Tracy Chapman

It isn't that bad, i just never had a click with this kinda stuff. I was sure she was an old dude until now

It's ok. Really nice production and mix (streamed in CD quality). Some good recognised singles. Some of the album a bit non-descript and average. Way better than I could do of course.

Such a strong and unique voice. Fast Car is and will always be a classic!

Excellent album! Every song is so good, amazing song writing and Tracy’s voice is haunting!

I mean…it’s Tracy Chapman. I LOVE Tracy. The voice! The lyrics!

Didn't give it my 100% attention but aside from a few top songs it got a bit boring

Okay, not really my jam. Kinda borning.

It was okay

Lyrics were amazing

First album where I already had songs from it! Love her storytelling and the timbre of her voice.

Knew more songs than I thought I would. Decent album although not usual thing.

Þetta var auðhlustanlegt. Ekki eitthvað sem ég sæki sjálfur mikið í en gæti sett þessa plötu á fóninn yfir sunnudagsmáltíðinni eða eitthvað í þá áttina. Fín rödd og góður músíkant. Fílaði samt ekki alveg spjalllagið.

Loved it! Classic.

Behind the Wall is a dumb song.

It's a nice relaxed album with a couple songs that still stand up and have even had (less good) covers done of them.

Was really intrigued by the balance between folk and rock here. Had some captivating background instrumentals (marimba/xylo was particularly interesting), and lyrics were poignant as well. Definitely worth a revisit

Meh not my style.

This is definitely not my cup of tea - so forgive me my rating. Tracy has a charismatic voice and at the time the songs at least stood out of the usual chart shit. Still nothing I would listen to again - and to be honest I didn't listen to the full album, just did short a recap of the hit singles ...

I liked this album! I think she has a great voice. Very soothing. I liked the lyrics a lot too. With a few of the songs I felt transported into her world. Great discovery for me, for sure!

Always loved this one. Tracy Chapman has a beautiful voice and the sparse music accompaniment really works here. It makes everything feel immediate and raw and somewhat old school.

I know Tracy Chapman and I know this album. I thought I knew the whole album pretty well but the last three songs did not seem familiar at all. They don’t really do it for me. Funny enough those are the ones that are more run of the mill love song lyrics and not the poignant society critical songs as the other songs on the album. I do like her voice and most of her song writing. Apparently not enough that I kept up with the rest of her work. Sure, I know a couple more songs of hers, it just doesn’t do it enough for me, to want to listen to all her albums and I’m usually good after listening to a couple songs at a time. So, I just read that a white country guy covered her song ‘Fast Car’ aaaand it’s exactly how she sings it including the part about working in the supermarket as a checkout girl. It just sounds and feels wrong. Yeah, nope.

Immediately recognisable signature voice,

It’s really not my music. But it’s great song IF you want to listen only 1-2 songs. Maybe I’m so broke, but this cycling and recycling of 3 to 5 chords through the songs makes the album monotonous for me. Some songs seem to run for 30 minutes, even if it’s just 2-3 minutes. She has a nice voice and there are some good melodies, but I don’t want to listen this album ever again in one sitting.

Only knew the singles, the rest is not as good. Great voice though

Poetic and delicate.

Fantastic album, timeless lyrics and music

I love Tracy Chapman and this album is actually great. There are some songs that especially stand out, like "Talkin' Bout a Revolution", "Fast Car" and of course "Baby Can I Hold You", but many of the other tracks are just as worthy a listen. Except "Behind the Wall", despite the important message behind the lyrics. The song wasn't really a good a capella candidate, in my opinion.

Gar nicht mein Genre (wird es wahrscheinlich auch nie), aber einiges von Tracy Chapman kannte und mochte ich bereits (natürlich aber nur die Klassiker "Fast Car" und "Talkin Bout a Revolution"). Beim Anfang von "Across the Lines" dachte ich, dass ein Cover von "Moskau" kommt... "For you" ist ein wunderschönes Liebeslied, kommt direkt auf meine Hochzeitsplaylist. Fazit: viel Schönes und Interessantes (insb. Gesellschaftskritisches wie "Behind the Wall") dabei, aber die bekannten Klassiker sind oft doch am besten. Ist aber einfach nicht meine Musik und wird daher maximal zu ausgewählten Momenten gehört.

I know the singles off this album but I don’t think I’ve listened to the album before. I remember thinking that this was sort of easy-listening, but it is actually quite tough going in places with some justifiably angry lyrics about poverty and racial injustice. Reminiscent of singer songwriters from the 60s, but with a definite 80s polish in the sound quality.

My wife had this album on cassette when we first met. Brought back some good memories.

Great folk-pop album, great voice and great song-writting. It's too rare nowadays to have pop music with such meaningful lyrics. The stripped down songs are the best (hell, Behind the Wall shows that she doesn't need additional instruments), the others are a bit too overproduced (welcome to the '80s I guess).

Listened to this album a lot when it was new, but not in the last maybe 20 years. It seems I still like it, and I still know almost all the lyrics. Though the music seems to be "simple" and there is only limited use of musical instruments, the music appears somehow "rich" to me. The a cappella track "Behind the Wall" is one of my highlights. Not a single filler on the album.

Very strong start to the album, but lost me at some point and was bored by the end.

This album is really important to me. I grew up listening and have never really stopped. Lyrically brilliant and musically stunning. Incredible that she just won Country Song of the Year in 2023 for Fast Car, so many years after release and what a deserving song! It is totally perfect.

Her voice is beautiful! The songs are very real.

4- Stars (10/15)

Lovely album, easy to listen to

Love love love her!

Ik kende enkel Fast Car! Verrassend leuk!

Mountain O' Things sounds like it comes straight off the Donkey Kong Country soundtrack and I can't get over it. Incredible.

Not my style, but a very solid singer/songwriter album. Great voice. Probably won't listen it again, though.

Didn't think the first song was going to be a bop instantly, it was catchy, though she repeated the same phrase too much, that low-key made it better. I expect more for the next ones. Also the voice of her is soothing so can't complain about that. Well the fast cars is also sad in its way, Elton John vibes I must say, again catchy and I would definitely sing along to it. So far so good. Also she really loves repeating the chorus, and I'm here for it. Third song is literally about the problems of her time, racism and that kind of ugly stuff, love that. Even though the whole album, I think, will sound the same, it is soo listenable(sometimes it's just not for me). Also the song consists of "hook" and "post hook" haven't heard of that, unique for me. Okayy now domestic violence problem. And it's a cappella, made it better, the silence makes it more tragic to be honest. I was wrong about it having the same vibe, depending on this 4th song. Basically this drastic change was quite pleasant. Apparently her tone changed in the 5th song, since it's about her lover, and the fact that she wants to be loved some controversies about the lyrics made it more interesting and the fact that she perceives love differently. Oooh 6th one has a tropical vibe for sure, again wrong about the same vibe I said before. It's also about the philosophical problem, in particular being materialistic isn't the right choice when love exists. Apparently Beatles has a song about the same topic(not surprised). The instrumentals are soo calm and tropical, as I've said already. Hasn't been a song I wouldn't add to liked songs yet. The feminism/anti racist message is what 7th song is about. Tropical vibe stays, with some new instruments I don't know the names of. But this one is particularly optimistic, as "she's got her ticket" doesn't sound negative, especially in a song (could be wrong). On the other hand, there's this bridge between white and black people so this so called ticket it different for different race, quite sad still. "Why?" Already says a lot I should say, 8th song is about racism to sum it up. People still starving despite the enough food for them, the "love is hate, war is peace, no is yes and we'll all free" sounds like a powerful message, since it was also slogans from 1984 by George Orwell (that's what genius said). Basically global problems summed up in one song. I guessed this, and now I'm sure, she had a woman lover, makes this whole experience better I suppose, she was also arrested for it. She's trying to say that being dependent on social ideals is not a way to live a life and I guess one of them includes her being a lesbian, lovely, too lazy to check other deep meanings for now. Noo the chorus repeating in the 10th song is one of the best, since it makes me sad even more. But I haven't cried to a song yet don't know why I just can't, but I would have definitely if I was emotional enough. Also it has no Meaning written in genius so I took it literally and another reason to be sad apparently. Last song, the guitar in this one and throughout the album was definitely doing its job pretty well, loved every moment listening to it. The last two songs I think are about her love, she supposedly lost control, thing she didn't think would happen, quite relatable, no longer a master of her emotions she says. Ending quite sad, I still feel like this kind of sadness is caused by something, which I don't know, and I'm lazy to check it All and all, this was a great experience, couldn't have wished more, and idk if this will be shared to everyone (I only wrote this for me soo). Talking to future me to listen to this whenever feeling philosophical or anti delightful. Forgot to say, my rating is based on whether I'll listen to it again or not, not how influential or deep the lyrics were, that's not how I listen to music.

3.5/5

I liked it a lot. I thought Tracy Chapman had an awesome unique voice and awesome acoustic guitar playing skills.

woow, that girl has a unique voice!!! (please don't let her sing ever again, she sounds like she just got kicked in the balls)

Fast Car is undoubtedly one of the greatest songs of all time. The rest of this album holds up really well against it. Tracy Chapman is a fantastic singer and storyteller.

Gorgeous music

Amazing album.

Love this whole album. Might have to get it on vinyl.

A great album

grandioses Album

Lovely

Oh yeah this was fairly huge. Some crackers on here, amazing songwriting but maybe a bit repetitive in terms of production and instrumentation. A nice listen.

Listened on 30th December 2023.

Really liked the sound and lyrics. But the album felt as a greatest hits more than a normal album.

This was good. I remember when this came out but never listened to anything but Fast Car.

Starts with the two best songs and can’t duplicate those, try as it might. Still a great effort and worth a listen

A bit too biased for me.

Great singer, fantastic songwriter, shame the album doesn't finish on the same strong foot that it starts, but I need to check more Tracy C in the future.

not bad!

Sjunger mkt bra. Har ett uppenbart socialt patos vilket ska premieras. Dock är det bara hitsen som är verkligt bra. Ska man vara riktigt noga är det egentligen bara Fast Car som verkligen lyfter. Baby Can I hold you är ok bra men känns samtidigt lite som nåt som skulle kunna vara med i en sketch om en man som vill sätta på en låt för att skapa lite knullig stämning.

Aldrig lyssnat på Tracy annat än hitsen. Det är framför allt de två första låtarna. Som är väldigt bra! Bäst utöver de två är "baby can i hold you" For you också bra. Gillar det överlag. Hon har ju en riktigt cool röst! Hade väl helst hört någon till riktigt bra låt. Men hittills har det ju visats vara svårt med album. Allt för många dussinlåtar.

Några låtar är klockrena men några är sömnpiller men ändå en stabil 3a.

Alltid älskat den här skivan. Sjukt bra rakt igenom.

Yes, this is the album that has that one song about a fast automobile

Great Album, never old!

lovely easy listening, what a voice and what beautiful guitarwork

Absolute fire!!! Unique voice. Amazing lyrics

She's definitely talented, and has a strong social conscience. Pretty good songs too! Nothing less than good on my first impression. A fairly strong album.

:)

Fast car earns this an extra star, the rest of the album went by largely unnoticed, liked that it was chilled but not gonna rush back to it

this is a perfect album. there is not one bad track on this album

obviously

boring

Äänen herkkyys tekee tästä spesiaalin mutta rasittavan ja hankalan. Muuten perus knopfler type delivery but not knopfler like quitary incredibleness.. driven by singing not instrument...

It’s a good album, and Fast Car is iconic. It’s an incredibly important album and one of the biggest selling albums of all time. However…I just struggle to connect to it. I don’t know why, it’s a good album, for sure,but that’s as far as it goes. Lyrically, it’s brilliant. It is timeless in that if I don’t know any better you could convince me it was released today, but still. Three stars

Very Underatted Fast Car is not the only great song Fascinating voice and powerful lyrics I got lost in the last couple of songs, nothing stuck out to me there The first half of the album is incredible however Top 3 songs - Talkin About Revolution, Fast Car, Why?

Tracy is a voice. Too beautiful for my normal rotation. Fantastic debut album. Can be one note at times. But she did what she was doing. Classic.

Nothing too special except for the voice

enjoyed it, soulful

gets pretty samey but still enjoyed bits

“You still gotta make a decision- leave tonight, or live and die this way” A powerful debut album. Go listen. Now, if buskers can stop performing “Fast Car”, that would be great. Don’t get me started on *that* sped up cover. Overall: 7/10

It was alright, nothing to write home about

60/1001 - A landmark album - wonderful lyrics and musician. enjoy!

one of the best in all acoustic album！

Good album

absolute classic

Liked it, fast car The song with no instruments it's just her singing, wow

A brilliant debut album. I saw her tour this album opening for Bob Dylan. She was great, he was awful.

Beautiful and haunting, can see how she inspired so man

Excellent album

super pleasant, a little dusty and dated

She's real good. Some slow parts on the album but overall nice

vroom vroom

Riktigt bra faktiskt.

Pretty good, obviously fast car slaps and I liked the rest of it too

The lyrics are pretty well crafted and she is a gr8 poet but I found the accompanying instrumentals too boring to enjoy it. Also fast car has been previously ruined for me. This is queer on queer violence. Sorry Tracy.

ok

How solid of a job is this album if close to what 30 years later a country singer can win an award with it? Also, how sad that happened? Good for Tracy Chapman - your voice on this album is fantastic and should be listened to as a whole not just one song.

Chill acoustic rock for mums

Good but dated.

Viele alte Bekannte, aber aus der Zeit gefallen

Fine. I remember Fast Car being a hit when I was a kid. That song seemed to be everywhere for a while!

Great record, love Chapman’s voice and lyrics. A nice combination of protest singer Dylan and introspective Dylan.

When I was in high school, “Give Me One Reason” was everywhere, and I still like that song. This album was a bit before my time, but I knew Fast Car. But maybe I know a cover better? Anyway, I enjoyed this album very much.

Good voice, but not my type of music.

Glad I got to revisit. She is a talent.

Not a fan of this one. Was huge when I was a teenager so maybe it stems from that.

absolute vibes

One of the best debut albums: such a passionate tale from Chapman is weaved into this album. Fast Car itself is one of the greatest songs of all time, paired with other acoustic rock it's a pleasant listen with hard hitting points.

Extremely realxing sound with powerful vocals.

Pretty powerful stuff. Shame so much is still relevant 35 years later, but this album was good. I had never heard any of it before, so it was a fresh listen, though my wife knew all the words to fast cars. Musically, I liked it mich more than most singer/songwriter stuff.

She got a fast car, why all the lousy country singers covering this song??

Niet alle nummers waren even overtuigend.

Alltid syntes Fast Car e sånn passe irriterande

It was refreshing. I loved it

can't get enough of her - her voice, her content, her soul! Plus... sheleads to really great spotify radio :)

The middest

it sounds nice but i didnt care much for it

I was expecting to like it more. Wasn’t aware it was an 80’s album lol. I like it tho, the voice is exceptional and the lyrics are soulful and profound.

Beautiful. Just beautiful. She has a beautiful voice and she uses it perfectly. The variety of themes explored, such as political statements or the society itself, love, heartbreak, and her own personal problems made this a very interesting record. Some very beautiful ballads, but the song that struck me out the most was the acapella one ("Behind the wall") - chills with this one.

I did not recognize Tracy Chapman's name or Talkin'Bout a Revolution. I instantly recognized Fast Car once it played and was amazed I never knew the artist for that song. This album released two days after I was born so it's been a long time coming that I listen to it. I've been into Folk and Singer/Songwriter music lately so I'm probably biased while listening to this album but it's the best I've heard in a while from what I've been given. This includes a David Bowie album, The Roots, Van Halen, and Pink Floyd. 3 of those 4 are very highly regarded but the music on the particular albums was either ok or just not something I enjoyed. I like being able to enjoy both the lyrics and music on Tracy Chapman. Does that mean all of the songs are amazing? No. Baby Can I Hold You was pretty bad but overall this is a very cohesive album and enjoyable listening experience. 4 out of 5.

Classic album

I mean, "Fast Car" sort of instantly catapults this album into a classic right? What a beautiful, small, mighty debut album from Tracy Chapman. "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" and "Baby Can I Hold You" are the two other stand out songs here, and at a very tight 36 minutes this album really flows and gels well. With every song feeling connected, like a small part in telling a bigger story, there's hardly a wasted minute. It's mellow, chill, and easy listening to one of the most beautiful voices in music history. Hard not to like this album.

Gott

Talkin' Bout a Revolution- 4.6/5 Fast Car- 4.5/5 Across the Lines- 4.4/5 Behind the Wall- 5/5 Baby Can I Hold You- 4.2/5 Mountains O' Things- 3.9/5 She's Got Her Ticket- 4.1/5 Why?- 3.5/5 For My Lover- 4.6/5 If Not Now...- 4.8/5 For You- 4.7/5 Total- 4.4/5

I really appreciated this album. So much truth here, the lyrics really spoke to me. Its just not a musical style I enjoy, otherwise this would probably be 5 stars.

Sure, this veers close to generic singer-songwriter blandness at times but Tracy does it better than most; the lyrics are earnest and the melodies are strong more often than not. 3.5 stars, rounded up as Fast Car was a childhood favourite o’ mine.

I can understand why it took off so much in the 80s. Everyone had been listening to the same glam metal and synth-based pop for the past decade that it was refreshing to hear something so stripped down. No distracting synths. No exaggerated vocals. No cliche or throwaway lyrics. People find something so refreshing with genuine emotion and empathetic stories that people can relate to, and the world went crazy for this, so much so that contemporary folk saw a revival in popularity. In a minimal production, most songs have instruments that serve no other purpose than providing an atmosphere for the lyrics. The beats and riffs are repetitive and only speak up when Chapman isn't singing. The loudest, fastest songs are in the middle, but they don't follow any complex melodic structures, but they do provide a bit of diversity, like the sophisti-pop ambiance of "Mountain O' Things", the reggae of "She's Got Her Tickets," or the modern country of "For My Lover." If I were judging the songs alone by their melody, I would not be impressed. There's not particularly noteworthy about any of them except the catchy hooks of "Fast Car". To me, their significance is simply to create the setting and carry the mood of each song. I personally hate "Baby Can I Hold You" because it actually is exactly like other generic 1988 pop music stroke the vocals and lyrics, and yet it's the 2nd most popular track. But what's so special about this record are the lyrics and vocals. With a minimalist or repetitive melody, the attention is on her and voice. She speaks slowly and clearly. And her lyrics are simple, easily digestible, with a lot of repetition, very easily getting her point across within a couple verses. There are no hidden messages or twists. "I'll be working for somebody else until I'm in my grave" "Everyday I'm psychoanalyzed for my lover, for my lover. They dope me up, and I tell them lies" "Some folks call her a runaway - a failure in the race - but she knows where her ticket takes her" Nothing cryptic about any song on here. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's so popular because for once the common man can hear social issues about race, class, and sexuality as clearly as they come in a digestible music format. And compared to other pop music where the singers feel the need to impress the audience with their vocal chords, Chapman speaks with emotion. It's a bit catchy, not entirely spoken, but you can hear her desperate pleas and attitudes, not spiteful or hopeless like modern social commentary in pop music is, but rather soft and optimistic but disappointed in the current state of affairs. I understand her message, and I understand how so many people who feel emotionally strong about these subjects can relate to this so much. And since these issues persist today, there is a canonical permeance to her music that will continue to touch generations for as long as society is structured the way it has been since the 60s. I will say I don't agree with a lot of her messages. I'm all for social equality, but I do feel a lot of her messages are nothing more than painting a pessimistic view of the state of society. "Why?" is a song that infuriates me and shows how simple minded she is yet how clever she thinks she is. I am here to write my view on how this record "objectively" stands subject to my biases in musical taste. And with her clarity, focus on themes, and accessible short song lengths, she's able to easily get across her messages across well with heart-wrenching emotion... and those are her greatest strengths. The issues she talks about aren't new by any means. Many artists have covered the same for decades. But she can do so without the fluff. And her incorporation of modern 80s music provides a good starting point for other artists to follow, so I'll give her the points for innovation and trajectory of contemporary folk for decades to come. I do find the literary devices she employs to be pretty lame. She tries a bit too hard, but I don't think she's good as a songwriter. It's short and clear, but not imaginative, fluid, and (in most songs) she doesn't expand her ideals beyond the first few verses, leaving them pretty flat. The melody utilizes stripped down popular 80s genres, which provides diversity and can appeal to people of all sorts of music interests, but it's all boring and again flat, with little to show beyond the surface. A coherent album experience to keep people engaged, but almost none hold up as standalone songs. Balancing these strengths and weaknesses, I feel I'm justified in my review with 3 stars. It's not a "mediocre album." She could be a better writer, and she could write stronger and more consistent melodies. I understand this would sacrifice her shot at being one of the biggest musicians of the year, but my review isn't too reliant on how likely she could appeal to the people, otherwise I'd have to give much more leeway to generic pop music.

Good, mellow, thinking music

saving this album! really enjoyed it

Only reference I had prior for her music was fast car. Pleasingly every song on the album had the same emotion put into it.

I think this might be the first album we’ve reviewed that I actually own! It came out when I was only 7 or 8, but I really connected with “Fast Car” as I got older and it’s one of my all time favorite songs. The rest of the album isn’t quite as meaningful to me, but it’s still powerful.

This album was beautiful and I loved almost every song. Definitely going to be listening to a lot more Chapman after this.

Tendenz zu 4

1988 was a big year for debut albums. Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, N.W.A… all of them making a hell of a lot of noise with incendiary debuts, changing alternative rock and hip-hop forever. But in such a loud year, which young woman broke through all the noise with simple, honest songwriting, to release the biggest-selling debut of its time? That’s right: Paula Abdul with “Forever Your Girl”. Astounding. …and meanwhile, as if THAT weren’t enough for such a monster year, Tracy Chapman calmly threw this timeless effort into the mix, asserting herself onto the singer-songwriter scene with a quiet confidence, a sharp mind and a hurting heart. It must have felt as though she’d always been there: these songs sit outside and above the prevailing musical trends of their time. The album’s biggest hit, “Fast Car”, has endured through the years to become an iconic expression of heartbreak, hope and disappointment. It may have been overexposed and covered to death by waves of wannabe-authentic singer-songwriters, but in context, its impact is inescapable. Chapman is an exemplary storyteller with a very listenable voice. Most of the rest of this album turns to socio-political issues, giving Chapman the “protest-singer” label. The opening, “Talkin’ About A Revolution”, alludes to welfare lines, unemployment and the Salvation Army, gifting several generations with an anthem of hope. “Across the Lines” addresses racial division and rioting; “Mountains o’ Things” turns to consumerism; “For My Lover” hints at a forbidden relationship. It’s all laid out in bare and simple terms, and has drawn some criticism for Chapman being too vague and not doing more to incite any real change. But what do people expect? She’s a singer-songwriter sticking her neck on the line, not a state diplomat or Nobel Peace Prize winner. Producer David Kershenbaum oversees a lovely warm production across the album, digging down to the honesty at the heart of these songs. As a result, the musical arrangements are muted and subdued, which can be both good and not-so-good. Almost every track sees Chapman strumming or picking acoustic guitar, backed by a rootsy, stripped back ensemble. It’s a rim of the snare drum, tasteful lap steel, sparse basslines-on-the-root-notes kind of deal. There are nice touches here and there, though, including fretless bass dropping in and out of “Across the Lines”, sitar backing the vocal line in “Baby Can I Hold You”, and the insistent percussive backing and pipes in “Mountains o’ Things”. “Behind the Wall”, meanwhile, takes the simplicity all the way: Chapman sings about ”silence that chilled my soul” with no instrumental backing. And then it’s immediately answered by the lovely “Baby Can I Hold You”, one of the album’s biggest hits which is a straightforward love song (more than a little echo of Joan Armatrading). All in all, this may not be the most thrilling music in the world but it is a supreme breath of fresh air, as much for 1988 as it is in the 1001 canon. No doubt Chapman’s unadorned and honest songwriting will continue to stand the test of time.

Such soulful renditions. Some of the songs on this album are among my all-time favorite songs. The lyrics are so hard-hitting, the voice has so much emotion- comfort, wistfulness, just everything. Yes, this is definitely one album that everyone must hear in their lifetime.

I have loved this album since I first heard it back in 1992 (4 years after it's release). It is timeless.

Much better than I expected. Only song I didn't like was the one with no background music. I knew Fast Car already but I didn't know the rest of them were great too.

eh.

A really lovely album, even if Fast Car and Baby Can I Hold You kind of overshadow the other tracks. Talking Bout a Revolution is also great but yeah, don’t expect any deep cuts

Haven't listened to this in a long time. Fresh and easy. Great reminder.

Such an incredible singer, the instrumentals are groovy, everything is on point in this album.

I didn’t know I was supposed to have beef with Luke Combs until I heard the original version of Fast Car. This is a really good album. The lyrics are heartbreaking.

Incredible. Chapman has such a self assured voice and beautiful lyrics. Her songwriting is where the magic lives. Love it.

Timeless sound. I don't know enough about the politics to comment (different country and demographic). Cohesive album.

Das Album wurde noch vor den Loudness Wars gemastert. Es hat den Anspruch, dass man sich aktiv damit beschäftigt und es nicht noch mit zig andere Lärmquellen damit konkurrenzieren muss. Als es noch Schallplatten gab, durfte die Musik nicht zu laut sein, weil sonst die Nadel aus der Rille gehüpft wäre.

Amazing voice! Fast Car is her most famous song and I can see why, she kills it. Stand-out: For My Lover

Easy listening, decent

HL: "Fast Car", "Talkin' Bout a Revolution", "Mountains O' Things", "If Not Now...", "Behind the Wall"

Very nice Fast car and for my lover favorites.

A good collection of folk rock songs by Tracy Chapman. Her voice is beautiful and storytelling is also good, the songs are really sad because she experienced a lot of hardships in her life but she presents them in an accessible way. Some songs are a bit too samey to me musically. Overall good though not sure I'd want to listen to it again soon (because of the heaviness of the lyrics). 3.5/5.

Political folk with 80’s pop production. Some good songs here. Solid.

Iconic voice, but "oh wow is me" lyrics. Not inspiring, to me

Симпатично красиво. Очень интересно музыкально удивил акапельный трек. Но акустический звук слегка надоедает. Меня поражает контекст. Параллельно с темнокожим кантри за социальную справедливость, в те же 80е в Вашингтоне ДС бритоголовые белые парни орут хардкор-панк, про то, что их заставляют извиняться за рабство. А что истина? Да где-то посередине.

A great album talking about social issues with a good indie feel :')

Pretty sad and depressing but really quite impressive.

Slow ; folkish type music. Great voice, great storytelling- just too slow for my taste

Its good but not my style. Something I'd hear in a coffee shop. Fast Car is a classic but other than that...

Generic

I will probably like this and also be sad. Ok so the thing I am most impressed with is the assurance in her voice. She sounds remarkably mature for someone in her early twenties and her projection is fantastic. The first two tracks are the most familiar to me and are the strongest—one could almost make the case that you don’t need much more than that—but for me the rest of the album wound up being unmemorable. But god damn, Fast Car is probably one of the best songs ever written, it’s so fucking good and Jesus is it sad.

It was okay

Beautiful vocals, and “Fast Car” is always excellent. That said, to be honest, I don’t think I’m likely to listen to the whole album again. Highlights: - Talkin’ Bout a Revolution - Fast Car

Very good

Outstanding

3.6/5

3.5/5

Beautiful album

It was good, but sad. I saved a couple songs. She seemed to have experience difficult circumstances - poverty, racism, DV, etc. I really would love to hear a younger female singer cover her song For My Lover in a simple way because the lyrics are beautiful. 3/5 because I would not listen to it again as its not my music taste but it was still good.

Blast from the past great artist and songs

love

I love everything Tracy Chapman has done and this is no exception

Fast Car has a great hook, a lot of heart in the sadly timeless theme of deadbeat dads. I'm tired of it, but just because I'm tired of it doesn't mean it's not good. The rest I find a little same-y and inoffensive. I've had this forever and never listen to any of it. Still, I'm going to round up to 3.

Great album.

Had no idea Chapman was so politically radical (in both senses of the word). Hard for me to get past the super slick late 80s early 90s singer songwriter sheen, from a sonic taste perspective, but it was doable, and this is a good one. Pulls no punches.

Nice!

While the music is simple, Chapman’s powerful, controlled, passionate, and at times understated singing moves the listener.

Fast Car is brilliant, and a masterclass in telling a simple story with economy and impact. The two other singles are great, though dots in the rear view. Across the Lines is a song I’ve been fond of since a friend used to sing it to us back at university, only slightly badly. Behind the Wall is powerful. The second half of the record is fine, but after a couple of listens I can recall little apart wincing at a couple of very late-80s production choices.

Love it, a brilliant album from a pretty uninteresting time in music, if a more hopeful one politically. Listened to it constantly back then, still play it occasionally and am always blown away by the great tunes

A brutally honest songwriter that keenly chronicles the difficulty of the human condition - all it's ugliness, and also all it's hope. 35 years on so much of the world has changed and yet, funny how how things stay the same (and some could argue it's worse). Her lyrics, clear and unflinching, are as relevant today as they ever were. Talkin' Bout a Revolution and Fast Car are potent starters, but Behind the Wall is quite a stand-out, as well as Mountains of Things, Why? and For My Lover. Such a powerful album.

Very distinct voice but the music does not go anywhere interesting. The lyrics are meaningful in obvious ways. Not my thing.

The first two tracks are really good; Fast Car is a banger. She has a good voice. While the production can be somewhat simple most of the time she carries the album with how good her voice is. The slower songs aren't really for me, but I can tell that they are good. This is a strong 3/5

That’s such a personal and sincere album. Tracy Chapman is a great guitarist and a gifted lyricist. 5 stars

No comecinho não botei fé, mas nas últimas virou pedrada. A voz dela e a vibe meio folk com violão e poucos instrumentos eletrônicos é oq vende a parada pra mim, mas mesmo assim não achei tudo isso que a pitchfork fez parecer n

It feels odd for me to call a political album plain, especially considering how it’s been many years since its original release and I have no way of truly knowing how this record fit in the musical landscape of its time, but it’s the main impression I got from this. Chapman is an effective storyteller and though I can recognize the power in her direct songwriting, a lot of the messages and sentiments she communicates through these songs have unfortunately become cliches with time. It’s of no fault of her own, though, but to me, all of the history that happened after this album’s release has only rendered these stories far too familiar in a demoralizing way. It didn’t help that a few of these songs aren’t really musically interesting to me, which I’m sure was meant to draw more attention to her lyricism, but to me, it only served to dull the power in her statements. It was a pleasant and relatable listen, but unfortunately it didn’t do much else for me. Fav tracks: Talkin’ Bout a Revolution, Fast Car, For My Lover, For You

4.0

Dost dobar album. Fast car favorit.

2,5

Too slow for me but there was one decent track

I knew Fast car and the album was interesting enough to me to listen to again at some point.

I was already familiar with Fast Car. I liked this album more than I thought I would.

her voice is CRAZY good. so political. interesting lyrics.

This came out my senior year in high school. I don't think I ever listened to the album all the way through. The messages are still applicable today as they were 35 years ago.

Fast car is a banger that I already had in a couple playlists. Never gave the rest of the album a listen but its good!

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE ;_;

I believe this was her debut? Absolutely incredible album.

Fast Car, Talking About a Revolution and (tho I don't like) Baby Can I Hold You are all serious tunes. Backed up by a pretty strong set of album cuts. The production is uber eighties, reminiscent of Paul Simon/Peter Gabriel at the time. It's a definitive three, but no more.

Pretty good! I liked fast cars. 5/5

What a voice. Definitely worth a listen. Instrumentation is kind of blah, but the voice steals the show anyway.

Wow, firstly, this starts with five great to perfect songs. Secondly... It's really bleak. Reaallly bleak. Being trapped and violence, psychic or physical, against women are two of its principal themes. It has s absolutely bloody brilliant though. Heartbreaking and brilliant.

I never really got into the contemporary/soft rock scene of the 80’s and 90’s and lamentably didn’t recognize any of the songs here except “Fast Car.” That was definitely a staple on 98.3 The Key haha. Not a huge fan of the style/genre of music at first listen but there is certainly some important social commentary on this album- “Behind the Wall” was jarring, heartbreaking, and realistic. There’s something special about an artist’s first album- something they write and record often before having any fame, accolades, expectations, etc. (side note: that’s why you’ll hear about lackluster sophomore albums; the second album is really hard for a lot of artists to pull off after a successful debut). This is a great album from a singer-songwriter that went huge right after its release so this is the real deal, straight from her soul. Three stars for straight sound and enjoyment on my first listen, but more like four for content, cultural significance, songwriting value, etc. could I give this 3.5?

The music was good but the lyrics were very racially charged. A little too much for me. I prefer my music to be happy

‘Fast Car’ is a banger though

Solid 3/5 would listen to again but wouldn't necessarily seek it out.

Absolute gem

First two songs are basically the same but after that it gets nice and varied

Series of huge tracks, but then fizzles out a bit

#11. I have heard of Tracy Chapman before, but never actually listened to her music. It started out slow, but picked up a bit in the middle. This Lilith Fair kinda music isn't my really my jam, but I thought it was decent overall. 3/5: acceptable Song added to playlist: Fast Car I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link

Soulful, but overall a little too soulful. I can see why most of the tracks never made it to the Top 40.

FAST CAR!!!!!!!

It's a great album. When I told my wife I got this one, she mentioned that a bunch of the songs sound the same. She wasn't wrong. That knocks it from a 5/5

I remember when this album was everywhere after the Nelson Mandela tribute concert and at the time I didn't see the fuss about it. It's one of those albums where you know someone else has already done it only better. I gave it another go but to me it is 11 tracks that are all pretty similar, there's nothing here to keep me gripped

Great voice, fun singer-songwriter style with various elements from folk to African/Caribbean-feeling drums

I was surprised I knew so many of these songs. Track 1,2 and 5 I've heard bunch but almost never think about. Didn't like the weird marimba percussion half way though but overall good album, would listen again.

It was OK. Would be happy to have on in the background but wouldn't purposefully seek it out.

Liked this way more than I had expected. I only knew the one song from the radio long ago. Didn't know she had such a great voice and great messages - seemingly ahead of its time (these issues are just more exposed now). One song had just her voice, which was very impactful. She also did a few things with the way she sang and rhymed certain words - very good. Normally not my type of music but deserves great credit for her artistry!

Mega Klassiker. Schön, aber nicht ganz mein Sound

I liked fast car, but everything else on this album was forgettable. It was just simple easy listening music that didn't leave any impressions on me.

Great lyricism cant deny that. Just a bit boring to be honest. maybe I am desensitized but sociopolitical commentary such as "war bad peace good" and "dont beat ur spouse" isnt necessarily groundbreaking I am without a doubt being reductive, but there were few moments in this album that were actually interesting sonically.

never felt it

3.5

Everysong a beautiful statement. She pulled no punches.

Like being stood up for a date at starbucks wishing this would end.

This album is poignant and tender, while powerfully discussing societal issues. He voice throughout is full of emotion and expression. My favourite tracks include talkin' bout a revolution, fast car, and for my lover. However, by far my favourite of all is behind the wall: there is no backing which compels the listener to focus singularly on her message, it is raw, emotional and filled with pain and restrained anger.

Meh

Not my cup of tea, after some time the music sounded a bit bland to me. Even after repeated listens it was hard for me to differentiate the songs. Except for Mountains O'Things, that's a certified jam.

Fucking ass tryhard corny

Hamburger

Niet helemaal mijn ding, maar een paar prachtige nummers. Sterk werk

Beautiful voice and a beautiful album. There are some very haunting songs like Behind the Wall. I love the a capella. Fast Car is a great song, of course.

new one for me

Good.

nanana fast car

First time listening to the whole album. It incredible songwriting, pure, raw, heartwarming and touching. Her voice and tone is beautiful. The classics are great as always and nurtured by these lesser known songs with just as hard hitting stories.

