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Product Description
Product Description
Debut studio album by the former Busted member and current Fightstar frontman. The album has received generally favourable reviews from critics and entered the UK Albums chart at #6. It includes the singles 'Down Down Down', 'Parachutes' and 'Cemetary'.
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
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
By Scott Chegg
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
By Silly_Rabbit
Format:Audio CD
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. He gathered a big following from Busted, more teen girls than anything, then with Fightstar he gathered some hardcore guy fans who were more for the heavier listening genre and people could see he actually had real talent...but I personally didn't follow too close behind him in this venture - as it seemed to drift past me as it never seemed to be directly mainstream as such, not so 'in your face' - regrettable.
But I was totally blown away with this. I have listened to the album over and over and it's always over way too quick so I go straight back and press play and can do this several times in a day!
After the first couple of times, some stood out more than others, then after a few more times, you listen to the words and can sing along. Then...well, then you HEAR the words. This album is deep and it cuts you to your core at times with some of the words, some of the chorus' or just lines he has put together. He has done it so so well.
We (me and my partner) saw that he was playing it live and checked it out, bought tickets for the first gig in Bristol. We were only a few back from the stage. It was just amazing and I was speechless and was breathless even moved to tears nearly at points with the live performance of the album (it was the album, but Charlie live..will leave you mesmerized!)
We have since listened to it everyday since repeatedly. Just can't help it!! :) NOW, it brings a lump to the throat, simply with the after thoughts of seeing and feeling this played 10 feet from you...amazing. The album is brilliant, full stop.
I highly recommend this and even if you're not too sure, just give a chance, really listen to it and it's sure to grow on almost anyone. My kids love it too and so it just goes to show it really is versatile when it comes to his audience as a result of this wonderful, heartfelt piece of Charlie that he has given us.
I just love it.
But I was totally blown away with this. I have listened to the album over and over and it's always over way too quick so I go straight back and press play and can do this several times in a day!
After the first couple of times, some stood out more than others, then after a few more times, you listen to the words and can sing along. Then...well, then you HEAR the words. This album is deep and it cuts you to your core at times with some of the words, some of the chorus' or just lines he has put together. He has done it so so well.
We (me and my partner) saw that he was playing it live and checked it out, bought tickets for the first gig in Bristol. We were only a few back from the stage. It was just amazing and I was speechless and was breathless even moved to tears nearly at points with the live performance of the album (it was the album, but Charlie live..will leave you mesmerized!)
We have since listened to it everyday since repeatedly. Just can't help it!! :) NOW, it brings a lump to the throat, simply with the after thoughts of seeing and feeling this played 10 feet from you...amazing. The album is brilliant, full stop.
I highly recommend this and even if you're not too sure, just give a chance, really listen to it and it's sure to grow on almost anyone. My kids love it too and so it just goes to show it really is versatile when it comes to his audience as a result of this wonderful, heartfelt piece of Charlie that he has given us.
I just love it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Such a wonderful album
My sister introduced me to Charlie's solo album, and honestly.... I can't put it down.
Trying to pick a favourite song gives me a headache as every single track is... Read more
Trying to pick a favourite song gives me a headache as every single track is... Read more
Published 17 days ago by MyKeyReviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous
Growing up I was a Busted fan, and then I followed Charlie to his next band, and then his solo career... and wow, has that guy got an amazing voice. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ms. Elspeth Griffin
5.0 out of 5 stars
AWESOME
It's Charlie Simpson so what can I say?
Well, this guy is sooo talented so all I have to
say is that I am totally satisfied and really happy
to have purchased this... Read more
Well, this guy is sooo talented so all I have to
say is that I am totally satisfied and really happy
to have purchased this... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Emilie Létourneau
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really Love this
I've loved Charlie Simpson since Busted. I only bought one of Fightstar's albums, and heard this was a bit different...it's in my top ten albums of all time. Read more
Published 8 months ago by raven_guest
4.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting effort from Charlie Simpson
Charlie Simpson, ex-Busted star, ex-Fightstar has launched his solo career with the absolute gem that is Young Pilgrim. Read more
Published 8 months ago by ktvowles
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 13 months ago by Jo.p
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 14 months ago by I. wells
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 14 months ago by tallcaf
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 15 months ago by Kelly H
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 17 months ago by C. Tanner
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