Cedars [Import]

Clearlake | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 3, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Domino
• ASIN: B00007FOMJ
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #738,246 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Almost the Same

2. The Mind Is Evil

3. Wonder If the Snow Will Settle

4. Can't Feel a Thing

5. I'd Like to Hurt You

6. Come into the Darkness

7. Just off the Coast

8. Keep Smiling

9. It's All Too Much

10. Treat Yourself with Kindness

11. Trees in the City

Editorial Reviews

Cedars is the second album from the Hove-formed indie guitar combo, who are led by Jason Pegg. Their sound has been compared to artists such as Blur, My Bloody Valentine and David Bowie. The album was produced by Cocteau Twin, Simon Raymonde. Domino. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fulfilling, thoughful, and British, January 31, 2004

By 

"mezzawezza" (SW London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cedars (Audio CD)

If, like me, you are interested in delving deeper into the indie / electonic genre this this might be for you. I actually found them while looking for stuff on "South" and these were recommmended, and how right that recommendation was.

OK, this band have been influenced by all things British; The Smiths, Radiohead, Longpigs immediately spring to mind. Would we dare use this sound and claim to be original? They have, and they've done a good job.

"Almost The Same", "Can't Feel A Thing", "Come into the Darkness" undulate from crunching guitar and melodic acoustic sounds, while "Mind is Evil" and "Keep Smiling" combine the somber melodies of Ben and Jason with a hint every-so-often of the Beatles's use of strings to remind you once more of a britpop era past.

With "Wonder if the snow will settle" you'll swear you know from somewhere (Beatles perhaps?), but it never gives you the satisfacion of recollection, perhaps therefore, it's no suprise this was my favourite track.

If albums from Elbow or the Longpigs grace your collection then you'll recognise the connection to "I'd like to Hurt you" (haunting and flavoured with great bass sounds), "Just off the coast" (fantastic guitar riff to this track, and wet drum sounds), "Treat Yourself with Kindness" (vocals glide over the top of a wave of anthemic guitar - not unlike the old days of Radiohead).

This album is not for playing before you go out. Many have commented that it's airs on the negative side, but so what? they have something to say and I think people will listen.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gets better with every listen, August 15, 2003

By 

Joshua Eyre (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cedars (Audio CD)

First time I listened, I was not so impressed. Clearlake seemed to be a run of the mill British rock band. I let "Cedars" sit for a week or so and came back to it. The first song that grabbed me was "I'd like to hurt you" which is such a sinister, but beautiful song. After I warmed up to that song, the rest of the album quickly followed. I'm quite taken with it now! I can't remember getting a similar vibe of darkness that doesn't make me want to run, but "Cedars" wraps me up in it like a warm blanket and makes me feel at home. This album is hardly "garbage" as one of the reviewers put it. Compare "Cedars" to "A rush of blood to the head" and you'll see really quickly where the true garbage lies. "Cedars" is a well played, well written, sincere album that is one of my personal favorites this year.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Record - Buying another two for XMas presents, November 7, 2004

By 

MEWZIK - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cedars (Audio CD)

After spending some good time with Cedars (and the rest of the Clearlake catalog), this band reminds me of a time when Blur's Modern Life Is Rubbish was released and adored. Clearlake's material reminds you fondly of Blur B-sides from the Rubbish/Parklife era, topped off with the electronic spin of say, Grandaddy. This should be an easy purchase for a South (absolutely), Doves (lost souls), Grandaddy, or early Blur fan. Their first album got slammed by allmusic.com - Again, could not disagree more. Both are very easy listens.