Review rated by 19 Ciao members on average: very helpful
INTRO
Lemon Jelly have done it again. They have sent a very powerful message to all artists and bands out there: that you can't cut corners with quality music. '64 - '95 is their latest album and boasts a fantastic selection of tracks.
THE LEMON JELLY METHOD
Lemon Jelly form their tracks by "sampling". This is where they take a theme, riff or idea from a particular track from another artist and use that with other beats, tunes and vocals to collate a track of their own work. Often, they will even use their own vocals in the track and will themselves play instruments as a part of the track. Their talent and creativity is obvious from first listening. They have something very special. With the latest album, Lemon Jelly (or Fred Deakin and Nick Franglen) have sampled tracks between the years of 1964 and 1995 (hence the title '64 - '95). For each track on the album, it tells you the year in the cover that the track sampled came from. There are 9 tracks in all and although this may not sound too much, Lemon Jelly tracks are always on average a good 6.5 minutes or so.
THE '64 - '95 TRACKS
Fast paced, breath taking and awesome. Got it? Good, end of review. No seriously, the standard here is fabulous. All the tracks on this album are notably fast, pacey and inspiring. The genreral pace of tracks on this album really kicks off high powered, then slowly loses a bit of momentum about two thirds of the way through. The tracks still have a thumpy nature but towards the end of the album, there are a couple of surreal and more variable tracks on offer. The only fault here is concerning track selection as opposed to anything else. That is that pretty much the entire content of this album is made up of fast, pacey tracks. Now this is all well and good but the previous Lemon Jelly albums also offered a calmer and more chilling variety of sound,
to relax and transport you elsewhere. The new album doesn't really meet this criteria, although for the types of track included, the sound is amazing.
COME DOWN ON ME
This track kicks off the proceedings, with extra emphasis on the "kick". The sound hits you like a bullet train from the off, gradually building a more opressed but pressured sound which bursts forth into the track proper. Initial thoughts......wow! The beats, the tunes, the riffs....its all excellent stuff. This track is pretty paced as you can imagine and as the beat remains constant, more and more elements are built in to up the flow and pace. Dramatic vocals and exciting repetitive sounds are added. Unlike many Lemon Jelly tracks, this one doesn't vary from the theme too much. Sure there are new elements added in initially and the middle of the track sees a new take on the riff, but the general feel and sound remain cooperative throughout. I think this makes for a very cohesive, easy to recognise and fantastically likable track. As long as you dont mind your music loud, this track is very difficult to dislike.
DON'T STOP NOW
This could be nicknamed "The Whispery Track". No, I am not saying that it is quiet but right from the start, and religiously constant through to the very end is a voice whispering the words of the title......constantly. Initially, I found this slightly annoying in relation to the beats and tunes that started to accompany. It's almost as if the whispering spoils the flow with its unappreciated interjections. But then I listened further and the track started to grow. After the whispering has been established, a beat intrudes with a thumpy but sparse nature. A riff then jumps in and slowly the track gains more and more steam as it builds up to loud, dancey and rather spectacular proportions. Of course, in the true style of Lemon Jelly, it then falls back on itself, resorting back to the basic whispering and tune (no beats allowed here). But then we hear the burst of sounds return on full power to hit a climax of the track. After this, the track winds down until once again all that remains is.......you guessed it......the whispering.
THE SHOUTY TRACK
Do you like your music loud? OK how about louder? And louder still? Well if its yes to all three, then you should warm to this track instantly. The sound starts off sounding a little awkward but soon a riff emerges growing in volume and a beat starts to perform alongside. Then with a genuine vocal "shout" the track is in swing. This process takes very little time and soon some clapping and other beats join the fray of a real "rocky" track. This track remains pretty much the same throughout although there are brief, outbursting variants to keep your attention fixed. The track is consistently loud and powerful throughout and the ending is aptly quite sudden in itself. Not my favourite track on the album but worthy to be called a Lemon Jelly creation.
THE SLOW TRAIN
The Slow train.........fantastic track! This is acually my favourite track on the entire album at the moment. The reason for this is because this track has a calming element aswell as the fast paced, beaty side. The track starts with a rather deep and repetitive fast chant which makes way for a slightly more intrusive but still low key slow chant of "The Slow Train" The excellent use of vocals really gives the impression of the "chugging" of a train before a real thumpy beat kicks in and percussion builds. A higher-pitched chant like tune jumps into the fray and the train is under way! A fantastic track with the typical Lemon Jelly "knock everything down 2/3 of the way through before launching back in suddenely to create a euphoric music experience" method. The percussion and chanting make this track particularly unique.
ONLY WANT TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT
Not a bad track but then not brilliant either. This track's relaxed, chilled and particularly repetitive approach to building sound and vocals makes it more of a grower then an instant "wow" track and is more for the long-term listener rather then the "in - a - hurry" testing it out shopper. The pleasant tune and looping vocal singing of the title over and over (and over) makes it a nice experience but can be a little boring to someone waiting for "things to get going" as many other LJ tracks do. This track is not a blatant or upfront track, but it provides a nice respite from the generally very pacey and beaty style of the album as a whole. Best listened to while relaxing in bed at night and then it does come into its own a little. Otherwise, this track is not up there as it were.
A MAN LIKE ME
A great track this one and this really kicks off the "weirder" final section of the album. Fantastic subtle vocals which sound like drugged ravers in the background (strangely appealing) with a great beat and sound soon all build up in unison. Yes, the prologue is over and the stage set so on with the meat of the track. As with many focal points of a Lemon Jelly track, the main vocal singing is that of the title "A Man Like Me". How obvious. Not an overly memorable track but worth a listen, no doubt.
GO
Different. Very different. Yes, Lemon Jelly fans will all have learned the lesson to never try and predict the muscially talented duo and this track gives no clue as to where it is going. If (as is a slight mis-conception with Lemon Jelly music), you were thinking of making this track a background tune for a sophisticated party the you could be forgiven for doing so had you not listened too far into the track. But beware. This track has a few twists and turns. The style is odd and has a "travelling" feel. A blend of incorporated sounds build up what sounds like a relaxed and chilled out track until a sudden burst of sound later on, with loud guitar and other sounds which would have no trouble upstaging the loudest rock bands. ............What are you doing, Lemon Jelly? Being geniuses? Or has your creativity driven you off the edge? I cant think about you now, just GO! GO I tell you! Error, error........review has been aborted? No, it must GO on. And then it ends. Yes, the track really is as weird as that so apologies to anyone a little scared out there. A little primative imagery on my part.
CAN IT GO WRONG?
Is there anything wrong with this album? Well at face value....no. But then if you listen through you soon realise that all the tracks are the same good sounding. Thats the problem - there is no variety. Most of the tracks here are all pacey and beaty so fans of "In the Bath" from KY and other more chilled Lemon Jelly tracks may find themselves feeling slightly left out. This does bother me slightly but then I have the other albums so I can use them for variety and to be fair to the LJ guys, all the tracks on here are pretty solid and all an excellent experience.
For those who have not heard of Lemon Jelly, go to the shops and buy an album! (it doesnt matter which one). Seriosly, spend a good 3 weeks appreciating it and then of it's a "no - go", bring it back. I doubt you will some how.
Yes its a great album so applause all round. I hope you found this review helpful, informative and interesting. Thanks for reading.
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25.04.2005 12:02
Seem like quite an original band, nice review
11.04.2005 19:30
Dident they do All the ducks are swimming in the water??.
11.04.2005 16:26
oooooo, sounds good. I'm heading over to cdnow now to hear a few samples. I hope Lemon Jelly are as good as you say they are. V.Good Review. =)