Not overly impressed. Lacks the spark, swagger and song-writing skills of their contemporaries. The Who are the 'Iconic Band' that I never got.
Really enjoyed this. Only heard 'It's a sin' before which is bonafide hit record. The opening 2 tracks are great and set the tone for the rest of the album. Unfortunately, the quality could not be maintained and there are some simple lyrics. Lots of references to money which I didn't understand.
Incredible, era defining album. Music that everyone enjoys and knows the words to. The production is crisp and beautifully crafted, every synthetic sound is perfectly constructed. One or two duff tracks but only because of the direct comparison. Would happily go to 'the cancelled disco' to listen to this again.
Favourite track: Man in the Mirror
Nicely crafted and beautiful orchestration but doesn't really do anything or go anywhere.
Like being in an endless lift.
Where to begin..... I'm not insightful or smart enough to explain the deeper meanings of the album and why it resonates. My best attempt is to say that it manages to convey most, if not all, of the elements that get buzz my mind: the difficult marriage between hope & despair, the desire to belong to something and finding beauty in the ordinary.
Favourite track: Jungleland
Bit of a struggle to get through the whole of this whopper. Enjoyed some of the tracks, beats and the odd line but it didn't grab me.
Some nice tracks and interesting lyrical themes.
I've know the 'hits' well but never listed to the whole album before now. The grandiosity works on some tracks but grates on others. There's something about his voice that I don't like, I think it's the forced sincerity. 4 really good songs.
Enjoyed the initial jolt of energy but those positive feelings soon wore off. Too many flashbacks to the neighbours all night parties.
It stirred nothing. Like LD and the ocean I feel like I'm missing something.
Cracking tracks interspersed with some nothingness and an awful comedy skit (why?). I liked that they were very open to music that influenced them with many nods throughout.
Adventurous lyrical themes and slick production. Will listen again.
Better than expected and enjoyed the occasional breakdown and melodic guitar line. Apparently, I've seen them live. Heavy metal baby!
The attribute I like most about Jim Morrison's voice is that you believe every thing he says. Great album.
Sounds like a homage to the greats both musically and lyrically but it doesn't sound quite right.
Opening 3 tracks are good and groovy but then it descends into an assortment of tracks for film soundtracks with no connecting threads. Glad I stuck with it as Nick Cave popped up on 'the sweetest embrace'. No idea who Barry Adamson is/was but what a career he's had.
It was probably ground breaking at the time of release and introduced different musical styles to new audiences but in terms of quality it's not doing much. How is Malcom McLaren credited with this album? It's a compilation.
Just nicely plods along being nice and ploddy.
Riding on the early wave of New York indie bands with their contemparies the Strokes, Interpol and the Walkmen, the YYYs and this album provide a positive nostalgia kick. The album opens with a bolt of energy, dips slightly in the middle before hitting hard with two indie disco classics (Maps & Y Control).
Ambitious both musically and lyrically and it works.
Enjoyed the big, open acoustic sounds with the added bonus of lap steel guitar. Will revisit both the album and artist.
Didn't remember it being this heavy. Child in Time is epic.
Has alot of musicalities that I like but I couldn't connect with it unlike Polly's other albums.
Nothing to see here. Every song sounds like a Rod song.
Some nice melodies hidden behind the scratchy guitars. Straight edge baby!
Enjoyed the quieter moments. When the tempo ramps up it sounds like a descent into madness. First class musicianship.
Very much enjoyed this. Loved the bluesy riffs and guitar work in general. I'll certainly revisit and glad to learn that the Top aren't a joke band.
Some smash hits surrounded by formulaic pop songs.
A great album which shimmers and shines with murky melodies. Like the album sleeve, the beauty can be found on the ocean surface or lurking underneath. The tones and production is first rate. Not sure why Vapour Trail isn't played at every indie disco.
Still sounds like nothing I ever heard, combing pop sensibilities with theatrical, prog-esque song structures.
It felt unstructured, a load of ideas thrown together but nothing compelling.
Meh. On paper I should love this.
Enjoyed this more than I should.
Love the grandiosity which captures the immigrant spirit of the American dream. The first half is close to perfect but cannot be sustained. It's a shame the U2 sound has become a bit of a joke as it's epic. I listened to it walking around Sheffield at twilight, the vistas were different but the feelings were the same.
Difficult to rate on a single listen.
Lots to love about this. A few months ago I became pretty obsessed with the follow-up 'Spirit of Eden'. The production on both albums is incredible. Every note, tone and strum fits perfectly. The craft and dedication to create and structure the songs is something I can only praise. On top of this is the introspective and existential lyrics.
The lo-fi indie moments are really good the shouty moments are not.
Some nice lo-fi indie moments but it's more of a collection of unrelated ideas.
Classic hip-hop with the added bonus of referencing being a scientist.
Great song writing if a little excessive.
The non-vocal tracks are otherworldly, much like life the beauty is found in the mundane, repeating moments.
Didn't really dig this, a couple of decent tracks but nothing that made me want to listen again.
Bookended by two stone cold classics, the Stones try their hand at numerous genres and pretty much nail every one. A classic album in every essence.
Enjoyed this after some initial trepidation. The songs can't be questioned.
A really high quality extended jam session but noodling on a a guitar is still noodling.
Funky grooves and rhythms. Does what it says in the tin. Some of the uplifting lyrics are pretty awful but happy to forgive this.
I needed this like a hole in the head. Cracking first track.
One of my favourite and consistent bands from the 00's. They great a brilliant, melodic atmosphere.
Smooth and slick. Maybe a little too sugary.
A sprawl of styles but nothing sticks. The more albums we get through the more I want a theme or mood to run through the album and connect the songs together.
Eccentric in all the right places with the added bonus of 'This woman's work' being one of my favourite songs
Packed full of pop hits. Only 2/13 tracks that I don't like.
What I've now learnt to be a classic Yes album. Amazing musicianship, mad lyrics and long songs.
More deep purple! It's like being 17/18 and discovering my dad's records again.
Quite rare to hear male vocal harmonies like this. This could start a deep dive into C, S & N.
Nostalgic but didn't enjoy as much as I expected.
I was hopeful after the opening track but the rest of the album was pretty dire.
Couldn't connect with this. It was a clash between Eno's ambient work and Byrne's rhythms but it didn't mesh. Will revisit at some point.
Very slick, nice beats and bass throughout and some interesting lyrics.
I said m-m-m-maybe this is alot of fun.
Enjoyed this and being introduced to a new genre: ambient soft rock.
It's a shame that the main issues raised on the album (racism and violence) are still prevalent today. In 42 years no one has got close to managing a change to the cultural narrative around what it is to be British - a depressing thought for the day. Solid album but the thumping tempo is let down by slower numbers.
Solid rock and roll with a great guitar tone.
Deserves a few more spins.
A stunning debut. Venus as a boy is a song for the ages.
I remember listening to this at 17/18 on a family holiday in Ireland. Using a CD player and some crappy headphones. It sounded dangerous then, as it still does now.
