Log:
2024-06-03 (First, Vinyl) *
* Being the first Nazareth album I was able find on vinyl (apparently scarce in my area... wtf?), it was, ironically, just good. Nothing bad, nothing great; pretty standard for its era with a few understandably popular tracks. Feels worth keeping nonetheless, but isn't one I'd push with friends all that much. Hard to imagine it growing on me in the same way as Expect No Mercy or No Mean City.
Log:
2024-06-02 (First) *
2024-06-03 **
* The 0.5 score out of 5 that Rolling Stone gave this is so fucking dumb; just such a dipshit rating. Sure, it's low on steam at points and—I beg of the music tech bro gods—could do with a bigger, brasher mix (as it presently sounds unduly soft and tinny in a way that seems imposed). Even still, it's hardly a bust. Actually, if you were a Nazareth cover band, a bunch of these would kill to play—just listen to "Kentucky Fried ... read more
Log:
2024-06-02 (First) *
* Like the cover more than I like the compilation. This could have been a great showcase for the band if more attention had been given to sequencing and, in some cases, if other songs had been chosen instead. It'd be nice if the compilers taste had been as good as the art director's, basically. A rare case where I'm all-in for a revised re-release.
Log:
2024-06-02 (First, x2, +10) *
2024-06-07
2024-06-18
* The second go was great, jumping the works up 10 to 90. What a big mistake it's been to have ignored Nazareth for so long. While there are moments of tropey, routine rock-and-roll that still give me some pause, it's hard to deny the unbroken energy of the whole record. Aside from the bona-fide classic cover of Joni Mitchell's "This Flight Tonight," the band's take on Dylan's "The Ballad of Hollis ... read more
Log:
2024-06-02 (First) *
* This is the first time I've listened to an Elton John record and found no songs that I'd like to return to. Admittedly, there are probably about 10 albums I haven't engaged with yet, any of which may prove to be worse... but this is the worst so far for me. It's *listenable* and will certainly have its fans from when it was released, but I can't understate the beigeness of it, the easily digestible lameness of it. The would-be hit songs here are only half as good as ... read more
Log:
2024-06-02 *
* Here's one for completists, really. While the basic concept of the album is one I like (A Side is live in England; B Side is live in the USA), the material doesn't really demand more than a retrospective look. This is just what the Elton John live band sounded like in '76—which isn't terrible, but it's pretty unimportant when you could listen to the studio track for any of these songs and have a better time. There is some notable, rocked-up invention on "Love ... read more
Log:
2024-06-02 (First) *
* What a strange experience to be filling an unusual, long-standing gap I've had in my experience of Elton John's discography today. I grew up on pretty well all of the other 70s albums, end to end, but I'd never heard this set because I never had it. God, does it take me back in the feel and style of it—but it's all NEW to me (save the hits). Imagine having 20 years of history with everything else and trying these songs only now. It's dizzying; it's awesome. ... read more
Log:
2024-06-02 *
* Some young life favs on here—"Shine on Through," "Georgia," "Song for Guy." Overall, it does make an effort and plays well enough. Some of it is kinda cringey; some of it overlong and dull. Still, I'll probably listen to it again in another blue moon; but I don't need to own a hard copy. Tightening up the record collection; this one goes.
Log:
2024-05-28 (First) *
* Much like the Ace of Spades album, you can pretty much take your pick of what's here and have your own favourite Mötorhead song that's just like all the others. Slight change of notes, slight change of subject, sure; but each with the same essence and the same approach. The thought crossed my mind that it would really be quite maddening to sit through a few hours of nonstop Mötorhead, just pounding at you in the same way over and over. Respect the vibe, ... read more
Log:
2024-05-28 (x2) *
* Went through this twice; and, yes, the second go was better, but it didn't push my score to 80 like I'd hoped. That this and Happier Than Ever rank above Eilish's first two records is amazing to me; really, the average scores should be flipped, if there's some justice to be had. Nothing really awes me like those albums consistently did anymore. Sure, I *like* the new material (mostly), but it feels like attention and the stresses of accepting a particularly enormous ... read more
Log:
2024-05-28 (First)
2024-05-31 (+10, +Like) *
* Wow, I was tripping the first time through. 80 score is up to 90. Yes, there is prog cringe within, but such is to be expected, really; here it adds levity and variance to the whole of the record. Like a melding of King Crimson, ELP and The Beach Boys, it's an impressive journey through different tones with a thankfully steady number of rollicking jams throughout. The underlying musical interplay during the extended drum section of ... read more
Log:
2024-05-25 *
* There's a passable, 3.5/5 album in here somewhere (with a lot of these extra tracks iced, of course). Even still, the simply disgraceful blandness (and at times even shocking stupidity) of the production is hard to think of salvaging in this present state. Jail for Jack Antonoff. Can this be the final nail in the coffin of his painfully fruitless yet shamefully high-profile producing career?
Log:
2024-05-23 (Live, Vancouver) *
* I'd happily never listen to "Ice Cream" ever again. Incredible album otherwise, as always.
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