Reviews (page 6 of 9)
not my cup of tea
Gear: Meze 109 PRO Artwork: 👨🏻🎨🎨🗿 Mix: 🧏♂️📏🤷♂️ Musik: 🤠🎭🥱 Wertung: 👨🏻🎨👨🏻🎨/5
Sounds like an 80s movie road trip interlude
some nice vibes that i will not remember
This felt very familiar even though I don’t think I’ve ever heard it. This style of country rock reminds me of music I listened to with my parents growing up and I really enjoyed the entire album!
7-7.5/10
So good american country rock, perfect for a road trip. I will admit it did not deserve an 8 minute song, but the rest made up for it. Stand-out: No Other, From a Silver Phial
WOW! what a fantastic album! better than anything ive heard by the byrds by a long mile
Música tranqui para una lazy morning. Da buen rollo.
A pleasant listen. I didn't add this album, but I've added his Essentials to my library.
I had never heard of Gene Clark until this year. Nate Garrett from Spirit Adrift talks this album up on his YT channel. This album kicks ass. A lost masterpiece is right.
I really like Silver Raven. It reminds me in a way of Bob Seger's Turn the Page. No Other is a complete change of pace into a fuzzed out rock song -- once again really solid song writing here. Strength of Strings is an interesting one. Opens up in a sort of opium haze with the skittering percussion and slow build. Getting some David Gilmour (circa Meddle) vibes from the guitar work here. This was an amazingly enjoyable and cohesive album with beautiful production, great songwriting, and instrumentation. I really wish for a 10 point scale here, because I feel like we need granularity on this upper end of the spectrum. This is not a 5 in the sense that Yankee Hotel Foxtrot would be, but it is not fair to put this alongside the other commendable 4s. So for me this is a completely unexpected soft 5.
Not a bad listen. Felt like a relaxed 70s rock album. 3 stars
Old country is so different than new country and I always really enjoy it. I feel like this one landed in the 3.5 realm, but if I listened to it in the right atmosphere it would get the bump.
Really liked the smooth slow guitar one the whole album. Sounded like there was some steel guitar or something thrown in there as well which is always a plus. Read through the wiki on this album and apparently the record label never promoted it at all and it did absolutely terribly, until the rerelease in the 90s. Pretty f'ed up by them. Life's Greatest Fool and No Other were both the standouts on this album. The rest was just some really good songwriter songs which I could listen to all day.
Damn No Other slaps. I love the dirty sounding bass on it. Ears perked up when I heard it. This sounded super similar to some Neil Young (in a good way). Was worried a little when I saw country and gospel but it was a good listen. High 3 but will be back for No Other.
ma che bella sorpresa! piacevolissimo! 4 stelle. non super originale ma gradevolissimo
i liked it. mellow.
Good Production, good sound. Not outstanding. Just another american singer-songwriter in the early seventies.
This was just a super solid classic cosmic country rock album. Really enjoyed this!
3.5 at points it faded into the background but I really like the sound
Not my thing
It's country. Wait, it's not? Wait, it's really good?
This was a gem. Hadn't listened to any of these songs before.
Interesting first listen. Not sure why it received such bad reviews and then years later it’s considered a gem of this genre.
- This project continues to surprise me. I guess I didn't know music as much as I thought ..... or maybe there's just so much out there it's not possible to grasp as much as we think we can .... thanks for this one. It's a beautiful record that exemplifies, at it's core, what the creative process is really about. We do this because we must. Maybe our efforts will be appreciated, maybe they won't but make it anyway. Don't give up. It's what makes us human.
Never heard, not bad.
Another Gene Clark album? REALLY? Admittedly on the last one there was the bit Gilmour clearly got inspired by for 'Wish you were here'. But another one? OK I prefer this one, it's more varied and I think some of the songs are a lot stronger, and it isn't just country rock like the other one, he's definitely moved with the times and sounds better for it. Still a 2 though.
Imagine you're at the most boring party in the 1970s. You've got a plastic cup if warm German white wine and this album is playing on the stereo. It's nicely recorded though, and the harmonies are good, but the lyrics are embarrassing.
Great musicianship. Not such a compelling album.
Not memorable but fine.
Kind of a snoozer
First listen, thumbs down. On second, Silver Raven Love me a ballad. My neckhairs instinctively raised when I heard the twang. I attribute this to my youth where I was forced to listen to CMT (Country Music Television) as a kid. My story is similar to those of many others--I ran as far away from the tastes of my parents into the arms of whatever new form was rising at the time--hip hop for me. Everyone likes hockey? I'll like basketball. I think this is why I'm considered so charming;) Not quite as curmudgeonly as others on here, haha. When I gave the album a chance and contextualized it--The Byrds--I measured it on its own merits and can appreciate it more. I can dig the kernels of psychedelic and fun guitar riffs. No Other is also a solid jam. First listen was background. Second was while driving. Definitely helped. 43 minutes is a good length. I listened to two 2Pac albums yesterday, each an hour long.
Neil Young's 60s/early 70s albums get pretty hokey, and the enduring question is why that doesn't seem to matter for NY. This album is the answer to 'what if that balance tipped?'. Strength of Strings is Words (Between the Lines of Age) made bland. The psychedelic rock melded in has the effect of smoothing things out, the last thing you want when there's already a ton of sounds going nowhere. music: hated. (⌐■_■)
Can’t say I was dazzled by this, but it far exceeded my expectations of an album that was made by some guy from the Byrds. Cool early alt-country.
i bet this is better than i think but i’m blazing through an album a day and i’m afraid i’m missing out on some of the subtler ones, the price of our accelerated age!
This is a pretty tranquill easy rock/country album that was a pretty nice listen. I appreciated something a little slower compared to what ive listened to in the past couple days. There is a stretch early in the album that I reallh enjoyed from Silver Raven, to No Other, to Strength of Strings (best in show on this album).
Good album but not great. Uneven imho. Not a fan of his voice.
This was very good. Reminded me a lot of Willie Nelson and other great country singers. Something I'll be coming back to listen to for sure.
This hits that rock-country sweet spot perfectly and turns the smooth vibes dial up to 11. There are heavenly slide guitars all over the place, gorgeous close harmonies, barroom piano, and a laid back feel. He wears the country style naturally and without affectation, fitting right into the twangy sound on True One. Life's Greatest Fool and Silver Phial ad a lush gospel sound with a backing choir. Silver Raven is a stunning minor key acoustic driven song with an tender swelling guitar lead woven between the lyrics and CSNY sounding dark harmonies. No Other, Lady of the North and Strength of Strings have a more ecclectic prog/psych feel to them with synths, organs and wah-wah guitars playing vibey riffs in harmony.
Enjoyed it on first listen through andr really enjoyed a few tracks on repeat listens. Strength of Strings and Lady of the North were highlights
Classic
The '74 reviews were right.
4.6 - lovely album this, want to listen to more of him
Enjoyed this. Fave Tracks: No Other, From a Silver Phial 4.2/5
Pleasant enough, don't love the country twang but found the vocals compelling.
This album exceeds the usual country-rock genre from the early 70s, and always found it hard to imagine why this album was ignored at the time of its release.
Country with a twist - very tasteful.
spannend, melancholisch.groovig.
First listen Saved 4/8 Top track: No Other
The beginning of this album made me think I was in for another Country Music album, I was expecting much of the same following the first minute or so of Life's Greatest Fool. But as the album goes on, the style progresses, sticking with its country-feel but taking more of a rock/pop influence. Surprised I ended up loving it as much as I did, Strength of Strings really stands out to me as a bit of a masterpiece from lyrics to composition. 4 stars for me.
En we gaan weer door met de Midzomer! Weer een album waarvan ik denk "Goh, had ik dit nou echt niet willen missen?" Het is iets wat ik gehoord heb, het is iets wat soms best prima klinkt, maar ook wederom niet iets waar ik van roep "YES, WAT HEB IK DIT NOG NOOIT EERDER GEHOORD!!!!" Wel toegegeven, het is wel iets interessanter dan je zoveelste rock album. Maar goed, het heeft wat country invloeden en wat psychrock invloeden. Dat is meteen ook het spannendste dat ik er over kan zeggen. Prima album, ik ga het nooit meer luisteren. FAVO: No other, Strength of strings
Some interesint tunes with a little hint of Neil Young. Nothing too exciting though.
It was fine not good not really bad but just ok
-poetry -complex -psychedelic at moments -like the backing vocals touch -like the guitars -good production -favourite songs: Life's Greatest Fool, Silver Raven, title track (<3), Strength Of Strings (<3), Some Misunderstanding (<3) -least favourite song: Lady Of The North
Good ol cuntry
I only like no other. 2.5
Solid listen, really strong songs. Giving this 4 stars since I plan to revisit. I’m a little torn on the inclusion since the Wikipedia page said it was a flop when released, so much so that the record company deleted it from the catalogue shortly after release. So why was this an important album? Just because some indie folk hipsters rediscovered this in 2009? Understand that this is a confusing review, but I try to factor in the historical or cultural importance to ratings, but my overall enjoyment of the album overrides that.
This is country music masquerading as rock and it can go fuck itself.
Eh
Koste meg da jeg hørte albumet
Gene Clark was the lead singer of the Byrds, and No Other is is the fourth of his solo albums. This album was a critical and commercial failure at its release. A release after Clark's death inspired a critical reevaluation. This is a good collection of country rock songs, very much in keeping with the music that was popular in the mid-70s. These are good, but not particularly great songs.
I previously had "White Light" by Gene Clark in this project. I gave it a 3 after one day of listening, but then it wound up being one of my top albums last winter. I'd retroactively up that rating for sure. I later talked about it with my brother and he told me that this album was a must listen. I was primed to enjoy it between that recommendation and the Rollercoaster wikipedia page, but this album blew me away on its own merits. It starts with that same warm country inflected balladeering that grew on me from White Light, and then it grows in wild and exciting directions with the heavily Stevie Wonder influenced title track and the sprawling Strength of Strings. The country is more pronounced on True One and Lady of the North is a perfect closer.
Der Song „Silver Raven“ ist das absolute Highlight des Albums, das in sich ein schön abgestimmtes Country Album ist. Weitere Songs stechen nicht hervor, trotzdem ist es zum Wiederhören geeignet. Wer die Geschichte des Albums liest, sieht wie schnell der erste Eindruck täuschen kan.
