Suzanne Vega

i love luka and tom’s diner but this gives me strong....horse girl meets lilith fair vibes. i want to give it two stars cuz it makes me uncomfortable but i’m not the audience so i’m going 3. actually fuck it it’s my list i’m giving it 2

Absolutely amazing! Beautiful, poetic lyrics and lovely guitars. Perfect fall album. Favorite tracks: Cracking, Small Blue Thing, The Queen and the Soldier, Knight Moves

I am going to tell my kids this was Taylor Swift.

Nice voice, catchy songs that are distinct enough from each other (eg Marlene on the Wall vs. The Queen and the Soldier) that you don’t tire of the album. Very NYC (Greenwich Village) folk sound. Lyrics are at another level. Like a female Leonard Cohen who can sing. An outstanding debut album.

She wrote some very intricate lyrics. Marlene on the Wall is a good example. I like how dynamic the musical shifts are in the lyrics in that song. The notes she sings are flying all around and it really works. Also, she's quite the story teller. The Queen and the Soldier is a good example. There are some neat things here instrumentally. The whacked out violin solo on Some Journey is quite good as is the jamming on Neighbour Girls although the guitars are mixed far in the background. Perhaps they were worried about what the neighbours would say.

enya meets bobo dylan

Suzanne Vega and I once shared a midnight kiss in Bruges. She breath stank of cigarettes and cabbage and she bit my lip so hard that a fountain of blood squirted into her eyes. I pushed her down the hill and never saw her again. Stupid bitch.

I listened to her music during my college days in the late 80s and enjoyed it. I didn't keep up with her after that, and haven't listened to her in a very long time. Re-hearing this album now, I'm admittedly a little surprised to find myself still quite drawn in. Her voice is ethereal and her songwriting is exquisite. Some beautiful work here.

Like a coked up Sinead O'Connor without the coke or personality

Vega has an interesting style that's unique with vibrant lyrics/stories, but the production between the talk-sing style and instrumentation doesn't always allow each track to shine. And, at times, the instrumentation drowns out the intimacy of her lyrics. The back half of the album provides more air for her voice and lyrics to breath especially on 'Some Journey' and 'The Queen and the Soldier'. There's definitely a Simon and Garfunkel / Bob Dylan / Leonard Cohen influence here. Tracks of notes: Marlene on the Wall, Undertow, Some Journey, The Queen and the Soldier (the standout).

Really sorry about your brother, Suzanne. Honestly, I love pop-tarts and everyone knows that they're only good if you heat them up. I'm pretty sure that Vincent chose the cinnamon and brown sugar Pop-Tarts. Not all Pop-Tarts are created equal. It would've sucked to die waiting for a strawberry Pop-Tart to exit the toaster before being shot by Butch. Anyhow, I really like your voice, but the music is pretty boring.

Childish lyrics, boring instrumentation, not a fan.

Beautifully arranged album, Suzanne Vega has a gorgeous, wistful, voice which lends itself perfectly to her fantastic guitar playing. You can definitely hear the influence artists like Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen have on her work.

5/5 - kinda like James Taylor; Marlene is a standout

Enjoyable. Simple pleasures.

The lyrics are so odd: obvious, simple vocabulary, lots of basic nouns (love, king, Princess, bar, soldier, wall), little concrete, but assembled such that it confused me, which I decided I liked after two gos. The vocal themselves have a ticklish rhythm to them, and Marlene on the Wall has hook and tempo mostly missing from the rest, though the last song was fun. Weird, unlikely to return to, but glad to have paid attention.

Acoustic fare. Very straightforward. I felt a few songs were a little too ... sophomoric (I'm looking at you, "The Queen & The Soldier). The songs that were with a band I actually liked more than just the plain acoustic guitar. It is a bit of a preface for her second album, which I think is a better choice for the 1001 albums. But they didn't ask me, did they?

Why isn’t Solitary Standing on the list?

