Customer Reviews

Dreamland

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

 

 

I have been a fan of Aztec Camera/Roddy Frame since the first day I read the Rolling Stone review of this Lp(this was back in the dark ages before CD)and rushed out to get it.One of my concert highlights was seeing the original Aztec Camera in concert with the Clash back more years than I want to try to remember.
High Land,Hard Rain would be a great start to anyones career,in fact the only CD I have by Aztec Camera/Roody Frame which is less than 4 stars would be Love which I'd give 3 and a half to because of Somewhere in my heart and Deep & Wide & Tall both Huge great wonderful songwriting.I did like the single version of Deep & Wide & Tall better than the LP version though.
Having said all of that I am writing this because of reading reviews of High Land,Hard Rain where reviewer after reviewer stated that Roddy Frame would not hit these highs again.
I disagree to me his best efforts are Dreamland and his first solo CD which I am sure to review soon as I cannot get The North Star out of my Cd player much like Dreamland.
This is one of the few CD's I have and I have well over a thousand of them that when I hear the start of every song I get excited and think Oh I've been wanting to hear that and that is after even twenty listens.This is A Cd that I have purchased as gifts for family and friends who had no idea who Aztec Camera or Roddy Frame is.
This is a CD that I list as one of my desert Island picks I would want if I were ever stranded,along with my wife or Tyra Banks if my wife was not stranded with me.
It is a shame that I can only give this CD five stars because I think that it is one of the greats.

Roddy's best set in my opinion. Lush and Melodic...Oh the memories v-summer still gives me chills after 15 years and a thousand plays...perfection

Roddy Frame has to be my all time favorite artist. My love for his music started on a ship in 1988, while I served in the U.S. Navy. A friend made an alternative cassette for me with various artists, and among them was The provacative "Mattress of Wires" and "The Bugle Sounds again. Both live versions from "Backwards and Forwards". since then I have been a devoted follower of Roddy Frame. His music is a sound track to my many travels throughout the world, and now when sitting back and listening to his soulful style he'll always take me back to a certain time and place in my life, and its so real that my heart aches and tears flow as I Grow homesick for the world I have explored while hearing his music. "Deep Wide and Tall" in The English Navy"s Pub in Hong Kong. "We Can Send Letters" for when I was an exchange student in Mexico, and the pretty Blue Eyed Coed I befriended, and eventually lost contact with. "Let Your Love Decide" while looking out to The Sea of Gallilee in Tiberias, Israel.And "Black Lucia" for the Blue Eyed Girl I ran around with there.
"The Bugle Sounds Again" reminds me of my reflections and sadness after losing a friend in a plane crash, and of course reflecting on my own mortality, eventually reminding me of the profession I chose after the service. "Flesh Bared, never scared I know their kind to well".(Lyrics like that, are deep.) Listen, I can go on and on about this Artist, but you have to listen yourself. I've seen the world with Aztec Camera, so I have a deep seated history and love for his music. Frame is adult contemp, Jazzy, and soulful, the music has a very strong English flavor. What more can I say. I have began to rebuild my very neglected Aztec Camera collection by ordering "High Land Hard Rain", "Stray", "Dreamland" and "Love." I can Hardly wait. of Course I have to get "Backwards and Forwards" too. If you want to escape the basic dark ages of music like we are experiancing right now, or the sexual content, or violence of some music, or the bubble gum or even hoaky love songs that clutter the airwaves, try some Aztec Camera, yes the music is gentle and for the most part romantic, but don't ever think he is wimpy. Roddy has something to say to your senses. At times he is maloncholy, at times he is thought provoking, at times you'll hear romantic ballads, and soulful Jazz. or upbeat fun tunes. The Musical arrangements are among the best I have ever heard but you'll have to experience the music for yourself. Roddy Frame is never boring, superficial or repetitious. Like I have said before, Roddy frame always has something to say. Its always deep, its always purposeful.

There are few words that can truly be used to boil down a review for "Deamland". Where do you want to start. From Roddys enigmatically elusive vocals to the ultra emotional and systematic vibe ride of music that comences from the start to finish. Just listen to it with your special someone on the most intimate, relaxing, romantic and special day you can both share. It will truly inspire. Roddy Frame is categorically a sublime Genuis. "Thank you, Roddy". Well that's it. That's my 2 cents. Enjoy & Love!