Reviews by vict14

You'd probably expect a one track album, the title track being such a smash hit. I realized listening to it that I knew a lot more of their songs than I thought, and the one I didn't are just as smooth and velvety. Truly, a blast full of sweetness, and very much hip danceable. You can play it front to back at every wedding, it's full of love and killer bass and full of hooks. I guess despite the fun I have two main critics, one that is quite surface level (it's a bit too kumbaya) and the other being that it sounds a bit too coherent for me. It's so well put together, and without any inclination towards experimentation sonically so it sounds a bit samy. I can't fault it too much, it wasn't the aim and they smashed what they set out to do : a very dancy fun album. However, my favorite records do either in a spectacular manner so it's not getting a five, but it is for sure a fun time and easy listening. Honestly, a good surprise, it really stands on its own.

Well Bowie is in a class of his own, and is probably the greatest solo act that ever was. That being said, I fully expect to see many of his albums on this list, and to spoil a little, many of his are well above Aladdin Sane in my own personal ranking. Ziggy, Hunky Dory, Heroes, and my favorite Low, and even Let's dance (sue me) are to me either better album, or have bigger hits. This one might be the apex of visual Bowie, and it's still interesting music, complicated. 10 songs is real good length, but some feel not as consequential as the others.
The best part of the album is clearly the end, and the middle as a lot of filler (by Bowie standards) on it. Sonically it is interesting, straddling between a little experimentation, big pop-rock energy, and a diversity of sound that is exciting. However I don't know that this a great album, there are too many song that sound like something he has made already, or event repeated himself. As an album, it's not perfect or even coherent thematically, but there are great songs. There is none better on there than Lady Grinning Soul, which is a very unusual range of sounds, quite emotional and different, and I liked that one a lot. It would be 3,5.

This is exactly what you hope to find in such a list. Never heard of them, and it's really good, always interesting and (mostly) still feels kind of fresh. Some songs are better than others, for example Are we here ? starts interesting but drops mid way through, I wish I had duck feet is just bad, but there is a couple of bangers, (give me a club pogo on quality second anyday) and some nice ambient-y music. It's varied, trippy and the scope is perfect, there is little to really dislike here.

Not that interesting of a listen, quite dated and very not revolutionary. It's not terrible, there are stand outs, but in the larger sense it's not a project I'm glad I gave a chance too. I could have been perfectly fine having never heard of them or any of their songs. Some songs are incredibly mid and could have been by any other band from that time. Nothing on there is offensive or absolutely terrible, but once you hear the first violin progression + synth you do not need to hear any more, the whole thing doesn't go anywhere and sounds too much alike. On the positive, A design for life is a fine song, it's good and I get why it's the most popular, although not that exciting. The only shining moment on the album comes for me right at the end with No Surface All Feeling. That one sounds ahead of its time, very much late 00's rock, and is a beautiful song about friendship and grief. That one I'll keep.

My main point is that I don't know that the live element adds that much to the songs, except that they are very talented musicians (to which I say : duh), and that it sparked FOMO in me of not being there. But the record is strong, and the collection of songs are exceptional for the most part. I just think it doesn't feel like an album but rather a best of and it is waaaay too long, and sometimes a bit unnecessarily so. 20 minutes for most track on any project is too much, especially if the song stays within the same lane. The drum solo on Mule for example drags a little and is not as epic as I would like.
However, at some other moments it really does a fantastic job at enriching a cool song. Strange kind of woman feels so much juicier and fun than the normal version, which is not as remarkable otherwise.
Overall I'm happy to have listened to it, but yeah not ground breaking either. The second disc (I do not know if it should count or not) is way less fun, and the 3 black nights feels totally overkill. Only Lucille feels a bit fun, but I'm not impacting the score that much.

A wonderful album, full of strength and epic. If you make a 8 track album they better all be solid and worthy of a listen, and that is more than archived here, there's nothing that feels out of place, like it shouldn't be there. Sonically it's quite rich, a lot of killer base line (school) and cool sax (Rudy) sweeping violin (If everyone was listening) and gorgeous piano that builds (Asylum).
The most impressive part is that this album is a debut, and the fact that they continued to make music, (that I'm hoping is as good, but at least more popular) is truly a feat. Who drops a masterpiece on their first try and keeps going ?
I knew some songs of Supertramp, everybody does, but never listened to a full album and I'm glad I gave it a shot. It's really really good, and will stay on my rotation.

Aside from the two well known songs, as an album, I don't think its very interesting. It sounds very of its time, and kinf of the same in all songs. It has nostalgia attached to it, its not the worst either, but not great great

This feels like the twilight soundtrack.

This album could be the soundtrack for a Buffy episode that is set in Bronze, which I’m not mad about. It’s quite a mix bag, and certainly an interesting listen. Some songs are super bland and forgettable, and feel half finish (Annie, All nighter, Blue) but some are really awesome and I really enjoyed, like Car Song, Smile, Waking up, 2:1. I think there is a all-time great record in there, but its not quite, cause it’s tight enough and I liked 9 out of 16 song.

In terms of pace, the middle in particular drags a little, but only one song is really messing me up. Biggest grip is that See that animal is really weak and uninspired, it should not be there IMO especially within the end of the record, which is otherwise very very strong. That leads to my main point, which is that it feels unpolished to really be to my liking, but I guess it’s the “punk” edge to be messy. I don’t really mind it in the end, it is mostly a fun listen, not tedious in the least since the meh songs are so short (and inconsequential for the most part). The fun part really stand out and it is overall solid.

Interesting listen, and I am back and forth on whether I like it or not. Some tracks are not my personal taste, some are just so drab it’s offensive, but the garage rock (“grungy”) is where some of my music roots are, so I listened with an open mind. My biggest grip with it is that it’s not that original, the writing especially is a bit weak overall, and it’s not like it’s all that revolutionary in terms of sound, so you kind of are left wondering why is it an important listen ? Some pluses are that it does not sound as dated as some classic grunge album can, (except on a few track, like the closer Check Out Time which can go.) I think it’s also a lot more fun than what I was expected which is very refreshing in an album of that genre which too often the heaviest shit you can find. Sometimes it’s a bit odd, and those are the moment where it really shines, because it sets the record apart from others in a similar lane. I especially like the two songs with harmonica on it, (Move out, Pokin around) because they introduce a new sound and are a welcomed changed for the heavy guitar riffs, which are masterful, but can sometimes blend together in this kind of album. Ultimately, I think it’s very well made, and it rolls on engagingly. It’s nothing revolutionary, and I wish it pushed itself further on experimenting with other sounds, but it’s solid. If it was cut in half I would love it more, but I’m glad I discovered it.

Yeah that's a no from me dog. This album delves into such dark topics that it is a really tough listen. I don't mind a bit of hard rock or metal, had a grunge phase, but the subject matter on certain songs makes it really difficult to keep investing in it. It's not all bad, some of it is even quite sticky, but I think it's way too small in scope and coherent for my own taste. At first the tracks at the top seem cool, and I liked them, but the longer it goes one the deeper my disinterest sparked. Mostly, the darkness feels unredeemable, and the glorification of heroin is a bit much. You can be not a fraud or a "poser" without talking over and over about the sell outs. In terms of music, it's really isn't very interesting either, sounds a lot like other bands, and honestly I'll probably never listen to any of it ever again.
In a way, I feel like the album is trying to be divise and us v them and controversial and whatnot, so in that it is successful somewhat ? I get that it's the first of it's kind (kinda), so the rating will be increased by one star for the legacy and what it ushered but yeah, no.

Pretty interesting at first, but the more the album goes on the more the sound gets repetitive. It's fun, its's groovy, I understand why it is here, but not sure this will be a main stay and included in the rotation

Was quite impressed by how it defied my expectations. Fully expected a one track album, and its not even the most interesting. Also expected a full heavy synth 80's sound and its a bit more diverse than that, some rock and jazz élément which makes it fine

Some is real good. Some is very forgetable. I understand a legacy pick; but there is a lot.lf dad rock on there. Dont know we needed the who

It was good, some I really liked but a bit samy at the end of the day. Not wheel reinventing by any means, but good

A lot of different sounds, probably a great jazz album, and some very cool tracks, but not ly thing in general. Glad I listened to it in general.

Not very interesting, the sound blends together. The end is a bit more expetimental, so more interesting, but barely. Melodies are not that strong too..

This is incredible. If the title track wasn't on there it'd be an oops all bangers album. The first three really are something special, probably one of the best three track run ever in my opinion.
The theme to me is relationships, the way others can make you feel, wether romantically mr friendship wise and thebwriting is killer, very personnal. That with melodies that are incredible (how versatile can a piano be ??) makes tapestry absolutely great

Very solid, 8 tracks that slips, lots of cool sax and a very successfull album. I guess meeting accross the river is the weakest, but barely

Very ibtersting album, sonically may be too coherent, but thematically a vagabond's perspective on life in the 60s wich is fascinating. The well known track stood the test of time for a reason, but love me a Liz Taylor shout out