Reviews (page 4 of 7)
Un completo desconocido para los aficionados, que sin embargo ya había sido versionado por gente como Julie Driscoll y Brian Auger (Road To Cairo, en el 71). Producido y arreglado por un conocido como es Bernie Taupin, que le da un toque lúgubre, que le diferencia de otros gigantes como Randy Newman o Don McLean (Oh, California!). Ballad of the Ship of State es Nick cave antes de Nick cave. One night sand es Scott Walker. Cierre excelso con Montana Song. David Ackles murió tras cuatro álbumes, sin más reconocimiento que el de algunas voces aisladas como la de Elvis Costello. Un disco por descubrir.
This has to be one of the hardest albums I’ve reviewed from this list so far. On one hand, the music is absolutely terrible - over the top, badly written, and kind of a mess. But on the other hand… it’s brilliant. It feels like a low-budget community theater production where everything is technically awful, yet the actors are so passionate that you can’t help but get caught up in it. I wouldn’t call this a great album musically, but in a strange way it made me genuinely happy. I could see myself listening to it again - not on repeat the same day or even the same week, but it’s something I’ll come back to. Honestly, it might even be the album I put on when I’m ready for people to leave my house. Still, it made me smile. It made me happy. It just took two or three listens to get there.
Broadly speaking, there are two categories of artistic failures. The most common these days, especially in risk-averse, commercially-dominated fields like the music industry, is to play things too safe, to produce something tolerable to the broadest possible audience. But every now and then we get an example of the opposite, where a truly intrepid (or delusional) soul indulges their ambitions, throws caution to the wind in pursuit of greatness and goes down in a blaze of glory. American Gothic belongs definitively in this second category. Conceptually, this is an album dripping with potential. A richly orchestrated reflection on the character of America and her children blending the sounds of the folk singer-songwriter with the theater - Ackles was clearly a man looking not just to reserve his spot next to Gershwin in the pantheon of American music, but to be grouped with Twain and Steinbeck as interlocutors with the country’s soul. In the end, the problem that he encountered is that the art needs to be worth viewing, the story worth reading, and the music worth listening to, before it can influence a nation’s view of itself. Strangely enough, the album is at its best in its least distinctive songs. Love’s Enough is a wistful piano ballad with a melody charming enough to have been written expressly for Barry Manilow, and One Night Stand laments the romantic sacrifices of life on the road. Ackles’s lyrics also have some moments that border on compelling. His tales of characters in tough spots provide a template for some of Springsteen's best songs. But the narratives here lack the universality of Springsteen, the humor of John Prine, or even the personal connection that Harry Chapin brings to similar songs. There are also repeated cases where Ackles takes a song that could be thought-provoking, then removes all ambiguity or possibility for interpretation, with the Ballad of the Ship of State being the most cringe-inducing example of this. In plenty of cases I'm willing to look past uneven lyricism if the music is there to make up for it. Unfortunately, this album is quite a mess musically, with most of the traits that distinguish it falling flat. About a third of the songs are generic piano ballads like those mentioned above, with some marking relative success (Love's Enough), and others verging overly sappy territory (Waiting for the Moving Van). They aren't offensive, but they give the feeling of a poor man's Neil Diamond song. Then there are the showtunes, which certainly stand out, but are almost uniformly ill-conceived or poorly executed for one reason or another, whether it is the truly awful choral vocals on Family Band or the offputting jazz backing on Blues for Billy Whitecloud. There are some instances where the orchestral arrangements support a song, but in most cases they feel out of place, and Ackles isn’t a good enough singer to pull off some of the more ambitious vocal attempts on the album. I won't say that it's *complete* unmitigated trash - there are some redeeming points - but American Gothic is definitively not good music. I have quite a bit of patience for the theatrical influences Ackles plays with here. But for this theatrical approach to be successful, it is necessary to pull those pieces together into a cohesive sound, and he doesn't do that here. I have seen quotes from some artists I think highly of suggesting that Ackles was producing brilliant work that just didn't find the right audience. But just like genius and madness can be separated by the finest of lines, this record has potential that Ackles just wasn't able to fulfill. The album may have ended a failure, but I have to give Ackles credit for the attempt.
I had no idea what this is, it sounds very familiar and yet completely novel at the same time. If Scott Walker did Sinatra's Watertown? Tim Buckley meets Gordon Lightfoot? I really like it
2.5
It's okay.
I have visions of a Viking funeral, with the boat going up in flames as it vanishes into the horizon. It's not a complete disaster (it is not irritating or grating) but it didn't move me emotionally. Makes me wonder if this is music for a science boff who just wants the fact of the matter, with not even a whiff of human emotion or empathy. Shame, because this guy wrote The Road to Cairo, as covered by Julie Driscoll Brian Auger & The Trinity. Now that is a banger!
It's like a really boring man who writes terrible musical songs, sniffed a cocktail of cocaine and glue. The strive to be earnst and profound is a little annoying, if there's humour in this musical flan I haven't heard it. If there's musical innovation or sonic experiment its not evident. Literallly the front art work depcits his wife putting him in a boat and telling him and his songs to fuck off down the river!
"it waits to be rediscovered" This is destined to be endlessly 'rediscovered' and then immediately recycled back into the bargain bins of charity shops where it belongs. Nice album cover though.
Seems like it wants to be a shit eighties musical more than an album. Too theatrical,melancholy and folky for my tastes. My it takes a second listen with a song sheet, though. I did like the song Down River, but that was on a different album.
It's an odd album, definitely wants to be a musical, a neurotic cabaret, of sorts. The artwork cracks me up! 🤣
Some cool songs, but not a strong album for me.
It's like Neil Diamond, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Richard Carpenter all got together to make the most overwrought emotional Musical ever. I unfortunately ran out of Pepto listening to this. 4.2 ★★
I like the last track, but the rest is too theatrical and corny. 2.5 stars
I don't know about this one. Ackles sounds a lot like Neil Diamond, who I generally like, but it's like Neil at the height of his really schmaltzy period filtered through a really corny Broadway musical. "Love's Enough" is probably the best thing here, but it's not really enough to save this. 1.5 stars.
2.5
A supposed lost classic that pretty much sounds like Neil Diamond in an ultra grim, ultra cheesy off-off-broadway show. Bernie Taupin produces so there are at least a couple of Elton-esque piano ballads but the orchestral accompaniment tends to be very stark and unsettling. Ackles’ delivery throughout is so maudlin and over theatrical that it’s basically a hoot throughout. His voice is actually not good or sweet enough to be Neil Diamond and is more like Tom Lehrer if he wasn’t trying to be funny on purpose. A lost classic but for the wrong reasons. 2.5 stars.
Extra theatrical folk tunes that shine a light on the tragedy of American life and history. Made me feel I was listening to a sober Kerouac's musical.
