Funkier than some of their output. Lyrics and vocals suggest anxiety, frustrations and paranoia. Some tracks somehow manage to be both frantic and overlong. Aside from the banger that is Once in a Lifetime (which was the same as it ever was), I enjoyed Houses in Motion and the more commercial Listening Wind, whereas Crosseyed and Painless was a bit claustrophobic.
Not my cup of tea. Smooth production makes it less interesting. Not so keen on polished noise. Never really listened to them in the past. That’s not going to change. Enjoyed the opening track and , change in tempo, Head Down also decent. Mailman / Limo Wreck just plodding rubbish. Title track also dull. And Black hole sun is overrated imo.
Has its place and lots of fans I’m sure. And it did sound better when you turn it up. More variety than I expected, sounded almost like Wah Wah guitars on Ratamahatta, though I enjoyed the heavier songs more, I.e not Jasco and Itsari. Could’ve done without the last really long song. Felt a sore throat thinking about how he can get through a gig. Dare I say slightly better / more fun than Soundgarden.
Not to be taken too seriously. Pretty juvenile mostly. Smooth production with jazzy influences and a good flow. Of its time. Not sure why I’ve not listened before if it’s critically acclaimed. Only ‘Passin me by’ was familiar. The album is ok. A cut above Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (and Soundgarden)
From Country tinged Americana Golden Age, moving to more orchestral strings in Paper Tiger. Melancholic. Seems to be a bit of a break up theme. I thought Album was new to me, Odelay- was the album I had. This is different to that. But Lost Cause, It’s All in your Mind and Sunday Sun all seemed familiar - singles maybe? Eels like songs End of the Day and Little One were good. Round the Bend - first one where the sadness began to grate slightly or maybe just a weaker song. Given a 4 as it’s the best I’ve reviewed but 3.5 would be more accurate. Will listen again.
Strong opening track. Nice guitar. Then an accordion and fiddling happy clappy sing along in French - like something from an early 70’s educational kids tv show. Expect a song called Autopsy on a metal album - this one not metal. A Sailor’s life was initially the type of song I feared they would be about and then went on for over 7 minutes with slightly less annoying guitar noodling. Enjoyed more songs than I disliked. Really like Sandy Denny’s voice. Who knows where the time goes indeed. A strong 3.
Not my kind of 1977 music. US TV theme tune from some bad show - then some jazzy wank. Another US TV theme toon. Rumba Mama - some vocals! Still bad. Then back to Lift muzak. Awful.
Acceptable countryish pop music. I found it fairly bland.
Out on the weekend. Heart of gold. Alabama. Great Melodies. Good Album.
What’s not to like (maybe the overlong intro on track 4). Over 55 years old- the album not me. Great stuff.
Haven’t ever worked out if I like Luke Haines. Keep meaning to read his book. I liked this mostly. Not a great singer but still something about it that means I will likely give it another whirl. Better than a lot of Brit pop fodder. Show Girl is a strong opener and the only one I’d heard or at least remembered. Enjoyed Junk Shop Clothes, Don’t Trust the Stars and How Could I be Wrong. Strong 3. Reminded me to play Lenny Valentino.
Listened to quickly and not very focused so a bit unfair. Chugging title track a bit dull. Not sure why it’s on the list.
Not a favourite Bowie album. He’s not a soul artist. It’s no Low. Maybe repeated listens would help because the stand out tracks for me were the two big ones. Across the Universe (which has less of a soul vibe) is not good. Somebody up there likes me must have been listened to by George Michael.
Good influential album. Awesome first 3 tracks. Fades a bit after that. Didn’t sound dated like I thought it might. Some suspect lyrics in places. Respect the police. 3/4 borderline.
Common People is a proper classic. The Album is littered with great tracks. Great lyrics. Sex and class the main themes. Had to give it a 5.
Went into this thinking Queen are shit - change my mind. It didn’t. There is variation here and lots going on. Some glam rock and then Led Zep like (or lite) vocals in The Loser in the End. But, a high degree of bombastic, pompous, OTT everything runs through it and those layered vocals aren’t for me (when it’s Queen). Fables, fairies, crows and ogres don’t do it for me lyrically. The March of the Black Queen - Started to think I like it then checked myself and rightly concluded it was rubbish. Just don’t get them.
What is this genre, funk Latin RnB rock? New band / album to me. Album grew on me / got stronger as it progressed. Could see myself getting into that instrumental long track if in the right mood (once the sax heavy bits passed) and the next one (zoom zoom zoom one with the talking bit).
Title track was good but would be improved with less sax. A 3 after initially thinking it would be easily a 2. Where Was You At would be better if it was called Where To Is You By.
Strong opener with background music non intrusive and that voice. By third track music was more sweeping orchestral, plush, film score like. Would prefer more edge to the music but it was 1958. And her voice on this is excellent - fragile and captivating.
Glad she added her surname for this album. Can’t believe she married Laurence Fox and Chris Evans.
With chemical enhancement probably a high 4 or 5. Commuting to and from London it struck me as a bit long and disjointed. Still a strong electronic dance album. 90’s classic. Gotta love a bit of Daft Punk. Going to award 4 anyway.
A lot more pop than punk. Even Pump It Up wasn’t as frantic as I remembered it. Album rattles along at a good pace though with tight arrangements. I like his voice. 3.5
‘Enter into the realm of Satan”. No thanks.
I listen to a fair bit of hip hop, but don’t think I’ve ever got through an Eminem album. Not sure why. His rapping is distinctive but there something about it I don’t like (too nasal?). Kill You is a bit unpleasant lyrically. I find the flow on The Way I Am as just too aggressive and hard to listen to. Remember me a bit rubbish. Skits also rubbish. Like the hits (other than TWIA) and a few of the other tracks though and some lyrics made me smile. 2.8
Nice and mellow. Very familiar despite me not listening to them previously. For some reason was expecting it to be more country. End bit of Ashes of American flags felt out of place. Pavementesque at times though more of a commercial sound. Liked! Will listen again one day.
Found this pretty uninspiring. MOR country. Found the layering of vocals on a couple of tracks grating. Prefer Lucinda Williams. Unremarkable.
On the plus side enjoyed Honey - this kind of R&B not my thing but this was definitely at the palatable end of that ilk.
Then goes shit for the rest of the album. Slow track Butterfly and slower My All. Breakdown wasn’t quite as bad. And the Butterfly reprise later was passable. But mostly bland banalities.
Hope I never have to listen to Whenever You Call again.
Quite enough of her warbling gymnastics well before the end.
1 (4 for opening track minus 4 for WYC and 1 for the rest).
Good songwriting/ story telling. And variety. Quality album - much better than I remember the Village Green album being- but may revisit that now.
Usual quintessential English references - flask of tea and Gooseberry tart and Potters Bar (shout out to the Herts massive) references on Drivin’. Shangri La - great.
Something a bit McCartneyesque on some of the vocals which is strange given the geographical differences.
Can’t beat The Fall’s version of Victoria though. Didn’t really care for that song about the hat - strayed a bit into novelty song. I think I need to listen to The Kinks more.
Mixed bag. Quite a few Low fi under developed stripped back one paced with the snare being overused. Ballad of Big Nothing was my favourite - I think I’d like Teenage Fanclub to cover this, they’d make it all better - harmonise with other voices rather than his own layering. Pictures of Me has potential to be a better song. Angeles reminded me a lot of Sufjan Stevens - which is no bad thing. Cupid’s Trick a bit rockier. Overall disappointing edges out interesting. Can’t see me revisiting this album but may try another of his. Generous 3.
Not blown away by the songs or any of the music. Good soul voice, no doubt. But voice alone not enough to put this anywhere near the 4 category.
I tried to listen to Joni in the past (think it was Blue) and couldn’t get very far. I think it was the voice back then. This time, much more positive.
Storytelling evocative lyrics and enjoyed the subtle guitar work. And the voice, nowhere near as annoying as I was expecting. Must be me getting old. Coyote was the only one familiar - seems like I must have heard that when watching The Last Waltz in my teens (getting into The Band).
Tailed off a bit towards the end I think - or maybe just too long. Think I’d like to relisten several times rather than try another of hers. 3.6.
Soulful laid back rap with tinges of jazz. Works mostly, e.g. on You, We fight / We Love and that one with Nora Jones. But, a few not so good, such as Getting Up - not great - more R&B than rap and Official, too smooth.
Won’t Trade was strong track. And enjoyed the increased tempo initially in Move - though this was 2 different tracks pasted together (and he needs to work on his Renaissance pronunciation). Final track was a little bit Princey.
