Echo Park [CD]

'Echo Park' kicks off with a quirky intro 'Standing..' and lulls the casual listener into a false sense of security in a tune reminiscent of the 'Eels' before a snarling sample heavy non-chorus blasts out your equilibrium.
'Buck Rogers' possibly the most immediate and infamous Feeder track is still misunderstood and is a terrific power pop anthem. For the last time it is not about cars, lemons or c'd bloomin' players. It's about jealousy and triumph over adversity.
'Piece by Piece', breathtaking no more no less.
'Seven days in the Sun' good time Feeder and chart friendly. Only on 'Choke' and 'Bug' do we get to the dirty Feeder so promised by 'Bubblehead' (Yesterday secret track).

The problem isn't with the songs as such, or even the band, it's that this album is almost too over produced. Grant is a phenomenal producer (most singles, most albums) in his own right and the conflict I expect he encountered with both Gil Norton and the label is evident. At times the album sounds like vintage Feeder at others it's almost as if they've been forced to deliver some filler tracks to appease the middle ground.

Feeder influences have never been private, such as the police, the smashing pumpkins, husker-du and of course Grant's love of hip-hop, and all are present and correct.

For a truly great live band with an enormous loyal and proud fan-base this album will probably sit as most listeners second favorite with the favorite subject to many a late night debate. All in all a good album from a great band, who can write quality tunes. Check out back cat c'ds as there are some true gems to be found. 'Just a day' was in fact a b-side to 'Seven Days'. I Hope that even after the untimely death of Jon Lee the Grant and Taka continue the Feeder tradition.

This is a rare thing indeed. Mainly because I like all the tracks on it. Other CDs I own I always have some sort of issue with the "filler" tracks on it. This one I like every last one.

Standing on the Edge, Buck Rodgers, Seven Days in the Sun, Choke, Tell all Your Friends, Under the Weather and Bug are good songs to jump and thrash your head about to.

Piece by Piece, We Can't Rewind, Turn, Oxygen and Satellite News are equally good as slower, mellower sounds.

I always loved this album for the good mix it provides. Some songs will make you feel good; others on it will make you feel slightly sad. Some will make you dance about like a madman, others are calm and contemplative. Feeder was pigeon holed (In Grant Nicholas' own word) as a "Comedy Rock Band" category. Don't make that same mistake. They are capable of far more than "Relying on a rhyming dictionary"!

So I went out and bought Echo Park and I am totally HOOKED! I love it and it is the only album out of my huge collection of CD's which I actually listen to all the songs on. It has a mixture of loud songs i.e. Buck Rogers, Seven days in the sun, standing on the edge, choke, tell all your friends and bug and the slower ballad type songs i.e. Piece by piece, oxygen, satellite news, we can't rewind etc. I always listen to it in the car, in my room when i'm chillin out and I always have the songs in my head!! Jon Lee will never be forgotten as his brilliant drum playing lives on this album along with Grant's fantastic voice, which sounds great in whatever songs he sings.

I have now bought their other albums and they are now one of my favourite bands. I would recommend Echo Park to everyone so GO OUT AND BUY IT NOW!! It now lives in my CD player, I would give it 1 million stars if I could! So go out and treat yourself.