Array Music - Strange City

Advantages: Lush combination of styles
Disadvantages: None really

...Following Jumpin’ Jive, Joe Jackson spent a year in New York, immersing himself in the wide variety of its nightlife and listening to their array of ethnic music that can be found only in that city. The result was Jackson’s most successful album, Night And Day, released in June 1982. The album was divided into two parts: the Day side was filled with slow, lush ballads, reflecting a new, introspective romanticism. The Night side, meanwhile, was mad eup of dance music - salsa, r&b, rock, the kind of music to be heard daily on the streets of New York. Night And Day was an enormous success, particularly in the US, and afforded another hit single in Steppin’ Out, which reached number 6 in both the US and UK charts. The album reflected a new maturity; Joe had obviously taken all the myriad styles of music that appealed to him and... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Catchy
Disadvantages: A bit repetitive

...I was first introduced to the Cinematcs in February, when they were supporting Howling Bells. I was impressed straight away, and since then I have bought this CD. At first, I was aprehensive, the band struck me as the sort of band which are incredible live, but just so so on CD. However, I was quite pleased when I realised that my worries were all for nothing. The songs are all catchy, if perhaps slightly similar in structure- almost every song on this CD has a chorus which consists of about two lines repeated over and over. (a good example is the opening song Race To The City, with a chorus "Oh, race to the city, race to the city, now, race to the city, you can race, you can race, you can race...") This gets a bit boring after a few songs, but it does mean the lyrics are easy to pick up and sing along to. The tracks on this album... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Excellent from start to finish, an absolutely sensational début album.
Disadvantages: Only eleven tracks are present on this album.

...of this band truly is sensational, it's a beautiful mix of music executed excellently by Elliot Minor and pulled off to absolute perfection. Such a vast array of musical expertise is here showcased by Elliot Minor, with every track the band has something different to offer on this début album and always the music is hugely impressive. From first track 'Time After Time' right through to the closer of 'Last Call to New York City' the music always has plenty to offer and there is plenty to take from this listening to this 'Elliot Minor' album. The vocals are exquisite, the instrumental element is hugely impressive, and every element of the music just seems to come together to perfection. 'Elliot Minor' is a fine album which melds meticulously the genres of pop punk, rock, and classical also. The members of this band come from 'parallel worlds' so... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful