This album is a classic I never really listened to completion until now.
My favorite track was and still is "Life on Mars". That's definitely the standout track for me. However, the album really kicks into gear immediately with "Changes" which is pretty good.
I also really liked "Song for Bob Dylan". Other than that, I didn't really click with the rest of the album.
Absolute banger of an album. Really amazing stuff on display here. While it's certainly the most approachable and beginner friendly album on their discography, this doesn't mean that there isn't depth to its songs both lyrically and musically. There's not a single bad song in here, and the track order is spot on. Really great album and it's been a part of my regular rotation for a few years already and will likely stay as such.
Pretty solid first album.
Not bad but not really much to write home about. It felt a tad repetitive after the first 30 minutes. I'd gladly listen to its songs as standalones in a playlist or sorts. But as an album I didn't really enjoy it that much.
This was amazing. I'd never heard of her work so I wasn't sure on what to expect, but I was hooked from the very first chords. I'm not the biggest folk rock fan out there, but it's clear that Joan didn't want to stick to a single genre or style in here, and is thus brimming with creativity and an eclectic approach to a handful of genres. I ended up loving this and it's this kind of discovery that I was expecting to make when I got into this site.
The opening track is a perfect pick, and really sets the tone for the rest of the album. The following two tracks keep the fire up until "Love And Affection" which seems to be the most popular track in here, and for good reason. It's a wonderful track, with some jazzy resources and a great hook.
I think there isn't a single bad song in here, but I do think that "Save Me" is the only one that doesn't stand out, specially being placed right after "Love and Affection". On this note, regarding the quality of the songs in here, I feel like the whole second half of the album is a sort of suite that builds up on different styles before it's natural culmination. So it's no wonder that my favorite tracks in here are "Join The Boys" and "Tall In The Saddle".
"Join The Boys" is just so so great to listen to. It's got this very blues-y guitar riff but with a baseline that's so funky that it ends up creating a wonderful fusion of styles. I also love the interplay between the piano, bass and guitar, specially as the song builds up.
Coming back around to the final track, it feels like the perfect conclusion to all the styles the album explored. It starts off like a nightly Blues and progressively evolves into a roots rock with some tasty jazz fusion textures spread throughout.
It's an amazing album with a great taste for production, instrumentation, and writing. It's got most of what makes 70s Rock so engaging to me and I feel very grateful to have found it thanks to this site.
It's a fun listen. The title track is iconic and one of my favorites. I've got nothing but respect for Cash and I enjoyed the album listening experience but it's unlikely that I'd listen to any one song on its own (except, of course, Folsom Prison Blues)
Fun album. Nothing to write home about but I enjoyed it.
Terrific Album from an all-around great band.
I was never too big of a fan of this album, actually, mostly because it felt a bit daunting when listening to it on streaming platforms. This is, of course, not really a fault of the album but instead of how most algorithms seem to push the deluxe edition of it instead of the original tracklist.
In this particular case, the site recommended the Deluxe Edition from 2003. While writing this review I became aware of a most recent remaster from 2022 for the original tracks, and a 2023 remaster for the "Lifehouse" demos as well as a remaster for the rest of the deluxe tracks. These are the far superior versions, in my opinion. Not only because of the sound quality but also because they are far more clearly laid out for the listener to distinguish which tracks are from the original album and which aren't.
Anyway, this time around, the album definitely clicked for me in all the right places, but I had to come at it with a different approach. I listened to it on two separate sessions, one focused on the original 9 tracks and another one focused on the New York Record Plant Sessions.
Session 1: The Original 9 Tracks
The opening track is a masterpiece and that's not really anything new. I understand that "Baba O'Riley", and much of this album, came out of a failed attempt to make a new Rock Opera album after "Tommy" and you can definitely tell from this song, and the end product is stronger for it, I think. I'm a big fan of mini rock operas and one of my favorites is The Who's very own "A Quick One While He's Away", so something like "Baba O'Riley" is right up my alley.
Now, moving on to the rest of the original album tracks, I really clicked this time with pretty much all of them, though the standouts are: "Love Ain't For Keeping", "The Song is Over" (this one I think is now a new favorite of mine, I just love the buildup and its an incredible ending to Side 1 of the album), "Behind Blue Eyes" and "Won't Get Fooled Again". I also really enjoyed the old-school rock style of "Going Mobile".
Session 2: The New York Record Plant Sessions
I've become a big fan of jam bands these last couple of years, and while The Who are certainly not one, these sessions really clicked with me because of their raw nature and how clearly they depict the incredible musicianship of all the band members. My only other reference point for a live performance was their Rolling Stones Circus performance of "A Quick One...", so I was blown away while listening to these recordings, with all their crude improvisation, while also accomplishing a super clean sound.
All of these tracks are great, but if I had to pick a favorite, I'd say it's "I'm In Tune". Specially because you can compare it to the final studio version of "Getting In Tune" and get a really different experience. Special mention to "Love Ain't For Keepin'" for the same reasons.
I'm now intrigued enough to listen to the Lifehouse Demos that the 2023 remaster includes.
Fun album. The production quality is top notch and it's full of really catchy songs. Now, on the other hand, it's really raunchy and I don't really care much for the lyrics, but at the same time it's not aiming to be deep or anything, and it's just having fun, so I can't hold it too much against snoop. It had been a while since I listened to a hip-hop album and this one got really close to hitting the spot, specially because the beats and production is top notch.
If I could, I'd give it a 3.5, but since I can't I'm closer to giving it a 4.
Second half of the album is pretty solid except for the last song.
First half only has Starman and Moonage Daydream.
Here's the thing with Bowie. To me, the songs that I don't like from him either annoy me or bore me, which is pretty bad. So the lows feel very low (Five years as an opening track almost made me quit), and some highs are better than other so what I look for in his albums is consistency. And the second half of Ziggy Stardust provides that consistency, minus the landing which in my opinion is a tad disastrous.
Now, comparatively to other Bowie's albums this is pretty solid and I'd probably listen to the songs I liked multiple times. I also like the Ziggy Stardust character so that's cool.
not bad not terrible, but i really wouldn't pick it again. It's a fun listen I guess, but nothing stands out really and I'm uncertain on whether to give this one a 3. I guess it's closer to a 2.5. It's ok.
One of my favorite albums of all time, though I'd say it's length doesn't work in its favor, the eclecticism in display does. There's like 3 songs I don't like in here (Revolution 9 is the only one I skip, though in principle it's not a bad idea, it goes on for too long) and the rest of the songs are bangers. I love this album.
I also really like the Esher Demos. There's just so many layers here.
Anyway another criticism I have is that clearly the cracks were already starting to show within the band and thus it's no wonder that the variety of styles and moods is so diverse. Paul, George and John are all doing their own thing for the most part, but goddamn they're also at their prime.
This album pales only next to my other two favorites: Abbey Road and Sgt. Peppers. But it sits at a very comfortable third place. I would probably give it a 4.5 but given how things are, I'm rounding up to a well deserved 5.
Really great psychedelic album. Albeit most songs I wouldn't listen on their own without the context of the rest of the LP, but I think it's a very solid album and Season of the Witch is and always will be a banger.
I mean... why is this here? There's nothing that really stands out. It feels very much like a product of its time. There's nothing offensively bad or anything, but also nothing worth noting. It's ok, but it's pretty pointless. I mostly feel disappointed.
Pretty repetitive. It has some pretty good tracks here and there but as an album it all becomes a sort of blur
It's a solid album. But I'm not a huge Talking Heads fan. Their songs usually have a very consistent "style" that I have to be in the mood for and I find that hard to maintain throughout an entire album in a single sitting. But this one has some of my fave tracks by them such as Life During Wartime, Memories Can't Wait, and Heaven.
I enjoyed it, but it's unlikely I'll listen to it as a single unit again. But I will probably go back to those tracks I've always liked.
I like the band and the songs but this particular live recording doesn't really offer much to me, if anything, listening to these versions is a bit of a detriment for the band if it gets recommended to someone who doesn't know them beforehand.
Wonderful album
Some songs aren't written by them and also personally I prefer their later period, but I would be lying if I said I don't love these songs and the albums from this period as well, I just don't think they're as strong as what they eventually went on to do. Either way, great album.
I liked it. I like Louis Prima. I'm not super into this album but it does have a lot of good tunes.
I love Monk. He's great and the best track in here is the one where he plays piano solo. The rest of the tracklist doesn't really move me in any meaningful way, even if it's not necessarily bad. I just prefer other projects by him. Still, it's a worthwhile listen and the very last track is also very good.
Why is this here?
Why am I here?
Why?
I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed it, but also it's not really something I'd pick to listen to frequently nor something I'd go around recommending. I'm not much of a new wave kind of person, but I can imagine this being useful for relaxation or even some sort of meditation.
There's some good songs in here, but I think the latter portion of the album is strongest than the first. The first one struggled to hold my attention, even if it wasn't bad per se, but the last 4 tracks are very solid.
Really solid psychedelic album. While I can't really pinpoint individual tracks, I do think that I'd listen to the album as a whole from time to time.
Honestly pretty great. Not only are the songs absolute bangers but the whole album works really well as a complete package with a good sense for the tracklist order. I'd definitely listen to it again.
I'm not in the mood for this. I already listened to another album by Baaba Maal just two days ago and honestly it was interesting then, but it feels boring now.
At first I wasn't vining at all with this album but then I got more and more hooked into it. By the time I reached "Rock My Plimsoul" I was certain this was a very, very good album.
Pretty good. Even if most of the songs I like I'd only listen to on their own instead of diving again into the album, I do think it's a pretty solid 90s album and I love Alanis' vocal style.
It's ok. It drags on for too long and while I like Clapton's playing I think the songs here are lacking for the most part and the best track is just straight outta Bob Marley and I'd rather listen to that one.
The reggae influence is clear and the mellow sounds are OK but it's nothing to write home about. I'm aware that this was his return album after overcoming a heroin addiction. So good for Eric I guess, but that won't make me love the album more or anything.
Possibly The Beatles' magnum opus.
I especially love The End Medley with all those tracks they "couldn't work out" into a single song. Given how Abbey Road finished recording after the Let It Be Sessions, I think that that medley is a wonderful send off to the band.
Of course, the whole previous part of the album is also great. I don't think there's a single weak song in there. I just love it all.
At first I wasn't digging it too much, so I took a break from it after the first song.
But then I came back to it and it all clicked. I think it's probably the quintessential 80s album. It's got it all. Its most popular songs are incredibly solid and not only are they really catchy but they also have a very tight production.
The big surprises for me were the tracks that had extended instrumental sections. "The Working Hour" is wonderful and I also really love how "Broken" fits as a sort of extended intro to "Head Over Heels / Broken", turning both songs into a suite of sorts.
"I Believe" has some wonderful chords. Really captures that nostalgic 80s vibe (does it make sense to speak of nostalgia? either way, that specific timbre of the keyboard is very reminiscent of 80s arrangements).
Also I really liked the outro track: "Listen", until I actually read the lyrics and found out that the lyrics in the choir are meant to be in spanish? but it's a very broken spanish and also they spell it out weird so it ends up sounding as if I was listening to some African chant. I'm not sure on how to feel about the track now
Pretty iconic 80s album. I enjoyed a fair amount of tracks in here but I'm also not the biggest Duran Duran fan. I definitely have to be in the mood for them.
It's one of the greatest works of Jazz and of Miles Davis and his insane line-up of musicians he had in his band at the time. Bill Evans is one of my favorite pianists and is brilliant in here, but then also Wynton Kelly plays piano in some tracks and he's also so wonderful. As for Coltrane? He's given so much liberty it's really insane. And, of course, Miles is amazing. I've been trying to practice transcribing music for a while and his solos are so wonderfully melodic that I usually always come back to some of his recordings to practice, even if he's on a different instrument than mine.
It's an album that definitely benefits from listening to it multiple times. I remember the first time I got into it I enjoyed it but I didn't really get much out of it other than really vibing with "So What". But after listening to more jazz and its subgenres and coming back to this one it becomes even clearer just how many little brilliances are on display at every single time from each musician.
It's ok. I've listened to some Wilco before and I think they got some good songs. I'm not too crazy on this album though.
Fun album, but very annoying at times. Short songs make it not suck, but long album does make it kinda suck. What are sentences?
Kind of repetitive but also I love the instrumentation. However, I do find Joanna's voice somewhat annoying and the length of the songs in this album do not help it at all. It's an album I'd like to enjoy, because on paper there's a lot of really good things in it, but experiencing it I was overwhelmed and tired by the end of it.
I love 70s music and I had heard of Van Morrison a few times already, plus a couple of his songs. But curiously I had never listened to an entire album of his. This was a wonderful experience.
It's got some folk in there, but I'd say it's mostly R&B and with some soul and jazzy influences too. So, basically it's got everything I like in it. I listened to it twice and I loved it. Will definitely add it to my usual rotation.
I pretty much liked every song, especially Moondance, Caravan, and These Dreams of You.
Some alright tracks here and there. But mostly felt like a mess.
Really really good album. I listened to it a couple of times and I found it to be very atmospheric and able to carry an eerie soundscape while also being laid-back. It felt surreal at times and it reminded me of Twin Peaks. First album I listen to by The Cure and I'm intrigued to check out more by them.
What the hell is wrong with people rating this one so low. It's really good. Sure, it's raw, and I do have a tender spot for jamming sessions such as that last chaotic track, but I thought the Side A songs were very solid, adequate length, and the last one was so damn fun to listen to. Really good stuff.
Pretty good album. Had a lot of fun with it, some really great instrumentals too.
Very fun album. Long time I didn't listen to it. Yes, nowadays I guess you'd call it "dad rock" and this is the prime example of it. But you know what? It's great fun and it doesn't overstay its welcome at all.
Also, "Smokin'" brought me back to my GTA San Andreas days and it's just a great track to drive to.
Pretty fun album. I hadn't listened to the whole thing, ever, but it did give me some nostalgia to when my mom bought an album of his way back in the 2000s. Sure, it's not groundbreaking composition-wise, but even for a pop-rock album I was surprised to hear some very clever production going on and very well put together instrumentals. I listened to it twice.
I love Radiohead so of course I'd already listened to this album, but at the same time it's not one I tend to listen to much (other than some specific songs I really like), so sitting down to listen to the whole thing really made me appreciate some of the tracks I've paid less attention to such as:
"Sit Down. Stand Up" and "Backdrifts", since both feel like they're precursors to the style the band would explore in The King of Limbs.
However, I don't think it's as strong of an album compared to Kid A + Amnesiac, or In Rainbows.
Surprised at how much I vibed with it, even though I think the early half of the album is kind of weak. Don't take me wrong, a lot of, if not most of, the tracks have some really good beats and production going on, but I do think that some overstay its welcome, specially during the first half.
The turning point is shortly after "It Was A Good Day", which is undoubtedly the standout track of this album.
For me the album really started picking up from "Fuck 'em" onwards, specially with tracks such as:
Dirty Mack: I loved the saxophone sample in the background
Gangsta's Fairytale 2: it has an awesome bassline
Check Yo Self: is pretty iconic too, and it feels like a great follow up to the previous track.
Who Got the Camera has a great production, very funky.
And finally, Integration + Say Hi To The Bad Guy is a pretty good closing duo to the album. It almost makes me forget how iffy the first few tracks are.
Overall, solid album.
Like, the first song is good. The rest is pretty boring, or annoying, or just not very good.
Pretty good actually but kind of too long for its own good. I'm giving it a 4 because there's some strong songwriting and production here, but it's closer to a 3 in the album-as-an-experience department
Really good actually. I think that I've avoided a lot of Eminem albums because his later output doesn't interest me. But his first three are pretty good
One of my faves by The Who. It's probably their most solid album from their earlier period.
