American Gothic

Nick Cave lite with terrible lyrics. Some of the music was ok but I couldn’t get past the lyrics!

What an interesting album. The weird thing is that it's like a musical but also is just normal in a way. Some of the songs just when you are like "yeah this is ok" turns to be weird. Some of the piano key choices were very interesting. I did some research and people said it had glowing reviews when it first came out, but yeah I think it just didn't age well. I was between a 2 and a 3 for this one because SOME songs were ok at best, but I ended up leaning closer to the 2 because it just couldn't save itself.

Gražus balsas, bet nelabai įdomu. Skamba lyg būtų skirta vaidinimui.

The third of four albums by an idiosyncratic singer-writer who was considered to Tin Pan Alley and was underappreciated in his own time. Sometimes these pan out for me and sometimes they don't. This feels a bit like a one-man, dramatic Broadway musical that I'm missing context for. It's a committed performance but it's bewildering. My old music teacher described music as a tension between the familiar and the novel: too much repetition and your music is boring; not enough and it's inaccessible (and, ultimately, also boring). This contains not enough repetition and, as a consequence, the conviction and seriousness of it sound pretentious (the pretense being that I have any clue what's going on). Anyway, it's some 70's music with a rambling singer, a piano and a bit of orchestration. It's like if Neil Diamond had no bombast and couldn't write a refrain. 2/5: not painful to the ears but a bit painful to my sense of patience. Note: after having read some user reviews, I feel the need to establish that I wrote the above *before* reading everyone's thoughts. We all hear Neil Diamond and musical theatre, apparently -- and in the worst way.

awful. not my thing at all.

theater kid ass music...but somehow also boring. bernie taupin you will begin to cough in seven days

The sorta album that your elder friend David claims he made half a century ago and you act like, “sure you did, David” only to look it up later and it’s actually real only it doesn’t entirely suck so you feel obligated to listen to the whole thing and have an opinion on it.

Kind of a strange one. Never heard of this guy, but that's apparently the trend. Reminds me a little of Gordon Lightfoot at moments, but then in other moments it's just something totally unique. Maybe it's just his voice and singing style that is Lightfoot-esque. Ballad of the Ship of State is definitely on the strange side. And the strangeness doesn't really stop. Sounds like a cheesy movie soundtrack. Undiscovered genius or just random experiment from the early 70s gone wrong? I know which one of those options I choose. 2/5

This is... ok? It's interesting, but it's super theatrical. Too much so for my liking. It sounds like Neil Diamond and Gordon Lightfoot got together and made an early America concept album. It's... a lot. I won't come back to this one. 3/10

Not bad per se, and kind of a cool secret, but the theatrics are a bit much. Ackles strikes a balance on four or 5 songs here, and I really like the title track, but sometimes, I just *can’t* do it. Like, the music plus his Sinatra crooning makes this sound like it’s off Broadway sometimes Oh, California! in particular is kinda insufferable. I guess I’m glad I know about this now, and it’s cool to see what else Bernie Taupin is up to, but I just don’t think I’ll be revisiting this.

1.5

I don't even need to listen to this one (I still did). American Gothic doesn't belong on this list. The streaming numbers are some of the lowest I've seen in the Dimery docket. Stylistically, very concert-hall-esque. It's definitely outdated, even for its time (remember how much Lennon scorned McCartney's "granny pieces"?), but it's still charming in its own way. After 6 or so tracks, though, that soft-spoken rambly concert hall style gets old *really* quickly. Tracks like Family Band and Waiting for the Moving Van just lack that punchiness or creativity most listeners are looking for somewhere in an album. By the beginning of Montana Song, you're breathing a sigh of relief, thinking, "okay, just one more track. I can do this." In a sinister twist of fate, though, Montana Song is over 10 minutes long, and doesn't showcase any sort of progressive element to make up for it. There are some minor ups and downs in energy/texture, but absolutely nothing that justifies taking up almost a quarter of an already questionable album. Love's Enough sounds like something off the Billy Joel debut record (the year nearly matches too) but with a different vocalist. Neil Diamond, maybe. The whole record is like a sack of Diamond trinkets created after he went completely mentally off the rails. Another reviewer described Ackles's delivery as "manic" and, though it's subtle, I have to agree. It's a weird, fevery, mildly uninteresting sound that I don't see myself revisiting. Nor do most other listeners, it seems. Wikipedia notes AllMusic's mini-review: "American Gothic remains one of those great albums that never found its audience. It waits to be rediscovered." That feels like a cop-out comment for unpopular albums, and doesn't consider the possibility that maybe people haven't heard it because other people didn't enjoy it. 2/5 Key tracks: Love's Enough, Oh California!, Another Friday Night

