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Product Description
CURVED AIR Second Album (2008 issue UK 10-track CD album - Originally released in 1971 Curved Airs Second Album is dominated by the single Back Street Luv which isnt simply one of the bands own finest moments its also one of the crucial singles of the early 70s. The bands classical / rock fusion is in evidence on the tracks Piece of Mind and The Wasteland.)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A friend first played me this album in the mid-1970s and I was immediately hooked. I hadn't heard of Curved Air and, for some reason, I've always felt that there is no way they could have done anything else as good as this, so I've never sought any of their other work. The first side of the original LP was dominated by Darryl Way material, the second by Francis Monkman songs. Keyboards and electric violin seem to dominate behind Sonja Kristina's haunting vocals. Guitar is no more than an occasional rhythm instrument.
"Young Mother"'s circular opening draws you in from the beginning. This is followed by "Back Street Luv", a song which achieved a similar singles chart placing in 1971 to "Imagine" but which is now as obscure as Lennon's song is famous. "You Know", with its jarring rhythm, is one of the more robust performances. "Jumbo" bounces gently and beautifully along as if in slow motion and the disturbing "Puppets" generates a compelling atmosphere.
After two short but bright Monkman songs comes the album's most ambitious item, the epic "Piece Of Mind". Like the rest of the album it's an accomplished recording, but for me the shorter songs are better. Whatever your preference, this is an album of memorable melodies, ingenious textures and fine musicianship.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Peter Duff
Format:Audio CD
Progressive rock has enjoyed a steady renaissance over the last few years that goes beyond mere nostalgia. There are a plethora of new progressive bands being enjoyed by younger audiences that have become bored with the ubiquitous nihlism of hip hop and endless regurgitations of interchangeable post rock and indie bands. Those of you looking for something with more depth, variety and creativity will find plenty of that in prog's back catalogue and this is one such example.
Curved Air's second album is consistently excellent with great songwriting and fine musicianship throughout. At the heart of the band is Sonja Kristina's haunting voice that that has a crysaline yet soulful quality that draws you into the storyline of the songs. Their sound is augmented by violin as well as the traditional bass drums keyboard and guitar with influences ranging from classical to blues and rock. These elements are inetegrated superbly well by the band to produce a distinctive yet accessible experience that gets better with repeated listens. Highly recommended.
Curved Air's second album is consistently excellent with great songwriting and fine musicianship throughout. At the heart of the band is Sonja Kristina's haunting voice that that has a crysaline yet soulful quality that draws you into the storyline of the songs. Their sound is augmented by violin as well as the traditional bass drums keyboard and guitar with influences ranging from classical to blues and rock. These elements are inetegrated superbly well by the band to produce a distinctive yet accessible experience that gets better with repeated listens. Highly recommended.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Kezzworld
Format:Audio CD
Curved Air - a corner of my heart will always be reserved for this band - they headlined the first gig I went to in 1972 (Birmingham Town Hall) and of course gave me (and the rest of the world's pubescent males) Sonja Kristina!
In my opinion this 2nd album is far and away their most important offering, serving up an eclectic mix of finest prog to pop to classical (a propsicle?) - all of which bursts with the unique moods and atmosphere created by Kristina's unique voicing, Monkman's musical genius and Way's .... well way I suppose. In fact I will declare that this is prog Britain at its very best.
A couple of special mentions: Young Mother and Piece of Mind - possibly two of the finest prog tracks ever recorded. The first, an incredible dreamscape dominated by Monkman's superbly programmed synth (a track that sounds as fresh and exciting to me today as it did back in 1971) - the second a prog symphony that exercises every member of the band throughout its seamless movements. Again Monkman is nothing short of massive throughout and the band as a whole serve up an awesome achievement that, like classical music, is likely to remain listenable forever.
The CD doesn't reproduce like the old vinyl but at least it's clean and easy to fish out and put on!
Highly recommended to anyone of any age that takes their music seriously.
In my opinion this 2nd album is far and away their most important offering, serving up an eclectic mix of finest prog to pop to classical (a propsicle?) - all of which bursts with the unique moods and atmosphere created by Kristina's unique voicing, Monkman's musical genius and Way's .... well way I suppose. In fact I will declare that this is prog Britain at its very best.
A couple of special mentions: Young Mother and Piece of Mind - possibly two of the finest prog tracks ever recorded. The first, an incredible dreamscape dominated by Monkman's superbly programmed synth (a track that sounds as fresh and exciting to me today as it did back in 1971) - the second a prog symphony that exercises every member of the band throughout its seamless movements. Again Monkman is nothing short of massive throughout and the band as a whole serve up an awesome achievement that, like classical music, is likely to remain listenable forever.
The CD doesn't reproduce like the old vinyl but at least it's clean and easy to fish out and put on!
Highly recommended to anyone of any age that takes their music seriously.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
oh dear
Remember the first album ?
Magical music, superb singing.
This album/cd isn't like that.
I must remember what they say...
"never look back".
Magical music, superb singing.
This album/cd isn't like that.
I must remember what they say...
"never look back".
Published 22 months ago by Mr. G. Hardy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good except for case
A little disappointed that the plastic case for this CD was scuffed. Other than that, a good purchase and delivered very quickly
Published on 15 July 2010 by H. J. Mercer
5.0 out of 5 stars
another wierd album cover from Curved Air
Brilliant album. I remember the record - the first pressings had a sleeve like origame, all the coloured circle bits folded in on top of each other. Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2010 by Leslie Firbank
5.0 out of 5 stars
Puppets
This album contains one of my very favourite ever tracks 'Puppets', which I have been playing over and over again. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2010 by Jeffrey Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic but...
I love this album, every single track is brilliant. Curved Air were very unusual for a prog band in having a female singer and violin, which made their sound very different to... Read more
Published on 16 Dec 2009 by M. Steele
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Brit Prog's Finest
Curved Air - a corner of my heart will always be reserved for this band - they headlined the first gig I went to in 1972 (Birmingham Town Hall) and of course gave me (and the rest... Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2007 by Kezzworld
5.0 out of 5 stars
curved air second album
An all time fave prog cd !!
I remember being introduced to this CD at the school disco when the DJ had the guts to play back street luv and then go head on at the end of the... Read more
I remember being introduced to this CD at the school disco when the DJ had the guts to play back street luv and then go head on at the end of the... Read more
Published on 8 July 2005
2.0 out of 5 stars
Now you know why they broke up!
Sorry, but the first 2 tracks should have been on the first album, Air Conditioning, the rest slid gracefully into the bin. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
great 2nd album by very original prog rock group CURVED AIR
This second album by prog greats CURVED AIR builds on qualities evident in their first lp AIR CONDITIONING:Classical structures with rock rhythms,electric... Read more
Published on 9 July 2000
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