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Product Description
Review
While the title of this debut album is certainly an astute, if elementary, observation, its contents can’t claim kinship with the sentiment. Not that anything here offends: throughout, our protagonist mixes not-so-gritty street tales with a fusion of pop-soul, rap and reggae tropes which tick myriad mainstream boxes. But with a chosen moniker like that, and such a statement-of-presumed-intent gracing the cover, one can’t help but come away from Lonely Are the Brave with slight chagrin holding position over lasting contentment.
Rather than stand out, the London-born (his place of birth, Stoke Newington, gets a mention on Sometimes) and County Wexford-raised Maverick Sabre is content to fit into established moulds. With Michael Kiwanuka a worthy winner of 2012’s BBC Sound Of, and a precedent set by the all-conquering concept-soul of Plan B, solo male singers recalling Withers and Wonder comprise a valuable commodity for majors looking for the best return on their advance cash. And Sabre – real name: Michael Stafford – slips easily between these two spearheads for contemporary Brit-soul on the smoother cuts contained herein, the likes of Shooting the Stars and These Days.
Frustratingly for anyone looking for depth to these finely delivered stories, there’s a second-hand feel to many a narrative, perhaps a symptom of Sabre’s departure from London aged just four. So Memories, a by-the-book travelogue around the man’s childhood haunts, lacks the edge that anyone growing up to an older age in similar surrounds might’ve brought. He tells of bullying on Sometimes, but given the acts in question took place when he was three one wonders what of inspirational impact happened in the interim – little of note being the immediate concern.
As it happens, there’s plenty of grief conveyed from rather fresher corners of his memory: I Used to Have It All turns the ‘typical’ racism tables to centre on the discrimination experienced by the white man embarking on Sabre’s chosen musical path. While conflict experienced on his journey from beginnings to breakthrough – achieved, partially, via guest vocals on Chase & Status’ Fire in Your Eyes and Professor Green’s Jungle – might’ve been dispelled by acknowledging the long-term commercial success of Eminem (for one), it’s worthwhile highlighting that colour never has been a qualifier of quality. A rather more universal source of pain – thoughts of a lover’s former partner – is cathartically explored on No One, while one’s own relationship shortcomings come into focus on I Can Never Be.
Familiarity is achieved via samples as well as themes: top 20 single Let Me Go hooks itself up to the same Isaac Hayes-sourced motif employed by Portishead on their ever-gloomy Glory Box. Given the constituents, a better title might have been Successful are the Sheep. But with a distinctive voice that’s eerily evocative of 90s Brit-winner Finley Quaye at times, an accomplished consistency throughout and a fine spread of memorable choruses, an absence of brave originality can be overlooked, for now. After all, it took Plan B a second LP to really make his mark.
--Mike Diver
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I had never heard of Maverick Sabre until I heard an advert on the TV for this album which played the track Let Me Go. This has been sampled on many TV programmes, trailers etc and I loved it and didn't have a clue who it was until today. I bought the album on the strength of that track alone and do not regret that decision for one moment.
Like Adele and Amy Winehouse, I like the fact that Maverick Sabre has a love and appreciation of a wide range of instruments - not just electronic or digital musings and that combined with thought provoking lyrics and heart touching tunes had me sat in my office chair bopping and doing my thang!
Totally stunning debut album - one of those albums that you absolutely MUST have in your record collection.
Maverick - you have just made an old 40 something bird very happy!
Like Adele and Amy Winehouse, I like the fact that Maverick Sabre has a love and appreciation of a wide range of instruments - not just electronic or digital musings and that combined with thought provoking lyrics and heart touching tunes had me sat in my office chair bopping and doing my thang!
Totally stunning debut album - one of those albums that you absolutely MUST have in your record collection.
Maverick - you have just made an old 40 something bird very happy!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This must be the most original sound of the last twelve months. In a year (and more) of borderline jazz/pop females getting all the accolades, this is the album that stands out. It is possible to detect influences from all kinds of music as diverse as reggae and classical yet it copies non of them. Thank you, Maverick Sabre for putting the soul back into song.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Ive only just stumbled upon Maverick Ssbre, and to be honest, i was surprised by his voice. I was watching the video for 'I Need', and he didnt sound as i expected. However, his voice was a nice surprise, and i found that i couldnt stop listening. In the end i went all out and bought his album.
And i havent felt one speck of regret. From the opening song mentioned earlier, 'I Need', and the upbeat, catchy second song 'Let Me Go', this album is a great experience.
All of the songs have some sort of connection to real life situations, and the way Maverick sings about them makes them easy to relate to. For example, the song 'I Can Never Be', relates to the fact that some people feel they can never be good enough for the one they love, and 'Sometimes' relates to the fact that people take things for granted and forget where they come from.
Another aspect that makes this album so brilliant is the simple fact that his beautiful voice helps him pull off some brilliant choruses and verses, which helps the listener to take in all his words and join him in reminicing and relating to his life and their own.
Overall, this is an excellent album, and one that has brillaint choruses and lyrics that are really heartfelt and understood. This is recommended to anyone, especially those who were were bored by Ed Sheerans debut and are looking for something far more catchy and far less overrated.
And i havent felt one speck of regret. From the opening song mentioned earlier, 'I Need', and the upbeat, catchy second song 'Let Me Go', this album is a great experience.
All of the songs have some sort of connection to real life situations, and the way Maverick sings about them makes them easy to relate to. For example, the song 'I Can Never Be', relates to the fact that some people feel they can never be good enough for the one they love, and 'Sometimes' relates to the fact that people take things for granted and forget where they come from.
Another aspect that makes this album so brilliant is the simple fact that his beautiful voice helps him pull off some brilliant choruses and verses, which helps the listener to take in all his words and join him in reminicing and relating to his life and their own.
Overall, this is an excellent album, and one that has brillaint choruses and lyrics that are really heartfelt and understood. This is recommended to anyone, especially those who were were bored by Ed Sheerans debut and are looking for something far more catchy and far less overrated.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Magic.
I have said before and I am happy to say it again, this Maverick Sabre rules the airwaves just lately, a pure talent, soulful, tuneful and lyrics that provoke the mind to drift... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Mr. R. J. Aston
Great debut!
After hearing Maverick on one of Professor Green's songs, I knew this guy would be pretty big, then comes this fantastic album! Read more
Published 16 days ago by Shaun C
BRILLIANT
Super collection of soulful tracks, unique voice, brilliant CD, this guy is going to be big in the UK and a top international artist
Published 18 days ago by chrishutton
Amazing!!
I know people draw comparisons with Plan B because of their personal connection but I think this chap is a class apart. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Nackers
Awesome
This is one of the best albums of 2012. He has the most melodic gorgeous voice that just makes you feel like he is just signing to you. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Cal67
best British album for a while
fantastic album, took a couple of listens to really appreciate it but for me it is easily one of if not the best British album for years. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Moff itch
Im Loving this Album
Maverick Sabre is awesome, I love all the tracks on this album and have played it to death. I would definately recommend this to anyone who likes music that has soul and feeling... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Buttercup_13
Marvellous Maverick
This has got to be the best C.D. I have bought for years. His voice is amazing, the songs are beautiful - especially 'Change is gonna come' and 'They found him a gun' I haven't... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mis Page
At last ! Joe Pasquale sings Soul !!
truly dreadful.
this guy just can't sing
it's trying to be soulful, but he just sounds strangled.
much like the lauded Cee-lo Green, who can't sing either. Read more
this guy just can't sing
it's trying to be soulful, but he just sounds strangled.
much like the lauded Cee-lo Green, who can't sing either. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Andy Fish
Must have CD!!!
Not sure how to describe it but I love it! It's mellow, heartfelt and brilliant. One I listen to in the car over and over again. Great to chill out.
Published 1 month ago by T. Babouri
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