Really enjoyed this album, especially the samples and grooves. Although the delivery can be grating at times, the vocals are on the whole enjoyable and the interplay between vocal parts is cool.
Fav tracks: shake your rump, hey ladies, looking down the barrel of a gun, shadrach
Rating: 4/5
Mixed feeling about this album. While I definitely don’t dislike it, I’m not sure how much it sparks in me - as if it’s erring on the side of safe. The instrumentals feel almost too polished, and lack a certain bite I think would elevate some of the darker songs on the album. Similarly, the lyrics build compelling characters but occasionally fail to take them much further than that, and I feel some of the American themes come across somewhat contrived.
All that said, this album has a lot going for it. Unsurprisingly the vocals are brilliant throughout, the string arrangements are great, and it is overall an enjoyable listen. Standout tracks for me are Holiday Inn, Razor Face, All the Nasties, and Tiny Dancer. It will be interesting to revisit this one in 6 months or so, and see if my feelings change over that time.
A very cool album with amazing songwriting and sounds. Looking forward to listening again - I feel like I have barely scratched the surface of this one.
Fav tracks: Hounds of Love, Under Ice, The Big Sky
Not sure how much I need to say about this one. Perfect blend of influences and it’s one of my all time favourites.
While arguably the most influential guitarist of all time, Hendrix is rarely talked about as a songwriter and hated his own singing, but I feel that these are where this album shines for me.
Fav tracks: Up From the Skies, Wait Until Tomorrow, Bold as Love, Little Wing, Castles Made of Sand
Modern?! Album! Sadly didn't really enjoy this one - has a cool vibe but for me the songwriting is a bit weak. At least Maps and the last two tunes redeem it somewhat.
Enjoyed this much more than some of y’all reviews made me think I would - I think the good moments are really good, even if the lows are somewhat low.
This album sounds like Louis Armstrong and Funkadelic had a baby. Very listenable.
Like the blues influences and the songwriting is great, but the fake southern accent lost this album a star unfortunately.
Crisp album. Only realised at the end that it was produced and co-written by Nike Rodgers and Bernard Edwards - which makes a lot of sense.
Remarkably cohesive album, despite its obvious contrasts. Bossa nova is blended with electronic music, warm vocals and acoustic instrumentation with metallic FM synthesis and distorted drum machines. Weird in parts and yet still relentlessly listenable? I love it.
Folky songwriting, cool textures and unsurprisingly great guitar playing make this a safe listen.
I’ve tried multiple times and Morrissey just doesn’t do it for me. Shame because the instrumentals on this album are generally pretty fun.
Not sure how I’ve managed to go this long without listening to The Doors. Surprisingly wide range of vibes on this album - enjoyed it quite a lot.
Another nostalgia special for me, not much to criticise. Maybe a side effect of knowing most of the songs already but feel that the structure of the album is very good. Also a big fan of the arrangments and production - stands head and shoulders above the Elton album in my opinion.
