Reviews (page 6 of 14)
Very good album! She's also a very good artist! And had some good songs on here
Cracking voice
As someone who finds Fast Car grating I was expecting to dislike this but it was engaging. A beautiful voice and lyrics as relevant now as ever.
Much more than just Fast Car
180520 11:39 5
Really enjoyed this one. Have heard a few of the more famous ones before, but to get to hear the others on the album was a refreshing take on a great artist.
Had no idea that Tracy Chapman wrote 'Baby Can I Hold You Tonight'. Really loved this album. Fast Car is an obvious classic, but the songwriting is incredibly strong throughout and Chapman has a wonderful voice.
I really enjoyed this one. It offers more than many of the other singer-songwriter albums on this list.
before listening: I think I only know the song fast car from her and I also just recently found out she is a women, from only hearing fast car I thought it was a man after: I really like fast car honestly, mountains O'things sounds so cool the instrumental almost sounds like steel drums or organ pipes or something like that it feels like it could be used as music in avatar, liked for my lover, why? very political song love how she's standing up for women yes love it, rating: 7.5/10 I think its a good album and if someone played this album I would enjoy the listen but not all the time
Sehr schönes Album, einige Banger drauf.
Tolles Album, ein paar bekannte ikonische Songs, dafür war mir der Name gar nicht bewusst. Werde ich mir merken.
Fast car is 10/10 song, rest of it is like solid 7/10.
Love the album. definitely need to add songs to playlists. Follow up on entire discography
I've heard of this album many times, but shamefully never checked it out. It's a great album, with the focus squarely on Chapman's excellent songwriting and amazingly expressive voice. I like the balance between socially-conscious lyrics and love songs, which results in a rounded album drenched in lived experience. The album sits across folk, pop, and soul, with little aspects of country and rock. Sometimes the sound (or production?) of the album gets a little far into polished 1980s schmaltzy territory. And although there are no bad tracks here, the most striking songs (Fast Car, Across the Lines, Behind the Wall, Why?) make a few of the lesser tracks feel forgettable by comparison. Great album though! I will check out more of her work. 4*
I like it. It feels like Ive been feeling recently which was very comforting.
I was already familliar with her song fast car and knew how political songs were but was kinda suprised to also hear that she had regular love songs too. Its kinda sad how a lot of the topics she sings about are still issues that we face nearly 40 years later
Strong songwriting and powerful lyrics. Great stuff!
Good album with lyrics hitting on both societal and personal issues. She hits race, poverty, substance abuse, interpersonal relationships, ect. It’s a strong album, deserves to be on the list but doesn’t quite make it to a 5 star.
Very soulful and at times painful subject matter beautifully composed and classic for its era. Fast car was an anchor for me after a bad break up and it was very pleasing to hear it and many other good tracks in this album. I don't think many people bump her tracks nowadays, but its a good drive down memory lane that I very much enjoyed.
Very easy and listenable album, the quintessential singer/songwriter.
Some of the production sounds a bit too much like the type of 80s soft pop that I do not like, but the songwriting is there and Chapman is so good
It quite surprised me, but I really enjoyed this album, I'm not aware of Tracy Chapman, except I recognise Fast Car. I think she has a great voice, will definitely listen to the album again.
Wow this brought back high school memories
I can't believe she copied Luke Combs 🙄
slatko promucurno melo melo
Mountains of things hat eine sehr eigene (schöne) Melody Allgemein sehr schöne Musik, wenn auch nicht was ich sonst höre. Fast Car mein favorit. Fokus mehr auf der Stimme als auf Instrumenten? Shes got her Ticket und for you auch sehr schön
Mesmerizing voice, nice guitars, good lyrics
7.5/10
I really thought this album was awesome. Fast Car was good, but honestly I like some of the other songs better, Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Across the Lines and Mountain O' Things were all highlights. Why?, For My Lover and If Not Now... were all good too. I though Behind the Wall was really cool as well, and just a little different. I liked all of the songs, they were all really heartfelt and each had their own deep message about struggle and doing better, it was awesome.
Beautiful and heartbreaking songs.
This was surprising to me as I actually never listened to this album despite the rave reviews it had when it came out. Realizing nothing has changed since 1988 and all these songs are just as relevant now is depressing. This isn’t an album I’m likely to put on much if ever but I definitely appreciate its value on this list unlike many other records here. For that it’s 4 stars.
Gorgeous rich voice and the two singles I remember are beautiful. Could become a 5 but for now, 4.5.
I really liked this album. The songs are thoughtful, really earnest lyrics about important topics, and musically enjoyable.
Astonishing voice and some great songs
Of course the first two songs on this record are classics! The rest of the album really held up much more than I expected. Love the themes and messages across the whole album. I really wanted to give this album a 5, but felt like there were a few skips so I ended up giving a 4.
A delightful listen. Tons of emotion in the songs, and her voice is perfect for what she has written. Not much else to say on it. It’s a really good album that I enjoyed thoroughly. 4/5
ahead of its time
4/10 bekannt 8/10 fast car trauma, sonst gut Beste Songs: Talkin‘ bout a Revolution, for my lover, for you (kenne ich schon) Das is ne Frau??????? Genre: Soul, Pop (emotional)
Just loved this. Favourite song was ”for my lover” as well as ”fast car”
Love this album
capa FODA e mto bão o album viu, apesar de acústico. as letras são super atuais xDDDDD definitivamente um dos maiores e mais bonitos, hein. tem que ouvir antes de morrer memo!!
Didn't expect to like it, since I've never dabbled in folk music. But this was great. The reason I started this journey was to discover music outside my favorite genre. And Tracy Chapman will definitely stay on the roster. Easy 4/5.
Was surprised how many originals came from this album
What are you talking about?" Pony and trap, "You got a pony and trap," that'd be all right.
