Latest Record Project, Vol. 1

1. Tom74

   May 28, 2021

   10

   Exceptional album, both as a musical work and a statement of protest. The current political situation has inspired Van Morrison to a work thatExceptional album, both as a musical work and a statement of protest. The current political situation has inspired Van Morrison to a work that is alternately eloquently trenchant and soulfully warm, and his vocals have never sounded better. This is both vintage Van and a ground-breaking record that will probably come to be regarded as a classic.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
2. lollipopp88

   Dec 15, 2021

   9

   Was never a big fan of Van Morrison or his type of music, but after hearing 'Duper's Delight' I was hooked.
   
   The lyrics are also very good,Was never a big fan of Van Morrison or his type of music, but after hearing 'Duper's Delight' I was hooked.
   
   The lyrics are also very good, and extremely relevant to the insane world we're living in today. In fact, they are so good that a certain (((group))) of music journalists have trashed the album, not because of the music, but because they don't like the political message!… Expand

   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful
4. TomSiebert

   Jun 8, 2021

   8

   Can an album with no transcendently great songs but loaded with good songs end up being a great album when the number of good songs just go onCan an album with no transcendently great songs but loaded with good songs end up being a great album when the number of good songs just go on and on and on? That's up to you, but this virtuoso double CD (triple LP!) has 28 terrific tracks, no filer, and some standout memorable recordings across a variety of genres: Pop songs ("Double Agent"), jazz ("He's Not the Kingpin"), blues ("My Time After A While"), rockabilly ("Where Have All The Rebels Gone?"), even garage band punk that would've fit on a THEM album back in 1966 ("Stop **** Do Something").
   
   It's funny to see all the cranks giving this album "zero" ratings; it's obvious they have no critical skills are and here to promote an agenda that doesn't like Van the Man taking shots at their hallowed political ideologies. The one clown who goes out of his way to say "It's not the politics, it's the music," might as well underline his bias; if it was TRULY about the music, he wouldn't feel so defensive about his bad take that he feels the need to explain.
   
   The versatility and sheer vocal range and exuberance on this album is great fun. It's truly a gift that Van Morrison can reach yet another creative wellspring of strong material this late in his hallowed career.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
5. MusicNerdViking

   May 11, 2021

   3

   This is the most mind-numbing, repetitive, and unnecessarily political blues-rock album I possibly have ever heard. I have never felt anThis is the most mind-numbing, repetitive, and unnecessarily political blues-rock album I possibly have ever heard. I have never felt an album; such as this; suck so much energy out of my body when I listen to it. I read everywhere that people were saying, "Oh it's just political mumbo jumbo, it's not very good," but man, they were not lying, not at all. The instrumentals are okay and very bluesy, but the lyrics are just awful. He writes songs as if he's in a nursing home singing these songs, while boomers gather around him and start cheering and screaming, "you sure owned those darn liberals!" But the lyrics are not genius nor thought-provoking, but rather an echo chamber of bad politics and anti-mainstream news propaganda to make people dumber. The only times when politics isn't brought up are the good moments on the album; examples of those songs are "Latest Record Project," "Up County Down," and "Breaking the Spell." This album has most certainly given me a migraine, and I wish not to speak about it anymore. TL;DR This album is a sad attempt at speaking "the truth."
   
   Favorite tracks: Latest Record Project, Up County Down, Breaking the Spell
   Least favorite tracks: Double Bind, Western Man, They Own the Media, Jealousy, Why Are You on Facebook?… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
6. NingMan1878

   May 8, 2021

   2

   I don't really care about any of the so-called political crap anyone sings about. The point should always be the music. In this case, and thisI don't really care about any of the so-called political crap anyone sings about. The point should always be the music. In this case, and this is coming from a huge Van the man fan, the music is pretty lethargic and uninspired. Maybe he bit off more than he could chew? Maybe his emotional enthusiasm wasn't up to his normal abilities? Maybe he just doesn't have the chops anymore? I dunno and I don't really care. I quite liked some of his recent stuff, the work he did on You're Driving Me Crazy was magnificent. But while this record spins I feel like I get the point of the song, then think to myself "Ok, this is it, then?" wait another 3-5 minutes for the song to end, only to have the next song be equally or more boring. Whatever trick Van the Man is trying to pull here, I don't think it's working. Whatever, YMMV, give it a spin and check it out for yourself, what do I know? As for me, I'll be playing his sublime Common One album after I submit this. It'll be a reminder of a simpler time.… Expand

   • 3 of 4 users found this helpful
7. JudeObscura

   Jun 5, 2021

   0

   Easily the most maligned album of the year, and for good reason. "Where have all the rebels gone," one song asks - implying of course that heEasily the most maligned album of the year, and for good reason. "Where have all the rebels gone," one song asks - implying of course that he alone is the rebel. And what's he rebelling against? Jews. (Yes, there is actually a song on here called "They Own the Media.") Covid restrictions; which in interviews he has said is a conspiracy to stop the music. Scientists, whom he also believes are in on it. Yep, Van the Man is all-in on the QAnon cult. It's just so sad. I mean, whatever he's become, he did make some great music 50 years ago. In the US, you see a lot of aged hippies on motorcycles with huge Trump flags flying on their front lawns. It's weird that these old self-professed "rebels" were so easily taken in by a right-wing con-man, but that's where we are now. In my mind Van's legacy is so tainted now, I don't think I can go back and re-play those old favorites of mine - Astral Weeks, Saint Dominic's Preview, Veedon Fleece, etc. It's really sad that when the world was faced with a once-in-a-century-plus global epidemic, peoples' true nature was revealed, and so many of our friends, family, and even some artists showed themselves to be enormously selfish and lacking in some fundamental aspects of humanity.… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
8. imthenoob

   May 8, 2021

   0

   I love Van as an artist and own the majority of his work but please don't bother with this. It's 28 tracks of pure nonsense. Musically, It'sI love Van as an artist and own the majority of his work but please don't bother with this. It's 28 tracks of pure nonsense. Musically, It's very formulaic and lyrically, he is incredibly repetitive and basic. It is a very uninspired album the worst he has put out since his Duets album.… Expand

   • 4 of 6 users found this helpful

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