359 of 1001 Albums: Billy Joel's The Stranger

Billy Joel was something I wasn't sure what to think when I saw I would be listening to him. In recent years he has become popular for a lot of negative reasons that aren't his talents as a musician. This album though is quite good, and takes music to another place I haven't quite heard. It combines a lot of what has been happening in the 70s to take us into 1977.

"Movin' Out Anthony" was a good song to start with as it sounds different, and already proves out of the gate what Billy Joel's sound will be like on this album. The music almost provides a story atmosphere along with the music, but it's one of the songs further on down the album that turns out to be one of the most memorable of favorite of mine.


"Vienna" was the song on the album that seemed to really set up a setting along with the lyrics he was singing. It has a very different sound, and the instruments used on it make it very unique. There are also a couple of songs that run really long on the album like "The Stranger", which is a seven minute song that ranges from pop sounds to a very 70s sound with the use of jazz. It just seems to go everywhere.

The second half of the album almost feels more serious than the first. While most the songs during the first half felt very light, and more movement to them the remaining ones seemed more romance driven, and somber. Like "She's Always A Woman" is a slower ballad that keeps with his style but definitely sings more as a love ballad. Many of the songs started as something small when being composed to only turn into something bigger.

The way the songs are composed on the album really works, and makes it a stand out. It can be easily noticed why it would have such wide appeal. He also sings about enough varied topics to be in the love song category or trying to capture something controversial as well. Overall, he has something that will almost appeal to anyone listening.

Rating 7 of 10
Recommended Listen: Vienna