Reviews (page 10 of 13)
It's totally fine
Folk. Suitable album for after Sunday mass car ride with parents where you were told by the priest that as long as you pray and make an honest living you will persevere.
I enjoy noticing themes that have clearly influenced music of my life such as Counting Crows. The progression of American Folk music branched into many different genres following the explosion of Rock and Roll in the 50's and 60's. The 70's era seemed to be more about reflecting on what Americans had just experienced during the turbulent revolution in the 60's. Cat Stevens seems to focus more on folk tales that you may here in a saloon or reminds me of a road trip across the country. A life of exploration of the great American expanse with Stevens as a friendly and wholesome voice in the back of your VW Van.
Familiar with several of the songs, but never listened to the album. This is a great album but on some songs they've done an annoying thing with the dynamics. It's all acoustic, so sometimes it's really quiet, then they make it really loud. So, either you can't hear what's happening, or it sometimes gets really loud. That's costing it a star in the rating. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: Top 500 Albums #205 Best Songs Where Do The Children Play? Hard Headed Woman Wild World On The Road To Find Out Father And Son Tea For The Tillerman
almost a 4 but kind of boring
Short, good, and sweet. A solid album, but I can't say I really know any of his work, nor does it seem particularly amazing?
Some all-time tracks I've heard many times, some that don't get played often. Can't argue with the songwriting quality or musicianship, and his career can attest to that.
Very pleasant. I like the folk influences and double bass sound. But a bit hippy for me. I didn’t know “wild world” was a Cat Steven’s song, or “Father and Son”. In fact, I didn’t even know the titles of them, you just hear cover versions around. And it’s representative of the mawkish sentiment that puts me off. I would probably prefer the album without the hits! Overall, though, it’s an alright album. I guess.
7/10
A real mixed bag IMO. There are the fairly obvious two big highlights I don't need to mention by name, and they are great. The title track featured in Extras, which is OK. And then some mostly forgettable stuff that got a bit too samey. Unpopular opinion but Sad Lisa's mawkish and particularly syrupy strings didn't work for me at all.
Boring, but classic
Buenas canciones Folk setenteras. Míticas Wild World y Father And Son. Agradable, sencillo
Nice album with some classic songs and a few new ones for me. Pretty laid back and can put it on as background music.
I'm not inclined to really love acoustic guitar folk music but listening to this album for the first time brought to my attention the updated version of "Father and Son" that has him, aged ~72, singing in the role of the father against a recording of him at 22 as the son. The original version was Fine but the combination of his young and old voices in the update is surprisingly affecting.
Between a 3 and 4 on this, but I’ll go with 3 for now and potentially edit later. I was pleasantly surprised by this album because I’ve heard Father and Son, but don’t get the hype. The songs were pleasant, uplifting, and smooth.
I enjoyed this less than expected. Sort of bored most of the time. Wild World is pretty great, but man I couldn't get into some of the slower stuff. I like his singing and I'm a sucker for this 70s folks style.
Eh he's fine
Good as a background track. Would like it if my significant other played this at theirs.
6/10
Fine
This one was okay, but nothing I was really drawn to. Must note it's not my preferred genre of music, so that might influence my takes, but the vocals and instrumentals were a bit simple for me but not simple enough that they were poignant in that way (Father and Son is exception, it worked there). Wild World was also solid, great beat which really carried it.
mitt sämsta take: cat stevens e inte så gidd
Enjoyed parts of this album! Where do the children play? Was probably my favorite. Lots of skippable songs for me in the middle
Not my favorite
Some sad getting old bops. Probably won’t listen again ever
pretty good
Interesting songwriting. Interesting voice that swings into grating at times. It's funny how there's a vibe to lyrics from this time that I can only describe as Boomer. Probably won't listen again but glad I got to.
3/5
This was quite an easy listen, with some clear standouts like "Where Do the Children Play" and "Sad Lisa" especially the violin and string ensemble towards the end which was a real mood lifter despite the name of the song. There were some interesting techniques explored with the vocals, and overall the album as a whole receives a 3/5.
very relaxing, sounds lovely, and i realized I did know a few of these songs already.
Folk music done really well, instrumental and the vocals were a good mix. Pretty but too simple. Favourite Song: On the Road to Find Out
Solid enough album, sounds very much in the mould of other early 70s singer songwriters, towards the poppier end of the spectrum, more James Taylor than John Martyn. Pleasant enough and some nice songs but no real edge to anything and nothing that surprises. Nice escapist Sunday afternoon music.
Nice little treat to acoustics.
Alright; very similar to Nick Drake so will be an interesting test of Wills rym bias
Not really heard or thought about Cat Stevens for a long time and it’s not until I played the album that the various inescapable famous tracks hit me. It’s a decent enough listen even if Ronan Keating and Ricky Gervais have done their best to taint it. I just don’t see when I’d come back to listen to this though.
Didn't love it. Kind of boring.
quiet easy listening
Nice album, but I find Cat Stevens a bit cheesy unfortunately, like a grandpa that does not understand the contemporary world.
Veldig ålreit
Would give 3.5 stars if I could. I enjoyed this
Good but not really my usual stuff. Just nice background music mostly. I do like it but it's not compelling to me.
The first things that jump out to me are the abrupt dynamic changes; beyond just feeling quite foreign to me as an inhabitant of the post-Loudness Wars apocalyptic landscape, they reveal a deep insecurity that cuts through this entire collection - Stevens might be a Nice Guy but he still seems to feel like he has to get loud to be heard. (He's *not* shouting, don't accuse him of shouting.) And what does he have to get loud-but-not-too-loud about? The usual shit, mostly - rejection from girls, fake friends in the music industry, the requirement to fulfill his contractual obligations. Behind the veneer of Nice Guy-ness he's downright venomous - I hope the subject of "Wild World" feels like she dodged a bullet. No wonder John Belushi smashed this guy's guitar in *Animal House*. All that said, there's genuine talent on display here, which is part of what makes Stevens frustrating. I guess it's anthropologically interesting to hear the Sensitive Guitar Asshole template used by everyone from John Mayer to Billy Corgan being formed in real time. As a recovering Sensitive Guitar Asshole myself, I guess I should be more sympathetic - but my ongoing recovery is probably part of why I'm not.
2,8/5
This sounds like something a family who like each other would listen to on RV trips growing up in the 70s
Really pleasant - can definitely have this on in the foreground or background. 3.5.
Half of it was boring and half of it I really enjoyed, at least you're getting songs like Wild World and Father and Son
Maybe I was occupied and not paying attention but this flew by quickly. Will need another listen, but alot of the songs blended in to eachother, but a few great songs stood out - you know the ones
3 out of 5. First full album listen for Cat Stevens. Very pleasant and soft guitar playing that really stood out to me.
Schönes Album und toller Sound. Die klare Stimme fühlt sich manchmal an wie eine Umarmung..... aber was zum Fick ist aus dem Typen später geworden. Konvertiert zum Islam, wird Antisemit und fordert Tod von Rushdie.
I enjoy the big tracks off this, wild world, father and son, where do the children play. + a couple others. But ultimately i found the album alright but pretty unremarkable 6/10
I'm familiar with the name, but I can't say I recall listening to one of his albums. Holy crap! Wild World is his song?? Right on. I like this original version. I always am amazed how bands put out multiple albums in the same year back in the day. I love the strings on Sad Lisa. There's a bit of a Genesis vibe on his vocals, and I can tell this influenced Billy Joel, as well. Especially, on Miles From Nowhere. This is a solid album, but it's only a 3 from me, because it isn't something I'll ever search out to listen to again. The crazy thing is when this was over, my next cued up song was Aerodynamic by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and it flowed perfectly. Oh, baby baby, it's a Wild World, I tell ya.
One of those 70's singer-songwriters that are so earnest, gentle, and soulful in spirit--it reminds me of this group of Boomers I know who run a food co-op and often have such music playing in the background while they work to make their little corner of the world a better place. This music is very chill and philosophical--soothing like a warm cup of tea after working the fields. 3.5
This could be the most poetic collection of words ever but if it’s not presented in an interesting way, I’m not listening.
While I like folk music a lot, this didn't do a ton for me. To say some positives, the lyrics have an interesting spirituality to them, and I like Yusufs' (Cat Stevens') voice. Additionally, these songs aren't bad, but there are only a few I can really say I like a lot, my favorites being Hard Headed Woman, Wild World, and Father And Son. There are moments of songwriting genius across this, but it just doesn't really do it for me. Frankly, for folk songwriting of this era, some of this is pushed a little too pop for me, and I prefer a rawer take on this genre in general. Like I said, not really bad though, and I can imagine a lot of people would be really into this. I'm kind of between a 2 and a 3, honestly, this would probably be, most honestly like an exact 5/10, but I had to choose. Anyways, still give this a listen, I think this is for a lot of people. Edit: Thought about this a little more, 2 is probably a little harsh.
Very average 70s singer-songwriter. Best song is the last one, which also is super short.
Classic but generally not my thing
3.3
Som en dålig höstdag
This was on the higher end of folk for me which is still a 3. I could have this in the background and be fine with it.
3.5 stars....extra star is because "Wild World" is here. Rounding down.
This is decent in a kind of slow rock, down tempo folk way, but not super memorable for me. I liked On the Road to Find Out as well.
no ha estado mal la vd, me he añadido “father and son”. creo q volveré a escucharlo con mas atención.
My expectations were high and I was let down. Some good songwriting.
Kändes som vaggvisor för vuxna ❤
kind of agitated me but maybe today was the wrong day for it, idk. I did like father & son & how it sounds like fight test
This is my second ever listen, and it’s inoffensive, occasionally charming and largely unexciting. There is nothing particularly edgy or challenging about any of it. It’s just Yousef/Cat with his guitar and some decent lyrics. It’s an intimate album, and there is al folkie kind of sound. Father and Son is a highlight, but otherwise I found little to excite me. It’s an album that you listen to when you have had too much to drink and you are in a reflective mood. Whack this on, and you will cry the sad tears of nostalgia and lost innocence. It’s fine.
Wild world
I enjoy his songwriting but the music drifts into the background.
Maybe I'm in a funk? I just wasn't swept into these songs. They played on and I marveled at the strange doubled vocals and the odd habit Stevens has of plumbing the depth of his vocal range. The drum fills seemed oddly out of time with the rest of the band. I was tuned into these things as the songs missed the mark with me. I had never listened to a Cat Stevens record, and going in, I had this notion he was a wise onlooker commenting on the world in general. But I noticed a darker tone, almost paranoid, and it prompted me to read a review. While the review was positive, among other things, it spelled out "Wild World" as being written to a love interest who had left Stevens, and it threw that song into a whole new light. I always imagined it was him singing to his daughter about what to expect as she grew up. But, if that song really is the interior monologue of a troubled man having a hard time with a breakup — trying to convince the girl to stay by telling her how hard things will be without him — maybe it isn't me after all. It's all well and good, he's got a right to sing about what he wants to, but this listen didn't endear me to Stevens — it more or less did the opposite.
I think this was my first time listening to this, although I was familiar with the hits and the ones featured in the Harold & Maude soundtrack. Overall, good stuff. Some of it was a little twee for my liking, but the songs that have that gruff Cat Stevens rhythm are quite enjoyable. I wish there were a 3.5 button.
Highlights: Sad Lisa, Miles From Nowhere. In a nutshell: the folk storyteller. Yusuf Islam suffers the same affliction as Randy Newman and Leonard Cohen- brilliant songwriter, limited vocal range that can be disengaging. There is some variety to the compositions though. Overall: 5/10
probably 2.5 stars if this platform had half star ratings. I'm really just not a huge fan of most "man sings softly and strums guitar" albums
Same review I had for Simon and Garfunkel: great songwriting, beautiful songs just boring. I will never say “I really want to hear some Cat Stevens right now.”
3+ Stars (9/15)
It’s nice, not great not terrible, easy to listen to
A very enjoyable album, but I think I have to be in the mood for it.
Kinda interesting and nothing bad but just didn’t do much for me honestly. 3 stars
I really like this album. Holds up incredibly well and great, warm energy.
There are a handful of good songs on this album - "Wild World", "Sad Lisa", "Longer Boats", "Father and Son" (which, fun fact, Cat Stevens sued The Flaming Lips over because "The Fight Song" has basically the same melody). But something about this album annoys me slightly. It's kind of... ingratiatingly quaint. It's also a bit monotonous. I'm not sure how to explain exactly what it is I don't quite like about this album but the cover art kinda also adds to it. It's so... children's book cozy. Why. -_-
I'd almost say enjoyed it more than some of my 4* albums, and yet....
This album is not exactly my style. It is a calm, cute, and quaint album, which is not my typical vibe. Overall, I think the album felt a little sleepy, which is why I had a difficult time maintaining my interest. The guitar was my favorite part of this album! I also liked the somber violin in Sad Lisa. My favorite song was Longer Boats, I feel it captured the lighthearted and fun nature of the album.
God sangskrivning, følsomt, lidt lejrbålsagtigt, kort
It was fairly average and mundane. For people of my age or generation there are a couple of tracks that are probably more well-known as covers by other artists. The original versions on this album were the highlights of the album.
its okay it feels like the album is for children LMAO
Decent enough folk pop, definitely one that could grow on me. But for first impressions, it didn't feel particularly memorable.
Super chill, beautiful lyrics, time seems to slip away.
I thought I would like this more because of Nick Drake but I honestly was kind of disappointed with how bland most of these songs are. "Father and Son" is a great song though. 6/10 Favourite: Father and Son Least Favourite: Longer Boats
Actually much more pleasant than I was expecting. Steven’s’ voice is really soothing and the instrumentals aren’t especially challenging but are well arranged and nice. The lyrics are largely excellent. But it’s just not really my thing.
Not really my thing, but I can see why it's on this list.
Where Do The Children Play? - 3/4 Hard Headed Woman - 3/4 Wild World - 5/4 Sad Lisa - 2/4 Miles From Nowhere - 3/4 But I might Die Tonight - 2/4 Longer Boats - 2/4 Into White - 2/4 On The Road To Find Out - 3/4 Father And Son - 4/4 Tea For The Tillerman - 2/4
short and sweet!! i like it a lot! my favourite is "sad lisa" which has been added to my playlist. easy listen but probs wouldnt listen to any of the others again.
A few very lovely songs. The rest were sadly a bit boring in comparison. Was a bit disappointed because I had high hopes based on the songs I knew beforehand I also didn't like his voice on a few of the songs, a bit screechy 3 ⭐️
Fine mellow jams
Folk-ish vibes, vocals are fine. 2.8
Solid acoustic pop album, carried by two mega-hits.
Tea for the Tillerman is… fine. Not bad, not great. Just a solid “meh” from start to finish. Cat Stevens has a nice voice and there’s some solid songwriting here, but nothing really grabbed me or made me want to hit repeat. It's one of those albums that’s easy to listen to but even easier to forget Favorite song: "Father and Son"
Lagane pjesmice, slušljivo ali ništa specijalno. Usraću se od ovih ranih rokera sa akustarom.
Cat Stevens is alright but 37 minutes of Cat Stevens in a row is too much. Listen to this album all the way through and then play any other song and that other song will sound like the best song you’ve ever heard just because it isn’t a Cat Stevens song.
the actual music was fine, but its a dude singing and im not a big fan of that for whatever reason
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would but I think musically it's just not going to interest me enough to come back repeatedly
another pleasant album yet a little boring
I was surprised when "Wild World" came on because I assumed I wouldn't recognize any songs from this. I liked "But I Might Die Tonight," so of course it was the second shortest song. Good album I guess, but not my thing. I've said that for 95% of the albums I've listened to on this list, but I really don't know what else to say.
I didn't finish listening to it but I did enjoy it. It's good soft vibes. I will probably listen to this album again. I think it might be good rainy day music. Sometimes music like this makes me gloomy though.
It is a very chill album and give it like 2.5 stars. I would need to be in a certain type of mood to listen to this if I wanted to throw it on.
3.0 - Ok
The world if the only way I can listen to this album on my app wasn't the super deluxe version. 3 hours?? 0 stars. The songs and his voice? 3 stars.
Where Do the Children Play? Wild World Father and Son
Calming and sweet
Pretty chill. Am i the kind of guy that would sit around and listen to cat stevens all day?
Eh baby it's a mild album. Nothing exciting. Then he turned to his Islam because his music didn't even keep him entertained. Mark
ágætt, falleg lög. er ekkert voða spenntur en 3,5.
If i had to describe it in one word: colorful. Like a vibrant crayon drawing of the most beautiful country landscape your mind could think of. Right off the bat, great choruses, beautiful guitar work (and don't even get me started on the times they bust out the piano/strings), all accompanied by the voice of the man himself. And he sounds great, he perfectly complements the aesthetic of the record with that warm baritone (i think its baritone?) Although there are a few duds here; tracks like Hard Headed Woman and Longer Boats, while definitely nowhere near bad, don't reach the same heights as the rest of the album imo. Also, I feel like it could've ended with Father and Son (incredible track, btw) instead of the 1 minute title track and have been better album for it. Solid stuff overall, only with a few blemishes that bring it down a bit for me.
70s folk. Nice traditional American folk with a pleasant voice and good production. A lovely listening experience.
3.0
Beautiful
"Father and Son" is a new favorite for me. This album goes a little bit harder than I expected it to. Some of the production can be jarring in a way I didnt expect from a folk album of this era. Good vibes though.
Very good!
I vividly remember this album cover while thumbing through my dad's LP's when I was 6-7 yrs old. It appealed to a kid. Classic voice, the man could sing the phonebook. This album includes radio staples you still hear today like "Where Do The Children Play?", "Hard Headed Woman", the huge hit "Wild World" (750M listens!) & "Father And Son". The only song I didn't listen to in full was "Miles From Nowhere", just didn't dig the pocket he was in. Top 1001 fringe for me. I know it has staying power, some hits you still hear on the radio and covers by other artists, and I feel his influence on singer songwriters still. I enjoyed giving it a full listen.
Pleasant and folksy, lovely guitar playing and songwriting.
A few ones that stood out to me but otherwise a little bit boring
I actually enjoyed this much more than I thought I would
Det en kort, men lidt frelst til tider. 2 lyt,
Old Cat sure can write a deep yet catchy folk/pop song, Wild World is the best example, but Father and Son may be the highlight. Tea for the Tillerman is mainly about rejecting modern society and old Cat certainly would later do that. 7.7/10
Possible better than 3* but not in the mood for it right now.
3.5
Very sweet and heartfelt, pretty tunes, and I know there will be plenty of people who adore this album. It's a classic in its way. Unfortunately, it's a little soppy for my taste.
beautiful ,gets a little repetitive which keeps it from the top tier for me not super mundane to give it a lower score
Eh. It's pleasant
Sorry Cat Stevens. Ich han grad vorane Sister Sledge glosed, da flachsch ächli ab. Father and son isch natürli mega bekannt. Guets Folk- Album. Am beschte findi Tea for the Tillerman: Churz und fulminat
kenn vo ihm nume morning has bröken und wild world aber weiss er jetz hert muslim und so? isch etz genau öppe da woni erwartet han die erste zwei songs. schöne singer-songwriter mitere spezielle stimm woni nonig weiss ob sie mer gfallt. wild world kenni ebe und isch halt chrank iprägsam. ha mega gern wie mer s plättli uf de giti ghört und alles so nöch tönt. coole song moll super. sad lisa hani chli arsch gfunde aber miles from nowhere het chli meh drive und klavier und züg findi geil. mega dynamik. we're gonna need a bigger boat okay spielberg. meh. ich weis nich digga. sehr langwilig i donno. into white okay du stohsch uf wissi lüüt chill. on the rosd to find out isch no nice. momoll.
hmm where do the children play isch okay? no intressant aber nöd meh wild world hani s gfühl, kenni? ja isch easy, no herzig weiss nanig öb ich sini stimm gern han oder nöd sad lisa hani na cool gfunde father and son isch recht schön ja vlt mussi das album nomal lose zum s echli besser chönne erfasse ok also mad kei lust das nomal z lose sorry, es git eifach mal es 3 will ichs zwar gnosse han für das, was es isch aber schlussendlich ischs doch au chli langwilig gsi
I enjoy his voice and a few of the songs are standouts (Wild World, Where Do The Children Play). It was a pleasant listen.
Really good songwriting, I always appreciate when songs have a clear message but are still “musical” if that makes any sense. Giving this a 3.1/5, it was a solid listen but didn’t really do much for me. Fav song: Wild World
I wanted to hate it but it really grew on me. It makes me feel like I'm in a children's movie
its fine...
Some pretty songs but a little forgettable in the end
Pleasant enough.
Possibly the worst album cover that we have had on the list! Songs are ok though.
I’ve never listened to the Cat before, other than a weird recollection of primary school assemblies. The hits for me are so wrapped in awful overplayed 80s/90s covers (FU Boyzone) that I can’t now tell if they are good songs or not. But other songs like Hard Headed Woman and Sad Lisa had quite unique sounding arrangements and guitar and piano parts. Shout out also to the weirdest and unexpected end to an album ever, yeah let’s just chuck in a random gospel crescendo. No standout track, but strong songwriting that creates a good album as a whole.
There are some incredible songs on this album, mixed in with some okay ones. 'Wild World', 'Where do the children play', 'Into White' and 'Father and Son' being my faves. The album cover hurts my eyes. Wtf is that font?!
Surprised by how many of this I already knew passively? For me - the album feels like a book of nursery rhymes, sung in primary schools nationwide at assembly time. The album cover is fitting for this. It's warm, wholesome and childlike. I quite liked it. Highlights for me were "Wild World" (an earworm for me that I've found belting randomly without ever knowing who sung it), "Father and Song" (another one) and "Sad Lisa". My rating system feels a bit out of whack as in hindsight I'd drop Monday's a star and this would sit happily at a 3. Enjoyable, some repeat listens, just ok.
This is just a very nice and pleasant listen, despite it's horrendous album artwork. The Extras theme tune turning up at the end was a bit of a shock.
Classic folk album
An album chock full of acoustic beauties. Love Cat’s voice. Not much here to make me want to do a return visit but I enjoyed my stay.
Much like Bill Clinton, Cat Stevens’ appeal comes in the form of his ‘folksy charm’. Stevens is direct and simplistic in his lyrical approach. Don’t expect him to even raise his voice very often. A lot of these songs seem to be about finding oneself and contemplating ones place in the modern society or universe at large. “Miles From Nowhere” holds a message about the idea of self being something beyond just the physical body. It makes me wonder if Cat Stevens was a nice comedown artists for the hippies that were coming down from some heavier trips in the 60’s. “Longer Boats” might be my sleeper pick on the album for its infectious harmonized chorus - it’s a fantastic hook that knows its power, which is why it gets repeated plenty of times over the course of 3ish minutes. “On The Road To Find Out” is probably the only noticeable moment where Stevens ramps up the intensity a bit. Then there’s the very famous “Father And Son”, which is just so arresting in the best way possible. All of these wonderful moments out of the way, I am left wishing for more “Father and Son”, and less of everything else. A bit more commitment to a song or idea, and a bit less meandering. But meandering is a big focal point of this record. Cat Stevens has a very recognizable style and voice, which is also worth a lot in the pop world. Soft 3/5 for me.
This was fine. 2.9
I'm not the biggest fan of Cat Stevens, but some songs are just plan good. I think others do the folk singer songwriter better, but he is a darn good lyricist. Best Songs: Wild World, Into White, Father And Son Worst Songs: Where Do The Children Play?, Longer Boats
I liked this a lot more than most music from its era. It aged well.
I guess I like cat Steven's. It's a wild word. 3 stars.
It's good. But not really my style.
Listened a while ago and wasn’t particularly moved
Cat Stevens is one of those artists I’ve always overlooked due to some bad memory associations, but after giving this album a listen, I have to say it was a decent folk rock record. It had a few well known hits and recognizable tracks, along with a couple of songs that didn’t do much for me, but overall, it flowed well from beginning to end.
Decent, but not that interesting to me.
Lovely album. Very gentle and intimate but a bit inconsistent. Favorites: Wild World, Sad Lisa, Father and Son Least Favorites: Hard Headed Woman
I'm not a fan of folk music or Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam so I expected this to be a slog to get through, but it was not. I'll even say it was not bad. For those who are folk fans, I imagine this album has everything you would look for in a hippyish-folk album from 1970, even the cover. Enjoy
3/5
Un buen disco de boomer-core.
Nice
Nice and mellow - great for background!
His voice lends itself to this kind of soulful music. While not the kind of music I typically seek out, I'm never mad when I hear it.
I wanted to like it more, especially given how much I came in loving the last 2 tracks. But the rest of the album was only okay for me.
Not really for me
Had some decent songs here. 6/10
Not bad
Punto bonus per la copertina
3.4 Pleasant. Not my normal kind of thing, but decent to have on in the background. Few songs I recognised (did Fleetwood Mac totally rip him off towards the end?!) Not sure how this can reach 'best ever album' status that some people appear to give it, something I'd love to know.
Typical slow background music. Not my jam, but it's pleasant.
Something about Cat Stevens voice that makes every song sound like a memory from a time or a place that may not even be my own. It's like a soundtrack to an old familiar movie. Uplifting, energizing, but also sad and somber.
I admire Yusef’s dedication to his beliefs — and for his willingness to leave his music career behind to staunchly uphold that dedication — but I’ve always struggled with his music. Cat Stevens was not an artist I grew up on whatsoever. I was introduced to his music through digging in the crates in my early 20s, and at one point I owned the quartet of albums he released at the height of his creativity, from 1970-1973. The artistry of his songwriting and singing is self-evident. His dynamic arrangements and vocal performances oscillate between quiet and raucous, expertly creating and releasing tension to accentuate the emotional core of his storytelling. And the recordings are pleasantly crisp and dry, engineered to sound as natural as possible. I also agree with the dominant themes woven into his music and activism. But after re-visiting Tea for The Tillerman uninterrupted a handful of times, I was reminded of why I never latched on to his art despite its positive qualities: the music is dainty, full of corny tenderness and didactic narratives, and as is the case with many folksy singer-songwriters, the tracks lack stylistic distinction and all start sounding the same when heard in succession. His quiet-to-loud song structure becomes annoyingly predictable, and when his voice reaches those higher registers of emotion I find the growly, strained quality grating. With all that said, the power of his mega hits is not lost on me, nearly all of which are from this record and the release that followed it the year after, Teaser and The Firecat. I can appreciate their greatness, but only from a distance. No matter how many times I hear them they never seem to penetrate my taste on a deeper level.
+Hard Headed Woman
Not my cup of tea.
A bit slow. has some classic heartstring pulling songs
He has a nice voice (perhaps _too_ nice for my taste) and there are some decent songs here but this doesn't quite do it for me.
I like Cat Stevens so I had high hopes for this but was left a little underwhelmed by most of the tracks. Father and Son is a really great song though.
Ett par bra sanger. OK.
Very laid back and chill album, with nice lyrical themes.
good
Nice album for a foggy drive to work
Pretty solid album with a couple of absolute classics. Mid 3s
Father and Son forever
I enjoyed some of this, but would not put this album on again. The obvious hits of course are deserving, but one I had never heard that I thought was good was Miles from Nowhere. The Flaming Lips have a song called Fight Test that reminds me of Father and Son
Убедительно
I mean... Wild World. I quite like it. Good vibes. But can I get over his "out of context" remarks on Salman Rushdie?
Very chill album. I appreciate Cat Stevens' musical talent, but I don't think I'm really into folk music.
I'd never heard any of these songs before, but it's giving a kind of David Bowie-esque style. Enjoyable, but not something that really gripped me too hard. If I was in the mood for music like this I would probably go listen to the Ziggy Stardust album instead.
Prima '70s muziek. Lekker rustig.
This one gets overlooked a lot, but it was a huge folk hit, and the songwriting holds up.
6/10 Very pleasant stuff 12-08-2024
Real solid folk album. His voice bothers me sometimes, but I really like the instrumentation and arrangement of most of his songs.
I really don't like this album. But I can tell it's good if this is what you're into, I'm just not
Really enjoyable low key folk, never really gave him a listen and I may explore a bit more.
I have fond childhood memories of his greatest hits CD. Didn't have high expectations for this album but ended up enjoying it. Lyrically kind of lightweight but the vocals are excellent and some of the songs ('Father and Son' specifically) have a real emotional punch. 'Sad Lisa' sounds like a Eurovision song. Not necessarily a bad thing. It just does.
Favorite tracks: Sad Lisa, But I Might Die Tonight, Father and Son This took me a few listens to get into, but once I did, it felt very warm and nice and peaceful and introspective - all things I like! I'm feeling a 3 for this.
it's a 2.5 but Wild Word and Father And Son man...
Was ok.
Best Song: Wild World. A song I've heard many times before, often as covers, so it was nice to hear the original. Worst Song: Longer Boats. This starts to cross to far into sounding kinda "cult leader by the campfire". Overall: Not bad, but absolutely not my kind of music. Would probably be nice to listen to live in a sing-along fashion, but as an album it's just okay.
6.5/10
I won't be reaching to listen again but also wouldn't be unhappy if someone else put it on. Good, gentle, hippy pop
Good lyricist
Lots of pretty, solid moments here, but I find it to be very formulaic. Each song has the same general build up and pay off musically, and while it is a good song structure, it can be repetitive. I mean, I kept waiting for Peace Train to show up because I could hear all of that song from other pieces of songs here, but that's on a totally separate album. It was nice and soothing, but I think I'd need a bit more tonal variation to praise it much more.
Cat Stevens doesn't do much for me, but it is very competent. 3 stars.
Father and Son is one of the greatest songs ever. Really captures the sweep of inter generational angst incredibly in a 3 minute folk/pop song The rest is pretty decent but weirdly unmemorable Call it a very high 3, because I can’t think why it’s a 4 aside from F&S
Not my cup of tea.
Songs i know: 2 i think Songs i like: 2 or 3 Decent album, probably the most 70s album out there so far. Lovely vibe to accompany a morning jog round regent Park but another one in the pile of good but probably never pick it up again
Really enjoyed this. Don’t know anything of his work outside of Father and Son, so I was pleasantly surprised. One of the songs sounding like Could it be Magic? by Take That was a nice bonus.
Thought it was good. Only really knew Father and Son, Wild World and Tea for the Tillerman from Extras. Really enjoyed the piano on Miles from Nowhere thought But I Might Die Tonight. Thought this album might be a bit twee but those songs had a bit more swagger than I was expected. Standouts: Miles From Nowhere But I Might Die Father and Son Tea For The Tillerman (although wish it was longer as it just ends after that lovely gospel chorus) Low Points: None really but was a fan of the quieter folky by the numbers ones
3 songs I really like, the title track from the closing sequence of British comedy series Extras, Father and Son and Wild World. Everything else is ok. Again it’s easy listening and Cat/Yusuf has a very unique voice. Did I just dead name him?
Enjoyed a lot more than I thought. Some songs I knew thy didn’t realise was by him. Cats in the Cradle better than Father and Son though
The combination of the name Cat Stevens and this album’s cover makes for one of the best things ever. It reminds me of the old children’s books my grandmother used to read to me when I was little. And I think the music carries that same childlike, whimsical quality of those books. But also similarly to those books, these songs likely have a deeper, more purposeful meaning behind them. My mother claims I should have known who this was. But I was drawing a blank on even his biggest songs. There are just so many songwriters from the era of music that have achieved what people deem as “legend status” who I just don’t know. It has a lot to do with the music that was played around me as I grew up. Where this record excels the most is in its brevity and pacing. Which might sound like a seemingly backhanded compliment. But I mean it as an overall net positive. This is the perfect definition of short and sweet. Average song length is around 3 minutes, which is basically the most suitable length for this genre of music. And for how short these songs are, he manages to pack in a really good amount of material. Many songs feel long and dense, without actually dragging on and becoming boring. Stevens has a nice voice. And the instrumentation, while simple, works effectively. I think the reason why I’m rating this the way I am is because a few of these songs just don’t feel as complete as the best the album has to offer. And they end up falling into the category of largely forgettable 70s folk music. But generally I think what is here is pretty solid, even if it’s not the most consistent. Rating: 6/10
Cute
I knew two songs from the album (we al do: Wild World and Father and Son) and love them. But there are no bad songs on this whole album. It brabbles along like a gentle river. Yes, it's poppy and "uncomplicated" but it just sounds great. Cat (Sufjan)'s voice is of course very recognisable with its grain and nasal tone and I like it. This album does the job very well - not a 4 or a 5 because I keep those for more innovative and creative work, but this album is near perfect in its niche of sheer enjoyable melodic pop songs.
Irgendwie einfach ein cozy Album. Father and Son kannte ich schon (unter anderem durch Guardians of the Galaxy) - einfach ein schöner Song. Auch der Rest des Albums hat mir gut gefallen.
Top notch boomer co-worker music
...
Yeah! fine.
It’s got a whimsical folksy sound that I got into, and Wild World is a nice track. Don’t think I’d relisten all the way though but nice to be exposed to.
I have heard Cat Stevens before- his music is nice but typically not for me. This album was nice- his voice and songwriting style pair well together, and his songs capture part of the human experience. It was a little sappy for me, but I didnt hate it. Overall- solid album
Norm
Solid all around. Nothing that jumped out but would listen again especially to a few tracks.
Almost fell asleep.
Not bad, easy to listen to and pleasant.
Decent one.
Some of the tracks require multiple listening before they "click"
Overall, I like it. I think he's got a very unique voice. My main criticism would be that he doesn't have much range, so al the songs start to meld together a bit. I know people love Cat Stevens, so I'm glad I listened to it.
Liked: Wild World, Father and Son
Great, now I’m depressed. This is an “it’s me, not you” scenario because I know my feelings about most contemporary folk music. As a 70’s kid, folk rock has a melancholy sound that always brings me down. I’m not a fan. Objectively, I recognize the songwriting, melody and production of this album. The Cat Stevens catalog is loved by many, but not for me.
Had no idea Cat Stevens did the Extras theme for one, enjoyable record apart from that plus Father and Son is a stone cold classic, would listen again.
Cat Stevens... not bad!
smooth soothing folk. not a bad song in the bunch. highlights: “wide world” “sad lisa” “but i might die tonight”
Although not my musical taste its hard to say anything negative about this album and the cover artwork is a delight.
lekkere easy listening op de maandagochtend. Alleen is de listening wel heel erg easy en is dit het ultieme achtergrond album voor mij. Wild World is een erg bekend nummer en ook echt lekker, maar eerlijk ; verder springt er niet echt veel uit. Het is allemaal heel erg lief, heel zacht, heel rustig. Dit was een lekker album dat ik absoluut nu alweer vergeten ben en waarschijnlijk nooit meer ga horen. Prima album. FAVO: Wild World, Father and Son
A simple album with tracks that aren't long nor musically complex. Just a simple album you can put on without really thinking about what you should listen to.
It was chill, not really my vibe. It was a quick listen.
Kind of a snoozer for me but it was fine. Im sure Yusuf/Cat is well respected for his playful lyricism but I just wasnt in the mood for the easy-breezy hippy-dippiness of it all. I prefer others in this genre a little bit more. Father and Son is a great track though.
Wild World and Father And Son are of course great songs. I wanted to like the rest of the album more than I did. It's just not hitting me right now
Very melancholy while also cheery. Some songs made me sad, others made me happy. There's a folk charm to this that I enjoyed. A few songs however sounded roughly the same with similar guitar cords/tempo. I would rate it a 3.5/5
Enjoyed it. Simple but effective. Wanting something more challenging but enjoyed it all the same
Not for me.
Love me some Cat Stevens. Kind of a surprise on this list, but a nice listen.
The music has a very folksy feel that perfectly matches the simple illustration for the album art. A very sincere album, although overall I would say to be a tad repetitive in tone and sound, except for a few songs that add a violin. Favorite song: "Wild World" Best representation of the album: "On the Road to Find Out"
Where Do the Children Play? 3.4 Hard Headed Woman 3.5 Wild World 3.8 Sad Lisa 3.6 Miles from Nowhere 3.3 But I Might Die Tonight 3 Longer Boats 3.1 Into White 3 On the Road to Find Out 3.2 Father and Son 3.8 Tea for the Tillerman 3.6 Score: 3.390909091
Solid folk songs, while I liked the Teaser and the Fire Cat album better, this wasn't bad.
A little slow for my liking, but I can respect his songwriting and acoustic ability.
Two big and wonderful songs. The Album stays strong during the Listen. But in my experience of joy i fell its personally on a range from 3.0-4.0
Yllättävästi tykkäsin! Ei tylsää genressään (mies ja kitara). Koukut sai kuuntelemaan sanat tarkkaan. Heräsin tosin tietty erityisesti Wild worldin takia, se liikuttaa edelleen (Skinsin 1. kauden takia). Kakkoskuuntelulla vois mennä neljään tähteen, heti en uskalla antaa sitä koska inanen monipuolisuuden puute ehkä oli.
Thoughtfull music with heart and some real classics that makes you realise he was very talented lyricist and song written.
Unlike most of his contemporaries, at least Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam knew how to write folk songs with solid instrumental hooks, instrumentation choices, and arrangements. It is solid enjoyable songwriting, even if I personally don't agree with his lyrical points of view.
Pretty unoffensive but a lot of very samey sounding songs across the album
pleasant, nothing more nor less
#313. Makes you wish all those songs were as good as Wild World. 3/5: acceptable.
66 = 3,3 = 3 stars A rare folk rock entree, but overall really boring, generic and repetative, and not really a fan of the vocalist, although the album has some nice fresh and comfortable atmosphere
Beautiful vocals and lyrics but overall a little forgettable other than Wild World and Father and Son.
It's better than I imagined it to be. It's pretty dull, but in comparison to his contemporary James Taylor that I listened to last week its like a hurricane. Nothing I'd listen to again, but I understand the cultural significance a bit more now.
Very relaxing. But has to catch you in the right mood
This is a quality album from Cat Stevens, with some of his most personal writing and well-crafted storytelling out there, and while I can’t say every track perfectly hit for me, I found myself enjoying the experience through.
Solid folk, but doesn't stand out for me.
Warm and bright folk album with lots of charm. But my issue with Cat Steven's contribution to the genre is its usually largely forgettable.
This was okay. I hadn't listened to it in quite a while. Some good songs, but it didn't hold up as well as I thought it would. Perhaps an album for a different time in your life.
Familiar, but a little to cute for my ears these days
not for me i listened to half of it and thought it was okay
This is Cat Stevens at his best. Love Wild World. But for me it’s too much of the same and not many hits for a great album! But I do like Cat Stevens and appreciate his style.
Cat Stevens is one of those artists I like, but just don't love.
Ok.
I liked the music...didn't really care for his voice though. 3/5
Songs were short and nice melodies. Probably would not listen to it again though.
He’s a good singer-songwriter & can tell story w his lyrics.
Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens Tuesday 7/9/24 1:32 S Tier————————— Wild World B Tier————————— On The Road To Find Out Sad Lisa Where Do the Children Play Longer Boats Father and Son Tea for the Tillerman Miles From Nowhere Into White But I Might Die Tonight C Tier————————— Hard Headed Woman
youd look so powerless covered in bandages one more sleepless night i know you know im right please just stay all things must all things must hide away cool album i guess
A lot of songs I had heard before, but the flow of the album makes them all roll together nicely.
Wild world
Not as good as I remembered
This album is pretty good. I like Yusuf's voice and some of the songs were really great (Where Do the Children Play?, Longer Boats, Father and Son). Others were pretty forgettable. 3/5.
Enjoyable album with two huge hite. Rest is kinda mid. 3/5
it’s ight it’s ight
5/10
Hey, this wasn’t terrible! I was expecting … what’s that song by Harry Chapin that everyone thinks is by Cat Stevens but isn’t? Obviously this isn’t that, which I knew, but still. Thanks for reading! Hope this review helped :)
3/5 - meh
*Sentiment*. As a French speaker, I've always found the possible undertones of that English word interesting--undertones that are absent in the equivalent of said word in my native language, i.e. the cognate word "sentiment", which is a rather "neutral" noun compared to its English version. The latter indeed *either* seems to point to an emphatic understanding of how noble feelings can be expressed--with somewhat positive connotations--*or conversely*, it is quite a derisive word to mock slush, mawkishness and oversensitivity (in a second meaning here close to "sensiblerie" in French). It's as if the Brits and Americans couldn't decide what to do with the word. Which, from my vantage point, is quite a weird situation. Of course, and you've probably guessed it by now, this ambiguous impression is exactly what I feel about this album, and about Cat Stevens in general. On the one hand I can't help admiring the simple (yet effective and heartfelt) nature of the British folkman's signature songs, three of which, "Where Do The Children Play?", "Hard-Headed Woman" and the absolutely stellar hit "Wild World", are obviously standing out as the first three cuts of this record. On the other hand, such constant display of sentimentality risks becoming a little annoying at some point. The gentler cuts are a little too gentle. And in the somewhat livelier numbers, Stevens' vocal performance switches to a borderline "overkill" mode that wears my patience thin. To put it in a nutshell, there's something a little too quaint, "safe" or even bland in those songs. They're admittedly well-written tunes, but they're also streamlined to a fault, and devoid of any risky moments instrumentally speaking. "Going Folk" doesn't necessarily imply you can't get a little rough and dirty once in a while. Ask Neil Young, Fairport Convention or The Incredible String Band. Well, maybe not the latter act. Feels like they would be too leftfiled and "out there" for fans of this record anyway... Don't want to ruffle any feathers here. So, more tea? Well the first cups were fine. But if I drink too many of those, I might just end up peeing on myself. Compilation *The Very Best Of Cat Stevens* serves all my needs whenever the British folkster is concerned, think you very much. Don't think I need this more specific brand of Roibos on my shelves. At least as of now. Thanks for asking, though. One can still be polite when talking about a "talent" that's so instantly recognizable. Who said French dudes like me couldn't try to be gracious once in a while? 😉 3/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential albums". 8/10 for more general purposes (5+3) Number of albums left to review: 167 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 361 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 211 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 266
This one was ok, maybe I was expecting more and to be completely blown away. I would give it a 3.5 if I could.
Good story telling. Very calm but feel good
Niet echt mijn ding, maar ik hoor wel waarom mensen het goed vinden
A very natural, soft & beautiful sounding album with some great lyrics. Standouts include Wild World for the melody & Father And Son for the lyrics.
Easy listening. Title track is unexpected
inoffensive. a bit stale for my liking, but nothing i wouldn’t listen to if it came on my shuffle.
Worn out long ago. I was never a fan of Jim Croce, James Taylor, or the Cat. But he is the best of the three.
Really good, should check out more of his stuff
Good Cat Stevens. Exactly what it's supposed to be.
Чай для Тиллермана. Сегодня первый жаркий день, лето, самое настоящее. И что-то этот мегачилл заходит
Esta cinta de casete estaba por casa, era de mi hermano mayor. Recuerdo la portada y que me aburría profundamente escucharla. Ya ves tú, ahora tiene dos canciones vitales, una es "Wild world" y la otra la escucho a menudo y es "Father and son".
Where Do The Children Play? is such an excellent song, one of Stevens’ best. Of course Father And Son is also great. I love Sad Lisa and the strings on that track. Hard Headed Woman is solid. Wild World is fine but overrated.
"Sad Lisa?" Because Lisa needs braces?
Always thought I hated Cat Stevens. Turns out, this wasn't bad. It wasn't good either, but I didn't mind listening to it. Probably never will again though.
Hittilevy! Ei ollenkaan hullumpi. 3/5
Tää oli mulle vain nimeltä tuttu tähän asti. Ihan symppistä, mutten sen erityisemmin lämmennyt. 3/5
i can tell why it was popular! i like the energy, but i don’t love his voice. the band doesn’t feel super locked in either—kind of loose feeling, not always positively.
Not really my cup of tea.
The songs are fine but this doesn't hit for me. Apart from a couple stand outs, I found the album as a whole pretty bland.
Like a lame Bob Dylan
I was not expecting to like this as much as I did! Cat Stevens’ voice pairs so well with the folk sound. The songs are short and seem simple, but they turn out to be surprising rich. “Wild World” and “Father and Son” are classics, and I also really liked “Sad Lisa”. The whole album was a very pleasant surprise. As a bonus, “Tea for the Tillerman 2” is a really interesting re-work of the album from 2020.
This album, surprisingly, doesn't quite do it for me. Although Father And Son is the Standout.