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XX

XX | Format: Audio CD
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
Price: £5.93 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
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Product details

  • Audio CD (17 Aug 2009)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Young Turks
  • ASIN: B002DESIE6
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 12 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
    #1 in  Music > Alternative & Indie > Alternative & Indie Rock
    #9 in  Music > Pop
    #1 in  Music > Bargain CDs

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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.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Samples
Song Title Time Price
Listen  1. Intro 2:07£0.79
Listen  2. VCR 2:57£0.79
Listen  3. Crystalised 3:22£0.79
Listen  4. Islands 2:40£0.79
Listen  5. Heart Skipped A Beat 4:02£0.79
Listen  6. Fantasy 2:38£0.79
Listen  7. Shelter 4:30£0.79
Listen  8. Basic Space 3:08£0.79
Listen  9. Infinity 5:13£0.79
Listen10. Night Time 3:36£0.79
Listen11. Stars 4:22£0.79

Product Description

BBC Review

The xx, like Burial’s William Bevan and Four Tet’s Kieran Hebden, studied at Elliott School in Putney, a pleasant south-west London suburb. But on the basis of this sleek debut this ice-cool quartet could surpass the achievements of their secondary school alumni.

Naming an album opener Intro prepares listeners for low expectations, so it's a great surprise when the track snakes in with a tightly coiled riff initially reminiscent of Casiokids' ace Fot I Hose. It doesn't turn into an immense house-echoing banger like the Norwegians’ tune, but when beats do arrive they're heavy enough for dubstep.

If Intro is a template for xx's simple, minimalist songs, VCR sets a precedent for winning vocal interplay between Romy Madley Croft and bassist Oliver Sim. With Jamie Smith's simple chiming production suggesting a nod to Brooklyn wonders Chairlift, Croft emotes breathily: “You used to have all the answers and you, you still have them, too.” Sim, meanwhile, sighs like a regretful Lou Reed.

A seemingly unlikely influence it may be, but amid the deep house beats of Island, the melody from Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down makes an appearance. Despite the incongruity, the motif evokes a sense of quiet triumph.

Fans of the midnight guitar in Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game will appreciate Infinity. While reverb-swollen chords drift by, Croft is hell-bent on mimicking Mazzy Star chanteuse Hope Sandoval in front of the microphone. And she succeeds beautifully.

Every song here is an enigmatic and moody blend of smoky crooning, nimble keyboard trickery and slippery treble-heavy riffs. Such self-awareness and focus is commendable given so few experienced bands, let alone newcomers, can manage it.

Yet xx’s consistency is also its sole undoing. The xx have perfected one formula but appear scared to develop any more, wary of branching into different tempos or styles. Fortunately this fault is not fatal – after all, many successful bands, from Oasis to AC/DC, have only ever had one killer idea.

Whether The xx plough on in the same noir direction of this debut or pursue new tangents, it must be hoped the Londoners are able to maintain their affecting hold on the listener whatever the stylistic surface. --Lou Thomas

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CD Description

The eponymous debut album from South London four piece the XX, draws influence from Young Marble Giants, Cocteau Twins and a hint of electronica and R&B. With these influences, the group craft delicate, melancholic, minimalist pop songs. Tender and seductive, this album is simply delightful. Includes the singles 'Basic Space' and 'Crystalised'.

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Customer Reviews

59 Reviews
5 star:
 (36)
4 star:
 (15)
3 star:
 (5)
2 star:
 (3)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (59 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Headphone Candy, 3 Sep 2009
By AK-87 (Bristol, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: XX (Audio CD)
This album is perfect commuter escapism. There are only about one or two albums a year which I can just listen to over and over again and this is my 2009 record. This is just one of those albums which just sounds better through headphones on the move. I wouldn't go as far as saying that this album can be grouped in the chill out genre but it is fantastically peaceful.

This time last year I was addicted to Burial's 'Untrue' and I can honestly say that if you enjoyed that record for its ability to make you lose yourself in its minimal and haunting sound, you'll love 'xx'. Interestingly, this young group met at the same London school which was attended by Hot Chip, Four Tet and Burial himself. The female and male vocalist harmonise and complement each other superbly on every track but, for me, stand outs are 'VCR', 'Basic Space' and the recent iTunes single of the week, 'Crystalised'. The smooth female vocals make me imagine a beautiful love child of Bjork and Zero 7's Sia Furler (you can decide whether you think that is a good combination or not!)The bassist creates a ghostly but melodic rhythm which features throughout which reminds me of Massive Attack's 'Danny The Dog'. What really impresses me is the way the group have maintained a constant and original sound without feeling the need to throw in a few tracks to change the mood. Some may dismiss this album as monotonous but the whole thing works for them and it flows as if it could be a film score much like Burial's 'Untrue'.

If you are looking for a refreshing change to the chart topping indie groups and wish to support genuine young British talent you should BUY this album. You will not be disappointed.
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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars This is different!, 30 Nov 2009
This review is from: XX (Audio CD)
Well I'm 51 and still appreciate all genres of modern music, and I really like this album. I first saw and heard The XX on 'Later with Jools Holland' and their atmospheric music just leapt out of the TV at me. Next day, after checking out more of their tracks on You Tube I bought the album. I really like this music for its innovative and fresh feel. Yes okay it's simple and laid back (brilliant music to relax by), but it's a completely new and different sound, and that's the genius of it. I hope their recent tour supporting Florence and The Machine gives them the extra exposure they richly deserve.
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74 of 94 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Seriously Good, 28 Aug 2009
By The Wolf (uk) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: XX (Audio CD)
Scatty and Gritz (the cubs) brought this one home
from school and have been playing nothing else over
the past week. They've dumped their hoodies (it was
red bandanas before that!) and reverted to basic black.
They also seem to be reading Schopenhauer again
- their Mother's influence not mine I hasten to add.
I seem to have found something to like in this music too.

The xx are a somewhat po-faced but very talented
little combo from South London. This debut collection
of 11 compositions is relentlessly and uncompromisingly
single-minded in its sustained intensity.
It's hard to imagine them sitting around together
drinking cider and watching Father Ted re-runs.
This is much more Jacques Brel and absinthe territory !

Seriousness becomes them.

The combined vocal contributions of Ms Croft and
Mr Sim create a charmingly laconic ambience.
There is a total absence of frenzy. In fact nothing
much happens throughout in the nicest possible way.

'Infinity' is a splendid composition. The closest
thing to a climax in the entire project.
The spirit of Hank Marvin might well be smiling in the wings.

'Night Time' is a marvelously morose little ditty
and for my money its starkly economical, pared-down,
minimalism is the album's gloomy highlight.

Jamie Smith's beats and Baria Qureshi's well-judged
keyboard interventions are entirely complementary to
the centrally positioned Croft/Sim double-act.

Concluding track 'Stars' made me remember acutely
what it was like to be young and intense and delirious
with dark and serious dreams.

Recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging with highlights!
Heard and read much about XX and have been impressed by the record. Instant appeal with 80's influenced sound, but improves with listening with many hooks and highlights. Read more
Published 6 days ago by steve60

4.0 out of 5 stars the illusion of originality...
in ten years this'll be regarded as a standout album of the decade, and it'll bear less resemblance to their 80s indie inspiration. Read more
Published 14 days ago by D. J. Montgomery

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! Gets more addictive the more you listen to it
I had heard so much about the XX but not yet given the music a listen, being a pessimist I tend to expect that the rave reviews are from the too cool for school kids and being 30... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Paul Fletcher

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fabulous!
This album is the best I've heard in a long time!
The music is so mellow, but not so much that you feel sleepy... Read more
Published 18 days ago by A. Slater

5.0 out of 5 stars Total Immersion from the word go.
Now this is a rare gem. As opposed to alot of the mainstream generic sound we listen to; which even though I do love and appreciate. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Mrs. J. M. Chapman

5.0 out of 5 stars A Modern Masterpiece! The XX grande debut is one of major importance!
until i heard recently the fact that this band has been nominated for the Mercury Award Prize and upon hearing the mesmerising song islands on BBC Radio One i would never have... Read more
Published 27 days ago by S. J. Pinder

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional
You should have no doubts about this astounding debut from the XX.
Every track is outstanding. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Anonymous

5.0 out of 5 stars Fab
Watched high lights of Glastonbury and heard XX for the first time. Ordered the cd and was really pleased with the rest of the cd. Great to drive the car to. Read more
Published 1 month ago by natural health

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
First heard people talking about this band at Glastonbury - didnt get to see them directly, but watched the Glasto highlights - performed with Florence (from the machine)-... Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. Pereira

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!
This album was totally bought on the strength of the reviews which I find a very unreliable way of buying music but I did it anyway. I certainly am glad I did! Read more
Published 1 month ago by nev_ski

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