Channel Orange

This one takes me back to the summer of it's release and the guys I was working with. One was obsessed with this album and would put tracks form it on as the night got later into the night. He was absolutely trying to encourage people to feel quite amorous and hook up. Maybe it's from his influence, but I've always found this album sexual. On this listen I heard more of unrequited and struggling love than sex. They can be related, but not always. The songs themselves are inventive and surprising. A blend of R&B and neo-soul that I really like. And not a few tracks go on long soundscape journeys ala psychedelic or jam bands. Thinkin Bout You Sweet Life Pyramids Lost Bad Religion

Lo escuché en la pega y no me concentré bien para escucharlo

very different, chill

yea its good. my head hurts a bit today i cant think of much more to say. im somewhere between a 3.5-4. when i listened to this for the first time years ago, it blew me away, but i haven't done any following listens. relistening to this now i'm not as blown away. but it's very solid still. idk if you can edit scores but i might do that later. for now, a 3, since there's no halves.

Track By Track Start - Rough but also curated noise. Synth and magic. Then phone sounds! A proper journey. Thinkin Bout You - I actually first heard this properly because of Flea’s cover on his recent album. It’s a great tune. Very smooth and vibey. I like! This has permeated the culture quite a bit I’m aware - but it sort of passed me by actually. Fertilizer - This makes me think of him as a bit of a musical magpie, or even maverick, who will sample stuff he likes and weave it into what sounds like a mixtape, or a dj mix of some kind. I liked this too. Sierra Leone - Went from the last track into this really nicely. Good flow. Enjoying this vibe. Good harmonies and melodies. Sweet Life - Nice, chill, beachy, relaxing vibes on this. Not Just Money - Another interlude of sorts. Good precursor for the next one. Not much else to say! Super Rich Kids (feat. Earl Sweatshirt) - Again, cool vibes for sure. Didn’t like this as much, blends into the background almost. Kind of a dooby, lazy song in terms of rhythm and pace. Some honest lyrics. Pilot Jones - This is like an echo of an interlude, particularly in the beginning. Nice hooks laced throughout. Quite like the ending synth part, like it’s arriving home. His tenderness coming through here also. Crack Rock - Good groove. Liking the rhymes and vocal rhythms as well. It’s got that loose and aching feeling of being down and out. It also seems to echo soul and people like Marvin Gaye actually. Pyramids - This was a nice groove. Like a pop odyssey. I preferred the start of it to the end and where it got to. Lost - Not bad. Decent vibe, didn’t really love as much as some others. White (feat. John Mayer) - Always like a bit of John Mayer in a tune. Very much contributed to the groovy, chilled vibe. Monks - This has great drums and bass. Good licks and fills and unique beats happening. Meandering melodies happening. Great. Bad Religion - Nice little change of pace. More pensive. I like this little vignette. Sounds personal. Pink Matter (feat. André 3000) - I remember Pink and White I think is on the other album. Maybe pink is a motif for him. The strings are lovely. Good rap from André. Guitars rocking and blues-lickin’. Very nice. Forrest Gump - I really liked this. Great portrait. Very sweet. Good vibes indeed. End - Like it’s being heard from the other room. Going in and out. A fitting vibe track for the end of the album. Echoey, sample-filled. Both diegetic (or life) sounds and non happening. (Those aren’t the right terms but hey!) Nice work Mr. Ocean. Overall Review: I had definitely heard of Frank going into this but actually I’ve never been able to connect with much of his music. I was impressed with this though. His music has always felt to me more of a vibe rather than having a collection of standout tracks. It has that mixtape feel, as I mentioned earlier. Sampling-wise, potentially influenced by The Avalanches or other similar artists? Definitely meant to be listened to as a whole flowing piece. It didn’t all have an effect on me but there were many moments I was vibing out for real. Head-nodding. 3.8/5 Favourite Songs: Thinkin Bout You, Crack Rock, Bad Religion, Forrest Gump

Pyramids was ok

I was thinking that this album sounds like something Ne-yo would put out if he was from this generation. I can see how Pyramids and Super Rich Kids were pushed to the top; they're good songs! Overall, a very cohesive album, even if the interludes/outros were a bit too long. I probably wouldn't listen to it again and I definitely don't see how Frank Ocean stays at the top no matter how long his breaks are, makes me wonder if he's the male Beyonce? ;)

Was excited to listen to this as I know how respected Frank Ocean is and haven’t listened to any of his albums before. Unfortunately I found this very repetitive and I wasn’t a fan of the lyrics. Saw how many plays Thinkin Bout You had and was expecting good things. But I found it quite boring unfortunately. Thought pyramids had some more interesting things going on musically but didn’t feel very connected. I have heard Lost before though and it is enjoyable. Surprised to find out he has only released two albums considering his popularity.

Loved this one. So many bangers I’ve heard dozens of times but never played the whole album through. “He titled the album as a reference to the neurological phenomenon grapheme–color synesthesia, through which he had perceived the color orange during the summer he first fell in love.” DAMN THATS COOL

Not horrible. A few good songs but I am just not the biggest fan of frank oceans music.

GOATbum

great album, a little less realized than blonde imo. love the intimacy of franky

I get why people like this, but it just kinda bored me honestly.

While not my kind of music, this album has a good vibe that makes it quite enjoyable. Don't got too much to say else!

Hell ya Frank Ocean<3 I want more. MORE

5/10

4,5 stars

2 out of 5. First time listen for Frank Ocean. He has a nice voice.

Kletig musik. Inte dåligt, men inte för mig. Betyg 2 eller 3 beror på dag.

Pretty good album. Not a lot of the tracks grabbed me, but it's enjoyable. Best songs I think were: Super Rich Kids Bad Religion Pink Matter Forrest Gump (maybe the best) 3.25

First time finally listening to a Frank Ocean album, genuinely sweet R&B!

How, in all that is nostalgic, is this album going to open with not only the PS1 startup sound, but then go straight into the Street Fighter start sound?! As for the album's songs, a lot of newer R&B doesn't really hold my attention, and Channel Orange is no different. However, I can and will say it's not a bad album. While I'm not the biggest fan of Ocean's high register singing, the songs themselves are interesting. The highlight of the album, for me, is the backing tracks, and how old(er) tracks are sampled into fresh new beats and rhythms. Again, by no means a bad album, but not one going into my rotation. Also not really sure how this album made it on the list.

шо забжуйня

Pyramids is one of the best songs of the 2010s and a lot of the other tracks distill early 2010s west coast alt r&b down into the widest appeal. not in a bad way, though. a classic among the younger generations for a reason, even if it isn't my favorite album by a former Odd Future member. deserves to be one of the 1001? yes and Blonde does too

4.5

Channel orange is a pretty good experience. The PlayStation sound at the beginning is a little offputting given the rest of the album. Some songs are easy 4s/5s for me (Sweet Life & Pyramids). Many of the other tracks are just fine. I like the vulnerability Frank showed, though. 3.3/5 -> 3/5

I sort of brute forced myself into liking this when I had it on mp3. It was one of those records that I listened to a bunch even though I didn't like it that much, and then suddenly I did. I think it was the effect of "Super Rich Kids" being perfectly placed. I love/loved that song, and it's close enough to the start of the record that I might as well just listen to everything leading into it (but far enough that I can be wooed by the other songs). Then, bam! "Pyramids" takes it to the next level a couple tracks later. I still fire this one up every so often, but can't seem to get into "Blonde" the same way, though fan consensus seems to say it's his best.

I mean, it's ok, but it just gets mind-numbing hearing the same thing over and over again.

Mid

This album holds a special place in my heart. I discovered it and listened to it a lot when I was on campus with my now wife when classes weren't happening yet. Felt like the first time I had both the free time and freedom to spend as much time with another person as I wanted, which was all of it. Fitting then that this album is titled after a color he experienced as a synesthete when he first fell in love. Musically interesting and consistently compelling, it's not surprising Channel Orange got the acclaim it did. It's more surprising that we're coming up on a decade without a new album from Frank Ocean. Highlights are "Super Rich Kids," "Sweet Life," and "Pyramids." 4.5 stars

I’m searching for a real babe

It’s not bad, but it’s a bit too cheesy, samey and self regarding to score more highly.

Not bad, some good songs.

Smooth, soulful, cool. Really nice vocals, some very good songs, some that fill in the gaps but I really enjoyed Thinkin Bout You, Lost and Bad Religion. First time really listening to Frank Ocean but I can certainly see the appeal after this. 3.5/5.

