Reviews (page 11 of 15)
Didn’t mind it. First two songs are the best, Talking bout a revolution and Fast Car. It is a nice length at 36 mins. Overall, a little slow for me.
Some good
Great album.
I'm not much for singer/songwriter music, but at least this is genuine. Unlike T-Swizzle, I am not rolling my eyes throughout the entire album. 3.5/5
After 1,000 tepid copycats since its release still one of the best singer/songwriter albums out there. 4.5*
Not my thing, sorry Tracy
Have always liked Tracy Chapman sound. Don’t love every song, but love the overall vibe of the album.
This is a really beautiful album, Tracy Chapman has an incredible voice and has this delivery that is just so understated but powerful at the same time. It's a bit of an interesting time to listen to this. The "classic" on here is "Fast Car", which has had a cultural reemergence in the last year after Luke Combs covered it. I don't have a strong opinion on the Combs cover, but it's put Chapman back in the spotlight a bit. The song is deserving of all the hype that it's gotten, it really is incredible and showcases the best of Chapman. There's a lot of great songs on here beyond "Fast Car" though. "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" is a really great start and "Baby Can I Hold You" is another popular one that's great. The songwriting is strong across the board, whether on a "political" song (like "Across the Lines") or a love song (like "For My Lover"). The album is definitely a bit top heavy, but Chapman's voice and songwriting are still so captivating that even the "down" songs are engaging. This album feels really timeless (with a few exceptions where some '80s sound pulls through). An incredible folk album at not a huge time for folk music, and done by an artist that also feels ahead of her time in many ways. Favorite song: Fast Car Other: Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Across the Lines, Baby Can I Hold You, Mountains O' Things, She's Got Her Ticket, For My Lover, If Not Now..., For You 5/12/24
Talkin' Bout a Revolution Fast Car Baby I Can Hold You
Was shocked at how flawless this album is, Tracey Chapman is such a talent. I was already aware of FAST CAR, but all these are as good if not better. Side A of this album is a seriously good run, the first 5 songs are probably my favourite. Amazing lyricism too
Has clear peaks that are much better then the rest, but those peaks are so high that its still a 4
Very good as one would expect. Should still be on the list, imho.
I have always loved this album. One of my all time tops.
I’m a known hater folk. And I don’t know if it’s nostalgia (Tracy Chapman’s music was everywhere when it was released) or not but something about the combination of her voice and guitar work is just captivating. Her lyrics are powerful and moving without ever seeming forced or contrived. Her ability to impart desperation as well as hope feels unique.
Pleasant. I only knew Fast Car beforehand, probably a reason why that's her standout hit. Rest of the album sounded extremely similar but with slightly less emotion in it. Nice background music, but not something I'm desperate to have on repeat anytime soon.
Geniales Debüt! Ohne Schnickschnack! Fantastisch!
Songwriting at it's best. Saw her live in 1996. Incredible!
Great album. Hard to believe this was released in 1987. I listened a couple of times and enjoyed it.
Not my style but I liked it nonetheless
I’m thrilled that she’s seeing a renaissance of her music
Songs that are intimate enough for the coffee shop with ideas big enough to propel a revolution.
I've loved this album dearly since I was a teenager.
The music is great, the issues she advocates in her lyrics are as relevant today as when they were written- and Tracy Chapman's voice is simply sublime. Truly a timeless album.
Shit was mid. Was made for wokeies
Good chill album. Something great to put on when you're on a drive in an open road. Makes you feel like you're in a movie in the 80s maybe its my autism but I love to feel like I'm the main character in movie.
It’s aight
Personally not my cup of tea, however, her performance is amazing and heartfelt. Some songs are touching and inspirational!
Don't like singer songwriter shit. Also stfu kevn you're ruining the group ratings you're not funny
3/5
Really powerful voice with a powerful personality, the project speaks on deep issues but can get boring at times
This was very good and it will get another listen some day. 4 stars for me.
This was pleasant. Other than Fast Car, I'd never heard much from this artist before. Coffee house and chill.
I'm glad this album's on the list, as otherwise I probably never would have checked out Tracy Chapman. I initially wished there was a little more pace, but I ended up really enjoying the chill vibes on this album. Great vocals and overall an enjoyable listen.
Nostalgia. 💜 All songs still good after all these years.
Loved it then, love it now. Modern folk.
26.04.24 Faves: - Fast car - Across the lines - Baby can I hold you ('ve heard before) - Mountains o'things - Why? - For my lover - For you Opinion: not my type of music. however, he has such a nice voice and the lyrics have meaning behind them. maybe i'd listent to it while driving
Amazing
Really good. Enjoying the sound and her voice. Will come back to this. 8/10
That top rated review that calls this secretary rock - sure but it's the secretaries from "9 to 5" Spoiler alert: they smoke weed and fantasize about killing their misogynist anti-labor boss, then kidnap him and stage a corporate coup to establish revolutionary pro-worker policies. Also one of them is a lesbian icon and one of them is an infamous war protester and one of them is an unbelievably talented and beloved folk singer songwriter.
Not as lo-fi as I expected. Talking 'bout a Revolution has of course been played to death, which is a little unfair to it, because it's a good little number. On the whole, very solid, but I probably won't revisit this any time soon because it's not really down my alley, even though I do see why it's on the list.
This was socially a great record. I loved the messages. But was super easy listening 80s style which I struggled with.
Folk rock. Un megahit. Un 4.
.
a really strong album with a heartfelt message behind it timeless classic 4.8/5
Enjoyed this classic. It's on the border, but can't put it in five-star territory.
fast car is one of the best songs ever written. the rest of the album is similarly heavy but extremely well executed. maybe a little too depressing for me to love wholeheartedly
Fast Car is an all time classic song. Overall great album just not exactly what I seek out. Huge respect for Tracy as a lyricist and vocalist. 3.5
Not for me, but I appreciate it. I've got a real lack of love for early 90s and late 80s acoustic stuff. I really appreciate Chapman, and a few songs really stuck out. But this style isn't for me. She's obviously A+.
