A1A

I've recently been intrigued by the philosophical ramifications of Jimmy Buffett's world. It's hard to tell whether his characters live in paradise, purgatory, or hell. Every day yields the same white sand beaches, one too many tropical drinks, and doesn't really have consequences in the end. Does this Sisyphean trudge make anyone happy? I guess what ends up answering my question is the fact that I would love to be on a beach listening to this. 7/10

What handsome man picked this one? Absolutely legendary

Jimmy just mellows me out every time. Back half way stronger than the front half. Where's my margarita glass?

This was a fuckin fun little romp. I know what Jimmy Buffett does in theory, but I never really paid any attention. It's pretty catchy stuff. 4/5.

Below freezing temperatures outside yesterday. This album was a great counter to that. Thanks for suggesting.

Jimmy Buffett should be on this list, so I’m glad to see someone adding him. He definitely had a lot of influence on music. I was surprised that this was the album, as I only knew of one song on it. But as I listened I was really surprised that it added more dimension to Jimmy Buffett. It was unmistakably Buffett but had an exuberance that made it feel kind of fresh! I loved it!

As often as I've heard the classic Jimmy Buffett hits over and over, I've never listened to an album of his before. I really enjoyed it!

Pretty nostalgic. My parents used to always blast classic Jimmy. Reminds me of my childhood.

Look at this album cover! It’s the inspiration for Matthew McConaughey‘s entire personality! Can’t say I blame him, island beach bum living works wonders on the mind and soul. Really though, Jimmy Buffet was a highly entertaining songwriter and artist. I like that he’s creative and imaginative with his lyrics. You go on an adventure with every song. Respect, and RIP to a uniquely qualified purveyor of chill.

Ahh Jimmy Buffett. Did you know he was one of the richest musicians ever and one of the richest ever celebrities? Insane to me. I'd never listened to him before but I knew of his island music. I always thought he was kind of a joke but this album was great. It was fun solid music. I don't think I'll be putting on my hawaiian shirt, sipping margaritas, and calling myself a parrothead any time soon. My personal rating: 4/5 My rating relative to the list: 4/5 Should this have been included on the original list? Yes. He carved out a niche in popular culture and maintained it for 40+ years.

I don't know that I ever sat down and listened through a Jimmy Buffet album before and it was a congenial experience. Not really my genre but he definitely carves his own niche somewhere along the axis of Country and Southern Rock.

I'm familiar with Buffett's hits because, oddly enough, he has a rather large following in Cincinnati of all places. I guess it's the kind of place where people really need a low key escapist fantasy in a musical form in order to cope with their day to day existence. The cover captures that slacker escape image perfectly, but besides "A Pirate Looks At 40," there really aren't any other iconic hits here. This album shows that he really is a country singer/songwriter at his core. I feel like Gulf and Western is a cute but accurate description of the sound. Overall, his writing is either a little too jokey, or a little too sentimental for me, but if the lifestyle he's selling works for you, I get it.

It’s ok, but I’d rather listen to Eagles.

I really believe that someone can see the beauty in this. For me, it's sounds nice and comfortable but that's it. I'm just not into country I'm afraid.

Sou d slime he is having more fun making the his music than I am listening to it

Jimmy Buffett, classic boomer music. Pretty sure he was on the Epstein list. Anyway, I get the appeal but it’s really not for me. I liked “Door Number Three,” that was interesting lyrically and the sort of country style sound wasn’t bad. Boat music (as opposed to yacht rock). Favorite tracks: Door Number Three. Album art: Is that young Jimmy? Sitting in a lounge chair under a palm tree. That’s the vibe, it’s always the vibe with him. I respect it, even if I prefer to get it elsewhere. 2.5/5

https://c8.alamy.com/comp/J0K9D3/group-of-old-people-supporting-you-J0K9D3.jpg

Don't know this guy and to be honest although it's pleasant and inoffensive there's nothing here for me.

Short but…something.

Just no.

Who figured this was missing from the list

Good shit - just played the last of 2 today. Good fit

I love listening to this Pirate. Not a full fledged Parrot head, but close enough. RIP to a gentle troubadour

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Presents to send you, Trying to reason with hurricane season, Nautical wheelers

Jimmy Buffett is now sipping Margaritas and eating his Cheeseburgers in Paradise.... RIP. The album is above average. I like that the genre is called Gulf and Western (for the Florida gulf). Standouts: Makin' Music for Money, Others: Door Number Three, Dallas, Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season Rating: 3.5

We lost a legend when we lost Jimmy Buffett. The man that made the island life so cool. This album is great. It’s not the poppy Jimmy Buffett, just the laid back guy with the island sound. The back half of this album is great and has some classics. I’ll listen to this album along with many other Buffett albums whenever I want to escape or am escaping to an easier life. 8.4/10

Very good

This is one of Jimmy Buffett’s strongest albums. The back half is insanely stacked. I went through a period of time where I got really into Jimmy Buffett. I was working a dead end job and was trying to figure out what I should do with my life and this music was a gentle balm during that time. I knew the music wasn’t the best, and it was certainly not my usual fare, but it reminded me that there are more important things in life than how much money I made. I even made my down to Key West via Miami during this time in my life. I’ll always be grateful to Jimmy for that. RIP.

