Reviews by loudwillow

Cool jazz piano. Very slick musicianship. The version I heard had a bunch of live takes that were studio quality. This guy is the real deal. I didn’t get much jazz as a kid but I gave this record a second spin.

Melodic dance music in Hindu with vocal harmony. Great energy. Not something I’ve heard before. Quite an adventure. Well done.

Simplistic rock style not worthy of a best of the best list. Found myself skipping half played tracks.

Smooth jazz horns and piano. A little before my time but thoroughly enjoyable.

Written before I even listened because when this album first came out it shook the world and changed rock music forever. I know the melodies of every song on it from memory. I was in HS then. We first heard the singles on cheap car radios and I remember the first time I heard the album through headphones. It was like nothing I’d ever heard before. Not only did the album have us mesmerized but the technology used to create it (which today can be done digitally) soon provided the means for future musicians to do the same by giving them an easier way to control distortion independently from volume. Many albums on this list are misplaced IMO but not this one. It was a true ground-breaker. I’m giving it a 5 because there is no choice for anything higher.

Nothing outstanding about this. Became background music and I stopped paying attention. Vocals were a bit off IMO. Not a fan.

59 tracks and all great songs. I’ve never heard anything like it. A little before my time but still a great album.

I’ve heard Kid Rock singles (edited) but this is his first full album I’ve heard. Although I never liked that rappers steal (oh no wait they in ter po late) the melodies of famous songs I think the music in this album grabs you. Which is what I like in a rock album. By side two it was pretty repetitive though. Seems like he ran out of steam after the first half. His lyrics are set around a very limited group of ideas. I’m no expert on the rap rock genre so no idea if it was a breakthrough but it was new to me. Overall enjoyable.

Might make good background music for a low key party where guests don’t want their conversation interrupted. The monotonous rhythm tracks, plain vanilla vocals and heavily processed guitar and keyboards will help it fade into the backdrop.
I counted 18 musicians and 16 studio members in the Wikipedia article - for an “indie” album. Really?? With that staff I would have hoped you’d find something creative to showcase. But maybe I expect too much.
Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t dislike it. But on a bucket list of must-listen albums this is a head scratcher.

Not on any music feed but a reviewer kindly posted a link to a YouTube version. This was a great mix of music and poetry and brought me back to those dark days of Watergate. Others have said this is not his best work so I will explore further.

Nothing remarkable about it. I don’t know why it is on this list.

Ray was a bit before my time, but I am lucky to have several kids who play orchestra. One is a trumpet player and one is piano. So I have come to appreciate jazz and R&B. My first impression looking at the cover was that I had missed something historically where Ray Charles invented country music. But digging in I can compare it to Postmodern Jukebox where popular hits are performed in a distinctive period style. If done well and with exceptional performers this concept works. Ray and his orchestra certainly fill the bill. After many decades that is where this album lands. As a period piece. A novelty. No matter how much raw energy and swing a genius like Ray Charles can muster to mix oil and water it will ultimately separate. Unlike Elvis who created something transformative that has stood the test of time this attempt to cast country in a an R&B mold produced a beautiful but ultimately dated result. An artifact. A curiosity. I enjoyed it though.

Hi energy dance rhythm and lyrical rebellion mixed with lots of dirty screaming guitar. No wonder The Clash made it so big. They may not have invented punk but they taught the world how good it can be.

Post-Grunge era hard rock done garage band style. It’s either for you or it’s not. For me it’s a good listen for contrast to their later stuff which is better IMO. I would not call it Beatle-esque as one reviewer described it.

Not for me

The guy just cannot sing. He is monotone and sounds like he’s in a hallway. The rhythm is good but invariant. If I remove the vocals it might be a good backing track. There are a few creative moments but the whole thing is very simplistic and quite limited. They sound like a bad Talking Heads imitation. Reading the article it seems the band blamed the producer for a bad job. Sounds like he did what he could but there’s only so much lipstick you can put on a pig.

A deep dive into the blues. Classics mixed with musings. The anniversary editions much longer than the original. Cherry pick your favorites and you have plenty to enjoy.

Danceable and high-energy 90's alt-rock mixed with melodic acoustic tunes. Tight and well-produced. Bonus - nostalgic Simon & Garfunkel cover. Listening to the 30th anniversary release with a dozen acoustic demos - all first class. Enjoyable album. Added to favorites.

Above average heavy metal, with some creative high-points. Keeps between the lines and doesn't drift into other lanes. Well-produced. Great to play while drag racing.