Listed below are the overall rankings for the best albums in history as determined by their aggregate positions in over 58,000 different greatest album charts on BestEverAlbums.com! (Chart last updated: 1 hour ago).
"I almost picked "I'm still in love with you" or "call me" as they are my favorite Al Green albums, but there are so many great songs on this that I had to pick this album and include an Al Green album on my chart. "Love and Happiness" is my favorite Al Green song. Di...""I almost picked "I'm still in love with you" or "call me" as they are my favorite Al Green albums, but there are so many great songs on this that I had to pick this album and include an Al Green album on my chart. "Love and Happiness" is my favorite Al Green song. Did not make the white charts but was huge on the soul charts."[+]Reply
"Stella Donnelly was revealed to the public with her first EP "Thrush Metal". Since then, the musician from Perth has managed to find a place on the Australian indie rock scene. On this new album, she is fighting patriarchy through acidic writing as in "Old Man" but also "Season's Greetings" and t...""Stella Donnelly was revealed to the public with her first EP "Thrush Metal". Since then, the musician from Perth has managed to find a place on the Australian indie rock scene. On this new album, she is fighting patriarchy through acidic writing as in "Old Man" but also "Season's Greetings" and the insolent "Tricks". Alternating catchy songs and melancholic ballads but not devoid of a sociopolitical conscience, the Australian carries out her mission of putting this system of the dominant male knockout. For a first opus, Stella Donnelly impresses from beginning to end. From cuddly and indie rock ballads to brilliant synthpop sounds, the Perth singer manages to open her eyes to the world for her listener. With a tinged handwriting, it is clear that she manages to embody hope in this troubled time.
7/10
Best track: "Boys Will Be Boys""[+]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
"Its not on the level of their first two albums, but CSN is an enjoyable and cohesive effort. Although none of the songs reach the high points the self titled debut and Deja Vu hit. Graham Nash's contributions to this album are among the best songs. Its his works that stand out from the pack."Reply
"Very impressed by this! A lot going on and coming from the album. Pale Black Eye was a favorite. Prefered it when they turned the volume up. Might have to check out more from these if they are able to put out something like this. A frosty fun forbidden fun fest! Heavy on guitar and orchestra!"Reply
"A lot of Yes fans give this album a hard time. I think the main reason is that it was a big change in direction for the band who at the time were striving to respond to new tastes bought about by the punk / new wave movement by adopting a less reverent and more spontaneous approach. Gone was the ...""A lot of Yes fans give this album a hard time. I think the main reason is that it was a big change in direction for the band who at the time were striving to respond to new tastes bought about by the punk / new wave movement by adopting a less reverent and more spontaneous approach. Gone was the cathedral like majesty of their previous album Going for the One, replaced with a more direct lyrical style on songs like Don't Kill the Whale, Arriving UFO and Onward which had not been present since their early years. The tracks were shorter and less polished with little of the instrumental noodling of previous albums.
But if you can get past all of that, there are some great moments here. Future Times / Rejoice is classic Yes with mystical words and a driving rhythm. Madrigal has some beautiful intertwining harpsichord and guitar. Silent Wings of Freedom has Chris Squire at his best and the aforementioned Whale / UFO / Onward are all strong songs.
Sure, the sound is ropey and at times the arrangement is messy - but listen with an open mind and you shall be rewarded!!
Check out my charts for my ranking and reviews of all the Yes albums and the pick of their solo offerings......
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"Possibly Morrissey's finest album since 1994, despite charting at number 2 and gaining a high proportion of favourable reviews, it still seems to have been neglected somewhat. It didn't help that Morrissey fell out with the record company and the album did not receive any further promotion and wa...""Possibly Morrissey's finest album since 1994, despite charting at number 2 and gaining a high proportion of favourable reviews, it still seems to have been neglected somewhat. It didn't help that Morrissey fell out with the record company and the album did not receive any further promotion and was indeed pretty much disowned by them.
A great collection of songs, although one of the extra tracks on the deluxe edition like Art Hounds or Drag The River should maybe have edged out Earth Is The Loneliest Planet from the original track listing."[+]Reply