This is such a beautiful, haunting peace of music. My favourites were Introduction and At The Chime Of A City Clock. My least favourite was Poor Boy.
Very groovy, I like the rhythms. It is, however, not my taste. I didn't hate it, but I wouldn't choose to listen to it again. My favourite was Lonesome Suzie, my least favourite was Caledonia Mission.
I'm not a fan, sorry. Frank Sinatra can sing really well, I just don't like this kind of music.
I don't mind this, I like the retro rock vibe. It is very 'of it's time'. That said, the tracks do blend together somewhat, not in a cohesive way, but in a 'wait it's been four songs already, I thought it was just one really long song' kind of way. Slightly bland. The lead singer has a very listenable and smooth voice, I like it.
I loved this so much. Favourite song: Chicago. Least favourite: The Seer's Tower.
Reminds me of a road trip. Very powerful, fleshed out songs. It sounds polished, but raw at the same time. Favourite: Intervention. Least favourite: Ocean of Noise.
Such an iconic sound, every song was fleshed out and felt like it belonged.
Definitely an iconic punk sound, but I didn't love it. The songs sounded very similar and the lyrics felt boring.
Solid album, dude couldn't even name it properly or get dressed for the album cover but it still hits hard.
Yay folk-rock 😐
Felt warm and comforting. A really introspective album, with a calming grooviness.
Solid album, just not my style and the songs blended into each other and bit.
This is so calming and soothing, perfect chill-out music. I really enjoyed it!
Influential and iconic.
Definitely not their best, the vocals are too quiet and the tracks are boring. Still, I didn't dislike it and I could see it being a background album.
This is so creative and imaginative. I wouldn't have expected myself to love it so much. Fantastic.
Every song is identical. The rock and roll style isn't unpleasant to listen to, but I don't understand how 6 entire Elvis Costello albums have made it on this list when this one is so mediocre. I genuinely don't realise when the song switches, they are that similar and bland.
The first time I wished I was born without ears occurred halfway through the second song. That feeling remained for the next TWO HOURS. Seriously, a live, two hour psychedelic space rock album. Genuine ear torture. The songs sound so disjointed and messy and the random plonking synths make me want to pull a Van Gogh. I hate this.
Absolute rock classic, but slightly too high energy for me. Every aspect of the band is flawless, the cohesive sound is iconic. Legendary.
Dull and repetitive. Not necessarily terrible, but I don't think many people, me included, would be devastated if they had never listened to it. The music of the 80s is heralded as amazing, as if every track that was produced during that decade is undisputably outstanding. But this is just boring.
This makes me feel the urge to buy a motorbike and stay in a motel. Funky and fun, but also slightly...meh? It didnt have the soul, it just felt bland and lacked depth.
Yoo I kidna dig this. It's so funky and flowing, like a disco river. Whilst it is ambient, I think it's more than that. It doesn't demand attention, but if you grant it, you'll probably end up enjoying the music. It isn't grating or irritating, just interesting and chill. Some reviews mention a frustration at this album's inclusion on the list, but I think it is well deserved. It's a classic, and a good one.
An enjoyable listen! The synths and robot-ness created an interesting soundscape and I would probably listen to this again. Crazy that they did this in the 70s.
I'm sorry but why does every song sound identical? The album is...okay. But it's not original or interesting, just okay. The tracks sound slightly watered-down, the band is cohesive but I feel like they could do better.
Surprisingly, not as memorable as it might seem. A few bangers, and they are proper bangers, but the album is slightly let down by other tracks. See: I'm In Love With My Car. But with a song like Bohemian Rhapsody, there is no way I can give this less than a 4. Too iconic for that. Overall, it is a great album, just maybe not as great as it might seem from the penultimate track.
I found this calming and soothing. It feels like a green tea on a balcony at sunset. The smooth, relaxing melodies match my mood at the time of listening so well. However, the tracks are a little too simplistic. Overall, it is definitely lovely but, much like a green tea, does not have much flavour.
It sounds very over-produced and cliche. Every song feels like it is trying to be an anthem, and it's just annoyingly in-your-face. It lacks originality, I'm sure there are thousands of 80s metal albums that sound incredibly similar, albeit lacking the extravagant budget. However, I have to admit that it is quite fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and I like that.
Used to listen to Dolly Parton CDs in the car with my family years ago. Her voice has been such a constant in my life, so it was nice to get this album. She was also an amazing human, why can't shitty people pass away instead? Rest in peace.
The album is so comforting and nostalgic, the vocals blend together beautifully.
The type of bullshit I'd whip up at the end of a middle school music lesson after doing fuck-all the entire time. Grating and annoying, did Pere Ubu really need EVERY bleep bloop possible? Surely, there must have been a time when this album was at the threshold of 'just listenable'. It could've stopped there. But alas, it didn't. So we have an off-putting amalgamation of eerie and repetitive noises. Fuck off.
This feels so relaxing and calming. The music is very cohesive, but I'm not the biggest fan of jazz. It would be great dinner party music, or just background music. But it's not my style. I was disappointed that only the final track had lyrics because the vocals were beautiful, smooth, full and rich. If there was a full album of that, I would rate it higher. I think I'm beginning to like Miles Davis though.
The lyrics. I can't get past them, they are so shitty. Mindless and dumb. The vocalist also grunts far too much for me. The tracks all together aren't terrible, I just think they are boring. That would place this album at maybe a three out of five, if it wasn't for the terrible lyrics.
This album is so good. Punchy, hardhitting and monumentally relevant, even 30 years later. The songs are so powerful, they feel like lighting to listen to.
I fear I'm in the minority with this one. But this one is definitely just for people who LIKE jazz. Not just appreciate. I appreciate it, but I have to say that I didn't enjoy this one. It felt too much like a sharp and jutting cliff.
I managed to get quite far in this album, but I couldn't quite do the full 194 minutes. Jesus this is a long album. I think I would've given this an extra star, if it wasn't for the length. Ella Fitzgerald's voice is stunning, it just glides beautifully through the tracks. This has a very distinct classic sound, one I imagine people dancing to decades ago. I actually recognised a couple of these songs as well, which I guess is a testament to how influential it is. Other reviews mentioned this as well, but it seems a bit unfair that no other artists get compilations, apart from this one. At least it is not a live album.
I would rate this higher, as I quite like the music, but it's just sloppy. The recording quality is poor and there just isn't the energy I would expect from a live performance.
The sound is okay, but the songs are identical. The jangly noises and chimes just annoy me. It is not bad, just not good.
I can't unread the comment that said he sounds like Kermit the Frog. This album is great, full of classic, fleshed-out, earthy tracks. I can see why it is such a hit, some of the songs are very beautiful. There isn't really any filler songs, so it makes for a consistent listen without losing my attention. Overall, I rate this a 4/5, because it's not a love-at-first-listen for me.
So so cool how this was performed in a prison. The audience are just as important to the album as the music, and the raw way Johnny Cash performs on stage feels undeniably real. The music is seriously great.
Warm rodents
Some tracks are interesting and complex, but falls apart a bit towards the end. I liked the first couple of songs, but then it just became hard to listen to.
This review was written as I listened to the album, instead of after I finished. Sorry for the rambling.
The Fairest of the Seasons:
Why do the instruments and vocals sound out of time? It is quite off-putting. Also, what is up with her voice? Is it normally like that?
The baroque strings are beautiful. A lot of the reviews are pretty negative, but I actually like this song.
These Days:
Okay, I think the strings are going to stick around. Yeah this one is pretty so far as well, I quite like it. Her voice is smooth and rich. I'm really enjoying this. Her vocals are different, but I actually love them.
Little Sister:
I hope the songs won't sound too similar because the strings and slow, melodic vocals are beautiful, but slightly formulaic. I think I'm enjoying this more and more as I listen. I was put off in the beginning because of all the negative reviews, but I can't really understand them. This is really nice! I love the different instruments in each ear, it is such a beautifully layered melody. I find her German accent really interesting, not grating at all.
Winter Song:
Ooh, this one is interesting with the flute. It definitely sounds frosty and wintery. I like the change in pace with the faster, plucky strings. I still have the separate sounds in each ear, which I love. I think I prefer the other songs slightly, though.
It Was A Pleasure Then:
Quiter, smaller sounds. I think this one might build up nicely. It sounds slightly disjointed though, maybe a bit eerie. The vocals are much louder than the instruments; I'm not sure why. Okay, maybe I don't like this one particularly. I don't like this one. No thank you. I loved the other ones so much, this one is so disappointing. It reminds me of a car garage, with random scraping and clanking. Oh my god, make it stop. I hate this one. Wow, I was wrong about this building up nicely. It sounds like something is being built, but definitely not a nice melody. La la la la la la la laaa.
Chelsea Girls:
Wow, this one is wonderful; I love it! It is so beautiful and layered. The flute and strings sound so good. I think it is my favourite so far. I just realised this song is 7 minutes long. I hope it stays like this. I'm glad it didn't get worse, I was worried. This one is so good. Absolute ear heaven compared to the last one.
I'll Keep It With Mine:
I also love this song! The mix of strings appeals to me greatly, I've never listened to music like this before.
Somewhere There's A Feather:
This album is so good. This track is so beautiful. Thinking about what my final rating might be, I reckon I will give it 4/5 I really, really like it, but that one song in the middle was just so bad. And also, some of the tracks are quite similar.
Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams:
Penultimate song! I haven't really mentioned lyrics so far, but I also really like them. I like the plucky pace of the instruments in this one. I prefer the other tracks, this one is a bit dull.
Eulogy To Lenny Bruce:
Final song! The vocals have an interesting effect, they are only in my left ear and sound slightly cave-like. No strings so far! I can't lie, I'm not a huge fan of this one. Where are my strings??
Overall:
There were song really beautiful tracks that I loved. Then there were a couple dull ones, plus one that I hated. I can't give this 5 stars. Still, 4 stars is great. It was a very polarising album, because I either loved or hated the songs.
Soulful, dark and tense. This album is a perfectly crafted collection of banger after banger, each more funky than the last. I've heard Sly and The Family Stone before, mostly through my dad, but it was such a treat to take a trip through their sound over a very groovy hour. Very nice indeed.
On the first song. Seems like a theme tune for a tv show about a quirky couple buying and running an old English pub. There would be probably be grumpy townspeople not used to outsiders, but would eventually become less frosty and warm up to the two. Obviously, the show would include financial problems, but the couple would sort it out, maybe even with the help of the town that has now fully welcomed them. The couple would settle into the town and feel completely at home, becoming an interesting patch in the town's history. The show would be cancelled after one season.
On the second song, this one feels almost the same. But not notable enough to be a theme song. Maybe a song that would play over a shot of a road trip car driving through that one road in America that's just a straight line surrounded by desert. Maybe that describes a lot of the roads. Still, a dusky sunset would blanket the top of the shot as the music shifts from playing inside the car to playing through the speakers. Quite a forgettable song. I'e already forgotten it, and I'm listening to it. I'm just describing the scene.
Next song. This one is just kind of boring. The kind of music my grandad would play after shouting at the Alexa to "JUST PLAY MUSIC". I'm pretty sure there are many people that can sing like you, Billy Bragg. Or Wilko, whichever one you are. I can't believe Wilko closed down, I used to buy nail glue from there. And water sprays for plants that I would just spray my brother with. I've never been able to keep plants, I've killed two succulents and one cactus. I think they are the problem.
NEXT. I like her voice, but it sounds like a song that would play over shots of fields in an indie-hippie movie. It is also pretty boring. The guitar is pretty, but many guitars are pretty. I used to want to be able to play guitar, but I always thought they look a bit funny. The neck is too long, if you ask me.
WOO NEXT ONE. This feels much more upbeat. Like jukebox music in an idealistic reimagining of a 1950s diner. I watched a video essay today about how the 1950s were actually not a nice time in history, and I find it so weird that they are pined after so much. Life literally has never ben better than now, stop trying to rewind the clock. Plus, everyone that says things like that have to be at least a little bit, if not a lot, racist. This song is pretty good.
Next track. I should probably name the songs. But I'm not going to. Who is reading this anyway? It's just like a diary. I can say what I want. I don't like pandas. WOW, that felt good to get off my chest. This song is fine. Nt that good though. I watched Lady Bird today, I absolutely adored it. So good.
I'm bored of the updates. I'll do a conclusion at the end, hopefully this gets a bit more interesting. Side note, I love the name Mermaid Avenue, that is so fun.
Overall, I didn't hate it, it was actually pleasant at times. But the chuntering pace and often boring lyricism just isn't for me. I don't like it particularly. But I didn't hate it. So 3/5 seems fair.
I'm not a fan of the typical, synthy, eighties beat, and this album was full of it. It felt whimsical, but maybe trying a bit too hard. I enjoyed some of the songs, but they bleed into each other so much that it is hard to keep track of what I'm listening to. Kate Bush is Kate Bush though, so I did like it.
I love the melancholy feeling written into each soulful song, but I'm not a fan of Leonard Cohen's vocal skills. Most of the songs have similar, chuntering instrumentals and warbling vocals. The mix isn't bad, but it becomes grating after a while. This album wasn't too long though, so it was fairly listenable.
Absolutely gorgeous. It has such a memorable haunting atmosphere, I could get lost in this album for hours. This mesmerising album is genuinely a masterpiece. It is just so so so wonderful. The dark soundscape created is vast and beautiful. I don't have a favourite song, they are all just so good.
This is so millennial coded, but I actually vibe with it. The songs feel so spacious and bold, its very moving.
Ugh I mean it's just so good. Johnny Cash is an absolute legend, and a comedic one at that. The atmosphere of this entire album is just electric. Makes me wish I was in a men's prison in the 60s. Actually maybe not. Not even Johnny Cash could convince me to do that. Anyway, praises being said, I think I rate At Folsom Prison slightly higher. They both rock though, so 4 stars from me.
