Golden Hearts - Richard Clayderman & James Last

Advantages: some great drum n bass moments
Disadvantages: not up to his usual standard?

...Perhaps inspired by the experimental drum'n'bass being created by Squarepusher (a recent signee to his Rephlex label), Richard D. James' third major-label album as Aphex Twin was his first to work with jungle -- though, to his credit, he had released the breakbeat EP Hangable Auto Bulb almost a year earlier. Contemporaries Orbital and Underworld were beginning to incorporate moderate use of drum'n'bass in their work as well, but this album was more extreme than virtually all jungle being made at the time. The beats are jackhammer quick and even more jarring considering what is -- for the most part -- laid over the top: the same fragile, slow-moving melodies that characterized Aphex Twin's earlier ambient works. Most overtly disturbing is "Milkman," the first straight-ahead vocal track from Aphex Twin; the song is a child-like ode... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Bold, Inventive, Brilliantly Produced
Disadvantages: None

...from understated to impassioned as the pace and volume pick up. The harmonious (and highly unfashionably folky) chorus, is both infectious and completely original. Only James could pull something this grand off without sounding like cretins! As the guitars gather in intensity a lonely violin sound is added to the mix, before the song reaches a fuzzy, frazzled, glorious conclusion. Booth sings; “Daniel drinks his weight Drinks like Richard Burton Dance like John Travolta Now” It was incredibly brave of James to not finish the album with “Getting Away With It” - yet closing track “Alaskan Pipeline” is almost the definitive album closer of all-time. If ever a band were signing off in style then this track is it. The song is practically a raised hand and a faint smile from a crowded carriage as the train chugs out of the station... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: heartfelt lyrics and great music to listen to
Disadvantages: would have liked to have seen a happier song to end the album

...Having just been able to buy this, I thought I might review this. If any of you people out there haven't heard of James blunt, then where have you been for the past few months? His first UK debut release, your beautiful, got into the number one spot for a week or so and is still being played on many radio stations these days. He then decided to go on and release wise men, high, and the most recent one which is about to come out, goodbye my lover. His songs are written from the heart, and really touch my heart and many other hearts out there in the world. The songs are beautifully played as well, either by guitar mainly or piano. James blunt came from a line of ancestors who all joined the army, and even though he didn't necessarily want to join the army, he went to university, and then somehow ended up in the army. Next thing he knew, he... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful