Here Be Monsters

Here Be Monsters

Opis:

Here Be Monsters is the follow-up to Ed Harcourt's debut mini-album Maplewood and sees the singer/songwriter developing further on the gentle melancholy of his previous efforts with the help of Death In Vegas' in co-production and Gil Norton (Pixies) and Dave Fridmann sharing mixing duties. "God Protect Your Soul" combines an anguished lament ("I need to build a wall around me") with bluesy harmonica and trumpets to create the kind of rambling lyrics and off-kilt melodies a piano-led Elliot Smith might make. "Beneath The Heart of Darkness" starts in a similar fashion but one third in and it slips off into a sound mash of guitars and radio interference, then drifts back again to its gentle lullaby. While "Apple of My Eye" starts promisingly, with its quiet proclamation--"I'm sick of this angst"--it quickly becomes clear that Ed certainly isn't. One for all those who appreciate their music full of understated despair. --Caroline Butler

Product Description

(Germany)

Review

Imagine that Ed Harcourt's debut album is a bottle of wine, found by chance in a cool, undisturbed place. The caveat on the label is'Here be Monsters'. Don't say you haven't been warned. Uncorked; the first hints of mellow fruitiness dance from the bottle. A dark, velveteen residue lingers at the bottom, cloaking something decidedly more sinister. In much the same way, this collection of songs -some finely polished versions of earlier tinkerings from the Maplewood EP - can ease you towards divine intoxication. With a voice that sounds like it's been refined through years of excess and a cacophony of words and instrumentation that play like a musical zoo crawling with creatures from Maurice Sendak's 'Where the Wild Things Are', Harcourt breaks us in gently with the first track, the rhythmically soothing "Something in my Eye". "God Protect your Soul", is made of meaner stuff, laden with low, off key notes, Mariachi style trumpets and piano keys tumbling with waterfall abandon. It's not all brooding insolence though, there are glorious, uplifting love songs that pluck playfully at your heartstrings."Shanghai", "Apple of my Eye" and "She fell into my Arms" make your soul swoop and incorporate a heady cocktail of musical instruments including banjos, vibraphones, trombones and harmonicas. He mixes pure pop and grungy rock with odd, quirky experimentation. The solo trumpet on "Beneath The Heart Of Darkness", played over a swirly, backward loop is apparently inspired by a dodgy boiler. Starting with a cranky rhythm and lulling grace it descends into the sound of a madman's mind, buzzing with bees. The songfinally reaches a psychotic crescendo and falling into a pacified calm. It's not surprising to hear that Ed drafted in producers Dave Fridmann (Mercury Rev) and Gil Norton (Pixies and Throwing Muses among others) to add their edge. Or that his influences include Tom Waits, Chet Baker and more recently Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction fame. He mingles well with Beth Orton and Neil Finn and sits comfortably on the wine rack with the Eels and Elliot Smith. So, pull up an armchair, uncork the bottle and get deliriously drunk with Ed Harcourt and his monsters. --Annabel Caulton Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off in a new window

Autor:Ed Harcourt

Nośnik:Audio CD

Płyt:

Język: English: Published; English: Original Language; English

Data wydania: 2001-06-25

Waga: 0.18 gram

Wysokość: 0.6 cm

Szerokość: 5 cm

Długość: 5.6 cm

Music

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