Reviews (page 8 of 8)
This grew on me a lot after the first impression being a bit proto rap spoken word waft.
The Queen and the Solider and Marlene on the Wall are standout tracks, didn't much enjoy the rest.
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.
meh.
ikke noget specielt
80’er Singer/songwriter, kedeligt
Never a big follower, I perceive the high level of Art Attitude toned down in later work, to the benefit of accessibility I think. I liked it, wouldn't necessarily seek it out.
A solid, warm album of great songwriting detail. Now, I have only heard the album once, and with such an album, where the subtleties are the point, I believe one listen probably isn't sufficient for a full assessment and appreciation. As such, my current take is tentative and provisional. I may in future consider this a 5-starrer, but I may equally retain it at 4 stars.
2,5 how was this important enough to be on this list?
Great album. Amazing guitar & voice register from Suzanne
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.
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.
Quite pleasant with nothing too offensive, but nothing overly exciting either. Marlene is a nice song though. A respectable debut album.
I mean, not really.
angsty, folky, thoughtful, but not for me - chac'un a son gout!!
Good debut album. Great acoustic folk sound.
Not my jam, but not bad.
Vega's vocals (though odd) are beautiful, though the entire album is weighed down by repetition in its tendency to abuse a 4-8 bar lick/chord progression throughout.
Not quite for me. Lots of talk-singing and the lyrics were really the only thing I really liked, especially on Queen and the soldier Liked: Cracking, The Queen And The Soldier*
Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Marlene On The Wall, Knight Moves Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: These songs threaten to be good sometimes, but unfortunately it's all empty threats. Meh.
Folkowy pop czy popowy folk, oto jest pytanie, jest to debiutancki material pani Vega, ktora kojarze jedynie z jednego kawalka, to jest luka swego czasu mocno radiowo grany kawalek, eponimowy albumik ma calkiem podobny vibe do hitowego utworu, wiec kompozycje pisane na akustyka na ktorym gra na wszystkich 10 trakach pani Suzanne, do tego elementy elektryka, basik i okazjonalne wstawki egzotycznych instrumentali jak wiolonczela czy perkusja, na kazdym traku musi byc cos klawiszowego, a klawisze tutaj to synthowe klikacze, co nadaje temu folkowemu materialowi popowatosci, jak widac udalo sie, bo jednak kariere zrobila, chociaz nie tym materialem, bo wiekszosc topowych traczkow pochodzi z pozniejszych albumow, ale jak na debiutancki material to pani vega mocno okreslila sie co ma zamiar tworzyc i byla w tym konsekwentna przez 35 minut trwania plyty, no moze poza ostatnim trakiem, ktory tak mocno wykorzystuje gre muzykow studyjnych, ze przekracza granice folkowatosci i atakuje rokowanie w stylu country, podzielone jest to na 10 trakow co daje typowo popowe dlugosci piosenek, jesli chodzi o kontent liryczny, to autorka tekstow jest oczywiscie pani Vega, jako glowny motyw albumu okreslilbym poszukiwanie samego siebie, tak bym powiedzial lowiac jakies podwojne czy potrojne dna z tych dosc prostych tesktow z jednolitym podzialem chorusowym i krotkimi lamaniami wersow, ostatni folkowy material to byl pan Cohen, moze dlatego tak drazni mnie az tak mocna prostota wykorzystania tekstu, kolejna kwestia jest to ze muzycznie album nie ma do zaoferowania niczego co jakos by zapadlo w pamiec na dluzej, mysle ze kawalkiem ktory najbardziej zapadnie mi w pamiec, to chyba najprostsza kompozycja plyty, otwierajacy cracking czyli song o przechadzce w parku, w swojej prostoscie bardzo obrazowy lirycznie, dlatego tez znajdzie on miejsce dla siebie na plejce folkowo rokowej
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.
I am not at all familiar with Suzanne Vega, but I could instantly tell how much she paved the way for the singer-songwriters and alt folk of the 90s. I'm amazed that this came out in 1985. Vega won me over with her sometimes slightly off-kilter style paired with interesting guitar picking and arrangements. Lyrically interesting as well. Again, her influence on the entire Lilith generation is very clear. On her self-titled debut, "Cracking," "Small Blue Thing," and "Undertow" stand out. I wanted to know why I didn't know any Suzanne Vega, so I looked deeper and found that "Tom's Diner" was her most famous song. So I listened to that from her second album. I said "I know this song! But not this way??" The remixed version with DNA, which I discovered was the version I knew well, is so much better. The second song from her sophomore effort, "Luka," also sounded super familiar, but I don't know that song? It must really remind me of some similar song? @hell-yeah - No idea how this puts a person to sleep any more than "Five Leaves Left."
First of all, this album does not sound or feel like it was made in 1985. Second of all, the mid-90s success of female singer/songwriters owe a TON to this woman. Shawn Colvin, Natalie Merchant, Indigo Girls, Aimee Mann, Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos, and even Sinead O'Connor. I hear Suzanne Vega in all of them. I like the songs where the acoustic guitar takes the lead more than some of the other synthesizer sounds. I love cracking, small blue thing, and undertow in particular for the guitar parts and for how intimate the lyrics feel. It might not be in my list of favorite female singer/songwriter albums of all time but it’s certainly responsible for them so 4 stars seems appropriate.
I was listening to Suzanne Vega and I fell asleep. Did I miss anything? No. Ms. Vega’s vocal style is a mix of spoken word and singing, and it doesn’t work for me. It’s like she knows she doesn’t sing that well, but still tries to make her spoken word sound singing-ish. And how is there only one Suzanne Vega album on this list and it’s not the one with Tom’s Diner? WTF?
Love this… ethereal folk with lyrics on real life feminism. Can’t beat Vega!
Different to what i listen to but i like it
The music sounded great. 0RS
nope. this is not my cup of tea. sounds so dated.
Very very forgettable
Nope
Good album with a bunch of hits!
Aangename luistermuziek, maar ook niet meer dan dat
Die zonder de hits
I like the musical style. This is another album that I was very surprised to learn came out in the mid 80's. This probably wouldn't make it into regular rotation for me because the singing style isn't great for me, but feels like a precursor to folks like Sarah McLachlan. Feels like a good 3 star effort.
good but not my thing
I mean, it's not bad, right? But it sure as hell isn't good. The vocals are ho-hum, the songwriting is faux-deep, and the whole thing suffers deeply from that horrible 80s studio production that leaves every instrument feeling plastic and synthetic. Acoustic guitars really shouldn't need that much processing.
ok but I prefer her work with Philip Glass.
Hmmm, not for me
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.
It was alright.
Pleasant, lovely guitar playing.
Interesting songwriting, not my thing.
No thank you
Somehow it's very 80s, yet still mellow. The first tracks were almost uncomfortable to listen to for this reason. But it's so good! Faves: Marlene On The Wall, Small Blue Thing, Undertow
Ah, así que esto es lo que escuchó Mitski para dedicarse a la música. Agradecido con el de arriba.
Ho percepito Suzanne Vega come un'artista dall'anima profonda e poeta. I suoi testi rispecchino una femminilità di altri tempi, romantica, innamorata e depressa. Ma.. (perché c'è sempre un "ma") .. Nonostante i soli 35 minuti, non sono riuscito a concederle un secondo ascolto a causa di un'eccessiva logorrea. Nonostante inizialmente i testi mi abbiano colpito, entro la fine dell'album volevo tagliarmi le vene. Il mio giudizio sì riassumerebbe in: "per carità è brava, però du palle!" Voto: 3
Ok album, did not grab me.
Suzanne has a great voice and lyrics, but the music was a bit bland
Beautiful melodies
It's good, worth a listen
nice for in the background
Loved the guitar. She was meh.
5/5 - kinda like James Taylor; Marlene is a standout
It was enjoyable but probably wouldn’t listen again.
Super easy listening, solid album.
Suzanne Vega has a very nice voice and it shines on this album.
Wrist cutting music, yikes
Didn't enjoy! Not my style, sorry Suzanne Vega!
Not bad - reminded me of Paul Simon, lyrically interesting, musically subtle - Nice.
sounds nice
Highlight: Knight Moves In Conclusione: Conoscevo già questo album perché sono un po' fan di Suzanne Vega, ma l'avrò sentito un paio di volte. Conoscendo lei sento comunque già la sua connotazione stilistica e le basi per l'evoluzione che poi avrà in futuro. Questo disco è chiaramente molto influenzato dal sound anni '80 e secondo me ha influenzato parecchia gente già da subito, tipo Edie Brickell. Certo il sound anni '80 rende i pezzi a tratti un po' kitsch. I testi pure sono un po' hit and miss ma pure lì si vede l'embrione di come evolverà il suo modo di scrivere testi che a me è sempre piaciuto. Lo penalizzo giusto per il sound e il fatto che è ancora un po' una Suzanne Vega grezza.
Sono combattuto, la sua voce mi piace ed anche il modo di cantare, l'arrangiamento è anni 80 ma mantiene una sua dignità stilistica anche se non mi fa impazzire. Però non credo che riascolterò questo disco così come me lo dimenticherò in fretta.
Spoken word poetry with music really, wouldn’t be my thing usually ngl
Nothing special, nice straightforward singer songwriter acoustic folky album but Suzanne Vega has better stuff than this. The only song I knew before listening was Marlene On The Wall and a couple of minutes after rifling through this set that hasn’t changed.
Start really badly, improves as it goes on and actually really quite enjoyable in parts.
Rather forgettable.
Surprisingly good album with great story telling
I really enjoyed the intimate lyrics and guitar stylings of Vega, but some of the production decisions and, as Nick noted, the sing/speak start to the record was off-putting. I'll remember a few of the tracks from this record, but the record as a whole was only okay. 2.5/5 Fav tracks: Knight Moves and Marlene on the Wall
The speak-singing really threw me for a loop at the beginning of this record and I'm not sure if I ever recovered. The lyrics are personal and fairly compelling, but there wasn't a lot that drew me in. Nothing particularly bad, either. It just didn't really resonate for me. Rating: 2.5/5 Favourite tracks: "Freeze Tag", "Marlene On the Wall", "Knight Moves"
Not bad, quite nice folksy singer songwriter stuff. I’d probably listen to one or two tracks again
Like it - well constructed songs, good voice and band
Starts really badly, improves as it goes on and actually really quite enjoyable in parts.
Some ok songs, mostly boring
An enjoyable, competent album. Background music, doesn't belong on this list like so many others.
Nothing here that offends the ears but equally nothing of interest to me - all forgettable stuff
Weird but good. Twin peaks referent
In a different frame of mind I could find it easy to roast this album, but today it sounds pretty fresh. The talk-sing is endearing. The lyrics are engaging (although some of the knight-queen story was a bit cheesy). I love the production - the crystal clear guitar, the voice in front of the mix, the tasty synth flourishes. Strong 80s sound. Some really pretty moments. I enjoyed the thought exercise of doing a quick mental inventory of people I know that are likely to be closet Suzanne Vega fans. They're all introverted women that want more out of life than the present provides. Not necessarily in a depressive sense, but hopeful and striving. I think that sums up the feeling of this album. B+
Do the first moments of this album suck or are they amazing? I think the vocal style is intentionally sloppy/conversational. This is post Carly Simon proto Fiona Apple. This album is filled with instrumental sounds—bass effect, acoustic electric guitar sound—that I hate, coffee shop core, but for some reason I don’t mind it on this album. She’s doing interesting things with rhyme scheme, cadence and delivery. It’s good/bad, I love/hate it. I’m not sure. She’s laying the tracks fir something good.
Childish lyrics, boring instrumentation, not a fan.
You know how dream pop type music tends to have some of the best vocalists? Cocteau Twins, The Cranberries, etc. I guess it's unique to approach that sound but be horrible to listen to. If I wanted to hear William Shatner's start-stop delivery of words over music, I could just listen to the songs he made. Most is so dull it bounces right off my ears. When it strays away into straight folky pop it's sickeningly cheesy. That last song at least slightly stands out from the rest, but its bass is bordering on unironically being Seinfeld music. And that album art screams "Graphic design is my passion." Struggled to finish, worst thing yet.
.
Miellyttävää rauhallista folkkispoppista. Hyvin pelkistettyä, mutta tällainen laulaja/lauluntekijä ja kitara -musiikki on yleensä kolahtanut hyvin. Miellyttävä pehmeä lauluääni.
