There were moments where I was really grooving, but overall it’s not to my taste. Talking to some friends, it was an important album at the time. Under the Bridge was the only song I rated above three stars.
Wow! This was an excellent listen. What a talent! Though I must admit, every time his vocalization came through it took me out of the experience. Still a solid 8/10.
I don’t have any history with Dylan. Obviously I’ve heard some of his hits, but that’s about it.
Worse, I’m not a lyrics guy. Unless I’m very actively listening, I don’t typically pick up on lyrics, and I feel like Dylan is famous as a lyricist first.
Anyway, all that is to say, this isn’t really to my taste. I find his vocal style grating. Some interesting things musically, and listening to the Strong Songs episode “A Bob Dylan’s Beginner’s Guide,” it’s fascinating to hear that people followed his live recordings like a jam band.
But for me, this was only a 4/10, “Acceptable”
Great record. I only knew “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing,” but was blown away over and over by Stevie’s voice and groove. 8/10 Most Excellent
Reading some of the other reviews, it seems like a lot of love for this album is drive by the lyrics (which really capture teenage angst) and nostalgia. Unfortunately I miss a lot of lyrics unless I’m listening carefully, and have no nostalgia for this band.
That said, it’s pretty good! Only knew the first song. I can see why it’s loved, but it’s not for me. 6/10 Pretty Good
It’s fine. Didn’t grab me in the same way Stevie Wonder did. Definitely has the slower feel and tempo that I associate with R&B. Have to admit it was a bit boring.
4/10 Acceptable
When it comes to the Beatles, I mostly know the hits. But there was plenty to enjoy here.
I still don’t put them on much, but there’s a reason they’re as loved as they are.
7/10 Quite Likeable
Really enjoyed this! Was a bit worried based on the mixed reviews.
8/10 Most Excellent
I want you to want me! Some solid hits, but the album didn’t wow as a whole.
5/10 Decent
Some decent music, that’s not to my taste. A bit boring!
5/10 Decent
Not always a huge fan of her voice, but I found plenty to like here, in lyrics and music.
6/10 Pretty Good
The beats are pretty good. Didn’t enjoy the music, though.
3/10 Ho Hum
Janis Joplin! I probably wouldn’t listen on the regular, but it was a fun diversion.
6/10 Pretty Good
I don’t think I’ve heard a single song on this album. It reminds me of something I can’t quite place… in any case, I enjoyed it!
7/10 Quite Likeable
Such a weird album! It goes all over the place, and they were obviously having a ton of fun. I enjoyed it.
7/10 Quite Likable
Lots more that I recognized on this album vs Rubber Soul. Good stuff.
8/10 Most Excellent
I’m not sure I’ve ever listened to this entire album as a whole. It’s weird and wonderful.
9/10 Outstanding
(I’m not sure what I’m saving my “10/10 Godlike” for. Maybe I’ll go back and edit a few later on.)
My first reaction was that it was a bit boring, but I enjoyed it more as it went on.
5/10 Decent
I don’t have a lot of nostalgia for David Bowie. This album had a few interesting moments, but it was also hindered by the fact that I don’t particularly like his vocal style. It’s a weird mess. I wonder if the album would receive as much praise if he hadn’t died two days after its release?
4/10 Acceptable
Some pretty right up the middle country pop. A bit boring overall, but it had catchy moments. There’s a reason I don’t listen to the slower Taylor Swift stuff, and that’s where most of this album landed. It was telling that I kept checking to see how many songs were left because I wanted to listen to something else. Felt like a very long 45 minutes.
4/10 Acceptable
Not usually that into hip hop or rap. But this had its moments. Even recognized “Ready Or Not” and “Killing Me Softly”.
Part of the problem is that I don’t get much out of lyrics. Similar problem with Dylan.
6/10 Pretty Good
I enjoyed this while it was on, but it wasn’t super memorable. “Languid” was a word used in someone else’s review. “Tuneless” is another. The first is a positive, the second less so.
5/10 Decent
Recognized the opening song right away. Reminds me of early 2000s TV shows. Pretty chill vibe, if a bit on the sad side.
6/10 Pretty Good
We used to play Come Out and Play in marching band 😂
Anyway, punk isn’t really my thing, but this was pretty decent.
6/10 Pretty Good
Huh. What a weird album. It was musically dense, and decently enjoyable. But I don’t know that I’ll ever care to listen to it again.
5/10 Decent
The first song was a mess. Completely incoherent. The second song was a more straightforward jazz number.
Can lyrics save this album? Song three says no. Slightly more intelligible than the first song, but the lyrics don’t do anything good for it.
God, it’s still not over? Why isn’t this a Goose jam instead?
Ok, the last song (“Out-Bloody-Rageous”) actually kind of slaps.
5/10 What Even Was That
Really enjoyed this.
8/10 Most Excellent
Excellent! The Cars are legends for a reason.
9/10 Outstanding
First, very distracted listen, this didn’t stick out to me, except in snippets. On re-listen, I really enjoyed this! It went all over the place — the second to last song is full-on country! But I certainly was never bored.
8/10 Most Excellent
I’m torn on this one. She sings beautifully, but ends up being a bit boring for me, except for the hits.
6/10 Pretty Good
Damn, this was a pleasant surprise! Really enjoyed it. It started a bit slow but had some great songs in the middle. Favorites: Last Nite, Hard to Explain, Someday.
8/10 Most Excellent
This is actually a pretty fun album. Except for that third song, “We Will Fall” — it was boring and way too long. The violin at the end was beautiful, but that song will forever be a skip for me.
Reading some of the other reviews, I’m sure this was revolutionary and pushed all sorts of boundaries. But it just didn’t keep my attention all that well. Enjoyable but won’t be on repeat for me.
6/10 Pretty Good
I don’t feel qualified to judge a jazz album. This was enjoyable, but not something I would typically put on.
6/10 Pretty Good
I found this enjoyable, but honestly a bit repetitive and forgettable.
6/10 Pretty Good
I don’t know if it was just the way this hit me today, but it was relentlessly boring.
That said, I can see the craft here, and understand why it’s on the list. His voice is beautiful.
4/10 Acceptable
This was more enjoyable than I was expecting. I still struggle to follow the storytelling in rap, which is certainly part of my struggle with it. But this album had a lot of diversity and, while it was a bit long, I wasn’t bored. I feel like, despite my ambivalence, I can recognize good rap, and I think this qualifies.
6/10 Pretty Good
This was fun! Enjoyable but not particularly sticky.
7/10 Quite Likeable
This album went down better than the last Dylan for me. I still don’t like his singing style, and he’s still a poor fit for me because I am not good at listening to lyrics. But I found some of these songs relatively enjoyable, if not enough to ever justify a second listen.
5/10 Decent
