There's No Place Like America Today

Is it wrong that I masturbated for the entirety of this record?

Goddamn did this thing suck holy. Each song sounds like one of those sex songs that Chef sings in South Park. Only reason it gets a two is cause it was short and it was groovy ish I guess?

What a delightful album. It was an absolute joy to discover this. It makes the 1001 project worthwhile. There's a downbeat soul feel throughout. No so much Move on Up, but take a look down instead. Things are happening, and not all of them are good. This is an introspective album from Curtis. Sadly not a lot has changed in America half a Century later. Add in the odd love song, plus THAT voice and you have the perfect album. This is a companion piece for What's Going On. Amazing. And short!

This is Mayfield's "What's Going On". It's subtle yet effective in all the right ways. Fans of "Superfly" and his earlier works should be ready to slow it down. We're just gonna soak this music in and look around. Reflect for a moment. Yeah.

that was alright i suppose. didn't really have a standout track and the chances of me ever wanting to listen to this album again are incredibly slim. my opinion of curtis mayfield was higher than it is now i've listened to this album.

The vocalist sounds like someone is standing on his windpipe or smashed in his balls with a 9-iron. The music just isn’t interesting. It’s not ear screeching awful, it’s just bland and boring like eating white rice at retirement home. 3/10

Wild/sad that these themes are still so real in 2022. Solid listen.

There’s No Place Like America Today I’d not really heard of this album before, but I thought it was excellent; kind of sad and despairing with a haunted melancholy to the music and lyrics, but all tied together with that sweet, rich, warm voice. Billy Jack feels like the other side of Superfly, the sadness of an extinguished life, while the fantastic When Seasons Change feels like an ode to resilience, with that same sad undertow. So in Love feels like one of the few hopeful moments on the record. Musically I like Jesus alot, with that guitar in the chorus, but its overtly religiosity feels a bit overbearing. Blue Monday People is great, a snapshot of reality and futility. Hard Times tight groove is superb, symbolic of words and themes of hardening your heart in the face of tough times. Love to the People’s hints at upbeatness are cut through by the bleakness of the verses, but amplified by the chorus. The playing, particularly the bass and drums, is absolutely superb. Not overly showy, but tight and precise, augmenting and embellishing when necessary, and letting the songs breathe. I also love the really slowed down tempos, really intensifying the dispiriting themes and lyrics. This really got under my skin over repeated listens, it’s trading of immediacy and optimism for a spareness and a mournful tone working a slow kind of hypnosis. It was a 4 at first but after a few listens I can’t really think of a reason to not give it 5 - it’s a sad and sombre 35 mins of brilliantly played, fantastically sung, anguished mid-70s soul. 🪨🕒🪨🕒🪨

Three tracks in, and this album just oozes sex and anger, which is an enjoyable mix! The anger is masked behind the gorgeous arrangements, and is mixed with a hope that maybe we can do better in future. It's certainly lyrically ambitious. It's really good - but falls short of five stars for me. You know when something is so perfectly done you stop noticing it? Like good aircon or a comfy bed? This is the same - it's so musically tight it becomes hard to focus on the songs. A little bit more rawness and it'd be perfect. If that makes sense!?

Loved this funky and fun. I enjoy any kind of music like this tbh, sometimes it can get repetitive I guess but overall really enjoyed

Billy Jack immediately has my attention with a bass tone that is just a hook machine. This is such a groovable record, So In Love is a laid back R&B track with a pocket so deep you could fall in it. How do these R&B singers get this damn high?! Great minor colors on Blue Monday People. Fabulous album.

A fantastic album here, I love listening to it. The music is warm and soulful, full of beautiful arrangements and Mayfield's incredibly evocative songwriting. Mayfield's vocals are flawless, as always. His ability to convey broader social concerns in such quiet, personal terms is a gift that no one else has truly been able to match. For those of you puzzling over a track like "Jesus," I would point out that this is Curtis Mayfield here. There is always a strong underpinning of faith in his work, and this is where soul music comes from. If you enjoy that, I highly recommend checking out his other work, including with the Impressions. Fave songs: Billy Jack, Blue Monday People, So in Love

As if Prince did traditional soul music. Loved it.

Damn! This was a beauty!

Soulful, spiritual. Feels very mature, laid back, but tightly controlled. I'm not particularly spiritual, so I could do without "Jesus", but it's still a great album overall. Favorite tracks: "Love to the People", "Hard Times"

Hooked straight in due to that funky bass and guitar, then the vocals come in and daaamn what a combo. Another person I knew the name of but never listened to. I'm in a coffee shop and I can't sit still, such a vibe. Unfortunately none of the other songs hit that high for me, but they were still soulful as hell. Love to the People may be my 2nd fav. This Wiki anecdote is worth noting: "On August 13, 1990, Mayfield became paralyzed from the neck down after stage lighting equipment fell on him while he was being introduced at an outdoor concert at Wingate Field in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. Afterwards, though he was unable to play the guitar, he continued to compose and sing, which he found he could do by lying down and letting gravity pull down on his chest and lungs." Gotta admire that dedication.

Billy Jack is the easy standout here, but, overall, a highly enjoyable slab of soul and funk.

Meh....

Boy I hated this

i don't live in america so whatsoever

My initial thought upon listening to the album today is "how does anyone not like, or even love this?" It was funky and soulful and sexy and serious. I suppose maybe if someone is an avowed atheist they might not agree, but even then you could shake your ass to the song Jesus and ignore the lyrics. Clearly I enjoyed this album very much. I loved his singing throughout, and there wasn't a song I found disinteresting at all in some way or another. Standouts for me were Billy Jack, So in Love, and Love to the People, but again the rest were very good rather than awesome. That's one hell of an album cover too. Fifty years later and sadly nothing's changed.

Great album. I love these influential albums that I’m not familiar with but have inspired so many other great artists.

Music is good when it sounds good and this sounds good like good music

Another fine album from Mr Mayfield. I am a real fan.

Soulful and tight. Nice short album that has a lot to say in the most beautiful way.

Conoscevo Curtis Mayfield solo di nome, probabilmente citato come ispirazione da qualche artista. Cazzo che m'ero perso! Questo album è una bomba. Quasi tutti i pezzi mi hanno praticamente ipnotizzato dall'inizio alla fine per l'eleganza degli arrangiamenti, i testi e la composizione raffinata e disordinata al punto giusto. La voce di Mayfield fa impressione e spesso basta quasi da sola a reggere 4 minuti di pezzo. La cosa che mi ha colpito di più forse è quanto questo disco suoni moderno per essere un disco del '75. La produzione della voce sembra quasi pop contemporanea e anche a livello compositivo mi ricorda l'RnB moderna e artisti tipo The Weeknd o Labrinth. Per me è un 4.5 che non raggiunge il 5 solo per Jesus che è un po' debole rispetto agli altri e il fatto che ogni pezzo finisce in fade e te lo fa sembrare incompleto con le orecchie di oggi. Comunque grande scoperta da approfondire!

J'ai un peu surnoté cet album mais il est ici question de la survie de notre espèce

Well, I tried. Several times. It's just not connecting. He is just not connecting. Lyrics appear and then slide off. I like the bass riffs and the arrangements but it's not feeling like my music. The vocals, sliding and tremulous, high and delicate with strength and substance, but still, not for me. Thanks. 2 stars.

This isn't really the genre for me -- much of this music sounded the same to me.

Was a bit jazzy and depressing

Yeah, There's No Place Like America Today is not a good album at all even though it was dealt some decent cards. The instruments used were okay but the composition was so poor that it made the songs feel incredibly disorganized. Curtis's voice would be okay if it were used with better compositions but it was not. Some of the songs also went on for too long so that didn't help the matter either. This is a bad album no doubt but look on the bright side, there is nowhere to go but up from here (unless i get another bad album) Best Song: Love to the People Worst Song: Jesus

Didn't expect to be so bored by this

Meh. Boring. Slow.

After the first song, which I liked, I had high hopes for this, but it just plodded along. And didn't go anywhere in particular. Shame as he does have a nice voice and don't mind some of his stuff. Surely the albums 'Curtis' or 'Superfly' would have been better choices? Just a 1 for this. Sorry Curtis and I hope the lighting engineer is still feeling guilty.

boring

Totally not my genre!