Good, simple singer/songwriter folksy music. It never wowed me but it's a nice listen
Not offensive but a bit too bland to have a significant opinion either way about it. Collectively summed up as 'meh'. 2*
Was ok, couple of songs I enjoyed but the rest were mostly a bit dull
Perfectly okay. Nothing stood out really. Didn't offend but probably wouldn't bother listening again.
sang toms diner
Sama kuin Kate Bushin kohdalla, ainoastaan Tom's diner Suzanne Vegalta aiemmin tuttu. Enkä todellakaan tiennyt, että näin pitkä ura takana. Miellyttävää kuunneltavaa, kyllä tää uppoaa. 3.5/5.
Acústico gostosinho; canta falando.. isso cansa
Fome para ser folk
No.
Hyvää nainen ja kitara meinikiä. Tätä kuuntelee mielellään! Kolme ja puoli pyöristettäköön tällä kertaa neloseksi.
Hyvää settiä. Tiesin vaan joskus englanninkirjassa olleen Tom's Dinerin, ja sen perusteella odotin vähän erilaista kamaa. Positiivinen yllätys!
Yllättävän nykyaikaiselta kuulostavaa kamaa. En olisi arvannut levyn olevan vanhempi kuin minä itse! Olisi mennyt läpi ihan tuoreenakin teoksena.
Honestly was bored af the whole time. Lyrics are kind of cheesy like what I imagine reading a monologue in a check-out isle romance novel is like, but that would probably be more entertaining. The album had stopped playing at some point and I was like, cool, it's over, but turns out I had only listened to FOUR SONGS and Spotify had just died for some reason.
3.7 - Pseudo-intellectual singer-songwriter coffeehouse done well. Inflected with Paul Simon influences. Some beautiful moments in the middle, some duds towards the end. Overall, a pretty and introspective album that defied my expectations.
Very good. Gonna listen to it again.
Guitarra y voz. Canciones melancólicas.
I didn't know any of her stuff beyond Luka and the doo doo do doo song, so was curious. Disappointed. Feels like middling 80s stuff. Julianna Hatfield without hooks?
Pleasant acoustic stuff. 5/10
I like the sound of the album and its minimalism. But the songs don’t have that extra element to push it to a 4 or 5.
Tres bon, auteure compositrice interprete. Me fait penser a joni mitchell parfois. Je reecoute. 4.5
Tres belle voix, lignes de basses smooth et envoûtantes Coups de coeur Marlene on the Wall et Knight Moves
Good one
Meh.
Some nice songwriting and folkiness. Liked it but didn't love it.
Well, never thought I'd enjoy such a folk-pop/rock album as I enjoyed this one. It's got repeat value.
Really liking her voice!
Escuchado
Straightforward acoustic arrangements.
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
The artistry of her poetry is magnificent. It transcends its pretensions, and it perfectly suited to the folk rock backing.
taylor swift tímida
enya meets bobo dylan
it felt like a wannabe joni mitchell
Sure. It’s a decent album. For 85 it probably would be consider it an above average album.
Prima singer songwriter maar niet echt mijn ding
Miellyttävää, rauhallista poppia. Tykkäsin vaikkei tämä mitään valtavia musiikkielämyksiä tarjoillutkaan.
I really enjoyed this, was expecting something like Joni Mitchell, much closer to Cohen and like an acoustic-only Tigermilk, really short but satisfying "Marlene on the Wall" was the best track but a lot of cool storytelling here!
Nope.
Zzzzzz. Kill me.
This was nice as background music. If I had been in a different mood, it would have definitely hit better.
This is pleasant enough, but it isn't really my thing. It was clearly influential on a bunch of 90s music, so I think it's reasonable to say that this album was ahead of its time. It just doesn't do it for me. 3/5
Nice barebones folk album, great mix and sound
Soft voice, with soft lines and accompanying tunes
Pre-Lilith fair vibes
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).
Great reminder of the 80s!
Very good narative and storytelling not really my cup of tea though
Igav
3.5
Une autre belle surprise. Je ne connaissais pas. Pour de la pop des années '80, c'est assez bien fait avec beaucoup d'instrumentation. J'y vois un petit côté Alanis Morissette ou Joan Osbourne.
Absolutely amazing! Beautiful, poetic lyrics and lovely guitars. Perfect fall album. Favorite tracks: Cracking, Small Blue Thing, The Queen and the Soldier, Knight Moves
Good singer songwriter album
more of a strong 7
Pretty good, has a very 90s feel to it.
some cool songs on this album, pleasant surprise. little more catchy than most singer song writers