Reviews (page 6 of 7)
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.
For a 10 minute song, Montana was pretty solid. The overall storytelling was pretty good but some of the lyrics were not my style so I wanted to give it a 4 so maybe 3.5
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.
Sounds a bit like Joan Manuel Serrat. Wonder if there is a connection... catched a few good moments but its not very good.
Hard work that one
Over 40 minutes too long.
Remember watching those boring history videos in school, and having to listen to that grossly cheesy "patriotic" music in the background? David Ackles is the CEO of that music. Favorite Track: "Midnight Carousel".
4.5
4/5
This sounds like an uncool guy trying really hard to be cool, and not being successful. I guess he (or Bernie) spent some time travelling around the US, to the point where he even namechecks Buffalo! This is wrongly classified as country music, as American Gothic gives country a bad name.
kinda magical tbh
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
American Gothic I have heard of this, one of those classic lost albums that come up on lists frequently, but I’ve never actually listened. The first track didn’t make me hopeful though, the vaudevillian theatricality really not to my taste. Love’s Enough on the other hand is actually rather lovely, a tender and affecting piano ballad. Then Ballad of the Ship of State goes back to the musical theatre of the first song and it’s not good at all. One Night Stand then goes back to the style of Love’s Enough and it feels like a genuine 70s singer songwriter lost classic, with a charming melancholic melody. Starting to see a pattern with Oh California! I think someone should revoke his access to a horn section on the theatre numbers, its quite irritating. Another Friday Night, another pleasant ballad after another vaguely irritating musical number. Family Band feels like a secondary school music teacher leading the cast through one of the songs he’s written for the school musical. A bit more listenable than some of the others but still not great. Midnight Carousel Waiting for the Moving Van is another of the very pleasant singer songwriter style ballads, the section with the oboe is particularly nice. More Mr G vibes with Blues for Mr Whitecloud. Montana is the whole album writ large (or small, whichever is right), some lovely melancholic moments combined with some hand fisted musical theatre. I get a lot of Neil Diamond and a lot of Harry Nilsson, but without being as good or as interesting as either. So a bit of an oddity, some really great stuff, but a lot of really not very good stuff too, and I can see why it never found an audience. I guess there is a market for the musical songs but I can see there would be a market for the ballads also, but it falls between the two stools and is a bit of a frustrating listen as a result. 2 👵👴 Playlist submission: One Night Stand
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.
Very good to weird. I would bother.
One of a kind album with lyrics you can’t help but pay attention to 3.7
an overstaged nick drake type voice
Super weird. Warranted a second listen just based on that. I either love it or am indifferent and it's hard to tell. I think I'll come back to this one.
Very enjoyable
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.
Interesting style. Singer-songwriter meets broadway show. Love's Enough is fantastic. Too bad the momentum slams to a halt with a Ballad of the Ship State. It all starts to sound very similar.
total shit
Not for me. Obviously a great musician but not to my taste 4/10
I’ve slogged through 220 albums in this challenge so far. It’s been a wild ride—discovering weird, unknown tracks, revisiting some familiar bangers, and talking about all this music with my friends and fellow challengers. That part has been awesome. BUT, this week? This week has been a relentless parade of shit. Seriously, these albums have dragged my Friday spirit right into the gutter. If I hit this 'Rate' button one more time and get served another pile of musical shite, I’m seriously rethinking my place in this challenge. I can't take it anymore!
Awful - just a horrible steaming pile of shit. I think this has been the lowest voting week of the challenge so far (1,2,1,2,1) This album has so few listens on Spotify, if you go by voting numbers anywhere from a quarter to half the listens could be from this challenge
Sounded like Camelot to me.
The number of Spotify listeners/streams on this album would imply it's probably not that important of an album. Even AllMusic wrote "it never found it's audience". Probably because if you're looking for classic singer-songwriter fare, you'd be somewhat disappoint by this way-off-broadway theater schlock. I though I was going to get something along the lines of Jackson Browne or Dan Fogelberg or James Taylor, but instead I was "gifted" with odd stories about wishing something was a one night stand or rain in California, flat vocals, disjointed lyrics and a musical production more suited for the high school play it sounds like it was conceived for. To quote Mr Horse from Ren & Stimpy; "No sir, I didn't like it"
This is getting ridiculous
🎧The longer I listened the more I disliked it. A mish mash of things in their worst possible form—musical theater, Cabaret, Bill Murray lounge singer-type fare, bland sentimental crap. It’s all there and it’s all bad.
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.
interesting, not really my cup of tea
Wanky
I didn't get this at all. Was a bit chanson, a bit I'm-not-sure-what. Could be why it "remains one of those great albums that never found its audience". I certainly wasn't sure what to make of it, but I guess at least it had the oddness factor going for it.
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.
