Customer Reviews

Eden

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1996, Everything But The Girl made a brilliant transformation from tepid adult contemporary music to a delightful hybrid of pop and electronica. "Walking Wounded" secured a place in my heart with its breathtaking fusion of light jungle, house, and the plaintive lyrics of Tracy Thorn. 1999 brought "Temperamental," which continued the excursion into deeper (housier) waters. With nothing new from them in two years (albeit a pair of excellent mix albums--"Lazy Dog" is certainly worth mentioning), I decided to sample some of their pre-electronica work. Were my expectations met? With "Eden," they were surpassed.

"Eden" is an easy-listening gem of album containing twelve songs dealing with various aspects of relationships. A light sun-kissed bossnova ties the whole thing together--and what a package! Tracy Thorn has never sounded so vulnerable. From the opening horns of "Each and Everyone" (sampled by Roni Size on "Destination") to the gorgeous "Even So" to Ben Watt's excellent vocal on "Soft Touch," there's really not a weak spot on the album. My only beef was the initial shock to the absence of vocal production or awareness; things didn't sound as full like they do on "Walking Wounded."

"Eden" is a beautiful album, and if you've thought about checking out early EBTG, you won't be disappointed. Just don't expect a album of deep house music. :)

Greetings!

I remember hearing this for the first time back in 1985, and I was blown away! The group was definitely different from what I was hearing at the time. It was a refreshing, jazz-influenced sound that had poetry and verve. I had the tape of this album, and I am glad I was able to replace it (it wore out) with a fine import CD.

The songs appear simple and unassuming, but they are wonderful and filled with beautiful poetry and very adept musicianship. This is truly music that will live on forever. Tracy's vocals are extremely beautiful and poignant. IMHO, she has a more pleasing voice and gets more out of a note than most any singer I have heard, and definitely more than ANY female vocalist I have been blessed or cursed to hear! Tracy and Ben have a perfect symbiosis, and this would continue on, until, that is, the arrival of the dreaded techno-pop-mix stuff, which, I really do not care for (it must have paid good money though!).

On Eden, even though I love the entire album, my favorite tracks are: EACH AND EVERY ONE, EVEN SO (with a nice Spanish tempo), and I MUST CONFESS. Brilliant!

All in all, this is perhaps EBTG's best album (in its entirety). The group continued to put out some fine recordings after this, but, when they started doing the techno stuff, they lost me.

Tracy has been blessed with an angelic voice. Ben is a fine musician and a very good writer. Now, if we could just get them back to doing what they did on this album, we'd have a heaven on earth!

Thanks for taking the time to read my review!

Rock On, Kids,

Dr. Of Style

One of my favourite records. I've listened to it since the 80's and it still feels up to date. It takes a couple of listenings but then you're lost. A must in every music lovers collection.

This disc is by far my favorite, and well worth the price. The songs lyrics are poignant, sweet, and some brutally honest. If you like that Bossanova jazz sound sung by a sweet, female voice, this is a great album. Perfect for those rainy northwest mornings with toast and tea, or background music for an evening of entertaining.

"...I used to think that you were all that kept me sane when all else failed/Now I think you were probably what drove me off the rails" Wow. EBTG are, as every other reviewer has pointed out, best known as techno/chillout artists...a shame. Although they make a decent fist of that style, they have done nothing to compare with their first album, Eden. The word bittersweet was made for Tracey Thorn here: punishing lyrics and a piercing vulnerability and delicacy of tone...add to this the bossa nova backbeats, gentle and subtle arrangements and a restrained exuberance from the musicians and you do, indeed, get Eden.

Best tracks? Well, they're all great, but I can't recommend "Even So", "Frost and Fire" and "The Spice of Life" enough. Brilliant.

One of my favorite EBTG albums. Oh how I long for the days of melancholy cool and jazzy EBTG music!! I wish they would make music like this again and drop the techno "stuff"!!

The Seattle reviewer below has got the right mood. This has been played at our dinner parties for over 10 years and it is timeless great music that was so far ahead of its time it came out 8-10 years before the peak of the lounge revival. This is the best Everything But The Girl record, but it's so much more. Just get it - it will grow on you and stay with you forever. Also very catchy stuff!

I got hold of the album after listening to Home Movies: Best of Eveything But The Girl. I was particularly attracted to the lyrics of Each and Every One so I tried checking out the source album. If you're the kind of person who's into the light side of pop jazz, this is the album for you. It's best to load this CD on during relaxing walks or when you're just lounging in your favorite easy chair on a late Sunday afternoon. Journey with Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn as they take you into a world of love, angst, confusion and relationships in this 12-track masterpiece. The CD will leave you asking for more of their crafty, well-written lyrics and smooth jazz tunes.

EBTG JUMPS INTO THE WORLD OF CLASSIC RELEASES WITH "EDEN". FROM IT'S MID-80'S INCEPTION AND INTO THE NEXT MILLENIUM, THE SONGS ON THIS CD CARRY YOU TO ANOTHER TIME AND PLACE. THORN'S SMOKEY VOCALS AND WATT'S MUSICAL STYLING MAKE YOU FEEL AS IF YOU'RE DRINKING COFFEE IN AN OUTDOOR FRENCH BISTRO ON A BEAUTIFUL FALL DAY. THIS CD IS PERFECT FOR LONG DRIVES, ROMANTIC NIGHTS, OR PEACEFUL EVENINGS AT HOME. OF MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE RECORDINGS, THIS ONE DEFINITELY MAKES MY TOP 3. IT'S STILL AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE I TURN ON TO THIS RECORDING AFTER ALL THIS TIME.

Very easy to tune out. It's an OK play, but they've done a lot better. Does make good background music in the office, tho.