Stay With The Hollies/In The Hollies Style - Hollies (The)

Advantages: Some memorable tunes, beautifully produced
Disadvantages: Lyrics are occasionally inaudible

...and production techniques. Renee (Hollis) The pace slows and the mood changes entirely for this number, a low-key affair, which suits Mark Hollis’ melancholy voice to a tee. From a percussive intro, subdued verse and backing, it suddenly bursts into a gloriously emotional chorus, which you feel is truly heartfelt and born of truth. I do not know if Renee actually existed or is a figment of the writer’s imagination, but the lyrics and tone of this piece seem to point to a lost love, a lost friend or lost youth. There is some wonderfully down-at-heel, muted trumpet in the instrumental break, and doom-laden electronically produced church bells which reinforce the melancholy feel to this track. It’s My Life (Hollis – T. Friese-Greene) Arguably the best track on the album, this is one of those songs that will stay with you... Read review

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Advantages: A Great Chilled out Ecclectic Mix
Disadvantages: ---------------------------

...intentional...... "Where Can I Go" slips us back into the gutter whilst staring at the stars, in a totally chilled out relaxed and effortless country blues feeling type of thing. The song just suits Holly's nasal voice perfectly................... then "'Till I Get" bursts in with huge slabs of late 60's style psyche and atmospheric almost cinematic feedback. "Now" Finishes Off the Album with just a haunting Piano and Holly's nasally vocal.......... Of all the albums I have by Holly this is possibly my favorite, it is an interesting eclectic mixture of songs which I keep returning to when I am in the right mood. With the rise in popularity of garage rock and roll over the last few years, I am surprised that she has not gotten the coverage or attention she deserves but this is definitley worth a dig out and listen.... Read review

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Advantages: It's Buddy Holly - Enough Said!
Disadvantages: Unfortunately, Buddy's guitar disappears behind the over dubbing

...Unfortunately after Buddy's death, his Manager, Norman Petty hired the Fireballs, who overdubbed much of the original guitar and music by Buddy & the Crickets. The result is that the original music is so far back in the mix, they might as well have not bothered! Buddy Holly was without doubt a musical genius, he was experiementing with elementary overdubbing before his untimely and tragic death. Therefore it is a great shame that Norman Petty treated his music this way. If you want to hear the real Buddy Holly, then there are available collections which have the original undubbed music on them, but you may have to shop around. Buddy's music is far too important and indeed, enjoyable to be treated this way, and you the listener deserve the real thing, rather than a heavily overdubbed version.... Read review

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