Every Picture Tells a Story

Un blues rock molto blando.
Sembra cantautorato, ma di seconda fascia. Una delusione

Not the best of his stuff... and I don't really like him...

Previously on Rod Stewart, we landed on "this sounds like generic oldies". The album cover tells the story "buckle up for more of the same". But actually this was more rock-focused than my recollection of his previous album, and that's a negative for me (though probably a positive for most people).

The track 'Every Picture Tells a Story' certainly does tell a story, but the story is boring. Consider The Decemberists -- they have a song, 'The Mariner's Revenge Song', which also tells a rambly story, and I like their sound and enjoy the song. But I still don't want to listen to it more than once every few years. So we're not looking good after track 1.

'Seems Like a Long Time'? Yes, that track sure did. As before, Stewart didn't write most of these tracks, which is probably for the best. But none of them are that great, except the 1min of 'Amazing Grace' leading into the Bob Dylan cover 'Tomorrow Is a Long Time' (which seems quite familiar, maybe someone else on here covered it too (not that I remember who)). I know 'Maggie May' is famous, but it's just alright with me (like Jesus in a way). Ostensibly it's a song about dating an old(er) lady (which I support), but in practice it seems a lot like that long story in track 1. (Maybe hypocritical of me to judge this, but my rambly album notes aren't in the "1001 reviews to read before you die", now are they?) Still, by this point on the album we've settled back into jangly oldies mode (vs rockin' guitar mode), which is a positive for me. 14 mentioned in 'Mandolin Wind'! Alas, raspy guitar mode comes back for '(I Know) I'm Losing You', another cover. Finishes with a decent mellow raspy pianoed cover of '(Find a) Reason to Believe'. Squares up to be a nice ol' boring 3.

+ Something nice about Roddy is that his prized model train setup was featured in at least 6 issues of "Model Railroader" magazine. It's good to have a hobby. 🚂

On this album Rod Stewart continues to prove that he has an interesting voice and some very ok songwriting. Also the weird fragmented bits like the intro to Maggie May and the version of Amazing Grace tacked onto the end of That’s All Right seem kinda pointless. Favorites were Tomorrow Is A Long Time and Maggie May.

Not sure how I feel about his voice. Some of the music isn't bad, but his voice makes me think of a heavy smoker's voice and he sounds like he'd be a creep. Kept distracting me from the actual music. 2/5

White man with unpleasantly raspy voice complains in a variety of styles about various women except a single “slant-eyed lady” who was nice to him.

Every Picture Tells A Story is yet another album where it is good but is a case where i just don't have that much to really say about it. Seeing as this is Rod Stewart, it is another folk rock album with most (if not all) of the songs relying on that sound. I do enjoy the guitars and piano of this album and Stewart's raspy voice really does add a lot to this album. But then again, those are the only real things i can really say about it. There isn't really that much else that stands out when it comes to this album. It really is just another folk rock album from this list. It's still a good listen but i don't think i would be too unhappy if this album was not on the list.
Best Song: That's All Right
Worst Song: Maggie May

I had Faces A Nod Is As Good As A Wink... To A Blind Horse not too long ago, and this is in the same vein since they were released a mere 6 months apart, it's basically a Faces album in everything but name. Rod and Ronnie Wood are the magic makers here as the voice and guitar propels this forward at a generous pace, even the slower songs.

Rod may have become a self contained crooner of old songs who hasn't had a hit record of any relevance since 1993, the younger Rod was a force to be reckoned with, between Jeff Beck Group, Faces, and his solo career, he had all time bangers by the boatload.

It's all very solid.

Ik ben inmiddels niet meer verbaasd dat Rod één van de uitzonderingen is waarvan ik de ongepolijste stem goed kan verdragen. En eigenlijk valt het op dit album wel mee.

Net als het eerdere album van Rod dat we kregen, kan ik het prima luisteren, maar zal ik het niet snel opzetten. Tegelijk is met name de titeltrack een positieve uitschieter. Maar die streep ik weg tegen het Amazing Grace waar mijn haren van overeind gaan staan. Gewoon 3 sterren dus.

Rod Stewart has an incredible voice—versatile and full of character. Whether he's singing rock, folk, or blues, he brings genuine emotion and style to every track.

Every Picture Tells a Story features one of the greatest songs of all time in “Maggie May”, which alone earns the album a high score. Beyond that, the guitar work is outstanding—Ronnie Wood’s talent really shines throughout the record.

There are plenty of other strong moments too, like “(I Know) I’m Losing You” and “Reason to Believe”, which help round out the album beautifully. Overall, it’s an easy, enjoyable listen from start to finish, with both emotional depth and musical flair.

Favourite song: Maggie May – a timeless classic
Least favourite: Honestly, every track feels like it belongs
Album artwork: Very cool cover that fits the era and vibe

This is a solid, well-crafted album that shows why Rod Stewart became a legendary figure in rock music.

sick of these mid albums bruh

Bluesy rock albums are often lost on me and this is not an exception. Even for me though, Maggie May is an absolutely cracking lead single. Other than that, despite the clear musical ability on display this leaves me cold. During the Amazing Grace rendition it even leaves me in despair.

One star for Maggie May and a collection of sub standard b-sides

I love Maggie May. It became quickly apparent that I would have enjoyed this album more, had it just been 40 minutes of Maggie May on repeat.

2/5 (I really do love Maggie May)

Might as well be a complete covers album, since he only wrote a few of the songs himself. Still, Rod Stewart gives it his all in these performances. I find the quality to be a bit varying across the album. Every Picture Tells A Story and Maggie May are the big hits here and easily some of the best material on the album. Some of the covers like That's All Right and Reason To Believe are good too, but I find some of the other songs on here a bit lacking. Lands in the middle overall.

I still don't think he's sexy

This wasn’t bad. Maggie May and Reason to believe are really good. There were some other decent tracks, and there were some just okay ones. Nothing bad though, I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did. I would listen to this again.

Rod Stewart is best for me in small doses. A song on the radio, then I don't hear him again for awhile, is the best way to listen. A full album starts to be a bit much with his singing style.

I preferred gasoline alley, but this had its moments! :) Adding a star because he has a brilliant train set and this is good.