I'm genuinely confused by this album, or at least its inclusion on this list. Nothing I heard seemed new, novel, or influential. The recording quality was mediocre, and song writing basic, the execution lukewarm. Maybe I missed something, but I don't think I'll be listening again to find out.
From purely a listening standpoint this album is a real joy. Burke's voice is clear, articulate, and soulful. If you're a fan of R&B or soul this album is probably already at the top of your list. Adding in the historical context, that Burke was one of the founding fathers of soul, makes this album even more impressive as you realize that he was forging a new sound.
Man I love this album. I'm a bit biased as I was raised on John Prine, but even so, what a story teller. The humor he brings along with the poignancy of his lyrics about the human experience. This album is his least polished, but also feels like the most honest.
I love, love, love this album. It's easily the most raw and unpolished in the catalog, but that's precisely what makes it amazing. It's just Dave Grohl, grieving over Kurt Cobain, getting it all out of his system. Alone. Can't be topped in my book.
Well. I'm not sure what I think really. It was relaxing, well done for what it was. I feel like I need to listen to it again, as I'm not sure if I liked it or not. Odd review, I know, but so was this album.
Meh. I just don't like swearing in my music. Takes me right out of it.
David Bowie sure had an ability to sense trends in music and remake himself on the turn of a dime. I appreciate this album and its more soulful feel, but I'm more of a Ziggy Stardust kind of guy where the music felt a little more experimental and less derivative.
Pretty forgettable pop from the era. I'm also not a big cover-song kinda guy, and I really had to resist the urge to skip those tracks. Regardless of the musical shifts they made over time, I've never been a huge fan of the Beatles. This didn't change anything for me.
I love, love, love this album. It's easily the most raw and unpolished in the catalog, but that's precisely what makes it amazing. It's just Dave Grohl, grieving over Kurt Cobain, getting it all out of his system. Alone. Can't be topped in my book.
Louis Prima is always 5 stars in my book, so this album was a soft toss.
Just not my thing I suppose. It's more like an interesting collection of sounds than music.
I enjoyed this album a lot. It's hard to believe this was produced in 1980 - the sound is way ahead of it's time. I also didn't realize how many covers of their songs I'd heard without knowing the true origins. It reminds me of NiN or Tool, but with a little more edge to it and less dystopian metal clanging.
Perhaps I'm just getting old, but nothing about this album seems revolutionary or exiting. It's pretty much what I'd expect from the early 90s. I don't feel like this is an album anyone has to hear in their lifetime.
I'm not a huge Queen fan, and I've never listened to one of their albums end to end. This was a real treat for me, as I actually found that the tracks that didn't make it to the radio resonated with me more than the singles that did. I'm definitely going to be exploring more of their catalog.
I truly wasn't expecting the wide variety of styles in this album, or how they'd be so artfully combined into a cohesive album that managed to hang together despite covering so much musical territory. I will definitely revisit this album going forward, as well as tell others to check it out. Top Track - No Sympathy.
Well, it's jazz. Well done jazz. Would I know if it wasn't? I'd like to think so, but who knows. Honestly this album slipped by as a background track. I didn't pay special attention to it, but it was pleasing to the ear. I do not, however feel like everyone must hear this album in their lifetime.
Well, it sounded like other rock from this time period. I didn't mind the sound or composition, but it wasn't memorable to me either. The lead singer's voice seemed to deteriorate over the course of the album, ending up with the last track being really uncomfortable to listen to.
I'm not a huge cars fan, but I actually own this album. I think I picked it up at a thrift store... Anyway, It's synth heavy rock that doesn't offend me. I won't switch stations if it's on, but I don't have them on any of my playlists either.
That was an interesting ride, with some songs that sounded completely original, and others that could have been from David Bowie or the Rolling Stones. It definitely covered a lot of ground.
She's a talented singer, rapper, and lyricist. I love the overall vibe of this album, but I feel like I'd have to listen to it each time as an album. There wasn't a single song that stood out to me. I was actually bored with it by the end, but I feel like it warrants another spin.
I'm just not a big fan of the random-noise-to-be-different genre. I understand wanting to do something different and the value of thinking outside the box, but this just doesn't do it for me. I was on edge most of the time instead of enjoying the experience. That being said, it had a few moments that I appreciated, just not enough to make me want to revisit this album in the future.
This album was, indeed, easy listening. Joni definitely puts a lot of herself in her lyrics, like an easy listening version of Bruce Springsteen. Anyway, there were a few catchy things happening here and there, but I have trouble believing that this album was transformative or historically relevant.
From purely a listening standpoint this album is a real joy. Burke's voice is clear, articulate, and soulful. If you're a fan of R&B or soul this album is probably already at the top of your list. Adding in the historical context, that Burke was one of the founding fathers of soul, makes this album even more impressive as you realize that he was forging a new sound.
This was kind of an unexpected surprise. I really enjoyed the variations on a theme throughout the album. The subtle changes to those thematic elements gave them each a unique mood that I'm sure tied to the relative scene in the movie. Good stuff.
This is a hard album for me to rate. If I'm rating it on talent and production, it scores very well. If I'm rating it on how much I enjoyed it, it rates very poorly. To be consistent, I have to go with overall enjoyment. Sorry Terence - this isn't my thing.
I have a soft spot for catchy melodies and close harmony, both of which are found in abundance here. It's bubble gum and bobby socks all the way, but it's a trip worth taking.
Easy listening is not generally my go-to genre, but this is really well done. The harmonies are tight, the arrangements solid. I doubt I'll come back to this on my own, but I wouldn't be upset if I heard it on the radio.
I enjoyed this more than Goo. I won't say I'm in love, but there's some interesting bits in there...
Very impressed by the musicianship. The fourth track didn't land with me at all, but the rest was solid.
I'm willing to overlook Brian Johnson's vocals due to the Young brother's ability to put on a blues-based hard rock clinic. Have a Drink on Me is my favorite AC/DC song, and there's several other classics here as well. Brian's voice does grate though after a while; he's best enjoyed in small doses.
This was a solid album. Bittersweet Symphony is definitely the standout here, but I also found myself enjoying Sonnet quite a bit as well. After that the rest of the album became a fairly forgettable pop album. Not bad, but nothing particularly innovative either.
Well, that was interesting. The best way I can describe this is artfully removing the art from music. The repetitive droning and intentionally bizarre vocal style seem to be designed to draw your attention to the lyrical content, then reinforce it with repetition. In other words, to me this isn't about making music, it's about using elements of music as a vehicle for promoting the ideas held in the content of the lyrics.
Really enjoyed this album, and have added it to my catalogue. The chill groove laid down throughout this project is infectious, and I found myself wanting to start from the top as soon as the last song finished.
It's like being at a concert, without any of the context that makes it exciting! I'm not a huge DP fan to begin with. This wasn't bad, but I can't see myself listening to it again just for laughs.
Well. I'm not sure what I think really. It was relaxing, well done for what it was. I feel like I need to listen to it again, as I'm not sure if I liked it or not. Odd review, I know, but so was this album.
I'm not a huge Beatles fan, but I enjoyed this album. It's an eclectic mix of styles, and it's hard to believe this was only 2 years after Meet the Beatles. I found some songs I'd never heard before that I really enjoyed, and I'll likely revisit this one.
I'm genuinely confused by this album, or at least its inclusion on this list. Nothing I heard seemed new, novel, or influential. The recording quality was mediocre, and song writing basic, the execution lukewarm. Maybe I missed something, but I don't think I'll be listening again to find out.
Pleasant surprise here for me. I really liked the way the songs were crafted, in particular the guitar parts. The downfall was the lead singer: regardless of whether it was a stylistic choice or natural talent level (or both), his voice was distracting.
I'm not a Doors fan. Some interesting song writing, but the repetitious droning of so many of these songs...ugh.
This album really stands out as an original, creative masterpiece. I could do without songs like Oh Sh**, but that's what the skip button is for.
It's Van Halen. You either love them or hate them, it's pretty much that simple.
Not sure what to make of this. It's well done, but there's nothing there to latch on to - it's like a backing track. I don't find myself yearning to listen to any one particular track or section.
Cat Stevens is a storyteller who just happens to sing. Solid, well put together album.
What a trip. Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but taken in context with the psychedelic movement of the 1960s, it's a masterpiece. Would I listen to it regularly? No. But I will listen to it again.
Really enjoyed this album...except for the last song. It sounds ahead of its time by about 10 years. It's made me want to check out their other albums.
I ended up liking this WAY more than I thought I would. Went in negative, was "meh" on the first couple of songs, but Lemon Firebrigade won me over and I enjoyed it from there on out. Why? I don't know. Probably because it reminded me of 80's movies - more fun, less serious. We can all use that from time to time.
Well executed, but just not for me.
I'm not really an Aerosmith fan, probably because I grew up with the stuff they made in the 90s. This album changed my mind a bit though. I'm well versed in the singles released from this album, but the other songs were a treat to listen to. Overall a win.
Musically this album is pretty average (on the Bob Dylan scale), but the lyrics are amazing. Tangled Up in Blue is a master class in storytelling. This is one of his finer efforts.
Noped out partway through the 4th song. It just sounded like noise to me. I guess I just don't get it...
Competent pop rock. Not sure what else to say...
Started off hating this album, but it really grew on me. If I eliminate the pretentious, overly artsy first track, it's a great album.
Meh.
Punk's not really my thing...
Man I love this album. I'm a bit biased as I was raised on John Prine, but even so, what a story teller. The humor he brings along with the poignancy of his lyrics about the human experience. This album is his least polished, but also feels like the most honest.
I've never really understood Prince's music, and this hasn't changed that.
It's well done for what it is, but I don't quite get the attraction or importance.
Interesting? Yes. I don't know how important this is as a stand alone album, other than that it's hard to say how his later works would have turned out without this period. It's definitely a different listen...
Stream of consciousness abounds here. It's a wild ride, for sure.
I just can't get past the discordant jumble of sound.
He's an amazing songwriter with a terrible voice, who at times seems to relish deliberately making his voice sound worse. Not sure what to do with that, but his song writing always wins me over in the end.
I actually found myself really enjoying the tracks that weren't released as singles. I miss Joe Walsh on this album, but it's still very solid.
Very solid album, well written and executed. I don't know that I have specific praise, other than that I just really enjoyed it.
I actually really like this album. The vocal harmonies and songwriting have really started to mature by this point.
Meh. It's Rod Stewart.
This feels like a poor man's Tears for Fears. I dunno. Didn't do much for me.
This doesn't feel like an album as much as a collection. She covers a lot of ground here. Still, for the most part, I liked it.
Freaking fantastic.
That was far more eclectic than I expected. Solid album, but sort of hard to quantify.
One of his finest albums.
Ummmmm.....sure.
Loved this!
Definitely in the love it or hate it category. This is Megadeth at the top of their trash game though, so I have to give it props.
I've never listened to this album before, but I've always known that Bruce wasn't afraid to go deep with his lyrics. Wow. I love the rawness, both of the recording and the subject matter.
I'm not a huge ELP fan, mainly due to Keith Emerson's keys playing. I love their song writing in some parts, but I find myself growing tired of listening to what feels like minutes of aimless, purposeless keyboard wandering. It's like they are asking questions that they never answer.
Seriously impressive album that covers a lot of ground.
Interesting concept album that all hung together pretty nicely. That being said, School's Out is the standout track, and one I'm so tired of hearing that it doesn't do anything for me. The rest don't have the mojo to stand on their own, so really this is an all-or-nothing proposition. If I'm honest, I don't know that I'll ever listen to this end to end again.
Hard to categorize this as a must-hear album.
This hardly feels like the definitive AC/DC album that one must listen to.
Honestly, kind of a boring album. Not something I'll likely listen to end-to-end on a regular basis.
No words - just stars.