Celebration Florida

The Felice Brothers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 10, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fat Possum (Ryko)
• ASIN: B004U8T3M4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,059 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2011 album from the New York-based Alt-Rock band made up of two brothers and three longtime friends. Celebration, Florida is an exhilarating amalgamation of frightening horn sections, unexpected 808s, ambient synth lines, schoolyard taunts, booming, primitive drum beats, heavy bass lines, piano, violin, accordion, ringing guitars, rave beats, and sinister acid jazz that captivates and mystifies. Recorded in the library and theater of Beacon, NYs old high school, the band explores a multitude of sounds and instrumentation throughout the expansive album. Its inspired, imaginative, heady, menacing, passionate, and rollicking. Most importantly, it's as steadfastly authentic as ever, expanding upon the dark, woozy undercurrent of ramshackle barroom blues, vaudevillian atmospherics, and surreal storytelling of their previous albums.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing album May 10, 2011

By sean

Format:Audio CD

This group just keeps getting better. One of my favorite current bands have done it again with this great album of songs. Fire at the Pageant sets the tone and it's a unique journey through Celebration, Florida. I really like the attempts at different sounds the band has used, employing more production work but not so much that it takes away from the songs. They still have that amazing storytelling quality to them and the songs from the album that I've heard live are just epic. Do yourself a favor and buy this album.....if only to listen to River Jordan again and again and again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes! More Joy from the Felice Brothers May 10, 2011

By Susan Fair

Format:Audio CD

With songs ranging from merrily creepy (Fire at the Pageant) to heartbreakingly anguished (River Jordan) The Felice Brothers new release Celebration, Florida magically manages to maintain the bands' signature sound while being totally unexpected at the same time. The Felice Brothers, relentlessly and unfairly compared to "The Band," yet again distinguish themselves with a CD that is brave and brilliant. Their sound is their own, and never more so than on Celebration, Florida.
The album was produced by Jeremy Backofen, whose consistent and valuable presence as producer on the Brothers' previous CDS have made him a 6th Felice Brother of sorts.
The Felice's deservedly have a very dedicated fan base and those fans will be delighted with Celebration. But Celebration Florida is also for the new listener. Be forewarned: On Celebration, Florida, The Felice Brothers will entertain you with stories that will remind you the ones you used to cajole your favorite drunken uncle into telling when you were a kid, make you want to dance, make you laugh and break your heart - sometimes simultaneously. And Ian Felice and Christmas are two of the best and most original writers (of anything) in America today. (As is James Felice, although unfortunately Celebration doesn't include a Jimmy song)
Do yourself a favor and listen to it several times. Celebration, Florida is a gift - a gift to music lovers, and a gift to those who appreciate artists who are willing to sacrifice the gratification of immediate financial returns for the creation of a piece of work that stands alone.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars In This Case, change sucks May 22, 2011

By Michael Twardy

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have loved the Felice Brothers since the inception. In my opinion, they have gone down the last couple of cd's. I do admire them for wanting to change their style a little, but it went too far. Too much noise. The only song I find to be listenable is "River Jordan" I truly believe they miss Simon, who to me was the back bone of the band. His only appearence here is backing vocals on "Ponzi" where you can't even hear him. This band is incredible live but I don't see how they can make this one work. For all new to this band, this isn't the cd.