- Audio CD (1 May 2007)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Extra tracks
- Label: Sony Bmg
- ASIN: B000N4RAZQ
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 938,098 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Aqualung has been sort of dormant for the last few years. But now that Matt Hales has returned, his music has become even more strange and beautiful -- his fourth full-length album "Memory Man" is a beautiful swirl of wintry, misty Britpop, strung together on .
It opens with the trippy beats laid over plinky piano and gently cycling, fuzzy guitars. And sounding like he's singing through an old radio, Hales murmurs blearily, "I remember the night/No wet eyes, no crossroads/No mention of fate/Just a poor decision... Be careful what you hope and you pray for/You know you only get what you pay for."
It's followed by the softer, more mournful "Pressure Suit," which sounds like the Flaming Lips got drunk and depressed: "I'll be your four leaf clover/I'll be your pressure suit/I'll be your angel wings/I'll be your parachute." The songs that follow are similarly mournful and wintry, but different styles, like soaring pianopop, mellow guitar folk.
The second half is when the album really takes off, with heartbreaking little ballads and tightly-woven indiepop, though they both have the doleful lyrics and voicals. And it finishes where it began -- "Broken Bones" returns to Hales singing through static and fuzz, "Oh please, just a little more time with you..."
You can't really label "Memory Man" as either being happy or sad. Just like the experience of being in love, it's full of beauty laced with sadness, and the hope that it will last just a little longer. Even when the music is peppy and catchy, Hales still sounds like someone who loves love, but knows that it won't last.
The music itself is a beautiful, frosty swirl, which borders on psychedelic but never quite crosses the line. It's full of ringing, cycling guitars, solid drums, a rattly tambourine, and some piano that plinks through some songs instead of the guitar. And the delicate synth-- it shimmers, buzzes, chimes, and forms an ambient sweep over the delicate Britpop tunes.
Hales' smooth voice always sounds like he's singing out his woes at midnight, about relationships that are gone, or about to vanish. But he doesn't exaggerate the importance of what he's singing, just dwells on it: "There's only so much that our heart can grow/Then everything else starts to overflow/And you're young and in love/Back then there was no way of knowing..."
Mournful love is at the heart of "Memory Man," wrapped up in Hales' solid trip-Britpop. The first half is a bit weaker than the second, but it's still a lovely little album.
It opens with the trippy beats laid over plinky piano and gently cycling, fuzzy guitars. And sounding like he's singing through an old radio, Hales murmurs blearily, "I remember the night/No wet eyes, no crossroads/No mention of fate/Just a poor decision... Be careful what you hope and you pray for/You know you only get what you pay for."
It's followed by the softer, more mournful "Pressure Suit," which sounds like the Flaming Lips got drunk and depressed: "I'll be your four leaf clover/I'll be your pressure suit/I'll be your angel wings/I'll be your parachute." The songs that follow are similarly mournful and wintry, but different styles, like soaring pianopop, mellow guitar folk.
The second half is when the album really takes off, with heartbreaking little ballads and tightly-woven indiepop, though they both have the doleful lyrics and voicals. And it finishes where it began -- "Broken Bones" returns to Hales singing through static and fuzz, "Oh please, just a little more time with you..."
You can't really label "Memory Man" as either being happy or sad. Just like the experience of being in love, it's full of beauty laced with sadness, and the hope that it will last just a little longer. Even when the music is peppy and catchy, Hales still sounds like someone who loves love, but knows that it won't last.
The music itself is a beautiful, frosty swirl, which borders on psychedelic but never quite crosses the line. It's full of ringing, cycling guitars, solid drums, a rattly tambourine, and some piano that plinks through some songs instead of the guitar. And the delicate synth-- it shimmers, buzzes, chimes, and forms an ambient sweep over the delicate Britpop tunes.
Hales' smooth voice always sounds like he's singing out his woes at midnight, about relationships that are gone, or about to vanish. But he doesn't exaggerate the importance of what he's singing, just dwells on it: "There's only so much that our heart can grow/Then everything else starts to overflow/And you're young and in love/Back then there was no way of knowing..."
Mournful love is at the heart of "Memory Man," wrapped up in Hales' solid trip-Britpop. The first half is a bit weaker than the second, but it's still a lovely little album.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having been a fan of Aqualung since hearing "Strange and Beautiful (I'll put a spell on you)" I eagerly anticipate any new material from the Hales' pen. This album does not disappoint. It is fresh and immediate. Hearing some of the more dramatic instrumentations reminded me of early Martin Grech; since I'm also a fan of Grech this is a plus (if indeed Matt has been influenced at all by this artist).
Of course, this is an essential purchase for any Aqualung devotee! If you're new to this music, you'll find much to enjoy. If you love what you hear it won't be long before you're adding their other releases to your shopping list. My only gripe is that it's over far too soon!
Of course, this is an essential purchase for any Aqualung devotee! If you're new to this music, you'll find much to enjoy. If you love what you hear it won't be long before you're adding their other releases to your shopping list. My only gripe is that it's over far too soon!
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Considering Aqualung was first exposed on a VW Beetle advert in 2002 and has appeared in numerous TV shows both in the UK and the US, it's amazing the work of Matt Hales isn't better known. The best way I can describe Aqualung is: If you took the early style of Radiohead, and split it in two, Muse took the heavy end, Aqualung took the mellow end.
What started life as a very piano-centric performance has grown with time, and the opening track, Cinderella, features guitars, brass, choir, synth, the lot.
In my opinion, the opening track of each of the albums I own, Aqualung, Still Life and this one, are the stand-out tracks, but the beauty of the keyboards and vocals drive the album right to the end.
Aqualung are one of those mystery bands that really ought to have done better than reality allowed. If you are a fan of the more conventional end of Radiohead, Athlete and Snow Patrol, then this is well worth your consideration.
What started life as a very piano-centric performance has grown with time, and the opening track, Cinderella, features guitars, brass, choir, synth, the lot.
In my opinion, the opening track of each of the albums I own, Aqualung, Still Life and this one, are the stand-out tracks, but the beauty of the keyboards and vocals drive the album right to the end.
Aqualung are one of those mystery bands that really ought to have done better than reality allowed. If you are a fan of the more conventional end of Radiohead, Athlete and Snow Patrol, then this is well worth your consideration.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An artist you should hear
Aqualung write fantastic rock/pop songs. This album might just be their best. It is hard to believe they are not more widely acknowledged. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mark
I like
I am a huge aqualung fan having followed Matt for a long time. I am still undecided about this album and definately need to give it more of a listen. Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2009 by Mr. G. Baker
Glimmer man
I have been listening to this record for a good few weeks now. It is beautiful, uplifting, emotional, intense, atmospheric and packed full of great tunes. Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2007 by Lordy
England's Unheralded Musical Treasure
This is a wonderful album from Aqualung, full of invention, great musicianship, and underpinned by a thread of memorable melodies. Read more
Published on 21 July 2007 by Christopher Whitfield
Don't Run From The Memory Man
Cinderella
Simple shriek chords from a piano, a few seconds pass and your blasted into this manic symphony. Read more
Simple shriek chords from a piano, a few seconds pass and your blasted into this manic symphony. Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2007 by chichard41
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