Reviews (page 4 of 7)
Her vocals are really good. Most of her songs are nostalgic and heartbreaking. I enjoy it but I don’t know if I would listen to it again.
I thought the country bits were ok, the other bits not so much. It all had a very 50s feel.
Great voice. Liked the bluesy one. Not some much the twangy ones
Good production. Great voice. A bit too country for my personal taste
Very honkey tonk. 3/5
It was okay.
Cover 4 Not my cup of tea, generally speaking. This is a jazz adjacent album, not so much country or country rock, though there are some old school country here (Don't Let the Stars Get on Your Eyes, etc ). It might be nice to listen to on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee, or summer afternoon with a glass of lemonade out on the porch (or staring out of the window if you don't have a porch). It's a lazy morning/afternoon jam.
I love KD Lang, but not sure if this one in particular is the album everyone has to hear
Good late period country album. I'm finding I like this kind of roots throwback country with every album I hear of it. Is it great and essential? No. But it is fun and different. This whole genre seems to have disappeared and is written off as commercial drivel but really the songs are pretty good.
Rockabilly country and western good songs well sung worth a second listen.
Not bad, not for me
Приємний кантрі-поп з купою кантрі-оркестровок. Не зовсім моє, але для різноманіття було цікаво послухати
Maybe this is the lesbian in me but this was great. Fun, bluesy, interesting, great vocals. Another solid 3.5 stars for me. Not sure of the replay value for me but something I would never be angry to listen to again.
Easy going but pretty bland in parts. Lang has a soothing voice though.
not for me
Every song on this album seems like it could be a dance at a wedding. Not in a bad way, good throughout
Solid album, short country pop songs
What an amazing voice! Sadly it's over music that doesn't really do it for me.
3.4 stars rounded down
Really enjoyed this one. Was definitely more familiar with Angel with a lariat. But this was fun.
Actually kinda nice. Not my absolute favorite but liked this a lot more than I expected to. Some cool variety in here
me gustó, sentí las vibras aunque no preste atención en las letras, por ahí igual no es un sonido muy para mí
Crooner country music.
So split between 3 and 4. Voice is amazing and instrumentals are good but the old country sound doesn't hit me the way I know the album reaches for.
Her voice talent is undeniable. For me, though, this is nice background noise, but I'm not a fan of the sort of Country "Shadowland" is. She seems to have gone through a number of iterations in her music style, so with that voice, I might be a fan of some of her other projects/albums. Another good, not great (to me).
Some classic oilin’ yer boots, blow dryin’ yer cowboy hat, spinnin’ yer spurs honky tonk. 5/10
Having only heard some of her later adult contemporary work (not my jam), I was pleasantly surprised to hear so much twang and sawdusted country charm on her debut (more my jam).
Ihan alkuunsa, mitä helvettiä tää olikin nainen. Kanadalaista kantria ja ihan kelpoa sellaista. Mutta ei kummiskaan mitään ihan parasta. Tässä on vähän sellainen jännä jazzinen twist. Parhaat: Western Stars, Busy Being Blue
Some of this was quite good. she do got a nice voice Will I listen to again: 10%
I belatedly figured out that these are all (I think) cover songs, which makes sense. This record sounds out of time. I know very little about this era of country music, but k.d. lang seems to capture it well. The star of the show is her incredible voice. I think the only contemporary song is the standout opening track, Western Stars, a Chris Isaak cover. It’s a beautiful song and this arrangement reminded me of dreamy alt-country like Mazzy Star. This is a pretty faithful cover, but k.d.‘s version has a more haunting quality. I prefer her version, it sounds definitive. I wish the whole album was like this. The rest of the album is more old-fashioned. It has a kind of David Lynch atmospheric torch song vibe that I liked. But overall, nothing else lived up to the first song for me.
Maudlin queer county, not as bad as modern pop country (which is way better than dudebro country) but still doesn't really do anything for me.
Didn't want to like it because it's cover songs over and over but lang and her team made good music here. It's only for the background and nothing special.
It was okay, nothing that really stood out
Love her voice, songwriting is fine, not the arrangements
k.d. has such a beautiful voice! Getting rid of the whiny steel guitar would have made many of the songs so much better
Quite good, probably wouldn't normally like this sort of thing, but she's got a really great voice, even though the instrumentals are quite dated, even in the late 80s. I like the strings and keyboards on some of the songs, its not mind-blowing, but pretty good. Favourite songs: Western Stars, lock, stock and teardrops, black coffee, shadowland. Overall around 5/10
Pleasant enough album, hard to fault it for just being soft and easy to listen to. Far from interesting or memorable but I can't complain about an album this chill and easy to listen to.
I guess I've never listened to KD Lang before. I thought she was more pop than country. She has a great voice but I'm not a fan of country music usually. This is very warm and soft, the lyrics aren't bad. If you enjoy country music I'm sure you'll enjoy this.
I don't know much about lang or country music from the 80s, so I was surprised at how old-fashioned this sounded. Maybe it makes more sense in context. She's got a great voice, and there's some fun stuff on here. I'm open to hearing more from her, but it hasn't quite made me a fan
Sometimes I read a review prior to listening to an album in a genre I don’t connect with in order to have some context for what makes it great. In the case of Shadowland, it was Mark Deming’s review from allmusic.com. He painted a picture of a masterpiece of country music and, since all I really knew of KD Lang was “constant craving,” I dove in expecting the water to be warm. I love many albums that fit the alt-country tag, and I grew up embedded in a town with abundant access to concerts featuring some of the genre’s most famous acts. And I can spot the magic in a Patsy Cline song and a Hank Williams album one, and some modern country like Sturgill Simpson or Kacey Musgrave has made it past my moat and taken up residence in a year-end list. All this is to say, I *want* to love this. And I even feel bad *not* loving it. But this genre just isn’t for me, despite kind of sort of seeing what Mr. Deming was going on about.
