Customer Reviews

#1 Record [Vinyl]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I personally prefer Radio City, #1 Record contains many extraordinary vocal melodies as well. It's just that the level of greatness, in my opinion at least, is a *tad* less impactful compared to the majority of tunes from Radio City.

Radio City is flawless from beginning to end. Not quite so with #1 Record. I think this has to do with the noticeably less energetic and more folk rock style of #1 Record. This band was definitely destined to specialize in the power pop genre.

What's most amazing to me about #1 Record is, of course, the sparkling clean and beautiful sound the way the album was recorded, along with the bands distinctive and WAY ahead of its time refreshing style (along with the marvelous production techniques). These two things combine to create a classic album. Big Star doesn't really sound like anyone else when you listen to them carefully, however comparisons to the Beatles and Badfinger would make perfect sense.

"Feel" actually receives some radio play from time to time. I HAVE in fact heard this song played on classic rock radio at one point.

Of course nowadays radio has sunk to an even DEEPER low so the odds of hearing Big Star on the radio these days is, well, nearly impossible odds. Even a healthy resurgence thanks to the younger generation isn't nearly enough to keep Big Star permanently secure in the minds of radio followers.

It's true, and this is because time is moving on even as we speak, which means the older artists are gradually fading away from peoples memories, and when that happens, the music stops being played on the radio. I hate it more than you will ever possibly know, but that's how life is.

"The Ballad of El Goodo" benefits by having a really emotional vocal melody, and "Try Again" falls under the same category. These are probably my favorite songs on the album.

"My Life Is Right" is pop/rock perfection. It would fit in easily on the Radio City album. "The India Song" has a really tasty flute melody before breaking out into a really gorgeous vocal melody. Another excellent song.

"In the Street" is of course popular for being the theme song to That 70's Show. It's a good song, and this original version is easily better than the version from the show (which sounds loud and obnoxious in comparison- stick to the Big Star version).

"Watch the Sunrise" is one of those "moment of hope" type songs. You immediately feel refreshed and thankful when you hear a vocal melody as beautiful as this one. I wouldn't be surprised if this song was created with that thought in mind.

"Thirteen" sounds like "Danny's Song" by Loggins & Messina, and that's a good thing.

"Try Again" makes me cry in a way where I feel completely hopeless. This makes the song very depressing in my opinion. I love it though, that's what makes it so darn hard to listen to it. Do I want my fragile emotional state toyed with just for the sake of enjoying a splendid vocal melody? Well yes!

"Don't Lie to Me" is the weakest song here by FAR. It reminds me of KISS or Twisted Sister. Not good. "Give Me Another Chance" is a pretty standard pop song in comparison to the rest of the material featured on the album, but I still love it to pieces regardless of that.

Big Star = big win. The first two albums really ARE pop/rock classics. Talk about guitar and vocal hooks galore. Just awesome.

Side 2 on this reissue is cut VERY off-center, causing extreme pitch warble. I end up listening to my MP3 copy ripped from CD instead. It's my understanding that this issue will affect all copies made from the same plates. Why bother releasing a crappy version of such a great record?!

EDIT: After reading another review here, I bought a new copy from Amazon. I can confirm that the problem has been corrected.

A fantastic 70s album! All the tracks are great, but I find myself listening to "Thirteen" repeatedly. It's one of the boldest, yet simplistic, songs to be written and I believe many artists will forever try to write that song again, but never achieve it.

A great reissue of a classic album: cheap, thick flat vinyl, nice cover, etc. Sound is great.

However: side B of the first version I bought was a mispressing, it's so out of tune, that it's unlistenable.

The second version I bought a few months later has an extra "re 4" in the dead wax, and this one is absolutely perfect.

I was in radio in the late 60s and heard a lot of things that never made the airwaves, even in the days of Underground radio. The thing is: most of the stuff shouldn't have been heard. Yet more recent critics have resurrected a few of the artists from the 60s and 70s as some kind of icon we should all cherish. Two of the best example of this trend are Nick Drake and Big Star. At least Big Star has some redeeming value. That said I'd much rather listen to the Box Tops over Big Star. You read quotes from these younger rockers that Big Star was such an influence. Oh really, how'd you hear them. Only could have by being exposed to one of the elite that push them as being so great, and then buying into it because it's the "in" thing to do. The music is forgetable. You aren't winding up on the losing end by buying this or their only other intended release but will it make your top 25 all-time list. Not much chance.