This album was admittedly a total blindspot for me outside of 'Take Me to the River'. Why does 'The Big Country' sound so familiar? Other than those two tracks, regrettably, I must say the rest were forgettable. It's just not a sound that I really connect with.
Holy shit that opening guitar solo... what a sound.
Beautiful voice, but not really my thing.
Such a great opening track. I grew up hearing this album at home but never properly listened through it as an adult until now. Solid.
Not sure how I've missed out on this album for so long, but I really enjoyed it. Iconic voice. Great songwriting.
Interesting blend of 60s pop and 90s production. I had only heard some of their later 2000s work before now.
I was initially exposed to this album / artist via my sister, and naturally I did not "get it" at first. I think it all clicked after I heard the sophomore album (Post) and then later revisited this one and found a new appreciation for it. I still prefer the later releases in general (Post/Homogenic/Vespertine - what an incredible trio), but it was fun to go back to the beginning with this one.
I admittedly only got halfway through this album; not because I didn't like it, but because it was rather long. I loved everything I heard. No notes.
Not really my thing, but it was fine. Except that Red, White & Blue track. What the hell?
He has a love-it-or-hate-it voice, and I think I'm in the former camp. *Nobody* sounds like Van, and I appreciate that originality. Some fun and pleasant songs. I'm choosing not to consider or comment on him as person in this context.
Not a bad cut on this album. A perfect encapsulation of an artist truly at the top of their game. Impeccable.
I remember picking up this CD on release day and blasting it on the drive home, and being absolutely floored by the first few tracks. Not my favorite album of theirs by a mile, but it has some killer moments. There, There is excellent. Myxomatosis sounds like nothing else on this planet. The Gloaming is weird. Solid.
I respect the unique guitar sound and technique here, but I don't love it.
This ended up being a fairly *background* listen for me, with the majority of tracks neither grabbing nor bothering my ears. I generally like this sound - and used to listen to much more of it - but it doesn't seem to hold my interest as much these days.
Great album. Could do without the final extended jam track. But generally solid with some standout songs throughout.
Not really my thing, but I respect the commitment to this level of dramaticism.
A few great tracks here, and a few that I quite disliked. But what a unique sound they had together. Maybe it would grow on me upon further listens.
Not quite in the top 3 Bjork albums for me, but still endlessly creative and interesting to listen to, with a couple songs that are some of my favorites across the entire discography.
A fun listen, especially with the feel of the live room and audience.
I never really "got" Gorillaz. Still don't. Most of the songs just sound like throwaway demos to me, aside from a couple catchy singles. Also way too damn long.
Never listened through a full Lorde album before this, but I was pleasantly surprised. Lots to like here.
Excellent.
I listened to this a fair amount back in high school when this sound was novel. I'm not sure it holds up very well three decades later, but there are still some fun grooves and moments here and there. Essential listening? Nah.
I never really got on with this band, even though I feel like I should be into it. Maybe the sound is a bit too droney; not enough for me to latch onto. Some cool textures throughout, but nothing stuck with me.
Really enjoyed this all around. Apparently I'm a fan now.
A modern classic, and a brilliant left turn for a band already firing on all cylinders. Still sounds as fresh and exciting as it did in my car's CD player on the drive home from the record store.
I've never quite gelled with Hot Chip's sound, though it contains most of the elements I'd typically be into. Something just doesn't quite work for me. But it was a decent listen at least for the first half.
Did I listen to this album in a past life? I recognize a good handful of these songs, but this isn't something I would typically seek out. There are some interesting rhythms and melodies here. Decent!
A true modern classic; still sounds as fresh as it did three decades ago, unlike many trip-hop projects of the time. Not a bad cut on this album. Timeless and oozing with cool.
Immaculate head bobbing album.
I may not love the sound, but I respect the originality.
I enjoyed this album quite a bit more than I expected. The hits are timeless, and some of the other tracks were excellent, though a few sounded very samey.
A complicated man, a classic album.
Such a great vibe.
First half is stellar, second not so much.
By all measures, I should like this album a lot. But the vocals were a bit too grating more often than not. Interesting production and songwriting throughout.
Decent, but nothing too memorable across its (overly long) runtime.
Not really my style, but some good energy.
Such a strong debut. Still holds up well.
Sometimes epic, cheesy, surprising, mediocre, decent.
A fun listen, but the mix was blown out in a way that sounded off to me.
A very ambitious concept album that I think stands the test of time. A bit of filler here and there, but mostly killer tracks throughout its runtime.
Obnoxious, but found myself still bobbing my head. I used to listen to this often in high school and I think has a time and a place, but not so much in my 40s.
I have to be in the right headspace to listen to chaotic free-form music like this, and today may not have been that day, but I always respect the boundless creativity and musicianship behind it.
Some fun, catchy songs on the front half, and a few gorgeous slower cuts on the back half.
Sounds rather dated, and a lot of the vocal performances aren't really to my taste. But a few interesting ideas here that paved the way for their later work.
Not sure what to make of this one, but seems to be ahead of its time. Some interesting songs, humor, and commentary throughout.
This sound always puts me in a good, relaxed mood.
I suppose I can appreciate the theatrics, dedication, and musicianship here... but I don't really want to listen to it.
Sounded very *of its time*, which isn't a bad thing, but I didn't love that sound when I lived it.
This one surprised me with some very cool, moody grooves.
Some low points and filler on this one, but the standout tracks are really something; some of my favorites across their whole catalog.
While I've heard all of these songs, I don't know if I've listened to the album front to back before now. Really solid.
I do not like this album. I do not like this band. It's just not a sound I can get into.
Wow, this sounded more 90s than I recall the 90s sounding. I don't think it holds up very well.
I miss this Kanye. What a killer debut album.
I'm sorry, this album is supremely obnoxious. But I have to respect the DGAF attitude.
Epic journey. Really cool.
Pretty fun, but I hate to say... every song sounded almost exactly like Tutti Frutti.
Not really my thing, but decent enough.
Very timely. Pretty solid.
Almost better than their debut, which already set a high bar.
Incredible talent, but nothing on this album really stuck with me.
Interesting. Not sure I liked it, but it always kept me on my toes with unexpected twists and turns.
Still obsessed with the bass lines on this one after all these years. Some truly beautiful songs and exciting production work throughout.
A brilliant concept album that still sounds unique and fresh today, oozing with attitude, rage, and sonic wizardry.
Ahead of its time, though a bit repetitive. But still full of innovative production and killer grooves.
Some good songs, but overall just a glimpse into what this band was really capable of.
Not entirely my thing but I think these vocal performances deserve a 4. Some really solid songs here.
I'm not a big fan, but found this to be an impressive debut album with a unique and cohesive sound that they've continued to refine over time. Interesting and odd lyrics, catchy songs, and a sound that's wholly their own.
Very influential, probably ahead of its time, pretty decent overall. But it never really stuck with me for some reason.
While I generally love this sound, there's no chance I'm listening to two back to back live versions of the same fucking 8-minute long song. Cool sound, super talented musicians, tedious album.
Parts of this still sound super fresh, and others somewhat dated. The high points are killer but the rest is (repetitive) filler. Definitely nostalgic, but maybe not as timeless as I had hoped.
It's tough to follow an opening track single as strong as 'Take On Me', but I think there were a few other solid songs throughout.
Some massive hits, some cheesy filler, and a very problematic man.
