Cockahoop

Cerys Matthews

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 2004)
• Original Release Date: May 27, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B00064LORI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #202,250 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
'Cockahoop' is the debut solo album by the former Catatonia frontwoman, Cerys Matthews. Recorded in Nashville with help from various names in the alt. country scene, the album contains a cover version of The Handsome Family's 'Weightless Again'. Also featured is the single, 'Only A Fool'. Blanco Y Negro. 2003. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Solo Debut, June 18, 2003

By	"halstvedt" (Billings, Montana, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cockahoop (Audio CD)

As a huge Catatonia fan (Cerys Matthews' first band) I was expecting to be disappointed by her solo effort. Instead, I was more than pleasantly surprised by this beautiful album. While in Catatonia, Miss Matthews seemed to often try to be something that she wasn't, pushing too hard for a brash Brit-Pop label. On "Cockahoop", Matthews has found a comfortable place to make her bed. Her warm and lilting voice wraps around the country/rock/folk songs with charming ability. Gone are the grating, fire-eaten songs spat out with venom. One definatly gets the feeling that Matthews was never really comfortable in her role of rock goddess.

Not that there is any lack of rock on this album. It's there (try Gypsy Song) simply toned down, swung out, and something that Catatonia never could acheive- Comfortable. However Matthews shows that her strength lies in her softer ballads that the listener can fall in love with on the first chord. Examples of these love-at-first sights are All My Trials, the enchanting Arglwydd Dyma Fi, and strangely enough, the 45 second blip of a tune called La Bague.

Catatonia fans will NOT want to miss this jewel. Hopefully Matthews will be able to coax some American fans as well into
this fine album. Fans of Norah Jones, Vanessa Carlton, and similar artists would do well to give this a listen. It is sure to delight.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of an album, February 4, 2005

By	Lee (Arizona) - See all my reviews

I bought this album because I am a huge fan of Welsh rock band Catatonia, and was hugely disappointed when they split in 2001; so, when I heard lead singer Cerys Matthews was making a solo album, I was very excited. This music is extremely different from that of Catatonia, however; it has more of a folk music feel to it. Cerys has a very unique voice and it suits this music perfectly. If you've never heard her before, she has an incredible sexy, textured, kittenish voice that I can't compare to anybody else. The album as a whole is delightful, and I don't consider myself a country music fan so don't let that label put you off.

It's a very musically accomplished album. Cerys hired a lot of very talented musicians in Nashville to help her make the record. It is too bad it didn't get more exposure, it really is a great album and I can't wait to see where this new direction takes Cerys. She really does sound a lot more fulfilled and content than she ever did in Catatonia, and the end result is an album that is very pleasant to listen to and a worthy addition to any music fan's collection.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Surrender, April 24, 2005

By	Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Known as the lead singer for Catatonia's 5 albums, Cerys Matthews' first solo set is a departure from that band's sound. She opens up with "Chardonnay" written by Roger Cook who wrote the classic hits "You've Got Your Troubles" for the Fortunes, "Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) for the Hollies and "Green Grass" for Gary Lewis & the Playboys. In Matthews' hands "Chardonnay" is a delightful track complete with bassoon, oboe, cello & bazouki. [I confess I don't actually know what a "bazouki" is, but there is a great variety of sounds within the track.] On her own "Only A Fool," Matthews fashions a lovely melody filled with longing, "So I creep by your side, no great surprise, all for your sweet surrender; The morning stands still, won't let me in." On the brief "La Bague," Cerys' voice sounds quite a bit like the classic rock singer Melanie with its lusty alto, full of life. I understand that Matthews wrote the songs for this set without running water, a kitchen or a bathroom. The songs certainly have an elemental feel as on the lovely "Ocean" & "The Good In Goodbye." This is a great set with a homey country feel. Enjoy!