Not so big on this - I understand reading about it that it has some historical significance, but I can't help feeling that Ray's voice is quite weak on the orchestral backing tracks and the strings / group vocals feel very outdated. Overall it doesn't make a mark, is at most pleasant.
I must have been aware that there was a missing link between 50s electric blues records (mostly American musicians) and 70s glam rock (mostly British musicians) and that there must have been a period in the 60s where young British musicians just ripped off the blues without adding any of their own influence or flavor. I'm sure this influenced the next generation of musicians to make more interesting interpretations of blues into rock. That doesn't mean I have to think it's good! In addition, while I can separate a lot of Eric Clapton's work from his vile personality (separate art from the artist etc), I would struggle to do with this one as it is a one-to-one copy of blues music by black musicians such as Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, all by a man who just ten years later was openly and proudly racist against black people and in favour of a white ethnostate within Britain. As a result, I have a lot of mixed feelings - mostly negative - about the context of this album. But what about the music, I can hear you asking? The big highlight is unfortunately Eric Clapton's guitar work, he can make the guitar talk in that satisfying way and gives this the bluesy feel it needs. The downside is the rest of the band doesn't really have that bite that blues needs - there's not much emotion here. So I think all of this writing is for an album that is just not that memorable in the first place. Hopefully this is the last one from this lot, though I have a feeling I'll be hearing from Mr. Clapton again on this challenge...
I liked it - I think it picked up for me in the second half, but I honestly think it has a more modern sound in the second half and I can hear the influence on modern Synthpop and even like Chillwave/Psychedelia which is the electronic stuff I prefer over, it feels more consistent with the first half having several different experiments with electro, blues Rock, adult Contemporary etc most of which I honestly didn't like. I can see it growing on a second listen!! 1. World in My Eyes (4:26) - 6/10 I really like the sweeping melody that comes in halfway through, but I've never been that big on this kinda buzzy electro sound in a song and it devalues it for me, it sounds like it's from even earlier than 1990 - that being said, it is extremely catchy and can see it growing on me. 2. Sweetest Perfection (4:43) - 6/10 Really like the futuristic bass sounds and the rhythm from the drums and to be honest the vocal melodies are lovely as well! Worried now that I might have a bit of a mental block with this sound as it just doesn't come to the sum of its parts (my nitpick is that I don't love the little break with the strings that halfway through, it's a bit awkward and they don't sound great when they come back later either). 3. Personal Jesus (4:55) - 5/10 Not really my favourite, it's all bluesy and has a stomp rock feel and that's just not what I love unfortunately. 4. Halo (4:30) - 5/10 A bit forgettable. 5. Waiting for the Night (6:07) - 6/10 Liked this one - a bit of a ballad. 6. Enjoy the Silence (6:12) - 8/10 Undeniable chorus and horns (?) are also so catchy. 7. Policy of Truth (4:55) - 7/10 I like how this one builds - there's a lot of different melodies/textures and they all sound great together on the song - sweeping synths/strings, funky sounds. 8. Blue Dress (5:38) - 8/10 Sounds like it could've been an influence on George Clanton with the seagull-esque sharp synths and the melodies, the vocals are fantastic and it all comes together really nicely (interlude at the end is a bit weird though) 9. Clean (5:33) - 7/10 The atmosphere is nice here and it has an interesting vibe to it, again it has a really interesting synth melody and all the parts come together nicely.
I like the slow jams - the groove is ridiculous on those. The fast stuff is whatever. 1. I Got My Brand on You (4:50) - 7/10 Amazing groove 2. I'm the Hoochie Coochie Man (2:57) - 8/10 Amazing chill 3. Baby, Please Don't Go (3:04) - 8/10 Breakdown in this one is so good, great jam energy 4. Soon Forgotten (4:17) - 7/10 The groove is so good - love how it swells throughout. 5. Tiger in Your Tank (4:32) - 6/10 He put a tiger in my tank? 😳 6. I Feel So Good (3:01) - 6/10 7. I've Got My Mojo Working (4:27) - 6/10 He gets freaky on this one tbh 8. Got My Mojo Working (2:55) - 6/10 Gotta do it a second time apparently 9. Goodbye Newport Blues (4:53) - 5/10 Who's this guy?
1. Out on the Weekend (4:34) - 7/10 Love the melodies and I'm a sucker for harmonica 2. Harvest (3:11) - 7/10 Great lyricism here too 3. A Man Needs a Maid (4:05) - 5/10 Kinda reminds me of Chris de Burgh in A Spaceman Came Traveling but I didn't like it too much unfortunately, the lyrics weren't my cup of tea 4. Heart of Gold (3:07) - 5/10 5. Are You Ready for the Country? (3:25) - 6/10 6. Old Man (3:24) - 6/10 I like the backing vocals and the chorus is great 6. There's a World (2:59) - 4/10 Really don't like this one :( 7. Alabama (4:02) - 6/10 Slightly better form 8. The Needle and the Damage Done (2:02) - 4/10 Forgettable and I don't like his voice really on this one 9. Words (6:49) - 5/10
Have heard it before and listened again - can really feel the passion here from these musicians getting a second chance at recording. That being said I think it gets a bit overrated because of the background of it, it has several highlights but nothing that massively sticks and it is functionally a compilation so it doesn't really have a great throughline as a record. Obviously this is a feature of this challenge as you only get a day with each album and some records just need longer to present themselves to you, so I foresee a lot of 3 stars for a record I like on first listen but I haven't had time to sit with yet - but I have heard this one before and it is definitely a 3 star project.
I like Mannish Boy and the rest of it is good too...
Love Dancers in the Dark and My Hometown but the rest was just good - can see it growing to a 4 maybe but some of it is a bit too 80s and I think the highlights are just good highlights
Just Like Heaven is really great obvs and I think the rest of it is fun too but less memorable (love the drums it reminds me of Be My Baby)
Really liked this one, first time hearing it (other than Little Wing) and came away feeling very positive about it both individually and as a big piece - I think the opener ties things together thematically and it's both very listenable and challenging in places.
never goes past pleasant but at times his voice really gets to me. Granted it is a 2.5 or something because it comes in and out but I didn't feel like it would go up on a second listen so didn't bother and frankly I can see it going down in score as no individual song left an impression on me. I did like Viva la vida so maybe I just need them to tweak this sound a bit
The whole thing is really good all the way through (some of it is cheesy but in a low-key good way) - it's capped in that it's both overplayed and it's structured weirdly, none of the songs flow that well together and it's obviously backloaded in a way that is a bit off-putting. So I am torn on this but I think it's closer to a 3-star album unfortunately.
Wow what a dense psychedelic album, love all the samples and can see it growing on me over time but one listen probably isn't enough for this one.
It gets there, I struggled with it at first and I think it delights at that. After a while I really start to get it and enjoy it but maybe that's stockholm syndrome because I was desperate to stop listening in the first 3-4 tracks! Have always been intimidated by Tom Waits and so I procrastinated until 11pm to listen and that was probably the right call (for atmosphere purposes!!) thank you Tom :)
I liked it a lot! It felt like a precursor in a way for college Rock and some 90s stuff (I was hearing some Weezer at times weirdly) and not everything hit but a lot of it did.
Liked it all except for At Last I Am Free which doesn't really go anywhere and is the longest track!! Probably a very strong 3
I think this is a 5/10 record - I like a few songs and the issue is primarily that there a few that are really hard to listen to. I listened in two parts and I went back again at the end to listen on headphones, wow there are a few songs on the first side which are a real slog where the vocals are rough - I like singers that aren't conventional but these are so laid back and almost feel intentionally out of tune at times. I think the lyrics are meant to be the main draw but honestly they weren't hitting for me either - they were dry and as depressing as it gets. I quite liked some of the more country instrumentation and the instrumental track was honestly very good! Putting this one firmly as 'not for me' and as there's no half stars I will give it a 2.
I liked a lot of it :) but it's very inconsistent
High point is Blowin' in the Wind but not many misses on this and a lot of it is very appealing to me.
A bit mixed but the highs are SO high and it feels so cohesive - 7/10
One of those cool 90s albums rooted in rock but doing pop, dance, funk, trip hop, space rock, kosmische music, jazz even on the B side! Has it all and is mostly missing the odd weak track that you'd expect on a double album, though it doesn't quite stick the landing which I think is pretty important on a double album. I would give it a solid 8/10 but feels like it could be a 9 or even 10 with a few relistens.
Not so big on this - I understand reading about it that it has some historical significance, but I can't help feeling that Ray's voice is quite weak on the orchestral backing tracks and the strings / group vocals feel very outdated. Overall it doesn't make a mark, is at most pleasant.
I think this is a 5/10 record for me and maybe it will grow - I didn't connect to some of the tracks here and though I do like Satellite of Love and some of the music hall stuff it wasn't enough for me at first listen.
Can't decide whether this is an 8/10 or 9/10 listen, would normally be cautious but I think the two epic tracks here are incredible and the album somehow ties together nicely considering it is quite oddly structured on first glance.
Did not enjoy it :( It's like a weak 2 at most but the attempts at actually rocking out and the really soft MOR tracks on here were really not for me (Life in the Fast Lane, Wasted Time, Pretty Maids All in a Row are weak 1/5 for me) and so I have to go lower. New Kid in Town, Try to Love Again and The Last Resort are both highlights (close to or comfortably a 3/5) and I think they succeeded most when sticking to that kinda soft rock formula but most of these tracks just feel so disposable - even the main big title track (which isn't that overplayed for me and so can say with a clear head that I just didn't like it).
I wanted to like it but doesn't really do anything for me - most songs have decent performances and choruses, but the songwriting just don't quite work for the full song. Album continues on like this until it fizzles out at the end. I think I'm closer to a 5/10 than a 6/10 on this as there are a few songs I was actively disliking, so I'm going for 2.
Bowie doing funk is his best era (Young Americans is underrated!!). Side A - Strong 4, Light 5 Side B - Solid 5 No weak tracks!! Extremely tight record with no filler. Station to Station maybe a little too long...
A collection of fairly tales, nursery rhymes, children's stories with a dash of music hall. Had heard Smiley Smile before but this is different, feels more like a theatre performance than an album. I can see some of the appeal but it just didn't click for me. Brian Wilson died yesterday and he gave us some brilliant music over his lifetime, which was very troubled. If anyone deserved a chance to rerecord their dream album it was him, even if I'm not a fan!
Maps is an absolute monster of a song, the rest of it is really good too. Karen O is a fantastic vocalist and just when the band starts to burn out on blasted noisy punk blues garage band stuff they switch it up with No No No, Maps, Y Control, Modern Romance etc I think this is a 7/10 for me
Real mixed bag - for a double album has some good highs and I think closest to a 3
Really nice listen - can see it growing on me massively
What is wrong with this guy lol
Awesome sound, felt like it had a distinct identity and texture across the album. Will have to check out more of these guys
Really nice stuff, gave it a few listens while working, reading, playing a game.
Lots of good here, a few misses but that's ok. Starlight is always a great track
Was skeptical at first but it has its moments for sure
Not really my thing... I found it interesting and atmospheric but just ok so more of a 5/10
It was ok
Brilliant - never heard it before but great first impressions.
Amazing
Not everything works but her voice is brilliant and some of the songs here are incredibly moving.
Really like the theming and the sounds on this one, not super cohesive but very atmospheric and quite emotional in places.
Actively dislike this one - would be a 3 or 4 out of 10 - I quite like the opening part and there are occasional moments of brilliance scattered throughout. I also think it's quite funny (in a good way) when the instruments all come in and the posh narrator guy starts saying what they all are. I feel a bit closer to a 2 for now acknowledging it occasionally has me interested.
Good record, enjoyed my first listen and I think some strong highlights here. This record really sounds like the future - can see how it would be mind melting in 1967. I adore next two and I think this is maybe weaker - has some pop tracks that Axis does better (Jimi sounds much more confident and his songwriting is stronger), the psych freakouts on Electric Ladyland just hit harder for me as well (no Voodoo Chile or 1983 on this) Strong 3 - but reserving right to return and give higher later.
Fantastic record - pulls together everything they do well.
First five or six songs are incredible, on form for a 4 but it loses a bit of steam after that for me (at least on first listen). I am a fan of her sound though and can definitely see it growing on me!
Fantastic stuff - adore the harmonies. Important record in late 2000s folk revival but can't hold that against it!
Beautiful, moving - adore the themes and the whole album is so cohesive. One or two small notes - I think it has a few sequencing problems, would prefer it starts on The Glorious Land as I think that is a stronger opener - would also prefer it has a better album artwork (I do often judge a book by it's cover). It might be more of a strong 4, but my guy after first few listens says it's a future favourite for me.
Having spent many years listening to emo I will never again take shit from people about how I enjoy bands where the singers have terrible whiny voices. At least those singers actually have emotion in their voice and aren't holding everything at an arms-length irony barrier like Liam Gallagher is - and everyone loves Oasis!! I honestly don't mind the songwriting and the melodies are great but I can't get past the personalities. The production doesn't help either - guitars are shoegazey but mixed into this far back wall of sound approach where you can't pick any instruments out of it.
Really great, loved this one. Can only see if growing
Picks up as it goes along - gorgeous work from the whole band (that drum performance!). Not hearing the spirituality or the 'speaking in tongues' that this record gets compared to - the sax playing sits in the background often and there's enough other stuff going on here to enjoy without the mysticism.
Otis is wonderful - love the sound, some great highlights here (Ole Man Trouble, A Change is Gonna Come). Some of the tracks have versions which are more iconic (Respect, My Girl, Wonder World, Satisfaction). I do like Otis' version of these but it keeps the record feeling a bit less essential. This is a strong 3 for me.
I must have been aware that there was a missing link between 50s electric blues records (mostly American musicians) and 70s glam rock (mostly British musicians) and that there must have been a period in the 60s where young British musicians just ripped off the blues without adding any of their own influence or flavor. I'm sure this influenced the next generation of musicians to make more interesting interpretations of blues into rock. That doesn't mean I have to think it's good! In addition, while I can separate a lot of Eric Clapton's work from his vile personality (separate art from the artist etc), I would struggle to do with this one as it is a one-to-one copy of blues music by black musicians such as Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, all by a man who just ten years later was openly and proudly racist against black people and in favour of a white ethnostate within Britain. As a result, I have a lot of mixed feelings - mostly negative - about the context of this album. But what about the music, I can hear you asking? The big highlight is unfortunately Eric Clapton's guitar work, he can make the guitar talk in that satisfying way and gives this the bluesy feel it needs. The downside is the rest of the band doesn't really have that bite that blues needs - there's not much emotion here. So I think all of this writing is for an album that is just not that memorable in the first place. Hopefully this is the last one from this lot, though I have a feeling I'll be hearing from Mr. Clapton again on this challenge...
Really enjoyed this - particularly the tracks Judy Blue Eyes and Helplessly Hoping
Very nearly the first one I couldn't finish - just found it really quite boring and even unpleasant in places. Feels like a 4/10 if generous.
I like some of the soft rock stuff on here - rest of it is odd - music hall, orchestral, lots of strange vocal performances. Doesn't feel very coherent unfortunately. I understand they go on to do better things...
Great riffs, love the vocals - feels bluesy in places, much more closely related to hard rock than the thrashier metal of the 80s and extreme metal of the 90s. Has the sensitivity of Changes - which somehow fits right in with the other tracks - and the nice folkiness of Laguna Sunrise. Rest of the tracks all rule
No strong feelings on this one - it's not unpleasant and at times feels emotional, sentimental about his own life and history in a way that I quite like. But no songs massively stand out to me - would happily give it a 5/10 so will give it a 2(.5)
Cool stuff - I like the bluesy tracks
Preferred the movie adaptation
I liked a lot of this, a few parts that dragged but balanced out by highlights such as the long psych jam at the end.
Good stuff on here - I like what I've heard from Paul's solo stuff and this one really sounds like he was (successfully) bringing his sound into the 70s.
Can absolutely hear the influence on darkwave / goth, techno, trance, electro, industrial etc - ominous and yet futuristic and almost hopeful in places. I liked it, but with more atmospheric music it might take a few listens - I can see it growing on me
Great album - no weak tracks here
Really good stuff - it's nocturnal, sinister - don't need the mythology around sampling to engage with this but it does help elevate it as well.
Great record - was surprised to see negative reactions given that it does sound genuinely quite fresh (especially for a band almost 25 years in) and is consistently good throughout. Undoubtedly pop music (some songs wouldn't be out of place on a Dido record) but since when was that a problem? Missing a really standout track but overall very solid.
I liked the majority of tracks and thought it was very solid - Yoshimi 1/2 are the highlights for sure. I assume there's more of a story throughout but I didn't pick up fully on that. Sonically it's just what I want so it's a 4 regardless
Incredible record - concept album, adaptation almost - feels like a complete story. Instruments are perfect, vocals so smooth. Minimalistic funk sound with percussion and a strong atmosphere throughout.