Customer Reviews

Ariels

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First of all I'd like to say that Bent are the most consistent producers that I have had the chance to hear.

"Programmed to Love" was as one of the finest debut albums I've ever heard. "Everlasting Blink" was a very nice follow up to the debut release. "Ariels" shows me that this duo has perfected their style in a magnificent way.

This release is one of the finest works released this decade. It starts out with a few slower tempo songs that have a very nice feel. This really helps set a tone for the rest of the album. Soon we begin to see the complexity that this group has to offer as we progress through the album. The mixture of exquisite instruments layered upon perfectly chosen vocal tracks reveals a quality of production and song writing very rarely experienced in popular music. With the duo's "Exercise 4" we get a wonderful bit of electronic fun just before they sink into "The Waters Deep", the last track on the album. Which puts the so called 'cherry on top' of this tasty treat for all to enjoy just before we start the CD over again.

I myself can't seem to take this album out of my car. Everytime I feel like listening to something really amazing it's right there to make everthing alright. I for one can't wait for the next release from Bent. They've made themselves into something special that all music fans can appreciate for one reason or aonther. For anything from the variety of instruments, vocalists, and equipment used to the pure quality of production. And yet the song writing may be the strongest quality displayed in "Ariels".

It isn't the individual attributes of this duo that really brings them to life. It is the style in which they combine these qualities and the consistency with which they do so.

If you haven't heard of Bent it's probably time you buy one of their albums. You can't go wrong!

wow, i am truly stunned, what an amazing album. This album has some of the most beautiful songs i've ever heard, it doesn't sound like bent's other cd's though it is even better that the others. This cd is a great cd i put on to chill to my favourite song is "silent life" a truly beautiful song that reminds me of an open meadow in spring, but pretty much every song reminds me of something beautiful, truly an amazing album, congrats to bent on this one!.

I just got this cd and i think it's definitely better than the Programmed to Love album (which I'm really into as well). Reading about the geniuses behind Bent (Nail & Simon), this album derives from a life changing experience one of the members had; an illness and a birth of a child. The CD was even recorded in a chapel... and if you listen to the album you might agree that it emanates a touch of bliss and rapture. "Coming Back" is a great song with an 'asianesque' guitar riff. "Sunday the 29th" is probably my 2nd favorite song that has beautiful lyrics. My favorite track is "Silent Life". The vocals, chorus and riffs are just poignant. This song instantly puts me in a good mood. "As You Fall" has great vocals. "Exercise 4" takes you back to Bent's true electronic/pop style. Boy wouldn't it be a treat to see Bent along with Air, Lemon Jelly and Zero 7. As stated in the title, I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Bent is one of those groups that once you hear one song from them, you'll want to track down every single one. 'Ariels' is no diffrent. While it may be more easily accesible to new listeners with its more "Poppish" melodies and vocals, it still strikes a chord with true Bent fans by making downright good music. As mentioned before, Ariels is a more grown up bent. They have expanded their sound and have created a diffrent album than previous ones but maintained that signature Bent sound that keeps me hunting down more tunes. This is a great album for almost anyone. Reccomended.

This album is quite a radical departure from the bent we've heard from before which probably explains why it did not get a United States Release. As nobody below has really described the music it contains, I'll attempt to do so. Take a little bit of Curve or Lush (shoegazers from the 80's/90's), add a healthy dollop of Annie Lennox when she was part of that duo whose name escapes me (the vocals on this album are all driven by a strong but vulnerable female lead) salt it with a teeny tiny bit of 80's britpop ala depeche mode then fill out the rest with the soul of our old familiar bent and you've got this one nailed. Ordinarily this sort of thing is a bit effeminate or, perhaps more aptly, obviously emotional for me but there is something really pure and soulful and powerful about it that causes one to not play it but once every great while, and each time the full power and quality of it prises one's heart open and makes it bleed. This is a really good album!

I have been listening to Bent for a while. Although stylistically different from "Programmed to Love," it is a welcome difference; I would say if anything this is a reflection of the versatility and diversity of the artist, their ability to work creativily and freely without worrying about the work conforming to some prior masterpiece. I was a little unsure about purchasing this album as I hadn't heard a single track prior to purchase but I was not and am not disappointed. Tracks 2 (Sunday the 29th) and 6 (Silent Life) and are really rich and mellifluous, with warm vocals that resonate and are beautiful & chilling. This is an inspiring collection of music to be sure....

i think this is their best effort yet. it's beautiful! it's so dreamy and colorful. 'on the lake' is the most incredible thing ever! beautiful nostalgic emotion induced by that dreamy pedal steel guitar... and 'comin back' is awesome with its salsa-esque flavoring. 'as you fall' is perfect for a rainy day and 'the waters deep' is, again, beautiful nostalgia. this albums reminds me of happy place where everyone is having a good time and everything is beautiful. the only thing missing here is zoe johnston!

Bent have captivated my listening ears for the years they been progressing their craft. They bring a sense of realism to a world full of sadnesss and in need of hope. Their CD "Ariels" brings their tracks to a level of understanding. They are very versatile in their range of music selections and never afraid to explore into the new age scene which overall makes them ahead of their counterparts. "Waters deep" and of course!! "Sing me" are my favorites..................

My formal introduction to Bent came after a random download onto my computer from Audiogalaxy turned up "Always". I was smitten and quickly fell head over heals with Swollen as well, arguably one of the strongest and most beautiful tracks off "Programmed to Love". Their experimental sampling and off the wall vocals don't always work for me and it took a while to come to fully appreciate the wonderment of PTL. Regardless, I continued to purchase everything they put out. I know why two of the reviewers gave Ariels a decidedly low vote. It's less overtly electronic and gone is the kitschy fun of PTL and some of the quirky Hawaiian sounds from their sophomore effort "The Everlasting Blink" but what remains is the beautiful emotion that they always manage to evoke. Some of Ariels is merely nice without the punch but at least several tracks stand out namely Exercise 4 which is as fine as anything they have done (such as Magic Love, Always, etc) along with I Can't Believe It's Over (with Kosheen's Sian Evans), and I'm Coming Back (with Weekend Players' Rachel Foster). I listen to about half the numbers and the other half I leave for the background but really Exercise 4 alone was worth it to me.

After two amazing albums, I thought their sample stock could be in problems. Maybe it did happened, but then they came with old and new guests to join singing in such a beautiful way, it makes perfect sense , especially when you're in love.
"Coming Back" is pure pop disco delight, with a hint of Fleetwood Mac (!!!)pop majestry. They should do a remix for "Gipsy" ... and then the bented chill out experience becomes even more profound , missing a little of their sense of humour and 'cheesy-campyness', opening room for some melancholic and familiar melodies and timbers, sometimes recalling David Sylvian atmospheres ("Gone to Earth" era). Ending up with "Waters Deep" make this one of the most enjoyable listening experiences, remembering that becoming old is good , and electronic gear sometimes is even more exciting when you miss the prejudices of styles and bpms.