Sounds like working in a factory (positive). It’s as if he’s singing over machines from the far end of a high ceilinged warehouse. The soundtrack to a Lowry. You can hear the Manchester rain. Funkier than expected. Intense.
Sounds like walking without a map around a busy regional religious theme park in the best possible way. An album that is anti boredom - whenever I thought I knew what was happening it changed direction again. I appreciate this utter mania.
I enjoy an opening song/title that predicts the millennium bug despite a FIRM musical grounding in the 80s. So many songs that would be perfect for a dressing up montage in a brat pack movie. I just wish you would surprise me, Prince. Didn’t care for the lyric ‘work your body like a whore’ neither. Absolute hedonism can get tiresome when there’s nothing else on offer - Versailles felt like this sometimes, I imagine. Including a mildly sinister undercurrent (what’s with the woman screaming ‘help, please help me’?). I do like a camp laugh though. My mum will be pleased I’ve listened to this.
A bit of a hoot, a bit boring. Right on the edge. Was charmed by the lyric ‘I always get chocolate stains on my pants’. Enjoyed the bonus saxophone. I like guitar solos but GOD this is going on a long time. Largely uninspiring, far too long for how samey it is. The Boys Are Back In Town should be on one of those CDs we send into space for aliens, though.
Immediately reminiscent of Our Paul (insult and compliment). I know the unavoidable big ones but have never ever listened to a Billy Joel Album. He is not cool, or trying to be, and I respect that massively (was he once cool? Sorry BJ). OH MY GOD IT’S ONE OF THE SONGS FROM THE SHREK MEDLEY (Just the Way You Are). Easy listening. Schmaltzy? Is that the word? Candlelit slow dancing, fade to black before anything blue. A Tom Hanks romcom. A bit Disney (was it not him in dog and cat based Dickens adaptation Oliver and Company?). I know it’s the point of the song, but does he actually like the woman who is always a woman, or is he just pointing out the obvious, that she is always a woman? ‘She will rob you and stab you but she’s dead sexy’. I do get it.
It would be a 5 were it not for the occasional needless misogyny, and the fact that only knocked off one star is a real testament to the quality of the album. Wonderful stuff, obviously. Some of the most outrageous (positive) rhymes ever recorded. Not intended for me in any way (have any of NWA heard of Grimsby?) and it still speaks to me. Heavily played bangers that are funny, thoughtful, smart, daft, poetic and catchy every time. They are completely justified in talking shit about bad hip-hop, because they make it sound effortless. To be as boring and earnest as I can be: this is a crucial text for learning about the black freedom struggle in the late 20th century. Would send the whole album into space.
I absolutely LOVE this immediately. I have been instantly charmed. Losing my mind. This is fantastic. Funny, weird, lovely, distinct, jarring, stupid, clever, stopped me in my tracks. Freaks me out in a way I appreciate enormously. I have fallen instantly in love. Bits of the 60s bleed through whatever the hell else is going on. Long live the oddballs.
Comparing this to The Beatles feels lazy but also they are undeniably great monoliths who cast a shadow across the 60s, so not mentioning them feels odd too. It is interesting that this album was parallel to Rubber Soul because they are clearly (and successfully) going for something else, and fair play, you would. The contrast between how the same idea is presented in ‘the kids are alright’ v ‘run for your life’ is particularly striking LOL. Much too much is great, it’s not true and I’m a man are laugh out loud funny and of course My Generation is deservedly iconic. A HOOT.
I am incredibly familiar with the work of Martin and co but I have never chosen to listen to an album all the way through. In My Place is SO famous and I can see that The Scientist is also on its way. I know a lot of these without knowing the titles (‘God put a smile upon your face’ is an annoying name for a song but it’s one of the catchiest so far. ’Clocks’ also made me laugh as a title but it’s one of the more enjoyable ones). Did my dad have this in the car? Why does it have to be so sad? What is this music about? Is it how straight people love but don’t like each other? again? It is polished and consistent but a smooth rock face is hard to climb. It is incredibly of its time - in part because of its insane popularity but also because as I recall 2002 just sounded like this. I am struggling with the boredom but it feels performative to hate this; there should be earnest (if vague) music for mums (my mum). They should have called this album ‘music for montages’.
Excited about this because of my great love for White Light/White Heat. I love a contrast between form and content, I love a tonal clash, I love some violent imagery. I love his gay little voice (I’m allowed to say that). This is incredibly silly and lovely. Perfect Day does deserve the hype. I really really really like this. The bass! Some kind of horn! The piano! God it’s camp. What did Sontag think of Lou Reed? Were they both simply too cool to be friends? A respectable length too - I do not feel a second of my time has been wasted. I adore this completely. Goodnight Ladies.
