Love it. Relaxing. Dreamy. Not an album that has me following the story everytime, but one that always carries me through to the end. Very consistent sound, without repetition. Love every track.
Knew more songs on here than I expected to! Enjoyed it, but definitely held my attention less and less as the album went on. Very strong first act. Good, but less exciting second act. More mellow third act. Feels very of it's time which I am not sure is a product of it's influence or it's influences. Just read that it's Jacksons first big solo album (fifth overall) and it makes total sense that the hits in this collection lead to his commerical success. Favorite track is Rock with You
I really want to love this album. Listened to it a couple times over the years, but it's never resonated. Such a landmark, important album for the future of rap & hip-hop, but maybe difficult to enjoy because of all the progress made by the music is has influenced. The LoTR and Oklahoma problem. Foundational for the genre, but not very deep as an individual work. But maybe I just don't like it.
Favorite Tracks: Memory Lane (Sittin' in da park), Represent
Rock, blues instrumentals, mostly covers. In
the 60's this was definitely the kind of music old people were worried would make young people want to dance. Lots of organ, like being at a baseball game after a while.
Fav Tracks: Green Onions. Comin' Home Baby (felt like Pink Panther music)
Least Fav Track: It didn't really hold my attention for most of the second half.
My personal enjoyment: 3.5/5
Did it belong on this list: 4/5
Super funky. Gimme dem bongos. The beginning of the first song feels like the beginning of an early American rock classic. Feels almost like a set of folkloric songs that future music is built on, even though it isn't really at the root of anything I would typically listen to. Like you can feel the basal, nature of the music.
Honestly really difficult for me to get into too much. Definitely enjoyed more while translating the lyrics as I went along. Themes related to football, powerful women (both as unattainable lovers and revered characters), Afro Brazilian pride & (modern) mythology/history, & some self-mythology. But mostly football(?). Probably misunderstood a lot of it, but oh well. Reminded me a little bit of traveling through Brazil :)
Fav Tracks: Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro, Ponta de Lança Africano, África Brazil (Zambi),
Personal Enjoyment: 2/5
Critical Rating: 4/5
List Appropriateness: 5/5
I really enjoyed this one! It was energetic and fun. Using some pretty emotional strings and a complex, orchestral/big band sound, without feeling over produced. At times dreamy, but consistently pop and soul based.
Lyrically it was very one dimensional, but on par for it's time. It's an uncomplicated white girl heartbreak album. Some anguish at times, but for the most part the pop elements kept it upbeat and empowering.
Fav Track: All Cried Out, I'm Gonna Leave You
Least Fav: My Colouring Book (reminds me of another song, but I can't put my finger on it)
Ratings
Personal: 4/5
Critical: 5/5
List Approriateness: 4/5
John Fogertys voice is iconic. What I would listen to if I was a Vietnam draftee. The songs definitely stand out individually, but most didn't draw me in outside of the first. A great energy/mood. Fun.
Fav Tracks: Ramble Tamble
Least Fav Tracks: Before You Accuse Me
Ratings:
Personal 3/5
Critical 5/5
Really taking you somewhere. Scary. 80’s Scary movie chase scene (Rue des tempêtes.) Charlotte is folksy. Grissley voice. Jumps between vibes in first 5 tracks. Les enfants has some gutteral vocals that could be in Dune. There is toil and grind and the triumph of the masses in there too
Fav Track: La fille de la mort, Charlotte
Least Fav Track: Lounge route
Ratings:
Personal /5
Critical /5
Scat. Jazz. Swing. Big Band. Husband and wife duet vocals (Louis Prima & Keely Smith) compliment each other well.
Scat a bit distracting in Oh, Marie, could have just been replaced by actual lyrics. Felt very familiar and took me way to long to realize it's because of how swingy it is. Danced to at least one of these songs loads and loads of times. Really made me want swing and lindyhop. Straightforward and homogeneous album overall. Only song worth the extended cut was Be Mine (Little Baby).
Notable Lyrics
"When your dead and in your grave, no more ravioli will you crave"
Fav Track: Just A Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody (And Nobody Cares For Me), Body And Soul, Jump, Jive, An' Wail,
Least Fav Track: Oh, Marie (but really just the scat parts.)
Review
Personal 3/5
Critical 5/5
First couple days in Australia I listened to it. A lot else going on in my head at the moment and it failed to leave an impression. Not bad, but not particularly memorable. I didn't hate it.