What a beautifully sincere piece of art, this album is so simple and completely original. Her voice is so deep! And she uses her voice like an old rich instrument. This was a really great example of using music as protest. It was bold but so sincere and unobtrusive.
"Tracy Chapman" is a stunning debut album that introduced the world to the soulful voice and poignant songwriting of Tracy Chapman. Released in 1988, the album is a masterclass in folk-pop, combining Chapman's powerful lyrics with her emotive vocals and acoustic guitar. The standout track, "Fast Car," is a timeless classic that resonates with listeners to this day, exploring themes of hope, struggle, and the desire for a better life. Other tracks like "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" and "Baby Can I Hold You" showcase Chapman's ability to tackle social and personal issues with grace and sensitivity. One of the album's strengths is its simplicity. Chapman's stripped-down arrangements allow her lyrics and vocals to take center stage, creating an intimate and deeply affecting listening experience. Overall, "Tracy Chapman" is a landmark album that solidified Chapman's status as a talented singer-songwriter. Its enduring appeal lies in its timeless themes and Chapman's ability to connect with listeners on a profound level.
Sometimes less is better, simple songs can be profoundly moving, and just a voice and words can be the forefront of a piece of music. This album didn't fit into what was going on in the mainstream music scene of 1988, yet was a breakthrough success. Truly gives you a feeling that she is speaking from her heart in every note.
One of the best storytellers of a generation. Tracy Chapman successfully tackled injustice when the rest of the pop chart was filled with love songs and hair bands. Her voice is mesmerizing. Mountains O Earth is a standout.
Some really killer songwriting here. It's not my favorite album of all-time by any means, but I can definitely return to this one. 3.5/5
LP
pretty okay
quality album. Weird insturmentals (Pan flute?!?)
Pretty good, some lesser tracks but overall enjoyable
Great!
Overall it’s a good album. Some classics like Fast Car and Baby Can I Hold You, and some great songs I’d never heard like She’s Got Her Ticket. Liked the bouncy, reggae ish feel of that one. Very clearly political and motivated by her own experiences as you can hear in Tracy’s voice. Happy to have listened: 8/10 Would listen the whole way through again: 6/10
cute
Nice, the Fast Car album! There have to be other good songs besides Fast Car right?! No idea where I know Talkin' Bout A Revolution from but what a great song. It inspires revolution or more importantly just change. And it is so sad to me that a song (and album) like this is still absolutely relevant (and perhaps always will be) 36 years later. This album came out a year after I was born and we still need to talk about a revolution because our society is still failing so many people and it is not right. For this universal song to lead into a song that is also universal but moves to a more singular and personal level is an amazing transition. Fast Car is not only a very deep song but frankly it is über catchy. In sitting and reading the lyrics and really trying to comprehend the story Chapman is telling I can see the depth of the lyrics and the multiple meanings she has instilled within the song. After this the album kind of deflated for me... on the first listen. I listened to this twice because I was walking my dogs and didn't feel like getting my phone out to change the playlist. On the second pass of the album I found some of the rest of the album to be more beautiful and interesting than I first found it to be. There are still a couple of songs that feel out of place on such a political album, but I also realize Chapman is also interested in the politics of private relationships and love and the ways in which humans treat each other. There aren't many albums that are so straight to the point about what they are trying to say but also as layered and varied thematically as this. I can't say I want to listen to every song again, but as a whole this album is very good.
Se deixar tocando de fundo, passa batido. O instrumental é fraco, o som do violão é insosso e a percussão genérica. O brilho das músicas são as letras, e não a dúvida que são excelentes. Um álbum para se ouvir focado nas letras, caso contrário ele vai passar inteiro sem você perceber onde acaba uma música e começa outra.
Interesting reading the misogynistic reviews that appear quite high up on any female artist. It just shows how women are inherently ignored, overly criticised, dismissed and/or ridiculed when they try and present any creative output. It’s a good album but it’s not what I’d usually listen to.
It’s kind of strange for me when an album like this gets generated for me. This is one of those “sonic ether” records, a record that’s been in background of my life for a long time, that I’ve been aware of since I was a kid in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I’ve never heard the whole thing until today, but I know enough of it not to be surprised by what it sounds like and to know that it would probably be a pretty enjoyable record to listen to. So it was kind of funny to me when “Fast Car” had a resurgence thanks to that cover of it last year (this year?). It was a little weird to see people coming back around to this album after 30 years, but the cyclical nature of our culture is often surprising to me, because usually it’s the things you wouldn’t expect that end up coming back into style - even if it’s only briefly. These are exceptionally well written songs with poignant lyrics and, for the most part, the record doesn’t sound particularly dated, but even after listening today, I can pretty confidently say that it’s not going to make its way out the sonic ether and into any sort of regular rotation for me.
Not bad. Songs were catchy. I give it 3 stars.
This is really good, nice short songs plus an amazing voice. Loving the 80s production and some nice strat tones.
First 3 songs were nice, the rest had good parts but were overall kinda boring.
I liked this, obviously fast car is very good but the rest is also very solid imo!! 8/10
I could listen to this all day. Her voice is so wonderful and the production is balanced yet really lets her shine. 9/10
7/10 - Good and relaxing music. Fast Car is probably the best song by far but the other songs arent bad
Really nice voice, chill and enjoyable album
Idk, maybe just not really for me. A few huge songs that I knew were pretty good, but even those bored me a little. Nothing besides fast car really stands out, just solid songwriting and decent music. Also max beat me on the review yesterday. Can’t let it happen again. 6/10
Nice to finally listen to this album all the way through. Beautiful, heartfelt songs about the realities of life. While I enjoyed my listen, I don't think I'd seek this album out to listen to casually.
This album is a must listen to for everyone
# Playlist track - Baby Can I Hold You # Notes - Impressive vocal control, interesting range. Sometimes a bit TOO minimalistic. - Great album.
Give this lady her flowers, long overdue.
She is a great song writer and vocalist. Certainly not afraid to tell her opinion on all sorts of social aspects.
I knew fast car and she has a great voice along with some interesting lyrics
Very solid album. I love Tracy Chapman's voice and the guitar is great too, very melodic and fits the feel of each song, and has nice variety too. Her songwriting ability is tremendous and she does such a good job of telling a story and making you feel what she's feeling from the song. That's a powerful gift. The only reason this album isn't a 5 is because I have to hear enough about racism, violence, and how broken the world is regularly on the news and I don't necessarily want to be reminded of that in the music I listen to. However, Tracy Chapman does such a good job of making it personal that it doesn't feel preachy or showboaty, she sounds very genuine and that is something that is also very difficult to do in the music industry.
Fast Car is an absolutely fantastic song. Enjoyed listening to rest of album-did feel that the songs with just her and her acoustic were much stronger than others.
This album is already going to get a high score just based off 'Fast Car,' it's such an amazing song. I haven't spent much time with the rest of this album, but man it's such a powerful work. I love that there is an interesting mix of production choices - acapella, folk work, African drums. It's really interesting and every choice seems to fit beautifully both as a whole and to each individual song. Really great, will definitely listen to this again and again. 4/5
Meh. 2/5
A lot of the songs haven't aged well. Heart-on-your-sleeve college protest stuff. But Fast Car is one of the best the songs ever written and Talking bout a revolution is a legit good peacenik song.
Good Acoustic Stuff
Tracy just has so much emotion and aching in her voice that she can bring so many songs to life. The first 2 were hits. And then she got a lot more recognition when Luke Combs did fast car. But the rest of the album is very good too.
I was not familiar with anything Tracy besides Fast Car, but this is a really good acoustic album. It doesn't stand out as a best ever, but it is very, very good.
Excellent. My toddler was even singing along “run run run run run run.”
A great quality sounding album. Nothing is overdone or not needed. The songs are simple and to the point. This is a Sunday afternoon soundtrack for sitting outside on a summer day or when the world is burning down. Choice Cut: Fast Car
‘Fast Car’ is obviously the big hit here, but there’s heaps to enjoy, and as much as I want to say this album’s renewed popularity is due to the Luke Combs cover of the song and his duet with Chapman at the 24’ Grammy’s, the reality is this record has always been loved by seemingly everyone. Classic AOR production coupled with politically and socially charged lyrics, but with vivid and compassionate storytelling from Chapman ensure this record will remain universally relevant and popular forever.
Really good
Loved this album when it first came out and still today. Brilliant songwriter. I am happy to see her getting more recognition recently.
Know many of these songs, but never listened all the way through. Very solid top to bottom.
Her beautiful, hypnotic voice is the best thing about every single track. The hits are bangers, but the album overall is a little samey and I didn't hear a standout track that I hadn't heard a million times on the radio. Nonetheless, enjoyable through and through
Very few artists can be as vulnerable yet optimistic as Tracy Chapman.
Haven’t heard this whole album before. It’s nice. A subtle mix of styles. It sounds like the late 80’s, but not in an embarrassing way. I like the idea of folk/protest music that is melodically interesting. Bob Dylan should take some notes. 3.5
Good production. Each song gets its own treatment, so it stays pretty fresh as an album. Folk to jazzy to world. It covers a lot of ground. "Why?" is sort of heavy handed, but still poignant years later. Glad she's getting her due these days. 3.8
This album is no doubt one of the most important albums recorded, however it is not for me.
If you don't like the kind of music they play in the waiting room at the doctor's office, you won't like this album in the slightest. It's honestly shocking how much influence it seems this album has had on modern songwriting with its simplistic, incessantly repetitive melodies and signature self-indulgent singing style. (I guess I'm thinking 2010s sappy pop ballads.) The album is filled with enough richly ringing acoustic guitar and 80s production to make it a somewhat bearable listen for me personally, however, but you quickly want it to be over. FUCK FAST CAR
very groovy
Absolutely wonderful album. Great songwriting and emotional vocals. I could listen this everyday
Great album. Would listen to again
Good stuff
I was expecting a very solid album here, considering how much I love the song "Fast Cars", and well that's exactly what I get from this self-titled Tracy Chapman debut. As a vocalist, Tracy's certainly expressive, and honestly it feels like she's been ripped off quite a bit. Not sure why, but it feels like many pop and folk vocalists, especially in the 21st-century wave sorta sound very similar to her. I haven't listened to every 80s album, but from what I've heard, her style seems unique for the time. She has a deeper vocal style but with enough variation to keep it interesting while still remaining relatively subtle. As a songwriter, Tracy's very direct with her lyricism, it's like she's trying to get her message through to the listener as clearly as possible, with no hiccups or room for misinterpretation. I think this is a good thing honestly and works wonders for this album's themes. Tracy tackles themes of poverty, racism, love, and other forms of injustice. Again it's all very direct, especially on the opener "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" and "Why?". I hate the general idea that good songwriting is almost synonymous with abstract and symbolic writing, I find the writing here to be very powerful. The songs themselves are really good too, just as songs. "Fast Car" may be one of the greatest folk songs ever, a tragic tale of yearning for escape and freedom from one's living situation. "For My Lover" is a great depiction of a chase of forbidden love. "Across the Lines" and the acapella "Behind the Wall" tackle the issues of police brutality, with the latter being the most haunting portrayal of it I've heard in a while. I'd say the biggest thing that holds this album back is its lackluster production on certain songs, I just think it's tacked on and generic when extra instruments are introduced to try and fill up the sonic space. The mostly acoustic-only songs are the best here, painting melancholic images that are soft and comforting. I just think it gets sort of repetitive after a while. I don't mind it too much, after all, it spotlights Tracy's vocals more than anything. Really enjoyed this album, pretty much just as much as I thought I would.
boof. right in the feels
Tracy Chapman is a brilliant artist who has produced numerous, beautiful pieces regarding important issues. She has tackled racial injustices and women’s issues. She stands with those who have been bullied. She draws light to darkness. For me, that is great; for about half and album. This is a really good album, though. Fast Car is iconic and Across the Lines, haunting. Tracy has rather quietly built quite the catalog.
