I had never heard of Portishead before and was intrigued so spent a little while on Wikipedia whilst listening to this album. I also partly listened to it whilst on a walk. Perhaps the fact I split listening to the album into two reveals quite a lot. At first, I enjoyed it, with the opening tracks as a novelty for a fresh, dynamic sound. However, it soon grew rather repetitive and I found myself not as entranced. I can definitely see why people enjoy this though, the vintage-y sound and Beth Gibbons’ unconventional voice. Rating: 3.
I don’t think the concept worked well for me, perhaps went over my head or just felt too long and clunky. I listen to ‘Sparks’ frequently as part of the ‘Almost Famous’ soundtrack (although, rather tellingly, it’s probably my least favourite song on there). I (perhaps obviously) had heard ‘Pinball Wizard’ quite a lot so it felt refreshing to hear it in the midst of the other songs - it brought me back into the album. Maybe I’ll find myself listening to it again with a change of heart, or I would be interested to hear more surrounding the context and why people admire the album so much, but for now I’m not particularly a fan. Rating: 2.
Loved this! A solid tracklist with some incredible sounds. Manson's deep voice with the album production is so cool and exactly the kind of vibe I needed to power through some university work whilst listening. Rating: 4.
Ok, I have to admit that I wrote a whole long essay for college on the monarchy and wrote a few paragraphs about media/music depictions and attitudes toward them, which obviously included this album. Yet, I had only read the lyrics, never heard the songs themselves. I was surprised, actually, when this was revealed as my album of the day, that I couldn’t recall any Sex Pistols songs as they seem so prominent in music history. It was a crazy (kind of loud) journey listening to this album, and perhaps I shouldn’t have decided to listen to it right before bed. I enjoyed the heavy sounds though and (kind of repetitive) lyrics screaming about anarchy. Can definitely see why it caused such a stir at the time. Rating: 3.
Wow! Listened to this whilst driving to university and enjoyed the vibes. It took my mind off the driving (in the safest way possible) and made me feel relaxed. Can imagine listening to this again, especially if I have it on vinyl for chill evening vibes with that vinyl crackle sound. Or, perhaps when writing an essay. I wouldn’t necessarily choose jazz as my go-to but I hope I find my way to this album again. Rating: 4.
I have listened to 'Enter Sandman' and 'Nothing Else Matters' a lot in the past, so situating them within the album as a whole was interesting. 'Enter Sandman' is such a brilliant opening track - naming it as brilliant doesn't suffice for the way it propels the album forward and bursts onto the scene. 'Nothing Else Matters' is AMAZING. STUNNING. NO NOTES. For me, however, this meant the rest of the album blended into one. My prior experience with both of these songs meant they outshined the other tracks upon listening to the album as a whole. Maybe if I listen again this might not be the cause as, don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed listening to the album, discovering its overall sound, and delving into the journey it takes you on. It's just that all I was left with was 'Enter Sandman' and 'Nothing Else Matters' (I guess they are popular for a reason!), leaving the rest to fall to the back of my mind. Rating: 3.5
No thoughts really, just vibes. Like Miles Davis' 'Kind Of Blue', I enjoyed listening to this whilst driving to university and hope that I find my way to it again. Rating: 3.
Reading a little around Orton's album before embarking on the listening journey, it appeared that her music would be up my street (with that 'folktronica' label that springs to mind Joan Baez, Boygenius, Bess Atwell). Yet, the first few songs almost felt disappointing in the face of this expectation I had set up in my head. As the album progressed, though, I found myself relaxing into it, enjoying Orton's voice and the calming guitar melodies. Rating: 3.5.
Felt like a very quick listening experience today with this album's length, but I loved its soft, soothing sound, like relaxing into a hot bath at the end of a long, cold day. I'm surprised I hadn't heard more of this album, particularly with '(They Long To Be) Close To You' being featured in so many soundtracks. Rating: 4.
Enjoyed that specific American rock sound that is straight out of the soundtrack of every Vietnam War film. Cool riffs but I wasn't expecting so many covers for such an acclaimed album. I briefly saw John Fogerty at Glastonbury so this made me appreciate the significance of him as an artist performing there that I had initially overlooked. Rating: 3.5.
All the tracks slowly blended into one so it was kind of just ok - I guess just not really my thing. Rating: 2.
'American Pie' is so so good and then the rest of the album fell downhill from there for me. It felt wishy-washy and forgettable. I also found 'Vincent' so funny because the references were so in your face, like opening by referring to Starry Night. Not sure I will be returning to the album, only 'American Pie' the song. Rating: 2.5.
Can't believe Stampylonghead makes music. Pretty slow and depressing, which is usually the sort of music that I gravitate toward but this didn't work for me. Rating: 2.5.
Very 70s and felt like I should be worshipping every second of this but it was kind of just cheesy and not really what I expected? Not sure I’d be desperate to listen to it again but can appreciate some of its qualities. Rating: 3.
I’d only listened to Cohen’s ‘Suzanne’ before this album and so his deep, booming voice in this album really took me by surprise. At first it made me hesitant, but actually, as the album progressed and I settled into it, I found that his voice really helped to emphasise his introspective lyricism. Some really compelling, thought-provoking songs on here, which I can’t see myself reaching for repeatedly, but perhaps just once in a while listening to the album as a whole. Rating: 4.
I felt so much dread approaching this album that I put off listening to it by a day. Wasn't as awful as expected but all Morrissey's songs do sound the same to me and I find it impossible to separate the art from the artist in this case. Not for me. Rating: 2.
I only listened to the shorter version, with 12 tracks, which was a really nice experience. Fitzgerald's voice is warm and comforting. Rating: 4.
Possibly one of the most strange listening experiences I’ve ever had. The first few tracks felt like they had so much promise, at first matching my drive home at sunset with a chill, calming vibe. But, then they’d dwindle on and become kind of ‘meh’ with their long length. It went downhill from there. ‘Gypsy Woman’ was awful!!!! It felt like listening to some kind of parody, like in a sitcom when one of the ‘joke’ characters suddenly decides that they can sing and begins some awful renditions. How many times can Tim Buckley drag out the words ‘gypsy woman’??!!! I can’t believe this is on the 1001 albums list, and I’m not surprised that I had never heard of Tim Buckley before - after some research, though, I’m glad Jeff Buckley (his son??!!!!) was a shining star compared to this. Rating: 1.5.
Such a brilliant album that I hope I will listen to in full more often now. 'Old Man' is an exceptional, stand-out track for me, but it doesn't diminish the others. "Harvest" just has such a charm to it that makes for a great listening experience. Other than this album and 'Harvest Moon' I haven't listened to much Neil Young, and perhaps I should, but this album is certainly a great way to start. Rating: 4.5.
Great album with that distinct American sound. Preferred this over ‘Bayou Country’. Not sure I would listen to it a lot but perhaps I will find my way to it again. Rating: 3.5.
When I was around 16 or 17 I went through a Sonic Youth phase so this was a great way to return to their music. 'Teenage Riot' is so brilliant and such a stand-out track. I was mainly obsessed with their album 'Goo' and even had a picture of that album cover in my phone, which sparked intense discussions with my film studies teacher about how he viewed their music as just 'sound'. Even now, I disagree with him - Sonic Youth are brilliant with such a distinct ‘sound’ that draws you in, something that this album exemplifies. I think it's one of those things where if you get it, you get it. Anyways, loved listening to this. Rating: 4.5.
I appreciated how this really emphasised the album format, as listening to it as a whole allowed the story to unfold. However, this wasn't really for me. Some parts sounded like when you're messing around on Garage Band and using every special effect possible. Rating: 2.
Was just kind of OK. Nothing really special. Molly's Chambers is obviously good. Rating: 2.
Such a brilliant album, which could easily rise to a 5 star rating upon re-listening. I listen to 'Today' quite often so I am surprised I had never reached for this album as a whole before, but I'm certainly glad that I was encouraged to today. Rating: 4.5.
I may be biased since I grew up in a Springsteen household but this is such a brilliant album. Hit after hit. Rating: 5.