Enjoyable first album out of 1001. Country, folky sound that was easy to throw on and listen.
Not a bad album.
I wasn’t totally sure what this album was trying to achieve. She has an incredible voice and the fact she worked with country greats on it suggests she genuinely loves this music but something about it has a tongue-in cheek feel that made it all a bit kitsch?
This album confirms my number 1 musical truth: the only way country music is tolerable is when it is written and performed by non country artists. Lang does an amazing job of capturing the heart of good old country music. It isn't as bold at Nashville Skyline, but it is a treat. I don't believe I'll return much to this (mostly due to my feelings toward the genre), but I would rank this up there with the greats of the genre.
some really lovely songs here and there. 3
nice enough. a bit of C and W and general crooning
Just not my style of music. Wonderful voice, but not fast paced enough for me.
3.0 - Ok
I liked it for the most part. City country vibes. A little jazzy. Not bad.
Didn't know anything about k.d. lang other than her name, was pleased to discover she has a great voice. For me, though, this classic crooning-style country record starts to wear out its welcome after awhile. Standouts: Western Star
This is a tough one. Voice for the heavens but most of the music on the album was for a nursing home. Standouts like busy being blue really help to elevate the album outside the conservative country circle.
I enjoyed this album, more than I anticipated.
Not bad, better than expected at least.
Interesting album. Seems to go back and forth between blues and old style country music.
This twangy “pop” album from the late 80s has some fun parts.
Sometimes I really think the users on this website don't actually like music. Or at least music that isn't the same 20 famous albums that /mu/ told you were good. There are some impressive studio musicians that came together to make this album. k.d.'s voice is laser focused and smooth. If this music upsets you, ask yourself why? Most poor reviews I can see are just thought terminating cliches. "It's boring." Reviews like that just communicate to me that you have never played music. This music isn't amazing, but it's not boring either. At just over a half hour, it's a ripper of a country album. Perfect music for a starry night or a dew kissed morning.
Surprisingly good, had zero expectations.
Like really good elevator music. 7.6/10
В певице чувствуется индивидуальность. Я особенно не проникся, правда. Зато расслушал предыдущий альбом в этом списке.
Great voice, great tone, great pitch accuracy Love when she goes just a tad out of tune, really gives a texture
Country really is hit or miss for me. This one falls closer to the miss category. It is just slightly too polished and too nice. Something you could put on in a hotel lobby with its jazz influences. It also lacked a bit of breadth, with it feeling like all of the songs were just ballads. Some of the ballads were really good like "I Wish I Didn't Love You" and "Black Coffee". She clearly has a good voice for smokey jazz music. Writing this i realised is this actually just jazz with slide guitars? Maybe.
Lovely voice, smooth tunes, it was okay. Big props for not being the typical country archetype, must have been pretty tough for her
Idk, not bad, weird genre
Oddly didn’t hate this as much as I thought I was going to… but I would never seek it out again to listen to it.
Solid work. Not sure why or how she got the photo of Jake Gyllenhal from 1988, but that's cool too. Seriously, she's got a lovely voice and her producer did amazing work here, I just want more bangers.
A perfectly nice lesbian Country & Western album. Not really to my taste though. I prefer my lesbian music more in the indie singer songwriter vein.
For someone who isn't a huge fan of country, and someone who doesn't appreciate K.D. Lang (based on what I've heard from her), this album certainly exceeded my expectations. It was a mostly enjoyable listen that I have no desire to return to ever again
I kinda dig the cheese.
goat, but i also feel like kd lang has better albums
Excited to listen to this one, even though I was surprised by the last kd lang album that I reviewed wasn't as country as I figured it would be. Within the first few seconds of the track, I'm flashing back to being a kid with my not out gay canadian dad in his car in the 90s...lol. I remember this song we will have to see how many more I remember. Her voice is truly incredible and smooth and beautiful. If I could sing like kd you'd never shut me up. ha. This album so far is way more "country" than the other kd lang album I reviewed during this project. "Lock Stop and Teardrops" man I love that idea. Okay, I did recognize it a little but I recognize the third song way more, "Sugar Moon" I don't know I've heard this since 1994. WOw. I feel like this song is a cross between doo wop and country. "I Wish I Didn't Love You So" wow, what a beautiful ballad. Her voice in a way reminds me a little bit of Patsy Cline. God I'm still so impressed by her singing. So I walked away to vacuum and clean the floors, so it's not gonna be a song-by-song review necessarily. Okay, her voice like I said it's of the angels, must be because she's Canadian. Overall I really enjoyed listening to this and I might actually return to it. The jazz club country vibes was a pleasure. When I finished the album, and the auto shuffle came on...it played another kd song that I totally had forgotten about that I really, really love. "Three Days" about how your pain is present "yesterday, today and tomorrow." It might even make me get out my ukulele and see if I can play and sing it too.
It’s ok….just didn’t do much for me.
Fun and very western-twangy. Short and sweet too, which makes it a nice quick listen. Decent overall sound, otherwise unremarkable. Top tracks: I Wish I Didn't Love You So, Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them, Honkey Tonk Angels Medley
Albumi #177, 16.03.2025 Kanadalaisen countrypoppari k.d. langin soolodebyytti julkaistiin vuonna 1988. Varsin mukavaa countryvetoista fiilistelyä, mutta omaan countrymakuuni liian kliinistä.
Good choice, but boring songwriting... Again elevator music, nice for background music, but nothing interesting or surprising... So again, meh...
Is this what listening to country music in Bikini Bottom feels like?
Well this is the closest you’ll get to a Patsy Cline album on this list. Which is a sin. But this is a pretty good facsimile! The song quality diminishes a bit towards the end. Deserves 3.5 stars but I’m going to round it down to three because of that.
Ok
one of my fav lesbian icons Western Stars - 4/5 Lock, Stock and Teardrops - 3/5 Sugar Moon - 4/5 I Wish I Didn't Love You So - 4/5 (Waltz Me) Once Again Around the Dance Floor - 3/5 Black Coffee - 4/5 Shadowland - 3/5 Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - 4/5 Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them - 3/5 I'm Down to My Last Cigarette - 4/5 Busy Being Blue - 4/5 Honky Tonk Angels Medley - 2/5 Average score - 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ the children yearn for more queer country music
Love KD. Not my favorite album but certainly liked many of the songs especially Black Coffee.
Music with an old soul. Classic crooner country (and a little bit of cool, smoky jazz) with beautiful production. She’s got a great voice for this style.
This was such an enjoyable listen on a rather drab Monday morning in February. It's a quick listen as it's just short of 36 minutes but I found myself bopping to each one. Nice structures, nice production, and nice tunes. I think with a few more listens I'll like it even more.
Nice album, great voice, just a bit dated.
Ok
Either not my taste or I just wasn't in the mood for this one. Kind of a downer of an album mostly, which is fine sometimes but not what I was looking for today. Lang does her thing well enough though. In my brain, her name is forever synonymous with this obscure song that used to pop up on the radio in the early 1990s: https://youtu.be/TlHfvXTOB2k?si=1fR0cZwrj7gRn5Ye
Easy listening
swanky
Treading the line between very relaxing and just dull. Sounds more like it's from the 50s than the 80s.
Oh no, k.d. lang has 2 albums on this list?!? Fml. This one is better than the other one I had to suffer through (Ingenue). Favourite songs: Honky Tonk Angels Medley, (Waltz Me) Once Again Around the Dance Floor, I Wish I Didn't Love You So, Sugar Moon, Busy Being Blue Least favourite songs: Shadowland, Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them 3/5
not my favorite, not terrible
Чесно кажучи, багато про цей другий альбом k. d. lang писати не хочеться. Це просто гарна поп музика, із додаванням #country елементів. Що у порівнянні із дебютним «веселим»альбомом -звучить більш вишукано та спокійно. Але сказати, що вона є прямо «шикарною», та переосмислює кантрі музику - я нажаль, не можу. Ось її четвертий альбом Ingénue - це вже зовсім інша справа, бо тут ми вже чуємо доволі зрілий #baroquepop та, можна сказати, #altcountry із додаванням «спокійного» #jazz - у. І на «потрійному» альбомі case / lang / veirs де вона співає разом із Neko Case та Laura Veirs - її талант розкриється на повну…проте, це вже зовсім інша історія.
Beautiful voice
I'm sure this was good but I just did not care that much. Not my thing
That was not what I expected. I thought I knew K.D. Lang but turns out I did not think that's what she was like. It was interesting but weird.
It has a mellow, dreamy, old-timey feel with plenty of steel guitars and fiddles that create a nice consistent mood. KD's vocals are outstanding and she keeps it interesting throughout.
Great voice
Really good!! Almost a 4 but not my usual genre choice - but thorough enjoyed
I reviewed k.d. lang's Ingenue last spring, and I didn't particularly care for it. I knew that I'd still have one more of her albums to review, and I wasn't particularly excited to see Shadowland come up for me today (although it's interesting that I got Everything But The Girl's Idlewild yesterday, which is also from 1988). Even though I'm not jazzed about listening to this album, I'm still willing to give it a fair shot! Shadowland wasn't really my jam, but I thought it was better than Ingenue. One of the few things that I liked on Ingenue was k.d.'s vocals, and they were great on this album. Who could have guessed that a Canadian lesbian would have a voice so well suited for country music? I felt like the album got better as it went along; that might be due to me becoming more comfortable with it as I got deeper into it, but I think it's because it opened up more stylistically on the second side of the album. "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" had a really good southwestern flair to it, and I loved how the pedal steel was utilized in a different way than it had been up until that point. "I'm Down to My Last Cigarette" had a wonderful honky tonk sound to it, and some of the best pedal steel playing on the album. The songwriting was really great on this album, as it was on Ingenue, but this album was definitely more enjoyable to listen to, mostly due to it having more variation in the sound. If it weren't for the weaker first half of the album, I'd probably give this album four stars, but this lands more middle of the road for me.
8/3/89 Deer Creek Music center ...kd opened for Hank Jr. I remember her being a great performer with an exceptional voice. However, I'm ok with never hearing Constant Craving ever again. Obviously we're not reviewing either here...but I havent had much exposure to her work over the years. I saw she won some awards with Tony Bennett. I will have to give that record a listen. This is not my bag at all, but she is so very talented and I'm sure this is one of her signature albums for her listeners.
3.7/5
Good voice but kind of like end credit music at the end of a 6/10 TV show episode. Better then the Radiohead album but can’t give a 2.5
I always thought kd Lang sang suddenly I see but I realise that’s KT tunstall
I’m not generally a country music fan but I enjoyed this more and more as it progressed. Beautiful accompanying music on the title track. Best tracks: “Shadowland” and “I wish I didn’t love you so”
Pleasant enough but never amazed me
Schöner Gesang, schöne Melodien, angenehm anzuhören.
Solid country album. I enjoyed it.
