Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Business as usual...., 4 Jun 2007
This album is quite brilliant.
I concede that there are issues around it - 'Christenings' is reminiscent of Bowie's 'Space Oddity', other tracks sound like Pink Floyd circa Division Bell.... but does it follow that these are bad things?
Whilst it's true that Steven Wilson only contributes 3 whole tracks here (which did concern me a bit), his production and instrumentation nous, along with Geffen's flair for melody and construction ensure that there is never a dull moment. Poppier tracks like 'Where Is My Love' take a bit longer to love, perhaps, but the textures and dynamics that Wilson creates utterly gloss over any perceived shortcomings for me.
There is also criticism of Geffen's "adolescent" lyrics. Well, this album is what it is, and won't please evryone. For example, in "This Killer", there is a really clunky-sounding couplet at the top of the chorus: "This killer on the run, He steals from me the sun". OK, sounds a bit tortuous in terms of being a slave to the rhyme - but on reflection, I like the poeticism of having the word order messed with. And the song is so beautiful, I ultimately don't care.
I have no idea if Geffen's first language is Engish or not, but the Israeli certainly sings English with an accent. If his songwriting is seen through the filter of communicating via his second language (which I suspect it may be), then it adds a layer of alienation to the angst which I find touching rather than simplistic.
It's all about the tunes for me, on this album - and it has them in spades. I'm normally a stickler for lyrical prowess but, like a brilliant film with subtitles, I soon forget I'm having to work to interpret at all. The body of work speaks for itself.
If you like PT, SW or Blackfield 1, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Harmonies that will make you cry, 7 Mar 2007
For me, the striking aspect of this collection of songs are the harmonies -- so lush, so beautiful, so pure. So good they'll make you cry, if you're in the right frame of mind.
I came to this album as an ardent fan of Steven Wilson's work, normally preferring the heavier end of the prog spectrum. But Blackfield II isn't prog; it isn't heavy; it isn't just about Steven Wilson. And yet, I love it. What it is is intelligent, tasteful, accessible, original rock/pop, that should appeal to a wide range of people.
There are four songs on this CD which are worth the purchase price alone -- '1000 People', 'Miss U', 'Christenings' and 'Where Is My Love' -- and worthy contenders for hit singles. The rest are of a good standard too. Those familiar with Steven Wilson's output will know all about the consistently high quality threshold he applies to everything he does.
Other reviewers have complained about the album's relatively short length, but for me this is one of its many pluses. What you get is quality rather than quantity -- no tedious filler, as is unfortunately the case with too many 'long' albums released these days.
If you already own the first album, you'll find this one a definite improvement. It's more coherent, better developed, better executed. For some, it could perhaps do with a bit more 'beef' (something the band's live sound does manage to achieve), but it's a minor quibble.
If you've never heard of Blackfield or Steven Wilson or Aviv Geffen, then no matter what you normally listen to, it's time you got acquainted! I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A perfect record, 14 Feb 2007
Blackfield comes again to my CD player with a second recording. This last one it's not bettter nor worse than the first cd, it's simply different. There are more poetry, more tempo and a special care about vocals in the new one. All in all, a brilliant musical experience coming from two prolific musicians: Mr. Wilson and Mr. Geffen.
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