Day 1 album, ratings definitely not calibrated yet- Cover Art 10/10, true classic. Experimental album for sure; if you were a session guy who could play marimba/vibes you were getting paid in this era. Jazz/Prog inspired over a folk/blues foundation. Emotionally, I know that the title track has greater meaning due to its dedication to Nick Drake. However, this is a rare case where title track isn't musically the anchor- definitely parts I enjoyed, but the mumbled vocals can be a little rough. Unfortunately there were multiple spots along the album where the mumbled vocals had a hard time being carried by the instrumentals along the way, no matter how good. Over the Hill is the real standout track- it leans back fully on the folk and absolutely nails it. This song belongs on every playlist of the genre. May You Never is the only other track that does this, but doesn't hit nearly as strong. Don't Want to Know is a strong follow up that leans more blues with occasional spacy backdrops. Layered vocals near the end really sells it for me. A lot of the rest of the album leans more into the prog/experimental sounds, but I only end up liking certain parts of songs instead of entire tracks. For example, the strongest part of the Devil Got My Woman cover for me is the instrumental breakdown at the back end of the track, and even that sort of falls apart with about 30 seconds left. The common theme is that a lot of the great instrumentals just don't match the lyricism and straight folk-style vocals, which leaves me skipping around for the good parts. The Man in the Station may secretly be the best track on the album as it successfully combines all of the elements that Martyn plays with throughout. It feels like prog, blues, and folk sounds all take turns while Martyn sings with a cadence that reminds me of (weird take, but hear me out) Sade while the song ebbs and flows in and out of a Pink Floyd track. (Cheating, but the 2000 album re-release ends with a live version of I'd Rather Be the Devil that completely redeems the earlier studio version for me) Liked: Over the Hill, Don't Want to Know, The Man in the Station, *I'd Rather Be the Devil (Live) Disliked: I'd Rather Be The Devil, Dreams By the Sea, The Easy Blues Going with a 3, may regret not giving it a 4 later

Amazing album. Enjoyed it from top to bottom. Multiple moments from the album will be stuck in my head for a while, from the groovy instrumentals to funk rock lines and solos to ridiculous one-liners that may become part of my everyday lexicon. Music to get you shit together by. One Nation Under a Groove might be a perfect song. So many pieces working at the same time creating a big wall of sound for you to dance to. I love that here and throughout the album the chorus tends to be a bunch of individual voices having a good time instead of a tight artificial harmony. I loved the sort of rebellious nature of Who Says Funk Bands Can't Make Rock. Funkadellic is going to play what they like and you are going to like it. I was thrown off by Doo Doo Chasers- I was aware of the occasional absurd humor George Clinton throws in, and it definitely distracted me from the incredible instrumental. By the second listen I was chanting along to "Mental Musical Bowel Movement, Groove Lax, One Swipe One Wipe." "Sweet and Sour Bowel Movement" might be my favorite line of this track. Went from hesitation to my favorite track on the album. If the lyrics aren't for you, there's an instrumental version at the end on the 7". Into You was another great track that starts again with individual voices singing as a chorus. I found myself doing my best to match Ray Davis' outstanding bass tones. Did I get close? Absolutely not. But the way everything stays in the pocket makes it hard not to join in. I couldn't listen to Cholly without moving my head and making the occasional stank face. Bootsy's bass is iconic for all of the album but it shines the most on here. Lunchmeataphobia is another favorite that has more of a Rock sound than the rest. Very fuzzy, a lot of fun. It fits that it comes on the 7" alongside an incredible live version of Maggot Brain to end the album. Liked: The Whole Damn Album

For me this one was a slow burn on first listen. It finishes really strong on side 2. I started really enjoying it starting with Don't Let It Bring You Down and was sold right after with Birds. Anytime the lyrics get sort of esoteric I kind of check out, but the more down to earth and specific Young gets the more I enjoy it. On second list I think it's really just that I don't connect well with the first couple tracks. I can't say I won't skip tracks when listening again, but I will come back to it later on. I can really hear the influences this album (and Young in general) has on some other artists I listen to now. Liked: Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Southern Man, Don't Let It Bring You Down, When You Dance I Can Really Love

I thought I liked The Pogues. Turns out I do not actually like The Pogues. Maybe deserves 2 stars, but if this is the top 1001 then it's all relative, man.