Too much Country, not enough Singer/Songwriter.
It's pretty solid
ósköp áferðarfallegt. söngur og spil. köntrískotið. gef þessu aðra. 3,5.
Bluesy country with crisp clean high gloss production, a yodeling twangy vocal, lush arrangements and the slightest twist on some classic genre songwriting that does, in the end, become a bit generic. The late 80s is an interesting moment in the recurrent back and forth exchange between country, rock, and pop with urban cowboy, Dwight Yoakam, cowpunk and the rest embracing and reworking the the Nashville, outlaw, and roadhouse archetypes for a very knowing almost pastiche but not winking continuation of the sound.
Really like this old style country. Not sure why an authentic 50’s album wasn’t included rather than an 80s facsimile, but the books list appears to diss earlier music (I know 50’s was the time of the single and it was basic recording and all). Know this album anyway, when she hits it’s real sweet.
Relaxing, chill, well produced country-pop. It isn't memorable music but it's a pleasant enought listen on a rather boring Saturday. Though, it's not something I'll actively listen again.
Pleasant enough, quite relaxing
That is not what I expected K.D Lang to sound like. Didn’t hate it though. Simpsons: No
It was alright.
I didn't think this would be so folky. Sort of enjoyed it though.
Fun album. Nice folk/country sound
I definitely didn't expect a second kd lang album in this generator and I'm not sure that it was really necessary. But as modern country goes, it's ok. Also pretty interesting that an androgynous woman had made such waves in a genre known for its conservatism. There are quite a few big names on here which would be exciting for country music fans but don't mean much to me. I don't love this one but she's got a good voice and there's nothing really to be offended by so I'm inclined to be kind.
Good
beautiful voice by the singer. All songs have a Christmas carol feel to it. favorite track: black coffee other picks: western stars, busy being blue
I’m not American but this is some good country music
She can definitely sing but not nearly as good as the previous one
I didn't know what to expect having never heard of the artist. The cover and title put me in mind of the Cure or Sisters of Mercy. Good voice and decent songs
Even though this is not my style of music, I can totally appreciate her voice. Absolutely stunning vocals.
***A beautiful, easy listening album. Beautiful voice. Easy tempo.
Not as impactful as the previous kd lang record we’ve pulled from this list. A bit more outwardly country & folksy, maybe a tad too much so. Not bad by any means, just not the best offering
Shadowland Wasn’t quite expecting this. I only know and dislike Constant Craving so I assumed that this would be more of that kind of dullness. But this is actually a perfectly decent and listenable jazz inflected country pop album. The playing is nice, the songs are well chosen and her voice is very good, deeply toned and jazzy. There’s nothing particularly exciting or remarkable, but there’s nothing bad either, and it’s all over in 35 minutes. I suppose the main black mark would be that it does feel rather inessential, sometimes that can be annoying, but it seems fine for this. I’d probably not choose to listen again, but if I did put it on I wouldn’t mind it. I suppose that makes it the definition of a 3. 👤👤👤 Playlist submission: Honky Tonk Angels’ Medley
Short songs but good. Really nice guitar. I don't usually like this tempo as much but this worked. Soothing, smooth. Highlights: Western Stars Waltz Me
Liked the mood of this - the ex-Cline producer makes total sense with the sound. Not sure it added much that you wouldn't get from the Patsy original template, but was pleasant enough and the medley of voices was a lovely closer.
Proper old ragtime vibes here. The voice is superb, the songs stand up well. The country slide guitar grates after a while. But a decent debut.
Hard to rate. It's a downer of an album but her singing voice is pretty solid. You've just got to be in the mood for a lot of slow paced mopey stuff. I feel like I'm being harder on it that I intended because it wasn't awful to listen to at all. 2.5 bumped to 3.
Beautiful voice
A sweet album, was nice to listen to but I don't think I will listen again. I preferred the second half a lot more. Standout tracks: - Tears don't care who cries them 4/5 - Busy being blue 3.5/5 - Honky tonk angels medley 3.5/5 (I love doing this 1001 albums thing bc who knew I loved honky tonk so much?!)
Shadowland is a bit of a mixed bag, all the country stuff is bang average and not close to any of the good country we've had, but the tracks that move away from that into ballads and soulful singing are quality, like Black Coffee, the title track, Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them and then the bluesy Busy Being Blue. Those are worthy of a 4 on their own, the rest of the album a 2, so we'll meet in the middle at a nice 3.
Nice voice, but not nice enough to get me excited about this lowfi country sound. The ballads she does are much better, and she can compete with the best when it comes to ballading, but the country stuff is just dull if not irritating. Squeaks a low 3.
First listen. Ok.
These faithful reproductions aren't really my thing, even if they are as beautifully done as this was.
I was surprised by this album. K.d. Lang’s voice was absolutely incredible, she really blew me away at points during the album. Musically, it does not disappoint. Violin and pedal steel swells help to add emotional highs and lows to the songs of love and heart break. Sometimes it’s western-swing/pop, sometimes it wasn’t. Not sure I’d revisit often, but I could see revisiting the album.
Actually some nice easy listening songs mixed in here. Gotta be in the right mood though, soft 3.
3+
Nicely done.
What a voice. Nice production
Great voice. Can't say I need to hear this album again.
Interesting sound. Sort of blues, some jazz, some pop.
Wow, not what I was expecting. Not exactly my favorite style of music, but she definitely has a great voice.
A lovely listen but nothing special, especially since it came out in ‘88
its just not very much
Þetta voru kósý rólegheit með smá kántrýívafi. Ég fílaði þetta en það er samt ólíklegt að ég muni muna eftir þessu og setja plötuna aftur á. Mér fannst þetta samt alveg prýðilegt dæmi.
Familiar with her contemporary hits but this is really great. She really has a great voice. Forgot that it was KD Lang I was listening to on this album. Reminiscent of Patsy Kline to me. Enjoyed it.
I've only listened to Ingénue before after falling in love with Constant Craving back in college. I learned a bit about her story and how she became such an icon in the queer community. I was reading a bit about her after listening to Shadowland, and came across an article in the Guardian where she is described as a "Sapphic North Star." I love that. Her vocals on this album are so lovely, pure, and open. Her voice is a 10/5 stars. I've now listened a few times through, and while I always cozy up to the mood of the album, I find I can't recall what the songs sound like later. I definitely enjoy Ingénue more, and look forward to the day I get it for this project.
Nice enough for the background music while I sip the first drink in the evening on a cruise ship. Otherwise wouldn't be reaching for this any time soon.
I thought this was a really good country album. Reminded me a lot of the old Crystal Gayle songs from the 70s. 3.75/5
Ok
Always happy to get some KD, she's a Pee Wee alum. I listened to the album all the way through and enjoyed it, but nothing to write home about.
Redemption time for k.d. lang. This is our second from her, and I think her more prominent/famous album, it's certainly more country than the previous (which was "cabaret" style pop). It actually sounds nice, I could see her being a sonic influence for someone like Orville Peck. Some of these songs sound like timeless classics, the kind of music that could play in Fallout. Well, what do you know, I think they're all covers. That deflates me a little bit, but it's still an enjoyable ride. There were a couple tracks that start to veer into that cabaret, burlesque-type vibe, and it's just not for me at all. Had this album leaned even more country/western, I think a 4 would've been in order. Favorite tracks: Western Stars, I Wish I Didn't Love You So, Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes. Album art: Just a headshot of k.d. (wow, four of our last six albums have just been headshot covers). Black and white works well here, very striking with her hair. Font is decent too, obvious throwback to the era she's seeking to emulate. Not a very interesting cover, but it's fine. 3.5/5
Alltílagi bara, flott rödd.
One of the best voices in western music history
Every time I think about k.d. lang I actually picture the music of Melissa Etheridge, which I assume is my brain just accidentally merging two late 80s / early 90s women who made me ask some questions about myself. At any rate, this isn't super for me (surprisingly) but it's impossible to deny the vocal quality here.
KD's voice is outstanding, and I love that Loretta and others are on the album. It almost feels like you can hear these tracks on a David Lynch movie from that time. The dated too-clean 80s production, however, takes away from the overall presentation.
Interesante
Just ok
Not really for me, but it's a nice short listen and would make for great background music
Låter nästan som en julplatta. Inte så tokigt ändå.
3/5
Ganz ok aber Zuviel Country. ***
I didn’t expect a country album but I wasn’t mad at it.
The kind of album you put on at a dinner party when you want to focus on conversation. You'd hardly even notice it at all!
This was subpar kdl by my measure.
Country and I…rarely agree. Johnny Cash and some Willie Nelson are just about the only two things we do agree on. I’d never heard of K.D. Lang, I think. I did some reading to understand exactly who she is and why she’s important. I thought it was a happy coincidence that I got a queer artist on San Francisco Pride Day. Nice touch, RNG. This was surprising in a few ways. For one, I expected it to be more…country. Like heavier on twang and with less reverb, more of a raw sound. Instead we had this airy sound, with vocals that are often sung a little more straight and arrangements that almost sounded like pop vocal jazz. I also didn’t expect it to be so corny. My god there are some corny songs and lyrics here. I get that that’s part of the country vibe, especially when you do songs in this particular style. But man I just couldn’t get past some of them. I listened to them, but I didn’t necessarily enjoy them. Overall this was a surprise, in a good way. I liked the arrangements for some of the songs, and I think this tried to be more than the constraints of its genre, which is always appreciated. Did I love it? No. But I liked it, enough so to give it three stars. I honestly thought it was gonna be two stars but she brought it around in the middle. Standout Tracks: Sugar Moon, Black Coffee, Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes, Busy Being Blue
A few years a go, I was working at a Juno Award after party, and I got to meet K. D. Lang. She's very polite and kind. I didn't know much of her music, nor was I, a fan of her music. I'm glad she never brought any of that up, or I would have just been awkward and embarrassed. K. D. Lang's appearance does not fit her voice! I just noticed that Pierre Poilievre looks like K. D. Lang. I wasnt expecting her to have this bluesy/southern style. This record sounds like a traditional story telling country song. It's very melancholic. But sang beautifully. Her band plays really well too. The song style gets old fast though. A bit too much of the same thing and similar themes throughout. This record has the vibe of a singer singing in a small town honkey tonk/dive bar. Cliche southern country. Music is sort of reminiscent of Anne Murray. Music my parents and grandparents would probably enjoy. Dated for me. I've only really heard her rendition of Hallelujah. Which isn't my favorite version but it's still good. Getting to hear her own record was kind of nice. Now I can officially put her face to her voice.
Favorite Tracks: (Waltz Me) Once Again Around the Dance Floor Western Stars
Gorgeous voice but got a little fatigued by the end. Maybe worth another go around.
Great vocals and songwriting and I appreciated that there was almost a jazzy vibe to this at certain points. Good background music
Very cool standards album. Great voice and an easy listen
hotel lobby jazzy bluesy lounge country. Really good voice. Not sure how country fans were surprised she was gay when that's the first thing I thought of when I saw the album cover. feels like the first country/western album we are getting
good vibes throughout - high 3 since i don’t really have any urge to relisten to any of it
Classic/contemporary new/old country/western. Not really sure how to rate this. Push of a button, I guess. It's OK for what it is. She's got a silky smooth voice.
A smoky sultry slow country vibe with the occasional no-fear tempo increase with a honkytonk flair. She has a great voice and everything is very approachable, but I don’t find any of the tracks really have a hook for me and it gets a little boring by the end. Fine.
kind of country-pop that bored me in nineties
I dreaded the album when I saw the cover and the year… I thought it was gonna be another new wave shitty album, boy was I wrong lol. Y totally enjoyed this although she drops the ball from that dumb cigarette song and on. Anyway, good music for most of the record (not the cheesy sax tho) and excellent voice.
Pretty enjoyable but I wasn't struck by anything special here! Usually when I listen to lesbian music I like it to be a bit sadder ...
kd lang has a pretty voice and the songs sound like elvis. not much to hate here but it doesn't ever cross into greatness anywhere either. just a short, enjoyable listen.
I've heard of her before but not sure. I ever really listened to anything that wasn't a song on the radio. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would but like I don't need to hear it ever again.
beautiful country
I had never heard of this artist before, but this was a nice album! Pleasant voice, decent writing, heavy honky tonk, and a little jazz.
soft and bluesy country music. this is the music you hear when you're out on the farm and looking at the stars with your hot wife as both of you sit on a truck. it's very nice sounding, but it's just more of the same country,, there's gotta be good country out there, come on...
Not really sure what I was expecting, maybe a touch of postmodern snark or something. But this is quite a straightforward country crooner album. Ms Lang has a nice voice, the songs are quite plaintive and the arrangements are traditional-in-a-good-way. I rather liked it
3/5
why could't we get a Lucinda Williams or Ricki Lee Jones?
Meh this isn't really my type of music. Nothing wrong with it but doesn't tickle my fancy. Lowest of 3s because it wasn't bad
great voice but ehhh
Ein angenehmes ruhiges Album mit Countrymusik. Die Stimme von KD Lang ist herausragend. Nicht mehr und auch nicht weniger.
Music that's not particularly to my taste, elevated by kd lang's incredible voice. I see that Ingenue is on this list too; when that comes around it'll earn an easy five stars. If I'd been given the option to choose a second kd lang album beyond Ingenue, I'd have chosen Hymns of the 49th Parallel, which I love.
Surprisingly diverse. like normal twangy country but also loungey and blue-eyed soul and Mexican regional music?
Not bad, not great. I should like k.d. lang more than I do, she always falls a little off the spot for me.
Pretty nice!
The leading industry Honky Tonk lesbian. I didnt actually mind it surprisingly.
Not bad
Too country-ish for my taste, but her voice makes for an additional star.
Country and loungey, reminded me of Elvis at points. This album was not bad, but I can't say much stood out to me.
favourite songs: black coffee, im down to my last cigarette great vocals, fun songs, nothing more nothing less.
6/10 decent country
Great voice. Standard style just ok
Hmm... I never got into K.D. Lang and now I understand why. I find her perfect as in capital P perfect for the role of lounge, jazz singer. And on occasion, beautifully, she does just that. But... But. For the most part she went with country western and rolled with it. Now. For me there are three styles of vocals in country music. The sultry, sexy, deeply country voice (swooner voice), the lively, also deeply country, twangy, no apologies hardcore "Nashville" style, OR, the "Taylor Swift sometimes does a country song" Pop/ country mixer voice. Great. Where does K.D. Lang fit into all this? Yeah, she doesn't. She is a jazz singer who for some reason went country but ... I just don't feel the vibe. Anyhow, she is "professional" and has a solid voice so sure...
corny but i liked it more than a lot of trash out there. this would be perfect for a mixed crowd in austin tx.
I had to look into the lore as to why this is a "must listen" album. I have to say, I'll agree it belongs on the list for k.d. lang absolutely demolishing the idea of what is a country star. This album is a really rich combination of country western and swing at the beginnings of stadium and pop country in the late 1980's. It sets itself apart from the rest but staying true to the genre while being a bit progressive to incorporate some jazz and rock influences as well.
Short but sweet. Easy listening and better than a lot of other crap that has been on here.
Ovo mi je prvi put da slušam album od k. D lsng znam samo par hitova i mislim da sam možda slušao neki kasniji. Dosta mi je ovo teatralno i slabašno
Bit slow for me & not my genre of choice but I have to much respect for k.d. lang to rate this lower than a 3
k.d.lang’s voice is a national treasure but great as this album is, it’s not the one. It isn’t Ingenue. It is a bridge between her cow pioneers and her torching reinvention. We are missing Ben Mink’s artistic direction and the selection of tunes to cover isn’t great. The Honky Tonk Angels bit is a testament to Lang’s pull and respect in Nashville. Surely Ingenue is amongst this list somewhere so even though I adore k.d. Lang, this one is only a three. One listen and move on. Ingenue has been in my rotation for 30 years.
Okay so I don't really like this either, (comparing to Sheryl Crow) but this sounds more talented and skillful. This feels more sophisticated than Crow. So I'll give her 3 stars for that and for the possibility that she might have other albums I could maybe find more palatable. 3 stars
This album took a while to grow on me. It's a bit country for my tastes, but Langs blue vocals eventually win me over. Favorite track was black coffee.
I liked it. It was good.
Alright, but I preferred Ingénue, which I also found through here.
She’s got a great voice and I preferred the cabaret songs more than the country ones, and could see adding some to a dinner party playlist.
3 - You know, the first time I saw this album cover, I was like, "that's a cute guy". But now I know that that's a cute lady! Lang has a great voice, and it oddly lends itself to even the most country of songs of this record. I do appreciate when this album steers away from the country sound, but I don't mind when it returns to it. I'm excited to listen to Ingenue and hear that amazing voice again.
A little overdone in spots.
Very honky with some appeal for non-honkies
Better than average country album. Not a classic.
kd lang has a beautiful voice. This album was 'ok' not one of her best but I still like to hear her.
Kinda interesting, but pretty slow 5.5/10
It was fine, not my favorite type of music 6.5/10
Not my favorite, but enjoyable and easy to listen to 6.5/10
Not my usual fare. This record has more country vibes than I would pick up on my own, but k.d. lang has a great voice and delivery. The music is easy on the ears. Each song takes its own sweet time. Honestly, the album feels longer than 36 mins for it. Given how old this record is it is obviously not as dialed into the cultural moment as Orville Peck but its arrangements and production also have a timeless quality that I can appreciate. A solid 3 stars.
I didn't realize KD Lang started out as country. Sounds like Patsy Cline which makes sense since it was her producer. This is the kind of country I like. Not something I'd usually listen to but not terrible either. Better than her AC stuff later on.
01) Western Stars - 8,0 02) Lock, Stock and Teardrops - 7,5 03) Sugar Moon - 6,5 04) I Wish I Didn't Love You So - 7,0 05) (Waltz Me) Once Again Around the Dance Floor - 7,0 06) Black Coffee - 7,0 07) Shadowland - 6,5 08) Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - 7,0 09) Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them - 7,0 10) I'm Down to My Last Cigarette - 7,0 11) Busy Being Blue - 7,0 12) Honky Tonk Angels' Medley - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,04 (70/100) She's a great vocalist but the songs she's singing are not something I would necessarily want to listen too again.
You know this is a revelation. Insert the old Buddy Rich at the hospital gag. Are you allergic to anything? yes country music. Pretty much describes my feelings, but the combination her voice, tasteful arrangements and a rock-solid song selection make this a solid three, probably 3.25 and I might even put it on the relisten pile.
Although not a fan of the country music tropes and styling, KD Lang is nonetheless amazing. Lock stock and teardrops is a beautifully crafted song. The singing and style of this album has a very strong throw-back sound to a lounge/dancing/crooning era and captures it quite well. But overall it does not appeal to me.
Something that would play in the background at graduation.
Love this. Lightweight, idiosyncratic melancholy country music from the 80s by an unpredictable, norm-defying artist. This was a pretty chill and enjoyable/mildly humorous album. Always interesting when people choose to use lower case in their names also, a strong statement. Fun stuff! Three stars.
Honestly cant remember this one too well but I think it was decent and I dont want to listen to it again
A female Chris Isaac - not really my bag but not really offensive to my ears in anyway. I’ll never listen again 3.0
Nice k.d. not her hit album but some gems here. If you are a fan, you will enjoy.
What a voice
What I expected
На контрасте с предыдущим инди, который местами звучал очень даже экспериментально и психоделично, было интересно вновь быстро окунуться в какое-то плюс-минус классическое написание песен. Я так понимаю, нам дали теперь женскую канадскую американу. Когда 51ый штат? Мелодично, очен бархатный голос у мадам. Хотя по обложке я думал, у нас будет молодой Элвис)) Тоже кстати хорошо к фильмам бы подошло, как мне кажется. Например, (Waltz Me)...
Oh that's some pretty nice gay blues. Feels oddly Christmassy. This is what Zooey Deschenel reckons she sounds like but doesn't quite.
Country meets crooner. Nothing standout to me but a good voice
I’ve been a fan of k.d. since the Absolute Torch and Twang album that was just one year after this. While clearly the song choices speak to a sub-genre, she has always been able to bring these old school sounds into a more popular market while at the same time embodying Patsy Cline. And her vocal control is masterful. Recognising this is probably a hard sell for most folks, you can’t deny her talent.
Some of it I really liked. Some of it felt to drag for me. Certainly a talent and I enjoyed listening to a style that isn’t typically on my playlist. 2.75/3
Now we have an answer to the age old question: what do lesbian cowgirls listen to after a rough breakup? This album is totally fine, but I def did not expect to see KD Lang on this list. But at the end of the day it’s easy on the ears and totally fine. 2.75/5
Du country qui selon moi ne se démarque pas tant de la majorité de ce que j'ai entendu. Ça se laisse écouter, mais je n'ai pas trouvé grand chose pour m'accrocher. 5/10
This sounds at least 20-30 years older than it actually is. Her voice is great, but apart from a few songs the album was pretty unmemorable. If it was actually 50s I'd enjoy it more I think. Stand-out: Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes
Not surprised to find this was produced by Patsy Cline’s producer. This could be a modern Patsy album. Great voice.
Easy listening music
Bruh
If you are looking for music to listen to while resting next to the fireplace during snowy January nights, this is for you. I listened to this while cleaning the bathroom. It did not work. My wife was mad at me for leaving the toilet halfway dirty. She was right. Then I played Slayer's Angel of Death during the second cleaning round. The toilet was so clean after that. Well, give k.d. land a try. She has a good voice.
Pretty cool country and blues!
It's pleasant.
Several covers, but a great voice.
A good kind of country.
Not bad. A lot more of a country feel than expected but maybe that's normal. I've only ever heard her songs with Tony Bennett before.
This is country. VERY country. I don't have the experience nor truly the preference to determine how or where this ranks in terms of older classics but to my ears it seems quite authentic in terms of voice, song structure, and arrangement. Which also seems impressive for 1988 when I'm guessing there was a strong early bent towards pop-country. Anyways, I don't really *like* it but it's quite obviously well-constructed and kd has a great voice for this which even as/for a non-country fan makes it a decent listen. TL;DR: Seems too high-quality to give less than a 3 and points for Canadian coolness. 6/10 3 stars.
