I can understand why this is included as a historical document- its a critical record for bringing the aesthetics of country into the world of the rap rock hybrid that had emerged just before it. I don't know that it holds up as a listening experience for me. I also struggle with him going the way of his fellow Michigander Ted Nugent into the black hole of ignorance that is the republican party.

I think Marty has a beautiful voice and this album evokes the American imaginary of the time- heroic explorers using their bravery and ingenuity to tame the wild west. Music wise I can hear in the influence of Texas Swing, precursors to Johnny Cash and even glimmers of Charlie Feathers and rockabilly. Fun stuff!

A classic- not for everyday listening but when I'm in the mood there is nothing else like it.

A rock-solid classic!! The album is stylistically diverse which is even more impressive when you know Todd played everything himself for the majority of the tracks on the album.

A thing of nearly perfect beauty. You can hear where this fits in the span of his career- a fascinating transitional artifact

This album is a little earlier than my preferred period of Jazz but you can hear its role in being a bridge between the Jazz of the 30s/40s and what would come next. Interesting as a historical document but not one I would reach for on the shelf.

Sort of an oddity of an album- feels sort of like T Rex but less glam and more early American indie. Feels like it could either be forgettable or an album that slowly grows on you with repeated listens.

A rock-solid classic!! The album is stylistically diverse which is even more impressive when you know Todd played everything himself for the majority of the tracks on the album.

While I have mixed feelings about live recordings in general its clear when you listen to some that the musician we know from the studio is only a pale comparison to what they must have been in person. Beautiful stuff.

I was initially skeptical about this but then the guitars hit in "Back to Africa" and I understood. It's the kind of sleazy guitar that the mid 70s is so awesome for. You can hear how this band sits in time around the Stooges, MC5- clearly a bridge between the early 70s, glam and punk.

I can understand why this is included as a historical document- its a critical record for bringing the aesthetics of country into the world of the rap rock hybrid that had emerged just before it. I don't know that it holds up as a listening experience for me. I also struggle with him going the way of his fellow Michigander Ted Nugent into the black hole of ignorance that is the republican party.

I think Marty has a beautiful voice and this album evokes the American imaginary of the time- heroic explorers using their bravery and ingenuity to tame the wild west. Music wise I can hear in the influence of Texas Swing, precursors to Johnny Cash and even glimmers of Charlie Feathers and rockabilly. Fun stuff!

Lovely but not entirely my cup of tea. Gershwin and Ella are legends for a reason though!

I can understand the appeal of the album but I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it- it feels very derivative of contemporaneous musical acts at the time.

While I think other bands did it better there's no denying its a fun listen.

I think I prefer Electric Warrior but this is still a decent album.

As a person who doesn't listen to the Boss this was surprising for me. Interesting that he was so heavily influenced by punk and wanted to move away from the majestic bombast of his previous records into something darker and tighter.

Pleasing- good Sunday afternoon listening

While a solid album, with the benefit of hindsight its harder to judge this album "in the moment" because I can hear where they were going which just makes me want to listen to later albums (like Disintegration). Nice to revisit though!

Not my cup of tea but I understand why someone might like it.

A thing of nearly perfect beauty. You can hear where this fits in the span of his career- a fascinating transitional artifact

It might be cheese but I still love it

Not perhaps as influential as their earlier work but a great example of talent, production and vision delivering a cohesive outcome that stands the test of time.

Odd that Coldplay gets two mentions- I don't really think they are all that great despite having a few nice songs. Just more of the same tbh

An eternal classic

A forgotten (for me) masterpiece- virtually every track is good. Brought me back to my childhood as this album was on repeat for much of my youth

Nicer than I had initially expected it to be- reminded me a lot of the singer-songwriter stuff my parents loved growing up and would be a nice album to listen to on the road or on a lazy afternoon.

Interesting aberration in his catalogue (of which I have limited knowledge)- I wasn't familiar with this one and while I appreciate it I don't think I would ever come back to it to listen to.

Not really for me.

What can one even say that hasn't been said? An eternal classic

Meh

ok but I prefer her work with Philip Glass.

I would give it 6 stars if I could

I had forgotten that I knew most of the songs- this is a really strong and still very listenable example of the genre and the time that does more than just replicate a sound. Happy to have been prompted to listen again!

Hard to say no to Jimi

really nice! While I've listened to perhaps more music from Africa than the average person this is new to me. Not sure I would purchase it but happy to have heard it.

Not for me. I've never really understood the appeal.

A classic- not for everyday listening but when I'm in the mood there is nothing else like it.

I remember liking it more when it first came out. Fine but not earth shaking.

An eternal classic

I prefer Perry Farrell's solo work but still a nice listen

A hidden classic- well worth the time to revisit

Good for what it was at a point in time with regard to being a new voice/perspective (one could argue that Eminem brought a different class lens to rap of the era). Not one I'd reach for on the shelf though.

A classic!

A fun listen and cultural artifact but pales in comparison to virtually any other Fela material.

Stone cold classic- love it.