Latest Record Project, Vol. 1
by Van Morrison
  • Record Label: BMG
  • Release Date: May 7, 2021
User Score
3.1

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 12 out of 17
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. MajorAnnoyance
    Sep 14, 2022
    2
    I found it really difficult to listen to this. The music itself seems so mechanical, canned, and soul-less compared to the rest of his entire catalog. And I mean the entire catalog including, swing, blues, standards, Irish, his own material, etc. The "Latest Record Project Vol 1" simply seems to be a platform contrived for sprinkling alt-right protest themes throughout.

    I hope he    I found it really difficult to listen to this. The music itself seems so mechanical, canned, and soul-less compared to the rest of his entire catalog. And I mean the entire catalog including, swing, blues, standards, Irish, his own material, etc. The "Latest Record Project Vol 1" simply seems to be a platform contrived for sprinkling alt-right protest themes throughout.

    I hope he doesn't release a Volume 2. It would probably have songs like:

    Right Side of the Road
    Did Ye Get Healed (by Remdesivir) ?
    Carrying a Torch (In Charlottesville)
    St. James Infirmary (is now at capacity)
    Money From America (but I'll take it anyway)
    And it Cloned Me
    Thank God for the Blues, Part 2 (I'm buying Delmark Records)
    Tore Down a la Limbaugh
    Incontinence - Don't Know What It Is
    Why Are You at Costco?    … Expand
  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, 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!
  3. 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 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 TimeCan 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
  4. 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 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 believesEasily 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
  5. 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 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.
  6. 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 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 veryThis 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
  7. NotOnFacebook
    May 9, 2021
    8
    The bad reviews are from the same people Van is talking about and they don't like it. No it is not Astral Weeks and it is not supposed to be. To bad most of you are not intelligent enough to realize it is you who he is talking about. Shallow superficial hiding behind screens spouting nonsense of things you'll never be able to do yourself. Great reviews for music that promotes violence andThe bad reviews are from the same people Van is talking about and they don't like it. No it is not Astral Weeks and it is not supposed to be. To bad most of you are not intelligent enough to realize it is you who he is talking about. Shallow superficial hiding behind screens spouting nonsense of things you'll never be able to do yourself. Great reviews for music that promotes violence and degradation and marginalizes women. Hypocrites the lot of you. That is why Van is the man. Check it out and actually listen. I think the critics don't like to look in a mirror.… Expand
  8. ChrisElliott
    May 8, 2021
    0
    What a disappointing and ridiculous effort (if you can even call it that) by Van. You can really tell he's calling it in at this point and has no passion to make music anymore. The only desire is to drop horrible releases like this to us unsuspecting fans for purely financial gain. I would say this marks the end of Van completely. Horrible.
  9. 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'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.
  10. 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 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 dunnoI 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
  11. manateeguy
    May 7, 2021
    8
    I think it's strange that critics who give positive reviews to artists that speak of violence and blatant objectivity of women find political opinions contrary to their own distasteful so much to have that be the main critique of this work. Who cares if you agree or not to the lyrics? Are they well constructed, thoughtful? playful, clever? Trashing songs because of the contents of theI think it's strange that critics who give positive reviews to artists that speak of violence and blatant objectivity of women find political opinions contrary to their own distasteful so much to have that be the main critique of this work. Who cares if you agree or not to the lyrics? Are they well constructed, thoughtful? playful, clever? Trashing songs because of the contents of the lyrics is not critiquing music..… Expand

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. Under The Radar
    May 7, 2021
    30
    For the most part though, and we’re talking in the 90% range, the double-album is a full-on dumpster fire fueled by toxic thoughts, meaningless rants, and a surly attitude.
    Read full review
  2. Glide Magazine
    May 7, 2021
    70
    Devoted fans who found pleasure in recent records like Keep Me Singing should discover this one will hit home as well, whereas more objective music lovers may probably miss the natural spontaneity and unusual good cheer that arose from The Belfast Cowboy’s 2018 collaborations with jazz keyboardist/bandleader Joey DeFrancesco, You’re Driving Me Crazy and (to an only slightly lesser extent) The Prophet Speaks.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    May 7, 2021
    50
    As always, his saving grace is his expert control of his voice and good musical taste, qualities that prevent Latest Record Project, Vol. 1 from being as sour as its creator.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »