Bought it when it first came out based on reviews, never listened much. Now I know why. Damn this record is boring. Not a hook in sight. Beach Boys influenced? Nothing they ever produced is this boring, and I’ve listened to M.I.U. I might be overstating the case, but regardless this album is what purgatory must feel like - 39 minutes that feels like forever, trapped under a dome (echoes!) in the world’s worst renaissance fair.

Not my favorite JB era but still amazing.

Great album, some versions not my favorite, but Shake, Satisfaction and I’ve Been Loving You Too Long are epic.

Flawed and somehow perfect. Bowie’s production/mix/recording is batshit, but Iggy’s fix is somehow worse. Great songs, amazing energy, groundbreaking.

Fully understand its importance as a massive crossover hit plus cultural significance. Much of the two records leaves me cold. Ray is in fine voice, some of the arrangements enjoyable, but some of the strings and almost all of the backing vocals are annoying as hell. I could condense the two into one better record, at least to my taste.

First time hearing this one. Knew this singles, loved Cloud 9, but the album as a whole not as daring. Would probably go 3 1/2 if I could, but will settle for 3.

Similar to the other Mali blues I’ve heard, I like it while listening but it doesn’t usually stick with me. On second listen I was pulled in more, even went and listened to some of their other stuff. Good record, would probably lean 3.5, but will go 4

Man I loved this album when it dropped. Still do but don’t revisit that often. Had been a U2 fan since War, but Rattle and Hum left me cheesed out. When I heard first bars of Zoo Station kick off I was back in. Perfect marriage of lyrics, song, performance and production. And it hit me at a time in my young adult life where a lot of it felt personal, and that lives long. Several sections still bring me close to tears. I should probably see a doctor for that.

Torn. Part of me wants to rip on how fucking stupid, plodding and boring this record is. Another part of me feels sorry for its fans - this is somebody’s favorite album. Maybe he was that rando shop student that had a muscle car and tried to get you to smell his finger, maybe it was a country cousin who thought it was “badass”. Regardless, this is solid, dumb shit.

Didn’t even know old tango really. Enjoyed first track, not so much the remainder. Plenty of virtuosity on display. Listened to the album twice, but not sure I will return.

Yeah, that’s gonna be a nope from me. Maybe I am not the target audience. A chore to make it through; somehow irritating but still bland.

Awareness of the Fall dates back to early 90’s listening to them on John Peel’s radio show on BBC international on my shortwave, but never explored further. Enjoyed this right away, and will be happy to dig further. Smith’s thing I am sure annoys some, but I was fine with it and the band was grooving.

Awareness of the Fall dates back to early 90’s listening to them on John Peel’s radio show on BBC international on my shortwave, but never explored further. Enjoyed this right away, and will be happy to dig further. Smith’s thing I am sure annoys some, but I was fine with it and the band was grooving.

Bought it when it first came out based on reviews, never listened much. Now I know why. Damn this record is boring. Not a hook in sight. Beach Boys influenced? Nothing they ever produced is this boring, and I’ve listened to M.I.U. I might be overstating the case, but regardless this album is what purgatory must feel like - 39 minutes that feels like forever, trapped under a dome (echoes!) in the world’s worst renaissance fair.

Known about the album/project for a while but had never listened to the whole thing, so thanks for that, generator. Figured it would be a 4-5 for me, but nope. Many songs I love and I dig the concept of producing so many songs around the vagaries of love, but too much felt beyond filler. 33 and I might coulda five-starred and listened regularly. As it stands, probably not. Will just try to remember and cherry pick the jewels.

Meh. Was ready to like after few tracks but my goodwill evaporated in boredom. 55 minutes of not much going on.

Second time listening. First was over a decade ago after finding a copy at Goodwill (it sold a lot of copies in the 70’s man). Did not hook me then. Still hasn’t now. Maybe in another decade?