I listened to this album incessantly as a kid. The Police could play the phone book and I'd love hearing them play. But they weren't the greatest at "albums", really more of a singles band. So while I do enjoy this and I know it like the back of my hand, 5 spectacular songs on an 11 song album doth not a 5 star album make. Sorry dudes.
Brilliant album, brilliant concept, brilliant songs. Lou wrote such pretty songs as well as the street wise stuff. I missed the Velvets in Europe by two months in 1993. Oof.
One of my life highlights was playing lead guitar for a production of Tommy in 2005. I'll always choose it over Quadrophenia, though I love both. Cousin Kevin is so hard to replicate live they only played it live once or twice. Anyway long live The Who. This record contains the entirety of human experience and rocks. How could that not be 5 stars?
It's so special to me bc it was introduced to me by my college roommate who has now passed on. Nick Drake was the secret of our little group of friends and remained that way until many years later the Volkswagen commercial exposed him to the world. I'm glad his music is known now. it gets even more special over the years because of the impeccable fingerpicking, the brilliance of the guitar/string arrangements, and the killer vibe. Saturday sun came early one morning. do you know the way to blue? I love this record dearly and always will.
Again I don't have any perspective really because this record is so deeply embedded in my DNA. I've performed the whole album multiple times and each song is a massive masterpiece imho. Tangled Up In Blue alone justifies his Nobel Prize. I do prefer the slower version of Idiot Wind from the outtake records. It is not my favorite Dylan record but since he is one of my main heroes (Bowie being the other) I keep close to all of his work (yes even Under the Red Sky lol). This album was my Dylan gateway. You never forget your first.
I'm old and I saw this tour! I was 14. it was spectacular esp bc the great SA musicians Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela performed as well. Along with the flawless township jive band (Bakithi Kumalo, Ray Phiri). There was much controversy about him breaking the boycott at the time but he did so much for South African music by making it. The bass player lives in my area, this reminds me I need to work with him. Fun fact: it's the first time Paul Simon ever wrote to tracks instead of composing the song on guitar - the lyrics and melodies were last after the instruments. Sucks that he screwed Los Lobos out of royalties but it's a brilliant record, 5 stars all the way.
It's been nice to see this album's reputation grow over the last 30 years. Beach Boys have been a perpetually underrated group imho. So many gems even on some of their later records. Brian Wilson's sense of whimsy, skill as an arranger and singer, and positivity always make me smile. And this record speaks for itself. Any songwriter arranging their own material should take heed.
One of my favorite all time albums by anyone. It opened my mind to abstract music in general. I love the psychedelic whimsy, the screaming garage rock, the philosophical moments, the soundscapes, and the slight edge of menace to the whole proceedings. The rock idiom has been the locale of choice for many true originals; Syd Barrett was one of them. Sadly we'll never know what could have been had his own mind not been his own worst enemy. But the work he left is brilliant. This album more than any other really brought free jazz into.rock in a way that still has yet to be fully explored, though some have ventured. In my all time top ten.
one of the greatest collections of songs by one of the greatest songwriters
The non-hit tracks have really grown on me over the years. It's like an old friend at this point.
I enjoy electronic music and I enjoy pop music but I don't necessarily like when the two mix. When pop stars go electronic it's cool usually (Bowie) but when electronic artists try to be more pop it leaves me pretty cold. Anyway only little bits of this were appealing. I don't ever need to hear more.
I appreciate that Kate Bush is unique and different but her music still eludes me somehow. I do like a handful of her songs, none of which are on the dreaming.
It's funny how time changes things. Back in "the day", AC/DC were seen very much like Aerosmith - some hits but nothing special, just one of a number of pedestrian RAWK bands. Then somehow both bands ended up becoming lofted into the pantheon of gods by their sheer longevity. Last band standing writes the history? Anyway there's always been a place in my heart for big dumb greasy 70s rawk, and a few months ago I realized these Aussies had quite a few kickin tracks. Mostly I love the greatest hits - there's not many great songs here besides the obvious big 3 but their lean 1980 approach stripped bare of 70s bloat is fun to listen to. Angus's tone crushes it. If there were just a couple more songs with actual hooks, this would push into 4 stars easily for the sheer joyous cheeseburger sound of it.
I really want to give this one 3 1/2. It's funny to listen to it right after back in black because I see both of those album albums similarly – I love the sound and there are three or four great songs on each of them, but the rest is just kind of meh songwise. I saw them play this whole album live a couple years ago and felt similarly. American idiot though is a five star album IMHO.
I've been listening to Os Mutantes and other tropicalia recently so I was entirely in the mood for this - but also how can you not get drawn into her intoxicating spell?
enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. The backgrounds are spectacular. Really 3 1/2 but it definitely is closer to 4 than 3. He has an interesting voice and delivery.
I mean...at this point I don't even really have any perspective on Nevermind. I was in college, it was "our music", it was a specific moment in time that felt like the Beatles exploding. We all agreed on Nirvana and this album. It's of its time and entirely timeless.
The melodies over the dissonance and unresolved tritones - Kurt was such an important songwriter, sophisticated beyond his technical knowledge. And I believe his greatest work was probably still to come. Huge loss. Thankfully we have what he left.
Eh. Bland and dated. I might like the songs if they were done acoustically or in some format without the dated production, but did nothing for me as is.
I can absolutely see how somebody wouldn't like this, but I did. It was perfect walking and putter around the house music at that moment. Was definitely ahead of its time. I really wish that there were half stars bc I don't like this as much as Dookie or Back in Black but I couldn't squeeze a fourth star out for those. Anyway, I'd listen to more when in the mood.
Perfectly fine, though I think her 1992 album Love Deluxe is really much better. I also liked 808 State more 😂. 3 stars is apparently a broad umbrella for me.
I came to the Smiths later than most of my friends, and a long time after I first heard all of the records (I was in high school when this album came out). Was really the early 2000s before I realized their genius and also how much subtle humor is behind all of the lyrics. The tongue-in-cheek aspect was missed by a lot of fans and detractors alike at the time. For all of his shittyness now, Morrissey was a brilliant and unique lyricist. Marr is the kind of guitar hero I sought in the 80s, I just found Peter Buck first. Anyway this is the Smiths' masterpiece. Now I know how Joan of Arc felt!
How do you rank a 1.5-2 star album with one 5 star song? THE SONG (you know which one) is incredible but the rest of it kinda just goes nowhere. I do own this record on vinyl. Fascination is better. I do like Philip's voice but jeez, the lack of songs besides the one is rough.
If this album was just the first half, it would still be 5 stars. The songwriting on the first half is just one banger after another. The second half gets a little slow at times but Stevie's singing, playing, writing, and arranging are top tier all time great all the way through. Mfer plays DRUMS on a bunch of the tracks. Is there nothing he can't do? Has been a fav of mine for many years. The state of the art 1975 synth sounds are so tasty.
Better than their first record but still pretty meh. Not a lot of strong songs.
It's solid. Hugely influential. 3 1/2 really. A pleasant groove.
If the first half of this album was like the second half of this album, it would be five stars no question. It really is far better than it gets credit for. My second concert! I saw them in 1984. I probably haven't listened to this record in 35 years, I feel like if I gave it a couple more spins it might hit 5. Pretty much everything Annie touches turns to gold.
Definitely a unique and special record and moment in time. Growing up in the 80s as a budding guitarist, you really had Eddie shoved down your throat – he was portrayed as the be-all end-all peak of everything. Every guitar magazine. My band in HS insisted we cover some, it was a trio so I was def pressured into it. I rebelled the other way, getting into REM, the Grateful Dead, Dire Straits. But through the lens of history I can appreciate Eddie. And I did learn to play the mid section of Eruption lol. This album and 1984 are about as far as I go with them but both are exceptional. Shout out to Michael Anthony, a woefully underrated part of the chemistry, groove, and backing vocals of VH. It's great. It's not the GREATEST MUSIC EVER MADE. But it's great.
It's funny to say this as I am usually a proponent of keeping things in their original state, but I think this album could use a stereo remix - might give a doorway in for current and future generations. I really, really love the Airplane. Everything up to and including Volunteers I think is brilliant. I always find the gentleness of SP startling. You hear a lot of psychedelic fury from the 60s but not a lot of psychedelic quiet. Anyway I may listen to this again today bc it's so groovy ✌️☮️. Jorma and Jack rock always too.
Ha! First one to listen 😄. I admit it took me a couple sittings to finish the whole thing. It's pleasant enough if you like Indian subcontinent pop music from the 70s. I prefer Indian classical music like Ravi Shankar if we're going there. But this was fine to footle around the house to.
Shocking 4 from me. I used to think their hits were way too long but I don't mind them these days and the other tracks on this record slap hard. Generally for me to give something a 4 or higher it means that most every track caught my interest, something that never happened before with Morning Glory for me. Britpop finally makes sense to me 30 years later so that helps too. Enjoyed this album more than I ever have before.
Peter is the King Midas of rock to me – everything he touches turns to gold. The album that made the gated snare famous, the lineup of supporting cast is completely ridiculous - Robert Fripp, Tony Levin, Paul Weller, Dave Gregory, Kate Bush, Jerry Marotta. 4.5 would be a more accurate rating as I don't think this album is perfect, but its flaws tip towards perfection more than failure. I don't think I've ever heard a Peter Gabriel track that I don't find something interesting in.
I really do have the musical taste of a Boomer, despite being solidly Gen X. I just fucking love the Byrds. The 12 string jangle that shook the world. I need to do a deep dive into everything Gene Clark - the true hero of this record. He was writing great stuff out of the gate. Their cover of Bells of Rhymney is one of my favorite recordings by anybody. Yes it's dated, yes it's over half covers, yes they have better albums. I don't care though. Byrds forever ✌️ something about the gentleness of their version of Chimes of Freedom drives home the message more I think. "And for every hung up person in the whole wide universe".
There are moments where this feels just like interminable Brooklyn hipster muzak and then there are moments of great beauty and authentic emotion. It's probably fun to hear him live with all his devoted fans singing along to the songs. I don't mind this, but I've heard it once before and I don't really need to ever hear it again. It's not pop music, but as "soft art-rock" it never really gets musically interesting enough for me to really get into it. But I don't mind it either. If it came on randomly someplace I wouldn't be mad.
The last time I listened to this whole album I swear I liked it more. I love Freedom, Something To Save, Cowboys and Angels, and Heal The Pain. Beyond that, it really does sound dated and the songs are meh. Praying for Time was meant to sound "contemporary" but it seems so silly leading off the album with that when Freedom is so strong. Anyway I still love his voice but probably the greatest hits can suffice.
This was fantastic. I learned about Arcade Fire from Bowie, who was really big on them in the early 00s. I loved the first album and then wasn't crazy about the second album so I had never actually listened to this. Definitely going to listen again and I think on repeated listens it will probably become a 5 for me. They have interesting song structures and arrangements, I love the words and the melodies. Stellar record. 4 1/2 for sure - and only not a 5 because it's brand new to me. I did give Bebel Gilberto a "pristine 5" - so I may revise my vote later.
Ralph Gleason's original liner notes really express all that needs to be said. For some reason, I had to listen in stages this time because I think I was closed off in some ways. A lot has been going on. The truly great art becomes a mirror when you get to know it over a period of decades rather than years, and sometimes it's hard to see what's happened since the last listen. But suffice it to say that there is nothing like this record, there probably will never be anything else like this record, and there certainly wasn't anything like it before it. 10 stars. All the stars.
I don't hate this. It would be a 3 if his vocals weren't out of tune so often. If the whole album were sung by Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen, it might even be a 4 because there are good melodies and some interesting lyrics. But it just becomes ponderous and grating when it sounds like a demo he recorded late at night drunk. I would prefer to hear his songs sung by other people. I know a lot of people feel that way about Bob Dylan but Bob Dylan generally sings on pitch.
I prefer his dad, but this was so joyous, and it happens to be an unbelievably beautiful day here. Live For Today is so great. 4 1/2 really.
I am pretty much just here for the hits, but the production of this album is nice. I loved the Prince duet. Besides that the songs outside of the hits didn't really do it for me. My girlfriend loves this album though, and she was singing along to every song in the car while we were driving to the city today lol. So a solid 3
Afrofuturism in all its forms is one of my favorite art movements. I feel like I need to listen to more Prince, half of this album I don't know that well. This could be 5 stars with more familiarity. But the Purple One always brings it.
Eh. It was pleasant music to do yoga to. Indie Muzak. I can't tell if he's saying anything worth listening to because the whole vibe is so laid-back that he could be singing the phone book and the Bible with similar emphasis. I'm a little curious to read some of his lyrics but only a little.
Seeing him in 1999 was just like this, except his guitar playing was 30+ years better. Outstanding.
The hits are great, the other songs have a nice sound but are mostly forgettable. Maybe that's the problem with the Black Crowes - they listen too much to Aerosmith and not enough to the Stones. The filler tracks reminded me a lot of the last Black Crowes record I listened to. If I was standing waiting for a concert to start and the sound person was playing this album, I wouldn't be unhappy. but I don't need to hear anything but the hits really.
I have an online friend who owns like 50,000 albums and this is his favorite album of all time. So I listened to both the mono and the stereo just to give it a solid chance. I have The Beach Boys on my list for a full catalog listen. There's a lot of other recordings by them I like better but I really did enjoy this and I'm sure I'll put it on again. I feel like every BB record is a treasure chest containing secret magic, I used to only like the hits, but there's so much great stuff in the albums, even so-called throwaway tracks.
Beck is a friend of a friend so I've always been rooting for him in the sense that he was "one of us". The 3 times I've seen him live were spectacular. I wish I had understood this record more when it came out. It's really almost the end of postmodernism as the irony is starting to shift into authenticity. But is still very postmodern, and in fact really a perfect example of the form. He's a brilliant lyricist, one of my favorites. His detour back into Scientology in the 2000s was disturbing but I think he's left the fold once again thankfully. So many songs I love and my journey with him mostly started with this album, which still sounds like the future. Great to listen, it's been a while.
It's disappointing that the US version is not the definitive version of this record. It HAS to start with Clash City Rockers! The six songs added to the US, including I fought the law, push it over the top to 5 stars. The UK version is 3 at best. Maybe the only instance ever where the record company actually knew more than the band. Yeah I know the chronology is weird (I think I fought the law was actually recorded after the second album was released). Still.
When this album first came out, I hated it because I was already a huge fan of U2 (October, War, Unforgettable Fire) and I thought that they'd sold out. I refused to go see them at the Meadowlands in NJ on that tour because I was mad 😂. Fast forward 30 years later and I went to the 30th anniversary Joshua Tree tour twice because it was so good. The first JT show I saw was one of the best concerts I've ever seen. I still think "Streets" is far better live and a bit neutered in the recording. Ultimately it's the incredible songs that carry it: Running to Stand Still, In God's Country, Red Hill Mining Town, One Tree Hill. And those aren't even the hits. Anyway TJT is full of passion, wanderlust, and deep mystical desert spirituality. I still like Achtung Baby better but it's a masterpiece. TJT transports me in a way few albums do. U2 were one of the first bands that made me think "I want to play music like this too"; you never forget your first.
I love Kill Em All and Master of Puppets. Even if this record didn't have such god-awful production, I still think the songs are boring compared to the previous records.
The fact that this is Caro's least favorite album ever makes it automatically hilarious to me as I imagine her distaste. That being said, I don't hate it. Lemmy's bass playing is good (yes, THAT Lemmy) and although some of the tracks border on utterly ridiculous, it is live and the jams are not terrible. Some of it is awful. Some of it is not. There's a Hawkwind song on a space rock compilation I own and I love it. Drugs are bad, mmkay. Don't do drugs. Even on drugs I thought Hawkwind were pretty silly. Now, sober for 28 years, I still agree. but it's not all bad. Sometimes it legit rocks for a while. The last track is the best by far.
Merle Haggard was in the audience! His band are equally spectacular I think. That kind of minimalist playing that came out of Sun Records is difficult to do well – it's almost like a Zen practice, you have to train yourself. Anyway, I am extremely grateful I got to see Johnny's last tour. One of the great greats greatest greatnesses. Lol
I'm not sure exactly why I ignored Hole the first time around, except that I think I fell into a lot of of the "Courtney destroyed Kurt" hype at the time which I think has proven to be bogus and pretty classically sexist. I developed a deep love for riot grrl in the 00s and you can't really get deep into that without acknowledging her in some fashion. My friend Sparky was also dating Melissa the bass player at the time so there was jealousy 😂. Anyway, Courtney is a much better writer and rocker then she's ever really gotten credit for. This is a spectacular album and only misses five stars with me bc I'm not crazy about her voice all the time. But all of the songs were interesting. And I really need to listen to their whole catalog at some point.
I do love the Beck / Rod Stewart combination, but I think everybody was still finding their way with this record. It was hard not to make the Led Zeppelin comparisons because the first LZ record treads such similar territory, even one of the same songs, and it does it so much better. But I love Beck's Bolero and I Ain't Superstitious, and I also love how 60s British guitarists would just break into stuff like Greensleeves 😂 you can just hear Beck justifying it in his Spinal Tap voice. The incredible folk players had such an influence on the rock guys in the UK. Anyway, long live Jeff Beck. Blow By Blow is a 5 star record imho.
The playing is very good, she has a nice voice. I think maybe I'm not into neo soul as a genre. Sometimes this would click and I would be like oh yes this is nice then sometimes it just seems like people with not a lot of imagination jamming. Like the jams hit a nice groove, but they don't seem to really go anywhere. I think I prefer D'Angelo and Lauryn Hill. Maybe I will come back to this later but I'm not in a rush. it took concerted effort to finish it
It's not their best album but even the lesser tracks are incredibly listenable. And the Doors were so special that they deserve all the love. John Densmore is one of the greatest rock drummers who never gets much love. But up there w Ginger Baker imho.
Took me a few sessions to finish because of the intensity and my own state of mind. Second half of the record is much better imho, incredible hip-hop that advances the form. Initially 3 stars but bumping to 4. "Will probably listen again" and to more than just 3 songs is my 4 defining criteria. This album feels ahead of me and I'd like to catch up.
another musical Midas - everything Bob touched turned to gold. I actually like reggae so much more sober! (having abandoned the herb many years ago). that's weird, right? I especially love dub. But I've listened to most of the Marley catalog and I can't find anything but brilliance. The Wailers were a force as a band, that bass is ferocious on the remaster. I'd have to put Bob in the running for greatest musician of the 20th century along with Ella, Louis Armstrong, Miles. He's certainly the most requested artist in my last 30+ years of doing cover gigs. Peter Tosh was a great partner for him too, it's a shame they had a falling out. The grooves almost defy space-time. I swear I don't smoke pot LOL. Jah Rastafari ✌️
This album is practically a greatest hits. I always forget what an incredible guitarist Stephen Stills is on acoustic, especially. For many years, I thought Crosby was the high harmony, but it's actually Nash. Crosby was the harmony expert doing all the difficult middle parts. Love this record. Was the perfect salve right at the moment I listened.
Caro is wrong! This is not the best Bob Dylan album. But Caro is also right though! This is the best Bob Dylan album. And I just BLEW your MIND.
21 year old Bob writing Blowin in the Wind might be proof of the divine. He has said himself in numerous interviews that he felt like something was "writing through him". Once I drove all the way to Cape May instead of Philadelphia (from NYC) bc I was trying to memorize the lyrics to A Hard Rain's Going to Fall. Cape May is not really near Philadelphia. The point this music consumes you if you have ears to hear. There's a reason people get REALLY into Dylan. The songs are so rich and resilient. I love political Bob, silly Bob, romantic Bob, bitter Bob, visionary Bob, song thief Bob. All are present here. The album that launched 1000 bands! The Beatles listened to this record obsessively. It'll never be my favorite Bob but it's definitely top 10 which is pretty high considering how many albums he has. All the stars.
Bob Dylan was upset by these records because he felt like you could hear how sick Johnny was. You can, but also it shows one of the greatest who ever did it still spinning masterpieces on their way out the door. The title track is one of those songs that makes one a believer.
Felt like I was hearing it for the first time even though I know many of the guitar parts. Hit the perfect spot this week. Mitch Mitchell was a beast! In headphones you can hear the guitar layers and the audio spacing so perfectly. 8 million bazillion quadrillion jillion stars. Probably the greatest debut album by anyone in the rock era. But what even comes close?
It's catchy and shoegazey and proto-Britpop (which is a cool idea, even if the execution sometimes left something to be desired). Like the Britpop to come after them, sometimes it was much more about a sound and a vibe than really great songs. But this record has sound and vibe in spades - a solid 4.
Hey are you a parking ticket? Cause you've got FINE written all over you. - me to this album
I get that not everyone loves prog. But the sheer musicianship of Giles, Fripp, Lake, and MacDonald - oh man, to paraphrase Homer. How can you not love that Mellotron? Another record discovered through Max, my college roommate who's passed on, so there's many memories associated. 80s/90s kids who worshipped the 60s. My daughter loves this record! I took her to see KC at her request. Fripp sat in the back wearing headphones facing stage right lol. Was v good tho.
I could write a novel about it. I have a spreadsheet, devoted to my analysis of all the different masters mixes and versions. So let's say I'm into it. The short story is that this is George's explosion of all the songs he had bottled up while he was still a Beatle and it's spectacular. Having Derek and the Dominoes as his backing band didn't hurt. I enjoy it thoroughly from start to finish.
Why yes I am a divorced dad, thanks for asking. I was 21 when this hit so it feels very much like college and youth, music of "our generation". Nothing else they ever did was nearly as good imho. Every song on here is exquisitely crafted in arrangement, lyric, melody, production, and vibe. If they could have written more songs like "Oceans" I would have liked them more later. A perfect 10 of an album (see what I did there). They should have called the next album Nine and the next one Eight as they subsequently get worse and worse. I M H O. But we'll always have 10.
My parents weren't that into music when I was younger, but they did have some records. This was one of them. It's definitely of its time but I came around on S&G being "parent music" a long time ago. I saw them live! still great in 2003. It's a shame Martin Carthy never got his owed royalties for Scarborough Fair. "I've got no deeds to do, no promises to keep / I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep / Let the morning-time drop all its petals on me / Life, I love you, all is groovy" - how can one hate that? It's so pure and wholesome and optimistic. The buoyancy and quasi-Dylan vibe (both admiring and parodying) keep this in 4 star territory as the filler tracks between the hits are pleasant and loaded with hippie folkie vibe. If there were another song home run (I count 3) I'd probably give it 5.
Saw her sing on Paul Simon's Graceland tour, outstanding. Never heard this before. Googling reveals that this album was recorded in NYC and mentored by Harry Belafonte. Excellent studio musicians and she is great of course.
An interesting sidenote is the inclusion of Solomon Linda's "Mbube" which is the song that was adapted into "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". Uncredited for many years, he is credited as "J Linda" on the record. The Chad Mitchell Trio sang on that track too. Which makes me think more people knew at the time than has been reported that this was not a folk song but someone's composition. The Tokens version came out the next year. If you ever want to go down to dark rabbit hole, you can read the evolution of that song. Terrible stuff! But Miriam Makeba most certainly would have known the original and that someone else wrote it. I wonder who she told.
I've heard it before and liked it but wow it hit the bullseye today. Maybe the best rock record of the 00s? Solidly brilliant all the way through.
I mean I suppose you either love the blues or you don't. For me it always seemed a very natural progression to become a blues fiend because all my big 60s heroes worshipped the blues. One time I told my friend Max that I wasn't really a blues fan and he laughed at me. This album is pretty much as great as the Chicago electric blues ever got. Otis Spann on piano and James Cotton on harmonica are two of the greatest blues players ever. Not to mention King Muddy. Anyway, my aspirations to follow in the footsteps of the Beatles, the Stones, The Who, Dylan, Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, and the Kinks meant that blues was always the road I was going to go down. And this album inspired them all.
I really like this and it rocks hard. I saw them the year this came out, at Coachella. But I never listened to this record before. Some of these they played, so I remembered them from the show. It stops short of 5 stars for me just bc it doesn't particularly move me, but I like it. The live experience was great. They definitely made a joyous noise unto the heavens. Truly a shame that Meg did not come to the HoF induction, would have been great to see them play again.
A surprise 5. I don't know that I've ever actually listened to a full ABBA record, only the greatest hits. It helps that my favorite song knowing me knowing you is on here. Benny and Bjorn are tremendous producers, songwriters, and arrangers. Agnetha was a force too. it's funny because when I was younger, they were really looked on as cheesy fluff but then in the 90s developed huge critical respect. Kind of like with the Carpenters, one day everybody just woke up and said "wow these are really fantastic well-made records."
