Tracy Chapman

Folk rock. Un megahit. Un 4.

.

Enjoyed this classic. It's on the border, but can't put it in five-star territory.

Fast Car is an all time classic song. Overall great album just not exactly what I seek out. Huge respect for Tracy as a lyricist and vocalist. 3.5

"Tracy Chapman" is a stunning debut album that introduced the world to the soulful voice and poignant songwriting of Tracy Chapman. Released in 1988, the album is a masterclass in folk-pop, combining Chapman's powerful lyrics with her emotive vocals and acoustic guitar. The standout track, "Fast Car," is a timeless classic that resonates with listeners to this day, exploring themes of hope, struggle, and the desire for a better life. Other tracks like "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" and "Baby Can I Hold You" showcase Chapman's ability to tackle social and personal issues with grace and sensitivity. One of the album's strengths is its simplicity. Chapman's stripped-down arrangements allow her lyrics and vocals to take center stage, creating an intimate and deeply affecting listening experience. Overall, "Tracy Chapman" is a landmark album that solidified Chapman's status as a talented singer-songwriter. Its enduring appeal lies in its timeless themes and Chapman's ability to connect with listeners on a profound level.

Sometimes less is better, simple songs can be profoundly moving, and just a voice and words can be the forefront of a piece of music. This album didn't fit into what was going on in the mainstream music scene of 1988, yet was a breakthrough success. Truly gives you a feeling that she is speaking from her heart in every note.

One of the best storytellers of a generation. Tracy Chapman successfully tackled injustice when the rest of the pop chart was filled with love songs and hair bands. Her voice is mesmerizing. Mountains O Earth is a standout.

Some really killer songwriting here. It's not my favorite album of all-time by any means, but I can definitely return to this one. 3.5/5

LP

Pretty good, some lesser tracks but overall enjoyable

Overall it’s a good album. Some classics like Fast Car and Baby Can I Hold You, and some great songs I’d never heard like She’s Got Her Ticket. Liked the bouncy, reggae ish feel of that one. Very clearly political and motivated by her own experiences as you can hear in Tracy’s voice. Happy to have listened: 8/10 Would listen the whole way through again: 6/10

Nice, the Fast Car album! There have to be other good songs besides Fast Car right?! No idea where I know Talkin' Bout A Revolution from but what a great song. It inspires revolution or more importantly just change. And it is so sad to me that a song (and album) like this is still absolutely relevant (and perhaps always will be) 36 years later. This album came out a year after I was born and we still need to talk about a revolution because our society is still failing so many people and it is not right. For this universal song to lead into a song that is also universal but moves to a more singular and personal level is an amazing transition. Fast Car is not only a very deep song but frankly it is über catchy. In sitting and reading the lyrics and really trying to comprehend the story Chapman is telling I can see the depth of the lyrics and the multiple meanings she has instilled within the song. After this the album kind of deflated for me... on the first listen. I listened to this twice because I was walking my dogs and didn't feel like getting my phone out to change the playlist. On the second pass of the album I found some of the rest of the album to be more beautiful and interesting than I first found it to be. There are still a couple of songs that feel out of place on such a political album, but I also realize Chapman is also interested in the politics of private relationships and love and the ways in which humans treat each other. There aren't many albums that are so straight to the point about what they are trying to say but also as layered and varied thematically as this. I can't say I want to listen to every song again, but as a whole this album is very good.

I liked this, obviously fast car is very good but the rest is also very solid imo!! 8/10

7/10 - Good and relaxing music. Fast Car is probably the best song by far but the other songs arent bad

Really nice voice, chill and enjoyable album

# Playlist track - Baby Can I Hold You # Notes - Impressive vocal control, interesting range. Sometimes a bit TOO minimalistic. - Great album.

She is a great song writer and vocalist. Certainly not afraid to tell her opinion on all sorts of social aspects.

I knew fast car and she has a great voice along with some interesting lyrics

Very solid album. I love Tracy Chapman's voice and the guitar is great too, very melodic and fits the feel of each song, and has nice variety too. Her songwriting ability is tremendous and she does such a good job of telling a story and making you feel what she's feeling from the song. That's a powerful gift. The only reason this album isn't a 5 is because I have to hear enough about racism, violence, and how broken the world is regularly on the news and I don't necessarily want to be reminded of that in the music I listen to. However, Tracy Chapman does such a good job of making it personal that it doesn't feel preachy or showboaty, she sounds very genuine and that is something that is also very difficult to do in the music industry.

Fast Car is an absolutely fantastic song. Enjoyed listening to rest of album-did feel that the songs with just her and her acoustic were much stronger than others.

This album is already going to get a high score just based off 'Fast Car,' it's such an amazing song. I haven't spent much time with the rest of this album, but man it's such a powerful work. I love that there is an interesting mix of production choices - acapella, folk work, African drums. It's really interesting and every choice seems to fit beautifully both as a whole and to each individual song. Really great, will definitely listen to this again and again. 4/5

Good Acoustic Stuff

Tracy just has so much emotion and aching in her voice that she can bring so many songs to life. The first 2 were hits. And then she got a lot more recognition when Luke Combs did fast car. But the rest of the album is very good too.

I was not familiar with anything Tracy besides Fast Car, but this is a really good acoustic album. It doesn't stand out as a best ever, but it is very, very good.

Excellent. My toddler was even singing along “run run run run run run.”

‘Fast Car’ is obviously the big hit here, but there’s heaps to enjoy, and as much as I want to say this album’s renewed popularity is due to the Luke Combs cover of the song and his duet with Chapman at the 24’ Grammy’s, the reality is this record has always been loved by seemingly everyone. Classic AOR production coupled with politically and socially charged lyrics, but with vivid and compassionate storytelling from Chapman ensure this record will remain universally relevant and popular forever.

Really good

Know many of these songs, but never listened all the way through. Very solid top to bottom.

Her beautiful, hypnotic voice is the best thing about every single track. The hits are bangers, but the album overall is a little samey and I didn't hear a standout track that I hadn't heard a million times on the radio. Nonetheless, enjoyable through and through

very groovy

Good stuff

I was expecting a very solid album here, considering how much I love the song "Fast Cars", and well that's exactly what I get from this self-titled Tracy Chapman debut. As a vocalist, Tracy's certainly expressive, and honestly it feels like she's been ripped off quite a bit. Not sure why, but it feels like many pop and folk vocalists, especially in the 21st-century wave sorta sound very similar to her. I haven't listened to every 80s album, but from what I've heard, her style seems unique for the time. She has a deeper vocal style but with enough variation to keep it interesting while still remaining relatively subtle. As a songwriter, Tracy's very direct with her lyricism, it's like she's trying to get her message through to the listener as clearly as possible, with no hiccups or room for misinterpretation. I think this is a good thing honestly and works wonders for this album's themes. Tracy tackles themes of poverty, racism, love, and other forms of injustice. Again it's all very direct, especially on the opener "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" and "Why?". I hate the general idea that good songwriting is almost synonymous with abstract and symbolic writing, I find the writing here to be very powerful. The songs themselves are really good too, just as songs. "Fast Car" may be one of the greatest folk songs ever, a tragic tale of yearning for escape and freedom from one's living situation. "For My Lover" is a great depiction of a chase of forbidden love. "Across the Lines" and the acapella "Behind the Wall" tackle the issues of police brutality, with the latter being the most haunting portrayal of it I've heard in a while. I'd say the biggest thing that holds this album back is its lackluster production on certain songs, I just think it's tacked on and generic when extra instruments are introduced to try and fill up the sonic space. The mostly acoustic-only songs are the best here, painting melancholic images that are soft and comforting. I just think it gets sort of repetitive after a while. I don't mind it too much, after all, it spotlights Tracy's vocals more than anything. Really enjoyed this album, pretty much just as much as I thought I would.

Maybe my favourite so far…

Ja, mooi

Between 4 and 5 just given how original and explosive the whole album feels. Spoken word, culturally explicit and harmonic all come to mind.

phenomenal lyricism 4.5/5

It’s good to see Tracy getting some kudos all these years later. I wasn’t familiar with this album besides Fast Car and a few other radio tracks but all of them are pretty decent. Sadly they’re all just as relevant today as they were when they came out. Songs added to Spotify: 5

Two albums in a row that I had been looking forward to and that didn’t disappoint. I thought this was a really strong album. Realistically, I’m not sure how often I’d listen to it, but I think it was really good. More of a 4.5.

That was pretty good. I liked Fast Car and the beats in Mountains O Things

👍🏻

Great album. Fast car is super hot right now so it was nice hearing all the other songs I haven’t heard before. Really liked the songwriting

Very clear memories about how different this album was when it was released.

straight heat

Never heard anything from her but Fast Car. Great collection of songs. I'm not one to pay as much attention to lyrics as I do to music, but she has a way of bringing life to the words that really make each song hit.

