Customer Reviews

Brighter/Later: A Duncan Sheik Anthology

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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(4 & 1/2 stars) This is an excellent collection of songs for people who have an interest in the music of this talented and unfairly neglected singer-songwriter. It has Duncan's one chart hit, "Barely Breathing," as well as several other tunes that should have been hits ("Genius," for instance). With two discs, it is a very comprehensive overview of the man's work. The title's homage to Nick Drake has already been mentioned in another review. Of course Mr. Sheik previously did an entire CD of Drake-inspired music, Phantom Moon, derived from Drake's Pink Moon. (Sheik and pal Spooky Ghost also did a series of shows in NYC where they covered the entire Pink Moon album.) For the more dedicated Duncan-heads, this collection does have a few rare or unreleased tracks, including a nice cover of Joni Mitchell's song "Court & Spark," but it's more valuable for getting so many great tunes all in one place. There will be the inevitable quibbles about songs that could have been included but weren't (I can think of a couple myself), but that's always true with any collection like this.

This anthology is fantastic. I had been wondering what Duncan Sheik album to get recently, and I was in a local music store, and I saw "Brighter Later" on the new release list. I was curious, because "Bryter Layter" is my favorite Nick Drake album, and when I looked it up, lo' and behold, I saw it was just what I had been looking for. I picked it up, because well, I had heard "Barely Breathing" on the radio at work and had been wanting a Sheik fix since. This really fit the bill.

Disc 1: Brighter, has the instantly recognizable song "Barely Breathing" and pretty well known "She Runs Away." This disc is lighter, and is great for driving. The opening song "That says it all" is a great piece and fun to listen to, catching the musician names and song nods within. The Joni Mitchell cover "Court and Spark" is fantastic as well, and never having heard it, "Lost on the Moon" was a nice surprise for me. There are good songs to bring the mood up here, "Genius" "Bite Your Tongue" and "On a High." I wonder why these didn't get airplay, they are fantastic.

Disc 2: Later is "darker" and more "moody." I use those words, yet, not as a turn off. It's just quieter and more acoustic music. This disc is great for fans of acoustic music and the song writing is just as solid as what appears on disc 1. "Memento" is a great opener, the styles are so different. The electric backing as it turns into strings, then they both merge and the end result is great. The rest of the disc is good, "For You" being my next favorite. Disc 2 is good for a change in mood, but I just really happen to be a bigger fan of the pop and radio friendly "Barely Breathing" Mr. Sheik.

This collection is great and shouldn't be missed.

Listen, the bottom line is that Duncan Sheik is probably the greatest singer/songwriter you've never heard of. Or, maybe you have. He's achieved a lot more prominence with his score for the hit musical Spring Awakening. But those of us who have loved him for years could have told you he was a genuis years ago.

Sheik's intensely lyrical, introspective songs will haunt you even as you're humming along. He has a beautiful, intelligent, expressive voice that sounds good in a number of genres.

So many highlights on this album, but I'll mention just a few. Sheik does one of the best Joni Mitchell covers ever in his reinvented Court and Spark (are those bagpipes?). Sad Stephen's Song is a beautiful tale of timeless longing and loneliness. The Winds that Blow is classically lovely tune with heart-heartbreakingly sad lyrics. On a High and Genius show Sheik's lighter side, with catchy melodies, great hooks and propulsive rhythms. They'll remind you of his hit Barely Breathing, a lushly melodic pop song that was probably to smart to do as well as it did, and that still stands up today.

One of my favorites of his songs, Half-Life, is an insanely gorgeous piece of music with a soaring chorus that will make you swoon.

Much of this is perfect coffee house music, and I mean that as a compliment. It's intelligent, evocative and will make you want to sit with a nice hot drink and your feet up while - for once - just paying attention to the music. It will transport you.

Scott Sherman, author, First You Fall: A Kevin Connor Mystery

If you are thinking about purchasing this album, stop thinking and just do it. It is a wonderful collection. You will not be disappointed.