| CUSTOMER REVIEWS: | 5/5 - Really, really good
Weirdly, I remember this album coming out to lukewarm reviews originally. I loved 'Goodbye' as a single, and so bought the album, having no previous experience of rrr (the first album). To me this was a remarkable record and also began my long-standing beef with the pop music press. So what if it's not much different to the first one? I didn't care then, and I don't care now (I still haven't heard rrr). Maybe it is a good idea not to listen to rrr first - I don't know. In actual fact, considering the amount of sheer joy this album has bought me, and the fact that listening to the first one seems to prejudice people against Blind, I would say junk rrr and buy this instead. Anyhow, enough postmodern biog, and onto the music.
It's really, really good. Just great songs. Nothing formulaic - I can't really bring to mind any middle-eights or guitar solos, just beautiful words and harmonies. And speaking of guitars, if you were ever under the impression that the only thing you can do with a guitar is 'folk strum', 'rock distortion' or 'funk riff', listen to this. I'm not saying it's as groundbreaking sonically as someone like Hendrix, but the depth of range of tone and texure is fantastic, bouyed up by sparkling production.
I respectfully disagree with people who refer to this record as 'folksy twanging', or indeed 'folksy anything'. I respectfully disagree with the opinion that this is a let-down after rrr. I respectfully suggest that you buy this record - it's like a fresh summer morning.
4/5 - Impressive effort from the mercurial Sundays
I feel the debut is marginally a better album, but that Blind has a better, more textured sound to it. The songs are not the equal though; "Love", "Goodbye" and "24 Hours" are wonderful, as the shimmering, opulent "On Earth", but too many of the songs are quite unmemorable. Harriet Wheeler's singing is even better than on the debut, while the music seems more rounded, if often seemingly to prop up songs which aren't that involving.
5/5 - Once again, don't believe the hype
This album was expected to be just like their debut, 'Reading Writing and Arithmetic' when it was released in '92. The first album was a Smiths rip-off fest, not bad at all, but full of Morrissey-like devices and jangly guitars. This, on the other hand, is very subdued and lush. The harmonies have become more sophisticated, the words more poetic and thoughtful, and the rhythms more varied and considered. That's not to diss the first record, because it's very nice, as was the band it was modeled on. This, however, treads new ground. Don't believe those who would put this down, and don't listen to it with the 3 Rs in mind - it's a better record, full of tasty tunes and heartbreaking twists. Suicide solution 200 mg please, thankyou. |
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Monday, November 30, 2009
Last visit: 29/11/2009
