No Other

Another one of *those* albums that's probably really good if you grew up with it, but now is just more of the same

Sublime. Beautiful. Coherent. There is No Other. I discovered this in 2016, and played it to death, from start to finish. It is packed with lush vocals, rich harmonies, crisp instrumentation and perfect dynamic. Putting aside the wonderful magical storytelling, it’s just a Great Wall of beauty. Please try it, from start to end. Top tracks: Strength of Strings, Some Misunderstanding, Lady of the North

Loved it, Gene Clark is a master songwriter and this album has some haunting but dangerously exciting songs on it before ending with some classic beautiful country sounds. Excellent.

Great album. The cover is one of the ugliest ones I've ever seen, but it reminds me of that one record in your parents collection that you try to play once without thinking much of it, and then it's just much better than you expected. 4

“No Other” by Gene Clark (1974) Country/folk rock of a bygone era. Neil Young meets Carlos Castaneda. Lyrics are thoughtful, if austere and unduly melancholy, demonstrating a certain intellectual curiosity, but treated unsystematically, even chaotically. There is frequently a definite mismatch between the emotional tone of the lyrics and the musical setting. Well performed backing instrumentals and vocals. As for Clark’s voice, it’s rather unremarkable. The album overall is very well arranged and produced, with plenty of texture to support the rather simple melodies. No ‘bangers’ on this record. The title track is somewhat innovative (for 1974), but seems to try to blend too many styles. Nice exploration of an elaborate chord structure in “Strength of Strings” on top of a Neil Young-ish melody. In sum, this is an album to listen to when you’re having trouble getting to sleep. 2/5

This album scratches an itch for sure. Rockin’ soulful country reminds of Neil Young, with some folky psychedelia and George Harrison vibes thrown in for good measure. A+ for me.

Excellent, and brand new to me as well. This is what this 1001 album experience is all about, what a gem!

Unceremoniously and unfairly thrown away and underappreciated by the record buying public, No Other is Gene Clark's rightful masterpiece. This is the perfect example of letting it all hang out and letting your muses take you to your greatest potential. If only everyone had seen what Gene had seen and embraced this record for what it was and what it is; an incredible tapestry of sound that would have been weakened if left to lesser hands. The power of perfection, indeed.

This files into the boring but good-sounding music category, which I guess is about a 7.

A sadly overlooked album in its time. Gene Clark was clearly very inspired while writing this album and it shines as a result.

On second listen it is apparent to me that this is quite a unique album. Love the production. Title track is dope. Strength of Strings is a great way to follow it up. Was expecting everything to be fairly standard country rock but this is a tasty cocktail of influences. I just so happen to be heading to Mendocino where this album was conceived later this week.

Pleasant listen. Blown away by "Strength of Strings" in particular.

Never heard of this artist prior to this. At first I thought it was Glen Clark of “Hee Haw” fame (bet you young ‘ us don’t even know what that is!). First track was good, and it got better from there. Good vocal tones, guitar work excellent and very solid tunes through the first three songs of this album. Sort of reminded me of Doc Watson, with a little bit more energy. But after track three, it starts to fall off on “Strength of Strings” and then further downhill after that - the songs just seem to tank. If this were an LP, I would give side one 4 stars and side two 2 stars = 3.

It's weird to me that this album was considered such a failure. It doesn't sound that far removed from the kind of country inflected rock Neil Young or Stephen Stills we're doing around the same time. This didn't blow my mind or anything but it's good. It seems like its commercial and critical failure really did a number on Clark and that's sad.

Nice and folky but just more background music for me. Wasn’t blown away by any of it.

Silver Raven really good and haunting. Lady of the North has really interesting function sections in otherwise standard country rock ballad. No Other is just good 70s rock. Strong, thoughtful lyrics throughout.

Pretty good, nice sound and good voice.

What a hidden gem this album is. Also ahead of its time.

Already a great album in my mind. It's a very warm, inviting record in a way; there's so much life in the music - from the moving guitar solos that genuinely add to the emotion of the songs, to the beautiful melodic basslines. The backing vocals that weave in and out add a layered warmth to the mood of it and Gene Clark has such a captivating voice. His lyrics seem very evocative, occasionally impressionistic maybe (?), but seem to have real depth and vulnerability to them. Lots of natural imagery and, on one listen, seem very forthright about the 'troughs' of life, especially when pleasure is sought to excess, whilst capturing the beauty too. Never nihilistic. I just want to explore deeper.

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I won't wait tomorrow to rate this incredible album. Foolish me thought it would be only country, but Gene Clark voice looks like heaven.

Never thought I would like this. Grew on me, will definitely keep listening

Excelent. Best folk rock ever

Umm; I apparently love country music

This was actually quite a good listen! I can't believe it was a flop when it was released.

This was unexpectedly great - started off sounding like it was going to be straight forward country, and then gospel and folk and soul and the kitchen sink get thrown in too! Sad backstory to the whole thing, as well. Fave tracks - "No Other" sounded very Zappa to my ear, and "Some Misunderstanding" has some powerful energy going on...

Liked it way more than I expected I would. Kind of a "John Denver meets Pink Floyd" sound. Big fan.

wow this album leaves an impact country influence but way more than that

Amei esse album! Ouviria sempre, bom pra qualquer mood. Fato que não prestei muita atenção nas letras, mas a melodia, o ritmo e a voz são bem do jeito que eu gosto. <3

Oh wow. This is an amazing album. As soon as my first listen ended I dove into a second listen and liked it even more than the first time. The music has a ton of influences and is impeccably produced. Some great lyrics in these songs too. “Said she saw the sword of sorrow sunken in the sand of searching souls” - From A Silver Phial “We all need a fix at a time like this but doesn’t it feel good to stay alive?” - Some Misunderstanding

Simply amazing

Haha is it country or rock or folk? A welcome change to the usual anyhow. Really like this.

Really liked this. A good mix of rock, folk and country. To me there even had a bit of a prog rock sound to it occasionally. "No Other" my favourite track.

Merci pour ce moment

Great

First heard this in the early 2000s. Mostly buried since '76. I'd take this over the Eagles any day.

Really enjoyed this one. Hidden gem for me. Lots of great guitar songs.

Another ringer for me, love this album. The absolute classic indulgent '70s coke rock album (meant as a huge compliment). All songs are great, and the 4 song sequence starting with the title track beats anything on Rumours or Tusk and shoves the Eagles into a pit of shit

Really great music and lyrics. Some pretty interesting production as well. While not necessarily the most exciting songs in the world the length isn't really noticeable because the lyricism and musical talent are very engrossing. A really cool and innovative folk/country album.

Loved that

Never heard this before but was really impressed. There was a beautiful and sweeping fusion of rock, country, and folk. The guitars on "Strength of Strings" was really phenomenal. It really says a lot about the Byrds that Gene Clark the 3rd best-known member. Reminded me of the Stephen Stills album we heard.

Before today, I've never heard any of Gene Clark's solo stuff. I was only familiar with his work with the Byrds, so I am looking forward to listening to today's album. This was a fantastic folk rock/country rock album with hints of psychadelic rock mixed in. The story behind this album is a sad one. Apparently, Gene and the record label had differences of opinion. Gene wanted to release a double album, but the record label didn't want to. Upon its release, the label didn't promote the album at all, and as a result it flopped. It wasn't discovered until a re-release in the 90's, however the initial failure of the record was a financial blow that Gene wouldn't recover from. I really enjoyed this record. The use of steel guitar, especially on Life's Greatest Fool and True One was amazing, and added an almost melancholic feel to the songs. Overall, a fantastic record, and one I definately will listen to again! Favourite songs: True One, Life's Greatest Fool, From a Silver Phial, No Other, Silver Raven, Strength of Strings Least favourite song: Lady of the North (this song just didn't resonate with me like the others) 5/5

Surprisingly good album overall. Lots of different styles and good songs.

Life's Greatest Fool — очень скучно а потом я забыла оставлять впечатления о песнях... к концу мне альбом стал нравится но как будто бы чего-то не хватает? 4? 5? а может, лучше по лицу? бесит ставить оценки

I love the early 70s psychedelic country albums. This is my favorite so far.

Never heard of Gene Clark (apparently from The Byrds), tagged as country. Low expectations. First track, country’ish but those lyrics, man, from there on just amazing. 5 stars. Not country in my eyes, something unique. The reason I’m listening to the 1001 albums.

If you don't like this album, you don't like music.

J’aime braiment ce genre ces temps ci et mes notes somt bien reflete lucinda williams a eu aussi droit au traitement.

Excelente! Grata surpresa, nunca tinha ouvido falar e gostei demais. Ouvi numa fartlek, mas quero sentar e ouvir nas B&W.

Progressive country... really good. One to explore further!

Great, well produced country album. Standout Tracks: Silver Raven, From a Silver Phial, True One, Lady of the North

Pretty

great album. some country songs, but overall great listening.

Very enjoyable album

Pretty good listen. Smooth but I enjoyed it.

Not too bad

Tämähän oli mainio uusi tuttavuus. Country/folkia todella modernilla otteella ollakseen vuodelta 1974. Osassa biiseissä vähän liigan gospelfiilistä mutta ehdottomasti jatkoon ja lisäkuunteluun.

Pretty good folk/prog rock mix, I like it a lot.

Honestly never really heard of this record. Outside of my typical listening but really enjoyed

An above average album, the story of it being a “lost” and ultimately discovered and reevaluated years later is the most interesting aspect of it. Solid from top to bottom, I think calls for it being a “overlooked masterpiece” are a little much. Great production that fits with its era, hits of a Neil Young influence, and should have never been any kind of failure. 3.75/4

I really got a kick out of this - fun old folk rock imo! Guitar sounds were great. Would love to hear a band at a rural dive bar cover these tunes. First half was especially good, second half faded into the background, but was delightful musically. It would get a 3 or 3.5 if I'm being objective, but it is a 4 because I'm not.

Good stuff

reminds me of neil young :)

Actually much preferred this to his work with the Byrds, sound felt more fleshed out and realized. Very enjoyable.

Great psych-rock album with some super slick gospel/soul harmonies. Mixed slightly muddy/dark. 8/10

Ich kann fast nichts besseres dazu sagen, als dass guter Country seit (again) Neil Young bei mir immer eine Heimat hat und haben wird. Der Sound ist unverkennbar amerikanisch und ich würde einen Besen fressen, wenn sich John Frusciante in orientierungslosen Zeiten nicht dran orientiert hat (gerade beim Titelsong „No Other“ übelst deutlich). Dieser Trostspender hat seine Kreise gezogen und dann 2019 4AD zur re-issue bewogen. Bravo! 3.7

really chill! Laid back and can kinda get lost in it but also focus on what you're doing, great background music which might be disrespectful

I quite liked this one. I think it scraped an 8, but we'll see how I'm feeling when I enter it into the spreadsheet. The singing was kinda annoying for bits

4/5

Really cool moments but the songs were so l o n g. Good vibes, got a bit old. solid 7

Kinda dragged but I liked the first few songs and it had some cool sounding moments. 7

Enjoyed it quite a lot, the strings song and the titular song were really great. Will listen to the album again I'm sure

Nice folk rock

Lovely stuff

It sounds pretty good and the guy has a great voice. But it's hard to see this as anything else than background music. A 3.5 for me, generously rounding it up because Silver Raven and Lady Of The North were really good.

Most enjoyable!

5 saves sur 8, album de grande qualité

Excellent first album! The type of thing I would put on late at night while playing a game or reading a book.

Really enjoyed it

Loved it

i like folk music

Buen álbum, me gustó

Reminded me of the kind of songs my nan used to sing when I was a baby, I really enjoy this genre

A really enjoyable, relaxing album with some great bluesy guitar.

I didn't really think I would like this, but was very wrong.

Unusual style. I have issues hearing some of the lyrics, but I like the ambiance.

ok im not a fan of the first song let's see the rest. In love with Silver Raven. I loved. I just didn't like the first song and only the first song. awesome

I’m an amateur when if comes to folk music. I have not listened too much to the Byrds, so I don’t know what to expect from this album. I’m enjoying the slide guitar and the tone on the rhythm guitar. I can definitely see myself returning to this. It had much more variety then I was expecting from a folk artist

A nice surprise!

3.5/5. Pretty average. It’s good music, not much sticks out to me.

A timeless sound, and lyrics that resonate.

Nice album. Some tracks a bit long. Reminded me of Crosby Stills Nash & Young but even more country style.

Gosh I didn’t like this at first but then it really sunk into me—melodic, varied, and loved the last track.

Somewhere between Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young and Blanche. Started out not feeling it, but by the end I was really feeling it.

When this album started, I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. It's a little slow, but everything is put together well, and some of the music is really cool and unexpected. His voice is good, if unspectacular, but the overall effect of the album is pretty cool 4/5

I don't understand why this didn't catch on when it came out? It sounds to me like a perfect distillation of the mid-70s folk rock sound. Best track: Strength of Strings

A damn good album. Filked with excellent songs, deft playing and ahead of its time production, at least to these ears. Very happy to make the discovery 4 🌟

Una joia ben trobada. El coneixia a ell i coneixia el disc però no ha estat fins que m'ha tocat escoltar-lo per la llista (passejant per la platja de San Pedro a Belice) que l'he pogut assimilar en part de la seva essència. Recorda al Neil Young de l'època, també a Stephen Stills, i sobretot a ell mateix, en els seus temps a Byrds i també en solitari. Mai, però, va arribar a aquest punt de qualitat, ni abans ni després

Solid stuff. Favorites: No Other, Strength of Strings, Some Misunderstanding

A bit too country in the beginning but had certainly a few gems