I know why he's called the Prince of Darkness now. Themes: Death, darkness, the world being doomed (and the people peacefully sleeping through it). Undeniably blasphemous, very sharp and heavy sounding, though some of the guitar solos feel a little like showing off rather than actually fitting the songs (especially on the last track). The two covers, both about evil women (which is a very boring and played out concept to me), feel out of place on an album that otherwise has more interesting ideas and concepts like an unsuspecting village being struck with disaster, wizards (drug dealers), using H.P. Lovecraft to philosophize about the connection between death and dreams, and, on what's probably my favorite track, the devil falling in love. The album cover fits this debut album very well as it looks like a dark figure suddenly appearing in front on an somewhat idyllic village home and disrupting the peace. It might be a little too heavy sounding for my personal taste, so I don’t know to how many songs I'll actually return, but it's a solid, very interesting debut.
Certainly an impactful artist without whom most modern music wouldn't exist. I don't just hear Elvis and The Beatles on here, but also Beyoncé's Honey songs from Renaissance or Cowboy Carter on a song like True, Fine Mama. That said, his songs might be best enjoyed as standalone singles rather than as this repetitive and thematically rather dull album. The concept of "the album" as more than a collection of random songs must have been still at its infancy at the time, so I can't fault Little Richard too much for it. The lyrical repetitions and lack of a interesting theme do take away from my personal enjoyment though. However, I also recognize those repetitions to stem from the Blues genre, which plays a majoy role on the album besides the revolutionary Rock & Roll tracks. A lot of the songs sound the same to me, and I can't see myself seeking them out. I can envision couples in petticoats and suede shoes taking it away on the dancefloor; for them this music must have been purely magical. I, in the year 2025, however hardly feel any magic.
My first full Rolling Stones project as I have previously only listented to some singles. Wild Horses I already knew, and it might be one of my favorite Stones tracks; it's an incredibly intimate song. The album cover and its title fit this album so well. It is, in every sense, sticky. This album is the definition of sex, drugs & rock'n'roll. Sticky doesn't just have the sexual connotation, though it's definitely felt on songs like Brown Sugar. Sticky refers to all kinds of sticky situations, mostly related to drugs, I would argue. The album gets quite dark and poetic as it tackles the cost of said rock'n'roll lifestyle, addiction and overdosing, suicide attempts (of Maryanne Faithful), the aftermath of breaking up, and the person-shaped hole that stays behind. The album is a constant battle between defiance and defeat, perfectly ending on Moonlight Mile as an acceptance of both, the instruments (especially the violins) building up to a grand finale. The lonely traveler is almost home, desperation and despair clinging to him more than ever, but in his solitude he finds hope: "I'm hiding, baby, and I'm dreaming. (...), let it go now (...) yeah I'm coming home"
The Dostojevski of Rock music (derogatory). I hate the album cover, always have. Putting women's body parts on covers is outdated, makes me uncomfortable. This whole album is incel paradise. Whining about how everyone else is stupid and wrong (title track), using drugs as escapism and being annoyed when their behavior is pointed out to them (Soma; Alone, Together). They are making young adult angst songs that are contrarian without merit (New York City Cops), the protagonist is a gaslighting asshole boyfriend who is unable to communicate with his girlfriend (Last Nite, Trying your Luck), only caring about conservative ideas when they stand in the way of him getting laid (Hard To Explain). I know exactly the type of guy who'd like this album, and I don’t like him very much. I don’t want to hear about guy problems anymore. These songs are sonically and lyrically so mediocre und uninteresting that it's pissing me off - what album by a woman was omitted for this? His voice sounds like he's drunk at a karaoke bar, just wailing and slurring and carefully constructing a certain carelessness that does nothing for me. Themes: The discrepancy between modern day angst vs. dancing the pain away („Still, I will try my best“ - Someday). The darker sides of escapism and cutting ones vulnerability.
I'm afraid this album eats. Themes: Has the world changed or have I become too aware? Feeling lonely in familiar places, seeking refuge with the dead (poets). Wanting to be anywhere else. Wanting fame, to be great, and to be remembered by history. Loss of direction. „It takes strength to be gentle and kind.“ The album closer is stupid, though. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out would have been the perfect closer.. Morrissey still sucks, though..
Insanely influential for singers like Adele. It's crazy how much of a distinctive style she has on this album. You'd obviously recognize her voice anywhere, but also the instrumentation (drums & trumpets), and her raw and unfiltered writing style, singing about drugs, alcoholism, her goo-for-nothing ex relationship she can't let go off. Obviously very influenced by Black soul singers. Had no idea Amy and Nas crossed paths, worked together and more?? Back to Black is one of the most recognizable 00s tracks, goes so fucking hard with that beat and the instruments
About the superficiality and artificiality of the 70s society. Violence creates more violence, you get what you give. It's about liberty, freedom from colonization and pride in Latin American culture. María Lionza is a figure in a 20th century religious movement that blends African, Catholic and Indigenous beliefs, she stands for nature, peace, harmony and love. The album cover reminds me of exactly that. It to me resembles harmony among all people and with nature. The innocent idea that everyone and everything on the earth can coexist. Ojos = eyes. Eyes stand for clarity and truth, the song talks about all kinds of eyes (of all kinds of people) waiting for truth and freedom, seeing beyond the shallowness and lies of the current world (leaders). Willie Colon (New York born, Puerto Rican parents) turned Republican 2016, Ruben Blades (Panama)
Big Pink = the house in Woodstock they rented. Album was a watershed moment in rock music as it was the turn from psychedelic rock back to basics, back to roots & songs from the American Songbook. Rebelling against rebellion. Country Rock. A little too boring and samesy for me personally.