I began listening to Cat Stevens in March 2023.
Matthew and Son (1967): C
New Masters (1967): D+
Mona Bone Jakon (1970): C+
Tea for the Tillerman (1970): C+
Teaser and the Firecat (1971): B-
Matthew and Son (1967):
There are a few catchy melodies that are pretty inventive including "I Love My Dog" but that song also perfectly captures all that is wrong with young Stevens--big orchestras and silly lyrics. "When I Speak to the Flowers"? C'mon man, have some self-respect. C
New Masters (1967):
Don't let your knowledge of his later songs mislead you: Cat Steven's early nursery rhyme lyrics ("never in my traveling days have I ever seen a little apple smile at me") and the insufferable flute/harpsichord pop combine for some of the most unbearable recordings to ever pass as mainstream. Just as offensive as Queen and just as unlistenable as Metal Machine Music. D+
Mona Bone Jakon (1970):
A hospitalization and a year off (neither of which are worth getting into) led to a sharp transition from the crap he was making before to singer-songwriter material. His simple poetry are still flowers and rainbows but the music, centered around his acoustic guitar, is appropriately modest and very often the production leaves his voice sounding okay. C+
Tea for the Tillerman (1970):
After getting a good response with the new singer-songwriter direction, he begins to indulge in the genre and reverts to his old ways of strings and perfectionist production. To compliment the oh-so-earnest music and his breathy (unusually breathy, even for him) vocals, Stevens writes feeble cries for environmentalism ("well I think it's fine/Building jumbo planes... but tell me, where do the child play-a-a-a-hay?"), spiritual searching ("I left my folk and friends/with the aim to clear my mind out"), and a partner moving on ("oh baby baby it's a wild world/And I'll always remember you like a child"). Would you be surprised to learn that the partner is actually poor poor Stevens himself? C+
Teaser and the Firecat (1971):
This is a clear continuation of the many mistakes on Tea for the Tillerman, but without a doubt, it includes most of Steven's best songs--the opener, "How Can I Tell You," "Morning Has Broken," and "Peace Train." Of course, I’ll never forgive him for New Masters so, even at his best, I tap my foot and roll my eyes. B-
