Alone - Solitude Aeturnus

Advantages: Lyrically brilliant with some really good tracks.
Disadvantages: A couple of weaker links.

...what it was all about, so I actually did a bit of research to find out about Casper Hauser. It turned out that he was a boy found (aged 16) all alone in Nuremburg after being deprived of all human contact throughout his childhood. When you know the history of Casper the song has more meaning and is quite a moving folk story. He couldn't speak and hadn't seen the simple things that we take for granted. This is a very good song that would have been a very strong way to end the album. "I came out of the darkness Holding one thing I know I have a power I am afraid I may be killed" ***Tom's Diner (Reprise)*** Solitude Standing ends as it began with Tom's Diner. This time it is an instrumental version ~ in direct contrast to the acapella version that started the listener's journey through the album. ~~~WHAT TANGE THOUGHT. This is a good... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: 21 brilliant songs, great lyrics
Disadvantages: a couple of weak links

...anyway'. 'Toms Diner' is the funked up base version that charted so high in the UK. I have to say that I always preferred the acapella version which was just as rhythmic and more fragile. The song is poetic and about a person alone in a cafe watching the busy world passing by the window and how strangely apart and disjointed they feel from it. It speaks of lonliness 'there's a woman on the outside looking inside does she see me.No she does not'. 'Marlene On The Wall' is again brilliant as is the idea of the song a poster of Marlene Dietrich looking down on the world and recording what she sees.Acoustic based but decorated with solid lead guitar and keyboard the strength in these songs is always the simple acoustic structure that they have with seamless transitions from verses to bridges to chorus.'Marlene watches from the wall her mocking... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good variety, not too slcik.
Disadvantages: Pop music enthusiasts may not approve.

...I bought this album on the strength of one track ("100 Years Of Solitude"). However, I soon realised that every other track on the album was as good as, if not better than, "100 Years Of Solitude". The songs are all instantly accessible, without sounding commercial. It's difficult to compare this album with any other artists, as the Levellers have a very distinct sound. Some parts of the album hint of an Irish descent, while others (particularly the bagpipes on "Julie"), are Scottish sounding. The music is sounds natural and has not been "over-produced". The result of this is that many of the singles released from this album were remixed for the commercial market, and some of these were released on "One Way Of Life: The Best Of The Levellers". This means that even if you already own "One Way Of Life", the self-titled "Levellers" is still... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful