I liked it well enough, but it didn’t grab me. He’s clearly a gifted storyteller with a powerful voice, but after a while I found myself wishing for more flexibility and nuance. There was an opportunity to do more with the musical references & samples.
I was drawn more to the songs that had guests like The Corner and They Say.
Listened this morning - more classic rock and protest vs dreamy pop. They still can write the heck out of a song
This album is such a time capsule for me back to 2011 - brings back a particular place and time so clearly.
Anyway, back to my review: I enjoy their blender approach. There’s late 60s - early 70s classic rock combined with 2010’s indie which is definitely my wheelhouse. Prog Rock, The Birds, The Dead.. mixed up with modern influences like the Black Keyes. Who lean heavily into blues. I’ll give this a 4.
I’ve decided that my rating system is this:
1: Couldn’t get through 2 songs
2. Couldn’t complete the album or it made me mad
3: Not memorable or no interest in hearing it again
4: I liked it, worth another listen. Saved a few songs to my library
5: Evangelist. Everyone I know needs to hear about it
Her voice is incredible, which is like saying Ella Fitzgerald can sing, I know... I can immediately hear how influential this album is - in big ways like Brandi Carlisle and in small ways like the Heartless Bastards.
I’m not a big listener of this style country, so some of the arrangements aren’t my thing. I do like a little fuzz with my guitars and less sincerity in my lyrics. That being said, it’s beautiful album and a great example of this being done well.
I’m going to skip listening to- The Doors make me mad. I’ll save everyone reading the screed about pointless organ music and Jim Morrison’s voice.
How do I know every song on this album??!? I have no memory of ever listening to it but it was ubiquitous when it came out.
For me, this album is all about Flea’s bass playing along John Fruscianti’s guitar. I like their noisier songs, harking back to their older albums. Flea can just embrace the chaos muppet that he is.
56 minutes is on the long side for me.
This album was fun, and a great example of Kraftwerk’s wacky synth music strengths. It’s clearly influential as I can think of several bands that reference tracks on it directly or indirectly.
Was it repetitive? Sure. Kind of silly? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Yes! I’m glad it’s short at 36 minutes as longer may have been overkill.
As an aside - I love LCD Soundsystem, so this album was fun for me. LCD’s “Get Innocuous” is basically “The Robots.” According to the interwebs it’s not a sample, just heavily influenced.
It sounds like a SNL parody of indie rock. I made it to 1.5 songs and gave up. Earnestness, silly instrumentation, precious lyrics.. The list goes on.
The cover art is a warning shot of what’s to come
Not surprisingly, I’m a fan
A classic that holds up after 60 years