One of a very few contemporary albums I was aware of through my Dad's record collection. I thought this was quite boring back then, and it appears my original assessment still stands. Somewhere between Joni Mitchell and Laurie Anderson, but without the boldness of either. What's on here is fine (could have sworn "Left of Center" was included?) but doesn't really stick around (cf. my Dad, who didn't make it to "Solitude Standing", a much better album I recall)

These are not songs. This is slam poetry read with music in the background. She titled the album her name so you didn’t think it was Fiona Apple. The titanic is sinking, we’re not gunna make it. Sorry Suzanne no room for you on the door. I could fall asleep to “Small Blue Thing” Pretty relaxing. Other than that I’m glad it was a short album so I can go back to listening to music. 2/10

This has no redeeming features. One paced, crap lyrics, average vocals. Would get a pleasant polite applause at a Monday night open mic session down the pub.

Not my thing. I felt like this album was one long song. Even when the album was over, it kicked into a similar genre and I didn't realize her album had ended. She has a OK voice and the sound was not bothersome, just not for me and I found myself bored. I feel like this an album that could be done by anyone that can play guitar. Nothing stood out, no song, no sound, no lyric.....just a big meh for me. Will not revisit. 1

I only knew Vega's 2 biggest hits going into this. Those songs are way better than anything here. I was shocked by how boring it was. I really didn't enjoy any part of it. Very disappointing.

Very 80's sounding sort of confessional singer-songwriter. Her delivery is interesting, kind of half-sung, half spoken word. Honestly sounds very pretentious to me - first song being the worst example of this. I see a lot of comments saying this record is "bare" and "acoustic". I did not find that to be the case at all. The arrangements do sound kind of sparse but it mostly sounds like she's in a big empty room. Most of the songs have lots of little embellishments with other instruments (synths, electric guitars, etc) that are all very 80's sounding. To me this is more subtraction than addition. Might be more compelling if it were just her and an acoustic guitar. Maybe with less reverb or whatever makes it sound so sparse. Something to make it a bit more intimate sounding. But maybe that's just me.

Great, everytime, anywhere

I find a lot of singer-songwriter stuff somewhat self-indulgent and boring but I really enjoyed this. Her voice is gorgeous, and the guitar is so well-produced here. It's crystal clear, and the other instruments stick to the background mostly allowing it to shine. Great album.

Seems ok album, nice voice

Back in the dim and distant days of yore, and what apparently was 1985. I was watching a tv program called Pebblemill at One, and they would have a musical interlude. So there sat this waif of a girl with a guitar, and she started to play and sing an ethereal piece called Small Blue Thing. And I was enthralled. Even today, some 39 years later it is still one of my all time favourite songs. Where many say The Queen and The Soldier is the stand out track, and Marlene on The Wall was the album's hit. It is Small Blue Thing that sticks in my heart and my memory. You could almost say 'Like a marble or an eye. On the whole though this is a great album, there truly isn't a bad track on it. It can only get a 5 from me, but I guess you'd already worked that one out.

Suzanne Vega is great. Marlene On The Wall is perhaps one of the most underrated songs of the 80s. Although I have to admit that I've never dipped into this album before. On listening - Cracking is really irritatingly produced. The vocals are distant and almost smothered by the instrumentals. The album really kicks up a notch when Marlene comes in. Vega's voice is just exquisite - capturing desperation, exasperation, hope - it's just a brilliant track. There's a really strong album here, with The Queen and the Soldier also being a fantastic track, leading straight into an almost as good Knight Moves. Yep. I like this. Really strong album from a great artist.

Excellent debut album!

Seven of the tracks on this album have been on rotation in my mail playlist for almost 40 tears, now. Brilliant.

It feels good to listen to it but on the other hand it makes me feel nostalgic for moments I've never experienced and get depressed about things that no longer matter. I would like to die right now, just disappear. A death without fear. and wow, these thoughts are now killing me too. Good! This too shall pass, 33 and IDK.

