Reviews by kenny-mike

The movement from pop hits like “Brown Eyed Girl” to a soundscape like this is what the 60s is all about.

This album been called “folk jazz” or folk/blues/classical/jazz. In other words it defies easy categorization.

It’s been called “stream of consciousness” at least in its lyrical presentation, but that seems true of the music as well. It just sounds like musicians finding their groove.

It’s been called a “song cycle” versus a concept album. Either way, you can drop the needle anywhere and have the same experience. It’s going to defy genre and you can love it or hate it. I for one love it.

I think you should give this a listen before you die.

Great sound and consistency as Soul / R&B entered the album era. For me this is more like a 4 but I’m rounding up to show “Respect”!

The two most important things I can tell you:

1. Do not listen to the over 2 1/2 hours contained on the Deluxe Edition. That includes a bonus disc from 2009. (Always) use Wikipedia to find the original track listing. When the album first came out the last song was Las Vegas Basement, so stop there (if you get that far).

2. Despite what even Julian Cope himself has said, his previous major release - My Nation Underground - is a much more enjoyable album and ages just fine. The opening track to that album covers two different 60s songs and then infuses them with 80s Cold War angst - amazing.

Yet the music here is strong… favorite songs “If You Loved Me At All” and “Beautiful Love” (don’t miss that one…maybe even spin that first). Many other masterful moments. But even the original release is long, and the whole feels a little less than the parts.

This is my first Radiohead album so far.

Are they, in fact, the most overrated band?

“Chamberpop,” country, and soul fusion may not sound very interesting to you… nor did it to me.

In a word: QUALITY.

…when I wasn’t expecting it.

I am not the target demographic but that’s what this list is for, at its best. Surprises.

I was struck by the quality of the music, her undeniable talent, and enjoyed the “throwback” concept of the album. Also, I expected pop but got soul, jazz, R&B, and even some gospel.

Most captivating songs: Makes Me Wanna Pray, Slow Down Baby, Oh Mother, Mercy on Me.

Lou Reed fronted The Velvet Underground, which represented "the counterculture to the counterculture." With VU, he gave birth to all things later called "punk," "new wave," or "alternative." In other words, SO MUCH GREAT STUFF.

Transformer is his second album after he left VU, and I think I'd say it's an extension of that band's varied vibe in some ways. Yet for me it's not as consistently engaging. The best tracks for me are "Vicious," "Andy's Chest," and "Hangin' 'Round."

"Walk on the Wild Side." Meh. But, OK.

Still, I'll do all I can to round up to 4 stars, since Lou Reed was doing his inconsistent best to bring the stories of the streets to us... and sometimes it sounds so good.

Forward looking retro! Here's an album that builds on the past yet has its own distinct voice.

Listened twice already.

LOVE IT.

Devil’s music.

Eclectic Indie. Pretty remarkable album by one Mark Oliver Everett DBA the Eels, musically diverse, lyrically interesting. Torn between 4 or 5 rating so let’s round up… this is a good one.

Nope.

I immediately heard the influence of Sly & the Family Stone’s “There’s a Riot Goin’ On.” Then the third track was titled “Sly” so… maybe check out “There’s a Riot” (a 5 star, ground breaking album).

This is an enjoyable, groovy album too.

This is better than my 3 stars may indicate. Its a “3.49 out of 5” but I just can’t being myself to round up. Why? The sugary vocal presentation guarantees I won’t return to it… BUT, arguing against myself, you need to know this is some fine, energetic pop and that sweet voice masks some darker themes and interesting musical influences. The most intriguing don’t-wanna-miss-it moment is their ironic and groovy cover of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.”

This is a subtle album, but if give it your patient attention you can hear the musicians get in the zone.

First couple songs were really the best for me but it had quality throughout.

No.

And please, don’t do that again.

The first thing I did was check my settings: didn’t I rule out country??

Second thing I did was lament the fact that I can’t find those settings.

Third thing I did was play the album on background for about 6 songs.

Fourth thing I did was express surprise at “Wham Bam…”

Fifth and finally, I decided to just give this three stars (down the middle) because this just isn’t my genre and who am I to judge? Especially given the release date, it’s hard for me to know how important and influential this may have been.

Favorite song was the energetic “Darlington County” which (upon investigation) was written six years earlier for “Darkness on the Edge of Town.” It stands out because it has a different feel.

Otherwise… many familiar songs that aren’t bad and are occasionally good, but don’t really take me anywhere.

Welcome to 1977 where punk is already becoming post punk and we get a new wave of artists such as Elvis Costello and Talking Heads.

I used to wonder what the fuss was about. This is what the fuss is about.

Elvis Costello’s sound and style would shift and vary and mature, but this debut album is potent. It’s fun, varied, and energetic.

Enjoy!

Hey it’s not every day you hear a song about a man playing chess with Death.

I appreciate the poet/songwriter genre inhabited by others like Leonard Cohen… but unfortunately this album didn’t take me very far.

The Go-Betweens apparently fell through the cracks in the 80s.

The album opens well. Then songs 3 and 3 disappoint, with “Quiet Heart” distractingly derivative of Joshua Tree era U2. But this album got my attention with “You Can’t Say No Forever” and kept going strong from there. 8 out of 10 great songs overall.

It’s already improving for me on my second listen, so…. Definitely deserves attention, despite the early slump, especially if you like the more indie/alternative side of the 80s.

Some would be interested to know the band reformed in 2000 and released the single “Going Blind” which features all three members of Sleater-Kinney. Great song, sadly not on Spotify… had to track it down on YouTube.