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 Product Description
To say there has been a lot of anticipation for Coldplay's fourth album, Viva La Vida, is an understatement. Having enlisted legendary leftfield producer Brian Eno, borrowed their album title from a painting by renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and made tantalising remarks about sonic reinvention, the world has been curious (to say the least) to hear what the `new' Coldplay might sound like. Viva La Vida definitely makes some departures from the band's usual formula, which happens to be one of the most commercially successful rock-pop blueprints of recent years. The plangent chords, emotive melodies, stadium-rock rhythms and universal lyrical concerns remain, but Martin and co. have gone out on several limbs here, incorporating instrumental tracks ("Life In Technicolour"), using subtle North African and Latin elements ("Yes", "Strawberry Swing"), and overhauling previously strict verse-chorus-verse structures in favour of slightly more avant arrangements. The old Coldplay still shine through (see tracks like "Violet Hill" and the title song) but even their classic sound feels more muscular and confident. The band's new flourishes, cosmetic and self-conscious as they may be, are enough to make Viva La Vida a welcome break from the old routine--Danny McKenna
Customer Reviews
Empty and vile, 24 Aug 2008
The absence of everything spontaneous, beautiful and courageous in music. Cod poetry mired down by turgid dirgery with all the wit and sophistication of a rotten cat dropping.
Some posh boy warbles unconvincingly over U2's sub-Bsides and expects the world to be saved while I boak heartily into a straw boater.
Music for people with no love for music and no clue about life.
Their best yet, 24 Aug 2008
I haven't always liked Coldplay. Parachutes I could take or leave (and generally left). 'Rush of Blood' was good in parts but only really 'The Scientist' and 'Warning Sign' have lasted for me. 'X and Y' attended to their main fault - a lack of variety in building a melody - and also gave us sound washes, instumental development and nearly sixty minutes of sound.
Viva La Vida (a much shorter work) has attended to most of their remaining weaknesses and come up with their first classic pop/rock album that can be enjoyed as a whole. The lyrics are less pretentious - the title track even manages to be witty - and the songs are tidier and organised; they all tell their own particular story in music and lyrics. Critically the instrumentation has real variety with the percussion particularly good. Meanwhile Chris Martin's vocals have matured allowing most melody lines to range well over one octave.
The conceit of 'Fix You' ie two competing musical ideas on one particular track is arguably done to death but there is really not a single weak contribution here.
Just give it time..., 22 Aug 2008
This is Coldplay, but with a bit of a twist. I doubt these guys want to create an album that sounds generically similar every time they decide to release a collection of tracks.
So what's the big fuss, and why is everyone having a go at them? Is it because it's Coldplay and it's 'cool' to criticise them? Or is it because they are boring and dull and unimaginative? Or is it because all of their stuff sounds similar?
On the last few counts, I can say that 'Viva La Vida' is NOT boring and NOT dull. Neither is it unimaginative. It is probably the most diverse record Coldplay have produced...but does that necessarily mean that it's their best?
Flip a coin.
On one side, you have the critics who hate it for not being Coldplay - too different, too experimental, too 'bits and pieces'.
On the other hand, you have the people who enjoy it for being a diverse record, with plenty of variety shown in the songs in structure and in how they sound.
I admit myself, it's the kind of record that grows on you. They do say that the best records tend to do so.
'Viva La Vida' is a great album. And it's great because Coldplay create wonderful music.
The standout tracks are: 'Lost!', '42', 'Lovers in Japan', 'Violet Hill', and the title-track, 'Viva La Vida'.
However, there isn't one bad track on it, despite many people dismissing the album. Other tracks, 'Life in Technicolor', 'Cemeteries of London', 'Yes', 'Strawberry Swing', and 'Death and All of His Friends' are good, but don't grab you by the scruff of the neck and beg for your listening attention.
Maybe we take Coldplay for granted. They create excellent music, but some people fail to recognize this. They perceive them as dull and unimaginative. But 'Viva La Vida' is anything but. It is the bravest Coldplay album yet. And quite possibly one of the best, if only because of that. 8/10.
Coldplay deliver once again - the best British band of the Noughties, 19 Aug 2008
How can you argue with this band and their success so far? And before people think I just happen to be a sheep, I found Coldplay's Trouble and Yellow abhorrent. I was not convinced at all. However, I just love Coldplay's work from Parachutes (the two singles excepted) through to this latest installment. This is not an X&Y and is different thanks to the very positive influence of Brian Eno, a magician in his own right. The first 3 tracks just glide you through the listening experience but I struggle with 'Yes'. It is quite different from a typical Coldplay melody and reminds me of the French ambient/rock band, M83. Maybe that's a good thing. Not for me though. However, the two chart hits are just fantastic and uplifting. Not convinced by Strawberry Swing either but I like the way the album finishes. So what have we got then? Just another Coldplay album or have they tried something a little different? Indeed they have and for that they should be applauded as they attempt to evolve. As an album it works very well and it holds CD 4 in my car and will do so for a while. I can't give it 5 stars, it's just not as good as Parachutes for me but it's still a very good album. Don't denigrate, just appreciate.
Best Coldplay Album By Far, 11 Aug 2008
I have taken time to listen to the new Coldplay album several times since its release. There is no denying that this album is far more experimental than the first three albums and moves away from the bands pop/rock songs based around basic chords. The meat of the album is vedged between a very catchy intro and outro which compliment the new style very well.
Initially i found the lyrics on the album a little simple in places but as i listened more, i realised that it may be a small price the band has paid for pushing the content of the songs into new subject areas. A good example of this is the title track 'Viva La Vida' which encapsulates the front cover and speaks of revolution and the trials and tribulations of being a king.
Standout tracks for me are 'Yes', 'Lost' and the very radiohead-esque '42' but to be honest there isn't a bad track on the album.
Overall, the album solidifies Coldplays status as one of the driving cogs in British music at the moment. While many bands continue to stumble along and produce continuous streams of 'safe' music, Coldplay have turned their music in a new direction and made a brilliant go of it.
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Rockferry
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Duffy;
Polydor Group;
2008-03-03;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £6.74
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Product Description
Rockferry, the Welsh singer's lovingly constructed debut album, has already succeeded beyond expectations, and although Duffy may not quite be the ingénue portrayed by a clever press campaign (she nearly won a local television talent show a few years back while a single credited to Aimee Duffy is still available on iTunes) she is surely the most appealing of the current flood of young soul sirens. The astonishing title track, co-written by Bernard Butler, sounded like a lost transmission that had taken decades to get through as soon as it hit radio last year. But the gently rolling soul ballad "Stepping Stone", that strapping, inescapable monster hit "Mercy", the ice cool "Serious" (the one time she really does channel the spirit of Dusty Springfield) and the wistful, elegant "Warwick Avenue" are similarly effective. Suggestions by some that Rockferry is little more than sixties pastiche are churlish. Butler's previous work with David McAlmont (featured here as a backing singer) showed his skill at writing and arranging the dramatic, while her other collaborators such as Steve Booker and the team of Jimmy Hogarth and Eg White are hardly lightweights. But despite some wonderful orchestral settings, it's Duffy's terrific voice that makes this so satisfying, even overpowering Butler's exquisitely underplayed guitar work on "Rockferry" itself. Growling the blues on "Syrup & Honey" or belting it out over his lovingly arranged wall of sound on "Distant Dreamer", she sets the tone throughout, several of her songs dealing with escape, both physical and romantic. The sound of someone singing herself to stardom, Rockferry is at times genuinely amazing. Steve Jelbert
Customer Reviews
Empty and vile, 24 Aug 2008
The absence of everything spontaneous, beautiful and courageous in music. Cod poetry mired down by turgid dirgery with all the wit and sophistication of a rotten cat dropping.
Some posh boy warbles unconvincingly over U2's sub-Bsides and expects the world to be saved while I boak heartily into a straw boater.
Music for people with no love for music and no clue about life.
Their best yet, 24 Aug 2008
I haven't always liked Coldplay. Parachutes I could take or leave (and generally left). 'Rush of Blood' was good in parts but only really 'The Scientist' and 'Warning Sign' have lasted for me. 'X and Y' attended to their main fault - a lack of variety in building a melody - and also gave us sound washes, instumental development and nearly sixty minutes of sound.
Viva La Vida (a much shorter work) has attended to most of their remaining weaknesses and come up with their first classic pop/rock album that can be enjoyed as a whole. The lyrics are less pretentious - the title track even manages to be witty - and the songs are tidier and organised; they all tell their own particular story in music and lyrics. Critically the instrumentation has real variety with the percussion particularly good. Meanwhile Chris Martin's vocals have matured allowing most melody lines to range well over one octave.
The conceit of 'Fix You' ie two competing musical ideas on one particular track is arguably done to death but there is really not a single weak contribution here.
Just give it time..., 22 Aug 2008
This is Coldplay, but with a bit of a twist. I doubt these guys want to create an album that sounds generically similar every time they decide to release a collection of tracks.
So what's the big fuss, and why is everyone having a go at them? Is it because it's Coldplay and it's 'cool' to criticise them? Or is it because they are boring and dull and unimaginative? Or is it because all of their stuff sounds similar?
On the last few counts, I can say that 'Viva La Vida' is NOT boring and NOT dull. Neither is it unimaginative. It is probably the most diverse record Coldplay have produced...but does that necessarily mean that it's their best?
Flip a coin.
On one side, you have the critics who hate it for not being Coldplay - too different, too experimental, too 'bits and pieces'.
On the other hand, you have the people who enjoy it for being a diverse record, with plenty of variety shown in the songs in structure and in how they sound.
I admit myself, it's the kind of record that grows on you. They do say that the best records tend to do so.
'Viva La Vida' is a great album. And it's great because Coldplay create wonderful music.
The standout tracks are: 'Lost!', '42', 'Lovers in Japan', 'Violet Hill', and the title-track, 'Viva La Vida'.
However, there isn't one bad track on it, despite many people dismissing the album. Other tracks, 'Life in Technicolor', 'Cemeteries of London', 'Yes', 'Strawberry Swing', and 'Death and All of His Friends' are good, but don't grab you by the scruff of the neck and beg for your listening attention.
Maybe we take Coldplay for granted. They create excellent music, but some people fail to recognize this. They perceive them as dull and unimaginative. But 'Viva La Vida' is anything but. It is the bravest Coldplay album yet. And quite possibly one of the best, if only because of that. 8/10.
Coldplay deliver once again - the best British band of the Noughties, 19 Aug 2008
How can you argue with this band and their success so far? And before people think I just happen to be a sheep, I found Coldplay's Trouble and Yellow abhorrent. I was not convinced at all. However, I just love Coldplay's work from Parachutes (the two singles excepted) through to this latest installment. This is not an X&Y and is different thanks to the very positive influence of Brian Eno, a magician in his own right. The first 3 tracks just glide you through the listening experience but I struggle with 'Yes'. It is quite different from a typical Coldplay melody and reminds me of the French ambient/rock band, M83. Maybe that's a good thing. Not for me though. However, the two chart hits are just fantastic and uplifting. Not convinced by Strawberry Swing either but I like the way the album finishes. So what have we got then? Just another Coldplay album or have they tried something a little different? Indeed they have and for that they should be applauded as they attempt to evolve. As an album it works very well and it holds CD 4 in my car and will do so for a while. I can't give it 5 stars, it's just not as good as Parachutes for me but it's still a very good album. Don't denigrate, just appreciate.
Best Coldplay Album By Far, 11 Aug 2008
I have taken time to listen to the new Coldplay album several times since its release. There is no denying that this album is far more experimental than the first three albums and moves away from the bands pop/rock songs based around basic chords. The meat of the album is vedged between a very catchy intro and outro which compliment the new style very well.
Initially i found the lyrics on the album a little simple in places but as i listened more, i realised that it may be a small price the band has paid for pushing the content of the songs into new subject areas. A good example of this is the title track 'Viva La Vida' which encapsulates the front cover and speaks of revolution and the trials and tribulations of being a king.
Standout tracks for me are 'Yes', 'Lost' and the very radiohead-esque '42' but to be honest there isn't a bad track on the album.
Overall, the album solidifies Coldplays status as one of the driving cogs in British music at the moment. While many bands continue to stumble along and produce continuous streams of 'safe' music, Coldplay have turned their music in a new direction and made a brilliant go of it.
Good vocals, but quite depressing listening, 26 Aug 2008
The vocals are good. So too are most of the melodies. But almost every song is about betrayal and pain. The moody, downcast picture on the front of the album says it all. The album is instructive listening for all of us who casually enter into relationships and trample on each others hearts.
Excellent, 23 Aug 2008
I can't believe it took me so long to buy this album. People have been telling me it's great for ages. Thing is, somehow I managed to not hear any Duffy songs until about a month ago. Yeah, I know, where have I been?
Anyway, this is excellent. Warwick Avenue, Mercy, Rockferry they're all classic tracks that sound like you've known them for years.
Great voice, great music, great lyrics. Overall a very accessible album.
Rockferry, 14 Aug 2008
This album sounds like something amy winehouse would do but duffy's album is a bit more jazzy best tracks are mercy warwick avenue serious stepping stone and hanging on too long the only bad thing about this album is that it's too short 10 tracks only can't wait for her next album overall i give this album a 10/10 must buy! if you liked this album buy Frank (Deluxe) Back To Black: Deluxe Edition you'll love them both! oh yeah the next single is stepping stone.
A bit Dusty but Amy won't be troubled..., 09 Aug 2008
First outing for the Welsh lass is impressive, when you consider she was plucked from the beginnings of her live career at the time. The style is unashamedly Springfield-esque vocally, with production borrowing heavily on Phil Spector influence. Songs as if directly from the Gamble & Huff or Bacharach songbooks. Lots of jangly guitars and strings, excessive use of tambourine, tremolo and spring reverbs, hey it's '64 again. Winehouse does it better and brings an extra bottle to the party (just don't drink if hers has already been opened.....)
Credit where due for the flavour but left badly exposed when challenged, Duffy deserves the recognition received so far but will need to move the game on to keep up with the expectations.
Favourite is Warkwick Avenue, some of the later passages leave deeper searching questions.
One for the serious Pop collector rarher than Music collection. Play it on da pod and let 'yer hips sway....
Great voice, not so great album. , 06 Aug 2008
I heard 'Mercy' and I loved it; I still do. I waited for her album to be released, and was ultimately disappointed. Her voice is fantastic, but the sound of the album is too samey. The standout tracks are:
Mercy
Stepping Stone
Apart from that, it's all a bit boring and samey. Her lyrics and vocals are great, it's just the music that needs to be more upbeat. Still worth a try if you like 'Mercy' - but but warned - the album sounds nothing like the single.
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Forth
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The Verve;
Parlophone;
2008-08-25;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £7.95
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Customer Reviews
Empty and vile, 24 Aug 2008
The absence of everything spontaneous, beautiful and courageous in music. Cod poetry mired down by turgid dirgery with all the wit and sophistication of a rotten cat dropping.
Some posh boy warbles unconvincingly over U2's sub-Bsides and expects the world to be saved while I boak heartily into a straw boater.
Music for people with no love for music and no clue about life.
Their best yet, 24 Aug 2008
I haven't always liked Coldplay. Parachutes I could take or leave (and generally left). 'Rush of Blood' was good in parts but only really 'The Scientist' and 'Warning Sign' have lasted for me. 'X and Y' attended to their main fault - a lack of variety in building a melody - and also gave us sound washes, instumental development and nearly sixty minutes of sound.
Viva La Vida (a much shorter work) has attended to most of their remaining weaknesses and come up with their first classic pop/rock album that can be enjoyed as a whole. The lyrics are less pretentious - the title track even manages to be witty - and the songs are tidier and organised; they all tell their own particular story in music and lyrics. Critically the instrumentation has real variety with the percussion particularly good. Meanwhile Chris Martin's vocals have matured allowing most melody lines to range well over one octave.
The conceit of 'Fix You' ie two competing musical ideas on one particular track is arguably done to death but there is really not a single weak contribution here.
Just give it time..., 22 Aug 2008
This is Coldplay, but with a bit of a twist. I doubt these guys want to create an album that sounds generically similar every time they decide to release a collection of tracks.
So what's the big fuss, and why is everyone having a go at them? Is it because it's Coldplay and it's 'cool' to criticise them? Or is it because they are boring and dull and unimaginative? Or is it because all of their stuff sounds similar?
On the last few counts, I can say that 'Viva La Vida' is NOT boring and NOT dull. Neither is it unimaginative. It is probably the most diverse record Coldplay have produced...but does that necessarily mean that it's their best?
Flip a coin.
On one side, you have the critics who hate it for not being Coldplay - too different, too experimental, too 'bits and pieces'.
On the other hand, you have the people who enjoy it for being a diverse record, with plenty of variety shown in the songs in structure and in how they sound.
I admit myself, it's the kind of record that grows on you. They do say that the best records tend to do so.
'Viva La Vida' is a great album. And it's great because Coldplay create wonderful music.
The standout tracks are: 'Lost!', '42', 'Lovers in Japan', 'Violet Hill', and the title-track, 'Viva La Vida'.
However, there isn't one bad track on it, despite many people dismissing the album. Other tracks, 'Life in Technicolor', 'Cemeteries of London', 'Yes', 'Strawberry Swing', and 'Death and All of His Friends' are good, but don't grab you by the scruff of the neck and beg for your listening attention.
Maybe we take Coldplay for granted. They create excellent music, but some people fail to recognize this. They perceive them as dull and unimaginative. But 'Viva La Vida' is anything but. It is the bravest Coldplay album yet. And quite possibly one of the best, if only because of that. 8/10.
Coldplay deliver once again - the best British band of the Noughties, 19 Aug 2008
How can you argue with this band and their success so far? And before people think I just happen to be a sheep, I found Coldplay's Trouble and Yellow abhorrent. I was not convinced at all. However, I just love Coldplay's work from Parachutes (the two singles excepted) through to this latest installment. This is not an X&Y and is different thanks to the very positive influence of Brian Eno, a magician in his own right. The first 3 tracks just glide you through the listening experience but I struggle with 'Yes'. It is quite different from a typical Coldplay melody and reminds me of the French ambient/rock band, M83. Maybe that's a good thing. Not for me though. However, the two chart hits are just fantastic and uplifting. Not convinced by Strawberry Swing either but I like the way the album finishes. So what have we got then? Just another Coldplay album or have they tried something a little different? Indeed they have and for that they should be applauded as they attempt to evolve. As an album it works very well and it holds CD 4 in my car and will do so for a while. I can't give it 5 stars, it's just not as good as Parachutes for me but it's still a very good album. Don't denigrate, just appreciate.
Best Coldplay Album By Far, 11 Aug 2008
I have taken time to listen to the new Coldplay album several times since its release. There is no denying that this album is far more experimental than the first three albums and moves away from the bands pop/rock songs based around basic chords. The meat of the album is vedged between a very catchy intro and outro which compliment the new style very well.
Initially i found the lyrics on the album a little simple in places but as i listened more, i realised that it may be a small price the band has paid for pushing the content of the songs into new subject areas. A good example of this is the title track 'Viva La Vida' which encapsulates the front cover and speaks of revolution and the trials and tribulations of being a king.
Standout tracks for me are 'Yes', 'Lost' and the very radiohead-esque '42' but to be honest there isn't a bad track on the album.
Overall, the album solidifies Coldplays status as one of the driving cogs in British music at the moment. While many bands continue to stumble along and produce continuous streams of 'safe' music, Coldplay have turned their music in a new direction and made a brilliant go of it.
Good vocals, but quite depressing listening, 26 Aug 2008
The vocals are good. So too are most of the melodies. But almost every song is about betrayal and pain. The moody, downcast picture on the front of the album says it all. The album is instructive listening for all of us who casually enter into relationships and trample on each others hearts.