I wish I got the hype, but I don't really. It's a nice listen with layers and interesting moments, and a good voice, but it's a bit too long, formless, and low-energy overall. I wasn't won over by the first half but the second half is way better and more memorable. Pyramids and Lost are great.

This sounded very much like a latter-day Stevie Wonder on an off-day. This is a take it or leave it album. Nothing hit me enough to make me want to hear it again but didn't mind listening on a long car journey Oh, and if you didn't catch it "she's working at the pyramid tonight". One track that was about 3 times longer than it should have been!

This album actually grew on me as I listened to it. I enjoyed the story telling and vocals - not something I would usually listen to and Pyramids is a banger 🎉

Gets better as it goes on, some really interesting stuff going on with the production! A very pleasant hour.

I'm guessing this was influential - possibly one of the first auto-tuned alt-hip hop records...but that still doesn't make it interesting to me.

Loved this album when it came out it has decent lyric soulful vocals and a hip hop beat. It brings something a little different to the table

Not my usual genre to listen to, but this Frank Ocean release keeps my attention. Pyramids is a great song, which takes this album to a higher level for me than the usual R&B releases. But the main drawback is there are also some cheesy R&B tracks on this album. Wasn't it for Pyramids the score would be 2.

I'll never listen to it again, but it wasn't terrible. Some of the beats were nice and calming. Other songs had really annoying screechy sounds, and sometimes the artist sounded too much like Kayne West (not a compliment). Then there are the random snippet interludes that I've never understood and don't enjoy. So... not terrible but not something I'll seek out again.

10/10 best album artist for me never in my life would i forget this experience of listening to his music i fucking love his music

Amazing beautiful album that redefined Culture norms in R&B amd Hip Hop breaking the glass for LGBTQ+ Community

this was pretty chill but not really my thing

R&B like this album easily fades into background music for me, probably because I struggle to make meaning out of the lyrics and the backing music is just so freaking basic. I sort of wish I could appreciate this genre, as well as rap, more, because I think this album's great, it just doesn't give me the energy that other genres have. That being said, I've tried a couple hiphop albums that I enjoyed, and I love older R&B artists like Prince and MJ. I've never been a massive fan of Frank Ocean, the only songs I like of his are those with explicit meaning (like Novocane) or a unique sound (like White ferrari ).

Not my style, pero mola ese rollo lo-fi hiphop

Only discovered Frank Ocean a few years ago but now he's a regular listen for me, for that reason it's an easy 5/5 Standout tracks: Think bout you/Super Rich Kids/Pyramids/Lost/Forrest Gump

my (actual) goat right here (blonde better)

The meeting point of hip hop and rnb that has defined the sound of so much of modern music. Honestly, I like blonde more than Channel Orange, but I appreciate the weight and impact of Channel Orange.

I just can't. Wish I could, but I just can't connect with R&B no matter how much I try.

Olipas tylsä ja melko yhdentekevä albumi. En ymmärrä muutamaa asiaa: - kuka tästä oikeasti pitää? Mikä tässä on erilaista ja erikoista niin, että tämä on ollut ilmeisen suosittu ja palkittu albumi? - miksi tämä on tällä listalla? Varmasti kaveri osaa laulaa mutta räppäriksi häntä ei oikein viitsisi tämän perusteella tituleerata. Musa edustaa minulle sitä amerikkalaista R&B-huttua, joka saa kääntämään radion kiinni tai ainakin hiljemnalle. 2/5

There's a few good songs here - Pyramids, Forrest Gump. But overall it just didn't hit.

channel orange is fantastic; the peak of smooth, poppy, modern R&B. ocean’s vocals especially elevate this album from just hooky and fun to genuinely beautiful at points. constantly had my head bobbing, this is some good shit Favorite tracks: Super Rich Kids, Pyramids, Thinkin Bout You, Crack Rock, Pink Matter

Oooh, interesting. I like this. It felt pretty minimalist to me, like it’s all about the lyrics/story. Frank Ocean also has a smooth voice.

You didn't think he could release a better album after Nostalgia, Ultra...and then this...and then he put out Blond!!!

Καλύτερο από ότι περίμενα; Νομίζω;

The entire thing just feels like someone mumbling about how terrible everything is because they have money.

I thought it was okay; I am not very into the realm of r&b, especially alternative, but this seems like a good introduction. For me it was a 6/10, but for someone else, it could easily be higher. Not bad.

