Reviews (page 3 of 8)
I’ve never heard of Bonnie “Road” Raitt before today. A lot of the songs on “Nick of Time” are quite bluesy, with a bit of a country vibe to things. Songs like “Thing Called Love”, “Love Letter”, “Real Man” and “The Road’s My Middle Name” are decent enough blues tunes. But that’s it. It’s grand and bland. Her voice is good, but there’s nothing here to suggest it’s an album you must hear before you die. More like a CD you’d find for sale in a petrol station in rural Ireland.
I'm sorry, sweet Bonnie (I haven't googled her so maybe she isn't sweet at all), but this is dross :(((( It's watered down Stevie Nicks not even to squash level, more of a tincture level of that kind of music. Not for me, but I'm certain there's some mums who eat this up.
No thanks!! Why is this here!! Just basic 80s rock, a big dud!!
Not bad
I expected to enjoy this more than I did. I mean, I enjoyed it… but just so, ya know?
Bonnie Raitt is one of only 4 women to have rejected the advances of Len Houmous. Reports suggested that this album was all about her narrow escape. 2.4 1/11 Nick Of Time
If it wasn't for doing this project, I would have never listened to this album and I'll never listen to it again. I wonder what sort of people like this album.
She’s the queen!
I guess anything can just win album of the year
A classic!
Lovely voice very enjoyable here’s my faves 1) thing called love 2) the roads my middle name 3) I will not be denied
PAS MON GENRE
A couple fun songs but overall it was kinda boring.
It made me feel like a divorced mom from Texas that drives a Ford pickup truck filled with her kids going to a horse-riding camp. I can't explain why. It's just what I felt.
Man soll ein Album ja nicht nach seinem Cover bewerten
3.5 stars
This is the most bland, vanilla album that I've ever listened to. It's not actually bad, but it's not actually good.
Nah
So glad the album is over and I never have to listen to it again
i did not like this album. it felt boring and forgettable. there’s lots of talent on this album and sonically, it’s pretty decent. there’s just nothing special about it to me. idk if i’m missing something.
This is boring. That pretendy pop rock that somehow fails at being either. It sounds like Shania Twain before she was a thing, but with that horrible keyboard organ sound you hear on karaoke tracks. Not that she's terrible at singing or anything, but this feels like churned out bollocks from the late 80s.
One of the things I always appreciated about Bonnie Raitt is she would play anything she wanted had the chops to make it work. You want Reggae: here is Have a Heart. Pop: Nick of Time. You want blues: Love Letter. You want country: Thing Called Love. You want a crossover: Too Soon to Tell. And she is probably one of the best guitarists of the era, though she highlighted her skill so subtly that it was just part of the song rather than showboating glory-hounding (see Thing Called Love). Unfortunately I think these are the same reasons she gets lost in the mix because she is hard to categorize and which presents as inconsistency. In truth, it’s Genius!
Random thoughts: * Bluesy adult contemporary. That’s it. Is there anything else to say? * ok, I’ll try to say some more. This was a pleasant listen that could be played in your dentist’s office. * Bonnie Rait seems like an accidental pop/rock/music star. She was more likely to have toiled in obscurity but had famous musicians sing her praises. But she became famous and so many of us have now heard Bonnie. I’m super happy for her. * I don’t have a strong desire to play this album again but I like knowing it exists and that I’ve given it a spin.
This SLAPS!! 4.
Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5
I’ve always appreciated Bonnie Raitt, at least the times when she shows up to jam with Roy Orbison. This is to say that, beyond the couple hits she’s had that I genuinely like and that one time she played with Roy Orbison, I don’t have any real experience with a Bonnie Raitt record. But she’s seemed like someone I should get into, I guess? She always has a guitar slung over her shoulder on her album covers, indicating she has some guitar chops, and there’s a slight bit of gravel in her voice, making me think she’s got a bit of the “rode hard and put away wet” vibe that I usually think works well for some lady artists. Turns out that Bonnie Raitt only works for me as a concept, and one that I guess I’d largely invented for myself. The reality is that—at least for Nick of Time—I don’t know that I’ve heard many records that are so milquetoast as this one. For someone with alleged guitar chops, she’s pretty shy about expressing them on this record. The songs are pretty paint-by-numbers soft rock love songs, but without many obvious hooks. And every song could be made better without the garbage synthesizers. The lyrics are uninspired and rote. The production feels the exact opposite of road-worn and gritty. None of the work here is probably objectively terrible, but it’s so lukewarm that I can’t understand why anyone paid attention to it in the first place. This record has no balls. No risks taken here. I don’t feel any real passion here, or any real joy. “If I Can’t Make You Love Me” is badass, but unfortunately, it’s not on this record. 4/10
I much prefer the up tempo songs but the album as a whole is quite good. 4 stars or B+.
Overall: 5/10 Bonnie Raitt has a fine voice, but I find most of the songs to be pretty mediocre. Too Soon to Tell is really beautiful though, it might actually be my single favourite country song I've heard from this experience. Fav Song: Too Soon to Tell
Decent album, though nothing super exciting. Ok voice and instrumentals. 3/5
Bonnie can play and the song tunes are fine but the 80s production really gets at me. I did not notice this when the album first came out but I guess I was swimming in that milieu. Two days ago I had a Muddy Waters album live from Newport and you can tell the difference between straightforward blues and over-engineered stuff. I do like Don Was but I don't think this album works.
I do not get it. I started listening and it seemed entirely unremarkable, so I figured that it may be included for some kind of impact or historical importance (though I don't know what I was expecting from an archetypal 80s pop record). Turns out this album is just very popular, loved and critically valued. I can accept I'm wrong but I just don't see anything at all special. Seems like very ordinary stuff to me
Very solid. Need to give it another listen
Boring
Couple of decent songs on here but most of it was really bland.
Not awful, just not my style.
Not for me
This is the most unappealingly 80s album I've listened to thus far
I was 7 years old when this came out. I had no tapes of my own to listen to and so I was at the mercy of whatever my parents decided to put on. This album was part of my mom’s motivational Saturday morning cleaning lineup along with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Emmylou Harris, and Lorrie Morgan. I’m very familiar with it. My cousin and I made up a dance to Have a Heart, which I’m sure would have knocked the socks off of any one of you. This album is a product of its time for sure but Bonnie Raitt is a talented musician. She’s definitely secured her place as one of the greats. And look how she’s pointing at her enormous belt buckle on the cover. She knows she’s hot. What a blast from the past this was. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Þetta var allt í lagi. Hélt fyrst hún væri MAGA.
Tenth studio album. A commercial breakthrough after years of personal and professional struggles. Idk man. If this is what commercial breakthrough sounds like I don't even want to know what the other albums were like
You couldve told me i had listened to this five times before and i wouldnt even question it
eh. nothing special.
Late 80s country is probably the most boring genre of all for me. The production and songwriting always sounds so uninspired, repetitive, and sterile. It is so clean and thin, that is sounds so manufactured, and has no heart, so it feels inauthentic and just made to sell. This album is no different. Songwriters penning songs in their rooms, sent to session musicians to play in a recording studio, and a talented singer to sing over top of it all. I'll give it a 2 just because her voice is very very good.
Enjoyed the bluesy uptempo tracks. A Bonnie Rait fan now.
I really enjoyed this album. I liked the blues influence on most songs
speaking my mind
This was solid, but nothing really stood out to me beyond Raitt's vocals. She has a great voice! Songs were a little uninteresting to me, though. Not a bad record just not my vibe today, I think.
5.5/10
Love songwriters that are mostly storytellers
Better than I expected
Alright
Absolute mid. Below mid. Like Lionel Ritchie song rejections picked up on the lounge floor. Production bland and nothing interesting in any of the arrangements. The singing is ok and that's about it.
- Another disappointment on this list: from the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Centre: "Given our alignment and shared vision on environmental and justice issues over the years, we were shocked and disappointed to receive a message from a member of your team with the Guacamole Fund stating that we are not allowed to share any information or messaging to acknowledge our hope for a Free Palestine at your concert." - I was hoping for music from a strong, independent woman, but it was another one singing about centring men (on every. single. song.), with shitty lyrics. But, she does have a nice voice. - Dated synths (on the first track, especially) and sound (in general). Other than the first song, it's just basic country with a little good guitar playing of boring riffs, some okay bass, and some shmaltsy piano. Basically, I found the instrumentation pretty unremarkable. - It's pretty inoffensive/adult contemporary, overall, but there are a couple of hits on here with nice melodies - like "Have a Heart" and the opener. - I guess it's a 1.5? - What is with her, like, fingering her belt on the album cover? I do like that "B" "R" styling, though - really satisfies my inner child trying to come up with her signature, lol.
Nothing groundbreaking, avant garde or experimental, just very sincere.
Normally I don't mind 80s production aesthetics (in fact, I rather enjoy them), but this album was just so bland. It felt like a parody generated album made to resemble the time. Nothing about this told me anything about Bonnie Raitt as a person, what her style is (or more of a lack thereof).
An album that is either a 2 or a 3 and has no possibility to be anything else in my opinion. It is swaye-ey I guess and I listened to this entire album while playing some darts and didn't mind it at all. She has a nice voice as well I guess. It is mostly songs I would classify as filler though to be completely honest. I will rate it a 3 for now but who knows if it stays that way
Album 20/1001. Listened 2/26/2026 (in the car on the way to Santa Fe). Didn't love it, but liked it well enough. I don't think it's aged particularly well, especially in comparison to other artists from that era (Lucinda Williams, e.g.). A few songs I liked and would listen to again, but not the whole album. Absolutely not knocking Bonnie - she's a legend.
It was alright
Groovy but lyrics are a bit generic. She’s got a pretty voice tho
fik ikke hørt færdigt, men det var ikke lige umiddelbart noget for mig (2.5)
This was kinda sharp on a personal level, tribulations with relationships and love, hard topic. Well done great voice but kinda not wildly ground breaking.
Ts tuff dawg
po senti uma certa preguiça imensa escutando esse daqui é ruim
nada demais não bem música para casais estadunidenses divorciados alcoolistas. mas nao eh mto ruim nao!!
I would not be upset if everything about this album stayed in the 80's. It is seemingly stuck there, refusing to move on even though the rest of the world was moving on without it.
I understand having Bonnie Raitt on this list, I just don’t think this is the album.
Some rockin tunes, but others that get stopped short by production that’s as dated as that hairstyle.
80's-90's pop country. Very blah. Nothing interesting. No stand-out songs. Pitchfork: 7.5 Rolling Stone: Top 500 Albums #492
Very much of its time. Has a lot of the 80s sounds. But it's a very generic album, easy listening, but very forgettable.
Alright, I see a lot of flack for this album in the reviews and I think it's a product of being too successful, honestly. Ubiquity breeds cynicism when it comes to music - "The Beatles are overrated" type of energy. This album is fantastic! "Uninspired" - no, this is the source of that sound you find overplayed. Then again, I'm a sucker for yacht rock and easy listening and maybe this is my chud goober cross to bear. Who knows, 5 stars.
Fun album, and some songs I immediately recognized. Don’t think I’ve even listened to a Bonnie Raitt song in decades, so definitely a bit of nostalgia here.
This is kinda like if Don Henley was a woman. Or, maybe Don Henley is kinda like if Bonnie Raitt were a man. Easy to listen to and somewhat enjoy, but nothing groundbreaking or even really very relevant. Her writing is good, but just not my jam. 3
Not super my style but she’s incredibly talented. I didn’t prefer this over her more bluesy 70s stuff but I could totally see how someone could be really into this
I really like this album. As an 80’s girl it brought back memories and it felt nostalgic. The blend of blues, rock and 8o’s synth worked for me. This album starts at so strong with the first four tracks being really good while bringing variety. I also really enjoyed nobody’s girl. I will definitely be adding some of these tracks to my favorites playlists so I can listen more often.
Decent 4. This was such a great album. Bonnie has a fantastic voice and it showcased beautifully on this album. I loved the range of songs, but especially loved “Nick of Time” and “Nobody’s Girl.” I thought there were a couple of songs that were lyrically a little cheesy (“Real Man” especially), so that’s why it doesn’t get a full 5 stars from me, but this is definitely my favorite album so far.
Hello Old Friend! I wore this CD out when it was released in 1989. Love Bonnie’s bluesy guitar and voice. Not a bad song on the album. Thing Called Love is awesome featuring songwriter John Hiatt as one of the all-star backup singers. (Hiatt sang it when I saw him live in Capistrano last year.) It was great to give the album a listen from end to end again.
Not afraid to channel my inner-soccer-mom-circa 1989 to enjoy this
Soulful
I listened to this cassette tape over and over when it was released 🎸
Love this.
Brings back my dental office working days. All the middle aged folks were listening to this album back in the day. Some quality easy listening.
I love Bonnie Raitt so much. 😍
I know a lot of folks hate country, but I'm chill with it.
Первая и предпоследняя песня понравились. Остальное - не очень.
This has its moments (the bluesier bits), but mostly its yawn-inducing country-tinged rock. 2.0/5.0: Disappointing
theres a couple of really good tracks but a lot of mediocre tracks. she has a great voice though
Pleasant but unoriginal
seems pretty lost to the sands of time and also not necessarily the kind of thing thats Cool to rediscover for current music nerds...fairly slick 80s balladry (tho certainly not as overproduced as it could be) mixed with fairly slick 80s white girl blues rock. still i cant deny i rly enjoyed it...its quality Mom Music with a lot of pathos and personality...even before reading a bit more about it, it made sense this was a bit of a recovery album both personally and commercially. and even with the 80s production flourishes, theres a surprising amount of muscle to both the vocals and guitar playing. nothing revelatory but very pleasant!!!
Ms. Raitt can be sublime; not sure this yacht rock title intro shows that. The Americana Blues comes back in the second song (Thing Called Love) and informs a lot of the rest, but yachtiness seems unfortunately to be lurking. The very professional production can sadly assist that. For example, why is the guitar so buried on Real Man?
Underwhelming- bit of a 2.5 but she has a good voice snd there are worse things.
I was a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this. It fell into a bit of routine by the end, but always easy to like and tasty stuff sprinkled in, and a couple of standout tunes.
I enjoyed this today more than when it was endlessly played on the radio. Good songwriting performed well. I enjoyed her vocals quite a bit and her guitar playing even more. Damn, she's a hell of a slide player. The gritty songs were better than the ballads, which got a little too muzaky for my taste. But overall, thumb's up.
I strive to like Bonnie Raitt's music as much as I love the idea of Bonnie Raitt. She strikes me as such a cool badass woman but whenever I listen to an album of hers I'm always underwhelmed.
Beautiful if a bit melancholy. But love her voice and those songs!
Not really something I would seek out, but a nice blend of genres that is very easy listening
Inte för mig.
For me, this isn't one of Bonnie Raitt's best albums. It's her tenth studio album, and moves away from the more bluesy style of her earlier albums, towards a slightly more rock oriented style, albeit a very laid back soft rock. It's also essentially a cover album, with only two original tracks on there. Now, don't get me wrong. I still think it's a good album, but it's more a 'stick on in the background' kind of album, than a 'pay attention to me' kind of album. I just feel it doesn't really stand out when placed next to the rest of her back catalogue. This one only gets a 3.5 out of 5.
Always interested to discover singers I’d never heard of who in their era sold millions of records and got one put into the library of congress. As for the songs themselves…they’re fine. Have A Heart was a stand-out. Too Soon To Tell was a low point. All in all, it is very VERY eighties.
Some goods songs but overall feels dated
The most 80s ass 80s career revival record
I really recognize Bonnie Raitt's value as a songwriter, I think she's underrated (outside of the USA). But personally, country-blues bores me out of my mind. And the reggae hints are not for me. Nick of Time is a great song, though.
Not sure how this made it in. I would describe it as poor man's Shania Twain and that wouldn't make it anywhere near my top 1001. Won't be listening again.
Album #31: Nick of Time - Bonnie Raitt Genre (W): Americana, rock, blues rock Singles: Thing Called Love, Have a Heart, Title Track, Love Letter I have not listened to this album before. Thoughts?: First americana album during the run. I don’t know what it is about it that I like, but I like how this sounds, like true American music. Of course, no disrespect to other countries at all. Favorite songs: Nick of Time, Thing Called Love, Cry On My Shoulder, Real Man, Nobody’s Girl
Holy shit, something thats ~almost~ *country???* on this list???? LETS GOOO Its good, not great but good. 3/5
a little much on the country but good album
I had no negative thoughts about Ms. Raitt but this was better than I expected
Huge Bonnie Raitt fan. This was her well deserved commercial breakthrough record. Not her best one but still a good record
Revisiting the hits is nice, I was not a fan of this stuff when it came out but it has grown on me. The other tracks kind of sit in that blah place I was in when the singles were dropping. Probably a 2.5 for me, but bumping for Have A Heart.
Nice. Liked mixed 80s pop with blus. Some good songs !
Man, that first song is quite good. I hope the rest is just as inspiring. The rest: ZzzzZzzzZzzzzZzzzz (4/10, 2/5 on this scale)
This album went down super easy, but wasn't particularly memorable. I think it played three times all the way through before I realized it had been playing over and over.
Good voice, bad production, bland songs, trite lyrics. Sounds like the soundtrack to a forgotten 1980s made-for-TV biopic. Surely 1988 had more to offer than this. Sorry Bonnie.
Lame. Really didn’t like this. Sappy, cheesy, unimaginative. I know Raitt can sing. And Have a Heart is an enduring tune. But that’s not enough to salvage this.
Actually loved this, easy listening and a few 'funny' songs to go in the playlists!
Will not be normal rotation but gotta share respect here
A few ok songs, sometimes too country style and just not very special
Good production quality, and its commercial success presumably means that everyone in the US had to listen to it in bars and on the radio for an extended period of time. That doesn't make it essential listening. 1 - shouldn't be on this list
Rich voice, over various beats including country/folk and also more jazzy sounds. Some up-beat (hopp-hopp-hopp) type music and than also some drawn out in-the-feels kinda music.
3.8
This album didn’t deliver, it gave me nothing. Meh. I gave it 2/5 because of the the few pretty nice but kind of mid guitar solos
She has a pretty voice and it is a good mix of a country voice with a more rock sound. This was a really a quintessential sound of the 80's, this rock/country sound that they incorporated some blue and folk into. There was something sort of mellow and emo about this kind of music that is very subtle and in retrospect feels a little built off of bands like Fleetwood Mac. She kind of created her own sound that didn't really fit anywhere. Due to the subtleness of it nothing struck me as amazing, but I do appreciate the sound and the girl power of it.
It's fine. I didn't hate it but I'm giving it a 2 because it's so incredibly un-creative. Nothing stands out and it's just very so-so. At times I thought she sounded a bit like Shania Twain or maybe Sheryl Crow only not as good as either of them. * EDIT * Okay actually Have a Heart is creative. It's almost got a reggae feel to the beat. 2.5... 2.75.. okay okay.
Nick of Time is quite enjoyable. When this came out, 14, almost 15 year old me would have said “Who the F is Bonnie Raitt?!?” She was not for the youthful version of me with rock n’ roll fire and power pop heart in his little gay soul. She’s for the grizzled, worn down late middle-aged person who still holds out hope but has the emotional scars to prove they’ve lived and seen some shit, and is still here putting one foot in front of the other each and every day. Curiously, this came out one day after Like A Prayer by Madonna. Totally different vibes, but two women existing in a male dominated music industry, loudly blasting out at their peak creativity. Girl power!!
What on earth was going on in music in 1989 if this won the Grammy for Album of the Year? I mean, it's fine, but this was the best that year had? That being said, the songs are pretty enough and I enjoyed the girl power and general female experiences woven throughout. And there's something about her vocals that feel genuine and soothing, with a hint of grit. There just weren't songs here I felt compelled to add to a playlist, and there was something very plain feeling about it all.
Would be a perfect album if all the goofy late 80s blues rock instrumentation was replaced by the wonderful DX7 synth patches employed on the rest of the tracks.
Ok, men kommer nok ikke til at høre det igen.
It’s a nice listen, but it’s just so boring. I just can’t see myself ever going back to this, or thinking about it much ever again. Best Track: Nick Of Time
🤮 The soundtrack to Menopause
This feels a bit beige: earnest lyrics, tidy production, and not a single moment that really grabs you. Perfectly pleasant. Utterly forgettable.
Was fine, already forgot about it
This one is fine. 3 stars.
Unremarkable, not very memorable. Only the second song stood out a bit to me, the rest is just unrecognisable background music. 1/5
Wierd mix of genres here. Wasn’t expecting the reggae beats peppered through here, but clearly the police must have had some influence. Mixed bag for me, liked the Americana/country stuff and the piano ballads, lyrics in some songs were really strong. But the blues and reggae stuff was meh.
Blues Rock with a country twist. While it's not my usual cup of tea, I did enjoy listening to it. Kind of catchy music and she has a very nice voice. Not bad, not great, but enjoyable to hear.
Good stuff! Not her best album but still good top to bottom
I'm sure she's really nice but sorry not music I could ever warm up to.
Fine voice.
This is album 1089 for me. Last one of the challenge. It's not a very good one. This album would have benefited from a more traditional production. Her voice is not the issue. Some of the songs are potentially pretty good. It's not the worst case of tight '80s production, but it's bad enough to squeeze all the life out of the music. It doesn’t sound like a band that’s used to playing this style together, more like some random pros doing what they’re told. Especially the drums. Favorite song: cry on my shoulder
Schnulzenpop
heartbreak, comeback, and standing tall alone, with another man.
Really enjoyed Loved her vibe Accidentally listened to the whole album twice without realising and really enjoyed it Because I had started the album, the foxy song being Nick Of Time, but wanted to que a song for when it finished so I knew when it was done. So I re~added the album as a que to add the song I wanted at the end. Once that song end a couple others I added finished, the album played again minus the first song as I was already listening to it so didn’t need to re~add it to the que. So big win to Bonnie Raitt 4 Stars 8th Of January
This was a fun listen. While I wouldn't call this a masterpiece or anything, it made for nice and easy listening. Some of the songs sound a bit dated when it comes to their production, but they're alright overall. Also, Bonnie Raitt is one hell of a blues guitarist. Overall I think this is fine. Nothing terribly special, but still good. 3/5
It’s like… fine that I’ve listened, maybe some bangers
Great musicianship, good production, average songs.
Hauskaa bassoa ja synaa. Kaikki jollain lailla rakkauslauluja, oli hauskaa kuunneltavaa. Fun bass and synths. All the songs were lovesongs in someway, it was chill. Favorite song: Real Man.
I like Bonnie's voice but these songs are pretty bland. Favorite song: Nick of Time
Not my thing, music and her voice were good but the uninspired lyrics that you've heard a million times brought it down.
All and all a pleasent listening experience. Would listen to while relaxing and chattin with friends. Best song was either Nick of Time or I Will Not Be Denied.
Is it fun? Yes. Should it be on this list? Absolutely not
I remember this came out when I was in high school. I hated the song thing called love. Never understood the Bonnie raritt hype. She seemed ancient then but somehow she is still relevant on that terrible show the voice. I’d much rather hear Brennan Huff singing let’s give em something to talk about. This is fine.
This album was fine - 7/10. I can’t really fault it. However, I was surprised to learn that it consistently makes the Rolling Stones’ 500 Greatest Albums list and that it has been preserved by the Library of Congress for its significance. I wonder if the fact that it has slipped down the Rolling Stones list from 229 in 2003 to 429 in 2020 signifies that this album was a product of its time.
First song is really goods. On my badass list she is a prime minister. Can make that guitar squeak. (Seen her at SRV tribute). Overall good album.
Favorite track: Thing Called Love
3/5 - direct lyrics good twang
Love Bonnie Raitt. I kinda prefer older Bonnie, but this will do.
"Are you ready for a thing called love?" This is as 1980s American Adult Contemporary as it gets. Don Was-produced, of course. All the usual 80s programmed percussion, cheap-but-soothing-sounding electronic piano sounds, bass lines, and so on are here. And as such, it's not as bad as I expected. But. It's still not something I want to actually listen to. At all.
One surprisingly good soft rock track (Nick of Time), a few unsurprisingly boring blues ones, and the worst of it combines the two, or just goes into incredibly slow ballad mode. Thing Called Love is a surprsingly new wave sounding uptempo blues track.
Bit too country for me.
its looks like she digging in her belly button on the cover. thats the most interesting thing about this album. feels about as inspired as stock music, how tf did this make the list? better question: how tf did this win album of the year in 1989? must've been a slow ass year for music, cuz holy fuck this is bland
I would have given this album 5 stars, but there's a lot of bluegrass/country influence throughout, which I don't like. The rest of the songs are really good though, and her voice is gorgeous!
No denying her talent, but not for me.
Crying over my break up that I have never even experienced lol. Women just do these kind of album better imo
Country rock that doesn't do all that much else.
i feel like this is a weird genre fuse between country, blues, and singer songwriter stuff with some rockish elements. there isn't anything to be like... oh this sucked. but i honestly feel like she has a BETTER album then this and the list should check that instead.
I'm personally unsure why this album has the significance that it has claimed. Do I underrate the importance of Country music because, while it sounds like a great album, it doesn't sound like an album that deserves three Grammy Awards? The first few minutes of the album gave the impression of something, as it delivered some craftsmanship from the musicians she was working with. While that level of professionalism was maintained throughout the album, it became dull instead of maintaining that initial spark. The album really needed to come more from her vocal skills instead of from the musicians, as it really doesn't appear to build upon the standards that have been common in country music. Maybe it was groundbreaking in 1989, I will never know personally, but to modern ears it sounds like just another country album.
Honky-tonk-tastic. Far too polished for me. All very professional but too formulaic for me.
Over-produced. The songs would have benefitted more if they were raw. Sure, she has a half decent voice. But it's also too AOL and MOR for me. No ta.
This is forgettable I ended up playing it twice to come up with a review. Still can’t remember anything about it. So bland.
Very much american country
Apparently I have been mixing up Bonnie Raitt and Reba McIntyre for decades. So, this turned out to be a far sweeter listen than I had anticipated. Despite the occasionally wonky 1980s production, this album is like a link between Carole King and Sheryl Crow, Shania Twains and even Norah Jones. Intelligent mainstream woman-led pop-rock-country with some roots and even jazz thrown into the mix. A solid, solid three. So glad I've now learned who Bonnie Raitt is.
Started strong and then got quite MAGA
I just really hate this kind of music. Nothing against her.
Not into this at all.
Alright rock but didn't really stand out in any way to me
Favorite Songs: Nick Of Time, Cry On My Shoulder, Too Soon To Tell Least Favorite Song: The Road’s My Middle Name I was today years old when I found out that Charli xcx and Bon Iver sampled Nick Of Time. Unexpectedly loved this one?
Después del túnel musical oscuro que me tocó, esto es una luz que puede ser algo....dije, puede.
Had a very strong start with the 80s pop but then just trailed off the further into the album we went. Still very good tho so 3/5
Complete shite
I thought it was better than the people did but i agree, not too much to think about here
на любителя.
The Good: We made it, just! The Bad: We aren’t certain where we made it to… The Ugly: Sorry Bonnie… the hair… for fuck’s sake, get a stylist… Almost 2 months have gone by since this album was presented to me, and the only real excuse that I have for having taken so long to rate this album is due to me not being certain what rating I should give the album. This is, without a doubt, icon of the ‘90s sound… slightly over produced, yet trying to get back to analog sound without making it feel like a garage recording. What really stands out is that Bonnie, being a great guitar player, is an even greater singer, yet she never really made it big… maybe because she switched style at a bad moment? After all, RnB blues was popular in movies, but not on the radio, where C&W was popular with the cowboy crowd and starting to gain traction outside of shit-kickin’ bars… Anyway, I guess what I am trying to say is that this album should get a 3* rating… yet, I enjoyed it too much to just brush it off as an okay album… Bonnie gives me something to talk about! 4*
Good listen! 80s vibe but the last songs a bit more folky. Liked it!
Bland and tepid. This is one I could have died happy without ever hearing. The title track's lyrics imply urgency, but the music, with its repetitive funky beat, does not.
Yeah it was ok
Some nice songs, good guitar playing, nice voice, I need to listen to more of her stuff.
Favorite track(s): proof that depression and addiction and bankruptcy can't turn an okay songwriter into a good songwriter
One of the most milquetoast country you'll find around. Didn't know what it was so it ended up being everything and nothing at the same time. 4/10
The well produced album had to grow on me. And it has it's sparks when it releases some power ("Thing Called Love", "Love Letter", "Real Man", "I Will Not Be Denied", "The Road's My Middle Name").
The first track was surprisingly good, but the rest dissolved into generic 80's radio-friendly pop-rock.
Fuck that
Probably 3 1/2 stars but seen as I can’t give half stars, I feel 3 would be harsh.
Department store music with some bouncy bass lines. And some country tracks interspersed.
This record is painful. She’s made much better music than this laminated, mall-ready late-’80s pop. “Cry on My Shoulder” was a second away from getting the "gong".
Mostly a record of radio friendly adult/contempo pablum. Raitt does have a great voice and she can play. Which makes this record a shame.
Not really my thing but she has a good voice.
This isn’t for me at all.
Repeat
Saccharine 80s pop with uninspired 80s country rock. Has not aged well. Why is this on the list? Like a lot of other commenters have said, this feels like the most generic or even AI-generated music possible. Like Obscurest Vinyl but not fun or enjoyable. I was going to give this 2 stars but it really wore me down. One star for this space-wasting entry.
Ok album. Not a big fan of Miss Raitt. She never struck me as real rock and roll. I know I am in the minority
Middle of the road Country - great voice - a prolific artist that I was previously unware of !!!!!
Never given much time to Raitt, thoroughly enjoyed the album, especially wnjoyed love letter, themese of romantic love and changing times.
Nice and chill. 4/5
3.5
Insipid - you can hear the influence on Shania Twain - it’s obviously an influential album - but minutes later I’d forgotten every track.
Wasn’t the worst thing I’ve heard so far, but will I ever seek this out to listen to again? No!
From the opening bars this feels like overproduced eighties guff. It may have been released at the end of that decade but there is no doubting what decade it came from. Thing like love just sounded like Shania Twain (albeit this obviously came before her Mutt Lang era). So much i went scurrying to check that this wasn’t also produced by Mutt Lang, the fact it was however produced by Don Was is equally unsurprising. Nobody’s girl and The Road’s my middle name are as close to a highlight ss you get. If you like cliched eighties music you might like this, if not, avoid!
Bonnie Raitt undoubtedly has a lovely voice. Aside from that, I can’t find anything special about this album. Some tracks sound very of their time, such as the opener, and most of it is your typical country-rock affair.
I got to this late, due to a trip, so came back to it while stood up on a packed train. I would like to think this didn't affect my marking too badly, but I did not find this album interesting. At all. She has a nice voice but the tunes are dull. I am not mad at it, but I genuinely don't understand why this is one of the 1001 Albums you should listen to before you die. Following my self imposed "just being dull can't get you 1/5" marking system means this is a 2 (but should have been a 1.5 in a better scoring system). 2/5
Great voice and nice songs. Nick Of Time has no real flaws. It won't blow you away either. Just a good album.
bluesrock, 1989 -> 3
Great album. Love Bonnie Raitt
Not my thing
I've always liked Bonnie Raitt. She has an amazing voice and style all her own. I wasn't familiar with any other the songs on this album though. That said, I listened all the way through and enjoyed each song. I was just a really nice listen. Just to calibrate, if I listen to every song on an album without skipping any, that's 4-5 stars for me. Bonnie gets 4 stars.
Very talented vocalist, great range. Definitely enjoyed the 12 bar blues final song
It's alright. Commercial country fusion back when the fusion was with "rock" and soft pop instead of rap and edm. There is no edge to speak of here.
On the plus side, she has an engaging voice. And I liked this more than I expected to. But I wasn't exactly blown away by it, and the production was a little dated. A low three.
This album was jarring from how it went from one of the softest, most beautiful opening album tracks to then one of the cheesiest. She has a great voice and the album is overall a good singer songwriter record. It's a weird blend of classic country style singer songwriter and at times some weird 80's pop/synth choices. Overall it's good.
It was nice. Nothing too memorable for me but Bonnie is a great songwriter with an iconic voice.
I can't tell if I'm getting numb to new music or if were rolling dud albums. Not for me really. Any time the instrumentals would pick up, the lyrics would put me off - eg. Real Man. Favorite Song: Too Soon To Tell
0.64
Not a bad album, but not for me. Definitely someone’s music though.
Since I'm familiar with this singer, today was a pleasant musical surprise. The album was a magical blending of Bonnie's gravelly voice, steady beats, and rhythmic melodies. Best song: "Too Soon To Tell" and Worst song: "Real Man"
I like Bonnie Raitt but not this album
definitely some abrupt changes in vibes from song to song but i enjoyed it Would I listen again: eh Deserves to be on this list: maybe 3.3
this probably hits hard if you are a southern mom
Just not my thing, American line dancing country rock. No thank you.
Not bad, per say, but just not my thing
Tough to get through. All sounds the same, drums never change across the album. 80s slow country pop, ugh.
★★★
Sometimes you should judge a book (or album) by it's cover, because this was shit.
I remember some of these songs from when I was a kid, and I enjoyed those. Otherwise this was pretty forgettable. Pleasant but never grabbed me.
Some decent songs put thru the 80s machine. Production and instrumentation sound like the 80s thru and thru. Synths, sequenced drums, etc. Modern covers of these songs would likely help bring the music out.
Okay, instant judgement from the front cover and imagining 80’s power ballad / country vibes and the reviews only confirm my suspicions. I’m not expecting much… “while she only has two original songs here” - not great to read, but I guess it’s the mould for early Beatles, Stones etc so I’ll let it pass. A kind of Shania Twain feel, but not particularly grabbing me. The image kinda captures the sound perfectly. Unfortunately, lacking the depth of her hair. Think I’ve got the gist after 4 songs 😕
1. time -1 2. thing - 1 3. letter - 1 4. Cry -1 5. Man -1 6. Girl - 1.5 7. Heart -1 8. Soon - 2 9. Denied - 1 10. Break - 1.5 11. Name - 2
not my genre, but this wasn't terrible. 2.5 rounded up to 3/5
Pretty dire this, started off as sort of Shania twainy country pop and then meandered into even more generic schmaltz. The entire album sounded phoned in, wasn't a single part where it sounded like the aim was to make interesting music. Wall to wall offensive blandness. Possibly the least essential album we've had given how uninteresting it all is, a real waste of time
Listened twice as the first time I didn't really pay attention. Music that doesn't grab you . Dentist waiting room stuff. Wikipedia tells me it was enormous at the time, a "professional breakthrough", but I'm not sure it holds up. Not terrible, but not at all memorable nor engaging.
Extremely dull, nearly fell asleep at the wheel listening to this. Had to stop. Not sure what makes this essential listening. It's pleasant enough, but nothing interesting 1.5
Soulful w the slide that’s sharp…the production gets a little slick though
Significantly schmaltzier than I anticipated...but the lesson is that selling your soul to Delilah can win you the album of the year Grammy over Tom Petty twice in the same year (Full Moon Fever, Wilburys Vol. 1.).
Decent flashback to the late 80s.
Maybe I judged a book by its cover but I found this pretty boring
Nice voice. Pleasant listen. Not very interesting though
Sounds like a very well produced late 80’s blues rock album in the vein of SRV. All the songwriting is good, there are a couple of great hooks here and there and Bonnie’s playing is very tasteful.
Coming in I had low expectations. It exceeded them, by a mile. I enjoyed it, she has a great voice.
The elephant in the room: The album cover art looks like one of those deliberately bad ones that you'll find in quirky exhibitions. Once you get over that, this is sort of serviceable I guess. The really best bits sound like they could possibly be acceptable as Stevie Nicks b-sides.
The song Nick of Time is bloody amazing. I’m not a big country fan but I will make an exception for Bonnie Raitt.
For a country record, this album really ping pongs back and forth between country and R&B style pop. The opener is pretty great, but once ot gets beyond that its a lot of standard country or 80's style pop rock similar to Huey Lewis. But overall, not really enjoying it. Not much that I haven't heard before.
Every album is also a kind of family tree. And few will feature as bonnie a collection as Bonnie Raitt’s. The video alone for “Thing Called Love” exists as a sort of handsome who’s who (as well as neatly describing the transition between 80s and 90s mainstream America). The song, a first ever cougar anthem(?), puts in its immediate sites the perma-grinning Dennis Quaid, whose 1989 appearance on the set of Raitt’s breakthrough would’ve lined up with soon-to-be wife Meg Ryan’s own appearance on the set of When Harry Met Sally. (You might imagine that what happens when we combine Bonnie Raitt and When Harry Met Sally. For me, and deliciously given the surname, you get one of the later 90s biggest phenomenons: Shania Twain.) The overwhelming feeling I get from this record – given its lyrical themes, the sense of serendipity about its success, the influence it had, the aforementioned briefly sketched family tree – is one of being the witness to something with an awesome kind of valency. Something that was absolutely “in the nick of time” in a way that I’d doubt even Bonnie herself can believe. Perhaps one day I’ll get around to a deep exploration of the family tree, the extent to which the 90s was Bonnie Raitt’s creation. Or maybe I’ll just preoccupy myself with another giggle at the incredible silliness of a song called “The Road’s My Middle Name”. It’s possible to do both, of course. Polyvalent Bonnie strikes again.
Not for me
I mean, I dont really get the hate it is kinda gorge, the melodies are catchy and her voice stellar. Sure it's not super innovative and it kinda lacks ambition to truly be great, but it is well made and well done.
Aight
I did not listen to this album all the way through, but it definitely had potential. It had a pop/easy listening feel, and its been said it was a comeback album for her. I may go back and listen again later today to give it a full evaluation but first few songs were pretty good even though shes not someone i would normally listen to.
Not as genuine as her debut album IMO but a well-made and enjoyable listen nevertheless. Raitt has a lovely voice that is always a treat to listen to.
Solid stuff.
In a certain type of Hollywood film (often when the sophisticated city type(s) are dragged into The Real America through all sorts of mis-haps, think Thelma and Louise or Something Wild) there’s a windowless bar with a neon sign in the window and some pick up trucks in front. It’s hot, damn hot, Paris, Texas hot. Our heroes, as their battered sub-compact Toyota gives up the ghost, open the doors and peer through the gloom. They’re there to meet the one shady person who has the mcguffin it’s all about. They walk up to the bar nervously in their ruined city clothes and several men in hats and plaid shirts/sherpa jackets turn round from their stools. ‘A-a-a-beer please. Two actually’. In the corner of this bar even though it’s mid-afternoon is a small stage on which a band is churning out generic blues rock. Hey - Hollywood moves with the times right - it’s fronted by a woman. Nick of Time or Have A Heart over the closing credits.
This is “easy listening” country-pop. It’s neither good pop, nor good country. It’s just inoffensive, forgettable schlock. I don’t understand its appearance on this list, or the accolades this album earned. Was pop music in 1989 that bleak? How did this win album of the year when it had to compete with Full Moon Fever and The Raw & the Cooked (also - Disintegration and Doolittle weren’t even nominated??)
Every single one of these sounds like a soundtrack to all those rom coms in the 80s
Incredibly '80s pop-country ballads. I genuinely liked it, like I'd love to listen to this on a long drive. Doubt I'll ever revisit it but it was nice background music! I felt like an '80s chain smoking housewife listening to this, it was cool.
Will not remember this album.
A good late 80’s early 90’s country esq album.
I cannot
I actually like country a fair bit, but when it’s combined with 1980s tinkly synths I’m pretty turned off.
You couldn’t escape this in the late 80’s. I cringed then and do now.
Nothing wrong with individual songs but a complete lack of cohesion leads to total tonal whiplash. Not an album but a collection.
It was ok. 3/5
Well, if you’re looking for some boring 80s adult contemporary singer/songwriter music, then here you go. This album is guaranteed to age you at least 10 years just by listening to it. I honestly don’t know how this one ended up on a top album list. It’s slow, polished, and just doesn’t do much for me at all.
Bon old country/blues
Great voice but meh music.
Found the mellow stuff really beautiful..stand out track Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again...sublime..Not a bad album ..but would like to listen to more before I have an opinion on an artist I've not listened much to over the years..
Some good guitar playing, occasionally. The whole thing drips with 80s production and instrumentation that precludes this album from being timeless. Not bad, not great.
Bonnie’s a juggernaut talent of course, but I didn’t get a whole lot from this album as a whole. It’s a product of its time and there’s nothing wrong with that, but loving this probably requires a nostalgia element that I just don’t have for it considering I was a toddler when it came out. Bonnie’s voice and guitar still shine here of course.
Good for time and a good story with her redemption and big hit, but the songs are just OK
3/5
bueni my kind of vibe de estos ultimos tiempos
Swanky. 4/5
Oooooh this'll be interesting. My parents weren't big Bonnie Raitt fans but you couldn't avoid this woman in the late 80s/early 90s. Oh my god "Love Letter" is the most 1980s thing I've ever heard in my life. Incredible. "Have a Heart!" I remember this one. Kinda reggae. Lots of reverb on her voice - it sounds amazing. Her slide playing is excellent on every track. None of this is bad. It just sounds very middle of the road 35 years later. It's really growing on me as I get further and further into it, though. Ok so this won the 1989 Album of the Year at the Grammy's. I was surprised, so I looked it up and the other nominees that year were Don Henley, Fine Young Cannibals, Tom Petty, and the Traveling Wilburys. So Bonnie fits right in with whatever the hell was going on in '88/89. I just checked the reviews for this one and good God - poor Bonnie! Getting ripped to shreds. Hey I don't get it - ya'll LOVE Tracy's Chapman's boring-ass record from the year before, but no love for Bonnie? Ya know what? Ya'll are some spiteful motherfuckers. FOUR STARS
The first three tracks may have a little bit of attitude, but after that, it becomes an incredibly generic blues/rock/pop album. Neither the clear production nor her good singing can save this album from getting slow and derivative with all the ballad it has.
Never been a big fan of Don Was' production style. His work behind the board was integral to the soulless, smoothed-out, cocaine-eared (it was a thing, look it up), and formulaic music that practically printed its own money in the Eighties. Ms. Raitt has certainly made better music, but she never made as much cash.
Dentist office music
Ok 2/5
3.5 maybe even!
American problem, nothing to do with me. The album peaked at number 52 and the best-performing single, the title track, reached number 82. She just means nothing over here, and deservedly so. The title track is my favourite, as it's generic adult contemporary, like a Richard Marx album track, as opposed to tedious blues rawk with harmonica solos and shit 80s production.
Listened to this velvet-voiced singer quite a bit in the '80s and early '90s, especially her Luck of the Draw album in '91. This was her break out album. Includes singles Nick of Time and Thing Called Love.
Surprisingly quite enjoyed it. Had never heard anything by Bonnie Raitt before and it was not what I expected.
Great voice
sympa
The title track opened the album beautifully. Bonnie Raitt’s ease of delivery and perspective on aging reminded me of one of my favorite songs, John Mayer’s “Stop This Train”. My other pick from this album is “Love Letter” for the groove it’s got going on the chorus. Sadly, like most albums, the back half didn’t impress as much. “Too Soon To Tell” was a nice moody ballad with some sweet slide guitars in the background of the chorus. I’ll give this an easy 3/5
Was dreading listening to this one...but ultimately it was better than I expected. 2/5
actually not too bad
Not exactly my thing, but can't really deny this one. Solid all the way through. LOVE the cheesy 80's keys. Bonnie Raitt, yet another not necessarily 80's artist who assimilated to the era and hit it big. 5
4 stars for nostalgia
Great songs, great soulful sound, pleased to have heard this. Bit disappointed to find she only wrote two of them however.
Today I learned that Bon Iver's "can't make you love me / nick of time" is a cover of not one but TWO songs by Bonnie Raitt, and I would like to file my formal apology that I did not know of this wonderful lady and her incredible artistry. Thanks to Bonnie Raitt and for this list for doing exactly what it's supposed to do today. :)
Really must be enjoying the blues tonight because I enjoyed this album. I remembered more songs than I thought I knew from it. I almost wonder if my dad might have had it since so much was familiar, but I have no idea.
I like earlier Bonnie Raitt more but this was a great listen.
"Cry On My Shoulder" and "Real Man" were the two standouts on this album. The rest is pleasant but not memorable. Most of it sounds like background music for some late 80s coming of age movie. It is what it is.
I had never heard of this artiste until this popped up on the rota. I was very surprised that she was a multi Grammy winner with this album ahead of her pop peers in 1989, those peers including Madonna's Like a Prayer, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation, Whitney Houston, Paula Abdul and Gloria Estafan. All of these artists were huge on the global stage in late 80's apart from Bonnie Raitt who never had a single hit beyond Northern America. So I gave it a listen thinking that it was another gift from the 1001 list that either surprises or disappoints. It was the latter for me, having been built up by the promise of a multi award winning star I was left flat and deflated by a boring record. Sure the composition and lyrics were decent but the delivery did nothing for me and it's a generous 2*.
For what this is, this is great - it's a solid pop record with fantastic songwriting and performances from Bonnie Raitt. As a Brit I'd never heard of her before today, but I enjoyed this enough to listen again and check out another album by her. Only real negative for me is that the production and overall sound feels dated even for the time period - there was some really good pop from this period which stood the test of time and this one is definitely a record from 1989.
Blues-thereal vibes