Customer Reviews

Antidepressant

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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"Antidepressant," the latest recording from the highly talented Lloyd Cole, should more aptly be named "The Slightly More Brighter Side of Music in a Foreign Language 2," as his new record still seems roughly set in the same vein as his last work, Music in a Foreign Language (an excellent record as well): slightly sad, introspective, occasionally a bit cheery, intelligently crafted music, tunes which look middle age squarely in the eye, ironically.

For those who don't know Lloyd, call it a mix of Bryan Ferry and Bob Dylan--it still remains a quiet outrage that his collective body of music still has only touched an extremely small number of US listeners.

The tracks "NYC Sunshine" and "Woman in a Bar" alone justify the purchase of this new record...only quibble is that Lloyd, in his devoted, hard-working, independent style, seems to have made the record almost independently (with a few collaborators), so some of the edge and abandon of his earlier, excellent post-Commotions solo records as well as the more recent "Lloyd Cole and the Negatives" is missing.

This is still a lovely, thoughtful, earnest, and worthwhile recording from this Massachusetts songsmith. Highly recomended.

Having been a Lloyd Cole fan from the beginning with every new release I get a reminder of what a quirky, enlightening, oft times searching, yet always pleasing trip it has been. Antidepressant is a musician at the top of his form mixing all of his experience, seasoning, and masterclass gift of tunesmithing with an almost freshman approach to piling layer upon layer of melody and texture. Although not immediately "music for the masses" it should be. Mr. Cole has this gift for mixing simple tunes and informed social references. The first track the Young Idealists could serve as a preview of things for the 20 something generation. Later the Scarlett Johanssen reference has the listener taking a step back to "She looks like Eve Marie Saint" perhaps? Whether you are a fan of Lloyds early, middle, or present period there is something here for everyone. The title track itself is such a foot-tapper that you will want to be standing when it starts. Long term fan or just hearing Lloyd for the first time, this is the type of recording that will leave you just wanting "more sir".

If you like Lloyd Cole, you will definitely like this. It combines the indefinable something that makes Rattlesnakes perfect (that's a high compliment!) with the intelligence and more lyrical quality of his solo efforts. The arrangements seem complex and there are lots of instruments in the background which makes the music sound really lush. The overall feel is less cynical and more positive than past albums, but the trademark wit is still there. It's a winner and is, upon repeat listening, quite addictive. Will it sell him more CDs to the general public? Not sure, but for anyone that's ever had a Lloyd Cole song speak to them, this is an absolute must have.

Having cheerfulness break out in a Lloyd Cole CD is about as likely as having it break out in a Leonard Cohen work. But just as LC has taken to admitting on his version of the NeverEnding Tour that it does keep breaking out, even in the bleakest of moments, here too we have Lloyd in some cheerful moments. It's not constant and it's certainly not for always, but it is nonetheless clearly there. See, for example, Woman in a Bar, New York City Sunshine, I Didn't See It Coming, an, especially, Every Song, where happy is almost a theme.

This CD also establishes Lloyd in retrospect as the first prophet of the 2008 financial apocalypse -- "Fortune hits the wall/And the whole 500 fall/How wrong can you be?/How wrong can you be?"

Otherwise, it's the same Lloyd from Rattlesnakes days with the Commotions -- reliably musical, intelligent, and genially gloomy and resigned, the Eeyore of Pop. I've always liked him and most likely always will.

The consistently excellent Lloyd Cole delivers again on ANTIDEPRESSANT. Ever since he and the Commotions burst onto the music scene with the classic RATTLESNAKES album - and the brilliant single PERFECT SKIN -- Cole has been turning out high-quality albums with stunning regularity. Here, he's "no longer angry, no longer young, no longer driven to distraction, not even by Scarlett Johansson," but he's poetic as ever as he navigates a world of "neocons," "junkies," "coffee machines" and "millionaires." A unique voice in every way.

Standout tracks: "The Young Idealists," "Woman In A Bar," "New York City Sunshine." If you're not hooked by the first three tracks, this one isn't for you.

I previewed this and also read the reviews before ordering it, but when "Antidepressant" arrived, I did not find that on first listening it was very compelling. However, with repeated listenings, I now have to admit that this is an exceptionally crafted album. It is nothing like the Commotions. It is a mature, wry, and melodic Cole we hear on this album. "Roledex Incident" is a masterpiece of recording art, and "Young Idealists" is also beautifully arranged, recorded, and mixed; I love how the guitars come spilling out of the first verse. So, I would say that if you like Lloyd Cole and you buy this CD, you will not be disappointed. Just be willing to listen to it multiple times before judging.

I have almost everything that Lloyd Cole has released and this is a wonderful addition to his body of work. Thoughful,deep,beautiful music.

Sometimes it takes a listen or two to really get into some releases but this one grabbed me from the start.Woman in a Bar and Nyc Sunshine are favorites.traveling Light is a re-write of Johnny Cash's I walk the line but it still is a very nice listen and I can think of many worst artists to borrow from. Overall I highly recommend this CD.LLoyd Cole's music has gotten me through so many rough times romantically and I always look forward to his latest release.

i have loads of lloyd's early stuff--then recently got back into him with

the negatives record...since then, he's put out a mess of records and it's been

a bit hard to keep up. the strings on this CD are quite astonishing--

and his voice is in fine fettle. a very confident, skip-along, chimy effort.

instantly likeable/hummable.

RIYL: Robyn Hitchcock, the black watch, Pernice Brothers, and have ever heard any Lloyd Cole.

i am rushing to buy the records i have missed in the past couple of years now!

Just to clarify. Lloyd is not American, not Scottish, but English. He is often confused as Scottish as he and his band the Commotions came out of Scotland in the 1980s. He left the UK, and moved to NYC around 1990, and later settled in Northampton, MA.

This album, by the way, is fantastic as are all his albums. Buy them, if you want to hear great songs from a great songwriter.

Lloyd Cole has been around for quite some time and for some reason...well we can think of so many considering the amount of mediocre music polluting the airwaves, he is not recognised as much as we the fans of his music would like him to be. I reason he is going to remain our best kept secret, and as such we will continue to enjoy anything he is to release. Quality could really sum up his offerings to the ones who are willing to discover this awsome singer/songwriter. He will remain one of my favourite singers in the world!