Customer Reviews

Civil Twilight

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lyrically, this album is amazing. I personally am always one to read the lyrics to songs and, as an aspiring songwriter, it's a treat to see the different styles of different artists. It always is fascinating to read what someone else wrote in regards to music, and this was no disappointment. It seems that the lyrics for this album are very well written and very poetic. Honestly, this is the highest point for me on this cd and is the main reason the album got three stars, because the other contributing factors to the cd didn't hold up as much.

The guitar work on this cd is very similar to that of Edge from U2. Setting that aside, the guitar sounds so similar in every song it's almost unbearable. After "Letters From The Sky", the band goes on autopilot for a while (which is roughly one half of the cd). Not until the song "Quiet in My Town" does the album change pace really in terms of guitar work (or anything else). This makes for a frustrating listen because so many songs sound so similar.

Okay, now that I've gotten the great things and mediochre things out of the way-let's talk vocals. Vocally, the singer for this band is impressive. Heck, to be fair-the guy is a great singer, BUT the vocals were something on this album I could NOT stand. Again, the first four tracks on this album are phenomonal, but once they get into that five or six song slump, the lead singer comes across as just enjoying how great of a range his voice has in the upper registers. He also has this method of singing I will tentatively call "Asthmatic Singing". It's as though he needs to draw in a huge breath before...every...woooooooooooooooooooord-every WOOO-ohh-oo-OORRRRRRRRRD... (If I could type the way he "sings" through most of this album, THAT'S WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE.)

Truly, I do appreciate his talent for singing. But the complaint here is that it's the same way for every song (for a majority anyways). Long, "breathy" notes that switch in pitch all over the place with him essentially murmuring the words. The worst part is, they have such FANTASTIC lyrics, but they get lost in the singers whiney (there, I said it) asthmatic singing. Maybe he does have asthma and I'm being out of line here, but until facts prove otherwise, it got old very quickly.

This band has a LOT of potential, they really do! This cd is a solid effort, but the formula they used for 75% of the cd goes like this:

1.Ambient intro
2.Light piano+ singer singing in lower register
3.Drums kick in with solid beat (vocals get a little louder)
3A.IMMEDIATELY after the 1st (or 2nd) verse, guitars come crashing in with drums and lead singer begins his long...LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooOOOOOOOng NOOOOOOOOOOOOTES...in the upper register and just freewheeling wherever he wants
4."Crashing guitars and drums/lead singers breathy long notes" subside for 2nd (or 3rd) verse, then resume crashing after said verse
5.Light piano-ey outro

In conclusion, you have an alright debut, with tracks like "Letters From The Sky," "Next To You," and "Anybody Out There" carrying most of it, but the next album from them will hopefully be stronger and stray from the formula they used so much on this one.

I happened to see these guys as an opener to a concert I recently went to. Funny enough, I liked them a lot better than the headlining band that night. The next day I ran out and bought their album with no hesitation. I could not be more pleased. Steven McKeller (singer, song writter, bass, and piano) is a musical genius in my opinion. The sound these guys produce has a unique way of slowly creeping into your ears, and next thing you know you are hooked. Their sound is kind of hard to describe. If I was to throw a few bands out there that I feel have the comparable sound I would say it is a mixture of the modern flare of bands like Kings of Leon, Carolina Liar, and Muse with the UK inspired mellow sounds of bands like U2 and Coldplay.(just a "flavor" comparison, not saying they are better or worse than any of the named bands.) In all honesty, the first two times I heard "Letters from the Sky" on the radio I thought it was a U2 song; no joke.

As a debut album, they really gave some great songs. "Letters from the Sky" is a very solid song, but is not all this band has to offer. My favorite keeps jumping around as I continue to listen to the album. The current track I"m most hooked to is "Trouble", which is a slow builder ballad with those infamous slow and creeping bass riffs that sound almost reminiscent of the 80's. "Solider", "What You Want", and "Anybody Out There" are also supreme upbeat songs on the album. "Next to Me" is a good (slightly sappy) love song with a very catchy tune. Wouldn't doubt it if you saw this number hitting the radio or being used on something like a tv show in the near future. And on the slower, more melancholy side of the album, "On the Surface" and "Human" are great.