Maybe my favourite so far…
Just fine, kinda carried by Fast Car
Ja, mooi
quality album, special for what it is and its time, limited replay value in my current life
Absolutely a legend, but just not my genre of music.
Between 4 and 5 just given how original and explosive the whole album feels. Spoken word, culturally explicit and harmonic all come to mind.
phenomenal lyricism 4.5/5
It’s good to see Tracy getting some kudos all these years later. I wasn’t familiar with this album besides Fast Car and a few other radio tracks but all of them are pretty decent. Sadly they’re all just as relevant today as they were when they came out. Songs added to Spotify: 5
Amazing album, from the start to the end. Gave me confort to the soul.
Enjoyed it, great voice, not any songs on there that really leapt out tho.
Two albums in a row that I had been looking forward to and that didn’t disappoint. I thought this was a really strong album. Realistically, I’m not sure how often I’d listen to it, but I think it was really good. More of a 4.5.
I'm sad that I cant stand this kind of music. It was milked wayyy too much by all the fucking radio stations throughout my life to the point where I cant listen to it anymore without feeling a bit of anger. I'm also not the main audience for simplistic music where they talk about personal issues. However I will acknowledge that she has a really good and powerful voice.
That was pretty good. I liked Fast Car and the beats in Mountains O Things
👍🏻
Great album. Fast car is super hot right now so it was nice hearing all the other songs I haven’t heard before. Really liked the songwriting
"Fast Car" = 5 stars. A couple other songs were decent. I understand her background, but it came across as very defeatist, which is understandable. It did, however, make for a very difficult listen and not something I want to listen to again.
Fast Car was the radio single. The rest doesn't appeal to me.
Very clear memories about how different this album was when it was released.
straight heat
Never heard anything from her but Fast Car. Great collection of songs. I'm not one to pay as much attention to lyrics as I do to music, but she has a way of bringing life to the words that really make each song hit.
this is very good album. I was initially put off from having heard the radio over playing some of the songs (Fast Car, revolution, lines,,) but actually every track is a banger, all very easy to listen to. Tracy deserves a 5
Fantastic. Very powerful themes with some great melodies and soulful singing. I've been familiar with her most famous tracks for a long time, but had never listened to her albums. Will be rectifying that going forwards.
I liked this music in the day. But after three decades it does not stand the test of time.
Decent album. Very 90s vibe. Good, chill album.
Loved it
Easy listening. Again, I'm not lyrics-forward as a listener, but the music is good. The lyrics I did catch were still painfully relevant now as they were in 1988, and were still quite thought-provoking. Favorite tracks: - Fast Car - Mountains O' Things - Why?
7.05/10 Top 3 Songs 1. Baby Can I Hold You 2. Fast Car 3. Why?
One of my favorite albums of all time
Als Hintergrund Musik erträglicher Contemporary Folk. Bekanntester Song ist wohl 'Talkin bout a revolution'.
Awesome.
This is a great album. Almost forgot that it exists. Great storytelling with music to brake your heart. Love her voice! She clearly was ahead of her time. This album is still great and important. Fast car is not a song it's a little gem. One of the few records I've listened to so far that 100% belong on this list.
Wanted to say that this might be the perfect soundtrack to a relaxed drive at sunset. Then I heard "Behind The Wall". It was harrowing. I loved it, the pain, the emotion. This album will definitely stay in my rotation
She brought such a unique and personal sound. It was an instant treasure when it was relased, and remains powerful writing and music.
Chill minimalist production and Tracy has a beautiful voice. Feels like this was mega influential on the early 90s wave of singer-songwritery pop music.
M'encanta Tracy Chapman. Potser parlo amb una mica de nostàlgia però aquest disc em sembla gairebé perfecte. L'únic que li falta (per mi) és tenir un parell de temes més icònics enlloc d'algun que falla una mica. Expected Lorenzo rating: 3
This is contemporary/folk rock at its best. Poignant & tender, simple, yet complex. Above all though, it sounds authentic. "Fast Car" is a timeless classic, but the other two singles found in the front half of the album hold their own, as well as the chilling notes of "Behind the Wall". The album also doesn't overstay its welcome, as Tracy says what she needs to say in an impactful 36ish minutes.
Nice
Album evokes a big range of emotions while staying artistically and aesthetically consistent. Behind the Wall was a revelation on this listen. Why? did remind me of parody protest songs though (looking at you, Flight of the Conchords).
What a gorgeous album. So many love songs, interspersed and commingled with protest songs, songs like Behind the Wall that were unheard. What a freshman album, so misunderstood, so raw.
Very good but too easy listening for my taste.
Fantastic album. Always enjoyed her work.
Un discazo verdaderamente, con canciones que conocía y otras que no. Muy relajante.
Mesmerizing songwriting. Fast Car was a classic before Luke Combs brought it back to the charts. Talkin Bout a Revolution and Baby Can I Hold You are excellent and showcase Chapman’s ability to craft protest songs and pop songs with equal aplomb. The second half of the album has a mix of hits and misses, but overall a very strong debut.
Way better than I expected for some reason. I knew the album a little, and expected something very middling, but there's such a lyrical power across the album, and really great musicality, that it has to score very highly indeed. A lovely Saturday morning album.
Not a huge fan
3.5 loved the lyrics. Great ability to paint a picture of the problems she faces. The instrumentals are ok nothing great
She has such a beautiful voice! Apart from the well-known songs off this album, I really liked Mountains O' Things and For My Lover!
so good
In the late eighties, amidst the hair metal, punk rock, new wave, and boy bands this album landed and shook the music world. Black, female, singer/songwriter comes in with an album of folk songs filled with protest and personal pain. 'Fast Car' is the obvious stand out, but every song hits you with Chapman's emotion and sincerity. An album of delicate power and beauty.
I’ve heard some of these songs before but never the entire album. It’s quite good though I tire of characters and situations that I can’t much relate to (life in the hood/projects/big city). I could definitely listen to this again…...just not often.
Sometimes, an outburst can have outstanding results. When Stevie Wonder refused to go on stage on Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday Tribute concert because a piece of sound equipment went missing, a fresh, young Chapman swooped in and never looked back. Tracy Chapman's debut album warms up the room and cozies up to you, but at the same time she shakes it with her straight-to-the-point wordplay. Opener "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" sets the tone of the album, in which she says that the word of a revolution doesn't come with a scream, but with a "whisper". Chapman tackles racism, domestic violence and poverty, but does it from a homely perspective and genuine innocence. "Fast Car" is still one of the most earnest and authentic songs of all time: she sings about a very much real fantasy of getting promoted, saving up for a car and buying a house. There's this magic in her mellow voice that sounds like a hand-warminf cup of coffee that makes me want to feel the city lights laid out before us, an arm wrapped round my shoulder, and the feeling that I belonged and I could be someone. While not very profound, Chapman still manages to deliver head-scratching one-liners inbetween verses, and surprise audiences with chilling moments, like the accapella rendition of "Behind the Wall", in which Tracy's voice narrates the heartwrenching story of a mortal victim of domestic violence from the porch of the adjacent apartment. Her lyricism leaves very little room for metaphors and understatements, which is very much appreciated. But while I could go on saying that some of these songs lack depth tackling these issues, I wouldn't say, as a white Western European man, it is my place to say. Rather, you can see how Chapman's debut album doesn't want to overcomplicate things. Instead, she speaks in a quotidian conversation with you and you only. She never intends to get loud with you, but rather lets her music do the outburst for her. Her revolution comes, indeed, with a whisper, and very refreshing whisper to revisit from time to time. 8/10 Favorite songs: Fast Car, Behind the Wall, Talkin' Bout a Revolution
Some good songs on here. Not everything thrilled me. Mountain o’ things was really cool.
Did not enjoy
There have been many times a songwriter-type artist has come up here. Most are fine, but I don’t attach fully to them, or the lyrics go in one ear and out the other. But every once in a while, the songwriter sticks out and totally captures me. Tracy Chapman is one of those.
This was honestly pretty appealing to listen through. Not the most complex, but Tracy has some great vocals that really add a lot to what's going on. The acapella number was great. Fav tracks: Fast Car, Behind the Wall, Mountains O' Things, Why?
Pretty simple formula, no whizzbang gimmicks but all the better for it. Can't help but belt out Baby Can I Hold You.
Didn't expect to like this but it was superb, great composition and music that is honestly timeless. A modern day songwriter could release these and they wouldn't be out of place in 2024. Great stuff.
Atmospheric and emotional but lacked enough zing for a five.
Good. Lots of bangers. Forgot how good Talking Bout A Revolution is.
Fantastic album, great suggestion, thank you very much, so many memories ;-)
I still remember how this woman annoyed me with her omnipresent howl of accusations on the radio in the late 90s. But: This album has actually matured very, very well over the years, and I really enjoyed listening to it today.
An easy to listen to album; Tracy's voice is iconic.
Very good. Excellent voice.
it was fun
very soft poppy music. Acoustic guitar heavy. Musica de fondo en un restaurante mientrs hablas
40/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Me encanta que éste desafío me muestra discos de artistas que o no conocía o sólo conocía por sus hits, como es el caso de Tracy Chapman. Una tipa de voz envidiable. Profunda. Sensible. Pasional sin esforzarse. Disco ideal para bajar un cambio, para arrancar el día con mayor paz.
Ik dacht dat het een man was. Lekkere muziek verder. Echt chill vibes
Mijn vader zegt altijd dat dit album een 10 is. Ben ik opzich wel met hem eens
Leuk album, goeie platen, maar geen perfect album voor mij dan he, wel erg mooi. Zou hem zeker nog een keer luisteren. Had ik maar een snelle auto, of bedoelt ze er toch de Daihatsu mee>
Prachtige stem en zeer lieflijke liedjes Iets wat in een restaurant op repeat zou staan
The hits are absolutely wonderful; it's not my style beyond that, but I could be swayed someday.
Far ahead of its time in terms of recognizing the modern challenges minority communities face. Blues music while a clear separation from traditional blues, musically. Love the simplicity of the vocals and acoustic sound.
Forgot about a couple songs on here. “Baby can I hold you tonight” is a good one that I never would have thought about again in my life. Other than that and Fast Car it’s pretty middle of the road.
I remember buying this on vinyl when it came out so full disclosure, much of my review probably leans heavily on nostalgia. Still, the 1988 timing of this album is pretty pivotal right at the peak of hair metal. And yet 3 months later it was already platinum. Don’t get me wrong, I loved rokken with Dokken like the rest of ‘em, but there was something that always stood out for me with this one. Most likely rooted in its simplistic approach, both in songwriting and production which completely went against the over the top glam of the time.
I’ve only heard a couple of Tracy’s songs, one of which is obviously on this album. Other than that one, was pretty bored by the rest of this.
Love Fast Car. Struggled to get into the rest of it.
Not a huge fan of Tracy, but was excited to jump in after all the hoopla surrounding her performance at the Grammys. Figured maybe I misjudged her… I did not. Two things kept popping into my head while listening: adult alternative and Joni Mitchell. Not sure if either is an appropriate descriptor… but that’s immediately where my brain went and neither is a compliment (spoiler alert for my review of Blue whenever that album drops). Fast Car is good, but not sure it’s deserving of all the praise. Apologies to all the adults and their alternative music. Oh, and to my dumb ears it sounds like Edward Sheeran ripped off Mountains O’s Things for Shape Of You. 2.5/5
Easy enjoyable listening
Acoustic protest album. Fantastic. Great songs, great playing, great emotion.
Really good album.
Favourite Song: Talkin' Bout a Revolution This was a hard one. Absolutely love the first half the album, but I faded out during the second half. I originally rated it a 4 just due to the good songs, but I have to rate the entire album.
So so good
Vecka 9
Iconic
I loved it need to finish it when im not sad
Great meaningful soulful lyrics, this man can SING too, just a fantastic artist/album. 3.8
Wonderful
So much more than “Fast Car” and asks poignant questions about class issues, particularly as they pertain to poverty, women, and the “have nots.”
Lovely cool suave music. Always actual
It's fine. Voice goes from interesting at the beginning then starts to wear on me. Overall pretty good.
Amazing debut from a gifted song writer.
- Fast Car is another LL Bean classic - A little slow for my tastes but very good production and vibes - 2.5 but I'll round up
- Fast Car continues to be the most overrated song in history - good storyteller, unique voice
4.6
Thought it was really good. Could see this one growing on me more the more I listen and process all of the lyrics. Even ignoring the lyrics this was fun to listen to. Rating: 3.3
Beautiful voice and lyrics, very unique and emotional.
One of my oldies but goodies!
One of her best albums.
Such a good album. The criticism of the time that she was overly political and her songs were just non-rhyming descriptions of what she saw are basically 3 songs on this record. And even those are still catchy, well composed pieces of music.
This review is For You. If Not Now… idk when I would listen to this again. It was ok
digg å høre på starten av dagen
Good soulful more modern folk music that you can appreciate for what it is.
Rather annoyingly the first three tracks are the clear standouts, overshadowing the rest of the album. That said, these three tracks are all classics in their own roghts
Bursted on to the scene. Very talented on this album. What happened. No doubt any Saturday afternoon in the village someone is playing this in the west village
Not much has changed since this album debuted years ago. Urgency of the lyrics still resonate today. Deserves the accolades from yesterday & today.
Solid songwriting. Important topics and messages
Immediate thoughts: it will be a lowkey vibe that will be enjoyable, however, I do not believe anything will stand out immediately. Half-way thoughts: I understand the hype now; this is incredible. Done: I LOVED IT:D
Not really for me, I found Tracy's voice a bit irritating. I appreciate the subject matter, though it's not my favorite in song form. Favorite songs: Fast Car, She's Got Her Ticket, For My Lover
Um álbum com uma forte componente de crítica sócio-económica. É muito mais do que "Fast Car."
Delightful.
Maybe it was that I was listening to this in what seemed like the perfect conditions (crisp, morning trail walk with Karma), but I really loved this one. Her voice is amazing, and the themes she touches on throughout still resonate today.
First two songs (including Fast Car) were amazing. Did not love the rest of the album.
Thoroughly enjoyed this album. Chapman is a poetic storyteller and observer of the human condition. Her songs resonate and often strike somber emotional chords in a sharp way but portraying scenes you can almost visualize.
Great album almost like a greatest hits
Fast Car is without question an American classic but the whole album also deserves to be on this list. Songs like Behind the Wall, Across the Lines and Talkin’ Bout a Revolution could have been written today and still be relevant, but I also really enjoyed the more romantic, bittersweet edge of Baby Can I Hold You and If Not Now. I’m so happy to see that decades later she’s still getting recognition for her work.
Despite not having instruments, Behind the Wall got its message across loudly
What a monster of an album. Tracy's lyrics rip your heart out and leave it beating on the floor. The basic, stripped down music really works to help get the message across. It's easy to see why this is one of the best selling albums of all time.
The songwriting… some of the best ever
I know this album well, and it has its high points, but there's too much filler too.
Glad for den var på listen, det er en af dem jeg altid har villet lytte til men aldrig har fået gjort. Fantastisk stemme, gode sange. Synes måske godt produktionen kunne være lidt mere rugged eller sådan noget, synes ofte det lød lidt for fint
Fantastisk stemme!
Unik stemme og en plade med i hvert fald 3 bangers og 2 af dem lige i starten! Resten var ikke lige så godt. Der var ikke de samme hooks eller memorable dele af sangene.
Hella great?? I really wasn't expecting that
Rating: 4/5 stars Pros: - Beautiful, distinctive voice - Wonderful accompaniment & instrumentals - Good variation in energy throughout album - Powerful individual songs Cons: - The message is simultaneously one-note and muddled. Half of the album attempts to be soft-spoken protests & reflections against/on society, and half of the album attempts to be anodyne love/relationship songs. The clearest protest songs (Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Why?, Mountain of Things) fall flat to my ears. Perhaps an artefact of age/time since the album was released, but these songs had little to say that has not been expressed a million times before with far deeper consideration. The best songs are those which (at least appear to) convey personal experiences - Fast Car and Behind the Wall (to the extent it can be called a song). - The majority of the love/relationship songs are forgettable, though still quite enjoyable.
Funny this popped up. She is all over the place after performing at the Grammies for the first time in a very long time. Fast Car is such a great song - looking forward to listening to full album. Nice album. Nothing groundbreaking. Solid easy listening chill album.
very pleasent voice, great production.
Wonderful
Her voice, her music are amazing. The songs are intoxicating.
... sensationell, erstmals in Musicstore Virgin in Tokio gehört, gekauft und immer noch unter meinen Top 100 Alben.