Loved it

Easy listening. Again, I'm not lyrics-forward as a listener, but the music is good. The lyrics I did catch were still painfully relevant now as they were in 1988, and were still quite thought-provoking. Favorite tracks: - Fast Car - Mountains O' Things - Why?

7.05/10 Top 3 Songs 1. Baby Can I Hold You 2. Fast Car 3. Why?

This is a great album. Almost forgot that it exists. Great storytelling with music to brake your heart. Love her voice! She clearly was ahead of her time. This album is still great and important. Fast car is not a song it's a little gem. One of the few records I've listened to so far that 100% belong on this list.

M'encanta Tracy Chapman. Potser parlo amb una mica de nostàlgia però aquest disc em sembla gairebé perfecte. L'únic que li falta (per mi) és tenir un parell de temes més icònics enlloc d'algun que falla una mica. Expected Lorenzo rating: 3

Album evokes a big range of emotions while staying artistically and aesthetically consistent. Behind the Wall was a revelation on this listen. Why? did remind me of parody protest songs though (looking at you, Flight of the Conchords).

Fantastic album. Always enjoyed her work.

Mesmerizing songwriting. Fast Car was a classic before Luke Combs brought it back to the charts. Talkin Bout a Revolution and Baby Can I Hold You are excellent and showcase Chapman’s ability to craft protest songs and pop songs with equal aplomb. The second half of the album has a mix of hits and misses, but overall a very strong debut.

Way better than I expected for some reason. I knew the album a little, and expected something very middling, but there's such a lyrical power across the album, and really great musicality, that it has to score very highly indeed. A lovely Saturday morning album.

She has such a beautiful voice! Apart from the well-known songs off this album, I really liked Mountains O' Things and For My Lover!

Sometimes, an outburst can have outstanding results. When Stevie Wonder refused to go on stage on Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday Tribute concert because a piece of sound equipment went missing, a fresh, young Chapman swooped in and never looked back. Tracy Chapman's debut album warms up the room and cozies up to you, but at the same time she shakes it with her straight-to-the-point wordplay. Opener "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" sets the tone of the album, in which she says that the word of a revolution doesn't come with a scream, but with a "whisper". Chapman tackles racism, domestic violence and poverty, but does it from a homely perspective and genuine innocence. "Fast Car" is still one of the most earnest and authentic songs of all time: she sings about a very much real fantasy of getting promoted, saving up for a car and buying a house. There's this magic in her mellow voice that sounds like a hand-warminf cup of coffee that makes me want to feel the city lights laid out before us, an arm wrapped round my shoulder, and the feeling that I belonged and I could be someone. While not very profound, Chapman still manages to deliver head-scratching one-liners inbetween verses, and surprise audiences with chilling moments, like the accapella rendition of "Behind the Wall", in which Tracy's voice narrates the heartwrenching story of a mortal victim of domestic violence from the porch of the adjacent apartment. Her lyricism leaves very little room for metaphors and understatements, which is very much appreciated. But while I could go on saying that some of these songs lack depth tackling these issues, I wouldn't say, as a white Western European man, it is my place to say. Rather, you can see how Chapman's debut album doesn't want to overcomplicate things. Instead, she speaks in a quotidian conversation with you and you only. She never intends to get loud with you, but rather lets her music do the outburst for her. Her revolution comes, indeed, with a whisper, and very refreshing whisper to revisit from time to time. 8/10 Favorite songs: Fast Car, Behind the Wall, Talkin' Bout a Revolution

Pretty simple formula, no whizzbang gimmicks but all the better for it. Can't help but belt out Baby Can I Hold You.

Atmospheric and emotional but lacked enough zing for a five.

Good. Lots of bangers. Forgot how good Talking Bout A Revolution is.

Very good. Excellent voice.

Me encanta que éste desafío me muestra discos de artistas que o no conocía o sólo conocía por sus hits, como es el caso de Tracy Chapman. Una tipa de voz envidiable. Profunda. Sensible. Pasional sin esforzarse. Disco ideal para bajar un cambio, para arrancar el día con mayor paz.

Ik dacht dat het een man was. Lekkere muziek verder. Echt chill vibes

Leuk album, goeie platen, maar geen perfect album voor mij dan he, wel erg mooi. Zou hem zeker nog een keer luisteren. Had ik maar een snelle auto, of bedoelt ze er toch de Daihatsu mee>

I remember buying this on vinyl when it came out so full disclosure, much of my review probably leans heavily on nostalgia. Still, the 1988 timing of this album is pretty pivotal right at the peak of hair metal. And yet 3 months later it was already platinum. Don’t get me wrong, I loved rokken with Dokken like the rest of ‘em, but there was something that always stood out for me with this one. Most likely rooted in its simplistic approach, both in songwriting and production which completely went against the over the top glam of the time.

