This is an incredible, shambolic mess of sorts. It showcases a sort of messy, honky tonk style of rock.
Instruments on each track sort of bleed into one another, and Mick Jagger's vocals often get buried into the mix. I wouldn't say the looseness of this album isn't a lack of skill, it sort of seems like it was deliberate which was very different to albums of the early 70's ('flowerchild' era of music).
I love the use of the piano in this album. Rock and Roll doesn't really use piano as much and I love that the majority of these songs have a strong presence of a piano.
My favourite songs: Stop Breaking Down, All Down The Line, Let It Loose, Soul Survivor.
Very similar to the style of The Beatles but with their own sound.
Incredible harmonies, lovely summery vibe with the majority of the tracks.
It had a very whimsical and almost soft, psychedelic vibe to it.
Some of the tracks I recognise from watching Hot Fuzz.
Favourite songs: The Village Green Preservation Society, Big Sky, Village Green, Starstruck, Wicked Annabella.
Very bluesy style of rock and roll, some songs are slow paced with a very mellow tone a one with heavier guitar.
Eric Clapton as always providing immaculate guitar riffs.
I think the only downside of this album is that the songs are very long, with the majority of them being 5 minutes long or more. Not a huge problem but for me personally but some fo them seemed to be dragging out a little.
Favourite songs:
Bell Bottom Blues
Key to the Highway
Tell the Truth
Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?
Little Wing
It’s Too Late
Layla
I love this album. Songs like Graceland and You Can Call Me Al are in my everyday playlist.
I love that Paul Simon used instruments that are often looked over such as the accordion. And I love the African artist cameos in this album.
Some of the songs in my opinion drag on a little bit which I think is one of its very subtle downsides.
But nonetheless, this is an absolute all-timer and I will happily listen to this over and over again.
Favourite songs:
The Boy In the Bubble
Graceland
Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes
You Can Call Me Al
All Around the World Or the Myth of Fingerprints (with Los Lobos)
This was a lovely album to listen to don't get me wrong. But it isn't my style of music. I would listen to this again, maybe then my view of it will change, but the first listen of this album to me warrants 3.5 stars because it seems a little samey.
I love the folk music vibe of this album, the acoustic guitar is amazing, especially in the song Three Hours. And his vocals are incredible, he has such a mellow voice.
But again, this isn't really something I'd listen to often. I will probably revisit this in the future to see if my mind changes because some of these songs are amazing.
Favourite songs:
Time Has Told Me
River Man
Three Hours
'Cello Song
This was a rollercoaster of an album. I loved it.
Some songs felt like country and folk music, some songs felt like proper rock and roll songs, and some songs were quite slow and felt like they had a similar vibe to that of The Beatles.
Some tracks I did recognise from films and social media but I didn't know they're originally from this album, which was good to know.
Definitely will listen again.
Favourite songs:
Carry On
Teach Your Children
Woodstock
Our House
This was an odd one to listen to.
It was a very David Bowie-esque album to say the least, and you can definitely tell that it was modern as it sounded different to his older music.
I would listen to certain songs again but some of them I really wasn't a fan of them. Some songs were extremely long and that was a small downfall of the album.
But overall not too bad, very whimsical and psychedelic.
3.5/5 stars
Favourite songs:
*Blackstar*
Lazarus
Dollar Days
I Can't Give Everything Away