Never heard of this guy before and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the recommendation.

I admit it: I burst out laughing when I saw Jimmy Buffet pop up on my phone this morning. But it turns out that thing ain't so bad, all things considered. Or at least, that there are enough highlights on this album to make up for the occasional bland song (as some other reviewers also pointed out, the duds are actually more noticeable on side one than one side two, oddly enough). I suspect that those highlights will soon becomes firm favorites of mine in an overall country-rock genre I'm not *always* at ease with. Surprising how those highlights actually sound good compared to most of Buffet's more famous songs. It was still the early seventies, and the man was only starting to embrace the cliché he would later become, while managing to sound relatively fresh and lively. Plus, look at that cover and tell me you don't want to be in his place, huh? I especially enjoyed the compositional work and dynamic arrangements in the memorable "Dallas" and the instantly catchy "Life Is Just A Tire Swing". And of course the lyrics about living a life of idleness and binge drinking on the beach are either witty or downright funny. Cue the gentler "A Pirate Looks At Forty" and moodier "Trying To Reason With The Hurricane Season" to have stellar exemples of that. Or spin the opener "Makin' Music For Money" again. It sure is a lazy and quite inert old-fashioned rock tune, even by 1974 standards. The song is musically devoid of anything interesting, *of course*, but it's also lyrically on point with the music's blandness -- a wink that both doubles down and redeems the supposed laziness Buffet often witnesses when he looks into the mirror. In other words, self-deprecation has rarely sounded so cool, and I can picture why one "handsome man" found this album endearing enough to select it here (I forgive you for hating *Kid A*, pal !). Guess all I needed to appreciate that sort of commercial country-rock music and make it sound cinematic enough for me was a sip of tropical Florida juice inside the usual C&W formula. Wish Dimery and co. had thought of that! Still not sure I can "reason with the hurricane season" and find a way to include this record in my own list of keepers. But as of now, I certainly keep the door open. The view of the ocean outside is magnificent, after all. 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 4. 8.5/10 for more general purposes? (5+3.5) Number of albums from the original list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 465 Albums from the original list I *might* include in mine later on: 288 Albums from the original list I won't include in mine: 336 ---- Number of albums from the users list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 9 Albums from the users list I *might* include in mine later on: 11 (including this one) Albums from the users list I won't include in mine: 18

Fun pick!

6/10. I mean, it's a whole album of Jimmy Buffet. I agree he ought to have something on the list, and I might have given it a 7 if I'd listened to it in the summer on the beach with a strong drink

Can’t say I expected a song about the Monty Hall problem. Also look at that power sit stance. Pretty sure I saw a dude at a coffee shop working too. I mean Jimmy Buffet is fine, but not hugely my thing but I don’t hate it. I sorta respect it?

Atta boy Jimmy, what a chill time.

I've gained a lot more respect for Jimmy Buffett since he passed away and all the tributes poured in. It was especially interesting seeing an old quote from Bob Dylan mentioning Jimmy Buffett as one of the songwriters he most admired. Having said that, this is all good, though a bit too country-ish for my taste. 3 stars.

RIP Jimmy - this was such a relaxing listen, an LP that couldn’t give a fuck about what’s going on in the world so long as it has a beer in hand in the beach. Great prominent guitar, good melodies, and that characteristic sense of chill. Not the most memorable or dynamic songwriting in the world, but a great listen nonetheless.

Great summer listening. 70s country rock with an easygoing, likeable vibe that grows on you as the album progresses. Thanks for sharing. Fave Songs: Tin Cup Chalice, Stories We Could Tell, A Pirate Looks at Forty, Presents to Send You, Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season, Nautical Wheelers

Country, Gulf and Western. Ni fu ni fa.

I’m glad I finally heard some non-margaritaville Jimmy Buffett music but unfortunately I thought it was bland easy going soft rock for the most part. It just sounded so generic to where I felt like I’d heard this album a million times on the main list. However, the last song was catchy and fun and the highlight of the album.

Restaurant is better (allegedly)

After reading all the Wikipedia information about Jimmy Buffett, I effortlessly tried to like the album. I think I like the guy and his island escapism. The ablum is not bad, but just not that good either.

I'm not sure we got any Buffett on the main list, maybe one, so I'm very glad this is on here. No songs I recognized but I did enjoy Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season. Take me to the beach.

Definitely has a country vibe, with a folk-pop angle. It seems a pretty standard issue for the genre/vibe and they are all pleasant, but generally unremarkable. Even A Pirate Looks at Forty has an interesting topic, but the song itself is just okay. A nice listen, but i don't see it as book worthy.

I'll give them a pass with this 5th studio album. I'm sure there was an album in there that shouldn't have been made. This album carries the Buffett sound, one that would sound better along with some surf sounds and clinking beer bottles (yes, I get the irony). He apparently didn't consult Christopher Walken. There's cowbell in here, but it could use more.

