Reviews (page 7 of 12)
Great poetic punk rock.
Aight
My rating 2.6. Critics tell you this album needs to be respected. I respectfully disagree.
This had been on my long list for awhile. Really solid album. She's got a great voice and a poetry to her lyrics. Definitely worth a listen.
This one was hit or miss for me. Some of it was pretty good, but a lot of it was boring or unimpressive. I was expecting a bit more punk rock attitude from what I'd heard about Smith's influence and her place in the movement. Instead, it was a lot more artsy and poetic, with a couple ballad-like compositions in the mix. After this listen, I feel like maybe her music had more impact live than could be captured on a recording. I wouldn't say this was bad, but it didn't really do a lot for me. I'll put it on the borderline of OK and good. Overall: 2.75/5
Decent listen.
Raspy female rock vocals match 70s rock vibe. I never love the lingering discordant guitar solos but this felt “cool”.
Hatte am anfang echt Potenzial, aber leider hat es mich nicht ganz abgeholt. An Stellen war der heulerisches Gesang echt zu viel (anfang von Birdland z.b) 3/5
has its moments
Patti Smith and Bjork are 2 sides of the same coin
Ça me tentais pas vraiment d’écouter ce style là mais j’imagine que ça devait être cool d’entendre ça à l’époque
So this is the album with Redondo Beach!! Great + very creative musically. Loved something in every song. 4.5 stars cos the 0.5 needed a teney bit more dopamine scratching
I am slightly aware of Patti Smith, and I have 2 songs liked by her - with 1 song from this album ("Redondo Beach"). I can't remember why or when I first heard that song but I do like that. So, I'm very interested to dive deeper into this album. After 3 listens I ended up liking "Gloria", "Free Money", and "Elegie" - in addition to "Redondo Beach". The long spoken word parts of several of these songs remind me of the Jim Morrison/Doors "American Prayer" album - and not in a good way. Just didn't like most of that. Apparently this is supposed to be so ground breaking and innovative and influential. That might be, but it's not a perfect album by any stretch. It's just ok to my ears - having liked only half the songs. Liked songs on Spotify: 4/8 Rating: 3/5
It had glimmers of promise but too much talking over itself for me
Some interesting moments and ideas. The attitude is a very enjoyable fuck you… but also, no great songs.
Meh. Not for me. I’m not the audience.
I am going to be honest here, I had never listened to a Patti Smith album but I had read Just Kids, and that gave me the worat of impressions on her, how do people praise her??? . Ok, so I listened to the album and it is ...meh. The instrumental is good but her voice and interpretation does not help. Her fixation on death on the lyrics and her clear references on Rimbaud also make me feel like I am in a funky Portry reading. It is not bad, but it's not as great as they market her. Also, she is not punkthis is pop rock, she used so many good people on her band that it is hard to credit just on her her achievement (also she just got famous becsuse she tagged along with the famous guests in Chelsea Hotel). The song is OK, but I still think she is a horrible person. 3/5
It's definitely interesting. Far more interesting than her later work in my opinion. Not something I'll be following up on, but it really has 1975 New York vibes.
I can see why this album Is on this list, unlike many others in this 1001. However it’s not for me.
Not really my type.
STANDOUTS: Gloria, Free Money, Land I don't have much to say about this, but it is a very lesbian album, so here's the transcript for Billy On The Street - Lesbian Lightning Round. "Okay guys now it's time for a special lightning round today I'm running around New York with a pack of wild lesbians. They're going to chase after people with me and help them answer questions. Let's go let's go lesbians Let's go. Sir, sir for a dollar who's sexier, Britney Spears or Kesha? Kesha. Kesha. What do you think lesbian? Kesha. What do you think? Kesha. Yes, here you go here you go correct let's go lesbians let's go. Sir, sir, sir for a dollar, sir for a dollar who's sexier, Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera? Britney Spears. What do you think lesbian? Britney Spears. What do you think? Christina. Oh, oh, what do you think? Christina. What do you think? Britney. Britney the answer is Britney yes here's your dollar yes let's go lesbians let's go here we go lesbians here we go lesbians come on. Miss, Miss for a dollar who's sexier Meryl Streep or Britney Spears? Britney Spears. What do you think lesbians? Britney Spears. What do you think? Uh, Meryl Streep. What do you think? Give me Streep. What? Give me Streep. Streep. What do you think? Streep. The answer is Meryl Streep let's go let's go lesbians. Oh my God lesbians, lesbians move out of my way. Oh miss, miss for a dollar who's sexier Adam Scott or Ronald Reagan? Ronald Reagan what do you think lesbian? Uh, Ronald Reagan. What do you think? Ronald Reagan. Adam Scott or Ronald Reagan? Scott. What do you think? Reagan. The answer is Adam Scott, you're wrong let's go let's go here we go rounding the corner with a bunch of lesbians here we are Manhattan can you handle it? Oh sir, sir for a dollar who's a better host Steve Harvey or Terry Gross? Harvey. What do you think lesbians? Steve Harvey. What do you think? Steve Harvey. What do you think? Steve Harvey. What do you think? Terry Gross. The answer is Steve Harvey here's a dollar let's go lesbians let's go let's go lesbians excuse me lesbians coming through watch out. Miss, Miss for a dollar who's better Emma Stone or Taylor Swift? Taylor Swift. What do you think lesbians. Taylor Swift. What do you think? Taylor Swift. What do you think? Oh the- the answer is Emma Stone let's go she's wrong these two Lesbos always wrong lesbians we're going to circle the corner lesbians move out of here I got lesbians coming through. Sir for a dollar who do you prefer Emma Stone or Taylor Swift or Anne Hathaway? Who is it? Anne Hathaway. What do you think lesbian? Anne Hathaway. What do you think lesbian? Emma Stone. Oh here comes slow lesbian look who just got here what do you think? Emma Stone. The answer is Anne Hathaway, yes you Inn take it take it let's go lesbians let's go oh lesbians Jews lesbians, lesbians Jews, careful lesbians and Jew lesbians and Jews hi Jews we're lesbians let's go. 7.5/10
I guess I can say I've heard of Patti Smith, but I am honestly not sure if I've ever listened to a single track of hers. That being said, her association with the CBGB-era was enough to pique my curiosity. It's a unique sound and not bad, but why all the praise for being a punk rock pioneer? It's not very punk, even compared to other stuff that was coming out at the time. I didn't love it, didn't hate it, but have no desire to ever return to it.
226/1089 i think this album was given to me at the wrong time. For some reason i just wasn’t really receptive to it/in the mood when i think it would otherwise be right up my street. There were parts that almost hooked me and i can appreciate it but I’ll have to revisit 65/100
Odd one. Not my vibe, but I respect what I feel like is true intent and passion.
I’m probably more into the idea of Patti Smith than I am into her music in real life. The lyrics are interesting, and the music isn’t bad, but it doesn’t really appeal to my musical sensibilities. 6.5/10
Very good singing voice but I thought the music was mostly quite meandering and dull
You can see why it influenced so many people. I still don't like her voice.
Je veux aimer Patti Smith, je comprends que c'est un personnage mythique, et dont l'influence me touche directement à quelques connexions près... J'embarque pas.. Je vais me réessayer à écouter cet album (grand album semble-t-il) quand je serai plus disposée à l'entendre
It was ok, but not sure i’d listen to again
Large animals that typically live on a farm, and can be used for sports, and transportation.
The live version is much better IMO. Not the biggest fan of her vocal style but I get why people are and what it meant at that point in history. Cool shit
Fijn album, mooie stem. Zou ik zeker nog eens luisteren
7/10
Couple of nice songs. Kind of interesting album, but not anything crazy
After 50 years, this album still holds up.
Hard to ignore Velvet Underground influence and despite its importance to the '70s NY scene, was a good 1 time listen to appreciate music history, but too much of the same.
"Jesus died for somebodies sins, but not mine" - what an opening line! Started off strong, her mumbling in Birdland was not for me Favs: Gloria, Redondo Beach, Kimberly
i didn't think it was anything special
Põnev ja kuidagi palju iseloomu näitav plaat. Siin ühtegi sellist bänger hitti pole, aga pika kuulamise peale ei tüdinenud sellest stiilist. Minu jaoks just täitsa piisavalt kiiksu, aga mitte midagi erilist. 3.4/5
Bob Dylan if he was a scene kid who discovered garage rock. After a 2nd and 3rd run through, I’m starting to get it more. The lyrics are deep, it’s raw as fuck and the vocals are jarring at times, but that’s the point. It gives me similar vibes to Dylan. Many people including myself are quick to write someone off because they don’t sound like you’d expect or want, but I think I see it now. So much influence. Free Money gives me 90’s alt vibes. Redondo Beat gives me Police and Cars Vibes. Favs: Free Money, Redondo Beat
I bet this absolutely raged at CBGBs back in the day.
Muy legendarion será, pero no es para mí.
Fine. Lyrics were kinda weird and all over the place. Thought she sounded vaguely like Bjork in parts.
Lots to enjoy, Kate Bush meets Leonard Cohen. But maybe a little clinical at times?
Enjoyed it but probably won't go back to it.
A few more listens and this could be a 4 star!
Loved the vibes and lyricism but found the instrumentals quite bland. Gloria was the easy highlight
Timelessly hot album cover? Check. Fascinating autobiography? Check! Excellent start to an album? Are my sins my own? Check! Have I spent probably 20 years trying to *like* this album? CHECK! CHECK! maybe someday.
I'll give her the round up, but truly, this was a 2.5. Birdland got very...spirited and I probably spoiled myself a little by reading about the album before listening because it's described so much as this like proto punk sorta poetry thing and I found it to be meandering and squonky?
An album that I’m SUPPOSE to love, but I don't. I appreciate Patti Smith and her lyrics and voice and that she was groundbreaking in the punk scene, so I feel like I must give it a 3, but all I really want to hear from her is Because the Night and Dancing Barefoot.
Hmmmm. I dunno. Certainly didn’t hate it. But it felt a little too pretentious for me. Like I’ve said with a lot of other punk adjacent stuff, I’m sure this would’ve done a lot more for me back in the 70s, but I did like some of the songwriting and I think smith has a very fun voice. But some of this kinda felt like slam poetry over rock riffs. All around meh?
I'm a big fan of a lot of the songs on this album and Patti Smith - however I can't say that I had listened to the whole album as a whole before and it did become a little much for me, I prefer the songs in little doses rather than a whole hour of it. I wanted to switch gears to something different a couple of times.
Good? I guess? Fine?
Very imaginative, upfront punk vibe, I can feel how it would inspire generations to come. I'd need a few more listens to really set in.
Liked the energy in this one.
Enjoyed some songs. Standout songs: Gloria:In Excelsis Deo Free Money Land: Horses/Land of a thousand dances/la mer(de)
Epic artist. Loved this album.
not my cup of tea but great dynamics and sound
Seminal certainly. Didn’t really do it for me
I can almost smell the velvet underground inspiration I thought I was going to like the album a lot more than I did after the first song, I actually enjoyed that one a lot. It just kinda deteriorated a bit from there. Will absolutely give Patti credit for her vocals, there’s so much talent there; they fit great on more upbeat songs and slower more melodious sounds. I just don’t think anything’s very catchy after the first couple songs, and I didn’t resonate with the lyrics all that much. I can 100% picture the person that would love this album and have it as one of the greatest of all time, it just ain’t me
Female proto punk, good sound, big on historical significance. Saw the 50th anniversary tour stop in Chicago, it was better live (with a 78 year old Patti Smith) than the studio version. I remember first listen didn't grab me, but 2nd and 3rd did. Probably favorite thing was Gloria (1st track) making a second appearance in Elegie (last song) as a kind of reprise. 3 1/2, but 3 for our purposes here.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard a better opening to an album. The first song got me so excited that I was really disappointed by every song after that. This album gets a 3 mainly for how amazing that first song was, the buildup in it was just phenomenal. I don’t really care about the rest of the album in all honesty.
There's a lot that could be said about this album, and the impact that it has on music as a whole. I mean she basically invented punk rock, new wave, and probably poetry as well... Smith’s debut album Horses is placed in the genre of punk rock, but somehow I feel that punk is kind of inaccurate. She certainly doesn’t sound like what punk became. It may be that ‘punk’ is simply a term used for music by artists who are determined to renounce conventional notions of ordered beauty. Adopting a minimalist, bratty, antiestablishment mindset. I don’t know, but to put Patti Smith in the same genre as the Sex Pistols and the Stooges feels criminal. Admittedly, I spent a good chunk of my listening time with this album deciding if I liked or not. I was a bit mixed on Patti’s voice and couldn’t tell if it was annoying or not. It did eventually grow on me. Lyrically, the songs were hit or miss. While I enjoyed something like Kimberly, Birdland was a little underwhelming. Honestly, most of the album felt like it was for a specific group of people. But most of the songs were enjoyable, despite not fully understanding the songs. Did I need to listen to this before I die? The impact of this album alone, makes it a definitely.
very cool
Fine music, but not my thing.
really different, 6.2, very fiona apple, portishead, bjork, joni mitchell, hole coded.. strong for the time period!!
I did like how well defined the album felt whilst being experimental (wow almost what art rock kinda is). Didnt speak to me tho
For me, not a fan of art rock experimental albums. But when I’m tired and don’t really care about anything. It just works better but not like great cause I’m not like a fan of it. There was a steady beat, her vocals were alright. Not to bad.
I know this album is iconic but it's never really clicked for me. Not bad, but also not great in my opinion. Favorite track: Free Money
Listening to Patti Smith felt like wandering through a chaotic city, each person passing by heightening my annoyance until the inevitable breaking point. The experience was a visceral anxiety attack—a blend of frantic rhythmic drums and chaotic oooo's, uueeerr's, and tooo's that mirrored my inner turmoil. Did I enjoy it? Probably not. But as a punk lover, I couldn't help but respect the raw honesty and emotional depth. This album captures the frustration and chaos of modern life, my life, making it a wild ride worth experiencing.
Getting tired of all the dad rock.
Very reminiscent of Velvet Underground. Some interesting songs and good lyrics.
3.9/5 godmother of punk
Jesus died for somebody’s sins but not mine
Would not buy
This was ok. Patti Smith gets a lot of love and I’m sure it’s well deserved, but listening to this album without doing any other research I thought it was just ok.
I’m admire this album and Patti Smith a lot. Incredibly important to the history of punk and everything after. Just not my favourite listen.
I really liked her memoir but her music? It’s aight.
Temp
Just kind of boring.
Meh . Alot of the songs felt like they dragged on forever but likeit wasnt horrible
PS har för mig mest varit den där som spelade in en av Springsteens sämre 70-talslåtar (vet att hon själv var med och skrev Because the night). Horses känner man så klart till men tror aldrig jag lyssnat på den. Tycker att det låter bättre än vad jag väntat mig. Det punkiga anslaget funkar bra. Patti lyckas faktiskt låta cool. Något som är få förunnat. Allra bäst är medley låtarna. Inledande halvcovern på Vans Gloria och finfina Land. Oerhört driv i dessa spår. Inte samma klass däremellan. Som helhet klart godkänt. Uppe å snuddar vid fyran.
Kanske att texterna förtjänar mer tid en ett dygn? Nu blir bedömningen efter den tid jag hunnit spendera med Horses. Jag hör finns vissa musikaliska kvaliteter i till exempel Gloria. Free money håller jag som albumets bästa spår, tydligt influerat av Springsteen. Hittepåreggean i Redondo Beach hade jag gärna varit utan. Patti sång låter lite väl effektsökande emellanåt. Bäst är hon när hon pratsjunger.
Passa de ano tranquilo tbm, mas nada mais q isso. 3 honesto. Se fosse um álbum mais curto ainda levava um 4
Nada a declarar, nem lembro o que eu escutei
Birdland sozinha derrubou uma estrela desse album. De resto uma mistura de Jennis Joplin, Dolly Parton e Feist.
Patti Smith is just one of those artists I've never really "got" for some reason. I know how much of a legend and trailblazer she is, so definitely appreciate that. And I feel like as a fan of punk and a lot of that genre of music, I should have liked her. But I just could never get into her. It was good to listen to this album and give her another shot, but it just isn't my thing.
Eh, it was okay.
she ANGRY fuck yeah
Really liked some songs, really disliked others
Patti was/is an incredibly influential musician and influenced many artists who music I really like. There was some really cool stuff on this album but some of this was tough to sit through. In particular "Birdland" reminded me of the avant-garde performance piece that Idina Menzel's character does in RENT. I've always assumed it was lampooning the art rock scene in general but this made me feel like Patti could've been direct inspiration.
Cool ballad album. Voice can be annoying. Need to listen again
Not bad.
Cool early punk influences not totally my thing but I liked it enough
this album was jst alr, it feels longer than it was and patti’s voice got a bit annoying on the back end of the album, maybe i didn’t like this as much as i would have if i didn’t want to listen to other albums when i listened to this, but overall i didn’t leave with much
Liked most of this it’s just a shame the bits I didn’t like i really didn’t like. (Namely- bird land)!
Gloria and Land are the standouts but others fall flat
First song of the best, I get the spoken word appeal but didn’t quite do it for me
"Horses" by Patti Smith is a groundbreaking album that blends poetry and rock and roll. It's raw, energetic, and super influential will probably listen to it again I enjoyed it but I just need to give it a few more listens and I think it will eventually grow on me.
Lyrically very strong, musically kinda boring. I think I'd have to re-listen to this. For a debut album, not an easy feat.
Didn’t really find much to appreciate here. Indie rock with vocals that were trying too hard and not enough at the same time.
не зашло особо...
I liked this fine but it did not speak to me. My favorite poet/singer is Miss Polly Jean and always will be.
Conflicted. The mother of punk rock and cultural influencer before everyone pretended to do that. I don’t like it though…it’s prototypical and not for everyone.
Okej album men mycket som är rätt tråkigt? 70-talsviben är där, men låtarna är för repetitiva och hennes sätt att sjunga är ibland de sämre delarna av Janis Joplin. Några låtar/texter var bra dock och mycket känsla overall!
Reading that this was meant to be 'poetry punk' makes a lot more sense, as the music did seem to just be background for extended raving lyrics for large chunks of this. Quite liked a lot of the music in there but punk music is rarely improved by sticking around longer than it needs to so I think you'd have to half the runtime to make some of these songs land properly. Okay for one listen but the poetry side of things didn't appeal to me. 2.5.
Classic
This is one of the classic albums I've liked less the more I've listened to it over the years. The first time I listened to it several years ago, the transgressive lyrics and energetic crescendos clearly demarcated it as an important rock classic. It is clearly ahead of its time and is very novel for 1975, since it generates its emotive power from Patti Smith's charisma and songwriting skill as opposed to any kind of technical experimentation, virtuosity or progressiveness that typifies that era in my view. The issue is that its also one of the more inconsistent classic albums. Gloria, Land and especially Free Money are really amazing songs but the other songs are too monotonous and plain, to the extent that they become kind of aggravating. I personally think that lyrics are the least important part of music and good lyrics can only amplify a great song. But no matter how much of a "poet" Patti Smith might be, it doesn't matter if the majority of the songs are too limited to make her poetry shine through. I think it's telling that one of the oft quoted lyrics from the album is literally the first line, because whatever else of genius she says is buried behind a wave of identical droning chords that they are missed by the casual listener. It's very reasonable for someone to adore this album if the magic sauce of Horses' acclaimed songs applies to the rest of the album in their view. Equally I can clearly see how some people see this as trash - most of the album is quite annoying if you are not in the right headspace for it. I think it's fair that this album is critically and culturally preserved and I lean towards it being on the positive side. But it is still very unrefined and probably salvaged somewhat thanks to John Cale's production. Given it was Patti Smith's first album, released when she was only 29, those flaws are completely acceptable, and clearly, ameliorate the album for many people.
Is soothing punk a thing?
birdland sold me a bit
It's nice. I've always had such a hard time connecting to it though. I like the energy of the band, and Patti's vocals are always very theatrical. The album just sits weird in my head though, like so what just happened actually? Stars: Birdland and Kimberly
Gehört in die sammlung
I was expecting 70's singer songwriter. This is not that. It was interesting. It felt a bit like Björk in the delivery. Not the pixie dreamgirl, but how the music takes turns you didn't expect.
A good album. Very raw. Very Patti Smith. But not her best work.
On one hand I get it, on the other, I don't.
Not really my thing but she is obviously VERY talented
Iconic voice, messing with pacing enough to make us uncomfortable. I enjoy how it seems to thumb its nose at the rock band trope. It sounds like (at the time) it should be like a Mick Jagger at the front…
I love her voice, I can sense the power and dedication she puts into her songs Fav song - Kimberly 3/5
Weird in a good way. Something about Birdland reminds me of St. Vincent, also loving the shreds on that one. Kinda punk I like it, never heard of Patti Smith before. I love love love the intro to Elgie. Favorite Track (this listen): Elgie - Wishing the song was longer; beautiful vocals and spoken word, and the guitar is singing too :P
3.69
2.6
Pretty interesting and different compared to other punk albums I've had to listen to. Usually they sound the same, but this one was like electric Leonard Cohen. Is it great? No, but anything named 'Horses' deserves some respect.
reminds me of kate bush, very whimsical
good...trippy
I like some songs but its okay
I was surprised how her voice seems like other singer after her. I see some of Blondie and Siouxsie in here. Dramatic and poetic songs, some of them longer than the usual punk songs, but this make more interesting. Just two songs got me more actually.
This was my first Patti Smith album I have listened to. Might even be the first songs I knowingly listened to. I listened twice and a lot of it didn't resonate. Maybe if I get to know her, Patti Smith, this album will feel different. It's like high school and right now, Patti is one of the girls I didn't know or found annoying because of how cool she was. Then I see her a number of years after high school and realize we have more in common than we realized just on the surface in high school. Maybe it's like that? I dunno. I am sure I will go back and revisit this at some point.
This was pretty good. Sounds like a raw, angry, rock and roll version of Joni Mitchell. This is an example of bad background music, but when you stop to listen, it really rocks. This is active listening music.
I expected more from this. Didn’t gel with her voice either tbh
Several great songs, although some of them are similar to each other. Magnetic voice, makes her a singer eady to recognize. Some of her songs I would listen to it again.
A bit shouty. Still enjoyed it. Like a punk Joni Mitchell.
Loved the production and the boldness of the lyrics. Lots to love in here in general and lots to get your teeth into. However, there wasn't any song that screamed "listen to me" again but I'm kinda glad I got to listen to it at all.
Yeah it was ok. Heard a lot of things I liked.
Rad.
Good
Not my music, but dayum there's a lot of power buildup here. Some nice solos though. Will rate better later.
Mixed bag. Liked some tracks, not sure about others
Gloria kicked ass
Easily one of the best album openers we've gotten so far, at least if you're asking me. Any cover of Gloria feels like a guaranteed banger, but Patti Smith's might be my favorite. Land is a transcendent trip that I'm always happy to take. Indulgent, however, is a perfect way to describe some of the other songs on the album. It can feel like a little much at times. Big ups to Lenny Kaye and his guitar work on Horses. 3.75/5 Favorite Tracks: Gloria, Redondo Beach, Break it Up, Land
Patti Smith alternates high & low with some high highs and low lows. Part of it is that you really need to indulge yourself in the scene, right, like her whole mileiu. And that stuff can be really annoying when it runs too long or feels too indulgent. That's definitely the case on Birdland. But Land? That's the best song here! The shorter stuff is roundly good, taking its cues from the VU with some dashes from the 70s singer-songwriter school. Favorite Tracks: Gloria, Redondo Beach, Kimberly, Land
A few of these kind of sounded Sleater-Kinney-ish, which I wasn’t expecting.
Ugh.
Not so bad but not so good
Although it is highly rated, I still don't hear any compelling vocals here. Influential and talented lady. But not something I would want to listen often.
And a half. Very good
A bit much for a Sunday night when you’re slightly hanging but still powerful
I recognize the historical significance, but don't quite fit in with the adulation. I am afraid I thought Horses pretentious or maybe just not all that much. It's okay. Maybe I'm just reacting to the deification.
I've tried with this one before. Today I was able to appreciate how much she's influenced a generation of musicians, so there's that. But it's never done anything for me. I guess I like the idea of Pattie Smith more than the reality. Cool cover, though.
I can't get into her and I've tried
Patti was great! that Smith guy though, ugh
respect the vibes but this ain’t for me
she sounds like a goat
It's very reminiscent of Neil Young to me. It's fine, and I appreciate it was groundbreaking at its time. But it doesn't grab me like other music does.
This album was an impressive Venn diagram of things I don’t like
Alright album, I didn’t like the opening track but the rest was pretty good
She does an absolutely brilliant cover of The Who's My Generation (on the Legacy Edition CD, it was originally a B side on the 7" of Gloria) that had me replaying the second it ended-loved it! The album proper is pretty good but not sure how likely I'm to ever hear it again nothing wrong with it, but I found it a little boring. Some say it's the first punk album, but it doesn't sound punk to me when I think of punk I think of Ramones, Sex Pistols, UK Subs, Black Flag, etc. this to me sounds like singer/song writer stuff just a bit angrier. I get why it's such a highly regarded album, but I prefer listening to Cradle of Filth's cover of Allison Hell off a fairly recent COF album that is a complete return to form & is up there with all the early albums- if you ever liked COF check out stuff like Cryptoriana to this year's The Screaming of Valkyries- what a late career (mid career? Isn't Dani like 50?) delight! John Cale (of The Velvet Underground) produced Horses I guess he & Patti Smith butted heads a lot and a member of her group almost got in a fist fight with. Also, one man from Blue Oyster Cult (Lanier) and one man from Television (Verlaine) appear on the album.
I don’t get it, probably never will. There’s good elements of this, though. Opening line of “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine” raised my expectations a lot. She just keeps chewing on her words so the delivery is annoying. Best songs were Redondo Beach, Kimberly, and Gloria. Calm 5-6/10
This feels like a good album to clean the house to. Like, just turn up the volume and mindlessly work around the house with this on. Also kinda feels like movie montage music for such a scene. Generally, I like it. Not really adding it to my regular listening list. But I can see why people would.
+++
The first few tracks were bops but I didn’t really jive with the rest. It’s really clear where Geese is getting their sound frlm
I respect Patti Smith. She's got great lyrics. I liked a recent podcast interview I listened to where she was the guest (with Ezra Klein), but I'm just not really into this punk/folk stuff. It's alright, but a lot of these songs just don't hit for me. I need my punk to be a bit less folk and my folk to be a bit less punk.
good
Enjoyable but didn't love. Very clear paving of the way for other acts. Will try again
its alright i guess
I don't even get how this is considered punk rock, let alone one of the greatest albums of all time. Like, it's not bad at all but whenever I listen to this I'm like "So, that's it, huh?"
3,1/5
the good songs are very good and the bad ones hurt lol. overall i like it
Utrolig alternativt opplegg fra 70 tallet, helt ok, trenger ikke å høre igjen.
It was good. I prefer her more pop and rock songs, but this was a fine morning album.
Just ok
I just wasn't in the mood for this. On another day maybe I would have appreciated it's heart and commitment - but today it just wasn't melodious enough for me.
This was pretty good. Never heard any of these songs before. I'm only familiar with Patti Smith from the singles that got lots of airplay over time.
Good album, enjoyed it but did not love it. A few good songs but not anything I felt a strong connection to or emotional reaction to.
I get it but not really my vibe
Great opener, a bit downhill from there, but enjoyed overall!
Reminds me of Yoko Ono ( not a compliment). Perhaps that was the sound for the time and it got pressed on vinyl. I do admire Simone who followed a dream to make music.
patti smith walked so SOPHIE could run.
Quite good, rather cool, very influential, but not something I’ll voluntarily revisit in the future.
I've really struggled to rate this because it was fine. I thought Patti Smith would be a bit grittier.
Respect it, don't really love it. 3.4/5
I feel like I should care about this album, but I just can't. Fair play to the lass, but it just doesn't tickle any of my bones
This is one of those albums that you're SUPPOSED to love, but I don't. It's just not enjoyable to listen to. I appreciate Patti Smith and her lyrics and voice and that she was groundbreaking in the punk scene, so I feel like I must give it a 3, but all I really want to hear from her is Because the Night and Dancing Barefoot. 3⭐️
I kinda hated this like singing word vomit
Patti Smith is legendary, and not without reason, but I think this album is a classic example of “appreciate the impact but don’t love the music” that sometimes happens with these mainstay records. Heretically, I feel the same way about Sgt. Pepper’s from The Beatles (I’m a white album kinda boy). There are some songs here that I like, but nothing here that I love. To be fair, there’s nothing I actively dislike either, but still, I find myself somewhat unmoved by what some call music’s first punk statement. Also, she said some weird shit about Mick Jagger and wrote a crazy song using the n word a lot, which feels bizarre as fuck. Her book, Just Kids, is pretty good though
I enjoyed this well enough, although the production on some songs left a lot to be desired -- "Redondo Beach" sounds like some of the kid's music I play for Mason. I really loved the first track, but was left wanting more over the album. I plan on relistening since there is such an emphasis on the lyrics and it deserves more attention. I'm always fascinated by the intersection of music and literature and have thought a lot about poetry in a musical space. I always think of Gilbert Scott-Heron, but Smith brings something unique to that conversation.
fav: free money 🖤
Bleh. Nothing about this is interesting.
Very famous album that I must admit to have never listened to before! I was a little disappointed given all the history and hype though. I can see where Polly Harvey drew inspiration from. Really enjoyed Free Money and Kimberly but not so much the rock and roll songs. Will probably come back to it though.
Grew on me and understand where Nick Cave got a lot of his influence now.
Props for a version of “Gloria” that I have not heard before, and her obvious influence on other artists. With two 9 minute tracks this album plays longer than it is and is not one I’ll go back to. 2.5/5
I’ve listened to this album at various life time points over the years, but it still never really lands for me. I can appreciate her place in the story of punk rock given the attitude and delivery here, but I’ll always be a bigger fan of her fellow NYC/CBGB contemporaries like Television and The Ramones. The album and her sound is definitely unique for that period with the combination of rock music and poetic lyrics, but at times she seems to be in a poetry slam competing with herself. Still, with so many bands citing this album as a major influence (REM, Siouxsie, Johnny Merr, etc.) it’s hard to discount her influence.
I'll give Patti Smith props for being a punk pioneer but this album has never resonated with me. Rounding up based on influence. 2.75/5
This album is decent. Not amazing. There are some cool tracks on here, no doubt. I loved Free Money, great song. Admittedly, Birdland was an epic tune, even if I didn’t care for it. Gloria was also good. But a few others were not as great. Land in particular, I found pretty derivative. Still, there’s a cool vibe about this album and Smith’s voice is great. Nothing I’d come back to over and over again though.
I wanted to love this but I didn't connect with it
Decent.
Not bad, not totally my thing.
man new york rocks... shout out john cale
Not terrible but had a decent amount of skips
Not really my jam. I can see why people think it's exceptional, though.
I actually did see Patti Smith at a music festival back in 2010. I think I convinced a friend to go see her with me since she was “a legend.” The concert wasn’t particularly good, and I realized I didn’t actually know any of her songs. My knowledge of Patti Smith hasn’t really increased since then. I mostly know her as the original writer of “Because the Night.” I do recognize this album cover, though. So, how was it? I think it has a lot of confidence and vision, she clearly set out to do something different. The opening line of the album, “Jesus died for somebody’s sins but not mine,” immediately gets you hooked. The whole first track is by far the best one; the way it builds up, paired with her great vocals, makes it a very memorable listen. The rest of the album doesn’t really keep up, though. I wasn’t particularly a fan of the spoken-word parts, nor of the covers. I’m going to settle on a 3. I get why this album became famous, it certainly isn’t bland, and there are some good tracks here and there. Oh, and the CD version includes a great live cover of “My Generation.”
Really poetic writing.
Not bad but not my favorite
I enjoyed listening to this; it instantly got me thinking how many stars to award. Gloria is a great opener and had me thinking this could easily be a 4 star outing but for the most part, the album didn’t quite grab me in the same way. It wasn’t until the penultimate track that I found the best song on the album, Land, which elevated it towards those 4 stars once more but on reflection, whilst this brings a lot of punk spirit and is clearly influential, I’m giving this the 3 star treatment with a note to return and see how I find it next time.
Quintessential 70’s sound. Not my favorite and wanted to skip the vocals but I can see the appeal.
Kul plate.
Exhausting but pretty interesting. Need to be in a specific mindset to enjoy this though.
interessante
Rating: 2.7 I liked it okay. Probably edgy for the time but just about put me to sleep in this current timeline. Not sure why this album is considered top 10-20 all time in many circles.
Puvv gar nüd speziells gsi oder. Vlt biz zu rockig patti 3 hamburger mit patties grrn
Easy zum lose, als Hintergrundmusig. aber jz nid mi lieblingsmusig / style
Nice proto punk. Love the opening track. But not that many good songs I would want to hear again. Don’t particularly dig her voice.
I wanted to like this more than I did.
Sounded pretty unique for it's time, Gloria was the star by far, the rest wasn't bad, more appreciated it for what it is than liked listening to it.
first listen hm
Fierce, intense, powerful voice as advertised. Wish she had better songs.
Gloria is amazing. Absolute banger. The rest was ok. Nothing I would go back for.
I expected to love this, but found it difficult to really get in to. Took a few tries but warmed up and eventually yearned for more. Likely just getting to it a bit late, but intrigued to listen to the legacy version at some point
Would like to like it more.
Lady Paul Newman punk rock-lite. Interesting (if nothing else) lyrics and talented backing band made this a fun listen, but couldn't help but feel that the whole thing is overrated.
Sure, why not?
It wasn’t bad album overall. There was some good, some not that good songs. Didn’t really have a favourite song from this album. Seemed like an album you would play in a coffee house.
I think the significance of this album are lost on me. I also found my level of enjoyment depended on the environment I was listening in, at work while trying to meet a deadline was not the best way to start listening. Maybe one day I’ll look into this album, for now it’s just a generic three.
not super for me
i liked it! her vocals are super energetic and fun
Important and influential…not all of the music holds up but the power of her work is still there.
Fun interesting album we listen to at home a bunch. A little too quiet for my liking. 6.5/10
It was alright but it didn't really have anything special
I think this is one of those records where it won't connect with everyone but will sink its teeth into a smaller base of fervent fans. Some of the frantic poetry doesn't make for a comfortable experience, but the raw energy and runaway train vibe is arresting. People have locked this into being a proto-punk album, which I am not totally sold on. But it is fascinating - interpolations of two rock and roll songs from the 60s in a totally new style, alongside Patti's original compositions ranging from the slinky dub of Redondo Beach to the piano-led dirge of Elegie. You can see Television, Talking Heads, and more synthesizing when the music is at its best - not to take away from it but quite the opposite.
Seems like this was probably a significant album, but don't know that I need to listen again necessarily.
Yap yap yap blah blah blah
point0.
I'm torn on how to rate this. The album was fine. Like so many other albums, her voice was my least favorite part. She used a lot of techniques that I have been very harsh against in previous albums. It was clearly a stylistic choice as she demonstrated that she can sing well. I respect her use of them more than many others because she used them for sarcasm or emphasis, but I still dislike the nasal or breathy tones. Otherwise, the album was fine. On a side note, apparently what I thought punk was and what others consider it to be are two different things.
I liked a lot about this album. What I don't necessarily like is the mumbling and random noises, but it can work. I appreciate the story elements of all these songs. No standouts, really. Just a fine album with some fine songs
It’s a good record and important socially. Songs are pretty good. I get why - it is documenting a very important period of American music. But it’s overrated.
You can definitely hear the roots of punk rock in here. Feels like we have had a lot of similar albums recently and this on was fine
Alright
Redondo beach from a NY author is such a fun surprise.
Don't really know why, but this didn't strike me as being too interesting. Some highlights, and I'm sure it was important for its time, but hearing it now I was left a bit bored.
I liked the attitude and the meshing of old with the new (mainly thinking of some of the references in the songs). It was interesting, but not something I'd listen to again.
First though 50 seconds in, "Female Nick Cave? No... Iggy Pop? No..." Punk, but art-y. Mix feels strange, a bit harsh, lots of treble, hardly any low end. Not terribly unpleasant though. Gloria 6/10 Redondo Beach 5/10 Birdland skipped Free Money 8/10 Kimberly 7/10 I can stop here I think. This album is everything that I like in concept. On actual listening though, I don't enjoy it, other than for it's craft and tone. I just don't like listening to it.
I have listened to this before I died. I do not feel like it made a big difference to my life having listened to this. 3 stars.
good
Gonna have to revisit this one, seemed very eclectic on a first listen but I see the potential!
I've always felt I should like Patti Smith more than I do. Considering the music I like, all the components are there. But alas. I can appreciate her music on an analytical level, but I just didn't enjoy listening to this album very much.
I’m a big fan of the song Kimberly, and I like most of this album. The song Birdland probably moves this from a 4 to a 3 for me. Too long and too much warbling.
That'll do nicely thank you.
She's an oddball. Kinda sounds like a cross between Pat Benitar and Gwen Stephani. Learned from the Wiki that she had a ton of poetry she had written and felt it needed something, so she got into music. Gloria is a great tune from this album. Outside that, it's not great, but it oddly satisfying. Even the sloggers. She finds a way to hold your attention.
This is a much-mythologized album. I think it’s cool that a female artist broke through in this way at this time. Now, do I like it? I actually had this on CD and I used to listen to it driving. I think it’s a good car album. It makes me feel like I’m on some free-spirited Jack Kerouac road trip instead of driving to a hockey rink in Burnaby or whatever. (have I read On the Road? No.) Gloria in particular is fantastic (I like it better than the original). It really sets a mood. But then the album doesn’t really sustain my interest. The songs are really similar to each other and have a rambling quality. I think the problem is I don’t like spoken word poetry, and this album is heavy on it. When I read the lyrics, I think, this is cool, very atmospheric and epic. But then spoken out loud in a pseudo-spiritual preachery way paired with the proto-punk, garage rock sound? I don’t know, it just gets really repetitive and loses me.
I’m not completely sold on this album, but I’m not unimpressed either. It’s easy to recognize its cultural weight and artistic ambition, even if it doesn’t fully connect with me. Songs like Gloria and Land of a Thousand Dances stand out as strong and engaging, but overall the record leaves me somewhere in the middle. 3/5
Like a lady Bob Dylan, but the lyrics had a little more cohesion.
I know this was a seminal album, but it was just ok to me.
I do like it, but I don’t love it
More lyrically driven than I expected. Have always seen the album, but never listened before. Enjoyed it
It's an eclectic genre bending album before that was the cool thing to do which I appreciate. It starts out a little rough but gets better as it goes on in my opinion.
It’s ok, but not quite the missing link or bridge to punk but maybe new wave. Draws heavily from the first Velvets album without pushing the envelope.
Yep, a pretty good album. Great to hear a female voice, there haven’t been enough
Good punk. Not my genre but informative and edifying to listen to.
More enjoyable album than I expected it to be. "Gloria: In Excelsis Deo" is a banger and very fun to listen to, and the rest of the album is pretty unique and enjoyable. Just a solid album.
Ładny rock, ale dosyć angażujące. Trochę brzmi jak The Beathles, pewnie to herezja, ale tak mi sie kojarzy. Czasem za dużo gadania, za dużo przeciągania w kółko tego samego.
I've heard of Patti Smith, but never listened to her. I liked this. It reminds me of like a mix of the Velvet Underground and the Ramones. It's a bit more chill than some of the other punk at the time and the spoken word parts make it into its own thing.
Best Song: Gloria: In Excelsis Deo This album is odd. While I can respect it artistically, this is another scenario that I would never really listen to this whole album again (or at least not often enough to give it a 4/5). Gloria is a banger, but for every good song there is a 9+ minute song that goes on for 8+ minutes too long. This album is beloved by critics and the music equivalent of The Simpsons Comic Book Guy, but perhaps my palate isn't refined enough for it. 3/5.
An interesting and timeless album. However, I found it difficult to listen to as her voice really doesn’t work on some of the songs. Others worked perfectly and I liked the variety, but probably never listen again.
She has a really distinct delivery and style which brings flashes of more contemporary artists to mind, PJ Harvey, and oddly, Julian Cope (Jehovahkill era) spring to mind immediately. Her influence in that regard is clearly strong. Musically it feels like the band is just fitting in around her delivery in a mix of styles, I prefer the more blues rocky numbers, but that’s not the focus really. I have listened to this before and while it’s interesting I’m never really drawn back in. I did see her recently at a festival in 23. She’s still got the pipes.
This is once again just a bit outside of my tastes, but you can definitely see the bones of what I like! I'm most fond of Free Money here, but definitely like other parts too here and there. It's good.
Horses
Not for me. The whole time I wished I was listening to “The Dutchess” by Fergie
Gloria is great, prefer her style of singing on the faster/harder rock songs, do not like her style on slower stuff
3.5
2.5
A classic, the titular track is a behemoth.
3.5
Невероятно потрясающие текста ,удивившие меня своей поэтичностью текста,и перечеркивающие своей унылостью и безликостью инструменталы
I appreciate it as a piece of art... that doesn't particularly resonate with me. Free Money was my favorite track. There's a lot going on below the surface here. Would be interesting to do a deep dive into Patti's life and the context in which she was writing? and performing these songs.
Ehh, it's fine but not really for me. I bet Alanis Morissette listened to a lot of Patti Smith.
Nice voice, found the songs a bit dresry
Interesting, but meh
Uummmm
I really appreciate the story’s her songs tell.
Fav: Free Money
Some iconic tracks and some that left me cold. Might change my opinion, but the opening track set a high bar that wasnt met by the following tracks
Started great! Got a bit same-same. Not bad, not amazing.
Overrated imo
I liked the start, it got lower as it went along
Not bad, nut not exciting
I fear this is one that I like but I don’t necessarily get ALL the hype for.
Before it's time, pretty good. Not my favorite listen but I respect it
No es un estilo de música que me guste mucho. Pero sí cabe destacar la expresividad musical, vocal y poética del álbum. Por momentos me recordó un poco a Kate Bush, pero en una versión menos experimental. Considero que es un buen álbum, a pesar de que no haya generado una gran impresión en mí.
I liked this. I want to like it even more because there is definitely great material on here to like. I'm just unsure on a few tracks here and there that didn't grab me. I liked the uptempo songs for sure though and I think Patti Smith has one of those voices that really transmit the feeling and emotion that she is putting into a song.
fucked with it, i love her honestly and her voice is so satisfying to listen to
Have not really listened to too much of Patti Smith. Some of the cuts I liked. Seemed like at lot of raw emotion, but not as much of what I would label as punk. Would listen to a few more times as sometimes albums grow on you. Listened to it twice and liked it better the 2nd time around.
This was a pretty good album. As usual, it took me a few listens through to really appreciate what it's going for, but when it clicked, I grew to appreciate the weirdness. This is proto-punk, and is very unique for what it is. Patti has a very good voice, and while the only song that I think stood out to a notable extent was the opener, "Gloria: In Excelsis Deo", this was a very unique listening experience as a whole, one that I'm glad I partook in. It might have been a cover, but I have to say, I really liked that song, especially when she finally gets to the part where she's singing the titular name. The more weird albums I roll, the more I grow to appreciate music in general. So thank you, Patti, for opening up my mind to this strange but great album. This is another artist and genre I've grown to appreciate a lot thanks to this site, so thank you to the site owner as well, for putting this cool site together.
Favorites: Horses, Elegie Weird. I loved it.
I was already aware of this album but maybe had not heard it before. I can see the appeal of this album and why it is (rightly) highly regarded. She has a pretty unique voice and the songs are good. The tracks blending Gloria and Land of a Thousand Dances with her original lyrics are pretty special. Definitely the two highlights of the album for me. That said, her voice starts to cause some ear fatigue by the end of the album. Her voice reminds me of Stevie Nicks in that regard, but at least in her band, she shares vocal duties with other singers. I would listen again, but maybe not right away.
A little monotone
I know I’m supposed to like this…I just don’t. 3 stars.
A very unique album, but not my vibe, even though I understand it's influential. I liked: Gloria and Land Might need to look further at its lyrics and influence.
Decent, as I've got older I've learnt to appreciate Patti more. Patti Smith on the other hand... 🤣
01) Gloria: In Excelsis Deo - 8,0 02) Redondo Beach - 7,5 03) Birdland - 6,5 04) Free Money - 7,0 05) Kimberly - 7,5 06) Break It Up - 7,5 07) Land: Horses/Land Of A Thousand Dances - 7,0 08) Elegie - 6,0 TOTAL: 7,13 (71/100)
3.5 Stars
Ok ok