This album is easy to listen to. The thing is, while it’s politically-conscious, straightforward, and well structured—all generally good traits—it takes zero risks at all. The acoustic backing is the definition of conventional and the writing is straightforward to the extent of superficiality (not that I think it was superficial—Chapman’s singing and songwriting definitely struck me as authentic, just that it really lacks depth). I get it grows out of the pacifist protest song tradition and that that genre almost mandates an easily palatable tone with broad, digestible lyrics but it really doesn’t interest me that much.
Well-written, concise, a clear theme that progresses over the course of the album, great vocals and strong structuring. The only thing holding this project back is it’s sound, which isn’t even bad and complements the aesthetic—all in all one of the best pop albums of the 2010s.
Musically perfect.
Doesn’t really sound any different than any of the other metal albums circling around in the early 80s. I don’t know much about the history of metal, so this could very well be a culturally significant release, but at least in terms of musicality I didn’t think there was that much special about it.
A strong collection of songs. I really like the orchestration on the jazzier/more girl-groupy side of the album, and I think Springfield's voice is great. The more soul-driven stuff stood out less to me, but at the end of the day this project–or at least this project as presented as the Dusty Springfield album released in 1964 on Spotify–is one of the better female vocalist works of the 1960s.
I get the hype. This struck me as a hazier, more washed-out progression on the pop sounds that The Beatles first brought to Great Britain in the 1960s. It effectively integrates dancier, indier undertones into this sound turning it into something really unique and dynamic. That being said, as original and creative as this album is, British pop sounds have never really interested me that much on an individual level. As well-orchestrated as this project is, it lacks some heart in its overly bright, ear-pleasing instrumentals and vocals. All in all, a well-made project that's worth listening to, it still isn't one of my favorites though.
I actually really liked this album, I think it's well constructed and I like Black's vocals and energy. I think the writing seems promising too, but one day of listening isn't enough to really internalize what's going on on each track in relation to the others. I'm excited to keep listening to this project over time and see how it grows on me.
The Rolling Stones if they were hipster theater kids
Really boring production. It’s a shame I didn’t like this more because Winehouse has a great voice and is a decent lyricist.
A politically conscious pop punk album with more pop than punk. Much better than the other limited selection of pop punk albums I’ve heard across my life.
Cool prog rock sci fi epic. Maybe a little long-winded.
Well, it sounds nice at least. Even if the sound is reductive, the engineering is overdone and the writing and vocals lack heart. The real issue here is that this record feels really artificial–it's as if Weyes Blood and early Taylor Swift fused into one person and decided to make an album under the condition that it was written in one day with the goal of being superficial and winning awards.
I don't have much to say. I wasn't really intrigued by it.
