Apple Music Rank: 83
Album: Horses
Artist: Patti Smith
Year: 1975
Genre: Punk
Was I familiar with Patti Smith? Not really. I knew that there was a person named Patti Smith who made music in the 70s, but that was the extent of it.
Had I heard Horses before? No. Wouldn’t have even considered it.
Thoughts on Horses: Someone who knows the punk genre and Patti Smith better than I can set me straight on this if I’m way off, but this was my prevailing thought while enjoying Horses: In my mind punk is effortless. You aren’t trying to be punk, you are punk. The music is raw as hell, but Patti Smith’s vocals sound like she’s trying really hard to let people know that she’s different. I’m also aware that the music landscape was far different in 1975 and this sound might have been completely necessary for Ms. Smith to separate herself from the rest of the rock music out there. Maybe in 1975 punk wasn’t effortless. Artists had to make a conscious effort to stand out from the establishment and let listeners know that they were punk.
Regardless, my take on this album is that Patti Smith sounds like she was trying too hard to be different, and it’s not working for me. Clearly I’m in the minority as this is in the top 100 albums of all-time. I just kept thinking that I’d like this music a lot better if her vocals sounded a bit more traditional. I like the songwriting and the music, but the vocals aren’t hitting right.
Favorite track: There wasn’t a single standout for me here so I’m going to go with “Gloria” because I feel like one of my brother’s bands played this song back in the day.
Will I listen to Horses again? I didn’t dislike it, but I don’t need to hear it again. Just not my thing.
Would I buy it on vinyl? No
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