American Gothic

This reminds me of the shit kids in my high school theatre would listen to. I am not a fan. I guess if something is an “undiscovered classic” that has “yet to find its audience” that might just mean it sucks and people don’t like it 😂

It took me way too long to figure out that the woman in the background of the cover image had her feet up on the railing and wasn't just missing a leg or two.

A bit like a Billy Joel composed Broadway musical. If that sounds appealing to you….god help ya.

Grandiose, overblown and somewhat ludicrous, I absolutely loved it. What a find!

American Gothic sounds like a low rent Neil Diamond starring in an off-Broadway production full of sea shanties. This album confirms for me that Bernie Taupin’s best work was mostly, if not exclusively, with Elton John. Only regularly laughing out loud sustained me through all 44 minutes of this thing.

What the actual f**k is this? Improv very local theater? I think he is making this up as he goes along. Yes, this is improv jazz theater. Thankful this is relatively short at just under 44 minutes (of my life). The last song is 10 minutes!!?? No way. Yet another added to the list of 1001 albums I hope to never hear again.

I made the mistake of reading other reviews while listening, and now "over the top Neil Diamond" is just a lingering thought that I can't get out of my head. The vocal affectations and even some of the type of lyrics do very much read as Neil Diamond, but the music combined with the delivery have some kind of almost manic additional quality. Either way, I've never heard anyone else deliver things quite like Neil Diamond, but this is probably the closest I've heard. What I will say is that David Ackles definitely didn't shy away from experimenting and taking risks here. The music is dramatic and could definitely pass as a quirky 70s stage musical; I haven't ever heard anything quite like this outside of musical theater spaces. And while I like musical theater and discovering rare obscurities, and while some of the songs struck me as interesting and even a couple as strangely beautiful, this overall ended up just being kind of not my thing.

This was... really bad. I could leave it at that but I think this album deserves a bit of explanation. The vocals are nothing spectacular, but that's not necessarily a deal breaker. After all, Bob Dylan doesn't have a voice to write home about. And speaking of Bob Dylan, the contents of the lyrics are similar to Dylan's work. There are stories being told, but they're all laid out so explicitly that there's nothing interesting about them. You lose something when you're just retelling a story from beginning to end with no room for inference. Then there's the instrumentals, which at times aren't noticeable, and at other times sound discordant. Ultimately, not as interesting as Ackles probably wanted this album to be. Bored me into not finishing.

"Beefy lips". "Beefy lips" is all they could say to me. It had been sixteen hours waiting, without another word. The worry, the fear, the unknown. I had so many questions, but not one of the doctors who passed me uttered a single sentence other than "beefy lips". My mind was racing, were they dead? A rugged face snapped back from behind a pristine surgical mask and peered over at me. I looked up, hopeful, fearful. The doctor beckoned me over and pulled back the curtain. There lay my beautiful virgin bride, legs wide open. A forest of tangled pubic hair draped over the thickest, chewiest, shiniest set of matching vaginal lips I'd ever laid me eyes on. I was in heaven.

It's such a curio. Extra points for being extra weird. Less points for it's amateur dramatics style.

I started listening to this before, and was put off a little. I wasn't sure what the singer was aiming for, but it was obvious he was not going for super-positive. I think his voice reminded me more of Neil Diamond initially, but more... serious? (Not that Neil isn't serious, but it's what the singer was going for.) I switched to something else, and tried again later. The second time I started the album, I enjoyed it more. The songs began to be more... picturesque, I thought of him singing like Leonard Cohen, and I started to appreciate it more. I think if I went through it the first time I would have given it a more negative review, but I kinda got the vibe he was going for. It doesn't mean that I absolutely LOVED it. But still, I appreciated it more. So probably a 2.6, rounding to a 3.

Last week, I listened to Joni Mitchell’s “The Hissing Of Summer Lawns” where I said something to the effect of she and Billy Joel and Elton John may be in their own company when it comes to storytelling and lyrics that place you IN the song. I would like to add David Ackles, or at least this album, to that elite company. I was FLOORED listening to some of these songs. How have I never head of this guy, or this album? On here are some of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard, sung with a lot of conviction, and wrapped up in really pretty instrumental arrangements. Right off the bat, “American Gothic” is such a fun parlor-style story of a messy couple. I didn’t realize I was in for such a theatrical listen! Then “Love’s Enough” straightens things out with a Nick Drake type of love ballad. This song is so honest and heartfelt. One of the most pure fun songs is “Oh California!” which switches into this swanky showtune style and ends with what seems to be a full string/horn chorus arrangement??? How many tricks does David Ackles have up his sleeve??? The last song that really stood out to me was “Waiting For the Moving Van” which just about brings you to your knees. What a sobering, sentimental little song. In addition to these highlights, there’s bits of country, folk, and gospel peppered into things! Plus a very nice long story in the last song. These are the albums that make this list so worthwhile. I can slog through 50 two-star albums in a row if it means the 51st album is this diamond in the rough. Total hidden gem that shines so bright if you give it a dusting. Reading further on his life and legacy, it is a crime that David didn’t get the commercial success he deserved, even with Elton John constantly singing his praises. No popular interviews of him on youtube, very little info to dig into anywhere. This is insane!

The songs on "American Gothic" are a bit like little theater plays. They are richly orchestrated by Elton John's songwriter partner Bernie Taupin, and sometimes contain cabaretesque melodies, but are nevertheless based on the narrative folk style such as that of Woody Guthrie. At times his voice resembles that of Neil Diamond. And I hear a bit of Kurt Weill influences. And that is really not a negative point in this one. Many great contemporary artists I adore such as Tom Waits and Frank Zappa declare to be indebted to the work of this singer/songwriter so I was really quite keen to give this a few good listens. Still, this album leaves me with quite a double feeling. There are a few songs I really quite rate, like "Waiting For The Moving Van" and I can really appreciate the dark undertones of most of the songs, but the combination with the theatrical and at times bombastic musical compositions and orchestrations makes this an album I don't find a pleasure to put on. I hear and understand the quality, but it might not be for me.

American Gothic I have heard of this, one of those classic lost albums that come up on lists frequently, but I’ve never actually listened. The first track didn’t make me hopeful though, the vaudevillian theatricality really not to my taste. Love’s Enough on the other hand is actually rather lovely, a tender and affecting piano ballad. Then Ballad of the Ship of State goes back to the musical theatre of the first song and it’s not good at all. One Night Stand then goes back to the style of Love’s Enough and it feels like a genuine 70s singer songwriter lost classic, with a charming melancholic melody. Starting to see a pattern with Oh California! I think someone should revoke his access to a horn section on the theatre numbers, its quite irritating. Another Friday Night, another pleasant ballad after another vaguely irritating musical number. Family Band feels like a secondary school music teacher leading the cast through one of the songs he’s written for the school musical. A bit more listenable than some of the others but still not great. Midnight Carousel Waiting for the Moving Van is another of the very pleasant singer songwriter style ballads, the section with the oboe is particularly nice. More Mr G vibes with Blues for Mr Whitecloud. Montana is the whole album writ large (or small, whichever is right), some lovely melancholic moments combined with some hand fisted musical theatre. I get a lot of Neil Diamond and a lot of Harry Nilsson, but without being as good or as interesting as either. So a bit of an oddity, some really great stuff, but a lot of really not very good stuff too, and I can see why it never found an audience. I guess there is a market for the musical songs but I can see there would be a market for the ballads also, but it falls between the two stools and is a bit of a frustrating listen as a result. 2 👵👴 Playlist submission: One Night Stand

This is almost nearly close to being good music, but it just doesn’t hit. Every time it’s about to build to something good, he switches it up on us. It’s musical edging

1/2

Stunning! A mix of old-style French singer songwriters, in the manner of Jacques Brel or Serge Gainsbourg. Throw in a mix of my beloved Harry Chapin and Kurt Weill and you have a confection of sublime, beautiful vignettes. Gorgeous!

5/5. This is such a unique album, definitely reminds me of the emo folk revival I'm seeing in some newer artists. It is theatrical and over the top sometimes with mundane ideas but because of that, really humanizes those feelings and lets the mind exist in that anxiety. It's definitely not a great one to listen to while sad but it is a beautiful album nonetheless. The instrumentation is wonderful and David's singing/speaking is so full and whole. The last song does take some patience to get through but it was never bad, just longer than I expected. Overall, the album is wonderful (even with the Jesus songs). Best Song: Waiting For The Moving Van, Love's Enough, One Night Stand

David Ackles a tenté de se dépatouiller comme il le pouvait au milieu de la bouillasse proposée par Robert depuis quelques semaines, sans malheureusement réussir à s'élever suffisament pour atteindre le sacro saint 4/5. De généreux efforts qui sont néammoins appréciés.

A little corny sounding but I appreciated the orchestral stuff and how dramatic it was. The overall sound is super clean, like it could have come out decades later.

Pretty good, although started to grate on me after additional listens. Might go back to it. Definitely quirky.

Gives me a ton of Nick Cave vibes. Which is not really a compliment from me. Musically it has a mostly pleasant sound, but that crooning voice just grates at my ears a little too much.

Murder ballad lyrics set to Broadway tunes. This is weird

List of pivotal and/or terrific albums NOT listed in Dimery's book that would put the slot taken by David Ackles to FAR better use: Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue Nina Simone - I Put A Spell On You Nina Simone - Pastel Blues John Coltrane - Blue Train John Coltrane - Giant Steps John Coltrane - Africa / Brass or My Favorite Things Ornette Coleman - The Shape Of Jazz To Come Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn Adolescents - Adolescents Laurie Anderson - Big Science Dead Boys - Loud Young And Snotty The Wipers - IsThis Real? The Wipers - Youth Of America Beastie Boys - Check Your Head Vangelis - Blade Runner NOFX - Punk In Drublic Tori Amos - Under The Pink Björk - Homogenic Björk - Post Fugazi - The Argument Fugazi - Red Medicine Fugazi - In On The Kill Taker The Breeders - Last Splash Mogwai - Young Team Shellac - At Action Park Weezer - Weezer (blue album) The Posies - Frosting On the Beater (and maybe Amazing Disgrace?) Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven Godspeed You! Black Emperor - F♯ A♯ ∞ Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Yanqui UXO Grandaddy - The Sophtware Slump Grandaddy- Sumday Grandaddy - Under The Western Freeway Sonic Youth - Washing Machine Refused - The Shaped Of Punk To Come Low - Things We Lost In The Fire mclusky - Mclusky Do Dallas Converge - Jane Doe Mogwai - Happy Songs For Happy People Sigur Rós - Kveikur - Jay Reatard - Blood Visions Women - Public Strains Vietcong - Vietcong IDLES - Brutalism - IDLES - Joy As An Act Of Resistance Lana Del Rey - Norman F*cking Rockwell Low - Double Negative Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds - Push The Sky Away Big Thief - Capacity Big Thief - Masterpiece Big Thief - Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You Fontaines DC - Dogrel Fontaines DC - Romance Wet Leg - Wet Leg Radioactivity - Radioactivity Nick Wheeldon's Demon Hosts - Gift Charli XCX – Brat Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us Coilguns -Odd Love Chat Pile – God’s Country or Cool World Cindy Lee – Diamond Jubilee Ty Segall - Twins Jamie xx - In Colours Billie Eilish - When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go IDLES - Crawler Low - Hey What Black Country New Road - Ants From Up There Young Fathers - Cocoa Sugar Lankum – False Lankum Protomartyr - Ultimate Success Today or The Agent Intellect or Relatives In Descent Run The Jewels - RTJ 4 Father John Misty - Mahashmashana Crack Cloud - Pain Olympics Lana Del Rey - Uktraviolence Shame - Songs Of Devotion That's around 75 albums. Pretty sure there are many more of them that could deserve that slot as well. And here's the main thing to remember: there's more soul and vital energy in *a single second* taken from each one of those records than in the hackneyed music-hall borefest of Ackles' *American Gothic* taken as a whole. This album indeed painfully tries to follow the footsteps of Jacques Brel, Scott Walker and Tim Hardin, yet in his wordy endeavors, Ackles forgot that even narrative-driven singer-songwriters as the ones mentioned here never left aside genuine musicality and enticing harmonies in their songs. Musically speaking, *American Gothic* sounds incredibly flat. And given that David Ackles was not a stellar singer anyway... 1/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums. 6/10 for more general purposes (5 + 1) Number of albums left to review: around a hundred, as I've gone over the 1000 line and this generator is including albums from all editions of the book Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 435 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 258 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 320 (including this one)

If that annoying sea shanty trend from 2020 was a whole album. A few songs I was okay with but overall just found this very irritating and I kind of hated it.

Had no idea what to do expect. Possibly the weirdest thing I’ve heard in a while and I loved it!!!

This guy has a one in a billion talent. I fucking hate musical theater and this reminds me of that but actually authentic and touching. I listened to this album twice back to back looking for a reason to give it four stars (because I'm a hater) and I couldn't find a flaw. Really gifted storyteller, I feel like I made a new friend in David Ackles.

The arrangements and music behind his very nice voice are something I'm glad to have experienced.

Favorite Track: Ballad of the Ship of State

I really liked this one!

1972 US, bdb

Lots of reviews calling it the local improv theatre of music - jokes on you, I LIKE local improv theatre! Some hits and some misses, but overall really into the sad storytelling meanderings

Can't believe I didn't know this artist existed. This is 100% up my alley, sorta navigating into novelty/musical theatre. Excellent songwriting, great lyrics, fun instrumentation. Loved it!

i have no idea why i enjoyed this

Such a strange and entertaining trip this album was. Very dark lyrics set to cabaret-esque instrumentals. The at times grim images Ackles creates draws are quite relatable even today. We as humans really are creatures of habit - we repeat our ancestors mistakes again and again.

Made me sad 5 stars

Beautiful. No notes

An astoundingly brilliant surprise, from an artist I had literally never heard of. He writes, sings and produces so well, and is a clear influence on a bunch of artists I like (or like a lot) including Billy Joel, Elton John, and many other serious singer-songwriters. I immediately added everything else he did to my "after the list" list - and actually put his debut on later the same day!

I have never heard of David Ackles, and I've been around a long time. He is a troubadour who would be equally as comfortable on the Broadway stage. This is the most American album I have ever heard.

As far as I can tell, no one has yet turned this album into a cabaret-style revue à la Jacques Brel is Alive and Well... So I guess I'll have to do it. This album is amazing! Fascinating stories well told and set to compelling and complicated tunes and instrumentation. A masterpiece that I will return to again and again.

Boy oh boy... this is a definitive example of an album that should be on this list because I've never heard of David Ackles and I am so glad to hear this before I die! I put this on while trying to work and ended up following along to the lyrics - completely rapt! American Gothic is a searing opening giving us a glimpse into a very dysfunctional marriage. Then Love's Enough follows up with an absolutely beautiful description of falling in love. Pessimistic optimism is a tough wire to walk but Ackles is a master of it. Ballad of the Ship of State is fantastically arranged tragic tale of rescue that leaves you feeling there is no rescue to be had, even if they take you on board. One Night Stand is such a beautiful, perfect song about a beautiful, perfect, fleeting moment that despite everything can never be sustained. There's something truly special about those feelings and this song brought me back to them. Oh, California! doesn't hide it's dark message very well, underpinned as it is with its environmental warning. Add this to my soundtrack for the fall of civilization. Another Friday Night sums up a good portion of my past Friday nights... there were times in my life when this might have made a great signature song... Have I longed for the days when I had religious faith and lived with my family? Simpler times, when things seem so much less complicated? Perhaps less so now that I realized what an illusion that was, but Family Band really captures that wistful feeling. Midnight Carousel is incredibly arranged! And the lyrics! "He left her by the road alone. But that road was going somewhere Worth the price there was to pay." Waiting for the Moving Van captures that crumbling-dream feeling that overtakes us at some of those pivotal moments in life. I'm used to the feeling now but this song poked that wound just a little - and David Ackles reminds me of my humanity yet again. Blues for Billy Whitecloud is perhaps the happiest sounding and most disturbing songs on the album. A rough one... Several months ago I was in Montana and started digging around into some boxes of family photos and heirlooms left to my family from my uncle. Montana Song couldn't have captured that feeling of revisiting my past any better. What a grand way to close this incredible album. After over 900 days of listening to albums on this project a jaded feeling that I've heard it all creeps in... Then something like this appears... So completely unexpected - David Ackles has reconnected me with a lot of feelings today and left me strangely hopeful about life.

- Ich hatte wirklich 0,0 Erwartungen (und eigentlich auch keinen Bock) oder auch nur den Hauch einer Ahnung was mich erwartet, außer, dass ich das Albumcover irgendwie cool fand! - Und dann bäm, hats mich krass erwischt und ich fand es einfach uultra geil, hatte zeitweise Gänsehaut und einmal sogar einen kleinen Klos im Hals - So viele kreative Ideen, wunderschöne Melodien, dieses fantastische Storytelling (wenn auch hier und da mal cheesy) die Orchestrale Begleitung, das musicalhafte und eine mega coole Stimme - Ich war erstaunt über die niedrigen Aufrufzahlen - Aber auch zu Lebzeiten scheint David Ackles nie wirklich Erfolg gehabt zu haben - Es handelt sich also wirklich mal um einen echten Geheimtipp! - Der Mann hatte auch eine interessante Biografie, so musste er die Musikkarriere, die nie wirklich eine war, nach einem Autounfall an den Nagel hängen, weil er danach lebenslänglich Armschmerzen beim Pianospielen hatte. Gestroben ist er dann verhältnismäßig jung Anfang 60 an Lungenkrebs. - Vielleicht hat das Lesen dieser Lebensgeschichte beim Hören auch nochmal mehr Emotionen reingepackt - Ich finde es insgesamt einfach ein so unglaublich schönes und von Herzen kommendes Album, dass ich es gerne zu den ganz großen Alben zählen möchte. Aber kaum jemand kennt bzw. kannte den Mann. Nicht zu fassen. So genervt man ja auch von manchen Alben hier mal ist, DANKE 1001 Albums dafür!! Rating: 4,5/5

Anders, aber ziemlich gut, leise, kreativ, gerne wieder

So my type of music. Loved it!❤️

So glad to have found this album. The songwriting, the stories, the atmospheres. Vaudeville, Americana, Tom Waits, and the weight of the world. Ended up spending a lot more time with it than I thought I would. Thank you!

Sometimes you get one of those albums you've never heard of, but that you love instantly. Ackles musical theatre song style, coupled with the piano rock and great lyrics (apparently an English major (it shows)), hit a perfect spot for me. I loved it in all its earnest story telling!

surprised by how interesting this album is. i was prepared to dislike it for its showtune aesthetic but the lyrics are great and the music sets the scene so perfectly. definitely heard some proto-springsteen and early elton john (bernie taupin produced). will definitely listen to the whole album again.

Never heard of him, but what a strong album. Baroque, theatrical. A little bit of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and Billy Joel all rolled into one. Spots of the Beach Boys at their "Pet Sounds"-iest too. Has a weak moment or two, but I don't think it's enough to detract from the score. Favorite tracks: "Love's Enough", "Another Friday Night", "Family Band"

American Gothic is sneaky-complete and just and indulgent as the title and first notes indicate. Shades of Scott Walker, clearly and pleasingly, and an immediate songwriter's songwriter feel are highlights. The "American" part is as well-represented, and yet the album ends up feeling close to linear. Explicit references to religion do not a religious experience make, but here they help.

