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Review
Ever since his Mercury Prize nomination for Kitty JayM in 2005, Seth Lakeman has cut a striking figure in conventional folk circles. Loved by traditionalists for his characterful voice and mastery of the fiddle, banjo and viola, his ear for pop melodies–and his good looks–have also won him a faithful wider audience. Five albums into his career, Hearts and Minds follows the lead of 2008's Poor Man's Heaven, which introduced rockier rhythms and pace to his music. But now he has gone even further–so much so that he now hardly sounds like a folk artist at all.
The title-track begins the album with a bang. Fierce, heavy drums and a thick, dirty bassline – played by a barely recognisable, growling violin–drives its head-banging beat. Lakeman tells us to "rise up" and feel the "weight of the government's hands", with his protest sounding much more like the work of Muse than Ewan MacColl. "The Watchmen" is a hymn to escapism full of "come ons" and "yeah yeah yeahs", while "Tender Traveller" builds cacophonies of double-stopped strings and struck banjos, as Lakeman sings about "choking" and things "closing in". His statements about Hard Working Men and Preacher's Ghosts can sound heavy-handed, and not unlike the songs of Mumford & Sons. Nonetheless, the way in which acoustic instruments are used to create intensity is very impressive, with the production work of Tchad Blake (whose credits include Tom Waits, Crowded House and Elvis Costello) deserving of praise.
Lakeman's songs are better when they are simpler and gentler, however. "Tiny World"'s lovely lyrics about a girl he's left behind for seven years–with "a full heart and a heavy breeze"–lead beautifully into a chorus which is warm, yet anthemic. "Stepping Over You" shows how moving his playing can be when it is given space to shimmer, while "Changes" uses pizzicato and col legno effects–plucked strings and bows being struck against the wood of an instrument–to create fascinating yet accessible and very lively textures. If Lakeman truly wants to be entertaining and innovative in the future, he would do well to follow this path, rather than revel in rocky rowdiness that will soon tire of clamour.
--Jude RogersFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Product Description
Brand New Product! Ready to despatch in 2-5 business days worldwide international delivery. Established seller since 1999.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Sukebind
Format:Audio CD
I have loved all Seth's previous albums and have seen him live and so I was full of anticipation over the release of Hearts and Minds. I am hoping it will grow on me because, after owning it for a week, I am still disappointed.
What I liked about Seth Lakeman was the evocative lyrics and tunes routed in folk tradition. When I hear songs like Bold Knight, Kitty Jay, Lady of the Sea, I'll Haunt You, The Hurlers I get wonderful pictures in my head. The songs on Hearts and Minds just don't grab me in the same way.
Hearts and Minds feels like sub-Billy Bragg whinging but with violins and mandolins. On previous albums I have been singing along by the second hearing, a week into this one and I can't even hum a single tune.
In my opinion the album is also over-produced and over-orchestrated, lacking the rawness of previous efforts.
In conclusion I hope this is an experimental aberration and not a change of direction for Seth Lakeman.
On the same day I bought Peter Bradley Adams "Traces". Currently I am preferring that.
What I liked about Seth Lakeman was the evocative lyrics and tunes routed in folk tradition. When I hear songs like Bold Knight, Kitty Jay, Lady of the Sea, I'll Haunt You, The Hurlers I get wonderful pictures in my head. The songs on Hearts and Minds just don't grab me in the same way.
Hearts and Minds feels like sub-Billy Bragg whinging but with violins and mandolins. On previous albums I have been singing along by the second hearing, a week into this one and I can't even hum a single tune.
In my opinion the album is also over-produced and over-orchestrated, lacking the rawness of previous efforts.
In conclusion I hope this is an experimental aberration and not a change of direction for Seth Lakeman.
On the same day I bought Peter Bradley Adams "Traces". Currently I am preferring that.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By J. morris
Format:Audio CD
After reading reviews in the music press and on Amazon I avoided buying Hearts and Minds for a while. Most were negative. How wrong! So glad I gave in and pressed the 'buy' button. It is different from all his other cd's but it is not a disappointment. I love the rawness of the early work from Punch Bowl to Freedom Fields and Freedom Fields will always be my favorite ( better than the repressing as Lady of the Sea) So good to hear him grow and develope as an artist. I love the passion and production on this new cd and the anthem of Hearts and Minds. So, take no notice of reviews and trust your heart. If you like strong music with its heart in the right place treat yourself.
( I do not understand why people take the time to write bad reviews. OK, if you can make better music yourself then fine. But why whine about your disappointment. Just pass the cd on to someone else who might like it and remember that musicians are people, that music takes a long time to craft, that artists grow and change and develope, and that negativity can bring a heart down.)
I look forward to hearing what comes next from Seth Lakeman, and long to hear him really let rip with that wild devil's violin of his.Hearts & Minds
( I do not understand why people take the time to write bad reviews. OK, if you can make better music yourself then fine. But why whine about your disappointment. Just pass the cd on to someone else who might like it and remember that musicians are people, that music takes a long time to craft, that artists grow and change and develope, and that negativity can bring a heart down.)
I look forward to hearing what comes next from Seth Lakeman, and long to hear him really let rip with that wild devil's violin of his.Hearts & Minds
22 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Ignoring the previous contributor's nonsensical, misguided 'review' - let's take a look at the actual music shall we? Following on from the distinctly patchy Poor Man's Heaven, 'Hearts and Minds' marks not only a return to form, but a true progression for one of the UK's most promising young artists.
The album opens with a couple of more traditional Lakeman numbers - both 'Hearts and Minds' and 'The Watchman' offer nothing new or surprising. However from 'Tiny World' onwards, the music begins to unfold, showing subtle textures and offering welcome twists with surprising regularity. From the melodic layers of 'Spinning Days' and jazzy inflections of 'Changes' through to the album's epic closer 'The Circle Grows' (John Martyn anyone?) , this is the unmistakable sound of a young artist growing in both confidence and songwriting ability.
Ther fact that Lakeman manages all of this whilst still staying true to his roots is testament to his enduring talent, both as a performer and songwriter. Without doubt this is an album which bears repeated listening - offering up something new every time. A new and welcome direction then, but more of the same great modern folk music. Outstanding effort.
The album opens with a couple of more traditional Lakeman numbers - both 'Hearts and Minds' and 'The Watchman' offer nothing new or surprising. However from 'Tiny World' onwards, the music begins to unfold, showing subtle textures and offering welcome twists with surprising regularity. From the melodic layers of 'Spinning Days' and jazzy inflections of 'Changes' through to the album's epic closer 'The Circle Grows' (John Martyn anyone?) , this is the unmistakable sound of a young artist growing in both confidence and songwriting ability.
Ther fact that Lakeman manages all of this whilst still staying true to his roots is testament to his enduring talent, both as a performer and songwriter. Without doubt this is an album which bears repeated listening - offering up something new every time. A new and welcome direction then, but more of the same great modern folk music. Outstanding effort.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great music
A fabulous musician and we have lots of his music. Really enjoyed this one too when will the next appear?
Published 1 month ago by maggie hallsworth
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok
making people write long reviews on ggod they receive is in my opinion expecting a lot. surely just a simple word comment is enough??
Published 3 months ago by Ms. Julie A. Renyard
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hearts and Minds: Seth Lakeman - Changes are evident
Seth Lakeman is undoubtedly a major talent. Along with Spiers and Boden he is at the forefront of the current folk scene, turning out albums that will appeal to a wide... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Victor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Seth Lakeman Superstar
Came across Seth Lakeman on Sky Arts. Was so impressed went straight on to Amazon and bought every one of his albums in one go. Read more
Published 22 months ago by V. Wilson
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Problem with Hearts and Minds
I am a big fan of Seth's; Freedom Fields is one of my very favourite discs, and the reasons why I rate that record tie in with my disappoinment of Hearts and Minds. Read more
Published on 9 May 2011 by G. Kimpton
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Kind of Folk Music
I'm not a great fan of folk music but this guy combines tradition with his own modern twist to tell stories with his music in a unique way. Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2011 by Paul Hutchings
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great album from Seth
I always expect Seth to bring out a duff album for some reason, like how could he keep this up..?? But he always delivers something exceptional , love it!!
Published on 18 Mar 2011 by BookWorm v CodeMonkey
1.0 out of 5 stars
boring
If you like this album you will like the others as they sound the same. Before people start having ago i thought Kitty Jay was a good album but now he is trying to repeat the same... Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2011 by hickman
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hearts and Minds..
Style wise its not miles away from "Freedom Fields," but its just a bit to contrived for my liking, the production a bit too slick a bit to crisp in places. Read more
Published on 9 Dec 2010 by Jimmy Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
Does what the title suggests
I've just returned from Sheperds Bush where Seth & the guys were performing live quite a number of these new songs & they went down a storm. Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2010 by djlclover
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