Like how this has opened, kind of "Animals" band, lots of use of panning in the headphone. Some of these songs are a little dated for my taste in the early/middle part of the album, just musically uninteresting. This album opened strong but became very experimental in again, an uninteresting way. I feel like "experimental" gets thrown around to describe things that just aren't all that good, or were just ok but in an original way. This album is ok for the most part, with some highs and lows, "Psychedelic Rock" sure. 5/10, average enjoyment.
Very fun to start, some huge Oasis hits mixed in with some new songs for me. Definitely has that defiant, british edge to it and some killer guitar pieces. Curious to see where the album goes to - debut album sounding like this is wild. By the time "Supersonic" has come off I'm floored this is a debut. This was tremendous, polished sound with an edge to it. Feeeeeelin SUpersonic
40 songs is insane to look at for one album. Fun start, light-hearted vibe with the lyrics and movements in the songs; some surprising horns and clean guitars for a "punk" album but this is intended to be a bridge between styles and it is clear. In a moment of honesty, this album bored me. It was cool, but 40 songs is insane and tells me they don't have a cohesive vision (bridge between styles). I did not listen to the whole thing, which is my loss. 3/5.
Very pleasant so far. Not nearly as long as yesterdays album (LondonCalling/TheClash) and for that I am grateful. Very 70's recording quality in the thinness of the quality while still being nice. I haven't checked out Van Morrison past brown eyed girl before, but has been a good vibe to start the first few. At the end now, not incredibly sonically interesting or varied but very pretty overall. I wish he had chosen some more interesting pieces, like a change in BPM, or been more exploratory melodically, but still liked the songs. Great background for a pleasant day. 4/5
This is good but nothing gripping. It's very melodic, "catchy" songs, but nothing that really stands out. In context of being their first album this is excellent work, but more of a stepping stone to later success then anything I'd make note of here. Still an enjoyable listen for sure, just not something I'd flip on. Clean guitar sound, definitely more of an alt album, maybe a bit of Oasis influence. 3/5.
Just a banger of an album. Learning early in life CCR is borderline a cover band does take the artistry down a notch, but the execution is flawless. I'm biased, I own this on vinyl. This is a great album. Mix of style while maintaining a 70's delta jump-around sound - in ballads, rock anthems, and jazzy solos. Unique singer, unique sound. I love it. 5/5
I wrote an essay on this album in high school - its phenomenal. I'll still give the full album a listen, but I'm telling you now this is 5/5. Easy.
Never listened to Beck before in any capacity, not sure what to expect besides this should be good / high level technical guitar playing. - So far good, interesting kind of laid back recording style that makes it feel very natural. Pretty enjoyable alt-rock with some incredible synths. Some of the music is good, but not really ear-catching or overly interesting. Quality but maybe more of a specific vibe. The album is kind of losing me overall but its still good. Back middle and end of the album is drawing me back in. There is something to be said for the experimental nature and range of the album, it is really enjoyable. I like the variety in the genres of the songs, Beck does a good job of maintaining a musical throughline where it still feels like his music. To a music critic they'd probably give this a 5, me personally I'll give it a 4/5.
Lost the half-review I wrote last week. This is just not my kind of music. Its good for what it is, but insanely repetitive drum and bass kicking in my headphones gives me a headache, not enjoyment. If I liked this sort of thing it'd be a 4/5, for me personally 2/5. Wrong audience.
Very good album. Great opener with Everything In It's Right Place, and then takes a very atmospheric, almost audio Zen garden turn for a while in the beginning and middle of the album. Songs tend to "drag" but I think these are meant to be soundscapes and that's intentional / coupled with the shorter run time (less songs) its not something that feels daunting. Album feels like an experiment in rock at times, but is intermixed with those aforementioned soundscapes. Love the rock, enjoyed the sounds, but as a total piece did not get over that hurdle to be a top top flight album. 4/5
Never listened to this all the way through, even though I own this on vinyl. Intrigued to hear, I know my parents (Dad) loves this. Ignoring the fact these are 3 NY rich kids rapping like they own guns and are scary, this makes sense why it was popular - this is perfect 80's Frat Party Music (FPM). Extremely identifiable vocals mixed with genuinely good production makes this pretty enjoyable even if its a flashbang to remember its 2 guys named Michael and another named Adam rapping about girls and killing. The production combined with essentially 1 extremely catchy vocal attack by the Beastie boys surmounts any qualms and makes this really enjoyable for no reason. Maybe its my white guy showing. 4/5
Very slow and soulful. This may not turn my ear on first listen, but this is the perfect vibe in this genre. Add on top some smart, insightful lyrics on race and self-worth and I'm bought in. Uses some cool elements to make a slow song groove, and doesn't feel repetitive at all. Teetering between 4 and 5. 4/5
Deleted my review halfway through :/ Anyways, I had no idea this band was responsible for some of these songs, big hits. Did not sway me overall, the middle of the album started to drag but then honestly around the time "Dragon Queen" kicked in the album had revitalized. I would say if I could break this down I'd probably be a 3.5/5, but in this case I have to go 3; I'm underrating but its not an album I'll seek out again for all the music here.
Kicking off with Tiny Dancer is about as unfair as it gets for an unbiased listening; what a jam. Album is shorter then I expected but the average song run-time is longer, mostly chalked up to outros. Good musicality, obvious for an Elton John album, vocals are alluring. I have not heard a lot of these, but am being pleasantly surprised. Would not say it blew my doors off but this is a beautiful piece of music. 4/5
