Only a 4 because I think Mr. Morale is a leap above this one and deserves the 5/5
This is a really chill album to have on in the background to zone out to. Pretty boring/repetitive on the front half but DAMN does it hit its stride in the back half. If the album was just Bitter Sweet Symphony + the back half it would be a 4/5.
Very first thought: this is SAD but GROOVY man. Also, this album must be listened to via headphones. Really, really enjoyed, but not quite perfect. Also also I looked up more about Nick’s life and now I’m even more sad.
I can see this being 100% a hit in the early 90s when it was released, but it just isn’t for me. Not a fan of the content of the songs and Snoop Dogg definitely outshines Dr. Dre on this record. Reading the back story behind this album was interesting, however.
Imagine coming out with a song like “Maps” on your DEBUT album. Absolutely magnificent. Front half is just pure female rage. I assume this absolutely SLAPPED for the teenage gals in the 2000s.
This album is what I imagine the people I went to middle school with listen to when they’re shotgunning beers on their daddy’s boats on the lake. The *idea* behind this album is interesting but good golly Miss Molly if you want me to listen to the lyrics you have to make it sound at least a little bit good.
Made me feel like I was done wrong by the man of my children and we had the ugliest divorce. This album shows such resilience for Aretha. She wasn’t considered to “breakout” until this album (her TENTH) and wow what a breakout it was. Especially so considering this album contains a ton of covers. Also TIL that Respect is not Aretha’s originally. Also can we give a moment for the album cover? Gorgeous.
I squealed when I saw this was today’s album. The album that marks the beginning of THE Queen sound. Listened to this while chilling outside and just let it revive me from a long weekend of fun. Kept going back and forth on whether I wanted to rate it 4 or 5. Kept comparing it to Hot Space in my head, but I think it’s still a 5 but in a completely different way. Love how each song is so unique on this record.
So glad I came back to this album. So beautiful. I kept thinking one song would be my favorite and then the next one would be just as good. If I had to pick, I really love The Wrong Child, Turn You Inside-Out, and Hairshirt.
The stats behind this album are WILD, especially since it’s a live album. I really loved listening to this, but some of these lyrics did not age well - see “It’s a Plain Shame.”
If Phil Collins and Billy Idol had a baby, it would be this record.
His voice completely rips me away from how good I want this album to be. The second song is so cool in the beginning with its stereo effect but then his voice is just nails on a chalk board to me. Ugh. Give me this album without the vocals and it would be a 4/5. I commend Sumner for trying to take over as vocalist after the death of Joy Division, but there’s a reason why he wasn’t the original vocalist.
I’m a sucker for 60’s rock music and this record hits just the spot between the covers of iconic songs and their original songs like The Witch and Psycho. So so fun. Also love that the actual title of this album is !!! Here Are The Sonics !!!
This is album is insanely repetitive, holy shit. I can only hear him sing "empty sky" so many times. I get that Springsteen is an American classic, but I've never been that fond of his vocals personally. First album that I didn't finish on here.
Went back and listened to this while I was cooking. I've heard of how amazing Björk is for years but have never taken the dive to listen myself. Loved it.
boygenius is RIGHT. This man just writes horny poetry. I have no idea how I feel about this tbh. I think I love it ?