Rated 6/10
Killer opener and closer, tracks in the middle are a mixed bag (leaning positive) - unfortunately I just don't like the structure of this and I can't see it higher than a 3, though it is absolutely the best Neil Young this challenge has offered (not that that is a big win!)
Insane to have a 40-track triple (quadruple?) album with like eight instrumental fiddle tracks in the middle. But even though this is really bloated it honestly feels like a staggering achievement, it's a piece of genuine history.
Rated 6/10
Would lean towards a 3 for now - the backing performances are great and there are a few fantastic tracks here, the quality of the tracks is a bit inconsistent but tonally it actually works quite well as an album.
Rated 4/10
Lacks bite - couple of good tracks (funky, soulful etc) but majority of it isn't great, the hallmarks of the genre blend into the background here and sound pretty boring. Needed punchier drums and stabbier synths
Rated 8/10
Awesome record, has tons of flair. Love the guitar work and Marc Bolan's vocals are super distinctive and unique. I do think it starts to get a bit repetitive in the b-side but then the last two tracks might be the best on the whole album! Can see it growing to a 5 in time
Rated 6/10
Enjoyed this one - can see it growing on me
Rated 8/10
Really liked this one - had a bit of a creepy atmospheric sound and moves into gothic territory especially towards the end. Surprised it's the debut as they seem to have control of their sound already.
Rated 8/10
Really enjoyed this one! Never really thought this kind of metal was for me but love the theatrical vocals and riffs. Kicking myself for writing it off for so long and looking forward to hearing more like this
Rated 4/10
Real mixed bag - some interesting tracks but most of it I found either not that enjoyable or unpleasant
Rated 8/10
Really liked this all the way through - can see it growing on me even more. Folky but also with a rock edge, I liked the multiple vocalists and I thought there was a good variety of sounds here.
Rated 8/10
Structure is a bit strange and the album feels a bit out of order, but otherwise this has the Beatles on top form and really every song here is great.
Rated 6/10
I love the rougher stuff on here and it starts and ends strong with the best tracks bookending the record.
Rated 8/10
Really pleasantly surprised by this! Thought it was great, paced really well and a solid bunch of tracks. Has a fair bit of variety and can hear those punk rock roots. Would definitely go buy this if I heard the Mrs Robinson cover on college radio.
Fundamentally very tricky to remove from the context of being the most beloved Beatles album by the public, the best album of all time for many people etc.
The reputation it has as innovative is interesting listening through. There are a few areas where it seems to clash with this:
- this doesn't really feel like a concept album, none of the songs really tie together other than a loose carnival/music hall feel
- there are several songs on here (though good) which feel seriously dated to the early 60s and before (when I'm sixty-four really sounds like straight up music hall) - which seems to clash a bit with this reputation as innovative
- the album has several genuine duds - the last three songs on the a-side all miss for me and though I do enjoy the b-side it seems to run out of steam prior to the big one at the end
Despite all of this - the album does genuinely flow very well and it has tracks which really play to the strengths of each songwriter. It also has Lucy in the Sky and A Day in the Life which are both 11/10 tracks.
Even if it is maybe misleading to go into this expecting a super innovative record or ambitious concept album all the way though, it is genuinely a good 7/10 album.
Rated 8/10
Record with a great sound, smooth but also funky in places. A bit frontloaded but still a solid 4
Rated 4/10
Bee Gees cover is great - rest of it is good easy listening
Rated 4/10
This is unfortunately a bit boring - understand how it would've been influential but much prefer this style with a more energetic singer, this ends up sounding quite dull.
Rated 6/10
Very interesting sound - bit too juvenile in places, or tackles subject matter that is too much for them but a-side is hit after hit and the vocal performance is incredible. Weak 3 but I would be interested to hear more
Rated 8/10
Loved this - drums so groovy and guitars welcome whenever they arrive.
Rated 10/10
Bob Dylan has elevated since the last time I saw him on this challenge (1963's Freewheelin' Bob Dylan) through the use of different instrumentation, this album also feels more conceptual and has some of his most long-lasting songs.
