Just OK. I am onto the two tracks. I knew I had again I didn’t hear anything particularly special. A little bit agitating and probably not my genre.
For me, Carpenters are a band for whom the greatest hits compilation format was created. "Close to You" is a perfect example of why.
GOOD
At their best Carpenters fuse Karen Carpenter's glowing vocals with sensitive songwriting, country/folk-inspired harmonies and pop sensibilities to create indisputable classics.
BAD
At worst they waste all of their virtues to create tracks as forgettable as the Wrigley's Double Mint Gum commercials they seem a natural fit for.
IN BETWEEN
Fortunately they fill plenty of this album with pop/rock covers with mixed results. Sometimes it leads to an interesting interpretation that reveals new depths of well-known tracks. Oftentimes it takes to feeling right out of them.
So, grab the Carpenters Greatest Hits, and throw it on for some lazy Sunday morning.s
Weary and wishing. And WOW. Billie Holiday is a legend, but one I hadn't dedicated much focused listen toward. This album is a journey and her now-raspy voice reflects a well-worn life, full of wisdom and regret, but with hope remaining. And emotional listen that left me speechless. Many of the 1,001 can be debated. LADY IN SATIN cannot be debated. It is essential.
It's alright. Definitely listenable and you can understand why people hold the musicality of this group in high regard. That said, a bit "minor" for me.
I dig it. Good mix or high and low vibes that jive with my era. Musicality is there as well. Listenable and something I see coming back to.
5 stars all the way. Moody, epic, lyrical, multi-layered and BIG.
I wanted to like this a lot more than I did - because it's a legit classic in jazz circles. I guess I'm not into bossa nova...
I dug it. Feels a bit cheesy at first, but once you get in the mood, it rocks. Very influential on some of my favorite metal bands in the later 80s.
Most music comes at you, something about this album invites and draws you in. A sort of bric-a-brac of various musical styles and inspirations the becomes it's own thing - rather intriguing. Finally, very much constructed as and Album, with a flow and seeming narrative from beginning to end. I enjoyed it very much.
Very solid. You can hear some innovation and a distinct voice here. Not another Beatles or Beach Boys impersonation act. Proto-classic rock you could call it. A lot of bands would pick up this baton in the later 70s and you can hear the roots here.
Man, this one really started with a bang and ended with a whimper. I love these vocal harmonies and the fusion of rock, country, folk, and blues was exciting to hear. The original songs and covers all brimmed with something fresh and exciting. At least for the first 5 songs... After that the quality and originally fade and the album as a whole begins to overstay it's welcome. By the time it was over, I was glad it was over. Still some good tunes here, but I won't be listening to the entire LP again.
Agitating...in a good way? Nobody sounds like the B-52s. Never have and never will. Catchy and seemingly a-musical at times, the beat, shout-singing and throwback elements do combine for something listenable, and even enjoyable if you're in the mood. It never occurred to me that Gene Belcher from BOB'S BURGERS would probably rank this band at the top of his musical influences list. Is that a good or bad thing? I don't know.
Drives home the idea that 80s pop was a fusion of existing genres into a distilled NEW genre. In Tina Turner's case, funk and soul. The standout original tracks here mark a resurrection an emergence of a pop goddess. The B-sides and covers are sort of unremarkable.
Fine enough for what it is, but not my cup of tea.
A bit of a time capsule. A bit boring. Not particularly memorable, but also not annoying.
Fine, vibey. Easy to work to, but nothing sticky or hummable.
When I think of Elvis Costello music I love and why I love it, this is it. Hits mixed with totally listenable lesser know songs. Musicality that is never dull, yet never imposing. Pop rock, that never forgets to rock. Unmistakable vocals. Smart lyrics. Great album from great artist.
