Insides, The - Bird

Advantages: Amazing, haunting, beautifully written songs
Disadvantages: You'll either love it, or hate it

...to a couple of times to get the hang of! Although I like this whole album, I think that it is Antony's voice that I really love, and so prefer the tracks with him, than this one. BIRD GUHL The last track on the album, Antony's voice and piano, but again with haunting strings and great drum track in the background. Again shorter than other tracks but ends the album with the same lyrical and haunting quailty with which it begun. THE CD AND PACKAGING The cd insert is a a piece of card that folds out like a flat pack box (can't think of a better way to describe it, sorry!). On the inside you find the album and photo credits, and thank yous as well as a couple of photos - 1 of Antony. No track lyrics or real band information, but they do have a website with bios, and upcoming events, which I took a look at and was very good! PRICE... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Easily accessible, light, beautiful voice
Disadvantages: Less quirky than her earlier work, too melancholy for some

...Bic (pronounced Bec) Runga is a teeny tiny singer from New Zealand and Birds is her third studio album. You may have heard her song "Sway" (from her first album Drive) on the American Pie soundtrack. The album I have is imported from New Zealand; the UK release is slightly different. This album cover isn't much to look at. You can see from the picture that it doesn't exactly reach out and grab your attention. The booklet itself, though, has some really beautiful black and white pictures of endemic New Zealand birds as well as another portrait of Bic, also in black and white. Other than that it simply has the thanks, contributors and details of booklet production - no lyrics (in case you're a singer-alonger). On the back cover is the track listing: 1) Winning Arrow 2) Say After Me 3) Listen 4) Birds 5) Ruby Nights 6) No Crying... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: original sounds, uplifting
Disadvantages: a few weak songs

...The kooks, a four piece band from Brighton, recently released their debut album, Inside in/Inside out which hit number 8 on the album chart in it's first week of release. It is a shame that they brought out their album on the same day as the overly hyped Arctic Monkeys as this shadowed their under appreciated musical talent. In my opinion it beats the Arctic Monkeys album hands down and deserves much more attention. The album opens with a short acoustic song "Seaside" that shows a fragile side to singer Luke Pritchard as this song is possibly referring to a past experience in his hometown. "See The World" then explodes with screaming guitars and develops into an energetic and outstanding track. This is then followed by the sweet melody of "Sofa Song" with a catchy chorus and great riffs. The next track is the debut single from... Read review

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