Excellent, 23 Aug 2008
I can't believe it took me so long to buy this album. People have been telling me it's great for ages. Thing is, somehow I managed to not hear any Duffy songs until about a month ago. Yeah, I know, where have I been?
Anyway, this is excellent. Warwick Avenue, Mercy, Rockferry they're all classic tracks that sound like you've known them for years.
Great voice, great music, great lyrics. Overall a very accessible album.
Rockferry, 14 Aug 2008
This album sounds like something amy winehouse would do but duffy's album is a bit more jazzy best tracks are mercy warwick avenue serious stepping stone and hanging on too long the only bad thing about this album is that it's too short 10 tracks only can't wait for her next album overall i give this album a 10/10 must buy! if you liked this album buy Frank (Deluxe) Back To Black: Deluxe Edition you'll love them both! oh yeah the next single is stepping stone.
A bit Dusty but Amy won't be troubled..., 09 Aug 2008
First outing for the Welsh lass is impressive, when you consider she was plucked from the beginnings of her live career at the time. The style is unashamedly Springfield-esque vocally, with production borrowing heavily on Phil Spector influence. Songs as if directly from the Gamble & Huff or Bacharach songbooks. Lots of jangly guitars and strings, excessive use of tambourine, tremolo and spring reverbs, hey it's '64 again. Winehouse does it better and brings an extra bottle to the party (just don't drink if hers has already been opened.....)
Credit where due for the flavour but left badly exposed when challenged, Duffy deserves the recognition received so far but will need to move the game on to keep up with the expectations.
Favourite is Warkwick Avenue, some of the later passages leave deeper searching questions.
One for the serious Pop collector rarher than Music collection. Play it on da pod and let 'yer hips sway....
Great voice, not so great album. , 06 Aug 2008
I heard 'Mercy' and I loved it; I still do. I waited for her album to be released, and was ultimately disappointed. Her voice is fantastic, but the sound of the album is too samey. The standout tracks are:
Mercy
Stepping Stone
Apart from that, it's all a bit boring and samey. Her lyrics and vocals are great, it's just the music that needs to be more upbeat. Still worth a try if you like 'Mercy' - but but warned - the album sounds nothing like the single.
Back to college for any one in the mid-late twenties!, 28 Aug 2008
I'll keep this straight forward and to the point as much as possible....
The Verve before 1999 have always had 2 sides. 1 side Nick McCabe...far out experimental guitar music....
Richard Ashcroft...Straight forward ballads/rock songs...
You could always tell a Richard Ashcroft song from a Verve song...example from the album a Northern soul the title track is a typical group composition whereas On your Own and History are obviously Ashcroft written songs...Urban Hymns...Neon Wilderness and Catching The Butterfly, both Verve written...Lucky Man,Sonnet...Ashcroft written. The evidence is there as to what I,m trying to say just look at the writing credits in the cd's!!
Now to Forth!! The 2 sides appears to be gone...it really sounds like the band are working together and combining both sides!!!
I won't go into details but list some highlights...Love Is Noise,just a blinding catchy song...Sit and Wonder a typical Verve song...Noise Epic...an amazing journey into why The Verve are so great...
If you like The Verve and always have done this will not dissapoint you...if you only like 1 or 2 of there songs....get the ones you like!
Four Stars... and a bit., 27 Aug 2008
I was never a Verve fan as such, but I have had Urban Hymns since its release and it's is one of my favourites. Forth is good but by no means great. It starts off well, the first few songs are excellent, particularly Rather Be and Love is Noise, but then it loses its way until the brilliant Valium Skies. So I give it four stars, were it not for the rather poor middle, I'd have happily given five stars. This is only my opinion, this one looks like one of those CD's that is 'like marmite', if you know what I mean.
Forth , 27 Aug 2008
Keepin this brief, Forth is a Top album, as good as all their others, standout tracks...
sit and wonder
love is noise
rather be
valium skies
appalachian springs
(BUY NOW GREAT ALBUM!)
A Bitter-Sweet Album, 27 Aug 2008
The album opens brilliantly with 'Sit and Wonder' and 'Love is Noise' rivalling the best Verve tracks. 'Rather Be' has the difficult task of following such strong songs but changes the tone of the album fluidly and is a good track in itself.
However the three mediocre songs of 'Judas', 'Numbness' (does exactly what it says on the tin) and 'I See Houses' follow and this is the major problem with this album. By the time these tracks are over you are left feeling bored and the album feeling dead and lifeless.
'Noise Epic' tries to pick up the tempo in typical Verve fashion and 'Valium Skies' is a hidden gem on this album. 'Mama Soul' and 'Appalachian Springs' finish the album off nicely but the album struggles to recover from its lacklustre middle section.
In conclusion there are some GREAT songs on here and the rest are mainly good but the few weak tracks have been allowed to dominate. I'd give this album 3.5 out of 5.
2 decent songs, a star each, 27 Aug 2008
I have all of The Verve's previous albums, from the seminal "A Storm in Heaven", through the superb "A Northern Soul" to the good but over-hyped "Urban Hymns". This is not a patch on any of them.
The many filler tracks hinted at on "Urban Hymns" have been expanded and watered-down even further to pad out this offering. The tough sonic soundscapes favoured by guitarist Nick McCabe in days gone by are all but absent here, where he is criminally underused. He has finally been relegated to Ashcroft's session man, making this lazy effort sound like another solo effort of his - no great thing.
The two standout tracks on the album - "Sit and Wonder" and "Love is Noise" - are the opening songs. Sadly it's all downhill from here on out. These two songs could have sat proudly on any previous album. For this reason alone "Forth" deserves 2 stars - 1 for each track.
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Peaceful The World Lays Me Down
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Noah And The Whale;
Universal;
2008-08-11;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £6.85
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Customer Reviews
Empty and vile, 24 Aug 2008
The absence of everything spontaneous, beautiful and courageous in music. Cod poetry mired down by turgid dirgery with all the wit and sophistication of a rotten cat dropping.
Some posh boy warbles unconvincingly over U2's sub-Bsides and expects the world to be saved while I boak heartily into a straw boater.
Music for people with no love for music and no clue about life.
Their best yet, 24 Aug 2008
I haven't always liked Coldplay. Parachutes I could take or leave (and generally left). 'Rush of Blood' was good in parts but only really 'The Scientist' and 'Warning Sign' have lasted for me. 'X and Y' attended to their main fault - a lack of variety in building a melody - and also gave us sound washes, instumental development and nearly sixty minutes of sound.
Viva La Vida (a much shorter work) has attended to most of their remaining weaknesses and come up with their first classic pop/rock album that can be enjoyed as a whole. The lyrics are less pretentious - the title track even manages to be witty - and the songs are tidier and organised; they all tell their own particular story in music and lyrics. Critically the instrumentation has real variety with the percussion particularly good. Meanwhile Chris Martin's vocals have matured allowing most melody lines to range well over one octave.
The conceit of 'Fix You' ie two competing musical ideas on one particular track is arguably done to death but there is really not a single weak contribution here.
Just give it time..., 22 Aug 2008
This is Coldplay, but with a bit of a twist. I doubt these guys want to create an album that sounds generically similar every time they decide to release a collection of tracks.
So what's the big fuss, and why is everyone having a go at them? Is it because it's Coldplay and it's 'cool' to criticise them? Or is it because they are boring and dull and unimaginative? Or is it because all of their stuff sounds similar?
On the last few counts, I can say that 'Viva La Vida' is NOT boring and NOT dull. Neither is it unimaginative. It is probably the most diverse record Coldplay have produced...but does that necessarily mean that it's their best?
Flip a coin.
On one side, you have the critics who hate it for not being Coldplay - too different, too experimental, too 'bits and pieces'.
On the other hand, you have the people who enjoy it for being a diverse record, with plenty of variety shown in the songs in structure and in how they sound.
I admit myself, it's the kind of record that grows on you. They do say that the best records tend to do so.
'Viva La Vida' is a great album. And it's great because Coldplay create wonderful music.
The standout tracks are: 'Lost!', '42', 'Lovers in Japan', 'Violet Hill', and the title-track, 'Viva La Vida'.
However, there isn't one bad track on it, despite many people dismissing the album. Other tracks, 'Life in Technicolor', 'Cemeteries of London', 'Yes', 'Strawberry Swing', and 'Death and All of His Friends' are good, but don't grab you by the scruff of the neck and beg for your listening attention.
Maybe we take Coldplay for granted. They create excellent music, but some people fail to recognize this. They perceive them as dull and unimaginative. But 'Viva La Vida' is anything but. It is the bravest Coldplay album yet. And quite possibly one of the best, if only because of that. 8/10.
Coldplay deliver once again - the best British band of the Noughties, 19 Aug 2008
How can you argue with this band and their success so far? And before people think I just happen to be a sheep, I found Coldplay's Trouble and Yellow abhorrent. I was not convinced at all. However, I just love Coldplay's work from Parachutes (the two singles excepted) through to this latest installment. This is not an X&Y and is different thanks to the very positive influence of Brian Eno, a magician in his own right. The first 3 tracks just glide you through the listening experience but I struggle with 'Yes'. It is quite different from a typical Coldplay melody and reminds me of the French ambient/rock band, M83. Maybe that's a good thing. Not for me though. However, the two chart hits are just fantastic and uplifting. Not convinced by Strawberry Swing either but I like the way the album finishes. So what have we got then? Just another Coldplay album or have they tried something a little different? Indeed they have and for that they should be applauded as they attempt to evolve. As an album it works very well and it holds CD 4 in my car and will do so for a while. I can't give it 5 stars, it's just not as good as Parachutes for me but it's still a very good album. Don't denigrate, just appreciate.
Best Coldplay Album By Far, 11 Aug 2008
I have taken time to listen to the new Coldplay album several times since its release. There is no denying that this album is far more experimental than the first three albums and moves away from the bands pop/rock songs based around basic chords. The meat of the album is vedged between a very catchy intro and outro which compliment the new style very well.
Initially i found the lyrics on the album a little simple in places but as i listened more, i realised that it may be a small price the band has paid for pushing the content of the songs into new subject areas. A good example of this is the title track 'Viva La Vida' which encapsulates the front cover and speaks of revolution and the trials and tribulations of being a king.
Standout tracks for me are 'Yes', 'Lost' and the very radiohead-esque '42' but to be honest there isn't a bad track on the album.
Overall, the album solidifies Coldplays status as one of the driving cogs in British music at the moment. While many bands continue to stumble along and produce continuous streams of 'safe' music, Coldplay have turned their music in a new direction and made a brilliant go of it.
Good vocals, but quite depressing listening, 26 Aug 2008
The vocals are good. So too are most of the melodies. But almost every song is about betrayal and pain. The moody, downcast picture on the front of the album says it all. The album is instructive listening for all of us who casually enter into relationships and trample on each others hearts.
Excellent, 23 Aug 2008
I can't believe it took me so long to buy this album. People have been telling me it's great for ages. Thing is, somehow I managed to not hear any Duffy songs until about a month ago. Yeah, I know, where have I been?
Anyway, this is excellent. Warwick Avenue, Mercy, Rockferry they're all classic tracks that sound like you've known them for years.
Great voice, great music, great lyrics. Overall a very accessible album.
Rockferry, 14 Aug 2008
This album sounds like something amy winehouse would do but duffy's album is a bit more jazzy best tracks are mercy warwick avenue serious stepping stone and hanging on too long the only bad thing about this album is that it's too short 10 tracks only can't wait for her next album overall i give this album a 10/10 must buy! if you liked this album buy Frank (Deluxe) Back To Black: Deluxe Edition you'll love them both! oh yeah the next single is stepping stone.
A bit Dusty but Amy won't be troubled..., 09 Aug 2008
First outing for the Welsh lass is impressive, when you consider she was plucked from the beginnings of her live career at the time. The style is unashamedly Springfield-esque vocally, with production borrowing heavily on Phil Spector influence. Songs as if directly from the Gamble & Huff or Bacharach songbooks. Lots of jangly guitars and strings, excessive use of tambourine, tremolo and spring reverbs, hey it's '64 again. Winehouse does it better and brings an extra bottle to the party (just don't drink if hers has already been opened.....)
Credit where due for the flavour but left badly exposed when challenged, Duffy deserves the recognition received so far but will need to move the game on to keep up with the expectations.
Favourite is Warkwick Avenue, some of the later passages leave deeper searching questions.
One for the serious Pop collector rarher than Music collection. Play it on da pod and let 'yer hips sway....
Great voice, not so great album. , 06 Aug 2008
I heard 'Mercy' and I loved it; I still do. I waited for her album to be released, and was ultimately disappointed. Her voice is fantastic, but the sound of the album is too samey. The standout tracks are:
Mercy
Stepping Stone
Apart from that, it's all a bit boring and samey. Her lyrics and vocals are great, it's just the music that needs to be more upbeat. Still worth a try if you like 'Mercy' - but but warned - the album sounds nothing like the single.
Back to college for any one in the mid-late twenties!, 28 Aug 2008
I'll keep this straight forward and to the point as much as possible....
The Verve before 1999 have always had 2 sides. 1 side Nick McCabe...far out experimental guitar music....
Richard Ashcroft...Straight forward ballads/rock songs...
You could always tell a Richard Ashcroft song from a Verve song...example from the album a Northern soul the title track is a typical group composition whereas On your Own and History are obviously Ashcroft written songs...Urban Hymns...Neon Wilderness and Catching The Butterfly, both Verve written...Lucky Man,Sonnet...Ashcroft written. The evidence is there as to what I,m trying to say just look at the writing credits in the cd's!!
Now to Forth!! The 2 sides appears to be gone...it really sounds like the band are working together and combining both sides!!!
I won't go into details but list some highlights...Love Is Noise,just a blinding catchy song...Sit and Wonder a typical Verve song...Noise Epic...an amazing journey into why The Verve are so great...
If you like The Verve and always have done this will not dissapoint you...if you only like 1 or 2 of there songs....get the ones you like!
Four Stars... and a bit., 27 Aug 2008
I was never a Verve fan as such, but I have had Urban Hymns since its release and it's is one of my favourites. Forth is good but by no means great. It starts off well, the first few songs are excellent, particularly Rather Be and Love is Noise, but then it loses its way until the brilliant Valium Skies. So I give it four stars, were it not for the rather poor middle, I'd have happily given five stars. This is only my opinion, this one looks like one of those CD's that is 'like marmite', if you know what I mean.
Forth , 27 Aug 2008
Keepin this brief, Forth is a Top album, as good as all their others, standout tracks...
sit and wonder
love is noise
rather be
valium skies
appalachian springs
(BUY NOW GREAT ALBUM!)
A Bitter-Sweet Album, 27 Aug 2008
The album opens brilliantly with 'Sit and Wonder' and 'Love is Noise' rivalling the best Verve tracks. 'Rather Be' has the difficult task of following such strong songs but changes the tone of the album fluidly and is a good track in itself.
However the three mediocre songs of 'Judas', 'Numbness' (does exactly what it says on the tin) and 'I See Houses' follow and this is the major problem with this album. By the time these tracks are over you are left feeling bored and the album feeling dead and lifeless.
'Noise Epic' tries to pick up the tempo in typical Verve fashion and 'Valium Skies' is a hidden gem on this album. 'Mama Soul' and 'Appalachian Springs' finish the album off nicely but the album struggles to recover from its lacklustre middle section.
In conclusion there are some GREAT songs on here and the rest are mainly good but the few weak tracks have been allowed to dominate. I'd give this album 3.5 out of 5.
2 decent songs, a star each, 27 Aug 2008
I have all of The Verve's previous albums, from the seminal "A Storm in Heaven", through the superb "A Northern Soul" to the good but over-hyped "Urban Hymns". This is not a patch on any of them.
The many filler tracks hinted at on "Urban Hymns" have been expanded and watered-down even further to pad out this offering. The tough sonic soundscapes favoured by guitarist Nick McCabe in days gone by are all but absent here, where he is criminally underused. He has finally been relegated to Ashcroft's session man, making this lazy effort sound like another solo effort of his - no great thing.
The two standout tracks on the album - "Sit and Wonder" and "Love is Noise" - are the opening songs. Sadly it's all downhill from here on out. These two songs could have sat proudly on any previous album. For this reason alone "Forth" deserves 2 stars - 1 for each track.
Give it a try!, 21 Aug 2008
I can't agree with the last reviewer who stated that there is one good song and ten whiney ones. That is far from the mark. Some reviews on here may put people off this album because they make out that it is a 'whingey folk album' which paints it as a singer with acoustic guitar scenario. This is wrong. There ARE the odd song like that but they are always supplemented by the gentle backing of Laura Marling. And then you have the other songs which make great use of all manner of instruments. I won't mention 5 years time as everyone knows it by now. The other single Shape of my heart has some nice mexican horns etc, Rocks & Daggers (the best song on the album) has some fiddle and some nice changes in tempo, 2 atoms is another up tempo number. I can see how this album would irritate people, but I think there is more to it than meets the eye. Give it a go, at least listen to it from start to finish before saying it's rubbish! I Like the Wes Anderson inspired videos as well!
1 fluffy fun song and 10 whining ones, 20 Aug 2008
I bought this on the strength of "five years time" thinking it would run in much the same vein throughout. How wrong I was. Its folk, so there is plenty of opportunity to be miserable whilst strumming a guitar.
Very disappointed and I've returned my CD already.
15 minutes of fame, 20 Aug 2008
I can't take seriously the claim that this is 'folk' music. Not even if we stretch the definition to take in the wildest realms of Nu-Folk could we see Noah and the Whale filling out the airspace of Folk on 2 !
To my ears,the band are somewhat reminiscent of groups like Talking Heads or They might be Giants. Definitely Indie Pop in style and content rather than folk.
Apparently they have been receiving a lot of play on Radio 1 ? I wouldn't know being over 12 and never allowing my ears to be defiled by such a hideous aural experience ! It would not surprise me though as the album is brim full of chirpy, frothy tracks which would perfectly suit the undemanding tastes of Radio 1 listeners and it's play it safe controllers and DJ's.
If Noah and the Whale were a food dish they would be Pizza and Fries. It fills a space for a bit but it's blandness leaves you craving more substantial nourishment !
And it was fun fun fun (I know - sorry!), 17 Aug 2008
But it comes from such a catchy song that you just can't help it. But now the album has been released, it's an opportunity to see if 'the song of the summer' is just a one-off or are there other gems there too. And I'm pleased to say that the album is a very welcome surprise. Noah and the Whale have crafted a quirky, original album. The lyrics are witty and perceptive and set in music that is kind of folksy-pop. The singles 5 Years Time and Shape Of My Heart do stand out but only by a notch. All together, the album is a joy to listen to and will leave you smiling. And at just over 42 minutes, it doesn't outstay its welcome either.
In 5 year's time..., 15 Aug 2008
... no one will remember N&TW* or their works. Whimsical to the point of nausea.
*The Twee-Filter on my firewall prevents me from typing their full name.
Lucky to get 1 star.
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Monkey: Journey to the West
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Damon Albarn;
XL;
2008-08-18;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £7.25
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Product Description
You could never accuse Damon Albarn of resting on his laurels. Whether it's forming supergroups (The Good, The Bad & The Queen), working with cult animators (The Gorillaz) or making music with musicians from Mali, the former Blur frontman has nurtured a restless, questing spirit not normally encountered in Britop stars. As if to underline his diverse interests, he now turns his attention to Chinese theatre. Monkey: Journey to the West is a theatrical collaboration between Albarn (music), Jamie Hewlett of Gorillaz fame (designs, costumes) and Chinese opera specialist Chen Shi-Zheng. The show itself is an explosive 90-minute circus featuring Chinese acrobats, martial arts experts and contortionists, though the album condenses the experience into 22 songs lasting an hour or so. Recorded in London and Beijing with a mix of European and Chinese musicians, Monkey ... is a genuine attempt at East-West fusion. Featuring a dizzying array of instrumentation--rock guitars, electronics, harps, mandolins, drum machines, strings, plinky-plonk keyboards, giggling girls, chants, even pigs--it's the sort of project that could so easily have gone awry. Yet Albarn, who allegedly mastered the Chinese pentatonic scale, seems to have made it work. Songs like the fluttery "Heavenly Peach Banquet" and the wistful "The Living Sea" are utterly beguiling, and stand in stark contrast to guitar-heavy behemoths like "Battle in Heaven" and the climactic "Monkey Bee." These longer songs are punctuated with incidental pieces such as "Iron Rod", "Into the Eastern Sea" and "Out of the Eastern Sea". While such interludes may distract from a 'normal' album experience, there's enough melodious charm and imaginative whimsy scattered throughout to satisfy even ardent skeptics. --Paul Sullivan
Customer Reviews
Empty and vile, 24 Aug 2008
The absence of everything spontaneous, beautiful and courageous in music. Cod poetry mired down by turgid dirgery with all the wit and sophistication of a rotten cat dropping.
Some posh boy warbles unconvincingly over U2's sub-Bsides and expects the world to be saved while I boak heartily into a straw boater.
Music for people with no love for music and no clue about life.
Their best yet, 24 Aug 2008
I haven't always liked Coldplay. Parachutes I could take or leave (and generally left). 'Rush of Blood' was good in parts but only really 'The Scientist' and 'Warning Sign' have lasted for me. 'X and Y' attended to their main fault - a lack of variety in building a melody - and also gave us sound washes, instumental development and nearly sixty minutes of sound.
Viva La Vida (a much shorter work) has attended to most of their remaining weaknesses and come up with their first classic pop/rock album that can be enjoyed as a whole. The lyrics are less pretentious - the title track even manages to be witty - and the songs are tidier and organised; they all tell their own particular story in music and lyrics. Critically the instrumentation has real variety with the percussion particularly good. Meanwhile Chris Martin's vocals have matured allowing most melody lines to range well over one octave.
The conceit of 'Fix You' ie two competing musical ideas on one particular track is arguably done to death but there is really not a single weak contribution here.
Just give it time..., 22 Aug 2008
This is Coldplay, but with a bit of a twist. I doubt these guys want to create an album that sounds generically similar every time they decide to release a collection of tracks.
So what's the big fuss, and why is everyone having a go at them? Is it because it's Coldplay and it's 'cool' to criticise them? Or is it because they are boring and dull and unimaginative? Or is it because all of their stuff sounds similar?
On the last few counts, I can say that 'Viva La Vida' is NOT boring and NOT dull. Neither is it unimaginative. It is probably the most diverse record Coldplay have produced...but does that necessarily mean that it's their best?
Flip a coin.
On one side, you have the critics who hate it for not being Coldplay - too different, too experimental, too 'bits and pieces'.
On the other hand, you have the people who enjoy it for being a diverse record, with plenty of variety shown in the songs in structure and in how they sound.
I admit myself, it's the kind of record that grows on you. They do say that the best records tend to do so.
'Viva La Vida' is a great album. And it's great because Coldplay create wonderful music.
The standout tracks are: 'Lost!', '42', 'Lovers in Japan', 'Violet Hill', and the title-track, 'Viva La Vida'.
However, there isn't one bad track on it, despite many people dismissing the album. Other tracks, 'Life in Technicolor', 'Cemeteries of London', 'Yes', 'Strawberry Swing', and 'Death and All of His Friends' are good, but don't grab you by the scruff of the neck and beg for your listening attention.
Maybe we take Coldplay for granted. They create excellent music, but some people fail to recognize this. They perceive them as dull and unimaginative. But 'Viva La Vida' is anything but. It is the bravest Coldplay album yet. And quite possibly one of the best, if only because of that. 8/10.
Coldplay deliver once again - the best British band of the Noughties, 19 Aug 2008
How can you argue with this band and their success so far? And before people think I just happen to be a sheep, I found Coldplay's Trouble and Yellow abhorrent. I was not convinced at all. However, I just love Coldplay's work from Parachutes (the two singles excepted) through to this latest installment. This is not an X&Y and is different thanks to the very positive influence of Brian Eno, a magician in his own right. The first 3 tracks just glide you through the listening experience but I struggle with 'Yes'. It is quite different from a typical Coldplay melody and reminds me of the French ambient/rock band, M83. Maybe that's a good thing. Not for me though. However, the two chart hits are just fantastic and uplifting. Not convinced by Strawberry Swing either but I like the way the album finishes. So what have we got then? Just another Coldplay album or have they tried something a little different? Indeed they have and for that they should be applauded as they attempt to evolve. As an album it works very well and it holds CD 4 in my car and will do so for a while. I can't give it 5 stars, it's just not as good as Parachutes for me but it's still a very good album. Don't denigrate, just appreciate.
Best Coldplay Album By Far, 11 Aug 2008
I have taken time to listen to the new Coldplay album several times since its release. There is no denying that this album is far more experimental than the first three albums and moves away from the bands pop/rock songs based around basic chords. The meat of the album is vedged between a very catchy intro and outro which compliment the new style very well.
Initially i found the lyrics on the album a little simple in places but as i listened more, i realised that it may be a small price the band has paid for pushing the content of the songs into new subject areas. A good example of this is the title track 'Viva La Vida' which encapsulates the front cover and speaks of revolution and the trials and tribulations of being a king.
Standout tracks for me are 'Yes', 'Lost' and the very radiohead-esque '42' but to be honest there isn't a bad track on the album.
Overall, the album solidifies Coldplays status as one of the driving cogs in British music at the moment. While many bands continue to stumble along and produce continuous streams of 'safe' music, Coldplay have turned their music in a new direction and made a brilliant go of it.
Good vocals, but quite depressing listening, 26 Aug 2008
The vocals are good. So too are most of the melodies. But almost every song is about betrayal and pain. The moody, downcast picture on the front of the album says it all. The album is instructive listening for all of us who casually enter into relationships and trample on each others hearts.
Excellent, 23 Aug 2008
I can't believe it took me so long to buy this album. People have been telling me it's great for ages. Thing is, somehow I managed to not hear any Duffy songs until about a month ago. Yeah, I know, where have I been?
Anyway, this is excellent. Warwick Avenue, Mercy, Rockferry they're all classic tracks that sound like you've known them for years.
Great voice, great music, great lyrics. Overall a very accessible album.
Rockferry, 14 Aug 2008
This album sounds like something amy winehouse would do but duffy's album is a bit more jazzy best tracks are mercy warwick avenue serious stepping stone and hanging on too long the only bad thing about this album is that it's too short 10 tracks only can't wait for her next album overall i give this album a 10/10 must buy! if you liked this album buy Frank (Deluxe) Back To Black: Deluxe Edition you'll love them both! oh yeah the next single is stepping stone.
A bit Dusty but Amy won't be troubled..., 09 Aug 2008
First outing for the Welsh lass is impressive, when you consider she was plucked from the beginnings of her live career at the time. The style is unashamedly Springfield-esque vocally, with production borrowing heavily on Phil Spector influence. Songs as if directly from the Gamble & Huff or Bacharach songbooks. Lots of jangly guitars and strings, excessive use of tambourine, tremolo and spring reverbs, hey it's '64 again. Winehouse does it better and brings an extra bottle to the party (just don't drink if hers has already been opened.....)
Credit where due for the flavour but left badly exposed when challenged, Duffy deserves the recognition received so far but will need to move the game on to keep up with the expectations.
Favourite is Warkwick Avenue, some of the later passages leave deeper searching questions.
One for the serious Pop collector rarher than Music collection. Play it on da pod and let 'yer hips sway....
Great voice, not so great album. , 06 Aug 2008
I heard 'Mercy' and I loved it; I still do. I waited for her album to be released, and was ultimately disappointed. Her voice is fantastic, but the sound of the album is too samey. The standout tracks are:
Mercy
Stepping Stone
Apart from that, it's all a bit boring and samey. Her lyrics and vocals are great, it's just the music that needs to be more upbeat. Still worth a try if you like 'Mercy' - but but warned - the album sounds nothing like the single.
Back to college for any one in the mid-late twenties!, 28 Aug 2008
I'll keep this straight forward and to the point as much as possible....
The Verve before 1999 have always had 2 sides. 1 side Nick McCabe...far out experimental guitar music....
Richard Ashcroft...Straight forward ballads/rock songs...
You could always tell a Richard Ashcroft song from a Verve song...example from the album a Northern soul the title track is a typical group composition whereas On your Own and History are obviously Ashcroft written songs...Urban Hymns...Neon Wilderness and Catching The Butterfly, both Verve written...Lucky Man,Sonnet...Ashcroft written. The evidence is there as to what I,m trying to say just look at the writing credits in the cd's!!
Now to Forth!! The 2 sides appears to be gone...it really sounds like the band are working together and combining both sides!!!
I won't go into details but list some highlights...Love Is Noise,just a blinding catchy song...Sit and Wonder a typical Verve song...Noise Epic...an amazing journey into why The Verve are so great...
If you like The Verve and always have done this will not dissapoint you...if you only like 1 or 2 of there songs....get the ones you like!
Four Stars... and a bit., 27 Aug 2008
I was never a Verve fan as such, but I have had Urban Hymns since its release and it's is one of my favourites. Forth is good but by no means great. It starts off well, the first few songs are excellent, particularly Rather Be and Love is Noise, but then it loses its way until the brilliant Valium Skies. So I give it four stars, were it not for the rather poor middle, I'd have happily given five stars. This is only my opinion, this one looks like one of those CD's that is 'like marmite', if you know what I mean.
Forth , 27 Aug 2008
Keepin this brief, Forth is a Top album, as good as all their others, standout tracks...
sit and wonder
love is noise
rather be
valium skies
appalachian springs
(BUY NOW GREAT ALBUM!)