BL: never heard of. But read that Costello cites him as a major influence so I am looking forward to it. AL: wow. I thought this was brilliant. Cutting and beautiful song writing, “love’s enough”, “another Friday night”, “family band”, and “Montana song” all have amazing lyrics and the instrumentation is pretty solid too. His gentle yet rough voice really adds and emotional tone to it. Highly recommend FT: “love’s enough”, “Montana song”, “another Friday night”, “family band”, 5/5

10/10 absolutely incredible and so underrated god I wish more people would hear this

Not perfect, but close.

You can understand why he wasn't a big hit. His music isn't necessarily mainstream, it's more dark and unique. The album as the whole misses that little smack of excellence that makes artists like Pink Floyd, the Beatles, the rolling stones, ELO, and tons of other artists popular. However, that doesn't mean that there isn't certain moments in the album that catch you. American Gothic is full of those little sparks of magic that make it a good album. If you don't have the patience to listen to the less attractive and more contemporary, you're not going to pick out the feel-good classic rock moments. David Ackles knows what he's doing, but the audience he's intending it for isn't exactly a large population. American Gothic, the title track, is one of these contemporary songs that may not be easy to listen to but it has that interesting, dark aspect that takes a different perspective to understand it's brilliance. If you look at the lyrics you can put yourself into the shoes of the character being described, and suddenly the music kind of surrounds you and puts you into a complicated, dark, somewhat somber, but creative world that Ackles creates. Love's Enough is the main moment in the album. I would've made it the title track but that's not my choice. It's a sobby ballad but it has that harmonic center that's unique but mainstream enough to be a feel-good song. Very ahead of it's time in a way but still great. Not much more to say. Just a nice song The next two songs were an interesting listen. They were kind of similar in a way but I apriciate the uniqueness and while others may not like it I found it pleasing. That's just personal taste. Oh how I wish that Oh California was a longer piece. It's another moment that's worth listening to, something I'd play again. It's a bit more groovy and I live in California so that's a W. It's a happy atmosphere that gives a break from Ackles' relentless somber feel. Good song in general as well, it's very inspired and satisfying. Another Friday Night just felt off a little bit. sort of misplaced in the album and it kind of felt like what you were thinking about last friday. eh Family Band had a kind of reminiscince and nostalgic feel to it. Enlightening in a way that makes you feel bittersweet. It's a very evoking piece, that's for sure. Midnight Carousel was interesting to say the least. It was weird, simply put Now I loved waiting for the moving van. It was similar to Love's enough but different enough to not sound repetitive. It creates an atmosphere while still having a relatively normal tonal center. It took a tone of harmonic twists that weren't jolting but rather pleasing. feel-good is the best way to name it blues for billy whitecloud is a blues. no more explanation lol Montana song was great but just a little long. I absolutely adore that orchestration though I'm tired of writing. You get my point. It's not a great album but it's not a bad album. 4/5 for uniqueness and captivatingness (not a word lol)

This was surprisingly cool!

Completely taken aback by this unique record. There’s some French chanson-vibes, musicalesque compositions and an insisting on doing everything exactly your way. Really interesting record that is deserving of both a listen and your focus.

Ensimmäisen kappaleen alkaessa ajattelin, että en tule tykkäämään tästä lainkaan. Kappaleen kuluessa havahduin - tämähän on todella hieno kappale! Albumi on todella omaperäinen. Kappaleet ovat täynnä pieniä makeita yllätyksiä. Tykkäsin!

08/03/2025 This was very theatrical it felt. It was okay.

Dramatic and theatrical, this was not at all what I expected. I found his songs to be earnest and evocative. Great stuff.

Pretty good much better than I expected. Its like a mix between Neil Diamond and Simon and Garfunkle, successfully uniting spoken word poetry, folk rock and gospel. Just beautiful melodies and arrangements. Well written and simply a beautiful record that one can listen over and over again

This album is really interesting. It reminds me of musical theatre. There’s a story to most of the songs, though they seem largely independent of each other. I felt like some of the stories written by David were very personal to himself, while others were random and imaginative, but still captivating. I really liked this and would listen again.

Reminds me of "singer-song writer" meets Bernie Taupin (who produced). Yes, it's a little maudlin at parts, but so is Bat out of Hell, and that's one of the best selling albums of all time. This album gives me a feel. Like I've gone into a bar, and there's a guy on the piano, and he's good, and it's heartfelt, and it's a cozy bar, and you have a few drinks, sit back, relax, and take the experience in. Good times.

A whole collection if solid Americana. Sounds like it should be the soundtrack of a musical.

American Gothic definitely feels like a familiar album title to me, yet the name David Ackles isn’t remotely familiar to me. Regardless, I went into this with some optimism, and I’m glad I did. It felt very broadway to me, as though it could easily be a stage musical. It had a sprinkling of Billy Joel vibes here and there, but the overall vibe was around telling a story that I imagine could make quite a visual spectacle. Overall, I liked this. It’s an easy recommendation.

Honestly pretty fun album

Grew on me the more I listened.

I really like the orchestral elements of this, some of it reminds me on Johnny Cash a bit. I also like the imagery/storytelling aspect of the words. Downsides are that all (but the last) songs are really short, and I think that a lot could be much better if they were longer/had more development, because I think it really works in the last one. Favorite songs: Love's enough, Oh, California!, Another Friday night and the last one. (also last one has some Joe Hisashi-esque elements which I really like) Overall around 7/10

W, what, m, ah, eh? I really quite liked that....I think Will definitely listen again, with headphones on in a darkened room

Great voice. Sounds like a great stage voice. Stories were compelling with a hint of bitter sadness

Like an odd blend of Scott Walker with Geordie Greep's urge to include showtunes in his music, this album was a shockingly good bit of "folk" music with plenty of gorgeous moments on top of whimsical verse, in a matter most similar to pretty much every other act that tries this style. For some reason, the folks on the generator seem to really dislike this style of music, and I fail to see how, because I adore it. Not what I expected this album to be at all, but I really liked it nonetheless.

this list LOVES albums like this. male singer/songwriters with big voices and a touch cinematic arrangements. and they’re always pretty damn good - if not similar. this guy has 5133 monthly listeners. his most listened to song has <350k plays. idk this should be here but im happy enough that it was

Liked it. Sounded bluess like I need to listen to the rest

Hadn’t heard of him, but I enjoyed the album. Similar to Scott Walker a bit.

I'm a sucker for songs that tell a story. Ackles' American Gothic paints a picture of an America that most of us can visualise but few know. One can see why Bernie Taupin decided to produce. The backing instruments themselves contribute a rich tapestry, placing us in Mid-West small town America. At times it drags and can be maudlin but it is certainly a stark reminder of what the singer-songwriter tradition can produce. Folk really sounded this original.

A totally curious wee artefact. Like listening to Lou Reed’s “Berlin” if it was written by a slightly less nihilistic theatre kid. I had no idea this album existed and, even while its style does start to grate with me towards the end, there’s something irresistibly charming about it. At times vaudevillian, though not bawdy, you can hear the influence Ackles’ quirky songwriting has had on guys like Tom Waits et al. And I really enjoyed it. It’s not exactly a toe-tapper, and maybe part of its charm stems from its complete lack of popular appraisal. But American Gothic is an album I’m glad I heard before I’m dead.

Mjög dramatískt. Söngleikjamúsík. Hrifinn.

this feels like theater kid music. doesn’t matter i liked it

Pre-listening thoughts: this is a weirdly small artist to include on this list. Wonder how many of his streams come from this little challenge Post/during listening thoughts: ya know one review of this album said “this is like if Billy Joel wrote a Broadway musical. And if that appeals to you… help me god” or something along those lines. I mayyyyy be the target intersection for that sorry! So this is kinda cool to me. The instrumentation is fun and very lively and does certainly have a musical-esque quality to it. Special shoutout to the upright bass in Waiting for the Moving Van cause wow it’s beautiful. You can physically hear every instrument being played and that makes me so happy. The lyrics are very narrative based which upon first listen I am not grasping all the way but I’m sure upon relisten I’d be able to get it a little more. Lots of rhythm changes which keeps the listener on their toes. Big but still retains an acoustic quality akin to James Taylor or Carole King. 8/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not necessarily but I’m sort of glad a pick like this made the list. What a weird pick lol Fav tracks: Loves Enough, Ballad of the Ship of State, Oh California!, Another Friday Night, Waiting for the Moving Van Least fav tracks: Family Band (sounds like a hymn and I am not rocking with that sound)

4/5

kinda magical tbh

One of a kind album with lyrics you can’t help but pay attention to 3.7

Super weird. Warranted a second listen just based on that. I either love it or am indifferent and it's hard to tell. I think I'll come back to this one.

Very enjoyable

A really fascinating theatrical album that sounds very ahead of its time. The closest comparison from the era I can make is the first four Scott Walker records, with their flowing lyricism and orchestral majesty. Some songs are more reminiscent of Nick Cave’s more twisted brand of grandiosity, while Family Band is a proto-Tom Waits poetic ballad. An incredibly rich and eclectic gem of a record

Folky rock if I remember right, definitely my style.

😮

Really confusing record for me. It sounds like some jazz instrumentals with a wierd sounding voice singing in between . The standalone instrumentals would have been excellent but I was not much a fan of his voice . It sounds dare I say fake or really poor, and it mat make the songs feel like they drag a little bit more than their actual length. But it was a good and fresh change of space . Though I would completely scrap the final track.

4.5 I like it

I can see why this is considered a great album that didn’t find an audience because it has all the components of a hit 70s singer songwriter album but it’s very orchestral and the lyrics arent about the Vietnam war or whatever. While I wouldn’t say it’s *great* it’s still pretty solid by my singer songwriter standards in that I normally don’t like them and I liked this one. Another Friday night was my fav and I just generally liked the guys voice.

What a nice discovery! It reminds me a lot of Leonard Cohen: the poetic but simple lyrics, the gentle musical arrangements accompanying, and a voice that emerges from a place of truth. “Love’s Enough” is a truly accomplished feat.

I liked this album. Nothing I would have ever listened to or plan to listen to again. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the ride. I played out an entire musical in my head while listening. Family Band came unexpectedly. A bit too Christian for me, but I just accepted. Midnight Carousel was very cool and dramatic. I even appreciated the 10-minute Montana Song and could have stuck with it longer. Overall, it was a pleasant surprise and experience. The album title doesn't fit the vibe at all.

I liked this one

4.0

Really enjoyed the listens. Beautiful story telling, orchestral pieces, and piano playing. Not complex, but incredibly moving. 4/5 only because it's not something I'd listen to often, but I really love that I found this album.

This sounds very much like Scott Walker. A curious little discovery. Turns out this guy was popular amongst the Brits so unsurprising it turns up here. A nice discovery.

I like it, a solid 4. Singing his heart out. I understand why some people think it's schmaltzy.

Great songwriting, musical theatre-esque vibes! I would have never known about this album if not for this, but I'm so glad I was able to find it through here.

Very good, bit dated but solid. 3.75

A lusciously orchestrated cabaret musical set in America's old west. This album contains a set of vignettes that cover such classic topics as prostitution, falling in love, racism, hook up culture, life on the road, domestic terrorism, California, Montana, and cannibalism.

Felt like I was listening to a musical at times, but the overall experience was pleasant and I liked how each song told a story. I’m not sure when or where I would ever listen to this again, but as a piece of art I have no real criticisms.

I really liked this in an operatic kind of way. Simpsons: No