Reviews (page 5 of 8)
You can't help but feel like a guy who own's a boat. Going to go sport a pink button down and lace up my loafers today. It's shorts with belts weather!
Yeah, I remember this album. Heard it plenty in the way back when. It’s kinda boring music, but I’ll try again. Here goes! Wish me luck! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Une voix qui m'évoque Phil Collins, du rock un peu relevé et funky
Gave me a reason to turn on Minecraft for a little bit.
Typical 1980s soft rock. Not bad, but not good. 2.5.
Not his best. Not terrible though
A little boring but ok.
Favourite Songs: "Slowdown-Sundown", "Night Train" It feels like a certain something is missing for me on most songs and it's probably a lack of distinction between verse/chorus or, in general, different parts of the song, despite ideas being explored. Notes: - "While You See A Chance" synth lead sounds just like "Valerie" - "Arc Of A Diver" funky - "Slowdown-Sundown" less energetic + mandolin + organ, change in the middle - "Night Train" Hooks me more
Pretty enjoyable album by an artist I didn't know well.
He is a talented musician but overall the album was a little too groovy for me.
This is like 80's in a bottle. Faves maybe Spanish Dancer and Night Train
My only point of reference for Steve Winwood is that It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Dennis Reynolds is a fan, and listening to this, I can definitely visualize Dennis doing the American Psycho bit with this album. 😆 Other than that, not a very exceptionable listen. Very dated synth sounds, and not much stood out really, although it didn't actively irritate. Fave track - "Night Train", let's say!
It's fine
Boh si
Winwood is quintessentially 80s: that blend of soft rock which isn’t quite pop, but also incorporates trance amounts of soul and jazz into it as well, while also somehow having almost entirely synthesized instruments. Overall consensus: meh.
This mostly ends up feeling kind of like a Kirkland brand Genesis or other synth heavy band. Still good! But not an original vibe or top name brand quality. Good, but doesn't blow me away.
Nice album
While You See a Chance- 2.7/5 Arc of a Diver- 3.7/5 Second-Hand Woman- 3.5/5 Slowdown Sundown- 3.4/5 Spanish Dancer- 3.6/5 Night Train- 3.2/5 Dust- 3/5 Total- 3.3/5
приятный, пыталась повысить до категории под него хорошо спится, но в целом эффекта не заметила
Alright, just wish it were heavier or more interesting I guess. Really liked the tone of the keys
3+
pretty good not amazing
Cool throwback. Sounds like a movie soundtrack
Catchy
funky 80s pop. good for background 3/5
Steve Winwood! Wait a second, this isn't at all like Back in the High Life or Roll with it. Or like any of his work with Clapton, Hendrix, or Traffic... So much synthesizer. 2.85 stars
Good singer, too much early 80's synthesizer. Overall, it's pretty OK.
Not really my sound
sounds somewhat dated but it is decently groovy
Not a real big fan of his solo stuff. Just not a fan of the style.
Another unintended (right?) coincidence reviewing this Steve Winwood a day after a Traffic record. Unfortunately, over ten years later, Arc Of A Diver doesn't age as well as Traffic's second album, with dated 80's electronic commercial pop. This is about as MOR, AOR it get and it did yield a hit and it was his breakthrough album as a solo artist. When, While You See A Chance was "topping" the charts I didn't care for the song. It opens with some cheesy synths and it's funny because listening to it now it feels nostalgic and so familiar, with it's catchy rhythms, surely signs I'm getting middle-aged and mellow, so I don't mind the song. The rest of the album is fine, though it's still not as good as (later period) Traffic, when their albums were a challenging listen.
6/10 Smooth and very layed back sound over classic 80s instrumentation.
For whatever reason this reminded me of 80’s and early 90’s sitcom music, maybe it was the midi they used I’m not sure. Overall I enjoyed it, easy listening. 3.1
He certainly has a recognizable sound and strong talent. His music is easy to listen to.
1/16/24. Pretty decent 80s style music with some jazz elements included. Will listen again, but enjoyed on the first run.
12/01/2023 Lentorrix. Está bien para música ambiente mientras se trabaja. la conocida: While you see a chance.
Just a nice synthy vibe from an incredibly talented musician - I mean just look at his session credits. Hadn’t listened to much of his work before. Side note - I met two of his kids and they were genuinely very nice people.
Ihan ok retro-poppia
Ei harmita ihan kamalasti tämän kuuntelu mutta ei myöskään sykähdytä.
wish it was a bit more jazzy and less rock-y. overall decent to good
This doesn't suck, but not something I'll ever run towards.
Rock ochentero un tanto tostón. Ni fu ni fa.
Love that synth brass sound to start. I couldn't immediately tell what year we were in from looking at the album cover, but this synth gave it away. Although to be honest, at the drum intro starting at 00:40 in the first song could totally be an indie band from today. The record had a couple of nice tracks on it but nothing that I really felt that blew me away. I'll definitely be giving it more listens though- I did like many of the parts and several of the songs had a cool laid back flow that I felt was really nice to listen to. The instrumentation in general is also just really fun.
Decent album, well written for sure, but some songs drag on. Wouldn't pick to listen normally, but it wasn't terrible. Fav track: Night Train
Best Song: Night Train. Groovy enough to make me want to work on a night train. Worst Song: Secondhand Woman. Weird lyrics, and despite my usual preferences, it feels like Winwood works better with more time to musically noodle, so this song actually feels too brief. Overall: This era of super slick, technically impressive rock often strikes me as somewhat soulless. I get that it's good, but it lacks some spark of originality or raw authenticity that makes it end up feeling somewhat robotic to me.
Very "80s solo album". It's not bad. A lot of enjoyable melodies and catchy lyrics. Doesn't really blow me away or anything.
Steve Winwood - Arc of a Diver (1979) WHAT I ENJOYED: a few new to me standouts - I liked "Slowdown-Sundown," especially. GRIPES: the synths on many tracks make it really *sound* like 1979 -- even if it was ahead of its time, it didn't age all that well imo RECCOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: the Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan minus the funkier parts #359 revealed / #498 rated
Starts with a synthy squelch squelch squelch.
I don't remember hearing this artists name, but he songs are very familiar. Easy listening, but not exceptionally memorable.
its good, just not my thing
Ok album.
Wrapped in his cheesy duvet.
plunging into a warm slurry of casio yacht rock
This is pleasant enough, early 80’s pop, very synthesizer driven. Good to very good, but a little bit soul-less. I see that Winwood did everything here, writing, producing, engineering, all instruments. That, along w/ the synth emphasis, probably account for this. “While You See A Chance” was the big hit, which does suffer a bit from having been really overplayed. There’s some nice moments here, especially “Night Train”. But “Dust” found me checking to see how much was left…. That one is not worth the 6:20 devoted to it. Solid 3, but nowhere near a 4. I’d rather listen to anything from Traffic, Spencer Davis Group, or Even Blind Faith (Winwood’s earlier bands). 3/5
I thought it was pretty good! I liked Colorado and Johnny's Garden
High tier classic soft rock. Just a shame that I'm not a fan of soft rock :(
3.7
I usually find Steve Winwood albums somewhat uneven. Often there are some great, even iconic, songs mixed in with lesser material. Arc of a Diver is no different. That said, this was the album that breathed new life into his career, giving Winwood a major boost going into the 80s. While You See a Chance was a significant hit on both AM and FM radio at the time. I often heard it playing somewhere in my dorm during my early college years. The title track is another great song and major hit. More important, this set up a whole string of hit albums and songs including the song Valerie in 1982, his best album of the era, Back in the Highlife Again (1986), and the song and album Roll with It (1988). After that, he ran out of steam and became more of a cult figure with little mainstream impact. Maybe it was luck, or maybe it was the sound, but Arc of the Diver and Winwood's subsequent hits became staples of MTV during its heyday. So, even though Arc of a Diver is not spectacular, it had major impact on Winwood's career and the sound of the 80s
Chill, good music. 6/10
Very smooth and soulful vocals, catchy choruses, extremely well played. Interesting to compare with The Night Fly reviewed a few days ago, which is more interesting, but poorer vocals. Bridging a gap between soul/pop and prog. I’m sure Pink Floyd lifted Night Train for Run Like Hell!
Good album, synths, 80s vibe.
Very 80s synth pop - nice album
"Arc of a Diver" by Steve Winwood, released in 1980, is a smooth and introspective journey into the world of adult contemporary rock. The album's title track, "Arc of a Diver," is a standout with its dreamy atmosphere and Winwood's soulful vocals. The production is polished, characterized by lush instrumentation and well-crafted melodies. While it doesn't break new ground or match the commercial success of some of Winwood's earlier work, the album offers a mature and reflective listening experience. "Arc of a Diver" showcases Winwood's growth as an artist and a transition towards a more polished sound, earning it a solid 3/5 rating.
Okay album by Steve Winwood. Some nice guitar solos, rather average voice, a lot of 80s sounds in the background, which was very unnecessary. Good and solid record, but certainly not special in any way. Happy to move on.
Very 70s sounding with some Electronica thrown in. Not majorly my cup of tea but a few good songs. Had a kind of jazz feel to it, too.
surprisingly good.
There are better Steve Winwood albums
It's okay.
a bit too 70's
början på albumet är bra men sen blir det lite sämre mot slutet, så kanske en stark trea.
i thought i would like this album more than i did it was k
Good bones
Hard to argue with dat synth
Solid album. Reminds me of college. While they played the crap out of “While You See a Chance”, “Arc of a Diver” is the standout song to me. The album is remarkable, and that Steve Winwood plays almost all the instruments.
This album is a nice, easy listen but in many ways dated. I cringe when I hear these fake pan flute synths.
Some nice, consistent, and extremely 80's tunes. Easy to listen to but didn't really make me feel much of anything. It just felt like they could've been a little catchier or something
Starts of strong with some awesome synths, but loses steam after only 3 songs for me. Decent album.
2.9 meh I wouldn't listen to it as a full album again, but some songs slay. fave songs: second-hand woman, spanish dancer, night train
very similar to Peter Gabriel
"Arc of a Diver" is the second album by English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Steve Winwood. Winwood played all the instruments and produced the album. Soft-rock and blue-eyed soul. Yes, definitely. Critics had mixed reviews with the positive being him playing everything and distancing himself from his former acts with the negative being, well, kind of boring. Yes, definitely twice. The album was Winwood's breakthrough reaching #3 in the US and #13 in the UK. A synth and organ open the uplifting "While You See a Chance." Add a piano and we got the melody. Drums and congas on the beat. Easy listening. Don't let something pass you by and find romance. "Arc of a Diver" adds a guitar and bass. Smooth and more jazzy. Arc is the women and he is the diver. Clever analogy. Besides the first two songs "Slowdown Sundown" is the probably the best of the remaining songs. A slow beat. Winwood puts in just about everything in his musical arsenal. Piano. Acoustic guitar. An organ giving it some soul. A synth solo jam. Beat changes. "Dust" closes the album. A synth-driven song. Sort of sad with emotional vocals. He sleeps with her sometimes, still loves her but the dust still collects. I always put solo Steve Winwood in the OK category. This album maybe slightly above that. Maybe. Half of the songs didn't due anything to me sounding very late 70's/early 80's and not in a good way....synth-driven, sleek, soft pop/rock. Yuck! Age has not faired well. Some of these songs just plain sucked and didn't get better with repeated listens., But, the first two songs and singles are decent and in my opinion the only reason to buy/listen to this album.
This was everywhere back in the day.
Great band but no certified bangers
IMHO this is the overproduced period of classic rock. Winwood is talented but I'd rather listen to Blind Faith any day.
Might actually be ok,but very similar to Clapton and more
Not really my bag. Songs were ok, but nothing that really grabbed me much
I love Winwood's use of the synthesizer
I liked it, I’m not too crazy about the pop rock kind of sound, but I do like Winwood’s voice.
this might be the cheesiest 80s album i’ve ever heard.
pretty decent
Fine, reminds me of Phil Collins.
Cat: Man, I love Steve Winwoods voice! Not all of these songs hit for me.
Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Arc of a diver
Decent but hardly groundbreaking.
Enjoyable. I like the voice and the general sound.
A fun album full of guitar and synth, pretty enjoyable.
The first track on this is such a quintessential 80s television theme song... a period piece for sure and a little EZ for my tastes, but I didn't dislike it.
Was this a Genesis album in disguise?
Nice to hear a bit of 60s rocker become an 80s proggie/poppie dude. I loved the first song, the rest were okay.
I can appreciate a good pop song, so I didn’t mind this. I can’t be certain that I needed to hear it before I die, though. Oh well, it’s a done deal now.
Solid chill music with nice guitar work.
Not bad! A few times I thought I was listening to Phil Collins or Genesis.
“When you see a chance” is obviously a classic. The rest of the album, it was fine and we’ll crafted, but left me wondering what gave of admission to this list. 3.4/5
N'ayant aucun souvenir de ce que nous a proposé ce monsieur, j'ai remonté la conversation que j'entretiens avec eltrapeze dans le but de retrouver un indice. Bien que ce dernier ne tarit pas d'éloges sur cet album, j'ai quant à moi gardé le silence sur mon ressenti et ai partagé des captures d'écran de ce qui allait devenir l'affaire Gomez.
not bad
Good ol' classic 80s soft rock. I'd never heard this one before but found it pleasant enough with some songs I plan to revisit, particularly the opening and closing tracks. 3/5.
This was nice! Reminds me a bit of Phil Collins somehow. Probably won't see myself returning to this as the songs didn't quite stick with me. Still, it was hard to decide whether it gets a strong 3 or a weak 4, but I think I'd like it to be something I would at least consider coming back to and having some songs stick with me for it to be a 4, so 3 it is!
6/10. Enjoyable enough.
First two songs are excellent, then it kind of trails off, although Night Train and Dust end it with a strong finish. Overall this grew on me, but the highest I’d go is probably 3.5. Steve Winwood’s career is still awe inspiring though, looking forward to the other albums on this list that he was involved in.
Kinda nice
I like his voice a lot. Songs are groovy and fun to listen to. Aside from that, nothing spectacular.
Ça se laissait écouter, mais c'est un peu trop clean à mon goût. 6/10
Decent. Nothing incredible about it, I do like the synthesizer tho. Good ambiance music 6/10
Very chill.
Pretty bland except for the one hit
2.5/5 Just an average album. Not bad but none of the songs jump out for me and the sound is quitte the same all the time.
Just…so many synths
I mean, it's fine. While You See A Chance is really quite good, but also settles into well worn grooves in my brain so who knows, maybe it is just familiar. The rest is, you know, fine. Easy to listen to.
Seemed ok
My first Steve Winwood album. It was a nice change of pace, easy to listen to and enjoy. I am excited to listen to more of his discography in the future.
Yesterday, upon the stair, I met a man who wasn't there! He wasn't there again today, Oh how I wish he'd go away!”
🚷
This was alright. I kinda dig the 80s bluesy pop synth vibes. Probably not something I’d return to.
I didn't care for this one.
While You See a Chance is awesome and Arc of a Diver is very good. The rest of the album is just in the "pretty good" range for me. 3/5
Yeuhh
Surprised how much I enjoyed this. Some groovy cuts here.
A definitive Steve Winwood album
Bring me a higher love! Oops wrong album, but his voice is unmistakable so it was fun to hear an album full of new songs. A fun little 80's album but I don't think I'd come back to any of these songs.
Cool one! I know the big Steve Winwood hits, we all do, but I've never heard this album (and always wanted to check it out). The synths that open this are really funny, part of me wishes it was that bonkers throughout. But ultimately it's just a good "adult contemporary" sort of rock project. He's got a cool voice and the instrumentals are really well done. I enjoyed it! Favorite tracks: While You See a Chance, Arc of a Diver, Spanish Dancer. Album art: Honestly adore this one, I've been seeing it for years and years, always intrigued. Not until today, seeing it large on the website, did I realize the diver's head was at the bottom left and not the top right. Total mindfreak moment, I thought he was flipping backwards. Love this art style though. 3.5/5
Puro pop de los 80. Agradable de escuchar y muy asociado a la época
The opening track is the strongest point of the album, but that isn't to say the rest of the album is bad. Just average and nothing new. Enjoyed it as an introduction to Steve Winwood. Interested to listen to his other work, but definitely not excited. 3/5
Spanish dancer is so cool when the beat drops. The intro reminds me of Vida Blue’s first album. When You See a Chance is maybe my favorite. The synths are so expressive and pair really nice with the gospelly piano and organ. On Nighttrain I realized he is great as a guitarist too. I knew him as keyboard player and singer but he is super talented as a multi instrumentalist. Synth bass sounds just like a fretless jazz bass. Actually love all the synth bass on this album. Least favorite song is definitely Second Hand Woman. The lyrics are just so terrible. I dig about 80% of this record.
I’m a fan of Steve winwood, I listened to a lot of traffic and blind faith growing up. He has a great voice/feel and is a great player. There were some really good moments on this album. I enjoyed listening but it wasn’t super memorable for me and idk if I’d listen again
I liked this though I got bored at the end. I like the production of the album.
Nice
Top 3 Songs: 1 - While You See A Chance (1) 2 - Night Train (6) 3 - Second-Hand Woman (3)
I liked the sonorities of the album... Even if it is not particular there is something to it with the synth sounds that I liked. 3/5
I was scared of this album because it was labelled country, but I ended liking it quite a bit. It starts out pretty strong. It kinda loses me towards the end of the album. I did not like Dust very much compared to everything else, and it's a bit hard to overlook that when there are only seven songs on the album and it's almost seven minutes long. I was gonna give it a 4, but I'm going to barely give it a 3 instead. My favourite song was Second Hand Woman.
I'm impressed that he sang, played every instrument, wrote all the songs and produced this. Will Jennings writes good lyrics and Winwood has an instantly recognizable voice, that makes me think of the eighties. The music is often referred to as blue-eyed soul, but it sounds a bit white bread to me.
Its funny how some albums age gracefully, and some simply don't. While you see a chance has an iconic synth intro and just screams the 80s! But it's still a fine song though as Winwood's soulful tenor voice is one of the hallmarks of this song. The best song on the album IMO however, is Night Train, with some great guitar and keyboard playing. However, as typical for the 80s when CDs were all the rage, this recording its very "tinny" and compressed so there is almost no bass. Boo. There is some nice album artwork by the prolific artist Tony Wright though.
Solides poppiges, rockiges, jazziges Album. Klingt teilweise sehr nach Phil Collins.
Was looking forward to this as I like Steve Winwood's stuff even though I don't really seek it out. I was only familiar with "While You See a Chance" which opens the album. Strong start but everything else just sort of blends together in a mediocre sameness. Nothing too bad but nothing really stood out either.
Solid
Delightfully 80s, but not my thing overall
If a less talented Steely Dan threw it more synths and mimicked George Michael's singing style. It's relatively inoffensive (gives off yacht rock / adult contemporary vibes), and has enough variation to keep you engaged, with some added quirks thrown in to give it a sense of identity. Some disco vibes would make a good addition to an 80s dance mix. With only 7 songs, it's a very digestible listen that I wouldn't mind listening to again, but also it's not interesting enough for me to seek out again. Favorites: Arc of a Diver, Spanish Dancer, Night Train
An alright album, nothing outstanding. Very Phil Collins-esque
2.5/5. Not a big fan of this. It is boring and not that enjoyable. I found the music to be subpar as well, very 80s.
He’s a great musician and has been in a lot of groups I’ve liked over the years. There were a couple of classics and I enjoyed the whole album, 3or 4*.........?
Yeah it was alright. Something to listen to at least. Nothing particularly stood out but it was pleasant enough.
In the spirit of Todd Rundgren, we have another musical genius putting together solo efforts that is amazing to behold in terms of scope. The music is late-70s disco inspired, but strays far enough from those beats to keep it sonically distant from "disco," except for Second Hand Woman and Night Train. While You See a Chance is a good groove for sure. I went into this thinking I wasn't going to like it, but there's enough to like here for sure. Winwood's vocals are distinct, and as I mentioned, there's a lot to listen to here, and he did it ALL. Slowdown Sundown is a lost Bob Dylan/Rod Stewart/The Band song none of them ever wrote. The album enters its final act with the Peter Gabriel-esque Spanish Dancer. Night Train has to have appeared in some 80s cop buddy movie right? I mean it has to have? If it didn't that was a lost opportunity that must be corrected immediately! Dust is fine. Decent album.
Pretty solid
Laid back synth 80's but not compelling enough
Not bad. A little repetitive sounding.
Solid
Some pretty tracks on here, although we have been getting a lot of 'white guy soft folk rock' lately on the list
Only ever heard Winwood's two most notable hits - Higher Love and Valerie - prior to listening to this album. He definitely has a unique "80's sound" that resonates through all his songs, be that his voice or multi-instruments (which I was surprise to learn he played all of on this album). I never had him as multi-instrumental talented, so big new found appreciation there. I think this album kind of grew on me with a few listens through..(also found the album artwork distinctive). Flet the opening track - While You See A Chance - had a nice positive and upbeat in tone, which fed into the rest of the album. 3/5 from me, and will gladly listen to again.
Good soft rock, early Winwood without the hits though. Why this album over others?
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. A great album to cycle to!
A couple of pretty great songs ("While You See A Chance" and "Night Train") the rest ranges from ok to not that great.
This was nice, easy listening stuff but with a little more oomph than most easy listening. Lovely background music, there's a bit more there if you choose to listen to it, but not a huge amount. Just scrapes a 3.
Not bad. Some of his later material might be better.
A really talented musician. The white Stevie Wonder, if you will. But not after '77... (6/10) FT: While You See a Chance
Cool synths that passed the time
I think Steve has a great voice and his singles are uniformly great. But the gap between the good and the meh is pretty big.
Ok
A few of the songs were a little catchy (Slowdown-Sundown, Spanish Dancer), but most didn't stand out for me.
Like Winwood's vice. Sounds very much of its time.
3/5 there are some interesting songs here
Easy listening MOR pop
Love Steve Winwood with traffic. This album is ok. First song when you see a chance is popular.
Hey, it's this song! I didn't know this song was called this and was from this album. Kind of love the pitch bend keyboard buzz here. This isn't a grabber of an album for me except for a sort of nostalgic time capsule, which I do dig.
So I have to slog through all these clunky keyboard tones without even a "VALERIIIIEEE - CALL MEEEE" as compensation? Fair play though, Winwood played every note on this album. Suits a certain mood, a fairly classy but anonymous collection overall. An absolute Rolls Royce of a voice.
Phill Collins soundin mofo.
Straight to video 80's movie opening credits music.
80's synths date it, but some well crafted songs
fine and dandy
Rock ochentero un tanto tostón. Ni fu ni fa.
Rock ochentero melódico. Parecido a Phil Collins o Electric Light Orchestra
Nice, not bad On the Peter Gabriel to Phil Collins vocal spectrum, his voice is dead center between the two. There's some very tasteful keyboard work here. But sometimes the keys made it sound like Mario Kart online lobby waiting music
As other reviewers have commented, this is 80s AF. The synth is heavy. It's a decent album - not one that I'd turn to again, but definitely representative of its time, and very well produced.
