Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Track Listings
| 1. For The Restless |
| 2. Humming Bird Song |
| 3. The Girl Who Falls Downstairs |
| 4. How The West Was Won |
| 5. Packing For The Crash |
| 6. It Ain't You |
| 7. Strangest Land |
| 8. My Vampire Heart |
| 9. Silent Boulevard |
| 10. Still Lost |
| 11. Border Song |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
All Maps Welcome is the third album from singer-songwriter Tom McRae, perhaps one of British music’s best kept secrets. Despite the critical acclaim (including a Mercury Prize nomination for his debut album), he still struggles to get the profile of fellow troubadour Damien Rice. Recorded in three weeks, with the assistance of members of Beck’s backing band, All Maps Welcome has an admirably low-key and raw sound. But as it deals with the dissolution of a long-term relationship, it does skirt worryingly close to wallowing in self-pity and lyrical self-indulgence--two things that McRae has never been known for. And with that as its subject matter, it hardly qualifies as a party record. If deep and thoughtful is your thing though, this is for you. --Robert Burrow
Album Description
Recorded live over a three week period, All Maps Welcome features Tom’s English band and various members of Beck’s band, including Joey Waronker, Justin Meldal Johnsen and Lyle Workman. Tom McRae’s self-titled debut album, released in 2000, announced the arrival of a rare and singular new talent. Its subsequent Mercury Prize and Brit nominations merely confirmed the insight and vision of Scott Walker, who had invited McRae to take part in his Meltdown Festival – before he’d even released a record. His second album, Just Like Blood (2003), was equally hailed by the critics and music buyers alike.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Spinetingling - Some artistes achieve it on only one song in their whole career, such as BB King on The Thrill is gone - that elusive alchemy of raw intimacy, timing and atmosphere that delivers a true tingle down the spine. Mcrae has an illegal still of the stuff bubbling away that he dips into even more so on this album than his previous sublime offerings. As always a man as much in control of the listener's emotions as he is analytical of his own, McRae wears his heart on a skewer rather than a sleeve. All Maps Welcome is a triumph out of the disaster of a broken relationship - a swirling atmospherically charged affair that romances the listener in one instant only to quickly dash hopes of any lasting happiness, such as on The Girl Who Falls Downstairs, possibly the most exquisitely beautiful song of 2005.
Never formulaic, there are, nevertheless, several tracks which follow the slow builder format of 'in with a whisper, out with a roar' but the initial impression of overdone quiet understatement at the start of the album is quickly dispelled by the power of the songs. This is an album that you can dip into, to a degree, unlike his previous two outings which gripped from start to finish. But rather than being the weaker for it, this is a strong collection of standouts with an overall theme, that can still immerse if you want it to.
Less intensely charged than Just Like Blood or the eponymous first album, All Map shows a more involving and open McRae with none of the dark brooding that he's occasionally shown. Those already in possession of Tom's previous two albums will expect there to be at least one truly powerful belter of a track a la Karaoke Soul and A and b song - this album does not disappoint with Silent Boulevard continuing that tradition. Vocal pyrotechnics to rival Buckley are in more limited supply this time around as Tom has gone for a more intimately melancholic atmosphere, but Silent Boulevard lets rip as McRae truly can. Tracks that absorb and stun you with their vocals that could etch cut glass are Vampire Heart, Packing For The Crash and Strangest Land.
This is an companion album for a long late night drive, or a gift for a trusted lover - think of Songs of..by Leonard Cohen and you'll understand something of the mood. The only negative is the slightly 'Mike Sammes singers' start to Strangest Land but that soon dissipates as the rest of the song comes through strongly.
Better than Buckley, more richly rewarding in the listening than Damien Rice, Stephen Fretwell or the truly excellent Ben Chistophers, McRae remains, quite simply, the best singer-songwriter in the British Isles and therefore, by definition, on the planet.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is Tom's third album, after his debut of 'Tom Mcrae', and 'Just Like Blood', and its content is more developed than the previous two whilst still in the same vein.
We've seen Tom twice live in concert, once in 2000 when he supported Dido - and it was that perfomance which encouraged us to become avid fans.
His musical talent is unquestionable - demonstrated to its best on this album, especially in 'Hummingbird Song', 'How the West Was Won' and 'Silent Boulevard', however it is difficult to pick out individual tracks on an album which is full of quality from start to finish.
It is therefore a shame that Mcrae hasn't broke through into the mainstream along with other singer-songwriters who, in my opinion are no where near as talented.
If you don't own this album - add it to your basket NOW as part of your Amazon order (then you'll also want the other two!).
A seriously good album, well produced and full of gems.
We've seen Tom twice live in concert, once in 2000 when he supported Dido - and it was that perfomance which encouraged us to become avid fans.
His musical talent is unquestionable - demonstrated to its best on this album, especially in 'Hummingbird Song', 'How the West Was Won' and 'Silent Boulevard', however it is difficult to pick out individual tracks on an album which is full of quality from start to finish.
It is therefore a shame that Mcrae hasn't broke through into the mainstream along with other singer-songwriters who, in my opinion are no where near as talented.
If you don't own this album - add it to your basket NOW as part of your Amazon order (then you'll also want the other two!).
A seriously good album, well produced and full of gems.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is quite simply another magnificent album from a super talented guy. I don't understand how someone like James Blunt gains mainstream acceptance and McRae is still relatively unknown, Blunt can only dream of being so good. Full of wonderful lyrics, great riffs, magnificent songs this is a cd that I love, buy it! And a note to Sony/BMG, get behind this bloke, he could make you a bucket load of cash. Everyone I play his cds to love him, and I live in hope that he will ever tour down under!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Tom is a legend!
Sublime, buy it now. Your life will be better with this record in it! All of Tom's albums are great.
Published 8 months ago by Jimbob
Now my favourite Tom Mcrae album
Several years on I love this record and play it over and over again. When I first bought it I was disappointed, as I'd been with Just Like Blood - I'd been bowled over by the first... Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2009 by K. Mead
haunting and beautiful
This is by far and away my favourite Tom McRae album, full of soaring, anthemic and soulful tracks. Stand-out tracks for me include The Girl Who Falls Downstairs, How The West was... Read more
Published on 28 Nov 2006 by Swiss Tony
Looking for up tempo happy stuff...
you are in the wrong place
BUT if you are looking for quality songs delivered by a guy with a great voice that will look at you emotions this could be a good one for... Read more
BUT if you are looking for quality songs delivered by a guy with a great voice that will look at you emotions this could be a good one for... Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2005 by totnes_nigel
Lost his edge?
Whilst there is no doubt that this is a very competent album and stands up well to many of his contemporaries such as Damien Rice et al, this album just doesn't do it for me in the... Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2005 by "mattc97"
Another great album
You could argue that it's the weaker of his albums but I thats probably only because of the very high quality of his previous work. Read more
Published on 19 May 2005
welcome back!
finally tom mcrae returns with his third helping, still yearning for love and providing us with a forsight into his deepest darkest thoughts. Read more
Published on 11 May 2005 by kai tippetts
Excellent album
Heard the album playing in virgin, and I bought it immediately. I rarely do that.
I've not heard much from him. dont know his previous 2 albums, not sure how ive missed him. Read more
I've not heard much from him. dont know his previous 2 albums, not sure how ive missed him. Read more
Published on 11 May 2005 by R. M. Morgan
Another fantastic album
This is another great album from the wonderful Tom Mcrae, Britain's best singer-songwriter (Damien Rice is an amateur in comparison). Read more
Published on 6 May 2005 by "jeffbadger"
An excellent record
When I first listened to 'just like blood'(the follow up to Tom mcrae's self-titled debut album) I felt much the same as I do about this one- His albums are hard to digest, honest... Read more
Published on 6 May 2005 by "ants_cant_wear_jumpsuits"
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