While I somewhat agree with other reviewers that the first half of the album is better than the second and that the pattern of the songs seems kind of the same from song to song; I do have this to say as well. I only feel that way about the first part of the album, because I literally cannot get myself to skip past the first tracks to even listen to the latter half of the album. The first tracks are just that good to me. It is not that the end is bad, the first is just too good to not keep listening too. And as far as the whole repetitive pattern goes; well I say if it works well, stick with it. I could care less for a song being differently mixed up just for the sake of being "different" if it ends up being total garbage. While Civil Twilight may have a pretty consistent formula for a number of their tracks, at least they are just that; Consistent. I for one am giving them the chance to still branch out a bit more in the future, keeping in mind that this is only their first album.

All in all, these guys are awesome and once again give me hope for new bands and new music. For anyone out there like me who was beginning to feel the proverbial wells of good/creative/original modern music drying up, come have a taste of Civil Twilight; you will not be disappointed.

BUY THIS CD. I don't normally take the time to review albums, but this record is really important; it has had the privilege of ushering in one of the best new bands to come along in quite some time.

Civil Twilight is the sort of band you tell all your friends about and feel a sense of disbelief and superiority when your friends don't know who they are yet. Typically, successful debut albums fall into the category of being an album offering up a band with a familiar sound and a successful single along with another ten or so less-than-memorable tracks. Occasionally, a band comes along offering more than just one or two "successful singles" but instead a whole new sound and experience found in listening to no other band. This is that band. While this record does offer an arsenal of great songs, it offers something more. This isn't the band you hear and shelve with the rest of the bands you've heard and like; they make your top ten list; they get your attention and maintain it. See them live, and you'll realize quickly just how privileged you are to be a part of the first few to support this band.

The band is a three-piece outfit out of Cape Town, South Africa comprised of brothers Steven and Andrew McKellar and longtime friend Richard Wouters. Steven McKellar, who switches between bass and piano, is the lead vocalist, and his vocals are of the top class in the music world; many listeners have compared him to an early Bono, but I prefer to put Steven in a class of his own where other vocalists are compared to Steven. His brother Andrew is, for many, the standout musician of the group; listening to the record, you'd think there were at least two guitarists, but watch him in action, and you'll see that most of Civil Twilight's signature sound originates from this one man. Not to be forgotten, the incredible Richard Wouters' drumming (along with Steven's powerful basslines) gives the record the infectious beats that will have you jamming away to every track. This trio is certainly a rare breed and one not to be overlooked.

As for the record itself, I must say that like any record, it comes with a variety of tracks with a variety of different sounds; with that being the case, not all of the tracks may be to your liking on the first listen. Some will stand out to you right away, and others may take re-listening, but more than likely, you'll come to love this debut album from this incredible band through and through. Whether you end up loving all fourteen tracks or just most of them, you'll definitely get your moneys worth in the album's length. The biggest standout tracks (for me) include their most popular single so far, "Letters From the Sky", as well as opening track "Anybody Out There", the upbeat anthem-like "Soldier", the piano-swooning "Next To Me", the infectious "Trouble", and the climactic "Quiet In My Town".

You don't want to miss out on this band nor this incredible debut album. And don't stop with the purchase of the CD; after you fall in love with this album, buy a ticket and see them live. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed. :)

First of all, I have to say when I heard "Letters from the Sky" on the radio, I immediately went to Grooveshark to hear the rest of the album. At first I was really impressed, the lead singer has great range and the guitar work was wonderful (always loved early Edge). However, by about half way through the album things seem to go south a bit. Songs drag on and begin to sound too much alike. The meloncoly, slow sparce instrumentation prevades through almost half the songs on the album with little change to the tempo. And most of these slower beats (and I like a lot of slow songs so that's not a bad thing on its own) go on far too long in the 6-minute range.

I think with a better producer who could have reigned in some of the album, it could have been great. If I could, I would have given it 3.5 stars. A good start, but a little bit more variety...or even just cutting of a few songs that sound the same could have gone a long way.

Either way, I'll be keeping eye on this band and hope to see even better stuff from them in the future.

Bought this CD on a whim, how nice to hear real talent these days with so much pop garbage on the radio.

I know any band would hate it if people say "They sound like X", but this reminded me at times of U2 and Coldplay. But all in a really unique way, if that makes sense.

Now if they will only make a second album!

I admit it - I'm 50+ but this group gets an A++++ in my book. I've listened to this album 1,000 times and will listen to it 1,000 more. Wish they would write more - I'd buy everything they do! Terrific group - great sound, superb voice!!!!! Come on South Africa, we're waiting!!!

Civil Twilight
Civil Twilight
Wind-Up Records
[...]

