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Best known for their hit 'Hide U', which breached the UK Top 10 back in 2001, Bristol's Kosheen have been one of the more successful British acts to draw influence from underground dance culture. Their debut album, the platinum selling Resist, set out to meld the breakbeat rhythms of drum 'n' bass to more traditional songcraft, a side of the band embodied by vocalist Sian Evans.
Since Resist though, Kosheen have gradually toned down the tempo. On 2003's Kokopelli, they explored a rockier sound, adding guitars to the mix. And here on Damage, the trio's first album in four years, they delve deeper into moodier, trip-hop territory, playing up the personal lyrics and integrating acoustic instruments amid the synths and sequencers. Actually, it's the more restrained tracks that work the best: 'Cruel Heart' is a sombre number about the pains of adolescence, inspired by Evans' teenage son, while 'Not Enough Love' hitches a robust breakbeat to gently circling acoustic guitar and a desolate, folksy vocal: 'Tight as a drum/Sharp as they come/There's not enough love for anybody'.
Sadly, there's much to Damage that works less successfully. For the most part, the rhythmic, jungle-influenced rush that gave their debut a cool, futuristic sheen has mostly evaporated. Without it, much here feels at best fairly unadventurous and at worst, insipid and bland. The opening title track aims for a disquieting, Massive Attack-style melancholy but it let down by tacky trance synths and tinny strings, while 'Professional Friend', an attempt at a Garbage-style rocker, suffers from flat production and a clunky lyric: 'I've got skeletons enough to build a castle with a turret' sings Evans. Worst of all, though, Damage is extremely overlong. Clocking in at 16 tracks and over 70 minutes, this album forgets the most important secret to keeping any dancefloor happy - momentum. --Louis Pattison
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's been 4 years since Kosheen's last album (Kokopelli in 2003) and it's great to see the Bristol trio of Sian Evans, Markee Davies and Darren Beale back again. This time, they have produced a very well worked album in Damage.
It is understandable to say that 16 tracks may be too much to someone who's listening to Kosheen for the very first time. But be assured that if you want to hear an album that is different from what is out in the stores right now, Damage is something that I would recommend to you. To anyone that is slightly familiar with Kosheen's work, then I would say that the more tracks the better!
Damage borders between the sounds from the dance style of Resist and the rock sounds from Kokopelli and mixing a fresh electro-synth sound that is easily catchy and enjoyable to listen to.
The album explores the troubles of a relationship, coping with a loss, trying to bridge the gaps and heal the wounds of a broken heart. This is clearly evident in lead singer Sian Evans' song writing. The emotional but yet powerful and breathtaking vocals Sian provides really compliments each song perfectly and this sets the trend for the whole album.
From start to finish there are some very good tracks. Damage, Overkill, Same Ground Again, Professional Friend and Wish You Were Here sway towards the rock sounds from Kokopelli, possibly hinting a bit of Depeche Mode and Massive Attack in some songs. But the heavy synthesizers and the emotion Sian Evans puts into each song soon becomes addictive to listen to.
Chances, Guilty and Like A Book are infectious dance tracks that are suitable for a night out and makes you want to dance all night long. Again the synthesizers are a joy to hear and in some cases you could detect a bit of Kraftwerk and Yazoo influence in them as they blend perfectly into these dance tunes.
But the chill out songs like Out Of This World and Analogue Street Dub, along with the beautiful ballads of Cruel Heart and Under Fire, really make this album stand out in terms of Kosheen experimenting with different sounds and styles and giving the listener plenty of variety.
It's a fantastic return that was worth waiting for. Welcome back Kosheen!
It is understandable to say that 16 tracks may be too much to someone who's listening to Kosheen for the very first time. But be assured that if you want to hear an album that is different from what is out in the stores right now, Damage is something that I would recommend to you. To anyone that is slightly familiar with Kosheen's work, then I would say that the more tracks the better!
Damage borders between the sounds from the dance style of Resist and the rock sounds from Kokopelli and mixing a fresh electro-synth sound that is easily catchy and enjoyable to listen to.
The album explores the troubles of a relationship, coping with a loss, trying to bridge the gaps and heal the wounds of a broken heart. This is clearly evident in lead singer Sian Evans' song writing. The emotional but yet powerful and breathtaking vocals Sian provides really compliments each song perfectly and this sets the trend for the whole album.
From start to finish there are some very good tracks. Damage, Overkill, Same Ground Again, Professional Friend and Wish You Were Here sway towards the rock sounds from Kokopelli, possibly hinting a bit of Depeche Mode and Massive Attack in some songs. But the heavy synthesizers and the emotion Sian Evans puts into each song soon becomes addictive to listen to.
Chances, Guilty and Like A Book are infectious dance tracks that are suitable for a night out and makes you want to dance all night long. Again the synthesizers are a joy to hear and in some cases you could detect a bit of Kraftwerk and Yazoo influence in them as they blend perfectly into these dance tunes.
But the chill out songs like Out Of This World and Analogue Street Dub, along with the beautiful ballads of Cruel Heart and Under Fire, really make this album stand out in terms of Kosheen experimenting with different sounds and styles and giving the listener plenty of variety.
It's a fantastic return that was worth waiting for. Welcome back Kosheen!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is the (difficult?) third album from Kosheen which I have managed to get on import prior to it's imminent release. It is still difficult to pigeon hole Kosheen into any particular genre, however what we have here is an album of very good songs resulting in their most accomplished and accessible album yet.
The production is far better and there is a more upbeat feel (despite lyrically still angst ridden). Songwise there are no great standouts - most of the tracks especially the opening Damage and Overkill to the closing Your Life are very well crafted and delivered.
If there are any gripes, abeit small, is that on a couple of tracks the lyric to music arrangements on the opening verses do not quite fit which is most noticable on Out Of This World. Slower tracks Not Enough Love/Cruel Heart should probably have been seperated with something upbeat as there could be the temptation to stop listening at that point - don't though as Marching Orders is a great track in itself.
The UK version for release next week will have bonus tracks according to the website and all in all fans of the band will be delighted with the new album - it sounds brilliant up loud!
The production is far better and there is a more upbeat feel (despite lyrically still angst ridden). Songwise there are no great standouts - most of the tracks especially the opening Damage and Overkill to the closing Your Life are very well crafted and delivered.
If there are any gripes, abeit small, is that on a couple of tracks the lyric to music arrangements on the opening verses do not quite fit which is most noticable on Out Of This World. Slower tracks Not Enough Love/Cruel Heart should probably have been seperated with something upbeat as there could be the temptation to stop listening at that point - don't though as Marching Orders is a great track in itself.
The UK version for release next week will have bonus tracks according to the website and all in all fans of the band will be delighted with the new album - it sounds brilliant up loud!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Yup, this album totally blew me away. Here is something for those that liked Resist, there is something for those that liked Kokopelli and there is something for those that like totally awesome songs in genral.
Although there are a few songs that are almost europop in their catchyness, there is a significant substance to every song and the album is overall a bit darker than anything they've done before, which is something that fits Sian's voice perfectly. She really shows off her vocal chops.
This is a prime example of "all killer, no filler."
Although there are a few songs that are almost europop in their catchyness, there is a significant substance to every song and the album is overall a bit darker than anything they've done before, which is something that fits Sian's voice perfectly. She really shows off her vocal chops.
This is a prime example of "all killer, no filler."
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant!
Just added 'Damage' to my modest collection of Kosheen albums which includes 'Resist' and 'Kokopelli'. I am as delighted with this production as I have been with the former. Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. Scott
great album
bought this as a birthday present for my brother but wanted to keep it!
i liked every song on this album, they were all memorable and some were good sing-a-long tunes, would... Read more
i liked every song on this album, they were all memorable and some were good sing-a-long tunes, would... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Miss E. Chambers
KOSHEEN PERFECTION....
Dear music listener.
Looking for or finding this album will be a brilliant find for you!. Read more
Looking for or finding this album will be a brilliant find for you!. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2009 by John Darling
Round 3 to Kosheen
Not many albums produced these days with more than 10-12 tracks. 16 tracks of Kosheen and everyone listenable. Read more
Published on 25 Jan 2008 by acg5324
There Is Nothing More To Say
I sat down to write a review of this album but before I did I thought I would read other reviews. The result is that I can't really add on anything else written. Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2007 by Middy2000
Damaged?
In my opinion, Damage is the album of the year. Everything you could want in an album, from the lead-single 'Overkill's soaring chorus and lyrics you can't help but sing (or... Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2007 by Frederika
Damage - sweet sixteen
Kosheen return with album number three "Damage" on September 10th. Back to the rafters with tunes, sixteen in fact. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2007 by L. Murton
Full of potential hits
This new album from Kosheen will most definitely not disappoint fans of their previous albums, and has the Kosheen sound to it from the absolute start. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2007 by James Berry
out of this world
Nearly 4 years separate Damage from the previous Kosheen's CD - and now it's clear that this album was worth waiting for. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2007 by Elya Kuznetsova
Don't lose your head
I've had the european version of this album since March and I love it!
As with all Kosheen songs, they come from the heart and therefor the listener is able to empathize with... Read more
As with all Kosheen songs, they come from the heart and therefor the listener is able to empathize with... Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2007 by Kelly Drake
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