Albums that grew on you

[Spectrum]

I learned something very important when I was 13 years old by repeatedly playing music that I wasn't sure I liked… My ears liked it; my notion of what I thought I liked wasn't being met… so it intrigued me. And tonight I learned something else, metal heads are some of the most "have to grow on me" types… which makes us cool
fnord!

Metal, prog, and jazz. We are all snobs of one sort or another lol.

 

[fnordlyone]

Metal, prog, and jazz. We are all snobs of one sort or another lol.

guilty of snobery on all three counts-- but you forgot: jam bands and classical symphonic, blues, funk, steve via……..
full disclosure:
total mac snob,
f!
also, faulkner/joyce/kubrick/lynch

 

[jmlee]

Years ago, when Cat Stevens first came on the scene I was openly dismissive of him. On a dare, I sat down and listened to the first four albums (on vinyl) in a row. I ended up a lifelong fan and Tea For The Tillerman is still a favourite. Yusuf Islam is still making some great stuff.



Yup, that's the great Danny Thompson on upright.

 

[Bourbongangster]

This almost always happens to me whenever one of my all-time favorite bands comes out with a new album. The two I remember the most not liking at first:

Before These Crowded Streets - Dave Matthews Band
Wilco The Album - Wilco

Actually, there was one more - Summerteeth by Wilco

 

[Nephilymbass]

Once long ago, being a huge Yes fan, I bought a Yes album. It was the 80s, and the album was 90125.

Didn't really like. I mean, it was okay as far as 80s pop rock goes, but come on, this is YES we're talking about! Where's the epic prog rock I wanted? So I listened a few times and kind of put it on the shelf, and of course they played Owner of a Lonely Heart on the radio and MTV so much it made you want to puke anyway.

Tonight I was looking for something to listen to and decided to pull this one out of the vinyl collection and spin it back up.

It's not so bad, now. Nothing to be disappointed over since 1983 is pretty far back in the rear view mirror. The music is very pop/commercial-sounding for Yes, and of course this was not the classic lineup at all. It's got that 80s sound to it, the overdone synths and the too-loud snare drum, but it's not as obnoxious as most of the cliché 80s stuff.

But the tightness is there in spades, the theatrics are still there. And even if you don't notice the prominent bass it has Chris Squire's fingerprints all over it. Hearts in particular sounds most like a vintage Yes song.

It's no Fragile or Close to the Edge, but for what it is it's pretty good. And it brings back a few memories too.

What albums did you not really like but later warmed up to?

I hated rage against the machines album evil empire when it first came out. Probably because I loved their first album where Tim used a stingray and minimal effects and that was what I was into at the time. But over the years my own taste in bass tones changed a lot, got bored of hearing clean bass tones all the time and these days evil empire is one of my favorite albums to listen to.

 

[JimK]

Bitches Brew
Bought this when I was just getting into Jazz & Jazz Fusion (1976-ish)...bought it 'cause Downbeat called it the 1st & best Jazz Fusion album.
At the time, I was already listening to Return To Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Lifetime, etc...things that were closer to Jazz-Rock.
So, initially, Bitches Brew was a let down.

Took 25 years before the light bulb came on.
Love it now.

Same, too for John Coltrane's Ascension...bought it because I wanted to get into Coltrane. Not the best introduction to 'Trane.

Love it now.

 

[Michedelic]

I'm embarrassed to mention it, but it took me years to understand what a genius masterpiece "Pet Sounds" is. I guess it had to do with my ears finally maturing and learning the backstory of its recording, all the talent assembled, and the personal struggle of Brian Wilson to compose it and get it made. I mean, from childhood on, I always liked the Beach Boys and their early giddy surf and hotrod radio hits, but I never took them too seriously, although when I heard "Good Vibrations" when it came out and I was in elementary school, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Its so strange that it was their creative peak and the beginning of a long downward slide at the same time. The BB never really had any kind of hipness quotient anyway, so it took me years to listen to PS in its entirety, and then I finally had an epiphany about the album.

 

[Spectrum]

Bitches Brew
Bought this when I was just getting into Jazz & Jazz Fusion (1976-ish)...bought it 'cause Downbeat called it the 1st & best Jazz Fusion album.
At the time, I was already listening to Return To Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Lifetime, etc...things that were closer to Jazz-Rock.
So, initially, Bitches Brew was a let down.

Took 25 years before the light bulb came on.
Love it now.

I have yet to really dig that one, but I can see myself growing into it. It took me a while to warm up to Miles' In a Silent Way album, too.

 

[Gluvhand]

Kind of ashamed to say I still don't like anything I didn't like on first hearing/listening. I do like a lot of different types of music but I guess I just haven't grown enough or changed enough as a person. Definitely a shortcoming, but, just the way I am.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Bonnie Raitt, Silver Lining. It doesn't have a big hit song on it, but Bonnie is still Bonnie and the more I listen the more I notice that Hutch Hutchinson and Ricky Fatar are laying down the perfect slightly understated groove for each tune. Love that band, coming to love that album.

 

[INTP]

I kind of have to be in the mood, but this one grew on me.

 

[thenazz]

The Stones Exile on Main Street. With the exception of "Tumblin' Dice", I didn't like it, the production was rather thick and murky. After having the CD in my car and repeated listenings it's now my favorite Stones album.

 

[twinjet]

Once long ago, being a huge Yes fan, I bought a Yes album. It was the 80s, and the album was 90125.

Didn't really like. I mean, it was okay as far as 80s pop rock goes, but come on, this is YES we're talking about! Where's the epic prog rock I wanted? So I listened a few times and kind of put it on the shelf, and of course they played Owner of a Lonely Heart on the radio and MTV so much it made you want to puke anyway.

Tonight I was looking for something to listen to and decided to pull this one out of the vinyl collection and spin it back up.

It's not so bad, now. Nothing to be disappointed over since 1983 is pretty far back in the rear view mirror. The music is very pop/commercial-sounding for Yes, and of course this was not the classic lineup at all. It's got that 80s sound to it, the overdone synths and the too-loud snare drum, but it's not as obnoxious as most of the cliché 80s stuff.

But the tightness is there in spades, the theatrics are still there. And even if you don't notice the prominent bass it has Chris Squire's fingerprints all over it. Hearts in particular sounds most like a vintage Yes song.

It's no Fragile or Close to the Edge, but for what it is it's pretty good. And it brings back a few memories too.

What albums did you not really like but later warmed up to?

Took me a while, but Randy Brecker's "Randy in Brazil" took a long time to like. It sounded overly produced and very inorganic. I still think this, but I like it more now.

 

[Spectrum]

View attachment 905898

When looking for a good image for an album cover, it's hard to go wrong taking scenes from the movie Metropolis, that's for sure.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Way back around 1979 or 80 a friend of mine came over to my house with three albums he had just purchased:
- Talking Heads Remain In Light
- Brian Eno Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)
- Peter Gabriel III

I recall being severely underwhelmed at the time. In hindsight, I suspect I know why: All three of those albums emphasize mood and texture over musical technique and materials, and in 1979 I was still a bit ga-ga over overtly comprehensive musicianship.

It took me about a year of hanging around Berklee wankers to do a complete 180° aesthetically, and by 1981 those three albums were in my record collection and I counted them amoung my favorites.