Coming in with an open mind. I only know Jimmy Buffett as a punchline in Yank comedy... I can see why. But it has a degree of charm and invention that elevates it... He's a good lyricist.

Pop-country, sounds old fashioned, but i still liked it. Not necessarily enough to include it in my 1,001 list (when I get round to it), but it was a pleasant way to pass some time.

A solid 3.5 stars with a classic Buffett sound

Not bad.

🏝️

This album and its music is okay. I enjoy his big hits. A solid 3/5.

Really not my thing, but it was pretty nice.

49 years and 10 months-that’s how long it took me to listen to an actual Jimmy Buffet album. It was way more country than I expected. And better. Which is not to say I’d seek this out again, but I didn’t mind it

I liked this. It's familiar stuff to me but it was happy and warming and generally quite nice.

This was cheerful and enjoyable! A welcome tonic after Kano and even Luke approved. Good easy listening.

This list has some kind of mind-reading power - I was wondering just yesterday if anything Parrothead was going to turn up on this list and lo and behold! It’s like a warm tub of margaritas. With a salt rim, of course.

I only really know him from memes, so I was surprised that this was twing twang country-sounding, rather than Island.

July 31, 2025 "Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season" is my favourite couplet, and it's not even in the lyrics I've mentioned before that my love of country music is fickle, and there it is... going... gone I feel my enjoyment would go up exponentially the closer I get to the sea, and as someone who uploaded an album primarily concerned with the sea, I don't want to write off these relaxing ditties just yet. Now where can I get a honeysuckle vine to chew...

It’s a 5 somewhere I enjoyed this more than expected, some fun dad rock/smooth country that never got too cringy or annoying. A couple of great tracks on this, and a fair bit of filler about how much he likes tequila - nothing too exciting, but all pretty amiable

This one feels incredibly American, almost entirely tied to Florida and the Gulf Coast. Over here in Europe or Australia it barely made a ripple, but in the U.S. apparently it was the foundation of a whole subculture. Musically it’s a curious mix: part country twang and steel guitar, part island escapism with cowbell and calypso touches. The highlight is clearly A Pirate Looks at Forty, which explains perfectly why it became his fan anthem. The rest of the record is fun and balanced, never sinking into the worst of Nashville gloss, but also not breaking new ground. A good listen, a cultural curiosity outside the U.S., and easy to understand why it was big at home.

There are some cool tracks on here, Life Is Just A Tire Swing, Makin' Music For Money, A Pirate Looks At Forty (even if its kinda gross). An icon for Florida Boomers all over, just getting drunk and doing boomer shit until they die. Sick.

I like the general style of this but I'm a bit too young for the sentiment he sings about or too European for this particular slice of Americana.

I was not aware of the existence of this thing called Tropical Rock. When I heard it, it took me to the Californian sound intoxicated with country rock. It's not really my cup of tea, but I'm glad I discovered this new genre and artist

I was trained against beach vacations and grew up without Buffett strains in my ears. So what conclusion to make about the tropicality or non- of the way A-1-A flew by? Can't be sure, but I had trouble getting into the record. "Life Is Just a Tire Swing" is a heck of a line, though, more than halfway to country which is what most of this ends up as.

Probably a big deal when you're into country, but not something I can get excited about.

I like C & W but this was just a bit bland for me.

Not my cup of tea

Not much into country

70s party country music. Jimmy Buffett is low-key my nemesis, so this is not one for me.

Rootin' tootin' country rock dreck. He's got a nice (if you like that sort of thing) voice and I've not immediately wanted to turn it off, which is pretty high praise for country, but it's still country. Bleh.

Meh not my cup of tea.

Is it still a bland country? Yes, but I can't say I didn't enjoy it a bit. It's not enough to be memorable, but I can see qualities on the album.

Not really my genre at all but I found it enjoyable in parts. That one song definitely made me smile, but the rest of the album lacked the same humour and didn’t keep me engaged.

This is one of those artists where you wonder who in the world actually listens to him, even though everyone knows who they are. With that said, this was nothing special. And I didn't notice the theme that I assumed was going to be so prominent.

It’s not terrible, but if I’m in that mood I’d rather just listen to Kenny Rogers.

I was really hoping that listening to this album would unravel the mystery of Jimmy Buffett's popularity. It's extremely standard yacht rock, so there's not a lot of help there. His voice is fine, the music is fine, but, in my opinion, it never gets better than that. I think, in the end, the real cheeseburger in paradise was the alcoholic friends we made along the way. Maybe the issue here is that I can't really drink in the sun because it gives me migraines. Consequently, there's no real way for me to access the Parrothead in their native environment and have the true Jimmy Buffett experience 2/5 I think I'd rather listen to a Warren Buffett album

Not really one for me

Really generic sounding rock

Frekar boring

How do you make country even worse? make it "swinging country"

I find most country music a bit lame in general, and this is particularly weak. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: Makin' Music for Money Date listened: 04/11/24

“Yes, I wish that we could sit upon a bed in some motel Listen to the stories it could tell” Gross.