Acoustic protest album. Fantastic. Great songs, great playing, great emotion.

Really good album.

Vecka 9

Great meaningful soulful lyrics, this man can SING too, just a fantastic artist/album. 3.8

So much more than “Fast Car” and asks poignant questions about class issues, particularly as they pertain to poverty, women, and the “have nots.”

Lovely cool suave music. Always actual

Amazing debut from a gifted song writer.

Beautiful voice and lyrics, very unique and emotional.

One of my oldies but goodies!

digg å høre på starten av dagen

Good soulful more modern folk music that you can appreciate for what it is.

Bursted on to the scene. Very talented on this album. What happened. No doubt any Saturday afternoon in the village someone is playing this in the west village

Not much has changed since this album debuted years ago. Urgency of the lyrics still resonate today. Deserves the accolades from yesterday & today.

Immediate thoughts: it will be a lowkey vibe that will be enjoyable, however, I do not believe anything will stand out immediately. Half-way thoughts: I understand the hype now; this is incredible. Done: I LOVED IT:D

Um álbum com uma forte componente de crítica sócio-económica. É muito mais do que "Fast Car."

Maybe it was that I was listening to this in what seemed like the perfect conditions (crisp, morning trail walk with Karma), but I really loved this one. Her voice is amazing, and the themes she touches on throughout still resonate today.

Thoroughly enjoyed this album. Chapman is a poetic storyteller and observer of the human condition. Her songs resonate and often strike somber emotional chords in a sharp way but portraying scenes you can almost visualize.

Glad for den var på listen, det er en af dem jeg altid har villet lytte til men aldrig har fået gjort. Fantastisk stemme, gode sange. Synes måske godt produktionen kunne være lidt mere rugged eller sådan noget, synes ofte det lød lidt for fint

Rating: 4/5 stars Pros: - Beautiful, distinctive voice - Wonderful accompaniment & instrumentals - Good variation in energy throughout album - Powerful individual songs Cons: - The message is simultaneously one-note and muddled. Half of the album attempts to be soft-spoken protests & reflections against/on society, and half of the album attempts to be anodyne love/relationship songs. The clearest protest songs (Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Why?, Mountain of Things) fall flat to my ears. Perhaps an artefact of age/time since the album was released, but these songs had little to say that has not been expressed a million times before with far deeper consideration. The best songs are those which (at least appear to) convey personal experiences - Fast Car and Behind the Wall (to the extent it can be called a song). - The majority of the love/relationship songs are forgettable, though still quite enjoyable.

Funny this popped up. She is all over the place after performing at the Grammies for the first time in a very long time. Fast Car is such a great song - looking forward to listening to full album. Nice album. Nothing groundbreaking. Solid easy listening chill album.

very pleasent voice, great production.

Wonderful

Good album

Fascinating that this came up the day after social media is all atwitter at Chapman's performance with Luke Combs at the Grammys. Wonder if that's intentional? Even so, I'd never heard anything from this outside of Fast Car and Talkin Bout a Revolution. It's a lovely album. Straightforward and poignant. Like that it's getting revisited by a new generation. Unexpected bangers: Mountains O'Things, For You.

I've always maintained that "Fast Car" is a perfect song: great melody and lead from the guitar, fantastically depressing lyrics... Love it. Listening to the full album, it turns out that I prefer Tracy's story songs, as opposed to her bluntly political ones, even when they convey the same message. Everything here is solid, I love how sparse the arrangements can be, but there are one or two duds (the reggae-tinged "She's Got Her Ticket", in particular) that keep this from perfection. Still, it's an incredible album. Favorite tracks: "Fast Car", "Mountains O' Things"

Only knew that one song from her but I liked most of it

Love her voice…great breakout album

Very impressed by this! While I liked the popular songs from this, diving into it, made me appreciate her music more! Standout tracks: Talkin’ Bout A Revolution, Fast Car, Across The Lines, Baby Can I Hold You, Why?, For My Lover, For You 8,5 out of 10

One classic song, two that are very good, and overall very solid. 4 stars.

