Reviews (page 2 of 15)
I love this album so much. Simply produced, great voice, good storytelling. I could listen to Fast Car every day of my life and not grow sick of it
What a voice.
Incredible voice, incredible songs
Great sound, love the hits, some others a bit boring
Lyrics are great, love the blend of seemingly personal stuff with social/political commentary. Musically, though, I find it doesn’t really move me. More of a production thing than a performance thing maybe, but just all a little dull despite the content.
La voz de ella es increíble, súper sentimental
This is a fantastic collection of well-written, well-performed songs. Every time I listen I get a little more drawn in. What a debut. There is something about Tracy Chapman’s story and authenticity that adds an accentuation to her music. It gets the highest honour from me.
TRACYYYYYY fast car... talking bout the revolutuon ... for you..... wat een plaat !! zoek vooral haar live aid 1988 optreden op, zo mooi
I got to see her perform at a small club in Harvard Square (Passim) in 1985 or 86. She was locally known but hadn’t put out an album. It was just her and her guitar, and she was startlingly good. I wish this album were more like that, but even so I’m going to give it 5 stars.
Tracy Chapman has a set of pipes, don’t get me wrong, but singer-songwriter doesn’t do a lot for me. A couple of really good ones on this album though.
No notes!!
This.is a wonderful album. Fast Car and Talking bout a Revolution are the big hits but the entire album is just well made, well played and well produced folk music. I am biased because I listened to this so much as a kid but it holds up almost 40.years later.
Had no clue Luke Combs was doing a cover. Powerful album, impressive storytelling, and a gorgeous voice to boot.
A pretty ok album, recognise some songs but nothing that really stands out. Production-wise it's good.
really good album.
6/10
Sensitive, strong, epitome of sapphic songwriting. Painful social themes of life as a Black woman. Sometimes drags but if you can sit in peace and focus it’s transcendent
Its ubiquity in the at the time reflects something that has maybe been lost since….that there was a darkness hidden just beneath the shiny surface of the 80s. This album is a distillation of that dark side. It sold well for a reason. This album resonated then, and depressingly it still does now….arguably even more today than at any point since the songs were written. Although mainly a depressing album lyrically, it’s also a great artist at work. Perfect arrangements, great voice and beautifully recorded. It’s more than worthy of being on this list. 5
burger music
A really great album, its chill songs and topics are all on spot 👍
36 mins of smooth radio
Not bad, my intro to folk pop and blues (?) and I was actually surprised how much I liked it. I might look at her other albums. My favorites were "Baby can I Hold You?" and "Why?". She has a very intimate raspy voice that didn't make her sound too obnoxious or grating (which I kind of expected). I also liked "Talkin Bout A Revolution", as the first song in the album. Very chill and low vibe music, can def see myself listening again.
Overrated
I recognize Fast Cars done in other various covers. Dude, these lyrics are pretty cringe. Imagine by John Lennon tier. Love is Hate. Why are they called peacekeepers if they kill? War Is Peace. Clap.
4/5, je connais et j'ai
5 April 1988: the day the eighties shut up. Not permanently, obviously. But into a decade fond of making things bigger, shinier and more emphatic came a record whose musical treatment essentially says: sit down and listen. I have things to say. _Tracy Chapman_ is an almost defiantly unambitious piece of record-making. Not unambitious in its writing, but in what it asks the studio to do. Chapman was already an established performer around Boston; most of these songs already existed. The job was not to manufacture Tracy Chapman but to capture her. David Kershenbaum's band mostly behaves like punctuation, adding exactly enough weight, rhythm or colour to keep the songs moving while leaving that extraordinary voice in the foreground. Occasionally the backing becomes a little too tasteful for me, but mostly this is Goldilocks territory: just enough. That restraint suits an album obsessed with plain speaking. “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” opens with a simple proposition: don't mistake quiet for consent. Chapman even whispers the word “whisper”, a tiny performative touch in a song otherwise uninterested in dressing itself up. “Why?” later turns the same instinct against public language, setting comforting words against the realities they conceal. It is not a catalogue of grievances but a short, sharp plea for clarity in a euphemistic world. The political and personal songs operate by the same rules. “Across the Lines” is imagined reportage: tension, misunderstanding, victim-blaming and inherited grievance becoming self-perpetuating until facts lose jurisdiction. Then “Behind the Wall” removes even the possibility of musical distraction. Chapman sings entirely a cappella, offering a plainspoken act of witness to domestic violence. No sympathetic piano, no strings, no reassuring chord changes. Tracy Chapman becomes a camera and uses it to devastating effect. It reduced me to tears. “Baby Can I Hold You” applies the same demand for clarity to intimacy, and is considerably cleverer than its reputation as a straightforward love song suggests. The verses revolve around words that cannot be said: sorry, forgive me, I love you. Then the chorus arrives sounding like the emotional resolution and offers physical affection instead. But holding someone is not the same thing as saying what needs to be said. The apparent denouement is actually the central problem. Tenderness cannot substitute for repair. Again and again, this album asks what happens after you recognise the truth. Often the answer is escape. “Fast Car” is an astonishingly elegant construction about someone escaping one life only to rebuild its pattern somewhere else. She begins by enabling one man and ends up enabling another. Wherever you go, there you are. Even the arrangement understands this: that unforgettable guitar figure provides constant forward motion without ever pretending movement equals transformation. Every element of the song does more than one job, just like its narrator. “Mountains O’ Things” offers escape through acquisition, dressing its scorn for material fantasy in synthetic late-eighties worldbeat. “She’s Got Her Ticket” is less successful musically, but important to the album's argument because here departure will actually happen. We don't know where she is going. That isn't the point. She has stopped waiting. Waiting itself becomes the subject of “If Not Now”. Its logic is almost brutally simple: if this is real, what are you waiting for? If it isn't real, then it isn't worth waiting for. Beneath this very palatable, CD-age record lies a palpable impatience with drift, evasion and postponement. Even love is subjected to scrutiny. “For My Lover” is a disturbing little character vignette in which self-description keeps sliding into self-justification: everyone thinks the narrator is a fool, and she knows they do, but knowledge does not break the attachment. And then Chapman closes the album with “For You” and quietly undermines her own manifesto. For ten songs she has insisted that things should be named accurately: injustice, apology, violence, desire, the need to leave. Then at the end she encounters something that refuses to submit to clarity. Love remains intransigently indescribable. Some things defy even the plainest speaking. Nothing about _Tracy Chapman_ sounds engineered to become one of the defining records of 1988. It sounds like an attempt to capture a fully formed singer-songwriter as unadorned as possible. Then happenstance at Wembley put that singer-songwriter in front of an enormous television audience and history got in the way. The phenomenon happened to the record. The record itself simply sits you down and speaks.
Pretty good
Not bad but not for me
Really warm voice. Simple arrangements but the storytelling makes it work.
Unadorned with no bells and whistles or fancy production splashes. This album is stripped down and all the more beautiful for it.
Have loved this legend for years. Her voice is just so captivating
Good songs and good singer. Just not something I would listen to much.
Assez jazz, voix tres particulière et masculine, percussion folk mais redondant. Decalage entre l’engagement dans la musique et la musique en elle meme. 3 grammy pour un premier album
lowkey ion mess with country it's cool not bad had good message but not my vibe
Talkin bout a revolution - 4/5 Fast car - 5/5 Across the lines - 4/5 Baby can I hold you - 5/5 Mountains o' things - 3/5 She's got her ticket - 4/5 Why? - 5/5 For my lover - 3/5 If not now... - 5/5 For you - 3/5
Ik zie wel dat dit een heel erg mooi album is, krachtige lyrics maar de muziek zelf is gwn niet mijn ding. Maar wel een goed album ofc.
Sie ist eine dieser seltenen Künstlerinnen, deren Musik nicht laut sein muss, um tief zu treffen. Ihr selbstbetiteltes Debütalbum bleibt ein Meilenstein: klare Stimme, akustische Direktheit, Texte, die soziale Ungerechtigkeit, Verletzlichkeit und Hoffnung mit einer fast schon chirurgischen Präzision beleuchten. Songs wie „Fast Car“ oder „Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution“ sind längst Teil des kulturellen Gedächtnisses – nicht wegen Pathos, sondern wegen Wahrhaftigkeit. Ihre Bedeutung liegt genau darin: Sie zeigt, wie politisch und menschlich ein einzelner Song sein kann, ohne die leise Kraft zu verlieren. Eine Künstlerin, die nicht nur Musik macht, sondern Haltung 😊.
- First four tracks are emotive, haunting, and essentially perfect. (Including the a cappella "Behind the Wall" is ballsy.) - Lot of high points after this, but Chapman is at her best when she relies on her voice, a guitar, and not much else. Some of the latter half adds in some additional orchestral pieces that make those particular songs more dated.
This immediately reminded me of Hootie & The Blowfish and then the rest of the album did not. I also did not know that Fast Car was a Tracy Chapman song. It's clear she wants to spread a powerful message with everything she writes. Not an album I would revisit but definitely an album everyone should listen to so it's clear why it is included on this list.
Fuck me this is great
This is amazing. This has the original fast car on it. I love it
Tbc. Best when it's at its most stripped back - not so keen on the cod reggae one.
meh
Nice in many ways, and I felt bad that I wasn't enjoying it more! But this sort of thing isn't really for me. A good version of what it wants to be, though!
The lyrics are still depressingly relevant today. The melodies feel simple and easy to follow in the background of Tracy's voice.
Liked it more than I thought I would.
An achingly beautiful voice, well crafted songs, an unerring sense of melody but…… it just lacked something for me. It’s a one trick album, the trick itself is great but still a little singular. Fast car is heartbreaking every time though
Meh. Fast Car is obviously great, song wise the rest did nothing for me. The guitar playing was incredible. “across the lines” easily could have been on “Heijera” by Joni Mitchell
I don’t think k I’ve heard this before. I recognize at least half of these songs so it’s possible I listened to it a long time ago or perhaps I just heard them all at various times throughout the years. Most of these songs have an 80s style production that puts a sweetening effect on the acoustic guitars especially that makes them sound really bad - although this is missing or not noticeable on Fast Car. Half of the songs are a little maudlin for my taste, but all the songs are good and Fast Car is a masterpiece, enough that it dwarfs the rest of the songs here.
Bought it when it came out. And people think The Smiths are depressing!
Phenomenal
Very good album. Obviously ‘Fast Cars’ is the star of the album. There are other good songs as well. Solid and enjoyable run!
An island of an album. Depth of songwriting and clarity in the performance stand out.
הלחנה טובה!
Just a really good spread of songs varying lots of different themes and meanings. Just solid.
Very nice blend of “american” ballads with maybe some influence from country music? Or maybe its the other way around, not sure who came first. I don’t see myself coming back to it.
Greatly enjoyed this album! Really showcases she wasn’t just a “one-hit wonder” artist with fast car.
Go lesbians go
I feel like I’m vaguely familiar with Tracy Chapman. Pretty solid album, albeit not a favorite for me.
Some fun throwback vibes and a bit unusual.
Liked a lot. First 5 or so song and only 1 I didn’t like. Really soulful and full song writing. Deep message. Great album
Okkkk this album is so sad and so impressive and so lovely.
fast car baby can I hold you mountains o'things she's got her ticket
Fast Car
Fast car 10/10 Baby can I hold you 10/10 Good couch rot album
Absolutely beautiful album - a stunning voice portraying social injustice
versatil, sublime
I've tried this album a few times since it was released but never really got it. I'd say I probably like it more now than in the past, but I just don't feel it. Some great songs on it to be fair, but not something I'll be listening to again anytime soon. I did listen to this twice too make sure.
I can recognise the talent here but this really isn't for me
One of the greatest albums of all time. I can’t tell you how excited I was to see that this was my album today, I know it end to end. 6 stars.
sadly despite two of best songs, this as a album is just a let down. 3 stars but barely
The first album I ever bought for myself after hearing fast car. Never ever gets old. Sublime
3.5 heard fast car before
3
Fast Car and Baby Can I Hold You are obviously great. Also great: Behind the Wall She’s Got Her Ticket For my Lover For You Album never really loses momentum. Couple songs I would skip if it was on CD: Mountain o Tings Why? Overall, would listen to this again and would buy the vinyl and wouldn’t be compelled to lift the needle
Perfectly competent album, but heavily laden with socially conscious and emotionally depressing lyrics, which drag down the pleasure level.
Iconic album and legendary voice. Fantastic.
Top 10 most androgynous people ever?
Trur æ hørt den sånn 4 ganga før æ huska å rate den, men likt:)
Dad showed me Fast Car for the first time and I asked what his name was and he said "that's a woman she's just a lesbian" and it changed my life.
Fav: Fast Car
Oh how I hated this album when it came out but these days I can hear how well written these songs are. Only complaint is that they all sound the same, a little more variation would be welcome.
4.5
2/5 - A couple of amazing songs with a lot that really didn't interest me
I knew the song "Fast Car" prior to listening to this album and had a feeling that I would likely not enjoy the album much. I was happy that was not the case! I very much like her singing voice, vocal delivery, and how well they blend with her instrumentals.
I love Tracy Chapman's Album. I thought it was great when it came out and it still hit the right strings almost 40 years later
she kinda shot herself in the foot having fast car on here because the rest of the tracks just pale in comparison
Very well done and good
Talkin Bout a Revolution and Fast Car are excellent. The rest is pretty good, overproduced 80s folk.
Her voice is a delight. Thoughtful and provoking lyrics
I very much enjoyed Tracy Chapman's singing and songwriting on this album. I was always a fan of her megahit Fast Car, and it was great to dive into her full album for the first time.
I JUST rated Joan Armatrading on her inspiring the 90's folk scene... and it turns out Tracy Chapman was late 80's.
Iconic album. I’ve only known three songs, but the entire albums keeps a consistently high level. The theme is the life and struggles of poor people and Tracy Chapman delivers the songs convincingly. Fast car is probably her best known song by far. The lyrics once again hit hard upon relistening. Poverty trap, shattered dreams, generational trauma. It is good stuff. Raw, small, convincing, well executed.
Beautiful heartfelt songs with wonderfully simple instrumentation. Could honestly see it being a 5 on repeat
I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. 5/10
Slow relaxing music, a break from typical mainstream
There was a lot of depth to this music, but it wasn’t my personal favorite genre of music so for that reason and that reason only I’m gonna have to give it a three out of five I think she’s a phenomenal artist but not my style music
banger after banger
Gritty, powerful vocals, vocals that make an impact on the listener, to make you feel a certain way
8/27/26
Not much my genre but I loved it
I've never really been a fan of Tracy Chapman, so I wasn't expecting too much from today's listen. Her self-titled debut album turned out to be a really pleasant surprise though, and I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. I've never particularly liked "Fast Car" either. It's actually a song I've tended to skip whenever I've heard it in the past, but something clicked today listening to it as part of the album. The storytelling is superb, and hearing it in context made me appreciate the song in a completely different way. That's probably what impressed me most about the album overall. It's stripped back and relatively simple musically, but the strength comes from Chapman's voice and storytelling. There's real emotion in the songs without them ever feeling overdone, and the album has a warmth and honesty that makes it incredibly easy to listen to. I also had absolutely no idea that "Baby Can I Hold You" was originally her song! I loved her version, and it was another highlight of an album that has definitely changed my opinion of Tracy Chapman. Favourite tracks: The opening two tracks, "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" and "Fast Car", are both excellent. I also really enjoyed "Baby Can I Hold You". Least favourite track: "Behind the Wall" was the one track that didn't really work for me musically, although I can appreciate the seriousness and power of the story being told. Album artwork: A classic album cover. Simple, understated and instantly recognisable.
Talkin' Bout a Revolution - I liked it, however i don't think its my vibe. Fast car - Obviously this song is like childhood, its very nostalgic Across the lines - Important message being said about violence, race and segregation Behind the wall - I like that theres no backing music, its only her voice and I think it amplifies the message she's trying to portray. Baby can i hold you - I like it, the yearning, the heartbreak and the vulnerability Mountain O' Things - She's got her ticket - I like the bass, drums and the guitar its very catchy. It feels freeing like the song. Why? - "Love is hate, war is peace, No is yes, We're all free" This songs going on my playlist For my lover - I like it. If not now... - I like the piano intro at the start. I like it, its like a war against yourself, you keep promising stuff and then you don't follow through. She's saying if you don't act now then when are you going to do it because ultimately the more you wait, the more you are going to keep waiting. For you - "But with feelings this strong, i'm no longer the master og my own emotions" Overall, it's an enjoyable album, however its not for me, it's not something I would listen to every day, maybe once in a while. 3/5
First Listen; 4; Incredibly intimate and powerful songs. I think part of what makes these songs difficult at times is how direct the recording is. The record nails the very simple, sparse recording and production. In a lot of ways, feels like folk music with very strong vocals. Favorite Track: For My Lover
Listened to this while walking my dog, Lola, on a gorgeous late August day in Madison WI, missing my little old lady dog, Jennie, having passed last week --reflecting not much has changed for the better in our world since 1988, sadly, a lot has changed disastrously. Even still, I liked this album, its genuine, real.
7/10
Juste pour Tracy's voice
Sin palabras, me encantó. Hermosas letras y melodías, los mensajes, todo bellísimo
Cool album! Found it an odd mix of songs though, some serious and some seemingly more lighthearted.
There’s a beautiful clarity to this album. Strong, distinctive and good political commentary. Also Baby Can I Hold You while soppy is a great love song. That’s the great. The instrumental is basic and there’s a few songs in the second half that are very run of the mill, which detracts from the initial enjoyment. But for the most part very pleasant and a super voice.
Sorry I misgendered you when I was young. Now that I've got that out of the way, the good news is my mum listened to this album loads, so it's a staple to me and I know it well. Even loaded with family nostalgia, listening back I have a few problems and a few likes. Clearly, it's all about the unique vocals, you can't dispute that, and they largely take centre stage for the most part. I do protest slightly that it follows a bit of a pattern. The biggest issue which only just avoids being terminal for me is that there is a little 'folk crazy old cat lady' about it on odd occasions, which sours it slightly. In the end, it's a reasonable album that takes the vocals and eeks every last commercial drop out of them, which is equally as impressive as it is a shame. Wouldnt it have been nice to have some more musical depth.
This is a tough one because on the one hand you have the most mundane, simplistic, and formulaic music. Like literally terrible. The first song has four chords and a four note bassline, and not only that, is such a predictable and uninspired interval that I genuinely got bored after the intro. The rest of the album had the same pattern, what you think is a simple little intro is actually just the entire song. The same four bars repeated over again. This really is GCSE music levels of song-writing, the only respite being the fully acapella "Behind the Wall". On the other hand, she has a fantastic, unique voice and delivery which carries the whole album. The lyrics are deep and considered she puts just enough small motifs into her singing to make it interesting without being over the top. She really is a joy to listen to. So if, like me, you are a lyrics last listener you will probably find nothing in the music at all that hooks you in. If you are music agnostic and go for voice and meaning, I can see how this album would be wonderful. I really hope she had the benefit of better songwriters later in her career, because that voice is a gift...
Acytray Apmanchay isyay ayay oodgay albumyay atthay iyay illway ivegay ourfay arsstay
2.5
Enjoyed this. Fast Car might be a song that’s overplayed but in this it’s still good. I enjoyed most every other song 3.5
Some heavy topics covered in here.
*all-time.
# Track List Talkin' Bout A Revolution ❤️ Fast Car ❤️ Across The Lines ❤️ Behind The Wall Baby Can I Hold You Mountains O' Things ❤️ She's Got Her Ticket Why? ❤️ For My Lover ❤️ If Not Now... ❤️ For You # Thoughts Relaxed and laid back tunes with very strong lyrics that really paint a picture in your mind, whether political messages or love stories. Really nice to listen and relax to. Also has the really popular song "Fast Car". Heard it before the listening, and yeah, its quite good. Deserves the popularity.
jajja es el wey de la canción para probar audifonos
Starts off great then fades a little but still a great album
One of my favorites. Reminds me of Katherine.
9/10
Great album, fast car is the best track on there
Great album with a soul. Bought thus CD just on the strength of Fast Car and was not disappointed. I’m still not disappointed. These lyrics still hold true today.
Embodies what a good folk album should look like - delightful guidelines, lyrics that both tell a story and asks a question.
i’m sorry Miss Chapman, i wasn’t familiar with your game. i’d only heard fast car in passing and never really cared for it. listening to an entire album also allowed me to warm up to her sort of shakey voice (idk if this would be considered a vibrato or something else). she really has a beautiful voice and whenever i found myself like the melody a lot i had to pause and process the lyrics—Y’all don’t wanna hear me you just wanna dance.
Meh. Very political and it doesn't land for me because Its not universal.
Listened with James driving
Undeniably a classic, but it's not something I'd reach for
It's quite neato. I liked the low key bits, like the vocal only police song. That being said, some of this album is hampered by very dated 80's bits I did not enjoy that particularly, but still worth the listen.
Never listened. Expectations: Mid - Verdict: Good - Talkin' Bout A Revolution is a strong opener and is followed by Fast Car which is a generational anthem. Behind The Wall is a great little song. Unfortunately while I like her voice and the songs are decent I just find the album slightly lacking in range which holds it back a bit. Why? is a highlight of the second half and For My Lover is alright.
"Tracy Chapman" by Tracy Chapman is good contemporary folk debut album. The album is very simple with wonderful vocal performance and ability by Chapman. The lyrics deals with her political and social content. "Fast Car" is the main highlight track from the album. Others tracks I love are "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" and "Baby Can I Hold You". There is some tracks I find weak are "Behind the Wall", "She's Got Her Ticket" and "For You". I found this album to be just a normal and less quality than other albums. Overall good album by Tracy Chapman
3.0
Beautiful
Lovely voice but not enough variation in pitch and volume. Some arrangements feel very dated. But Fast Car can almost carry the album by itself.
Very much something that speaks for itself to the point that I don't really have much else to chip in. UHhhh....this p much set the template for all singer-songwriter music's sound for the next decade and a bit, her voice is fucking gorgeous, i love how the lyrics have varying degrees of sublety regarding their content and what they're about, "behind the wall" being acapella was incredibly smart and its ridiculously fucking haunting and brilliant. this one very much deserves its place in the list easily.
Talking Bout a Revolution, Fast Car, Mountains O'Things and Why? are all incredible works! And the rest of the album is great as well. What a lovely voice she was gifted with! 9/10
Flawless
It's been a while since I've listened to this album in its entirety. This album probably deserves a five out of five just because it includes "Fast Car' on it, which I happen to think is one of the best songs that was ever written. But the rest of the album is absolutely amazing as well. I also think when you listen to this album, you have to remember that this was the time when all the music was either hair metal or synthesizer heavy dance music. That was a time during music when there just weren't many singer/songwriters who were commercially successful. So to have this not only be her debut album, but have it be as successful as it was and have it include a song that is still iconic today is a feat by itself. Chapman's voice is beautiful and immediately recognizable. Her songs have emotion and meaning. The only negative about anything on the album is that sadly, almost 40 years later, the problems Chapman sang about then haven't changed much. If anything, they've gotten worse. I'm on a roll with two amazing albums in a row, though, so I'll take it.
Une pochette avec juste la photo de la chanteuse sans trop de mise en scène, le nom de l'album, c'est juste son nom et c'est un album acoustique ? J'avoue que j'étais pas parti avec un a priori un peu négatif. Sauf qu'en réalité, c'était un très bon album, qui ouvre très fort avec Talkin' Bout a Revolution, un appel à la révolte et à l'unité et pour la libération collective puissant et riche en émotion. De fait, l'album est très politique (hé, je m'attends à une poignée de commentaires qui chouinent à ce sujet dans les avis des utilisateurs), parlant par exemple de l'inaction de la police, de la sécurité des femmes, etc. Bref, un album très lourdement chargé. Mais ce n'est pas que des paroles, c'est aussi des composition en réalité pas totalement acoustiques, puisqu'on a aussi du clavier, par exemple (et oui, on est bien en 1988). Les compositions sont plutôt simples, mais renforcent l'émotion comme il faut. Et bien entendu, le chant habité de Tracy Chapman achèvent de faire de son album éponyme un excellent ajout à cette liste. En vrai, je suis pas sûr de son influence ni rien, mais je trouve qu'il est suffisamment bon pour mériter 4 étoiles. PS : si quelqu'un me lit et a envie de rire un peu, je vous invite à lire l'avis qui parle de "secretary rock". C'est, je crois, l'avis le plus déconnecté de l'album que j'ai pu lire sur ce site, mais aussi l'un des plus débiles. Et vu ce que certains peuvent écrire en ces lieux, c'est un putain d'exploit.
Phenomenal. To write such socially conscious, beautiful, and catchy music as a first album shouldn’t be that easy. But Tracy does it here. And her voice is great, too, obviously. Talkin’ Bout a Revolution, Fast Car, Mountains, Ticket. It’s all gold.
Chapman's voice and her lyrics are a deadly match. Society hasn't advanced and the times are just as vicious. We will always need a troubadour and this album hasn't aged. Even the ubiquitous covers of "Fast Car" haven't dulled the power of this song. "Mountains of Things" is twice as poignant 38 years later.
What a voice, loved so many songs
A beautiful album that I have listened to many times. Tracy’s voice is like velvet. 4/5
A pleasant surprise. Mountain O Things is getting added to future playlists. 4/5
I loved this album when it came out, and listened to it over and over again. She voiced my political feelings very well, and her stories of women and marginalized people struggling (and trying to rise up) resonated for me in my work as a social worker and therapist. My only misgiving as this album came up today was whether it would hold up and be as meaningful as it was then. Thankfully each song came back to me as the album progressed. Of course I remembered the hit songs, which were again fantastic. But all of the others came rushing back and I was able to picture myself back in 1988 and 1989 sitting on my then couch in my then living room and eating it all up. I sang along today listening on my now couch in my now living room. Sadly, not much has changed from what she was singing about then. But the songs are still as powerful.
you're getting three stars
It must have been quite rare for a black artist to make this sort of music during this time. The main appeal of this album is sure its lyrics and subject matter, but I don't care how compelling her rags to riches story is, or how noble her cause, the music is mostly boring. I sympathize with most of the messages. I liked the congas and mallet-like textures on "Mountains O' Things." 2 stars
This album reminds me of when I moved up here, in July of 1988, and my first few years up here - a time of hope and possibility in my life, and this album seemed to fit in with (and be a small part of) that. I still have a tape of this album that I made back then - from Rick, maybe? But what really stand out, for me, are the 1st 2 tracks, which are excellent, and were (improbably? - or so it felt, at the time, I remember) hits, and which totally bring back the feeling of being in my mid/late 20s, and new to Chicago, and at a time of big change(s) in my life, and hope for big (and positive) changes in my country, after 8 years of Reagan. As for the album as a whole, it's good, but I do have to say that the other 9 tracks, for me (and, I suspect, most people) aren't at the same level as the 1st 2. Which is why I think I have to give the album a solid/high 3 stars, rather than 4 (it's close, though, and is another one where it feels like, on a different day, I might have given it 4 stars. But, just as it feels like I should be parsimonious with 5-star ratings, I feel that I should also be at least somewhat stingy in giving 4 stars. Just had another thought: panning out a bit, Tracy Chapman fits in (loosely) with other women folk-influenced singers from around the same time (who I also liked), including Suzanne Vega, Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs), and the Indigo Girls. Suzanne Vega and 10,000 Maniacs I'd already discovered before I left NYC in 1987; Tracy Chapman and the Indigo Girls came shortly after. All are part of my internal late-80s (and early 90s) soundtrack.
I appreciate that she has an important message to deliver in most of these songs. There is empathy, feeling behind the lyrics and singing. Unfortunately, the production is more average. Once again confirming that I don't like typical 80's music
First run through was a nostalgia trip and I just enjoyed it; I never would have called myself a fan at the time, but it was played a lot in places I hung out for several years. Second run through had me thinking a lot about when it came out, and how left field it was. Maybe some of the instrumentation and production are of their time, but not extremely so, and it's surprising how resonant a lot of the lyrics are almost 40 years later. And the performances are deep and personal.
torn between a four and a five here. I think I ultimately settle on a five because I decided this was a four, wrote this sentence, and realized that I typed five instead of four. Clearly I knew something I don’t.
A very stark album with very little instrumentation allowing Tracy’s vocals to be the unquestioned center of attention. She doesn’t need anything more to showcase her amazing vocals and writing talent. A superb album, mixed to perfection.
Variable quality. You can see why Fast Car was the enduring song.
Enjoyed this.
Still a brilliant album!
Lyrical powerhouse with really nice instrumentals, felt like it fell off a tad at the end but still great
Pretty good all round, but it’s not a 5/5. The first three tracks are great. Track 4 seriously puts the brakes on. It’s a vocal only lament about domestic violence. I know the subject matter isn’t supposed to be comfortable, but Chapman’s voice really grates. Track 5 is a return to form and it holds for a while. The second half of the album is more nondescript. A few of the songs sound the same, but they are solid. I can see why the album was so popular and it absolutely deserves its place on this list.
3.6 3x
I like Tracy Chapman. I've only ever heard the first two songs of this album but I've liked them. Poor people will rise up speak on it. Run run run. I like fast car. Great song. Oh wait this is so good. I'm really rocking with this. There are mountains of things do. Things within things within things. Good just kind of meh. Mountains O'Things is phenomenal. Favourite: Mountains O'Things Least favourite: Talkin' Bout a Revolution
Album, którego sam bym pewnie nie wybrał. Bardzo dobry album w stylu Singer/songwriter pełen emocji i brzmiący zaskakująco ponadczasowo po prawie 40 latach od premiery
A sensational debut from the then unknown Tracy Chapman. Unique and a polished production. Great album!!
Gorgeous folk one of the best of the 80s-90s
When she does protest songs, she does them beautifully. She writes lyrics that paint a picture of woe and despair and hope. When she switches over to love songs they come across shallow and romanticized next to the protest songs. She has an amazing voice and an obvious desire and ability to use it. The activist songs are great. The love ballads are ok but sung beautifully. The minimalist coffee shop folk approach works brilliantly with her voice. I can understand why this record was a big hit.
i feel like i've heard of tracy chapman before but i'd never listened to her music (or if i had, i wasn't aware of it). i might've been missing out tho cos this is some good stuff, especially her vocals and lyrics. it's incredibly refreshing to hear folk music from someone who isn't a white dude for once. chapman has a great voice for this and sure as hell knows how to use it, with what feels like a lot more ornamentation in her singing than most other country/folk artists we've encountered on this list so far. i think that's probably why the chilling vocal-only performance "behind the wall" stands out to me so much in particular, although it's also a big part of why i like "across the lines" and "talkin' about a revolution" as well. on the other hand, i don't have too much to say about the instrumentals, although it did catch me off guard with how much of a 90s/00s folk sound it has. i'd probably have described as a little generic if it wasn't for this album having dropped in the late 80s. like, damn, ok, she was way ahead of the pack on that i guess. respect. .....is it weird that the folk albums i've enjoyed most so far have almost all been by women?
Was actually kinda looking forward to listening to this one, given the genres (Folk, heartland rock, etc.), but unfortunately it ended up being a little too rootsy for my tastes, I guess? I don't know a better way to describe it, but I'm just not feeling it. Fine album, not really doing anything bad, but yeah.
Amazing but not really my style
Gorgeous songs, gorgeous voice, gorgeous album. Fuck that "secretary rock" review.
9/10
Fast Car is one of those songs that is so ubiquitous that you can easily take it for granted and forget that it’s a masterpiece. This is a great record.
Album was a great listen each song felt calm and slow
Yes, you should listen to this before you die. Tracy Chapman, probably can say that I’ve never listened to her and in a rare turn of events – never considered her for one of my reviews! I’m going into this blind, or deaf, and looking forward to it. What a start, Talkin’ Bout a Revolution is a pure banger, that feels like I already know off by heart. Have I heard this before? My memory would suggest so – I can’t remember. The pain she exudes in every word, it’s spellbinding, what a story. Racism shot down so easily. I surprised that the album is late 80s, it has a timeless feel of the 70s, rather than anything something more recent. I’ve skipped Fast Car, apart from the final few listens, great song – don’t want to hear it. She’s a powerhouse, the voice, the challenge, it’s not always enjoyable but it’s gripping. Then a bloody BoyZone cover. Ronan and the boys will be so proud. This gives me chills, the TC version, although I’ve queued the BZ version for the end of the review. It came outta nowhere after the devastation of the previous two tracks – pure tenderness – that will only result in me welling up. The shaking she does in her voice – wow. Mountains O’ Things give me The Police vibes. The strong messages opposing racism, poverty, and violence against women continue throughout the remaining album but the pure joy and top draw song quality does slightly fade. Why? And For My Lover ease these but we’re not on the same form we started with. Her voice never fails to amaze. Top heavy album but even an improper fraction can be beautiful.
Wow I can't believe it's, two back to back amazing albums off this generator finally. And damn was this a good double feature. Thank you Tracy
Pretty much perfect
The production on this album is just perfect! It’s not too much and it’s not too little, it balances that contrast perfectly. Everything about this album is wildly impressive, the lyrics, instrumentals and production, and Tracey Chapman’s vocal delivery is so buttery smooth. Honestly my only real complaint about this album is it’s a bit of a bummer. All the songs are sad or about real problems in the world, which is commendable because it’s usually a beautiful song, but as a whole it’s a somber album for sure. But you can set your clock by the insanely perfect production. Great album.
Not a bad little album but not something I’d ever listen to again though.
The 'secretary rock' dude is Pearce from Community isn't he?
I forgot how good this is.
For the longest time, I was thoroughly repulsed by music from the 80s. All of it. The wet drums, the cheesy synths, the overly sentimental vocals. Not welcome in my ears. It felt totally at odds with the mix of classic and alternative rock I was raised on. I’ve been trying to remedy this unfortunate situation, and now enjoy stuff like The Smiths and The Cure, new wave bands like Talking Heads, Blondie, and Duran Duran, even Bowie’s 80s output. But there are still many that just don’t click for me — Genesis & its offshoots, Tears for Fears, U2. Don’t get me started on hair metal. Tracy Chapman falls in this latter category. I recognize the artistry here, and her voice is singular and compelling. Not sure what to say but that it’s not for me. To the arbiters of good music, I’m Sorry.
I remember when “Fast Car” came out and it was critically acclaimed. Great song, but this just wasn’t my music, so it remained in my periphery. Loved the rest of the album though! Very intimate (“Behind the Wall” is even a cappella), and since I just got “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye yesterday, it’s hard for me to see that they have similar themes. Tracy isn’t heavy-handed and seems more genuine. Love the very life-like characters that pop up in her lyrics too. The music is also more interesting to me, despite being so stripped down. The syncopation on “She’s got Her Ticket”, for example, is unexpected and welcome
This album is the soundtrack of my high school years. It oozes nostalgia for me. But I still find Chapman’s voice beguiling. It can’t be anyone except her. Fast car is a perfect song. And i love her recent Grammy for its re-boot. Talkin’ bout a revolution and Why? we’re on a lot of my mixes back then, as well. But it’s the last song that really brought me back to the late 80’s: For You. That song took me through my first relationship - at 15/16- a relationship that had none of the hallmarks of a first love rather the tumultuous, dangerous and obsessive chokehold of codependency- a pattern I’d repeat much of my life. A pattern of believing I could save someone from themselves (spoiler alert: you can’t!) that led me to really connect with the lyrics of For You all those years ago: “losing control, thinking I had a hold, but with feeling this strong, I’m no longer the master of my emotions.” I’m grateful I no longer confuse powerlessness with love. And that I don’t recognize those lyrics in my current relationship. I will say that the political songs on this record, while 100% relevant today, sound polite in 2026. They remind me of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On from recently. Her revolution sounds a bit like the stand-over-the-freeway with ‘No Kings’ signs kind of revolution. (Of which I often participate in frustrated helplessness). But the dude who called this “Secretary music” can fuck all the way off.
Just jaw-dropping music
this is an interesting album, but i feel it has TOO much pop appeal; it's on the verge of greatness, but it sounds so sanitized and washed down, with a very corporate feel, and honestly, i'm not really a fan at all of this 'tender' shaky style of singing she tends to frequently use in this album. many tracks here are also just very overplayed. i have heard many different versions of "fast car" a total of about 500 times, and it's really not my preferred type of song to be listening to for that long. there are still some good songs here that aren't overplayed, but there are a few that i completely can not enjoy due to how much i'd heard them before; every song here just gets a little more grating to me each listen i put in.
This is one of the few albums where I can appreciate it's quality. It's got lovely storytelling, great vocals, really nice guitar work and comes together beautifully. I wouldn't put it on any of my playlists or pick it up again. I'd feel harsh not giving it the rating it deserves though. If decimals were a thing then easy 4.5.
I liked the review that described his definition of secretary rock. It reminds me of another person who I saw define Matrix music. That is music that works specifically in the Matrix franchise. It's not just late 90s electronica, but a sound and energy that works with that universe. This album and that definition of secretary rock feels spot on. I'm no secretary in actually or musical taste. But that's not to say this isn't good. It really is. Not something I'll follow back up on, but lovely, warm singer songwriter goodness filled this album. A safe 3 star
Very good album. Some all timers on here
It wasn’t bad at all but I also didn’t download any of the songs so.. 2. For my lover was good. Just not for me
While seemingly influenced by Joan Armatrading, this album stands on its own and seems to me to have ushered in the folk sounds of the 90s. The songs are well written.
It’s good! Lyrically tense and tough, hitting some heavy subjects. Musically it can blend at times but overall I enjoyed my time with it.
This is easy for me to rate. I already love all of the songs on this album - so it's a perfect album. When the song "Fast Car" first came out it was so different than anything on the radio. The storytelling in that song is fantastic. She beat out artists like Def Leppard, Guns and Roses, DJ Jazzy and the Fresh Prince, Van Halen, Poison etc. to reach the #1 spot on the charts. It felt like it dropped in from another planet. I got the CD because of that song and it turns out the storytelling and socially conscious/critical perspective was in all of these songs. Search "Tracy Chapman Wembley Stadium 1988" - for the video of her all alone on a giant stage singing "Fast Car". This was part of the Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert. She did this as a last minute request because Steve Wonder couldn't play his set. Chills. Still really enjoy listening to all of this after almost 40 years. The sad and disheartening part is pretty much all of the things she was singing about then are still true today. We've got a long way to go folks. It's all just brilliant. The fact that she was 24 when this came out and had written some of these songs (like "Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution") when she was in high school is amazing. Tracy Chapman is definitely a genius - wise beyond her years. I do wonder when a modern Tracy Chapman-like person will appear - who can be as insightful and yet still very popular. Liked songs on Spotify: 11/11 (perfect album) Rating: 5/5
You gotta good voice
Erg fijn album. Wel gi-gan-tisch front loaded met Talkin Bout A Revolution en Fast Car als track 1 en 2
Prachtig album van een prachtig persoon. Dit was over voor ik het door had
Mooie liedjes van een mooi persoon. Chapman heeft natuurlijk een one of a kind stem en gebruikt die om belangrijke onderwerpen aan te kaarten. Helaas voor ons zijn we sinds eind jaren 80 niet veel opgeschoten... Afijn. Fast Car is uiteraard schitterend, het is voor mij alleen een tikkeltje verpest door alle slachtpartijen van covers die het nummer heeft ondergaan, met die bekende versie van Luke Combs als absolute dieptepunt.
Opening song is a banger, instantly enjoyable. Rest of the album mantains nice songwriting vibes, don't remember much though.
Très bon, la pop avant la pop, musique assez épurée et qui fonctionne très bien, la voix n'en fait pas trop mais elle reste agréable à écouter
3.86 for Tracy Chapman - This is a deep hitting album from 1988. It combines contemporary folk with hard hitting subjects. It's done in a very good fashion. I know that I can probably go down to my local coffee shop and hear all of these songs in some form or another, but Tracy pushed that coffee house folk into the mainstream with Fast Car and this whole album. It's really well done, and I like it.
Great singer-songwriter album. Passionate lyrics and vocals.
Just so good. Super simple with the acoustic guitar and vocals taking center stage. I really enjoyed the lyrics and story of Across the Lines and Behind the Wall. Fast Car is a classic. Mountain o things was a bop, Why was damn good. I just think this album is beautiful
Good beats top hits of her album Listened by the pool it was a vibe Civil rights and protest songs correlation really interesting
I realize I was pretty young when this album came out. It was confusing. The singles off it: Talkin’ Bout and Fast Car both so… clear, political, and honestly sad. Chapman didn’t fit a genre well. She was black, but this wasn’t Soul or RnB. This was… folk? But, not exactly. Behind the Wall is almost a poem. It’s so well articulated. It’s an indictment. I actually bought the cd. That was rare. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve listened to this again. It’s really beautiful. I don’t know what Tracy did after this debut, but man, she didn’t need to do a thing. This is pretty perfect. 5 Boolean: True
1. 4.5 2. 5 3. 4 4. 3.5 5. 4 1. 4.5 2. 3 3. 4.5 4. 4 5. 4 6. 4
Its fine. Production is a little too adult contemp for me
I thought this album was really good but it also didn’t blow me away Very solid 3.5/5 Favorites: fast car, talkin about a revolution, why?,
A couple of nice songs
😐
such a beautiful voice.... i feel like im hanging out with an old friend.
I liked the 80s production on this, very dark and atmospheric and weirdly reminded me of Depeche Mode. The songwriting is sort of built on observational social critique which I have mixed feelings about but plaudits to Chapman for repeating the line “they killed the dream of America” after 8 years of Reagan - not a popular sentiment at the time but extremely accurate.
