Tree Of Patience [Digipak] - Omar Faruk Tekbilek

Advantages: A classic album
Disadvantages: Atmospheric rather than packed with adrenalin

..."The Joshua tree" made a big impact when it first came out: produced by Brian Eno it marked a change of direction and went on to sell 20 million copies, and made the band the world megastars they are today. As an album, it's never been one of my favourites as it lacked the fizz of the earlier stuff like "War" and "Boy" and continued the more serious American feel of "Pride", the hit single from their previous album. It does, however, have a certain gravitas, and there's not enough of that around. The album has now been remastered, directed by The Edge, from the original analogue master tapes and the sleeve notes give a new perspective on it, describing a band looking out of bus and theatre windows and watching the United States of America unfold before them. If you don't really care about the story behind it, and any tinkering... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: gentle, inspiring music
Disadvantages: none

...of the situation. All I will say on the matter is that someone with such a prestigious name, educational background and musical heritage was almost destined to make an album such as this. So what is this album all about, you may have guessed by now that it’s not going to be as straight forward as most things in your collection. The brief is quite simple, having discussed with friends the concept of the natural world and specifically trees giving off energy and sound to those with the patience and ability to be sensitive to it, Paul set about trying to write in musical form what various trees “suggested” to him when in their presence. Whether you take this as being merely inspiration or something more cerebral or even spiritual is down to the individual, but what he has ended up with here is a collection of musical pieces inspired... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Not overlong at 10 tracks, gets better with each listen.
Disadvantages: Opening track not the strongest.

...All the best records take a few listens (at least) to reveal their true nature. On first play this sounded like a typical 2nd album - longer tracks, less up-tempo. A month on this has to be my favourite CD of 2007. Nearly all the 10 tracks have resolved into fantastic, atmospheric (and not always gloomy!) tales of urban life and escape. Great tunes underpin the songs, with the now-trademark steepling guitar riffs standing out most in the choruses. Some not unwelcome echos of The Smiths are to be found in the lyrics, most obviously in the title track, but tracks like Weight of the World and Escape The Nest are really uplifting, the latter also containing the finest moments on the album with its soaring, thrilling chorus. What a live track that promises to be... Recommended! Ok then, what about the digipak? Well if you like a glossy... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful