A nice early-morning album to wake up, grab a brush and put a little makeup

It had its highlights, but much of it felt resigned to shock rock. The missing link between Mott the Hoople and AC/DC.

One of the greatest drumming records of my lifetime

Some interesting production techniques, but felt a bit tiring by the end

Felt so massive but could’ve been twice as long…did the original LP end with that teasing intro to Mountain Jam?

It’s actually incredible how much they manage to do with such a narrow palette

Everyone wants to be Special but there can only be one Specials

Phenomenal sound. Would sit on the record shelf between TV on the Radio and Parquet Courts

Thin Lizzy strikes again. Some excellent prog elements sets them apart from being just that “bar band” sound

A great sound, but I often found myself wishing I were listening to the original versions

Impressively and surprisingly consistent. “Embryonic Journey” is one of the greatest compositions of the decade.

Absolutely beautiful and devastating. A perfect album for early mornings or late nights.

I wasn’t familiar with most of these standards, but when I was, I was amazed at how much Charles made these songs his own. An excellent themed album that manages not to feel like a gimmick.

Very cool

The guitar-playing is stellar, yet it blends so well that it isn’t a “guitar record”

I could not find a happy balance between easy-listening and sonic experimentation

The death of rock n roll?

Some great riffs, and some great tracks, but a lot to get through

A lot of energy, but that’s about it

They can make some decent music when they aren’t being complete tools

To the point

Like an ambient Tom Petty, or a smoothened out Kurt Vile, but less interesting than both

I like Eurydice’s wordplay, but otherwise had trouble getting settled into this world

Amazing how the production can be so lush, with a full band, strings, horns…without sounding ostentatious or over-the-top

Is it any wonder?

It’s hard to go wrong with productions by Pete Rock, Premier AND Q-Tip

Partial credit for the creative arrangements…extra credit for Sugarcane Harris

I can tell this band worked really hard on this album…to hone in on all of the elements I dislike about 80s production and arranging and distill them into one album

Not long enough…

Some killer tracks, and I loved when the album went really out there, especially the intro. But did not care for Elton doing “reggae”

I honestly never get tired of hearing Q-Tip say he’s gonna clean out your ears

A nice early-morning album to wake up, grab a brush and put a little makeup

They’ve got the vision, now let’s have some fun

Yodeling, bass slaps, experimental tape effects, and 8-minute vamps? What more could you ask for?

I really wanted to enjoy it…

Very cool sound. I can hear a lot of people who followed in their footsteps…Beach House, Phoebe Bridgers, Mac Demarco…

This young Bowie guy’s showing lots of potential

Shout out to all the internet sites

Some creative production techniques and it did feel cinematic as he intended, but I think a lot of the appeal is shock factor and not something I’ll probably return to (apart from the great Labbi Siffre sample on “My Name Is”)

I haven’t delved deep into any of these performers’ catalogs, but I was completely struck down by these performances. The production is sparse, allowing their voices to stand out, on tracks that sound so timeless that they could just as likely be heard on 78 shellac discs or a cut on Zeppelin IV