An album where I didn't know what to expect with each song, which can be fun but here it just felt jumbled.
not a bad 70s albums, some replayable songs, prob a 3.5 but gets a 3
Hey, it's some pretty good country-type stuff.
This was a good album in my opinion! I don’t have many complaints however I think it’s just music that I’m content listening to but I don’t really have a strong connection to it and therefore I can’t really praise it. It was nice and not obnoxious but that’s all I have.
Seems odd to have (at least?) 2 albums from Gene Clark, including this one that "was largely ignored or lambasted by critics and was a commercial failure; the studio time and cost were seen as excessive and indulgent." Sounds great! But I remember pleasantly enjoying his album "White Light" so let's see.... starts off as rather safe and unspectacular country rock but by the 3rd song "No Other" we're moving somewhere else entirely - now this is really cool / unexpected. Is it groovy? A little proggy?? And the last cut "Lady of the North" is ... great? Needed to give this a 2nd listen and was worth it - I think even on that 2nd listen the opening which I'd previously thought was tepid just gives it a more easing-in aspect. Surprise album - I really like it and will definitely listen again. 7/10 4 stars.
This was a pleasant surprise. Normally I’m not a fan of country (bar the odd song) but the inclusion of gospel singers and the overall melancholy of the songs is something that appealed to me.
I get a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young or their subsequent solo work vibe from this. I guess Gene Clark was a member of the Byrds so I'm kind of surprised I didn't make that association while listening. There's a lot to like here overall and I found it to be a pleasant listen.
Nice find
Album 417 of 1001 Gene Clark - No Other Rating : 3.5 / 5 Decent album but nothing really to write home about. Spreads across several genres, I would say. Asylum Records, did not promote the album, and by 1976 had deleted it from their catalog. In the early 2000s, it made a reappearance and has been received well, since. Some gentle songwriting that probably doesn't really ring as such until it's over and you're still feeling it.
There's great musicianship and songwriting on this album, but it's not what I'm into. There's some solid bass playing throughout. (Ha, I just looked it up and Leland Sklar played bass on this album, so that makes sense!)
It's alright
This was a great listen! A nice blend of folk and light 70s psychedelic. Definitely would give this another spin! Standout Tracks: No Other, Strength of Strings, Some Misunderstanding
another in interesting classic rock album
Ruhig, Country, passt auch als Hintergrundmusik
Singer songwriter, Mag ich gerne hören Sehr beruhigend.
Один из самых больших сюрпризов пока в моем 1001 приключении. Я скептически относился к альбому, когда увидел жанры и период, но... Это удивительный альбом, который во всем, начиная от обложки, и заканчивая собственно музыкой, мне кажется, сильно опередил свое время. Лучшая песня - Strength of Strings.
Boring when it’s not country, and aggravating when it is.
Good stuff. Nice background music to life. Nothing remarkable stood out but happy to have it playing.
It’s not a bad album. After the first song, I would have gone so far as to say I liked it. By the last song, I liked it less, though I’m not entirely sure why. Each song on its own is solid. But you put them all together and it kind of leaves you going, “ok, enough already.” The vocal melodies are somewhat bland and drawn out. Maybe a stronger, fuller voice could have pulled this off successfully. Unrelated, the album cover neither matches nor compliments the music. Not a great artistic choice there, IMO. 3.0
I can't imagine why it wasn't popular at the time. Great harmonies and accompaniment. The production is lush and layered. Reminds me of CSN, Neil Young, Eagles, The Band and other similars of the era, but building on that toward something bigger. I didn't focus on the lyrics, so there's probably more there to enjoy. The music is very solid. I'll definitely return to this one. 4.2 (The production is good, but compared to the 2019 remaster, sounds a little muddy.)
Loves: Silver Raven No Other Strength of Strings From a Silver Phial Some Misunderstanding Notes: This is probably going in my regular rotation. Totally my typical genre and it sounds so good, and the lyrics are ethereal. “Fiery rain and rubies cooling in the sun”
Decent, no outstanding song but a pleasant listen. Feels like there is something great here i just cant find it, sadly.
A lot of country twang. Not for me.
Competent but I didn't enjoy it much
Lemme say off the bat, I don't think it's bad. It's a perfectly good mix of country rock, gospel... There's some R&B in there, too, I 'spose. I can hear how the melodies would do it for me. But the thing is, I gotta agree with the most-liked review of this album on this website. And even before I saw that review, there was just this vibe I got off the album that if I grew up listening to it I'd like it a **lot** more than I do. If it was there for me alongside THE WALL, ABBEY ROAD and Weird Al's complete discography, sure, maybe. But hearing it now, in 2024, in my mid-late 20's, sandwiched between all the other music I love and want to listen to more... I can only say it's just fine. I'unno, maybe you'll get more out of it than I did.
Every Singer-Songwriter album we've gotten has been at the very least good, and this is no exception. The mix is nice, and while there are some long tracks, they flow pretty well, and it makes the 40+ minute length manageable.
