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Track Listings
| 1. Aftershow | |||
| 2. Cavorting | |||
| 3. Bide Your Time | |||
| 4. What Took You So Long? | |||
| 5. Please Don't | |||
| 6. If It Wasn't For Me | |||
| 7. No You Didn't, No You Don't | |||
| 8. How Come | |||
| 9. Kings Of The New Road | |||
| 10. Not Nineteen Forever | |||
| 11. Fallowfield Hillbilly | |||
| 12. Yesterday, Today & Probably Tomorrow | |||
| 13. Non-Musical Silence 1 | |||
| 14. Non-Musical Silence 2 | |||
| 15. Non-Musical Silence 3 | |||
| 16. Non-Musical Silence 4 | |||
| 17. Non-Musical Silence 5 | |||
| 18. Non-Musical Silence 6 | |||
| 19. Non-Musical Silence 7 | |||
| 20. Non-Musical Silence 8 | |||
See all 21 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
Review
A northern band with a lead singer who has an outspoken opinion? Rattling snare drums, staccato guitars and tales of urban youth in meltdown? No wait!come back. The Courteeners may not be the newest idea on the block. But that doesn't make St Jude a total write-off. Not quite...
Whether the album title (the patron saint of lost causes) refers to the tales told on the album's 12 tracks or is a self-deprecating prediction of critical dismissal for their lack of originality remains to be seen. But while one struggles to review this album without mentioning the Arctic Monkeys (lyrical content, northern sneer, minimal guitar effects) or even the Kaiser Chiefs (musical bounce on the opener, Aftershow) there's still something about this band's drive that suggests that they may have more to offer. But is drive enough?
The problem lies in Liam Fray's rather scattershot misanthropy. While his distaste for modern life is admirable, the very cocksure arrogance of it all can be like being trapped in a room with the world's biggest head. Add to this his obvious ire for members of the opposite sex (''You're an average girl with bad teeth'', - If It Wasn't For Me) and you're left with a rather unpleasant taste in the mouth when it's over.
But still one hesitates to be entirely negative. Their kitchen sink indie is based on some fine templates, notably No You Didn't, No You Don't's Smiths-ian sway. And Please Don't is designed to be heard live. You can hear the fans singing along to the stop-start invective.
But musically it IS formuaic, and the band's limitations aren't helped by a rather lacklustre production job that leaves drums lacking punch and guitars sounding hackneyed. One can only hope that the band's gobbiness in interviews isn't just some astute PR that hides depth beyond the spite. On this showing it's a close-run thing! --Jerome Blakeney
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Courteeners finally released their highly anticipated debut album on the 7th April. The backlash has no doubt begun after Liam Fray declared this offering to be up there with the Stone Roses debut. To be fair he had to big the album up but St Jude doesn't quiet hit the heights that the Stone Roses debut did. Although it is a very good first effort
I have seen the band on many occasions over the last 6 months and the songs have evolved a lot since I first heard them. This made the first listen quite difficult for me but once I got past the fact the songs had changed slightly I realised what a great piece of work St Jude really is. The songs really work well as a whole and the listener never finds themselves getting bored. The Courteeners have added layers of sound on various fan favourites which makes them sound a little weird at first.
The outstanding track on the album is "Please Don't" which has a girl group drumbeat reminiscent of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound recordings. One listen of this and the listener realises there is a lot more depth and sensitivity to the Courteeners than previously thought. This is again highlighted on the album closer "yesterday, Today and Probably Tomorrow" which is an eloquent ode to a love that the singer knows will never last. It evokes memories of Morrissey at his best and leaves the listener in no doubt that there is definitely more to come from the Courteeners.
Just buy the album and decide for yourself. I'm sure you won't be disappointed
I have seen the band on many occasions over the last 6 months and the songs have evolved a lot since I first heard them. This made the first listen quite difficult for me but once I got past the fact the songs had changed slightly I realised what a great piece of work St Jude really is. The songs really work well as a whole and the listener never finds themselves getting bored. The Courteeners have added layers of sound on various fan favourites which makes them sound a little weird at first.
The outstanding track on the album is "Please Don't" which has a girl group drumbeat reminiscent of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound recordings. One listen of this and the listener realises there is a lot more depth and sensitivity to the Courteeners than previously thought. This is again highlighted on the album closer "yesterday, Today and Probably Tomorrow" which is an eloquent ode to a love that the singer knows will never last. It evokes memories of Morrissey at his best and leaves the listener in no doubt that there is definitely more to come from the Courteeners.
Just buy the album and decide for yourself. I'm sure you won't be disappointed
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By J. saunders
Format:Audio CD
A lot of hype surrounded the courteeners debut album and it doesnt dissapoint.
Lazy journalists have been calling them the new oasis which is unfair, although they hail from Manchester and the lead singers names are the same, these are the only similarites between the two.
I think this album should be reviewed on its own merits and not compared to the likes of oasis or smiths etc, because you will always have people who are still living in the 80s and 90s saying they are not as good as these bands.
But let us remember it is 2008 and these bands have been and gone and it is now time for people and music to move on, dont get me wrong im a big fan (and always will be) of the roses,oasis and the smiths and must now say that the courteeners now fall into this category.
now for the album, unlike a lot of indie albums nowadays which contain about 12 songs which sound the same, this is different, a mix of raw energy, catchy foottappers which will stick in you head for weeks and well written ballads, this album offers everything.
I could go on and on about how good this album is but all i can say is give it a try yourself you wont be dissapointed.
oh one final thing if you can catch them live go and see them they are excellent.
Lazy journalists have been calling them the new oasis which is unfair, although they hail from Manchester and the lead singers names are the same, these are the only similarites between the two.
I think this album should be reviewed on its own merits and not compared to the likes of oasis or smiths etc, because you will always have people who are still living in the 80s and 90s saying they are not as good as these bands.
But let us remember it is 2008 and these bands have been and gone and it is now time for people and music to move on, dont get me wrong im a big fan (and always will be) of the roses,oasis and the smiths and must now say that the courteeners now fall into this category.
now for the album, unlike a lot of indie albums nowadays which contain about 12 songs which sound the same, this is different, a mix of raw energy, catchy foottappers which will stick in you head for weeks and well written ballads, this album offers everything.
I could go on and on about how good this album is but all i can say is give it a try yourself you wont be dissapointed.
oh one final thing if you can catch them live go and see them they are excellent.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Big Matty
Format:MP3 Download
Some say we don't need another Manchester band with a Liam in it, I say grow up- buy it, listen to it and ideally get out and see 'em live because these lads can certainly do the do on stage. Sing along, dance around and enjoy!
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Just a Man
Format:Audio CD
I heard nothing but praise for quite a while before i tried this. I kept hearing things like "It's not the normal indie music that is being churned out these days". But after a listen I realised that it is just that and what these people should have been saying was "It is the normal indie music that is being churned out these days".
Theres nothing special about it. Nothing fresh really.
This may seem like harsh criticism, but i'm not saying it's terrible, just that it's definately not new. If you're happy listening to the wombats and stuff like that, with no real experimentation, then you'll be golden here.
I think that this stems from the fact that I've got an odd taste in music, I started out listening to stuff like this, Oasis, Travis et.c, but eventually I moved to pastures new. I really like experimentation, if it's not a bit different it doesn't last long in my playlists.
To sum up, this is OK, but nothing innovative like the praisers would have you believe.
Theres nothing special about it. Nothing fresh really.
This may seem like harsh criticism, but i'm not saying it's terrible, just that it's definately not new. If you're happy listening to the wombats and stuff like that, with no real experimentation, then you'll be golden here.
I think that this stems from the fact that I've got an odd taste in music, I started out listening to stuff like this, Oasis, Travis et.c, but eventually I moved to pastures new. I really like experimentation, if it's not a bit different it doesn't last long in my playlists.
To sum up, this is OK, but nothing innovative like the praisers would have you believe.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is an incredible album, up with the best. It lives up to the hype with absolute ease - every track adds value to a record that is, quite simply... BRILLIANT.
By Jed Lyth
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is my favourite of the three albums. A top album from a top band. If you havnt seen them, do so!
By happy mum
Format:Audio CD
Very entertaining good quality about real life will get you all singing along Every song is just as good as the last a must buy for anyone who loves real music
By Neil Watson
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Liam Fray has produced a real gem, Expressive creative genuine lyrics and tunes you cannot get out of your head
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
First class!
This is an excellent debut album. From start to finish, finely crafted songs, superb musicianship it's no wonder the album has been nominated for the Guardian's Best First British... Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2008 by Mark Two
5.0 out of 5 stars
St Jude - Patron Saint of Lost Causes; not this time!!!
I first heard of The Courteeners at this year's "V" Festeval; I hadn't heard of them and wasn't going to bother - until I heard them. They were brilliant!!! Read more
Published on 13 Oct 2008 by Steven T. Jarvis
4.0 out of 5 stars
The new Oasis?
That was how they were hailed in NME, the next big Manchester band, a band to follow greats like Oasis. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2008 by Samantha Gregory
5.0 out of 5 stars
Immense!!
Can't stop playing this. Getting all my mates involved in buying tickets as well!! Best album I've heard in years!!! Well, since the Cribs last one any way....
Published on 1 May 2008 by P. Macdonough
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cracking Album
It takes a couple of listen's, but after a while you will love this album!
Published on 24 April 2008 by Del-Boy Trotter
4.0 out of 5 stars
i hope the amount of reviews don't reflect sales
because this is one that deserves to be bought and should be playing in your cd player right now! a brilliant rock and roll indie album with thundering guitar work and well paced... Read more
Published on 14 April 2008 by mje
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