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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Too Close to See Far was written and recorded under severe pressure on two fronts. Firstly, Cosmic Rough Riders' 2000 album Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine had been universally, and deservedly, hailed as a masterpiece: an irresistible collection of guitar pop confections that was a worthy heir to a lineage that included The Byrds, Big Star and Cosmic Rough Riders' fellow Glaswegians Teenage Fanclub (there are a few moments on Too Close to See Far, notably "Blind", which TFC should regard as the sincerest form of flattery). Secondly, as if Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine wasn't a sufficiently tough act to follow, Cosmic Rough Riders had to follow it without their lead singer and principal songwriter Daniel Wylie, who'd quit the group.
Given these unpropitious circumstances, it is remarkable that the worst that can be said of Too Close to See Far is that it's not quite as good as Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine. Given that very few albums are even half as good as Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine, though, this hardly amounts to condemnation. Too Close to See Far plays to all the Cosmics' strengths: an apparently effortless knack for melody, ringing guitars and soaring vocal harmonies. "Justify the Rain" and "Life in Wartime" in particular would have earned places on Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine, and "Tomorrow May Never Come" hints at a hitherto latent, Elliott Smith-like melancholy that may yield yet further treasures. Too Close to See Far is better than it had any right to be, and is a wholly welcome return. --Andrew Mueller
Product Description
COSMIC ROUGH RIDERS Too Close To See Far (2003 UK 14-track CD including the single Because You great picture sleeve MRCOSMIC001)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Enjoy the melodic sunshine was as fine an album as you get in this field. It had so much going for it and many angles from which to come at you. Pop, psych, ballads, interludes. That's mostly missing this time out as the band choose to focus on one segment of their former sound. Jingle jangle is good but it becomes a bit too much over a whole album. Only two songs break the mould and they are the best songs. Tomorrow may never come and Life during wartime make something of a change while all the others are interlocking. Justify the because for a smile need to surise. They never veer from the formula. There's no Gun isn't loaded or Baby you're so free and there's no humour in the words. Poitives are that some of the melodies are good, Because I and Justify the rain being the best. For a smile, blind and Need to fly are also good but there's something missing. I can't put my finger on it exacly but they need to strech out or something. Three stars in a magazine would mean good within it's genre and that's why I give it three. It will appeal to those who like the thorns recent album or a blander teenage fanclub, travis and even the proclaimers. It does sound like a different band but that's bound to happen when a prominent member like a singer leaves.
Format:Audio CD
Daniel Wylie brought to the Cosmic Rough Riders not just strong, folky melodies, but a maverick's touch - this regularly came across in quirky lyrics and an interesting variety of arrangements, and most strongest on 'Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine.' However, though Wylie had departed by this album, it's clear to see that his partner and inheritor, Stephen Fleming, has an ear for a great tune and a honey-silk voice that is able to carry the tunes successfully. The album's production is more insipid than ETMS, with its folky, earthy production, but is still a great collection of songs, in the vein of Teenage Fanclub circa 'Grand Prix' era - perhaps even containing better production and stronger melodies. Standouts include 'Justify the Rain', 'Sunrise', and 'Life in Wartime.'
Though not as good as its predecessor, a worthy buy from a band still brimming with talent.
Though not as good as its predecessor, a worthy buy from a band still brimming with talent.
Format:Audio CD
This is a wonderful album. Sunshine fair pours out of the speakers every time it's on the player. The songs have wonderful melodies and bright arrangements and are performed impeccably with wonderful harmonies; everything that you could ask of a pop record. It's a travesty that they're not really very well known (in fact I've never met anyone else that's heard of them).
Play it all summer with the windows down and the wind in your hair!
Play it all summer with the windows down and the wind in your hair!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Yawnfest.
This album puts me to sleep with it's lazy attempt at recreating mid 70's american fm music. Boston, Toto, Jefferson Starship. Complete boredom. Read more
Published on 7 Aug 2004
What happened?
This is a disappointingly poor album from an otherwise great band with a great catalogue. From stereo widescreen to mono in one giant leap (in the wrong direction). Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2004
One of the best albums I've listened to this & last year
Genius, sheer genius. First album I've bought of the band, and I'm an instant convert - in fact i'm embarrassed i missed out on it before. Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2004
Ever heard of Teenage Fanclub?
What is it about Scots lads in bands always wanting to sound like the byrds and the beach boys? It's fine when they add something original like teenage fanclub did but when it gets... Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2003
Lighthearted psychedelic pop-rock fun
Not all the songs on this album grab you immediately. Others are just downright catchy and will make you want to listen to them again and again.
Why only four stars? Read more
Published on 13 Sep 2003 by J. D. Ludlow
recent convert
As someone who has,up to now, only known about the "Cosmics" since the middle of last year(!!), I did not think that "Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine" could have been better'd, however... Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2003
Beautiful songs your play time and time again
wonderful melodic Music that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. I Personally prefer the Cosmic rough riders without the mike love sound a like at this moment. Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2003
C FOR EFFORT
MAKE NO MISTAKE. THIS IS A VERY GOOD ALBUM BY ANYONE'S STANDARDS. ANYONE EXCEPT CRR THAT IS. ENJOY THE MELODIC SUNSHINE IS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE ALBUM THAT THIS WAS NEVER LIKELY TO BE... Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2003
A grower
I thought at first that this was a letdown after ETMS but actually it is a real grower - living in France I have no idea what is on Brit radio but "Because you" immediately lodged... Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2003 by Twangothan
Hidden Talent
There is nothing more difficult than following up a great album.
This has been achieved with absolute resounding success. Read more
This has been achieved with absolute resounding success. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2003 by C. R. Curtis
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