I liked the groove and style, though to be honest, all of the songs pretty much sounded the same. There was an interesting shift at "Whenever Wherever Whatever" where the songs became a little more tender. I certainly felt like I was in a club (or Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, if you will) while listening to this music.
Honestly, I could quite literally feel the smoothness/slipperiness of this song, which was a little off putting at times. I think you really have to really get into this particular groove and style to get into this music.
This album was definitely an experience. My favorite had to be "The Court Of The Crimson King" because a) it had really cool melodies and b) it made me feel like I was in Alice and Wonderland or something like that. And then that whole part where it stops and then starts again at around 7 mins literally felt like I died and then was in the process of being recreated with little pixels coming back together.
Then there was also "I Talk To The Wind," which just felt like a world of its own. That song is actually beautiful. For whatever reason, it makes me feel like being in a mystical version of Central Park (maybe it's the oboes??).
When this album wasn't being a fantastical journey, it was just very strange and honestly kind of bipolar (sorry)...just because it would go from being very calm to literal alternative progressive hard punk rock that makes it very hard for me to believe this was released in 1969. But all around, a pretty cool album.
If I'm being honest, I kind of dreaded listening to this album because I thought it would be really boring (specifically because I'm kind of tired of "So What" and "Freddy" at this point). But I was actually really surprised. In it's entire, this album is truly unique. It's the kind of jazz music that never gets old. It's not too flashy, nor too quiet, but has just the right amount of structure and eccentricity that makes it a classic.
The best part about this is that it is so versatile. I could sit alone and simply listen to this album for the sake of putting all of my attention into listening to it, or it could be calming background music. It's truly a work of art.
The song that surprised me the most was probably "Flamenco Sketches." It was just so kind of blue, if that makes any sense. This album is truly iconic. I honestly do take back everything I've ever thought about it being boring and dull. You really need to listen to it in its entirety to understand the vision and the art of the music itself.
I hate to say it, but this album was pretty disappointing. :(
I do like "Band On The Run" (the song), and I really did expect the rest of the album to just keep getting better and better. Instead it kind of felt like it couldn't really choose its genre. I get that some people think this album is great, but for whatever reason, it just didn't sit well with me. I didn't find the music to be that interesting or catchy; instead, some of the songs were just boring and, at times, even a little annoying. Obviously no disrespect to Paul McCartney. I just feel as if this album is not the finest representation of his work (I'm trying to sound like a connoisseur of music when I really don't know what I'm talking about...bottom line is that I didn't like this album as much as I thought I would).
Soooo.......to be completely honest I only made it about halfway through this album before I got kind of bored and forgot to finish it. Not that the album was boring or anything because there were actually some really good songs. "Over & Over" set a pretty high bar in my opinion, but some of the songs just felt very out of place here. I really liked the ones that Stevie sang, though.
I love Fleetwood Mac. I really, really do. A lot of these songs felt very Fleetwood Mac-y, like the exact same vibe and style as my favorites. Others were decidedly not, to the point that I was sitting there thinking, "Hmmm, you know, listening to this song and knowing it was by the same band that produced "Silver Springs" KIND OF degraded your whole musical career in my mind. Disappointing."
But I digress.
I must say that it was definitely interesting to be exposed to a new Fleetwood Mac album. It's always nice to broaden the scope a little bit.
I'm not quite sure how to explain it other than this album made me feel so whole. I found myself wishing that each song was longer...though I should consider myself lucky just to have these 33 minutes of pure joy.
I've never listened to Cash much before this. It's definitely a certain type of mood, but I really really like it. That outlaw country spirit. Obviously "I Walk The Line" is great, but I really loved "Wanted Man" and "San Quentin" (and indeed, we got the reprise!!). "(There'll Be) Peace in the Valley" started playing. It coupled perfectly with "Folsom Prison Blues" to end out the album.
AND. THEN. I. REALIZED. This was part of a program where he played for inmates. How interesting is that? Really made me realize that behind all of these albums, there's a deeper story. This one was immediately a ten out of ten, from the very first note.
Not my favorite, but not my least favorite either. Again, a very very specific type of mood, in my opinion. While I wouldn't say that these songs are good for casual listening (in my opinion), I think they would be pretty cool to learn how to play in a band. Lots of room for bluesy creativity that would really "wow" an audience!
Ummm...just not really my thing. I feel like that's really all there is to say about this album.
IMMEDIATELY a ten out of ten album from the very first note. It's just so damn beautiful. His voice, the guitar...
I'm guessing some people might be opposed to the covers, but in my opinion, they are truly remarkable. He adds a whole new perspective to those songs. The whole album feels very sad and somber, yet there are undertones of hopefulness as well.
I don't think I ever truly appreciated Cash before listening to this album (as well as San Quentin). But wow. Wow wow wow.
This whole album makes me feel like I'm sitting on a horse in the middle of a desert with my cowgirl hat dipped over one eye as I watch the sunset dip into the clouds. So. Freakin. Beautiful.
It tried. A little too hard.
