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Amazon.co.uk Review
He has a voice made of vintage leather, probably sprinkles tobacco on his cornflakes, cut his rock-incisors in the Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age and is currently also one half of post-grunge supergroup The Gutter Twins. She has a voice like a mild summer breeze whistling through a meadow and once drizzled aural honey over Belle & Sebastian's twee indie-pop. It's like a marriage made from a Hell's Angel and waiflike virgin choirgirl--you can just imagine the disparaging looks from the vicar. But as Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan renew the vows originally made on a porch swing with 2006's well received bout of twilight Americana, Ballad of the Broken Seas, this follow-up can be brandished as proof that opposites don't only attract, but can grow together even as they grow apart. See, on Sunday at Devil Dirt Lanegan's weighty presence expands to a point where it obscures the moon--especially on "The Raven" and "Back Burner" where his Johnny Cash/Tom Waits croak reaches optimum levels of exaggeration--as Campbell flits further into the background, weaving between Morricone-esque, spaghetti western strings and sewing a beautiful ethereal quality into the seams. And such vocal juxtapositions make for intoxicating harmonies and stark, memorable impressions. But there is still also a real gentle magic to be found when they operate on an equal footing, as on "Trouble" or the sultry "Come on Over (Turn Me On)", the latter begging to be a James Bond theme. --James Berry
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After reading some mediocre reviews of this album I was shocked when I finally heard it and it turned out that I really enjoyed listening to it. It's clearly a step away from the first album, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. This album has much more of blues, kind of Nashville Skyline-era Bob Dylan, feel to it, and I personally think that their vocals work much better together here, whereas the first album often felt like one or other of the vocal tracks had simply been 'tagged on'.
All of the tracks on this album seem to gel together very well, and although there aren't really any stand-out 'single' type tracks, I do not think that this is a bad thing at all.
It might take a few listens to really get into it, but this is well worth a few hours on a sunday afternoon. Don't expect it to be highly similar to the first album and you won't be disappointed.
All of the tracks on this album seem to gel together very well, and although there aren't really any stand-out 'single' type tracks, I do not think that this is a bad thing at all.
It might take a few listens to really get into it, but this is well worth a few hours on a sunday afternoon. Don't expect it to be highly similar to the first album and you won't be disappointed.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a really engaging record which got under my skin from the openings bars of 'Seafaring song'. Incredibly retro with Mark Lanegan sounding like smokey sixties crooner Lee Hazlewood to Isobel's Nancy Sinatra with Burt Bacharach strings thrown in for good measure.
Hard to categorize...Is it Pop, C&W, Nu-Folk, Indie ???
Whatever it is this eclectic fusion of vocals and lush instrumentals just reaches parts that other recent quirky releases just cannot reach.
As rich as Java coffee and dark chocolate.
Hard to categorize...Is it Pop, C&W, Nu-Folk, Indie ???
Whatever it is this eclectic fusion of vocals and lush instrumentals just reaches parts that other recent quirky releases just cannot reach.
As rich as Java coffee and dark chocolate.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a great record of blues/folky tracks. Lanegan, with his Seattle rock roots and Campbell, from the Scottish folk scene seem like an odd partnership, but the blend together perfectly. Lanegan's voice, craggy, worldly wise and world weary, is the ideal counterpoint to Campbell's melodious, young and innocent sounding vocals.
Full slow tempo bluesy/folky sounding tracks, with memorable melodies, thoughtful and meaningful lyrics and the great combination of the two singers, this really is a record that should do well and, if there's any justice, gather a lot of awards.
A record full of feeling, mainly hurt and heartbreak, not something that would appeal to lovers of plastic pop, this is real music, made by real musicians. The mainly downbeat feel might put some people off, but personally I loved it. It's totally different to anything I've heard before, so it's hard to say who this would appeal to. All lovers of thoughtful music, such as Beautiful South would probably find much to enjoy here. If you like this then check out their other collaborations which (to date) include `Ballad Of the Broken Seas' and `Keep Me In Mind Sweetheart'.
A great record for that lonely night in with memories and a bottle of wine.
Full slow tempo bluesy/folky sounding tracks, with memorable melodies, thoughtful and meaningful lyrics and the great combination of the two singers, this really is a record that should do well and, if there's any justice, gather a lot of awards.
A record full of feeling, mainly hurt and heartbreak, not something that would appeal to lovers of plastic pop, this is real music, made by real musicians. The mainly downbeat feel might put some people off, but personally I loved it. It's totally different to anything I've heard before, so it's hard to say who this would appeal to. All lovers of thoughtful music, such as Beautiful South would probably find much to enjoy here. If you like this then check out their other collaborations which (to date) include `Ballad Of the Broken Seas' and `Keep Me In Mind Sweetheart'.
A great record for that lonely night in with memories and a bottle of wine.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
every bit as good as I hoped for
I bought this on spec and was very pleased with the result. Great vocals, not at all predictable songs, and they certainly won't be featured on X Factor. That's how good it is.
Published 19 months ago by gordy
Blissful
I cannot get enough of this album.
It does not compare to the first album becuase it is different and, I think, better. Read more
It does not compare to the first album becuase it is different and, I think, better. Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2009 by Chalk
A poor effort
Neither voice is convincing. Her voice is too vague and adds nothing. His voice is a laugahble attempt at Leonard Cohen meets Nick Cave so throw in some terrible lyrics and the end... Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2009 by D. Eves
Isobel's starting to let her hair down
I thought I had written a review of this, but seems not. This is a beautiful progression from the first album. Read more
Published on 9 Dec 2008 by caitlin
Hail the King and Queen!!!!
I must say that I am very impressed by this album. I didn't appreciate the other album done by these 2 artists but this one hits the bullseye!! Read more
Published on 27 May 2008 by R. Vincenzo
Ballads of the broken seas was better
There isn't a bad song on this album ,but unfortunately there is only one really good song (Come on over). Read more
Published on 20 May 2008 by Sawney Beane
Ballad of the Broken Seas - the sequel
Basically a continuation of Ballad of the Broken Seas. If you were a fan of that album you'll like this, if you weren't then I doubt there's anything here to change your mind. Read more
Published on 19 May 2008 by Music fan
Ditch the lyrics
I agree with the previous 2 reviewers that the music is beautiful, the voices are a nice mix and the rhythmns and pace of the tunes are top quality. Read more
Published on 14 May 2008 by J. Booth
You Make Me Dizzy Ms Issy
The Chalk and Cheese combination take on a more up tempo bluesy album this time; which is both warm and charming. Read more
Published on 12 May 2008 by Mr. G. Manuel
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