Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
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
Review
Brave lady, Nerina Pallot. Choosing to work with Duffy producer Bernard Butler for similarly 60s-slanted, Motown-referencing pop can’t fail to raise comparisons and expectations. And given Duffy moved on to another sound/producer with diminishing returns, there’s the chance someone will think Butler was the X factor in that relationship. But Pallot is a lot more experienced and tenacious than Duffy (she’d have to be to contend with Butler’s hands-on approach). She’s survived major label shenanigans, releasing her second album Fires independently despite having hits while on Warners (she’s now signed to Geffen). And she writes, or co-writes, all her own songs; although interestingly there’s not a single Butler co-write here. We’re talking services-to-the-stars songcraft here.
The opening Put Your Hands Up, for example, was originally intended for Kylie Minogue (Pallot’s got credits on Aphrodite). But it wouldn’t sound this way if it had reached Kylie. This version is initially restrained, subtly lifted by those keening, Butler-patented strings; but 70 seconds in, it unexpectedly kicks in at twice the volume and energy, with Butler’s guitar pushed up behind the beat and the auto-suggestion of liberation. It’s a masterstroke, to add to the song’s already inch-perfect flow. Compare that to her last album, 2009’s The Graduate, whose electronic sheen lacked direction and identity (did she want to be Kylie-meets-Alanis? Probably not). Brought on board by Pallot’s love of The Sound of McAlmont & Butler, our Bernard knows how to make a song swing and his guitar always responds to Pallot’s nimble touch – check the zippy solo that briefly pops out of Turn Me on Again.
Even when Pallot plays with pop conventions, she’s never flash or crass. If I Lost You Now’s jazzy MOR chords have the classy hallmark of Hall & Oates, and This Will Be Our Year isn’t far behind Raphael Saadiq’s current 60s-black-hall-of-fame love fest. But the album’s second half shows Pallot can be hemmed in by pop convention, when she should be breaking out. The hushed piano-ballad finale History Boys (written when pregnant, amid reports of child casualties of war) is a beauty, but the likes of I Think fall into that grey zone between rock and pop. Still, Year of the Wolf could be a commercial monster to match Duffy’s if led by the right singles (Put Your Hands Up is first). But assuming she wants it, Pallot won’t make the same giddy impact until she truly embraces her inner bravery.
--Martin Aston
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A wonderful album of varied and delightful songs from Nerina Pallot, my absolute favorite must be "All bets are off" which comes as a slow and thoughtful change after the faster pace of the first two tracks, "Put your hands up" and "Turn me on again". all in all a very easy to listen to album with many varied songs and haunting lyrics. Another success for Nerina Pallot.
9 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Much has happened for Nerina Pallot between 2009's independently released and well received "The Graduate", ranging from the birth of her son, Wolfgang (the "Wolf" of the title), to high profile writing jobs on albums by Kylie Minogue and Diana Vickers.
But the most surprising event of all is her signing to a subsidiary of former label Polydor for this fourth studio album.
With a return to the majors comes an increased budget, and with it Duffy's favoured knob-twiddler, Bernard Butler on production duties. What they've produced is an album that seems slightly out of time - even down to the album retro looking album cover.
Lead single "Put Your Hands" up is a brilliant piece of summery pop, with swelling strings and serves notice of the new sonic direction that the album takes.
The upbeat "Butterfly" (which you might recognise as the music from the recent Jersey tourism advert) is the album's standout chorus and secret weapon - I've lost count of the number of mornings I've woken with the "start no fires" refrain buzzing around my brain.
There are a good selection of ballads too.
"Grace", a song which has been around in Pallot's live repertoire for five years or more, finally finds itself committed to record. A haunting affair, written for a family member, it tries to console the subject, optimistic despite the gloom.
"This Will Be Our Year" (a refugee from 2009's "Junebug" EP) finds itself transformed from a piano and vocals ballad into a langorous brass-tinged affair.
"If I Lost You Now" is given poignancy and a second meaning by the knowledge that she was pregnant as she sang but still stands on its own as a love song.
There are more soaring strings on the sumptuous "All Bets Are Off", transformed from the acoustic version she's performed live into a sweeping waltz, dripping with heartbreak. It's the best break-up song you'll hear this year.
The issue in places is with Butler's approach - never use one instrument where two will do. There are also some odd choices, particularly the seemingly unconnected harp solo at the end of 'All Bets Are Off', and the harmonica on "Grace" just seems superfluous.
Ultimately, whether "The Year Of The Wolf" floats your boat is likely to have as much to do with how you feel about Bernard Butler's sound and approach to production as it does Pallot's songwriting and vocals. They're still there, but the production is actually quite a radical departure.
Mentally add or subtract two points from the score depending on your disposition towards The Butler Sound.
