Very Simon and Garfunkel as noted, with a great tracks showcasing the harmonies that, I believe, they were famous for.
Was a bit twee/whimsical in parts and their cover of Everybody's talking can't hold a candle to Nilsson's- but a little research showed it was released the same year so guess it was bad timing.
Looking forward to abit more of the political stuff and Neil Young getting involved.
Some beautiful stand out moments (Casimir Pulaski Day, and the one about the serial killer) but a bit long and sprawling. I don't know whether to feel disappointed or relieved he didn't do all the states.
The sort of nice-guy rock n roll that reminds me of long drives with my parents in America as a kid. Knew a few tracks from the best of, but don't think there'd be many occasions I'd put this on otherwise- unless I had to drive across Arizona. Like his voice though, and the Hammond organ, and have this idea he's a "nice guy" but this might be because he was also in Travelling Wilburys. And American Girl is a banger
Alternative recommendation: Ezra Furman - Day of the Dog.
Definitely an album of its time- and hard to separate from the swagger of similar artists (Kaiser Chiefs etc), but there's still something that's a bit playful and endearing about it (perhaps tinted by their Sparks collaboration in my mind.) Lyrically pretty insipid and not particularly inspiring musically, but best of a bad bunch I think. FFS much better.
(Would give it 2.5 if I could)
I was all ready to be cynical about this one as I didn't remember much about it from my last listen. But Shout got me out of bed and Everybody wants to rule the world is a banger. The rest of it seemed pretty derivative and bland though.
This was way more fun and playful than I remembered. Always loved the first track but maybe now I'm not a Christian I can appreciate it way more XD. Enjoyable throughout, inspiring in places but a tad long. Would give it 4.5 if possible
No
I spent awhile trying to work out of Newman's satire really justifies his use of the n-word, given that he's a white 'Northerner' that spent some time in the deep South as a kid where he both witnessed racism and er, took what he wanted from some of their musical styles (eg. his rambling style). And then I remembered he's the guy who wrote that song from Toy Story and no, that words not okay coming from a white guy, certainly not anymore. We've got Beyoncé singing about the deep south now, and she does it without punching down.
Rated two for good musicianship and an effort, I suppose, to try and say something meaningful rather than having a good old w*nk on a guitar, but let's all listen to Cowboy Carter now shall we?
More of a high 3- excellent first half but all got a bit fey after Hallucinations. Will be interested to hear Happy Sad though which is also on the list I believe?
Can't deny I love parts of this album a lot. Really strong opening and track three is a superb mix of styles (featuring- and made by- The Gaza Sisters - I admit I had to Google that but will be checking them out imminently)
I sort of lose interest as the album goes on though- Homeless is beautiful, but feel like I'm less impressed by Simon's lyrics these days - and the last few tracks just sound dated. I've never been sure how Zydeco music fits either?
Leaving aside the appropriation stuff I'm giving it a 4- just cos I Know what I know makes me feel very happy
The best of Eurhythmics was a family staple sp I was pleasantly surprised about this - darker and weirder than just the hits, with more interesting sounds and Lennox as always on top form.
I couldn't be bothered to listen to it all again but I do enjoy it on the whole. McCartney at his most Lennonesque, George and Ringo having a go. Shame about Bungalow Bill, that song is shite
Really should have been a Chuck Berry album in here instead of this. About half of it is covers, most from black artists.
It's got a few original tracks, which do stand out, and is of passing interest in understanding the (rather cringey) beginnings of the band but this isn't 1001 things you need to know about the Beatles before you die. Gonna put on the Great twenty eight immediately
Both consistently misogynist and with moments of unbearable affectation and what seems to be a rather poor grasp of Tudor History.
Nice nostalgic punk pop
Bland, banal, overlong. Shoulda been Storm in Heaven by the Verve
Glad I stuck this one out- would normally not be into white guys with patois accents (looking at you Gordon) but these guys were at least political about it- the last half of the album addresses racism head on. Didn't realise they started out as a bunch of kids on the dole - can imagine them getting high and having a skank and having something to say. Kinda of a shame that they ended up trotting out naff covers, but I imagine they probably don't mind.
I hate this album but I'm giving it a two as it is extremely motivating (as an unsuccessful musician) this was to make music that is not so emotionally flaccid, trite and over-produced. I DO like Beautiful Day but I was also raised in a cult where genuine culture and self expression was frowned upon- so I can't tell if this is a stockholm syndrome response.
Mainly gross
Felt like a missing puzzle piece in terms of influencing people like Rufus Wainwright, John Cale, Randy Newman? First and last tracks were really quite astonishing with notes of Gershwin and Copeland and the vastness of the American "pioneer" landscape - but the middle dragged a bit, with a number of Scotch Walker-esque ballads without the latters soulful voice. A nice surprise overall.
Boppy, groovy, bit too long
Got half way through and felixed it. Great first track but not my thing
I feel like this album probably gets labelled "ahead of its time" alot. There are a few tracks where this feels like a good thing (Balloon burning and a couple of proto-thrash tracks) but there's a lot more where the experimental mixing is just a bit nauseating and 'ahead of its time' scans better as 'pissing about ' (although I suppose they wouldn't have been listening through headphones). The mixing might seem more compelling if it wasn't sandwiched between bog standard psych tweeness but on the whole it lacks stylistic cohesion. An interesting, if not entirely enjoyable, listen.
This should be in 1001 white male indie bands to bore you to death. Couple of rousing tracks that sounded inspiring when I was a depressed teenager and are embarrassed now. 2 for nostalgia only
Hipster Sparks
Nice Sunday music for pottering around
I'm giving this 5 because it was the first album that reminded why I did this in the first place- new to me, vibrant, exciting
Some nice textures and sounds from some very talented musicians. Last track was very nice.
Great stuff- about twice as long as necessary tho
2.5 - straight down the middle
Boring psych rock
Well it certainly sounds like they were having a good time. Diverting, fun, drugs.
Really winsome and whimsical with
some total bangers and excellent George Martinning
Just incredible. Can only imagine what it must have been like seeing him live.
A Shit sandwich made with extremely good bread.
Liked this - think I didn't listen to it when I was young because the title was UNACCEPTABLE for christians. Feel like I'd have enjoyed the goth vibes more then, and overall it's a bit long and not as gopd as their later offerings- but some excellent drums and Robert Smith being Robert Smith (probably a high 3)
I nearly cried on the last one, and Dirty old town is brilliant. High 3
A couple of great tracks and some very silly overlong Vegas-Elvis, Dylan on steroids type of american music, which alot of people love don't they?
Dreadful. I nearly liked it and can see why it fits in with the strong rock themes of this book but it's mediocre and dull and inane. Can't really believe I made it to the end.
High 4, rounding up. Always forget how versatile and nuanced these guys are. And Sabotage is such a banger
Having just listened to the Slim Shady LP it is somewhat of a relief to return to an era where things were so coded- losing a "rooster' being the opening innuendo and the album continuing in the same vein. Musically it's all fairly similar to Blueberry Hill, bluesy, laid-back, and I think would have been most engaging live, but most striking is the variety in Fats' vocal performance. Will definitely give this a re-listen in the summer
Some high class dad rock - quite fun I guess? Would have preferred Huey Lewis
Music for boys, nice saxophones tho
I love his parents so much. Dominooos!
I've listened to it before and dont want to again. Walk of life is abit of a bop but can't remember if it's on this one. And it's annoying because it's about a guitar player but the keys are the main feature.
My expectations were so low that I was pleasantly surprised at first - then gradually bored. Some great backing singers though and nice instruments. Better with Meg on drums though. And the reference to Bo Diddley half way through just reminded me the latter really should be in here instead of this.
A snapshot in time of the man who would be King. Alongside the bona fide, toe-tapping, heart-skipping, hip-swinging classics are mediocre smoochy ballads for the house-wives and a swathe of covers originally by black folks, reminding us of the dubious white-washing at the roots of Rock n Roll. Yes, he was the King: an incredible undeniable talent - but a product of his time, with some horrible views, owing a huge debt to the black artists who came before him, and really should be better represented on this book. Props to his astonishing backing band too.
The most annoying thing (and reason for the lower-than-I-would-have-wanted-for-Elvis-who-I-genuinely-love rating) is the tracklisting- alternating between fast and slow numbers in a way that doesn't hit right these days. But I guess albums were done differently back then and mayve everyone needed a slow number to calm down huh?
Funkkky
Boosting to remind myself - reminds me of OOIOO - but yeah a bit annoying XD
I really liked some of the demo tracks nearer the end - there was one with amazing harmonies- not sure if they were on the original release but they really capture the energy and vibes of the jam energy.
Mmm musical saw
Technically brilliant, beautiful in parts - but can't listen to a lot of him in one go - soooooo sad
Oh Bob, bob, bob. You do Bob Dylan very well. You get 5 stars for music that sounds like Bob Dylan- clever, nice instruments (of the Bob Dylan vein), some interesting similes in a Bob Dylan style, some danceable tracks even, for Bob Dylan.You write very well about women as aesthetic objects. You came up with a drole title for the opening track. But it's just all a bit Bob Dylan isn't it? I'm genuinely Bob of this Dylan but just don't Bob Dylan any Dylan. High Dylan due to Bob.
Listened to it at the gym and now my legs hurt. Good fun with spooky bits.
PRAISE HIM TIL YOU'VE FORGOTTEN WHAT YOU'RE PRAISING HIM FOR! PRAISE HIM A LITTLE BIT MORE!
I've always loved this album - it's got sinister dirgy Nick (Lyre of Orpheus), lovelorn world weary piano Nick (Babe You Turn Me On), slightly fey Nick with recorders (Breathless) and religious but not getting too carried away Nick with gospel choirs and fire and wrath and amazing arrangements and some amusing lyrical turns.
It's got a few less interesting tracks - Fable of Brown Ape being the most notable- and there's still a lot of that swagger and arrogance of young Nick that you'll either love or hate - but overall quite joyous and silly. (High 4 rounded up to 5)
I don't really enjoy his music anymore.
Poppy, bubbly, high, sweet with bits of edge. Definitely a bit rose-coloured by being a teenager when it came out. Very high three.
Like if Elton John wrote musical about the Beatles
It reminds me of harry hill's blue cat Stouffer 3.14 on this link https://share.google/CojnCfIOCJXGTtlmX
Sorted, respect due
Nihilistic, offensive, bleak, shocking, occasionally amusing and almost certainly a work of twisted genius. I sure as hell don't like it all but it's certainly an album with massive artistic vision, with alot more depth than he's often credited with.
Big dreamy 80s inspired pop mixing Roxette with a hint of Prince and Cocteau Twins. Feels like it could have been more experimental- with little flashes of harmonic brilliance here and there, but strong album nonetheless. I mainly listened to the French version and the extra track (Le G) was a favourite. High 3.
Eno pretending to be John Cale
Some talented musicians fronted by a seemingly drunk white man saying whatever comes into his head. And despite being a huge Fall fan, couldn't really get behind it. Got some great bluesy moments but his voice is just grating and the lyrics a bit insane. More Curious Oranges pls.
They LITERALLY all sound the same, which I suppose is ideal if you like it, which I don't. Extra star for the time they were admittedly very cool on The Young Ones.
No one does the big camp wry yearning spectacle that is Rufus, or at least they didn't back in the 00s. Like at least of a few of his albums it's a sort of coming of age- ranging from the empassioned opener Agnes Dei, the meandering dreaminess of Peach Trees, via little baroque ditties, seasick burlesque choruses, and possibly the greatest show tune that never was - Gay Messiah. Excellent baroque pop piano and soft sweet harmonies. Not quite as consistent as I remember but still full of charm and originality. High 3
Very nearly perfect - songs like bridges themselves, sung etween friends, between childhood and adulthood. Transcendent, innocent, incredible. High 4 (can't stand bye bye love)
Tbc
It's silly music, but sometimes exactly what one needs. Rawkkkk
Not the biggest fan of noodly psych but this exceeded (low) expectations - was kinda nice on a hot day.
There were alot of very talented paedophiles in the 50s that's for sure. Either 1 or 5 - so 3 as an average.
Nice summer 90s long grass sleepy not really for a workday vibes. Always forget they did sexy boy. High 3
At first I thought "oh no another Bob Dylan rip off" but the first few tracks were really quite drole and the album grew on me- part late 60s protest, part straight forward country - certainly a few nods to Bobby both pre and post electric - but a unique and compassionate voice coming through. Think Country might be my new thing.
Loved this, the sort of thing I was hoping to find more of in this book. High 4 but boosting to remind myself
I really like REM, but I don't think this is a very good album album, bit long and meandering. Orange crush is great but it's doing alot of work for the more mumbly ones. Maybe its just not good for a hangover ?
Not even nostalgia can rescue this. Dreadful
Some absolute bangers and some over the top pish. Too long.
