Post by Helmut83 on Oct 12, 2014 1:14:06 GMT
In the whole, I think this is a nice album. It’s very melodic and musically clear, with quite original songs, nice and complete instrumentation in terms of variety, good arrangements and heavy use of strings. And like you said, Jefflynnenut, it certainly has a similarity with many things Jeff did in ELO.
On the cons side, I’m not a huge fan of Hayward’s voice (in the Moody Blues either), it lacks expressiveness in my opinion and tends to sound too much all the same no matter the atmosphere of the song, so it gets cloying at some point. Also, I think the bad side of this album is not what it has but what it lacks and would have enhanced it: a couple of fast-tempo songs.
- This morning: reminds me of “Livin’ thing” in terms of style. I don’t know what do I have with openers but despite liking most of the albums I’ve heard, I’ve never been very convinced with their openers. This one is not the exception.
- Remember me, my friend: totally agreed with Chippa about the first chords ressembling “Like a ship”. Good one. The verse is a bit unexpressive, but then the bridge goes strong and the chorus is quite epic, perfect as a singalong.
- My brother: a pleasant song, a bit lightweight but pleasant. Nice work with the electric guitar.
- You: a bit Bee Gees sounding, or something like that. A decent ballad.
- Night, winter years: like I said in other CDs (even the one I posted), these too slow songs aren’t definitely my type. I would skip it.
- Saved by the music: it sounds a bit like a medley of different songs being put together, but that doesn’t prevent it from being one of the best songs of the album. It has a very effective chorus (at this point the album needed that uptempo bit). The solo is great too.
- I dreamed it last night: sounds a bit like a bolero to me. Good one, pleasant to listen to.
- Who are you now: reminds me a bit of Blackbird, with that fingered guitar intro. The small cello solo in the middle is fantastic and quite touching. I’m not usually very keen on this type of song but this one was worthy.
- Maybe: reminds me a lot of another ballad (even some parts of the melody) but I can’t recall which one. Another decent ballad, a bit too long IMO.
- When you wake up: at this point a more uptempo song was badly needed in my opinion, and yet another ballad doesn’t work here for me. It also happens to be probably the worst song of the album and also too long. Not the best way to close the album.
- Blue guitar. As the title suggests, it had to have some good guitar work in it, and it has. The melody is good, and it definitely should have been in the album instead of one of “When you wake up”. Much more sharp and well-defined.
On the cons side, I’m not a huge fan of Hayward’s voice (in the Moody Blues either), it lacks expressiveness in my opinion and tends to sound too much all the same no matter the atmosphere of the song, so it gets cloying at some point. Also, I think the bad side of this album is not what it has but what it lacks and would have enhanced it: a couple of fast-tempo songs.
- This morning: reminds me of “Livin’ thing” in terms of style. I don’t know what do I have with openers but despite liking most of the albums I’ve heard, I’ve never been very convinced with their openers. This one is not the exception.
- Remember me, my friend: totally agreed with Chippa about the first chords ressembling “Like a ship”. Good one. The verse is a bit unexpressive, but then the bridge goes strong and the chorus is quite epic, perfect as a singalong.
- My brother: a pleasant song, a bit lightweight but pleasant. Nice work with the electric guitar.
- You: a bit Bee Gees sounding, or something like that. A decent ballad.
- Night, winter years: like I said in other CDs (even the one I posted), these too slow songs aren’t definitely my type. I would skip it.
- Saved by the music: it sounds a bit like a medley of different songs being put together, but that doesn’t prevent it from being one of the best songs of the album. It has a very effective chorus (at this point the album needed that uptempo bit). The solo is great too.
- I dreamed it last night: sounds a bit like a bolero to me. Good one, pleasant to listen to.
- Who are you now: reminds me a bit of Blackbird, with that fingered guitar intro. The small cello solo in the middle is fantastic and quite touching. I’m not usually very keen on this type of song but this one was worthy.
- Maybe: reminds me a lot of another ballad (even some parts of the melody) but I can’t recall which one. Another decent ballad, a bit too long IMO.
- When you wake up: at this point a more uptempo song was badly needed in my opinion, and yet another ballad doesn’t work here for me. It also happens to be probably the worst song of the album and also too long. Not the best way to close the album.
- Blue guitar. As the title suggests, it had to have some good guitar work in it, and it has. The melody is good, and it definitely should have been in the album instead of one of “When you wake up”. Much more sharp and well-defined.