Would have been 4.5, but WHATEVER.
A genre defining band at some of their best imo. The 2014 remaster on Spotify has a weird mix too it. Some of the instruments on some songs are MUCH louder than others for some reason and that is strange but Ozzy has one of the best vocal performances of his life in the song changes. If you didn’t throw up the horns and bang your head at least once during this album, you did it wrong. So many great guitar riffs by Iommi and at one point an amazing drum solo. Definitely will be listening to them more often now.
Fav song: Supernaut
Least fav: FX
The samples they had were absolutely insane and I was head bobbing the whole time. That being said tho, there were definitely some mid songs that I could have left behind but their lyrics, rhythm, and meaning behind their songs were very impactful. I probably would have appreciated the album more if I was black but it was still a good listen nonetheless. I will be listening to them more.
Fav Track: A Day at the Races
Least Fav: DDT
What an album. Al Green is such quintessential soul music and his voice is amazing. I’ve listened to parts of this album before but never fully through. This album is mixed amazingly and the horns are such a nice addition. Loved pretty much every song.
Fav track: Title Track
Least Fav: Judy
What an album. Def not better than songs in the key of life but still amazing work by one of the best singer songwriters of all time and the fact that he’s blind is insane to me still. His voice is nothing short of perfection and all the different uses of keyboard is insanely awesome.
Fav Track: You are the sunshine of my life
Least fav: blame it on the sun
I keep seeing people talking about how this is better than Phil Collins music…. Like how people fail to remember is that Collins released Fave Value before this album came out AND Gabriel left Genesis and got replaced with Collins 6 years before this. This album sounds like a Collins wanna be album to me IMO. I’m sure Collins was inspired by this album, no doubt but Collins and Genesis had this sound already before this came out. This album is super underwhelming imo, other than the stand out hits. I understand its use of early digital instruments and the impact it had but I found myself thinking that Gabriel wanted to be Phil Collins so bad on this album. Idk, just my opinion I was also not alive when this album came out and I’ve listened to all of Phil Collins solo work before this. This album was not bad by any means I was just throughly unimpressed.
Fav track: Sledgehammer
Least fav: That Voice Again
Classic 60s Motown sound mixed with a great group is a mix for a huge success. I love the temptations and this album proved my love for them even more. Throughly enjoyed this album.
Fav track: I gotta find a way to get you back
Least fav: I heard it through the grapevine (a cover we did not need)
I’ve listened to this album before. No doubt this album should be an instant classic and A LOT of the songs are always in my rotation. From the guitar tone to the Julian Casablancas sounding like he’s trying to calm me down through a phone call, this album is pleasant through and through. Again, would be a 4.5 but I can’t do have stars. These songs are not super complex in terms of rhythm and time signatures, but the strokes prove that complexity doesn’t always mean that something is good. This album is beautiful and pure in so many ways and reminds me of the best of summer, even though I have no core memories with this album.
Fav Track: Last Nite
Least Fav: Trying Your Luck
This album was a rough first listen tbh. As someone who isn’t British, it was hard to relate to and the music was meh. Morrissey has an amazing voice no doubt and his politically charged lyrics would definitely resonate with someone from Britain in the 90s but as someone who wasn’t alive in the 90s and not British, it was just a mid listen. Maybe another listen would do me good. Not gonna put a fav or least fav cause they were all underwhelming.
Peak fucking rock and roll. Literally 26 when he made this and the lasting impact cannot be undermined. Not even my favorite work by him. There is nothing else to say but this album will ALWAYS be relevant and ahead of its time. Sad to know this was his last work and I’m curious where the 70s would have taken him.
Fav track: all along the watchtower
Least fav: moon, turn the tides…. Gently, gently