Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Alison finds her voice, 8 Jul 2004
Four years after her smash hit cover of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters", Alison Moyet heralded the release of her "Hoodoo" album with the searing "It Won't Be Long." It might have earned a Grammy nomination and critical kudos but it scared the bejaysus out of inane pop-pickers on playlist panels. So much so, in fact, that the two subsequent (and more commercial) A-sides from this set would be utterly sidelined.Alison Moyet had clearly found her voice and a strong artistic vision. "Hoodoo" at once embraced her soulful roots, her pop sensibilities, a taste for shouty blues/rock and her unrivalled talent for smoky chanson. "Footsteps," with its soulful horn section and superglue hooks, slinkily opens proceedings before "It Won't Be Long" comes along to strip emotional paint. Next is the jewel in this album's crown, the hauntingly beautiful "This House." Imbued with longing and loss, it never once falters into saccharine balladry and its failure to become a global smash remains a mystery. It remains one of the very finest songs of Moyet's career. Elsewhere, the lilting "Wishing You Were Here," the skittering electro-reggae of the gorgeous "Back Where I Belong" and the strident pizzazz of the funky title track keep the standard at a very satisfying high. Overall, "Hoodoo" is a very dark album. The wonky feminist call-to-arms of "Rise" is bedded in a swampy arrangement and "My Right A.R.M." is a dense mood-piece. Closing the album is the gospel tinged "Find Me," which has 'modern standard' written all over it. It is a mark of this album's strength that, all these years later, it still packs a punch. True, some of the arrangements and production are 'of their time' ('Never Too Late,' for instance) but the quality of the performances and the writing remains awe-inspiring. It is fair to say that the real Alison Moyet emerged with the release of this album. She found her voice and started to use it in fine style
|
|
|
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moyet at her unbridled best, 29 Oct 2003
I have reviewed this work already, but in the time between my 'finding' an original copy and it's recent re-issue and have come to appreciate this album more and more. I therefore feel it deserves as much good press as possible.
If you are a fan of 'Hometime' but are unfamiliar with both 'Hoodoo' and 'Essex', then I suggest that you start here first and , bearing in mind that this album is 12 and a half years old (not that it sounds dated in any way), prepare yourself for real treat. It knocks 'Hometime' into a cocked hat, as far as I'm concerned. Don't get me wrong-'Hometime' is class; this is just something else. Less polished, more raw emotion, rock & soul.
I won't repeat what I've said already (read my review of the original Columbia release) but I will add that I have changed my view on the tracks I didn't appreciate. The rest just get better. It is the most played Moyet album for me, and gets an airing at least once, maybe twice a week.
Favourite tracks? Footsteps, Hoodoo, Rise, Back where I belong..Now that it is commercially available again, don't hanker over it. Give the girl the credit she justly deserves for a much ignored body of work. It won't disappoint.
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
hoodoo you think you are!, 23 Dec 2007
after two huge international selling album..."hoodoo" was such a change of sound it shocked a lot of people! gone was the catchy electro pop of yazoo and the first two alison albums!
in its place more of an indie rock alison which didnt sit well with a lot of her fans..however this is the music she wanted to make!
at the time i was a bit put off however 25 years later and with the success of the new album its worth a listen! if you like the new album you will love this!!!
"footsteps" opens the album and the indie/rock/jazz feels underlines a very catchy track that would have made a great single 9/10
"it wont be long" was the 1st single and only reached no.50 the change in sound and the fact its not a great track didnt help 5/10
"this house" is a stunning song and a stunning performance..lyrically amazing! this was single no.3 and managed no.40! no matter how stunning and amazing its a wierd choice for a single! one of the best things the lady has ever done! 10/10
"rise" is another indie/rock/gospel/country song that i dont like 4/10
"wishing i was here" is stunningly beautiful and why it wasnt chosen as the lead single ill never know! it was the 2nd single and managed no.72 for 1 week! a crime! its a "is this love" follow up and i adore it 10/10
"hoodoo" is another indie track but it has a bit of a hook 6/10
"meeting with my main man" is a big rock/indie track that i still havent found the interest to listen to all the way through 3/10
"i belong" is ok as an album track but wont set the world alight 5/10
"my right arm" is like an yazoo track..its stunning...alisons voice sounds stunning and i mean stunning over an electronic backing 10/10
"never too late" is another electronic track and its great..its a classic 'old' alison sound 10/10
"find me" is a gospel track and is ok..sung great as always but a bit forgettable 8/10
the album suffered from a bad choice of a lead single, a big change in sound on a lot of the tracks..but there are some hidden gems in here! has a similar feel to the new album "the turn" but is more immediate..
|
|
|
|
~ Alison Moyet
~ Alison Moyet
~ Alison Moyet
~ Alison Moyet
~ Alison Moyet
With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is). 
Amazon Home