|
Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
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
Every former pop star carries a certain amount of embarrassment, bordering on guilt, about their past life. Some worry that their public persona is a reductive and silly mask that no longer fits; others act like it's the morning after a particularly wild party and they're not entirely sure why they did the things they did, or to whom they should apologise.
Charlie Simpson has worn his pop past with Busted like a hairshirt, ever since he walked out of the band in favour of his post-hardcore project Fightstar, the credible alternative to his teenybopper day job. It's a shame that he feels like this as both bands have had their moments, and he's clearly a gifted singer and songwriter.
And there's no need for him to further expunge his past by bringing out a singer-songwriter album of beefy, folkish indie confessionals, which could, in their own AOR way, prove to be a worse crime against music than Year 3000 or Floods ever were.
Young Pilgrim is a side project, the result of Charlie having a bit of time on his hands and a bunch of songs that won't fit his current musical brief. So having temporarily turned his back on calling down the very heavens with Fightstar, he's re-entered the world where melody is king, but still brings that sense of overwhelming gravitas with him.
There's a lot of walking streets alone, blisters cracking over skin, melancholy trips to childhood haunts, and a lot of soul-searching: classic singer-songwriter fare. Thankfully, our hero has two important things on his side: a robust way with a tune and a swag-bag rammed with glorious multi-tracked harmonies. Cemetery, Suburbs and I Need a Friend Tonight are resplendent with his many voices. Even the incredibly Script-ish Hold On is partially redeemed by a few careful multi-Charlie moments.
The result, while it lacks anything which is truly astonishing, is a very grown-up sort of pop music - think Lonestar with a Snow Patrol frosting - and could possibly be the final public atonement for crimes that only he believes he committed in the first place.
--Fraser McAlpine
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
After spending 6 months of last year holed up writing in his London studio, Charlie joined forces with acclaimed producer Danton Supple (Coldplay, Doves) to begin recording his debut solo album. The result is an accomplished 12 track record that oozes with vintage warmth and whose luscious melodies and occasional imperfections lend it a vibrant character and earnest charm. Lead single `Down Down Down' was rapturously received by Charlie's fans including Fearne Cotton who made it Record Of The Week on Radio 1.
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
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Putting aside the day job with Fightstar, Charlie Simpson has released his first solo album. It's an unexpected set of largely acoustic pop songs. He's a great songwriter, and this is a style that lets his songs shine. It also showcases his rough and distinctive voice. Freed from the thunder of its usual emo-thrash backing, it turns out to be rather versatile.
Young Pilgrim starts with a great one-two in the soaring Down Down Down and Parachutes, both obvious singles, and there are plenty of other fine moments besides. It's reminiscent of Get Cape Wear Cape Fly at times, American singer-songwriter Howie Day, or even I Am Arrows in the bounce of Cemetery.
Songs build out of simple guitar lines and drum patterns, adding strings and piano, and rich multi-tracked vocal harmonies. For the most part it works well, except for one or two occasions where Simpson's careworn voice seems out place in overly pretty arrangements, such as the falsetto crooned chorus of Thorns. As an album it dips in the middle a little as the tempo slows for too long. Fortunately the countrified Farmer and His Gun, complete with harmonica, injects a little energy that keeps the album from tailing off at the end.
Overall, this is a fine debut solo album, blessed with a sense of melody and with a handful of great songs. Let's hope it's not Simpson's last foray into this fruitful territory.
Young Pilgrim starts with a great one-two in the soaring Down Down Down and Parachutes, both obvious singles, and there are plenty of other fine moments besides. It's reminiscent of Get Cape Wear Cape Fly at times, American singer-songwriter Howie Day, or even I Am Arrows in the bounce of Cemetery.
Songs build out of simple guitar lines and drum patterns, adding strings and piano, and rich multi-tracked vocal harmonies. For the most part it works well, except for one or two occasions where Simpson's careworn voice seems out place in overly pretty arrangements, such as the falsetto crooned chorus of Thorns. As an album it dips in the middle a little as the tempo slows for too long. Fortunately the countrified Farmer and His Gun, complete with harmonica, injects a little energy that keeps the album from tailing off at the end.
Overall, this is a fine debut solo album, blessed with a sense of melody and with a handful of great songs. Let's hope it's not Simpson's last foray into this fruitful territory.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I pre-ordered the album from his website and got the limited edition boxset. Therefore I got it 2 days early and it has been the album of my weekend and possibly going on to be album of the year for myself. In my opinion charlie Simpson is one of Britain's best singer/songwriters and his Busted stigma has turned listeners away. As Charlie said himself 'Down Down Down' very much sets the tone for this record, so it starts as it means to go on. If you enjoyed the single 'Down Down Down' and 'Parachutes' Then this album will be a very pleasing buy. A solid acoustic album, with my personal favourites being 'Cemetery', 'Parachutes' and 'Riverbanks'.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Me, my 2 year old son and my husband (who's an obsessive Fightstar fan) all love this album. Very different, quite a mellow country style but suits Charlie's voice very well. The soundtrack to the summer we'd say. Complex lyrics that tell a personal story. Great musician who has worked very hard and deserves all the praise he can get! If you're not sure, try out the free downloads amazon has first.
Highlights: Farmer and His Gun, Sundown, Cemetary, Parachutes.
Highlights: Farmer and His Gun, Sundown, Cemetary, Parachutes.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Charlie Simpson
Amazing album!! I cannot stop listening to it he has definitely matured with his music and I really recommend you give this a listen!
Published 1 month ago by Jo.p
Unexpected new favourite
I'm an exceptionally fussy person when it comes to music, usually I like maybe one or two songs from an artist but after downloading this on a whim I am completely in love. Read more
Published 3 months ago by I. wells
Amazing
The CD is great to listen to whilst driving its so different to the old Mr Charlie Simpson he must be getting old!!!!
Published 3 months ago by tallcaf
Amazing
I've followed Charlie right from his early days in busted as i was a young teenage girl, then i saw him live and he personaly was amazing, i then saw him in fightstar and he never... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kelly H
Surprisingly good stuff
I came across charlie simpsons solo stuff by accident on spotify and really liked what i heard. Didnt put me off that he used to be in Busted and neither should it put off anyone... Read more
Published 5 months ago by C. Tanner
Young Pilgrim review
This album is gorgeous! So many single-worthy tracks i haven't stopped listening to it since it was delievered over a week ago. Read more
Published 6 months ago by vicky_h
Awsome
Love love love the cd. My favorite song is 'Sundown'. You should listen to it with your eyes closed. So beautiful.
Published 6 months ago by Hanne
Well done Charlie!
I'm really pleased with this purchase - this album has not been out of my CD player! Full of easy to listen to tunes, I'm liking the direction that Charlie Simpson has gone with... Read more
Published 6 months ago by little miss b
AMAZING
I bought this album after hearing Parachutes... my friend had downloaded Down Down Down from itunes and I fell in love as soon as I heard it! Read more
Published 7 months ago by emma
Come So far Since Busted..!! Best Album I've Heard For A While.
I have always liked Charlie Simpson...I don't think there are many girls who didn't/don't like him, whether it's now or when he was in Busted or Fightstar. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Silly_Rabbit
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?
|
