Listed below are the overall rankings for the best albums in history as determined by their aggregate positions in over 59,000 different greatest album charts on BestEverAlbums.com! (Chart last updated: 4 hours ago).
"An overlooked great album by Bolan better than *The Slider" and lies 2nd to Electric Warrior for consistency . None of the tracks were released as singles an unusual event back then. Overall the album holds together as a complete unit with Bolan introducing a more soulful sound."Reply
"I think this is The Pretty Things best album, alongside "SF Sorrow". This is a concept album of sorts, it's the anti-Sgt. Pepper. It has a dark pessimistic mood that incapsulates the late sixties decadence of inner cities."Reply
"(Really cool mix of Soul, R&B, Gospel, Blues, Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, Jazz etc etc. And maybe most remarkable is how Batiste and Co. are able to make these varied sounds and textures meld into a coherent album. Not just a coherent album, but a joyous, celebratory, powerful, bright, inspiring album. On...""(Really cool mix of Soul, R&B, Gospel, Blues, Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, Jazz etc etc. And maybe most remarkable is how Batiste and Co. are able to make these varied sounds and textures meld into a coherent album. Not just a coherent album, but a joyous, celebratory, powerful, bright, inspiring album. One of my favorite listens recently and highly recommended.)
Right from the jump, with the absolute stunner that is the opening track "WE ARE", this album treats us to such euphoric, spiritual joy, its hard for me to imagine anyone who enjoys soul/gospel/R&B/Blues or the rich history of Black American music NOT at least liking this. That opening track sets the mood so high and does so so forcefully it's truly impressive.
From there the album takes on a historical tour of some of the greatest musicians and movements of the last hundred years. One song sounds like some Sly and the Family Stone jam, then the next sounds like the modern Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye, then you'll be hearing some D'Angelo or Duke Ellington vibes, then some soulful blues of Albert King, and on it goes. The Neo-Soul and Conscious Hip Hop thrown in and done quite well and ably as well just adds yet another layer to this buffett of truly great and enriching music.
If the album has a major flaw, or flaws, its that the whiplash created by switching up with such dexterity between so many different genres and tempos can be I bit discombobulating. The other flaw is the well-worn go to critique of "iT's sO dErIvAtive!". And, jokes aside, I can hear where this make-believe person is talking about. Most of these sounds and styles are so FULLY embraced and integrated by Batiste that it really does feel like he is pouring himself and what makes him unique into the influences. On occasion I also feel like the sounds are a bit derivative. These moments are rare and even when that feeling of unoriginality comes in, the songs and the performances are so strong I find this critique fade away behind my bobbing head and stupid grin.
This is a refreshingly alive, vital, joyous and optimistic sounding album. It has a brightness and a hope that is infectious. The way the album starts is stunningly great. Track 1 "WE ARE", track 2 "TELL THE TRUTH", track 3 "CRY" (another song of the year candidate), track 4 "I NEED YOU", and track 6 "BOY HOOD" are each flawless. Its rare an album comes out the gates THIS. FREAKING. HAAARD.
Of course with such a beginning its likely to fall off a little in the second half lest it be one of the 20 best songs ever made. And fall off a bit it does. Still some of the songs on side 2 are quite stunning. The D'Angelo-ish jam "ADULTHOOD", and the anthemic Sly-esque "FREEDOM" being a couple examples of latter half gems.
Of course it would be silly to end a comment on this album without remarking on Jon Batiste as a vocalist and a musician. He is a great, personable, almost effervescent force as a vocalist. He radiates some kind of warmth and relatability that I love to hear and is what has been the main driving force behind me listening to this album for hours today. And as a musician, well, he got this band together, arranged these songs, assembled this album and made this music - I think he is a world-class musician and artist. Glad I found this and heard it. It really has brightened up my day."[+]Reply
"The presidential election of Barak Obama was meant to have heralded in a new era for America, and Bruce Springsteen was ready to celebrate with his new album. Working on a dream, came in lightning quick time, just 15 months after springsteen's last record, magic. Working, is lyrically everything ...""The presidential election of Barak Obama was meant to have heralded in a new era for America, and Bruce Springsteen was ready to celebrate with his new album. Working on a dream, came in lightning quick time, just 15 months after springsteen's last record, magic. Working, is lyrically everything that, magic, wasn't, it was without doubt the lightest album he had ever made. Outlaw Pete, opens the record, it's good fun, it almost sounds like Bruce is parodying himself. Elsewhere on the album, the sounds of the beach boys and The Byrds spring up. My lucky day, is a typical Bruce anthem, the title track is enjoyable, and Bruce even has a crush on a checkout girl on, queen of the supermarket. Standouts include, the celebratory, this life, the bluesy drone of, good eye, and the acoustic shuffle, tomorrow never knows. Sure, they're lightweight, but not as light as, surprise, surprise, which is just that, the most throwaway track Bruce had ever done, still, it's good fun. Kingdom of days, is a beautiful celebration of his and Patti's relationship. The last carnival, is a moving tribute to the late Danny Federici, who sadly lost his battle with cancer before the album was made. Federici's son, Jason, plays accordion on the track which is a kind of sequel to, wild Billy's circus story, from, the wild and innocent album. Working, closes with, the wrestler, written for the film of the same name, which Bruce deservedly won a golden globe award for. It's the end to a light but thoroughly enjoyable Springsteen album, underrated and overlooked. "[+]Reply
"One of the great exits, and one of the great album sides. Side One goes on way too long, but Side Two is perfect. Great live version of the blues standard, "Sitting On Top of the World," followed by the Clapton/Harrison gem, "Badge," followed by two psychedelic masterpieces, "Doing That Scrapyard...""One of the great exits, and one of the great album sides. Side One goes on way too long, but Side Two is perfect. Great live version of the blues standard, "Sitting On Top of the World," followed by the Clapton/Harrison gem, "Badge," followed by two psychedelic masterpieces, "Doing That Scrapyard Thing" and "What a Bringdown." Not a bringdown at all, when a great band saves their best for last."[+]Reply
"I love the Funky / Soul sound from this album with catchy dance tunes. The instrumentation is authentic and at the time of its release I was just starting to visit night clubs. I can play it today and have no problem reciting the lyrics."Reply
"Bit of a mixed bag, but the hype was certainly worth it. Most tracks are great, a couple of them are downright brilliant (212, Chasing Time, Miss Camaraderie). Azealia manages to push boundaries of hip-hop and dance-pop with her own unique flow & sharp beats. The coolest, freshest album of the year."Reply