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Track Listings
| 1. Whispers Of Summer |
| 2. Train Song |
| 3. Beautiful Girl |
| 4. Whole |
| 5. Poor Little Me |
| 6. The Company Of Men |
| 7. Perfect |
| 8. Wildwood |
| 9. Breathe |
| 10. Fuse |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Having ridden the folk wave of her family connections throughout her early career--this is already her ninth album in various forms--Eliza Carthy's major-label debut has to largely stand or fall on its own merits. Many who came to her through her work in the traditional field may well feel unable to make the leap to the new sounds here, while to the mainstream audience at which this is so clearly aimed she will be just another unknown. The folk roots of her solo albums (Heat, Sound & Light and the justly acclaimed Red Rice) have been largely abandoned for a radio-friendly, pop-orientated approach. The more organic instruments (Carthy's own fiddle being no exception) have been relegated to mere backing for the dominant keyboards, layered vocals and programming. The too obvious but still valid comparison is with The Corrs. The statement of intent is even clearer when it comes to the material, all bar one of the 10 tracks being self-penned. Previous folk tales have been replaced with the kind of crass line which introduces "The Company Of Men". Tellingly, the best track is the only cover--a moody trip-hop run through Paul Weller's "Wild Wood". The album is best approached as an entry point to far better examples of Carthy's work, particularly Red Rice and the massively underrated Kings Of Calicutt album, still the best release to bear her name. --Phil Udell
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
you can see from these reviews what a brave step eliza has made with this album. although it isn't folk for the most part, the fused, pro-tooled songs are in themselves good, even if the breakbeat-folk-pop isn't to everyone's liking. i too was shocked on the first listen, but given time and warning it has grown on me. there are now decades of trad on record, so why shouldn't we want to try something a little progressive?
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Okay, it may be no red rice, but this is pop music as it should be, combining the best bits of modern pop with folky melodies and it works really well. The only let down is poor little me, where Eliza goes a little bit too far into self indulgence, but apart from that, just sit back and let the melodies wash over you. This is the album the Corrs could only ever dream of making
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Despite the prejudiced reviews of the traditional folk mafia, this is one of the best albums that Eliza has produced. I love her traditional work, but if you're prepared to come to this album leaving that at the door you'll find a rich set of well crafted songs with intelligent lyrics well produced. Train Song, and in particular Breath stand out for me, while Wildwood is indeed very fine.
As to those who find Company of Men shocking, well honestly, you must have had very sheltered lives indeed. Shocking is Marianne Faithful's 'Why'd Ya Do It', a track that pulls no punches and smacks straight to the face with use of language. Company of Men is by comparison rather sweet and charming and oozes pathos in a manner that anyone who has actually lived should find some empathy with.
As to those who find Company of Men shocking, well honestly, you must have had very sheltered lives indeed. Shocking is Marianne Faithful's 'Why'd Ya Do It', a track that pulls no punches and smacks straight to the face with use of language. Company of Men is by comparison rather sweet and charming and oozes pathos in a manner that anyone who has actually lived should find some empathy with.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Doesn't do it for me
Let me make it clear I love Eliza and was lucky enough to see her here in cockermouth 2 years ago, but I love the Eliza of Red, Anglicana, Calicutt. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Philip Chadwick
Not a traditional folk album, but still a good album
Okay, so you probably fall into one of two categories of individual here.
1)Folk fan looking for more Eliza Carthy folk music
2)Music fan
Not to sy the two are mutually... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2004 by Mr. R. Rogers
Uhmmmmm! No thank you!
Well I tried to get in to this one, but it seemed to go terribly wrong! The first track "Whispers of Summer" did the folky thing but in a more funky manner, which was promising. Read more
Published on 5 April 2002 by colin.morgan@galagroup.co.uk
Moving on...
For those expecting another 'Heat Light and Sound' this album takes more of a cue from the 'Red' part of 'Red Rice', fusing traditional tunes with a trip-hop sensibility. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2001 by DJ Baxter
A terrible dissapointment
This is nothing like Red Rice. Here, ham-fisted techno wibblings mess up the procedings. Eliza's pretty voice sounds so over-produced she could be Belinda Carlise for all I care. Read more
Published on 12 Nov 2000 by D. HAMMONDS
More than just another folk album.
...... Eliza's taken the evolving tradition of English folk a step further (and perhaps more into the mainstream). Yes, it's derivative... Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2000
A million different sounds and feelings
Eliza Carthy's new CD is once again a mix of a million different sounds and feelings. Maybe not so exciting as Red Rice but still a great listen, amazing music along with lyrics... Read more
Published on 18 Sep 2000 by deborah.hughes@mhelt.com
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