Reviews (page 7 of 7)
Discount Neil Diamond does show tunes.
Sounds like the soundtrack to a bad musical
Freaking musical
Meh..
Davidsstjärnan... en viktig symbol. och han dog i cancer Daavid vila i frid så att säga (REST IN POEACE) i snitt trettio tusen lyssningar i Spotify-applikationen är varje låt ganska rolig eftersom djävulens skit är en jävel djävulen djävulen kan inte säga något annat underskattad man respekt namnet gav mer respekt i namnet Daavid och Goliat och daavidi vann tydligt Goliath är världen är världen som motsätter sig och sonen David besegrade den another friday night
American Gothic - 7.5/10 Love’s Enough - 7.5/10 Ballad of the Ship of State - 7/10 One Night Stand - 7.5/10 Oh, California! - 7.5/10 Another Friday Night - 7/10 Family Band - 7/10 Midnight Carousel - 7/10 Waiting for the Moving Van - 7/10 Blues for Billy Whitecloud - 7/10 Montana Song - 8/10 TOTAL - 80/110
Que decir. Escuchar partes de comedias musicales americanas. Copia a neil diamond. No me gustó. Me aburri
Exactly the kind of album I’m doing this for. Really struggling to rate this. Not really like anything I’ve heard before but not in an abstract way. 3.4
Best Song: American Gothic. There was a macabre quality to this one, both lyrically and musically. Like an emo Gordon Lightfoot. Worst Song: Blues for Billy Whitecloud. Wholly uninteresting blues. Overall: This sounds neither particularly good nor influential. The sombre singer-songwriter vibe is nice at times, but too often it dips into this hokey theatricality that just comes off as cheesy.
Meh
Good stories, music less than mesmerizing
5/10 Highlights: American Gothic Ballad of the Ship of State
3.5
I like his voice. Reminded me of Neil Diamond even before I read the reviews. The music is more like Broadway musicals. Especially the last song. It's good, but not what I'm looking for in music. Favorite song: Blues for Billy Whitecloud.
An interesting and lively singer-songwriter LP where nearly every song contains its own small-scale drama. Ackles' passionate delivery makes everything genuine and smooths over some of the cheesiness that would otherwise mar the narrative flow. Could've done without the overtly religious songs, mainly because they detract from the thesis the LP establishes, but otherwise for a singer-songwriter project I like this one a decent amount.
2.4 - I thought I was going to like this when I first started listening, but then found him a little bit whiny and a bit 'woe is me'. Like it had some nice songs but as an album it dragged
Scott Walker vibes. I kinda love this. I don't know why at all. I find it very calming. Fave Tracks: American Gothic, Blues for Billy Whitehead, Montana Song 4/5
Good songwriting in a style I don’t love. This feels part pastiche and part confessional. It’s an interesting listen, but not something I’d rush back to.
Some Neil diamond undertoned in some songs - but super weird back country lyrics
Beuh
Murder ballad lyrics set to Broadway tunes. This is weird
Did not like
Never heard of this artist. Not a fan at all. Don’t like his voice, don’t like the music, don’t like the lyrics (too much a book-style and not very lyrical), not very melodic. Somewhat depressing lyrics overall, political or, if not political, social commentary that I just was bored by. Will never listen to this again. Ever.
I was initially intrigued but intrigue quickly turned to fatigue. This guy was clearly out of his league. I'm sorry for that.
Harry Nilsson on Broadway. Lyrics seem very cliche and literal. Not my cup of tea.
Süß, aber nicht gut.
Vaudeville meets Billy Joel, produced by Bernie Taupin. I appreciate it, but don’t like it. So many huge names have referenced his impact on their careers but are confused by his lack of success. It’s deeply personal, the album is a bit messy from a tracking standpoint and it’s just a bit too “theater kid from the church band” for it to have the true mass appeal. A great exercise of this project, and a victim to the whole star system. I would give it a 3 but the personality doesn’t make it digestible for any repeat listening. Probably a 3.25 but for this sake, 2.75/5
Not sure about this one. It's not bad but I couldn't really get into it. Felt a bit over the top. 2,5/5
Not the worst thing I've heard, but at times it's weird. Some songs are good, middle-of the-road folk-pop, but those over the top, orchestrated show-tunes are downright bizarre. Think of this, American, David Ackles doing his best Neil Diamond impression with a hint of Tony Bennett, performing an off-Broadway vaudevillian musical (or high school musical?), American Gothic recorded in London, England produced by Bernie Taupin and they wonder why this album never found an audience? Again, some of the songs are quite beautiful and interesting, but lost me when he started to sing about Jesus (minus -1). Ugh!
Liked: Ripe with Americana and blues roots. This album is sure to impress a genre connoisseur. It plays like a Billy Joel album with more folk influence. By no stretch is this album a monolithic contributor to modern music nor is it a taste maker album. Its just light and easy listening. Great story telling with theatrical motiffs. Disliked: Relatively boring, minimalist instrumentation, and goofy song premises.
Neil Diamond gone wrong! No no!
Musikal esque men en röst. Billy Joel aktig storytelling. Helt kiva men kommer inte söka mig till den i framtiden
Crap! - boring dreary rubbish, why is this even here
Que des rageux sur ce site
de mal en pis
Reminds me of the Leonard Cohen album from a while back. A musical-y piano, vocal heavy album. It's ok, not my thing but not terrible, 2*.
vrlo mjuzikl vibes
Theatrical feel to it, like the songs should be in a film. Very corny in places. Sounds dated; an album of its time. A time period im not interested in. Struggling quite a bit to understand why I need to hear this before I die. By the fourth song, I'm actually wondering if the generator is trolling me. Is this a joke? Surely people can't give this 5 stars… "hey bill don't smile, for an indian you're not so bad" ok, that's cemented this as a 1 star album. It's boring, cringe and dull. An absolute flop from the generator.
it started really well, but after a bit it got a little unremarkable - 2 adds
December 27th again HL: title track, “Family Band”, “Love’s Enough”, “Ballad of the Ship of State”, “Montana Song” Well this was delightful The title and rustic cover did nothing to advertise the orchestrations and theatricalism on display, but also fits perfectly with Ackles’ pastoral ballads (“Love’s Enough”)
Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Oh California
Hujiwe
Weird showtune ass album. Kinda like a car crash. Not unhappy to have heard it, but never going back for more.
Doesn't the world already have one Paul Walker? Do we really need another one? It turns out that I do, at least. It's easy to understand how and why this is something of a cult classic. I'm sure there will be many days when I'm just not feeling this, although I find "Love's Enough" to be one of the more underrated ballads ever. Would I regret branding this with a 4 tomorrow? Maybe. I might think it's a 2 in a week. It's clearly not everyone's cup of tea, but I'll take this over that sad sack Nick Drake anyday.
очень опереточно и скушно пока. музыка приятная потом начинается, но все равно скушновато
Anders, aber ziemlich gut, leise, kreativ, gerne wieder
Goodness, this album sucked so much more than I thought could be possible. Comparisons to Joni Mitchell? No way. This guy sounded like Pete Seeger and Gordon Lightfoot’s less-talented cousin, and the arrangements and ensembles were comical.
I have no idea what that was. Grandiose theater?
2.75 I don’t think it’s a mystery why this album failed commercially. While interesting, it feels as if it never finds a secure place to land and root itself, instead twittering from branch to branch. The result is that, while there are some aspects that are interesting and captivating (and certainly so on their own), the whole of the album feels like a bunch of leaves shaken from a tree and haphazardly assembled back together on random branches. Quite simply, there are other artists who do it better. While he’s certainly inventive, it seems superficially so. The social issues, the sound experiments, they all felt as though they barely scratched the surface. The stand out song is “Montana Song” for how much its allowed to breathe and how it seems like the kind of song Ackles was going for with the rest of them, of gorgeous instrumentals and scenic, sweeping lyrics. It feels like the album is building up to this moment, which is a disappointment because it feels like the album should’ve started with this and continue on a similar path. But instead, you’re met with half-cooked imagery and songs that sound straight out of a fair, attempting to find a more commercial footing that it never meets.
The Worst of Harry Chapin. music: hated. (⌐■_■)
When I saw this album cover I thought “Cool an early 70s cult following singer songwriter thing” and then three songs in buddy is singing a song about sailing ships, and putting on a little sailor voice to do it, and then a couple songs later a song opens with “THE NIGHT… BECKONS HER WITH ITS CALL” or something, and then I’m certain I’ve been tricked into listening to some sort of Theatre Guy album again. I listened to the whole thing, but I can’t give stuff like this more than 1 again. Can’t do it. Ute Lemper is got lucky, 50 albums back.
love's enough is unironically a good song goofy ass ballad of the ship of state one night stand made me sad idk why Nice christian anthem in family band LOL midnight carousel is a very disney villain type song waiting for the moving van made me sad but this one is more directly sad billy whitecloud works for peanuts, give him peanuts and he goes wild. oh wait this song is just racist? or a reference? yeah i kinda fw this kinda of thing, little corny, lil dramatic but idk probably a 3.5/5 but closer to a 4 than a 3
Da’fuque did I just listen to?!?
Excellent songwriting and beautiful arrangements. Highly recommend.
I did not enjoy this album at all. Not a single track was interesting to me. The entire album sounds like a live theater performance or a subpar Disney soundtrack. Not my style at all. Favorite Song(s): N/A
No like
Not really my thing. I appreciate the lyrical content but overall, it come off too spoken word despite him singing. There's a cool jazz quality to the music and even the vocal delivery but I really cant connect with what is being played. Ackles does have a way with writing but that's all I can really positively take from it. The vocals mix are far upfront and the music sits in behind. Clearly not the main focus. Which is fine... But the singing isn't great. And if it wasn't for his words in most times, I would be reaching for the next record. Kind of a tough listen... But I see the creativity behind it. Just not my thing.
I appreciate how odd this is in relation to the western rock canon we're exploring here. These are basically musical show tunes, but presented on an album without the accompanying musical. This is both its appeal and downfall for me.
I have a soft spot for these lost masterpiece type albums, so I'm glad to see this included on the list. Although revisiting the likes of The Beatles and The Stones, et al. is a great thing to do, spending time with albums like this, that sort of fell through the cracks in one way or another, is the more rewarding part of the 1001 experience for me. Although I will most likely never come back to this album again, it is one I am glad to have heard.
A quite sincere album, maybe a bit too much for me. But, he's not bad and I can respect it.
This was a very interesting album that combines a vaudeville background with a contemporary pop style. Bernie Taupin’s production ensures that the songwriting is front and center. David Ackles is a very thoughtful songwriter and musician who lends a sense of theatricality to his work. Elvis Costello is right to state that Ackles’ work should be better known.
So my type of music. Loved it!❤️
There is such a gulf between how I feel about the music and how I feel about the vocals and lyrics. Which is good about the former and bad about the latter.
I can't fault the size, scope or ambition on display here. And, to his immense credit, Ackles never takes the easy path as a songwriter. As a singer, yeah, he has an interesting voice. I just don't like vast swathes of American Gothic. Sometimes it threatens to descend to subpar Randy Newman, without the yuks. Sometimes it sounds like subpar Gershwin. I truly don't know what to make of this - admirable, but less rewarding than I had hoped.
Hmm having a hard time getting into this. No song has been very catchy know real melodies. Voice sounds like Neil Diamond so that's nice and the lyrics are sweet. just all kinda sound the same. meh, 1.5 stars! So I'll be nice and go with 2 stars.
Quite theatrical. At times I felt I was listening to a musical. Mostly though I just wasn’t feeling it.
I listened once through on the commute, didn't pay close attention, and thought it was broadway / maudlin. I also fell asleep. I gave it another fair shot later, and well, it's still maudlin. But the intricacy of the songwriting, the really nice lyrics, and the sometimes very strange variety of subjects seduced me. I can see why more famous songwriters cite him as inspirational. Good one for a "must listen" list.
0 stars. Hated it. Like the soundtrack to a bad local super religious play. This album was so bad I'm not going to give any other albums the benefit of the doubt and will start skipping albums as needed.
Singer-songwriter, estilo Sinatra. Es un poco rollo.
So much no.
…So, just who the hell is David Ackles? Here is an elusive artist born from a family of music-hall performers: he had a brief career as a child actor, studied English Literature and composed musicals, ballets, choral pieces in his spare time. He then opened for Elton John when the Rocketman made his American debut at the Troubadour, L.A. John was completely starstruck and has gone on to praise Ackles as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation: in fact, songwriting partner Bernie Taupin produced this album, "American Gothic". The drama is admirable but gets a little much at times: "American Gothic", "Ballad of the Ship of State" and the ten-minute "Montana Song" are the three multi-faceted epics which best show off Ackles' love of musical theatre. They're intricate, complex and broad, as well as being pretty difficult to stomach. Ackles is in full Scott Walker mode here, theatrics dialled up to eleven, switching restlessly from folk rock to vaudevillian cabaret. The lyrics are hokey and there's no clear, satisfying structure, though I won't fault the ambition. When the Broadway stylings are kept to a minimum, and Ackles explores other angles, I found the songs much more affecting. "Oh, California!" is a delicate, dreamlike ode to Ackles' favourite state, and "Family Band" goes gospel as he reflects on his childhood playing music in the church (with Jesus singing the songs). Then, an absolutely beautiful story crystallises in "Waiting for the Moving Van", a hauntingly sad love song. I don't want to overstate its brilliance, but I was a great fan of the depth of feeling within the lines: "Now there's lots of time, and nothing left to fix; except the things I am trying not to think of when I can; waiting for the moving van to come". If nothing else, that's a song I'll hope to carry with me for a long time, and I'm glad to have been exposed to a songwriter's songwriter like David Ackles.
