If this was a piece of tragic performance art illustrating the mundane and tedious reflections of a middle aged white man’s descent into mediocrity and irrelevance it would be a masterpiece. However, this meandering pap seems to be a serious effort and it seems to have been well received at the time by other, presumably, quite boring people. As I listened to Graceland disjointedly jangling along I longed for yesterday’s funner offering (Sister Sledge). Soon Graceland faded meaninglessly into the background as it is simply too dull to cut above other noises and I started thinking about today’s polarised world that seems fuelled by perpetually outraged old people. A thought then occurred to me; Boomers were young once - they listened to Sister Sledge and Sunday’s far more progressive musical offering from the Rolling Stones. Then they listened to Graceland and I wonder if it was then that they began their own descent into middle aged dissatisfaction, vindictive entitlement and a comfort zone of victimhood. I think what I’m trying to say is that Graceland is to music what Boris Johnson is to politics; an offensive but inexplicably popular mediocrity.
Layla and other assorted love songs starts badly, Tracks 1,2 and 4 are slow, self pitying bilge which Eric Clapton’s (for it is he apparently)endless guitar wanking does nothing for. Things pick up later on with a mixture of Blues and soft rock tracks. The blues stuff is ok, if I stumbled into a pub and a band was playing it live I’d appreciate it but as a record it’s…well meh! The faster, soft rock tracks with good bass lines that counter Clapton’s wanking are better, Layla is good of course so if you are into that you’ll probably like some of the other tracks too. I enjoyed ‘Little Wing’ - it really is a good song and, for me, the one track where Clapton wanks less furiously; as they say sometimes, less is more.
Overall 3/5. I was tempted to knock one off for Clapton being a dick but that would make this album only marginally better than Graceland by Paul Simon and that just doesn’t sit right.
After two days of Paul Simon babbling and Eric Clapton wanking his guitar over their respective bands it was refreshing to hear a group of musicians working together. There are some good tracks on this album, as overplayed as ‘In my Place’ and ‘The Scientist’ are there are forgotten gems in ‘Warning Sign’ and ‘God put a smile on your face’ to make up for it. 4/5 seems to high but I’ll go with it because I’ll happily listen to Coldplay again even though I don’t think I like them that much.
Controversial for some maybe but I’m a fan of James Hatfield’s voice and that, to me, is the only thing that stands out in most of this offering. A few days ago, while enduring Eric Clapton’s guitar tossing, I was reminded that less often means more when it comes to music. And I feel the same is true here, the piss poor baseless production doesn’t help, but this record doesn’t have much in the way of build - it’s endless, frankly unforgettable, riffing. If you’re going to riff make it good. ‘To live is to Die’ is quite good and, unsurprisingly, that’s where Metallica slow the fuck down and let things build. As a genre metal is ridiculously difficult to get right, most of it is unserious juvenile bollocks enjoyed by unserious, juvenile people. Now Metallica are much better than most and they would soon go on to much better things than this record - unlike their fan base who think this average record is the best this genre has to offer. Overall 3/5.
I listened to this twice yesterday and can’t remember a single thing about it. This sums ‘Crooked Rain Crooked Rain’ up I suppose; bland and forgettable Indie Rock.
I’ve fell in love to a Nick Cave song once...but I’m just not in the mood for this today. Too depressing. It’s no where near as shit as Graceland; a record so shit it’s made 2 pretty much obsolete for me as a score. As I type I’ve got Isis (the band) on; this album (in the absence of truth) would get a 5 and Cave is no where near them. Given that Cave isn’t as shit as Paul Simon and is nowhere near as good as ISIS he gets a solid 3/5.
Ugh, Come on Eileen was on the playlist of every wedding disco through the 80s and 90s. It sucks. I’m not listening to it again because why should I make myself angry in my own home?
Meh! 🫤
I was looking forward to this as I knew nothing about ELO. However this was a disappointment, very uninspiring and little to distinguish between each track. Not overly offensive but not exciting either.
I was looking forward to this as I knew nothing about ELO. However this was a disappointment, very uninspiring and little to distinguish between each track. Not overly offensive but not exciting either.
I’d heard hits from this album like ‘Venus as a boy’ and wasn’t too keen. However I was pleasantly surprised when listening to this, Debut is just so creative. I particularly enjoyed ‘Human behaviour’ (the hit I didn’t know) and ‘One day’. It’s not usually the sort of thing I listen to but it was rich and memorable enough for a future revisit. As I’m going to listen again I think Debut warrants a full five stars.
It’s taken 30 years but Radiohead have finally got me. This is textured, creative music that structurally builds, layers and crescendos. Sublime post rock that is well worth another listen, possible several.
There is a noticeable difference between the sound quality of older music and what would come along later. Electric Ladyland just doesn’t sound good and I there isn’t enough else there to compensate for me. Yes Jimi Hendrix and his band are talented musicians but the songs often seem to meander without purpose (Voodoo Chile being a good example of this) and lyrically Hendrix just doesn’t hold my attention; most of the album seems like people jamming and a lot of that jamming feels half arsed if I’m honest. I’m afraid I don’t get the appreciation of Jimi Hendrix’s body of work although I do understand his influence and legacy and am a fan of quite a few musicians who he has inspired. It’s probably a sound quality thing but I find other artists doing Jimi Hendrix more engaging than Hendrix himself. Does this lack of appreciation for the original art make me a musical philistine? That’s probably fair and I’m comfortable with that label.
As far as ratings go I’m not inclined to listen again, but Hendrix is a way better guitarist than Eric ‘fret wanker’ Clapton and a much better lyricist that Paul Simon. Hollywood Hulk Hogan used Voodoo Child as his entrance music so Hendrix deserves a bonus point for that. 3/5
I grew up listening to this album, so I’m biased because of nostalgia. Livin’ on a prayer and You give love…are the really famous tracks but Let it Rock and Dead or Alive are the just stunning as well. A very solid 4/5 for pure, eighties goodness!