I can't believe I never listened to this album before. "Fast Car" is a classic, of course, but I only really knew her radio hits. It's up there with the greats of the singer songwriter genre. Hard to believe she was only 22-23 when this came out. The first four tracks are a fantastic series of songs that sound timeless and (unfortunately) timely even today. The naive optimism of the opening track is almost heartbreaking given where we are today. The a capella delivery of track four (Behind the Wall) is incredible and a really effective way to set the atmosphere of the song's tragic story. Starting around track five a few of the songs have a noticeably late 80s/early 90s sound to them. They're still great songs, but they don't have the same timeless feel to them. Other standout tracks: "Mountain O' Things" "Why?" and "For My Lover"

What a storyteller. Navigating through issues both personal and political, Tracy's original vision stays captivating as it pulls you in for just one more tale. Her discovery and initial challenges she faced leading up to this album really cemented its message. The music isn't always complicated, but the simple chords and multi-cultural influence of the drums provides excellent framework for Tracy's voice to shine as the main event.

Close to a 5 - so close, for once I could have taken an extra few songs.

Really good voice, playing and production

Beautiful voice, particular in Behind the Wall. I don't love all of the songs, but I appreciate why she's considered influential.

Hadn't heard this in years - enjoyed it.

Good album

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Powerful work, musically and lyrically. And what a voice!

This is a brilliant bit of recording. Great voice, especially good writing, as well as a complete work - 3 hits and not a dead spot on the disc. A very nice listen.

Didn’t realize how much activism there was in this debut work. Good listening. Can’t believe it’s 35!

- Ein wirklich tolles Album. - Ein so zurückgenommenes, größtenteils akustisches Album aufzunehmen und dabei drei so große Hits zu kreieren ist gar nicht mal so leicht/wahrscheinlich. Der Grund dafür ist aber simpel: Das Album geht unter die Haut und trifft die Menschen ins Herz. Mit ehrlichen, gefühlvollen, wie leicht verständlichen Texten und eingänigen Melodien. - Neben den drei Hits, hatte ich "Across The Lines" schonmal gehört, was mir jetzt nochmal richtig gut gefallen hat. - Größtenteils arbeitet sich das Album meines Erachtens an den USA ab: Dem gescheiterten Amerikanischen Traum, der Ungerechtigkeit, dem alltäglichen Rassismus, der großen Spaltung innerhalb der Gesellschaft (die auch schon in den 80ern lange vor Trump kein Geheimnis war). - Ich find Tracy Chapman MEGA. Sowohl sie, als auch das Album. Rating: 4,25-4,5/5

- Ist einfach ein wholesome album - Häufig gelungene Verschmelzung von Genres - Tracy Chapman hat einfach eine einzigartige Ausstrahlung und Stimme - Tolle, nachvollziehbare und vor allem zeitlose Texte - Lässt nach hinten raus etwas nach meiner Meinung. Liegt aber auch an der Stärke der ersten Hälfte 3,75/5

2024-01-19

Great album. Never listened to it.

Love it

country/folk; lots of great songs lamenting the system

This is hard to rate. On the one hand, this has some incredible highs. Her song writing and singing ability is insane and is super talented obviously, could be a 5. I also do think that some of it can feel a little dated and 80s especially the production of it. I’ll go with a 4

I knew the first 2 songs but had no idea they were Tracy Chapman - 2 great songs at that, and the rest of the album followed in quality

Lyrics were amazing

Behind the Wall is a dumb song.

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

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

Poetic and delicate.

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

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

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

4- Stars (10/15)

Lovely album, easy to listen to

Ik kende enkel Fast Car! Verrassend leuk!

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

Gorgeous music

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

Lovely

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

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

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

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

not bad!

lovely easy listening, what a voice and what beautiful guitarwork

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

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

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

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

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

Good album

absolute classic

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

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

Beautiful and haunting, can see how she inspired so man

Excellent album

super pleasant, a little dusty and dated

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

Riktigt bra faktiskt.

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

ok

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

Chill acoustic rock for mums

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

Glad I got to revisit. She is a talent.

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

Extremely realxing sound with powerful vocals.

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

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

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

Classic album

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

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

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

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

Good, mellow, thinking music

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Very nice Fast car and for my lover favorites.

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

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

Pretty sad and depressing but really quite impressive.

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

It was okay

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

Very good

3.6/5

Great album.

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

4.0

Dost dobar album. Fast car favorit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Series of huge tracks, but then fizzles out a bit

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

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

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

3.5

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

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

Great Album

Great classic. Also fast carrrrrr

nice casual listening.