Made me sad 5 stars
Beautiful. No notes
A really fascinating theatrical album that sounds very ahead of its time. The closest comparison from the era I can make is the first four Scott Walker records, with their flowing lyricism and orchestral majesty. Some songs are more reminiscent of Nick Cave’s more twisted brand of grandiosity, while Family Band is a proto-Tom Waits poetic ballad. An incredibly rich and eclectic gem of a record
Folky rock if I remember right, definitely my style.
Show tunes 🫤 just really not my kind of music man. Some well written stuff and David has a great voice, but I just do not like this genre.
😮
What they say about this is true
Another never heard of this guy / album. Meh…
pretty good. not exactly up my street but i liked one night stand
He sounds like he would be a theatre kid. Was enjoyable tho 6/10
An astoundingly brilliant surprise, from an artist I had literally never heard of. He writes, sings and produces so well, and is a clear influence on a bunch of artists I like (or like a lot) including Billy Joel, Elton John, and many other serious singer-songwriters. I immediately added everything else he did to my "after the list" list - and actually put his debut on later the same day!
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.
It's like one man trying to do a musical about.....I don't know what. But it was not good or interesting.
Didn't find the music engaging and interesting. Sounds dull to me. Maybe this will grow on me.
Boring, but good
Nee. Nicht meine Musik.
Tom waits with no sauce
Really confusing record for me. It sounds like some jazz instrumentals with a wierd sounding voice singing in between . The standalone instrumentals would have been excellent but I was not much a fan of his voice . It sounds dare I say fake or really poor, and it mat make the songs feel like they drag a little bit more than their actual length. But it was a good and fresh change of space . Though I would completely scrap the final track.
Might be a reason no one has discovered this. Pretty interesting tho.
Singer/Songwriter, etwas zu wenig griffig ***
Yuk
Nope.
Not a fan of musical/ballad styles
4.5 I like it
This fucking sucked.
Not for me
I didn’t see why this was made It was the oddest compilation I have ever heard. Sounded like open mic night at the local dive bar Too harsh?
Average
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 can see why this is considered a great album that didn’t find an audience because it has all the components of a hit 70s singer songwriter album but it’s very orchestral and the lyrics arent about the Vietnam war or whatever. While I wouldn’t say it’s *great* it’s still pretty solid by my singer songwriter standards in that I normally don’t like them and I liked this one. Another Friday night was my fav and I just generally liked the guys voice.
Opening title track is very theatrical, the piano dominating and horns in the background. Love's Enough is a quiet piano ballad. Things continue in the same vein, if anything leaning more into the musical theater sound. There's some interesting atmospheres here, but I still feel like I'm listening to a play. The last track, Montana Song, is so long and such a chore to get through that it dragged down my already low opinion of the album. Really bad lyrics too.
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
Part Scott Walker, part Neil Diamond, part Johnny Cash for the story telling. Not sure who the audience should be but glad I was in it once.
What a nice discovery! It reminds me a lot of Leonard Cohen: the poetic but simple lyrics, the gentle musical arrangements accompanying, and a voice that emerges from a place of truth. “Love’s Enough” is a truly accomplished feat.
I liked this album. Nothing I would have ever listened to or plan to listen to again. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the ride. I played out an entire musical in my head while listening. Family Band came unexpectedly. A bit too Christian for me, but I just accepted. Midnight Carousel was very cool and dramatic. I even appreciated the 10-minute Montana Song and could have stuck with it longer. Overall, it was a pleasant surprise and experience. The album title doesn't fit the vibe at all.
I definitely don’t dislike this album, I just don’t really like it that much either. Sounds a lot like a musical to me, and I’m not a big musical fan. Some great lyrics, some lovely accompaniment, and a cool name to boot - I’d wonder if it is a reference to the portrait. Glad I’ve listened to it anyway. Love’s enough Another Friday Night
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 liked this one
This was very interesting but I also don't remember a single thing about it.
4.0
Storytellin’ blue collar tales spoken word with religious undertones. 6/10
Didn't finish the first song
Really enjoyed the listens. Beautiful story telling, orchestral pieces, and piano playing. Not complex, but incredibly moving. 4/5 only because it's not something I'd listen to often, but I really love that I found this album.
Interesting
This album is what happens when you can't decide if you want to be Stephen Sondheim or Billy Joel, and you're not talented enough to be either one. What a slog to get through. "Love's Enough" wasn't terrible, though it was a little cheesy. The rest of the album is something between Randy Newman and Tom Waits as this guy attempts to make a concept album about the lies of the American dream but doesn't really have anything new to say. There's a song about a starving artist who laments that he can't stay to get to know a woman he's had a one-night stand with because he's a touring musician and has to leave town — it features such subtle lyrics as, "I wish this wasn't a one-night stand." -_- There's a song about a man reflecting over the dissolution of his marriage and having to start over. There are a few songs critiquing the mythical ideal of the wild west/frontier and imagining the harsher reality of several characters' lives — this includes a cringey song about a Native American man who leaves his reservation for the city and ends up an impoverished and imprisoned alcoholic because, apparently, tone deaf, on-the-nose stories about the plight of the "Indian" man was a thing white dudes just loved to sing about in the 70s. (Looking at you, Elton John — Oh wait! Of course it was produced by Bernie Taupin! Now it all makes more sense.) There are a ton of schlocky orchestrations somewhere between a Broadway play and a carnival. There are obnoxious choruses singing vocals you'd expect to hear in an old Hollywood film. There are corny country-western sounds. And over it all is a guy whose voice is somewhere between a Sinatra-style crooner and Neil Diamond. None of it was very pleasant to listen to, and I couldn't wait for it to end. 1/5 — I thought about giving it a 2, but I'd honestly rather listen to Slayer over this.
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.
I tried it with a lot of goodwill. After four pieces, the music got on my nerves, so I stopped. I really didn't miss this album. 1/5
It's a lot like Harry Chapin vocally, but not as good musically. Nothing really stands out as either good or bad. Resounding meh.
If Scott Walker hadn’t done so many drugs and was pretty okay
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.
JESUS this sucked.
So not for me. Ugh.
# 264 : When your only claim to fame is that you are in this list…
Minne tidvis om ein dårlig versjon av Scott Walker
Not for me
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.
This really isn't for me. He gets credit for some of the music, or perhaps the ambition of some of the music, but I find the whole thing really annoying. The conversational delivery of the singing winds me up, and the more dramatic moments are weird and disjointed. And I wrote the above BEFORE he laid down the overt Jesus track. Maybe this didn't find it's audience because it's simply shit.
omg will this nerd shut up already
Cantautor estadounidense de los 70. Ni fu ni fa.
Lyrics on parts of this are incredible but overall wasn't super into it.
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
This is almost nearly close to being good music, but it just doesn’t hit. Every time it’s about to build to something good, he switches it up on us. It’s musical edging
Cringe lyrics. Cringe instruments. Cringe album. Delete
Assez unique, on peut dire. J'avais l'impression d'écouter de la musique d'un vieux film avec de la narration chantée par dessus. Ce n'est pas un mauvais album, mais il m'a paru beaucoup plus long que ce qu'il est. Le genre d'album qui a autant un aspect qui me garde fasciné, mais qui a la fois me flatte dans le mauvais sens du poil. Ça ne serait pas une mauvaise idée de lui redonner une chance. 5.5/10
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?
Unbekanntes Album, unbekannter Songwriter. Die Songs werden beim mehrmaligem Hören immer besser. Somit eine höhrenswerte Schallplatte.
Un album de poète et raconteur, mais d’un point de vue usé, bien-pensant. Certains passages ont l’ampleur d’une pièce de Broadway
This sounds very much like Scott Walker. A curious little discovery. Turns out this guy was popular amongst the Brits so unsurprising it turns up here. A nice discovery.
An over the top lounge singer that while cheesy, does a decent job of putting together a compelling album. I probably won’t listen to this again. A solid 3.
A decent album with some catchy tunes and interesting narratives. Not to everyone’s taste but it was a pleasant experience that somewhat resembles the sort of music you would hear at a musical.
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
Clearly a talented writer, but it’s a little too hammy for me. 3/5
Favorite song - One night stand
not music
Funny but overwrought
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.
I like it, a solid 4. Singing his heart out. I understand why some people think it's schmaltzy.
Great songwriting, musical theatre-esque vibes! I would have never known about this album if not for this, but I'm so glad I was able to find it through here.
Favourite tracks: love's enough
Like hearing songs from various different bang average musicals jammed together. There is a reason some albums are obscure, tedious. 2*
This is definitely an album I’m shocked is not more popular. It has all the makings of music from the 70s that held together and is constantly replayed in soft settings. This is overall pretty decent folk/singer songwriter music. I enjoyed some songs quite a bit and feel like this album will continue to grow. It’s nothing flashy but it’s consistent and a soothingly enjoyable album. 7.0/10
Goofy-ah pirate musical type beat
Very good, bit dated but solid. 3.75
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.
Becomes quite obvious within seconds that Ackles grew up a show-biz kid. Extraordinarily theatrical albeit instrumentally sparse (in a quite lovely way) I visualize stage curtains opening and closing, cheesy sets being wheeled around backstage ... It's so hilariously and dramatically cheesy ("One Night Stand" - ... "hey...what's your name? come here...i'm gonna kiss you...") that it got literal LOLs from me in parts. Having said that, there's something about it. I know that he opened for Elton John at that famous 1970 Troubadour show and EJ was a huge fan - if you squint a little there's a bit of crossover between this and the raw Tumbleweed Connection (one of my favourite albums) era of Elton, just in terms of sound. It's unique, I'm glad to have finally heard it - there's a real compelling aspect to the music (again - it really is a theater production) but it's just too over-the-top emotionally (vocally, and I don't really even dislike his voice - it's the emoting) for me to attach to. It's not fully over-wrought but man it's knocking on the door. Points for the dry clear production and instrumentation as well as clear talent, I just don't think this is really up my alley. 6/10 3 stars
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.