I dunno… it’s a 3.5 that I think I’ll round down? Ultimately, I think it’s harder for me to fairly rate this album because Spotify just doesn’t display the lyrics like that, and to follow along on say, Genius, or something, takes away from the excellence found in a lot of the soundscapes. I can’t fully appreciate the lyrics without sacrificing paying attention to basslines, or backing vocals, or acoustics or electric guitar or synths. The same is true in a vice-versa sense. Ultimately, though, I really enjoyed listening to this. It’s super chill music, and from the lyrics I have looked up, it’s got good storytelling chops. I do think the vocals are one of the weaker parts of the album, but ultimately, for 1974, I think this is really innovative stuff. Solid album, I wish I could stick to a 3.5, but I just don’t think I can round it up because it never REALLY blew me away like that. Strong 3, like a 7/10 again.
честно? просто норм
ну кантри рок... да хз алкоальбом: пятый шот водки
Мне пришлось отмотать назад и понять, почему я так захейтил его в прошлый раз. Да, гармошка, понятно. Но тут ведь... вообще всё по-другому! И ничуть не противно, такая очень умиротворённая музыка... спокойная и офигенная.
3.5
So so. Does not really do it for me.
Nice. It's not the Byrds nice, but nice. Wasn't familiar with it at all, and, having done some further reading, I'm not entirely convinced that it's some fantastical lost gem. But it is nice.
Not my jam, but not bad music.
idk this man but i need to know him biblically
Seminal but not my style
Nice
Some nice folky melodies going on. Quite psychedelic in areas with some good backing vocals. Nice blues kicks reminiscent of pink floyd In some areas for me personally. However, most of the songs were just ok. Decent album but was neither here or there for me.
Music of its time… that didn’t travel well. Listened to sections of several tracks, each very similar, none very interesting.
Never heard of any of it but it was really good. Kind of a Mott the Hoople, country-rock vibe.
Wow this was really enjoyable i didn’t expect this to be this good to be honest. Really really enjoyed this
oaaaa 7/10
Beginning and end was pretty good - love the prog country sound. The middle part drug.
I like this. Kinda country. But some of it was a little to CSNY/Seals & Crofts for me. Songs I liked: "Some Misunderstanding", "Life's Greatest Fool",
might relisten
Un album devenu un classique des années après la mort de l'artiste. Un navet lors de sa sortie. On est dans des ballades rêveuses avec un beau fond de piano. S'écoute bien par jour de pluie comme aujourd'hui.
I know of Gene Clark but had never heard his music until now. "No Other" is a great song and there is a lot to like here. This album is folk-alt country-prog rock or something similar to that. After listening a few times, I'm still not sure what to think about "Strength of Strings" as it feels like an excellent mix of prog-rock and folk music but I'm not sure I should like that. I can't decide if I would ever listen to this album again. It's one of those albums where I believe I would listen to it again, but perhaps not actively seek it out. Still, a really good album and pleasant surprise at how much I enjoyed it. A great sounding record.
Gene Clark's "No Other" is a bold and ambitious album that showcases his talents as a songwriter and musician. Released in 1974, the album features lush production and intricate arrangements that set it apart from Clark's earlier work with The Byrds. The standout track, "Strength of Strings," is a haunting and epic song that highlights Clark's distinctive voice and poetic lyrics. Other tracks, such as "Silver Raven" and "Life's Greatest Fool," also showcase Clark's songwriting prowess. However, while "No Other" is undeniably ambitious, its sprawling arrangements and complex production can sometimes feel overwhelming. The album's dense soundscapes may not be to everyone's taste, and some listeners may find it difficult to connect with. Overall, "No Other" is a fascinating album that deserves attention for its boldness and ambition. However, its dense production and complex arrangements may not appeal to all listeners, earning it a solid but not exceptional rating of 3 out of 5.
Excellent lyrics and singing and a progressive music experience overall blending multiple genres effortlessly. There is a sense in which this album is mostly looking back to earlier styles where there is just an overall solid skill at performing rather than the more modern singles and hooks approach. Strong country feel reminiscent (to me of CSN, Eagles, and the Band) but definitely its own makeup overall.
Het begint als country, wappert daarna meer richting jaren 70-singersongwriters. Een soort Eagles gekruist met Paul McCartney en Billy Joel. Maar dan allemaal net wat minder goed. En in dat genre ligt de lat gezien genoemde namen toch wel redelijk hoog. Ik weet niet wie deze Gene Clark is, maar met 'wel aardige' muziek schop je het hier niet ver.
Het begint wat country-achtig. Dus mijn verwachting schiet achteruit. Wel veel aandacht voor het geluid voor dit soort muziek. Gelukkig is het eerste nummer niet representatief. Een nummer als Strength of Strings is echt een heel ander geluid. Maar ook hierbij veel aandacht voor het geluid. Dat lijkt de overkoepelende factor. Het is ondanks de rust in de nummers allemaal wat theatraal geproduceerd. Het album heeft alle aandacht gekregen. Dat kan ik waarderen. Maar het ligt ver bij mijn smaak vandaan.
Het doet me denken aan Lynyrd Skynnyrd meets Neil Young. Country met swamp en folkrock. Maar dan wel uit de golf van singer-songwriters in de early 70s. Het psychedelische van de hoes komt in sommige nummers ook wel aardig tot uiting, met gekke intermezzo's en bridges. Niet alle nummers zijn even goed, maar over het geheel is dit toch wel een fijn album. Er zit genoeg afwisseling in, er wordt goed gespeeld, prima gezongen. En het leuke is, dat ik hier nog nooit van had gehoord. Een positieve verrassing en daarvoor luisteren we deze snoblijst.
It's nice, sad, a little Neil Young. I know this is one of those much loved cult albums, but for me it was interesting and diverting, but I didn't find anything I loved.
3.5
When I was generated this album, I knew I recognised Gene Clark’s name but I couldn’t place where from. After a little googling, I realised he is a member of The Byrds, whom I’ve really enjoyed so far, so I go into this quite optimistically today. Let’s listen! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Some Misunderstanding This album was ok, but I was definitely hoping for better. On reflection, the vocal harmonies of The Byrds is one of my favourite aspects of them, so having one member would reasonably contain less of this. Regardless, I still found this to feel emptier than I hoped. It was still decent, and it was nice as some background music while working, but is unlikely an album that I’ll be purposefully seeking out again.
Cool little country folk record. The mellow sound and tone / mood was perfect for a morning, honestly. This has some good songs, but to be honest, it’s not the most memorable album. Doesn’t mean it’s bad though.
Listenable but not my thing. 2*
Yawn…
It's folksy rock. Don't remember a single song. The dude's got talent, but doesn't really leave an impression.
Nice solid country tinged rock. Which is what I would expect. Nothing though with the level of the Byrds. No really catchy songs.
Not for me
Imagine, if you will, sharing a spliff with Dennis Hopper, talking about traveling the world, mysticism, American grit. People know you from The Byrds, but you're here to make your own statement about religion and human connection, and it's gonna have a strong country twang. This is Neil Young and George Harrison's joint Americana album. It is lush, soft and smooth, like crushed velvet stained with cigarette ash.
A very good album. In the 70s country/rock vein. Enjoyable.
not great. 1.7/5 listened 2x
Not sure why this on this list to be honest. Is it good. Yes . Is it amazeballs. No. You could play this amongst any mid60s to 70s American songwriting and I wouldn't be able to pick it out. It's like a good meal at an airport. 2/5. Well executed but Forgettable
Nr. 157/1001 Life's Greatest Fool 4 Silver Raven 4 No Other 3 Strength of Strings 4 From a Silver Phial 4 Some Misunderstanding 3 True One 3 Lady of the North 3 Average: 3,5 Pretty good for the most part.
Artista fundamental en la historia de la música contemporánea, tanto como miembro (y compositor principal) de una las más exitosas etapas en una de las mejores y más influyentes bandas -The Byrds- como su carrera en solitario o acompañado de colaboradores. Es difícil elegir un disco suyo, pero este puede perfectamente ser el mejor (a mí me gustan tanto o más Echoes o White light). La influencia de Gene en la música es perenne y se puede seguir a través de los discos de REM, cualquier banda de Americana o muchas de Dreampop ya sean Beach House o This Mortal Coil. Se trata de un disco que, como casi todos a lo largo de su carrera, fue ignorado o incomprendido. Sin embargo el tiempo le ha sentado de maravilla y luce cada día mejor. Silver Raven es una delicia, Some Misunderstanding es el tema estelar sin duda alguna. Otras canciones excelentes son Life's Greatest Fool y No Other, aunque cualquiera del disco tiene enorme valor. Otros exelentes discos de 1974 año fueron (atención a la variada paleta sonora) los de Gram Parsons, Kraftwerk, Supertramp, Genesis, Brian Eno, Bob Marley, Big Star, Neil Young, Tangerine Dream, o los imprescindibes directos de Van Morrison y Bob Dylan. También otros los hubo algo menores aunque muy recomendables como los segundos de las New York Dolls, Tom Waits y Mike Olfield o los de Stevie Wonder, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steely Dan, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, ELO y King Crimson. Este de Gene Clark les mira a todos de tú a tú sin ningún complejo.
At first listen, I was thinking this was just a country western guy I’d suffer through, but then the second song had a vibe similar to an MTV unplugged. The third song got kinda psychedelic and that got me wanting to keep going. Not bad overall.
This album takes a tonal shift almost immediately, starting with "No Other". It's almost like a country-psychedelic rock fusion all throughout, which is interesting I'll say.
plush, beige, marbled wall-to-wall carpeting and walnut veneered furniture...
I don't know if this is country or rock, kind of forgettable to me.
Bloody good.
Boring and sleepy, not into it at all
Contemplative, type with vibes of country music.
An interesting blend of country and 60s pop rock. Gene Clark and his band deliver a charming sound in this record. I must confess that I am not a big fan of this style of music, but will definitely come back to one or two of these tracks
I thoroughly enjoyed this.
I wanted to like this album, really. I could hear that great effort was put into the songwriting, the engineering, the production, and the performances, but other than the folky psychedelic track of "No Other", the album seems rather dull. The album is mostly a mix of various forms of soulful country rock, folk rock, and just generally the California singer songwriter sound of the 1970s. No better than 100 or more other records that came out during that decade in these genres. On the other hand I am not a fan of this sound from The Eagles or Neil Young during this era either. I find all of it rather tedious. If you are a big fan of the aforementioned artists perhaps you will enjoy this more than I did. Not a bad record, but not a special one either. I enjoyed it more when he was a bit more experimental.
Beautiful songs. I can't believe the album was actually deleted from a record label's library. Nothing mind-blowing, but enjoyed listening to all the songs. 4/5
A markedly uninteresting album. Next.
It's okay - Good for background music but not something I'd opt to listen to again.
Some good moments. Would listen to again.
Some of these tunes are quite sweet, and if it were a different genre I’d probably listen quite regularly. Unfortunately, country isn’t my thing as I can’t quite get onboard with that country twang. If I was a country gal, however, I’d be eating this album up so 4 stars seems fair.
Had never heard this album and when it first started, my reaction was “oh boy, another one of THESE albums.” But I’ll admit, it got more interesting as it went on. Some moments that I enjoyed, but ultimately not one I’ll be rushing to come back to again.
The album is mostly just fine, but doesn't have too much going on for me that really piqued my interest. The title track is the standout for sure.
actually nothing really wrong with this, but just pales in comparison to the other 3s I've rated recently
A sweeping and occasionally beautiful country(?) album. Sometimes a little too syrupy and overlong. Best song: Life’s Greatest Fool
3.49
Some Nice songs
This amis a good album. Worth listening to
Ok album, do not agree it's a 'lost treasure' but enjoyed it
A lot of the sameness through the album. It does transport you though and has a sense of nostalgia.
Its ok
The acoustic sounds are very nice. The lyrics are cool too. Meh.. I don’t know what it is about “song writers” that I don’t like. And what kind of a genre is that anyway? 2 stars.
Several times I have asked myself about the criteria for compiling this list. Once again it is the case when listening to this album by Gene Clark. For some reason someone things it is important that I should listen to the weakest solo album made by Gene Clark before I die. It is not really bad, but just boring compared to earlier of his albums and as well all the albums by the Byrds when he was still in that band. Strange..
[Paul Rudd as John Lennon voice] Greeeeat record
ok, but nothing more
Who? Not as bad as I figured it would be
Good
3/5
boring. yawning. but at least the album cover is pretty.
The best songs here were the more country-sounding ones. The title track was genuinely annoying with its repeated riff.
Yeah alright
Had no clue what to expect here. Upon spinning up the first track, I pinned it as "old country" genre. But as the album progressed, I got hooked more and more. Kind of a cross between Johnny cash and Neil Young. Will be looking for more of his stuff!
Not one of the greatest albums of all time, but a solid outing.
Nice 70s sounding country album
It's ok, but almost every song reminded me of another song I'd rather be listening to
This was…okay. I found some of the moments in this record a little catchy but overall a lot of it just didn’t resonate with me in the slightest. I think I just prefer his previous work with The Byrds a bit more. I will say that from a lyrical standpoint he delivers even if instrumentally it lacks for me.
surprisingly okay
Solid, classic rock album - a blend of Grateful Dead and Neil Young. Iconic for the time!
Never heard of him, but really liked this album. Had hints of the Byrds and the Eagles, and I liked the country-rock style. Good singing, good harmonies, good music.
Sorta generic, mellow, early 70's music. I don't here the passion that I hope for.
I have not heard of this album or artist before. Its history was very interesting and surprising to me. My favorite songs were: Silver Raven and No other. I think I will listen again as the combinations of genres seemed to speak to me.
Based on the album cover, I expected something very different. This is Americana, not Art Deco. Just about perfect. I can’t believe I’ve never heard this before.
Lots of similar sounds to Pink Floyd just in a different vibe.
Never heard of this or the artist but I enjoyed the album. A nice surprise
The first track was great
I haven't heard any solo albums by Gene Clark, who was the main songwriter of The Byrds in the mid-1960s. This was a very pleasant listen, with lots of different styles mixed on this album. I'll definitely come back to this because I feel I need more relistens, but at first listen it impressed me quite a lot. Sad how he was treated by his record label after this was released, even if critics loved the album. p.s. the album cover is surprisingly chaotic, but in a positive way. I love it.
Folky sound and pleasant songs
Vanilla. It was fine but likely will never listen to this again in my life.
Totally forgettable to me.
It started out a little bit country but ended up being much broader than that. I enjoyed it enough to listen several times.
First song begins to play, not bad, going to have some country rock today I’m thinking. I’m sure this album will be a 2 or 3 for me. Second song begins (silver raven) and I’m surprised to find it haunting and absolutely beautiful, this is not what I was expecting. Third song, title song, a masterpiece with some amazing sounds and really amazing lyrics. What is happening! 4th song (strength of strings) slowly builds and in comes the guitar and more wonderful lyrics and building intensity, absolutely wonderful. Why have I not heard this of this album?! Some misunderstanding, builds to allow the guitar absolutely amaze and shine on this song and love how his voice waivers. A few of the other songs go a little to country for my taste, but by no means bad songs and all will powerful lyrics and feeling. How have I not heard this album! How are these songs not on the radio! I research to find out it got no promotion and was practically thrown away….terrible! This is a story that should be told. This album ruined him and it should have been a musical triumph. Will be an album in my regular rotation. Album cover is unique just like the album.
Levyn parhaat biisit on ihan viihdyttäviä ja niitä kuuntelee mielellään. Levy kokonaisuutena painuu kuitenkin kategoriaan ei-tarvitse-kuunnella uudelleen.
Ihan ok genressään. Tylsähkö, mutta missään nimessä ei häirinnyt. Kuitenkin keskitason alapuolella
It was ok
Wow, this really blew my mind! What a great record. Good that someone rediscovered it.
Have never heard of these ... Reasonably good folky Americana style music
Blew me away
Kevyttä rockia southern tyylillä. Rentoa ja samaan aikaan välillä intensiivistä. Parhaat: Silver Raven, Some Misunderstanding
Calm : )
Cool and interesting songwriter album. 3/5
Gavin Clark Country dude? Pretty solid music strength of strings was good little country but I liked it Calm music Gordon light foot vibes 3.4/5
Great!
Sweet and harmless.
I didn’t know until it finished that it was from the Byrd’s singer!! It was delightful!!
Amazing... Never heard of him before. Now, I'm a fan
Never heard of Gene Clark, mostly put the record on because of the cover. I'm surprised how much I enjoyed it; it's unassuming and very accessible, like oldies you might hear on the radio, but it pulls you in. I like that each song is completely different yet the album as a whole is cohesive and well thought out. I'm definitely going to go back for the gently bittersweet mood.
¡Qué bonito! Folk rock,country, rocksoul,R&B,gospel.
Meh
Classic country meets folk
Really like this one
ya lo escuche
No Other // Strength Of Strings // Some Misunderstanding 3.5/5
Meh. Didn't really do anything for me, and I generally like this era/genre.
This kind of record is not for me. But it was good for what it is. To me it's rather forgettable. Though I did enjoy the record as it went on and became less twangy.
I love this album. It’s kind of Laurel Canyon meets prog. Gene Clark is a really good songwriter and an interesting singer. There are all kinds of moods on this album.
I had never heard of Gene Clark. He is now my favorite smooth rock artist with a just a hint of southern twang mixed in. Great driving music.
some fantastic lines tho could i write poetry to this? n
A couple of dope songs, but otherwise this album left my memory right after listening.
Da fuck is this? No.
Meh.
Pretty good, but not for me.
"No Other" was the best on this album. Special shout out to "Silver Raven" as well. Dare I say, reminds me of Fleetwood Mac?
Mid.
3.5
Nicht meine Richtung
Pretty good album. Found one or two songs that were quite good. I may listen to those tracks again.
Can't say I hated it, but I also wasn't too involved in it. It was nice to have in the background while I cleaned my room. There was some cool-sounding guitar playing that I enjoyed. So that's something.
Top notch country rock.
It's just damn good songwriting all over. Super well produced for the 70s, the instruments all sit on top of each other nicely and you can hear finer details throughout the songs, backing vocals are just right too. 'Strength of Strings' was especially fantastic.
Pretty decent bangers.
Hei tää oli yllättävän kova! Alkuun kelasin että tää on jotain perus countrya, mutta tää olikin tosi Niilo-henkistä folkkitykittelyy. Jeah! 4/5
Tavallaan tosi siistiä kunnianhimoisempaa countrya, mutta ei mene ihan maaliin saakka itsellä. Neil Youngit ja Gram Parsons toimii paremmin.
Vähän nousee kuoro-osuuksineen ym peruskantrin yläpuolelle, pienen melodramaattisuudenkin uhalla. 3/5
Solid, really interesting blend of styles here. I definitely want to come back to this at some point, going to call it a 4 with room to grow for now.
How have I never heard this? Loved it
Sounds like Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young at times and Jethro Tull (minus the flute) at others. Pretty good album.
very nice
My kinda country
singersongwriter shlock shit pop country piss Significant 30/84 Liked 14/84 Added 4/84 NNN
Pleasant enough. Neil Young esque
Nebenbei gehört, war weder gut noch schlecht,
Noch nie davor gehört, gefällt mir aber richtig gut! 7.4/10
Wonderful album by by Gene Clark, recorded in the wake of a reunion album with the Byrds and ultimately not supported by the label, this is a beautiful assembling of songs with a light folk rock feel reminiscent of CSNY. Great, uncomplicated arrangements, great harmonies, great songwriting. No Other and True One are my favorite tracks. I'm adding this to my regular rotation.
Very enjoyable
I was only recently given a byrds album, so it's very interesting to see where Gene Clark went on his solo work. But besides that... This album does not let up. Every song feels like it was hand crafted by the Gods themselves. The weeping guitars, the weight of that bass, the way each song of structured so beautifully, and of course Gene Clark's wonderful vocals. Besides the very basic route this album takes on its country-esque songs, I'd listen to this non stop. Maybe I'm very easy to pander to, but I'd be happily pandered to as long as I can listen to music like this.
I was actually a little sad when I got to the end of this, as I was really quite enjoying it. I was expecting country/ folk, but what I heard was more gospel/ psychedelia. Horrible album cover, but the contents were 4 stars.
Quite pleasant. Nothing stand out, except that 'Life's greatest fool' is very similar to Neil Young's 'From Hank to Hendrix'.
Very unique
Liked Silver Raven, No Other, Strength of Strings. A lot of this record is too country for my taste. Absolutely awful cover artwork. Looks like an elementary school art project and if I just saw this in a record shop there's no way I would give it a second glance.
Not really for me
Not bad but not my jam.
A perfect slice of baroque pop roots rock.
OK, but didn't inspire me
Probably one of the best albums of all time. All strong and memorable songs.
