Overall an enjoyable first listen! Hotel California is a classic - the guitar parts throughout are killer. Also, the track “Try and Love Again” felt very timeless and was quite unexpected compared to the track I was familiar with, “Hotel California.”
As a trumpet player, I was excited to listen to some Count Basie & His Orchestra! I loved the track “Duet” - it reminded me of playing duets with friends throughout school. Listening to “Flight of the Foo Birds” brought back more found memories of playing trumpet in big band. “Whirly-Bird” is such an exciting track - while technically demanding, it sounds nimble and easy! “Midnite Blue” follows immediately after and completely the mood changes. At first warm, a hint of dissonance in the piano is hinted, as the track progresses the orchestra takes over. “Splanky” is a classic and instantly was familiar with this track. The track “Lil Darlin” is such a feel and that trumpet solo is lovely! This track is so warm and lush - it feels like music you could live in forever.
Overall, I liked listening through this album. I realized that I’ve actually never listened to this one top to bottom!
The album starts off strong with recognizable classic tracks like, “Sunday Morning” and “I’m Waiting for the Man.”
Something about “Venus In Furs” makes me think the song would be well suited for a historical fiction television show, like with vikings or the like.
“All Tomorrow’s Parties” is a bit chant-like. The guitar part almost sounds like a sitar at times. Maybe my favorite track on the album.
The guitar distortion / feedback is a bit like nails on a chalkboard at times, especially in “Heroin” and the very beginning of the guitar solo in “Run Run Run”, in a way that feels good but also feels awful at the same time. If that makes sense.
Overall, this was an interesting listen. I can definitely hear how this is an influential album moving forward musically. While I enjoyed listening, the silence following the last track at the end of the album was welcome relief to my ears after the final track.
An album I could listen to over and over again…
Interesting story about this live performance.
Performance was an overall enjoyable listen… but I could not get past the person audibly moaning in the recording.
Lovely singing by Sinatra. The instrumentalists were a joy as well. This album felt like Christmas day and being at a wedding all in one, definitely ooey gooey and sentimental… But not in a completely bad way, kind like a “I’m lucky to be in love” way.
Cyndi Lauper creates a landscape, a place to escape, in She’s So Unusual. The synthesizer throughout creates a lush, reminiscent atmosphere. The synth sounds in “All Through the Night” are particularly lovely.
Lauper’s voice is very distinctive. What would “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” or “Time After Time” be without Lauper’s cutting voice?
However, by the time the album reached “Witness,” I found that I was quite tired of listening to Lauper’s singing. AND I HATED “I’ll Kiss You.”
Maybe due to typically listening to Lauper in single track doses and each song being quite repetitive, but I find this album a bit meh overall. I honestly don’t think I will ever listen to this album top to bottom again, but will be searching for the synthesizer sounds used.
Today I learned I absolutely hate The Gun Club. It would be far more pleasant to listen to construction sounds as I try to sleep each morning than to ever listen to this album again in my life.
If the vocals could be muted, the blend of blues and punk is at least a new taste in my mouth. An instrumental version of this album might actually be quite palatable. The band jams and guitar riffs were bright notes in an album that felt it was devoid of life.
Tracks like “Jack on Fire” were so difficult to listen through due to the lyrics and voice. The guitar solo near the end of this track was the only musically redeeming element. “Cool Drink of Water” was indeed just that - the band had some tasteful moments together, while the listener had reprieve from Pierce’s sour vocals.
I was so excited for “Goodbye Johnny” that I started doubting how much I disliked this experience overall. Then, I listened on, to the alternate version tracks. Reaching the alternate version of “For the Love of Ivy,” I was reminded all over why I hated this album on this initial (and hopefully final) listen.
People who enjoy this album likely reread their original copy of the book A Clockwork Orange, ash their cigarettes into empty beer cans, and say things like “I just can’t get into the music these days.”
The Stones are a classic. Let It Bleed starts and ends strong, with some enjoyable tunes in between as well. Definitely worth a listen and an add to your library!
Solsbury Hill was great, but I couldn’t really get into the rest of the album.
Favorites include “Scarborough Fair”, “Homeward Bound”, and “The Dangling Conversation.” Underestimated how much I might enjoy this album.
Lacks cohesion overall, but isn’t a terrible album… it just feels like it falls short of what it could’ve been. The melodies aren’t very catchy or memorable. The lyrics don’t stick with the listener either. Each track feels background - maybe this kind of music would make the perfect music for a movie or tv show.
I am so torn between completely hating this album and actually enjoying listening thru. It’s really not terrible, not stand out either. Favorite song has to be “Your Own Backyard.”
I’ve listened to The xx previously, but hadn’t heard I See You until now. This album was a chill start to my morning. My favorite tracks were “Dangerous” and “A Violent Noise.”
Upbeat vibes. The bright, clean, and smooth guitar lines were the highlight of the album. The sound soured upon learning more about the artist while finishing out the album.
First listen thru this album was enjoyable, although I preferred the first half better the than last bit. There’s a nice mix of acoustic and electric sounds. “Immigrant Song” was the highlight, but “Since I’ve Been Loving You” and “Gallows Pole” also stood out.
