Apple Music Rank: 93
Album: A Seat at the Table
Artist: Solange
Year: 2016
Genre: R&B/Soul
Was I familiar with Solange? There was a time when I was foolish enough to think that I was the only one listening to Beyonce’s sister. Do yourself a favor if you haven’t already and listen to Solange’s early stuff. Sol-Angel & the Hadley Street Dreams (2008) and True (2012) are dope records. Sol-Angel has an Amy Winehouse/Raphael Saadiq old 60s soul vibe. True is only an EP (I think…what’s the difference at this point) and showcases more of her versatility reminiscent of Childish Gambino’s Kauai album.
Had I heard A Seat at the Table before? Yes, many times.
Thoughts on A Seat at the Table: Don’t get me wrong. I dig this record. I do kind of scratch my head at its popularity and placement on this list. This is the kind of record I usually love and think to myself, “Is anyone else listening to this?” Pitchfork named it their number one album of 2016. Really? I’m not complaining. I’m glad to see it. Just wondering what it is about this album specifically that made it stand out in their minds from a lot of other comparable Soul/R&B albums that I’ve loved over the years. I’ve been a bigger fan of Solange’s music than Beyonce’s for the last 15 years, yet in 2016 Pitchfork chose A Seat at the Table over Lemonade. Lemonade is my favorite Beyonce album, by far, and I think that album is superior to A Seat at the Table. My sample size is probably far too small here, but the one time I prefer Beyonce’s music over Solange’s people go the other way. Also, why am I pitting the two against each other? Probably because the cynic in me believes the answer to my question above about why critics gave this album a listen when they seem to ignore a lot of other similar music is because of Solange’s last name, which isn’t fair to any of them. I sincerely wonder if there was an alternate timeline and this exact album was released by a newcomer with no industry connections if it would’ve been the number one album of 2016 and included on Apple’s list of the 100 greatest album of all time, or would it be another album that had me wondering why nobody else is listening to it. The same way I wonder if some random flautist had released New Blue Sun would anyone have ever heard of it and would it be nominated for Album of the Year? I think we know the answer.
Favorite track: I really tried to find an alternative. Gave “Mad” a long listen. I love the production on “Borderline (An Ode to Self Care)“. I came close to typing “Where Do We Go” in this spot. Sometimes the obvious choice is just that for a reason. It’s “Cranes in the Sky“.
Will I listen to A Seat at the Table again? Of course. By the way, it’s early but this is definitely my favorite of the albums I’ve heard so far on the Apple 100 list.
Would I buy it on vinyl? Absolutely. Kind of can’t believe I don’t already have it.
To access more expert analysis of the Apple 100 Best Albums list click here.
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