Anybody Out There

Burlap To Cashmere | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 13, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 27, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: A&M
• ASIN: B00000DMNO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (99 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,105 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #20 in Music > Indie Music > Christian & Gospel > Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Mediterranean flourishes mixed with big rock rhythms and flawless pop hooks propel the debut CD by righteous rockers Burlap to Cashmere out from the crowd of new artists into a territory relatively unoccupied in either the Christian or mainstream marketplace. Familial harmonies resonate against nylon-stringed guitars and catchy worldbeat rhythms, while Steven Delopoulos's sweetly gritty voice gives an instrument to his universally spiritual yet uniquely Christian lyrics. Songs like "Digee Dime," "Basic Instructions," and "Anybody Out There?" percolate with Mediterranean heat. While more-conventional pop tunes like "Eileen's Song," "Treasures in Heaven," and "Mansions" are less distinctive, they display the band's deft skill at pop songcraft as well as its impeccable melodies and playing. A remarkable debut. --Bradley S. Caviness

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carving Out a Unique Niche, June 5, 2000

By 

Ockham's Razor (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anybody Out There (Audio CD)

This has got to be one of the most unique, musically rich debuts I've heard in a very long time. Strong pop/rock with a heavy dose of Greek & Mediterranean rhythms, song structures and instrumentation. Fiery acoustic guitar playing, passionate rhythms with tasty percussion....all mixed with beautiful pop melodies and hooks. It's no mean feat to make Mediterranean 5/4 and 7/4 meters groove in a pop context without sounding contrived. And best of all...strong, emotional vocal interpretations with multi-layered harmonies.....that's right, folks -- actual singing (something forgotten in today's music).

B to C has carved out a niche all their own...they sound like no one. And best of all, their lyrics are deep and full of conviction and intelligence...unlike so much of today's lyrical drivel. These songs MEAN something, folks. Deeply spiritual and poetic.

One of the best debuts to come out in the last 2-3 years. If you absolutely MUST compare to get a better idea, think Sister Hazel-meets-Gomez-with some Cat Stevens and a dash of Blues Traveler...and a good pinch of Gypsy Kings. See? Told you they don't sound like anyone.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What could have been..., January 27, 2006

By 

Music Lover (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anybody Out There (Audio CD)

Here is the true and tragic story of Burlap to Cashmere.

Burlap to Cashmere started gaining popularity in 1997 into 1998 and did a tour with Jars of Clay. I had the opportunity to see them open for Jars of Clay at the University of Iowa in 1998. There were probably under a thousand of us there in a small room so it was a real intimate feel. Even those standing in the back were not more than 50 feet away from the stage. What we saw that night absolutely amazed every single person in the audience. I'll never forget watching members of the band playing different instruments seemingly each and every song. One guy in particular that played percussion on one song was literally running back and forth from one side of the stage to the other to play different instruments. Each song was a clinic on how to play many different instruments on the same song. Each song the crowd got into more and more and by mid-way through their set every last person was in awe. Absolutely everyone was 100% into the music. When they finished their set we screamed for an encore and then another one but sadly they had to stop playing. Jars of Clay came on next and put on a good show. At the end of their show Jars of Clay said they'd like to meet all of us and offered to sign autographs after they had a few minutes to rest and get some water. As we were streaming out of the auditorium everyone was saying the same thing in different ways "Jars of Clay was good but we want to meet Burlap to Cashmere!!!" The funny thing about it was the chatter going into the room was "Who in the world is Burlap to Cashmere? Have you ever heard of them??" Everyone was so taken by Burlap to Cashmere that their table was 10 people deep waiting to buy their album while only a few were at the merchandise table of Jars of Clay.

Their CD "Anybody Out There?" went on to sell very well and the band rose to stardom and their fans eagerly awaited their next release. Sadly, no studio album was ever released again as the band members started fighting about where to take the music and eventually broke up. Their only other release was a very short live album called "Live at the Bitter End" Stephen Delopolous (one of the lead singers) put out a solo album that, in my humble opinion, is terrible.

I can't pick out any highlights off of this album as each and every song is a highlight that I rate as 10/10. Buy this album and treasure it for the amazing musiciansip, amazing lyrics and for what could have been.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Often sadly overlooked, May 4, 2000

By 

PJ Barnes (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anybody Out There (Audio CD)

Burlap to Cashmere is a very talented and original band as far as musicality is concerned. They have very impressive guitar solos (almost a classical Spanish style) in many of their songs, and their fine natural abilities in rhythm allow them to create *solid* music in difficult time signatures (namely 5/4).

"Treasures in Heaven", and occasionally "Basic Instructions", are commonly played on the radio stations. Add the title song, "Is There Anybody Out There", and you already have three songs that are so good that you already feel like you got your money's worth.

I refrained from giving it a fifth star only because their lyrics are not necessarily theologically deep or worship-inspiring... but this is my personal opinion. Definitely exciting and great for listening!

One last helpful hint: don't forget that you can look to find out what music other people have bought. If you like the other music, you'll probably like this music.