Alone With The Alone - Time In Malta

Advantages: Visionary, positive
Disadvantages: No sign of Mad Richard as of yet...

...It's the age old story. Boy forms band, sells precisely no records, splits band, records legendary guitar anthem, sells millions of records, splits band again, embarks on solo project. So how does Mad Richard's offering shape up? One word sums up this record, that word is 'positivity.' 'Alone With Everybody' is a remarkably upbeat record, probably due to wife and ex-Spiritualized keyboardist Kate Radley. Ashcroft has finally found contentment. But does it make for good listening? In the main, yes. It's still an emotionally charged record, and Ashcroft still has lyrical and musical vision. 'Brave New World' a classic in the making, 'C'Mon People' a refreshing blast of good times around the corner. A top record.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: Fantastic songwriting, no bad tracks
Disadvantages: Just a bit too short

...Temple Of Low Men was perhaps the least succesful Crowded House album. Their self-titled debut exploded in America and other places followed. Woodface charmed Europe and their by then considerable fan base, and Together Alone continued this. Temple, however, lay in between their American and European success, and so was missed by many at the time. That was a real tragedy. Temple has a slightly darker feel than the first Crowded House album, brought to it by perhaps two of the band's greatest songs: Into Temptation and I Feel Possessed. The songwriting on the album is magnificent, and the musicianship also shines through. Though the album lacks the raw power and atmosphere of Together Alone and the sunny harmonies of Woodface, it has a fantastic consistency to it which makes it easy to play straight through. In fact, therein lies... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great songs, lyrics
Disadvantages: none; try it!

...A perfect mix of jazz and sophisticated rock, played with consummate skill by all the band members. This is what it's all about! Memorable tracks such as 'Be Still My Beating Heart' and 'This Lazarus Heart' leave you gasping at the musicianship and humming the melody for days! Branford Marsalis is much in evidence throughout, a sublime jazz player flexing his 'fusion' muscles. 'They Dance Alone' is timeless.. a wonderful song, marvellous playing by all, politically correct and a wonderful double-time samba outro.. 'An Englishman In New York', Sting's tribute to Quentin Crisp is also a highlight; the song has more twists and turns than a grand prix circuit! After The Police, this is the direction I hoped he would take. This album is marvellous - may he never dance alone!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic