Reviews (page 2 of 8)
Just ok, not my taste as it's kind of bland for me, squarely in the adult-contemporary radio band with touches of country. She's talented for sure, but just 3 stars for me.
It's Bonnie Raitt, so the floor is 3 stars, but it's not a great Bonnie Raitt album. It's overproduced and sounds every bit of 1989, which doesn't serve her music particularly well. I appreciate the album for rejuvenating her career and (re-)intr oducing her to the world, but she's better than this album shows. 3 stars
This album sounds like an early 90's sitcom... how'd it get on here?
very average
I'm not familiar with the artist or the context of the time of its release, but to me it sounds super generic and is a style of music that I'm not really a fan of.
It is able to maximize Bonnie Raitt's prowess as a singer by having a flawless production which really helps to send through the poignant message of the album. 7/10 [KEEP]
Nope
I wouldn't think sappy Southern housewife music would appeal to me, but here we are
Not something I would seek out but a good album.
Ihan hyvää kuunneltavaa. Oon pitänyt Bonnieta aina kantritähtenä, mutta tällä levyllä oli myös Bluesia ja rokkia. Hän on taitava laulaja.
What the fuck was this? I wish this sort of music would die not win 3 fucking Grammys.
Exceptional. One of the best singers and songwriters of all time shines on this masterful piece of music.
Not her best album. But is there a bad Bonnie Raitt album?
Social club-tastic
This is the kind of album you'd imagine Peggy Bundy would have on repeat. I respect the fantastic talent of Bonnie Raitt's guitar playing, and in her heyday, she stood out as one of the only women tearing it up in a field dominated by men. Ultimately though, this record isn't all that standout-ish. The songs are generic and sound very dated, the lyrics are about as deep as the whiskey glass you're likely staring into while sitting at some small town dive bar at 10 in the morning while this album plays in the background. Nick Of Time is a nice little track though.
No. 421/1001 Nick Of Time 4/5 Thing Called Love 3/5 Love Letter 3/5 Cry On My Shoulder 3/5 Real Man 3/5 Nobody's Girl 4/5 Have A Heart 2/5 Too Soon Too Tell 3/5 I Will Not Be Denied 3/5 I Ain't Gonna 3/5 The Road's My Middle Name 3/5 Average: 3,09 Was an alright listen.
In the first half of this album I was expecting to write a middling review, but the second half really drew me in. To be clear, I did not dislike a single song on the album, but many of the themes of the songs in the first half didn't resonate with me personally. Songs 7-11 though had blown me away and I suspect they will be just as much a treat when I hear them pop up in my streaming library. For that many to songs to strike a chord on first listen is impressive. The overwhelming takeaway for me is how beautifully varied Bonnie Raitt's voice is, both sonically and in her songwriting. 7.5/10
Absolutely mid country-esque slop Fave track: Nick of Time
Shaka Khan for white people. 2/5
Dece.
Amazing voice, okay songs
I got this album in college. I’m pretty sure I got it for a penny through one of my many BMG subscriptions. I haven’t listened to much since those days. It was fun to revisit it, but it will probably be a couple more decades until I do so again.
Side quest! Dear Reader, I humbly submit this album for your perusal: Laura Cantrell - Humming By The Flowered Vine https://open.spotify.com/album/43dKr7Tf76jBKXrGa6dWl5
Another feel good album. Favorites: Thing Called Love, Nick of Time, Have a Heart
It’s Bonnie, and I love her. This is very nostalgic for me and fun. I give it a 3.5 only because it’s a tad pop for me.
Sadly didn’t get into this one apologies Bonnie that’s on me not you
This is pretty dull stuff
50
01) Nick of Time - 7,0 02) Thing Called Love - 6,5 03) Love Letter - 6,5 04) Cry on My Shoulder - 6,5 05) Real Man - 6,0 06) Nobody's Girl - 6,0 07) Have a Heart - 6,0 08) Too Soon to Tell - 5,5 09) I Will Not Be Denied - 5,5 10) I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again - 5,0 11) The Road's My Middle Name - 5,0 TOTAL: 5,95 (60/100)
Man, this just isn't for me. But..its sold 5 million copies and is in the library of congress. So what do i know. The funny part is that in the wiki about this album it says it wanted the album to feel more intimate and less slick production wise. What did her other albums sound like? Best part is when it was over and spotify put on a robert plant and Alison Krauss song
Bonnie Raitt and her albums in this era had such a huge influence on some of today’s megastars. I was fortunate to see her perform this year with Belinda Carlisle and I’m so happy I did.
low expectations, but it didnt dissapoint, good listen
No es mi estilo, pero las primeras dos me gustaron. Quizá si tocaba otro día me hubiera gustado más, quizá algún día lo escuche de nuevo.
Bonnie is a queen
talkin bout love here people
*I promise I am giving this a 5 because I love it and not because there is a SMS based gun to my head. :)
Ufffff, que artistaza :D Lindo lindo álbum!
Super fun! Not what I was expecting but I liked it a lot
Bonnie Raitt's complex. On the one side of it she's not exactly country. She's not exactly blues. She's not exactly folk. On the other side of it, she has elementals of all of those things in every one of her songs. She sings about provocative concepts in conservative ways. This album isn't offensive by any means I just don't know if I wanna listen to it ever again. But I wouldn't turn mostly songs off if they came on the radio... I think it's something along the lines of mashed potatoes. Like I'm not going on my way to eat mashed potatoes, but certainly I'm not turning them down if they're served to me. Sure they could be excellent, but in this case, I think this is merely good.
They're really putting anything in the National Recording Registry, huh?
It was fine.
A Thing Called Love
a pop album with some interesting instrumental choices. but nothing more. zzzz
Inoffensive country-tinged pop that ends up being rather boring.
Pretty good
Okej låtar och hon sjunger snyggt men töntig produktion som med det mesta från 80-talet. Kommer inte lyssna om!
Not what I was expecting…yeah, no. Cheesey 80s production was too much for me. One star for “Thing Called Love” which I liked, and one star for liking Bonnie Raitt’s voice. I think she’s a talented singer and should be singing better songs.
I appreciate this—not my style, but I appreciate it.
country music for the dentist office
Immediately hit with 80s production. Why is this on here? It's fine, not worthy of a list. 1*
The best word I can think of for this is bland. It’s not unpleasant but it’s also not anything special. 2.5
durisimo, de lo peor de esta lista de albums
So. The title track is sorta good. Other than that, honestly idk what more I can say. This is a song that reminds me why there was a period when I was young that I thought 'country' was terrible. It's because albums like this and Kenny Chesney dominated the radios.
Whilst I appreciate this, it's not really ticking my boxes. The very '80s production doesn't help here.
Very good. Didn’t listen too attentively, but there were some on this album that I definitely recognized.
In Purgatory, they have a phone at the front desk where you can call to find out how long you are gonna be there, and "Nick of Time" is the on-hold music.
Bonnie Raitt is one of those artists I like who has a lot of bad album covers (others in this category: Springsteen, Nick Cave, Elvis Costello), and this one advertises a safe, middle-age adult yuppie vibe firmly rooted in the big hair era. I’ve admittedly not heard most of the albums in her catalog outside of the first four, which are very good and have a loose, organic appeal rooted in the early 70s. This one has solid songs and Raitt’s strong voice and guitar playing, but it’s marred by dated period production in the middle section. (Sorry, Don Was — I know it was the late 80s and everything had to have twinkly-sounding synths and sound preternaturally crisp for the CD age. Love ya otherwise.). Some really nice moments, however.
Predictable but not in a bad way.
A little MOR for me, but i can see why this was her big comeback.
I liked the first song but I’m worried the rest is going to be country adjacent My fear is coming true I like her voice I love Too Soon to Tell
This is just horrid. I'd rather listen to almost anything else. Cheesy crappy synth, stupid lyrics, it's just gross. This is, wait, Raitt's 10th album?? Who keeps giving her record deals? Who is actually enjoying this? Jesus Christ. This album is tagged with the Pop, Country, Blues, Folk, and Rock genres, and yet it is absolutely none of them. I dont know what it is. It has no personality. Nick of Time is a boring, safe, unimaginative album. There are many more adjectives I could use for my dislike of it, but I don't want to waste any more time here. 1/5.
Unique voice, damn good soft rock country album, very listenable, the time just flew by.
Amazing from start to end. Loved it.
I found this to be quite meh
Blah. Bland.
Some okay-ish songs, but the overall sound (polished, overproduced blues rock) was one of the worst historical errors.
HO ASCOLTATO LE PRIME TRE PER INTERO E HO CAPITO L'ANDAZZO DI QUESTA MUSICA DI CAZZO. PARLANDO DEL RESTO DELLE CANZONI, HO ASCOLTATO I 20/25 SECONDI CENTRALI E HO GIUDICATO CIASCUNA SONG IN MODO SEVERO E SUPERFICIALE. BANALITA' TOTALE E' IL VERDETTO CHE NE E' EMERSO. CIAO. 1/5
this is exactly what i thought this would be but have no idea how this got nominated nevertheless beat out Full Moon Fever or the traveling wilburys for album of the year. Also there is no way this is one of the 1001 albums someone has to listen to. Its not awful but it is not great it is just what it is
It's.... an album. Dozed off about 5 songs in, not gonna go back and relisten
Quite good compared to what I was expecting.
Country blues flavoured, over-produced fluff.
nice of a time
QUEEEEEEEN
Inoffensive but useless country pop. Ahead of it's time for shallow country pop I guess.
Album #151: Bonnie Raitt – Nick of Time ⭐⭐⭐ Outside of the absolutely spectacular, extraordinary love song I Can’t Make You Love Me, I don’t think I’d ever really listened to Bonnie Raitt. I know a good bit about her, though. I know she’s considered one of the most respected slide guitarists around, which I think is really cool, but I’d never really heard her play. I also knew she had an amazing voice. So this was my first proper Bonnie Raitt album and It’s good. I liked it. It’s a strong three stars. The whole thing is really just a vehicle for her voice, and that’s no criticism. There are so many different styles on this album, and her voice pulls off every one of them. You’ve got swampy Southern rock with Thing Called Love, ‘80s pop with Nick of Time, jazzy piano ballads like I’m Not Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again, and blues rock with The Road’s My Middle Name. It’s all pretty good. It’s all very serviceable. A lot of it is just a bit too clean for me. It’s got that glossy ‘80s sheen, which I actually like when it’s laid on a bit thicker, if that makes sense. On a song like Nick of Time, it really works because it complements the beautiful melody and the tender lyrics. But when that same production carries over to something like The Road’s My Middle Name, I want it to sound swampier and dirtier. So because she’s moving through so many different genres, I don’t think the production style always suits every song equally well. There are some great songs here. I will not be Denied is fantastic, and as I said already, Nick of Time is probably my favourite song on the album. There’s only one song I really disliked, and that’s In My Heart. I was left wondering what she was doing there. It has this odd dub-style beat, and one of the album’s biggest strengths is its choruses. A great chorus makes everything better, and that song is really lacking one. I was surprised to see it was released as a single because, in my opinion, it’s easily the weakest track on the album. Everything else ranges from good to very good, but nothing really blew me away, and I don’t think I’ll come back to much outside of the title track. On to the next one.
Kudos to Bonnie for turning her life around; shame what happened with Prince. My Mum would like this music. A 3 for me. Nobody's Girl; now that's a song, acoustic, which mirrors the hell she went through without a backing band. Tells her story. The other songs are kinda fluff, happy she is happy! And that song is also a turning point launching us into the number one Have a Heart. I would have rethought the first half of the album into something else, or rearrange the order. Something. Too Soon to tell nice ballad upbeat ballad string of three. Road's my Middle Name some down dirty blues. 2nd half of the album is scintillating! Still a 3 for me but I'm happy it turned around, would go 3.5.
ouais sympa mais sans plus
Interesting choice, the 1989 Adult Contemporary Special with mostly overproduced songs. Surely this isn't her best record.
This is movie trailer music. Broad appeal, inoffensive, pop country.
Not sure why this is so highly regarded. Every song was decent but none really jumped out at me
This was fine. She's quite likable.
This is growing on me. According to the book, Raitt's career was "heading for the graveyard" as her 1986 album Nine Lives failed to even break the Billboard Top 100. She decided to work with Don Was, who also was just breaking out as a producer, working with the B-52's at the time. Beefed up with modern recording techniques, synth pop, and country roots, this album sold 5 million copies and won 3 Grammys in 1990. It's an interesting story and I can tell that there's sincerity and soul in Raitt's approach. The songs are fun though the themes are simple. Sometimes it gets a little too 80s-bleh for me production-wise, but I enjoy she did this out of openness to try something new and that it became one of the most influential country/pop rock albums of all time. 3.5 stars.
The queen of slide guitar. I like Bonnie a lot for the most part. This was her most successful era, although it is a bit too overproduced and commercial for my tastes, but there is still some really great stuff here like the title track. For my money, I'd rather listen to most of the rest of her catalog which gives a better representation of what I think she's about. Give me that 70's Bonnie for sure!
One of those albums where the story is more interesting than the actual music. I really wish the album weren't so filled with covers as Raitt's 2 original composition were among the best songs. The covers on the first half are mostly fine but border onto that too kitschy and corny territory. But the covers on the second half are well done and show some great emotion throughout. A fan of the jamming the band will sometimes do
6/10 it was meh not realy anything special nor was it terrible
Obviously not my usual thing, but I really enjoyed it, good listen. fun album
Not as good as some of her albums that came after but very strong
This is so meh. It literraly did nothing to me. All the tracks sound the same. I couldn't tell them apart
Some good tracks, yes. Some snooze-worthy tracks, also yes. But groundbreaking? Nope.
Decent blending of 80s sound with blues vibes. Strongest tracks are at the beginning of the record, and quickly moves into fine/forgettable over the rest of the runtime. Pleasant enough to listen to, but nothing groundbreaking. Top tracks: Nick of Time, Thing Called Love
It’s Bonnie Raitt … that’s all I got
Fine 3/5
no.
Gotta love a rockin' redhead
Ah the world I was born into. There’s a certain nostalgia for a time when bland-ass sentimentality was embraced, but past that there’s nothing really special about this.
Quite the Pop-Rock Album. I liked it.
Honestly, I dont get why everyone is so against "Nick of Time", there are so many divorced dad rock bands on this list, I only think it is fair to add a divorced mom country/pop album
This was ok. It felt very of its time, and that sound gets muddy for me to hear if this set the tone or stage for 90s adult contemporary or was just following along. Its a fine album, but it didn't pull me in like I hoped it would.
Not peak Raitt if you ask me. I mean, everybody loves a love song, but with this much 80s sheen? I’ve got several all timers released in the 80s, but this is not one of them. It’s fine, and smooth enough where it can be played early in the day, but not what I’ll be reaching for regularly. She would go on to have bigger hits (Let’s Give ‘Em Something To Talk About) and her early career has higher highs (Her self titled debut and the album Streetlights are worth a listen.)
Bonnie raitt has a great sound.
Not sure what merited this to be included on the list
Cool album. Kinda sounds like if Dolly Parton made some soft rock.
Not bad, nice voice. Some songs slightly too country but overall I would listen again.
This wasn't bad at all, but it didn't really do anything for me and was very repetitive. Bonnie Raitt is a great singer. This felt a little too country for me. This is a solid 2.75. Liked Songs: "Thing Called Love" , "Cry On My Shoulder" , "Real Man" , "I Will Not Be Denied"
Don’t know what to say honestly. A bit generic. Nothing caught my attention
The album cover really tells you everything you need to know here. It's so generic it's almost as if it's done as a parody of what a generic cover would look like of an album of this genre and era would look like, but nope, it's completely unironic. And then the music itself is exactly the same. So generic that it's almost hard to believe it's not done as a parody to mock this style, but yet again, this album is the mockee, not the mocker.
I can't understand she has her public, but it's not the kind of music I like.
Pfff un poco chapa
Not completely bad, but felt like the album took forever to get through.
Combines the worst of country, pop and bar rock, polished to corporate perfection. The foundation of such horrible things as Shania Twain.
I really love Bonnie Raitt’s voice and that raspy bluesy sound. Not my favorite Boonie Raitt by any means, but I always enjoy listening to her. 3.5/5
This is what old people spending their retirements on slot machines listen to.
This album was everything I dislike about middle of the road 80s commercial albums. I don't hate this, in the same way I hated Private Dancer, but it is relentlessly bland.
I love Bonnie Raitt. That being said, this album has not aged well. Ironically, when it was recorded, she said this was a stripped-down / back to her roots album, but the production on this sounds so slick, and so late 80's, it's distracting. The songs for the most part are ok. "Thing Called Love" is a great song. But when this album gets slow, it gets really rough. I give Bonnie a 5, but this album is a 2.
It should have been Reba.Not really, any country after 1979 is ass.
This wasn’t quite Mariah Carey or 50 Cent bad but it was very very bad and I did not need to hear this before I die.
I respect Bonnie Raitt, but I just don’t like this music. It’s got that late-‘80s overproduced, too-slick quality and while her voice and the songwriting is good, the songs bore. It’s adult contemporary country - not my shot of whiskey.
2.5 - ok
This was too clean and didn't capture me at all. I could imagine clipped parts of songs in scenes on TV and movies in the 80s but overall fades to incidental music for me. Low 2.
Dull 😔
She has a good voice and an impressive head of hair! The music lacks an identity as it meanders through blues, country, soft rock and reggae.
There is something particularly bland and meaningless about Nick of Time. The closer attention I pay Bonnie Raitt’s performance the less it delivers, faring best when I let it fade into the background as a pleasant, unfocused blur. It feels like the quintessential adult contemporary record - a mass market product intended to offend no one and inspire no one. For the right audience it will help pass the time or create the right atmosphere, for me it makes time slow down and bores me to tears.
High 2 for me, her greatest crime is being boring, but the arrangements and compositions are nice enough and create some worthwhile moments
I like this. Maybe it's the pleasant voice or the strong and meaningful lyrics. The lyrics are delivered in a meaningful and emotional way. I get why this would get on someone's nerves if overplayed, but I think that is not the intended vision for this as was with so much of pop of today. I think it just happened to be replayable and enjoyable. Surprisingly for me, I enjoyed the pop songs more than I enjoyed the blues songs. Both were fitting though and I liked the combination. The really meaningful song was the title song and the lyrics really hit me. Damn the passage of time. But wait, there is a happy ending in acceptance and a bit of delusion.
A nice enough album, although not hugely memorable. Not entirely sure what to say about this one! Favourites: Nick Of Time Have a Heart
# In-Depth Review: Bonnie Raitt - *Nick of Time* (1989) *Nick of Time* is not just an album; it's a cultural touchstone and a testament to artistic resilience. Released in 1989, it marked the stunning commercial breakthrough for Bonnie Raitt, a seasoned musician who had been a critical favorite for nearly two decades. It's an album that captured a specific moment—the anxieties of aging and the search for connection in middle age—with an honesty and musicality that continues to resonate. ## Themes and Lyrical Content: The Sound of Grown-Up Vulnerability The album's core strength lies in its thematic maturity, a rarity in popular music at the time. The title track, "Nick of Time," is a poignant exploration of mortality and the pressures of a biological clock, inspired by Raitt's own observations of a friend and her aging parents. The *New York Times* aptly described it as one of the few rock songs to address growing older as a fact of life. It confronts the "scared to run out of time" feeling head-on before offering a hopeful, if somewhat tempered, resolution in finding love. This theme of adult, often complicated, romance runs through the entire album. Tracks like "Real Man" and "Love Letter" deal with mature relationships, setting conditions and navigating the nuances of love without the teen-angst often found in pop music. Even in its more lighthearted moments, like the free-spirited declaration of "The Road's My Middle Name," the album maintains a sense of grounded, lived-in experience. It's the sound of someone who has been through hardship and come out the other side with wisdom intact. ## Music, Production, and Performance: A Tightrope Walk The album's musical style is a blend of blues, rock, R&B, country, and pop. This is where the album's reception often divides opinion. **The Case for the Production:** Don Was, then known for his work with Was (Not Was), served as producer. His approach was a deliberate shift towards a more intimate sound, focusing on Raitt's voice and guitar. The instrumentation is generally sparse and serves the song, clearing space for her "luminous voice". The use of a live studio band, including musicians like drummer Ricky Fataar and bassist Hutch Hutchinson, gives the album a warm, organic feel. The decision to use a sandbag for a heartbeat-like percussion on the title track is a testament to this raw, creative approach. **The Counterpoint:** A common critique is that Was occasionally polishes the sound too much. Some critics have described the production as a "mediocre, overproduced mess" where the raw, expressive blues Raitt excelled at is smoothed over, resulting in a "facsimile of blues-rock". Songs with funk influences are singled out for having "heavily reverbed, clean guitars that somehow sap Raitt's songs of any groove they may have had". This tension between a "polished" and "raw" sound is a recurring theme in reviews. ## Highlights and Low Points - **High Points:** The album's finest moments are often its most stripped-back. "Nobody's Girl" and the stunning "I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again," featuring Herbie Hancock on piano, showcase Raitt at her most vulnerable and powerful, letting her voice and guitar work speak volumes. The rocker "Thing Called Love" and the blend of soulful backing vocals on "Love Letter" also demonstrate her range. - **Low Points:** For some, the overall sonic landscape can feel a bit too "safe" and dated. The more polished tracks can sound indistinguishable from late-80s pop production, which may feel underwhelming to fans of her earlier, rawer blues work. While the album is solid, some find it lacks a truly gripping, all-consuming energy, making it a 4-out-of-5-star experience that doesn't necessarily demand a repeat listen. ## Influence and Legacy: A Second Act for the Ages The impact of *Nick of Time* is undeniable and extends far beyond its sales figures. It helped popularize a more mature, roots-oriented sound in mainstream music and is considered a landmark for women in rock, giving voice to a "rarely-heard adult female sensibility". Its success paved the way for Raitt's continued career and influenced a generation of Americana and roots musicians. The album's legacy is cemented by its three Grammy Awards (including Album of the Year), multi-platinum sales, and its inclusion on *Rolling Stone*'s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In 2022, it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". ## Pros and Cons Summary **Pros:** - **Thematic Depth:** Honest, mature, and relatable lyrics about love, aging, and resilience. - **Exceptional Vocals & Musicianship:** Bonnie Raitt's voice and slide guitar are at their peak. - **High-Impact Highlights:** Features career-best performances on tracks like "I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again." - **Significant Legacy:** An undeniably important and influential album in popular music history. **Cons:** - **Inconsistent Production:** Some tracks suffer from a polished, dated sound that undermines the bluesy grit of others. - **Lack of Urgency:** While consistently good, some find the overall listening experience a little too safe and unexciting. - **A Product of Its Time:** The production has a "late 80s" sheen that may feel dated to some modern listeners. *Nick of Time* is ultimately an album of great songs that was elevated by its context and its creator's life story. It stands as a powerful narrative of a second chance, not just for its artist, but for an audience that was ready to hear its stories.
Not bad
Like an incredibly effective sedative.
Aside from the slide guitar, this album just feels uninspired. It’s hard to translate blues to recording and keep it feeling energetic. This album didn’t accomplish that.
I've heard of her but not sure I've ever heard her music. This is what I imagine plays when you enter a bar in a small town in the middle of nowhere in the States. Which is to say it's ok as background music but I can't imagine intentionally putting it on. It had some ok songs but the closer it got to the end the more boring, slow and repetitive it got 2/5
Bonnie's doing a bluesy adult contemporary thing here and it doesn't speak to me.
I had a debate with my wife about this one. Sounded like country to me. Apparently she's a famous blues singer. So it's country blues I guess.
Not a fan but it isn't bad.
Unfortunately I found this album to be fairly unremarkable 80s rock, bordering on adult contemporary at times. However, any song where Bonnie incorporated a bit of that bluesy grit was much better. All in all, the two things balance out to a solid 3 stars.
Some shit I’d hear on the shitty soft rock radio station playing at the orthodontist office when I was 13
I'm a little let down after that very lovely first song! This 2 feels harsher than it should, but while I had a pretty enjoyable time with the album, none of it's very remarkable. In in one ear and out the other, it's Default Music. Sorry Bonnie! Standouts: Nick Of Time • Too Soon To Tell • I Will Not Be Denied
I think I like the idea of Bonnie Raitt better than the execution. Wish she got more bluesy on here like in Real Man and the closing track, but it looks like they made her stay in the adult contemporary space.