Stark! 4.4 denn ein anderer Produzent hätte noch mehr herausholen können aus dieser tollen Künstlerin
4,1 - Jedes Lied strotzt vor Emotionen und gerade auch am Anfang vor Energie, die dann leicht verloren geht. Insgesamt aber ein starkes Album! Highlights: Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Fast Car
Good album. Kind of a county vibe. Interesting
It was really good. I liked how it was deep messages while also having more fun songs. Added 6/11 songs to my liked songs.
When you are on the fence between a 4 and a 5 star rating for a record maybe you ask: WWTCD? She'd want you to follow your heart. And despite the capacity of some songs to move me to tears, the album ultimately doesn't add up to a 5 for me.
Such a powerful album. It radiates the peacful politics that most people had in the sixties, but here it actually feels genuine. The vocals are almost like a lullaby, and paired with the acoustic guitar its just wonderful.
So raw- vocally, lyrically, you can hear her soul! It’s very autobiographical lyric-wise, a snapshot into her life and the world she lived in. It hurts knowing that not much has changed politically since this album was released. It was a hard album to get through for me but the last few songs really drew me back in. Gorgeous piece of work, a classic.
fast car 10/10, this album is so amazing. mb not my taste in music but its so beautiful and lyrical! 8.5/10
I can see why this album is on this list, it's a strong album of acoustic protest songs. So I'm rating the album on that. but it's not an album I'd ever really play - not to my taste.
4/5 I obviously was familiar with the first two songs, but the whole albums is a powerful statement.
I obviously knew "Fast Car" coming into this, but man I was still blown away. Her storytelling is excellent and makes you feel the heaviness of the stories she's telling, while also making them catchy as hell.
calming as hell
I know more than one song on this! And both are really good.
Didn't finish but loved what I heard. x
Gamechanger
Good throughout, doesn't last too long and the lyrics stay decently convincing, sounds good too
Sad, realistic album with little vote for hope. Beautiful lyricism.
She definitely drives a fast car
Songs with powerful auras
Enjoyed. Fantastic voice.
Tracy Chapman offered a quiet lament, and requested that the promises of America be fulfilled (or at least that the police might show up on time), and told the stories of those who still felt stuck, trapped, forgotten. Not the only socially conscious music of its era, but distinct in its style and gentleness. At the Grammys in 1989, this album would be honored and, for the first time, the rap performance category was added. It was awarded to DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince for their suburban protest that “Parents Just Don’t Understand” while bands like Public Enemy sat out of the untelevised affair. Back to Tracy Chapman. This is a very good album with songs that bid you to listen. Not only to the music but to the voices behind the songs. On the second side the lyrics and story telling aren’t quite as strong, but this talented artist was in her young 20s when these songs were released. A worthy album for sure.
I remember discovering Tracy Chapman on a huge benefit concert for Nelson Mandela in 1988. I was blown away by its simplicity and arresting narrative. I bought the album a few weeks later and l have been a fan of it ever since.
Fast car is overplayed but this is a solid album. Not crazy about the vocal quality but still a 4
Fantastic, blistering songwriting. Absolutely stunning record.
Great memories from the 80s when this came out
There’s no way the Secretary Rock review is real, I refuse to believe we live in a world where Comic Book Guy and Ben Shapiro are capable of procreation. What's the Mount Rushmore of car songs? It has to include Fast Cars, right? Probably something by Bruce Springsteen (I'd pick Thunder Road but know some would probably be more partial to Born to Run)? Are the trucker songs of the 1960s and 1970s like you're Convoys and Six Days on the Road qualifiers? Does the car have to be a means of escape like it is for Tracy and Bruce or a means of returning home like it is in so many country songs? It probably has to be by an American given the automobile's place here after the war, and there are personal bonus points if they mention the make/model and Detroit. This feels back to basics for the folk genre when a lot of the giants of the genre were trying and failing to experiment with synths and creating ill-advised super groups. This feels as forward looking as the Joan Armatrading album we got earlier. Extremely fresh and modern sounding even 40 years on. After the first two songs there's a bit of a drop off but that doesn't diminish the power of those first two.
chapeau madame chapman drüü offesichtlichi banger, rescht au sehr schön (wenn au liecht eitönig) talkin' bout a refourlution
Compulsive listening. The late 80s answer to: Too Many Protest Singers, Not Enough Protest Songs
Obviously I know Fast Car but it was really an experience to listen to the album in its entirety. Beautiful lyricism, everything feels the same in an individual way, it very much belongs together in the same project. Big fan.
Not listened to the whole of this album for many years - chance now to put that right! Very good album - Singing along to songs I’d not heard for ages
Probably another that I heard a lot growing up from my parents. Been shown her performance at live aid loads times. Is pretty special in fairness. A few great tracks on this album. Feels very genuine. Im not the correct demographic for a lot of it I suppose. It's still very good 4
Good lyrics, not my style of music
Fantastic album, great songs, heartfelt.
Tonally and lyrically a little redundant but Chapman’s vocals carry it through and Fast Car is brilliant — combining the class commentary she’s after throughout the album with a genuine emotional impact and bittersweet search for connection in a lonely world
Never heard of Tracy Chapman, but I feel like I have heard some of these songs before. Anyway, I really enjoyed this.
8/10 Favorites: Talkin’ Bout a Revolution Fast Car
Oh wow, these are some seriously beautiful and heartfelt songs. Not only so well written but also performed by such a beautiful and passionate voice.
Bright back funny memories and still resonates strongly lyrically
Great album start to finish overshadowed by the behemoth that is fast car
If I didn’t hear “Fast Car” in various renditions 100x a week I may have given it a 5.
Classic and comfy.
So ya, I'm into this album, what of it... fast car is great but this is a solid album. Tracy's voice is soulfuland fun.
Great album. Soothing, powerful voice.
Vipper mellom 3 og 4 for meg. Noen knallsterke, de er denne gangen gode nok til å vippe opp.
Such a powerful voice. What a power move to include an a capella track in the middle of an album, and so wonderfully done. Obviously I've heard the bigger hits, but this is my first time hearing the lesser known tracks, and they contain every bit of her talent as Fast Car. But she's such a powerful singer. Insanely powerful, subdued, and pensive voice and lyricist. I could listen to this album for a while and still be flabbergasted by it. A couple of the songs seem dated to the early nineties, but I feel that is heavily outweighed by the rest of the great songs.
Gostosíssimo de escutar e, pelo pouco que peguei na primeira escuta, com várias letras interessantes.
Classic stuff - Fast Car not even the best track on.
solid song writing. Fast car is one of those songs that can transport you back 30 years to when we really did speed so fast it felt like we were drunk.
Quite the debut album!!
Oh how much do I love her voice! A very strong (debut-)album with the three mega-hits "Talkin' Bout A Revolution", "Fast Car" and "Baby Can I Hold You" plus a bunch of pretty solid tracks.
My hill to die on: NOBODY has any business covering Tracy Chapman. NOBODY.
Emotional vocals with acoustic guitar that's kind of depressing, but appealing
Good album, but didn't give it a proper listen due to work. Did enjoy revolution etc, will listen again to the full album.
Loved this. I'm a big 80s/90s fan but had not heard this entire album before. Much appreciated, will definitely listen to this album again.
Music is a place where you can pick up a guitar, and expose your feelings in a song. In that way, the job here was pretty well done. Her voice is powerfull and beautiful at the same time, giving emotional credit to every single word she sings. No masterpieces here, just a really good amount of good songs. 4 stars.
I don't think this is secretary rock at all. Love the voice. Love the proto 90s approach. Love the first two songs! It's a pity I cannot understand the lyrics because my poor english. Fourth one, a capella, I can get the lyrics in this one, yay!
Admittedly I'm not usually a fan of the 'typical country artist with an acoustic guitar' sound that's been driven to death, but this one stands out on its own. Only ever heard its most famous track, but the whole album is full of Fast Cars. Beautiful, expressive vocals over excellent songwriting. fav tracks: Fast Car, Why
Behind the wall is chilling. Goosebumps. Baby Can I Hold You is a TRACK. The wood/pan flute and marimba are ear scratchers. Beautiful voice, topical and sad lyrical subjects.
Even though I'd never heard the entire album in its entirety before, I do recognize most of the songs. What a fantastic album this is.
What a voice. Fast Car is probably up there with one of the songs ever written.
Stripped back, minimalist, socially conscious, folksy singer songwriter vibes. A few great tunes and a few reasonable ones. First half of the album was pretty stacked. Vocally good but not the greatest. Musically good but not the greatest. Lyrically, pretty great - no buts about it. I enjoyed this album but it didnt excite me the way I had hoped. Favourite track - Baby Can I Hold You. 7.5/10
I can understand why Tracey Chapman's self-titled album is so beloved. The music is well-crafted and her voice is warm, inviting and captivating. Oddly, though, it doesn't translate into an album I seek out. By all logical measures, given my enjoyment of this musical style, it should resonate with me, yet there's a certain undefinable spark that I can't quite detect, preventing me from fully connecting with the record. I enjoyed listening to it but I doubt that I will revisit it. Overall a good listen, just reaching a four star rating. Stand out tracks - "Fast Car", "Mountains o' Things" . 1 "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" (4/3) 2 "Fast Car" (5/3) 3 "Across the Lines" (3/3) 4 "Behind the Wall" (3/3) 5 "Baby Can I Hold You" (4/3) 6 "Mountains o' Things" (4/3) 7 "She's Got Her Ticket" (4/3) 8 "Why?" (3/3) 9 "For My Lover" (3/3) 10 "If Not Now…" (3/3) 11 "For You" (3/3) Total - 39 Average - 3.55 146/1001 76/146 albums reviewed were new to me.
Full review on tiktok @1001album
Fast Car is really good of course, but For my Lover is very REM coded, and Why is also really good
What a voice.
damals schon super
Such a classic voice. Who doesn't like Fast Cars? I have some new favorites from this album that I never heard before.
I really only recognized “Fast Car” off the track list and that is unfortunately because of a country singer so I was apprehensive going in; but Tracy Chapman was just a phenomenal album as i’m sure she is a phenomenal person. it was clear from the first few songs that she is a huge advocate for black and women’s rights. it ended up being an absolute blast to listen to
Fantastic album. Great voice and lyrics over simple and clean melodies. I was a fan then and still am now. Great debut album and still holds weight today.
Lovely voice!! Fast car is a BANGER!!
Nice, folky compositions with a very pointed social commentary.
Enjoyable.. would definitely listen to Fast Car and one other I can't remember the name of over and over again.
One of the best examples of a singer-songwriter. The songs are great and sung with so much emotion, it really feels like these songs are her own experiences. It’s pretty surprising that this is one of the best-selling albums of all time given it was released in the 80s and doesn’t sound much like the popular music of the era. However, there are moments of very dated sounding production, usually with the drums, that take me out of the moment every time. I don’t hate 80s production, but it doesn’t fit this music and this album would likely be a 5 if it wasn’t for that. 4/5
Very nice, nothing else on the album comes close to fast car, but a good listen all the way through
Este álbum com certeza foi uma ótima experiência. A sua simplicidade na forma não torna as suas faixas menos qualitativas, pois é justamente essa simplicidade que torna um projeto como esses impressionante. Eu gostei bastante e vou buscar mais sobre a artista.
Exceptional song writing but just not quite my taste
Noe Valley neighbo(u)r in da house. This album caught lightning in a bottle when it came out, and it still holds up well Enjoyed the last song the most.
