Logical Progression
LTJ BukemNope
Nope
Pretty good. “Runaway Child, Running Wild” took me by surprise.
Pretty fun, with some misses (what the fuck was “I Love the Dead”??). A little too campy to listen to on a regular basis, but I wouldn’t turn it off if I heard it again.
Standout tracks: Drive, Ignoreland, Man on the Moon. Pretty good, would listen to again.
Standout tracks: Pilgrimage, Perfect Circle (A+ song), Shaking Through. Was an enjoyable listen, and I can respect how bold they were in their style for a debut album. Overall, it was decent, but did not match expectations based on the acclaim this album has received since release.
One thing is clear: Marvin Gaye fucked. “Let’s Get It On” is solid throughout, with Gaye’s vocals shining as the centerpiece. It’s short runtime across 8 tracks is a strength, as every song feels deserving of it place on the album - perhaps with the exception of “Keep Gettin’ It On.”
Each song on “Born in the U.S.A.” sounds like a Bruce Springsteen song. Personally, I can only take so much of that sound before getting bored. But, there are some solid tracks on this album: “I’m on Fire” “No Surrender” “Bobby Jean” and “Dancing in the Dark.” Would have been a 2.5, but songs like “Glory Days” make it hard to make it a 3.
Pretty good, really liked “The Boy in the Bubble,” “Crazy Love, Vol II,” and “Gumboots.” Overall, a little hard to get into though because Paul spends a lot of the time singing as if he is rambling - the music itself is often more enjoyable than his vocals. That being said, it was an interesting listen. Wouldn’t hate listening to it again, but wouldn’t choose it over Simon & Garfunkel.
I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did - I have listened to Cash’s songs here and there, but have never listened to any of his albums. But there was a such a fun and lively energy to this performance that I couldn’t help but smile as I listened. I felt transported to another time and place, and could imagine the scene of Cash playing at San Quentin to a prison crowd. The banter between the inmates and Cash, and the numerous references to the guards that I visualized lining the room, helped create a sense of place that I haven’t experienced before in a live album. “San Quentin” (the song so nice, he played it twice!) was the standout for me. The crowd reaction elevated an otherwise “eh” song to a pretty unique experience. The downside is that some of the songs are not very memorable once they are over. The album is great because of the experience listening to it, and less so for the individual tracks.
Yo, what a good fucking album. 5/5
Decent, enjoyable, but ultimately nothing (with the exception of the title track) left a lasting impression.
Super energetic and upbeat throughout. Great for car jams. Not my favorite style of music, but I can respect the quality of this album within the genre.
On paper, this would be an album I would love and give a 5/5 - I’m a sucker for sad indie singers. But while there were some great tracks (“Son of Sam,” “Everything Means Nothing to Me,” “In the Lost and Found,” “Can’t Make a Sound”) the album is kinda boring overall. Not bad, not great, just kinda is.
Totally outrageous. “Modern Dance” and “Street Waves” were good though.
Holy shit!
Would give it a 1, but “Peaches En Regalia” is a 5/5 track sooo…
Pretty boring
I liked how the album felt themed, like you could imagine Price playing a late-night set while the audience drinks and mingles. Songs weren’t too memorable, but were pleasant. Would have been a 3 if he didn’t say “honky tonk” so much.
Pretty good, better on the second listen through.
There is not a single album in The Beatles’ discography that comes close to being as audacious, innovative, and inconsistent as The White Album. Is it perfect? Hell no. But it is extremely interesting. Whereas other albums have bad songs that you don’t want to listen to, The White Album has bad songs you can’t help but listen to because they are so varied and out there that to skip them would change the listening experience entirely. In isolation, some of the songs are downright stinkers. But combined, the album shines as the best example of talented artists throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks. That being said, one can only dream of an alternate reality in which The Beatles released a modest, 14 track album in place of the sprawling 30 track double album. Without hyperbole, it would probably have been the best album of all time. Here is my take on that track list: Side A 1. Long, Long, Long 2. Back in the U.S.S.R. 3. Dear Prudence 4. Rocky Raccoon 5. Don’t Pass Me By 6. I’m So Tired 7. Helter Skelter Side B 8. Revolution 1 9. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da 10. Happiness is a Warm Gun 11. Martha My Dear 12. Blackbird 13. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 14. Julia
Pretty darn good
Nope
Pretty good. “Runaway Child, Running Wild” took me by surprise.
Enjoyable, but not super memorable.
Really enjoyed this one. Wasn’t a bad track on the album.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Celebration Day, Immigrant Song, and That’s the Way were standouts for me. Other than that, I thought it was good but not something I would revisit.
It was alright
Fun fact: nothing was cool until this album released in 1957. Thanks, Miles Davis.
Super solid, 3.5
My favorite Beatles album. So fucking polished and smooth. A perfect bridge between Beatlemania and the experimental albums that would follow.
I don’t know if I’ve ever consciously listened to a Neil Young song before, so this was a total surprise. But man, I loved this album.
This albums gives off strong early 20s vibes. That coming-of-age era in which you feel both like an adult and a teenager in an adult suit. Lorde sings passionately about lost love, partying, the invincibility of youth, and self doubt in a way that feels larger than life while also feeling intimate. The music is crafted with precision and polish (perhaps too much polish for my taste), and the lyrics are catchy and impactful (for the most part). Green Light is the standout track - if every song was as brilliant, it would be an easy 5 stars.
It was ok, but boring. “Love to the People” is good though.
Nice flow, good beats and instrumentation, and Latifah’s smooth voice combine for a pleasant (if a little lengthy) 80s hip hop album. Lyrically is where the album stumbles - I can take some self-referential lyrics, but literally every song contained at least one line containing the word “Queen” or “Latifah,” and almost all songs reference being a female rapper. Not to diminish her accomplishments as a female in a male-dominated genre, but it was hard to relate to the songs as someone who is not a rapper or named Queen Latifah. “Mama Gave Birth to the Soul Children” was the best track.
Some really great tracks on here (“I Know It’s Over,” “Never Had No One Ever,” “Cemetery Gates,” and “There is a Light That Never Goes Out”), but some of the others were meh (“Vicar in a Tutu” “Frankly, Mr. Shankly”).
Pretty solid, but ultimately kinda forgettable.
Jesus Christ, so boring. The album cover is 100x more interesting than the music. The only tolerable song was “Utopia” but I don’t even want to listen to that again tbh. No joy man, no joy. Fail.
Great overall, with Superstition being Wonder’s best song of all time (imo). Favorite tracks: Superstition You Are the Sunshine of My Life Maybe Your Baby Tuesday Heartbreak You’ve Got it Bad Girl I Believe (When I Fall in Love it Will Be Forever)
Damn, that was good.
Pretty fun, with some misses (what the fuck was “I Love the Dead”??). A little too campy to listen to on a regular basis, but I wouldn’t turn it off if I heard it again.
Pretty forgettable
I really enjoy Costello’s voice, the music is tight, and there isn’t anything majorly wrong with any of the songs. But there also wasn’t much that was distinct within the album. I would find myself surprised that multiple songs had passed and I didn’t realize. The “hits” sounded like every other song. Which again, wasn’t a bad sound, but there wasn’t a single song that stood out that I was eager to listen to again.
There is no denying this is a group of super talented musicians, and there wasn't anything egregiously bad about any of the songs, but listening to a 18 minute live jam of a song I don’t know is hella fucking boring. Maybe not the best intro to the band, I might have had a more positive experience if I knew some of the tracks ahead of time.
You wanna know how many times I’ve quoted “Frontier Psychiatrist” over the years? I would like to know as well, because it would probably be a crazy (in the coconut) high number.
Not bad, but the only 2 amazing songs were “Gimme Shelter” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” - the rest were ok but weren’t super interesting.
Super fun throughout
Pop perfection. “Time After Time” is a classic. Super strong vocals throughout. Some surprising moments (“Yeah Yeah”).
So good. Every song is great. “Scarborough Fair” gets on my nerves a bit but that’s probably a personal problem since the song is a classic.
The fact that this album is overshadowed by SO many other Beatles albums is a testament of their genius. This album is back to back bops, and the most straight-forward stylistically of any of their “all original songs” albums. Not to say it isn’t without surprises - the opening of “A Hard Day’s Night” or 1:33 of “Tell Me Why” come to mind - but rather you know from the start you are gonna have a short, lively, and fun rock album and they 100% deliver.
Pretty boring
Each individual song is great and enjoyable…at first. Unfortunately the album outstays its welcome by at least 20 minutes or so, and there isn’t a single song that was short enough for me to want to play again immediately after it was over. Would listen if it was on, but won’t seek out any songs other than the hits (with “Praise You” being the clear winner here) again.
Meh, could’ve died without listening to this.
What a voice! Would definitely listen to again.
Some great songs, some terrible songs, but mostly ok.
Super good
“Bold and Brash? More like: Belongs in the Trash.”
I liked “Requiem” a lot