Design for Living [Box set, Import]

James Reyne | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 15, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Roads
• ASIN: B00000JO8O
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,111,687 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

In 1999 former Australian Crawl frontman James Reyne recorded and released the CD "Design For Living" with friends and brothers Scott and Brett Kingman. Arguably the most critically applauded album of his career, it further cemented his position as a unique, witty, thoughtful and challenging songwriter and singer. James Reyne's style of rock music has generally been pop-flavored beach party music, but "Design For Living" goes in new directions and delves into some deep territory, musically speaking. From the raucous opening track, "Wonderful Today," with its almost-unbelievably catchy melody, to the closing track, "Stranger than Fiction," which looks at the incredibly odd Baptist boycott of the Walt Disney Company, this CD covers a huge spectrum of musical styles. James' 1999 critically lauded masterwork has been out of print for a number of years, but Liberation are proud to announce the reissue of this classic Australian album by one of Australia's true icons. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite possibly James Reyne's best, February 28, 2005

By 

DVD buff (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Design for Living (Audio CD)

DESIGN FOR LIVING is the 1999 release from former Australian Crawl frontman James Reyne, one of Australia's most original artists. The original release in Australia contained a bonus disc of previously-unreleased live material, which may explain why Amazon.com calls this a "box set."

James Reyne's style of rock music has generally been pop-flavored beach party music - Australian style - but DESIGN FOR LIVING goes in new directions and delves into some deep territory, musically speaking. From the raucous opening track, "Wonderful Today," with its almost-unbelievably catchy melody, to the closing track, "Stranger than Fiction," which looks at the incredibly odd Baptist boycott of the Walt Disney Company, this CD covers a huge spectrum of musical styles.

This CD is difficult to locate in the U.S., but I would strongly advise any James Reyne fan to seek this one out. The bonus disc is nice, but it's the album itself that is so spectacular, so don't be upset if you can't find the 2-CD version. Personally, I think this is James Reyne's best work ever.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars QUIRKY, WONDERFUL MELODIES AND ROUSING ROCK, May 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Design for Living (Audio CD)

ANOTHER TRIUMPH FROM JAMES REYNE. MIXING ROCK (POETRY IN MOTION, NOT WAVING, DROWNING), HIPPY CHICK SOUNDING (DESIGN FOR LIVING) AND PLAINTIF LOVE SONGS (AFTER YOUR'E GONE) THIS ALBUM IS ANOTHER MESMERIC ADDITION TO THE SUPERB CATALOUGE OF REYNE MUSIC. LISTEN TO IT TWICE, AND YOU'LL LOVE IT !!

4.0 out of 5 stars Design for Living Boxed Set, July 12, 2000

By 

EMW Denison "Droopy" (Herts.UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Design for Living (Audio CD)

Another cracking Reyne offering with a good mix of raucous (a la Aussie Crawl) rock and soulful balladeering! Some of the tracks 'borrow' a bit from previous numbers , but for James Reyne fans this is certainly worth adding to the collection! It would be great to see JR produce an album of ballads/love songs...as when he 'reins back'(excuse the pun) and goes for the softer vocals he can sing a really 'sweet' tune (like Reckless! )