Used to own this in the days of CDs, nice to revisit it many tears kater
Never heard of Tracy Chapman, but what a great discovery. I listened to the album on repeat all day. Across the Lines, Behind the Wall, Why?, In Not Now..., all great social justice songs that make think of a soft rock Marvin Gaye. And Talkin Bout a Revolution goes right on the antifa playlist.
Amazing vocal performance, some of the production feels very of its time.
I wouldnt call myself a Tracy superfan, but ive heard SOME of these jams for my entire life. Its part of the millennial DNA I emphasize “some” because its only Fast and Revolution that find radio/playlist time these days. I need to give it one or two more complete spins to form a final opinion on the bulk of these songs After 1 full listen today, I really liked If Not Now and Baby Can I Hold You. Some songs like Shes Got Her Ticket and Mountains O Things didnt really stick. I tried to like them, but it felt like filler material with a cultural twist. On the other hand, the “revolution” vibe really comes off authentically Im somewhere near the 3.5 mark for what its worth. Ill round up to 4 because holy fuck she was young, cool, scrappy and… deserving of this success. Loved reading her story
I liked this. She’s got such a distinctive sound.
Wonderful
what a voice
This album is like your school history teacher. She taught you a couple of years ago, but you haven’t been in her class since. Even so, she remembers you and always greets you with a smile when you see her. Her door is always open if you have any issues of any kind. She offers warm comfort if you are struggling with bullies, or something is going on at home, or if you just need help with an English essay. She speaks with such worldly experience, and any advice she gives comes with somber undertones which tell you she has lived a hard life. You always admire how even when weighed down by difficulties she has faced, she always maintains a positive outlook. At the end of your time at school, she’ll be the only teacher that you get to sign your yearbook.
A good mix of pop-ish hits with some real hard hitters. Has a bit of everything and a strong undertone. A great way to get a message across the the masses. And what a voice! Some bits were a bit bland though and could have done with some fine tuning.
Kan godt lide hende
somewhere between the quiet conclusion of the hair metal era and the boisterous beginnings of grunge and indie rock, TRACY CHAPMAN was released, and i can only imagine how jarring and fascinating this was to hear in its heyday. FAST CAR aside, there are some really tearjerking hits on here, notably BEHIND THE WALL, MOUNTAINS O' THINGS, ACROSS THE LINES, and WHY?. BEHIND THE WALL was especially affecting to me, since last year i lived in an apartment which shared a wall with a man who would regularly and loudly abuse his girlfriend-- but that's neither here nor there. anyways, it goes without saying, this record feels endlessly re-listenable; chapman's tender and urgent writing about social turmoil and political unrest are (unfortunately) evergreen. one feels the need to apologize to her, that nearly 40 years later her words still resonate (and that people think Luke Combs wrote FAST CAR...god).
A classic album.
Fast Car is eternal; the greatest hit of the entire 1980s. the rest is good, albeit a bit drably produced. deserves to be one of the 1001? yes
с музыкальной точки зрения бедновато для меня, больше явно упор на текст, но уж очень приятный у нее голос, очаровывает!
I easily forget that this music was made in 1988 because it sounds so timeless and perpetually relevant. Tracy Chapman's debut is a masterpiece in folk storytelling. No song ever overstays its welcome, even when there is intentional repetition. What I appreciate most is that she is music first, message second: it has to sound good before anyone cares what you're singing about. Coming off Imperial Bedroom, this was a breath of fresh air. The accompaniment is also perfect. It is just enough to add to the emotion and never overshadows the vocals or the message. The a capella tracks and passages are equally effective. This was a standout for me, having listened on repeat during a very long jigsaw session and never gotten tired of it.
4/5
Some great tracks on this album, me not just Fast Car that originally brought her to international attention. I’ve actually listened to this album a few times over the years, and it’s still sounds great. Saw her performance of Fast Car at the Grammys last year and she’s got a great voice.
An album I listened to a lot in the past. It might have been a five back in the day but still a solid four for me.
Top album.
I like this album
I love the storytelling here - not just the lyrics, but Chapman's delivery. I could really listen to her sing anything. A very strong debut from an artist that, in my opinion, deserves the flowers she gets.
listening to fast car while laying down in an empty bathtub and contemplating my latest mistakes sure is an experience
Fast car
I love this album
it was good but honestly not as good as i thought it would be
Beautiful album.
12/09/2025 I enjoyed this. Spotify listeners: 12.3 million
Good
I know a lot has been said of the vocals, here, but the guitar recording is just so crisp! Wonderful stuff :) 4*
cried to fast car like 4 times, but the album sadly falls off after an amazing A side
Amazing
Legendary album, some great and lasting songs on here!
Great voice (obv), easy listen. She's got her ticket, Why? and For My Lover the highlights outside of Fast Car. Second half of the album brings it to an 8.5/10
My first girlfriend was really into this album. Not listened to it in 20 years. Like it more now than I did then.
I still don’t know if Chapman is a bloke or a Bird but this is very nice easy listening. Good good for a hangover or just generally very pleasant.
I forgot how much I loved Tracy Chapman, and hadn’t heard anything besides Fast Car in years.
Good folk, that touches upon timeless problems.
i really liked this!! what a beautiful aura
Gran disco. Luego no consiguió mantener el nivel
Great voice. I've always loved Fast Car. I don't hear Talkin' Bout a Revolution a lot. Lovely songs.
I wish I knew it better
Striking, even now.
