- Audio CD (21 Sep 2004)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Nettwerk Records
- ASIN: B0002VL15U
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 660,296 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. A Day Like Today |
| 2. You Only Disappear |
| 3. Ghost Of A Shark |
| 4. Stronger Than Dirt |
| 5. Overthrown |
| 6. Walking 2 Hawaii |
| 7. Mermaid Blues |
| 8. Karaoke Soul |
| 9. Line Of Fire |
| 10. Human Remains |
| 11. Streetlight |
| 12. Walking 2 Hawaii (Live/KRCW Session) |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
This sensitive scribe from a sleepy Suffolk village came up with a self-titled debut that won him a Mercury Prize nomination in 2000. Just Like Blood, the follow-up, is no less intense, but, as Tom McRae says, this time round he has "sweetened the pill stylistically". And how sweet this is: subtle mbira thumb piano, judiciously-used orchestration and melodies that drift, waver and just hang there. But there is an icy fire to his lyrics--from the dysfunctional relationship he disdainfully recalls in "Karaoke Soul" to the vengeful, country-tinged "Stronger than Dirt". Emerging from his Thom Yorke-style choirboy tones, however, is a sense of transcendence, and the feel of a hapless romantic. The track "Mermaid Blues", for instance, is shimmering in its simplicity: "I can sing you out of this", he breathes, with otherworldly charm. --Lucy O'Brien
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The more I listen to it, the more I fall in love with it.,
This review is from: Just Like Blood (Audio CD)
I just can't get over it. This album contains ten fantastic songs, plain and simple. Marvellous arrangements, genius lyrics and a voice to make those so-called "Pop Idols" hang their heads in shame. Although there is the palpable air of sadness and loss (not reccomended if you are feeling down), there is an emotional intensity beyond "depressing" that arises out of this music. Take "Overthrown" which sounds incredibly eerie at first but get closer and it becomes the most fantastic love song. Another example is "Line of fire" which at first I thought was this creepy song about a stalker but now I'm not so sure, I think it's about angels watching over former lovers or something now. Of course, engaging lyrics are one thing but interesting thought-provoking musical arrangements are another, fortunately Tom does not disappoint here either and Ben Hillier (past credits include Elbow's "Asleep in the back") is a superb choice as producer. Musically, the opener "A Day Like Today", "You Only Diappear" and "Mermaid Blues" are the highlights, the latter will send shivers down your spine, if it doesn't, it would be prescient to check that you're still breathing!OK. So there are only ten tracks, it's a bit draining emotionally and you've never heard him before. Don't worry about that, take my advice and buy this album. You won't regret it.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Flawless,
By
This review is from: Just Like Blood (Audio CD)
One word can easily encapsulate Tom McRae. You can choose that word, but "flawless" will be a synonym. However, for an artist so easily described, to categorise him is almost impossible - he simply does not fit into the modern world of poppy tosh and whining nu-metal. There's something wonderful about hearing a true singer-songwriter with so much talent in amongst the dross - artists like Ryan Adams and Tom McRae. McRae isn't Adams, however - his music is sombre and on occasion treads the line of being just a little too complaining; but the genius of this man is that he never ever crosses that line. Instead, just when you begin to consider thinking that negative thought, the power of his voice, lyrics and music washes it all away."Just Like Blood" is perhaps a little more upbeat than his debut; make no mistake, this is still a beautiful exercise in melancholia, but with the greatly increased instrumentation McRae has had access to this time around, there's less of the plaintive "voice and piano" moments. Like all truly talented musicians, this album evolves McRae's style; it's still "him" in every way, but this is a step forward, helped by that increased instrumental aspect and novelty sound effects his new producer has used to augment the music. Everything is polished, and each song feels complete in every way - not one leaves you dissatisfied. And each song has it's own defining aspect which stays with you, whether it's a particular riff or McRae's voice or a single unexpected note. Much like his debut, I don't find myself humming just one favourite song, but the entire album gets itself lodged in my head. It's not a bad mental companion. Although this is all somewhat gushing and imprecise, it's a hard task to get across just how good this album is. From an analytical stance, it's hard to pick out specific tracks when they are all of such high quality - though Mermaid Blues, You Only Disappear and A Day Like Today are seriously impressive. As McRae himself says on his website (tommcrae.com), his music is all about finding that transcendent moment when you've lost yourself - you could be crying or laughing and you just don't know why. To say his songs are from the heart would be the ultimate understatement; so much emotion comes across in his lyrics that you can't help but close your eyes and feel those emotions too. It's really rather good. Do buy it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tom doesn't fail to deliver, once again...,
This review is from: Just Like Blood (Audio CD)
In a time where even hints of anything resembling that which is dubbed "accoustic", are increasingly hard to find, Tom McRae continues to provide beautiful instumentals, accomanied by striking vocals, the likes of which haven't been heard since the late Jeff Buckley. "just like blood" is vastly different from McRae's debut album, both possitively and negatively. On a whole, "just like blood" is excellently constructed and the songs do seem to be "fuller". Drums, piano and guitar are a lot more prevelent in comparison to his Debut album, where Tom's voice took centre stage. The guitar sound is used to full effects on tracks like "Mermaid Blues", and it works incredibly well. I am still unable to decide on which album is better, as they are very different. The Debut screams honesty and his lonely voice is haunting at times. The shere simplicity helps to amplify the lyrics. However, "just like blood" is deffinitely a lot more friendly to the ears, a genuine "pop in the cd player and drive" cd. Either way, both are incredible albums. I suggest that you give this a listen to, and if it grabs you (rather, when it grabs you, for it is certain to please), run down to the CD shop and purchase the first album. "walking to hawaii", "Mermaid blues", "a day like today" are good tracks, but only when listened to in its entirety, does this album display its true brilliance.
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