Rarely do I get the chance to sit down for a good last.fm session, but recently I had the chance to spend a few hours to really experience all that the station has to offer. While on my session I came across one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. "Human" is the kind of song that literally stops you in your tracks. It's purely a man and his piano, but the voice from that man is entrancing in a love ballad, lullaby, violin solo, kind of way. Now I've got your attention. This song comes from a band called Civil Twilight and little did I know that when I heard that one song that an entire album full of songs that are equal to, if not surpassing, the amazing level was already set for release.

Wind-Up records have snagged the self-titled release and they couldn't have picked a better band. Favorites on the album run all the way through, but I'll narrow it down to a few. "Soldier" is kind of an entertaining look at a subject that could easily be depressing; War and all that goes with it is the ever popular topic being discussed here, however with Civil, the tone is set to almost peppy. Even with lyrics like "I'm just a soldier, fighting for someone else" you still think that you'd come away from this song angry or depressed, but rather, the end leaves you tapping your feet, banging your head and maybe just a touch of booty shakin'. Down a few is a song that would clock in at second on the Favorite Scale (under "Human"). "Letters From The Sky" starts off almost the exact same as "Human," solemn and beautiful in a simplistic way. Those amazing vocals and the same piano lead you in for the first minute or so. And if you want lyrics that stick with you, then listen to, "One of these days the letters are gonna fall from the sky, telling us all go free". Sure they seem like nothing special, but when laid atop a couple guitars that seem to linger in the background in an almost eerie way, they transform the song and you. Now, those guitars don't really make their presence completely known until about 3/4 way through the song, but when they come out the emotions just explode. "Cause we won't have to be scared!" is screamed from the bottom of Steven's (lead vocals) gut. The rest of the band goes on superdrive, playing so insanely fast I don't know how they don't just pass out when everything subsides and the vocals whisper out to finish the song. One of the most interesting and intriguing guitar lead-ins can be heard at the beginning of "Trouble." The guitar isn't exactly being strummed, or if it is, it's in a way that's not normally heard. It's soft and loud at the same time. Soft, in that you don't hear the strings vibrating or flapping about, yet the sound resonates so strongly through the headphones. It's that intriguing effect that keeps you locked into this song for the entire 5:28.

"Human" comes in at the 7 spot and is just over four minutes of perfection. Why this hasn't been picked up on a mass scale, i.e movies or TV, I do not know. "It's only love, it's only pain, it's only fear that runs through my veins/It's all the things you can't explain, that make us human" are lyrics that lend themselves to poetry so easily. "Perfect Stranger" would come in at #3 on my Scale, but on the album it conveniently comes in after "Human." If "Soldier" was the peppy, booty shakin' song, then this song is the dark and ominous one of the album. I particularly like the bass role that sort of sneaks and slithers in, gradually building so that by the end of it all, you have a new found favorite instrument. Right in the middle is an amazing break, a few moments with the drums playing Jamaican style and a lead guitar that gently caresses its notes. You only get this time between you and the drums for a mere moment, because then the superdrive button is hit again and you're almost literally thrown out of song and out on your rear end.

You pick yourself up off the ground and sit on the rocking chair to enjoy the last song on the album "Quiet In My Town." I think I would call this song a life ballad. It's not about the long lost love of your high school sweetheart. Rather, it's about the loss and reality that sometimes is life. It's just as beautiful as "Human" but in its own unique way.

From the first listen of "Human" I would've been happy with a single song. That was until I heard the entire album. There are so many levels to this band and so many bits of their brilliance that draw you into each song individually and don't let go. Do they tug on your heart strings? Not really. More they burrow a way into your subconscious, leaving memoirs of life, love and the essence of being human.

-Rachel Fredrickson

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An excellent band and a well produced album. I bought it for 1/2 tracks but now am in love with all the tracks. Who wouldve thought some fish hoek boys would make it big

I was introduced to Civil Twilight when I heard their song "Letters From the Sky" on TV. I instantly loved it and wanted to know more about the band... since then, I've picked up the album and it was definitely a great decision. The way they play their instruments is unique and interesting in it of itself and makes for a cohesive and fluid, yet mellow and enchanting rock album. Steven's haunting vocals are spot on, while his brother Andrew is responsible for the beautiful guitar sounds. Overall, I think Civil Twilight is extremely promising and I definitely recommend giving them a listen!

I heard Civil Twilight described as being a cross between Bono/U2 and Coldplay, and I do not disagree. A little pensive yet soulful and playful. Great vocals by Steven McKellar. I didn't know what to expect when I purchased the CD, but I've really enjoyed it and hope this band takes off.