Arc of a Diver

Very enjoyable, smooth, funky, definitely has some elements that date it such as the synth sounds used, another one that sounds like an opening montage to an 80s rom com (the opening track While You See a Change particularly). Overall this is excellent to listen to and easy to get lost in.

In the 80’s there was a new genre of album - 60s Guy’s Midlife Crisis with Synths.

The apex of this genre are McCartney II and Trans by Neil Young. After that you have Peter Gabriel’s So followed by a long trail of shite. Arc of a Diver is near the top of the shit tip because of Winward’s talent but it’s still stinks.

Later generations learned the lesson from the sixties guys. They knew what made them great in the first place and tried to refine and improve upon that sound as their career progressed they didn’t chase the latest sounds desperately hoping to remain relevant.

This is some of the least offensive music I've ever heard. Like the definition of easy listening; something to soundtrack a waiting room. Seems a bit derivative of Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins, but I dont know who really came up wigh this sound first. I do know they both did it better. While You See a Chance, Spanish Dancer, and Night Train are decent - but I doubt I'll be back in this waiting room again willingly.

I can’t believe it’s taken this long for my first Steve Winwood solo album to appear in this challenge. That said, Traffic have already made an appearance, and I think they’re superb. I’ve always loved Steve Winwood, so I was really looking forward to listening to Arc of a Diver today, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
What a great album this is. Every song is strong, and there’s a real consistency to the quality throughout. Winwood is such a talented musician and songwriter, and you can hear that in every track. The combination of his brilliant voice, keyboards and catchy melodies makes this a really enjoyable listen.

I wonder whether bringing in different songwriting partners helped give Arc of a Diver such a strong collection of songs. Whatever the reason, it works brilliantly. This is top-quality pop music, full of great lyrics, memorable melodies and catchy hooks. There’s also a lovely mix of pop, rock and soul, with that unmistakable Steve Winwood sound running through everything.

“While You See a Chance” is a fantastic opener and a brilliant pop song. The title track is another highlight, and I really enjoyed “Second-Hand Woman”. What I particularly like is that the quality never really drops. There’s no unnecessary filler, and every song earns its place.

This is exactly the sort of album I love discovering through this challenge. Great songwriting, superb musicianship and plenty of melody. I went in with high expectations and came away loving it. I'll definitely be listening to this again, and it has reminded me just how good Steve Winwood is.

Favourite tracks: “While You See a Chance”, “Arc of a Diver” and “Second-Hand Woman”. Three superb songs.

Least favourite track: Nothing really. I enjoyed every track, and there isn't a weak song on the album.

Album artwork: Cool album cover. Simple, colourful and very much of its time.

Steve Winwood was a successful artist in the ’80s who has since, quite rightly, faded into obscurity. His album *Arc Of A Diver* is as trivial as the title and cover art suggest. Nothing about it is really bad - his voice is quite pleasant, and the production is flawless - but there’s simply nothing remarkable about it either. Just shallow ’80s synth-pop rock.

this is a fun album!

Nostalgia factor. I would definitely recommend for anyone who loves yacht rock.

Meh, it was there, can’t remember much else

2.5

God, some of the most cliché and of the era music on this list. It exists in this weird space where it's clearly done by Prog musicians but cannot be called Prog. It's half influenced by Pop like Air Supply as well as shit like white people Disco. At most this is like the 14th best album Steve Winwood is featured on. No real hits on here to speak of. Yet, I cannot really dislike it. It's competent and I guess something of the era of 1980 had to be somewhere on this list. I can find enough enjoyable stuff out of this.

Coincidentally, I got a Traffic record the day prior to getting this one. This seemed to have pushed all their worst elements to the forefront, yielding the musical equivalent of expired mayonnaise.

It's very fine 2.5

Meh, some mediocre 80's music.

Is Steve Winwood the keyboard player? Because if he isn’t, somebody urgently needs to explain the horrible keyboard noises currently emanating from my speakers — and why whoever is responsible wasn’t fired.

Arc of a Diver sounds like it should be playing over the perpetual closing credits of the worst babe-movie you ever had to sit through.

There may be songs in here somewhere, but they’ve been laminated.

Please make it stop.

Oof, did not enjoy this one.
Kinda feels like a weak version of Huey Louis and the News. Also reminds me of Steely Dan, in that the production is so soulless and pristine.

While You See a Chance is a fine single, but beyond that this is just boring 80's rock. No song called Spanish Dancer should lack Spanish sounding music. Absolute malpractice.

First listen. This album is alright. I love the chord progressions throughout the album. I do find some of the lead synth sounds to be a bit blah. The songs are great but I’m not a fan of some of the popular synth sounds of this era. Highlight- While You See a Chance, Lowlight- synth sounds.

I enjoyed this more than I even thought I would and not merely as some vessel for irony. The writing and composition were interesting and varies and by the time it was done I was kind of hoping for more.

If you told me this was Phil Collins, I'd believe you. Steve has his own funky sauce though! Love the bass and synth tones he uses throughout the album.

Standouts: Arc of a Diver • Second-Hand Woman • Night Train

Steve Winwood has a good, interesting voice. It reminds me a little of Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins. The song “While You See Chance” was a hit back in my day and was played over and over again. It was nice to hear it again. But overall, I didn’t think this synth-pop was good enough to listen to more often. 3/5

Some really enjoyable production in here. I guess it lacked originality or some real bangers to make it a good album.

Nothing special