In a Silent Way

One of those albums that people praise because it's 'different' and 'challenging' but different and challenging aren't inherently good. The few moments of genuine quality make the rest feel even more disappointing by comparison.

Great album that rewards repeated listens. Gets better every time.

There's a before and after with this album. It changed everything.

Competent and often enjoyable, but feels like it's missing something to make it truly special.

I keep going back and forth on this one. Some days I think it's underrated, other days I think the consensus is about right. The production is genuinely interesting — there are textures and sonic choices here that I haven't heard elsewhere. But the songwriting underneath all that ornamentation is sometimes pretty thin. It's one of those albums that's more fun to think about and discuss than it is to actually listen to, if that makes sense. The concept is great, the execution is uneven. I respect it more than I enjoy it, but I do respect it quite a bit.

A confident, mature work. You can hear the growth from their earlier releases.