This album is too 80s for my taste but I like her voice and appreciated the songwriting. Reading her bio on Spotify I learned that she released music for 20 years before finally breaking through at age 40. Her fortitude impressed me so I went back and listened to an album from 1973--"Streetlights"--released 16 years before this one. Now THAT is a good album. AND includes songs written by Joni Mitchell, John Prine, James Taylor, and Alain Toussaint. That led me to her 1970 debut—bluesier than the second and also great. Clearly this list of 1001 albums has little to do with quality and everything to do with sales. This album from 1989 isn’t bad but its sound is dated. Her first two albums in contrast are timeless and better suited to being commemorated. I'm grateful at least that this suggestion prompted me to explore her earlier work. 3 stars is generous but better reflects the 5 stars that "Streetlights” and “Bonnie Raitt” deserve.
I really disliked it
190. nice 80s
#158/1001 🇺🇸 Wasn't a big fan of this, horrid synthetic 80's production with bluesy country sound. Better than the Abba album that i got yesterday, but only just. Best Tracks: Nobody's Girl
An icon. Bonnie’s vocals never disappoint, but she’s really let down by the instrumentation on this album. Except for the harmonic (which sounds great) all the other instruments sound like ass. The piano in particular is verging on The Sims level of MIDItastic.
It’s some old school country from the 80s
Meinas mennä parikin työpäivän alotusta pilalle näiden ameriikan musiikkien takia
Perus jenkkimeno, ei lähe.
Parin biisin jälkeen huomio kiinnittyi siihen, että tuotanto on kyl ruuvattu huippuunsa. Kiinnostuksesta lähdin sitten tutkimaan, että kukas tässä on ollut puikoissa, niin kyseiselle tuottajalle oli tästä rämmi-palkinto saatu kaivettua. Varmaan ihan ansaittuakin, kun on nippelit kohdillaan. Tämmöstä monelta osin hempeetä ja sitten osin puoliROUHEETA tavaraa. Levyllinen on vähän liikaa, mutta ei nyt täysin tuomita ja annetaan bonusta siitä, että aikalaissaundi on ainakin läpsytelty maksimeihin.
Vähän, tai aika paljon, liian kasaria omaan makuun. Muutama biisi oli kuin suoraan huonosta kasarin romcomista. Ihan kamala syntetisaattori useammassakin kappaleessa. Laulajan äänestä pidin kuitenkin, sensuelli!
Mainittakoot heti alkuunsa että ei ole tuttu artisti. Tykkään jopa enemmän aina kun tulee jotain uutta, sehän tämän koko jutun juoni on. Albumin avaava kappale on kyllä hyvä tällainen rauhallinen jammailubiisi. Menee ehdottomasti omalle listalle. Thing called love kans aika kova bängeri, pidin erittäin paljon ja ehdottomasti meni omalle listalle. Albumin laatu heikkeni loppua kohden selkeästi. Alku erinomainen, loppu suhteellisen keskiverto. Jos olis ollut loppuun saakka yhtä laadukasta musiikkia, olis ollut 4/5. Tää kuitenkin 3/5
Music's average, but her hair is fucking phenomenal
it's country! it's Okay, i do appreciate the RnB elements in some of the songs. just not that much of a country enjoyer i think
good but not my favourite, prettier and more fun than some other albums on this list, not something I would recommend as a must-listen
Completely reasonable blues, but it gave me some weird flashbacks to family parties.. hmm.. I think it might be a bit too honkie tonk for me.. On a better day I might give this 3. Well..
A fun pop album, an enjoyable listen. Not groundbreaking but doesn't need to be. Also breath of fresh air amounts all the rock.
3.5 rounding up.
Damn bitch keeps it real
Well someone’s gotta put the cunty in country
all skips except for title track
I'm not sure if Bonnie Raitt needs much of an introduction as an acclaimed singer-songwriter. But the period of time leading up to this particular record deserves an explanation. After getting dropped by Warner Bros. Records after poor commercial performances for two albums in a row, Bonnie was in a spiral - she dissolved her backing band when she could no longer afford them, she promoted a record that she had no control over, she split profits with the label that just dropped her, she excessively dranked and partied, and she was hospitalized for two months after a skiing accident. It came to a point where she had to stop and reflect on her choices. After attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and sobering up, she resorted to playing acoustic versions of her songs for solo performances. At that point, she crossed paths with musician Don Was of the band Was (Not Was) and started collaborating with him. After they finally found a label willing to work with them, Bonnie and Don got to work on that next record. That record, Nick of Time, would go on to be Bonnie Raitt's commercial breakthrough, after nearly twenty years in the business. I think the magic of this record lies in Bonnie's impressive contralto voice, loving yet firm with the kind of worldly experience that lets her take command of these rootsy blues-rock tunes. Her presence is established on the opening title track, as she reflects on the people around her aging with such earnestness in her observations. That song and the closing drifter tune, "The Road's My Middle Name", feel like genuinely well-written tracks with her wisened expertise, while the songs from other writers in the middle of the record were nicely picked to match her vibe with warm guitar tones throughout. If I had to complain, I'd admit that this album sounds dated in a few places, such as the keyboard tones used on "Love Letter", "Cry On My Shoulder", and "Have a Heart". Don Was did a fine enough job on production; the album can't help but feel a tad schmaltzy as commercially viable music in 1989. It still sounds good for coming out of that time, though. All in all, Nick of Time proved to be a really good comeback record for Bonnie Raitt, and her star would continue to burn bright from this point onward.
I don't mean to alarm anybody, but is this.. kind of alright? Yes, there is a slowed down reggae song, which probably sheared a star off of this,. Yes, there is a white guy doing background ad libs saying "Girl" in his best funky Huey Lewis voice. Yes, I am now ANSWERING questions nobody is asking, rather than asking questions nobody can answer. You have to consider the fact that perhaps she is a wraith from a cursed marsh, and her name was changed by immigration officers, who are famously in cahoots with ancient spectres. So I better respect this woman, lest my body be dragged into the briny depths, and my consciousness vomited forth in a protoplasmic vessel, cursed to roam this mortal plane as a nomadic spirit, wailing for past I scarcely remember. For a record that I am scared to rate poorly, (and truthfully; wasn't that bad) I am pleased to say this isn't a zero. Toll the bells! Fill the chalices! REJOICE! 2.5 HIGHLIGHTS: You only go around this ol' blue marble once.
Inoffensive to a fault. Pretty much just washed over me aside from two songs. Can you believe this won Album of the Year at the grammy's in 1990? Must've been a slow period. Highlights-Love Letter and I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again.
Buen album, mas aconsejable escuchar de noche o en una tarde muy relajada, no es el tipo de álbum que escucharía pero tal vez lo acompañaría con sade, bastante decente la verdad aunque llega a ser aburrido o mas un álbum de fondo
First time listening to whole album. It’s uplifting and enjoyable. More important to Bonnie’s career rejuvenation than must listen. 0 songs added to playlist.
Entre 6 y 7 puntos, álbum AMENO, que podría escuchar de chill sin focus en la música
This was a fun bluesy-rock album. It fell into the background for the most part, but I found myself humming along regardless.
better than expected
I actually really enjoyed it, never listened to her before
Had some good bits but sounded very generic otherwise.
Bland and largely forgettable.
A great blues album at times, at others a great singer songwriter that is bogged down in late 80s production. She’s a force when she is leaning fully into the blues.
Not my cup of tea at all. Not into country especially not the more modern style. I'm sure this is popular in America, it's not for me though.
Much better than I expected. I could picture my mom listening to this.
Nick of Time absolutely RULES as a song but only a few more rose above “good” for me! Still very listenable though.
Never really been dying to listen to Bonnie Raitt's music, but I guess Nick of Time is one of the albums on the 1001 albums to hear before you die list so I guess I'll get around to it. I can't even lie this album did have some solid bangers at times like with the Real Man, Nick of Time, and Thing Called Love, but then this album really devolved into very basic Country Pop. Bonnie Raitt doesn't even have that crazy of a voice or sound and feels extremely safe all things considered. I don't think Nick of Time is bad album by any means, but it is exceptionally safe for the most part and the risks are by far the shining moments here. I wish I had more to say but I feel the music really speaks for itself and it doesn't say a whole lot. I guess it is decent but far from essential hearing before you die.
This was an okay album. Very average.
Bonnie Raitt is a good singer but her music is not very exciting. I guess if you were a fan in your youth you'll like it but in any other case not much
I cannot believe how long this album has been out - fabulous! Great to hear it again; one of those Albums that transcend types. If you have not listened to before, I highly recommend you stick with this one.
I think BR has a great voice and she was an icon for a handful of years in the late 80's and early 90's. "Nick Of Time", "Thing Called Love" (all over the radio, always covered), "Love Letter" & "Have A Heart" were big hits for her. She had that strong woman thing going on, guys respected her cause she was older, could rip on guitar and wasn't just a balladeer. Solid listener counts up and down the song list. Nearly every tune is over 1M listens with the title song topping out at 28M. It was definitely a popular album and not one dimensional. I didn't feel compelled to skip any tracks (out side of "I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again"). Hearing "Have a Heart" again was nice, that's a lovely song. Influence, hit songs, chick-power, and longevity. I'd give this a 3.75 but I'll round up.
I'm struggling with this hybrid of country and soft-rock. The better moments are when it gets little bluesier, but even then, the whole thing feels far too polished!
Yep, this takes me back to the 80's, and not in a good way. No question she has an amazing voice, but the soft rock combined with 80's pop production has not aged well at all.
Good album, has great highlights and is something anyone can enjoy. Overall score: Strong 6
90s mom music. Think Reba
Just not feeling it. feels like its a rock album that wants to be a country album.
Middle of the road
Sounds exactly like a music from that time
It might have been a bit of gamble to call in Don Was but it paid dividends in album sales and ubiquity in the culture. A little slick and not as bright as her earlier albums, but a strong album for sure.
Meh. Bonnie is a legend, not afraid to say she had good music. But the 80's stuff is washed out and so lackluster. Some charm and cool sounds. Like the harmonica and the bloozey boogie on later tracks. But the 80s stuff is mostly junk. Sorry Bon, I know you got good tunes and a ton of clout from the Laurel Canyon days. But this is a dud.
Her tenth album. Pop / Soft Rock. This is so dour and downbeat. The album is slow and boring, the vocals are boring too. Such a plain and non eventful album.
Not the biggest fan of folk sounds! Some songs were very beautiful tho, love heartbreak topics
Well this was 10 minutes i will never have back.
I liked this. Never heard Bonnie Raitt before. I thought she was just some country singer. Really good voice, some good playing, enjoyable album.
Crappy 80s pop music. Who listens to this and likes it? Soulless
the piano tunes kind of save this cheesy mess
Ist achtziger Jahre Pop aber irgendwie funktioniert das. Man könnte sagen groovy
Timeless, in the sense that it would be bland whatever decade it was played in.
often sounds like 1989. so dated, but that’s not it’s fault. and Raitt is a badass guitarist (…which probably should have been showcased more)
2/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/bonnie-raitt/nick-of-time/ Booooooooring.
Fairly banal 80s soft rock with a small twang of country. Not the most inspiring but not the worst assault on my ears either.
Bonnie Raitt? More like Bonnie WRONG!! Alright after a few songs I'm once again changing her name, this time to Boring Wrong. I think it actually takes quite a bit of... the opposite of talent, to create music this boring and generic. In a better world, this album would have been forgotten a couple years after release. I don't think I've ever experienced an album being so bland that it faded into background noise and I completely forgot I was listening to it. Impressive. You might think I'm joking but i genuinely don't remember anything from somewhere around halfway through the album to the last song lmao.
Aw this is beautiful. Elements of rock, pop, blues, and country, all combined into a great package. Raitt has a fantastic voice, and right from the first notes on the opening track I was hooked. This is a great piece of the 80s, and I loved it.
The mom’est mom music ever. Her earlier stuff is so much better
I can feel it when I type. I have no personality. Everything I've done is just a ripoff from somebody else. I can hear it in my head whenever I say anything, I'm just parroting something I've heard or have been told before. It's aggravating. Any speck of self-examination I try to do is shot down by my own brain. I don't know how to fix this. I don't know if therapy has been helping me. I feel like an idiot. I don't know how to do anything. I can read numbers, but I can't read people, or figure out how to accomplish simple tasks. I often embarrass myself. I'm not cut out for my job, I'm not cut out for a relationship, I don't even feel really qualified for existence. I often feel like I may actually take my own life after this 1,001 album journey is over. I don't want to, I definitely don't want to die, but I feel like I have to. My brain doesn't work. I don't know how to fix it. This album isn't helping. Every song felt like its own individual kind of nothingness. Her vocal chops are great, and I guess she's versatile. But why are so many of these songs covers? The best songs, the beginning and the end, were the only songs across the entire album that she wrote. I wish she had done that more often.
