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All reviews by user Date  Helpful Rating 0 out of 0 users found this helpful  SuperbPosted: 10/21/2005A review of Life In Slow Motion by Eoin315 Unlike Coldplay, David Gray isn't content to write songs that sound the same as other stuff he has done and that have boring lyrics. Instead, he prefers to push his songwriting in new directions and this album is evidence of that. It opens with the brilliant "Alibi," which builds into a orchestral cresendo towards the end thanks to new producer Marius De Vries. He has moved out of his bedroom-sized studio and into a larger, more professional environment and this is reflected in songs like Alibi and the title track. Like all good albums, it takes time to appreciate how brilliant it is. My favourite song on the album is "Ain't No Love," which reminds me of "This Year's Love." Doesn't mean I think any less of the other tracks. Hope he plays "Hospital Food" live! The only poor song on this album is "Now and Always." It's not a bad song, it's just long and repetitive. The album closes with "Disappearing World," which would make a great song if released around Christmas time! Makes up for the slightly disappointing "A New Day At Midnight." Buy this album but don't be put off by the fact you can't download the songs onto an I-Pod! Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful  Shouldn't have botheredPosted: 7/27/2005A review of The Orchestral Tubular Bells [UK] by Eoin315 Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells is probably the greatest piece of rock music ever composed. What a shame that they had to turn into classical music. This version has none of the excitement of the original and the biggest offence is the bass section which just isn't suited for playing Oldfield's distinctive bass lines. The opening is even harder to hear than the original which was difficult enough to hear anyway. The ending of Part 1 is also disappointing as it captures none of spirit that makes the original so good. Also avoid the 2003 remix of Tubular Bells like the plague which is even worse, in particular the bass lines. Mmmm, fat, creamy bass lines... How could they get them so wrong?! Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful Pre-OK but just as brilliantIn some ways this album is almost better than OK Computer simply because it doesn't have as many depressing songs. But it's all relative really. This album would still be excellent even if Radiohead didn't have the follow-up to back it up. Paritcular standouts are High and Dry (I first heard it as a cover by Jamie Cullum and was hooked) Nice Dream and Bulletproof (I wish I was). I still can't believe I used to hate this wonderful band. The only explanation I have is that my outlook on life changed very dramatically since the time I used dislike their music. Long may bands like this continue. Was this review helpful? Sign In 1 out of 1 users found this helpful Great Debuts are made of thisPosted: 7/27/2005A review of Parachutes (Domestic Only) by Eoin315 I only got this album after I'd been exposed to the brilliance that is Rush of Blood. Everyone spoke about the wonderful piano in Trouble so I had to see for myself. The second that unmistakeable hook came on, I knew I was listening to a classic. I had heard the song before but never knew this song was by Coldplay. From start to finish the album is a masterpiece. They take influences from Radiohead et al and carve it into thier own unique sound which makes this a joy to behold. My favourite tracks are Don't Panic, Yellow and Trouble. The rest are just as brilliant and harrowing. Love the "hidden" track at the end of the album which starts off simple but builds into a big, orchestral mini-symphony of a song. Ok, not really a symphony but whatever is shorter than it! Listen to it even if you don't like Coldplay or Chris Martin. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 1 users found this helpful SOOO Good!Posted: 7/27/2005A review of A Rush Of Blood To The Head by Eoin315 I'll start by defending the latter half of the album, which seems to be the part everyone critisises when they're looking for someting to nitpick about this amazing album. While it's not as brilliant as the first five songs, it's still makes for great listening. This album means so much to me as it helped me get through a very difficult Christmas during my last year in secondary school with the song The Scientist being a big help. That's probably why it's so popular. The overall album is almost flawless as you can listen to it without skipping any tracks. Some of the tracks don't make for easy listening but that's part of the album's charm. The standout tracks are the first 5, with The Scientist being my favourite. This isn't supposed to be a happy album as they struggled to make it after the success of Parachutes. However that's all the better for it as Coldplay sound better miserable than happy. It's also a wonderful album for anyone who loves playing piano. Get the music and impress your friend's with the piano riff from Clocks! Highly recommended and a much better effort than their third album, which just doesn't sound as good as this album for some reason. Was this review helpful? Sign In 1 out of 4 users found this helpful  GoodAs Oliver Reed says to Russell Crowe in Gladiator, "You're good, Spaniard, but you're not that good..." The same could apply to this album. There are good songs but it's not a patch on Rush of Blood which in turn wasn't as good as Parachutes. There are some excellent songs but it doesn't achieve the consistency or emotional complexity of Rush. First the good songs, Square One, Talk and Speed of Sound. And sadly that's it. The rest are ok, but they're just not very special. Somewhat surprisingly their most emotional songs are also the worst, namely What If and in particular Fix You. They call themselves U2 competitors? They have a long way to go before they reach the heights that U2 have and continue to maintain. This album is not a patch on Atomic Bomb, U2's most recent release. That album is U2's tenth or eleventh release (I'm not sure) and and if Coldplay continue to do what they are doing now, they'll be finished after their 4th album. That's if they somehow find the inspiration to write another variation of what they are doing now. Any album that I finish listening to nearly 20mins before the end needs improving. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful Lost but now foundPosted: 7/26/2005A review of Lost Songs by Eoin315 These are the songs that David Gray recorded during or before the recording of White Ladder and were not included on that breakthrough album. They sound less produced and quieter than songs like Babylon or Please Forgive Me. This is part of what gives the album it's charm. It's not a follow-up but an addition to White Ladder. What I like most about this album is how the songs start off as simple melodies done on acoustic guitar and are then developed into something more. The best example of this is the opener Flame Turns Blue. There is some wonderful use of piano in the background of some of the songs and in particular the piano interlude in "Falling Down The Mountainside." If I was to take one song and put it on White Ladder, it would have to be "A Clean Pair of Eyes." It's the best song on the album alongside the haunting "Falling Down The Mountainside." There are also two beautiful instumentals on this album, "January Rain" and "Wurlitzer" The second song is named after the instrument its played on and should sound very familiar to REM fans (New Orleans Instumental No. 1) or followers of other bands who use this gorgeous instument. Unlikely to be as commericially successful as White Ladder but is a must for any DG fan. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful Brilliant Follow-up to White LadderPosted: 7/26/2005A review of A New Day At Midnight by Eoin315 You can't mention this album before mentioning the album that started it all, White Ladder. Midnight is a wonderful continuation of White Ladder which finds DG exploring even more different instuments and styles and leaving behind the acoustic guitar sound he started off with. While early David Gray fans may scoff at his "experimentation," I prefer this to some of his early work. The opening track, Dead in the Water is clearly dedicated to his father, though it can also be viewed as a sharp, biting commentary on the world we live in today. The rest of the album is excellent but if I was to pick a weak track it would have to be "Caroline," especially the weird guitar riff towards the end. The standout track is the closer "The Other Side." Starting off with gentle piano chords, he sings about his longing for a visit to the elusive "other side" that so many other songwriters sing about. He puts his own unique, deeply personal perspective on a common lyrical theme. Prepare to be surprised by the middle section which adds rhythm and bass to turn the song into a raw, brilliant ballad. Then, he almost whispers the final verse which finishes a truly excellent album. I can't really decide which album is better because they're both superb yet very different. Was this review helpful? Sign In 3 out of 4 users found this helpful ExcellentPosted: 7/14/2005A review of Batman Begins by Eoin315 This movie shouldn't be good but is. After the travesty of Batman and Robin, the francise looked dead. It was until Christopher Nolan (Memento, Insomnia) took the reins and gave the lead role to character actor Christian Bale. The result is a dark, brooding masterpiece despite the slow start. It has none of the Gothic overtones of Tim Burton's two Batman movies nor the camp, unrealism of Joel Schumacher's two movies. Instead it shows Batman as a real, conflicted human being who fights real villians. One of the things that makes this film interesting is its basis in reality. It looks like a real city where these things could actually happen. The villians aren't disfigured maniacs like The Joker or Two-Face. They're ordinary looking people with not-so-ordinary ambitions. My favorite scene is the chase between the Batmobile and the police. The sound the massive tyres make as they go round bends has to be heard to be believed. For such a serious movie, it has it's small moments of humour e.g. scenes between Bale and Caine or Bale and Freeman. This is what makes this movie watchable and bloody enjoyable. Far better than Spielberg's War of the Worlds and my movie of the summer so far Was this review helpful? Sign In 2 out of 2 users found this helpful Unos dos tres catorce!Posted: 7/13/2005A review of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb [International standard] by Eoin315 I'll start with the dud. A Man and a Woman is the only disappointment on this album. I just skip past it and enjoy the rest of this album. What an album it is! From the dazzling opener Vertigo to the closing Fast cars, the whole album is top notch stuff. There is something about this album that I can't quite put my finger on. How is it so damn good and filled with such brilliant songs from a band that have been going together as a 4-piece since the end of the 1970's? That's the magic of U2. They're still as good as they ever were. How many of you can sing a song off REM's latest album "Leaving New York?" REM may sell out shows but they rely on their older material to sell shows. I'm not singling them out in particular, I think their a brilliant band. I'm just using them as an example. U2 sell out stadiums across
America and Europe and I'm pretty sure everyone of them knows Vertigo or City of Blinding Lights. Their new stuff is just as good as the older material and people come to see Vertigo just as much as they come to see a song over 20 years old such as Pride or I Will Follow. Fair play to you if you've got this far through this long-winded pile of garbage. My favourite songs are Vertigo (which I couldn't believe was U2 the 1st time I heard it), City, Sometimes, One Step Closer and Yahweh. I like Yahweh but I prefer the live version they did in Dublin which was without the rhythm backing and was filled with so much emotion, it nearly moved me to tears. Hope they do two DVD's like what they did for the Elevation tour i.e. Vertigo, live in Boston and U2 go home, Vertigo live in Dublin. I wait in hope... Was this review helpful? Sign In 1 out of 1 users found this helpful So differentPosted: 7/13/2005A review of Achtung Baby by Eoin315 I agree with the person who says that this is U2's best album. The Joshua Tree is their biggest and one of their best. This is their best because of it's imagination and honesty. When U2 decided on a follow-up to Joshua Tree, they knew they couldn't do a sequel to this epic soundscape. And they didn't. Instead they gave us an album so different it was hard to believe we were actually listening to U2. On the opening Zoo Station, Bono's voice is barely recognizable. Every song is brilliant but the real standout is One. In a 2003 poll of the best 1000 songs ever, Q put this song at, no surprise, no. 1. It's hard to decide which album is better, Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby? They can't really be compared despite being both from the same band. Comparing JT to AB is like comparing a black and white TV to a colour TV. If you can't get enough of U2's 80's sound and get this album expecting a follow up to Joshua Tree, you'll be sorely disappointed. If, however, you appreciate good music and forget that this is the U2 you used to love, the rewards are enormous. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful Light my fire!Posted: 7/13/2005A review of The Unforgettable Fire by Eoin315 This is the sound of U2 evolving into "Joshua Tree." It has the classics such as Pride and Bad but it also has lesser known gems such as the title track and Chris Martin's favourite song A Sort of Homecoming. If you manage to get past the one dud on this album, namely Bono's terrible attempt at poetry "Elvis Presley and America" you'll hear probably U2's most moving track, MLK. Like Pride, it's a eulogy to Martin Luther King but much more haunting. Never fails to stir up my miniscule teapot of emotions. If I was to take away one track, it would have to be Bad, which Bono wrote about Dublin's desperate heroin problem in the 1980's. It's brilliant because it doesn't just have to be about addiction. It can be about anything that you want to let go but can't. It can also be about wanting to do something but not having the guts to do it. Whenever I find myself in this situation, I think of Bad. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful Elevate my soul!Posted: 7/13/2005A review of All That You Can't Leave Behind by Eoin315 Another brilliant U2 album that just gets better with every listen. My favourite songs are Beautiful Day and Walk On, which shows U2's capacity to send shivers down your spine is as strong as ever. Not as much a rock 'n' roll album as "Atomic Bomb" but still excellent. This is U2 in the new millenium and they prove that they still have plenty to offer without having to resort to their past work. This album is a return to their anthemic songs of the 80's before they changed direction with Achtung Baby. Not that Achtung Baby was a bad change of direction! Was this review helpful? Sign In 3 out of 3 users found this helpful PeerlessPosted: 7/8/2005A review of Dark Side Of The Moon by Eoin315 "There is no dark side of the moon really. Matter of fact, it's all dark...” This wonderful line by Jerry O' Driscoll (who I think is Irish) finishes the greatest album of all time, 'nuff said. From the opening heartbeat to the closing "du-dump" of the heart, DSOTM has virtually no breaks between songs, making it one big sonic masterpiece. Before this, Pink Floyd was just another psychedelic space band. DSOTM kept the epic music but added in lyrics that actually made sense. "It's about life, isn't it" David Gilmour once said. More specifically, it's about the little things we worry about in life such as time, death, madness, money and war. I think this is why this album is so successful. Roger Waters wrote lyrics that reached out and said to us that even if you are a rock star, you still worry about the little things in life. My favorite song (hard to pick as they’re all brilliant) is Time, in particular David Gilmour’s guitar solo in the middle of it. What really makes this album stand out from the rest is the addition of the spoken voices scattered throughout the album. The clips at the end of Money are the best, “I certainly was in the right,” and my favorite, “I don’t know, I was really drunk at the time.” They reveal something new every time you listen hard enough. Listen hard for the clips in “Speak to Me,” one of which includes foul language the censor clearly missed and “I’ve always been mad, I know I’ve been mad, d’you have to explain why you are mad?!” Impress people with wordplay by describing how you got a “short, sharp shock.” The real words of wisdom belong to the Abbey rd. doorman quoted at the start. Need I say more?! Was this review helpful? Sign In 2 out of 2 users found this helpful SuperbPosted: 2/14/2005A review of The Eagles - Their Greatest Hits by Eoin315 This is a brilliant collection of songs from the Eagles pre-Hotel California albums. Although i don't like "Best of's", I had no choice in this case because none of thier early albums were available in the shop. My favourites are the first three songs especially "Witchy Woman" because that song sort of reminds me of someone I know... Anyways, this comes highly recommended and I certainly don't regret buying it. Was this review helpful? Sign In |
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