Tracy Chapman

Very good record, wish the instrumentation was a bit less poppy.

FanTASTISKT album! De tre inledningslåtarna - Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Fast Car, och Across the Lines - är en öppning som få folkalbum klår! Mycket samhällskommenterande och sociopolitisk kritik i texterna, vilket alltid gillas, känns mer angeläget och viktigt då. Baby Can I Hold You har tydligen gjorts en del kända covers på, men den är tyvärr sådär, för mycket 80-tals powerkärleksballad. Det ~lilla~ bottennappet följs dock upp av idel bra låtar, främst Mountains o' Things, She's Got Her Ticket, For My Lover, och For You. Otvivelaktigt förtjänar detta album en kanoniserad plats i folkmusiken i synnerhet, men även i musikhistorien i allmänhet. Bästa låt: Fast Car, fempluslåt.

Great songs. I never appreciated how complete of an album this is. Added to my list of vinyl to look for.

This is pretty listenable

Singer-songwriter albums typically aren't my thing, but this is a solid album nonetheless.

Was really excited to listen to this album. Fast Car is one of the greatest songs ever, but I really enjoyed the rest of it too. Will definitely listen again!

Really enjoyed the conscious lyricism here. Tracy Chapman has a great voice with a lot of subtle, gentle soul.

Great storytelling with deep, personal lyrics delivered with strong vocals and compelling music.

The pain in her voice is so powerful and transcendent. She captures the darkness in America’s racism and it’s truly depressing to see how short we’ve fallen since this came out almost 35 years ago. We haven’t changed much, and this album’s message still hits so damned hard. What a fantastic piece of real and sharp art.

Quite a few on here I had forgotten about. Folky, but I like it.

Absolutely beautiful. Almost brought me to tears

Very good commentary on racial justice that still applies. Great story telling. Surprise a cappella too so that’s cool. Short ~36min. Would listen to again. Solid 8/10

Wonderfully raw but beautiful album. Sadly the topics she sings about are as relevant today as when she wrote them 30 years ago. 4.5

4/5

love Tracy

In its best moments, this record is a powerful, personal, and haunting examination of social issues. Champan's distinctive vocals and unique perspective carry the day, like on "Fast Car", "Behind the Wall" and "For My Lover". It also feels like a super against-the-grain record to be released in 1988 and seems to have cast a long shadow. But there are a few times where the production choices are cloying or Chapman's incisive perspective feels flattened into platitudes (most jarringly on "Why?"). Definitely an essential album, but there's a few aspects that make me hesitate before giving it a perfect five. Favourite songs: "Fast Car", "Behind the Wall", "For My Lover"

Good voice, good tracks. Fast Car is a fantastic song of course. Don't think I'll listen to more, but very nice for one time.

ok Fast Car is actually phenomenal and I really like this album. 4 cause the songs sound a little similar sometimes but this was quite good Saved: Fast Car, Baby Can I Hold You For My Lover

Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Fast Car, Across the Lines, Mountains O'Things Cutting Edge: Baby Can I Hold You, Why? Overall Notes: Didn't think I would like this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. Her voice just sounds super authentic and it sounds like she means everything she sings, even if it was a little preachy at times. Has a timeless sound, wouldn't have been surprised if it was released anytime between the 70s and the 2010s. I'd heard bits of Fast Car before but hadn't realized how amazing that song is.

Pretty pretty pretty good

Very good! This is what good acoustic music sounds like to me! And more women!

Nice easy listen with a few classics to enjoy!

4/5

Great voice with folk-style social justice lyrics, every song has a story to tell.

👍 curti

Great album. It remembers me my High school years

Brilliant

Her voice is so rich and clear.

This album was so popular, and the songs so good, that it's kinda become part of the cultural cosmic background radiation, right? Fave track - "Talking 'bout a Revolution" maybe, but there's a lot of great tracks...

Taugt mir sehr

Läuft immernoch im Radio Talking about a revolution, fast car wurde gecovert lmao krass

Great album, pure and uncompromising. I remember listening to this after it came out, when I was young and optimistic that real change was possible. It was and still is inspiring, even if I've grown more jaded and cynical over the years. 4 stars.

An all time favorite

Nice to bring this one back! Never listened to it the full way through and didn’t know it was an 80s album!

Very nice! Different than what I'm used to listen but really liked.

I adore Fast Car and I'm so glad I finally listened to this album. Phenomenal.

This album feels like it influenced a lot of the 90’s and it’s amazing how it is still super relevant now. Couldn’t believe that it came out in 88.

very good album. gently delivering powerful lyrics and does not pull any punches on social issues. great songs: fast car, behind the wall

Classic

Solid album

Damn so good. Starts off so strong and does seem to lose a little steam. So many vibes in this album and they're all good. Fast Car is amazing

Simple but effective and affective. Nice and pleasant to listen to but razor sharp in its focus. This Aussie gives it four bars of cherry ripe out of five.

canciones relajantes bastante buno fave across the lines

Poignant lyrics and soulful music, worth a listen.

Undervurdert, men syk stemme

Really interesting album. Showed me TC was more than just Fast Car. Off to a good start

I drive a fast car too!

nice one

Honestly, I'm guessing this album has most of her really good songs, but overall it was a nice listen

Very good album

Enjoyed the listen, powerful messaging. Beautifully soft melodies with quiet guitar and hypnotizing drums. Enjoyed it a lot, 7/8.

Folky, a good album

Lol

I really love Tracy Chapman. Her voice is very distinctive. And her lyrics are very powerful...behind the wall makes my cry every tyme.

Solid album. I’m really glad that I listened to it.

um clássico, muito bom

özeldi

This was way better than I ever thought it would be. While it is an 88 album, I can only think of the 90s when I listen to it. It reminds me of childhood and listening to the radio with my ma.

Listen to those lyrics.

Beautiful singing and lyrics, and some great instruments. Very good album.

Pretty good

Not bad but not for me

Good songs and good singer. Just not something I would listen to much.

Assez jazz, voix tres particulière et masculine, percussion folk mais redondant. Decalage entre l’engagement dans la musique et la musique en elle meme. 3 grammy pour un premier album

This immediately reminded me of Hootie & The Blowfish and then the rest of the album did not. I also did not know that Fast Car was a Tracy Chapman song. It's clear she wants to spread a powerful message with everything she writes. Not an album I would revisit but definitely an album everyone should listen to so it's clear why it is included on this list.

Tbc. Best when it's at its most stripped back - not so keen on the cod reggae one.

meh

Nice in many ways, and I felt bad that I wasn't enjoying it more! But this sort of thing isn't really for me. A good version of what it wants to be, though!

Liked it more than I thought I would.

An achingly beautiful voice, well crafted songs, an unerring sense of melody but…… it just lacked something for me. It’s a one trick album, the trick itself is great but still a little singular. Fast car is heartbreaking every time though

Very good album. Obviously ‘Fast Cars’ is the star of the album. There are other good songs as well. Solid and enjoyable run!

הלחנה טובה!

Some fun throwback vibes and a bit unusual.

Fast Car

sadly despite two of best songs, this as a album is just a let down. 3 stars but barely

3

Top 10 most androgynous people ever?

Oh how I hated this album when it came out but these days I can hear how well written these songs are. Only complaint is that they all sound the same, a little more variation would be welcome.

she kinda shot herself in the foot having fast car on here because the rest of the tracks just pale in comparison

Talkin Bout a Revolution and Fast Car are excellent. The rest is pretty good, overproduced 80s folk.

I JUST rated Joan Armatrading on her inspiring the 90's folk scene... and it turns out Tracy Chapman was late 80's.

Slow relaxing music, a break from typical mainstream

There was a lot of depth to this music, but it wasn’t my personal favorite genre of music so for that reason and that reason only I’m gonna have to give it a three out of five I think she’s a phenomenal artist but not my style music

Talkin' Bout a Revolution - I liked it, however i don't think its my vibe. Fast car - Obviously this song is like childhood, its very nostalgic Across the lines - Important message being said about violence, race and segregation Behind the wall - I like that theres no backing music, its only her voice and I think it amplifies the message she's trying to portray. Baby can i hold you - I like it, the yearning, the heartbreak and the vulnerability Mountain O' Things - She's got her ticket - I like the bass, drums and the guitar its very catchy. It feels freeing like the song. Why? - "Love is hate, war is peace, No is yes, We're all free" This songs going on my playlist For my lover - I like it. If not now... - I like the piano intro at the start. I like it, its like a war against yourself, you keep promising stuff and then you don't follow through. She's saying if you don't act now then when are you going to do it because ultimately the more you wait, the more you are going to keep waiting. For you - "But with feelings this strong, i'm no longer the master og my own emotions" Overall, it's an enjoyable album, however its not for me, it's not something I would listen to every day, maybe once in a while. 3/5

Sorry I misgendered you when I was young. Now that I've got that out of the way, the good news is my mum listened to this album loads, so it's a staple to me and I know it well. Even loaded with family nostalgia, listening back I have a few problems and a few likes. Clearly, it's all about the unique vocals, you can't dispute that, and they largely take centre stage for the most part. I do protest slightly that it follows a bit of a pattern. The biggest issue which only just avoids being terminal for me is that there is a little 'folk crazy old cat lady' about it on odd occasions, which sours it slightly. In the end, it's a reasonable album that takes the vocals and eeks every last commercial drop out of them, which is equally as impressive as it is a shame. Wouldnt it have been nice to have some more musical depth.

This is a tough one because on the one hand you have the most mundane, simplistic, and formulaic music. Like literally terrible. The first song has four chords and a four note bassline, and not only that, is such a predictable and uninspired interval that I genuinely got bored after the intro. The rest of the album had the same pattern, what you think is a simple little intro is actually just the entire song. The same four bars repeated over again. This really is GCSE music levels of song-writing, the only respite being the fully acapella "Behind the Wall". On the other hand, she has a fantastic, unique voice and delivery which carries the whole album. The lyrics are deep and considered she puts just enough small motifs into her singing to make it interesting without being over the top. She really is a joy to listen to. So if, like me, you are a lyrics last listener you will probably find nothing in the music at all that hooks you in. If you are music agnostic and go for voice and meaning, I can see how this album would be wonderful. I really hope she had the benefit of better songwriters later in her career, because that voice is a gift...