A Bitter-Sweet Album, 27 Aug 2008
The album opens brilliantly with 'Sit and Wonder' and 'Love is Noise' rivalling the best Verve tracks. 'Rather Be' has the difficult task of following such strong songs but changes the tone of the album fluidly and is a good track in itself.
However the three mediocre songs of 'Judas', 'Numbness' (does exactly what it says on the tin) and 'I See Houses' follow and this is the major problem with this album. By the time these tracks are over you are left feeling bored and the album feeling dead and lifeless.
'Noise Epic' tries to pick up the tempo in typical Verve fashion and 'Valium Skies' is a hidden gem on this album. 'Mama Soul' and 'Appalachian Springs' finish the album off nicely but the album struggles to recover from its lacklustre middle section.
In conclusion there are some GREAT songs on here and the rest are mainly good but the few weak tracks have been allowed to dominate. I'd give this album 3.5 out of 5.
2 decent songs, a star each, 27 Aug 2008
I have all of The Verve's previous albums, from the seminal "A Storm in Heaven", through the superb "A Northern Soul" to the good but over-hyped "Urban Hymns". This is not a patch on any of them.
The many filler tracks hinted at on "Urban Hymns" have been expanded and watered-down even further to pad out this offering. The tough sonic soundscapes favoured by guitarist Nick McCabe in days gone by are all but absent here, where he is criminally underused. He has finally been relegated to Ashcroft's session man, making this lazy effort sound like another solo effort of his - no great thing.
The two standout tracks on the album - "Sit and Wonder" and "Love is Noise" - are the opening songs. Sadly it's all downhill from here on out. These two songs could have sat proudly on any previous album. For this reason alone "Forth" deserves 2 stars - 1 for each track.
Give it a try!, 21 Aug 2008
I can't agree with the last reviewer who stated that there is one good song and ten whiney ones. That is far from the mark. Some reviews on here may put people off this album because they make out that it is a 'whingey folk album' which paints it as a singer with acoustic guitar scenario. This is wrong. There ARE the odd song like that but they are always supplemented by the gentle backing of Laura Marling. And then you have the other songs which make great use of all manner of instruments. I won't mention 5 years time as everyone knows it by now. The other single Shape of my heart has some nice mexican horns etc, Rocks & Daggers (the best song on the album) has some fiddle and some nice changes in tempo, 2 atoms is another up tempo number. I can see how this album would irritate people, but I think there is more to it than meets the eye. Give it a go, at least listen to it from start to finish before saying it's rubbish! I Like the Wes Anderson inspired videos as well!
1 fluffy fun song and 10 whining ones, 20 Aug 2008
I bought this on the strength of "five years time" thinking it would run in much the same vein throughout. How wrong I was. Its folk, so there is plenty of opportunity to be miserable whilst strumming a guitar.
Very disappointed and I've returned my CD already.
15 minutes of fame, 20 Aug 2008
I can't take seriously the claim that this is 'folk' music. Not even if we stretch the definition to take in the wildest realms of Nu-Folk could we see Noah and the Whale filling out the airspace of Folk on 2 !
To my ears,the band are somewhat reminiscent of groups like Talking Heads or They might be Giants. Definitely Indie Pop in style and content rather than folk.
Apparently they have been receiving a lot of play on Radio 1 ? I wouldn't know being over 12 and never allowing my ears to be defiled by such a hideous aural experience ! It would not surprise me though as the album is brim full of chirpy, frothy tracks which would perfectly suit the undemanding tastes of Radio 1 listeners and it's play it safe controllers and DJ's.
If Noah and the Whale were a food dish they would be Pizza and Fries. It fills a space for a bit but it's blandness leaves you craving more substantial nourishment !
And it was fun fun fun (I know - sorry!), 17 Aug 2008
But it comes from such a catchy song that you just can't help it. But now the album has been released, it's an opportunity to see if 'the song of the summer' is just a one-off or are there other gems there too. And I'm pleased to say that the album is a very welcome surprise. Noah and the Whale have crafted a quirky, original album. The lyrics are witty and perceptive and set in music that is kind of folksy-pop. The singles 5 Years Time and Shape Of My Heart do stand out but only by a notch. All together, the album is a joy to listen to and will leave you smiling. And at just over 42 minutes, it doesn't outstay its welcome either.
In 5 year's time..., 15 Aug 2008
... no one will remember N&TW* or their works. Whimsical to the point of nausea.
*The Twee-Filter on my firewall prevents me from typing their full name.
Lucky to get 1 star.
I Liked the idea....., 28 Aug 2008
When I first heard Albarn and Hewlett were doing this project I was looking forward to the end result so when the album was released got it straight away. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't any good, but what I will say is I don't think it works as an album. For me I think it would work better with the visuals, the show. Some nice pieces of music on there, with little interludes inbetween the tracks which in places I wished went on to become songs only to find it fade of into something else! A great Idea though.....now Jamie Hewlett should do nice long animated version, with this as a soundtrack.
Nice Idea, some nice music, doesn't work as an album.
STUNNING SHOW - AMAZING MUSIC. OPEN YOUR EARS AND YOUR MIND, 24 Aug 2008
I was very lucky to see the spectacle that is Monkey's Journey To The West when it was premiered in Manchester in 2007. It's simply stunning and the music is amazing. OK maybe not for those expecting a slightly chinese influenced "ParkLife" or "Dare" but it shows just what a talent Albarn is...and that's from someone with all Oasis' albums! Do yourself a favour - see the show if you can but definitely buy this for an amazing aural experience. Post Beijing games, this should fly!
Monkey magic all over again!, 24 Aug 2008
I loved the TV series Monkey! - The Complete Series, and because of this I have a good idea of what's going on in the music without having seen the stage opera it comes from. And I love this. The clash of traditional eastern and experimental western influences just has to be heard to be believed. Above anything else it is music for the imagination, and if you know what's going on then it really is a heavenly peach of a gift in both sound and the visuals you create around it.
However, there are evidently a few Gorillaz [Explicit Lyrics] [Bonus Tracks] fans out there who don't have a clue what it's about and were obviously expecting something more along those lines, hence a few one-star ratings. Their point is a good one (I'm a Gorillaz fan too, and I sympathise with them to some extent), but if you have a good imagination and you know the story or the TV series, it is a must and - for you - it will not disappoint.
Magical and mysterious, 22 Aug 2008
What a gem of an album this is!
I haven't seen the show so on the music and music alone, I have to say that there are some genuinely beautiful moments on this album.
As for the so-called 'difficult' pieces, I agree these will not be everyone's cup of tea but I think many people, myself included, see them as curious little moments that demand re-listening to get your head around.
I like music that isn't just ear candy and actually has some substance and Damon has really achieved something here. Something that is totally different (thank God!) from everything else out there at the moment.
Great Show Great Music, 22 Aug 2008
I was lucky enough to see Monkey at the Manchester festival. The music certainly isn't Blur or Gorillaz and if that's what you're after maybe this isn't for you. It is, however, a brilliant crossover between Chinese opera and Western music, a little reminiscent of serialist music like Philip Glass or John Adams, but wholly original, beautiful, thrilling and hypnotic. If you get a chance see the show grab it - it is just wonderful.
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Gold
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Abba;
Polydor Group;
2004-04-05;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £6.48
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Product Description
Anyone looking for the key to ABBA's enduring appeal should look no further than "Voulez Vous" and "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" for their answer. There was an innocence to the Swedish quartet, even when they were singing about one-night stands and the invitations to them. Gold establishes that the band, while appreciated as campy, were actually multifaceted in their execution. "S.O.S." has a raw urgency in its chorus, and "Does Your Mother Know" draws its energy from classic 1950s rock & roll. Likewise, you don't have to be Priscilla to swoon over "Mamma Mia" or "Dancing Queen". And when it comes to drama, those soaring vocals on "The Winner Takes It All" turn the song into a bitter anthem of every relationship that has ever fallen apart. The much-covered "Lay All Your Love on Me" is practically epic. --Steve Gdula
Customer Reviews
Empty and vile, 24 Aug 2008
The absence of everything spontaneous, beautiful and courageous in music. Cod poetry mired down by turgid dirgery with all the wit and sophistication of a rotten cat dropping.
Some posh boy warbles unconvincingly over U2's sub-Bsides and expects the world to be saved while I boak heartily into a straw boater.
Music for people with no love for music and no clue about life.
Their best yet, 24 Aug 2008
I haven't always liked Coldplay. Parachutes I could take or leave (and generally left). 'Rush of Blood' was good in parts but only really 'The Scientist' and 'Warning Sign' have lasted for me. 'X and Y' attended to their main fault - a lack of variety in building a melody - and also gave us sound washes, instumental development and nearly sixty minutes of sound.
Viva La Vida (a much shorter work) has attended to most of their remaining weaknesses and come up with their first classic pop/rock album that can be enjoyed as a whole. The lyrics are less pretentious - the title track even manages to be witty - and the songs are tidier and organised; they all tell their own particular story in music and lyrics. Critically the instrumentation has real variety with the percussion particularly good. Meanwhile Chris Martin's vocals have matured allowing most melody lines to range well over one octave.
The conceit of 'Fix You' ie two competing musical ideas on one particular track is arguably done to death but there is really not a single weak contribution here.
Just give it time..., 22 Aug 2008
This is Coldplay, but with a bit of a twist. I doubt these guys want to create an album that sounds generically similar every time they decide to release a collection of tracks.
So what's the big fuss, and why is everyone having a go at them? Is it because it's Coldplay and it's 'cool' to criticise them? Or is it because they are boring and dull and unimaginative? Or is it because all of their stuff sounds similar?
On the last few counts, I can say that 'Viva La Vida' is NOT boring and NOT dull. Neither is it unimaginative. It is probably the most diverse record Coldplay have produced...but does that necessarily mean that it's their best?
Flip a coin.
