Vinyl

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 14, 2016
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 155 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 104 out of 155
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 155
  3. Negative: 26 out of 155
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User Reviews

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  1. cbader
    Jun 23, 2016
    5
    Had high hopes for this show but alas it was a let down. I just finished episode 5 and found the characters unlikable and the story line could not hold my interest. Frankly a little boring. Not surprised its been cancelled.
  2. JennetP
    Feb 14, 2016
    6
    A disappointing but not terrible series about the music business, emphasis on business. Our flawed, fallen hero, compellingly played by Bobby Cannavale, has succumbed to greed and corruption as the head of a foundering record label, but there remains in him a purist's passion for music. Would that the same passion burned (audibly) in the creators of "Vinyl." Scenes dealing with musicA disappointing but not terrible series about the music business, emphasis on business. Our flawed, fallen hero, compellingly played by Bobby Cannavale, has succumbed to greed and corruption as the head of a foundering record label, but there remains in him a purist's passion for music. Would that the same passion burned (audibly) in the creators of "Vinyl." Scenes dealing with music history are beautifully photographed but filled with such plot-bloating anachronism that I couldn't figure out what year we were in--or even which half of the 1970s, at times. Worse, some of the mash-ups and remakes of classic songs are real head-scratchers. Is that really supposed to be Bo Diddley singing "Bo Diddley" without the Bo Diddley Beat? I'm not being pedantic; I'm not a music critic or card-carrying audiophile, just someone who has loved rock for more than 50 years. Having expected a lot musically, as well as dramatically, from a Jagger/Scorsese collaboration, I found the pilot a let-down.… Expand
  3. Knighthawk81
    Feb 16, 2016
    5
    Whoa, what is going on here. HBO has been hyping this series up, it has a great pedigree, and it seems like a potential slam dunk. But the pilot was underwhelming to say the least, and boring to be blunt. I'm not sure where it's going, and nothing about that two hours made me care. What's worse, the final sequence was beyond confusing. This feels like a series that might be a giant,Whoa, what is going on here. HBO has been hyping this series up, it has a great pedigree, and it seems like a potential slam dunk. But the pilot was underwhelming to say the least, and boring to be blunt. I'm not sure where it's going, and nothing about that two hours made me care. What's worse, the final sequence was beyond confusing. This feels like a series that might be a giant, high-profile miss.… Expand
  4. geedup
    Feb 22, 2016
    5
    Meandering.The show is only 3 episodes in, and I am finally getting what it supposed to be about. And, I get it, they are making characters, plots, etc. But, damn, get to the story/action/something. Every 20 minutes there seems to be a part of the episode wich applies to what the hell is going on. The rest is eye/ear dressing. The music is great though, which keeps me from turning this off
  5. LamontRaymond
    Feb 14, 2016
    4
    I'll update this review, but after the first hour, I'm seriously bored. NOT a great sign for a series with such pulpy and rich source material. Cannavale's character doesn't engender much sympathy or excitement, which is a problem. I was happily surprised that they featured the Dolls' "Personality Crisis" in the first major set piece. Great freakin' song.
  6. Kaleeshi
    Mar 9, 2016
    5
    A missed opportunity to show the world what happened behind closed doors in the offices of the record companies and in the lives of scouts producers and artists that made a difference and lead interesting lives. Unless it meant to show how uninteresting their lives really were as what happened was only taking place in the music and the illusion it created for its listeners.
  7. Grandbazaar
    Apr 18, 2016
    5
    After watching the whole first season, I've yet become attached to any of the characters. The idea behind the series and the acting is great. But the characters are so flawed with no sense of improvement that is is impossible to get attached to them. Their were at least 2-3 episodes where nothing interesting was going on and did nothing to advance the story line. Unless there is a dramaticAfter watching the whole first season, I've yet become attached to any of the characters. The idea behind the series and the acting is great. But the characters are so flawed with no sense of improvement that is is impossible to get attached to them. Their were at least 2-3 episodes where nothing interesting was going on and did nothing to advance the story line. Unless there is a dramatic turn of events, I will not be back for season 2.… Expand
  8. dierregi
    Jun 27, 2016
    4
    Much as I like the music of the 70s and wanted to like this series, I found it seriously flawed. Too much Scorsese's obsession with gangsters and too little solid plot bog down the whole series.

    The pilot is an overlong 2 hours, with a loose plot revolving around Richie Finestra trying to save his record company. The timeline moves constantly back and forward, also in the following    Much as I like the music of the 70s and wanted to like this series, I found it seriously flawed. Too much Scorsese's obsession with gangsters and too little solid plot bog down the whole series.

    The pilot is an overlong 2 hours, with a loose plot revolving around Richie Finestra trying to save his record company. The timeline moves constantly back and forward, also in the following episodes, making it annoying to follow.

    Another problem is the focus on Richie, the typical Scorsese anti-hero: an obnoxious, violent, self-obsessed male character. Despite a crowd of supporting actors, we spend two thirds of each episode with Richie. He snorts cocaine making an exaggerated noise, wanders aimlessly and tends to be boring and delusional, like most drug addicts. And we certainly get plenty of close-ups of Richie's powdered nose….. especially in episode 5 (certainly not the best).

    Finally, there was no need to add a sub-plot involving a homicide. The story of the music industry in the 70s seemed to me gripping enough without any excursion in Gangstersland.

    What is good is the music. It is fun to see famous musicians interacting with Richie (Robert Plant, Lou Reed and the Velvet, David Bowie, etc…) although none of the actors look much like the original.

    Also, the atmosphere seems perfectly recreated, with make-up, clothes, hair, etc… giving a genuine 70s vibe. Finally, the feeling of a time of transition in music is created by the strong link with the 60s and the Factory scene. The 60s were over but the "music of 70s" was not quite there yet.

    Watch out for all the "children of famous parents" of which "Vinyl" seems to be a roll call. Among the most annoying James Jagger (son of the Mick) who - with his exaggerated British accent - is either the greatest actor in the show or just naturally obnoxious.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Best TV Season of 2016
32
#32 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
67
#67 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. TVLine
    Reviewed by: Michael Slezak
    Apr 6, 2016
    83
    Vinyl may hit one or two questionable notes in its first five episodes, but fueled by a beautifully realized sense of place and Cannavale’s certain-to-be-Emmy-nominated performance, it’s definitely worth a spin.
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  2. Colorado Springs Gazette
    Reviewed by: Terry Terrones
    Apr 6, 2016
    83
    Vinyl throws audiences an unexpected twist late in the pilot. This late hard left changes this series from a story about a failing business and turns it into something more significant.
    Read full review
  3. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Amber Dowling
    Feb 16, 2016
    80
    At times there seems to be too much going on in the pilot, between Richie running away from gun-wielding lunatics, attempting to sign new talent, working to keep his existing roster, finagling a deal to sell his company and balancing his precarious home life. But it’s no greater a flaw than most pilots attempting to set up the scheme of things face, and the action never seems bogged down or tied up in specifics.
    Read full review
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