I dig Steve Winwood's voice, and the record is remarkably clear, probably a testament to Jimmy Miller as one of rock's great producers.
What an incredible record!!
Side 2 is a classic. Side 1 kind of grates on me and always has for some reason. Kind of a bouncy, pedantic offering, but it's a debut, and they clearly formed a sound and style shortly after this.
Surprised by how enjoyable this record was. Kind of a bit repetitive in style, but well-written
Monk! Not my favorite, but it's a great listen.
Dated. I’m sure it was fantastic in its day.
This album came out in ‘88? Could’ve come out in 1968, could’ve come out yesterday.
1st of an unparalleled 3-album run in rock history. Still holds up as fresh and exciting. Pales everything that tried to match it over the next 25 years.
Like Carole King, but seemingly less pop sensibility and a much more powerful voice. Not familiar with her work prior to this, but love it.
I keep thinking I’m going to go through a Joni Mitchell phase and I can never do it. I get the musicianship is unparalleled. No question the vocals, the structure and the atmosphere are singular as to who the artist is. It’s just a lot of that is fingernails on a chalkboard for me and I can go forever without ever listening to it again.
Is this great? This feels pretty even, with good melodies and some strong poetry. I guess that makes it better than most. Still, Morrissey.
Hate this record for being so big when I was a teenager. Still, the recording is impeccable. The sound, the tunes, the blending of genres and the timelessness of the title track only mesmerize as they age.
Powerhouse, soulful and sweet.
One of the most influential pieces of art in the 20th Century. Resonates nearly 60 years later.
I want it to be that I don't like hip-hop, but as great as the catchy pop tunes are, the misogyny, the lack of humanity and baloney sandwich rags-to-riches stuff is a bore. "aspirational" hip hop I've been told is the term, but yawn.
The inclusion of this record on this list is an abomination. I mean, 1-star for the crisp sound, but it's sterile butt-rock that AC/DC did 100x better a decade earlier.
Transformative, exciting, relevant almost 30 years later. One of the great listens of recorded music. Want to start a party? Put this record on. Want to get inspired to fight the power that corrupts your world? Put this record on.
Hands down, all-timer. Influential on so many levels.
Surprising on first listen. I knew the hits. They're catchy and all that, but the album has a sparse sound and vibe that - no shit - sounds like something Sinatra would've put out.
One of the best records ever, hands down, bar none. Each song is a classic - epic in pop song format. Story behind the record is fascinating. Story behind the band is fascinating. It all fell apart for reasons out of all their control. Jonathan Richman is a national treasure.
Fun listen. Kinda one-note, but upbeat and groove-centric. No real standout tunes, IMO.
Spread your good songs around an album. What's the point of leading off with your best tune, then etting worse and worse with each track? Especailly when you're already have a craptastic sounding outfit like DM. Not a fan. OK intro tune, rest is a drag. Mid at best.
A sonic experience. Total headphones record. It's so ubiquitous a sound that it wears a little repetitive after nearly 50 years. Can't imagine what a party one of these shows would have been back in the day.
I don't think I like hip hop the way the rest of the world does.
Repetitive. Atmospheric. Some flourish. Prefer other records of theirs.
Fun beats, and obviously her voice is important in the genre's ouevre, but not really my bag.
The production is great, but the songs aren't that interesting when it comes down to it.
Oh yeah, bong hit commence! 10 stars wouldn't be enough. I love listening to this record and focusing on just one part of what's playing - Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, Coltrane - it doesn't matter which one, because everyone is operating on a level that transcends the whole. This record never sounds the same twice, equally thrilling and soothing.
Not a fan. Sounds like the 60s.
Listened with preconceptions, and surprised at this gem. Great sound, interesting songs. I think it was a full concept album about WW1 or something, but I enjoyed it.
Noisy. Don’t understand the appeal. Becomes diva-esque by the end with some lush sounds, but I don’t get this at all. A terrible sound, often-screeching.
Atmospheric, some brilliance and some half-assed notions. Hard to call it a great album, as it has one defining track and a couple other interesting listens. I can't imagine telling someone, "Hey! You got to listen to this record!".
Lots of classic pop soul stuff on this record, but some amazing gems. "Ain't No Way" is one of my favorite songs of this genre.
Kinda fun, kinda background music. Don't know how it was groundbreaking or considered such an achievement.
Stylistically all over the map, yet somehow repetitive. I think this was their debut, never really listened to them. Bet they're killer live. Not sure they're more interesting than, say, Tool or Rage Against the Machine, or whomever they're lumped in with timeline and genre-wise.