This was a re-listen for me, but it has been a very long time. I still enjoy this music immensely. Her voice is so evocative, it’s almost painful to hear her sing some of these lyrics. This album was such a powerful social force when it was first released, I was surprised how fresh and relevant it seemed all these years later.
loving this
Perfect nostalgia
Great album with two of her greatest songs on it - Fast Cars and Revolutions. The arrangements are simple but effective and Chapman has a great voice
I feel Fast car being such a strong lead single over shadows just how stong the rest of this album is. Talkin bout revolution is every bit as powerful as Fast car and in tandem are hard to beat. Her voice has so much depth and warmth to it which is emphasised by the fairly simplistic musical arrangements of most songs. Baby can i hold you and She’s got her ticket are other stand outs in a really good album.
Track 1 I know best through Reel Big Fish's ska version so this was a very different experience, although I have always loved the "run, run, runs". Away from Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution I knew Fast Car and Baby Can I Hold You, the latter also mostly via a (terrible)cover version. The former has great lyrics that I honestly never really paid much attention to before. I actually enjoyed this quite a lot, which I think might have a been helped by listening to this in an airport (AKA a place I find extremely stressful) because she has an extremely relaxing voice. It might not be the most exciting album in the world but it was extremely lovely. More a 3.5 for me, but I'm plumping for: 4/5
tracy the goat
soft folk music. it's produced in a way where it can pass off as country or acoustic pop. lots of people have fond memories of this album, especially when it comes to their parents, and i can relate. chapman's humble and determined tracks work for a lot of listeners. she's got a really good voice and some of the standouts in the album are amazing. i like the attitude she presents to the listener, about moving forward and not getting left behind. some of the other tracks blend in, and there's a few songs that use some pretty corny synthesizers, but for the most part you're getting something relatively solid here. you'll like most of what you hear, even if those filler tracks are a bit of an acquired taste.
Classic
classical
She's so authentic that even when the lyrics veer towards preachy it's still good...addressing issues before they became trendy and (unfortunately) they're still relevant today. Fast Car is an all time classic of course, but For My Lover is a standout track too
Sincere and engaging in a way that some singer-songwriter styles fall short. Dynamic and lively, sometimes mournful and haunting. The generally light touch of the production stops it feeling dated. I think a lot of this would translate really well into live performances. By the end of the album I'd grown suspicious and distrusting because it made my burnt-out husk-brain do some feelings.
Laaaaaaaaavely
A lovely voice and a lovely listen.
A seminal album in the folk-pop revival that emerged in the mid to late 80s with strong melodies and thoughtful lyrics that touch on the full array of topics in the folk tradition - including protest songs. “Fast Car” remains the album’s highlight, but there are others nearly as good. And it all wraps up in a tight package of less than 40 minutes.
Classic
This album is great, and I'm glad she's being rediscovered, but I just got over having "Fast Car" stuck in my head for 30 years so gonna pass on actually listening to it again.
It's held up. A lovely listen.
Fast cars is indeed a good song. I would have never thought to play this and definitely 88 vibes.
Loved it! Wish it was a little bit longer.
44/1001 :: Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ✅ Rating: 7 Fav Tracks: Fast Car, Behind The Wall, For My Lover Fun Fact: Tracy Chapman went to Wooster High School which is a small arts focused private school in my hometown. I know very little about her time there but I know that shortly after her time there she made this record. Fast Car is such a damn good song and I’ve loved it since the 80s. I had never heard this album before but recently considered buying it because it had been reissued and I know it had been out of print for so long. After hearing it though I’m probably gonna hold on that. Overall, It was an enjoyable listen but TBH I wish the songs were a little more stripped down. There’s a lot of instrumentation on here that feels kinda 80s in a We Are The World or Paul Simon kinda way. I still kinda want to own this but It’ll probably have to be good used copy find than a must have.
Pleasant to listen to and I liked her voice.
Look everyone knows “Fast Car” which is an excellent piece of music with very good lyrics, but outside of that song I was completely unfamiliar with this record. I liked opener “Talkin’ ‘Bout A Revolution” and “Across The Lines”, I really liked “Baby Can I Hold You”. I wasn’t a fan of the accapella of “Behind The Wall”, and look the whole record sounds 80s but the 80s on “Mountains O’ Things” is not my thing, and I do need to make clear, I have a fairly low tolerance for 80s production, sometimes the songwriting can rise above the production but things that sound really 80s are things I often have issues with and it’s generally specific parts of 80s sounds, if you went and looked at my other reviews you’d 100% see what I mean. Anyway, “Why?” Was really good. I also liked “For My Lover” overall this album was good,
Wonderful, I kept coming back to it. Very enjoyable 4-5
Some sublime moments on this incredible debut. Acoustic rock powered by Chapman's great voice and political lyrics.
Forgot how much i loved this album.
Álbum muito agradável. Gostei! Moondrop May.
Nice
This album cuts deep. She very publicly displays her inner pain, passion, love, fear, and heartache. It's beautiful.
What a way to open a a debut album. Any album really. Taking Bout a Revolution feeling like could have been written 20, 30, 50 years earlier. Simple. Thoughtful. Open. And to follow that with Fast Car. I mean. There's a whole career in those verses. Everything is a wrung below but still riveting. That this album could enchant a dumbass teen like myself - and continues to - speaks volumes. This is what talent looks like - and when it finds the right time and outlet - magic happens.
Good
Vroooom vroom fast car
Great story telling like Dylan except with a beautiful voice to tell those tales.
I know I should like Fast Car, but it makes me want to throw up. Everything else sops up that vomit tho!!!!
I really enjoyed this album, and the songwriting is exemplified when listened as a cohesive body of work. I was so tired of Fast Car covers on X Factor, I felt I never wanted to hear Tracey Chapman again, how wrong I was!
such a beautiful thing
Amazing amazing album, but not quite a 5. A lot of 5 star tracks though.
Powerful record. Fast Car is an all time song, I also love the simplicity of most of these songs especially Behind the Wall. Compact songs that don't overstay their welcome.
i have already heard ts
So excellent
What a great voice she has!