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

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

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

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

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

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

She's an absolute treasure 🥰

Lovely sound - very relaxing

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

Tajjeb

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

Good album, very moving.

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

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

7/10

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

Fun mellow deep

Some deep feeling in these ones, classic songs and the rest of the album which range from great to good. still worth a listen and adding to a playlist.

Great voice, good songs, enjoyable listen. A solid 4.

Only knew Fast Car by her but definitely came out of this album liking more, especially She's got her ticket. She has such an incredibly unique singing voice and the guitar in this album is much better than expected

Real good

Wow never heard any of her stuff before, absolutely amazing stuff

Of "Fast Car" fame, Chapman is a talented singer-songwriter as this folk rock debut album shows.

Very nice

This album feels a bit out of place in the timeline, arriving well after the demise of the roots rock of the past decade, but before the hypercommercialism of the 1990s put folk and country back squarely into the mainstream consciousness. I'm surprised it did so well, and very glad for that. Chapman dives into a lot of raw issues, from police neglect and economic segregation to the empty desire of wealth and desiring for a true, genuine life, with a gorgeous voice and subdued but lovely guitar and occasional synthwork (c'mon, it's 1988) to back up her message. Anyone who says Fast Car isn't one of the greatest songs ever made is lying or deluded, by the way. Mountains of 4/5s.

Dit album heb ik als kind heel vaak gehoord als mijn ouders het draaiden. En dat heeft blijkbaar een zaadje gepland, want elke keer als ik het nu weer hoor dan raakt het me. Ik vind het werkelijk een schitterend album.

such a beautiful voice and beautifully written songs

Wat te jaren tachtig adult contemporary vibes in de productie maar de liedjes zijn geweldig

Tracy was an instant hit when she released this album in 1988, I absolutely loved it then, and still find it a brilliant album to kick back and listen... chilled. Her lyrics and effortless vocals paired with her beautiful acoustic guitar accompaniment, is a real treat for a personal chill out time.

Thought this was gonna be a 5. The singing and songwriting is incredible but I really can’t stand the way the guitars sound(and really most of the instruments) it is a really great record that just kind of ruined it for me

Legit great 4

Good road trip music

Nice and sad.

One of the bright stars - lovely album to be reminded about

day 29. beautiful, soulful, heart breaking in a lot of ways. Tracy Chapman has such a distinctive voice with a quiver that transfers every emotion so cleanly. it's a bit of a tough listen and got a little sleepy for me toward the end, but I enjoyed diving deeper beyond Fast Car (still an all-timer and the best from the album). faves - For You, Across the Lines, Behind the Wall 4/5

Perfectly serviceable

This is good. Vocally, instrumentally, socially, spiritually. All deservedly receive high marks.

Great album really enjoyed

mueito bom 8/10

Blues, folk, soul. J'adore, mais on est bcp dans la mélancolie. Me ferait pleurer si j'étais à fleur de peau. Mériterait plus un 3.5, mais je me sens généreux aujourd'hui!

Very good songwriter. I'm impressed with her somewhat unique melodies and cadence.

very good. Not my style everyday but great

As nostalgic as autumn leaves

An album i knew one song on and wound up really enjoying.

It's nice to be reminded of what great songwriting sounds like.

I coincidentally finished the Bandsplain podcast on Tracy Chapman a few days ago so I was well-prepared to listen to this album. the first three songs are great. It’s not a style of album I’d listen to often, but there’s no denying Tracy Chapman’s talent.

Credit has to be given to the songwriting given a lot of it is just a guitar.

A Salt Bae sprinkling of bangers amongst deeper cuts that sounded a bit samey on first listen. It all grew on me with more listens. Well done our lass(?)

Great album. Still holds up

Moving without being smultzy, a wonderful voice.

Enjoyed this more than I expected to. Aside from Fast Car, Behind the Wall and Mountains O' Things really caught my attention and captivated me.

i'll be the first to admit that i generally don't care much for folk music. oh my gosh, tracy chapman! she used her lyrics wisely to tell her stories, to such a powerful impact. the social injustices mentioned are done in such a smart way, too. she asks hard questions, demanding answers, in "why?" or muses about a hypothetical revolution, "talkin' 'bout a revolution." or there's "across the lines" where chapman details how different lives can be as black or white. while those are worthy subjects, her more personal songs dealing with heartbreak are on equal footing. "fast car," rightly a legend, showcases chapman's storytelling skills with snapshots of a life. and her visible pain when singing the chorus of "if not now..."! all this to say her songwriting is clearly the standout of this album. the music itself sometimes wasn't as good on certain songs, like i found myself uninterested, but no matter what, the lyrics brought me back and kept me in it. that's exactly what good folk music should do! i suspect this is an album that becomes better and more appreciated on additional listens, so i'm looking forward to future listens. more than that, i felt like chapman's self titled was an educational listen and a great choice to be among the 1001 albums. for it being folk music in 1988, to be by a black woman, to include such important subjects.

So glad to finally get Tracy Chapman on this project! Her voice is incredibly unique, stunning, and a bit forlorn, and she knows exactly how to use it. This is a beautiful album from vocals to instrumentation. Tracy has always done a great job of communicating meaningful, impactful, socially conscious, and often downright heartbreaking lyrics through song. This album is a shining example of that. The album has a fair bit of diverse sound while still sticking to that contemporary folk rock sound that Chapman is well known for. Arriving in 1988, this album was a bit trendsetting and ahead of its time, as this a few of the singles off of this album not only permeated the radio throughout the 90s but certainly influenced other singer-songwriter women in the Lilith Fair circle.

Exceptional song writing, simple acoustic arrangements, a blend of personal, universal and socially conscious lyrics, and an outstanding voice. A classy, elegant, and beautiful album. Rating: 4.5/5 Playlist track: Fast Car Date listened: 29/04/23

What a unique voice.

I liked it :) a lot very sweet and sincere Cute lil album

I have listened to this album a lot, but not recently. In the intervening time I listened to a lot of Joni Mitchell and I see a lot of influence this time around. Still great, solid lyrics, singing, emotion with occasional slips into muzak. Harrowing, but enjoyable to revisit.

Beautiful vocals, amazing musical talent. It's just so darn sad.

One of the most universal, yet intimate singer-songwriter records of all time. Several of the all-time greatest singles, and the deep cuts are almost on the same level. A great record.

Classic alert! Very protest, but listenable. Good mix of stripped back and full pop band. Excellent.

This is a very strong album. Poignant, provocative songs delivered with a honesty and authenticity that is very compelling. Very little filler at all. All the songs pack an emotional impact. The playing is also escellent and the arrangements are tasteful and very well produced. Which brings me to the sound quality...absolutely first rate my Candaian pressed original vinyl is outstanding. Clear, deep, balanced sound that never fails to impress. Definitely a strong point of an already strong performance. 4.5 stars

Really good album, fantastic voice

Fantastically crafted songs through & theough

Great album. Looking to buy soon. Very beautiful voice and rhythmic beats.

Civil rights, heart, singer songwriter

There are people who listen to music and focus on the lyrics first, and those who focus on the tones and rhythms first. I almost always fall into the latter. Lyrics typically go over my head on a first listen. But not this time. Besides the beauty of Tracy Chapman's music paired with her unique and strong voice, the stories she tells are incredibly compelling that you just have to pay attention. There's no flowery language involved and sometimes her words are very straightforward to the point that it might lose its creativity, but it never does. It's a beautiful debut! Standouts are Fast Car, Behind the Wall, and Mountains O' Things.

Fantastic

Pretty good! Not really my style but I love her voice. Powerful messages throughout. Good stuff for something I wouldn't normally take a chance on.

Amazing (and unfortunate) how relevant and powerful the lyrics still are. Music highlighted them but sounds a bit “of its time”, reason why it lost a star. Can’t help thinking what it would sound like if it was made today.

Tracy Chapman’s wildly powerful and emotionally heavy debut album Fast Car is nothing if not a portrait of a battered and bruised world filled to the brim with injustices and inequalities. and there is not a whiff of idealism to be found — this is stark realism that’s almost painful to listen to as it unfolds: how Chapman writes about violence and pain (“Behind the Wall” is a searing account of domestic violence from a neighbor. there’s nothing colorful hear, only the bleak reality), but also quickly creates room for hope (“Fast Car”, the album’s centerpiece, being a wistful prayer for a more hopeful future that winds up leaving the protagonist right in the damning situation they started in) that’s informed by each situation. she never lets herself fly to high — each time, she counters herself with material truth, and there’s enough of it to bring her back to the ground: hunger and poverty and brutality and and and. but ultimately, Chapman’s optimism wins the battle here: the album’s final three songs reveal her desire to feel love and to find wholeness in the arms of a lover, especially in a world that refuses to grant her the wholeness she deserves. in that way then, Chapman so perfectly paints the human experience in eleven songs and 36 minutes, in indelible ink — and it was her first try too. just all around amazing!

Really powerful album with amazing social themes especially for 1988. My only issue is the acoustic sounds like a synthetic acoustic which I know Tracy can rip any guitar she wants. Just over produced on the guitar sound but lyrically and vocally a masterpiece

folk i actually enjoy 👍🏽 8/10

The same 'sound' as Fast Car is heard over the whole album. She has a very nice way of telling stories in songs. Across the lines feels oddly relevant today, which is very sad, knowing this song is today 35 years old and still (police) racism hasn't bettered ... Behind the wall continues this feeling. She transports us to her living situation, if that is her own. It demonstrates how well she can convey a story, I believe it's something she is going through. All in all a nice album but I never really listen a lot to this genre.

Enjoyable album. Favs: Fast Car (really is one of the greatest songs ever in my opinion), Baby Can I Hold You, For My Lover, Talkin Bout A Revolution Least favs: Behind The Wall

Right at the intersection of Rock, folk and blues.

Yep. Liked this one.

Mooi album. Veel nummers kende ik al, maar ook een paar die ik nog niet kende. "Behind the wall" vond ik erg indrukwekkend.

A brilliant debut. I saw her on this tour opening for Bob Dylan. She was wonderful, Dylan sucked.

Nice songs

this website keeps giving me albums from 1988 but i'm not complaining considering all of them have been good. i knew just from "fast car" that i was going to enjoy this one and i was correct. i love the songwriting, especially on the first four songs which are fantastic. i do think that the production sounds a bit dated in parts but it's excusable considering that it's not the main focus of the album. an example of this is the instrumental of "mountains o' things" that sounds like the music in rainforest cafe before tracy tree (insane coincidence) starts speaking, even though i still like the song for its lyrics about consumerism. the standout for me is "behind the walls", a song that is completely acapella and it's incredible. i'm glad i checked this album out.

Some people don’t think that politics belongs in music. I’m not one of the people and neither is Tracy Chapman. This album explores themes of economic anxiety, domestic violence, poverty in America, lack of hope, and racism. In short it is an album of the Reagan era laying bare the true impacts of neoliberal economic policy on the people. Her voice seems almost unsure at times, not in what she’s singing, but in a way that mirrors and emphasizes the uncertainty of the times. It’s a very powerful effect. The music itself is folk derives but with some college rock tendencies.

Old people music 4/5

A powerful and somber series of stories, very well preformed

I feel like I could really enjoy this album if I was in a different mood, but as it stands this album fell a bit flat to me. Their sound is way ahead of their time, but it almost so perfectly predicts the 2000s singer-songwriter vibe that the music feels a bit played out (definitely not their fault).

transmasc vibes

Did not fully listen

This one is a classic singer-songwriter album of the 80's. Sadly like many albums of the 1986-1989 period, cheesy 80's production choices have really not aged well. The pacing is also not the best in this album, as the best tracks are all on the 1st side. Fortunately, the immaculate songwriting correct these mistakes pretty well, as Fast Car, Talkin' Bout a Revolution and Baby Can I Hold You have aged like fine wine and are now considered classic tunes. Tracy's voice is also a highlight here and is pretty unique in that style. Love this one. 8,6/10

Always like tracy

3.5-4. very solid.

Chill folk rock well recorded and sublime. Powerful lyrics and a beautiful unique vocal.

Bought this album after hearing the song Fast Car. She has such an emotive voice. Honest, raw storytelling.

I really enjoyed this album. I was familiar with the singles but hadn’t really listened to them closely before so was struck by the sadness in Fast Car, for example. It’s a thoughtful, righteously indignant and poignant collection. As others have pointed out, that revolution never came, and the issues of race, poverty and inequality feel, if anything, even more entrenched. So, of its time and yet contemporary, softly spoken and yet angry.

I remember having a cassette of this and playing it often when it was first out. Time made me remember it as silly or cheesy but listening to Tracy Chapman again after so many years has let me do so with fresh ears and appreciate it on a new level. This album filled will simple, heartfelt folk which is timeless

Col

4/5, solidly good music

One of the great 80's albums

Stuck this album on in the back while workin and I was not fully attending to it but it's a nice mix of folky stuff with a bit of world sounds peppered in. Really dug the xylos and the winds somewhere in the middle was like Paul Simon bucking Super Mario. Didn't catch lyrics too closely but there was one tune that was a capella and heavy political but it was chilling to hear seeing as this album is from the 80s and black Americans still going through all the same shit. Never listened to it before but I would again

Spare and stunning

Classic album.