Heartfelt and powerful. Cracking voice, didn't know how socially conscious this was. I also dreamt the lead guitar line of Fast Car and was fuming when I first heard the song on the radio convinced I had been ripped off
Her voice is a delight. Thoughtful and provoking lyrics
This was actually really great. I am so over fast car but damn if the rest of that album wasn't awesome.
Ich lieb das!
Very nice
Some great writing. Just not something I want to listen to often.
Ive been aware of this album all my life. Its been constantly praised as an excellent album, and Fast Cars as an amazing song. I never gave it a listen as it is not my style of music. When it popped up as my first album, I thought I would finally give it a listen. After two songs, i thought ok this isnt for me but I guess this is a classic album, I will give it 2 stars, and continue listening. I just couldnt. I cant stand it. It doesnt just bore me, it irritates me. I simply do not like it.
1988 was weird year. All the early 80s Pop, New Wave and Metal was falling off in favor of something more honest and authentic. Along comes Tracy Chapman. Authentic, earnest, sincere… folk rock? What do you know? Powerful voice. Fast Car and Baby Can I Hold You are clear winners. 3.6
Este disco me hace llorar. Vaya cosa más perfecta. Te quiero mucho Tracy!
was a really lovley album, i think a lot of people would enjoy the mood and the sway it has, though isnt my genre
I think Chapman’s voice is an underrated element of this album. I love it. An incredibly earnest piece of work. I think Talkin Bout a Revolution may be my favorite, because I’m always thinking about how true that is. It does sound like a whisper.
Very good
I just love her voice. This is a 5 star album for sure. She's not afraid to take risks and talk about heavy topics, all to the light, folky soundtrack she's known for.
Wow, I knew fast car and the chorus of talking about a revolution but oh my god, the raw emotion, the obvious obvious huge insane parts of the world and the pain about them just laid out in such a way Her voice is just idk even the words but it feels like a miracle of nature? Is that an exaggeration? I feel so grateful to have given myself the time to sit with this one, knowing she wrote it at uni, it reminded me of my passionate and hopeful and intense feelings about the state of the world and inequality and violence and reminded me of that part of myself that really believed things could be different The stand out song was Behind the Wall, weirdly I’d heard ‘another sleepless night’ sampled in another song I need to find that, but it simultaneously filled me with grief and hope, but the pain of feeling so stuck to help people in their home and the craziness But the full body goosebumps and tears And the it won’t do no good to call It just resonates so much With helplessness of trying to support people to be safe and the idea there’s a system and structures in place agreed by society to help take care of people bit really, those structures are so flawed and not often helpful (even like stuff I do) then also the frustration with the lack of expectations on each other (mainly men) to not be violent Idk maybe some intergenerational stuff as well but wow So glad I started this process, album number 1!
A beautiful album by a very shy artist who should have been a bigger. Fast Car defined Tracy but may have been a millstone?
Really good record, an important listen too. I'll need to come to this when I'm feeling like shit
A good album, I liked Talkin' Bout A Revoultion and Fast Car the most.
Great voice, great lyrics, enjoyable vibe
I'd never heard of Tracy Chapman before this album, but I liked the music. The music is gentle, simple and folksy but the themes are heavy. It was a nice contrast.
This is so good. Just like the best example of singer songwriter well written engaging songs with killer melodies and lyrics. Fast car obvious stand out but whole thing rips.
Skip two first
Such a great album! Love Chapman. Soothing and perfect for contemplating lol
I really enjoyed this album. I think that Tracy’s voice is unique and is composed so well in this album. I can easily understand why it’s so well-liked. The themes of songs are deep and talk about problem that somehow, we still haven’t solved. I wish I could tell my favorite moments but i truly loved it all. Honorable mention to an acapella track ‘Behind The Wall’. Fav song: ‘Baby Can I Hold You’
Fire album that shows her amazing skill. 5/5
Tracy Chapman – Tracy Chapman (1988) Not too long ago, I heard "Fast Car" and then realized the entire album was included in this listening challenge. To avoid any spoilers and ensure I experienced the full context, I disciplined myself and restrained from listening. Coincidentally, I got the album just three weeks later, and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. Hearing "Fast Car" during this full session was an eye-watering experience; it is an incredibly great song. I then went deep into the album context to discover other tunes like "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution," "Across the Line," "Baby Can I Hold You," "For You," and "If Not Now...". It is an immaculate record. I can't say much more, it was peak discovery, an absolutely elevating experience. The vocals, the powerful writing and lyrics the acoustic instrumentation, and the entire production lay-out was pure folk perfection. Flawless. A definitive 5/5.
I understand why this album is considered revolutionary — especially for its time. It brought socially conscious folk music back into the mainstream with real power. But for me, it’s just a normal, decent album. Not bad, but nothing special either. While listening I quickly got tired of how repetitive it feels. Tracy sings almost every song in the exact same tone, with the same rhythm and the same level of enthusiasm. Her voice is consistent throughout, which is nice, but after a few tracks it becomes hard to tell when one song ends and the next one starts. They all kind of blend into one long, similar-sounding experience. The political and social themes are strong and important, no doubt. But sometimes it feels more like a dramatic novel set to music rather than an actual varied album. I respect the messaging a lot, but as pure music, it didn’t do much for me. It’s a solid debut with a clear voice and purpose, but the lack of variety holds it back for me.
Rate: 9/10.
One of these stars is for fast car, this album offered me nothing else
Late 80s folk. Absolutely timeless. All of her hits.
Truly sensational work of modern blues folk, with a number of songs bursting through the stratosphere into pure brilliance.
Fast Car is so hauntingly beautiful. Has to be one of my favorite songs all time.
excellent 4.5+/5
I guess I had never listened to this album. It’s gorgeous. I’ve always loved her voice but so much evocative storytelling in every song too.
(09:00 am) started listening this during gta you talk about a revolutioooon well yknoowwww god i remember Fast Car my dad used to listen to it if you told me this album heavily inspired modern day bipoc revolutionaries id believe you its a great album with an amazing voice breaking their heart over racial injustice and class disparity whilst keeping their heart open ---- Those who deserve the best in life And know what money's worth And those whose sole misfortune Was having mountains o' nothing at birth Oh they tell me There's Still time to save my soul they tell me Renounce all Renounce all those material things you gained by Exploiting other human beings ---- jesus christ this album is a 10/10 wait tracy chapman is a woman???? who's singing then i dont think the least political song in this album being the most popular by far is a coincidence wait are these reviews public tracy chapman the woman that you are ---- Most Favourite Song: Mountain O' Things Least Favourite Song: She's Got Her Ticket Rating: 10/10 "Now love's the only thing that's free." ----
Tracy sounds insanely good, especially in 26, but her lyrics has no chance to catch my attention.
Chapman’s voice really elevates the storytelling in each of these songs to get the point/message across. So many songs about problems that are still so relevant today even 30+ years later. It’s beautiful, it’s heartbreaking, it’s an amazing album. Comparing this to the likes of Jack Johnson and Michael Bublé is an insane take (yes I’m looking at you secretary rock review). Likes: Talkin Bout a Revolution; Fast Car; Across the Line; Behind the Wall; Baby Can I Hold You; Mountain O Things; Why; For My Lover
This is no fault of Tracy Chapman, but I really hear her influence on David Brent’s “Free love on the free love freeway” on this album.