A lusciously orchestrated cabaret musical set in America's old west. This album contains a set of vignettes that cover such classic topics as prostitution, falling in love, racism, hook up culture, life on the road, domestic terrorism, California, Montana, and cannibalism.
94/1001 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
Kon dit wel waarderen. Elton John achtig. Dacht hij het eerste nummer pff wat krijgen we nou, maar het zit goed in elkaar. Prima 3 sterren
Felt like I was listening to a musical at times, but the overall experience was pleasant and I liked how each song told a story. I’m not sure when or where I would ever listen to this again, but as a piece of art I have no real criticisms.
I really liked this in an operatic kind of way. Simpsons: No
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.
Was pleasant enough to listen to, but I will never listen to this again. And the last song was too long
There’s some really interesting story telling here, something I haven’t really heard before but I kind of liked it. I nice dive into Americana
Enjoyed this album … sad & reminiscent & more like a life story, though. Could be a Bway show with the words & accompanying orchestra type music. Favorite was “Family Band”.
on one hand, i didn’t love it. on the other hand, ackles’ storytelling and lush Broadway arrangements were mesmerizing and the album flew past.
Expansive story telling in dated format
ugh, almost failed to finish it...
tyvärr för dåligt
bizarre but kind of grew on me anyways
Somehow reminded me of a chanson.
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.
I really like his voice, but I don’t find his music very engaging. It’s a sort of one man musical, which lets him get weird with form, but I don’t find that it works for me personally.
Okay. Bit of a Pete Seeger clone.
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.
Radio music
Feels like an album the simpsons would parody
This is some clangy artsy stuff for theater kids in a high school.
Too theatrical, too self-indulgent, too tearful, therefore completely, annoyingly boring.
Piano ballads of a harsher kind. It's not Nick Cave yet but worthwhile enough. Only over time you notice that the album would've been more with fewer tracks.
I’ll listen to this album again soon. Hoping it will grow on me
Keep looking because I am certainly not its audience.
Ágætt stöff, áhrif héðan og þaðan og kemur saman í þokkalega blöndu.
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
J’ai vraiment rien à dire là dessus, si je me fis au compte rendu ça serait sensé être un underrated masterpiece, mais ça sonne juste pas aussi bien, c’est peut-être juste un autre album parmi tant d’autres
okay.
This is music made for getting old vegetables thrown at you.
Puuduttavan unelias tuotos ja yksittäisiä hetkiä kun jaksoi fiilistellä mukana. Ei jatkoon.
Erilainen, mut en lämmenny erityisesti
Barf bag please Just so fake and sad attempts at lyrics, and oh so cliched. Made me cringe several times because I could predict the next line without ever hearing this album.
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.
Thought this was gunna be another sleepy folky jam but this ripped! Loved the crazy orchestration throughout. Like a Disney movie almost. Pretty unique, happy to now say I'm familiar with David Ackles!
Mostly unlistenable, but he does occasionally find a hint of melody.
pretty economical way to make 44 minutes feel like 90
Sounds like the male Joni Mitchell, and my opinion is basically the same. The semi-musical poetry is artistically respectable, but doesn't do much for me. Part of me feels like it could've been better off written than sung
Sounded like Neil Diamond, then it sounded like churchy Neil Diamomd, then it sounded like Neil Diamond if he was in Les Miserables
I think I half enjoyed this and half not. Very cheesy at times but not always in a bad way
Old boy chatting about jesus. Don't care sorry
Awful.
2.7/5 Best Track: idk
Sounds like empty nester dad poetry
This sounds like it has been written for a Neil Diamond biographic musical (absence of his music).
Turned it off. Haven’t done that often.
Neil Diamanté
Oh, another one for my collection of album covers with brownish photographs of the artists! Cool!
Hear me out: Let's go out and find a Neil Diamond impersonator, get him *really* drunk and/or high, and introduce him to Corky St. Clair (of Waiting for Guffman fame). Together, they could work on the musical for Blaine, Missouri's bicentennial celebration. And they'll call it, "American Gothic." It'll be great! Whaddya say? (What a deeply weird album...)
If Leonard Cohen decided to perform cabaret, it would sound something like this. Theatrical like a musical, it is whimsical, spanning Americana themes and utilizing rock and folk, giving us a somewhat accessible format, yet still corners itself toward those into both piano ballads and musicals. Too bad the tracks are messy, repetitive, directionless, and just dull. Could not even pick out a song I liked, only the two I could bear the most. Favorites: Ballad of the Ship of State, Oh California
Not my kind of thing at all
- did not vibe with this - the guys voice was okay but this was overall boring tbh
- good storyteller - very honest and descriptive - quality for what it is
Really nothing even worth commenting on
melancholy
Beautiful and atmospheric Americana. As a fan of musicals and modern classical music, there are some distinct harmonic influence from these places. I also love how it's not all corny story telling, but blending colourful instrumentation with sincere beauty of the musical composition. And the clarity of his lyrical delivery makes me ponder why this guy has become so forgotten.
