Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Having already gained a raft of laudatory reviews, Canada's Constantines seem set to become the latest darlings of the underground with their full length debut Shine a Light. For a start, there's the sound. Sometimes an impassioned, discordant and jittery update of Fugazi's rigorous noise ("Insectivora"), it also features a storming keyboard that recalls the brutal but heavily melodic work of fellow SubPoppers the Murder City Devils ("Nighttime", "Tank Commander"). Add to this the Clash-style guitar stabs of the title track, the twisted brass of the funereal "Goodbye Baby" and "Amen" and the big rock crescendo of "On to You", and you have a challenging but hugely satisfying platter, where melodies can be buried but never for long.
Beyond this, there's that attitude, the Constantines concerning themselves almost wholly with the young and disenfranchised. Yet this is no breezy Huntington Beach keg party, rather a trip into the urban darkness, where overlooked kids seek a life and a living on the grimy, unforgiving and often violent streets. In this the band have been compared to early Springsteen--quite rightly so, as they share the Boss's tough but vulnerable stance and his inventive way with words. This is an indie hit, for sure. --Dominic Wills
Product Description
ANOTHER FINE ALBUM FROM SUB POP The second album from Canadian outfit Constantines, and their first for the mighty Sub Pop label, with a style dubbed as "art punk" by the critics
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
A great album. Intelligent, musical, rough yet tight all at once. The comparisons to Bruce Springsteen are highly misleading. Vocally, they're close to Joe Strummer; musically, they go their own way. All I can do ... is follow ...
By Andy Barnard
Format:Audio CD
Constantines are a great band. If you haven't heard them, go and pick up any of their other three albums, all of which are amazing. I really would suggest leaving this one for last though.
Their first, self titled record is a brilliant, angular piece with a heavy dose of punk in it. This album just seems to be a weak attempt to replicate that- everything's practically the same, but just not as good. That's really the only way I can describe it.
The subsequent records, Tournament of Hearts and Kensington Heights, are a much more interesting listen. The band has moved on musically with a sound reminiscent of Broken Social Scene in places.
I suppose this isn't necessarily a bad album; there are some decent songs there, but being surrounded by others which are enormously superior really highlights its flaws.
Their first, self titled record is a brilliant, angular piece with a heavy dose of punk in it. This album just seems to be a weak attempt to replicate that- everything's practically the same, but just not as good. That's really the only way I can describe it.
The subsequent records, Tournament of Hearts and Kensington Heights, are a much more interesting listen. The band has moved on musically with a sound reminiscent of Broken Social Scene in places.
I suppose this isn't necessarily a bad album; there are some decent songs there, but being surrounded by others which are enormously superior really highlights its flaws.
Format:Audio CD
I have to admit that I'm out of touch with the Canadian music scene, and I bought this after hearing Young Lions used as an intro to the Pittsburgh v Washington series in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, on Hockey Night in Canada. (Crosby versus Ovechkin etc...)
A very good album. Some of the tracks are pretty heavy, along the lines of that steel mill, industrial, Sub Pop grind. Young Lions is the best track. Alongside a few other songs on the album, it rises from out of the hard sounds with a feathers-and-strong-whiskey softness. There are some really interesting lyrics too, when you can hear them. I like it when bands sing about learning to survive on earthworms etc. That kind of depth means an album can grow on you.
A very good album. Some of the tracks are pretty heavy, along the lines of that steel mill, industrial, Sub Pop grind. Young Lions is the best track. Alongside a few other songs on the album, it rises from out of the hard sounds with a feathers-and-strong-whiskey softness. There are some really interesting lyrics too, when you can hear them. I like it when bands sing about learning to survive on earthworms etc. That kind of depth means an album can grow on you.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 18 reviews
4.3 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?
|