Hey, late 70s/early 80s was my era, so I don't hate the 80s sound like so many of the reviewers here. Still, this probably doesn't quite manage a 3.5 for me, despite the comforting familiarity of While You See a Chance, Arc of a Diver and Night Train.
3?
Its all very pleasant. All very 80s. Nothing stand out, though
It's nice pop-rock I guess
This is the most generic 80s album I've ever heard. It's like they trained an AI to generate the most inoffensive, boring 80s synth music imaginable. It's the perfect 3/5. There is nothing wrong with this album, it's just nothing special.
Låter som en lite R&B/soul/jazz version av moderna Genesislåtar? Definitivt ett bra album men vettefan om det är ett av 1001 album man bör höra innan man dör? Kan se mig själv återkomma hit. Skulle fan föredra om senare genesislåtar drog mer åt detta håll, håller jävla bra. Låter lite som Rod Stewart? Innehåller inga klassiker och verkar inte ha något historiskt värde i musikkanon. Bra låtar, kan inte säga så mycket mer?
Mysigt album! Låter extremt mycket som Phil Collins?? Både musikaliskt och som sångare. Tydligen skrev han allt själv, spelade allt själv, sjöng allt själv, och proddade allt själv. Imponerande!! Tyvärr tycker jag skivan tappar fart mot andra halvan, och soundet är lite för slickt för att jag ska bli intresserad på riktigt. Men första låten var kanon!! Går in i feelgoodlistan dirr
An interesting LP that sounds surprisingly modern at times - the opening track especially called to mind modern electronica artists like Porter Robinson with its structure and synth tones. Does meander from where its best in some more questionable tracks, but there’s enough here to warrant another listen.
Rock suave melódico
For what it is it's phenomenal but this 80s synth, I just can't
Pretty cool that Winwood did everything on this album, but while it’s fun, I probably won’t revisit this album.
Duidelijke 80's sound. Veel synth, maar weinig animo
Bon disc per iniciar els 80. Pop sofisticat amb melodies elegants i tocs jazzy, allunyat del rock de Traffic de la década anterior. Un disc sorpresiu a la llista, que m'ha vingut de gust escoltar (començaments setembre '21) i no m'ha decebut el més mínim
Solid 3 stars. Understandable addition to the list, but didn’t do much for me
Contains maybe the most 80’s synths that have ever been synthesised
Ihan ok kuulosta menoa. Osittain kyllä meni ohi enkä jaksa enää toista kertaa kuunnella, muttei ainakaan paskaa ollut.
Pretty rad. Voice far from enticing, but not too shabby.
very dated but sill enjoyable fav tracks: while you see a chance, arc of a diver, night train least fav tracks: second hand woman, slowdown sundown, nigh train 5.8/10
A very well crafted album. Thoughtful and interesting.
its alright i guess, nothing special really
Esta pasable a ratos
Ta bueno.
Weird but fun
A solid 80's album. Fun but probably won't revisit.
Great melodies.
not really my taste, too dramatic and wimpy, smells like cheese and hairspray, yikes. Feels too much like I'm in a scenery where I'm a suburban housewife in the 80s, or like a white dude in gym clothes, lots of sweaty chest hair, idk.
I really liked parts of it. Some of the synthesizer use definitely was ahead of its time and sounded almost contemporary. Unfortunately, with such heavy reliance on synthesizers to simulate brass and other instrumentation, the music sounds incredibly dated. The songwriting is of course great, but it's hard to be able to listen to this album without the synths getting in the way.
80s, slightly bangerous, but not a headbobber
Syntikka, scuffed Phil Collins, literally kasari
One banger, otherwise kinda weird, started off really good but petered out into weird stuff
it was good, I think I enjoyed it more when I learned Steve played all the instruments himself
Dos horazas de disco sinceramente Steve Winwood de qué vas. Second-Hand Woman está guapa. Night Train también. Las canciones son demasiado largas y se vuelven pesadas al rato.
Great album... Impressive that Winwood played all the instruments on the album
Meh. Phil colins sounds, organs and synth stringy fluff. We get it, it's 1980 and the keyboard synthesizer has been invented. Maybe do something more interesting than standing around in a loose linen shirt in front of a fan rubbing your nipples and singing about romance.
Love Steve Winwood but let's be honest...there's one good song on this album.
Meh
I gave this album a listen and honestly it's not my thing. It's a nice album though, it's just not my thing.
First song is awesome. Otherwise not very impressive
да норм дженерик восьмидесятнический роцк, на группу воскресенье порой похоже было. музло ок, просто совершенно не в настрой сейчас
With this album, Winwood explores a more flowing and relaxed sound. That sound is still of course present in his other works and even his pop hits, but this is a more refined and smoother sound - full lean into it.
Voice sounds like a mix of Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. Or maybe I'm just going insane? Pretty good album, kind of middle of the pack for me, but nothing i dislike about it
Pretty decent
I don't think this dude knows what riding the night train means. Ok, I've heard of this guy, but this is the first time I've heard his stuff. It sounds a little corny, a little adult contemporary, but it makes for good background music or something to put in a movie. My favorite song is Spanish Dancer. It has a genesis vibe to it. They could open for genesis haha.
Genre felt a bit confusing. Two songs sounded very out of place. But those two were my disco favorites.
Easy listening, chill.
This is a nice little listen! Nothing groundbreaking or subversive, just an enjoyable pop rock record kind of reminiscent of Genesis later into their career. Pretty good!
phil collins irl
Fine
Mellow 80s album. 1RS
Steve Winwood plays keyboards and guitar. Good pop music.
Inoffensive eighties soft-rock pop - reminds me of Phil Collins. It’s ok.
A really enjoyable listen. Could be accused of being cheesy, but I like the 80s TV theme vibe.
This dude was like what if I made Steely Dan but cornier. Wasn't a huge fan of this, which disappointed me because like Tom I was super geeked about that opening synth line. If I was pressed to describe this album in one word I think "Fine," would be most apt. Decent soft rock.
Really Phil Collins-y. Reeeeeally. At some point I even had to look Steve Winwood up, just to be sure they were two different people. And they are! I enjoyed it overall, but after a while I grew a bit tired of the same sound.
This album has a nice, synthesizer-heavy sound to it with slight variations in style from song to song. Some sound more disco and others more psychadelic. Steve Winwood does a good job of keeping each track interesting. Overall a nice slice of the year 1980.
Sounds like a better version of Phil Collins who sucks butt. Album was interesting and it definitely had 'welcome to the 80's' vibe but without all the coke
Bon album! Pas grand chose a dire de plsu. 3.25
I knew some of the songs and liked it better than I thought I would
Steve Winwood is obviously incredibly talented. Interesting that he did everything himself on this album - played everything and produced. I like most of the music here, but it doesn't really stand out as anything special on listening. 3 stars.
Solid 80s cheese
false
also big 80's feels.
fine.
Album is cheesier than the Wisconsin State Fair. Decent though, first half is definitely better than the second.
Enjoyed listening but pretty forgettable
A bit dull 80's pop-ish. Okay, and maybe new for it's time, but not really my taste
Steve Winwood was a successful artist in the ’80s who has since, quite rightly, faded into obscurity. His album *Arc Of A Diver* is as trivial as the title and cover art suggest. Nothing about it is really bad - his voice is quite pleasant, and the production is flawless - but there’s simply nothing remarkable about it either. Just shallow ’80s synth-pop rock.
A lot of the tracks feel quite dated and run long. That being said its still enjoyable enough
boring
Ok, I've heard it. Thanks. Next.
I don’t like this guys voice. Album is boring
Steely Dan is pretty much the only yacht rock that is actually any good. Favorite track: Arc Of A Diver 2.5/5
Ive never gone gaga for Steve Winwoood. A touch of soul, some interesting synth, but his vocals are too mellow, nothing really excites me. 2.5/5
Listenable but nothing outstanding.
Smooth, some might say too smooth, a bit too easy listening. Bring me a better album Bring me a better album (oh oh)
I had never heard of Steve Winwood before this, and the whole point of this list is to introduce you to new things, new treats, new tastes... Oh. This is just Temu Peter Gabriel. No. Not offensive enough for 1 star, but this bland nothing burger is why i don't like 80s pop for the main part.
I can sometimes like this genre but this is just really boring. Like a commercial for taco chicken products.
I found this totally unessential.
*sigh* this is mid-tier even for Steve Winwood. Feels like a "I bought this once" addition to the list.
Yacht tock
A little blah
I love the sound of shitty Casio keyboards, but they should not be on a fuckin’ yacht rock record. Would rather be listening to Steely Dan or Doobie Brothers. Boring.
1.5, nicely rounding to two. It’s one of the more forgettable albums on the list, for sure. I found nothing about it truly awful, it was just gone as soon as the next song came on. Clocked that this was the singer from Traffic before I went and checked. It’s just bland bland bland bland, and super 80s. Imagine all the amazing albums not on this list, while this one is!!! Really?
Qué se yo. Pop rock super cheto y clavadito. Está bien pero no genera nada. 4/10
Enjoyable enough, but no idea why this would be something recommended as essential to hear.
It's not bad per se, but it's the poppiest album I've heard, which makes it kinda annoying and soulless. 2.5/5
It's very fine 2.5
Before even listening I am going to guess that Steve Winwood's second solo album is NOT an album I needed to listen to before I die. But I'm going to just... roll with it. Eh? Ehhh? (I saw a chance and I took it.) Winwood is of course an incredible musician and has had a fascinating career starting at a very young age. It's impressive that he played every instrument on this. But aside from "When You See a Chance," which I already knew, nothing else on here did a whole lot for me.
It sounds like yacht pop. This is not a compliment. Winwood started his career at 14 singing Gimme Some Lovin with the Spencer Davis Group, co-founded Traffic at 18, played with Eric Clapton in Blind Faith, and arrived at 1980 having spent his entire adult life as one of the most respected musicians in British rock history. He then retreated to a Gloucestershire manor house, built a studio called Netherturkdonic, and invented smooth keyboard driven soft rock that sounds like it was designed to play in the background of an upscale marina restaurant. This is either artistic evolution or a very long walk in the wrong direction depending entirely on your feelings about marinas. The voice is genuinely extraordinary throughout, which is the most uncomfortable thing about giving this a 2. Winwood could sing anything and make it sound important. On this album he mostly sang things that did not require that level of instrument and the mismatch is audible. 2 out of 5. Both stars belong to the voice, which deserved Netherturkdonic and something considerably less gentle to sing over it.
2.3/5 A pleasant album to listen too without anything really great.
It was fine, I didn't personally connect with the album.
3/10
I'm not that big on soft 80s pop rock, and this wasn't an exception. I did like the synth tone in While You See A Chance. It felt video-game-arcady
有一点像那种，公益歌曲（
5/10
A whole lot of nothing... Pretty much just background music for forgotten 80s network television.
Not really sure what this was. It was like some weird cover artist doing bad Michael Bolton type songs. Really didn't enjoy this one, but at least the guy can sing and play his own instruments I guess.
Oof, did not enjoy this one. Kinda feels like a weak version of Huey Louis and the News. Also reminds me of Steely Dan, in that the production is so soulless and pristine. While You See a Chance is a fine single, but beyond that this is just boring 80's rock. No song called Spanish Dancer should lack Spanish sounding music. Absolute malpractice.
J'ai toujours eu de la misère avec cet album.
Even for easy listening standards, this isn’t very good. Clunky lyrics and weird synth (not weird in a good way). Sorry Steve, at least your voice gets you to 2 stars.
Hella corny, but some of the tracks towards the end started to be a bit of a jam. Except Dust is pure cheese.
Gear: DCA ÆON 2 Noire Artwork: 🏊🌈 Production: 🎚️🔪🧼 Music: 🛥️🎸🫧 Rating: 🛟🛟/5
1. 4.5 2. 4 3. 3.5 4. 3 1. 3.5 2. 3.5 3. 3
I was surprised by how many of these songs I knew, but quickly realized how instantly forgettable every song actually is.
Interesting and impressive that Steve Winwood did everything (singing, playing all the instruments, and producing) himself, but I don't like the musical style (soft rock) or the instrumentation (much too much synthesizer) throughout. Good on him, though, he did it his way.
One decently good song and the rest was meh. All the songs were way too long and dragged a bit for me. I was just waiting for each track to get over to the next one.
Great playing, but doesn't really seem to have any lasting influence on any music today, maybe not even during its time. It was fun to learn that he was one of the five guitarists playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at that one show where Prince stole the spotlight. Guess that counts for something.
mediocre and forgetful
Sorry Steve, not a big fan of this one. Can't really pinpoint any reasons why but I just didn't enjoy it. A little boring perhaps? Favourites: Arc of a Diver
It was a classic 80's sounding album. Will have to give it another listen, but there really was not anything that immediately caught my ear.
Meh
Nothing special
It sounds nice. It reminds me a bit of Genesis and Phil Collins. But I can't hear anything special in this particular album. I feel like it's lacking something.
En fattigmans Springsteen. Americana utan nerv. En tvåa
The night train pulled up to the rain blasted platform, slowing, sun down, the sodium lights dimmed by the incessant downpour, casting the concrete into spots of black and white. The train door opens and a man steps out, tall, lean, a long tan trenchcoat wrapped around him, a brimmed hat tipped slightly forward. His feet make small splashes as he briskly strides out of the station to hail a cab. Oh Valerie, why aren't you here? But why, why are his thoughts stuck on her, now of all times? Just a second hand woman, dust in her hair. But there is no Valerie, just a spanish dancer spending too long on the stage, the same moves going nowhere. Going nowhere. Much like most the songs here - starting with something, but overlong and going nowhere.
#985. Putting a Steve Winwood album on here, but not the one with Higher Love on it is... an choice. Not the choice I would have made, mind you, but an choice. 2/5: meh
Graat voice. Dull tunes
Soft rock, blue-eyed soul, pop.
Definitely not one for me. Too middle-of-the-road, too yacht rock, too bland, too beige. My mate Hoppy and I would argue the merits of this kind of music over several beers in the wee hours of the morning. He loved it, I hated it and 30 years later I’m still in the same camp
not that great