Customer Reviews

Eat

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Eat is the only recorded studio album by one of the most unique and innovative bands ever assembled. I have yet to hear a band that is quite like Charming Hostess and in the grand scheme of things, that is quite an accomplishment for a band. On first listen, one can tell that all the members of Charming Hostess are obviously incredibly talented on his or her respective instruments and in addition, unlike most 'rock' bands nowadays, there is a huge emphasis on vocals with haunting female harmonies that are sung so perfectly it's mesmorizing. With styles and languages from all over the world filling the span of one 48 minute CD,the sleek blues of Julie to the bouncy klezmer of Elenke, Charming Hostess are by far one of the most culturally educated bands to come out of America, introducing the listener to all forms of ethnic and american music, but on a platable enough level to enjoy. That is what really sets Charming Hostess apart from other California avant garde acts, other bands may have the manic instrumental prowess or even the amazing world knowledge, the great Secret Chiefs 3 for example, but Charming Hostess does a wonderful job of bringing all these heady artsy musical styles down to a much more accesible level so they can be enjoyed by listeners of all backgrounds, not just the avant garde elite. So while a song may be sung in yiddish with complex vocal harmonies and frighteningly intricate time signatures, one can rest assured that it will also have a nice danceable beat and a pop sesibility allowing for it to be taken on two levels, kind of like the Talking Heads. That is the closest comparison I could make to Charming Hostess, Talking Heads or the 80s incarnation of King Crimson with it's knowledge of world music and Progressive leanings, but still possesing a limber, pop addled beat behind it. Although it takes a while to get into at first, Eat is well worth the time and is deffinitely a must for any complete CD collection.
- They are also great live, even the vocal parts are dead on unlike so many of todays 'divas'. If you like this CD and want to hear more, Charming Hostess has a much larger repertoire of songs than the ones recorded on this single CD and some superb live shows can be found at ftp://ftp.bunglefever.com/pub/

Some of the most engaging and original music I've heard in a long time. Everyone in the group is a virtuoso. They draw from folk music from around the world. Mood soar in "Mi Nuera" and "Klezsex" and burn in "Ferret Said" and "Laws of Physics." Angry woman energy here and these women are incredibly powerful singers.

I recommend it to anyone ready for something out of the mainsteam. If you are leaving top 40 for the first time, this is an excellent entry point into the world of passionate, fully-invested, fully realized heart-music.

What do they sound like?

Kleezmer Punk, Balkan Funk, and Detroit Albanian Pop.

Probably the best band I know of that you can still see in a venue with less than 1000 people in it!

This band pushes the envelope and explores a new hybrid genre of music which is far from the mainstream, musically sophisticated and completely palatable to a mainstream audience (so long as you ease them into it). The vocal harmonies send chills down the spine while the sliding base lines, minimalist guitar and intricate drum beats make you want to jump out of your seat and dance. Do your self a favor and buy this album.

I've owned this album for a couple of years by now after finding it almost at random at a small obscure record store. I originally got it because I am a fan of Carla Kilhstedt and everything that her musical fingers have touched (Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Ben Goldberg Trio, Tin Hat Trio, and more). The band included Carla and half of Sleepytime, but it is led by Jewila Eisenberg as she brings together a perfect mix of klezmer, gypsy, accapella, and folky tunes. Many of the songs are in different languages, but what is in english is bitingly funny (Laws of Physics/ Ferret said). The girls' voices mix wonderfully and begin to sound like the sirens, luring me (happily) to my demise.
This is one of the most enjoyable albums in my collection, and everyone who hears it always asks, "Who's this? I like it."
So hopefully more people will discover this as time goes by.

I have seen this group of fine musicians twice in the Minneapolis metro area. Once at the Loring and once in a book store. This album is beautifully performed, recorded, and produced. It is definitely a must hear, if you choose not to buy it. The most memorable track is Ehlenke (sp?).It feels so good! I get chills when I hear the razor like distorted Violin.

-A guy from BUBBLEMATH

This CD is a must have and i notice that there are 6 buyers waiting to purchase it in the used section. You can go to the official Vaccination records website ( do a search for Vaccination Records) and you can buy it directly from the site. This is one of those albums that you will play over and over again and you must get it!! So take my advice and do the search I mentioned and you too can take part in this gem of musical history. Does this thing have a Hemi?

Great harmonized vocals. Rocking dance tunes from the balkans, and a few strong originals. Great live band, too.

I was bartending in NYC when this band was scheduled to play. My mouth fell open, as did the mouths of many of my colleagues. This was one of the few bands where I jumped from behind the bar making my way to the customer line to purchase a band's CD. The CD is awesome (most of the music accompanies me when I jog), but to see this band in person is an awesome experience. This is still one of my all time favorite CD purchases.