Flag – JAMES TAYLOR***

Company Man/Johnnie Comes Back/Day Tripper/I Will Not Lie For You/Brother Trucker/Is That The Way You Look/BSUR/Rainy Day Man/Millworker/Up On The Roof/Chanson Francaise/Sleep Come Free Me

Singer-songwriter James Taylor managed to retain his popularity despite some sub par albums. Flag is representative of this trend, not helped by the inclusion of some unnecessary covers. (US:10)

“Taylor himself says he really wasn't paying much attention to his musical career back when Flag was made, and it shows. This is the kind of lazy, saccharine soft rock that people unfairly think he does all the time. Your first impression of the album will be just how slow it is; it'll put you to sleep, and not in a good way.”

“The production is wonderful. The songs are forgettable. It's still unquestionably JT, but there's no fire in this record, and it's not an essential album.”

“While this particular album was nowhere near as popular as some of his other releases, I consider it to be proof positive of Taylor's enduring ability to produce a continuing stream of distinctive songs. With breathless ease he delivers such memorable songs as Rainy Day Man and Millworker, a terrific cover of Up On The Roof, and a number of lesser known but still very interesting and captivating songs.”

“This is hodgepodge release with some pointless covers, a remake of his own song Rainy Day Man, songs written for the failed Broadway musical Working, as well as a few new good compositions. Although, the album is enjoyable it is recommended for the hardcore James Taylor fans only, such as me.”

“I happen to like Flag. I don't really understand the antipathy toward it by some. I like his version of Day Tripper. To me, he makes it his own. It is edgy and burning. It's a departure from the Beatles version, and perhaps this may be the problem for some.”

“This record has been met with a mixed reception from most fans; indeed, it is a kind of mixed bag sonically as well as in terms of quality. Flag isn't a masterpiece, but it still has enough interesting tracks to warrant more than a few listens.”

“This is album is a hidden gem. Unfortunately, it seems that most folks used to the classic JT sound don't get it. It strays into experimentation, and so a lot of the songs don't fit the James Taylor mould. Maybe one of the biggest issues people see with this album is that it is all over the board stylistically.”