Something special. It ebbs and flows beautifully. You never quite know where it's going, but the journey makes sense as it reveals itself. The album feels cohesive, and yet so many different voices, styles, and influences emerge throughout. Love it.
There's a certain weariness to this album that I'm finding difficult to embrace. A heaviness. A jadedness, perhaps. It feels like an album a bunch of disillusioned dudes in their late 20s and early 30s would write. I say that as a disillusioned 32-year-old, weary of what the world's become.
There are many elements I appreciate - some of the production, some of the instrumental choices (harps, surprise surprise!), the experimentation (looking at you Essex Dogs, though I can't say I'm itching to listen to you again any time soon). And there are certainly some gems on this album. Beetlebum sets the tone, but plays with expectations. Song 2 is a classic, and rightfully so. Country Sad Ballad Man, You're so Great, Look Inside America, even Movin' On to a degree... There's something there.
Yet I kept finding myself wondering... Is this Bowie? The Beatles? Radiohead? What IS this? WHO is this?
Perhaps I'll try this album again in the future.
I enjoyed this. The sheer musical prowess displayed throughout this album is such a joy to witness. I particularly loved City, Country, City. The rest of the songs were good, but they didn't quite grab me for whatever reason. I think this is the kind of album that deserves to be witnessed live. The energy, the intensity, the whimsy, the rhythm, the cacophony of instruments and voices, the give and take between the performers... You're meant to experience this in a full-bodied kind of way, not simply as a casual listener. This album begs to be moved to. The repetitive structure of the songs becomes almost hypnotic, a beckoning to lose yourself in the fullness of the experience. This music wants to be dug into, rooted around in, unearthed, reveled in... Who knows. I'll likely come back to this album at some point. I think it will grow on me. For now, it's a solid 3.5.
I'm a sucker for rock - even some prog rock. From Tom Sawyer to Red Barchetta, YYZ, Limelight (!!!), and into the first half The Camera Eye... Wow. Just wow.
The album started to lose its luster for me at that point - still excellent, but a bit repetitive, a bit less dynamic... Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this, will give it another listen, and likely will increase my score down the line. That first half of the album was simply transcendent. 4.5/5
Sublime live recording. 4.5/5
Enjoyed this. Cinnamon Girl is a standout. Will listen again in the future. 3.5/5
There's something very special about this album. It perfectly captures the band's youthful optimism, raw energy, and brimming creativity. There is so much joy and hope here. One of my all-time favorites.
Loved it. Listened twice. Will return again.
On my fourth attempt, I made it through. I don't know why, but this wasn't it for me. Maybe I'll attempt another listen in the future. 2.5
