Zarathustra

The feeling that they have run out of steam is indeed present. For heaven's sake, everything is well-crafted, but there are few genuine thrills to be found.

For me, this work is one of the high points of popular music and beyond. Like all great masterpieces, to be appreciated, they must first be understood. To understand the work, it is necessary to know and understand the artist. Specifically, without offense, I think you are not in a position to judge a work by Lou Reed, and do you know how I figured that out? By the fact that you consider Reed's voice flawed, when in reality, it is precisely in the contrast between the cynicism of his vocal interpretation and the emotional power of the music and lyrics that the true greatness of the work lies. You must have certainly noticed that it is a musical narrative created by a drug addict. No one better than Lou Reed has been able to express the state of total absence and indifference (masterfully expressed in "Men Of Good Fortune") of the addict towards life and death.

A controversial album but with some gems not to be missed. Achilles is a fantastic piece, epic, monstrously rock and evocative. An album made in less than a month, excuse the pun. Of course, we're not at the level of the band’s masterpieces (the first 4) nor of the works following that first ace in the hole (Houses of the Holy, Physical Graffiti) but it’s still an excellent hard rock album with a lot of craftsmanship, sure, but also with some touches of class.

I completely agree, it's no coincidence that once freed from the commercial and artistic pressures of EMI, he produced an album of good quality, with more than one significant moment. The opening track is overwhelming as few times has Harrison been, Beautiful Girl is a beautiful Pop song that recalls the Symphonic Pop of the compositional peaks of "Living in the Material World." This Song is cheerful and carefree, very well played and produced, featuring a sunny and irresistible sax solo. We are not on the level of the triple album, nor of LITMW and the self-titled album of '78 (that one is truly recommended and shamefully underrated) but it deserves a listen and some decent consideration. Not bad.

To stay in the realm of the Beatles, when inspired, George Harrison proved to be on a higher level than McCartney and definitely comparable to the best of solo Lennon, if not in some cases superior (see All Things Must Pass). This album has a troubled genesis, involving physical and existential problems, a certain stress from the music business, and a marked decline in interest towards it. George Harrison was never a hit machine (see Paul) and under pressure he never "delivered." He is an artist in the purest sense of the term. It is no coincidence that his best solo albums came when he was able to rediscover his creative vein away from the spotlight (consider the self-titled album, with unique class and refinement).
As for the album in question, little to nothing stands out, perhaps only the title track. I agree with the reviewer’s judgment, but there are many and significant "mitigating factors" regarding this outcome.

Controversial record, but in any case a work of undeniable magnificence. The review is rather "naif," at times it ends up trivializing the depth of the album's themes. It must be said that the lack of collaboration in the work is noticeable (Waters' dominance here becomes total), especially in the keyboard parts. It is not a coincidence, however, that the best pieces are written by four hands with Gilmour.

Absolutely on par review, Ray Davies is an absolute genius of pop-rock music, although there's not much pop here. Truly brilliant compositions from every point of view.

I understand, but an album, and especially a BAND like this, deserves greater and more detailed attention, particularly regarding the tracks, their origins, etc. We are talking about a simply legendary band that has changed the history of pop music much more, in my humble opinion, than more celebrated groups like the Stones. Greater attention to details and specifics would have been a good and right thing.

What memories, my first review...

Well, sure, it's just a new way to mess around. However, the report intrigued me...