Strange thing
It wasn't my least favourite listening experience but this could be my least favourite so far. This is a straight up ludicrous album, overblown theatre kid energy with bland lyrics. I usually get the appeal of straight-shooting folk story style lyrics, but the stories and themes here are so boring and shallow that it simply doesn't land with an ounce of anything worth listening to. Save from a couple of nice piano melodies and arrangements I hated this album and I truly hate that it is on this list, even if someone enjoyed this album i'm sure they'd agree it has no place on this list. This artist has 4000 monthly spotify listeners for a fucking reason. 0.5/5
I DID listen to this, but it slipped the mind pretty quickly. I think it was pleasant with some moments of beauty, but not the kind of folk-pop that sticks with me. Fave track: Love's Enough
This record improves as it goes - as more grandiose instrumentation and gospel vocals are introduced, the more enjoyable these tracks become. Not all of the theatrical folksy stuff wins me over, and tracks kind of seem to flip flop between impassioned winners and a spoof of an off-broadway production. Somewhere in the middle for my liking here. Two and a half. Fave track: Another Friday Night
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.
I guess he really wanted to make his own musical? This album was so strange but fun. I laughed a lot listening to the first song, but a few songs in I started getting really into the story!
Hated this one. Too much like show tunes.
Sounds like a musical. Hard to justify this album among some of these absolute classics.
Unusual! Day 27 and it's the first artist I've truly never heard of, not even in passing. Very sappy at times, and a bit challenging, but I like it! It almost reminds me of '70s David Bowie at times -- I'm glad I finally came across an artist here I've never heard of!
Not for me sorry. Sounds like music for a circus…
Listening to "American Gothic" is like watching a poorly written musical where the plot makes no sense and you don't care about any of the characters. And where the vocalist sometimes seems to forget what key he's singing in...
Some interesting songs 3
I have never heard of David Ackles, and I've been around a long time. He is a troubadour who would be equally as comfortable on the Broadway stage. This is the most American album I have ever heard.
Love's enough är fin. Waiting for the Moving Van likaså. Men de är väl just de två låtar som sticker ut tycker jag. Lite vemodig musikal. Spretigt.
Ok. Ett steg upp från skivan dagen innan. Men fan lite för gör weird ändå. Bättre musikaliskt men inte jättebra precis.
Nej usch, aldrig gillat musikaler och det här experimentella försöket är dessutom rätt dåligt. Svag tvåa.
Absolutely LOVE how weird this is. Ackles’ voice is [chef’s kiss]. It’s funny, strange, so jaunty in places it’s almost Vaudevillian in its tongue-in-cheekiness storytelling. Tender, brutal, raw, heavy as hell—at least on paper. The words are all there. And the frothy emotions are too. That jauntiness. But I don’t *feel* the weight. Maybe it’s just the headspace I’m in listening to it right now but it feels like some connection is missing to the emotional register the lyrics claim to be selling. A specific example. In “Another Friday night,” he says, “I never stayed in one place long unless I was doing time.” But he sings this in his Broadway voice. And that would be fine if all you knew were Broadway voices, but we also have Tom Waits and Willie Nelson, and even if they didn’t actually do time, they sure as hell sounded like they could have. Ackles sounds like he’s in a musical about a guy who went to jail for rustling cattle “out west.” He’s like Carey Grant doing Oklahoma when you could have Johnny Cash putting a gun in your face. And it’s like that for all his stuff. Even the sad alcoholic shit he sings about, Indians blowing their lives up and fathers trading the milk in for gin. All stuff that usually hits real hard for me. But here it feels like an actor walking around with a half-empty pint bottle, taking swigs of weak tea. That’s the only reason I can’t go five on this one. Because honestly I think he’s kind of a genius. Just one without emotions. An Asperger’s Cat Stevens. A sociopath Tom Waits. And probably, honestly, the reason I’ve never heard this album before. It’s all well and good to be a jester Elton John tap dancing on the hood of a player piano in a Charlie Chaplin hat but when you’re competing against the actual Elton John, your market share is gonna be what Bill Ackles’ was.
This reminds me of seeing a great feat of accomplishment that I have absolutely no interest in other than the fact that I almost always appreciate and want to support people who pour their hearts into whatever they’re doing, like the time I saw the giant corn castle in Nebraska or when I visited Foamhenge in Virginia.
the song American gothic
nice but very boring and very forgettable
According to various critics this is a hidden gem. Some treasure everybody forgot about. I played the album four times just to be sure, but I cannot find what is so special about it. In every way it is mediocre and boring to me.
