Afternoon

Eleni Mandell

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 2004)
• Original Release Date: June 1, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zedtone
• ASIN: B00025ETZA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #127,995 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Though Eleni Mandell has drawn comparisons to P.J. Harvey, Rickie Lee Jones, and Tom Waits (whose pal, longtime Hollywood club fixture Chuck E. Weiss, helped mentor her career), the young L.A. chanteuse has cut her own distinctive musical swath. After several forays into emotive cabaret, Mandell abruptly turned to traditional country for inspiration in 2003, winning accolades as the LA Weekly's "songwriter of the year" in the bargain. Though more of the same might have been expected in the wake of that success, the singer instead boldly strips her often blues-inspired music down to its compelling, roots-bare core here. The potent combo of Mandell's dusky voice and producer/lead sideman Joshua Grange's guitar impart a rare, intimate presence to the singer's stirring romantic quests and imbroglios. It's less-as-more, boldly up close and personal. Mandell's voice simmers seductively through standouts like the lament "Can't You See I'm Soulful" and the daydream "Suns Always Shining" before boiling over with Chrissie Hynde sass on "Easy On Your Way Out" and the sexually playful "Dangerous." Powered by timeless romantic themes and a lean evocation of American country and blues, it's an Afternoon well spent. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eleni just keeps getting better, July 10, 2004

By A Customer

I discovered Eleni just last year after reading an article about her at Slate.com. Since then I've picked up every album she has released and each & everyone is fantastic. Got "Afternoon" as soon as I heard it was out and it's just fabulous - a return to a rock record after the country album "Country for True Lovers" and a jazz EP "Maybe, Yes". There is some country on "Afternoon" ("County Line") and some of the other songs have a country-tinge to them. In some ways it is her most accessible album yet. It took me a while to really get into, say, "Snakebite" but I fell in love with this record immediately. Stand out tracks include: "Say Goodbye", "Just a Dream" and "Dangerous". Like her other albums, this record has great depth and other songs are now battling for my favorite ("American Boy", "Can't You See I'm Soulful"). You don't have to worry about buying this record and there only being 1 or 2 good songs. She is a great, great songwriter with a voice like no one else around today. Plus I think her backing band on this record is just stellar, the guitarist in particular.

I too am surprised she is not more well known given how fantastic her music is. I'm doing my best to get everyone I know to check her out and it was great to see a review in the "Washington Post". I don't expect her to be some big star but I'm surprised she gets no radio airplay even on adult alternative stations where she should be a natural. Would love to see her live sometime but she never seems to come my way.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eleni's Afternoon is another smash!, June 20, 2004

By	Adam Robinson (Portland, OR, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Afternoon, the newest album by Eleni Mandell, is excellent. A+. Anyone who digs great lyrics, attitude, and a torch song feel needs each album in her catalog. Her feel is so organic and real. She writes about lost love, cheating, and the dark side of town. Her live performance is also stunning. She is geniunely nice, modest, and deserves each piece of praise the receives. There are lots of Tom Waits-esque feels rhythmically in her catalog of material, which is great and refreshing. She's the gutsiest female artist I've ever heard. U should hear her too. Afternoon, the newest installment by Eleni Mandell, requires your attention immediately.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars another great album, June 3, 2004

By A Customer

I don't understand why Eleni Mandell doesn't have a bigger following by now. This is her fifth album, all of her albums are great, and yet she doesn't seem to cause much of a stir.

Oh well. It's still a great album. Feels like music to go on a road trip to. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she came up with all these songs while on the road touring. Hopefully, the album'll give her some much needed attention.