Girl” thing is bonkers. Why tell a story like that in a song? Because it was part of everyday life at that time in that part of the country? Yikes. At least the main character of the song ends up in jail… Tragic, indeed. Ok, I guess technically there is no banjo on this record, so it must all be fine. “Mary of the Wild Moor” paints a beautiful picture of a dead mother on a doorstep with her little baby holding its dead mommy’s hand. Great. Wait, did the baby just die, too? These boys are brutal. Mandolin is almost as a happy as a banjo. Whoops - “Satan Lied to Me”? WTF? This is surprising how? This all sounds like something Uncle Baby Billy would be singing on “Righteous Gemstones”. I like bluegrass, but this flavor is not for me.
It's country, innit?
Too much wailing for me
Przepraszam, ale nie jestem w stanie dać więcej niż 4/10. Z harcerstwa i trzymania się w kółeczku za rączki wyrosłam kilkanaście lat temu. Może kiedyś to były hity, ale teraz? Nie byłam w stanie tego zmęczyć jednym ciągiem.
i recognise its good, good vocals and instruments just not my cup of tea
The rhythm and music itself feels very repetitive, which I suppose is expected for old-time country. You can certainly hear the gospel influence throughout. The lyrics are what carry the album, but even so, meh. It’s just fine, not my cup of tea.
Got that warble going on. Not a fan
All the songs have a very similar opening style i thought it was stuck on repeat.
It was fine for what it is. Just not something I'd seek out to listen to.
As a time document, it’s a pretty interesting listen. As an actual album however, it’s a lot of the same and it gets repetitive real quick.
not a fan
I was so ready to love this album and it just did not hit the way I thought it was going to. I’ll revisit in the future.
2,3 Highlights: Let Her Go, God Bless Her, A Tiny Broken Heart
Sad cowboy is sad
Going track by track, this is not a bad album. I like the bleak lyrics and the infectious harmonies. But as an album, it is too much. After 20-25 minutes those harmonies that were charmaine on Kentucky start to grate and everything starts to sound annoying. Really annoying. Props for doing the first ever Nirvana cover, though!
Sure if ur sitting around a campfire in 1935
In a nutshell: country Murder Ballads. Tragic? Most of these songs are DARK! And these brothers started singing gospel before swapping to secular music. It's kinda country, kinda folk, kinda bluegrass music. We have mandolin, a guitar and two brothers who swap vocal roles typical in country albums (one low range, one high). I'm struggling to stay open minded about early albums, as they sound like a string of singles. Country is not my thing. But I give this a free pass. This style was replicated over the years (see Everly Brothers). It's a staple of most of the country music I've heard on the list. Overall: 4/10
It's a peculiar feature of my music taste that I quite like bluegrass but I can't stand country and this album seems to straddle the two. But whatever its bluegrass qualities, I find it hard to get past the way that aside from the lyrics and the narratives, all the songs sound almost exactly the same.
Oh boy. This had some moments, not terrible. I enjoy bluegrass, that helps, and boy howdy were there some hilarious lines of awful tragedy.
Not a terrible album but it did feel repetitive overall. But instrumentation was good I just wasn't feeling the vocals nor the overall vibe. 4/10, Favorite Song: What is Home Without Love