Tidal link https://tidal.com/album/121246116
Hadn't heard of this before and I didn't know what to expect, but really enjoyed it. A lot of interesting sounds and ideas
Easy listening
I had never heard this and had to Google who Gene Clark was. I'm not a big fan of The Byrds, so I was very surprised by how good this album was. Sad that it was never vindicated during his lifetime. It's really good.
There's so much more to this than meets the eye in the first two songs. It really kicks in with "No Other", which is ahead of its time and makes a strong impression. Followed up seamlessly by "Strength of Strings", and going a bit sleepy with "From a Silver Phial", the moving "Some Misunderstanding" re-igniting interest... but it does revert to quiet yee-haw type stuff by the end. Although the last song, "Lady of the North", does have interesting, innovative sounds and it draws the album to a close in a pleasant, reflective way. So a mixed bag. Worth a listen and has some stand-out songs. But some forgettable ones. (And not as impactful as "Stephen Stills".) I'm glad I heard it.
the rest of the tracks are boring, but four out of eight isn't bad life's greatest fool no other strength of strings some misunderstanding
Big 3
More boring folk music.
Pretty good! One song on the playlist
*yeehaaws sadly*
This is a surprisingly good album. A Country album from 1974? It has to be whiney and your typical "crying in your beer" song. Nope, there are songs with a Pink Floyd and/or Eagle feel. Some with a Roy Orbison feel. I really liked it.
Sort of generic 70's rock. Didn't find it particularly interesting.
Typique des 70's. Je connaissais pas du tout, j'ai bien aimé.
70s af, I dig it. It’s giving -Sunday with the windows open and the record player on-
It has some nice songs on it. I don't feel compelled to come back to it -- didn't grab me that much -- but not bad.
This was pretty decent.
3.5 I’d never heard of gene Clark and I would say that I enjoy his sound very much. Especially the ethereal sounding tracks
I didn’t mind it. Would probably like it more if I grew up in that era.
It's ok, a bit before it's time I guess in 1974. Maybe I'll relisten at some point ..........
Highlights: Strength of Strings, From A Silver Phial A commercial flop upon release, praised by critics, dubbed as "a lost masterpiece" years after Clark's death. Think Neil Young but with blues/jazz/gospel flourishes. Some long songs but they don't feel long. This will require repeat listens to appreciate No Other. Give it a chance. Overall 6/10
Woah. This is fantastic. Heard the name before (courtesy of tfc) but need to explore his catalogue. Near Neil Young level songwriting, without the somewhat divisive singing voice. Superb
Country rock - very croon-y
Very Neil Young, but I don't really enjoy Neil Young. Slow, folky, meh
Strong 3
Quiet and easy. Beautifully written. Strength of Strings really stands out
Surprisingly listenable for something so old sounding and not really up my alley.
I surprisingly enjoyed this.
Solid album. It definitely has variety even if some songs are stronger than others.
This was fine, just not my style. Too country for me.
Lyrics are deep
Better than I was expecting. Kind of a country sound with moody blues vibe
Alright surprisingly. Rung below Neil Young some good tracks. 5.5/10
vibes
Mild 60s rock with poor man’s Neil Young gestures
A bit too folk-y for my taste. Still a vibe though. Highlight for me was "No Other".
Yea it was ok
I will listen to this again
Amazing work. Loved it.
Have seen this described as country-soul and that sounds like a fair description. The lyrics are existential , the vibe is laid-back and the music is stoner like and very listenable. I'm not entirely convinced by Clarks' vocals but they don't jar. I did like the title track, which was a bit more adventurous, featuring a treated vocal and a wash of synths and occasional Latin percussion.
Didn't really register wasn't my cup of tea. I keep telling my 15 year son that he needs to start drinking tea but why, he doesn't have to, why don't I leave him alone. I guess I feel he maybe missing out and want him to experience the greatness that is Tea, but maybe I'll cut him some slack.
Not a fan of country, but I enjoyed some of the tracks where it didn't dominate. Mixed bag overall.
Not my cup of tea at all.
Knowing nothing about Gene Clark (other than he was in the Byrds), about 10 seconds in I was ready to skip, but glad I stuck with it, turned out to be a pleasant enough album - many tracks felt a bit middle of the road, but a few standout bits that piqued my interest. 3.5
Some timeless songs and sounds with an emotional appeal . Was less keen on the pure country tracks.
An interesting dichotomy of an album. The first two tracks are very nice country singer songwriter fare, but the album then becomes much more diverse, experimental and punchy for the middle four tracks, before returning to gentler country for the final two. The 'bookending' approach to the album really works well, and holds it together as a piece much more than having a 'country' Side A and a 'rock' Side B would have done. Aside from the sequencing, this is characterised by lush vocals which are reminiscent of Neil Young in places (Strength Of Strings in particular could be Young), psychadelic elements, lovely harmonies and intriguing lyrics. I really liked this. Rating: 4.5/5 Playlist track: Strength Of Strings Date listened: 26/10/23
Not my thing.
I liked it ok
Reminds me a LOT of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Didn't hate it. Didn't love it.
Pretty good. Nothing which grabbed me and wouldnt let go or anything, but pretty good. 3/5
Wasn't bad. Pleasant.
😴