Listened with James driving

Never listened. Expectations: Mid - Verdict: Good - Talkin' Bout A Revolution is a strong opener and is followed by Fast Car which is a generational anthem. Behind The Wall is a great little song. Unfortunately while I like her voice and the songs are decent I just find the album slightly lacking in range which holds it back a bit. Why? is a highlight of the second half and For My Lover is alright.

"Tracy Chapman" by Tracy Chapman is good contemporary folk debut album. The album is very simple with wonderful vocal performance and ability by Chapman. The lyrics deals with her political and social content. "Fast Car" is the main highlight track from the album. Others tracks I love are "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" and "Baby Can I Hold You". There is some tracks I find weak are "Behind the Wall", "She's Got Her Ticket" and "For You". I found this album to be just a normal and less quality than other albums. Overall good album by Tracy Chapman

3.0

Lovely voice but not enough variation in pitch and volume. Some arrangements feel very dated. But Fast Car can almost carry the album by itself.

you're getting three stars

This album reminds me of when I moved up here, in July of 1988, and my first few years up here - a time of hope and possibility in my life, and this album seemed to fit in with (and be a small part of) that. I still have a tape of this album that I made back then - from Rick, maybe? But what really stand out, for me, are the 1st 2 tracks, which are excellent, and were (improbably? - or so it felt, at the time, I remember) hits, and which totally bring back the feeling of being in my mid/late 20s, and new to Chicago, and at a time of big change(s) in my life, and hope for big (and positive) changes in my country, after 8 years of Reagan. As for the album as a whole, it's good, but I do have to say that the other 9 tracks, for me (and, I suspect, most people) aren't at the same level as the 1st 2. Which is why I think I have to give the album a solid/high 3 stars, rather than 4 (it's close, though, and is another one where it feels like, on a different day, I might have given it 4 stars. But, just as it feels like I should be parsimonious with 5-star ratings, I feel that I should also be at least somewhat stingy in giving 4 stars. Just had another thought: panning out a bit, Tracy Chapman fits in (loosely) with other women folk-influenced singers from around the same time (who I also liked), including Suzanne Vega, Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs), and the Indigo Girls. Suzanne Vega and 10,000 Maniacs I'd already discovered before I left NYC in 1987; Tracy Chapman and the Indigo Girls came shortly after. All are part of my internal late-80s (and early 90s) soundtrack.

I appreciate that she has an important message to deliver in most of these songs. There is empathy, feeling behind the lyrics and singing. Unfortunately, the production is more average. Once again confirming that I don't like typical 80's music

Variable quality. You can see why Fast Car was the enduring song.

When she does protest songs, she does them beautifully. She writes lyrics that paint a picture of woe and despair and hope. When she switches over to love songs they come across shallow and romanticized next to the protest songs. She has an amazing voice and an obvious desire and ability to use it. The activist songs are great. The love ballads are ok but sung beautifully. The minimalist coffee shop folk approach works brilliantly with her voice. I can understand why this record was a big hit.

Was actually kinda looking forward to listening to this one, given the genres (Folk, heartland rock, etc.), but unfortunately it ended up being a little too rootsy for my tastes, I guess? I don't know a better way to describe it, but I'm just not feeling it. Fine album, not really doing anything bad, but yeah.

Amazing but not really my style

Not a bad little album but not something I’d ever listen to again though.

I liked the review that described his definition of secretary rock. It reminds me of another person who I saw define Matrix music. That is music that works specifically in the Matrix franchise. It's not just late 90s electronica, but a sound and energy that works with that universe. This album and that definition of secretary rock feels spot on. I'm no secretary in actually or musical taste. But that's not to say this isn't good. It really is. Not something I'll follow back up on, but lovely, warm singer songwriter goodness filled this album. A safe 3 star

1. 4.5 2. 5 3. 4 4. 3.5 5. 4 1. 4.5 2. 3 3. 4.5 4. 4 5. 4 6. 4

Its fine. Production is a little too adult contemp for me

I thought this album was really good but it also didn’t blow me away Very solid 3.5/5 Favorites: fast car, talkin about a revolution, why?,

Some great writing. Just not something I want to listen to often.

1988 was weird year. All the early 80s Pop, New Wave and Metal was falling off in favor of something more honest and authentic. Along comes Tracy Chapman. Authentic, earnest, sincere… folk rock? What do you know? Powerful voice. Fast Car and Baby Can I Hold You are clear winners. 3.6

A beautiful album by a very shy artist who should have been a bigger. Fast Car defined Tracy but may have been a millstone?

A good album, I liked Talkin' Bout A Revoultion and Fast Car the most.

Tracy sounds insanely good, especially in 26, but her lyrics has no chance to catch my attention.

Ну такое кантри

Chapman's vocals are absolutely the focus here, and they're amazing. They work really well with the instrumentation too, which makes for some amazing and emotional songs, like Fast Car of course. However, I did find quite a few of the songs just a bit too sparse and repetitive to really grab me in. It just became a bit boring, but in isolation I think all of the songs are pretty amazingly written and performed.