Great album, a wonderful suprise. Will definitely be listening to this many more times
Kova
Who's the luckiest man in the music industry? I know. You're thinking Ringo, right? Wrong. The Beatles wouldn't have been the Beatles without him. The luckiest man in the music biz is Bernie Taupin. For some reason he has made a career out of setting laughably bad lyrics to Elton John tunes. Check out the nonsense of Yellow Brick Road. And then he produces this crap and it somehow makes this list. It's a bloody travesty.
Merica fuck ye, 3.5
5/10. Oooh, American Gothic, the famous… album? Hmm, yeah, I can see why no one listened to this when it came out, because it isn't that good.
There were some parts of this album that were genuinely good but those clashed with the parts I really disliked. 6/10
Felt like I was stuck in a broadway play. Every song sounded the same. Wasn’t horrible. But glad it’s over.
Solid if over-produced
It’s like showtunes without a show. No freaking thanks.
This album is kind of all over the place. I really enjoyed some songs and then was really not into others. Tracks like 'American Gothic' and 'Midnight Carousel' utilize really dissonant chord progressions/notes that I find difficult to enjoy. Other tracks, like 'Ballad of the Ship of State', basically feel like a number out of a musical which doesn't do much for me. Then, there's 'Family Band', which sounds like a weird Christian folk song. On the other hand I really enjoyed the tracks I listed below as standouts. I think I've got to go pretty middling though because I don't think it works great for me as a whole. Standout Tracks: Love's Enough, One Night Stand, Oh California!, Another Friday Night
I kept waiting for a song I liked. Didn’t really happen.
Reminds me of a less flashy more folky Neil Diamond.
Nice enough, but ?
Very artful and interesting! I have a blind spot when it comes to Broadway-adjacent music, so this isn't exactly my cup of tea. There's a lot going on here.
Listened to this while playing Return to Dark Tower solo. I have never heard of David Ackles, so this was a completely new experience for me. As a pianist, I was immediately taken by the piano work throughout the album. It sounds like it would have been a lot of fun to play. I really enjoyed everything I heard. The arrangements were fun and interesting. I always hear lyrics last, and I feel like there was a lot of lyrical gems throughout that I'd need a second listen to appreciate. I enjoyed the one-night stand song more than I thought I would have. I'm giving this album a 4, though it may be closer to a 3.5 if possible.
American Gothic is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter David Ackles, released on July 4, 1972, by record label Elektra. The album is a song cycle organized around the theme of the rediscovery of self through contemplation of vanishing rural America. The album's lyrics are considered to be its strongest aspect, with Ackles' penetrating gaze outward at the thwarted ambitions of conventional beliefs. The album's arrangements, whose excellence cannot be overstated, are all by Ackles. The album was produced by Bernie Taupin and conducted by Robert Kirby. The album was recorded at IBC Sound Recording Studios in London, England. The album peaked at number 167 on the Billboard charts. American Gothic remains one of those great albums that never found its audience. It waits to be rediscovered
I guess there's a reason why some deep cuts stay deep. I can't help but wonder, who the heck was David Ackles making this album for in 1972? Out of the box it must have already sounded dated, but not musically adventurous enough to garner a cult following. Yet, enough people liked it at the time to crack the Billboard charts. Go figure. Bombastic, old timey arrangements with an earnest pop vocal better suited to the theatrical stage than to whatever this is supposed to be. Lyrically far ranging, but not particularly compelling. The more restrained piano and acoustic tracks aren't too bad ("Waiting for the Moving Van" was actually quite nice), but not something I plan to come back to. Fave Songs: Waiting for the Moving Van, Love's Enough, Another Friday Night, One Night Stand, Blues for Billy Whitecloud
Sraight forward story telling tike this than really bridge the the gap between musical interest and listening value. This was cool
Like folk story telling music? Not my thing 2
Música tranquila de una especie de crooner americano, con canciones melosas y reposadas. Música evocadora. Ningún título reseñable ni nada que me haya destacado especialmente
Not my cup of tea 2*
Another bit dreary album. Maybe its the weather or maybe we've just had a bad run.
Strange
This sounds like a pirate musical revue at a Renaissance fair.
It's the perfect mix of Tom Waits and Randy Newman, with a touch of musical theatre. Unexpectedly brilliant lost album!
Interesting album but also felt very familiar. Nothing really stood out even though the wiki and apple were begging for this to be some unfound treasure. Love the cover, though. Man is most happy in boat.
Puzzling pick. Never heard of this guy, and the Apple Music description begins by talking about a bunch of more famous singer-songwriters and how Ackles was not as well known...not a good start. It's not a bad album, but what does this really have on guys like Elton John, James Taylor, Randy Newman, or Joni Mitchell (Apple's comparison, not mine)? Nothing really. He does do some quirky stuff, the songs get a little fanciful, "fiddle dee dee" mode. One of those fancypants tracks just made me laugh, but the closer was pretty solid. Overall though, very forgettable album. No disrespect to David, but those other songwriters are more well-known for a reason. Favorite tracks: Ballad of the Ship of State, Montana Song. Album art: Guy sitting in a rowboat in the foreground, woman sitting on a porch in the background. Pretty simple picture, but the flattened depth makes this one quite cool. 2.5/5
Pretty bad. One or two good song. The lyrics were very first drafty.
Never heard this guy. Just one word. Fantastic.
A real curious artifact of its time, this one. I didn't dislike it but found a lot of it odd. A little too much of it that kind of sing-songy half talking delivery that puts me in mind of the less tolerable side of musical theater. Worth a listen still.
Too theatrical for me.
I like singer songwriters, but this one made me want to drive my car off a bridge it was so depressing. Great storytelling and music, but he was clearly on downers when he wrote and recorded this.
Bastante normal. Suena bien pero se me hace algo aburrido y tétrico. Se supone que es inspiración para muchos cantautores. Otro prescindible de 2 estrellas.
Certainly an interesting pick for Halloween. I've recently learned that I'm kind of a fan of Americana. I still get jumpscared by the "Country" genre every time one of these albums is generated for me, but as it turns out, there's a difference big difference between Americana and that whole "YEEHAW PARDNER" kind of music. This is pretty alright. Not the worst thing ever made. I like his vocals - very reminiscent of Scott Walker. The lyrics are kind of groan-inducing and I wasn't a fan of those few songs that sounded like Toy Story music. The first half was much better than the second half. A strong 2/5.
It took me way too long to figure out that the woman in the background of the cover image had her feet up on the railing and wasn't just missing a leg or two.
Nice. Don’t know much of anything about this! I remember the name David Ackles from a list of Jim O’Rourke influences. That was Five & Dime though. Title track is kind of theatrical. Next song is a nice slow singer-songwriter jam. Third track back to that Broadway style. And then more of that. Seems like the genre is singer songwriter show tunes. Neil Diamond of broadway. It’s not bad but really doesn’t do it for me. I can respect it though, especially considering how many cite him as an influence. At least a 2.5. So I’ll do a 3.
Me no likey!
Um. No. He sounds a bit like Neil Diamond. He's too dramatic and grandiose. Showtune-esque.
This is a cult classic that deserves more attention. David Ackles delivers a performance of songs that explore the diverse aspects of American life, from the rural to the urban, from the past to the present. The album is rich in lyrical and musical details, and features the production of Bernie Taupin and the orchestration of Robert Kirby. However, the album does not appeal to my taste, (or a lot of others I suspect). It is more of a musical journey that requires patience and attention. Glad it’s on the list but not one I’ll come back to. 3/5.
Gothic? More like dinner theater. One listen and it's seems clear why it never found an audience, at least among music fans.
I had never heard of this album, or David Ackles. But I'll definitely listen to it again.
Weird vaudeville version of neil diamond
Never. No
very much like broadway harry chapin
I bet thats his wife on the porch just waiting to bitch about him having a good time on his canoe and not finishing all the work he has to do around the house. He works mon-fri. Give the guy a break!
Prime example of an unlucky, yet talented, Broadway aspirant who hoped to join Joni Mitchell and Neil Young in the big leagues of folk rock. I don’t see myself coming back, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and I think Mr. Ackles should still be acknowledged for his artistry.
B American Gothic 5 Love's Enough 3 Ballad of the Ship of State 4 One Night Stand 3 Oh, California! 4 Another Friday Night 3 Family Band 3 Midnight Carousel 3 Waiting for the Moving Van 3 Blues for Billy Whitecloud 3 Montana Song 2 This was friggin' awesome! It was so different than every album I'd heard before. It gave me a similar vibe to Blood, Sweat, and Tears, but sounded more like a musical. This was a true hidden gem.
This definitely isn't the type of music I normally listen to. It reminded me of Christmas music at times but the subjects of the songs were more depressing. There were times that really bored me. That being said, there were also spots on the album that had a lot of life. Ballad of the Ship of State and Oh, California! stand out in that regard. It felt like there was a narrative going on but I had trouble following it. I'd like to go back and give it a second listen to try to digest that aspect. After some research, I assume the album title is in reference to the famous painting American Gothic by Grant Wood depicting a farmer and his daughter in front of an Iowa farm house. My assumption is that the story of the album is telling about life in America in throughout the depression era. So if I do have time to go back and listen again I'll keep that in mind while focusing on the lyrics.
This is just okay to me. Not really sure why this made the list, but I guess it was influential to a lot of cool 70s and 80s musicians. It's too theatrical or something for me, and I probably won't listen again.
A quirky little musical, I can see the line kick dances for Oh California! already, decent overall (2.5/5)
Theatrical, dramatic. Each song a vignette. Vocals are booming, but strangely monotonous like a poem read out loud? Musical arrangements varied. Lots of piano horns orchestra etc. 7/10
Weird! It’s basically full of songs that function as mini-stories. It had many moments in which it felt like the soundtrack to an averagely written musical. I don’t really have anything else to say, I didn’t hate it but wouldn’t say I liked it either. A solid 3.
So glad to have found this album. The songwriting, the stories, the atmospheres. Vaudeville, Americana, Tom Waits, and the weight of the world. Ended up spending a lot more time with it than I thought I would. Thank you!
Sounds like a musical, it's not bad but nothing stood out to me
This is Lite FM music. Lite FM is a radio station in NYC that plays midtempo, feel good, elevator-type music. I don’t mean that to be insulting. There’s a place for music like this for sure. Songs like Love’s Enough are comforting and sweet. They give you hope. Ballad of the Ship of State is more dramatic. It reminds me of a Broadway musical. Maybe off-Broadway. One Night Stand takes us back to Lite FM, but still sounds as if it belongs in the lineup for a musical. As does Oh, California! Then comes Family Band, taking us to church in a small town where everybody knows everybody and nobody locks their doors. Somebody should make a musical called American Gothic about small town, post-war America. All the music they need is right here on this album.
At first I hated this album. My first impression was that this was from a failed broadway show or some shorty high school musical. But by the time I got to the seventh track, Waiting For The Moving Van, I started to understand the brilliance behind this album. When I got to the final track, the ten minute epic Montana Song I was hooked. I listened to the album two more times. This album is a masterpiece, I ‘ve read a few review that compare David Ackles to a poor man’s Neil Diamond. My wife said as much. ND is great at what he does, but ND couldn’t do this. He could never each this level of uniqueness and disjointed chaotic beauty. I might have to start going to more of my local high schools musicals..
Some good moments but it wasn’t that good all around.
Strangely theatrical for a singer-songwriter album. Not much else to say about it. 4/10
I can understand how Ackles could have been both a major influence on artists like Elton John and Elvis Costello, and also be largely forgotten to history. I don't see myself revisiting this, but for certain people, this will be a treasure waiting to be discovered. For my taste, the theatrical pop sound would be better suited to Broadway than the recording studio, but I'm sure that many would disagree.
While the musical talent is evident the final product sounds forced and is not a very pleasant listen. It sounds like a cover band trying to play Elton John songs.
3.5/5. Different, and interesting. It's kind of like a musical. I was not expecting to like this after hearing a bit of the first song, but it ended up being alright.
Not an album I needed to hear. Meatloaf light, overly musical theater with no story, too orchestral. Honestly I do not know what he was shooting for, a new genre maybe? Also pretty cheesy lyrics. Cheese sells, but not this cheese. +1 for real instruments and competent player.
The bones of a great album are back there somewhere. These are well-written, mature songs. He doesn’t have the voice to transform them and the arrangement choices are puzzling. Some odd almost word stuff, odd horns and sounds pop up randomly. This is an album I’d want to hear early 70s pop acts cover, as I see Elton John’s lyricist produced it - it was obviously available to them.
Tried. Just not for me
I understand that people enjoy listening to this album and type of music. But for me it's a bit too much theatre kid, it just isn't my thing really
Couldn’t finish it
I started to really like this, but the lyrics and arrangements always ended up being less interesting as each song went on.
Oh my this is dull. I mean, his voice is more than competent. The production seems decent, but the mix of TV show theme tunes, vaguely but thankfully not-quite country and show tunes gets tired very quickly.
But full to be honest
Singer-songwriter, estilo Sinatra. Es un poco rollo.
He has a very emotive voice, Midnight Carousel sounds like it could've come from a Sondheim musical. I particularly love his sense of humour!
Does what the title suggests... American folk with a gothic feel. I want to like it more than I do, unfortunately. Might call for another listen at some point.
Like Nick Cave does a musical? I quite enjoyed the drama of it and the storytelling, although, as ever, didn't listen enough to the words but I know he swapped the milk for booze.
Some decent tunes.
Well this is something a bit different. Show tunes without the show. I found myself alternating between bored by it's loungey-ness and charmed by it's eccentricity (I was even a little moved by the earnestness of some of the lyrics). Yep, really not sure how I feel about this one but I think I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.
It was interesting enough
De invloed op andere artiesten is inderdaad duidelijk. Het scheelt wel wat van nummer tot nummer
If you're interested in a Broadway musical that describes the American experience this is for you. It's not a bad album but I think it caters to a very specific audience.
This what it would sound like if Willian Shatner gave Neil Diamond singing lessons.
Just… boring. Really boring. I’ve heard worse, but rarely heard something as dull.
Not for me. Maybe his voice sounded a little like Neil Diamond.
This is really bad. I'm not sure I liked any of it. And some if it I downright hated.
I did not care for this album can see why they are searching for an audience.
This album is described as having "never found its audience." Well, it still hasn't because it's not me. The guy has a good voice, but I just didn't enjoy this. 1.5/5
I tried to keep an open mind and appreciate this. And I do appreciate some of the songwriting and the lyrics, but I just can't stand the style of performing. Sounds like show tunes to me. 2.5 stars, rounding down to 2.
the stories and themes could be good if they weren't getting sung by some lounge singer. Of course Elvis Costello counts Ackles as an influence...
Feel like I'm in a fancy bar, or at a concert hall. Fave track: Montana Song
Hmmmm, he's very Scott Walker, eh? Apparently more influential that listened to directly, so I guess I'm glad this project thrust him into my path! Fave track - "Ballad of the Ship of State", perhaps, or "Midnight Carousel"
Oh god this was a long listen. I mean, maybe not physically, it's only 44 minutes long. But it felt like a few hours. I'd usually tune out the boring albums completely but for some reason this one kept pulling my attention back in, against my will. It's not really bad in my opinion, just terribly boring. Definitely seems like the kind of unwanted 70s easy listening fodder that plagues every second hand store's record section. At least Blues for Billy Whitecloud switched it up by going a bit jazzy, I guess. Favourite: Blues for Billy Whitecloud
I had never heard about David Ackles before. Based on the Wikipedia page and the first songs of this album, I was ready to consider this album just another folk-like attempt to be a great album and with a final importance only for a few Americans proud of anything produced in the USA between 1970 and 1990 as the "upper" quality among all songs (which is entirely fake). For me, it was worth a maximum of 2 stars. However, some other songs caught my attention when they sounded more like Sinatra-style, jazzy, and big-band songs I usually enjoy more. I also liked the last songs' beautiful instrumental/orchestral work, so my initial assumptions were wrong. Indeed, it can be an attempt to sound important. Still, the variety of styles and interesting instrumental work proved that if it's impossible to achieve it, the dedicated effort is worth it. Maybe it's not an essential album for everyone, but not being perfect and sounding like an honest musical attempt made this (before completely unknown) album important for me.
Sometimes you get one of those albums you've never heard of, but that you love instantly. Ackles musical theatre song style, coupled with the piano rock and great lyrics (apparently an English major (it shows)), hit a perfect spot for me. I loved it in all its earnest story telling!
Not really sure what I just listened to. When I saw the Country genre, I was expecting it to be awful. It was not awful, but it wasn't really good either. Just kind of there.
The musical vibe felt contrived
And now for something completely different. Musically theatrical with very on the nose lyrics, which make this feel like the soundtrack to a Broadway musical. A really weird album. Difficult to categorise or rate. If this *was* the soundtrack to a musical I think I would quite like it, but as a stand alone album, I don't really get it. David Ackles was originally employed as a songwriter for others. Perhaps this album shows that writing for a defined commission requires a very different skill set to creating something through your own artistic vision. Rating: 2/5 Playlist track: Love's Enough Date listened: 21/08/23
Grandiose, overblown and somewhat ludicrous, I absolutely loved it. What a find!
3.6 - Neil Diamond sings in a one-man musical about an American tramp finding his way in modern America. Our protagonist often daydreams about a life in olden times, and there are scenes of him working as a deckhand on a ship ("Ballad of the Ship of State"), and living as a pioneer in the untamed West ("Montana Song"). In his searching, he falls in love with a promiscuous girl ("Love's Enough", "One Night Stand") who ultimately leaves him one fateful night for a carnie at an amusement park ("Midnight Carousel"). In a fog, he stumbles through the park grounds but hears a choir singing a spiritual and is drawn to the glorious sound ("Family Band"). He's saved by the power of Jesus Christ, and gets the strength to continue on his bittersweet journey ("Moving Van"). Ultimately, he ends up in California ("Oh, California") and reunites with the unfaithful woman. They get married and it's miserable for both of them ("American Gothic"). We hear "Blues for Billy Whitecloud" as the credits roll.
1/2
Some parts are ok, some not so. A bit dated for me. Slips between Nick Cave and Neil Diamond on occoasions. Ok, but probably won’t listen again.
Bits I actually quite enjoyed, there's a good narrative in the music. Doesn't stop a lot of being tedious and boring though. I spun up and down the score slider for this one so I guess it averages to a 3.
Foi-me útil para lembrar de escutar mais Nick Cave.
This is the first album I strongly considered not listening all the way through. It's like Neil Diamond wrote his own version of The Night Man Cometh.
Interesting
it’s like a full album of the scott walker songs i always skip
En bra låt! Love’s enough
A product of its time soundwise, but as for the songs, this is so, so mediocre. 2/5
I wanted to like this album, but at every turn it found ways to disappoint. The folky strangeness brought to mind Tom Waits or other quirky Americana, but Ackles' awkward phrasing and clunky lyrics got in the way. Think Tom Waits without the sense of humor, or Leonard Cohen without the pathos - and all sung by a Neil Diamond cover band. I am glad I had a chance to hear the album - it is ambitious, and offers a lot to consider for a songwriter's list of "don't do". But knowing that another album lost a spot to it, it's hard to say it belongs on the list.
Just can't get into it. no flow, lacking vibrancy. Dull. Goddy.
Folk . Un poco aburrido.
It’s not “found it’s audience” with me. Weird, affected show tunes.
A.J. This guy sucks
Country with Jazz interspersed, which is possibly the most evil partnership imaginable. but does try to tell stories with the songs, however get bored trying to follow them when the music's not putting me off completely. 1.6
surprised by how interesting this album is. i was prepared to dislike it for its showtune aesthetic but the lyrics are great and the music sets the scene so perfectly. definitely heard some proto-springsteen and early elton john (bernie taupin produced). will definitely listen to the whole album again.
Is this some kind of joke album? This is one of the worst pieces of trash I've ever heard.
This feels like a collection of showtunes for a long forgotten musical. The production on most of the songs feels empty. Not my thing
The oboe made it sound real theatry in a bad way. Forgettable.
3+/5
Vi fattar du läser biblen
🤷 Not unpleasant, but not something that I connected to at all or see myself revisiting. 2.5
This isn't something I would typically go in for, but I'm glad to have been exposed. There are some pretty songs on here (Love's Enough, One Night Stand) and some groove (Ballad of the Ship of State). The whole production has some staginess about it, as if it is part of some bigger production. All in all, I found myself really enjoying the first half of this. The latter half either I got distracted or the music got less interesting. Either way, I feel like this falls into a hard 3 / 5.
Another album that sounds like to belongs in a musical. That's not necessarily a knock, but it just stands out to me. Fairly pleasant album to listen to, no real highs though.
Sounded like a Broadway musical score. One of those albums that I am happy I listened to but will never listen to any of those songs ever again
This album is fucking weird. I like certain aspects of every song and hate certain aspects of every song. Sounds like a musical but not at the same time? I'm confused. Can't tell if he's creepy or loving on One Night Stand. Can't put my finger on this shit but don't think I'll be back.
This album is ambitious. It's vivid and lyrical and self-indulgent. It's certainly interesting, and I can sense it's influence in more modern self-deprecating songwriters, particularly on Jim O'Rourke's Drag City outputs. Great listen and always happy to have something unknown like this come up.
Its like an even worse version of Neil Diamond. I mean seriously, how does anyone find any value in this? I had never heard this before, and I was better off not knowing about this terrible shit. 1/5
I recognise the lost artistry here but I got some Scott Walker vibes and that revolts me. That said - I appreciated the musicianship and the arrangements. Bonus point for impressing Elvis Costello so much.
A bit like a Billy Joel composed Broadway musical. If that sounds appealing to you….god help ya.
Bruh, you're not Neil Diamond and you never will be.
Dreadful dated syrupy Harry Chapin-style songwriting, without the lyrical or musical prowess required to actually pull it off. Awful stuff.
extremely musical theatery? it's fine?
Sounded to me like Neil Diamond doing boring showtunes. Maybe I'm way off, but this wasn't for me at all.
Het was een uitdagende dag om dit te luisteren maar hoorde wel dat dit heel bijzonder is.
This Ackles guy really has sold his soul to the devil. We was starring in Supernatural just a few years ago and now I find out that he also released his fifth album in 1972? He hasn't aged a day! This is very reminiscent of Neil Diamond, with a bit of musical theater included. But ultimately, '...hey you what's your name... hey I think I'm gonna kiss ya..." is a complete deal breaker.
Wow. Part William Shatner, part Neil Diamond. A lot of loud talking over showtune/broadway music. He does better in the singing parts; everything is very literate... broadway-oriented story or message based. Nothing very melodic such that you'd sing along with it. So, interesting, a bit moody, a bit quirky. But won't need to listen to it again.
Not for me.
Love's Enough is a tight song. This gives me the feel of like a sad clown variety show. Pulling Montana Song out for an entire album maybe would have been more of a connecting album. the effort of the thing as a whole feels weak.
Crooner
Solid album - just didn't attach to anything. 2/5
Ja, beetje een erg klassieke zangstem/stijl maar wel lekker op zo’n warme dag
Oudbollig en klote!
Ik vond dit verrassend aangenaam
Iets te pathetisch voor mijn smaak.
Ik moest denken aan Nick cave en aan variété en aan chansons. Lastig te plaatsen dit. En irritant.
A little oddball
If that annoying sea shanty trend from 2020 was a whole album. A few songs I was okay with but overall just found this very irritating and I kind of hated it.
Dated and overwrought. Not a fan.
Eh
Did not know anything about this one. I’ll give this another listen sometime.
Quite a fun album, the songs have charm - "Oh California" is a banger, and so is the title track and "Blues for Billy Whitecloud" - other tracks are middling, but still a good listen, and a couple, like closer "Montana song" overstay their welcome. It's not a perfect record, but it's a good one.
Never heard of him, but what a strong album. Baroque, theatrical. A little bit of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and Billy Joel all rolled into one. Spots of the Beach Boys at their "Pet Sounds"-iest too. Has a weak moment or two, but I don't think it's enough to detract from the score. Favorite tracks: "Love's Enough", "Another Friday Night", "Family Band"
2.75
American Gothic is sneaky-complete and just and indulgent as the title and first notes indicate. Shades of Scott Walker, clearly and pleasingly, and an immediate songwriter's songwriter feel are highlights. The "American" part is as well-represented, and yet the album ends up feeling close to linear. Explicit references to religion do not a religious experience make, but here they help.
BL: never heard of. But read that Costello cites him as a major influence so I am looking forward to it. AL: wow. I thought this was brilliant. Cutting and beautiful song writing, “love’s enough”, “another Friday night”, “family band”, and “Montana song” all have amazing lyrics and the instrumentation is pretty solid too. His gentle yet rough voice really adds and emotional tone to it. Highly recommend FT: “love’s enough”, “Montana song”, “another Friday night”, “family band”, 5/5
Pomp and circumstance are not my kind of thing
I don't like the chanson style. This stuff belongs in a stage musical (and I don't generally like them, either).
Was about to give this one a whole second listen through cuz I wanted to give the lyrics a chance but then thought what’s the point. I don’t like the music so it’s not gonna make a difference. The descriptions of this one call it something like an album waiting to be rediscovered by its intended audience. I’m not that audience. I totally see its appeal and combing show-tunes with a singer songwriter/Americana quality is unique but lost on me. I think I’ll come back to this one day and give it another shot cuz maybe I just didn’t get it but not feeling it today.
This reminds me of the shit kids in my high school theatre would listen to. I am not a fan. I guess if something is an “undiscovered classic” that has “yet to find its audience” that might just mean it sucks and people don’t like it 😂
There is something delightfully vaudeville about this. Even when it isn't fantastic, it's still pretty interesting. It's almost like showtunes for a musical that was never made.
I can see how this is an understated Folk classic. Not quite getting to what I want, but quite enjoyable.
I understand why Bernie Taupin would like this guy. He is like Tom Waits might have been in his early days if he had been sober (but he isn't at all like Tom Waits when he actually was sober). I hope that makes sense.
I found it hard to believe that Bernie Taupin produced this album because it was the first and last thing he would have produced. But Robert Kirby, who did the orchestration for this album, also did Bernie’s poetry album a year earlier so there may have been connection. The arrangements are interesting, and it was brave to put out an LP like this in the early 70s, but his delivery can be schmaltzy and the lyrics hold no mystery. As my co-judge said, he sounds like he’s trying to sound like the guy who left his cake out in the rain, but that was a great song (and there are none here).
Nick Cave doing cabaret showtunes, definitely not my jam.
Wat is dit, Neil Diamond met een hersenbeschadiging? Toen ik het eerste nummer opzette moest ik controleren: heb ik per ongeluk nog een ander scherm open staan dat muziek maakt? Zo ontzettend passen de diverse instrumenten niet bij elkaar en ook niet bij de stem. Vaak is het domweg vals. Dat laatste nummer is een staaltje pathetiek zoals je ze niet vaak hoort. Is dit een parodie? Outsiderkunst? Of oprechte incompetentie? En wil ik dat wel weten?
Het is een beetje alsof je in het theater zit. Met een stem die de muziek vaak overheerst, soms meer vertelt dan zingt en soms spektakel suggereert. Het is wel een wat ouderwetse voorstelling helaas.
Een aanstellerig theaterstuk over hoe kut Amerika wel niet is, voorgedragen door een soort babbelzieke Neil Diamond. Wikipedia maakt er (terecht) minder woorden aan vuil dan snobvoorman Robert Dimery, die hier blijkbaar een persoonlijke favoriet door onze strot probeert te duwen. Als een schimmelende pan macaroni die Bernie Taupin had weggezet en vergeten was en niet meer aan Elton John durfde op te dienen.
This dramatic and literary type of songwriting and singing sounds like a cross between Scott Walker and Gordon Lightfoot — while I don't remember much of it, definitely enjoyed it, so I'm definitely going to need to revisit this album and artist.
Theatrecore ahhhh
David s'est retrouvé bloqué dans un studio d'enregistrement contre son gré et essaiera tant bien que mal de produire quelque chose de pas trop mauvais. Avec un peu de chance et de débrouillardise, il réussira finalement à s'en sortir sans trop se ridiculiser.
David Ackles a tenté de se dépatouiller comme il le pouvait au milieu de la bouillasse proposée par Robert depuis quelques semaines, sans malheureusement réussir à s'élever suffisament pour atteindre le sacro saint 4/5. De généreux efforts qui sont néammoins appréciés.
I enjoyed it more than i thought I would but I'm unsure what to rate it I espacially liked the first half but it got a bit boring after a while but it was still not something I had to force myselft through so I think I will go with 2.75 Stars so ~ 3 stars
Was slow. Good but slow
Ok, I was expecting folk/country but this is... Nick Cave long before Nick Cave? There's an obvious Americana theme, which matches up with the album art & name, and it's kinda miserable, as somewhat expected lol, but it's all piano/croon/jazz driven. Manic vaudeville vibes in places. A bit too out there for me, but nothing awful. 3/5.
I love a good story album, and this one was alright
honest folk
I really don't like these albums where someone is just telling a story with some barely discernible backing track. This wasn't interesting in the least.
Tooooooooooo slooooooooow
It was alright, nothing special but not too horrible
The first song or two was good but it was really quite unenjoyable after that
This labeled Rock. It was not rock in my opinion. If it was labeled Folk I could give a 3. It’s silly but my mind was blocked by the label.
Not bad.
Folk d'autor passat per les mans de Bernie Taupin. Potser requeriria de més atenció de la qual es pot dedicar en una escolta superficial. Sembla que es valora sobretot per les seves lletres. Té sentit
10/10 absolutely incredible and so underrated god I wish more people would hear this
A different style of album. It's nice to have variety
Started promising, but became a bit Broadway musical meets Peter Allen meets Hot August Night. Anyway nice to discover someone I'd never heard of.
Bit of Scott Walker and Neil Diamond energy but even after a couple of cracks couldn't get into the style of it all
It's such a curio. Extra points for being extra weird. Less points for it's amateur dramatics style.
This guy is part old school crooner, part American Elton John (or maybe I'm predisposed to think so because Taupin produced), and part folksy poet (but not in a Woody Guthrie way, more of a stuffy academic way). The effect is somehow less than the sum of its parts. Did not work for me, but I respect the effort. Best track: Ballad of the Ship of State
The vocals and music often felt incohesive and this style seemed more at home in a Sondheim musical than an album for this list. It was like a badly done Billy Joel album
This was a weird album. I'm not sure why it needed to be included on this list. The very small number of plays this album has tells me it hasn't reached many people. I don't think they are losing out much by not hearing this.
This album was confusing. I certainly appreciate the uniqueness of the album itself compared to much of the rest on this list. I was confused why an album called American Gothic written by an American singer songwriter was recorded in London. This gave me Broadway vibes. It was weird and I’m not sure this is an accurate rating, I neither loved nor hated it.
liked the second song a lot. Seems like an album that could grow on me. Also seems like it could be a good listen on a long drive
This was... really bad. I could leave it at that but I think this album deserves a bit of explanation. The vocals are nothing spectacular, but that's not necessarily a deal breaker. After all, Bob Dylan doesn't have a voice to write home about. And speaking of Bob Dylan, the contents of the lyrics are similar to Dylan's work. There are stories being told, but they're all laid out so explicitly that there's nothing interesting about them. You lose something when you're just retelling a story from beginning to end with no room for inference. Then there's the instrumentals, which at times aren't noticeable, and at other times sound discordant. Ultimately, not as interesting as Ackles probably wanted this album to be. Bored me into not finishing.
A little corny sounding but I appreciated the orchestral stuff and how dramatic it was. The overall sound is super clean, like it could have come out decades later.
J'ai quand même bien aimé. Les risques, les paroles, et aussi les expérimentation de certaines chansons. 3.85
I have no clue why this is on the list. It’s pretty generic 70s singer/songwriter stuff. Nothing really stands out and there’s nothing really special here. It’s not unlistenable, just bland and uninspiring.
He's trying to sound like Neil Diamond but the songs just aren't as good.
If you've listened to 1 song, you've heard them all.
Nice music but super boring I really couldn't get into it & don't want to try again.
Reminds me of what we get from Nick Cave later. Nice soft music for listening, but lacks melody and catchiness to really sell it. The lyricism is the biggest selling point.
Enjoyable and soothing, bit reminiscent of Nick Cave at times.
I'm sorry, but he's rhyming "Warn ya" with "California" It's not for me
weird
If Billy Joel and Elton John had a baby and then forced him to sing Neil Diamond songs, that would be this album
Was quite enjoying it in a Neil Diamond kinda way, until Family Band, and it went all religious - not my thing. Rest of it is easy listening though.
Sounds like show tunes done by an admirer of Jacques Brel and Scott Walker. Not as interesting as Taupin’s work with Elton John. Not awful.