3,5
Ну такое кантри
I like this. It was more of my vibe than yesterday's album. 4/5
Solid album
Love the simplicity of this album - it strikes me as the lyrics over a vamps. This could sound really boring but she manages to keep me engaged throughout the album. I'm delighted this album came up - I'd heard fast car before but nothing else and found it to be a really good listen. Larry Klein (yes, that Larry Klein) evokes Jaco a bit at points in his bass playing. The a cappella 'Behind the Wall' reminds me a bit of Irish Sean Nos music. Beautiful.
This was a perfect segue from yesterday's album.
Impressive.
Good stuff.
Chapman's vocals are absolutely the focus here, and they're amazing. They work really well with the instrumentation too, which makes for some amazing and emotional songs, like Fast Car of course. However, I did find quite a few of the songs just a bit too sparse and repetitive to really grab me in. It just became a bit boring, but in isolation I think all of the songs are pretty amazingly written and performed.
Die Klassiker taugen, der Rest ist langweilig.
Zwischen 3 und 4 Sternen bei mir. Die Stimme finde ich bemerkenswert.
It's fine.
p593. 1988. 3 stars. Pedestrian background music for late 80's cheese and wine parties. Good voice and a handful of decent songs, but it's all same paced and lyrically naive.
i liked her voice it’s pretty deep for a woman and I love ittt. the guitar is sweet the bass is amazing. overall great album. wish it was a bit longer 8/10
5.5/10
One of the best debut albums of all time
Finalement 4 !
a good album - not all for me, but enjoyable
Really entertaining listen, albeit with some weak cuts. She’s got a wonderful voice. A lot more good cuts on this album than I expected. A pleasant surprise all around.
3.5/5
This album and Tracy's voice feel like a glove. It always fits
Tracy seemed to come out of nowhere bringing a fresh new sound at a time when I wasn’t hearing anything interesting happening in rock. The societal woes Tracy sings about are still with us. Even worse now. Unfortunately, there are too many self-serving rich white men (exemplified by knuckle draggers like Secretaty Rock Boy) turning any hope for having an egalitarian society into a pipe dream.
First Impression: I liked her voice it is quite soothing to me. The album itself was ok, surprised to find the original Fast Car. Most songs were pretty good, although Baby Can I Hold You Tonight was a bit sappy for my taste. I found Behind the Wall really interesting, along with Across The Lines, and For My Lover. Favourite Track: Fast Car (most familiar track so it scratches my brain in all the right places) One Sentence: Carried by a beautiful mellow voice, Chapman's album is very insightful and full of compassion. Will I Revisit? Possibly
Incredible vocals, insightful writing, subdued but lovely instrumentals. The subject matter was moving as well, and the entire thing just had me upset that the songs are still relevant almost 40 years after this album's release.
A bit kohlscore - and a bit too acapella at times but I liked it
It kinda overplays the “protagonist in the midst of a depressing situation with a faint glimmer of hope” theme with every track. It’s most effective with fast car, then it just keeps beating that drum with poor 90’s production.
I remember this album from my freshman year of college, when I didn't appreciate it as much. Tracy sings of political and socioeconomic ills and delivers those messages in an earnest, heartfelt way. The music is simple, never getting in the way of a message that, in many ways, rings more clear now than in 1988.
First two tracks are the obvious standouts, rest of the album was fine with no obvious 3rd place. Its definitely best listened to in a very specific mood, but revisitable nonetheless.
Simple yet elegant, socially conscious, songs sung in a totally unique contralto voice....Tracy burst on the scene as a true original. I know it may feel a bit overdone in recent times, but "Fast Car" is truly one of the best songs of the 1980s. The drum entry is not quite the level of "Stairway to Heaven" or "In the Air Tonight" but its genuinely close. I also really like "Talkin' Bout a Revolution". She kind of perfected and pre-empted the adult contemporary sounds of the 1990s.
At first, I thought about who the hell is this but the moment I heard her voice it was obvious. This is a pretty chill album, definitly a good listen for a long lonely car ride or a slow and nostalgic evening. The music is simple and calming and its a nice change to some of the oversaturated tunes we hear nowadays.
Dated as the production is, Chapman is one of our best songwriters, and she proves it right away on her debut. This should have been the launch of a prolific career but misogyny and racism prevented the way ahead. This is a record decades ahead of its time, mixing country and folk with pop styles and a keen ear for social awareness. The only flaw is how thin the production is, but that's more a factor of time than anything. Forever underrated, always classic.
Great songs and storytelling on this album.
Bien.
A stunning performer and a stunning lyricist. I was moved by behind the wall especially. I personally am not a fan of simple production, and while in some songs it worked, it did not in others.
Fire
One of the most iconic songs of all time. Fast Car still holds up to this day. It was interesting to read the wiki where this song was almost an afterthought. It was the last song they recorded for the album. While the rest doesn't hold up as much as that one, the acoustic guitar matched with her vocals still slays. Obviously fast car makes the playlist.
This record is a mood. It's full of thoughtful heartfelt songs with a story to tell.
it's Tracy Chapman so you know the voice is gonna be there for sure, I liked it
A truly great album. Great lyrics, great productions and of course great interpretation. A true classic.
Very good album
good, not rly my vibe tho
Noice
Loved the sound, her voice is amazing but the lyrical content of the whole album is a little too depressing.
A gem
(7/7) so wistful
The gentleness and the power of her soul can be heard in each and every song. I can compare her artistry to Bill Withers, they both have a very direct and honest delivery of thoughts and feelings. The lyrics are simple but gut-wrenching, as if she talks to you personally and invites you to think about what she's trying to say. Fantastic author and a great artist. The only bad thing is that the topics brought up by her are still relevant.
Oh this takes me back. I used to listen to Tracy's selftitled album a lot in the early 00s
very okay album. a specific vibe that without fast car would be a 1
One of my favorite albums which came at a time when hair metal was king--through all of the 1988 madness I had this album. I think everyone did honestly. Somehow it goes hard enough to transcend labels. I'm sad there are no more Chapman albums on the list Matters of the Heart is my favorite and Telling Stories is fantastic, so this gets a 5!
Best soundtrack for a road trip fr i feels like we're in the jungle especially mountains O' mountains Why? such a powerful massage and across the lines pure art I loved how clear her massage I loved her strong sound
Her voice is slightly clipped sounding but in a way that makes it unique and very fun to listen to
Strong lyricism and the voice of someone who has seen things and the pain sticks with them. Not my usual cup of tea but can't deny the poet.
More about the lyrics and message than the actual music
Where are the dynamics on this album? Tracy's vocals at time sound sincere, by the end of the album having that same delivery on each record, you find it hard to stay with the emotions she is trying to portray through her lyrics. Everything almost sounds too in place as well, so clean ye flat. struggled to make it to the end of this one.
As someone whose Tracy Chapman knowledge started and finished at fast car. Absolutely no notes. That was a pleasure from start to finish. A perfect example of exactly why I’m doing this.