Reviews (page 4 of 14)
This album deals with a lot of sad and heavy subjects, but manages to still be enjoyable to listen to
It's a wonderful, dark, depressing album
Still so good!
Great album.
This is a really beautiful album, Tracy Chapman has an incredible voice and has this delivery that is just so understated but powerful at the same time. It's a bit of an interesting time to listen to this. The "classic" on here is "Fast Car", which has had a cultural reemergence in the last year after Luke Combs covered it. I don't have a strong opinion on the Combs cover, but it's put Chapman back in the spotlight a bit. The song is deserving of all the hype that it's gotten, it really is incredible and showcases the best of Chapman. There's a lot of great songs on here beyond "Fast Car" though. "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" is a really great start and "Baby Can I Hold You" is another popular one that's great. The songwriting is strong across the board, whether on a "political" song (like "Across the Lines") or a love song (like "For My Lover"). The album is definitely a bit top heavy, but Chapman's voice and songwriting are still so captivating that even the "down" songs are engaging. This album feels really timeless (with a few exceptions where some '80s sound pulls through). An incredible folk album at not a huge time for folk music, and done by an artist that also feels ahead of her time in many ways. Favorite song: Fast Car Other: Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Across the Lines, Baby Can I Hold You, Mountains O' Things, She's Got Her Ticket, For My Lover, If Not Now..., For You 5/12/24
Was shocked at how flawless this album is, Tracey Chapman is such a talent. I was already aware of FAST CAR, but all these are as good if not better. Side A of this album is a seriously good run, the first 5 songs are probably my favourite. Amazing lyricism too
Very good as one would expect. Should still be on the list, imho.
I have always loved this album. One of my all time tops.
Geniales Debüt! Ohne Schnickschnack! Fantastisch!
Songwriting at it's best. Saw her live in 1996. Incredible!
I’m thrilled that she’s seeing a renaissance of her music
The music is great, the issues she advocates in her lyrics are as relevant today as when they were written- and Tracy Chapman's voice is simply sublime. Truly a timeless album.
Good chill album. Something great to put on when you're on a drive in an open road. Makes you feel like you're in a movie in the 80s maybe its my autism but I love to feel like I'm the main character in movie.
Nostalgia. 💜 All songs still good after all these years.
Loved it then, love it now. Modern folk.
Amazing
a really strong album with a heartfelt message behind it timeless classic 4.8/5
What a beautifully sincere piece of art, this album is so simple and completely original. Her voice is so deep! And she uses her voice like an old rich instrument. This was a really great example of using music as protest. It was bold but so sincere and unobtrusive.
quality album. Weird insturmentals (Pan flute?!?)
Great!
This is really good, nice short songs plus an amazing voice. Loving the 80s production and some nice strat tones.
I could listen to this all day. Her voice is so wonderful and the production is balanced yet really lets her shine. 9/10
This album is a must listen to for everyone
Give this lady her flowers, long overdue.
Loved this album when it first came out and still today. Brilliant songwriter. I am happy to see her getting more recognition recently.
Very few artists can be as vulnerable yet optimistic as Tracy Chapman.
Absolutely wonderful album. Great songwriting and emotional vocals. I could listen this everyday
boof. right in the feels
Amazing album, from the start to the end. Gave me confort to the soul.
this is very good album. I was initially put off from having heard the radio over playing some of the songs (Fast Car, revolution, lines,,) but actually every track is a banger, all very easy to listen to. Tracy deserves a 5
Fantastic. Very powerful themes with some great melodies and soulful singing. I've been familiar with her most famous tracks for a long time, but had never listened to her albums. Will be rectifying that going forwards.
One of my favorite albums of all time
Awesome.
Wanted to say that this might be the perfect soundtrack to a relaxed drive at sunset. Then I heard "Behind The Wall". It was harrowing. I loved it, the pain, the emotion. This album will definitely stay in my rotation
She brought such a unique and personal sound. It was an instant treasure when it was relased, and remains powerful writing and music.
This is contemporary/folk rock at its best. Poignant & tender, simple, yet complex. Above all though, it sounds authentic. "Fast Car" is a timeless classic, but the other two singles found in the front half of the album hold their own, as well as the chilling notes of "Behind the Wall". The album also doesn't overstay its welcome, as Tracy says what she needs to say in an impactful 36ish minutes.
Nice
What a gorgeous album. So many love songs, interspersed and commingled with protest songs, songs like Behind the Wall that were unheard. What a freshman album, so misunderstood, so raw.
Un discazo verdaderamente, con canciones que conocía y otras que no. Muy relajante.
so good
In the late eighties, amidst the hair metal, punk rock, new wave, and boy bands this album landed and shook the music world. Black, female, singer/songwriter comes in with an album of folk songs filled with protest and personal pain. 'Fast Car' is the obvious stand out, but every song hits you with Chapman's emotion and sincerity. An album of delicate power and beauty.
There have been many times a songwriter-type artist has come up here. Most are fine, but I don’t attach fully to them, or the lyrics go in one ear and out the other. But every once in a while, the songwriter sticks out and totally captures me. Tracy Chapman is one of those.
Didn't expect to like this but it was superb, great composition and music that is honestly timeless. A modern day songwriter could release these and they wouldn't be out of place in 2024. Great stuff.
Fantastic album, great suggestion, thank you very much, so many memories ;-)
Mijn vader zegt altijd dat dit album een 10 is. Ben ik opzich wel met hem eens
Prachtige stem en zeer lieflijke liedjes Iets wat in een restaurant op repeat zou staan
Easy enjoyable listening
So so good
Iconic
I loved it need to finish it when im not sad
Wonderful
4.6
One of her best albums.
Such a good album. The criticism of the time that she was overly political and her songs were just non-rhyming descriptions of what she saw are basically 3 songs on this record. And even those are still catchy, well composed pieces of music.
Rather annoyingly the first three tracks are the clear standouts, overshadowing the rest of the album. That said, these three tracks are all classics in their own roghts
Great album almost like a greatest hits
What a monster of an album. Tracy's lyrics rip your heart out and leave it beating on the floor. The basic, stripped down music really works to help get the message across. It's easy to see why this is one of the best selling albums of all time.
The songwriting… some of the best ever
Hella great?? I really wasn't expecting that
Her voice, her music are amazing. The songs are intoxicating.
... sensationell, erstmals in Musicstore Virgin in Tokio gehört, gekauft und immer noch unter meinen Top 100 Alben.
Always a fan of her vocals and writing
Phenomenal debut album for a phenomenal artist!!
Hammer, danke dafür, endlich mal wieder angehört. Traurig und schön zugleich.
immer wieder gut
Astounding! 36 minutes of succinct, berating social analysis. Whilst this is a heavy album, it doesn't feel like it at times. It's tragic that so little has changed in the ~50 years since this album came out, but it's clearly stood the test of time!
You've got a 5 star
Love this album forever and always
Stunning gorgeous amazing. What a voice. At least two songs made me goosepimply.
This is a great record. The lyrics, her voice, the songwriting, and the instrumentation all come together to form something truly special.
I specifically remember the first time I listened to this album. I had some new headphones and was in the back of my mum’s car browsing the iTunes Store. From the “Under £5” section I bought this and Bat Out Of Hell. Both were bangers, but banged in different ways. Songs I already knew: all of them Favourites: Behind The Wall, Baby Can I Hold You, Talkin’ Bout A Revolution There isn’t anything to fault with this album. Every track has starkly poignant lyrics, from race wars to domestic violence. The music is fantastic, but my favourite is the a-capella Behind The Wall. The lack of instrumentation here makes everything so much more raw and emotional. If you haven’t heard this before, I couldn’t recommend it enough.
This album is AOTY 1988 and One of the best records on the 80s as a Whole.
4.8/5 Best Track: Fast Car (top 10 best song ever?)
Just wonderful
- talking about a revolution - Fast car Kills in such a good way - Across the lines Would have been a great song to get into in my music class. “They kill the dream of America” yup yup yup - behind the wall Heard - baby can I hold you Ugh love stab me in the heart sorry Tracy not personal, beautiful song, I just can’t stomach it - mountains o things - She’s got her ticket I certainly want to fly away - why Let’s hear it, keep it going - for my lover I am a fool and I didn’t do enough. I think I’m losing sight of the purpose of commenting on these songs lol. Anyway it’s really great. - if not now - For you Really mentally tired/not there so won’t be doing as much notes or a close listen. Love her voice and her songs like sit on my chest. Not like hitting me but just kind of chilling there you know lol. In a good way. Beautiful album that packs many punches. Hits on a range of topics and emotions and her voice is one that breaks them all open and shares it all with the listener. Based on my taste in music: 4.75 Pretending to be a music critic: 4.5
Always a pleasure to listen to. What a great and unique voice.
01) Talkin' 'bout a Revolution - 10,0 02) Fast Car - 10,0 03) Across the Lines - 8,5 04) Behind the Wall - 8,5 05) Baby Can I Hold You - 10,0 06) Mountains o' Things - 9,0 07) She's Got Her Ticket - 8,5 08) Why? - 8,0 09) For My Lover - 9,0 10) If Not Now… - 8,5 11) For You - 8,5 TOTAL: 8,96 (90/100) Now this one I could listen again, and I bet it would score even higher. The album which features "Fast Car" and "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" deserves highest mark.
Very good music. Have liked this album from the time we first heard it.
I will always remember this album specifically for the summer of 98 in the mountains of CO. Every song on here takes me back to moments of that time and place.
Kannte ich schon. Ist super meherer Hits drauf
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!
First album where I already had songs from it! Love her storytelling and the timbre of her voice.
Loved it! Classic.
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.
Fantastic album, timeless lyrics and music
My wife had this album on cassette when we first met. Brought back some good memories.
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.
Love love love her!
Mountain O' Things sounds like it comes straight off the Donkey Kong Country soundtrack and I can't get over it. Incredible.
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.
Amazing album.
A great album
grandioses Album
Alltid älskat den här skivan. Sjukt bra rakt igenom.
Great Album, never old!
:)
this is a perfect album. there is not one bad track on this album
obviously
one of the best in all acoustic album！
Great record, love Chapman’s voice and lyrics. A nice combination of protest singer Dylan and introspective Dylan.
absolute vibes
She got a fast car, why all the lousy country singers covering this song??
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 :)
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.
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.
This album was beautiful and I loved almost every song. Definitely going to be listening to a lot more Chapman after this.
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.
Such an incredible singer, the instrumentals are groovy, everything is on point in this album.
Incredible. Chapman has such a self assured voice and beautiful lyrics. Her songwriting is where the magic lives. Love it.
Outstanding
Beautiful album
love
I love everything Tracy Chapman has done and this is no exception
Nice!
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.
That’s such a personal and sincere album. Tracy Chapman is a great guitarist and a gifted lyricist. 5 stars
EMOTIONAL DAMAGE ;_;
I believe this was her debut? Absolutely incredible album.
Pretty good! I liked fast cars. 5/5
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.
Absolute gem
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!
Everysong a beautiful statement. She pulled no punches.
Hamburger
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.
nanana fast car
good vibes
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
Strong and powerful, surprising for an '88 album. Lyrics, meaning, emotion, production and musical quality 5/5
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.
Excellent stood the test of time
Every song is truly beautiful
It’s a wonderful listening experience
"Fast Car" is a perfect song, the kind of bolt of lightning that a songwriter MAYBE gets once in a lifetime, if they're lucky. It's somewhat unfortunate that it came on her first record, because it overshadows everything else here, even though the rest is wonderful in its own right. She got unfairly dismissed as a one-hit wonder (at least until "Give Me One Reason" was a hit a few years later) for making a great first album with a generational pop song on it.
5/5
Seminal album that has not lost any relevance or goodness. My first CD purchase in early 90’s in South Africa. I remember the day vividly. Only a handful of albums do that for me. I wish I had seen her in Harare.
beautiful
Thus is a perfect album. Her voice is unparalleled and her songs her devastating.
Loved it
The aural equivalent of a stuffed toy with a hand grenade in it. I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but that sentence seemed to make sense when I wrote it.
Excellent songwriting with very political lyrics. Unfortunately many of her themes from 1988 are still relevant today.
I’ve been sleeping on this album aside from Fast Car for years. It’s so sad and ponderous, it feels so personal and stripped back.
Great album. Her voice and songwriting are so good.
Fast car is a masterpiece. baby can I hold you and Behind the wall are both cool too. Short and sweet.
Tout est réussi, des textes profonds sans être complexes aux mélodies et arrangements subtils et dépouillés, qui forment des pièces d’une qualité indéniable et indémodable. Plusieurs pièces m’ont émue et fait pleurer
Part of the new folk revival of the mid-80s (along with Suzanne Vega, Billy Bragg, and a bunch of lesser known bands like the Chesterfield Kings), Chapman was on of the few artists to attain real stardom. That's not surprising given the quality of the songs and tunes on this, her debut album. Best known for Fast Car and Talkin' About a Revolution, the album is full of songs that are tough, sweet, sad, and insightful, often at the same time. Pretty much every indie folk artist today owes their career to this album which made folk mainstream again.
Well, this was just fantastic.
Relative still, and challenging to the mind, but Tracy's vocals are pleasant and earthy, nonetheless. Wow, phenomenal stuff!
Brilliant then, brilliant now and sadly still lyrically relevant. Solid 5/5
It feels to me like these songs have always existed. I don;t listen to them much these days but surely this album deserves a 5/5
Classic 5 too
She blew me away when she appeared on Live Aid and I bought this album on the Monday. It's still relevant and still a great album.
Game changing
очень понравился альбом, как-то всё в нем очень хорошо какой-то the weeknd конца 80х под гитарку
Очень добрый юноша с гитарой. Ну очень уж прям! Ага, мальчик... Девушка это, емае! Если бы я не заглянул в википедию - так и остался бы в неведении. Сразу скажу - здесь нет никакого сексизма, ну не отличил по голосу, с кем не бывает... Какие же светлые песни, прям не могу. Простые на первый взгляд, с глубокими текстами, если вслушаться. Можно конечно пожаловаться, что звучит всё одинаково, но не в этом суть кажется. Суть просто в том, что это одна из первых исполнительниц поп-блюза, которая стала реально успешной, причём с первой попытки. Самородок. И да, действительно чем-то на Викенда похоже, разве что IDM накинуть какой-нибудь на фон, и синтов бахнуть как у Duran Duran или Daft Punk.
Deze plaat heb ik ooit grijsgedraaid (en m'n zus helemaal). Prettige jaren tachtig singersongwriterprotestzangermuziek. Uit de tijd dat sociale kritiek ook nog eens mooi mocht klinken (een stuk beter dan de schraapstem van Bob Dylan dacht ik zo). 'Fast car' is het hoopgevende middelpunt van de plaat. Je gaat als vanzelf naar de teksten luisteren, wat in het Engels wel een prestatie is. Tevens het bewijs dat je ongeacht je eigen huidskleur uiteraard gewoon kunt meevoelen met de lotgevallen van iemand ver weg met misschien een ander uiterlijk, geslacht en sociale achtergrond dan jij. Een les voor al die vervelende hokjesdenkers van tegenwoordig.
An absolute classic. This album has perfect balance, managing to be both poignant and uplifting. The songwriting is sharp and poetic.Tracy's voice moves exquisitely between warmth and righteousness. The backings are simple but catchy and infectious. Each track has its own clear identity and makes for a powerful whole. I see no faults on this.
One of the best albums ever recorded. Chapman's voice and message are timeless. I can't speak about this album without bringing up Fast Car, a classic anthem about breaking the cycles of abuse. Tracy Chapman is an essential recording that stands for all time.
I know and love this album. Tracy’s voice is like silk. Surprisingly mature, thoughtful lyrics. Excellent.
Magic
I remember when this album debuted....I was absolutely floored....such talent, such a message in her song writing.....This. is truly a great classic 5 star album!
❤️ Light 9/10
YES! I love this album so much.
5 stars!
Listened to this for the first time in a long time. I was ready for it to sound dated but it didn't. Nice simple production and great songs. A little preachy (maybe a lot) but the vocal delivery is spooky yet powerful.
Have listened to this album once before I think, but didn't think anything particular of it except of Fast Car which I absolutely love. Coming into it I didn't have any special hopes, but I gotta say I was pleasantly surprised by how good all of it is. The lyricical content is quite serious and I wouldn't consider it especially "happy", but somehow it still gives me some feelgood vibes strange enough. Also good variety in the songs in my opinion, for example completely caught off guard with Mountains O'Things which got some carribean vibe going on. Then a bit of raeggae feeling with She's Got Her Ticket straight after, very nice! Hard choice between 4 and 5, but when listening through the album there is not a single song I don't like, so it will have to be a 5!
Fantastic voice and great songs
A vocal masterpiece! Tracy Chapman's self-titled debut album are song of revolution and songs written from the welfare lines of America. This album radiates hope and sacrifice and perseverance. While very simple from an instrumentation standpoint, Tracy's voice is the driving force on this excellent album. Talkin' About a Revolution, Across the Lines and If Not Now are incredible, while Behind The Wall is completely vocal and beautiful. Fast Car, the best and most long-lasting track, has a Romeo & Juliet feel of escaping poverty and ruin with another person. Major Bruce Spingsteen Born to Run vibes on that track.
This album is fantastic all the way through. The fact that she isn’t still a top artist is a tragedy. Great body of song all the way through her career.
adorei o álbum, meu favorito por enquanto. que bela voz. conhecia 2 músicas também, o que já ajudou. não vou ouvir novamente, mas esse entendo e concordo em estar nessa lista.
Her voice has a really significant impact on me. It always has and i dont think any other musician has ever had that effect on me. Incredible artist powerful voice
What a voice. Having heard so much of this music before, taking the time to really listen to it seemed a little unnecessary, but it actually really revealed how repetitive fast car is. Despite that, this is a solid 5.
I now feel empathy & compassion.
The album cover matches de music perfectly: - Hey, these are some things I see and hear every day. These are some things I know. I wrote songs about them. Would you listen to them? - Yes Mrs. Chapman. I think i will… A resounding 5 for so much pain and knowledge presented in such a humble, sincere and beautiful way. This is art.
Great album from beginning to end. Would definitely listen to this one again
All-timer. One of the single greatest and most fully formed debuts ever. Sorely in need of a repress. This album deserves every bit of near-universal acclaim it receives.
So much truth. So much clarity. I was so so captivated that I just had to stop and listen.
Amazing voice and perfect songs. Great first record. Need to find this on vinyl, an all time classic.
Revolutions aren't usually this gentle yet, upon first listen, one eases themselves into the assuring confidence that Tracy Chapman exudes on her first record; a at-times stark, and unadorned collection of songs that sounds as timeless today as it did almost thirty-five years ago. Talkin' Bout a Revolution and Fast Cars still obtain their accessible power while Behind the Wall remains as gripping and saddening as ever. Whatever plaudits that comes this album's way, then and now, is deserving.
En muista oonko koskaan kuunnellut tätä kokonaan, mutta synti ja häpeä, jos en. Upea alusta loppuun.
5/5
Un clásico, no hay mas que decir.
Really strong lyrics. Music is raw and powerful. Don't pass the musician on the subway. They could be the next Tracy Chapman.
Stellar singer-songwriter offering. Revolution, Fast Car and For My Lover stand above the rest, though all the songs are well crafted and enjoyable.
Joan Armatrading, Tracy Chapman, Björk, Stevie Nicks....now we just need a little Phoebe Snow, Janis Joplin, Kate Bush and some Sade.....then I can die
Great album, important message
Amazing collection of songs. I wonder if a fully acoustic album would have been even better.
What an album!! This was a view of America in the 90’s from the view of an Afro-American and it’s hard hitting, truthful and very pictorial. TC has a great voice that makes the album what it is. There isn’t a bad track on this album and it’s one that I happily listen to time and time again. 5/5
Like an urban Black Bruce Springsteen
Amazing performer and storyteller
I saw Tracy Chapman when she first came to England, supporting John Martyn at Manchester Picadilly! Not long after, she was one of the biggest draws on the planet. Great stuff. An outstanding 'one album wonder'.
It’s a great great album great to hear it again
Classic
Beautiful album with many memorable songs
This album is very interesting in their lyrics, an album about social and political critic, no over complicated lyrics, just to the point with some poetic sense. Also the voice of Tracy makes this album even better.
Really good album, and good lyrics….
Hits all the sweet spots for this genre. Listened twice. Consider me a new Tracy Chapman fan!
One of the best albums ever. Start to finish this is an amazing album. 5/5
Like the warm embrace of an old lover! Fantastic album.
Classic album, great listen
I love Tracy Chapman 10/10
Beautiful lyrics and a beautiful voice sad DONT YOU KNOW talking about a revolutions sounds ~like a whisper~ Love the African rhythms that start popping up later in the album Baby Can I Hold You is an all time 80s rock ballad What else could I add to a conversation about Fast Car Feels complete
5/5 (I'd give it a 6/5 if I could!) She is an amazing storyteller. Every song is poignant, heartbreaking, and/or thought-provoking. One album though...her other albums don't come close to this masterpiece.
One of the best
Fantastic album! Amazing voice and she is a great storyteller. I will really liked this album and will also check out her other albums. Favourite songs: - Talkin’ bout a revolution - Fast car - Behind the wall
Wow
Haunting album. The song about calling the cops on a domestic abuse but the cops won’t do a single thing will stick with me forever.
A very pleasant listen. Had only heard Fast Car before so I was excited to listen to the whole thing and it did not dissapoint. The songwriting is excellent and Chapman has a real way with words that allows her to get her message across. Maybe a 5 is a little generous as it didn't blow me away but I can't really find anything to critisise.
36 minutes long. Short, and great
Love this album.
I had only heard black pumas play Fast Car. I knew it was a cover but just wow. The only song that felt out of place was Behind The Wall because it didn't have any instruments at all. Perfect record. I had no idea Tracy Chapman had such a gift from God. Good guitar work on a couple of tracks too.
Perfeito!!!!
You got a fast car
That voice! She has that rich, low, smooth tone that makes you feel warm and comfortable. But then she has this quaver, that makes you feel the pain that shines in so many of her stories.
This is really great
***** Super fijn album om naar te luisteren met rustige maar swingende muziek
Maravilhosa!
Love it, a brilliant album from a pretty uninteresting time in music if a more hopeful one politicly. Listened to it constantly back then, still play it occasionally and am always blown away by the great tunes
Known this album for a long tim and it’s always been a favorite
There are two Tracy Chapman albums in our collection and strangely enough this isn't one of them. The first two track are so good they almost take away from the rest of the album but I felt more rewarded on the second listen with tracks like Across the Lines, Behind the Wall, Mountains O'Things, and For My Lover. An easy 5 stars.
This really brings back memories- this is a great album. Used to play it all the time. Kinda timeless- hasn't seemed to date with a mix of acoustic guitar, drum, bass and organ. She's got such a great strong voice, I don't know what happened to her? Ironic that the people she's singing about are the ones finding this dull. Lol!
Revolutionary sound when it came out. Still refreshingly sweet to this day.
Love love love love LOVE it! I mean, Fast Car. C'mon people! That song alone makes it a 5-star album. A completely gorgeous album rife with emotional depth and raw spiritual power. Tracy Chapman is an exceptionally talented songwriter and musician. Consider the fact that this album was released in the late 80's when everything else on mainstream radio was superficial pop/rock hair-sprayed within an inch of its life. And this was the record that was finally able to bust through all of that and grab the spotlight?!?! It makes so much sense that this album was a huge smash hit. You can see how desperate people were for something genuine and authentic. Just honest to goodness brilliant and emotional songs that speak to the human condition. It's a masterpiece and a marvel of its time.