Zwischen 3 und 4 Sternen bei mir. Die Stimme finde ich bemerkenswert.

p593. 1988. 3 stars. Pedestrian background music for late 80's cheese and wine parties. Good voice and a handful of decent songs, but it's all same paced and lyrically naive.

5.5/10

a good album - not all for me, but enjoyable

Really entertaining listen, albeit with some weak cuts. She’s got a wonderful voice. A lot more good cuts on this album than I expected. A pleasant surprise all around.

3.5/5

First Impression: I liked her voice it is quite soothing to me. The album itself was ok, surprised to find the original Fast Car. Most songs were pretty good, although Baby Can I Hold You Tonight was a bit sappy for my taste. I found Behind the Wall really interesting, along with Across The Lines, and For My Lover. Favourite Track: Fast Car (most familiar track so it scratches my brain in all the right places) One Sentence: Carried by a beautiful mellow voice, Chapman's album is very insightful and full of compassion. Will I Revisit? Possibly

First two tracks are the obvious standouts, rest of the album was fine with no obvious 3rd place. Its definitely best listened to in a very specific mood, but revisitable nonetheless.

good, not rly my vibe tho

Noice

Oh this takes me back. I used to listen to Tracy's selftitled album a lot in the early 00s

Strong lyricism and the voice of someone who has seen things and the pain sticks with them. Not my usual cup of tea but can't deny the poet.

More about the lyrics and message than the actual music

There are some strong songs here, and Chapman’s Armatrading-esque voice showcases them well. I’ve always been a bit sceptical of protest songs—they’re generally better at whingeing than bringing about actual change, and history has not exactly vindicated Chapman’s hopes for social progress. Still, the melodies are solid.

Unique voice

Vond zijn stem irritant op een gegeven moment.

Vakuuttava alku, mut kokonaisuus kävi vähän yksipuoleiseksi. Ei ollu missään vaiheessa huono, mut vähän liikaa samaa midtempolällyilyä. Teksteissä tuntu olevan hyvää juttua, joten ne ehkä kaipais tarkempaa tutkimista.

Starts with two all time great songs. But as it go on, begins to feel a bit repetitive, and none of the songs in the second half really stand out as much as the first couple.

Mooie singer-songwriter plaat 3,5

Lots of good songs, but just not a "I'm going to listen all the time album".

this is so early 2000s coffee shop, so nostalgic and warm.

I gotta admit, while several songs (Fast Car, Talkin’ Bout…, For My Lover) still punch, many of them come across as facile or simple. The lyrics sound naive and the melodies are a bit drawn out and repetitive. Maybe it’s the passing of time. Maybe other artists took the baton and ran it further. Chapman’s pitch-perfect voice still carries these songs a long way, of course. And I still listen. She just doesn’t have the impact she did in ‘88. But she grew, and changed. We all did.

if you’re like southern but have emotions, fast car is probably the only good one that got me to cry, its rare i get to cry so yeah

It was fine

Chapman’s voice truly just yanks on my heartstrings every single time.

Tracy Chapman you’re a little too Tracy Chapman for me.

Nice enough but not really my thing.

3 not really my cup of tea however i can see why people like this i kinda liked this too :P

Nice, pleasant music, not real change in pace or energy to hold my attention.

Alright music. Not sure I would've realized it was a female singer on a few of the tracks.

A couple flashes of standout tracks here but definitely a similar design on most of these songs which creates a bit of a boring effect on the B side of the album. I also don’t find her writing particularly moving. This is especially true on tracks that are supposed to be the “best” on the album. The writing feels immature. Perhaps it’s the love of Dylan in me that’s making me jaded but the lyrics lack depth. I think of a song like “North Country Blues” from him that SHOWS me something rather than simply telling me how to feel. The whole album sounds like a student who just read the communist manifesto for the first time. This is especially true of “Talking About a Revolution.” It’s too bad because I like the tune, but just can’t get past the lyrics. Ironically the track that seems to break the framework of the rest of the album the most “Mountain O’Things” is probably my favorite.

For You

enjoyable

It's nice, if a little morose. Was a unique sound within popular music at the time. It was certainly new to me back then. However there's a lot of other stuff from that era that I prefer.

I remember having it in cassette,was in the navy back then ,3.5 /5 for me .

I randomly bought this a few years ago - I think because I liked Fast Car - and its a great song that showcases her voice wonderfully. The other two big singles are very strong also : Talkin’ Bout a Revolution and Baby Can I Hold You Tonight. Unfortunately the rest of the album is pretty forgettable and bad eighties production.

I kind of wanted to like it more but was still good!

This record is not really my speed, but it’s hard to pick it apart too hard from a quality standpoint. The lyrics are not really resonant with me so much, but they’re not dumb. The music I’m actually kind of into (sort of Toad the Wet Sprocket-esque at points). I kind of appreciate Tracy’s unique vocal quality. I understand why this record could be included here, even if it’s not really what I’m into. 7/10

nice singer-songwriter record. great $1 bin find

pretty solid

Lidt ligegyldigt

An album I want to love more than I do. Those first few songs are incredible, total classic material, but the second half of the record is weirdly forgettable. But it’s got “Fast Car,” and that’s a hell of a win.

