There’s such a humanness in this album. That’s weird to say but whatever. The songs about his wife are really sweet too. There are some sort of reggae elements to a couple of the songs that caught me by surprise. I absolutely love the first song it’s sassy and an anti capitalist anthem bitch!!!! The title track reminds me of an old noir detective movie. The whistling is iconic paired with the piano. The whole track has an air of mystery to it for sure. The piano playing through the album is quite simple but suitable. The thing that really shines on this album is the groove of the guitar (even though there’s a different guitarist on every track) and the sax playing is wonderful as well with the engaging vocals of Joel. The organ is used sparingly and I didn’t enjoy its use as much but it’s not bad by any means. Least favorite track is probably just the way you are but I can appreciate the sentimentality of it and i love the sax playing on it. Scenes from an Italian restaurant transports you to Italy and is a jazzy delight for sure for sure the piano is so fun on this and all in all it’s enthralling. Vienna to me is like a companion piece to movin out. Idk what that fuckin instrument is that I also heard in scenes from an Italian restaurant it sounds like an accordion but I like it. Love Joel’s vocal performance on this track his voice crescendos in pair with the instrumentals as they build to the chorus. The attitude on only the good die young is so fun and I think I hear a trombone on this track. It ironically sounds like something you’d hear in church like a gospel. The sax solo on it tooooo. Slay. She’s always a woman makes my heart hurt. One of my favorites off this album. The flute playing loans a gentleness to this track that perfectly matches Joel’s vocals. Get it right the first time is jarring after the previous track but goddamn if it don’t seeeerve. This is the reggae sound I was talking about. The flute is used creatively in this id never think it would work. Joel’s performance is so energetic and he’s got a growl in his voice that adds a conviction to the song. Bro was singing for his LIFE fr. Everybody has a dream seems inspired like the church sound that we occasionally hear in the album with the organ and this time a choir. I don’t love the use of a choir as I don’t think the buildup is suiting enough to warrant for a choir and it seems out of place in an otherwise sober and solemn track. However in the final chorus I like it. The return to the melody of the stranger is kinnnnd of jarring because the last song doesn’t fade into it quite right. But I like the callback to it. It helps me frame the album in my mind more entirely. Overall I rate this album an 8.5/10 I really enjoyed it and will continue to revisit it.

I’m a new person now. This album changed me. Possibly the most sensual album I’ve ever listened to. There’s a raw sexuality to it but when the strings or the sax comes in it adds some sort of romance to it. Such a simple thing to base an album off of but it does it so completely. The jazzy and funk inspired tracks blend seamlessly with the ballads. Essential listening!!!

Makes me emo asfffff

I’ve looooved this album since I was like 16 a masterpiece. So personal

He just like me fr

He just like me fr