Customer Reviews

City Beach

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's been seven years since the underappreciated alternative rock band Luscious Jackson last released an album. During the 00s, former LJ singer/songwriter Jill Cunniff worked with other artists, but has not released an album of her own until now. Penning seven of the songs exclusively, and co-writing the other five, "City Beach" (2007) is an impressive collection of songs that fans of Luscious Jackson, dream-pop and electrica are sure to love.

While "City Beach" has some of the signature hip-hop/pop styling of Luscious Jackson, the album sounds far less urgent. The entire album sounds completely laid-back and relaxed, but without stalling or running out of steam. Stylistically, "City Beach" sounds a bit like a follow-up the Kostars "Klassics with a K" (1995) album (the Luscious Jackson offshoot band with LJ member Vivian Trimle).

Cunniff states (as noted on Amazon) that "City Beach" is a "mood record made to bring the beach to caged up city dwellers" and I think that description really captures the essence of the album. "City Beach" is a sunny, bright, serene album sprinkled with loops and urban undertones.

Unrequited or otherwise lost love seems to be a running theme with this album, but the music is, for the most part, conversely uplifting, even if it is at times melancholy. In a sense, this album creates for me the mood of a cloudy sky when the sun is really bright and shining through.

Cunniff plays many of the instruments (guitar, bass, and programming) along with several session players. There are a lot of textures, a lot of sounds in the nooks and crannies of the album that you may miss with just one listen. So while the album is instantly gratifying, it gets better with repeated plays.

In some ways "City Beach" sounds like the natural follow-up to Luscious Jackson's swan-song "Electric Honey" (1999) as the album eschews the riot-grrrl/hip-hop trappings of early LJ in favor of their more electronica popish later work.

The low-key, colorful "Lazy Girls" gets the album off to a great start, setting the pace for the album's serene mood. Maybe the album's strongest track "Happy Warriors" sounds somewhat reminiscent of 70s soul, albeit with a modern twist. The horns and strong background melodies make the song really work. "NYC Boy" is somewhat downbeat and actually sounds a bit like an updated "Daughters of the Kaos" from the classic "In Search of Manny" (1992) EP. The sleepy but intriguing "Warm Sound" follows next. "Eye Candy" with its strong melodies is pure ear candy, although a little short, not clocking in past three minutes. The blissful, dreamy bittersweet "Apartment 3" is easily one of the album's highlights. The strings and effects work especially nice here. "Love is a Luxury" with its popy distorted guitars wouldn't have sounded out-of-place on an Alanis Morrissette or Meredith Brooks album ten years ago, although this sounds far less contrived. The popy, sing-along, equally 90s sounding "Exclusive" is catchy and keeps up the momentum. The lonely, poignant "Kaleidoscope" is beautiful and one of the most soulful songs Cunniff has ever sung or wrote. The album changes pace a bit with the danceable rocking "Future Call," which sounds a bit like the 50s classic "Tequila." The soothing dreamy "Calling Me" is another strong song that keeps the momentum going. The somber, closing "Disconnection" (with Emmylou Harris") ends the album on a whimper, albeit a satisfying one.

While some songs are better than others, there really isn't anything I would consider to be "filler" on this album. It's a really heart-felt, personal album and everything works really well. There is a certain light-as-a-feather, lullaby quality to this album that is quite captivating.

During our long, hot summers, we sun loving lizards' in the Southwest dream of cool, white sandy beaches, with spritzes of ocean water pelting our bodies. It's the only relief we can afford besides a box fan and a creaking, old evaporative cooler.

Fortunately for us, ex-Luscious Jackson front woman Jill Cunniff has crafted a beautiful slice of life album with her solo debut City Beach, offering comfort for everyone needing a break from the broil of global warming.

City Beach mixes myriad musical styles, from Brazilian jazz to alternative rock into an intoxicating brew of mood pieces. From the opening number "Lazy Girls" to the sullen ending piece "Disconnection", Cunniff paints pictures of her beloved New York City, infusing personal memories of `eating orange popsicles' to observations on how the city is changing for the worse, to deep examinations of male/female relationships. In a way, City Beach is a musical novel based on real life, the ebb and flow of carefree adolescence to the unpredictability of adulthood, much like the shifting tides of the ocean.

Cunniff has packed City Beach with powerful support, from her collaboration with music critic Vivian Goldman, and Emmylou Harris, who provides back-up vocals on "Disconnect". Cunniff contributes guitars, bass, organ and an extraordinary vocal range; handles much of the production duties and works programming on the project. Special call outs go to Rachel Yamagata for a sterling turn on keyboards on "Kaleidoscope", drummer Tony Mangurian; and Nathan Rosenberg, Sam Hollander, Dave Schommer and Jim Kissling for being Cunniff's partners in crime on the post production.

It's rare to find an album so flawless. Cunniff brings a colorful sensuality to her vocal chops, beckoning the listener with intense harmonies that add vitality to the entire album. The instrumentation is relaxed, almost lazy in a sense, rolling along with Cunniff's direct vocals. It's a change from the almost chant-like vox from her Luscious Jackson days. Ultimately, City Beach achieves a nearly impossible goal- you'll find yourself humming to these songs during your morning commute while contemplating meanings of the vivid lyrics.

Unlike so many solo projects, City Beach is not for Luscious Jackson fans only. If anything, Cunniff stamps this project with her persona. It's the kind of album for anyone who appreciates the dynamic range of female vocals and blended with the looping fun of music sampling. Listening to City Beach is a bit like listening to a tougher, edgier Sarah McLaughlin record. It's simply that good.

For my fellow Southwesterners, you don't have to wait until summer vacation to head for the Pacific. You can share a blanket on the beach all year with Jill Cunniff, but beware--she will bewitch you into staying with her on that beach long past your vacation is over.

ok, I've listened to "City Beach" a zillion times and I am ready to share my views. Jill Cunniff of Luscious Jackson offers a multilayer project filled with electronic, bossa nova, jazz and many other influences. With summer quickly approaching, each track is a ray of sunshine meant to warm and energize. A concept album built around driving you to the beach, laying down your towel, putting on your sunscreen, playing a mean game of frisbee and then letting you relax and absorb all the vitamin d your body needs. Come on people, ever had a album do THAT for you? Riis Park will never be the same. Too bad you'll have to get the Pina Colada yourself.

This album has some of the most unique, upbeat, and happy songs on it! I smile when I listen to it and it does take me to a time of sitting on a beach. I highly recommend this album to everyone as I did all my friends! They love it and I think you will too!

I never heard of Luscious Jackson. I was introduced to Jill Cunniff on the HBO reality show "Family Bonds". I'd heard "Last Summer" and searched for 3 YEARS to find it! Finally I'd heard she'd done a solo album and the asian import had this as a Bonus track. I paid almost $30 for it, but it was worth it....and mind you, I was NEVER a Luscious Jackson fan.
In a world of Britney Spears, hip-hop/ Joss Stones it's refreshing to hear Cunniff. Her work is not all synthesizers and popcorn lyrics. She's made an album that acutally gets better the more you hear it, and that NEVER happens nowadays. Though I bought this album for "Last Summer" I came to really like "NY City Boy" and "Warm Sound", but practically ALL the songs are equally pleasing and memorable. They're all mellow and soothing. The kind of thing you could listen to on a road trip or in your apartment on a warm day (or cold night for that matter). No squealing vocals or startling guitars. The subject matter (such as it is) is more abstract. She's singing about someone who could be anyone most of the time and that's fine. She allows you to paint your own canvas. There are a wealth of catchy tunes. "Calling Me" and "Happy Warriors" are like nothing we've heard on the radio in a long time. This album is MUSIC! I mean REAL music. The kind that the record industry killed back in the 90's. If you're a fan of Luscious Jackson's more mellow songs I suspect you'll be pleased with her work. I highly recommend this album to ANYONE who wants good music.

A wonderful blend of rock, funk, and pop. Cuniff has a warm, engaging voice, and she sings and writes like a grown-up - one with a sense of playfulness to go with her intelligence. Every song here has a good melody, sharp words, and a memorable hook. I took a chance on this based on an on-line review, and I'm very glad I did.

Fans of Luscious Jackson, and of music in general, should ignore the lame Amazon review, and know this is top notch pop rock, in the vein of previous Luscious Jackson releases, with a consciously sunny and lightweight feel. Her lyrics are more adult now, having become a mother of two in the time since her former band broke up, yet they remain as catchy and engaging as ever. An excellent tonic against urban and even rural isolation. Standout cuts: "Lazy Girls," "Warm Sound," "Apartment 3," "Love Is A Luxury" and "Future Call."

This is absolutely one of the best albums I've ever heard. I'm speaking without bias here; I first heard her on a record label's EP and I loved her sound so much I was actually compelled to PAY MONEY to DOWNLOAD her album! By choice! There is not a single song on this album I don't love, and I wouldn't hesitate to pay money again for more of her music. It's like if chill and groovy had a baby, it would be this album. This immaculate conception of concepts should be much more famous and much more making Jill Cunniff rich(er?) than it is. Buy this album. You'll be doing yourself and all of your friends a favor. It will put you in a good mood, no matter what, and if you're driving to the beach, no other soundtrack will do.

Jill Cunniff's music has that british-Pop sound to it, It's not something non-British pop fans would probably notice for themselves, But if you're a fan of british-pop you know EXACTLY what I speak of when I say this album sounds like pop from overseas and she's from somewhere in NEW YORK born and raised.

The artwork is drab. Anyone could get the wrong idea of what this album sounds like.

I would think just by glancing at the album's artowrk that it's a set of conservative acoustics and/or Folk/Novel songs or even a record you'd notice while standing in line at border's or starbuck's checkout and paying it no mind at all.

The artwork doesn't represent what's on this album AT ALL, It doesn't have much appeal if you ask me.

Words I would use to describe this album are, Pop, Dance, Electronica, Alternative, Guitar, Rock, Glamour, Freeway, Retail, UK, 90's.

Standout's are "Lazy Girls"(Think Emma Bunton),"Love Is A Luxury" (Think Katy Perry), "Happy Warriors", "Calling Me" (Think Geri Halliwell", "Eye Candy" and "NYC Boy" (Think Natalie Imbruglia), "Future Call" (Think Banarama "Drama") "Apartment" (Think....Victoria Beckham) "Kaleidoscope" (Think.... Sophie B. Hawkins).

I even hear some (Cathy Dennis)somewhere in the mix, And If you notice all the ladies with the exception of Katy Perry and Sophie B. Hawkins are all from the UK.

The different female artists that I referred to is just to give the reader a picture perfect idea of what they can expect from this album.

If you like any of the artists I mentioned you should give this album a chance.

The sound of this album is not too far from what she was doing with Luscious Jackson especially songs like "NYC Boy" and "Eye Candy".

This album is a great way to extend your LJ collection.

This is an easy review: If you liked Luscious Jackson and wished for more, here it is. Jill Cunniff's vocals impart her unique mood through a good collection of thoughtfully written songs, as you would expect from this artist. Edit on June 9. Now I would not want to be without this album. I even bought the two pink and yellow vinyl LPs for fun (thought the CD is better sounding I think). Five Stars.