Good album
Always a fan of her vocals and writing
Fascinating that this came up the day after social media is all atwitter at Chapman's performance with Luke Combs at the Grammys. Wonder if that's intentional? Even so, I'd never heard anything from this outside of Fast Car and Talkin Bout a Revolution. It's a lovely album. Straightforward and poignant. Like that it's getting revisited by a new generation. Unexpected bangers: Mountains O'Things, For You.
De eerste twee nummers zijn enorm goed en de nummers daarna zijn eigenlijk allemaal minder dan die eerste twee. Vooral track 3 t/m 7 doen me erg weinig. Haar unieke stemgeluid wordt bij deze nummers toch wat saai om naar te luisteren, omdat de nummers wat te voorzichtig zijn. Track 8 en 9 springen er wel weer positief uit. De boodschap, hoe goed en sterk ook, kan me zoals bij alle albums die ik maar één keer luister eigenlijk gestolen worden. Ik denk dat dit album op dat vlak misschien wat punten zou kunnen scoren, maar dus niet bij mij. M'n verwachting voor Trees Kerelman was hoog, maar ik kan niet zeggen dat die verwachting wordt waargemaakt. Ik kan geen halve sterren geven en dus kom ik niet hoger dan een 3.
I've always maintained that "Fast Car" is a perfect song: great melody and lead from the guitar, fantastically depressing lyrics... Love it. Listening to the full album, it turns out that I prefer Tracy's story songs, as opposed to her bluntly political ones, even when they convey the same message. Everything here is solid, I love how sparse the arrangements can be, but there are one or two duds (the reggae-tinged "She's Got Her Ticket", in particular) that keep this from perfection. Still, it's an incredible album. Favorite tracks: "Fast Car", "Mountains O' Things"
OK
Not for me. It sounds too close to Christian rock.
Only knew that one song from her but I liked most of it
Phenomenal debut album for a phenomenal artist!!
Album opens strong but falls a bit in the second half bar “For My Lover.” Great singer with a unique voice, not a big fan of some of the choices made regarding instrumentals.
Entspanntes Album
Love her voice…great breakout album
Very impressed by this! While I liked the popular songs from this, diving into it, made me appreciate her music more! Standout tracks: Talkin’ Bout A Revolution, Fast Car, Across The Lines, Baby Can I Hold You, Why?, For My Lover, For You 8,5 out of 10
Hammer, danke dafür, endlich mal wieder angehört. Traurig und schön zugleich.
immer wieder gut
Astounding! 36 minutes of succinct, berating social analysis. Whilst this is a heavy album, it doesn't feel like it at times. It's tragic that so little has changed in the ~50 years since this album came out, but it's clearly stood the test of time!
One classic song, two that are very good, and overall very solid. 4 stars.
You've got a 5 star
I can't believe I never listened to this album before. "Fast Car" is a classic, of course, but I only really knew her radio hits. It's up there with the greats of the singer songwriter genre. Hard to believe she was only 22-23 when this came out. The first four tracks are a fantastic series of songs that sound timeless and (unfortunately) timely even today. The naive optimism of the opening track is almost heartbreaking given where we are today. The a capella delivery of track four (Behind the Wall) is incredible and a really effective way to set the atmosphere of the song's tragic story. Starting around track five a few of the songs have a noticeably late 80s/early 90s sound to them. They're still great songs, but they don't have the same timeless feel to them. Other standout tracks: "Mountain O' Things" "Why?" and "For My Lover"
An album of two halves, with the first half being much the stronger (Revolution, Fast Car, Baby can I hold you...). The subsequent songs lack the same impact and makes it harder to sustain interest
What a storyteller. Navigating through issues both personal and political, Tracy's original vision stays captivating as it pulls you in for just one more tale. Her discovery and initial challenges she faced leading up to this album really cemented its message. The music isn't always complicated, but the simple chords and multi-cultural influence of the drums provides excellent framework for Tracy's voice to shine as the main event.
Close to a 5 - so close, for once I could have taken an extra few songs.
Really good voice, playing and production
Beautiful voice, particular in Behind the Wall. I don't love all of the songs, but I appreciate why she's considered influential.
Love this album forever and always
Hadn't heard this in years - enjoyed it.
Stunning gorgeous amazing. What a voice. At least two songs made me goosepimply.
This is a great record. The lyrics, her voice, the songwriting, and the instrumentation all come together to form something truly special.
I specifically remember the first time I listened to this album. I had some new headphones and was in the back of my mum’s car browsing the iTunes Store. From the “Under £5” section I bought this and Bat Out Of Hell. Both were bangers, but banged in different ways. Songs I already knew: all of them Favourites: Behind The Wall, Baby Can I Hold You, Talkin’ Bout A Revolution There isn’t anything to fault with this album. Every track has starkly poignant lyrics, from race wars to domestic violence. The music is fantastic, but my favourite is the a-capella Behind The Wall. The lack of instrumentation here makes everything so much more raw and emotional. If you haven’t heard this before, I couldn’t recommend it enough.
Good album
Tracy Chapman's music is a mood for sure. It isn't for everyone and it's certainly not for every mood. Despite this, this album is a must listen. The eponymous album is a strong showcase of talent of the folk rock/pop variety. Revitalized with Luke Comb's recent cover too, "Fast Car" is a timeless, thought provoking, yet completely smashing hit. I was thinking about this song all day and it nearly brought me to tears.
Powerful messages. Just sadly not my jam.
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Fast Car, but that's about it. Lots of protest stuff.
a meme in the rough
This album is AOTY 1988 and One of the best records on the 80s as a Whole.
Very enjoyable and the one-two punch of the opening tracks is amazing.
Powerful work, musically and lyrically. And what a voice!
