The Album Review Club - Week #191 (page 1286) - Harlequin Dream - Boy & Bear

Black&White&BlueMoon Town said:
Prisoner - The Jezabels

There are times when you hear the opening song of a band you've never heard of that you know an album is going to be special, and when it is the title track, those odds increase all the more. This was one of those times, indeed.

That organ opening and the initial progression of the song is unmistakable. And then the wall of sound hits, the wailing guitar, the excellent percussion leading in the vocals, where at 2:15, it takes a Muse-like left turn into the song that I didn't see coming, then leans into guitarist Sam Lockwood's great riffs. A few feel as though the Edge invaded the studio for this, but Lockwood more than holds his own in my view, and its the music heard here that really stands out. As one who saw both Muse and U2 together live in concert around the time this album was released, I have but two words: "more please"!

The vocals by Hayley Mary (yes, her real name) are distinctive, unique and fine too. She's hitting notes at the end of this title track I haven't heard a vocalist hit since Pat Benatar in her best moments. I had similar Kate Bush vibes with her varied and haunting vocal delivery. In the second track "Endless Summer", it is another winner all around with the vocals really a standout there.

In fact, this album had me engaged both musically and vocally until it reached "Austerlitz", a weak point pause. After repeated listens I know why I was enjoying the music so much - it was drummer and percussionist Nik Kaloper who delivered track after track. In "Try Colour" in the successive engaging songs to open the album, he really drives the song to its frenetic pace at the end while Lockwood again delivers in the best part of the song 3 minutes in. It was the best part musically of the album for me and left quite an impression. On "Nobody Nowhere", Kaloper's drumming is very prominent as well. Yes, there's a lot of sound behind that, but I would have loved to see them live given how full this album sounds. The various percussion sound and approach in "Long Highway" and "Rosebud" were other winners.

The one aspect that I agree with Foggy from his review was the lyrics were probably the weakest part of their game, as I too didn't miss that line from "City Girl" initially. Towards the end of the album, there were a few tracks that were a bit more atmospheric and left me a bit wanting the prior songs. On the final track opening vocals, "Hurt Me", I could swear Mary was channeling Kim Carnes from "Bette Davis Eyes", but that's one small nit when the music more than delivered on that and the preceding track "Catch Me", another one that got the album back on track from the prior songs that mostly had worked. The bonus track "Easy To Love" is their most listened to track on Spotify as well, which I didn't anticipate, though it was enjoyable too.

I realize this alt/indie/pop/rock band is right up my alley in what I typically enjoy and listen to. As I will say to @Coatigan tomorrow/on Wednesday, hold my beer. My wife didn't blink once or question why I was listening to this band or album in the car, and that has happened a bit prior on a few other selections. I've often said and realize that the scores on these nominations don't matter, and I have that clearly in mind as this week comes around. It's about reaching another who might get something/anything out of an album you enjoyed. And in that regard, mission accomplished here as this was an enjoyable 8/10 for me.
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Great review, even though it’s completely wrong :).
 
Okay I’ll admit it - it’s very lazy to leave your review until the last day, and agree with most of the other comments!

I did chuckle reading Fog’s comments about the edge (lower case e intentional) - what an overrated one dimensional idiot, and Boner isn’t much better. If anyone nominates a u2 album - it’s a 1 from me!

So we’ve got an edge wannabe and a drummer playing every rhythm under the sun, except the one that fits the song. That said, this album isn’t a complete disaster, I quite enjoyed the vocals! Not the worst nomination we’ve had by a long shot, so a 5/10 from me. The Kitkat ad was wrong, because I don’t think they went a long way, but it did make me smile.
 
FogBlueInSanFran said:
Great review, even though it’s completely wrong :).
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This album is like a terribly made cacio e pepe. They didn't grate the cheese into a fine enough dust where it instantly emulsifies on contact with the latent heat warm pasta water coating. They don't understand the difference between a Parmigiano and a Pecorino Romano, in fact, i'm pretty sure they used some cheddar in there to bulk it out. And they didn't even toast their peppercorns, the aninlals, but instead just whacked in some store bought factory ground powder, as a bit of a token pinch. It fails on almost every level.

Yet, some cunts, kinda like it because ultimately, they just happen to like a good old mac and cheese, and they can't really tell the difference between the two.

In this analogy, I am one of those cunts!
 
The Jezabels - Prisoner

You’re through, through with the old world!

Nothing wrong with a last minute review - I squeeze as many listens as possible before reviewing - anyhow, I really like the big sweeping layers on most of this album all leading up to a crusendo of more layers! More the merrier I say - Strings, violins, horns, piano, reverbs galore and a decent drum fill in likes of ‘Endless Summer’, City Girl’, ‘Try Colour’ and more. There’s a big mix of Florence & The Machine, Kate Bush and 80’s feel of Cocteau Twins. Tracks started to become a bit tiresome in the second half the album. Good pick!

7/10
 
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I like to think I know a bit about music but really I feel a bit lost wen it comes to discussing middle 8ths and bridges and the tuning of the dulcimer or whatever quirky instrument is embellishing the sound. So when it comes down to it my musical knowledge is more about knowing lots of artists, some of them quite obscure. This thread continues to expose the gaps in that knowledge though. Here’s another band I’ve never heard of. Some of the bands I’d never heard of that this thread has thrown up I’ve happily forgotten about again. But when it comes to the Jezabels I’m quite happy to have discovered them. When it comes to musical knowledge then I guess the best I can say is that I know what I like (in my wardrobe). And I like this. In the main…

I’d like to offer an educated analysis of the music, with some reference to the lyrics but really you are going to have to settle for another analogy to try and get my thoughts out there.

This album put me in mind, no bear with me, of one of those short flings you have when you’re not really looking for one. You know, you’re in the pub just for the sake of being there and you get chatting to someone who really isn’t your “type” but there’s some sort of attraction there. OK she/ he/ they are your type in so much as they are the gender you usually hook up with and have all the functioning parts that make a short and temporarily fulfilling relationship possible. For the purposes of this already slightly tedious analogy she is female but in the interest of my insufferable wokeness any gender will do.

So, you’re somehow attracted to her because she’s lively, interesting, slightly melodramatic but in a good and exciting way. You don’t pay too much attention to what she is saying so much but just go with the vibe. And that’s what this album was like, from the slightly hackneyed but nevertheless dramatic organ opening, to the other couple of intros they added on to the first track as well it had me quite happy to go along for the ride, knowing really that we go into this in the spirit of adventure but no commitment. It’s fun and the sex is good.

And then we get to Austerlitz. Man, what a bummer. This is the bit where she gets all serious and wants you to see her sensitive and vulnerable side and really you just want to have a few drinks and have a good time like usual. But you have to allow it while knowing really it’s changed things.

Things pick back up with Deep Wide Ocean but you’re a little wary, a little distracted and even though we have a good time that night she ends it by saying “and forever I will love you, for all time”. Oh please, we both know that’s not true… And then on Piece of Mind you’re not sure what she’s saying, hinting at commitment but the only words you really hear are “there’s no need to complicate…”

Anyway, enough of that. By this stage you both know that this things is petering out and you’ll come to an agreement that you’ve had a good time but you’ll leave it there. There’s always that possibility you’ll bump into each other in the pub again and you know what, that’ll be fine. The odd one for the road, whatever that means…

So yes, I enjoyed this album. Some great tracks, particularly Endless Summer, Try Colour, City Girl. Criticisms? Well, it’s a bit muddy, the drummer is a bit busy, the dulcimer on, no scratch that.

It’s an easy 7 and I’ll quite happily keep it in the library as one of those when you’re not quite sure what you want to listen to and scrolling through and yep, that’ll do…

Will I listen to their other albums? Hmm, she’s got two sisters you say… no, on reflection let’s not go there.
 
journolud said:
I like to think I know a bit about music but really I feel a bit lost wen it comes to discussing middle 8ths and bridges and the tuning of the dulcimer or whatever quirky instrument is embellishing the sound. So when it comes down to it my musical knowledge is more about knowing lots of artists, some of them quite obscure. This thread continues to expose the gaps in that knowledge though. Here’s another band I’ve never heard of. Some of the bands I’d never heard of that this thread has thrown up I’ve happily forgotten about again. But when it comes to the Jezabels I’m quite happy to have discovered them. When it comes to musical knowledge then I guess the best I can say is that I know what I like (in my wardrobe). And I like this. In the main…

I’d like to offer an educated analysis of the music, with some reference to the lyrics but really you are going to have to settle for another analogy to try and get my thoughts out there.

This album put me in mind, no bear with me, of one of those short flings you have when you’re not really looking for one. You know, you’re in the pub just for the sake of being there and you get chatting to someone who really isn’t your “type” but there’s some sort of attraction there. OK she/ he/ they are your type in so much as they are the gender you usually hook up with and have all the functioning parts that make a short and temporarily fulfilling relationship possible. For the purposes of this already slightly tedious analogy she is female but in the interest of my insufferable wokeness any gender will do.

So, you’re somehow attracted to her because she’s lively, interesting, slightly melodramatic but in a good and exciting way. You don’t pay too much attention to what she is saying so much but just go with the vibe. And that’s what this album was like, from the slightly hackneyed but nevertheless dramatic organ opening, to the other couple of intros they added on to the first track as well it had me quite happy to go along for the ride, knowing really that we go into this in the spirit of adventure but no commitment. It’s fun and the sex is good.

And then we get to Austerlitz. Man, what a bummer. This is the bit where she gets all serious and wants you to see her sensitive and vulnerable side and really you just want to have a few drinks and have a good time like usual. But you have to allow it while knowing really it’s changed things.

Things pick back up with Deep Wide Ocean but you’re a little wary, a little distracted and even though we have a good time that night she ends it by saying “and forever I will love you, for all time”. Oh please, we both know that’s not true… And then on Piece of Mind you’re not sure what she’s saying, hinting at commitment but the only words you really hear are “there’s no need to complicate…”

Anyway, enough of that. By this stage you both know that this things is petering out and you’ll come to an agreement that you’ve had a good time but you’ll leave it there. There’s always that possibility you’ll bump into each other in the pub again and you know what, that’ll be fine. The odd one for the road, whatever that means…

So yes, I enjoyed this album. Some great tracks, particularly Endless Summer, Try Colour, City Girl. Criticisms? Well, it’s a bit muddy, the drummer is a bit busy, the dulcimer on, no scratch that.

It’s an easy 7 and I’ll quite happily keep it in the library as one of those when you’re not quite sure what you want to listen to and scrolling through and yep, that’ll do…

Will I listen to their other albums? Hmm, she’s got two sisters you say… no, on reflection let’s not go there.
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Well… that was different! ;)
 
journolud said:
I like to think I know a bit about music but really I feel a bit lost wen it comes to discussing middle 8ths and bridges and the tuning of the dulcimer or whatever quirky instrument is embellishing the sound. So when it comes down to it my musical knowledge is more about knowing lots of artists, some of them quite obscure. This thread continues to expose the gaps in that knowledge though. Here’s another band I’ve never heard of. Some of the bands I’d never heard of that this thread has thrown up I’ve happily forgotten about again. But when it comes to the Jezabels I’m quite happy to have discovered them. When it comes to musical knowledge then I guess the best I can say is that I know what I like (in my wardrobe). And I like this. In the main…

I’d like to offer an educated analysis of the music, with some reference to the lyrics but really you are going to have to settle for another analogy to try and get my thoughts out there.

This album put me in mind, no bear with me, of one of those short flings you have when you’re not really looking for one. You know, you’re in the pub just for the sake of being there and you get chatting to someone who really isn’t your “type” but there’s some sort of attraction there. OK she/ he/ they are your type in so much as they are the gender you usually hook up with and have all the functioning parts that make a short and temporarily fulfilling relationship possible. For the purposes of this already slightly tedious analogy she is female but in the interest of my insufferable wokeness any gender will do.

So, you’re somehow attracted to her because she’s lively, interesting, slightly melodramatic but in a good and exciting way. You don’t pay too much attention to what she is saying so much but just go with the vibe. And that’s what this album was like, from the slightly hackneyed but nevertheless dramatic organ opening, to the other couple of intros they added on to the first track as well it had me quite happy to go along for the ride, knowing really that we go into this in the spirit of adventure but no commitment. It’s fun and the sex is good.

And then we get to Austerlitz. Man, what a bummer. This is the bit where she gets all serious and wants you to see her sensitive and vulnerable side and really you just want to have a few drinks and have a good time like usual. But you have to allow it while knowing really it’s changed things.

Things pick back up with Deep Wide Ocean but you’re a little wary, a little distracted and even though we have a good time that night she ends it by saying “and forever I will love you, for all time”. Oh please, we both know that’s not true… And then on Piece of Mind you’re not sure what she’s saying, hinting at commitment but the only words you really hear are “there’s no need to complicate…”

Anyway, enough of that. By this stage you both know that this things is petering out and you’ll come to an agreement that you’ve had a good time but you’ll leave it there. There’s always that possibility you’ll bump into each other in the pub again and you know what, that’ll be fine. The odd one for the road, whatever that means…

So yes, I enjoyed this album. Some great tracks, particularly Endless Summer, Try Colour, City Girl. Criticisms? Well, it’s a bit muddy, the drummer is a bit busy, the dulcimer on, no scratch that.

It’s an easy 7 and I’ll quite happily keep it in the library as one of those when you’re not quite sure what you want to listen to and scrolling through and yep, that’ll do…

Will I listen to their other albums? Hmm, she’s got two sisters you say… no, on reflection let’s not go there.
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You forgot to mention that you now have herpes and her new boyfriend is hammering on your door incessantly for no reason. so you move to a cave and can't hear anything properly anymore - there are noises far away in the dark but you just can't make them out. Until with a sudden realisation it's the new boyfriend smashing the crap out of a snare drum and you're left with regret that it wasn't a bear coming to rip your guts out.
 
journolud said:
I like to think I know a bit about music but really I feel a bit lost wen it comes to discussing middle 8ths and bridges and the tuning of the dulcimer or whatever quirky instrument is embellishing the sound. So when it comes down to it my musical knowledge is more about knowing lots of artists, some of them quite obscure. This thread continues to expose the gaps in that knowledge though. Here’s another band I’ve never heard of. Some of the bands I’d never heard of that this thread has thrown up I’ve happily forgotten about again. But when it comes to the Jezabels I’m quite happy to have discovered them. When it comes to musical knowledge then I guess the best I can say is that I know what I like (in my wardrobe). And I like this. In the main…

I’d like to offer an educated analysis of the music, with some reference to the lyrics but really you are going to have to settle for another analogy to try and get my thoughts out there.

This album put me in mind, no bear with me, of one of those short flings you have when you’re not really looking for one. You know, you’re in the pub just for the sake of being there and you get chatting to someone who really isn’t your “type” but there’s some sort of attraction there. OK she/ he/ they are your type in so much as they are the gender you usually hook up with and have all the functioning parts that make a short and temporarily fulfilling relationship possible. For the purposes of this already slightly tedious analogy she is female but in the interest of my insufferable wokeness any gender will do.

So, you’re somehow attracted to her because she’s lively, interesting, slightly melodramatic but in a good and exciting way. You don’t pay too much attention to what she is saying so much but just go with the vibe. And that’s what this album was like, from the slightly hackneyed but nevertheless dramatic organ opening, to the other couple of intros they added on to the first track as well it had me quite happy to go along for the ride, knowing really that we go into this in the spirit of adventure but no commitment. It’s fun and the sex is good.

And then we get to Austerlitz. Man, what a bummer. This is the bit where she gets all serious and wants you to see her sensitive and vulnerable side and really you just want to have a few drinks and have a good time like usual. But you have to allow it while knowing really it’s changed things.

Things pick back up with Deep Wide Ocean but you’re a little wary, a little distracted and even though we have a good time that night she ends it by saying “and forever I will love you, for all time”. Oh please, we both know that’s not true… And then on Piece of Mind you’re not sure what she’s saying, hinting at commitment but the only words you really hear are “there’s no need to complicate…”

Anyway, enough of that. By this stage you both know that this things is petering out and you’ll come to an agreement that you’ve had a good time but you’ll leave it there. There’s always that possibility you’ll bump into each other in the pub again and you know what, that’ll be fine. The odd one for the road, whatever that means…

So yes, I enjoyed this album. Some great tracks, particularly Endless Summer, Try Colour, City Girl. Criticisms? Well, it’s a bit muddy, the drummer is a bit busy, the dulcimer on, no scratch that.

It’s an easy 7 and I’ll quite happily keep it in the library as one of those when you’re not quite sure what you want to listen to and scrolling through and yep, that’ll do…

Will I listen to their other albums? Hmm, she’s got two sisters you say… no, on reflection let’s not go there.
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Yeah, some of these reviews were too cold, and while some think mine was too hot, I found this one "just right". (and yes, that reference is a minor hint today)

Bravo sir on the story and scene presented (especially "Austerlitz"). I for one will be listening to their other albums too. Not too many bands I've felt that way about after the week was over. I was most curious what you and BH85 thought of them given similar leanings, so welcome aboard.
 
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Sorry a bit late with this one,not really my thing at all.
First track was ok a bit of Florence and The Machine vibes, on Endless Summer she sounded like Taylor Swift.
It was nice enough for a few listens but won’t be investigating further.

5/10
 
It has been an interesting week, and I am still in a bit of my cocoon phase where I am putting forward albums that while I do like, are not That close to my heart, so can take a bit of a bashing. It also happens that my turn follows Deep Purple and Pink Floyd, and I had to consider the context with the album, and an unknown niche album of a contrasting style felt more appropriate. Plus, it ticked off a year. I guess what I am saying, those feeling let down, forgive me ;).

Glad B&W properly seemed to have enjoyed it and others liked it enough for the week. Jounro's review probably hits closest to my feelings about it and how it made it into my collection (give or take the metaphors), and maybe why I never felt compelled to look into any of their other stuff, despite this having its place. Some generally enjoyable reads too. Kudos folks.
 
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Coatigan said:
It has been an interesting week, and I am still in a bit of my cocoon phase where I am putting forward albums that while I do like, are not That close to my heart, so can take a bit of a bashing. It also happens that my turn follows Deep Purple and Pink Floyd, and I had to consider the context with the album, and an unknown niche album of a contrasting style felt more appropriate. Plus, it ticked off a year. I guess what I am saying, those feeling let down, forgive me ;).

Glad B&W properly seemed to have enjoyed it and others liked it enough for the week. Jounro's review probably hits closest to my feelings about it and how it made it into my collection (give or take the metaphors), and maybe why I never felt compelled to look into any of their other stuff, despite this having its place. Some generally enjoyable reads too. Kodos folks.
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Don't apologise for a nomination and there should be no one feeling let down. I'm happy to be listen to stuff I wouldn't normally listen too. Even happy I heard Sleep Token
 
As a previously revealed clue about this selection, the origin of this artist or band was referenced or mentioned on my last album selection.

Given that will likely produce the sound of crickets, two pictures below tell the story of band and album, in its simplest terms. No passport needed for travel today:

1762353063638.png

1762353102084.png
 
Black&White&BlueMoon Town said:
As a previously revealed clue about this selection, the origin of this artist or band was referenced or mentioned on my last album selection.

Given that will likely produce the sound of crickets, two pictures below tell the story of band and album, in its simplest terms. No passport needed for travel today:

View attachment 173972

View attachment 173973
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No clue with this one but AI thinks it might be Kenny Logins
 
Black&White&BlueMoon Town said:
As a previously revealed clue about this selection, the origin of this artist or band was referenced or mentioned on my last album selection.

Given that will likely produce the sound of crickets, two pictures below tell the story of band and album, in its simplest terms. No passport needed for travel today:

View attachment 173972

View attachment 173973
Click to expand...
It’s not Friends related is it (just going from the first clue)?
 
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