Bookended by the best tracks in my opinion. A remarkable vocal performance throughout, but not much in the way of musical variety. I didn’t expect a Bee Gees cover, so that was fun. Definitely a “mood” record.
Incredibly uneven, brilliant and groundbreaking at points, kitschy and silly at others. When Dylan hits he hits hard. Blowin’ in the Wind, Masters of War and Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right are incredible. What can I say though, he was 20 years old, I never wrote anything that good.
I speaking “Mexican restaurant” Spanish, which is to say I spent a decent amount of time working at a Mexican restaurant and learned food words and swear words, with a smattering of basic conversation. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. I recognized Rubén Blades’ name as an actor and had no familiarity with him as a singer or musician. This record is a legitimate butt shaker. It’s infectious, great horns, grooves and melodies. Pleasant surprise.
Not my usual cup of tea, but three ladies with incredible voices. Extra love to Dolly Parton.
In my junior high days I was a West Coast rap guy. I knew the hits because they got played a ton. This was my first time listening to this album. It’s typical mid 90’s rap, songs of bravado and sexual prowess, of a life of crime, but what struck me was just how nihilistic it was…it’s called Ready to Die and I feel like he really truly was. I’ll rank it a 4 but I think it’s more of a 3.5 from me. He’s got good rhymes and great flow, the samples and beats are good, annunciation in what it is, worth a listen, but doesn’t strike me as essential.
I’ve never been a big Zep guy. I thought what they did had been done better before. That being said, this is a catchy record, the riffs are there, the grooves are there. I don’t care for how self indulgent Page gets particularly on Heartbreaker and the product sticks in my craw a few times. I understand it, but it’s just not for me.
It’s OK but again uneven, not uncommon for a debut album. Man there is some vitriol in these ratings though.
Quite good, but not great. Sultans of Swing is the obvious high bar on the album, they tightened up on future albums, that being said, I’m familiar with a more greatest hits aspect of Dire Straits. It’s a nice chill bluesy vibe record overall, it just didn’t knock my socks off.
I knew “Frontier Psychiatrist” from an ex of my who became infatuated with the song and video. I didn’t realize it came out in 2000. It’s a unique album for sure, reading about how many samples were used was awe inspiring. Not exactly something I’d listen to regularly, but given how a few years later I bought Fatboy Slim and Moby albums, I’m not sure what I’d have thought of this when it came out.
Not as good as I was expecting. A star for each good song essentially, because the good ones are THAT good. Aside from Imagine, Jealous Guy and Oh Yoko! it’s a pretty underwhelming collection.
I’d probably give it a 3.5 if possible. Well produced, fun world music stretches (though overall I don’t find it quite as compelling at the same year’s “So” from Peter Gabriel) highlights are the title track, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, You Can Call Me Al. Better than solid, definitely worth a listen, but not sure I’d give it regular listens end to end.
Interesting combination of sitar and early synths, not something I would have sought out, but neat to listen to.
Eclectic, odd, meandering. Wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d give it 3.5 honestly.
I didn’t NEED to listen to this one to know it’s a five star, I’ve heard this a ton, but I did it anyway. End to end there are no bum tracks. Some are better than others, but there isn’t a skip on here. Maybe not quite The Who at their abject musical heights (that might be Quadrophenia or even The Who by Numbers) but it’s pretty close. Daltry’s voice is impeccable, Townshend’s lyrics, guitar playing and vocals are spot on, and as always the powerhouse rhythm section of The Ox and The Loon, John Entwistle and Keith Moon are unmatched and untouchable. Entwistle even has a cheeky lead vocal on My Wife. If you don’t appreciate this album, there might be something wrong with your ears.
Nice grooves but not as many stand out songs as I had hoped. They play great live, by the way
I mean…there’s nothing wrong with it per se, but if I needed an archetype for generic late 60’s rock this album would be the benchmark. It’s not bad, but it’s dull and trite, when compared to the other music coming out around the same time (admittedly I’m holding this up against legendary bands) it seems utterly lackluster. Maybe if you were around at the time and these songs happened to speak to you there’s a value that I am missing.
Damn! This one comes hot out of the gate, “So Far Away”, “Money for Nothing” and “Walk of Life” sadly it kind of loses steam after that. The songs are good, some seem overly long, but they’re solid. I’d give it a four and a half it were an option.
Am I too stingy with five star ratings? This is a VERY good record, not quite the “all killer, no filler” goal, but I didn’t really find a song I’d skip. Pleasantly surprised by the prominent bass tone provided by Stephen Stills. Good on ya! Probably more of a four and a half.
Far from perfect, but I think I get what he was trying to do. After years of essentially living in a studio and striving for abject perfection, Paul was tired. Thus, this intentionally ramshackle collection self recorded at a home studio in Scotland, including his new wife Linda in the recordings, because…why not? Does it come across at times as a bit of a self-indulgent/vanity/demo project, yes, could some of the songs be improved with a bit more time and polish, absolutely, did Paul care, not at all. That being said, the undeniable high point of the album is “Maybe I’m Amazed” which he clearly took the recording and production of FAR MORE SERIOUSLY. Not great but solid for what it is. Maybe he gets a little more love for just being Paul, but I can live with that.
Spacey, ambient, eclectic and frankly…fucking cool. I knew “Sexy Boy” from MTV which was always kind of an oddity, but I dig this album. Not that it will be super regular, but I could see adding this to the random rotation.
Solid record, probably the shortest one I’ve come across on here. 9 tracks and 29 minutes some definite heavy hitters, “Green River”, “Bad Moon Rising”, and “Lodi” are all top tier.
Not my cup of tea, not bad, interesting, but again, didn’t tickle my fancy.
