Actually kind of enjoyable? Hard rock punk, provocative, anarchical, but with an undercurrent of joy. Imagine it playing in a hipster thrift shop or of course a record store.
Despite a few great songs, this “concept album” doesn’t quite wow. If we could give half stars I’d give it a 3.5. 1 - Bookends theme - Lovely soft familiar intro 2 - Save the Life of My Child - jarring and experimental 3 - America - ah, such a fantastic song. 4 - Overs - never heard before, really like (until Garfunkel's part) 5 - Voices of Old People - hmmm weird but I don't hate it as much as I'd expect to 6 - Old Friends - lovely song 7 - Bookends reprise - will they sing this time? yup. I've heard this. Pretty. 8 - Fakin' It - another jarring opening. Funkier and more fun after that. Kind of like it, a little "concept-y" 9 - Punky's Dilemma - not a fan of the cringy wish I was a cornflake english muffin lyrics. Pleasant if you don't listen too closely. 10 - Mrs. Robinson - obviously great 11 - Hazy Shade of Winter - so, so good. Know it from the Bangles version / Less Than Zero movie soundtrack. 12 - At the Zoo - meh. Did not stick the landing.
Sheer perfection from the first guitar notes.
My first reaction: This would be cute to play at a 6-year-old’s cowboy-themed birthday party. At the same time, I agree with the reviewer who said any one of these songs would kill around a campfire. My (adult) son loves to perform story-telling songs like this on his guitar. Going to send it to him. This is the 4th album I’ve been prompted to review on 1001albums, and it’s challenging my rating system… 3 stars because even though I can appreciate it, it’s not really something I would own or reach for or play for others? Or 5 stars because it is clearly a perfect and groundbreaking album for its genre, even though it’s not my personal taste?
Ah, the early days of rap. Takes me back to watching segments on the nightly news about the breakdancing craze! Cardboard boxes back spins and the worm! Opening track Hard Times nicely sets the tone. Next track Rock Box - was this groundbreaking setting rap to rock and roll guitar? Precursor to Walk This Way? Jam Master Jay track - 2 stars. Bragging and scratching, ho hum. Hollis Crew - like “that’ch’all” feels like the origins of some of these sooooo common phrasings Sucker MC - very pure, just the scratching and the voices and the drum - ah, one of the first diss tracks Wikipedia says! Cool It’s Like That & the rest - my attention wanes… Did make me want to listen to artists that were clearly inspired by this album/rap duo, and built on their legacy, e.g. Beastie Boys, De La Soul How to rate? - another groundbreaking album, but I think in the genre there are others that are more perfect start to finish. More good songs than bad, at least a few great songs, some skips. Not perfect but would play again, would have in collection. For me that’s a 4!
Groovy! But also annoying.
Interesting listen. The lead singer’s opinion notwithstanding, this is generally considered worst of their 3 early albums, so by that logic (and my average track rating), giving it a 3. Track 1 - Cecelia Ann - I dig this instrumental 4/5 Track 2 - Rock Music - “your mouth’s a mile away” shouted 30 times. 1/5 Track 3 - Velouria - melodic. I Like the spelling melody 4/5 Track 4 - Allison - a lot of name songs. 3/5 Track 5 - is She Weird? - great opening guitar tones. The rest Meh. 3/5 Track 6 - Ana - another girl name song! Guitar opening great again. 3/5 Track 7 - All Over the World - catchy. 4/5 Track 8 - Dig for Fire - talky start - I like his whiny voice and the driving drums and her harmonizing - to me this is classic Pixies - 4/5 Track 9 - Down to the Well - Betty. Fine. - 3/5 Track 10 - The Happening - like this opening, bopping beat - about aliens! Best song on here 4.5/5 Track 11 - Blown Away - it’s fine 3/5 Track 12 - Hang Wire - haiku! 3/5 Track 13 - Stormy Weather - repetition - pretty melody 3/5 Track 14 - Havalina - repetition - a band who got them stoned in Texas. Pretty melody. 3/5 Overall: 3.25/5