- Audio CD (3 Dec 2007)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Universal
- ASIN: B0010RPO3K
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 65,753 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Burning |
| 2. Golden Cage |
| 3. Fireworks |
| 4. Done With You |
| 5. Don't Give Up |
| 6. Above You |
| 7. Inflation |
| 8. Figures |
| 9. Borders |
| 10. All Ears |
| 11. Golden Cage |
Product Description
Review
The Berlin-based dance band, Whitest Boy Alive, have pinned down their electronic style to back-to-basics pop for their debut album Dreams. Formed in 2003 as a project between the Norwegian singer of Kings of Convenience, Erlend Oye, and German DJ, Marcin Uz, now playing bass, the band also now include drummer, Sebastian Maschat, and Daniel Nentwig on Fender Rhodes and Crumar synth.
Although the band has its own German record label, Bubbles, in the UK, Modular Records has signed the group; an interesting new direction for the label that tend to focus on more upbeat electronic dance bands with attitude. The band played their first UK gig at the London Astoria with New Young Pony Club, another Modular signed band, in September 2007.
With no structural or programmed elements the music makes for a clear-headed, no frills, approach to dance music: A refreshing change for club floor classics. However, after a promising start to the album with the catchy minimalist pop tunes "Burning", "Golden Cage", and "Fireworks" the tracks start to merge into one. The subject matter is generally melancholic; not a natural bed fellow for dance music. However there is optimism in the lyrics, and the sereneness of Oye's voice masters the sound in a controlled environment.
Quietly unassuming to the point of being in danger of getting overlooked, at best Dreams will go down well in the chill-out room of an über cool club. But at worst it could be snapped up by a bland chain bar playing non-descript background music that you don't know, and don't want to know. The simple sounds fit into the very current '80s' vein, but without any of the usual bravado and day-glo. Also, Oye's super-smooth vocals are so distinctive that Dreams may be regarded as little more than the electronic dance version of Kings Of Convenience. Yet in the grand scheme of things that's not such a bad thing. --Jessica Braham
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Album Description
Whitest Boy Alive are a four-piece based in Berlin and they recorded their music without any superficial layering or effects. 'Dreams' is also a rarity in that it was recorded entirely live.
`Dreams' is an off-kilter blend of minimal percussion, subtle melodies and folk-esque guitars, exploring minimalist pop with amazing results. Album highlights `Golden Cage', `Done With You' and `Burning' show the laid-back charm of this very special band.
UK Version contains the video to 'Golden Cage'.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Whitest Boy Alive is probably better known for their dynamic singer/songwriter Erland Oye. Having done two albums of Simon & Garfunkel-esque folk with Kings of Convenience, and done a bit of electro-house under his own name with Unrest (plus a riotously enjoyable DJ Kicks mix), Erland Oye is trying a new band on for size.
On first listening to it I must admit it didn't initially appeal to me. But it is a grower, and after a few listens, you realise how accomplished it is. There is no fancy studio effects - it's just lead guitar, bass, drums, voice. And it works very well indeed. The bass drives the rhythm; very reminiscent of the clean, simple sound The Police used to produce. Most indie makes the mistake of going for the `big' sound - which despite its popularity is rarely pulled off successfully. This album is a lesson in the virtues of keeping it simple.
I think for anyone who is a serious indie fan, this album has to be one to get. There are few singer/songwriters as good as Erland Oye around these days, and even fewer who are as independently minded as he is too. Writing as someone who prefers his electronic album Unrest, Dreams is still pretty good, though I'd like to see Erland write some more electronic music at some point in the future. But I'm just happy to see Erland is still doing things his way.
One final thing - if Whitest Boy Alive plays near your home town, you absolutely must see them live. Just watch some of their broadcasts on Youtube. They are an absolute riot. How many indie bands do you know would break into a cover of Snap's "I've got the Power"?
On first listening to it I must admit it didn't initially appeal to me. But it is a grower, and after a few listens, you realise how accomplished it is. There is no fancy studio effects - it's just lead guitar, bass, drums, voice. And it works very well indeed. The bass drives the rhythm; very reminiscent of the clean, simple sound The Police used to produce. Most indie makes the mistake of going for the `big' sound - which despite its popularity is rarely pulled off successfully. This album is a lesson in the virtues of keeping it simple.
I think for anyone who is a serious indie fan, this album has to be one to get. There are few singer/songwriters as good as Erland Oye around these days, and even fewer who are as independently minded as he is too. Writing as someone who prefers his electronic album Unrest, Dreams is still pretty good, though I'd like to see Erland write some more electronic music at some point in the future. But I'm just happy to see Erland is still doing things his way.
One final thing - if Whitest Boy Alive plays near your home town, you absolutely must see them live. Just watch some of their broadcasts on Youtube. They are an absolute riot. How many indie bands do you know would break into a cover of Snap's "I've got the Power"?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought Dreams and Rules CD's. The best buy I made this year.
When I saw these guys on YouTube, I never thought how good this album is. As an audiophile I am, some recordings are used as "reference" and this is one of them. Excellent caption on voice, drums and guitars. For the "non-audiophiles", is also a must have.
When I saw these guys on YouTube, I never thought how good this album is. As an audiophile I am, some recordings are used as "reference" and this is one of them. Excellent caption on voice, drums and guitars. For the "non-audiophiles", is also a must have.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
fab
fab fun new wave style ( the cure..etc) indie band...catchy sound, pared down instrumentals, nice voice,....great summer driving sound...
Published on 2 May 2009 by Fanny Haddock
Brilliant spikey guitar led danceable tunes!
As mentioned in other reviews this is Erland Oye from Kings of Convenience side project.
Another job excellently well done, but in a different style. Read more
Another job excellently well done, but in a different style. Read more
Published on 1 July 2008 by P. Sharpe
Irresistible
The Whitest Boy Alive is Kings Of Convenience singer Erlend Øye's solo project (yes, I know there's a band behind him, but still...). Read more
Published on 2 May 2008 by IWFIcon
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