What a magnificent start. Knew most of the songs but never listened to it as an album. Amazing voice, superb backing from Isaac Hayes, Booker T et al. The sound of the hope of the civil rights movement’s peak, and a homage to the recently passed Sam Cooke. Didn’t know it was recorded in a day - would’ve been quicker if Booker T hadn’t had to go and play a gig! Stand out tracks are the covers of Change is Gonna Come, Rock Me and Satisfaction.
Basic Ramonesy power pop plus trite politics, pretentious frippery and a whiny emo mood. A lot of my friends were into this band in the 1990s but I always found them profoundly meh. This came out in 2004 by which time I wasn’t in this scene at all so this LP was new to me. I found lots of the individual songs were quite good (if overlong) but nobody needs 57 minutes of this.
To be honest I struggled with this. I recognise the amazing musicianship, and the (right-wing libertarian?) lyrics are interesting, but this is so not my thing.
Invigorating. And undoubtedly classic.
This is the first one I’ve had which I have actually listened to as an album. It’s sheer perfection — easily his best. Every track is a gem but the standout for me is probably “State Trooper”.
Tedious and pretentious
Sadly, I found this pretty mediocre, despite being a fan of the boss. I prefer him when he is more restrained, but this rocks out a bit too much. The Qawwali vocals on “Worlds Apart” (by Asif Ali Santoo Khan) are quite interesting though.
A lovely album.
Definitely not an album that ought to be in a list of essential lessons. It’s fun and he’s got a lovely voice, but it’s no masterpiece.
Definitely not an album that ought to be in a list of essential lessons. It’s fun and he’s got a lovely voice, but it’s no masterpiece.
Truly brilliant. Every song is good and half are classics. Amazing that for those first five or so years they put out a flawless album less than a year apart
Absolutely brilliant. Every song a perfectly crafted piece of awesomeness
Although I know and love bunch of the songs on this I thought I’d find it tedious to sit through the whole album as they’re a bit samey. But actually it’s awesome. The energy and righteous anger and the production are just awesome
Today’s album, I’d never heard of the artist let alone the album, a first so far. It’s kind of inoffensive, whimsical Americana/emocore, somewhere between Beck and late Beach Boys. It wasn’t the worst 69 minutes of my life, but there’s no way this is one of the best thousand albums ever.
Interesting and then innovative pop album featuring Daniel Lanois’ distinctive brilliance production and interesting contributions from Manu Katché and Youssou N’Dour.
A paradigm-bending classic I first heard via Jon Peel, then a friend taped it for me on a C30 cassette, which meant I never heard the last couple of tracks on this 33 minute/28 song album. Good to be able to read the lyrics while listening as otherwise most are incomprehensible. Technically proficient, initially energising but exhausting after about 20 minutes.
