Reviews (page 11 of 14)
I had heard of the group before but never any of their music. There was a lot here that I really liked.
This is ok. This lineup feels like it's missing something. Someone young
it sounded okay.
Folk. Ni fu ni fa.
Folk rock de los 70.
Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Suite: Judy blue eyes
Some good songs but most were a bit boring for me and sounded a lot alike
An absolute classic! I found it a very impressive and delightful debut, might go on my must-have list. [0092/1001]
Enjoyed
Everybody look what’s going down
favourites: Guinnevere, Wooden Ships, Long Time Gone, Pre-Road Downs least fav: Lady Of The Island
Psychedelic folk rock at its best. Amazing harmonies.
Nice listening. One catchy song.
Good album, especially song with no words it was a fun listen
You just can't beat those harmonies.
Solid boring easy listening album.
Love CSN and all the related band names/lineups they had. Still CSN’s self titled album has never been my favorite. I think of it as a time and place record, like driving up 1, watching california fly by. More of a vibe than an experience, right when it’s right.
Folk Rock Supergroup? Feels like one more member is needed.
No wonder Neil Young fell out with them… he must have put his back out carrying their dead weight if this is anything to go by.
Enjoyable in the background, but I'm not entirely into it. kinda meh, 2*.
Best song is Teach Your Children , and their harmonies are tight.
Although I don’t love every song, I just love *them* so much. Beautiful voices, beautiful songs, beautiful music. 4/5
This has to be one of the best albums in the entire list. Period.
Similar to Paul Simon, chill, got repetetive Top songs are great, rest is nothing special Top songs: Judy Blue Eyes, Helplessly Hoping, and Pre Road Downs
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes Wooden Ships Helplessly Hoping Long Time Gone
back on that beatles-y shit again. were they really just that influential or were they jacking a bunch of stuff from the era? regardless it's fun and I like it :) the harmonies tickle my brain and I do love a banjo moment, but I did get bored pretty quickly fave track: Do for the Others skip: Pre-Road Downs
Sorta nice.
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes - 7.5/10 Marrakesh Express - 7/10 Guinnevere - 8/10 You Don't Have to Cry - 7.5/10 Pre-Road Downs - 6/10 Wooden Ships - 8/10 Lady of the Island - 7/10 Helplessly Hoping - 7/10 Long Time Gone - 7/10 49 Bye-Byes - 7/10 TOTAL - 73/100
3.5/5
Great folk with amazing vocals!
ok, i’ll be honest, i was a bit miffed that i got another country-esque album, like how many are there jeez. but it’s not bad tbf, and i quite like this first song because of the echoing rich sounds of them singing all together, idk how i’ll like the rest of it, and i’m thinking does it have to be almost an hour? probably not but anyways….ok so they were alright, dunno if i’d ever listen to them again, and idk if i’m better off for having listened to them but i did appreciate the softness, also the last song, teach your children, i actually did love that and knew of it because of Glee and the office and i liked it all ways.
Honestly it didn’t impress me much. I know this band is well regarded but the songs weren’t super memorable to me. 2.5
thumbs up
Amazing harmony and lyrics
Good guitars.
Classic easy listening album. Not a bad song on the album. R&R HOF
No lo había escuchado nunca. No está mal pero algunas canciones me parecen aburridas, y se repiten un poco. Sin embargo entiendo que pueda gustar a otras personas.
haven’t listened to this since I was a kid. Still good! My favorite song off this album is Wooden Ships.
I like Crosby, Stills & Nash, but wasn't a fan of this album.
Nice, but boring
Fine enough but didn't do much for me
Beautiful
I asked for hippie music with more harmony and boy did I get it Listened while driving around Destin Florida, and eating at an Indian buffet
Nice harmonies kind of boring
Favorite Songs: Marrakesh Express You Don't have to cry Pre-road Downs Helplessly Hoping Beautiful Flower Power Hippie album. Gives me Simon and Garfunkel vibes but a touch more rocky. Absolutely uplifting and great listen!
Love this album Suite: Judy Blue Eyes makes this an auto 5. I prefer Deju Vu, but I suppose that would be CSN&Y, not CS&N
Afrikkalaisriemua valloillaan oleva judy blue eyes aloittaa albumin. Juna on lähtenyt klo 7:26 Karjaalta. Matkassa 4 poikaa ja minä eikä lippuja. Marrakesh Express selvä junarytmi heh. Silti kappale paljon hienompi kuin pelkkä juna kappale. Tässä albumissa jotain spesiaalia kun alkaa kauniilla suitella. Rytmiä marrakesh ei pelkää mutta ei pelkää toisaalta yksinkertaisuuttakaan. Simmut kiinni eikä stressata koduktööriä. Guinnevere. Laitetaan yhteiskoulun laskuun heh. Odotetaan stressittömänä. Hypertrophy with diet and no cortisol stress hormone no training for 5 weeks. You dont have to cry. Ei tartte maksaakkaan. Konduktööri uskoo höpinät. "Olette ainoa aikuinen ja olet vastuulla" Totta. Ei haittaa, paitsi laitonta ja ikävät äänensävyt soitossa kotokaupungista. Kävely kylmässä Salossa aamulla kruunaa kappaleen Ukraina poikien kanssa kino discografiaa läpi..Peppursuolla pääkylmänä 50v ammattilainen laittaa pojat kaivinkoneeseen.. Pre-Road Downs jatkaa köyhän ruokailun läpi.. olis kaks pussia protskua pitäny ottaa matkaan.. pelkän aamiaispuuron proteiinittaminen ei paljoo iloita rasvaisen hiilihydraatti uuniruuan kanssa.. Ruokaseurana arvoton väli.. kirosanaa pukkaa ja meemivideot täysillä.. Alkoholi kokemukset keskusteluissa.. Wooden ships jatkaa vahvasti iltapäivään. Karjaalla hyvä maine. Pojat kylmässä kaivinkoneilla leikkimässä. Pedagogisia ajatuksia. Long time Gone herättää siihen että maailmanluokan albumia päähän saattamassa. Herätty ymmäryykseen. Albumi oli paska. Noh sääli 4 star..
I grew up listening to this album as it was one of my Moms favorites. Having come across it now, I would adjust my view on the album as a whole. The harmonies and music are lovely throughout but it is missing that extra little "umph" to move it into the "excellent" catagory. But that should not complelety detract from the fact that CSN put this out as their FIRST album.
Yllätyin. Tunnistin jopa yhden kappaleista, vaikka tosin muiden esittämänä (everybodys talking’). Toimii, leppoisaa poljentoa.
Really drops off after suite Judy blue eyes.
Insipid.
Fine, catchy and easy to listen to.
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes - this is a very hippie and into the 70s sound. that peace loving, weed smoking stuff that boomers refuse to acknowledge they did. (3/5 not my thing so far, but it isn't bad. it sounds like it leans more into the rock sound a little so i hope it picks up later) Marrakesh Express - alright i'm on a train. i get it. feel like i'm in an alternate universe's version of Flight of the Navigator. (4/5 this is a road trip song when traveling cost 50 cents.) Guinnevere - i actually really like this. it's super chill. (5/5) You Don't Have to Cry - a generic pop song. just kind of a radio hit vibe (3/5 not bad but not blowing me away) Pre-Road Downs - same as the last song. it's a song (3/5) Wooden Ships - okay i see that guitar solo. alright get it, love that era of funk where you let the guitar really shine (4/5) Lady of the Island - another song that is kind of a secret. this feels like a lullaby. (5/5 a very good wind down song) Helplessly Hoping - if you like listening to this kind of thing and want something a little closer to the 2000s, Oren Lavie is your guy. (4/5 it's not as folky but it's just as chill) Long Time Gone - oh we're going into a funky rock sound. okay okay this is fucking so far. giving Rock n Roll almost. like dipping their toe into the water. (4/5 the organ at the end is killing me) 49 Bye-Byes - 5/5 for the title easy. Do for the Others - we are back into 'it is just a song' vibes again. chill but not bad. (3/5) Song with No Words - if this has words i will cry. 5/5 perfect thank you. you will not believe what this song doesn't have. Everybody's Talkin' - if this song isn't just everyone talking i will cry. is this just "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" super slowed down? (1/5 no one was talking >:[ ) Teach Your Children - i don't remember the words. why are you asking me? oh okay that's the end (3/5) i'm going to give this a 4/5. i enjoyed a lot of the songs but this isn't my type of thing. only going down one star because i kept checking out. the energy isn't high enough for me.
3.6?
The kind of album that makes me want to reconsider this project.
A classic, but Neil brought a long of structure to the group.
Nice
some real classic on here obviously, great fall album for cozying next to a fire
Mycket fint och bittersweet
super enjoyable listen throughout. some monkees vibes at times. loved the sudden vibe switch with Wooden Ships (probably the best song on the album)
cool
There were some good songs, but the album as a whole didn't really stick.
Meh, not bad so that I didn't want to listen, and while I can respect the craft and musicianship on show it was all a bit too gentle and bland for me
3.5
Very relaxing. Wooden ships still my favorite
Not my jam for sure.
I enjoyed this way more than I expected. I had a perception of CSN that they were basically waiting for Neil Young to come along and that it might be a bit cheesy, but it's very enjoyable indeed. Their version of Everybody's Talking is great in particular (maybe better than Neilsson?) and between that and Teach Your Children the album closes really strongly.
Nostalgia album for male baby boomers. I can appreciate helplessly hoping and wooden ships but that’s it the whole album is just more of the same.
I'm a sucker for guitars and harmonies.
Pretty decent.
There have been a small number of times during this experiment where an album actually shattered my expectations of it. This was very pleasant. Not monotonous like some other albums in this genre. Melodically interesting. Wow
Zoals jullie weten vind ik dit soort Americana (of 'folk rock') altijd leuk. Aan de andere kant hoor ik hier weinig wat echt hoge toppen bereikt. De drie heren spelen er, nog zonder Young, lustig op los, daar niet van, maar het beste moest nog komen.
Kwalitatief uitstekend. Maar poeffff, wat is dit een saaie plaat. En dan staat er ook nog dat verschrikkelijke Beatles-achtige Marrakesh Expres op. Ondanks dat de heren prima kunnen zingen, luister ik vooral naar de muzikale begeleiding. Doe mij bijvoorbeeld toch maar een instrumentale versie van Wooden Ships.
Ik stel me echt voor dat deze gasten dus in een of andere hippiecommune zaten in de jaren '60, allemaal om het kampvuur met lange haren en op blote voeten. Beetje wiet roken, peace roepen en linksgedraaide yoghurt eten (toen mocht dat nog). Soms zijn de liedjes lekkere boomerrock, andere keren is het langzamer, maar dan redt de betoverende samenzang het geheel. Ik kan dit soort muziek toch heel goed hebben merk ik.
Bit boring for me
Big shrug. What's the fuss about?
One of my all-time favorites. An unimpeachable record.
A mostly successful debut album by the famous trio, Crosby, Stills & Nash is filled with luscious harmonies, lilting guitar parts, and catchy melodies. The ambitious opener is probably the most successful song of the bunch, but special shout out to the fun Marrakesh Express, the beautiful Helplessly Hoping, and the rocking Longtime Gone. Would rate it higher if the rest of the songs grabbed me, but many just feel aimless and drab. Overall, a good album leaning toward a great album.
chill not really my type
Great relaxing record
Hippie, chill vibes.
klausītos tādu roadtripā pa ASV dienvidiem!
Pretty sure this deserves another listen but I didn't really have time sadly.
Not my type, really, I tried three times.
Mukava taustamusiikki, ei mitekää merkittävä mut ei alkanu sillee kauheesti vituttamaankaa
Such a great album
Heard before. Don't remember most of the songs, but if one hits, it has this really otherworldly feel. + Guinnevere + Pre-Road Downs + Lady of the Island + Everybody's Talkin'
liked: lady of the island
Too soft for me
Surprisingly great, had never thought to listen to them before. Love the more rocky stuff.
This album felt like someone had a stack of lyrics and a stack of music and they tried to sing the words to the tunes and it rarely came together well. Like, rushing to say the whole thing in time. The two exceptions where they came together beautifully are "Guinnevere" and "Long time gone." Perhaps because they were less wordy? Not sure.
Sometimes it hurts so badly, I must cry out loud
Enjoyable, fits into my folk rock genre as a nice easy listen. No stand out songs on first run though
Happy I listened to this, added to collection and listened to it twice.
Amazing
Increfiblr
The first two songs are good but then there’s 45 minutes of album left.
Great harmonies from a trusted retro band. It’s great music to put in the background while working - keeps the mood upbeat and happy
Good
Guitarras acústicas. Suave, suave muy suave todo. Suave humo tabaco. Color naranja y madera.
Solid classic, helplessly hoping is a true masterpiece
Lots of good ones here. I'd never listened to a full album of theirs.
Somehow in the more idyllic moments of growing up I believed we as Americans had our worst problems behind us. Our parents had solved civil rights, equality for women, and war was in the rearview mirror. And if there was a soundtrack for the resulting internal peace, this album was it. I first heard this album as a young child, owned it as one of my first records and played it pretty ceaselessly probably up to the time of the first Iraq invasion (perhaps coincidentally). It's hard to listen to now, as an adult facing a much different world for my children than the one I was given. It's like the soundtrack of what might have been.
This is precisely the horseshit I think of when I think of when someone says '60s music. The fake harmonizing drives me fuckin' nuts. Kumbaya motherfuckers!
It's the harmonies. Right? They trade off songwriting, but David Crosby and Stephen Stills’ solo albums don’t seem to have the same level of really catchy, infectious structures. They also make back-up vocal appearances on each other’s albums, so there are still some harmonies there. Is it the collaborative nature bringing out the best, pushing each to only deliver their best?
I like the songs fronted by Crosby best, more bluesy guitars like on Long Time Gone and Wooden Ships please!
Blessed, blessed harmonies! And some great songs to boot. Stephen Stills did an amazing writing job on this album. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes and Helplessly Hoping are not only two of my favorite CSN(Y) songs, but two of my favorite songs. Helplessly Hoping is my favorite CSN(Y) song because it fits my limited vocal range very well. I could listen to these guys all day.
Album cover looks like it could have been released yesterday by some hipster singer/songwriter band. First song is too long. I generally dislike songs over 5mins. I like the organ on Pre-Road Downs. So far I like this more for chill background music than something I’d really be listening closely to. I do have helplessly hoping in my library already tho! It’s a very lovely song. The infinity selections after this album have been good!
Great Listen
None of the songs caught my attention. I don't know them and I probably won't remember them after this album.
If The Beatles were hippies. Really easy listen.
This album really needed Neil Young.
Not my thing but okay
Very good album that has been outshone by what it inspired
This one was a nothing album for me. Didn't do anything special. I liked the Marrakesh Express song well enough, but it all felt like background noise to me. I clearly know nothing about music but I just didn't jive with this one.
Solid album. Great songwriting and a journey.
real nice
4.5
As boring as a traffic jam
It wasn't offensive but I wasn't overly into it. It just wasn't much. Decent as background music I reckon
classic folk americana, not my speed, tough to balance rating personal preference with acknowledging that critically it's good. I'm going to lean towards personal preference, wouldn't stop to listen all the way through again, classic album problem of all sounding samey
Really great!
It was good but nor my genre
I’m a big sucker for harmonies so this was right up my alley. I’d heard a couple of tracks off of this album beforehand and they turned out to be the strongest ones. The songwriting was tight but the runtime felt far longer than it was in truth, because there was a lot of filler.
Ultimately, this album did not match what I expected this group to be. I've heard the Byrds, I've heard the Hollies, I've heard future collaborators like Neil Young and his hits like Heart of Gold. I thought this was going to be a very personal, intimate album with sweet harmonies and gentle soothing guitars. Instead I got something that sounded like it wanted to be prog-rock in the vein of Yes, but produced by the Band. So while I can appreciate the songs (and there are portions that I genuinely enjoy), I think I've heard so much of what came around and after them that it doesn't break through to me like it would have in 1969. In fact, those harmonies started sounding tiring after the 7th or 8th time hearing the same structure.
little too mellow for me
Very tonally pleasant. Classic background vocal recording tracks. Was nice to go back in time to when drum sets were recorded in mono and hard panned. Lots of hard panning in general, experimenting with the stereo field. Something many modern recordings don’t seem to do much of anymore.
muy aburrido
It’s aight
4.5, but rounding up. Really enjoyed listening to the whole album
I loved this. So nice to listen to. Those harmonies. Guinevere was the standout for me. Breezy.
Idk I think I'd like it better about 10 minutes shorter.
Easy-listening but emotional folk rock with a bit of funk sprinkled in. It's lyrically interesting and has some beautiful instrumentals too
It's not terrible. But it is fairly boring. Perhaps my ears have been inundated with this style for too long, but this album doesn't seem all that special. Seems like peak boomer music. It's not pop per se, as there is some evidence of progressive chord changes and experimental tempos, melodies, etc. I'm not a fan of this style of vocals. The vocals are not unique and sound like every other band from the 1960s and 1970s. Nothing is catchy. None of the beats stick in my mind after a first listen. All the songs sound the same. I can't even remember any of the choruses immediately after listening. I'm always annoyed when the singing is just some form of repeating the phrase "oh baby" like 50 times. I don't even think I had a favorite song on this album, as none of them are memorable. I would not listen to this again if given the choice.
3.8
Forgettable and some unnecessary long to much fillers with dooo doo well thats what stood out to me most.
Loved it. More choral than I expected, but great
Excellent
Really enjoyed this. I feel like I'd already heard all the real bangers from my years of classic rock listening, so there wasn't any real discovery on this for me.
its fine but a little boring
3/5 beatlish, but ultimately not.
One of my all time favorites.
Pretty good album for a folk rock record. Wooden ships and Suite: Judy Blue Eyes are definite standouts.
I wish I was listening to Simon & Garfunkel.
There's an inherent conservatism to folk rock, but Crosby, Stills & Nash sniff at the boundaries, adding a bit of extra fuzz to the bass tone here, sprinkling some extra minor tones there. But then they create something as infantile as Marrakesh Express which instantly voids any attempt to take them seriously. To add insult to injury, the trio released it as a single. Why? Iggy Pop is right. "I mean, Marrakesh Express? It may be the worst song ever written."
Was intrigued by the first song. The underlying rumbling snare and guitar stabs create a cowboy stand-off vibe that juxtaposes the orchestral string layers delicately placed on top. Kinda dramatic as fuck but I would happily have this as my background music in a cowboy shoot off. The rest of the album zoned out while I was walking home. Kinda forgettable overall, except for the strings layers on top through the album were nice. Probably wouldn’t listen again for at least 2 years
Reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel, though I think not quite as good. I enjoy this type of harmony-driven folk-rock music and this is a pretty good incarnation of it. Would listen again.
I know CSN are a big deal, but I honestly couldn’t tell you a single song they’ve released. I was thinking listening to this I would at least think “aaaah this is a CSN song!”. But nope. If I was watching a 60s/70s period hippy road trip series on Netflix it’s the kind of stuff that would soundtrack lots of dusty Cali sunsets. And you’d think, yeah this is cool. Outside of that, it’s a no from me.
Pretty chill old-school time
Catchy. Some stuff still caught up in my head. Album had very little flow it felt like? A day later, I have a hard time remembering most of it. Good album though
ok
Great album. I am very familiar with CSN but never actually listened to any of their albums. Just picked up what you hear.
Firstly, I love Crosby, Stills and Nash. But this album is not my favourite. the forst five songs are much more ... funky than some of thier other songs and frankly a bit dull. Some of my favourite tracks include wooden ships (I love how the lyrics move between different people), lady of the island (disorientating in a good way), helplessly hoping (no explanation necessary - just beautiful), long time gone (a song I could groove to in a dimly lit basement, and I like the sliding backing), and everybody's talking (I love the lines were th pitch goes much deeper) . However, song with no words I find extremely offputting. Why can't there just be words?
Good natured and easy to listen to, very chill - there are no rough edges but that also makes it slightly uneventful. Great album, but does not wow.
Если бы битлы были реднеками 7/10
Is it a bad album? No, of course not. Does listening to 2 songs feel like you’ve heard everything the album has to offer? It kinda does.
"Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" is just simply amazing. I love the use of their voices building on top of each other. A great opener. "Marrakesh Express" is a nice, catchy tune, though I've never liked the whispered vocals at the beginning. "Guinnevere" is beautiful. Great song. "You Don't Have to Cry" is good. The use of backwards guitar in "Pre-Road Downs" is wonderful. Great drumming from Dallas Taylor. A great rocker. "Wooden Ships" is an excellent start to side 2. I really liked the use of Crosby and Stills' separate voices for the "purple berries" section. "Lady of the Island" is fine, but felt weaker than "Guinnevere." "Helplessly Hoping" is great, with another lovely appearance of their voices building on top of each other. "Long Time Gone" is another great rocker. "49 Bye-Byes" is a great closer, both title-wise and song-wise. Overall, a great record. I felt Nash's compositions were the weakest, with Pre-Road Downs being his best.
The harmonies are great, and I can see why so many people love this bands music, but I found it to be largely repetitive. 3/5 Might listen to again
Old sound, a welcome change. You don't quite get music like this anymore. Couple songs sounded a little familiar.
Solid bouncy sound - harmonies are something different from my standard musical taste, but make for an interesting vocal combination. Songs generally sound similar but I dig the uptempo folk. Feels of its time.
Track 12 - so true to their word Guessing this was an influential album that introduced a new American sound? Nothing too special about this for me, might even be 1.5 stars
Good stuff. Sometimes a little suburban.
Great album. 5
The epitome of dad rock. This is a nostalgic album with magical harmonies sang over a sweet layer of acoustic guitars. Great record
Really liked to just sit and relax to this one.
I have no patience or appreciation for troubador Americana shit like this. Boring.
Nice chill music to listen to in the morning or backyard 3.3
9/10
Liked this quite a lot. Nice rhythms. Good tunes etc.
Love this album.
Fakker disse gutta
Really good folk rock album. I am not surprise given their reputation and the fact that many older people I know who I have talked music with have suggested them. I don't have a ton to say about the album besides the fact that it was really good. I particularly liked the songs "49 Bye-Byes", "Helplessly Hoping", "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" and "Marrakesh Express". The whole album was good though. I usually am not a fan of slower/more folk leaning folk rock but I think that they did a great job with the more folky songs on this album. My one criticism would be that at times the album felt a little slow/dragged out but that was a minor issue. Overall 9/10 album.
I really enjoyed the sound. I would need to listen more for the lyrics when I'm not working sometime. But enjoyable album with a sound I like
Beautiful, iconic, synonymous with an era.
Enjoyed the listen! Loved the vocal harmony and riffs. Solid 3 with the potential for a four after a second listen
not totally my vibe, but i understand why people like this one. i think i'd prefer their stuff with more neil young, tbh
Very talented artists and well crafted, just not quite my vibe
Great album. Good for relaxing listening.
Unexciting, never heard it before but felt like I had
Tightest harmonies, fascinating arrangements, beautiful lyrics.
Kinda of a K Rose esperienze to me. Nothing special just not my thing.
Wooden Ships is the only thing redeeming this
Kakkosen ja kolmosen välis
Jaahas ja äijät taas musisoi.
ehhh
nice pleasant album
No sé qué esperaba pero los bitles gringos fue una agradable sorpresa. Dudo volver a escucharlos fuera de una sola rola.
Chilled country vibes
Starts off incredibly strong (Suite: Judy, Marrakesh, Guinnevere, You Don't have to cry, Pre-Road, etc). Bogs down around Lady of the Island. I thought it was gonna rally at the end but this version of Teach your Children is very inferior to the Deja Vue version. There is probably a 5-star album in here, but too much filler. Also - how did we get Everybody's Talkin on 2 different albums in just a couple weeks.
CSN is the soundtrack of camping in Kearney and car rides with my dad, very nostalgic music and Suite: Judy Blue Eyes has a special place with me for that. I even know all the Spanish. Objectively, this should be a “Stills & Company” album. They formed a supergroup out of a LA jam session once they recognized how special their 3 part harmonies were. However, a lot of the talent begins and ends there. Graham Nash is just a smooth British voice and Crosby was like the 3rd or 4th most talented Byrd. Stills, fresh off his split with Buffalo Springfield and Neil Young, could both write and play a guitar. You get a sense of that on Judy Blue Eyes and Long Time Gone. Deja Vu and the inclusion of Neil is a 5 star record, this one suffers from some “mashed baby food”-esque filler.
Yep solid folk rock album, worth a listen
Smashing album
Like eating a birthday cake without the icing
Crap without young
The harmonies of my youth. How the fuck does someone come up with Suite: Judy Blue Eyes?!? CSN drip with talent.
nopt awful
They were better with Neil Young and Neil Young is better without them.
first song is a banger
idk yet
Well I have enjoyed this album. It's very mellow, and chill. I like the acoustic sound, and the way they harmonize. What these guys are British too? WTF Mate. We'll say 4 stars here.
Illimitable, iconic vocal harmonies beckoning us back to a time of musical revolution, taking the public ear from 60s blues rock into a new decade of singer/songwriters. By the way, comparing your “m’lady” to Guinevere isn’t a good thing. If she’s also drawing pentagrams on your walls, run. Leave her before she leaves you for a guy who picks oranges just as well as he picks a guitar.
Really great, love the complimentary and harmonising vocals. Not really high energy though. 4/5
So flipping boring
was all right
Lovely harmonies Easy on the ears Classic “chooons”! Very Smashie and Nicey (for those who know the comedic reference).
Easy like Sunday morning.
"Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" ranks as one the all-time greatest introductions to a band. The song alone is resplendent in everything that makes CSN great: beautiful harmonies, interesting arrangement, timeless lyrics, great playing. It would be practically impossible for the rest of the album to match it, and it's a testament that CSN does in lightning bolts throughout the album. I had never really thought much about how much "Marrakesh Express" sounds like it could be out of the Simon & Garfunkel catalog, but the rest of the album is all CSN. It's a great listen, though some of the less stellar material drags a little. But really, a remarkable debut that showcases each artist equally and is massively bigger as a sum of its parts.
A solid debut. That opener is still fantastic. I've always liked Guinevere, Wooden Ships, and Helplessly Hoping. The rest of them impressed me less. Also, as famous as they are for their harmonies, Nash's shrill high notes have always grated. The bass playing by Stephen Stills is superb throughout, often stealing the show, especially on Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. Dude was just so damned talented, it's insane.
I learned on Thursday night that an old friend died. When this album was served up it really hit hard because Glenn just loved CSN, CSNY, Crosby, Young, Nash, Stills. We spent much of our 20s as deep friends (and coworkers), the kind of friendship that's hard to develop in your 50s with life, work, and kids. It was a time before the Internet when you put on a record/disc and listened to it together. For me and Glenn this album was most definitely a binger and beer album. We always thought Suite: Judy Blue Eyes was the best opening track of any album. That hits and the whole ride is awesome. This album spoke to me all through high school and college and post college it was just a part of me, like my old friendships that today I mourn so deeply. Bye, bye baby (Bye, bye baby) Write if you think of it maybe Know I love you (Know I love you)
I LIKE it, but lovely harmonies can only take you so far, and CSN is missing a crucial ingredient without Neil Young.
Meh
Have listened to this once before. Very nice harmonies, very chill. But I find it a bit boring tbh.... CSNYs first album deja vu is actually better
beautiful
This gets a 4 because it’s a pretty good record with Judy Blue Eyes on it haha There is great guitar work on this and super attention to the vocal harmony aspects of the songs. If this had some more groove/feel it could be in contention for a 5. Actually of this had the canonical version of Teach Your Children it /might/ get there. Super first record from this group.
Mid
Classic rock album. A must for any collection.
Very cool, chilled. Simon and Garfunkel crossed with Pink Floyd.
It's missing Young. Ok album somewhat forgettable.
Loved it!
Incredible album. Love this so much. Perfect harmonies and honest music
This album slightly frustrates me, because it COULD have been a five, but isn’t.
A debut that may as well be a greatest hits part 1. SJBE, Marrakesh Express, Guinnevere, Wooden Ships, Helplessly Hoping, AND a rough version of Teach Your Children right out the gate? Out of my personal faves of the CSN configuration, the only track missing here is Southern Cross. Still worthy of 5 stars.
Really nice listen. Judy Blue Eyes was my favorite but no real bad tracks. A good one to let wash over you.
This is a great example of an album that is both of its time and timeless. The harmonies are gorgeous, and the reason this group exits in the first place. This is their best work as a trio and contains their strongest material. I have always though that Neil Young was brought into the fold because CSN were not prolific writers, while Neil was. In any case, folk rock doesn't get much better than this.
Another spectacular debut. Stephen Stills' songwriting is top notch. I like everything about this album other than Guinnevere. Can't stand that song, but that doesn't keep it from a 5.
One of the greatest albums of all time for me. Just full of absolute bangers. “Helplessly Hoping” is one of my favorite songs ever. The harmonies and guitar playing are simply gorgeous. “Wooden Ships” is epic, and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” is the greatest song about Aidan’s aunt ever written. CSN together is greater than sun of its parts, which all great bands should be. Easy 5.
Enjoyed this, would listen again for chill 70s ish vibes. Don’t feel I got much of a handle on the lyrics
Its a chill folk album. I can see they're shtick is the harmonies and sometimes when they have some other element helping carry the song along, the harmonizing works. More often then not though, all we get is 3 dudes singing into a mic with minimalistic nothing going on in the background. It's just boring music where nothing all that interesting happens outside a few songs. Stand outs for me are Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Wooden Ships (which I actually did find to be good songs that I may listen to again) and Long Time Gone.(which was only slightly better than the rest of the songs) I guess honorable mentions would be Marrakesh Express and 49 Bye-Byes because while still being kind of meh they at least woke me up a bit from the rest of this snoozer. Also, Im knocking a half star of my rating just because of Song with No Words. It epitomizes the issues I'm having with this thing. Its only a 3 because I can't give it a 2.5.
Genres: Folk rock Formed: 1968 Run time: 14 songs, 52 min, 51 sec The debut studio album by the folk rock supergroup. Musical supergroups can go one of two ways: they are short lived due to infighting and one upmanship or they nail it and become greater than the sum of the parts. CSN falls into the latter category. The general theme of the album is relationships: love, breakups and insecurities. Spotify: Least popular song: >1.8M Most popular song: >130M plays. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” is about Stephen Stills relationship with singer-songwriter Judy Collins. “Marrakesh Express” is about travelling by train, taking in the sights of Morocco. I was convinced the song was in some part drug related. I’m puzzled as to why it only has 6.3M plays. “Guinnevere” is about unrequited love. “You Don't Have to Cry” is about a breakup and the aftermath. “Pre‐Road Downs” is a love ballad. It discusses the problems of being on the road and hence away from a loved one. “Wooden Ships” is about escaping from the conflict in a dystopian future. (It’s a reality for many people here and now.) “Lady of the Island” is about a couple spending time together and never wanting it to end. “Helplessly Hoping” is about the complexities of a relationship. The two people, whilst in love, are struggling with their fears and insecurities. “Long Time Gone” is about problems in society and the fact someone needs to speak out and address the issue. “49 Bye-Byes” is initially about the ups and downs of a relationship. It then addresses anti-war protests. While it is a good album and contains some great material, I feel it could have been better. I suppose what the listener wants and expects is not the same as the wants and desires of the artist(s). Listen Again?: No. I’ll try other albums or a “Best Of”. My Rating: ***
An album to wake up to, have your morning coffee on the porch and watch the world come alive. Beautiful harmonies, but vocals can trend into the gregorian chant area. "Through the warm wind down by the bay Yesterday Seagulls circle endlessly, I sing in silent harmony We shall be free"
Most dad of dad rock. Still pretty good though, ngl.
I kinda really liked this, I feel it will grow on me.
i love how this album includes soft and mellow songs, more upbeat tunes, and songs somewhere in between, while still maintaining a very cohesive sound. it feels very comforting and carefree. their harmonies and guitar really remind me of simon and garfunkel. i’m only giving it 4 stars because i liked most of the songs, but a few of them i didn’t like as much. even though i really enjoyed listening to the songs, none of them were particularly memorable or catchy.
The guitar playing is really great and relaxing. The singing was pretty decent too. Not a whole lot I'd listen to on repeat, but it was a good listen while it was on
6.5/10
Helplessly Hoping alone makes this album 4 stars. What a song, it gave me goosebumps and had me stifle a tear. The rest of the album was ok, I guess, but that song elevated it.
Amazing debut album. It stands the test of time for me.
Hard five on this album. I've listened to it many times. The lesser known songs are just as good as the "hits". Marakesh express is the only one I can't get behind.
Enjoyed a few of the songs, most of them were just good background music. Surprised that I haven't heard the entire album before.
Nothing crazy
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes- with headphones guitar starts in one ear and then bass plays in the other, the instruments switch out between playing in each ear, the dynamics are really fun, bridge really slows down and is interestingly repetitive with strong harmonies, gets more cheery later in the song, there’s a wide range of emotions that are experienced Marrakesh Express- instruments are used to sound vaguely like a train, very staccato like beat Guinnevere- starts much slower more somber, minor, sharp contrast compared to other songs You Don’t Have To Cry- feels like the album has taken a turn in tone after Guinnevere, commentary on society’s way of working and what we put ourselves through just to make a living is interesting considering how long ago this was written and not much has changed Pre-Road Downs- feels more upbeat now, feels more like an ensemble than just three guys singing at points, most 60s sounding song so far, there’s something interesting about the way the guitar is played but i can’t put my finger on it Wooden Ships- back to more somber, the use of vocals switching between headphones adds an intimate feeling and helps differentiate the singers/characters, voices coming together for the chorus adds to the satisfaction, about indigenous people? maybe?, Lady of the Island- feels more simple and calm, feels like the first genuine love song, Helplessly Hoping- interesting use of alliteration, i liked the adding voices as the numbers increased in the lyrics, Long Time Gone- heavy on the electric guitar, feels like a comment and encouragement on the state of things at the time and how and why they should be changed, ending lyrics made it seem like it would be a while before any real change would be made 49 Bye-Byes- feels smooth, goodbye from the album but really the story of saying goodbye to their love, weirdly upbeat, almost happy to be saying bye?
3.5/5
A very good album to start the way
Although I like the group more with Neil Young, this is still a great record. It has some of their biggest songs, along with others I know from concert albums. It's been stated that CSNY is the "American Beatles". I think they were implying the four members all were good songwriters, but together it was something incredible. The only ding I would say is "Marrakesh Express" always felt a little cartoony to me. It may. be the guitars, but it just had that feel of something you would hear in a Fabulous Freak Bros. Cartoon. That and 49 Bye-Byes I always liked Stills' version on solo piano more. Probably because I heard it first? I can't pick a song specifically I love most. The Mrs. would say Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, I may say Guinnevere. There's just too many good memorable songs on it. Is it perfect? Abut as perfect as the Neil Young-less trio is going to get.
Tough one. This album is for sure a 4. I remember listening to it maybe 20 years ago and gushing over it, although maybe it was just Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. Or maybe it was a best of album (since I thought I recalled that song being at the end of the album). Anyway, I still love that song and it is my favorite CSN or CSNY song. But geez, Marrakesh Express kills that mood quickly; I hated that song from the get go. Guinnevere helps bring it back. Maybe I would like it even more if it was placed right after Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. It is a sneaky great track in my opinion; very harmonious and beautifully composed despite feeling a bit unusual. I definitely also love the final 3-song sequence of Hopelessly Hoping, Long Time Gone and 49 Bye-Byes. A little bit of everything that this album offers - sweet and sorrowful, deft guitarwork, incredible three-part harmonies, and very clever lyrics. So then what about songs 4-7? That really does it for this album because 5 great songs out of the other 6 makes it an absolute gem. I enjoy You Don't Have to Cry but I don't care much for Pre-Road Downs (different musical style, so some respect but just didn't resonate). Wooden Ships is very solid, with some really neat guitar work. I also don't care for Lady of the Island - and looking back I realize I detest all the Graham Nash songs. The Hollies were right to say no to this song and Marrakesh Express. So if this was CS, it'd be a 5. Of course the other 7 songs wouldn't be the same without some N influence. But Stephen Stills was always my favorite and I love his four songs. David Crosby's three songs are pretty darn good too. So hard. I don't feel this is quite a 5 in its own right, but it's probably a 4.5 and what these guys did in changing folk rock is noteworthy. So as their debut, they get a bump and it is their best album in my opinion, so I doubt I'd give any other one a 5.
It's pretty good - not as good as Déjà Vu - but gets an extra star for Helplessly Hoping alone
C S N no Y beautiful harmony and timeless songs of love
Really beautifully crafted songs
Man this is great! Really got me through the last part of my work shift! Coworker was digging it too.
"Suite Judy Blue Eyes" is a signature moment in rock and roll history. The harmonies are world-historic, of course. The rest of the record is extremely strong, too – with "Guinnevere," and "Helplessly Hoping" and "Wooden Ships" among the highlights – brilliant here, biting there. Things would get briefly better before getting much, much worse. There's always a melancholy in listening to CSN, as well as any of these cats solo, as if it it might've been more, or sweeter or smoother for them, both musically and personally – not that they could have made less a hash of it, one supposes. The production also seems like ti shoulda been cleaner or more pristine here. The highest. possible 4, however.
Mellow.
Enjoyed this much more than the Byrds albums. I do think Crosby is overrepresented on this list, but this album (and If I Could Only Remember My Name) definitely deserve a place on the list.
I enjoyed it, I think I’ll like it even more with a few more listens.
Meh
Middle of the road soft folk rock. Not great, not shite. Won’t be rushing back to it.
It's good enough to have as an album for the day. But it lacks a certain Youngish quality that I've come to prefer over time. I don't know if I'd say it's truly an album I need to hear before I die since I'm also fairly certain there's some Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on this list somewhere.
This is a super folk group that was incredibly influential, so this album deserves to be on the list. The music is pretty inconsistent for me and I think Neil Young's inclusion on the next album filled in some of the gaps that were present on this album. This is such a chill album and there is a place for that, but it goes down almost too easy. "You Don't Have to Cry," through "Helplessly Hoping" are pretty similar songs, though the harmonies are incredibly great, there still isn't a ton of variety. I am sure the drugs made them believe they were doing something incredibly special with "Song with No Words" but it mostly just sounds like a warm-up exercise and not an actual song. Overall, a very influential sound and not a bad album, but just an album they will manage to better in the next couple of years.