On one side, you have the critics who hate it for not being Coldplay - too different, too experimental, too 'bits and pieces'.
On the other hand, you have the people who enjoy it for being a diverse record, with plenty of variety shown in the songs in structure and in how they sound.
I admit myself, it's the kind of record that grows on you. They do say that the best records tend to do so.
'Viva La Vida' is a great album. And it's great because Coldplay create wonderful music.
The standout tracks are: 'Lost!', '42', 'Lovers in Japan', 'Violet Hill', and the title-track, 'Viva La Vida'.
However, there isn't one bad track on it, despite many people dismissing the album. Other tracks, 'Life in Technicolor', 'Cemeteries of London', 'Yes', 'Strawberry Swing', and 'Death and All of His Friends' are good, but don't grab you by the scruff of the neck and beg for your listening attention.
Maybe we take Coldplay for granted. They create excellent music, but some people fail to recognize this. They perceive them as dull and unimaginative. But 'Viva La Vida' is anything but. It is the bravest Coldplay album yet. And quite possibly one of the best, if only because of that. 8/10.
Coldplay deliver once again - the best British band of the Noughties, 19 Aug 2008
How can you argue with this band and their success so far? And before people think I just happen to be a sheep, I found Coldplay's Trouble and Yellow abhorrent. I was not convinced at all. However, I just love Coldplay's work from Parachutes (the two singles excepted) through to this latest installment. This is not an X&Y and is different thanks to the very positive influence of Brian Eno, a magician in his own right. The first 3 tracks just glide you through the listening experience but I struggle with 'Yes'. It is quite different from a typical Coldplay melody and reminds me of the French ambient/rock band, M83. Maybe that's a good thing. Not for me though. However, the two chart hits are just fantastic and uplifting. Not convinced by Strawberry Swing either but I like the way the album finishes. So what have we got then? Just another Coldplay album or have they tried something a little different? Indeed they have and for that they should be applauded as they attempt to evolve. As an album it works very well and it holds CD 4 in my car and will do so for a while. I can't give it 5 stars, it's just not as good as Parachutes for me but it's still a very good album. Don't denigrate, just appreciate.
Best Coldplay Album By Far, 11 Aug 2008
I have taken time to listen to the new Coldplay album several times since its release. There is no denying that this album is far more experimental than the first three albums and moves away from the bands pop/rock songs based around basic chords. The meat of the album is vedged between a very catchy intro and outro which compliment the new style very well.
Initially i found the lyrics on the album a little simple in places but as i listened more, i realised that it may be a small price the band has paid for pushing the content of the songs into new subject areas. A good example of this is the title track 'Viva La Vida' which encapsulates the front cover and speaks of revolution and the trials and tribulations of being a king.
Standout tracks for me are 'Yes', 'Lost' and the very radiohead-esque '42' but to be honest there isn't a bad track on the album.
Overall, the album solidifies Coldplays status as one of the driving cogs in British music at the moment. While many bands continue to stumble along and produce continuous streams of 'safe' music, Coldplay have turned their music in a new direction and made a brilliant go of it.
Good vocals, but quite depressing listening, 26 Aug 2008
The vocals are good. So too are most of the melodies. But almost every song is about betrayal and pain. The moody, downcast picture on the front of the album says it all. The album is instructive listening for all of us who casually enter into relationships and trample on each others hearts.
Excellent, 23 Aug 2008
I can't believe it took me so long to buy this album. People have been telling me it's great for ages. Thing is, somehow I managed to not hear any Duffy songs until about a month ago. Yeah, I know, where have I been?
Anyway, this is excellent. Warwick Avenue, Mercy, Rockferry they're all classic tracks that sound like you've known them for years.
Great voice, great music, great lyrics. Overall a very accessible album.
Rockferry, 14 Aug 2008
This album sounds like something amy winehouse would do but duffy's album is a bit more jazzy best tracks are mercy warwick avenue serious stepping stone and hanging on too long the only bad thing about this album is that it's too short 10 tracks only can't wait for her next album overall i give this album a 10/10 must buy! if you liked this album buy Frank (Deluxe) Back To Black: Deluxe Edition you'll love them both! oh yeah the next single is stepping stone.
A bit Dusty but Amy won't be troubled..., 09 Aug 2008
First outing for the Welsh lass is impressive, when you consider she was plucked from the beginnings of her live career at the time. The style is unashamedly Springfield-esque vocally, with production borrowing heavily on Phil Spector influence. Songs as if directly from the Gamble & Huff or Bacharach songbooks. Lots of jangly guitars and strings, excessive use of tambourine, tremolo and spring reverbs, hey it's '64 again. Winehouse does it better and brings an extra bottle to the party (just don't drink if hers has already been opened.....)
Credit where due for the flavour but left badly exposed when challenged, Duffy deserves the recognition received so far but will need to move the game on to keep up with the expectations.
Favourite is Warkwick Avenue, some of the later passages leave deeper searching questions.
One for the serious Pop collector rarher than Music collection. Play it on da pod and let 'yer hips sway....
Great voice, not so great album. , 06 Aug 2008
I heard 'Mercy' and I loved it; I still do. I waited for her album to be released, and was ultimately disappointed. Her voice is fantastic, but the sound of the album is too samey. The standout tracks are:
Mercy
Stepping Stone
Apart from that, it's all a bit boring and samey. Her lyrics and vocals are great, it's just the music that needs to be more upbeat. Still worth a try if you like 'Mercy' - but but warned - the album sounds nothing like the single.
Back to college for any one in the mid-late twenties!, 28 Aug 2008
I'll keep this straight forward and to the point as much as possible....
The Verve before 1999 have always had 2 sides. 1 side Nick McCabe...far out experimental guitar music....
Richard Ashcroft...Straight forward ballads/rock songs...
You could always tell a Richard Ashcroft song from a Verve song...example from the album a Northern soul the title track is a typical group composition whereas On your Own and History are obviously Ashcroft written songs...Urban Hymns...Neon Wilderness and Catching The Butterfly, both Verve written...Lucky Man,Sonnet...Ashcroft written. The evidence is there as to what I,m trying to say just look at the writing credits in the cd's!!
Now to Forth!! The 2 sides appears to be gone...it really sounds like the band are working together and combining both sides!!!
I won't go into details but list some highlights...Love Is Noise,just a blinding catchy song...Sit and Wonder a typical Verve song...Noise Epic...an amazing journey into why The Verve are so great...
If you like The Verve and always have done this will not dissapoint you...if you only like 1 or 2 of there songs....get the ones you like!
Four Stars... and a bit., 27 Aug 2008
I was never a Verve fan as such, but I have had Urban Hymns since its release and it's is one of my favourites. Forth is good but by no means great. It starts off well, the first few songs are excellent, particularly Rather Be and Love is Noise, but then it loses its way until the brilliant Valium Skies. So I give it four stars, were it not for the rather poor middle, I'd have happily given five stars. This is only my opinion, this one looks like one of those CD's that is 'like marmite', if you know what I mean.
Forth , 27 Aug 2008
Keepin this brief, Forth is a Top album, as good as all their others, standout tracks...
sit and wonder
love is noise
rather be
valium skies
appalachian springs
(BUY NOW GREAT ALBUM!)
A Bitter-Sweet Album, 27 Aug 2008
The album opens brilliantly with 'Sit and Wonder' and 'Love is Noise' rivalling the best Verve tracks. 'Rather Be' has the difficult task of following such strong songs but changes the tone of the album fluidly and is a good track in itself.
However the three mediocre songs of 'Judas', 'Numbness' (does exactly what it says on the tin) and 'I See Houses' follow and this is the major problem with this album. By the time these tracks are over you are left feeling bored and the album feeling dead and lifeless.
'Noise Epic' tries to pick up the tempo in typical Verve fashion and 'Valium Skies' is a hidden gem on this album. 'Mama Soul' and 'Appalachian Springs' finish the album off nicely but the album struggles to recover from its lacklustre middle section.
In conclusion there are some GREAT songs on here and the rest are mainly good but the few weak tracks have been allowed to dominate. I'd give this album 3.5 out of 5.
2 decent songs, a star each, 27 Aug 2008
I have all of The Verve's previous albums, from the seminal "A Storm in Heaven", through the superb "A Northern Soul" to the good but over-hyped "Urban Hymns". This is not a patch on any of them.
The many filler tracks hinted at on "Urban Hymns" have been expanded and watered-down even further to pad out this offering. The tough sonic soundscapes favoured by guitarist Nick McCabe in days gone by are all but absent here, where he is criminally underused. He has finally been relegated to Ashcroft's session man, making this lazy effort sound like another solo effort of his - no great thing.
The two standout tracks on the album - "Sit and Wonder" and "Love is Noise" - are the opening songs. Sadly it's all downhill from here on out. These two songs could have sat proudly on any previous album. For this reason alone "Forth" deserves 2 stars - 1 for each track.
Give it a try!, 21 Aug 2008
I can't agree with the last reviewer who stated that there is one good song and ten whiney ones. That is far from the mark. Some reviews on here may put people off this album because they make out that it is a 'whingey folk album' which paints it as a singer with acoustic guitar scenario. This is wrong. There ARE the odd song like that but they are always supplemented by the gentle backing of Laura Marling. And then you have the other songs which make great use of all manner of instruments. I won't mention 5 years time as everyone knows it by now. The other single Shape of my heart has some nice mexican horns etc, Rocks & Daggers (the best song on the album) has some fiddle and some nice changes in tempo, 2 atoms is another up tempo number. I can see how this album would irritate people, but I think there is more to it than meets the eye. Give it a go, at least listen to it from start to finish before saying it's rubbish! I Like the Wes Anderson inspired videos as well!
1 fluffy fun song and 10 whining ones, 20 Aug 2008
I bought this on the strength of "five years time" thinking it would run in much the same vein throughout. How wrong I was. Its folk, so there is plenty of opportunity to be miserable whilst strumming a guitar.
Very disappointed and I've returned my CD already.
15 minutes of fame, 20 Aug 2008
I can't take seriously the claim that this is 'folk' music. Not even if we stretch the definition to take in the wildest realms of Nu-Folk could we see Noah and the Whale filling out the airspace of Folk on 2 !
To my ears,the band are somewhat reminiscent of groups like Talking Heads or They might be Giants. Definitely Indie Pop in style and content rather than folk.
Apparently they have been receiving a lot of play on Radio 1 ? I wouldn't know being over 12 and never allowing my ears to be defiled by such a hideous aural experience ! It would not surprise me though as the album is brim full of chirpy, frothy tracks which would perfectly suit the undemanding tastes of Radio 1 listeners and it's play it safe controllers and DJ's.
If Noah and the Whale were a food dish they would be Pizza and Fries. It fills a space for a bit but it's blandness leaves you craving more substantial nourishment !
And it was fun fun fun (I know - sorry!), 17 Aug 2008
But it comes from such a catchy song that you just can't help it. But now the album has been released, it's an opportunity to see if 'the song of the summer' is just a one-off or are there other gems there too. And I'm pleased to say that the album is a very welcome surprise. Noah and the Whale have crafted a quirky, original album. The lyrics are witty and perceptive and set in music that is kind of folksy-pop. The singles 5 Years Time and Shape Of My Heart do stand out but only by a notch. All together, the album is a joy to listen to and will leave you smiling. And at just over 42 minutes, it doesn't outstay its welcome either.
In 5 year's time..., 15 Aug 2008
... no one will remember N&TW* or their works. Whimsical to the point of nausea.
*The Twee-Filter on my firewall prevents me from typing their full name.
Lucky to get 1 star.
I Liked the idea....., 28 Aug 2008
When I first heard Albarn and Hewlett were doing this project I was looking forward to the end result so when the album was released got it straight away. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't any good, but what I will say is I don't think it works as an album. For me I think it would work better with the visuals, the show. Some nice pieces of music on there, with little interludes inbetween the tracks which in places I wished went on to become songs only to find it fade of into something else! A great Idea though.....now Jamie Hewlett should do nice long animated version, with this as a soundtrack.
Nice Idea, some nice music, doesn't work as an album.
STUNNING SHOW - AMAZING MUSIC. OPEN YOUR EARS AND YOUR MIND, 24 Aug 2008
I was very lucky to see the spectacle that is Monkey's Journey To The West when it was premiered in Manchester in 2007. It's simply stunning and the music is amazing. OK maybe not for those expecting a slightly chinese influenced "ParkLife" or "Dare" but it shows just what a talent Albarn is...and that's from someone with all Oasis' albums! Do yourself a favour - see the show if you can but definitely buy this for an amazing aural experience. Post Beijing games, this should fly!
Monkey magic all over again!, 24 Aug 2008
I loved the TV series Monkey! - The Complete Series, and because of this I have a good idea of what's going on in the music without having seen the stage opera it comes from. And I love this. The clash of traditional eastern and experimental western influences just has to be heard to be believed. Above anything else it is music for the imagination, and if you know what's going on then it really is a heavenly peach of a gift in both sound and the visuals you create around it.
However, there are evidently a few Gorillaz [Explicit Lyrics] [Bonus Tracks] fans out there who don't have a clue what it's about and were obviously expecting something more along those lines, hence a few one-star ratings. Their point is a good one (I'm a Gorillaz fan too, and I sympathise with them to some extent), but if you have a good imagination and you know the story or the TV series, it is a must and - for you - it will not disappoint.
Magical and mysterious, 22 Aug 2008
What a gem of an album this is!
I haven't seen the show so on the music and music alone, I have to say that there are some genuinely beautiful moments on this album.
As for the so-called 'difficult' pieces, I agree these will not be everyone's cup of tea but I think many people, myself included, see them as curious little moments that demand re-listening to get your head around.
I like music that isn't just ear candy and actually has some substance and Damon has really achieved something here. Something that is totally different (thank God!) from everything else out there at the moment.
Great Show Great Music, 22 Aug 2008
I was lucky enough to see Monkey at the Manchester festival. The music certainly isn't Blur or Gorillaz and if that's what you're after maybe this isn't for you. It is, however, a brilliant crossover between Chinese opera and Western music, a little reminiscent of serialist music like Philip Glass or John Adams, but wholly original, beautiful, thrilling and hypnotic. If you get a chance see the show grab it - it is just wonderful.
Abba Gold: Ssssshh, don't tell anyone, but I'm putting Abba on., 18 Aug 2008
I've revisited this Album since my missus took an eager liking of the recent film translation of the musical Mamma Mia.
I've mentioned in my review of the soundtrack that I'm not a massive Abba fan, but there is something about the music that makes it incredibly likable. I'm not going to go through all the tracks on this double CD, but each song feels very independently crafted. No two sound the same.
There are no weak tracks here and the album is the perfect showcase for the pop phenomenon. Most cheesy pop songs over recent times have been basic stories of love, loss ...or lost love - but here there's a wide variation in subject matter. Most are to do with relationships, but they tend to tell a story rather than give a formulaic four minutes of music. This is no doubt one of the strengths of Abba, and a reason as to why this album is still popular today - it hasn't really dated. The spectrum of moods and types of music used is wider than what you'd usually find on a pop album, it is testament to the pure creative energy the group had and stops it from ever going stale.
In a nutshell: This goes beyond empty shallow pop music, it is a celebration of how creative genius can give birth to individual nuggets of musical gold. The tracks are incredibly catchy and they haunt you for hours after listening to them. This isn't great in the same way that a Bob Dylan album is great, there's no political message that will inspire you to stand up and be counted. This album is great because it uses sounds fresh and fun. Practically everyone is familiar with the majority of the tracks on this album, but it's only when you sit and listen to them that you appreciate how much work has gone into them. I'm not an Abba fan, but I do recognise the impact that this music has had - and I can't help but enjoy it when 'my wife puts it on'.
THE 'OTHER' FAB FOUR - NO LONGER A GUILTY PLEASURE, 04 Aug 2008
With interest in ABBA once again at a premium, thanks to the Mamma Mia Film and hugely successful musical, it's not surprising that this collection is once again at the top of the UK album charts and cruising to 26 million sales. ABBA themselves have'nt been a functioning band since 1982 when they released their last studio album The Visitors.
Time has been kind to the lagacy of the group and they now enjoy the kind of critical and commercial success afforded to true legends - Beatles, Queen, Who - where once they were considered sugary sweet and europap.
Gold is the perfect compilation collecting together all the major hits and presenting them, not in chronological order, but sequenced to construct a simply great listen.
The songs of Benny & Bjorn are beautifully crafted and constructed pop gems - 'Dancing Queen', 'Waterloo' (surely the greatest Eurovision song ever), 'The Winner Takes It All', 'Knowing Me Knowing You', 'SOS' - the hits just keep on coming. Those trademark Agnita & Frieda harmonies, clever studio arrangements and giant choruses are perfectly realised and even the lyrics, which were often derided in the 70's, are much better than you may remember.
Yes a sweet musical tooth is required and it is all, mostly, resolutely 'up' but if you are a fan of pop then Abba Gold is pure genius.
A PERFECT COLLECTION, 12 Jan 2008
AS A DEVOTEE OF ABBA I THINK THIS COLLECTION IS FIRST CLASS. ABBAS LYRICS ARE BRILLIANT, CATCHY, STORY TELLING SONGS WHICH FOR THE MOST PART STAND THE TEST OF TIME. OUTSTANDING TRACKS FOR ME FROM THIS COLLECTION WOULD BE SOS, THE NAME OF THE GAME, THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL ( AGNETHA AT HER MOST HEART WRENCHING) AND KNOWING ME KNOWING YOU. THIS COLLECTION CAN HOLD ITS HEAD UP AGAINST ANY OTHER.
ABBA song fest, 04 Oct 2007
when ABBA burst onto the scene in 1974 winning the eurovision song contest with 'Waterloo' the world was never going to be the same. some 33 years later, the world is still enthralled by them, spawning a highly succesful musical 'mamma mia' in the west end.
This CD includes all of their best known hits. 'Dancing queen' 'Take a chance on me' 'the name of the game' 'One of us' 'The winner takes it all'
'Thank you for the music' being just some of their major hits that make it onto this greatest hits album.
I was two years old when 'Dancing queen' came out in 1976, Just goes to prove, with quality music like this, the world never forgets.
The most successful Abba compilation ever, 02 Aug 2007
Fifteen years on from release, this album is still going strong, having recently seen of an attempt to replace it by the inferior "Number Ones".
Abba Gold was masterminded from Polydor UK in 1992 and is heavily weighted towards the UK hits. 18 of Abba's 19 Top 10 UK hits are here, the only omission being Summer Night City, left off in favour of perhaps their most well known small hit/album track, Thank You For The Music. The only other significant track missed off is UK Top 3 hit, Angeleyes, represented here by its double A-side, the international hit Voulez-Vous. That is the only concession to the non-UK market though.
Lay All Your Love On Me, not considered an "official" single and only released in a few countries, is included here on the grounds that it was a Top 10 UK hit (it also helped that Erasure had covered the track for their Abba-Esque EP earlier in 1992). In contrast, some big hits outside the UK, such as I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do (a small hit here) are thankfully left off.
If you don't already own this album (and there can't be many people left who don't) this is an essential purchase.
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Customer Reviews
Empty and vile, 24 Aug 2008
The absence of everything spontaneous, beautiful and courageous in music. Cod poetry mired down by turgid dirgery with all the wit and sophistication of a rotten cat dropping.
Some posh boy warbles unconvincingly over U2's sub-Bsides and expects the world to be saved while I boak heartily into a straw boater.
Music for people with no love for music and no clue about life.
Their best yet, 24 Aug 2008
I haven't always liked Coldplay. Parachutes I could take or leave (and generally left). 'Rush of Blood' was good in parts but only really 'The Scientist' and 'Warning Sign' have lasted for me. 'X and Y' attended to their main fault - a lack of variety in building | | |