Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
REACHING FOR A BIGGER SOUND (3.9 stars), July 17, 2007
We've seen this a number of times this year, and it can be a tricky proposal for some. In attempts to broaden and enlarge one's sound, bands can straddle the fence between a big sound and a bland bunch of recordings. On their second full length, An End Has a Start, Editors definitely reach for some of those loftier goals, and while it may miss a few here and there, the record on the whole gets plenty right in the process. The band keep their sound very much intact and only try to improve what has done before.
Leading off with the first single, Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors, the record does in fact sound bigger. The single is a good starting point but it clocks in a bit too long and as some have pointed out, is a little too Coldplay-ish, but I find it still pretty good none-the-less. By the time the second track starts up, you can notice the step up in production. The production on the entire record is rich and full, with a rather large nod going to producer Jacknife Lee. Adding things like a stronger vocal mix for Tom, string sections, and even a choir attest to this bigger, fuller sound.
So how are the "tunes" though? In short, much like (their debut) The Back Room. About half of An End Has a Start can point to a "sister" tune off of the Back Room. Bones for example, is the new Munich while the pacing and sound of Escape the Nest is pretty much what is found on Camera or Fall. Similarities aside, a fan of Editors is going to love the new album. I somehow find it dynamic without it being as hook driven as their first release. There are a couple of forgettable songs on here, but the overall quality of production and songwriting far outweigh any shortcomings. It's a bit of a "grower" as they say, but over time, I'll be happy to mark the doorframe.
P.S.
Anyone thinking about the deluxe package of An End Has A Start, might want to pass unless they HAVE to have it, as it really doesn't have much to offer than an over-sized bound book type of package. There isn't any lyrics or extras photos or anything. Just an FYI.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic......, August 19, 2007
Joy Division released "Closer", The Comsat Angels released "Sleep No More", Echo released "Heaven Up Here", PIL released "Metal Box", The Chameleons released "What does everything mean, basically" - All sophmore albums that were met with reservations when first released that are now widely viewed as classics, and, arguably as the best albums the band's ever released. While "An End Has A Start" doesn't have the 'every song could be a single' pop sensibilities of their debut, the Editors have managed to maintain their edge while exploring some new territory in writing as well as studio recording. Some of the guitar melodies, especially on the title track as well as "The Racing Rats" are as infectious as the plague was in the middle ages - again bringing to mind The Chameleons with a touch of The Mission's earlier recordings - keyboards and orchestral embellishments add an element of texture that may find many listeners revisiting the songs that didn't capture attention on the first listen just to have them become the albums 'sleepers' - (how many fell under the spell of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" the second the needle hit the groove and eventually found "She's Lost Control" to be the disc living on the record player?).... Of all the bands that have popped up in the past few years, The Editors are one of the few that listeners may become truely passionate about more so as time passes.... For those of us lucky enough to have enjoyed them from the beginning..... Let's just see what happens.....
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Maturing, September 12, 2007
Enough with all the Interpol and U2 comparisons. Does anyone else hear the Big Country guitars in the songs like I do?? This is a great second album and the band is certainly not suffering from any sophomore slump. "An End Has A Start" sees the band beginning the maturing process. Sure, "The Back Room" was fantastic, if a bit one-dimensional. This album has many elements of "The Back Room", yet new sounds are creeping in there as well. I must add that these guys are a great live band too. The only comparison to U2 is that with a little time, they might be as big as U2 someday. Yes, they're that good and so is this album!
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