Interesting sound from the music
Oh boy... This is another one where I'm thinking: why is this on the list? Pretty much sounds like a musical. It doesn't seem to have had any major impact or influence on any music I'm familiar with. Maybe Nick Cave? The singer reminds me of him a bit. Either way, this was not an enjoyable listen.
Niin syvällistä vittuilua jok' ikinen äännähde tässä tuotoksessa pitää oikein hattua nostaa.. Nimittäin saivarteleva paska herra David Acvkles.. teatteri hyvä sana... joku sitä käytti..
Pretty good, would have liked more variety or just a shorter album. A few less spoken-word-singing-storytelling songs would have been fine by me. I liked Family Band, Love's Enough, even Oh, California! Midnight Carousel stuck in my head but it was one of the songs I liked the least
This is actually pretty cool. Like Scott Walker meets Kurt Weil and his voice sounds a bit like Nick Cave. Was likely an influence. But it did wear on me a bit by the end and the final track was unnecessarily long.
Pass, will listen on CD at some point
Gay
A generic Elton
1star because less than zero isn’t an option.
Bob Dylan dei poveri
Like Neil Diamond singing Leonard Cohen songs.
The voice is irritating.
I think I've just heard too much folk in my life. Found this one boring.
Nee. Dit is hem niet. Tegenovergestelde van wat ik leuk vind.
Keer wat anders, best bijzonder
Gewoon wel echt niet mijn smaak, maar zitten wel erg mooi geschreven nummers tussen. Toch net een voldoende daardoor
Old school, lekker kalm album Niet slecht, ook niet echt geweldig
I really like the vibe and style but overall it felt a bit too showtuney for my taste
Utter dogshit.
💞
First song is trite musical bullshit. Second song is pretty. Third is terrible. Fourth is pretty again, but it’s a 70s musical. And it just gets more melodramatic from there. 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.
Oh my, this was dramatic, wasn't it?
This one had me for the first half. Not a lover of it, but it was kind of unusual and fun to listen to. By the end, it had overstayed is welcome for me though.
As far as I can tell, no one has yet turned this album into a cabaret-style revue à la Jacques Brel is Alive and Well... So I guess I'll have to do it. This album is amazing! Fascinating stories well told and set to compelling and complicated tunes and instrumentation. A masterpiece that I will return to again and again.
Boy oh boy... this is a definitive example of an album that should be on this list because I've never heard of David Ackles and I am so glad to hear this before I die! I put this on while trying to work and ended up following along to the lyrics - completely rapt! American Gothic is a searing opening giving us a glimpse into a very dysfunctional marriage. Then Love's Enough follows up with an absolutely beautiful description of falling in love. Pessimistic optimism is a tough wire to walk but Ackles is a master of it. Ballad of the Ship of State is fantastically arranged tragic tale of rescue that leaves you feeling there is no rescue to be had, even if they take you on board. One Night Stand is such a beautiful, perfect song about a beautiful, perfect, fleeting moment that despite everything can never be sustained. There's something truly special about those feelings and this song brought me back to them. Oh, California! doesn't hide it's dark message very well, underpinned as it is with its environmental warning. Add this to my soundtrack for the fall of civilization. Another Friday Night sums up a good portion of my past Friday nights... there were times in my life when this might have made a great signature song... Have I longed for the days when I had religious faith and lived with my family? Simpler times, when things seem so much less complicated? Perhaps less so now that I realized what an illusion that was, but Family Band really captures that wistful feeling. Midnight Carousel is incredibly arranged! And the lyrics! "He left her by the road alone. But that road was going somewhere Worth the price there was to pay." Waiting for the Moving Van captures that crumbling-dream feeling that overtakes us at some of those pivotal moments in life. I'm used to the feeling now but this song poked that wound just a little - and David Ackles reminds me of my humanity yet again. Blues for Billy Whitecloud is perhaps the happiest sounding and most disturbing songs on the album. A rough one... Several months ago I was in Montana and started digging around into some boxes of family photos and heirlooms left to my family from my uncle. Montana Song couldn't have captured that feeling of revisiting my past any better. What a grand way to close this incredible album. After over 900 days of listening to albums on this project a jaded feeling that I've heard it all creeps in... Then something like this appears... So completely unexpected - David Ackles has reconnected me with a lot of feelings today and left me strangely hopeful about life.
American Gothic sounds like a low rent Neil Diamond starring in an off-Broadway production full of sea shanties. This album confirms for me that Bernie Taupin’s best work was mostly, if not exclusively, with Elton John. Only regularly laughing out loud sustained me through all 44 minutes of this thing.
Good! I really did think it was good but again im not going to listen to the songs nor the whole project.
Really heavy lyrics to the point of being distracting. Impressive musicianship though.
Hmmm. Definitely falls into the "interesting" category - wasn't aware of the artist, let alone the album. Did it grab me by the goolies and DEMAND to be loved for everymore - no. No it did not.