Petica ko kuća.
Cinični mene bi htio da ovo nije toliko jebeno dobro, ali je. Izvrsno je.
Cool
I basically only know Fast Car, but given that it's the best song ever, stoked for this... And so for, so good: Talking About a Revolution and Fast Car are amazing. Across the Lines -- still batting 1.000, this is a great song Behind the Wall -- Tracy Chapman, can you miss, even just once?! Baby Can I Hold You -- the first one that isn't totally great; this one feels a little more generically '80s Mountains O'Things -- kind of a weird one; also an 80s vibe that I shouldn't like, but it actually kind of works for me. She's Got Her Ticket --Also like this one, moreso the longer I listen. Tracy Chapman, you've done it again! Why? -- A weaker one again; but still not too bad For My Lover -- Back on top again. If Not Now , For You -- ok, fell off again a little. Man, I love her voice--and despite some of the excessive 80s-ness, it's a bunch of soulful, heartfelt songs that use hte voice well. Great stuff.
My mum owned a physical copy of this when I was younger and I would listen to it almost all the time. Unfortunely haven't heard Tracy Chapman's songs in quite a while (excluding people who do covers). Hands down Tracy Chapman's album Tracy Chapman is one of the MUST LISTEN TO BEFORE YOU DIE albums.
23/03/22
9/10. I really liked this.
A masterpiece in my eyes. I love this album
A pharmacy can’t provide you with anything stronger than this short sharp album. Really liked the acapella track
really enjoyed her voice and the sound of this album. Glad I got to listen!
Very chill music
Awesome. Fast car.
Nostalgia hits again, still feels as emotionally powerful as it did back then, difficult for me not give it an instant 5.
: )
Great album. Was nice to have this on while having a bit of a stressful day at work, pretty sure it helped keep my blood pressure at a safe level lol.
This album has so much soul and heart, I can't put it into words. This opened my eyes to what music is and can be...
Clássico!!! Um dos melhores discos da história. Contém a emocionante "Fast Car".
My family listened to this album on repeat. Nothing beats her delivery, she made me feel her pain even when I was too young to understand why she was in pain. Unfortunately, this album remains relevant.
1988. Tracy arrived on the big stage, sold 6x platinum and got a lot of grammys. She has been successful ever since. Back then she raised awareness of racial injustice like no one else I knew then. She paved the way for a lot of people following in her wake. Think about i.e. Alanis Morissette. I like to listen to that album every now and then.
Haven't listened to this in full for many years. Nice.
Relaxed and homey. This is a mad nostalgic album that makes me feel like it is early Sunday morning.
I have always loved her voice!
Awsple
Amazing album with a lot of songs that I had never heard. It's impressive to me that she can make such serious songs that feel light but real.
Quoi dire sur cet album ? Un joyaux qu’il ne faut pas ignorer. Un chef d’oeuvre inataignable. 5/5
Fantastic album, starts off strong with "revolution" and onto "fast car" then mellows out a bit. Whole thing is emotional ups and downs. Great lyrics, guitars & singing.
There are times when you hear an album for the first time, and it fits a piece of your pop culture understanding perfectly. In this case, its the entire 90’s coffee shop folk vibe, I had no idea it came from this one album. Also, I don’t think I had ever heard “Fast Car” prior to today, which is a shame because its an absolute gem.
A really mellow listen but that’s the only negative I can think of. It’s a bit front-loaded but if you’re gonna front load an album it might as well be with two of the greatest songs of the 90’s Fav tracks: “Fast Car” “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” “Why?”
Nice and chill album with very meaningful lyrics. Her voice, lyrics and melody mix very well through out the entire album.
