So-so feeling on it overall, but appreciated what they were going for with it. I definitely liked the production since I can tell it was a blueprint for a lot of the late 1970s soul that came afterwards that I enjoy (the saxophone parts are glorious). The title track is not as corny as I've always thought it was before, especially once the second half of the song starts to really hit. Think my favorites from this are "If I Should Die Tonight" and "Distant Lover". Can see why it's considered a classic, but I've been generally cool on Marvin Gaye, and this didn't change my feelings on that. (3.5/5)
Not usually a fan of power metal or NWBHM, so Iron Maiden was never a favorite, but I'm enjoying hearing how Paul Di'Anno did vocals versus how Bruce Dickinson did them. It's definitely a lot more "rock" with clear punk and prog elements than the Dungeons & Dragons metal I usually associate with their stuff, even with traces of that there with "Phantom of the Opera." Enjoyed this, didn't love it, might check out "Killers" sooner than expected to see if it sticks. Points taken off for "Charlotte the Harlot," which was really stupid... (3.5/5)
I think I like this album a lot more now than I did when I first heard it as a kid 25 years ago. Hendrix's guitar-playing was undeniably great, but I dismissed it as hippy goofiness and leaned towards Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin instead, so I think I only gave this one a few listens and hadn't touched it since 2005 or so. Listening to it at 40, it feels more substantial and enjoyable for some weird reason. (4.5/5)
I know this album by heart. I've listened to this album a million times. I still don't know Portuguese but I love every word of it. "Taj Mahal," "Xica da Silva," "Ponta de Lança Africano (Umbabarauma)," just all of the songs are ingrained in me for the past 20 years. I was so lucky to find a copy of this when I was in college and I'll fight people over this album. Automatic 5 stars, one of my desert island picks, Top 3 albums. (5/5, would rate it even higher if possible)
I don't have a strong opinion about this one. I know it pretty well, and it mostly makes for good background noise at this point. The take on "Watermelon Man" is still funky and fun, but the rest of it feels like Jazz Fusion White Noise to me. Not bad but not amazing, just OK. (2.5/5)
Know it, love the first half, don't really care for the second half (save for "Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting"). "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" is a favorite. The hits are all well-deserved. Could do without "All the Girls Love Alice," "Roy Rogers," and "Social Disease." It's not my favorite Elton John album (that's "Captain Fantastic") but still a good listen. (4/5)
Not really my thing - get what they were doing but just not into it.
I don't actually need to listen to this album to know what each song sounds like. I just need to read the titles and all the songs in their entirety, just pop into my head. Not my favorite Beatles album, but its status as A Classic Album is well-deserved. (4/5 personally, 5/5 for importance)
I only really like "Half Moon," "Me and Bobby McGee," and "Trust Me" but not really any of the others. I've never cared for Joplin's singing style personally and never understood the appeal. If others like it, great. It's just not for me. (2/5)
