Record basics

Album name: Every Picture Tells a Story
Artist name: Rod Stewart
Year: 1971
Number of discs: one
Label: Mercury Records
Collection: Brenner / Gessner
Distinguishing characteristics: both of my parents denied owning this, but there’s a “G” written on top left of the album, indicating that it belonged to my father.
Buy it on Amazon: $22.39

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

I can’t stand Rod Stewart’s voice; it’s always sounded to me like he’s wheezing whenever he sings.

This is the second Rod Stewart record I’m reviewing, after Never A Dull Moment.

What I expected

Rock, folk rock, blues rock.

What it was actually like

As expected, I did not enjoy Every Picture Tells a Story.

Musically, it was actually not bad at all. Most of the songs were rock, and several were quite strong, with plenty of blues influence, but the vocals were so awful that it was difficult to listen.

In addition, though Seems Like a Long Time was an ok electric blues song, I disliked the gospel style chorus. Stewart’s acoustic version of Amazing Grace, besides the vocals, was interesting, and there were multiple examples across the record of great guitar work.

Maggie May is Rod Stewart’s most famous song, but I don’t care much for it either way.

Grade

2/5: bad, but I was able to listen to the whole thing

Every Picture Tells a Story by Rod Stewart (Vinyl record album review)