Critics were very dimissive about this album when it came out - claiming it was a grunge/shoegaze throwback. However, this is one of the most exiting records I've heard in ages. And whilst it did remind me of certain classic album from the early 90s like Smashing Pumpkins Siamise Dream it also sounds very innovative and now. The sound is rocky and atmospheric and the lyrics are just vague enough to be interesting. I love 'Rusted Wheel', 'Lazy Eye', 'Melatonin'. The album is a grower, but once you've given it time you will love it.
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I heard Get Cape . . . for the first time on the Reading Festival coverage by the BBC, and this alone moved me to buy the album. This has to be one of the freshest and most vibrant albums of the year.
All power to Sam and his crew for a great live performance and a great album full of individual songs of great quality.
If you do not buy this you are sadly missing a fantastic debut album, there will be more I am sure.
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Its hard to say things about this album that haven't been said before, or that won't be immediately noticed upon listening to it. So what I want to concentrate on is the flow of the songs, the sheer artistic sense of musicality that Sufjan Stevens has. Each song leads effortlessly on to the next, and its a crazy mixture of half-minute muzak and 5 minute reminiscing, story-telling, faith clanging epics.
There is so much here to hear. I loves it.
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I hadn't really heard any of Air's previous work before I watched 'The Virgin Suicides' but after hearing the haunting soundtrack and the eerie melodies that were so fitting to the film I just had to go out and buy this. It is captivating within itself and is an album that truly makes you think. As a soundtrack it works very well as it is filled with haunting tracks that just make you want to listen again and again.
It will take you back to poignant times in your life and really make you think. I find the tracks so haunting and deep that while listening to them you can really reflect on your emotions and feelings. Although it can sound rather sinister in places it is filled with beautiful tracks which upon listening to reveal their darker ... Read More:
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How anyone could fail to fall in love with this album I really don't know, perhaps it may much like Joanna Newsom's Y's end up an album that its so different and so perfect that reviewers will not be able to do anything but wax lyrical of its pure beauty and ingenuity. I have heard nothing like it, at least not within the field into which it falls, a very large field in which everyone has stood still and stopped looking at Joanna. Instead there stands a man with nothing but hope and an old IBM Users Manual.
At its most obvious on the fifth and final track Sun's Gone Dim and the Sky's Turned Black you may hear Sigur Ros, elsewhere you hear nothing but beauty and gratitude, the slow burning soundscapes sweeping along like on the documentaries you used to watch ... Read More:
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This is a brilliant album. Right from the first track it has you on an emotional and musical roller coaster. As well as the haunting lyrics and music from the familiar The Fray and Snow Patrol, it introduced me to new groups and artists. Tunes from Metric and Ursula 1000 make you want to jump up and down and shout, whilst the calming voice of Anya Marina and Foy Vance bring you back down to a mellow level. Each song compliments the next, and whilst I own 100's cd's, this is nearly always one of the ones I turn to on a regular basis.
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Words fail me - which is perhaps not the best way to begin a review. . . . this album is simply too good to adequately summarise - but I'll try and fill you in on one of the best kept secrets in my music collection.
Schnauss' music has a timeless quality which takes it well beyond the stereotypical image of the "electronic" genre. I feel this is his strongest and most listenable album to date. If you like the kind of music that lets you totally unwind, but at the same time stretches your imagination; this album is a must for your collection.
It's thought provoking, emotional, ethereal, soothing, cool and eminently listenable whatever mood or scenario you're in at the time.. (i.e. works just as well full blast in a fast car on a bright sunny day ... Read More:
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In an ideal world, this would be remastered by now. Actually, all Smiths albums should be remastered, starting with this and 'The Queen Is Dead'. Any latecomers to the Smiths will probably opt for 'Best' or 'Very Best' instead. Do yourself a favour and take the plunge here. This album is chock full of brilliant riffs from Marr and some legendary lines from Morrissey. I lost my copy 8 years ago and recently bought a new one. Listening to this now, I'm amazed how well it holds up. When this first came out, the general consensus was that only reclusive geeks could enjoy it. Probably something to do with Morrissey sounding like a cabaret singer at granny's funeral. And yet the funny thing is that he sounds almost cheerful when you listen to him now (almost). Maybe my ears have been softened ... Read More:
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I am just sorry I did not discover this album 2 years ago when it came out. It is absolutely brilliant. The Pipettes are great singers, dancers and songwriters and watching them in interviews they are so down to earth as well. They capture the 'retro girl band' feel perfectly but have an equally modern hint to their music as well, which to me is what stands out.
The albums starts with the wonderfully catchy intro 'We are the Pipettes' then moves into the brilliant single that got me into the Pipettes 'Pull Shapes'. I love the mix of 'catchy' and 'softer' songs. I find the catchier tracks fun to listen to like 'Dirty Mind', 'One Night Stand' and 'Sex'. But what really stood out to me is the more emotional songs like 'I Love You' and 'Tell me what you want'. They pull off both types of song ... Read More:
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Since there doesn't appear to be one already, I'll start with the tracklist:
1. Joker Hysterical Face 2. Marquis Cha-Cha 3. Hard Life In Country 4. Room To Live 5. Detective Instinct 6. Solicitor In Studio 7. Papal Visit
Live Bonus Tracks: 8. Joker Hysterical Face 9. Town Called Crappy - Solicitor In Studio 10. Hard Life In Country 11. Detective Instinct 12. Room To Live 13. Words Of Expectation
This album got a pretty nonplussed reaction on its original release - perhaps because it came so soon after the scorching "Hex Enduction Hour", a hard act to follow. It's much shorter than "Hex" but it's just as good in its way.
Highlights for me are Marquis Cha-Cha, which contains possibly the funkiest bassline ... Read More:
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