RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
The folkiness came from the acoustic guitars and the harmonica, but I suppose he’s not singing about typical folk concerns.
But yes, I loved the “sonic palette”, for want of a better phrase.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
The Album Review Club - Week #147 - (page 1942) - Blonde On Blonde - Bob Dylan
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
But yes, I loved the “sonic palette”, for want of a better phrase.
BimboBob
Well-Known Member
First things first...I don't mind the voice!
It has a fragility to it, a voice that sounds exactly like I expected it to given Gavin's monsters and demons.
And onto the music...the title track bleeds into the second one, and for one minute I thought the whole album was going to be just him and a guitar, which would have been a bit dull but then the harmonica kicks in on Hurricane injecting a much needed boost. I like Hurricane. It's a good song. Especially the blues guitar. My kind of thing.
And then we hit a problem.
The whole middle of this album is really quite dull. Chasing the Dream, Spinning around the Sun, Good Day to Die and Lips are all very similar to the title track, pleasant enough but nothing really jumping out like Hurricane. A pity.
And then along comes Loud Crowd to inject a bit of much needed pace to the album. Love the guitar work on this. It ends too soon though.
Then we are back to more standard guitar/ moaning singer with very little diversity for a few songs before Animal woke me up. I like the balance between quiet and loud. And then finally back to guitar and moaning.
Hmmm...
Hurricane, Loud Crowd and Animal are good songs. His voice sounds great when the music properly kicks in. I love the bluesy elements, the harmonica and the change of pace. Unfortunately the rest of this album bleeds into one, nothing else stands out which is a great shame.
If this album had the balance the other way around then I think it would score a 7 or 8. Which is high for me! As it is, with a heavy leaning to the slowed down pace only 3 songs grabbed me. Such a shame.
It gets a 6.
Side note. For the first time in ages I've added a song to a playlist. Hurricane. Really liked that song.
It has a fragility to it, a voice that sounds exactly like I expected it to given Gavin's monsters and demons.
And onto the music...the title track bleeds into the second one, and for one minute I thought the whole album was going to be just him and a guitar, which would have been a bit dull but then the harmonica kicks in on Hurricane injecting a much needed boost. I like Hurricane. It's a good song. Especially the blues guitar. My kind of thing.
And then we hit a problem.
The whole middle of this album is really quite dull. Chasing the Dream, Spinning around the Sun, Good Day to Die and Lips are all very similar to the title track, pleasant enough but nothing really jumping out like Hurricane. A pity.
And then along comes Loud Crowd to inject a bit of much needed pace to the album. Love the guitar work on this. It ends too soon though.
Then we are back to more standard guitar/ moaning singer with very little diversity for a few songs before Animal woke me up. I like the balance between quiet and loud. And then finally back to guitar and moaning.
Hmmm...
Hurricane, Loud Crowd and Animal are good songs. His voice sounds great when the music properly kicks in. I love the bluesy elements, the harmonica and the change of pace. Unfortunately the rest of this album bleeds into one, nothing else stands out which is a great shame.
If this album had the balance the other way around then I think it would score a 7 or 8. Which is high for me! As it is, with a heavy leaning to the slowed down pace only 3 songs grabbed me. Such a shame.
It gets a 6.
Side note. For the first time in ages I've added a song to a playlist. Hurricane. Really liked that song.
journolud
Well-Known Member
I enjoyed this without it feeling particularly memorable. That not might make much sense but that's how it is. First couple of listens I was feeling a bit sorry for myself having got Covid and missed out on several much anticipated outings. It suited the mood.
As Covid passed and my mood lifted this could have sounded a bit too one paced and morose but that wasn't the case. Although it was fairly of a mood there was just enough in the livelier numbers to keep it interesting and not so much that it spoiled the mood.
I like his voice, I mentioned previously there were hints of the vulnerability of Bill Fay, not a bad thing. Also the comparison to Stephen Fretwell is a good one. I listened to his album a lot earlier in the year, nice to be reminded to go back to it. The production is good.
Many years ago this album might have meant more to me but as we get older and hopefully more comfortable with ourselves the soul searching of others can be a bit, well I don't know. Something about this, and I must admit I've not paid too much heed to the lyrics (I don't like the use of the word idiot though, even in a self deprecating way), left me kindly disposed to the singer rather than bored by his troubles in the way that some "confessional" albums can.
I think I'm likely to listen to it again, certain moods, certain evenings. A good pick, not hitting the absolute heights but a comfortable 7.
Just a note, I can't find the comment but I think @Mancitydoogle mentioned a cover version of the Smiths "Please, please let me get what I want". I deliberately haven't listened to it, I might be missing out but it feels like sacrilege to suggest anyone can improve on the original. I won't dock you points for it though!
As Covid passed and my mood lifted this could have sounded a bit too one paced and morose but that wasn't the case. Although it was fairly of a mood there was just enough in the livelier numbers to keep it interesting and not so much that it spoiled the mood.
I like his voice, I mentioned previously there were hints of the vulnerability of Bill Fay, not a bad thing. Also the comparison to Stephen Fretwell is a good one. I listened to his album a lot earlier in the year, nice to be reminded to go back to it. The production is good.
Many years ago this album might have meant more to me but as we get older and hopefully more comfortable with ourselves the soul searching of others can be a bit, well I don't know. Something about this, and I must admit I've not paid too much heed to the lyrics (I don't like the use of the word idiot though, even in a self deprecating way), left me kindly disposed to the singer rather than bored by his troubles in the way that some "confessional" albums can.
I think I'm likely to listen to it again, certain moods, certain evenings. A good pick, not hitting the absolute heights but a comfortable 7.
Just a note, I can't find the comment but I think @Mancitydoogle mentioned a cover version of the Smiths "Please, please let me get what I want". I deliberately haven't listened to it, I might be missing out but it feels like sacrilege to suggest anyone can improve on the original. I won't dock you points for it though!
Couldn't really listen to the whole album in one go, had to split it up every time. As much as I love a mood album, it gets a bit repetative after a while and loses the effect. That isn't that unusual with these types of albums, nor with me either, I feel that way about quite a few artists and albums I really like.
The songs themselves though, in smaller batches, plenty there to like. They are slow but unfold really well, and there is a development to them. Could be the limited 3 goes at it, but the lyrics didn't really stick with me in any way, which I think is a big part for a melancholy album.
What has been interesting is how many different other artists people have found similarities with, in both voice and tone. Maybe suggests it might be a bit generic, maybe that there is so much of this type of album out there, and I'd say it holds its own against that.
Overall, not blown away by any stretch,
but I liked it, will revisit, so a good 7 from me.
The songs themselves though, in smaller batches, plenty there to like. They are slow but unfold really well, and there is a development to them. Could be the limited 3 goes at it, but the lyrics didn't really stick with me in any way, which I think is a big part for a melancholy album.
What has been interesting is how many different other artists people have found similarities with, in both voice and tone. Maybe suggests it might be a bit generic, maybe that there is so much of this type of album out there, and I'd say it holds its own against that.
Overall, not blown away by any stretch,
but I liked it, will revisit, so a good 7 from me.
BlueHammer85
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 13 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 36,836
Surprised this has got generally positive reviews
It's right up my street, 90's slow/melancholy Music but for some reason it just didn't click with me
many songs just drifted by
I like 'Hurricane' a lot, definitely the standout
Monkey Dead' is cool and 'Good Day To Die'
Hard Sun' is nice, love the strings- although hope they didn't pay Sinead O'connor for her efforts as was hoping when I heard she was in this track to actually hear her
I enjoyed it and could listen over and over
but find it hard to give it more than a 6 - so I'll stick with that
It's right up my street, 90's slow/melancholy Music but for some reason it just didn't click with me
many songs just drifted by
I like 'Hurricane' a lot, definitely the standout
Monkey Dead' is cool and 'Good Day To Die'
Hard Sun' is nice, love the strings- although hope they didn't pay Sinead O'connor for her efforts as was hoping when I heard she was in this track to actually hear her
I enjoyed it and could listen over and over
but find it hard to give it more than a 6 - so I'll stick with that
Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 27 Jan 2014
- Messages
- 21,721
I liked it. Liked his voice and the instrumentation in particular the accordion and mouth organ work. Some of the songs stronger than the others and I found it kind of running in to itself at times. Still. Would listen to it again and give it a strong 6
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Just the ten listeners this week, giving Sunhouse's Crazy on the Weekend an average of 6.1.
Thanks to @Mancitydoogle for the nomination - Sunhouse are a band that most (all?) of us hadn't heard before, and I think most enjoyed the listen.
We're getting near to the end of round #3 now, so it's over to @GoatersLeftShin for some clues to his choice for this week.
Thanks to @Mancitydoogle for the nomination - Sunhouse are a band that most (all?) of us hadn't heard before, and I think most enjoyed the listen.
We're getting near to the end of round #3 now, so it's over to @GoatersLeftShin for some clues to his choice for this week.
BlueHammer85
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 13 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 36,836
No rush …
BimboBob
Well-Known Member
He's not posted since Monday so it might be a while...No rush …
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Let’s give him a few hours.
@Coatigan - are you in a position to step in tomorrow morning if @GoatersLeftShin isnt here?
@Coatigan - are you in a position to step in tomorrow morning if @GoatersLeftShin isnt here?