Off-Beat, literally. I’ll admit this was the first album I’ve had where I had never heard of the artist before, and unfortunately I think I preferred when I lived in ignorance. The percussion was all over the place, the production was so poor it sounded like an essay that hadn’t been proof-read before submission. The lyrics described an erratic soul and someone I felt needed a hug, and probably therapy, rather than a recording contract. A few songs started well, for about 20 or so seconds I thought that perhaps this song would be good, and then it would go odd, and odd for odd’s sake. I think there’s a talented artist there somewhere, some of the lyrics were clever, her voice, when she actually bothered to sing, was good. With a decent producer and someone there to tell her to stay on-message she could release something listenable. Unfortunately I really struggled with this, it felt too much like the poetry of a 15 year old filled with angst, who doesn’t have the maturity yet to realise all-out cynicism won’t make you happy. In fact those 15 year olds may love this album. Sadly for me, it was a rare album I couldn’t even bring myself to listen to twice for reviewing purposes.

There is nothing wrong with this album, as a background record it is perfectly pleasant with various radio-friendly soft rock numbers rolling by one after the other. It contains super hit ‘Sex on Fire’ which did briefly transport me to the summer of 2008 when it was played nearly constantly and despite it not being a song I was particularly fond of at the time, I did find myself singing along to the chorus. However that was the highlight in what was otherwise a too-long album with songs that just rolled into one. I hardly noticed when the tracks went by, making my track notes hard to complete as I struggled to distinguish each of them. All in all this is fine. If you like rock music then perhaps it’s better than fine. However I think few among us will find anything special here.

Paul Simon hit the ground running with this, his first post Garfunkel album. It dips into various genres whilst retaining the catchy folk elements that you associate with his early career. Every song was a joy and hearing hints of reggae and world music made this album sound like a halfway point between Simon and Garfunkel and Graceland and it’s all the better for it. I ended up listening to it 3 times across the day and I will definitely be adding it to my list of albums. 4 and a half stars.

Very boring and the singer had a whiny voice. Not enjoyable at all.

A fantastic album. A complete joy to listen to.

I have a particular fondness for albums that transport me somewhere else, and Gunfighter Ballads… does this with abundance. From Big Iron onwards I was whisked off to a Wild West film set and each song felt like another step on a journey that saw me riding through monument valley or recounting tales of love and adventure round a campfire. Each song was a joy, each was a story and I could listen to it over and over. 5 stars.

Although I’ve never explored Tom Waits before I’ve heard some of his songs and often enjoyed them, so I was anticipating liking this album. Unfortunately whilst there were moments I liked, and I thought the album started off well, it went so weirdly experimental that it was difficult to keep listening. There were good moments buried in amongst the dirt, showing a talented artist and lyricist is present, but one too interested in being odd for odd’s sake, rather than making an enjoyable track to listen to. Unfortunately this one is not for me.