Wow! This was a great album to start my day with, and it definitely caught me by surprise. First off, Suzanne Vega is a great storyteller, and I really like the sound of her voice. This was a fantastic singer-songwriter album, but it also had a very atmospheric and ambient feel to it. It was ethereal and dreamy. The album is driven by the acoustic guitar with excellent fingerpicking. The use of percussion is minimal and subtle, so you might not even notice it unless you’re paying close attention. Another standout element is the use of keyboards and synths. While the guitar is the prominent instrument, the synths play a crucial role in the background, adding to the album’s atmosphere and ambiance. After hearing this album, I’m definitely curious to check out more of her work and see how she progressed in her career.

Album 436 of 1001 Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega Rating : 5 / 5 An old favorite. Came across this a year or so after it's release, during college. Wish I could recall who introduced me to it as it was a bit of a turn from what I was listening to, at the time. I've since shared it with several others who also claim it to be one they still enjoy. Extra point just for being connected with good memories.

cool

she speaks to me

When I saw this I thought oh good I like Suzanne Vega but hadn't listened to this debut. When Marlene On The Wall kicked in I immediately when to my music collection to see why I knew this song and it turns out that the two Suzanne Vega albums I have are 99.9F and Tried and True (which is a best of). The three tracks I already knew are fantastic songs, Marlene On The Wall, Small Blue Thing, The Queen And The Soldier. Overall it's a great album and certainly deserves more listens.

Last.fm tells me I listened to this once in 2013 and not since, so I guess it didn't make much of an impression, or I wasn't paying much attention. 🤷 Really liked it this time around, and definitely plan to revisit! It's got that mellow dreamy vibe I value in singer songwriters. Fave tracks - I liked the flow of "The Queen and the Soldier" going into "Knight Moves"

This is my jam. I knew the name but never listened. Right in the sweet spot for me in terms of music. Definitely going to check out others from her catalogue

a very beautiful soft folk album. compared to vega's more experimental ventures later in her discography, her debut is somber, sweet, and just... it's a very relaxing album for a rainy day. listening to the album made me just long for better days.

Way cooler than I even expected. The only Suzanne Vega songs I'd heard before were Tom's Diner and Luka, but this music was much more driving and acoustically folksy than I expected. Great bass sound on a lot of these tracks, awesome vocals throughout, of course, and some great acoustic guitar riffs. The lyrics are very expressive, imaginative and evocative. Such great storytelling in The Queen and the Soldier and Knight Moves. Such a pure and beautiful voice and lots of minor keys that sound really cool when she sings. Great recording quality and crisp sounding instruments, lovely ambience. All of the songs were so good I listened to the album twice. Five stars easily.

This one takes me right back to my dorm room my first year in college, where I used to listen to it a lot. It's one I haven't listened to in years and years, yet it was so comfortably familiar. I love these songs and Vega's voice. It’s a little less polished than her later, more famous work, but I love that I was all in from the beginning.

First time listener for this album. That statement has me raising some questions about myself…

I remember thinking when this came out that the lyrics were super weird. I just thought they were lovely today. Top notch.

“It’s a one time thing it just happens a lot.” The first words I ever heard from Suzanne Vega hold a very special place for me, having first heard them in 1986 sitting alone in a dark room. Those words immediately became a permanent phrase in my library of self talk, still surfacing in my consciousness on a nearly weekly basis. I love this beautiful, understated album and the artist who created it. Every song on this is very special to me. I’m glad it’s here.

Another unexpected brilliant album. The story telling on this puts me in mind of Taylor Swift. I love a song that tells a tale.

I have a playlist where I add songs I like from this list. This is the first time, where I knew none of the songs and wanted to add almost every single one to the playlist. Suzanne Vega makes it all seem so easy, from the Joni Mitchell influenced unpredictable melodies to the almost British folktale outings on side 2. Delightful.

Instantly one of the best albums of 1985. Suzanne Vega’s debut is a work of pure beauty; the intricate lyrics, the Pastorius-like bass and flawless songwriting. As Joni Mitchell used the 80’s to dig into the trends of pop music, Vega stood ready to take over. I was getting ready to listen to some more albums today. I might just end up putting “Small Blue Thing” on repeat.

Familiar sound and voice. Enjoyed it because the lyrics were personal, and the narrative of each song reflects this. I would put this on a playlist..

Incredibly lovely album. So many great hooks combined with great storytelling and impeccable guitar playing. An all time great

My favourite singer-songwriter album on this list so far. She has a beautiful voice and it works great on this style of folk music. Stand-out: Marlene On The Wall

Seeing the cover with the song titles on it, I scanned for "Tom's Diner" and it wasn't on there? That is to say, I may not have consciously heard any other song by Suzanne Vega, ever and: this is very nice! Thank You, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Halfways in (skipping around a bit), favourite so far "Small Blue Thing"

9/10 absolutely wonderful poetry and beautiful instrumentals — a really really great album

I like this vibe.

- That is one COMPLETELY new album. Have never heard of this lady before. - There's a lot from her sound that makes me think of the 90's and early 00's female singers. There's some Cranberries and Alanis Morrissette in there. - Pretty damn cool!

Great vibes, really solid album 5/5

I've been building a playlist of music which came out in 1985 and Suzanne Vega's debut was listed as an album to check out. In the middle of post-punk and synth pop, this one is a bit of an outlier. I had recently listened and quite enjoyed it. So when this popped up, I got excited and it felt very timely. In all honesty, I think this is one of the best albums I've heard in while. Suzanne Vega's music captures a certain delicate intensity that feels unique and uncomfortable. I really like the instrumentation with the subtle use of synth and her vocal style. I realize it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I believe this holds a ton of weight.

Muyyyy bueno, inicialmente no me había atrapado tanto pero lo escuché una segunda ocasión poniendo atención completa y nmms las letras, es increíble y el sonido si es muy indie folk de antaño, pero es fantástico, su voz es tan dulce que uno no pensaría que tocaria temas tan profundos en sus letras pero lo hace y eso lo vuelve uno de los mejores álbumes por mujeres cantautoras.

A truly lovely album.

that's a 5

Calm and sincere. Right up my alley.

The Queen and her Solider <3

A stunning debut album

Fantastic album

I love this album so much. Suzanne’s voice is just stunning, and these melodies are just a huge part of my growing up. It’s genuinely Proustian - takes me back to teenage crushes and (longed for) romance. Just ace.

Soothing 80s folk. It is actually baffling how strong a start this is for her, as she really just nails putting out a beautiful, concise album.

Gd

Really nice voice with good melodies

This grew on me a lot after the first impression being a bit proto rap spoken word waft.

Love this… ethereal folk with lyrics on real life feminism. Can’t beat Vega!

Different to what i listen to but i like it

Beautiful melodies

No bangers here, still everything sounds great

This was another surprise album of an artists I’ve never heard before. It’s folk with an 80s reverb sound. Almost has an Icy feel to the songs. The tracks seem like a beautiful sad day on Antarctica. First 4 tracks were stellar and the rest of the album kept me engaged 4/5

Loved the start of this, the production is really beautiful. Lost me a little in the middle but I liked the closer too. Fave Tracks: Cracking, Freeze Tag, Marlene on the Wall, Neighborhood Girls 3.9/5

I liked this, nice finger picked guitar and simple but effective arrangements. The synth/strings complement the sound well. She has an engaging vocal style and writes interesting lyrics too. Highlights: Marlene, Small Blue Thing, Queen and the Soldier, Knight Moves

New for me. Need to listen to more from Suzanne Vega

I thought this was excellent.

