This item is delivered in an easy-to-open recyclable box and is free of excess packaging materials. Learn more or visit the Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging Store. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Mark - Cold Specks | |||
| 2. Heavy Hands - Cold Specks | |||
| 3. Winter Solstice - Cold Specks | |||
| 4. When the City Lights Dim - Cold Specks | |||
| 5. Hector - Cold Specks | |||
| 6. Holland - Cold Specks | |||
| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Elephant Head | |||
| 2. Send Your Youth | |||
| 3. Blank Maps | |||
| 4. Steady | |||
| 5. Lay Me Down | |||
| Disc: 3 | |||
| 1. The Mark | |||
| 2. Heavy Hands | |||
| 3. Winter Solstice | |||
| 4. When the City Lights Dim | |||
| 5. Hector | |||
| 6. Holland | |||
See all 11 tracks on this disc
| |||
Product Description
CD Description
Cold Specks is songwriter and vocalist Al Spx from Etobicoke, Canada, who now lives in London. The band’s name is taken from a line in James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’. Al cites the Lomax Field Recordings and James Carr as influences along with Bill Callahan and Tom Waits. I Predict A Graceful Expulsion is her debut album.
Product Description
LP .. Expulsion
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been waiting for this CD since first seeing her on Jools Holland and then checking her out live in a small pub in Bristol. Cold Specks is a really gifted young artist whose influences obviously come from gospel , folk, soul, and blues, pooling them all together to create an acoustic based sound that is firmly rooted in the 21st Century. I hesitate to compare her with anyone because she has a unique voice, but those that enjoy Joan Armatrading and Tracy Chapman will love this CD. However I must point out that when I saw her in Bristol most of the audiences were under 25 and judging by their positive reaction to her, she is someone that appeals to all ages. Credit must go to her musicians who are also young, creative and totally in tune with the Cold Specks style. If I had to pick stand out tracks I would pick `Holland' and `Lay Me Down' but the truth is that for me the songs on this CD just flow into each other and creates a mellow mood. This is a really good first CD and I hope she enjoys the success that someone with her talent deserves.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Sabina
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If this is 'Doom Soul' it didn't make me feel 'doomed.' There is a raw, poetic strength in Cold Specks' delivery, her unique, captivating voice and in her lyrically opaque, urgent songs. The youthful angst has a maturity about it, but also a sense of searching in the area of faith and love. Play the anthemic 'Winter Solstice' really loud, and revel in the existential feel of 'Holland.' There is some subtly powerful, restrained, backing from the Porthcawl Male Voice Choir and the London Community Gospel Choir on three of the songs. I look forward to seeing how this artist evolves. A personal favourite - 'Send Your Youth,' where Cold Specks sings 'this February child was made for the Spring.'
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A. Greenwood
Format:Audio CD
I am lost for words . . speechless . . . overwhelmed . . . This feels like the album that's been waiting for me all my life!
Primal . . . yet artistically focussed - new, yet simultaneously old even ancient haunting yet enlightening. I could go on! Just see/hear for yourself!
Primal . . . yet artistically focussed - new, yet simultaneously old even ancient haunting yet enlightening. I could go on! Just see/hear for yourself!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By I. Human
Format:Audio CD
Gosh, what a gem. For those who missed her performance on Jools Holland last year this release is long overdue. Brimming over with heartfelt songs it's difficult to place this young Canadian who categorizes her music as 'Doom Soul'. I guess a bit of a pensive and slightly melancholic version of Tracy Chapman, she writes straight from the heart. Many stand out track but you could start at Winter Solstice, a worthy contender for song of the year. Amazon's 30 second clips give you a small taste and insight into the hidden treasures of the album and if you are intrigued by what you hear, download immediately, you won't be disappointed.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Ellie Swell
Format:Audio CD
this album is very very good.
bought it in hmv sale because it was cheap. (at least some good came of their insolvency). i defy you to listen to a song whose opening lyric is 'the mere sight of naked fear choked every limb,' and not want to press on, through every other beautiful word of it. there's something special about an album you can read, as well as you can listen to. (i said this to a friend, and she recommended an audiobook. pah.) more wonderful lyrics populate this record, and lush soundscapes and gorgeous melodies to boot. you will stop what you are doing when you hear it.
(if i was feeling critical i would say that beautiful as it is, those 'lush soundscapes' or whatever it was i said up there have potential to denigrate into a bit of a dirge. i can see some listeners getting bored towards the second side.)
bought it in hmv sale because it was cheap. (at least some good came of their insolvency). i defy you to listen to a song whose opening lyric is 'the mere sight of naked fear choked every limb,' and not want to press on, through every other beautiful word of it. there's something special about an album you can read, as well as you can listen to. (i said this to a friend, and she recommended an audiobook. pah.) more wonderful lyrics populate this record, and lush soundscapes and gorgeous melodies to boot. you will stop what you are doing when you hear it.
(if i was feeling critical i would say that beautiful as it is, those 'lush soundscapes' or whatever it was i said up there have potential to denigrate into a bit of a dirge. i can see some listeners getting bored towards the second side.)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The c.d. is excellent! It came in perfect condition and the music itself is phenomenal! Her voice is fantastic. Definitely recommend.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Ian Price
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Though I don't quite get all the themes, and only 37 minutes long, the album is spellbinding. Can't wait to see Cold Specks at the Union Chapel in October.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Like Joan Armatrading at the start of her music career but at the same time totally original and delightful. I predict that Cold Specks will have a brilliant career singing graceful songs.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 10 reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
