Graham Gouldman Thing, The - Graham Gouldman

Advantages: Definitely his best solo album - and that's saying something
Disadvantages: Some songs aren't as good as they could be

...' is a bluesy song, which builds up gradually and ends with a very long and amazing guitar solo. One of the best songs on here, I reckon, for the fact that it demonstrates Graham's talent clearly and his dodgy lyrics are pushed aside completely for his music. 'Bittersweet Bundle Of Misery' follows this. It's true - it does sound exactly the same as 'Coffee and TV'. This copying isn't necessarily a bad thing; the lyrics are much more bittersweet (!) than C+TV and are genuinely lovely. The bouncy guitar, solo and organ work on this add up to a cracking song. 'All Over Me' is another emotional song, with soaring violins and a laid back acoustic guitar. It's good, but I think it could have been much better. The computer bleeps that feature in the chorus of this irritate me and let the song - they are completely incongruous with the song's style... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: What the Blur of old would sound like in 2004
Disadvantages: Not enough stunning tracks, too many with potential

...I first heard a song on the radio and they refused to tell who the person was until after. After hearing the song (Freakin' Out), I had come up with Johnny Rotton for the 'i don't care' vocals and Graham Coxon for the little guitar bits. After triumphantly finding out it was Coxon, I realised that this was a fantastic song and, whilst Blur's new direction is not all bad, their strong point was when Coxon's songwriting was harnessed by Damon Albarn and that their loss was a tragedy. 1. Spectacular A solid opening track leaving you singing 'You are, something quite spectacular'. Not a track that will be released. 7/10 2. No Good Time Not really a quick nor slow song, it makes for an easy-on-the-ears album track. Not much more, not much less. 6/10 3. Girl Done Gone A bluesy track that is mournful in vocals, yet... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great, mind expanding album
Disadvantages: n/a

...The Sky Is Too High Graham Coxon (Transcopic 1998) One of the finest albums made. An astonishing moody piece of work. However the listener has to be clever and be prepared to hear noises that are not aesthetically pleasing. If you can do this then you are in for a real treat. The Blur guitarist is an expert at making himself sound very fragile. On these tracks the listener is forced to see things from his point of view and your heart is hollowed of everything bar the mood the song induces. Then he becomes angry and that’s when he makes ‘nasty’ noises on his guitar. Graham plays all the instruments on the album. Extremely innovative guitar stretching the limits of the guitars emotion inducing ability. The drums are excellent, usually only included on the heavier tracks. Tracks that stick out: Who The F**k? An absolute mental metal... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful