1001 Albums Summary

Shining Star is always fun, the upbeat tempo and "happy" singing make for a fun, encouraging song. A good one to lead with. Interesting though as the feel is very different than the rest of the album. The sound is the "same" though. Yearnin' Learnin' is, upon first listen, my favorite song on the album. There is something about the beat and the tone of their voices, a sort of exaggerated "meah, meah, meah" sound. At first I did not think I liked Reasons but I forced myself to continue listening and I love her voice being dominant with the guys harmonizing in the background and the jazzy trumpets hitting two beats (?) mixed in. As far as lyrics, All About Love (First Impression) is my favorite. The "spokenness" of the lyrics helps drive it home and easier to listen to. Africano, I am not a fan typically of the flute (it seems to be a tin or small wood one), so the sound of the flute is not my favorite. Towards the end of the intro it has a sound of water that is reminiscent of "Native American" music. A lot of interesting sounds all together in this song, very "Cosby-showish" sounding to me. So, unfortunately hearing Cosy before this song, I hear a TV show and not the song. I am not a fan of the trumpet or sax too much in songs...this is heavy on those. The numerous sounds work well together and keep you entertained, almost as though you don't know where to look. Overall the album has a smooth, mellow sound that is hopeful and enjoyable even as the lyrics call for thinking. I liked Earth, Wind & Fire before listening to this album but I still really enjoyed it. It reminded me of The 5th Dimension's Age of Aquarius a bit.

Lust for Life has a really good beat, I enjoyed this one. Sixteen is painful in some way to me...the beat is just constant in the same way...and the yelling/singing of the late 70s is not my jam. Some Weird Sin...lyrics repeated way too much. The music has an anxious quality to it, sort of frenetic. The Passenger, I like the tone and beat of his voice in this song. Again, the actual music just seems the same, repeated far too much in a very basic rhythm that grates. Tonight....the guitar has a screeching quality to it. I really like the uniqueness of Iggy's and how he plays around with it. The choice of his music in this album though....I am not enjoying. The opening beats of Success I like, the beats on top of beats is so interesting. The layering in this one I like. Turn Blue, I do not like, had to skip. Punk rock...I don't think it's my jam....Ended Neighborhood Threat with 30 seconds to go. Fall In Love With Me has that duh duh duh duh duh beat, the same beat over and over with a random screaming guitar. Didn't finish Fall In Love With Me, only made it halfway in. Maybe I just don't like Iggy's punk rock? It's just painful and makes me angry/angsty feeling.

I mean, how can't you love the title song? It has such a smooth twang to it. The way he changes his voice throughout this song, sounding as though it's a band singing and not only one man. It is a classic for a reason.