This was interesting but not retuning for more

Hugely appreciate this guy and his wonderful voice. This didn’t disappoint. Powerful lyrics and warm melodies combining in a really special album special topped off with a great album cover taken from the famous photo by Margaret Bourke-White.

Hell yeah

FINALLY SOME FCKING MOTOWNz. this shit fucking is a masterpiece. he was literally so sick with it here, would deffo listen again. and again.

Enjoyed this one!

Curtis Mayfield was an amazing soul singer. My favorite on this album is Love To The People. I really enjoyed this one

maybe i do follow jesus

That's what I'm here for - discovering an absolute banger!

I should sample the drummer.

So in Love 🐐

Just love the Curtis vibe. 7.5 Fav track: Hard Times Least fav: Blue Monday People

gorg very soulful

J'aime toujours la soul, mais Superfly me semblait vastement supérieur. Ici, on est plus dans l'introspection, c'est plus doux, les arrangements sont plus simples. C'est bien mais moins marquant.

So funky Love the opening track. Like this a a lot. Solid rhythm section back there and really cool guitar and brass. Great voice. Strong 4 stars

I need more Curtis Mayfield in my life. These albums possess a certain amount of cool, funk, and gospel that takes you right back to the 1970's no matter when or where you listen from. I love it. There's No Place in America is right next to Superfly. Top tracks: Billy Jack, Jesus, Hard Times

Soulful as hell. Don't worry, Curtis! Since the release of this album, America has ironed out all of the harsh realities of economic hardship and inequality, racism, etc. Albums like this are no longer necessary, since we've gotten figured everything out.

funky asfff. wtf re buena primera impresion me encanta lo sonidos asi funkysticos, esos synthessss con las baterias, esa especie de minimalismo, en sentido de que todo tiene su lugarsito y habla poco pero habla cuando tiene que hablar. FUCK, love at first sight. Likes: TODAS

Excellent album de soul, je dois me pencher sur ce style !!

As with the previous Curtis Mayfield album on the list, the smooth sexy style isn't entirely my cup of tea. But this is clearly great, love the anger and the political message, and the style is growing on me.

Heard Before? Nope. Notes: - I'm happy to live in a world where vocals like this get coded as masculine. Oh lord, give me the voice of Curtis Mayfield. - Was not expecting a full-bore gospel soul number. for me, a pleasant surprise. - potentially the driest, most spacious production I've ever heard, perfectly fitting with arrangements that thrive on restraint. - love the hand drums! - seven patient, drawn out songs that nonetheless take on a wide variety of moods and themes. impressive. Verdict: Supremely soulful, yet not a note out of place. Tight but with serious flair, like some sweet 70s bell bottoms. Listen Again? Oh yeah. And I've already queued up Super Fly.

Billy Jack is a jam of an opener. When Seasons Change is so soulful. An enjoyable enough ride straight through. Maybe not as captivating as Super Fly, but solid no less. I think this falls along the high 3 low 4 boundary for me.

Another absolutely funktastic filled album for a straight 35 minutes. Albums like these will never cease to be awesome

Damn Billy Jack is so soulful. If this keeps up we got another 5 on our hands. Unfortunately didn't keep up completely, but still very solid and a great listen.

Just an absolute delight for a beautiful fall Friday. 4/5

Smooth vocals and light funk and soul underscore these tunes to show that there's something lurking in the depths of the US. Best Tracks: Billy Jack; When Seasons Change; So in Love

The voice is wonderful. Gentle, rich, warm. Lyrically curious, with a meandering nature. The music is quite wonderful; the flow through the whole album makes it seem like an extended jam session, with the focus moving from instrument to instrument. Totally relaxed and yet tight and on the groove.

A warm, embracable album, quite odd from such a politicised disc. Indeed, the juztaposition between the bitterness of the lyrics and the smoothness of the music works rather well. I was not persuaded, however, by the song Jesus: is religion really the most reliable panacea? It didn't really work on What's Going On, and it doesn't really work on this. Also, perhaps a little too short? Curtis Mayfield already had a fistful of classic albums, so he could afford himself a little space to experiment and indulge. Still, a solid album by a true great.

Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Decent. Less likely to revisit this vs. some of the other 70s Soul/R&B albums I've listened to so far.

that voiiiiiceeeee

Bad music

Sorry, this was just annoying to listen to. Gave me a headache as well. I don’t really get why anyone has given it a good score. I liked the first 30 seconds. Not for me

🥴

One star for Curtis Mayfield’s amazing falsetto, but that’s all I can manage to give. It’s like warmed-over mid-morning funk leftovers.

It sounded very empty, like there wasnt much going on. Wasnt a fan of the vocals either

Mmmh

Koukuton, ohut, tuntuu kahden tunnin mittaiselta vaikka kestää 30 minuuttia, jne.

Tefrfg

Oh shoot? It's Curtis Mayfield! This one may be a little bit shorter in nature, but I still do have thoughts about it! I'm listening right now, and I'll be giving them live. I haven't heard this one before, I know the Superfly and that's about it, but this absolutely gives the Chicago vibes it's supposed to. The first song feels less suave cop charmer and more a lament of an old life. Gosh, this has a whole lot of sauce though. Yeah, no. I'm a hundred percent here for this. I've save when seasons change and so in love into my personal playlsts. The instrumentation in this is great! This is an album that I'm really glad I have a nicer audio setup for. That E-Organ has so much character to it, the horns are are so together it sounds like one instrument rather than a section, and the rhythm team are so tight. Often with these kinds of albums, there's a little bit of spirituality built in and the spirit isn't lost on me, even if I have my own reactions off worship music. Hey, it beats listening to Jesus People or whatever contemporary worship music is out there today, if it's this dulcet, I think I can handle it. Overall ratings: Album Rating: 84/100 Familiarity Rating: 1/5 Favorite Song: So in Love Most Famous Song: So in Love Least Favorite Song: Jesus

There's No Place Like America Today.

Amazing. Clearly inspired Prince to Prince it up. No notes

Fabulous

No self titled Curtis? This is magnificent mind

Hier heb ik heel geduldig op gewacht.

genuinely perfect

Classic

This sort of thing is right up my alley by default. Add in Mayfield playing guitar the whole time and you got an easy 5.

Some really beautiful, fragile-sounding songs mixed with wonderful grooves. This is an album I think I’ll keep coming back to over and over.

Powerful!

What a fantastic album. You can hear this man’s influence through out American music in the decades to follow. Prince? Funk, Soul, R&B, Disco. Rhythmic beats, funky bass, soulful guitar and vocals. The use of the wah-wah pedal guitar is classic and blend in some saxophone…love it. It got me moving and I didn’t even notice it, the music moved me.

Second Mayfield spinner in a week. And it's another banger. Great rhythms, fabulous storytelling, and that voice again. Accidentally docked a star for Superfly so if I could give this 6 I would. 5*

Fuck this album is so good. I was hooked from song one and then through every song after that. Curtis mayfields voice sounds like an angel and his lyrics seem like poetry. I’m so fucking with it. Favorite Song: Jesus (which is crazy cause I’m a Jew)

Favorite track: So In Love

Älskar Curtis! Man hör tydligt att D’angelo och gänget inspirerats svinmycket av det här groovet, sångstilen och sättet att jobba med stämmor. Aldrig lyssnat på det här albumet tidigare men blev golvad rakt igenom. ”Jesus ”, vilken jävla låt!

Es suave pero el nivel de avance. Pareciera que escucharas algo nuevo. No del 74'. Me da vibes de Childish Gambino pero como su referencia. Me gusto

Feels like summer and golden hour

Me encantó TODO el álbum. 💿. Agregué todas las canciones a mi playlist. Esto es música.

Vibes too smooth, vibes too lethal

deeply stylish and completely in the pocket. perhaps lacks a bit of innovation over the runtime, but that feels like complaining about a discount on something you needed to get anyways.

Quel plaisir ! Des vibes de Prince ? en tout cas on se régale

Hermoso sonido.

t amo curtis

Excellent

Amazing album! So funky and so sad The goat

yeah no notes