Not a big fan

A few pleasant ditties, but it's no that good.

Ok

fav songs: fast car sincere, polished, thoughtful 50/100

Very pretty sounding music, but not for me.

My first thoughts were, "this is the lady that did Fast Car" and "I think this is gonna be pure, acoustic folk." The first one was right, the second one, not so much. Interesting how the next few songs after Fast Car fell squarely in the 80s pop sound. I really like the vibe of the opening track and hoped for an album that had a similar vibe, but it ended up turning into that Suzanne Vega record I had a few months ago.

Such a voice and talent. Very chill album.

Chapman's got a great voice. Fast Car is a damn tear-jerker. Sincere music. Not bad at all.

Listening session: may 18th, while crocheting Listened to before: listened to one song before Thoughts: Tracy Chapman has got a great voice and Fast Car will forever be iconic, but this wasb’t anything more than just enjoyable for me Favourite tracks: Fast Car, Baby Can I Hold You & For You

It's decent but not that exciting

Had this ablum back in the day. Its well written, string olayers, well produced. But its always been a bit meh for me.

beautiful voice, touching lyrics, but i struggled with the music. i can understand why this is a special album, and i'm kind of sad that it's not really my cup of tea

No sabía que Fast Car era de él. Me gustó bastante el álbum.

As pleasant as it ever was

3.5 An incredible voice, obviously, “Fast Car” IS a perfect song. It’s kinda wild to see how wildly influential Chapman has been to modern artists, her legacy has only grown over time. That being said, I mostly don’t LOVE the songs in the first half (“Fast Car” notwithstanding). I think the songwriting opens up in the second half, but I find some of the “issue” songs a little clumsy and on-the-nose, but I’ll also readily admit not a ton of artists were writing truthfully about stuff like that at the time.

One of those albums I dismissed when it was released, mainly because my parents liked it, but listening to it now I actually quite enjoyed this. Perhaps a little bit too much like polite middle-class dinner party music, but that has its place.

Not totaly my thing, but I can see how people love it and how it deserves to be on this list. 3

She is talented. very talented. not my speed.

Enjoyed this and listened through twice.

[NEVER LISTENED BEFORE]

Really like first two songs. I wish I liked more of rest. Very solid 3 star

It's high time we all stopped listening to fast car

muy buen álbum tranquilo que tiene todas las vibras a los 80

A capa é ruim, mas a música compensou.

Some great themes here, and interesting voice. Can't really see revisiting it though.

meu irmao nao vou mentir, so tem uns 3 bangers nessa porra, e um puta album forte com um tema empactante pra caramba, mas nao fez o estilo do papai aqui, 7/10 pela força que tem nesse album, mas NO BANGER!!!

Buenas melodias.

She alright

This came out in 1988 but no shiny production, no overload, just a voice, a guitar and honest songs. Tracy Chapman sounds completely sincere, but after a while, the same calm, clean tone can feel a bit flat emotionally.

me gustó, cuenta una historia que me pareció muy gringa pero el man canta bien y los temas están bacanitos

Obviously Fast Car is a masterpiece in itself. Tracy Chapman sings about all the problems she sees in the world, from domestic abuse to racism to sexism. I personally found Behind the Wall to be pretty powerful. Mountains O' Things was one track that stuck with me for whatever reason. I don't know that I have ever heard another song take on our consumer society in that way, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I felt like throughout the rest of this album I found myself feeling bored. I am not sure if the quality dropped off, or I can just listen to so much Tracy Chapman, but I didn't find myself enjoying it at the end. I found For You to be very weak compared to the rest of the release. However, don't let this take away from the brilliance that this album opens up with.

aarrrgghhhh i respect her SO much and i was READY to give this 5 stars but it's just sailing past me. IM SORRY TRACY

Certainly nice, easy listening but a bit "soft" more me.

Fast Car is good, the rest isn't bad but probably would not come back to it

Yearning and intimate. It was pretty good. Favourite Track(s): Fast Car, Behind the Wall Least Favourite Track(s): Baby Can I Hold You

Another one of mom’s favorites but I didn’t have the emotional reaction that previous selections gave me. The songs that work the best here are the ones that are written and treated like the urban “folk” songs that fit her voice and style best. Unfortunately it seems some producer had to get involved and try to produce much of it like some kind of ersatz pop album which really doesn’t work. The touches are overwrought, stylistically divergent, and in places just corny as hell. I’d say it falls in a category overall of did-not-age-well. Slight bump because the stories are interesting when she focuses on them.

Not really my thing, but a decent record nonetheless.

nice

Pretty good, but I didn't like all songs.

Chapman has great vocals and undeniable songwriting talent. Her music doesn't do too much for me, though. I think it had a lot more impact when juxtaposed with the late 80s music it broke away from instead of how I hear it now. I like it, but not much more than that. There are some really strong songs here. Fast Car is iconic and stands the test of time. I also liked Why? and For My Lover quite a bit. Some of the other tracks were a bit boring for me, though. The album has a strong start and a good few pockets of songs. I think the middle section dragged a bit, though. So, yeah. I liked this one without loving it. I know that it had a big impact when it came out. I feel like countless artists have spent the last few decades trying to imitate Chapman's style, and none have really come close. But as a whole it's just not really up there for me. Overall: 3.1/5

Understand it's attraction from it's comfy feel and mostly meaningful lyrics, but just not for me

A few nice songs. Probably more for background dinner party music than something I’d put on for my listening pleasure.

Early 90s student bedsit singer songwriter music. She does have a fantastic voice and is a good songwriter as shown by the fact that 'Baby Can I Hold You Tonight' was a hit for one of the big boy bands. But less than the sum of its parts and doesn't do much for me. 3.5 stars but rounding down to 3 stars.

3.5/5

Incredibly powerful lyrics and very relevant as well. With this I hated her more monotone style of singing.

This “Fast Car” is 100x better than the one the radio plays now. I also liked “Baby Can I Hold You.” 6/10

Trevlig röst och några bra låtar men inget som engagerar mig något djupare.

I've heard of Tracy Chapman but didn't really know her music, other than Fast Car. I'm glad she was on this list because this was a really solid album that will definitely be listening through again!

3.3

está bueno pero no me encanta siento q cada canción individualmenge me gustó pero al escuchar el álbum me aburrió un poco y eso w no es largo, pero en general está bueno

Buen album, muy 80s todo y no es mi estilo pero canta lindo y transmite mucho la chabona. 6/10

very political for the time, love it

Chulo

Leading with the best 2 songs, and by now most famous, gets this off to a good start. There’s something very earnest and likeable about her style and storytelling. Also, I have to say I did not know she wrote ‘Baby Can I Hold You’, this is a good song but sullied by Boyzone. Unfortunately, I find myself getting a little bored through the second half of this album, and it’s not a particularly long album but the style tends to drag a little.

Lyrics 4, songs 2

apologies generator i was not familiar with your game. good footy. i'm coming to find that it's not that i hate her music, rather i hate the production techniques on most post outlaw pre garth brooks country. too 80s AOR. however. COMMA. the songs transcend the form. i hope i get a living color album so i can make the same complaint. 3.3-4.1.

I could quite happily listen to this but wouldn’t include it in my own music collection.

Very good, the voices of her is magnetic in my opinion is the pilar that keep the album, some song are very good, actually I listen more than the last and surely I'll listen again.

its a really soul touching album, and its generally slow with the music focusing more on lyrics than melody. i personally dont reaaaally like it since melodic wise it just isnt something id listen to. i will admit though, lyrically this album is amazing so ill rate it 6/10

see I don’t hate it i like talking ‘bout a revolution nice song however i think it’s quite slow for my liking and there’s a lack of variety in instrumentation but i would listen again

Beautiful voice, but only a couple of tracks that I come back to.

The messaging here is clear and powerful, with most of the themes still far too relevant too. Class struggle, poverty, racism, domestic violence. It's heavy stuff but it's handled with a light touch, an earnestness. Musically, we don't stray too far from a pop rock formula, there's certainly plenty of folk influence and other genres seep in as well. I like it. But outside of the best songs, I'm looking for maybe more intensity to match the fire and emotions in the lyrics. Favorites, in descending order, pretty much: Fast Car, Across the Lines, Mountains O' Things.

thinkin about niggers' wage gap 🙏

Lowkey direct.

I've heard Fast Car so many times omg.

A pleasant listen, such a unique voice. Interesting to listen to this as an adult and comprehend the message being conveyed

i added 4 songs

Thoughtful lyrics, but the music doesn't shine.

The monologue song was cool. Other than that, I did not care for it much.

Tracy’s got a great voice, it was a pretty great album. Fast Car is the highlight of the album to me but I really enjoyed Baby Can I Hold you as well!

Poor are even poorer Trace mate

Not sure what I think of this yet. Great writing but I’m not into the music. Even so, it’s well done. Behind the Wall, Mountains of Things, and For my Lover were my favorites.

Some great songs but a lot of it musically is a very light touch. Not huge on the 80s production either on some of the more emotive tracks, takes you out of it. Much better when it’s stripped back (except Talkin’ Bout a Revolution which is just a stellar number)

estuvo bueno, sonaba bien y algunas canciones las reconoci lo que me sorprendio porque no me sonaba nada la portada. Me gusto pero tampoco me impresiono o encanto seria como un 6.5 o 7/10 creo

I thinks this might be objectively good, but I don't like it.

A réécouter. J’ai pas été assez attentif pendant la première écoute. Album très chill, que je trouvais un peu boring… Mais y’a probablement du potentiel.

Good. But not really my cup of tea.

I think I liked Chapman’s overall vocal performance here a lot more than most of the actual songs. I found myself wishing that a lot of these songs were like 20% slower and sadder. I think my actual score would be a 2.5, but I'll round up to a 3 because 'Fast Car' is good

Fast Car is an incredible song. The rest of the album was pretty boring and I didn't like most of it. But 3 stars for Fast Car.

There was a lot to enjoy here -- varied melodies and stylings, a serene voice, thoughtful lyrics. But it also felt too lofty/preachy about *issues*. Even though I'm in agreement with much of what Chapman sang about, hearing on-the-nose lyrics was a little cringe at times. I think this album hovers between a 3 or 4 for me.

3/5 - unique voice, interesting use of instruments

'Fast car' is natuurlijk een banger, maar voor de rest is dit niet per se mijn ding, niet super bijzonder

This is good, and singles are classic for sure, but the whole thing has that slick late 80s production sound that I just can't get past.

Wow, she has such a beautiful voice. Of course, "Fast Car" is the only one I am familiar with but I really liked "Talking Bout a Revolution" too. The album is a folksy, heartfelt throwback pulling past and present together. Good, but aside from the two songs, not really for me.

Bluesy

L tracy’s voice is incredible. Just not my genre of music. I could find myself enjoying it though.

Ehhh...we're on a run of lackluster albums lately. This one is fine, but the only song I'm likely to come back to is the one I already know.

Loved Fast Car when it came out and boy was it everywhere, this track alone took me back. Talkin about a revolution is wonderful too but perhaps too short. Then you have Baby Can I Hold You which is great. However, some of the other tracks were a bit plain and one sounded like Suzanne Vega. So, three stars sadly.

She’s got a great voice, and the first two songs on the album I heard I don’t know how many times growing up. Maybe my mom had this album. She deals with a lot of heavy, sad themes. I don’t think I was in the right headspace for this, and don’t think I’d revisit it, but I wouldn’t yuck someone’s yum for loving this album.

It's as I remember. As a whole I prefer to just listen to the one track though.

A few classic songs on this album that have stood the test of time. I'm surprised how much j enjoyed this album.

Nice Songwriter Music. Better Thank expected.

Good

This record came out in a time where I’m sure everyone was absolutely sick of the overly produced hair metal, and synth slop of the decade. For an 80’s record, it’s stripped down and mellow. Tracy has such a great voice. I think the fact that she sounds so good helps this album along rather than dragging with such deep and sometimes dark topics. For example, younger people will find this a lot more palatable than say early Bob Dylan. It’s all in the voice and punch. Maybe sounding a little more mom ish helps too. To me this is the modern take on the shit I love from the 60’s-70’s so I rock with it all. Side note: why did we let Luke Combs be the guy to get popular off a cover of her song “fast car”🙄 Favs: For my lover, Across the lines, she’s got her ticket

I don’t remember this album coming out in 1988. I do remember this album in heavy rotation in the mid-1990s. My daughter described it perfectly: “soulful”. There is not a track on here that isn’t soulful and you can feel her heart in it. Talking ’ Bout a Revolution still relevant, and I am so happy Fast Car has made a Renaissance and earned her the credit she has always deserved. I liked how she blended in her influences, from the reggae inspired to She’s Got Her Ticket and the African inspired Mountains O’Things. But songs like Sorry are classic singer-songwriter. She is an American treasure!

Random thoughts: * The first two tracks are all-time greats! I forget how good both of those tracks are. * I was expecting more along the lines of the first 2 tracks which I got on the next 2 tracks and then things veered into some unexpected direction. * Baby Can I Hold You and Mountain O'Things had wildly different sound and style that I was not expecting. It wasn't bad but just showed how much versatility Tracy Chapman has. * Overall, I really liked the inclusion of this album on 1001. I'd like to revisit but not sure I will often.

Great lyrics.

ive always loved fast car (i cry every time i hear it), but i had never listened to any of her other songs before. no other song on the album could compare in the slightest but i feel like i got something out of hearing the whole album regardless. for my lover was my second favorite.

powerful message about love, family, and domestic violence. i love fast car so i really wanted to love it but i wasn’t blown away by a lot of the songs

Thank you, Tracy Chapman, for reminding me that not all 80s music has to sound like futuristic carnival trash.

Yeah, this is a good one. I feel like I should like it more, but damn is it depressing. It's also pretty one note. Still, she's great, and this definitely belongs on the list.

Sharp, tender songs that stand up well. I had not heard the album in many years, until this listen, but last week - nearly 40 years on from release - in Glasgow I heard a busker singing "Talkin 'bout a revolution" and I was pleasantly surprised to hear it again, sounding strong. The reggae tune doesn't work so well but overall still a decent listen

Super talented artist, not really my thing

I enjoy the listening but it didn't have something that will make me listen to it again 3/5

I think she should have stuck with her mum

If you take out the political and victim-like messaging of the lyrics, the melody and the singing is quite nice. Fast car is and will always be a classic.

80’s Folk ⭐️Fast Car

Pros: Beautiful and distinctive voice. Fast Car is a classic, an absolute masterclass in storytelling in music. Cons: Her political lyrics are a little on the nose, spouting off cliches pretending to be profound thoughts.

Such a great, unique voice. Nice background music.

★★★½

Didn’t realize her advocacy especially at the time

Didn't know this was the original of a lot of songs. Sampled a lot. Earworms stuck in my ear, was annoying.