What the actual f**k is this? Improv very local theater? I think he is making this up as he goes along. Yes, this is improv jazz theater. Thankful this is relatively short at just under 44 minutes (of my life). The last song is 10 minutes!!?? No way. Yet another added to the list of 1001 albums I hope to never hear again.
- Ich hatte wirklich 0,0 Erwartungen (und eigentlich auch keinen Bock) oder auch nur den Hauch einer Ahnung was mich erwartet, außer, dass ich das Albumcover irgendwie cool fand! - Und dann bäm, hats mich krass erwischt und ich fand es einfach uultra geil, hatte zeitweise Gänsehaut und einmal sogar einen kleinen Klos im Hals - So viele kreative Ideen, wunderschöne Melodien, dieses fantastische Storytelling (wenn auch hier und da mal cheesy) die Orchestrale Begleitung, das musicalhafte und eine mega coole Stimme - Ich war erstaunt über die niedrigen Aufrufzahlen - Aber auch zu Lebzeiten scheint David Ackles nie wirklich Erfolg gehabt zu haben - Es handelt sich also wirklich mal um einen echten Geheimtipp! - Der Mann hatte auch eine interessante Biografie, so musste er die Musikkarriere, die nie wirklich eine war, nach einem Autounfall an den Nagel hängen, weil er danach lebenslänglich Armschmerzen beim Pianospielen hatte. Gestroben ist er dann verhältnismäßig jung Anfang 60 an Lungenkrebs. - Vielleicht hat das Lesen dieser Lebensgeschichte beim Hören auch nochmal mehr Emotionen reingepackt - Ich finde es insgesamt einfach ein so unglaublich schönes und von Herzen kommendes Album, dass ich es gerne zu den ganz großen Alben zählen möchte. Aber kaum jemand kennt bzw. kannte den Mann. Nicht zu fassen. So genervt man ja auch von manchen Alben hier mal ist, DANKE 1001 Albums dafür!! Rating: 4,5/5
- Ich stehe ja hart auf so musical-artige Platten. Bin deswegen ja auch Turisas und Blind Guardian-Fan - Ich war die ganze Zeit sehr unterhalten. Natürlich gibt es bei solchen Konzepten immer Parts, die mehr der Idee der Platte und der zu erzählenden Geschichte dienen, als dass sie musikalisch sein sollen. - Dennoch waren viele Stücke dabei, die ich richtig gefühlt habe. Verbunden mit schönen Dramaturgien und (ich denke) sehr autobiografischen Texten waren der größte Teil der Songs sehr mitreißend - Um das jetzt komplett abzufeiern, wars mir leider etwas zu Piano-lastig und ein paar Stücke/Parts etwas schwächer. Alles in allem aber ein tolles bewegendes Album 4/5
Seriously pretentious horseshit.
I think I liked it :)
Lyrics are a bit of a downer, melancholy-ish. Music sounds like it could be (maybe is), in the background of few movies.
"American Gothic" is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter David Ackles. The listed genres are singer-songwriter and Americana. I struggle with the Americana label except for a few songs. The album was recorded in London and was produced by Bernie Taupin. It did not do well commercially. The self-titled "American Gothic" opens the album. A rolling piano. Horns in spots. It's kind of cabaret-ish. Ackles has a nice voice similar to Scott Walker. He's telling the story of Molly, a prostitute, and Old Man Horace, a drunk. "The Ballad of the Ship of State" uplifts the mood with horns and strings and there's a rock beat. A crew is waiting to go home apparently stuck somewhere (an island?). Alright, I found the Americana song in "Another Friday Night." We got a harmonica, a slide guitar, strings and a gospel choir with backing vocals. He's spending a weekend in a town where he has to leave again to get on the road. The album ends with the 10-minute epic "Montana Song." Strings and a flute. Very dramatic and heartfelt. It's the story of a city man who goes to country selling bibles, ends up living in the contry raising a family but his kids end up going back to the city. This album is ok; it kept my interest. Ackles has a voice that is a mix of Scott Walker and Neil Diamond. The songs border on cabaret and some are very dramatic. His songs tell stories with some maybe being autobiographical. With Bernie Taupin producing, I surpringly did not find Elton John similarities. I would say if you like early Scott Walker a lot, this is worth a listen.
Some weird American Nick Cave. 1.5
This is painful to listen to. Corny, creepy, overly theatrical. Like listening to an amateur musical theater production.
Feels like songs for a play or musical, which is not necessarily bad. But in this case it didn’t work for me. Some of the songs are beautifully composed, although they didn’t peak my interest enough.
Genre: Singer-songwriter, Americana 1972 New one for me. Never heard of this guy before. It's very easy to get into. Soft and melodic, and his voice is like warm butter on toast. He is a little (very little) like Neil Diamond. Standouts: Love's Enough, Waiting for the Moving Van, Montana Song, One Night Stand 3.5
Sounds like a musical. And religious in some songs. Very strange feeling.
Seems somewhat influential on modern chamber pop, but still didn't care for it at all. 1.5/5
Singer-songwriter piano music with orchestral arrangements. Never heard of this guy before -- he has a rich, dark voice (comparisons to Neil Diamond in other reviews are on point) and clearly has songwriting chops. The lyrics are complex and mostly sad -- dealing with seedy events and unhappy people -- while his songs are more mood pieces than melodic. I don't think I could hum even a part of one tune after listening to the whole thing. The whole feel of the record was more musical theater than pop. I have some respect for this effort in an academic way but I didn't really enjoy it and wouldn't listen to it again.
Nick Cave and Bertolt Brecht do this shtick better. But some of these are fun. The lyrics are often fun, and it's nice to have this vibe in an fairly straightforward vocal style with an acoustic band instead of overpowering electronic atmosphere. Honestly, it grew on me as it went. A Sondheim feel to it, as well.
Over all a well crafted, round album. Instrumantally too much 60´s.
What a strange experience. At first I hated it, then about halfway through something clicked and I loved it. I think the first half is a bit too off kilt for me but the storytelling and songwriting in the second connected better. I probably won’t listen again but I can sort of see where it’s coming from.
I really tried hard on this one. So many musicians that I respect respect this guy and this album. In the end a bit too theatrical for me so I couldn't get past that part to enjoy the songwriting which I have no doubt is first rate. I'm going to keep trying and hopefully I will get a better appreciation, but for now; 2.5 stars
Very odd album, it feels like a Broadway musical but just with the one guy.
This album sounds like a bad musical with a lead that sounds like Neil Diamond. Didn’t like this at all and couldn’t wait for it to be over.
As someone who are more interested in music and melodies than lyrics this is a pretty boring album. i feel the music get's the backseat for the singing (or sometimes more dialogue than singing). if the focus is the lyrics, why not write a book or a poem.
could i write poetry to this? n
WTF is this garbage? I can think of 10,000 albums that must be heard ahead of this one. Judging from the streaming numbers, a great many people have been allowed to die without ever listening to this album. About halfway through, I became jealous of those people. Zero stars.
There’s a reason I’ve never heard of this guy and it’s because he’s no good
Pretty bad, but it is kind of endearingly goofy at times.
Probably a 1.5 because of a few interesting moments, but I thought this was pretty annoying.
Goofy album, not a fan Top tracks: Love’s Enough, Blues for Billy Whitecloud
It's... surprising. Background orchestra is really moving. I didn't get super into it, but glad to have heard it.
OK I really hear what everyone was saying its like a dark Billy Joel musical hahahahah. I'm kind of weirdly enjoying it, his voice is really good and expressive. There was one song that was sort of normal and sounded like a commercial song instead of a musical number that I liked, I think it was Love's Enough which makes sense because its the most listened.
Interesting style -- sort of a blend of Sinatra with something darker/more sinister. Several songs had really interesting moments, and I enjoyed "Oh, California!", but overall the styling and singer's voice didn't resonate with me.
3 Maybe 4
Well.. that was an interesting album. Probably worth another listen.
Surprisingly broadway
Not a fan of this really.
I was surprised how much I liked this album. A very unique and interesting album that will stick with me for a while. I enjoyed the frantic nature of some of the songs with all of the shifts in tempo and instrumentation. If I liked this genre more, this may have been one of my favorite albums.
Daring, dramatic, at times campy and at others stunningly gorgeous. There are moments when the camp turns into cringe and their are others were the ingredients just don't quite work, but I appreciate that Ackles went for something a bit different here. Love's Enough, One Night Stand, Another Friday Night, and Montana Song were real standouts for me.
Awesome Album! Surprise favorite. Not rock though?
No me gustó tanto.
This album is a weird attempt at a quasi-Broadway album, with vocals that sound oddly reminiscent of Neil Diamond. Not surprisingly, David Ackles was a huge influence on Elvis Costello, who for some strange reason has six albums on the 1001 list. After Ackles’ death in 1999 Costello said, "It's a mystery to me why his wonderful songs are not better known." Similar to our ratings of most Costello albums, this one gets a 2.
This was pretty enjoyable. No idea about it beforehand but good stuff
Don't know what I was expecting going into it but this wasn't it. Genuinely very good might have bumped up to a 4 star given more listens.
nice enough MOR album. Very easy listening
I don't think it's the amazingly beautiful lost gem that some reviews said, but their are some nice songs here. Better than a lot of the singer songwriters fare I've heard in this list so far. Really wishing for half stars lately but anyway 3.5
Why is this so good? It's crazy how good this actually is. Idk about the 10 minute song about Montana though. This whole album is pretty odd
Broadway type shit
It’s giving high school Christian school theatre production
the corner of scott walker and neil diamond!
Like listening to an overdramatic musical.