Нравится как атмосфера продумана! Прям чувствуется. Ритм секция ваааау, оч круто работает все в ритме, так взаимосвязано и дышит друг другом! Бэки везде очень вкусные. Вокал очень сильно вкусный и его обработка. Моментами вайбы аббы. Оч разноплановый альбом. Много разных звучаний в нем, но он ощущается все равно тепло и органично в своем звучании, оч классно! 🎉
This is really not my wheelhouse. It was OK.
Pretty good album. Sounds phenomenal in that late-80s way.
A voice that carries a shot of whiskey and a dab of honey. And a guitar that curates a fantastic cocktail.
Just alright
kinda unbearably 80s
I love you, Bonnie Raitt.
One of the greatest slide guitar players ever. Full stop. She damn sure belongs on this list. I would have picked Give It Up from 1971. Or maybe Songs from the Rainbow Room 1972. Her version of Angel From Montgomery is an absolutely perfect song. From this album, The Road's My Middle Name is my pick. I've seen her live four times. Excellent every time. Wait...is she the artist I've seen live the most? Maybe? Hmm, that never occurred to me until right now.
First listen
All these years later and this album feels like a Master class - Bonnie!!!!! Kick ass musician and woman, love her. Our mom loved Nick of Time, played it alllll the time when it came out - opening track is just beautiful.
Silky voice, sassy attitude, strong slide guitar playing. She paved the way for so many female country crossover artists.
This is epically late 80s. Being a woman then was like armoring up with neon, Aqua Net, and shoulder pads, only to realize you were even more empowered and invisible.
"I came up in a macho world and never thought I'd ever declare the best living slide guitarist to be a woman. Well, I'm declaring" - BB King regarding Bonnie Raitt You get a out 4% of that proclamation here. What you also get amidst the 80s keyboard washes and drum machine like drums is the effortless voice of Bonnie Raitt. As off-putting as the production may be - I have to tip the hat to the utter singability of most of this album. It set the tone to be 90s run after years of being an artists artist. Her talent in the end rises above the era defined production.
3.5
I grew up with some of these songs and I love her voice. This album def does the trick for me and it is immaculately produced and made
Fun really well produced pop/country music. Enjoyed this a good bit but none of the songs are standout really. Surprised this is the album they chose when it seems to not include her biggest hits…
Звук восьмидесятых, крепкий блюз-рок, рассчитанный и приятный.
horrible american folk country or whatever with some small moments of light shining through the clouds. not enough for a 3, unfortunately... what a waste of this voice.
Cuando lo ví pensé "mierda, otro album pedorro de country". Me equivoqué. Es country rock y country blues. Y no es pedorro. Suena increíble y es muy llevadero. Las letras, eso sí, una poronga redneckeadas al extremo. 6/10
Wonderful. Love her voice.
It's pop country. It's authentically itself.
pretty 80s but in the way i like really enjoyed the title track
Just bad.
6/10
6/10
Catchy at times, but wow does this album sound dated.
Bonnie Raitt has a great voice, and I was expecting some interesting Rick Rubin/Daniel Lanois style production based on the capsule review from Apple Music. Instead, it was kinda bland. Oh well.
I used to kind of dislike Bonnie Raitt. I may have softened in her over the years. This was pleasant enough, but I’m still not going to go out looking for her music.
I don’t know why people are saying this album sounds dated? It sounds totally fresh to me. Hold on, Doc Brown needs me to get back to the Time Machine.
An amazing album.l I always love listening to women led soft rock! ‘Love Letter’, ‘Nobody’s Girl’ ‘Thing Called Love’ are my favourites from this project Rating: 4/5 GEMV (28.04.2026)
It was ok
Just didn’t need to finish this at all. Generous 2. RYM: N Saved a song: N
Pop country rock. I enjoyed her vocals.
Perfect album to make a salad to but I think that’s about it - had a good time regardless
Not quite a waste of time but not far off.
A good start but peters out pretty quick
ANOTHER 80s album with a great female vocalist that gets undermined by mediocre lyrics and an over-reliance on synths? What are the odds? (sarcasm)
Pop blues, some good songs.
This album starts off really well but falls off big time. It becomes repetitive and also just boring. Bonnie has an amazing voice though. I just fall asleep halfway through any of her albums. Sorry Bonnie. Fun fact I saw her live in a small venue in Roanoke VA last year.
kinda boring sorry bonnie
It is missing something…some kind of wow factor or hook
flexible and well-placed vocals and very good bass work anchor an album that's performed *extremely* well. definitely not my favorite genre of lyrics, but the delivery sells em anyways.
one too many 80s albums in a row. i'm starting to get sick
Not bad
Goodwill to the enjoyers of this music; I’d probably like this if I was in a bar, drinking like a Real Man. I’m having trouble getting past the production, which is now freighted with nostalgia for old bad art.
I guess this record represents the transition from old to new country music, the point where it became bland soft rock slush. The lyrics are not as cringeworthy as contemporary efforts, but the music is very cheesy and over-produced. The late '80s were a pretty lean period for interesting mainstream music, evidently.
Fantastic Album!
Un album correct, faut aimer la country/folk américain Ce que je retiens c'est que SRV à été la raison qui a fait accepter a Bonnie Raitt que l'alcoolisme c'est pas ouf pour un/une artiste parce que : Il étai meilleur sans alcool (le mec est tellement génial qu'en plus de faire de la musique de dingue il aide les gens a sortir de leur alcoolisme, est ce que c'est pas top ça?!)
Le genre de chansons qu’on entend à la radio en fonçant sur l'autoroute dans GTA V... comment ne pas aimer ?
Groan. Get me Lucinda Williams, stat.
Not listened
Tolerable but not my genre.
I was expecting something more soulful. It was awight
Bonnie! Title track bumps.
Love her voice
Insanely, painfully boring watered-down blues for people who don't like the blues. One of the worst albums on the 1001 list and a mystery for the ages as to why in was included. Avoid at all costs.
It wasn't bad, however I felt as if it were plain. Everything just screamed average; the lyrics, vocals, instrumental—all average. However, I did find Too Soon To Tell pretty cool.
