I decided to take the plunge and buy this album, having read rave reviews about it. I was familiar with the single 'Oxygen', which is really outstanding and blew me away - it was so refreshing to hear something notably different from everything else that's out there at the moment!
I did ... Read review
towers above the rest through sheer quality. Listening to the 12 tracks on his debut album Where the Humans Eat, you'd be forgiven for mistaking this 20-year-old n...
towers above the rest through sheer quality. Listening to the 12 tracks on his debut albumWhere the Humans Eat, you'd be forgiven for mistaking this 20-year-old na...
A review by jodfish on Where The Humans Eat - Willy Mason June 20th, 2005
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks
Mixed
How does it rate alongside the competition
Good
Value for Money
Poor
Advantages:
Different to everything else out there, and definitely thought - provoking
Disadvantages:
Less varied than expected
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I decided to take the plunge and buy this album, having read rave reviews about it. I was familiar with the single 'Oxygen', which is really outstanding and blew me away - it was so refreshing to hear something notably different from everything else that's out there at the moment!
I did not initially know the age of this young man and was gobsmacked to learn he is still only 19 - his voice, soul and perspective on the world are far beyond his years. He has had an incredibly diverse experience of life thus far, which is reflected in his music.
However, I have to say I am somewhat disappointed with my purchase. I had Willy Mason in mind as a male Ani DiFranco, and I really, really wanted to love the album because I am fairly sure that he has incredible potential, but I just couldn't. Obviously, 'Oxygen' is fantastic, but of the 11 other songs on the album, only one or two others really stand out (most notably, 'Hard Hand To Hold').
I think the folk singer/song-writer style of music is mostly an acquired taste, and if it's not your usual thing then you might be better off avoiding this album! It is good, but the majority of the songs are quite same-y, and I wouldn't advise that you base your expectations on 'Oxygen' alone. I am not sure what the follow-up single is, but apparently it is set to do very well, so perhaps I am no judge!
Watch this space, though - I think we can expect great things from Willy Mason.
Advantages: Some great tracks Disadvantages: Dreary packaging-- be best if you download the album!
Hailed by many as the new Bob Dylan, Willy Mason sure has a lot of weight to bare on his shoulders with this album debut. It's a little bit folky, a little bit country, a little bit rock; but all of it is very Willy Mason.
One of my favourite things about this album is the fact it sounds so natural and unproduced, but in a good way. It does lack polish, but this is what makes it all the more likable. Part of this comes from Mason's voice, which ... ...out of time with the glorious music he is playing. This is not the only thing that people have compared to Dylan.
Mason's lyrics also have a sense of urgency and passion which I haven't heard the likes of in a while. There are political undercurrents sprinkled through the album; on one song he may be criticizing George Bush (this is hardly original, but the way he does it definitely is) and on another he bemoans the priveleged, American middle classes ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Meaningful lyrics in a sea of pop rubbish Disadvantages: Not for everyone
This was championed by Zane Lowe on Radio one for ages. The track 'Oxygen' recieved a lot of air play and developed a cult following. This is a brilliant album by a dangerously young man (20). The album is mature way beyond his years and covers a range of issues from ADD to world politics to homelessness. Most of it is done in a pretty old school folk way. It reminds me greatly of protest songs in some respects. A refreshing representation of teenage ... ...('So Long') which sounds a bit like Badly Drawn Boy - these will no doubt be released. What impressed me most about the album was the lyrics - hes been compared to Dylan. It's also brave to release an album like this in a climate filled with corporate metal and overproduced pop in the mainstream.
I really hope this album does well, it deserves to - it will restore my faith in the record buying public. ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Album Reviews: Rolling Stone (p.98) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Mason blends precocious lyricism, spare, jangly guitar, and a world-weary voice..."
Mojo (p.95) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[H]e sings with committed restraint and plays outspoken guitar - Dick Dale twang, kerrang, sweet strum -- whatever works for hard lyrics which sweep from domestic strife to the far horizon..."
Uncut (p.92) - 3 stars out of 5 - "An album of quiet ferocity and moral indignation..."
Alternative Press (p.152) - 4 out of 5 - "Mason was meant to ramble down the sort of back streets where old souls dwell."
CMJ (p.10) - "Mason displays that emotional vocal aesthetic that helped make Oberst an indie-rock kingpin. However, Mason's offerings brim more with old blues and folk flavors..."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Gotta Keep Movin'
2.: All You Can Do
3.: Still A Fly
4.: Where The Humans Eat
5.: Fear No Pain
6.: Hard Hand To Hold
7.: Letter No 1
8.: Sold My Soul
9.: Our Town
10.: So Long
11.: Oxygen
12.: 21st Century Boy
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since : 10/05/2005
Compare Where The Humans Eat - Willy Mason to other similar Folk & Country
Similar products and search queries by other users
Where Mason, Where The Mason, Where Humans Mason, Where Eat Mason, Where Willy Mason, Where The Humans Mason, Where The Eat Mason, Where The Willy Mason, Where Humans Eat Mason, Where Humans Willy Mason, Where Eat Willy Mason, Where The Humans Eat Mason, Where The Humans Willy Mason, Where The Eat Willy Mason, Where Humans Eat Willy Mason
Are you the manufacturer / provider of Where The Humans Eat - Willy Mason? Click here
![Where the Humans Eat [VINYL] - Willy Mason](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/89895614.jpg)
![Where the Humans Eat [VINYL] - Willy Mason](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78312037.jpg)
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
