Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another O'Hagan highlight, 23 Jan 2007
For years, The High Llamas appeared to be a band steadfastly resistant to change. Having charted a course that remained unflinchingly true to their intentions of re-channelling late-`60s Beach Boys records through a filter of Steely Dan-styled soft rock and Stereolab-esque electronic cleverness through their first six albums, 2003's Beet, Maize & Corn, was, therefore, something of a curve ball.
With the rhythm section of the band replaced with a rich orchestral backing, the album marked a radical departure for the band and, given how critically celebrated it was, one which fans might have assumed would be permanent.
In fact, it appears that Beet, Maize & Corn was merely a stylistic vacation, as Can Cladders has Sean O'Hagan return to his regular modus operandi of crafting bouncy and jaunty pop music. So, while the album starts with a wonderful strings arrangement on The Old Spring Town, it's soon replaced by the harmonies of Winter's Day, which, of course, are ever-so-slightly reminiscent of the Beach Boys. Later, Bacaroo has the same graceful, gossamer feel of an early Free Design record.
As ever with The High Llamas, the comparisons with the Beach Boys are undeniable and, yes, a little bit lazy. But ultimately, it's meant as a sincere compliment, because Sean O'Hagan isn't far away from equalling Brian Wilson's genius.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Can you Can Clad?, 27 Feb 2007
Ah.....One of life's true pleasures is the arrival of a new High Llamas LP. You kind of know what you're going to get but there will always be some nice surprises. Steely Dan chord changes, Exotic sounds, Baccarachesque strings, obscure lyrics and Brian Wilson pianos and harmonies are all in check but as ever this is still something new in the mix. This ones all about the vocals. Female backing vocals are more to the fore, reminiscent of The Free Design but also with some almost 60s Soul/Motown stylings. 'Rollin' in its melodic strangeness reminds me of Kate Bush!
As ever Sean O'Hagan has been devouring obscure 60s foreign film soundtracks, Library music etc. and distilling their essence into new songs (so you don't to!). Their last album, 'Beet Maize & Corn' was a real return to form and this one keeps up that form admirably. The melodies are a little less direct, a bit more twisty turny...which is no bad thing as it keeps you coming back for another listen and you can never guess where on the fretboard/keyboard the Llamas will take you next. A charming, and curios record although newcomers should be directed toward Hawaii and their 'Best Of' to put this in its right context. And yes Field Music fans should definitely have a listen if they haven't already!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Flimsy - but still okay, 5 Sep 2007
As a long-time listener to the High Llamas and Sean O'Hagan, it is not much fun to report that this is a slightly flimsy record. It comes out of the same box as the last album "Beet, Maize and Corn." There simply isn't much here and some of the melodies have a distinctly re-heated feel to them. Track 2, "Winter's Day" needs to be singled out for being nearly irritating in the extreme, like a fly that you can't be bothered to get up and swat.
So, what does the album sound like? To my ears it had aimless and insipid percussion, lots of saccharine strings, repetitive motifs, and wan vocals. If this record was a beverage, it would be a mug of weak tea with a bit too much sugar in it.
If you are a High Llamas fan, I strongly urge you buy it anyway. Why? Not because it's a good record, not at all, but because Sean O'Hagan's earlier work has been so excellent he deserves some more of our cash so he can, in time, produce something better than this watery CD. I know he can do it. If you are not already a High Llamas fan, please go back right now and buy "Gideon Gaye" or "Hawaii" which are exemplary, albums to stroke your ears for the long term.
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