Notable: Fast Car, Behind The Wall, Baby Can I Hold You, If Not Now...

good vibes

Great Album

Great classic. Also fast carrrrrr

Lovely popular music

The songs is political, a little sad. Overall, I wouldn't want to listen to it again. 3 stars. The second half gets better than the middle. The middle dropped but Why is a good song.

nice casual listening.

Quiet folk pop acoustic-guitar driven songs that emphasize Tracy Chapman's distinctive voice: kind of nasal/heady nearly yodeling on the highs, rich and warm in the lows, controlled and expressive in a deceptively wide range. The solo acoustic stuff is bit boring, her best songs bring in a backing band to speed things up and have a rich full sound and very pretty accents. Fast Car is such a great song, the simple guitar hook rising and falling restlessley, the call and response vocal urgently optimistic but full of ordinary disappointment, the big chorus's meaning shifting with each iteration of slow heartbreak.

Obviously I knew Fast Car going into this, but I was surprised how well the rest of the album stands up, she was no 1-song-wonder. The instrumentals are fairly simple but they carry the songs well, and allow her vocals and lyrics to take the center stage. Songs about revolution, the police, consumerism, a lot of fiery topics that she isn't shy about running into. It dips off a little in a last few songs which aren't as interesting, but overall she produced a great first album here.

It was the first work that I listened from Trancy Chapman and from the start I was captivated by his unique voice and beatiful guitar harmonics. The song "Fast Car" was a highlight, definitely my favorite on a first listen and got me coming back to it. The freedom, ressentment towards the system and love themes adressed in the lyrics gives the album a certain agression, all while sounding warm and envolving. Although still sounding great, some songs weren't so memorable I probably won't listen them again. Overall, a very passionate project and pleasing to listen.

Tracy Chapman's self-titled debut album, released in 1988, stands as a timeless classic that continues to captivate listeners with its raw emotion, powerful storytelling, and hauntingly beautiful melodies. Over three decades since its release, "Tracy Chapman" remains a testament to the enduring impact of folk and rock music when crafted by a truly gifted artist. The album opens with the iconic "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution," a protest anthem that resonates as strongly today as it did in the late '80s. Chapman's rich, soulful voice and acoustic guitar strumming create an intimate atmosphere, drawing you into the heart of each song. "Fast Car" follows, arguably the album's standout track, as it weaves a poignant narrative of love, dreams, and escape. It's a song that tugs at your heartstrings and lingers in your mind long after the music fades. Tracy Chapman's ability to convey complex emotions in simple yet profound lyrics is on full display throughout the album. Tracks like "Across the Lines" tackle themes of racial inequality and injustice with a remarkable subtlety, allowing listeners to reflect deeply on the issues at hand. "Behind the Wall" showcases her storytelling prowess, painting a vivid picture of domestic abuse that is both chilling and compassionate. While the album tackles weighty subjects, it also offers moments of hope and optimism. "Mountains o' Things" explores the emptiness of materialism, while "For My Lover" celebrates the joy of love and connection. The versatility of Chapman's songwriting is a testament to her ability to craft songs that are both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. Musically, "Tracy Chapman" is a masterclass in acoustic folk-rock. Chapman's guitar work is impeccable, providing a rich backdrop for her soul-stirring vocals. The arrangements are stripped down, allowing the songs to breathe and the lyrics to take center stage. This simplicity enhances the album's emotional impact, making it feel like a personal conversation with the artist herself. In addition to the aforementioned tracks, songs like "Baby Can I Hold You" and "She's Got Her Ticket" further showcase Tracy Chapman's gift for melody and lyricism. Each song on the album is a gem, contributing to a cohesive and unforgettable listening experience. "Tracy Chapman" is an album that transcends time and genre boundaries. It's a work of art that has the power to inspire, provoke, and console. Tracy Chapman's debut effort is not just a remarkable musical achievement; it's a reflection of the human condition, a call for change, and a testament to the enduring power of music to touch our hearts and souls. If you haven't experienced this album yet, it's time to discover or rediscover the magic of Tracy Chapman's self-titled masterpiece.

T1 - Good T2 - V Good T3 - Good T4 - Good T5 - Good T6 - Excellent T7 - V Good T8 - Excellent T9 - V Good T10 - P Good T11 - Good

Pretty boring sound overall. That sort of genre-less “easy listening” stuff that I’ve always disliked.

I have such deep childhood nostalgia for Tracy Chapman due to "Give Me One Reason", but nothing here really gripped me. A couple songs stood out like For You and Fast Car, which I know is an iconic song of hers, but not enough to give me reason to come back to this album.

I would say this is not really my cup of tea. She is an interesting guitar player, and there is lots of cool stuff on this record. But it doesn't connect with me very well I think. I told my listening group a story that I vividly remember hearing Fast Car for the first time and loving it - and then hearing it a 2nd time and being totally sick of it haha. Anyway I think I understand why people like this but it's not really for me.

Singer-songwriters are really not for me.

The best debut album? Possibly. Fast Car is certainly the best debut single. Outstanding. The songs are so strong that they could work in any genre. The endless covers coming out of this album show this. Mixing the personal and the political is never easy. You never feel like you're listening to a protest album. It's more the sound of someone calling for change by observing what is happening in her personal life. A quite brilliant record.

Tracy Chapman seems honest, debuting; Fair play to her. There are the obvious song survivors, and plenty of equal quality. Everything's cut a bit short, clear, deliberate. Fault of the form, not the artist, perhaps, boxes for emotions that can neither hold nor burst.

Stand outs -- Fast Car (duh) - Why? - Behind the Wall So damn good

This album stood out starkly against the musical landscape of 1988. It was almost shocking, something so simple and heartbreakingly lovely. But whatever it was Tracy Chapman had, it was something we needed. For a fairly stripped down folk rock sound, you could find her songs everywhere from top 40 to college radio and MTV. In the age of "greed is good," this young woman dared us to care about things bigger (and smaller) than ourselves. She's not strident either as a songwriter. Her stories are gently rendered, intimate portraits of serious themes - poverty, racism, relationship violence, what people call social justice today. It resonates even more today, delivered softly and soulfully in a way that will haunt you long after the album is over. Then there are the other songs, the relationship songs that are so painfully personal sounding that you feel them in your bones. It's like opening a diary you're not supposed to be reading. This is a gift few songwriters possess. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Fast Car, Talkin' 'bout a Revolution, Baby Can I Hold You, Across the Lines, For My Lover, Why?, If Not Now…, Mountains o' Things, For You, She's Got Her Ticket, Behind the Wall

Fast Car is an incredible track. The rest of the album really doesn't hit as hard. Not bad per se, but very middle-of-the-road and hard to give my full attention to. I'm not sure that this album would have gotten the ratings it did, or be on this list, without the inclusion of Fast Car. Fave tracks: Fast Car

Chapman has such a distinct voice and excellent songwriting skills, the narratives and themes are extremely rich in these songs. This album is a great listen, and Fast Car is an all-time hit. The minimal production was an excellent choice, just letting Chapman and her guitar shine really draws the listener in to what she is saying. Fav Tracks: Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Fast Car, Mountains o’ Things

Nice voice I suppose. Lovely song in “Baby Can I Hold You” the rest disappeared in a foggy haze of nothingness.

Timeless and incredible. The messages of struggle, racism, inequality, the nature of living in a police state, etc. showcases how no matter how much we try to move forward as a society, we make only a little progress. Universal themes that resonate with every generation and every oppressed class of people that everyone else thinks they can stomp on. This album is just as meaningful -- if not more so -- in 2023 as it was in 1988.

Klassiker

Great voice and musicianship. Thoughtful songs and a bit of a classic.

Lyrically and musically superb, but just a little too dull for me.

really enjoyed the album

Amazing voice, and suits folk so well. Behind the Wall is a moving song. Raw emotion and honesty throughout. Great debut.

A favourite

'Fast Car' and 'Talkin' Bout A Revolution' are fantastic tracks- but the rest of the album is thoroughly forgettable generic singer-songwriter tracks. I know that some of that is because her album inspired a revival of the genre, and so a lot of those artists were following in her footsteps, but I still feel like this album was missing just one or two more good songs.

just gorgeous

I LOVE EVERY SONG ON THIS ALBUM IT IS PERFECT TRACY CHAPMAN IS PERFECT

Incredible album. It feels very earnest and genuine, it's political and socially conscious without being preachy which I think is pretty hard to do. Plus she's a great singer. Fast Car is a masterpiece.

not my cup of tea

Not my cup of tea but I like the song give me one more reason

Strong and powerful, surprising for an '88 album. Lyrics, meaning, emotion, production and musical quality 5/5

Really great album! Obviously, I've heard Fast Car hundreds of times... but I never really listened to it, it's a very beautiful song. Behind the Wall is also heartbreaking. The production is about perfect. Reminds me a lot of Joan Armatrading. That's gotta be an influence! Very important voice and perspective. Easy 4

Liked the first half more

Not my jam.

She's an absolute treasure 🥰

woman on guitar with drums on almost all songs. Interesting lyrics about overcoming poverty and issues with police etc, but finding the love in the middle of it criticises society/system without sounding overly pissed off at it not the biggest vocal range, songs sounded quite same-y, but was a good listen. quite slow pace for songs, you want to listen to the lyrics of the songs

Chill, short, good lounge music

Lovely sound - very relaxing

I really liked this album. Fast Car was a big hit, and she was very popular in the late 80s.

3,5!

Fuck Boyzone, all hail Tracy Chapman!

Fast Car >>>>>>>> DECENT

Tajjeb

a sunday driving to the south kind of album BABY CAN I HOLD YOU - WHAT A SONG

this album blew me away - especially the last song "for you" i want to die

Nakedly vulnerable and simmering with righteous anger. “Fast Car” is untouchable.

Good album, very moving.

I don’t really know how to rate this one. I didn’t hate it but nothing stood out which isn’t necessarily a bad thing however I can’t recall much. I think I know how big of a deal she was so I give credit for that, but I guess I don’t entirely see why.

College! This hits much harder now for me now than it did when it was released. Solid and impactful, one of the few vocalists anywhere that is not only distinct but pleasantly-so while still not distracting from the music, and a rarity - she makes me want to listen to the lyrics! Slight negative for me is that after the first few songs it seems to slip a bit in musical impact during the middle of the record - not sure if it's a sameness to the sound or seem a little bit too..."late 80s" in sound - but it does close in a quality fashion and is a worthy record overall. 7/10 4 stars.

Excellent stood the test of time

Interesting, a lot of talent, not really my thing

Every song is truly beautiful

-didn’t write a BL- AL: a solid album. Fast Car is a song I’ve known for all my life. The rest of them were very nice and soulful ballads. Definitely worth the listen, the only thing that was lacking in my opinion was diversity in the instrumentation. Otherwise excellent. FT: “Fast Car”, “Baby Can I Hold You” 3/5

Very thought provoking and inspirational, most songs having a social justice focus or stemming from elements of their experience of injustice and inequality. The actual 'sound' is a very chill boppy vibe. Folk/blues/acoustic-pop-rock

It’s a strong record - and very angry but poignant - just not my genre. Her voice is lovely - her writing is also wonderfully political and human.

7/10

I know this is all political and stuff, but for some reason it doesn’t hit me the way it feels like it should. I don’t know whether it’s the instrumentation or the lyrics that I’m not a fan of. For the record, I like ‘Fast Car’ and ‘Behind The Wall’. This record is just whatever to me. I don’t mind its inclusion, though.

так себе

Un disco que pone en papel unos temas interesantes. No se si eran vistos para la epoca pero en parte son interesantes desde el lado que se aborda. Esto sumado con las melodías y la voz de la artista que encajan a la perfeccion hacen que el disco sea una muy linda experiencia, por más de que no se trate de un disco excelente 8/10.

Yeah this isn't my sort of music. I've grown to like folk rock music, but this kind of "gather 'round the campfire" folk is nothing but background noise to me. If the main driving force behind the album is the lyrics, you can count me and my ADHD out (unless your name is Joanna Newsom, because I have a strange obsession with goofy medieval music).