What an amazing album. It came just at the right time, in the middle of college for me, and I remember how this voice was just the one so many of my friends wanted and needed. I heard it a lot. Much of it is still so relevant and heartbreaking. Her voice and music are intimate and real. "Fast Car" was and is a masterpiece.
I enjoy Tracy Chapman's sound and poignant lyrics. I've listened to this album before, but I haven't done a complete listen for a very long time. I have no complaints and could listen again and again.
Dunno why I've never listened to this before.
Super talented singer. Social activism is present in most if not all her songs.
Потоясно
I've been waiting for this one. I remember vividly when this album was released during my college years, and I listened to it constantly, saw her in concert, and still love it to this day. She brought such a great new voice and sound during a time when a lot of airplay was given over to 80s hair metal and synth-pop. This album was released in the early years of Bush I's presidency and we needed a voice like this. Setting aside the important political and cultural context in which this album emerged, musically it is fantastic on its own. She's an incredible writer, lyrically and musically, and her voice can do so much. She's a heck of a guitar player, too. I remember experiencing that in concert when I saw her. So wonderful to hear this again. Thank you.
This album is extremely enjoyable and the messages in the songs are powerful. The instrumentals and vocals are simple yet incredibly effective
My memory of this album is that it was good but a little front loaded and to be fair, the first half is incredible, the first five songs might be as good as any five song sequence to start any 80s album. But you know what? The rest of this album is amazing! Fast Car (an all time classic single) and many of the other songs, Behind the Wall and Across the Lines especially, are as prescient as they were in 1988.
Simple, understated classic songs with amazing lyrics
Beautiful!
Biting and Beautiful
4,5/5 Nice relaxing songs, all of them good
Iconic, Righteous, Equal Rights
Powerful stuff.
Radio stations overplayed Fast Car to the point I not only got tired of it but the words became a blur. Listening to this album now made me really appreciate Chapman as a storyteller. Talkin Bout a Revolution, Across the Lines and Why are so relevant today. Behind the Wall’s vocal is haunting. As for Fast Car? I listened to it 3 times before writing this review and will be listening to it again and again. Powerful debut album.
I remember when I was about 10 I couldn't get enough of Fast Car, always waiting for it to be on the radio. In my late teens my dad was in a folk phase and listening to Tracy Chapman, Elliot Smith, etc. and I listened to this album over and over. Her lyrics are so deep and personal (and political) and so is the way she sings, like you can feel her pain (and sometimes happiness) through the song. Fast Car - \"see my old man's got a problem / he lives with the bottle that's the way it is / says his body's too old for working / his body's too young to look like his\". Across the Lines (a little too on point these days?) - \"Across the lines / who would dare to go / under the bridge, across the tracks / that separates whites from blacks?\" On repeat all day. Back half not quite as good as front half (musically, lyrics still top notch) but still a real solid album. Maybe 4.5 but I'm gonna round up here.
Ik heb hier her gevoel bij dat het een classic is maar dat het die stempel toch niet heeft. Iedereen kent fast car maar de rest is underrated IMO
Jawel Tracy Chapman met deze parel, wat een stem heeft ze! Zeker een must listen en mag van mij in de classic lijst. Fast car blijft een bop maar mijn favoriet op dit album is Across the lines, een lied dat nog steeds even toepasbaar is op de maatschappij (in usa)
Beautiful voice. Nice to hear it outside of Fast Car for a change.
Impactful and refreshing. Not the last time I'll say "oh, this is the original?"
5/5
Woah. Just wow.
Excited to listen again
An absolute classic. Iconic.
I liked the songs I already know and enjoyed the ones I didn't... Chilled but still energetic
What a voice!!! Amazing vocals and incredibly emotional lyrics/subjects make this a heartfelt album guaranteed to probably make you sad
Awesome
I thought this might be too pop-rock for me to really get into, but Tracy's voice is so sublime and there's so much emotion in the both the topics and the songs themselves I found myself entranced by the end. Favorite song: Across the Lines, For You close second.
I adore this album. So mellow, melancholic and poignant. And Tracy's voice is smooth like butter. An all-time classic.
One of my favorite 🤩