Broadway stars usually have the pipes or the personality to back it up. Not this guy. It's astonishing that Apple Music has the audacity to compare this cheesy crap to Elton John. This asshat deserved every little bit of his obscurity.
This is a unique one. Very showtune feel to it, with some spoken word aesthetic. Reading about the album, I see that Elton John's lyricist lent a hand on this one, which makes sense. The delivery is not quite Elton John here, but I can hear the similarities. This is not a record I would revisit at any time, but I don't dislike it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Too intricate for me. Maybe in ten years I will grow on it.
The Divine Comedy. Scott Walker. Now this. The author of this book of albums sure has a weak spot for overwrought cabaret-type singers. Unfortunately, Ackles doesn't have the same sense of humor that the other two do. I found this to be like sitting through a musical with a blindfold on. No need to revisit.
Good tracks but some tracks a bit too long for my taste
Did not expect just a full on musical… but it’s good music
Feels very Broadway, sounds like a musical blended with country and folk. It’s not an easy listen the songs are dramatic and theatrical, but there’s definitely something to appreciate about the emotion behind it. You can tell the talent is there, but this style of music isn’t really for me. Favourite track: Love’s Enough
Neil Diamond-mania, not Neil Diamond but an incredible simulation, now off-Broadway. Honestly, the music and vocals on this album are not terrible, I just didn't like it.
I like Broadway musicals. If I wanted to listen to one, I'd find a cast recording, not some guy recording himself in a studio. This blows.
This is a pretty confusing listen. The tracks go in so many different directions within the same songs. The singing voice and instrumentation are both really good, but I don't think I've ever heard more literal lyrics in my life. It's almost like he's singing a journal entry
An Americana album that was recorded in London? Strange. However for a folksy album, I've heard worse. Best: Oh, California Worst: Montana Song 2.5 Stars
Artiste inconnu. Les morceaux sont vraiment originaux, leurs structures ou leurs harmonies sont très peu standards (+1). Je suis allé au bout par curiosité, mais je n'aime pas vraiment l'accompagnement orchestral, ni l'omniprésence du chant. =>2/5
I think this is the first album that I hadn't heard of on this list that I actually liked. Is it a coincidence that it's the it's the first UK produced album I've heard on this list done by an American? Am I bigoted? Who knows? Maybe Goldie actually blows me away next...
Not all lost ‘70s albums need to be reclaimed.
It stinks! Feels like bad showtunes.
Wow, no. Between this and the Big Star selection, I'm starting to question this list.
Sucks.
Oh Dave, no thank you. No thank you very much indeed. I really didn't enjoy this at all. Sometimes a one star is for something actively disgraceful, and this isn't quite that, but I think sometimes you have to dole one out if you feel that your time has been so absolutely and thoroughly wasted.
Sounded kinda good.
Leonard Cohen for total cornballs
104 Por suerte fue corto. Al menos era original, pero no entiendo cómo llegó a esta lista.
Blues for Billy Whitecloud is a good, jazzy track. You can absolutely keep the rest.
So versatile, this album is going all kinds of places
Hmmmm. There are few albums on this list where I am baffled as to how they were included, but this is one of them. It’s terrible in every possible way.
I read through some reviews before listening on this occasion and I really wasn't looking forward to it after doing so. It sounded bad. However, although I agree with the "Broadway musical" and "high school theatre" descriptions, I actually unironically enjoyed this. The whole thing is tinged with a sadness, thanks in part to Ackles' vocal performance. He hasn't got a massive voice, but it's quite distinct. 'One Night Stand' for example is slow and brooding, with 'Midnight Carousel" being particularly dark sounding. It gives me horror movie vibes, the piano specifically gives it an urgency and makes it sound like a chase scene. I really like it a lot. It's also the catchiest track on the album thanks to the vocal lines. 'Oh, California' is the opposite, and is quite uplifting and a fun burlesque knee slapper. 'Love's Enough' is a really lovely track There are a couple of boring tracks sprinkled throughout. The ballad 'Another Friday Night' plodded along for too long before a big ending, 'Waiting For The Moving Van' is just a bit dull and 'Blues for Billy Whitecloud' is a jazz lounge sounding swing track which is decent enough. The ten minute closer tries so hard to be epic but falls short, it's just missing that extra something. Overall, it's a very strange, peculiar album which has a vaudeville vibe. I'd much rather have albums like this which are a little different and against the norm than a boring album any day of the week. If you're into this sort of thing, you'll love it, but I can completely understand why many would hate it. It scrapes a three, but I can also imagine I'd come back to this every so often because of how different it is.
Felt like a missing puzzle piece in terms of influencing people like Rufus Wainwright, John Cale, Randy Newman? First and last tracks were really quite astonishing with notes of Gershwin and Copeland and the vastness of the American "pioneer" landscape - but the middle dragged a bit, with a number of Scotch Walker-esque ballads without the latters soulful voice. A nice surprise overall.
I had never heard of this but very much enjoyed it! Not much to say really.
Liking the melodrama vibes, esp when it's expressed in vaudeville piano. There's a playfulness and shifting in it that I enjoy. Mostly less into the lyrics with pictures of period American life etc... yeah ok... Nice discovery overall. Liked the first half more than the second.
I feel like I need to "watch" this to truly appreciate it, so giving it an average for the listening experience.
Kinda a weird album for 1972, in some ways feels more 50s- show tunes meets Pete Seeger kinda story telling. It’s a shame as on paper it’s the sort of thing I should like but it’s rubbing me up the wrong way.
Something felt off about this album to me. Unfortunately, I didn't review it right away, and it didn't stick out enough to me to listen through it again. I believe my favorite track was "Midnight Carousel."
I was really excited to get an album from an artist I had really never heard of and seemingly nobody else had either. Wow. What a disappointment. This was not good.
Makes me think of that weird off broadway show that no one shows up to but one artist friend drags you to.
I'm now over 800 albums into the list and this is easily in the bottom 25. Somebody please put a pillow over my face if I ever ask to listen to it again.
Alright! This was a bit strange, but not objectionable. It brought me very few feelings of pleasure though.
Wasn’t expecting to like this so much, but it really grew on me. The story telling, the darkness, the musical-like quality of the music. It reminded me of how I felt when I first heard Leonard Cohen - intrigued, a bit confused, but ready to come back for more. I can see this one growing on me a lot.
eh piuttosto noioso mi dispiace
Secondo me è un album che ha bisogno di piú ascolti per essere compreso, perché alcune canzoni nin mi sono dispiaciute ma altre boh
It's okay Idk what to call this genre America folk maybe It wasn't bad Nice orchestral arrangements
this shit is boring as fuck
For the most part, Ackles ends up sounding like a worse version of Scott Walker. But sometimes, if we're very lucky, he'll actually sound more like a better version of Van Dyke Parks.
It’s no bad but also I’m just confused by what this is.
whatever man Would I listen again: No Deserves to be on this list: No 2.6
"Listen to meeee" What if the worst boomer you ever met was a Theatre Kid™ 🤮🤮🤮
It’s got something, I just don’t know what
Bit melodramatic I don’t hate it though 3/5
Otro álbum y artista del cual jamás antes había oído hablar. Se trata de un cantautor y actor americano que concibió este álbum como una sinfonía intimista pero en clave de musical (music hall) muy influenciado por la teatralidad de Kurt Veil y con pasajes claramente inspirados en Gershwin o Copland, los músicos clásicos estadounidenses por excelencia. Suena extemporáneo pero no deja de sorprender y, aunque tiene altibajos, se comprende tanto por qué no obtuvo más reconocimiento en su época como por qué hoy se considera disco de culto.
Liked it
This album is one of the reasons I keep staying on this list. A wonderful surprise. Never heard of David Ackles, never heard his music. This is not the kind of music which will become my favourite in any way but still a great album with lovely songs which I surely will be listening to more often.
So he is criticizing and making fun of America using traditional Americana music. But his way of doing it is just annoying. He is full of stereotypical female troupes that do nothing to internalize what his part in the issues might be. He just sits and complains but never really comes up with any solutions, is just mad but doesn't want to do anything about it. I appreciate the nods to the Vietnam War and the plight of the returning soliders but thats about it.
I had high hopes for this album based on the description as it is compared to Elton John, but it just kind of plodded along and didn’t do much of anything for me. Oh well. It’s very vaudeville in spots and stream of consciousness elsewhere. Oh, California! Is fun..
Was this show tunes or Neil Diamond or Frank Sinatra or Nick Cave? Feels like a big pot of soup with varying amounts of those four ingredients. How did it taste? Fine I guess, but it could use more spice.
This was quite something! I imagine this will divide views as it’s borderline musical theatre, but for me, it really worked
Wow, where has this album been all my life? I’ve never heard of David Ackles before which is a crying shame, as I’d put him right up there with Don McLean, Randy Numan, and Jimmy Webb in absolutely nailing that specific style of American storyteller music. Unlike those singers though, I sense a vain of darkness and oppression running deep within the songs on American Gothic, reminding me of some of Nick Cave’s better works. This album is magnificent, and for being rather sparse instrumentally, Ackles absolutely commands attention through his writing and voice. A magnificent album.
The last gasp of the arse end of The Great American Song Book. “It is sad Timmy, but we have to let it go now. Let it go.”
fuckles
Felt like listening to a musical. I’m not much a fan of musicals
Good
not a fan.
Estilo y música altamente agradable.
American Gothic remains one of those great albums that never found its audience. This is still true
Interesting to see this classed as "Country" as the genre. It's much more show-tuney than country. Lots of big band instruments and storytelling lyrics.
Alright but a bit forgettable. Like the instrumentation
Bit of an odd one this but I thought it was pretty great all things considered
I almost gave this 5 stars but there was one track I really disliked. I had never heard of this artist but he is a serious songwriter and musician. The orchestration of “Montana Song” Is a composition in its own right. The lyrics are like a prose poem - very little verse and chorus structure - and there’s a lot of variation. The title track reminded me of Kurt Weill while others had country and even gospel influences. Totally intriguing and deserves listening more than once
Sometimes extremely talented people don't find an audience. David Ackles is one of those people. Even signed to a major label (Elektra for the first 3 albums and Columbia for his fourth and final album) and having his first three albums well promoted (Five & Dime his fourth and final album was not promoted well if at all) he only managed to chart one album when American Gothic charted at 167 on the Billboard 200. Listening to American Gothic repeatedly today it's easy to see why he didn't. This is a strange album. Brilliant. Sad. Self-indulgent. Intense. Gloomy. Beautiful and feels more like found art in the sense that it feels like it was never recorded, one day it just existed. What does it sound like? Singer songwriter stuff with Americana in the case of American Gothic. Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits & Elvis Costello all sound influenced (sometimes deeply so) by Ackles' voice and/or writing style. The ONLY influence I can hear on American Gothic is Kurt Weill and the like. It's a great album and so far, the absolute best discovery I have made because of the 1001 list-for the record Fifty plus years after his first release David Ackles has yet to find much of an audience. How two major labels didn't see that there simply wasn't an audience for this strange one-of-a-kind music (and that there never would be one) is mind boggling and a wonderful unintended gift for anyone with a profound love for rich, sad, forever timeless impenetrable music. Thanx you deaf devils! File Under: What were they thinking.
Ehh
No
Very interesting. Lots of story telling but also kinda show-tunes-y.
Ouais non hein.
What the fuck was that....
Once I could see past the "local theatre play". Once I saw the beauty of the stories - the pain, the sorrows, the regrets I fell in love. I'm a bit disappointed by the reviews here - guys, didn't you sign up for this list because you wanted to leave your usual music taste and experience something new? Granted - this is an album you need to listen with full attention. But once you do there's quite a reward. Finally - there are some weak tracks (or maybe they just didn't age well?) Ballad of the Ship of State - maybe worked in Vietnam war era Montana Song - too personal, overly long But then, some gems like "One Night Stand", "Another Friday Night" or "Waiting for the Moving Van"
This draaaaged
нормалек.
Det va ikke så verst, men det va ikke nokka æ sørge over å ha gått glipp av så langt i livet.
Day622 - i read comparisons to elton john or james taylor but this sounds like a failed broadway musical. no wonder i’ve never heard of this guy
Scott Walker x Geordie Greep x musical theatre. Incredible arrangements.
Weird. Just weird and sophomoric. Don’t quite understand how this made the list.
Overly bombastic, like a soundtrack to a musical or a movie that was never produced.
Album is fine. The book’s review only makes a little sense, there is one song that is reminiscent of Copland. There is one song that evokes Kurt Weill. What it does sound like consistently is Neil Diamond covering Randy Newman. Which is fine.
What the hell is this? Sounds like Nick Cave’s dad made a Broadway album. It’s chamber pop, Broadway, folk, goth, and pretty damn cool. His singing style keeps me involved more than most. None of the stories really landed with me, but great delivery.
Wow - when you read the notes and they’re comparing it to Elton John and others you’re really thinking this is going to be something memorable. And the you get, boring, pretentious, and tedious. I listened to the whole album with no skips, but never again.
Sonic soporific. Did it say anything? Who knows?!
1. gothic - 0 2. love - 2 3. zhip - 0 4. Night - 1 5. California - 1 6. Friday - 1 7. Family - 0 8. Midnight - 0 9. Van - 1.5 10. Blues - 0 11. Montana - 1 Terrible WTF
Beautiful, fun, and easy. Silly at times while setting the scene, a scene both jolly and solemn.
Can’t say I will ever seek this out again but I didn’t mind it.
I wish I could say I enjoyed this more, but it just wasn’t really my thing. It has all the right elements to make for an enjoyable album, but what killed it for me was the cinematic, Broadway musical vibe. I’ve never been into musicals, and this album didn’t change that for me.
I like his voice. Montana Song was my favourite.
Some serious musical theater vides. Good thing I happen to like musical theater.
had never heard this guy, decent mix
I’m a bit torn on this, there’s a nice dark gothic storytelling vibe to it but it’s too often played out over-theatrically for my tastes. There’s a few moments where that aspect is dialled down and that is where I find enjoyment in it. Perhaps I’ll go back to it at some point but for now it’s a swing and a miss
This was unusual. Not to my liking. A bit too dated and bland.
Sounds like Neil Diamond performing songs written and arranged by Tom Waits.
Sounded like I was at an off (off off) Broadway musical, although the storyline was a montage and the chorus (in either sense) didn’t show up. Still, there were a few tender moments and a lot of laughable ones (although not intentionally), and the orchestration was interesting.
Good singer, but I don't always like the way he sings. Lyrics are too... Sincere? Not sure exactly, but it doesn't make me want to listen to more of his work.
That was all right to play in the background while cleaning in the garage
#112/1001. File under: singer/songwriters from the U.S which I haven't heard before, and perhaps should have, you know the kind of singer who tells stories, which unfortunately people nowadays have no time or interest to listen to with attention, just next to Bobby Russell, Harry Chapin, Tim Buckley, Fred Neil, Jimmy Webb and the like, some of whom I am sure I will still encounter or have already discovered on the 1001 albums project.
I feel like he's auditioning to be a musical theater songwriter with this album.
How American Gothic had me doing a double take as in what if David Eugene Edwards traveled back in time and was forced to listen to boozy Frank Sinatra during his trip, only to arrive in 1972 to write, perform and record the song American Gothic, only then to fade away to be replaced with another performer named David (as D.E.E. borrowed some schmuck's suped-up DeLorean to get back to the future). Body swapped and smiling like a man in a canoe, this album seems to have planted awkwardly honest strange roots in our psyche. Scott Walker, Tom Jones and Tom Waits in a Captain Beefheart meets Neil Diamond musical theater mind grinder. What else can be said other than the feeling that I've heard so much of it before and yet I can't detect the trace? My only hope now being this review is as off-kilter and slightly weird as the record itself. Better than the curious 2 stars it's received from me, but keep your expectations low in order to be pleasantly surprised as you frequently raise one wtf eyebrow.
Interesting, whimsical and even musically beautiful at times. The vocal delivery was a bit too performative at times but overall good all around
This album was weird!! And so cringy at times. One Night Stand was just…and Midnight Carousel….I felt embarrassed listening to this album alone in my car. I kept thinking, oh my gosh what if I get into an accident and this is the album that all the rescue workers hear as they pull my body out of the car. I’d deliriously try to explain my odd choice in music as I slip in and out of consciousness. I can’t give it a 1 though. It was so brave.
Dette er et svært teatralsk album, nesten litt pianist-i-saloon stil over flere av låtene. Det er nok i meste laget for meg, det hørtes ut som filmmusikken til en musikal.
WTF. It is like Neil Diamond is singing a parody album of show tunes. Terrible show tunes to boot.
Not my thing but I can appreciate the message
This is country? At least it sounded like he was having a good time
This was just a musical soundtrack. I guess it's good but not something I'd listen to literally ever again.
Wasn't completely off-putting but didn't enjoy it all that much either.
Definitely has the feeling of that era with strong messaging. Gives you variety and many emotions
Actually not a bad vibe, a bit weird though
Fav: Oh, California! Least Fav: Midnight Carousel Idk how a guy averaging 5000 monthly listeners has made it into this list but let’s just say 5000 is way too little a number for the quality that was being produced, this is fantastic stuff
Connais pas pentoute. Comparé à d'autres trucs du genre "singer songwriter" qu'on a écouté comme Something/Anything? et 4, je trouve ça plus savoureux. L'orchestration et les compositions très etoffées et "velours" qui me fait penser à du musical. Waiting for the moving van to come c'est triste et joli Je le termine dimanche matin gris avec un café, ça fait bien. Belle découverte !!
Bof. On dirait une bande sonore de film ou une comedie musicale. Très dramatique par moment, avec du gros piano et des grosses cordes, mais ça ne vient pas me chercher vu que des scènes n’accompagnent pas!
Oh. Um. Uh. ??
Melancholic cover I suppose. Low ratings so can't have hopes mm. Genre is mot my favorite but I do fuck with it still. Haven't heard of him either, but I do love the album name. First song, dam I love the piano already. Leonard Cohen lyrical delivery. I actually enjoy this, it's so dramatic and theatrical. There are more than 2 songs here sonically. Second song, this is so different from the first song, this is lovey dovey. The delivery remembers me of another song, mm I like it because of they, but it's also not as good as the first one. Third song, eerie start. Wait dam it was all an intro, it became upbeat after some part. The clowny jazzyness I hear now. Dam I love this song, it changes here and there. Upbeat to slow to circusy. 4th song, weird how he has some absurdy songs and then ballads. I really like the musicalness of this album, apparently people don't fw that, but I find them appealing, now especially David using it as part of some songs. This is not as good tho, too less of a production. I do like the lyrics tho kinda. 5th song, this is so musical rn, love that. There's headphone play in the album which I always respect. Fuck this is so well done sonically. The outro has violins, and it's quite well performed, orchestra is heard with its dramaticness, but sadder. 6th song, I swear he actually just mixes circus then ballad, cuz this is so different from what he did in the preceding song. Mm the song progressed to something better, piano having the spotlight. Ahh he joined the circus, it makes sense now lol. Chorus has now women singing in the background quite loudly, satisfying. 7th song, melody is familiar, extremely familiar damm. Ah what a progression. Piano is quite jazzy, nothing else is tho. Mm I hear that woman operatic voice yumm. So much hate towards to the musicalness of this album, I get it subjectively I don't. 8th song, mm would be fitting for a scary movie, that piano. Dam he switched it again to a relatively happy tune. DAM first song that tried to jumpscare me. Yodeling basically now lol. Fuck that orchestra jumpscare is amazing. The buildup was mm good. 9th song, not my favorite, though it did allow me to drift into my thoughts. I actually like the song, but it's too normal for him at this point. 10th song, mm dark jazz vibes. Lyrical delivery is not dark, but it still fits the song. Liked this one as expected. 11th song, mm it IS 10 minutes long hm. I like the start and the first minute generally, we'll see how it changes. There's at least 3 marching bands coming in and vanishing after doing their part in the song. As expected, more than one song here. Not dramatic, just whimsy for now, that may change who knows. I accidentally fell asleep and listened to a lot of other songs, I thought smth other was his song, anyway I liked this song. As a final review I liked these songs more than I imagine I would. Mm because of the ballads that were not as good as the other songs, I give it 4 stars, even tho those other songs deserve 5. Mm I wanna hear some of his other songs here, otherwise mm he's good at this anyway.
I was looking forward to this as I had never heard of it before. I very quickly realised it was not for me. It sounded like the birth of musical theatre - wordy, too thick a texture, and melodies that wandered all over the place. I was glad when it got to the last track, less glad when I found that track to be 10 minutes long.
Never heard of this album before but enjoyed. Reminds me of Scott walker or a more melancholy don mclean. Can hear influences of its time (eg. Love) but can see resemblance in current music. Nick Cave etc.
It's not like offensive or anything, but I wouldn't say that it's "good." I got like 3/4 of the way through and stopped.
Nothing to write home about, but a fun time regardless
Montana Song sounds like a far too long demo version of a Disney princess song that never made it. The rest is okay, not something I would listen to in my spare time.
Not a fan of the more theatrical aspects, but the parts that lean more towards folk/Americana are pretty nice. It's pleasant but I'm not sure how much I'll revisit it.
There was a musical theatre production at my school every year and we used to have to watch bits of it in assembly. This album made me feel like that (derogatory).
This album was a killer discovery. I had no idea who he was or what I was in store for and this was so incredible. Engaging, amazing songwriting, just amazing songs. Very much worthy to be listed on the 1001 Albums To Listen to Before You Die
Not sure how to rate this one. Actually kind of interesting. Some of the songs are quite over the top/broadway-esque which was interesting, but some were pretty boring/ standard songs. It's a mixed bag, but I'm feeling generous today.
Take the theatricality of Scott Walker, the vocal stylings of Neil Diamond, the lyrical storytelling of Randy Newman stripped of all its humor and charm, and stir it all up and amp up the campy melodrama to 11 and you have some idea of what you will encounter with this album. Listening to this record is more akin to hearing a Broadway soundtrack, and because of that it gets points for originality as I can't recall hearing anything quite like it. It succeeds best on the ballads where it is more traditional - tunes like "Another Friday Night" or "Waiting For The Moving Van." On the other hand, the talk-sung stories and ragtime sendups border too close to the ridiculous. I give it 2 stars for interesting, but can't see revisiting it.
This was really really really really bad. Like that musical that Jessica day wrote with bear claw bad.
I don't know if I'd listen to this again, but it wasn't bad by any means. Some good storytelling and theatrics, and he has a pleasant voice. I'll round up to 3.
2* for comedic value, she really wanted those shoes... and suffers less than those that choose!
Not bad. No songs particularly stood out to be though.
This is a prime example of dismissing an album at first impression. First listen I thought was crap. Second listen I paid more attention to the lyrics. Third listen I was mesmerized by the dark sadness that runs throughout. There are some really heavy themes going on here. American Gothic for sure. Big thanks to the reviewer who hated this pick and threw out 75 other choices. I'm on my 3rd day on the couch with Covid just kicking the living shit out of me and these picks have been my playlist for today. I haven't found a record that I think should replace the David Ackles choice yet, but that Low Things We Lost in the Fire album is some damn fine slowcore.
Piano meh
Easily one of my least favorite albums on this project so far. I feel like putting it here was almost a more "I'm cool because I think this is good when everyone else will hate it" move. The title track, American Gothic, has instrumentals that clash with each other, and the spoken-word type lyrics don't seem to properly match the beat and tone of the acoustic accompaniment. Most of the album has this sort of feel, and I cannot express enough how much I dislike it. The Wikipedia article for this album has the following quote: "In its retrospective review, AllMusic wrote 'American Gothic remains one of those great albums that never found its audience. It waits to be rediscovered.' " I posit this counterpoint: This album never found an audience because it is bad. No one wants to share it because they don't want to look foolish for recommending it. Considering the incredibly low listen rate on YouTube Music, I feel like I have a more correct view of this album than AllMusic.
I would like to start by i have almost no musical education, nor i know a lot about historical progression of music and this spesific genre. None of my words need to be taken seriously. I want to listen to more and different music and thats why i started to this project. Anyways, this album was from a completely unbekown genre. While i have heard the turkish folklore music and am somewhat familiar with those sounds, i have never encountered a american folklore music. However i am familiar with the americana asthetic as in a visual style and the overal "redneck", rural, small town american patriotism (i am sure there is a better way to express this) is kind of burned in to my brain through hollywood films and other exported american cultural elements. Still this album was a new listen from every angle. I really enjoyed the piano and the occasional church music (gospel? I suppose) Although there is definitely more to unpack ,as in there are some subtle themes, the unenthusiastic and relaxed sound of the vocal really unmotivates me. I am not saying the artist wasnt electric about this album nor he didnt put enough effort, perhaps because of the the demands of this genre or his personal style, he just doesnt sound interesting. This may not be problem for the long time listeners of american folklore music, but i find it quite hard wait for that 20 second phase of the song where the piano picks up the pace and vocal to show some alive emotions and some unexpected instuments come in to play. You can tell there will be a slight crescendo (i think thats the right term?) but it always comes up short as in length of the song and as in the peakwise. Of course that may never be what the artist envisioned or what regular listeners of this genre wants, still from my shallow 21st century oriented music taste it is simply too dull. Again it is impossible to say there are no emotions. Some of the songs touch on very ineteresting storys which i presume come roght from rural america. Folklore music probably always includes a lot of feelings and storys in every language that is sang and i can hear it in this album too, it is just that as a 19 year old i expect and want more energetic music. Probably because of the time passed, i cant fully emerse myself int to world of american gothic. It could be wiser if i got introduced to this genre by a softer album. Maybe one day this album will meet exactly to my demands but till then i doubt i will give this one an another chance. 5/10
This felt like a badly earnest musical. Unlike say, Bat Out of Hell, there is no campiness or humor. Just self serious trash.
That’s a no for me, dawg
I vividly remember the hype when this came out in 1972 as being the next Dylan or next big thing. I bought it and was underwhelmed. I was hoping that hearing it again 50+ years later would be different. Nope. One Night Stand and Another Friday Night are decent enough, but too much of this sounds like an over-conscious effort to be “serious”.
I like his voice
OK
Fine
It’s just fine. Not sure why it’s in the list
It certainly music. Not good music mind you but at least there is melody and singing. It’s too theatrical in a bizarre way to ever be popular. I just wished for it to stop playing the whole time I endured this album. Within the first 15 seconds of the first track, I knew it was going to be a tough listen.
Occasionally your devastatingly original hot take is shared by.....every other reviewer. Soundtrack for an imaginary musical.
You know, whenever you see lists of great 70s singer-songwriter albums you never see this one included. That's fair... this sucks.
An actual deep cut, <7k listeners on Spotify. Very theatrical, pretty cool
mal was anderes aber meh
Wonderful songs sang by a beautiful voice
Unique record. Really interesting direction for a 70s singer-songwriter.
This was interesting- a mix of very theatrical songs and really nice “romantic” ballads. The theatrical ones were fine songs but didn’t work all that well for me in this context, they seemed to belong on Broadway or in a soundtrack. The ballads really solid, particularly likes Love’s Enough. More of these could have brought this to 4 stars.
Listened while I was having an especially coming to terms moment with my life, my job especially since I was on a coffee break on Apple Music they said he resembles Elton John but I felt like he was his own storyteller
Not as bad as some reviews here make it out to be. Not as good as some other reviews do, either.
What the heck? That was the first thought... Its weird, but I liked the piano line in the first song enough to overlook the poor singing and pretentious lyrics to keep going. I dont know, I should hate it, but i dont?
He's just storytelling. Without punchlines, metaphors or anything that would make it worth listening to. Like reading a plot summary
ass
First impression pre listen: So apparently this is weird as hell. Loved reading the one star reviews for this thing. Either it's gonna be fun or it's gonna be torture. Looking forward to it none the less. Individual track notes: American Gothic Musical theatre vibes. Not exactly sure what to call it. Very strange and over the top. It's very difficult to follow the plot. I'm confused. Average. 2.5/5 Love's Enough A sweet piano ballad. It's pretty enough, but not too interesting. Average. 2.5/5 Ballad of the Ship of State Overly conceptual. Annoying writing style. Feels like yet another part of a fever dream of a musical theatre performance. Manages to be way to bombastic and grandiose while also being quite boring. Awful. 1/5 One Night Stand Not sure who this is for, but it gives me an ick that will not go away. Creepy uncle vibes. Awful. 1/5 Oh, California! Okay they were right. This is beyond obnoxious. I guess the orchestra is alright, but god damn someone needs to come get their grampa. He's making musical theatre again! Strongly dislike. 1.5/5 Another Friday Night I can appreciate a dash of theatre in my music, but if it's too much it feels unearned. Being bombarded with orchestral rises, crescendos and over the top performances gets really tiring. He's more than adequate at what he does, but it doesn't help that this style sounds super corny outside the musical theatre framing. Awful. 1/5 Family Band Absolutely no comment. Literal cult vibes. Awful. 1/5 Midnight Carousel This is not a review. This is a warning. Stay away. Awful. 1/5 Waiting for the Moving Van Kinda pretty I guess. The crooning and the cliche piano is whatever, but I think the lyrics are fine and I like the slightly more down to earth atmosphere the track has. Definitely listenable. Fine. 3/5 Blues for Billy Whitecloud Yeah no thank you. Wtf are you thinking man writing that... Awful. 1/5 Montana Song I've got nothing nice to say so I won't say anything. I just want it to be over. In what world did this album need a 10 minute long closer. Awful. 1/5 Final review: How I even managed finish this is beyond me. I'd like to meet whoever this is for, because I'm sure they'd be a fascinating person. To me this sounded like a literal trainwreck. Proof that even your most senile questionable family member could have the ability to accidentally record an album. I can't even call it laughable, because that implies even the slightest bit of ironic fun. This is a boring slog with its greatest achievement being its one concise and listenable track. It's over the top, dated sounding and really fucking weird. Has plenty of those "good ol' 'merican family values" that honestly just confuse me. The songs are grandiose and overwhelming, with lyrics that are both annoying to follow along with boring at the same time. This guy's storytelling ability is virtually non-existant, as he lacks the charisma, ability and personality to keep a listener interested. Instead this feels like a self-indulgent vanity project that went far off the rails. An album I suspect I'll never forget. Obnoxious and frustrating. 1/5
Scott Walker-esque baroque pop with a tinge of Americana. Very fancy and sophisticated. It is also very Broadway. It really like it. Great vocals. Key tracks: American Gothic Midnight Carousel
I used to think, "what could be worse the an Neil Diamond song?" innocently forgetting that perhaps there might be a cut-rate Neil Diamond wannabe somewhere with fresh ink on a record contract.
No. started but stopped. Not liking the guys voice. Not a must for me.
I hear where this influenced people who claim him as an influence. It sounds like adult versions of Disney songs though. I didn’t finish it.
Sounds like a collection of songs from different musicals. Very theatrical and often orchestral, with a variety of influences. It was interesting to hear and very different from a lot of other music on the list, but it's not something I'll come back to. From a first listen my favourite was the Ballad of the Ship of State.
It sounds like a compilation of character songs from an obscure oldie musical with a 72% on Rotten Tomatoes adapted from a significantly more famous book, but the first critic review you see says it's a "faithful retelling of the story" and that's the best thing they say about it
Why is this generic knockoff musical theatre on this list? It has 7k listeners on Spotify per month. I wonder how much of that is from users of this list? Also... wtf is up with the penultimate song, "Blues for Billy Whitecloud"? "For an Indian, you're not so bad"?! What is going on with this record
I feel like this dude wrote some very compelling classical music opera, and then decided to talk over the whole thing. It doesn't work for me, but I can tell a lot of effort went into it. It's like when they put the Harrison Ford narration over top of the original Blade Runner, because they thought audiences would be too dumb to follow along.
British man discovers American folk music. There better be so many Townes albums on here.
Very pleasantly surprised by this. You can definitely hear how he's influenced people like Phil Collins, Elvis Costello etc. Noice
Not a fan of singer songwriter
Pleasantly surprised, pretty good but probably not something I'll listen to consistently
This album is the lovechild of Neil Diamond singing Leonard Cohen’s lyrics with Charles Mingus’ band playing John Lennon’s score. The song American Gothic definitely has that free-jazz influence, and I actually checked the stereo to see if was playing in addition to the IPad. In truth, I got it, but not a fan. The mixing across the album seemed off, with certainly sections listening imbalanced. My favorite tracks of David’s were his solo piano ballads like Another Friday Night and Love’s Enough. I don’t regret listening but I probably won’t return.
Random thoughts: * This was a weird one for sure. I can see why maybe this album has a cult following. It is not for everyone. * Maybe this is just the last track but this felt like Randy Newman + Musical Theatre + Aaron Copland. * This is pretty downer music overall. * I basically didn't like but didn't absolutely hate it.
Favorite songs: Blues for Billy Whitecloud, Love's Enough, Family Band, Another Friday Night Least favorite songs: Ballad of the Ship of State, Midnight Carousel, Montana Song 3/5
Quite gothic, slow, like it
I can’t begin to express how awful this is. No redeeming qualities.
Ni puta idea. A ver... Una maravilla de disco y todo un descubrimiento.
I'm about 50/50 on this one. Some really great stuff and some stuff that didn't tick any boxes.
Kinda good but also kinda sounds like the music from the Vampire musical in Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Laughably bad and in contest for some of the worst singing yet (and I'm 1032 albums deep). What a monumental waste of time. Keep in mind that there is so much content out there and yet this shit got on the list. 2/10
This is going to be a weird review. So this album gave me a feeling that a good friend told me that someone they knew was doing a one man show and they had to go but really didn't want to and asked if I'd join so they didn't have to go by alone. This feels very much like the artist is loving what they're doing and that's pretty much where it feels like it ends.
Interesting album cover. The music didn't live up to the cover. I did not like this. Something about his voice, made this hard for me to listen to. Nina Simone is who I would go to for ballads, with great vocals and a better vibe.
1.4 1x catch up 11/13. just kinda weird
Doesn’t really work, do like some stuff here.
++: American Gothic, Love's Enough, Oh, California!, Another Friday Night, Family Band, Midnight Carousel, Blues for Billy Whitecloud +: Ballad of the Ship of State, One Night Stand +-: Waiting for the Morning Van -: Montana Song 6,7/10
Had never heard before. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Excellent and thoroughly enjoyable. Contains a certain quirk in places, that breaks up what otherwise could become a dull overall listen. Quite serious in others. A sea shanty popped up third. The approach of the album made me think of someone like Harry Nilsson, except with little more theatrics and/or Americana storytelling.
I enjoyed this one, particularly the first and last songs. Pleasant folksy songs, often with a Broadway style. Not necessarily a “great” album, but I liked it
Suena a musical de opera rock
Lighthearted, feels like a passion project. Not sure how it made the list, it feels overall amateur. It's very unpredictable, but in a good way! Just fine musically though. - Unusual. Not many listens on Spotify. Curious - Gentle, sweet. Enjoyable. But also very wonky
Sad fuck boy in 1972 "pours his heart" into a record, nobody cares...
This is what I’d imagine Billy Joel would sound if he was bad
A bit odd and quite sad. Too much like “talking-singing”. Very depressing.
This album was somewhat entertaining from just how bizarre it was, a mashup of showtunes, church hymns and folk songs, you never know what you're going to get with the next track. That being said, if I wasn't told it was specifically important or acclaimed I would have probably turned it off immediately.
All I really got from this album is that this guy wishes he was born in the Bible Belt. It’s just a bunch of piano ballads that sound kind of similar to Neil Diamond or Elton John. Doesn’t really do much for me.
Styling remind me of the Doors. Musically I don't hear anything exceptional.
p271. 1972. 1 star. This is what you get if you splice Randy Newman on an off day with Neil Diamond. There are a couple of lovely songs, but there is too much filler that strays into sub-par musical theatre far too often.
Oh hale no. This has just taken the top spot on my most hated album on this list. Pretentious, boring, and utterly pointless. No idea why it is on this list.
Feels weird that I'd never encountered this. Never even heard of it. Sounds like it's ripped straight from a rom-com-that-everyone-thinks-is-good soundtrack. Huge span in terms of what it covers. Oh, California is a bit sub-Lehrer and some of it gets a bit show-tuney, but Love's Enough was just a really decent simple love song. Best song: Love's Enough.
In the world of Nick Cave, Randy Newman, Tom Waits... a space I really like, but doesn't quite hold up for a whole record. Cool instrumentation and vocals, especially like the strings later on. Each song stands well alone but as a collection it loses some interest.
Ne samo da ovo nisam sluša nego nisam nikad ni čuo za lika a skroz mi je zanimljivo. Ovakve stvari su mi najbolji dio generatora
Some of the songwriting seemed very lazy. The vocals were decent but should've been given better songs to showcase this
★★½
American Gothic // Love’s Enough // Another Friday Night //
Average
Meh.
This album continues to not find it's audience. Frustratingly so, because there's some pretty good songwriting going on here, but the music itself is ridiculous and overblown and does not serve the songwriting at all. I get why the person who made this list feels like there's something here though, I feel like someone with a better sense of musicianship could make these songs something much more beloved.
Not really listenable
This was just okay.
Neil Diamond doing show tunes. Not for me
God here goes, I'm excited for this after reading the reviews. I'm scared I'm going to love it... Crikey, there was no need to worry.
Like if Frank Sinatra and Randy Newman had a baby and that baby had depression. The whiplash from the first song into the second song is pretty crazy.
Stuck between giving this one a 1 or a 2. The first song, “American Gothic” is so comical that it actually made me laugh. It paints the woman as a shoe hungry villain, and the worst part is that I I think they expect you to take it seriously. For that reason it’s my favorite song on the album. Everything else is just forgettable, boring, bland and bad. This is listed as Country, I wasn’t aware Country could sound like this, but I do not like it. I’m having a generational run on bad music, surely a banger is coming my way soon. You know what, I only made it through once before I wanted to turn it off. It’s a 1 out of 5.
Not very good, is it?
Ain't nobody got time for this
As a Phil Collins and Genesis fan, it was interesting to hear the artist that influenced Phil Collins’ songwriting style. Like other reviews for this album that were written, this guy did remind me of Neil Diamond mixed with musical theatre. The album was okay. I can see why Elton John had him as an opening act at his first US shows. Both Elton and this guy had the same amount of energy. Three stars for influencing Phil Collins and Elton John.
1.5
1,3/5
This sounds like what your local theatre would come up with if they put on a panto 2 ⭐️
eh
I did not use a private session on Spotify for this one. I didn't know what I getting in to, I am still a little confused. Discount Randy Newman? Way to dramatic and melodramatic, as if Calculon created an album.
A brilliantly dramatic album where each song tells a story that looks inside the lives of several people across the American plains. Very musical coded in the best way possible. Unexpected 5 stars.
In interesting album by an artist I've never heard. It's not a rock album and fits snugly into that singer songwriter genre that was huge in the 70's. Not something I would ever seek out, but I didn't hate it.
I wasn't sold at first but was still a decent listen
A hidden gem cult classic from a forgotten singer songwriter from the 1970's? This had me very optimistic about this record, but I was left a little bored. David Ackles sounds like Nick Cave’s dad, or a less interesting Scott Walker. Definitely not a bad record, but not one that I was particularly impressed by.
Wow, how interesting and unusual. After a second listen this is growing on me.
Not for me
A surprising singer songwriter album. Reminds me a lot of Scott Walker. Very dramatic/orchestrated right off the bat.
The most random depressing songs
Meandering musical and vocal arrangements. Vague and impressionistic lyrics. Not particularly compelling.
Как Джонни Кэш, только хуже
Not bad just boring 70s stuff
Musical vibes. American history. Scott walker, magnetic fields
All over the place in style and story telling. Interesting album but not one I would go out of my way to listen to.
Definitely a unique album and well worth listening to. I think the theatricallity and sentimentality of the music as well as of the singing voice don't work together the way they should. There is a sense in which all the stories are pushed away by how they are presented as a thing to look at and be heard rather than pulling you in and experiencing the events. In short, the album fails to overcome its own stylization and fights against itself.
Bit dull
First listen
I tried really hard to get into this one, but could not. It might be the voice.
There's a reason this never found its audience. Half-arsed show tunes that think they're smarter and funnier and deeper than they really are - they even wouldn't make it to a muppet musical. Drab. Best Tunes: Love's Enough; Another Friday Night; Waiting For The Moving Van
Echt niet mijn ding, met vlagen zelfs irritant. Wel goed gemaakt.
Sounded like it was intended for a theater production, but it’s not that good.
tacky and trite lyrics dripping with era-typical misogyny + overwrought delivery + unremarkable instrumentals. get me out of here.
OK, I was a bit skeptical about this one after the first song, it was giving me PTSD of all of the god awful Nick Cave albums I've listened to due to this list, but this one has some really high points (Love's Enough, One Night Stand), but also some songs that bug the shit out of me (Montana Song, American Gothic). I don't know where to put this one. So I think right in the middle works. 2.5/5 = 3 stars for this scale.
What is this??? It’s well written but to quote another review it really is Billy Joel’s attempt at a high school theater musical. I feel bad to bring modern stats into this but very jarring seeing a 6500 monthly listener artist with an album that’s highest streamed song is sitting at 300k be on this list (that song is by far the best on here, makes sense). I laughed through the ship state song. It’s funny how “what the hell am I listening to” this album is, maybe if I listen to it 5 times I’ll love it. Billy whitecloud is a fucking insane song. This has value, I don’t hate it, I don’t think it should be on this list. I listened to it again, does this album rule? I’m so lost. I take back doesn’t deserve the list, I definitely wouldn’t have heard these cheesy musical theater tunes otherwise and now I can send this to my coworkers and make fun of it while whistling the songs to myself while I hear my old friend Jesus speak.
Definitely didn't expect to give an album like this such a high score, but David knows wtf he's doing. Great composition, production, songwriting, and overall musical talent. The experience definitely has a Disney movie/theme park vibe to it, but it's really good. Really good feel good album. 4/5
Theater kid music. I am a fan of how dramatic it is and also the lyrics were engaging to me. There’s quite a few artists that I like more that were influenced by this like Elton John, Elvis Costello, and I’d guess Tom Waits too. It does drag at points though like on the Montana song (10 minutes is insane). One night stand is a great song and might be my favorite on the album. I’m feeling a light 4/5
Pretty good singer songwriter album. Didn't really click with me though. 5/10
Why? Why? WHY??!!
Why did I like this? I really don't know. I can't explain it. But this was a really bloody good album. The closing track was longer than it needed to be, but even so, the overall album is great.
:/
I'd give this 3.5, but I see no reason to not give it 4 stars on this scale, as it is solid, well-written music, even if it isn't something I won't really go back to, personally. It is interesting and did hold my attention much of the time. The variety is enough to feel like a bit of a journey.
This album is genuinely great when it goes into the unhinged showtune cabaret territory, but immediately becomes boring with every 'normal' song. I'll give it 4 stars purely because I do find it interesting, which cannot be said about many other albums on this list
I don't know who this is.
The man is clearly talented but Holy Shit this plays like a soft rock parody of Billy Joel.
제스탈은 아니셈
It’s like you smashed every 70s singer songwriter guy into an incomprehensible mush
It took 5 or 6 tracks, but I ended up sort of liking "American Gothic". Ackles is not much of a singer, but after a while I got into some of the melodies and the orchestration. The music is not a cross of any two or three particular genres ... which is a way of saying it's original.
Pretty damn bad. Not my thing
Der er en meget lige linje fra det her album til Elvis Costello, særligt Imperial Bedroom. Det lyder også som noget, Tom Waits nok har været fan af. Så jeg er glad for at have hørt det, og jeg nød den, selvom jeg nok vil finde de senere kunstnere frem før denne igen
Lød ret godt, fede vokaler og arrangementer! Fik ikke lyttet til teksterne
A bit too grandiose for me.. Hard to appreciate.. :(
I tried on two different days, but I could not get into the headspace where I could enjoy this. This ain't for me (or most people born after, like, 1970).
Very unique. Has that almost talking style which I assume Sun Kil Moon got his inspiration from. I don't love that format but I respect it
With the best will in the world this did nothing for me. I tried and I see what he was going for. Not averse to a touch of musical theatre, I recently gave The Srnsational Alex Harvey Band 5 stars, but this just didn’t work for me. Some interesting lyrics though
Keep looking for that audience, Davey
Yea naw not for me in the slightest
Beetje musical vibe
#587. Weird. Boring. Where do you people even find half the shit on this list? 1/5: shit
Aluksi en niinkään välittänyt mut pitänee tälle kolmonen antaa. täysin pätevää jenkkifolkkia.
oh my lord.. I tried, I really did! hoping it would be another hidden gem since I never heard of him... no such luck! - sigh - pass
Hvað ef John Grant og Billy Joel myndu semja söngleik? Hann myndi hljóma svona. Þetta var bara allt í lagi plata en ég mun fljótt gleyma henni nema ef éf er eitthvað að hugsa um óuppsetta söngleiki sem gerist eiginlega aldrei.
Da riascoltare
Not for me 1/5
Not really my thing
Songwriting and composition were fantastic, I simply just didn't jive with the music
Great album, sounded like a musical
Waiter, waiter! More melodramatic theater kid music, please!
Was gonna give a 1star, but his voice isn't to bad.
don't understand the importance of this one either. didn't even resonate - only thought was did he try to steal the CSNY album cover when they're on the porch
What a booming voice! This may be the only album I've ever heard on which all the lyrics are clear and easy to hear. It should be a play.
I guess there's some good song craft but there's too much Neil Diamondesque bellowing without the reach for the stars everyone sing along bombast for my taste. I believe that's enough shade thrown for one day.
Great voice, very dramatic poetic lyrics. Felt like a musical, very theatrical
Cool dude.
Quite the flair for the drama.
Lame and tame ... the schmaltzy horns, the bad-toupee piano. Randy Newman's theater-major uncle, one assumes.
Campy, with a capital C
Montana Song is way too epic for a Disney princess introduction. To be honest, I kinda dig this. Definitely not my type of music, but it's just so lush and pleasant. This feels like cozy fantasy music (especially the last song, which is beautiful, by the way), except the fantasy land is, like, America (not that different, I know). Too much on the slower side for me, though. 7/10
At least it's an interesting listen, but like most narrative based showtune type songs, it's only interesting for a single listen.
This was a struggle. When artists get all theatrical, they tend to lose me. If I am going to listen to music I won’t be reaching for show tunes so when I hear albums that fit that genre I groan. To clarify, I’m totally on board with an artists displaying theatrics like Bjork, Kate Bush, Bowie does it but when your vocals revolve directly from it and the music accompanying it is the same, you lose me. Scott Walker, Divine Comedy and now David Ackles, they all do it. This album even made a song about a ship sound lame. Song about ships shouldn’t sound lame at all. This was obnoxiously grating and I hated it. 1 star