This is a brilliant bit of recording. Great voice, especially good writing, as well as a complete work - 3 hits and not a dead spot on the disc. A very nice listen.
talking bout a revolution- um its fine. 4. fast car- um yeah 5 or 6 maybe. its interesting. across the lines- the lyrics are certainly interesting and how they address racism. also how she delivers the lyrics feels like shes trying to seem detached ?? idk. that all being said i am not the biggest fan of the song itself. whats being said though is important im just not a fan of this country ?? sound?? 5 behind the wall- the no instruments is scary. the lyrics are good too and it describes it perfectly but i dont like the execution tbh. 5 baby can i hold you- i dont care <3. 3 mountains o things- i still dont care dog im sorry. 4 i cant do this anymore fellas
4.8/5 Best Track: Fast Car (top 10 best song ever?)
Just wonderful
סיפור מעניין מאוד שירים טובים אך לא מפוצצים
- talking about a revolution - Fast car Kills in such a good way - Across the lines Would have been a great song to get into in my music class. “They kill the dream of America” yup yup yup - behind the wall Heard - baby can I hold you Ugh love stab me in the heart sorry Tracy not personal, beautiful song, I just can’t stomach it - mountains o things - She’s got her ticket I certainly want to fly away - why Let’s hear it, keep it going - for my lover I am a fool and I didn’t do enough. I think I’m losing sight of the purpose of commenting on these songs lol. Anyway it’s really great. - if not now - For you Really mentally tired/not there so won’t be doing as much notes or a close listen. Love her voice and her songs like sit on my chest. Not like hitting me but just kind of chilling there you know lol. In a good way. Beautiful album that packs many punches. Hits on a range of topics and emotions and her voice is one that breaks them all open and shares it all with the listener. Based on my taste in music: 4.75 Pretending to be a music critic: 4.5
Didn’t realize how much activism there was in this debut work. Good listening. Can’t believe it’s 35!
Hat Spaß gemacht:)
- Ein wirklich tolles Album. - Ein so zurückgenommenes, größtenteils akustisches Album aufzunehmen und dabei drei so große Hits zu kreieren ist gar nicht mal so leicht/wahrscheinlich. Der Grund dafür ist aber simpel: Das Album geht unter die Haut und trifft die Menschen ins Herz. Mit ehrlichen, gefühlvollen, wie leicht verständlichen Texten und eingänigen Melodien. - Neben den drei Hits, hatte ich "Across The Lines" schonmal gehört, was mir jetzt nochmal richtig gut gefallen hat. - Größtenteils arbeitet sich das Album meines Erachtens an den USA ab: Dem gescheiterten Amerikanischen Traum, der Ungerechtigkeit, dem alltäglichen Rassismus, der großen Spaltung innerhalb der Gesellschaft (die auch schon in den 80ern lange vor Trump kein Geheimnis war). - Ich find Tracy Chapman MEGA. Sowohl sie, als auch das Album. Rating: 4,25-4,5/5
- Ist einfach ein wholesome album - Häufig gelungene Verschmelzung von Genres - Tracy Chapman hat einfach eine einzigartige Ausstrahlung und Stimme - Tolle, nachvollziehbare und vor allem zeitlose Texte - Lässt nach hinten raus etwas nach meiner Meinung. Liegt aber auch an der Stärke der ersten Hälfte 3,75/5
Entspanntes Album, um in den Morgen zu starten. Songs wie "Fast Car", "Baby Can I Hold You" oder "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" kennt man natürlich aus dem Radio (dass man sich so sehr an diese erinnert, heißt schon was, da ich seit Ewigkeiten eigentlich kein Radio mehr höre). Jedenfalls hätte ich nach dem ersten Song nicht gedacht, dass mich das Album wirklich abholt und unterhält, aber so irrt man sich. Im Flug war es vorbei. Auch wenn für mich kein Song besonders rausstach, kann man sich das Werk gut mal geben. Rating: 3 / 5 ⭐
I remember buying this album in 88 based off Fast Car, which is one of the best songs of the late 80s. I also remember being disappointed in the album. Now that I’m older and I appreciate music a little differently the album isn’t quite as bland as I remember. But it’s isn’t a whole lot better either. I’m giving this 3 stars instead of a 2 stars based on Fast Car, Talking Bout a Revolution, and Why.
Always a pleasure to listen to. What a great and unique voice.
2024-01-19
01) Talkin' 'bout a Revolution - 10,0 02) Fast Car - 10,0 03) Across the Lines - 8,5 04) Behind the Wall - 8,5 05) Baby Can I Hold You - 10,0 06) Mountains o' Things - 9,0 07) She's Got Her Ticket - 8,5 08) Why? - 8,0 09) For My Lover - 9,0 10) If Not Now… - 8,5 11) For You - 8,5 TOTAL: 8,96 (90/100) Now this one I could listen again, and I bet it would score even higher. The album which features "Fast Car" and "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" deserves highest mark.
3.2 - As I'm listening, I imagine two scenarios: 1. A precocious, rainbow-haired teenager lighting up a high school open mike that was organized by a well-meaning teacher who wanted to give the theater kids a social outlet. 2. a dinner party of 40-something professionals. Everyone is wearing earth-toned blazers, chatting politely and swirling glasses of expensive red wine. This CD is playing quietly in the background.
Not bad. Not great. Just middle
Great album. Never listened to it.
Love it
Very good music. Have liked this album from the time we first heard it.
Solid
I will always remember this album specifically for the summer of 98 in the mountains of CO. Every song on here takes me back to moments of that time and place.
country/folk; lots of great songs lamenting the system
Kannte ich schon. Ist super meherer Hits drauf
This is hard to rate. On the one hand, this has some incredible highs. Her song writing and singing ability is insane and is super talented obviously, could be a 5. I also do think that some of it can feel a little dated and 80s especially the production of it. I’ll go with a 4
I knew the first 2 songs but had no idea they were Tracy Chapman - 2 great songs at that, and the rest of the album followed in quality
Some great songs. But found it a little bit samey after a while.