A product of its time, and has some trite lyrical ideas that seemed like they were very important to the songwriters, but a career and to some extent genre defining record just the same. Paradise by the Dashboard Light is an all time classic and I enjoyed the album cuts more than I expected.
I’d like to give it 2.5, but alas…
The first half kind of worried me, as it was all very similar. But the back half, especially with the two hits, is really good. Kind of a bummer that it ends on such a sad song, though. Kentucky Rain, just before the closer, was a highlight.
Besides the obvious misogyny and other adolescent tropes that were “funny” in the early eighties, this record still holds up, to the point that I think it’s a seminal first record. And, like the Beatles before them, the Beastie Boys only got better from here. It’s astounding how every song on this record is so catchy in 2024.
I’ve never been a fan of this band. But, giving this album a fair listen, there’s a lot of great stuff here and it’s obvious why it’s a classic. I actually enjoyed many of the tunes. A pleasant surprise that might change my mind a bit.
This is better than I expected/remembered. It made me reconsider my (negative) take on Iron Maiden. It’s still not my bag, but I realized it’s not that far off from—and likely influenced—stuff I like a lot, like early Motley Crue and Dokken. I still like those bands better, but this was better than expected. The closer, Hallowed be thy Name, is a standout for me.
I liked this more than expected. Standout song for me is Revolution Blues. Hardest to get through was Ambulance Blues.
I had never heard of this band, but quite enjoyed this. I really dug Show Girl, How Could I Be Wrong, and American Guitars.
This is another one I liked more than I expected. I had this band in the category of one hit wonder, but this record-prior to the big hit-shows they had captured something going on in the UK at that time: the reemergence of soul music. No standout songs for me, but reasonably enjoyable to listen to.
Wow, this is an amazing record. Adele is an all time great and continues to prove it here with amazing performances. The songwriting and production are incredible, too - every song is great. Only knocked down from 5 to a 4 because it’s not my preferred style (heavy on the ballads). But for many people, I could see this easily being a 5.
There is clearly musical merit here, but it’s just not at all my bag, and way too many ballads. I really dislike the singer’s voice and can’t get past that, but I can appreciate that lots of people would like it. But I think our ratings are meant to reflect our enjoyment, not really an unbiased musical assessment. So, this will get a 1 from me, unfortunately. One highlight is the middle string section on Man Is The Baby. I also didn’t mind the Rufus Wainright song too much, but he’s also not my bag. But way more enjoyable to me than the regular singer.
This is all pleasant once you get used to her voice. I would actually prefer this as kind of a chill instrumental record. Not my favorite, but very well done and listenable.
I wish the rating system had more resolution because, while this isn’t the best Beatles album, it’s still a five because, come on, it’s The Beatles! And plenty of all-time classics here to warrant a five. I listened to the stereo version, which was quite odd since I’ve heard the mono version so much at this point. But it was interesting to hear some of the parts a little more clearly to get kind of a different perspective on the record. It shows what a fantastic band they were and how exciting they were able to make every single tune. Just a classic.
I was expecting to really dislike this, but a lot like Led Zeppelin IV, it’s better than I expected. I see why Babe I’m Going To Leave You is so highly regarded and Good Times, Bad Times was pretty good, too.
Obviously a very heavy record. I heard Closer and Hurt often when this was current and always thought they were cool. Older (cynical?) me now sees Closer and many of the other lyrical ideas (“you don’t know just how I feel!!!!!”) adolescent and amped up to 11 for effect (shock?), perhaps rather than true artistic purpose. But, who knows, maybe that’s the art of it. But, generally, I liked the music beds and tunes with longer instrumental sections much more than the vocals and lyrics. Hurt is truly an amazing song, still.
This one was not at all to my taste, but I did hear lots of things that I think influenced later songs and bands that I do like. If I could give it a 1.5 I would because I suspect it was a very influential record for a lot of people.
It’s tough to rate these with a modern point of view. This is still an enjoyable record to listen to, but like many others on this list, its influence and cultural significance is important and maybe overshadows the listening experience. There are definitely some cool songs in here, and it was groundbreaking, I’m sure, but just not that enjoyable to listen to today, for the most part. I was really surprised to hear Brian May sound a bit like Jimmy Page in a few of these tunes!
On the opening song of this record, I realized I have heard it a million times and it was super popular when I was kid. Reminded me of the a.m. radio and is a solid tune. Though I don’t recall hearing any of the other songs before, the whole record is solid. It could get an award for how consistent it is, with no deviation in style throughout. Unfortunately, I just didn’t find it very interesting. Not bad, just not anything I really want to listen to.
This record is a time capsule. As a live recording in the early 1960s, it captures James Brown before he was the incredible funk legend, and while he was still doing a bit of classic 1950s duo wop similar to Smokey Robinson, the Penguins, or Little Anthony. Still plenty of funk in here, but I was surprised that it wasn’t a full on funk record. Fun to listen to, though.
I enjoyed the record, but less than I expected, sadly. It’s really hard to beat the three song series of ain’t that a shame, I want you to want me, and surrender, but the rest of the record was actually a bit of a letdown. Some of it almost seemed like a sanitized version of the Ramones, but still a very solid record that I enjoyed.
I had never heard of this band and this record was surprisingly enjoyable.
The hit song is a classic, but just didn’t enjoy the record.
This started out better than I expected, but then felt kind of a chore to listen to in the 2nd half.
Pleasant if in the mood for it.
This is such a great record, every song and vocal performance is fantastic.
Great vibey, ambient stuff, but just not for me.
Brilliant, I’m sure, but just so not my thing was impossible to enjoy.