Highlights: - Fast Car - Behind the wall - No instrumentation and a presumably true story... hits hard I appreciate how transparent the lyrics are in this album. There's no metaphors just her experiences and opinions I like her voice and the instrumentation suits it. Low 3

I was excepting to give this higher. 3 fantastic songs but the rest just not really there. A high 3

her voice isn’t really for me, but the songwriting is incredible. unfortunately i don’t see myself returning to this very much outside of a couple songs, im just not big on her voice. fast car is great though, obviously.

It’s ok

Aight

no me encantó, pero tampoco entiendo el odio en los demás comentarios, me pareció un disco bastante decente

As someone lacking a musical ear, it was pleasantly mellow.

MEh

Good album. Not my style but it has really good songs.

50/50, not my style and topic but talented enough

First couple of songs were good, then just levelled out afterwards. Not bad but nothing really jumped out after Fast Car.

okay

Приятный альбом, кажется, с очень глубокими и сильными текстами. Кто-то назовет это музыкой для лифта, кто-то скажет, что это секретарский рок. Спасибо, что в нем не 40 треков. Надо переслушать.

This is a great album. So unique to what was out at the time and even now still holds it own. Fast Car has been redone so many times because it's a legend

Pretty good

This album starts out really strong with Talkin' Bout a Revolution and Fast Car which are just awesome. Then the style of the music kind of starts to drag on me - it's not bad by any means it's just not something that keeps a real hold of me (even with really strong lyrics).

A great folk album from the 80s with some very conscious lyrics. The songs on this album arent bad but are overshadowed by the masterpiece of a song "Fast Car" 7/10 Favourite: Fast Car Least Favourite: If Not Now

I randomly bought this a few years ago - I think because I liked Fast Car - and its a great song that showcases her voice wonderfully. The other two big singles are very strong also : Talkin’ Bout a Revolution and Baby Can I Hold You Tonight. Unfortunately the rest of the album is pretty forgettable and bad eighties production.

Need a deeper listen. The songwriting, lyrics are layered and her voice is strong but there is a very bland acutely 90s feel to the backing instruments especially the bass. Feels like I'm watching 'Friends'.

U redu je album nista spec, behind the wall je dobra pesma. Generalno mislim da nisam navikao na ovakvu muziku

Was never into Fast Cars, but listening to the album made me appreciate it more. Not really an album I like, but get why it's here.

Despite heavy topics, this album sounds bright and hopeful. Tracy has a stunning voice. Some of the music is a bit simplistic and not interesting enough to keep me engaged.

Back when I was a kid, Tracy Chapman was everywhere. You'd turn on the radio and "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" would be playing. On TV, music chart shows would show her playing "Fast Car". When dragged along to do the weekly shop, "Baby Can I Hold You" would be playing over the supermarket speakers. So to say that I'm not a big fan is largely due to that overexposure, yet another victim of overplaying. Listening back to this many, many years later, it's clear that Chapman is a great songwriter. Her lyric-heavy ballads are politically and socially charged and remind me of Joni Mitchell. She's quite a good guitarist too. I have to admit though that I find the instrumentation a little dull, but the overall melodies are always catchy. All these years later, I'm still not a huge fan. I can definitely appreciate her songwriting and skills, but I just can't get past the negative reaction I have because of how much these songs bombarded me back in the day. Good songs, but overplayed to bajaysus.

I love Mountains o' Things

Not my thing, but "Fast Car" is a banger.

человеку вообще не слушающему слова (мне) половина вайба наверно поверх головы, но музыка приятная, голос приятный)

Very political Nice singing and guitar riffs But it kinda bored me

3.5 Good, too protesty

Another album that's held up well over time. Favorite songs: Fast Car, For You

3.5

Hmm, da habe ich mir doch ein wenig mehr von erhofft. "Fast Car" ist und bleibt ein fantastischer Song und auch sonst profitiert der Rest des Albums von Chapmans einprägsamer Stimme und dem warmen Gitarrenspiel. Melodisch heben sich die vielen Tracks nicht stark voneinander ab, teilweise ertrinken die Songs auch in 80er Kitsch ("Baby can I hold you", "Mountains.."). Ein komplett reduziertes Album im Stil der ersten und letzten Songs würde mir deutlich besser gefallen. Stimme erinnert mich teilweise an Nilüfer Yanya.

I appreciate the message here, particularly with the world issues plaguing societies everywhere, but it's just not my cup of tea. Favorite Track: "Talkin' Bout A Revolution".

very nice but not up my alleyway

Fast Car is absolutely iconic. I haven't listened to this album in probably 20 years. It's still very good.

Ik denk dat het een hele andere ervaring is als je er live naar luistert in dezelfde ruimte, maar als losstaand album vond ik het niet zo denderend.

Ik vind het wel goed, maar het pakt me niet. De stem is fantastisch maar ik vind de muziek zelf niet heel spannend. De focus lag volledig op de stem en na het nummer fast car had ik dat ook wel weer gehoord. Ik ergerde mij niet aan het album. Prima album