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Amazon.co.uk Review
By the normal rules of musical evolution, the Bluetones should have died out long ago. Instead, they're still going in 2003, putting out another album: Luxembourg. To the Bluetones' credit, it's an upbeat, gritty and swaggering album--"Liquid Lips" and "Big Problem", for example, almost slide into this new rock revolution unnoticed, and you can't help but think that if these songs were Strokes' B-sides or Yeah Yeah Yeahs' singles, then widespread respect would be instantly bestowed. There are some good tunes here (at least the ones that don't have mini piano solos or sound like the Longpigs), but they're in the minority, and the band just don't have a "cool" image to fall back on.
It's hard not to feel sorry for the Bluetones--to evolve sonically would open themselves up to ridicule and a barrage of rotten tomatoes, but sticking to what they know means facing, well, ridicule and rotten tomatoes. Despite similarly arriving after the demise of Britpop, the Stereophonics found themselves in a similar situation, but still found several million fans. The difference here is the tunes--good tunes will elevate any band above tomato trajectory height. The Bluetones need to rebrand themselves. They need to split up and form a new band with the same members. That, along with their songs about "radioactive smiles" and being "eight miles down", would make more people will sit up and take notice. --Ben Johncock
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album is upbeat, catchy, and above all oozes quality. The slow-building 'Never Going Nowhere' is one of their finest accomplishments since the likes of 'Slight Return' or 'If', with the demonic-sounding 'Turn It Up' and the cheeky 'You're No Fun Anymore' being my other big favourites. It is a consistently great record, with no tracks standing out as obvious fillers, easily playable from beginning to end.
It should be noted that this offering from the Bluetones has a different feel to their earlier work. It is heavier, meatier; it's an album to drive along to. The lyrics remain as witty as ever, yet the sound is firmer, the guitars louder, all feeling more precise and multi-layered than before.
Whilst their first album, `Expecting To Fly' is a seminal part of the 1990's Britpop canon, containing, ultimately, their best tracks, I would nonetheless still rate `Luxembourg' as my favourite. As a complete package it is a funky, clever, upbeat listen; with a distinctive style that runs throughout. I highly recommend this.
It should be noted that this offering from the Bluetones has a different feel to their earlier work. It is heavier, meatier; it's an album to drive along to. The lyrics remain as witty as ever, yet the sound is firmer, the guitars louder, all feeling more precise and multi-layered than before.
Whilst their first album, `Expecting To Fly' is a seminal part of the 1990's Britpop canon, containing, ultimately, their best tracks, I would nonetheless still rate `Luxembourg' as my favourite. As a complete package it is a funky, clever, upbeat listen; with a distinctive style that runs throughout. I highly recommend this.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If this album had been released by a new, upcoming band, they would have been rightly acclaimed as the saviours of British music. So why has the album received such mixed reviews? Simple- the Bluetones just aren't fashionable enough to be welcomed in a world dominated by Girls Aloud and the White Stripes. The Bluetones have always been excellent at spinning a fantastic tune (think If, Bluetonic, Zorrro, Solomon Bites the Worm, etc.), and although this album has been described as 'completely different', anyone who rates decent guitar pop will find that this album delivers. Yes, it has an edgier and occasionally electronic feel, but retains the Bluetones' knack of sticking a tune in your head which will remain there for days. 'Here it Comes Again', 'Turn it Up' and 'Big Problem' are simply superb pop songs (and, incidentally, its about time we reclaimed the word 'pop' from the likes of S Club and Gareth Gates- don't forget the Beatles were 'pop'), while 'You're no Fun Anymore' and 'Little Bear' get better with every listen. But the best song on the album is the soon-to-be-single-of-the-year 'Never Going Nowhere'. In any sane, decent country, this simply superb song would be a contender for number 1, but will in fact be doing well to trouble the lower echelons of the top 40. A shame, as the track is worth the price of the album on its own. The Bluetones are to be congratulated on another fine pop album, and on reminding us that quality will always transcend fashion. Why not ignore the critics and give it a try? You might just remember why you bought that copy of 'Slight Return'.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
By rights the Bluetones shouldn't have survived the fall of Britpop, but it's the quality of the songs that keeps them with us. 10 songs, 34 minutes, no messing about. Not a ballad or acoustic guitar in sight, just great riffs and rhythms and witty lyrics. A great fun guitar pop album.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Stripped down and ready to play
This album slipped out of nowhere and sadly wlimped away while no one was looking. Which is a great shame as many people are missing out. Read more
Published on 9 May 2008 by genejoke
Identity crisis...New sound...Still good
After the laidback sound of "Science..." The Bluetones return back to being a four piece with a tighter more compact album. Read more
Published on 22 May 2007 by P. Loraine
more than a slight return
it seems impossible for the bluetones to get the widespread acknowledgment they deserve, no matter how many good albums they produce. Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2003 by T. Parker
luxembourg, back to the best
Its good to hear when you buy an album like this, the pure sounds of a band who have stuck with their music despite much criticism. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2003 by andy
Just no fun anymore.
After the excellent Science & Nature I was looking forward to this album but I have to say I'm disappointed. Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2003 by TheRightEarOfNash
Short, but oh so sweet...
I flipped on the new CD and wondered if I'd somehow received the soundtrack to Romy & Michele's High School Reunion. Read more
Published on 3 Jun 2003 by Agen GN Schmitz
No filler allowed!
First off, it has to be said, that unlike the throwaway pop bands of recent times, the Bluetones have longevity. Read more
Published on 24 May 2003 by Trelloskilos
Different, not better or worse, just different
I have been a fan of the Bluetones since their first album, which seems like an eternity now! Their music has changed slightly with each album, progressing every time on to a... Read more
Published on 18 May 2003 by "pseymour11"
A fine little album
It's sad that this album seems likely to be largely underrated by many. The Bluetones are a good band who unfortunately seem unable to inspire much more than apathy from the record... Read more
Published on 18 May 2003
Excellent new album by a classic unrated band!
The bluetones release the Luxembourg album in the middle of an excellent multi million date uk tour. The tour takes the bluetones back to many small venues not played in years. Read more
Published on 17 May 2003 by Kevin Tomkinson
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