It would have been easy for Pallot to take the Cathy Dennis approach and become a songwriter-for-hire, especially given the quality of the songs on show here.
It's to her credit that she hoarded a cupboard full of gems for herself. Themusicfix
But the most surprising event of all is her signing to a subsidiary of former label Polydor for this fourth studio album.
With a return to the majors comes an increased budget, and with it Duffy's favoured knob-twiddler, Bernard Butler on production duties. What they've produced is an album that seems slightly out of time - even down to the album retro looking album cover.
Lead single "Put Your Hands" up is a brilliant piece of summery pop, with swelling strings and serves notice of the new sonic direction that the album takes.
The upbeat "Butterfly" (which you might recognise as the music from the recent Jersey tourism advert) is the album's standout chorus and secret weapon - I've lost count of the number of mornings I've woken with the "start no fires" refrain buzzing around my brain.
There are a good selection of ballads too.
"Grace", a song which has been around in Pallot's live repertoire for five years or more, finally finds itself committed to record. A haunting affair, written for a family member, it tries to console the subject, optimistic despite the gloom.
"This Will Be Our Year" (a refugee from 2009's "Junebug" EP) finds itself transformed from a piano and vocals ballad into a langorous brass-tinged affair.
"If I Lost You Now" is given poignancy and a second meaning by the knowledge that she was pregnant as she sang but still stands on its own as a love song.
There are more soaring strings on the sumptuous "All Bets Are Off", transformed from the acoustic version she's performed live into a sweeping waltz, dripping with heartbreak. It's the best break-up song you'll hear this year.
The issue in places is with Butler's approach - never use one instrument where two will do. There are also some odd choices, particularly the seemingly unconnected harp solo at the end of 'All Bets Are Off', and the harmonica on "Grace" just seems superfluous.
Ultimately, whether "The Year Of The Wolf" floats your boat is likely to have as much to do with how you feel about Bernard Butler's sound and approach to production as it does Pallot's songwriting and vocals. They're still there, but the production is actually quite a radical departure.
Mentally add or subtract two points from the score depending on your disposition towards The Butler Sound.
It would have been easy for Pallot to take the Cathy Dennis approach and become a songwriter-for-hire, especially given the quality of the songs on show here.
It's to her credit that she hoarded a cupboard full of gems for herself. Themusicfix
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'm ashamed to admit that I'd never heard of this girl before "All Bets are Off" was featured on Radio 2. This is her 3rd or 4th album.
I've watched some acoustic studio sessions on You Tube as well as official promos for tracks - her voice is just superb. I can't quite describe her style, particularly as this album is quite varied. However, I know that I love the album and will be buying the others.
I've watched some acoustic studio sessions on You Tube as well as official promos for tracks - her voice is just superb. I can't quite describe her style, particularly as this album is quite varied. However, I know that I love the album and will be buying the others.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
star
GREAT CD, SHAME THAT SHE IS NOT SO WELL KNOWN. SHE IS A STAR. THE SONG HISTORY BOYS IS HAUNTING!. PERFECT FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO CHILL OUT
Published 3 months ago by rosie
Superb
Have to be honest i dont take an awful lot of interest in modern day female "radio 2 type singers" but i heard "put your hands up" on the way to work a couple months a go and... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. D. R. Holding
I am sad to say
I am sad to say after loving Nerina's other albums, for me this is one big let down. It contains some of the weaker songs she has written to date. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr N Knott
Nerina Pallot - Year of the Wold
This album is a must have. Nerina Pallot is a fabulous songwriter and artist. Each song is different and before long you will be singing along to each and every one of them. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Kizzy Mae
Nerina's crown is slipping!
I was quite hopeful that this album would be a good one, having been a long-term fan of Nerina's but I was rather disappointed with Year Of The Wolf. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. Philip Perkin
Kind of a Nerina Pallot review
I think one of the many problems Nerina Pallot has had in her career is that she's very hard to fit into a single category. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Lee Mallabar Dreamware
Great return to form
Well, if you thought her first 2 albums were good you must here this. These songs are even stronger. And boy, what a voice she has! A classic!
Published 9 months ago by reveva
Nerina Pallot... Pure Tallented Angel
Not gonna bable on about Nerina's back catalouge or boast about the BIG artests for whom she has written songs, If you haven't heard any of her songs this is a good starting point... Read more
Published 10 months ago by mark's amazon
Wrong direction
I felt Nerina had got it right on The Graduate, playing to her strengths rather than chasing pop success. Wasn't that the point of the album's title? That she'd grown up? Read more
Published 10 months ago by nicolocin
Disappointing...
Now let me just say, I have loved Nerina Pallot since day one. I bought Dear Frustrated Superstar when it came out. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Miss J Wykes
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 subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