This was bad lounge / off Broadway music. Somebody will love it, just not me. 2/5

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

This draaaaged

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

Overly bombastic, like a soundtrack to a musical or a movie that was never produced.

Sonic soporific. Did it say anything? Who knows?!

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.

This was unusual. Not to my liking. A bit too dated and bland.

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.

That was all right to play in the background while cleaning in the garage

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.

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.

This is country? At least it sounded like he was having a good time

Wasn't completely off-putting but didn't enjoy it all that much either.

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.

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.

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.

2* for comedic value, she really wanted those shoes... and suffers less than those that choose!

Piano meh

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

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”.

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.

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

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.

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.

Not a fan of singer songwriter

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.

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.

Doesn’t really work, do like some stuff here.

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.

Some of the songwriting seemed very lazy. The vocals were decent but should've been given better songs to showcase this

★★½

Average

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.

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.

Not very good, is it?

Ain't nobody got time for this

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.

Not for me

A surprising singer songwriter album. Reminds me a lot of Scott Walker. Very dramatic/orchestrated right off the bat.

Как Джонни Кэш, только хуже

Not bad just boring 70s stuff

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

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.

Pretty good singer songwriter album. Didn't really click with me though. 5/10

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

Pretty damn bad. Not my thing

A bit too grandiose for me.. Hard to appreciate.. :(

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

Not really my thing

Songwriting and composition were fantastic, I simply just didn't jive with the music

Was gonna give a 1star, but his voice isn't to bad.

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.

At least it's an interesting listen, but like most narrative based showtune type songs, it's only interesting for a single listen.

I don't mind country, and I like musicals, but this was just a classic mess.

Tää tarinallinen teema-albumi ei nyt iskenyt, ei napannut mistään kohtaa mukaansa. Miksi piti puhelaulaa, olisin kaivannut lauluun kiinnostavampia melodioita. Mutta en vihannut.

2.5/5. Trying too hard to sound like Frank Sinatra, mate.

2/5

Not for me.

When you graduate from the Renaissance Fair to Open-mic night at the coffee house. 2.5/5

broadway x country????? no thanks

Knockoff Sinatra sings sarcastically about Vietnam-era USA.

Sounds a little like a Dracula musical

Not for me

felt like it was a musical, interesting but not pleasing to me

I liked things about it like the dramatic piano bits, but I probably won’t listen to this again

I like the jangly piano on the first track and there were a couple moments that made me laugh a little, so not all bad. I doubt I'll ever seek this out again and I definitely don't think you need to listen to it before you die.

What, and I cannot emphasize this enough, the fuck, did I just listen to

I feel like this guy just treated this album like a stream of consciousness, he has some good instrumentals but just kinda talk-sings over it. Its like he's trying to hit those Frank Sinatra notes, but also trying to be introspective. I couldnt help but think of My Way through most of this listen. You know it reminds me of that Americana, turn of the century type sound, I'm sure there are better references, but Bioshock Infinite background music. Just weird. kinda spooky, and annoying.

Weird annoying songs that belong to the worlds shittiest, most heavy handed musical.

Interesting and a very seventies singer songwriter

Not for me. Kinda folksy, jazzy, I don't know.

How is this album classified as country/singer songwriter? This sounds like the score to a play I would have been bored with and abandoned during intermission. It wasn't quite bad enough to inspire anger or hate so this gets a generous 2.

Sounds like a score to a musical, not a big fan of this one. The music wasn't bad per se, but not for me and by the looks of his Spotify, not for many others either... lol

Just uninteresting. Have heard better singer-songwriter from this list.

Dull

4/10 - pretty boring without many interesting factors.

Some great tracks here (Love's Enough is a straight up masterpiece), but most of them did not catch my attention.

Comes across a little like showtunes. I don't hate showtunes, but I don't often listen to an entire album of them.

Unfortunately, I didn't really have a chance to read the lyrics while listening to this, so I'm sure I missed some of the meaning. On its own, the music sounds just alright to me. While I enjoy this kind of theatrical/orchestral music on occasion, his voice doesn't really do anything for me.

An interesting listen, not something i see myself coming back to

Really wanted to like it - especially given how much influence it has on artists I love. But damn.... side B was a tough listen. 2.5 stars - but it's gonna get a 2 all said and done

No idea what to expect here. I'm getting touches of early Scott Walker solo, Divine Comedy sort of thing. Sometimes Randy Newman. Theatrical. Second track, yeah, I get the Neil Diamond comparisons. Fully less my whole deal. Track 3 is fully a song from a musical which doesn't exist. Great if you like that sort of thing. Okie doke, several tracks on, I am bored. There are good bits, but overall, not for me. I did very much enjoy Waiting For the Moving Van. That's a lovely little song. It's also clearly the inspiration for the Man From Delmonte song Waiting For Ann, which I love.

This is pretty weird. It's like he wants to be a classical composer, but his parents forced him to learn guitar and he ended up like a busker or something. It straddles the world of folk/country/singer-songwriter and classic cantata with a full wind ensemble. It just doesn't really do either thing well, though and ends up just being okay. I think if you took this album's idea and spent 2-3 years with some of the best artists of today (in both the county and classical worlds), you could make an incredible album. But that just isn't this. Favorite Song(s): Another Friday Night

This sounds like a musical. I really don’t like musicals. But objectively, it seems like it is good if you like that sort of thing. Which I don’t. At all. So it’s a 1/5 for me, but for musicality, I’ll give it 2.

Budget Neil Diamond with a splash of racism here and there.

Noh.. enpä jaksanut tällä kertaa kuunnella montaa kipaletta..

Levyä kuunnellessa tuli mielikuva, kuin olisi kuunnellut vanhempaa animaatioelokuvan soundtrackia. Kappaleissa oli paljon erilaisia musikaaleista tuttuja elementtejä. Artistilla myös vahva tarinan kerronnallinen ote. Jännä levy.

Not for me, but had some nice songs.

Sounds like a broadway show at times, other times it sounds good, but not often.

A symphonic, theatrical fever dream, agree with most of the sentiment that David was improving here. This was very theatre kid sounding, very grandiose sounding, the over enunciation of lyrics, its all there. Not my preference, entertained me for 40 min, but not worth a look back imo.

Lounge lizard music

Lounge vibe

Two stars for ambition I guess

This was original, I'll give it that

Kind of baroque-poppy, like Scott Walker with shades of Leonard Cohen, but nowhere near as engaging as either.

A bit much.

overly religious, somewhat overwrought. A real "it insists upon itself" vibe with this one. Not great.

The music says grassroot folk artist, the vocals scream elitist broadway nerd

Didn't get sold

Ludicrous kitchen-sink melodrama doggerel showtunes, on depressing topics. Ooft. No thanks. Although, saying that...

good music, too bad it all sounds the same

I don’t know that I needed to listen to this guy’s musical about middle America. But I’m pretty sure it might have been like the 1010th or 1011th best album of all time. Oh man, it just missed.

wow, wordy songs w bible references …a bit too much for me

This didn’t do a lot for me

This sounds like an off-broadway musical that I missed. I understand why Elton John reached popular and critical acclaim, but this fellow didn't.

The reviews made this seem like this was going to be some sort of Nick Drake level genius, that was undiscovered. This was like a bad play no one wanted to watch.

2.5

faaaaaack no

There were elements of things I liked here - the orchestral arrangements, the folksy singing, the weirdness - but the odd theatricality of it all was offputting. 2.5, though it could go up if I listened again.

1.5 I’d say. Started promising, steeply downhill

Interesting album. Some songs had nice stories, but I just didn't really connect with a lot of them. Oh, California is a lot of fun, and Love's Enough is very sweet. The rest of the album is ok. Best song: Oh, California

Such high hopes for an album is never heard of. But it’s Neil Diamond with extra schmaltz.

I definitely enjoyed several of these songs. 43 minutes is kind of long for this guy’s style imo. Ending on a slow 10 minute song is a bold choice. It is overall poetic and the piano is beautiful. I got some Billy Joel vibes for sure but it dragged on at times. I had to look up the Blues for Billy Whitecloud because that shit felt like a turn and if it was purely David Ackles making up a ballad about some Native dude I would’ve rated this lower. Turns out it’s referencing some short story by a Native American guy so I guess I’ll let that “he was okay for an Indian” line slide because I assume it’s a direct reference and not just a hot take. I enjoyed the first 6 songs but couldn’t keep my interest up much longer. High 2, low 3

If David Bowie were Mountain Dew, and Meatloaf were Dr. Pepper, this album would be like mixing Great Value's Mountain Lightning and Dr. Thunder. Not the ingredients you wanted and probably wasn't ever going to be good in the first place. Two for the composition.

On my drive home today I thought hey I should listen to the album of the day. It wasn't until I started playing it that I realized wait a second, I already listened to this on my drive-in. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this album is pretty forgettable.

That was a struggle

Started out well but became a bit theatrical without the charm. An odd fit but not without some merit.

OK.

Meh

Singer-Songwriter. Dramatischer Gesangsstil. Geht mir auf die Nerven.

I was hoping for magic and got a very mediocre card trick

Hmm, a bit overdone, more than a bit sentimental, even maudlin. I cringed at the "warn ya/California" rhyme. Still cringing as I write. Do show tunes and that orchestration fit with the advertised Gothic? I think his voice (and songs) belongs with Broadway, not with Folk or Americana, or whatever this was supposed to be. Makes me think of Billy Joel and bad Bernie Taupin.

Teenage Kicks is a favorite!

I suspect this might come off as more pretentious and high-minded than it really is, but then again, maybe not. Either way, this quasi Broadway musical approach to writing and performing is impossible for me to warm up to.

boy, this really grated on my nerves from note one. maybe i was just in the wrong headspace to enjoy this.

It got better after the first song but that’s not saying much

- We have Leonard Cohen at home. Leonard Cohen at home:

Reminds me of Gordon Lightfoot and Bruce Cockburn. Too theatrical for me.

interesting album, not really my vibe

Not quite

This started off bad and didn't get much better as it went on.

Well that was underwhelming... i'm afraid had to skip a few of the tracks as they sunk under the melodrama. Shame as a few moments are good - but then theatricality kicks in and I switch off.

American Gothic is super weird. It's like an off-broadway show soundtrack but it's hard to get into it because it's so niche you really have to focus in on it and give it your full attention. Someone in the review said it sounds like Neil Diamond and I can't get that out of my head either. Anyway, it's not good per se, but it is interesting, and has its charms, but if you're gonna do something like this it needs huge moments of crescendo and celebration like all good musicals, and this never does that. Give it a 2, why not.

This is odd. Like a low budget musical in parts, but doesn't have the energy to make it work properly, it's an album full of musical filler songs and that is not really a good result from something that could've been really quite interesting. Lyrically it's also a bit weak, lots of awkward rhymes that don't really work. 2/5.

If you look at the face of the woman in Grant Wood's American Gothic, I shared that same expression while listening to this album. There is a chance this music is too..."advanced"? maybe...for me, but I think maybe it just kind of sucks.

Bernie Taupin serving as Ackles's aide isn't enough for me to extend any accolades to this mannered folk cabaret.

I get that it's unheralded but, I also do not wish to herald it.

I was glad to see other people compared this to Nick Cave and Scott Walker, because that was my initial impression. I REALLY didn't like this but since it wasn't psychedelic rock, I couldn't find it in me to be annoyed about it.

This guy has a good voice. Oh, California was good. Everything else seemed pretty pretentious and self-indulgent.

I get that he was an unsung hero, and never found his real fanbase. I can also see why.

Tiene bases y arreglos muy buenos, pero la voz es un embole, como un recitado bien yankee y grave inaguantable.

Songs i know: hahaha Songs i like: last 2 songs. 70s black midi vibes to start, then just turns into a score from a mental musical. Doesn't surprise me that a) this guys solo work never really took off and b) he ended up working in theatre. Apparently he sucked off eltons fella or something? Either way I respect him but I won't be coming back. Last 2 songs are maf. Low 2.

Weird vibes. Sounds like a vaudeville Nick Cave at some points, like a broadway musical at others and occasionally a bit like Nick Drake. I don’t think that’s *necessarily* a bad thing, but it won’t be to everyone’s taste. Ultimately, not my bag. There’s some nice folk tunes on here but they tend to get a bit subsumed by the campy stuff. Highlights: American Gothic, Oh California!

Music like this is why there was a music revolution. David Ackles apparently never got the hint. This is quite awful in just about every aspect. One has to wonder what the guy was listening to growing up - Pirates of Penzance? I think I enjoyed one track - but by then I was drunk.

melodramatic singing in my opinion. he has a kind of theater kid voice for some reason. a few good songs like "Oh, California", but the rest of the songs seem like it's teasing/progressing to a big moment, but that moment never comes

Very dated but some bits sound good.

Album 590 of 1001 David Ackles - American Gothic (1972) Rating : 2.5/ 5 He has a big following and has been mentioned as an influence for many successful artists. This just didn't resonate that strongly with me. Brought to mind Leonard Cohen but didn't hit the same bar. It has its place but my shelf isn't it.

Unfortunately didn't do much for me. I didn't care for it, and already am forgetting what specifically I didn't care for. 2.25/5

Who knows what this is! Starts off slightly interesting and becomes quite funny. Final ten minute 'epic' seals the deal for the two.

perfectly fine folk that is ruined by show tune performances. Why did he do that? He couldn't sing the songs normal style? I don't think this needs to be remarked upon any further.

It's shit

Plays very much like a musical. Ok at times. Gets old though.

Most of it is a snore fest. It's only saving grace for me is Oh California. It reminded me of a song from the show Over The Garden Wall. This music would fit well on Broadway but it's not for daily listening.

No, thank you

This was okay. It was some good some got a little stale.

With utmost drama Near narrative poetry Rambles through the mind

Didn't like that much at all. A few tracks sounding like they should have been in a musical.

Inte min stil, kändes som Disney-soundtrack

It's all very theatrical, like a bad musical from the 70s, and how you feel about that will go a long way to determining how much you enjoy this album. In my case, not very much.

Feels more like a musical

Interesting, kind of Neil Diamond meets Stephen Schwartz. Intriguing until the religious stuff kicks in and then it becomes a hard pass--Jesus, the bible, and women turning to satan, no thanks!

This is the worst pop opera I've ever heard

The second he started singing is the second he lost me

I don’t like this songbook kind of stuff at all.

Haven’t listened much

Det føles lidt for meget som at se en dårlig musical

Neil Diamond type beat. Pirates-of-Penzance-core.

After taking a year + break, I’m catching up on the ones I’ve not reviewed (that kind of put me off the project in the first place!)This is one of them, I’m 3rd track in, and I’ve just gotta let it go. 2 because I didn’t give it a real chance, and David Ackles to be fair, does have a decent set of pipes!

He's passionate I'll give him that. I am sad to learn this is the root of Elvis Costello. We could have stopped this. Will I listen to again: 0%

Pretty shit

Based on the cover art alone - I was convinced I was gonna like it. Unfortunately, I did not. I come from a country where sung poetry is a pretty big thing and we consider it our specialty. This was really bad in comparison. Firstly, the lyrics are bland and sometimes cringe (One night stand). Then, even when you get at least the beginnings of a song, melodies - you are suddenly hit with weird theatricals, which I thought were unnecessary and annoying. Then, when you finally get to the end of the album and you're thinking oh, that wasn't as bad as other reviews might suggest - you get hit with everything that's bad with the album at the same time. Too bad, because from what I gather, David Ackles is quite revered among other artists. But this is just not doing anything for me. 1.5/5 - I'm upping it to 2 because it's just so different from all the bland rock albums I got recently.

Yeah man, this is a bad album to come back to, Not my style of music at all, and i feel that this man's rhythm is all over the place. The pacing and flow of his music is hard to follow for most of his songs, with the BPM jumping all over the place, its hard to nail down how the music is supposed to make me feel. Some of these songs i could not even get past the 30 second mark because he is so quick to just DROWN his lyrics with religious references and remarks. This is an album that I will not be revisiting ever again, except for MAYBE one song. That song being Love's Enough, it really does have a pleasant start, the way the piano sings is truly timeless, the lead-in to the chorus is inspirational. This song really aint half bad coming from such a hohum artist, but the rest of this album is a SLOG. Fav song: Love's Enough 2

2.5

Stämningsfullt album. Helt kiva listen Strong2

Ik kan me goed voorstellen dat dit voor sommigen een hidden gem kan zijn, een unsung hero van de Americana. Op momenten leek het op het prachtige folk-album "Watertown" van Sinatra, of op het dromerige, chanson-achtige werk van Scott Walker. Er zit een hoop karakter in. Maar meermaals slaat het een beetje door naar musicalmuziek, waar ik een broertje dood aan heb. Dit zal de invloed van Elton John's producer Bernie Taupin wel zijn. Mixed feelings dus. Ik had bij de cover en titel het gevoel dat dit wel eens raak kon zijn, maar het viel wat dat betreft een beetje tegen. 6/10 Highlights: Another Friday Night

Stiekem even gespiekt bij de review van Youri en kan dit eigenlijk helemaal delen. Best hoge verwachtingen na zien van cover en het label van een 'hidden folk-gem'. Plaat wordt echter te vaak een piano-musical. Is niet slecht maar snap ook wel dat dit niet is doorgebroken hoor. 4,5/10 Highlights Midnight Carousel

Felt like Leonard Cohen telling stories to a piano instead of guitar. It is ok, just no so much my preference.

Look if an album has remained undiscovered for 52 years maybe it just isn't good. This felt like some strange musical soundtrack, which is not my preferred genre. The dude just kept telling random, weird stories that didn't resonate with me. Also the actual music felt tacky and forced. Also didn't like his voice reminded me of like a lighter, worse, not Australian version of Nick Cave at times, which I didn't like cause it felt like a rip off. This album was just bleh.

why is this classified as Country??? this is an odd one-enjoyed some tracks with piano & various instruments, and his voice is nice. lyrics were a bit random. but overall vibe was confusing-some tracks felt like they were trying to be showtunes. very Neil Diamond vibe.

This is well-crafted songwriting. And I have no idea under what circumstances I would put this album on.

Uninteresting, cheesy and nothing particularly redeeming about this one.

Wasn't a fan of the first track, but I thought "Love's Enough" was quite pretty and understated. Things were looking up! Then the rest of the album destroyed that goodwill. On paper it sounded like it might be something I'd be interested in but, whatever this is, It's not for me.

Hard work that one

4.5

Well it's very 70s - theatrical and wordy, orchestral and overblown. I respect it although find it a hard listen. Not exactly enjoyable but I can appreciate it's intent and accomplishment.

What a snooooooooooooooozefest

Never thought I’d say that an album was a pleasant mix of Americana folk and show tunes but here we are

It's clear that Ackles is a creative and skilled songwriter. His style is not engaging for me, personally.

an overstaged nick drake type voice

Very cinematic sound. Story singing. Clearly well put together.

Very theatrical; too much for me. I was enjoying it more on the second listen and I could see it going up a bit if I listened even more, but right now I feel I don't want to.

Not for me. Obviously a great musician but not to my taste 4/10

I like Billy Joel. That's why I'm giving this two stars. I didn't listen to the whole thing because my family revolted. And they put up with a lot of my bullshit. Neil Diamond was a step too far. He's got quite a good voice, but that music! Two over the top stars.

Wanky

I found this hard work. The lyrics are intense. The piano demands your attendtion. Never a bad thing, but I wasn't in the mood for this level of focus.

sembra la registrazione di un musical prodotto dall'anspi di qualche paesino. no grazie.

A musical without going to the trouble of crafting a story.

What they say about this is true

Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s composing partner is the producer of this album. There is clear quality and musicianship. But this is not for me. 2/5

This is quite a well done album. However isn’t my thing and have no desire to listen to it again

I don't know who the target audience is, but it's certainly not me.

Didn't find the music engaging and interesting. Sounds dull to me. Maybe this will grow on me.

Nee. Nicht meine Musik.

Tom waits with no sauce

Singer/Songwriter, etwas zu wenig griffig ***

Not a fan of musical/ballad styles

Not for me

Did not know this album in advance - a lost classic so it appears. Other reviews mention vocal similarities with Neil Diamond, but the album also seems to have had some influence on Divine Comedy. Both ND and DC are great, but I did not manage to buy into this album: the music is not too bad, but the theatrical vocals are a little bit too annoying and the songs themselves mostly unremarkable.

I find this not easy to listen to. It's too theatrical for my taste. It does have its moments though.

I have read the Wikipedia description of David Ackles (because I've never heard of him before), and saw few opinions that he is one of the least appreciated singers in USA. Well, it's not hard not to appreciate him, when his most famous album is as boring as American Gothic. I survived through few songs, but I'm not brave enough to go further. Run, you fools.

I didn’t hate this but I didn’t love it either Clearly a big influence on Billy Joel which isn’t the strongest recommendation for me

This looked promising. Cool album cover. Description had me initially sold - a chance to find an overlooked, forgotten gem? Couldn't wait. But ultimately, a very average album. Nice in parts, with "Another Friday Night" and "Waiting for the Moving Van" being good listens, but ultimately nothing to really note here. Not sure it deserves a spot on this list tbh. Sounded like a cheesy movie in parts. I really wanted to love this album; become one of Mr Arckles' few listeners on Spotify. But oh well. A not unpleasant but ultimately uninspiring 2*.

Loves Enough

Yeah that's an odd one. Thought I was listening to a theater musical soundtrack.

Yeah, not fond of this one

I tried. Really, I tried. To engage with this is some sort of lost masterpiece or something. To appreciate some theatricality or some musicality or some point of view. But really this does just sound like a terrible theater kids attempt to be a singer songwriter.

It's a lot like Harry Chapin vocally, but not as good musically. Nothing really stands out as either good or bad. Resounding meh.

Ballad of the Ship of State is powerful. In general, this is musical theatre music. It's good, but not my thing. I'm not sure it adds much to the world of music - although I guess they are sensitive ballads for ballad people.

Minne tidvis om ein dårlig versjon av Scott Walker

Not the most uplifting of albums.. his voice grated on my.. Love's enough is about the only track I liked.

What is this hard-to-classify album? Melodramatic, folksy show tunes with intricate symphonic arrangements. Unique vocal deliveries that switch up cadence, emotion, and intensity that can sometimes soar. Sometimes quiet and somber, sometimes bursting with grandiosity. The lyrics and music deliver emotional pictures of small-town/rural/western(?) American life. Montana Song is an epic film delivered in a 10 minute package. This album is unique and quite bizarre, with no indication of a time, place, or scene where it was made. I respect the hell out of this dude for making this behemoth album, but I find it more interesting than enjoyable to listen to.

What in the world is this? If you want to do an artsy album, the first track needs better writing than "He trades the milk for booze, and Molly wants new shoes". The last track is nowhere near good enough to be 10 minutes long. This was just overall stupid. A poorly written musical with no actors.

More singer songwriter piano man hoopla

Like a Leonard Cohen without the poetry, a Tom Waits without the grit, and a Don McLean without the hit. Sure it has character, but is that enough?

Good recording quality. Piano based singer songwriter bombast. A bit of a caricature, maybe wasn’t back when recorded. Feel like the era for this type of music has long psssed Nothing catchy 2 star

Favorite song - One night stand

The storytelling leads the way on this album. I wasn’t over interested in it otherwise and didn’t enjoy the songs that are very much a product of its time, but the stories throughout the album were interesting.

Like hearing songs from various different bang average musicals jammed together. There is a reason some albums are obscure, tedious. 2*

This album was strange. I don’t really know what my opinion is- it started off sounding like a horror musical and then kind of towards the end sounded slightly southern? I don’t know I feel like a i got lost in the point and it was just odd. I dinnt hate it but I feel like it should be in some sort of musical …? I was definitely intrigued but I think the 40 minutes was more than enough.

Sounds like a crappy Italian restaurant/background music to a not-great 70’s dramedy

I had no idea what to make of this one going in. From the first note I was hopeful - but then my hopes were dashed. I was left somewhat bewildered. Is this a musical? Is it mimicking the style of a 1950's crooner? And then the lyrics started to hit me. Perhaps I'm going to get some insightful poetry? I clung to the words sung with such conviction in a shaky voice with a very limited range - but it's all just hokey trash. Did he read some Americana novels and then spit them out in a stream of consciousness? How about the lush orchestration? I feel sorry for the players on this thing. I don't understand the vocal melodies here, or the mix. It all feels wrong. If you told me this was generated by an AI it wouldn't surprise me.

94/1001 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑

Was like I had a musical on the TV in the background, only the movie didn't exist. And the music alone wasn't that good. Probably a good reason why this album never found its audience.

ugh, almost failed to finish it...

I am probably too ignorant to understand something this highbrow but for some reason I always picture William Shatner when listening to something delivered like this.

Pretty but not my kind of music. Very theatrical but also not very interesting to me. The music and arrangements are interesting but didn’t capture my attention throughout.

Feels like an album the simpsons would parody

I’ll listen to this album again soon. Hoping it will grow on me

Keep looking because I am certainly not its audience.

Wanted to like this but just found it annoying and kind of grating to listen to

Found this trying way too hard to be americana and with none of the soul

Puuduttavan unelias tuotos ja yksittäisiä hetkiä kun jaksoi fiilistellä mukana. Ei jatkoon.

Erilainen, mut en lämmenny erityisesti

Sounds like Neil Diamond doing folk songs on Broadway. The entire album is pompous. If you ever watched The Lawrence Welk show with your grandma you’ll understand the balance of not liking something but not hating it. Definitely not something to seek out on your own but it’s tolerable.

Det är väl fina melodier men de är inte särskilt bra.

Mostly unlistenable, but he does occasionally find a hint of melody.

Sounded like Neil Diamond, then it sounded like churchy Neil Diamomd, then it sounded like Neil Diamond if he was in Les Miserables

This sounds like it has been written for a Neil Diamond biographic musical (absence of his music).

Strange thing

I was not surprised to read that the artist wrote musicals. It really listens like a strange musical whose plot is consistently unclear. Kind of like a more melodious Cats.

Lots of different styles, none of which I particularly enjoyed. Ackles’ voice is pleasant, but boring. He might be a great lyricist, but it was too much of a snoozer for me to listen again more closely. Kind of a head-scratcher of an inclusion here, until you read that Elvis Costello was inspired by Ackles. So in a way, Ackles might be just an extension of the overextension of Costello on the list.

Too theatrical for me. It sounds like this belongs on a Broadway stage rather than a music venue’s stage.