He can’t pull a single one of these songs. He doesn’t sing like he really loves the songs, he’s just getting through them. I don’t believe him. Never heard of him and for goos reason it seems. Lyrically, stylistically, and vocally, he sounds like he is copying other popular artists of the time and fails at every turn to capture what makes them special. It isn’t quite unbearable to listen to, but damn near. Even the structure and instrumentation were choppy and poor. I can’t think of a single plus to give this album, except that maybe the theatrical parts were a little interesting. Sorry Davy. 1/5
Have never heard of David Ackles so first time listening to this. Very nice voice and great songs through the whole album! Good and very soft and easy listen to this one!
Todo lo que tuve que leer fue Country para saber que no me gustaría. Es una pérdida de tiempo.
I LOVED "Love's Enough", but the rest of the album sounded like it came straight from a Broadway musical. Not that I mind that normally, but it didn't work for me here
kinda like randy newman
what have these sad showtunes got to do with the famous painting?
"Beefy lips". "Beefy lips" is all they could say to me. It had been sixteen hours waiting, without another word. The worry, the fear, the unknown. I had so many questions, but not one of the doctors who passed me uttered a single sentence other than "beefy lips". My mind was racing, were they dead? A rugged face snapped back from behind a pristine surgical mask and peered over at me. I looked up, hopeful, fearful. The doctor beckoned me over and pulled back the curtain. There lay my beautiful virgin bride, legs wide open. A forest of tangled pubic hair draped over the thickest, chewiest, shiniest set of matching vaginal lips I'd ever laid me eyes on. I was in heaven.
David 'ACKLES
The songs on "American Gothic" are a bit like little theater plays. They are richly orchestrated by Elton John's songwriter partner Bernie Taupin, and sometimes contain cabaretesque melodies, but are nevertheless based on the narrative folk style such as that of Woody Guthrie. At times his voice resembles that of Neil Diamond. And I hear a bit of Kurt Weill influences. And that is really not a negative point in this one. Many great contemporary artists I adore such as Tom Waits and Frank Zappa declare to be indebted to the work of this singer/songwriter so I was really quite keen to give this a few good listens. Still, this album leaves me with quite a double feeling. There are a few songs I really quite rate, like "Waiting For The Moving Van" and I can really appreciate the dark undertones of most of the songs, but the combination with the theatrical and at times bombastic musical compositions and orchestrations makes this an album I don't find a pleasure to put on. I hear and understand the quality, but it might not be for me.
david ackles' american gothic was country with jazz interspersed. some songs even sounded rather orchestral! other times, it was minimal, like with only a piano joining his voice. i enjoyed the mix. ackles enjoyed telling stories through his lyrics--he always had something to sing. i was left with such a feeling of homesickness. ackles keyed into so many emotions without being over the top. his lyrics were the key part of that, too. the whole album had a serene, wistful sense, and it hit a head when it came to "waiting for the moving van" toward the end of the album. "oh, california!" had a jaunty country attitude as ackles described an exciting return journey. "another friday night" puts you firmly by a campfire when camping with that opening harmonica. "love's enough," which absolutely took my breath away, was a softly beautiful song and described the beginnings of love. hymn-like "family band" was the oddball of this album, but with the memories of his family celebrating their faith together. i found myself reminded of leonard cohen, but not the music from his early career. cohen wasn't very country but was lyric heavy.
I made the mistake of reading other reviews while listening, and now "over the top Neil Diamond" is just a lingering thought that I can't get out of my head. The vocal affectations and even some of the type of lyrics do very much read as Neil Diamond, but the music combined with the delivery have some kind of almost manic additional quality. Either way, I've never heard anyone else deliver things quite like Neil Diamond, but this is probably the closest I've heard. What I will say is that David Ackles definitely didn't shy away from experimenting and taking risks here. The music is dramatic and could definitely pass as a quirky 70s stage musical; I haven't ever heard anything quite like this outside of musical theater spaces. And while I like musical theater and discovering rare obscurities, and while some of the songs struck me as interesting and even a couple as strangely beautiful, this overall ended up just being kind of not my thing.
Weirdo early 70s fancy ass folk pop
Exactly like all the other vaguely weird vaguely boring 70s crooners that are on this list. They are indecipherable from one another
I don't get it. Like an over the top Neil Diamond?
Is it me or does this sound like a Scott Walker album? It’s nice, but on first listen I rolled my eyes a bit. After listening more, I started to like it more.
This album is really not my type of music, and I found it quite dull. I could see why people would like this. There are lots of other albums that it sounds like, but it also predates a lot of those albums, so it deserves credit for that. To me, this is basically what Leonard Cohen would sound like if he wasn't as good a poet and had less interesting backing music 3/5 I think he deserves some credit for taking some chances and experimenting in these songs, but at the same time I was bored the entire time I was listening to this album
I started listening to this before, and was put off a little. I wasn't sure what the singer was aiming for, but it was obvious he was not going for super-positive. I think his voice reminded me more of Neil Diamond initially, but more... serious? (Not that Neil isn't serious, but it's what the singer was going for.) I switched to something else, and tried again later. The second time I started the album, I enjoyed it more. The songs began to be more... picturesque, I thought of him singing like Leonard Cohen, and I started to appreciate it more. I think if I went through it the first time I would have given it a more negative review, but I kinda got the vibe he was going for. It doesn't mean that I absolutely LOVED it. But still, I appreciated it more. So probably a 2.6, rounding to a 3.
Couldn't quite place what his sound reminded me of on the title / opening track. But the first few piano bars of the second track Love's Enough made me think Neil Diamond, and his vocals on that track solidified that belief for me. Once I got there, my ears pricked up. I really loved that second track; ditto Another Friday Night and Waiting for the Moving Van. One Night Stand wasn't bad; maybe a bit too much cheese or Sinatra ripoff. Keep the composition but change the lyrics. Family Band was a good start, a bit meh by the end. Ballad of the Ship of State and Midnight Carousel was a bit too much pomp. Oh California was the right amount of pomp. It feels like a 3.5 but I don't know if there's enough to round up.
Right from the opening notes, I could tell that this was going to be a different kind of album. David Ackles’ voice sounds like a mix between Neil Diamond and Scott Walker. The arrangements on the title track are quite odd, which added to the appeal. “Love’s Enough” is a nice ballad. The weirdness came back on “Ballad of the Ship of State.” I can see why this album didn’t make any top forty lists. I am really enjoying the ride though. This guy is definitely committing career suicide here, but he’s got some really cool musical transitions on the track. The rest of the album keeps this Broadway inspired sound going. I’m not a huge fan of musicals but I enjoyed the mood he created on here. It’s different than a lot of the singer-songwriters that I’ve heard and did keep my attention through the whole album. “Family Band” almost took it down a star though, but “Midnight Carousel” brought it back on track.
Pretty good, although started to grate on me after additional listens. Might go back to it. Definitely quirky.