Such a soothing album to listen to while doing any sort of activity. Really enjoy this kind of music, will have to give them more of a listen.
Supremely perfect vibes. Painted my hallway to this which was a very relaxing experience
Ok, these guys may have been good back in the day, but 54 yeras have passed now and in my wee humble opinion it hasnt dated very well. Politely polished male harmonisation that isn't bad, they were wannabe Simon and Garfunkels, but not quite hitting the mark. Sadly this type of music is just a polar opposite of anything I'd want to listen to. As i listened to the album I thought these guys were OK for the late 60s... but then they even managed to completely kill Harry Neillsons Everybody's Talking, which is a shame, because there are soooo many excellent versions of that track, from Harry's original to The Beautiful South. This is not an album for me.
Nice chilled album. I always liked their harmonies, and the fact they feature frequently as backing singers on David Gilmour's later solo albums.
Hugely influential and for good reason. This album really set the stage for music of the 70s. On its own it's a really great release too. Lovely harmonies and guitar playing. My biggest complaint is the absolutely abysmal stereo panning. Oh and fuck David Crosby.
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes is a classic, but I’m not sure they had full ideas for some of these songs. All are pretty pleasant though.
A few all time great folk songs on here. You can tell bands like early Fleet Foxes drew heavily from this
honestly looking back it wasn't bad... I was just a bit bored 3/5
Harmonies to die for, and some solid songwriting prevent me from giving it the two that this bunch of complacent sixties survivors probably deserve.
I was expecting to give this a 3 (having heard the hits), but after listening, giving it 3.5 and rounding up.
Influencias vocales de Simon & Garfunkel, pero con más estilo country/rock.
21st June 2023 Listened a day late in the office. Got second ear pierced and saw Ben and Nilisha in the evening. I love this. Transported to a fireplace to listen to the tall tales of the band. 4.5 if I could.
Bit of a mixed bag, the harmonies are a little grating to be honest, but there's some good tracks on this album alongside the duller ones.
Es un albúm buenísimo pero que me costó calificar. Se nota la calidad musical pero tiene muchos temas que me parecieron de relleno, sobre todo los últimos 4/5, por eso les bajé 1pt.
Always chill, nostalgic music. Can’t go wrong with CSN playing in the background of your day to day life! Listen again: yes Purchase for my collection: probably Favourite Song:
I've listened to this album at least 16 times in an evidently fruitless attempt to pair thoughtful review with a careful rating. But each time I sit down to write, I end up throwing up my hands in frustration because I can't justify giving 3 stars after forgetting if I even listened all the way through the last time (each time I thought I hadn't yet fully did). So this is an official f-you to the album that has somehow gaslighted me more than Amy Dunne gaslit Nick Dunne in Gone Girl.
Beautiful harmonies, good storytelling, overall enjoyable and I can see why basically everyone owned this on vinyl. Probably could've been a 5 if I was high.
C Suite: Judy Blue Eyes - 3 Marrakesh Express - 3 Guinnevere - 2 You Don’t Have to Cry - 3 Pre-Road Downs - 2 Wooden Ships - 2 Lady of the Island - 3 Helplessly Hoping - 3 Long Time Gone - 3 49 Bye-Byes - 2 I have nothing to say about this, other than it was better than I expected. However, it's a 2, so what does that even count for?
3/5 i remember liking this album a lot more way back when. found myself skipping through songs. SJBE and WS are still great.
Friendly hippie singing circle. Boring.
Levy kuulostaa kanneltaan eli ruskealta. Miellyttävää, mutta ei ihastuta ja vangitse. Maanläheisyys toki lämmittää.
Tarkoituksellista ärsyttämistä? Haluan uskoa niin.
Soft spoken close to boring 2.9
This was OK. A bit boring at parts.
Gorgeous album to kick off the heatwave we've got today. I'm most drawn to the delicious harmonies so consistently delivered on Stills songs. I must check out more of his stuff. I think this stacks up as I definitely enjoyed his stuff on Buffalo Springfield more than the Neil Young. Long Time Gone is obviously great, and I loved David Crosby's solo record in this list. Less enamoured with Nash stuff but it's all good here.
I continue to be a slut for a tight harmony
Slightly too young, but very soothing.
They need Young bad
Not horrible, not great
Legendary harmonies
Great chill, summer vibe. Effortlessly warm and earthy folk rock classic, with some of the best harmonies ever put to record. There is a very small number of bands who can effectively do the multiple voices singing as one thing, and CSN is one of the best. High 4. Fave Songs: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Wooden Ships, Long Time Gone, Helplessly Hoping, Marrakesh Express, You Don't Have to Cry
Folksy and catchy but all the songs are pretty similar.
Spun the vinyl. Side A is good (3 stars). Side B is brilliant (5 stars), starting with one of my favorites: Wooden Ships.
Great vibe for a drive.
Talented fellas. Nice enough listen. Nothing I’d come back for though.
It's ok
For some reason my review for this album was deleted and I have to write it again. It's a terrible task to do it again, so I will summarize - I like the iteration of the band with Young, it was okay, but I don't really find this version amusing in any way. Very average album altogether. That's it.
Beetje gedateerd, maar hier en daar wel een leuk nummer
It’s a wonderful sound in search of more memorable songs
Very good. A little boring, but it's talented boring.
Freakin great
They really like harmonizing with one another. Some cool bluesy songs, lots of folk guitar, actual lyrics with meaning.
Outstanding musicians who work extremely well together. With all this talent, it's not surprising that this is an excellent album. 5/5