On the whole sits between 3 and 4 (again!). Going with harsh 3 as don’t think it will be revisited.
Was expecting more. Ok better than a lot of 80’s dross but not really as sassy or innovative as some think it is.
While it tackles a lot of womanhood themes I think the lyrics are a bit basic and sometimes cringey. Buffalo Stance is the standout.
Not offensive - average fairly pleasant pop music. 2.9
Sorry, couldn’t get through this. Got as far as “In the lap of the gods” which I was particularly not enjoying. First track I thought was ok as was Killer Queen. But can’t do Queen anymore. Life’s too short.
Nice one to play late with a bourbon. Great recording of that guitar, band and vocals considering it’s a live album. Like the pace of the first couple. How Blue Can You Get into Please Love Me - great. A bit of big band and jazz feel in parts as well as proper classic R&B. Good energy, easy listening without being easy listening. Had to go 4 as 3 would be way too close to Queen.
Good post club album I would think. And remember first track from that distant scenario. Mellow electronica.
Definitely a place for this. Never strays into greatness though. In the wrong mood would be quite dull (occasionally). But some interesting diversions and not as wanky as a large chunk of Ibiza Chill dross out there. Close to a 4.
Good post club album I would think - I think this edges the Nightmares on Wax one. Though from Going out of my head onwards (including the 303 Josh Wink bit) the vibe for those trying to chill is killed. Lots going on which makes it an interesting listen after many years of not listening to this. Have to hand it to Norman - this is a good one.
Ok, I get she’s lauded as a great songwriter and it’s quite the canon, lots of big hits. And some good songs here. And she’s not a bad singer. But this is just mostly easy listening - all very nice but just not an album for me. Terrible sax on Way Over Yonder banished any thought of a 4.
90’s US softish rock. Though some tracks could be Bill and Ted playing screeching guitar I n a Bill and Ted movie. Bodacious. Also Huey Lewisesque in places. Hip to be Square. Too American for me. Detected some possibly admirable social commentary in some lyrics and who doesn’t like a brief bit of Chuck D / Flavor Flav but can’t get past the bad sound. Disliked most aspects of this. Memories Can’t Wait my favourite - a bit more Faith No More like. 2.
Nostalgic themes again.
Liked most of this including opening couple of tracks, Picture Book, Big Sky, Village Green and Animal Farm. Last of the Steam Powered Trains good.
Sitting by the riverside - not so keen on music hall keyboard plonking. The fat cat one strays (pun!) too much into fum fum fiddle-um di nonsense. And the vocals on All of My Friends Were There grates a bit.
Better side 1 in summary!
Superior 60’s music. Think Arthur is the better album having listened to both recently.
Best one I’ve listened to this week - whole lot more interesting than Tapestry. 4
Unmistakable Elvis on opener which is quite an opener for 1956. But I’m Counting On You sounded like just another 50’s crooner.
Enjoyed I got a Woman and the piano and slightly strange vocals (borderline Vic Reeves club singer) on One Sided Love Affair.
Could do without I Love You Because and I’ll Never Let You Go. Like the country track Just Because.
Tutti Frutti doesn’t compare to the superior Little Richard version.
Even though the tracks are short I was a bit Elvised out before the end. Though Money Honey probably second best track.
Would probably be a 4 if this was 1956. It’s not though. 3. Most of my heroes don’t appear on no stamps.
Was excited as the band and album meant nothing to me.
After first listen was ready to slate and question why on the list. Microshift - Microshit more like etc.
But on second listen it wasn’t so bad. So maybe a generous 3.
Smooth, calming, uninteresting. Rodeo Drive - just a long theme tune. Washes over you in inoffensive way. 2.5
Big fan of this album.
This one and Carrie and Lowell are the two of his I return to. Even though it’s peppered with Illinois specific references that I don’t fully appreciate.
Just like the fact that even though it’s low fi there’s something different I hear each time. Over an hour and I don’t care. 4.4
Some good stuff on here. Liked Feel Flows in particular. And Long Promised Road and Till I Die were strong. Till I Die like much of the album not the cheery Beach Boys of old. Surfs Up also great.
That student demo track was bad. Not sure on the water, tree or feet ones.
Will revisit this. Going to go 4 (just).
The most 3 album yet. Not bad. Not great. Good background music without being muzak. Derivative without being too contrived or soulless. Liked the clean production. Too long. Wouldn’t rule out another listen.