After the wacky, experimental, and distorted sounds of the Residents, I get an 80s easy listening pop album. I don't know if it will be good, but I do know that it won't be nearly as interesting as yesterday's album. In fact, it isn't very interesting at all. It's insanely safe sonically, so safe that you wonder why it's even on the list. The vocals and underlying songs are decent enough pop, but it's incredibly disposable. This album was made to get play on top 40 radio for a couple months and then be forgotten about, and it is very much a relic of its time. In just three years, grunge would explode and kill this dated slop in the mainstream. So yeah, this is not an essential album. The Wikipedia entry says that critics were falling over themselves to praise it, and I genuinely wonder why-until I remember that those same critics love U2(who I can't stand). It is literally music for people who hate engaging and interesting music, and that makes it-nuclear level take incoming- worse than the Residents album that sits proudly in the bottom 3 albums. In short, Bonnie Raitt sucks and I'm not going to listen to anyone who says otherwise.
One of my earliest memories of “hey, women can be rock stars too” - distinct from a Madonna, Janet, or Cyndi who felt distinctly in the pop performer guise - but like an actual guitar hero. Of course at the time this seemed like vh1 adult contemporary fare and feels more or less the same today. Very slick, maybe something in the same orbit as Fleetwood, but very blues rock forward. Not the first time I expect I’ll make this observation, but it’s wild how much older late 30s/40 seemed in 1989 and *still* does. Raitt was making observations about aging and the preciousness of time...when she was 39. I’m in my late 40s in the mid-20s and have only just recently arrived at that phase. But man, Raitt seemed sooooo much older back then. Anyhow, lovely song, rest of the record...shrugs.
Great music for a bad but entertaining early 90’s action comedy.
Bonnie Raitt might be the epitome of receptionist rock. There is not a single interesting choice made on this entire album. I felt a wave of depression wash over me as soon as that synth line in Nick of Time kicked in and the aftereffects have lasted like 3 days. What's the point of living in the same world as this song.
NOT A FAN That weird blend of country rock that I already didnt like, but with an 80s spin
She kinda reminded me of Shania Twain a little bit, it was good but I think I went in expecting a little more from an album of the year
My brain can't fathom this one being a must listen. I appreciate the broad genre coverage, but it's just so God damn dull. I love Bonnie's voice, but the music does absolutely nothing for me.
muzyka typu przyjeżdża ciocia i daje w prezencie pokrowiec na karty kredytowe
Raittisen Bonniehan laitto sieltä ihan okei bluussahtavaa rokkia tulemaan. Hyvää kamaa.
Hirmu basic kasarirokkilevy. Herätti paikoitellen huvitusta, osa biiseistä bängäsi aivan ok, mutta melko keskiverto levy omaan mieleen.
Classic. Lots of great songs from a true star
I agree that this belongs on the list but boy is this an enormous swing and a miss for me
Americana, rock, blues rock.
I didn’t think this was going to be that bad, but my god the entire thing is just so so boring. There is not a single worthwhile second on this album
Solid 88s hair but a bit boring
Tedious MOR waffle
It was alright. I don't really understand why this is so important it was inducted into the National Recording Registry OR this book, but it was definitely an okay listen. I can't say anything on here really got me going, it was a very plain Jane 80's rock album. VERY generic.
The most 80s country music production I have ever heard (not derogatory). Bonnie Raitt is a good singer but she is WAY better on guitar. It isn't quite what I look for in country music but fuck me the slide guitar on Cry On My Shoulder absolutely rocked my world. Some really great moments on this album, I just can't bring myself to give it a 4 since a lot of it for me was truly mid. Highlights: Cry On My Shoulder, Too Soon Too Tell
was kind of bored. 2.5.
This is just a typical country pop / americana from the 80s. Very mediocre music, not offensive and perhaps even good lyrics wise, but it'a just really not my kind of music.
Well at least I got to hear an artiste I have known of for years but never listened to. Not really my bag but the lady can sing!
Honestly pretty good!
Just no.
Quite fun actually, one I'll come back to
Smooth
Enjoyed that, only knew I Can't Make You Love Me by her. Biggest career comeback albums ever so I'm told! 3.5
I just didn't enjoy this sorry Bonnie
Okay but nothing special
Man, I hate that this came out in the 80's. If it had come out earlier or later it would be a solid blues rock album but it's buried by that syrupy cheesy 80's production.
some of this doesn't age well but it's surprisingly fun and less country than I was assuming or maybe this is the type of country I can handle? The bluesy rock tones were great and she has a fun voice. Also, shockingly an 80's album? she's got real divorced woman energy? that's not a bad thing, just comes through powerfully in her tonnage. 3.5
Wonderfully talented artist with amazing vocals and soulful slide guitar. Unfortunately this album doesn’t showcase that. Despite the critics praise, I find that most songs waste her talent and she should have focused more on what make her great: soulful blues. But, I’m listening to this in 2026 and it was produced in 1989-not a great era for music style and production. Maybe that’s just me.
79/100.
Working in a record shop just out of school, I occasionally had to hear this on shifts with an older co-worker. She was probably less than 10 years older but she seemed ancient at the time lol. Her taste for this probably contributed my perception of her age. Now I’m older let’s see if I get it now…. Nah. It’s not an age thing, well not for me anyway. I’m sure Bonnie Raitt has done things to earn the respect she has (she seems very good at guitar for example and I’m sure she’s very nice) but this is album is MOR slop, bland beyond bland. I’m cool ignoring things I don’t like but I've experienced fans of this kind of thing telling me it is “REAL” music, with the implication that, while music is my life, I listen to a lot of “crazy shit”. I know music is a subjective, but most music I like is objectively better than this album.
This must've been special when it came out, bc it surely isn't now.
So vibey, love the raw energy from the 80s
Fin den
Excellent girl album, great vocals, great guitar & instrumentals. Great all around ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Generic, but at least she can sing.
From the album cover, I expected another 80s pop star album. Was I wrong. This album is real, human, soulful and generally a good time. Definitely worth trying once, though I'm not sure if I'm coming back to it.
Surprisingly really really enjoyed this. Great songcraft, catchy, good slide guitar work. Terrible 80s production of course, but eh it's a sign of the times
Bonnie Raitt is known for being a grafter and known for being authentic. This album sounds like her record label exerted undue influence on her. Sure there's boogie woogie, blues and country. The lyrics approach poignancy in a wife-left-me-do-died sort of way, but the DX7 piano ballads and reggae tinged numbers feel out of place.
2.75/5