I grew up hearing all of Rod Stewart's 80s hits, and the big 70s hits. I liked a few songs, but overall was never a fan. So I wondered why there was a lot of praise for his early albums.
I'm glad I finally listened to this one. It's definitely more interesting and varied than the later pop hits. There are some good grooves, great guitar lines, and lyrics that resonate with the ups and downs of young love. I don't know that I'll come back to this album much, but if someone else puts it on I'll be happy to hear it again.
Potent! This album is wildly varied and feels a bit unconnected, but there's a powerful rock 'n roll core and some great guitar work. Going to listen again!
This is close to 3.5 stars. There's a lot of good stuff going here. On several songs Prince is at his peak, with observant lyrics and good rock-funk brews. He plays a lot of good lead guitar lines. But on other songs, it feels like he gets obsessed and won't quit. There are a few that go on too long, seemingly so that he could add some more overdubs. The album overall includes all the elements that made Prince great, but just doesn't add up to a cohesive whole.
I see why so many have called this the originator (or epitome) of trip-hop. But it's darker and slower than a lot of other trip-hop I've heard. For me, the vocals almost but don't quite work with the instrument sound. But this is groundbreaking and mesmerizing work, for sure.
I'd describe the sound of this album as ramshackle-inspired, and there was less of the inspired than I was hoping for. I was a bit let down. "The Weight" is a great song and there are a couple of others that are nearly as good, but many other songs feel like a jam session that needed some revisiting before pressing it onto a record.
What a voice, and what great retro-modern sound for the mid-00s.
It lives up to its reputation! I was impressed by the consistency here -- I knew the famous songs (Sunshine of Your Love, Tales of Brave Ulysses), but the others are great to.. (OK, the last track is just weird.) Three great musicians cooking up strange wonderful brews.
This is semi-adventurous territory for sure, a mix of driving rock, pop, and dance music. They hit some unique notes. I’ve never heard a dance song in 9/8 time before. But overall it doesn’t grab me and make me wanna listen again.
Rap feels largely foreign to me, and this album didn't get me a lot closer to understanding it. Some of the lyrics are brutally honest and self-reflective, and I respect that.
Really enjoyed this one. It's kind of a perfect party album. Turn it up and everyone can dance to the beats. Turn it down, and it's background music while people chill and talk. If there's a lull in conversation, there's plenty here to catch your ear.
Given how many samples are mixed in to these tracks, it's amazing how coherent and organic it feels. Gonna check out other albums this group has made.
It has all the elements of great blues-rock, but the pieces just don't add up to great songs.
I was expecting something heavy, dark, and brooding. This album was heavy, but surprisingly (to me) bright and poppy. The playing is tight and energetic, and you can sing along to everything. Job well done.
The musicianship here is clearly high-quality: relaxed, economical, flowing. But the songs don't move me a lot. Maybe you have to be in a café in Cuba -- or have the memory of it -- to really appreciate this.
Such a sweet album. It's probably Nick Drake's least good, but the bar is so high from the other two albums, it's still great. The only "weakness" of this album is that the instrumental backing feels a little random at times (here's a flute solo out of nowhere!). But it's all high quality. And the consistency comes from Drake's ruminant lyrics and his beautiful soft voice.
I love this project for bringing me albums like this -- unlikely gems that I had no idea existed.
Willie Nelson singing old Broadway and jazz standards? It works, and in fact, it's magical. Every one of these is a tall cool drink on a warm breezy day, gentle and soothing.
If the old standard songs aren't your thing, this album probably won't convert you. But it's unique, and gorgeous.
He could sing with passion for sure, and I enjoyed some of his piano licks. But overall this didn't grab me. Give me Nat King Cole.
Is there any type of music that polarizes opinions more than punk?
If you want something loud that you can shout or scream along to, lets you vent rage or desperation or nervous energy, that never sounds corny or sleepy or weird, then this is for you. And credit to the band, these short songs get in and out without lingering too long on anything.
If you want melody, harmony, innovation, chords you've never heard, comfort, poetry, or sweetness, there's nothing here for you.
My main criticism is that this album offers the same thing, over and over again. That may appeal to some. Not to me.
This feels like a best in class album, more a representative of the top class of a music genre rather than particular artistic brilliance. The genre here is big band blues, led by a confident, experienced singer. Overall good stuff. What’s missing for me is more guitar. I think King’s guitar playing is his best asset, and here it’s more of a garnish than a main course.
Beautiful a cappella singing, and really distinctive. Highly recommend seeing them live -- but after 30 minutes, it's all the same. Same for this album.
I'm not much of a hip-hop fan, but I can imagine putting this on for pleasure listening. The rapping is clear and usually meaningful. The tracks have more than just beats (which are really good) -- in fact, there's usually a lot mixed in, but it's coherent. Rich stuff here.
I'm always impressed by Neil Young's ability to swing from the dark and serious to the silly within a single album.
Looking back 46 years, it's easy to appreciate where this album sits and why it still sounds great. It draws on earlier-70s rock and roll, embraces the punk of the day, and foreshadows 80s alternative (check out the jangly guitar on multiple tracks). It's relentless, committed, and FUN.
I've loved this album for a long time. A top-notch rock band in peak form playing great songs. There's some prog-rock experimentation but they never lose track of the grooves and power chords. What a pleasure to come back to this. Check out "Won't Get Fooled Again" for some utterly insane drumming.
There were some good tracks. Still don't engage with the rapping.
Listened to about half of this. Loud, heavy, angry industrial hard rock with vocals that are mostly controlled screaming. No thank you. I can appreciate that there's craft in how these tracks are assembled, but I can't listen to more of it. Also don't want to support a guy with a trail of sexual assault allegations.
Mmm, delicious. Like hot chocolate on a cold afternoon, but the most interesting hot chocolate. What are all those subtle flavors? The tone is constantly shifting from melancholy to happy, cool to warm, still to moving. I'll be coming back to this one.
Ah, this is the edgy, inventive post-Genesis Peter Gabriel that I've heard about. Much more interesting than his later albums like So and Us. I don't like everything on this album, but he's creating new textures and not trying to polish everything into radio-friendly formats, and I love that kind of creative energy. Also, "Biko" is a forgotten classic and a story we need to remember.
This album helped me understand why I've always felt meh about the Rolling Stones. It's partly that they almost always sound ramshackle, which only appeals to me in small doses. But it's mostly that I just don't like Mick Jagger's singing. If that's a not a problem for you, then maybe you'll love this album. There are some undeniably good songs here. But I'd rather hear someone else sing them.
This is what I imagine vintage country sounding like. Strong singing, homespun-sounding lyrics about love and life, lots of space in the arrangements for the steel guitar to resonate. Goes by quickly and smoothly.
I really enjoyed this album. Have I said that about a rap album before? Something about the tag-team rapping really works here, and the energy is forward-moving and positive. Other than "One of Them", this is a great album.
The vision and genius here is awesome. The guitar work isn't work -- it's pure creative energy unleashed, the fingers and effects united with the imagination. The album as a whole is sprawling and a lot to take in all at once -- too long for me.
For all the apocalyptic lyrics and heavy sound, this is ultimately melodramatic pop music -- with heavy distortion and fuzz. It's a spectacle, expertly delivered with full commitment from the band.