I will keep this short, but it funny that this album follows Sinead who I was pretty harsh on. I didnt dislike it, I just felt she was bringing down the room in every song. I am ok with dark stuff in music, Tracy has plenty, but the music sounds great and you can really get into it. Its all about delivery and the way you present the dark stuff, and Tracy does thks very well, translating her message into teally good music. Favorites are Talking About A Revolution, of course Fast Car, Mountains O Things, Why?, For My Lover, there is really not a bad track on this album.
Wow. Unbelievably moving album. She is so incredible the lyrics and her vocals and songwriting are just so elite. Need to come back to this
This was really good. Need another listen
Really nice. I love her voice. Who doesn't love Fast Car. Four stars
she has a great voice and she writes songs very well. at times the album felt a little bit repetitive but overall it was great.
She's like the daughter of Cat Stevens and Joni Mitchell. Ugh. I have to look away from Fast Car if I don't want to sob at work. So heavy, so solid. PS her wiki article sucks! So dry haha
This was a very good album.
I could listen to this album while hosting a dinner party, taking a good drive, or even just relaxing and reading a book while it plays in the background. Chapman's voice is hypnotic, and these are solid, very listenable songs. Very enjoyable overall.
Give me one reason to stay here...was not on this album.. but fast cars was those were the only two I was familiar with. I don't think I was in quite the headspace to listen to this when I did so I will need to give it another listen sometime soon. Otherwise it was good 90s coffee shop music.
A simple-but-powerful sounding album. Smooth and pleasant to have on. Will have to revisit to actually dig into the songs. Favorite song: Mountains O' Things
Really good album
Yas queen
Great songs and singing
What a talent. Pretty great stuff here, conscientious, melodic, smooth. Not too long, not too short. My only gripe, which isn't a real gripe but is personal taste, and is something I've dinged a lot of albums on, is that it doesn't blow me away. It's good. It's very good. But the mellow tone and simple sound leave me feeling like I want a little more. Shameful 4.
I've always enjoyed this album. "Talkin' About a Revolution" and especially "Fast Car" are iconic folk bangers. I come from a small town. If it weren't MTV, and the show 120 Minutes in particular, I never would have discovered this artist or album in the 80s. Less a protest album (thankfully) and instead one of the few singer/songwriter albums that eloquently shares personal suffering without it turning into long winded, eye-rolling preaching. As the Gen X, we were extremely lucky to receive Tracy Chapman and Suzanne Vega in the 1980s and 90s. As an aside, I agree with a fellow reviewer here when they said, "The guy who left the Secretary Rock review is absolutely unhinged."
Very good. Such a unique voice. Couple of belters on here and no bad ones
Fantastic album, deserving of it's reputation. Having only heard a couple of songs before, I didn't know what to expect from the rest but there's strong messages to each song and that voice will always histand as one of the best.
banger
De gros classiques, un peu de mou sur certaines musiques qui lui enlève un point mais globalement solide sur ses appuis.
Was expecting to not like this because of the remake of Fast Car, but this album is great!
Wall to wall lesbian anthems right here.
Haven’t heard this whole album before, but obviously familiar with Fast Car. It’s an updated take on the folk/protest music of the 1960s that is melodically interesting with important, largely painful and disturbing, but also hopeful lyrics delivered in a clear, powerful voice. Bob Dylan should take some notes. 4⭐️
Excellent. Easy listening and not too long. 9/10.
Excellent.
Poignant album about race, wealth inequality and the struggles of life that is just as sharp nearly 40 years later. Fast Car hits me every time. One of the best songs ever written?
Songs: Fast Car, Across the Line
Good vibe !
This is a beautiful album. Although I listened to it during the late 80s, it wasn’t until this re-listen that I fully appreciate her simple but powerful lyrics. What an amazingly powerful singer/songwriter, The power is in the simplicity of the writing and the performance.
Clarity of the vocals and guitar was excellent. Voice was strong, great variety in tone and the story telling in a few of the songs was excellent
A legendary debut album that showcases the mysterious rise of Tracy Chapman and her affect on African American singer-songwriting and music in the late 1980s. Who doesn't love Fast Car?
Starts really strong then mellows out, but good throughout.
Such a well produced album.
adri: 9, musicalmente adelantado a su tiempo, un estilo muy guay y personal, me ha gustado mucho la guitarra mar: 7, ideal para el momento (cruzando de francia a españa)
Recently saw the video from Fast Cars in Wembley and it really put her in a whole new light for me. Brilliant.
I was really impressed by the first few tracks on this album-- the intimate singing, the sincere message, the stripped-down production-- but towards the end I found myself getting a bit bored and realizing some of the lyrics weren't as deep as they seemed. "Fast Car" is obviously the pinnacle of this album and is one of the best songs ever written (I wonder if it raises the bar so high that the other songs seem worse than they really are). Without any instrumentation, "Behind the Wall" spotlights Chapman's moving voice. "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" is just as relevant today as in 1988. "Mountains O' Things" is underrated, love the afrobeat under it. But some of the songs just didn't hit as hard. I think "She's Got Her Ticket" was my least favorite, with its distracting reggae beat and too much going on. Some songs kind of border on protest-song cliches and platitudes, e.g. "Why?" and "If Not Now...". Songs like "For My Lover" and "Baby Can I Hold You" felt a bit cheesy and didn't do it for me. I do think this album is an important classic and it feels very timeless, even if it's not entirely my thing. I'm hovering between 3-4 stars and will round up.
The single best singer/songwriter album. No debate. Doesn't get better after this.
Had heard quite a few songs before and was convinced she was a man because of her deep alto voice Was very solid album with chill acoustic guitar, amazing vocals and politically charged lyrics
Wow this is really good. Not really my kind of music but Chapman is an amazing vocalist, the arrangements are interesting and effective and the songwriting is impeccable. The singles are crazy strong but the album tracks are also on par with them.
душевно
kinda depressing
Really good and really sad
This goes against my generally lukewarm feelings on folk because it actually incorporates other creative elements, like the fretless bass (or are they keys?) on Across the Lines and the Runescape ass keyboards on Mountains O' Things. Helps make the album more memorable and gives it personality. I like Tracey Chapman's husky voice, she can fairly belt it out I don't typically pay much attention to lyrics but they're very interesting here, worth giving a mention Highlights: Across the Lines, Mountains O' Things, Fast Car
Not my usual vibe but clearly something great and unique going on.
Soulful, thought provoking, timeless
Better than I thought it would be and definitely worth another listen
Great album and great songwriting. Very moving and definitely the most straighforward social comentary album so far. I would definitely safe this for another listen.
I don't think I've listened to this album since it came out, but damn, is it good. Great songs, great voice. Favorites: Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Across the Lines, Baby Can I Hold You Would I listen to it again: Yes
That voice! This album is very much of its time, but also timeless.
enjoyed it - a few classics and some new tunes
A pretty clean and fun album.
She has things to say, i enjoyed the connection with the music - felt produced but still real
Listens: 2 Standout tracks: For My Lover Ehhh. This album is not really of any interest to me. It's not bad per se, in fact it's not bad at all - its quite good - but it's not particularly exciting. I do not find myself wanting to listen to it again. Most of the tracks sound virtually identical. The album too bare bones. Far too acoustic. If I were to evaluate the tracks individually - if I were to have heard one of the tracks on the radio for example - I would say the certain songs are quite moving. Most of the songs tell a story, Tracy is sending out a message. The songs are passionate and soulful. There are political connotations. There is empathy. There is sadness. There is real life. There's just too much of it concentrated into a single 30-somthing minute package. I give it a 4. It's powerful music. Music I might find subjectively unappealing, but which may be objectively highly relevant in today's society (not to mention 1988).
I’m bad at rating, I’m gonna hate this part of the project. Not only do I change my mind a lot but coming up with a number is really hard for me. However Tracy Chapman’s self titled album was great, the catchy and heartfelt gutair was good to listen to. Her vocals where very folky and original. Unfortunately I wasn’t paying the closest attention to the lyrics, but I understood her critique of materialism and struggles of being a woman. Some of my favorite songs are Why?, Fast Car, and Talkin Bout Revolution. My favorite instrumental was “She’s got her ticket”. Out of 5, I’m pretty lost. I don’t have my complaints for it, if I had to come up with one, maybe it was a bit repetitive. But that’s unfair for me to say considering I could’ve payed much more attention. Phenomenal album, I guess I’ll punch in a four.
Nice acoustic guitar sound, soft sound but political, authentic, raw In the middle theres a slight durchhänger but overall its nice to listen to, nice slow outro More fast/upbeat start . Nice vocal only track
Fast car Baby can I hold you Mountain o things
nice - very laid back singing style
Super good
Decent but I wasn’t blown away. I’ve always loved Tracy’s voice and she does really well on this album with that. Songs topics are political and interesting, but I think the lack of catchiness/melodies let the album down a bit. 7/10
OMMGG SO READYYY die erste paar lieder sind 10/10, mag mich aber nümme so ah die 2. hälfti erinnere ihri stimm iach eifach fantastisch talking bout a revolution gitmer au wieder so es heimeligs gfühl fast car hetmer natürlich gnueg hüfig ghört aber es isch jedeees mal soo herzerwärmend, für mich v.a. wenns schlagzüg nomal richtig innechunnt mitem drivin, drivin across the lines gaht au eifach DIREKT IS HERZ WIE SIE SINGT OMG ich bin so nöd ready für behind the wall😭 würkli han across the lines gad nomal müsse lose, unglaublich guets lied LAST NIGHT I HEARD THE SCREAMING baby can I hold you findi zwar au schön aber ischmer schochli zuu kitschig leider find de beat vo mountain of things so villschichtig she's got her ticket hani jz sooo voll ok gfundr aber nöd meh why isch fast scho depressing mite berechtigte frage wo sie stellt :( if not now isch wieder so schön, ihri tüfe lage sind so fucking schön jaa die zweit hälfti hani würkli weniger packend gfunde, wenn au immerno sehr schön, ellei für die erste 5 lieder muss es 5i geh
This album was a favourite when i was in my teens … listened again and I still love it (but not quite 5 stars)
Not really my style of music, but she has a nice voice. This is a good length for this type of music too, any longer and I think it would have suffered. Low 4.
Great
ery personal. I like the 80s sound of the drums and the reverb used on the voice.
Really enjoy her voice
Simple songs, with great song writing. Sunday album 4/5
4.5/5 Overall excellent with important social justice messages. -0.5 because I found some of the songs too sappy for my taste.
First 2 tracks? 6. The rest? 2.
She’s magic. Fast Car are you kidding me?? Baby Can I Hold You Tonight???
Some truly haunting and beautiful stuff on here. The rest is okay.
Tracy Chapman's voice is simply beautiful. The music wouldn't be what I would normally go for but the pureness of voice elevates it to a higher level.
Great singer songwriter musicianship. Lyrics that are poignant and never corny. Super authentic. Not my speed.
Started off strong with two songs I was very familiar with and absolutely love ! Unfortunately for me, the rest of the album didn’t really live up to expectations based on the first two tracks. Don’t get me wrong it was still good and I still very much enjoyed it. I do feel that there’s a reason why those two songs were the only ones I’d heard from the album! 73/100
Wanted to hear this for a while, so glad to finally have. Its really great, VERY ahead of its time singer-songwriter stuff, I can see how this has influenced SO much of modern pop and I guess Indie music. Vocally amazing, while not always being totally conventional, which I like. The lyrics are great, often very surreal and artsy, but also very deep and political. Instrumentals are fine, very simple. Favourite songs: Talkin' bout a revolution, fast car, across the lines, why?, for my lover, if not now... Overall around 8/10
Favourite: Mountains O’ Things; Why? Rating: 4/5
Great album, great political messaging, and a lovely soulful sound overall. Fast Cars is an incredible track, restrained yet powerful, letting its hook play out softly between verses. Talkin' Bout a Revolution and For My Lover are two other big highlights. The music, sonically, isn't anything extraordinary for the late 80s - apart from shaking off the extremely hit-or-miss production that came with the new wave and electronic generation. Chapman's singing is really good and ties the whole sound nicely together. Solid album length too. 36 minutes is pretty much perfect in my eyes. The artwork reminds me of a proto-Miseducation album, which is probably partly true - Lauryn Hill's material does sound inspired from Chapman's. The guy who wrote the "secretary rock" review needs to get off his high horse. Reiterating one weak point over and over ("it's for women, I'm not a woman, wahh") based on the genre rather than the strengths and quirks of the artist is silly - and goes against the point of this project. Man really said "Music with a female vocalist that's easy to listen to? Better give it a low rating." ..."No dissonance"? Okay. Most music doesn't have dissonance, and that doesn't stop it from sounding great. "Very weak eroticism"? Fine. The vast majority of music doesn't attempt to be erotic, and I would argue that's a good thing. "It lacks any bite"? Boy, have you seen the lyrics? And this guy has the gall to claim that Chapman is advocating only for "better school and hospitals" (instead of, you know, racial discrimination, police violence, inequality of pay and employment, housing, healthcare, and so on). People this tone-deaf shouldn't be listening to music at all. I digress. Don't do this project if you aren't willing to understand the context of each record or enjoy music that pushes lyrical boundaries instead of sonic ones. 4/5 Key tracks: Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Fast Car, For My Lover
Fast Car is so affecting and the way the perspective shifts during the song is quietly devastating. I also absolutely love For My Lover.
Loved it
a delight of an album to listen to. this reminds me of 2016 when the jones brothers made that... cover of the song, and finally seeing how much better the original was. Whole album is wonderful, the messages are just so in your face and honestly we need more of these sorta albums to make people realise injustice. esp now with trump (yuck) in power.
What a beautiful way to discuss the highly systematic issues that are so prevalent in society. Discussing the issues of racial discrimination, domestic violence and wealth inequality whilst balancing the album with songs that showcase how brilliant life can be. Society then and society now can’t understand how prevalent these issues are in society. The way that she chose to use the music with such a simplistic but still fascinating way is exactly how these issues are needed to be shown in. However, the people that actually should listen to her properly are the ones that will discredit her something that today would be regarded as “woke”. I’m just glad that people still listen to this to this day, when these issues are no where near being resolved.
FYRE
It’s clear from the jump on Tracy Chapman that the singer wanted to bring to light some serious and heavy issues. Realized this is not a typical “pop” album. I only knew Fast Car and I’ve always liked that song so to dive into the full body of work was interesting. Tracy is very concise with her songs, meaning she says what she needs to and you’re in and out in like three minutes. Three other songs really stood out to me besides Fast Car here; Talkin’ Bout A Revolution, For My Lover, and For You. The rest of the album is good. I was afraid I might have an issue with the recording production and the producer making it too slick and sanitized. But, they allowed Chapman’s earnestness and energy to shine through. At first, I leaned towards giving Tracy Chapman a 3 rating but the back half of the album was strong and swayed me up a point. This is a 4 rating for me. 4/5
More variety than expected. Authentic, heartfelt lyrics.
You tend to forget what a great album this is overall. The attention is obviously given to Fast Car - but Talkin' Bout A Revolution, Baby Can I Hold You, For My Lover are also fantastic songs.
I thoroughly enjoyed this album. The songs are catchy, unique, and I vibe with the message in the lyrics in these songs. I feel like I've heard a few of these before, like the first two songs, but I can't pinpoint where. Overall an enjoyable album and I'd listen to it again.
As fresh as it was in 1988
An absolutely fantastic album, I wish some of the other tracks had as much love as ‘Fast Cars’ does. Highlights for me was ‘For My Lover’, ‘For You’ and ‘Across the Lines’.
Basically a meme at this point but no denying Fast Car is a banger. First track is good too. The rest feels a bit more like spoken word poetry. Light 4.
Being someone who doesn't always pay the most attention to lyrics makes it a bit difficult to really fall in love with a lot of folk albums, for which the lyrics are a big deal. Of course, even *I* know a perfect song when I hear one, and this album starts out with two of them.
I’m glad “Fast Car” made a comeback so that a new generation gets to enjoy Tracy Chapman.
Tracey Chapman was talking about me on my drive back to my apt from work on Fridays when she wrote fast car
One of the most powerful live performance videos I’ve seen is when Tracy Chapman, very early on in her career, had to fill in for Stevie Wonder at a festival in Wembley, and just the total command she had over the thousands of people watching. That’s what this album is: it demands your complete attention for its short runtime and you daren’t even breathe. Beautiful stuff.
Very beautifully composed record and presented very tastefully. It touches on subjects that are important and delivers in a gentle, yet provocative way. This was really nice.
fantastic folk album with introspective lyrics. great debut.
Fast Car is one of the greatest songs ever written in my opinion. It was also very cool that she released it when she did. Honestly, it's cool she released the whole album when she did. I absolutely love Fast Car even though I've heard it so many times over the years. There are a few other tracks on this record that are very good but honestly most of the album doesn't quite grab me.
Shame that it’s as relevant some 30 years on. The voice and guitar sound make it as accessible today as then too. Fantastic sound, not a record I know but going to change that, 4 Star.
Beautiful story telling and voice, just a very good album.