9/10

*all-time.

I'd heard good things about frank ocean but this just left me confused

Interesting R&B Sound.

When this album was first released, I remember hearing the praise, and adulation for this album. Everyone told me they just *knew* Frank Ocean was going to be the next big star. I had planned on listening to it, my extremely busy life got in the way, and it never happened. Then, I make it to the big twenty-twenty six, and finally get around listening to this whole thing. When the album ended, I almost wept. THIS is the album that people dote on? Really? Even the ratings in this site are generous with this album. It's so damn boring. I could barely hear it with my car's Bluetooth speakers on full blast. The lyrics are dull. No fun rhythms, no danceable songs, no memorable chorus. Please, turn on the classic orange channel instead. It caught me off guard in the worst pay possible. Favorite Track: "Forrest Gump".

I remember hearing the name Frank Ocean a lot back when this came out, but nothing I heard made me want to investigate further. This is fine, about what I expected. Well-made, some good hooks, but ultimately doesn't do a lot for me. Had it on while working and nothing really stood out to me for most of the album - it all kind of ran together. I did notice and enjoy Andre 3000's appearance toward the end. Barely a 3 for me because I don't DISlike it.

You can hear the influences of Marvin, Stevie, and Prince all rolled together in a young fella discussing growing up and experience or witnessing love, desire, drug abuse, class struggle, and nightlife. He has lays with song structure, sometimes repeating a motif or entire verses three or more times in the same song. Frank Ocean plays with his voice, sometimes with flow, other times in tenor, still other times in falsetto. It all works to create a unique R&B instant classic.

Storytelling at its peak. The boomers and racists are probably gonna hate this one. Favourite Track(s): Thinkin Bout You, Crack Rock, Forrest Gump Least Favourite Track(s): Sweet Life, Monks

Bland.

nah

so often when im reading reviews it's someone exalting so and so and reminiscing about hearing it way back when - even if it kinda sucks. as a twenty-something im definitely a little outside the typical 1001 demographic, but finally i've found an album i cannot help but five-star because of nostalgia. i GET it now. if i were to be as objective as possible i would call this a stellar debut from frank - masterful production, intimate lyrics - but none of that matters when each one of these songs is coded to so specific a memory of mine. not even sad ones, and i almost cried a few times! what a pull, what a pull. wonder what this project looks like in 30 years.

Presque 1 étoile, c'est mon 4eme album, je réserve le 1 étoile pour d'autres Thinking bout you, Forrest Gump, end

perfect

I have listened to this album before. Wonderfully made. Chill kind of album.

I'm good, thanks. A bullshit version of Prince.

I think Frank Ocean is a genius song writer. Not going to argue with the haters. Only wish Blonde was on the main list, too. 5 Boolean:TRUE

Another pile of crap. 0.00 My ears want their time back.

More rap rubbish

Frank Ocean is very popular among my generation. Though I've never listened to him before or even really knew any of his songs, I can see why now. Blonde is generally considered the stronger and better known album of his two, but this one was actually really good as well. There were only a few songs that I didn't really care much for. I'm definitely going to have to listen to Blonde now once I can get around to it.

como vas a arrancar tu album con a potato flew around my room (bien de nicho) conocía más de lo que pensaba. muy cool.

I have a blind spot for what happened in the music scene in the 10s and for Soul music. Needless to say, I had no idea what I was getting myself into with this album. Overall this was a pleasant and entertaining listen. I especially liked the lyrics on this one which kept me engaged throughout. Favorites songs were: Rich Kids, Crack Rock, Pyramids & Monks. The small interludes sprinkled throughout the album are another highlight. At times hilarious, they set the theme of this album very well. I also liked the guitar work. However, the vocal performance did not emotionally engage me much, dampening the overall impact of the album for me. Overall a strong 3 for me.

Boooo, the shame of music. Texts that make you want to puke. It's like there's no melody at all. It's not music, it's just a torture to your ears. It's a pity that modern audiences consider R&B and hip hop to be normal genres to listen to. The degradation of modern performers is evident

An amazing groundbreaking r&b record but not his best work, and not the best guy making music

I had a girlfriend who loved Frank Ocean so I was very familiar with this album going in. I was worried that my past relationship would make me feel negatively about this album, but it didn't. I think this album is just as good as when I had to involuntarily listen to it in my ex's car. The production is minimal and groovy, lyrics can be poignant at times. It definitely fits my early morning commute when I usually listen to these albums. Not perfect by any means and it does tend to feel its almost hour run time towards the back end, but other than that its very enjoyable. 4/5

Auch das passt für mich nicht! Muss und will ich nicht hören!