I really appreciated what she was doing on this album even though it isn’t my vibe

Beautifully arranged album, Suzanne Vega has a gorgeous, wistful, voice which lends itself perfectly to her fantastic guitar playing. You can definitely hear the influence artists like Lou Reed and Bob Dylan have on her work. 4⭐️

Very Bryn Mawr vibes <3

I liked this, and had never heard of Suzanne Vega before! It sounded like an awesome blend between folk and spoken word poetry

Wonderful sound, wonderful voice

Great Album 4* Im a new fan

I enjoyed this album quite a bit. Listened while I was driving and the weather was overcast and that felt right. Another great female songwriter that reminded me a bit of Joni at times. The lyrics real stick with me especially on Cracking and Marlene on the Wall.

Two albums in a row where I'm struggling to comprehend why THIS album from the artist was picked. Suzanne Vega is known for two huge songs: "Tom's Diner," which has even resurfaced recently on tiktok, and "Luka." Both bangers, both on the same album, but not on this one. That said, this album is still pretty great. I love her vocal/songwriting style, it's like poetry is just spilling out of her and she's trying to keep up. I especially loved that on the opener, "Cracking." She's awesome. Favorite tracks: Cracking, Small Blue Thing, Knight Moves. Album art: Off-kilter framing is excellent, colors go together well. Not a whole lot going on but it is effective. 4/5

Felt breezy and refreshing, but not unprofound for it.

Cracking was spoken word to music...it was fine, just a little to poetry and not enough music for me. But the rest were nice. The Queen and the Soldier was hauntingly beautiful. One of the reviews I read said they were going to tell their kids this was Taylor Swift as a joke, but she really sort of does the same thing. Her music is less traditional song form, but more of a written poetry form making songs that have traditional elements but also more story and poetry. Its so late 80s or early 90s...I probably won't listen again but if I had been the same person I am now then I think I would have loved this and listened on repeat.

A terrific songwriter.

It washed over me and left almost no impression outside of vibes

I LOVE love love the arrangements of these songs and her singing voice. This would be a 5 star album if she didn't do any of that annoying speak-singing.

I have listened to a decent amount of Suzanne Vega, but not this album. I enjoyed it and was happy to give it a listen. There's some almost Sinead O'Connor type bits that I particularly liked toward the end.

I really enjoyed this album. Full of interesting musical compositions. I was thrown off by the first track with the spoken-word/singing style, but I settled in after that, and once the album started from the top I felt like I understood the opener more. Marlene on the Wall was a great tune, loved the drums during the refrain, bit of a Steve Gadd feel. Some Journey builds to an incredible musical climax of strings and synth. Undertow and Neighborhood girls were also standout tracks. Overall this album was great. It sounds ahead of its time, like it could be the building blocks of modern indie, as vague as that may be.

Another calming female lead, maybe reminds me of Joni Mitchell but it’s been a while since I’ve listened to her.

Not her strongest album but pretty good for a debut Lp.

first listen somehow feels English and medieval

i was familiar with Suzanne Vega's work through my mom and her CD of "99 Degrees F", so her poetry and folkisms aren't terra incognito. what WAS a bit of a surprise is how much Windham Hill style production is on her first album -- charming, free flowing, often dated but always clear. even if the actual WH regulars are only on a few tracks, you can't shake the sense that this is a session musician's record; everyone one here is incredibly talented at what they do but would probably never become a superstar beyond the minds of the nerds in the recording booth. i think this also applies to Vega. she's a session singer-songwriter. your favorite bard's favorite bard. a relative unknown despite her care. that is, until a freak accident puts her in the last place you think she'd ever be -- the dance floor.

I loved this back in the day. Listening has brought back memories. It doesn’t quite make it to a 5 though and I’m not sure why. I think it may be the production. So it’s a 4 from me

Glad I got to hear this

Not someone I’ve listened to much bar Toms Diner and Luka but this was a really cool album and I’ll listen to it again