Very much a gateway album for me. It's instantly accessible, even with the strange time signatures used throughout, it just sounds cool. There's not been many hit songs in 5/4, but Time Out is more than just Take 5, I probably prefer Blue Rondo à La Turk, but there's not a dud on the album. If you're not sure about Jazz, give this a listen and then go Hard Bop and Free Jazz, just like me! 5 / 5 stars.
The 2nd Jazz album I ever listened to in full (Kind of Blue was first), this is an undeniable classic and while it has become considered more traditional, Side A of this record is untouchable in its quality. After having listened to a lot of jazz since I first heard it, Side B is a bit more pedestrian and didn't hold my attention the same way as the first 3 tracks. As to import and influence, this gets a 5, but for this exercise of my enjoyment and listenability, I'm docking the score slightly for Side B. But 4.5 is still damn good.
I am a newbie when it comes to jazz and I realize that the albums I like in the genre tend to lean more towards vocal jazz as I'm usually a lyric person. But not knowing much about how groundbreaking this was in its time, I like this; it makes me feel a bit like I'm in a fancy hotel in a Christmas movie. ...Also I think the upright bass might be my favorite instrument. Out of context and historical significance I'd give this a 3.5/5.
A landmark jazz album, many a person has found this to be a key in their jazz appreciation.