Only 2 releases since this one was published - the only really good idea to avoid additional pain.

Favorite Song: Pyramids Least Favorite: Monks

Never been a huge fan of Frank Ocean, I prefer Channel Orange out of his two albums at least. It's tolerable in the background but it's not something that I would ever seek out.

Only the first three tracks would play during to a technical issue. What I was able to hear was ok.

I have listened to half of the songs on this album before and was excited to give it a full listen. I forgot how many songs had sad undertones to them, even the happier-themed ones. 1.) Start: You game bro? 2.) Thinkin Bout You: This is a great song, but it's a victim of pop culture with the Vine of the girl having a tomato spin on her ceiling fan. Great example of Frank Ocean's range. 3.) Fertilizer: I like it. It's a small, experimental song that I kinda wish was longer. 4.) Sierra Leone: Interesting song. Has a very casual love song sound, which fits the theme. Shows how Frank Ocean can make songs about heavier subjects like unexpected pregnancy and under a lighthearted, almost bubbly sound. 5.) Sweet Life: One of my favorite songs on the album. Has a smooth sound with a good amount of variation. Great lyrics that visualize what a taste of another life out of reach looks like and its own limitations. 6.) Not Just Money: Good interlude to fit between Sweet Life and Super Rich Kids with money and the excess of it being the theme. 7.) Super Rich Kids: I do like this song and an Earl Sweatshirt feature. I know they don't sound the same but I always thought that Hotline Bling was inspired by the drum machine in the intro. 8.) Pilot Jones: Was never a big fan of this one. Its good with an interesting sound but not my cup of tea. 9.) Crack Rock: This one has grown on me since first listening. Great beat, and I like the heavier drum beat against the soft, slower-paced keyboard. Almost reminds me of Home is Where the Hatred Is by Gil Scott-Heron. 10.) Pyramids: Not a big fan of this one. The synths can be a bit much at times, especially when first introducing them to the song. Too long with the repetitive lyrics. Wouldve skipped this one if I wasn't listening to the whole album. I do like the guitars at the end. 11.) Lost: I like this one,. good melody with lighter beat used to hide the darker undertones of the lyrics. 12.) White: I like this interlude. Heavy beat with light guitar picking. 13.) Monks: Thought this was a song in honor of the fanbase of the hit 2000s comedy drama starring Tony Shalhoub. I like the mix of the bass and keyboard. Interesting symbolism for storytelling. 14.) Bad Religion: Was never a fan of this one. Thought it was alright. Each part of the song is good just don't mix together nor contrast well. Would probably skip this song too. 15.) Pink Matter: Always a fan of heavy bass and an Andre 3000 feature no matter how long it is. With both of them being elusive, they should do more together. 16.) Forrest Gump: A good uplifting song. If the album didnt have the Start/End tracks to bookend the album, it wouldve been a great way to end the album. 17.) End: Similar to Fertilizer where it teases songs that aren't on the album that I would like to hear more of.

listening it now made me depressed, but i loved it when it came out and listened to it obsessively

4 1/2 Stars: Superior production and vocals. Smart writing. It's weird and jazzy, but electro-vibey and it's strange that I never fell into his music earlier.

Going into this one I was expecting a rap album. While there is some rap on it there seems to be a lot more going on. Smooth vocals and overall mellow laid back vibe that puts you in a certain mindset. There's talent here and different from what I usually listen to and found some of it enjoyable some parts not as much.

Dope.

Goated

This album scratches an itch for those that super enjoy laid back early 10s hip hop and R and B tracks. Franks vocals are pretty awesome, but the production is what really makes this album come alive. I think some of the lyricism is a bit cringe, but some songs like Super Rich Kids make up for it by having incredible beats. Not sure if itd make my list of 1001, but I could see how it makes anothers. 5/10

Okay i guess but nothing special

Crazy to think this was released in 2012. This could’ve been released this year and it would still sound fresh.

Fucking love this guy

Most don’t agree, but I prefer this to blonde

sea of hot dogs