I only really know KF Lang’d ‘Constant Craving’ so this was different from my expectations. Not bad, but different.
So country
Beautiful voice. Nice album
A little too country for me.
Country, pop. Bonita voz.
Oh the twang! Good music, but not for me.
Started pretty slow but actually turned out to be an album I enjoyed. Not that I would go out of my way to listen to it again but it had some nice songs with a kind of folky/country vibe which is not really what I thought of when I thought of k.d. lang. which gave me some new perspective. As far as debut albums go this is pretty solid.
I think I prefer k.d. lang's songs that are more pop than country, but I did overall enjoy this album. Though I don't love country music, there are some really good songs here, and k.d.'s voice is so good on everything. My favorite songs on the album are "Sugar Moon" and "(Waltz Me) Once Again Around the Dance Floor."
Shadowland, a.k.a. How 36 Minutes Can Seem Like An Eternity. It's just too much Country for my taste. 2.5/5
Cool woman sang mix of elivis presley, johnny cash, sinatra, marty robbins etc. Did enjoy. For the genre a 7/10
Not sure what I was expecting from the cover and title but it definitely wasn't country. It's interesting though. On the best tracks, it mixes in enough pop sensibilities to keep me interested.
Great vocals. Nice song choice of standards of country and western music . I'm not crazy about all the old time country songs and twangy guitar, but still a very nice album. Favorite tracks: Black Coffee, Shadowland 3/5
Erm… thanks k.d. ... nice Patsy Cline impression … erm… thanks…
hatsy cline
Ok
Great production, but too much twang for me
Great voice. Corny country. She’s like the original Brandi Carlisle, and only slightly because of you know what. I’d say the music feels like a Christmas album without the sleigh bells. It’s like that classic big band music, with some pedal steel. She has a knack for the slow stuff and this an enjoyable venture.
3 stars
She's got a nice voice. I vastly prefer the country incarnation to the comatose pop of Ingenue.
Not my type of thing, but OK.
Sad butch cowgirl jams. Not bad
Country, pop. Bonita voz.
was ok again, ill keep the 3 streak
Honestly thought it was a dude on the cover, so you can imagine my surprise when I heard the singing. Jokes aside, I think this had great vocals and was almost Leann Rimes-esque. Didn't resonate with me cause I'm generally not a lover of country music, but thought it was good. 7/10
Damn, this is very much country. Some songs like I "Wish I didn't love you so" also dip into Sinatra-esque traditional pop-easy listening-jazz-swing-big band. But then k.d. lang blasts you with southern country and whatever Honky-Tonky is again. Transports you right into an old dirty bar, places a whiskey in your hand and gives you a feeling of longing for the good ol' days. Surprisingly enjoyable. 3.5/5 | 7/10.
Great voice, but the album feels too long and drags on. 3/5
Sad cowboy kinda
Not the biggest country fan, but this isn’t terry
Western or country music doesn't do much for me. I liked Ingenue better, but this album was still short and sweet. I still liked the singer's voice plenty.
She's definitely a good singer, but I'd rather listen to other artists in the same vein. A bit unfortunate it's all covers as well.
Liked the bluesy songs
la fin de l'album, clairement meilleur que le début. Virer un peu plus jazz. Still not enough to save it 5.5/10
Elements of country at times, love ballads, a little bit of variety and a pretty voice make this a decent pop album that covers lots of older country work.
Turns out I know nothing about k.d. lang. I expected 'Constant Craving', but this is very different. Great singing, lush production, entirely forgettable.
Much different than “Constant Craving.” I was ready to hate it when it first started but I got more into it. Not my normal jam, and I’d need the right place and mood to want to listen again, but I did finally end up enjoying a lot of it.
This is great, and much better than I expected given her later work. If you like a bit of honky tonk and steel guitar (lap and pedal) this is for you. With added Loretta Lynn!
Not a bad singer, and if the mood takes you this could be a good listen, but country is just so depressing...
I did enjoy listening to this, but it didn't feel like it was really covering any new territory. It felt very much like throwbacks to classic female country and/or jazz standards artists.
The first couple tracks start off strong but it quickly declines around #6 or 7.
Une vraie bonne surprise
nice country song! made me feel like sandy cheeks in that one spongebob episode where she was singing with that cowboy hat
Nice sounds but a bit whiney for my taste, this genre is not my cup of tea at all kd has a great voice and that carries the album to some extent but to me its just background music, good for a BBQ maybe?
Enjoyable songs of heartbreak
Some decent slow dances and waltzes in here, but the brand of honkytonk that overuses the close harmonies is never going to be one I'm into. Best track: Western Stars
Not my thing at all, but good vocals and well produced. Bonus star for the photo of a young Frank Lampard on the cover 👍🏾
I think she has such a lovely voice and control... but at the end of the day it's a recording of kinda dusty old country standards.
KD has a lovely voice and I like the idea of Patsy Kline's producer stepping in and producing an album that highlights it. If you like female crooners, this album's right up there. I guess 1001 wasn't too interested in the Cow Punk KD that Stompin' Tom used to sing about.
Really into the atmosphere of this. The old-school sound combines with Lang's heavy, yearning voice for a dark, almost film noir vibe on many of the songs. It's somehow both devotedly old-school, with a sound straight out of the 1950s, and yet really off-kilter and unique in its context. The last song doesn't quite fit but is neat as a tribute to the singers who inspired it. Not for everyone, but I'm a fan. Best song: Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them