Customer Reviews

Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It shames me to say that I bought this album because of the cover. And the title. The reviews in Amazon.com helped, of course, but I felt that I just couldn't go wrong. I must tell you here and now that this is an outstanding album: bright, solid, shimmering and breathtakingly beautiful. Open the sleeve and uncover 15 golden nuggets of 60s-inspired glory. They tell me that Glasgow's Cosmic Rough Riders sound like Teenage Fanclub. Well that's as may be but this to me sounds better than TF. Highlights? Well, take your pick. There's not a duff track there. My favourite at the moment is Melanie, which is uplifting. If I had to describe what CRR sound like it is this: a slice of Byrds, a dollop of Beatles, a smidgeon of REM, a sprinkling of Teenage Fanclub-type harmonies et voilà...you've got yourself a slice of sonic heaven. Please help yourselves.

Being a fan of Teenage Fanclub and Big Star, I am a melody junky who thrives on uplifting harmonies and big swirling choruses.Cosmic Roughriders fulfil this craving and more ! This album is absolutely fantastic.The lead singer has a top class voice and the other band members contribute greatly to the choruses.One aspect to this group is that several of the songs verge on the borderline with folk music.This gives them a pastoral quality which is lacking in other multi-vocal bands of their ilk.

Alan McGhee, Oasis' ex-manager has signed them to his Poptones label so fame beckons.I only hope that the record buying public have the good sense to buy this one. I am not exaggerating when I say that this is as impressive a debut as Big Star's #1 Record ,and that's saying something !

I bought this album after moving to Kauai in 2003 and it soon became the soundtrack to my adventures on the Garden Isle. Based on rave recommendations I had read on Amazon (and bollocks to all of the "purists" out there who say that this album just dosen't live up to all of those "classic" records from the 60's and 70's). So often those old records just aren't as good as we would like to think they were. Put on some new glasses and have a look at something that is fresh while honoring the influences that shaped it. As a rock fan who saw many of the greats in concert back in the 70's (I was there for both of Neil Young's "Rust Never Sleeps" shows at the Forum in 78'), I was giddy with joy upon listening to Melodic Sunshine for the first time. Yes, they wear there influences on they're sleeves but so what when it is done this good. The guitars jingle-jangle, the vocals shimmer with beautiful harmonies, and the song's themselves are all gems. Every track is outstanding! If you worship at the alter of THE Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and Harvest Era Neil Young then don't hesitate in purchasing this record. It will leave you wondering why a group this great never got the due they deserved.

I came across this CD in London two months ago, and bought it on a hunch. What a great hunch it was...this is music so melodic and beautiful as to reinspire your inner creative spirit. The lyrics are witty, sharp, and the choruses are absolute sunshine. With all of the horrific events of the past week, this CD has the ability to make the world seem simple and pure again. For those looking for parameters to the music, imagine late 60's Byrds crossed with CSNY, and add a heavy dose of Elvis Costello-style lyrics and wit. There are so many songs that stand out that it's impossible to point ot just one or two. The entire collection soars, and as you can see, the cover is great as well.You will love this.....

If you are a fan of teenage fanclub,the byrds,big star or the jayhawks well you just HAVE TO check this out, hailing from glasgow,scotland the cosmic rough riders have released A totally stunning debut album that you'll find yourself humming along to from the very first track. having lent the cd to a friend who was suffering from depresssion he swears that this cd pulled him out, nuff said really.

Well, this is best album of 2001 for me. I never went to Scotland, but I always dream to go there just because some of my fave bands are there, like Teenage Fanclub and Belle&Sebastian. Add CRR now to the list. My fave tracks are: Glastonbury Revisited, Melanie, Have you Heard the News Today? and the Loser. Very very recommended. Hope they can create more and more good albums.

From the opening sounds of tabla's,acousitc guitars and repeated lyrics like "Brothers gather around,we'll be harvesting the land"-it's clear that this album sounds like this group have somehow been transported back in time to the sixties and the Summer Of Love and all that;yet somehow they've developed the technology to give it all the high-tech production qualities of the new millenium.Never in my life have I heard an album whose attitude,sound and yep "vibes man" have been lifted from a bygone era.Fortunately for the Cosmic Rough Riders they've been able to write songs that are fun,very melodic and are quite memorable.Nowhere is this more evident then on their song Glastonbury Revisited-a sound Ravi Shankar would be proud of,harmonies The Beach Boys would die for and a vibe that would have been so apropriate in the Woodstock pre multi-coporate sponsorship.There are plenty of great songs here on this album-each one though does have an unbelievable 60's feel to it.At times they sound like a really good Fountains Of Wayne.The harmonies are amazing,lots and lots of tabla drums,loads of acoustic guitars.Lyrically the references are all about being at one with environment,free love and generally having a cool,groovy,fun time.15 relatively short songs-this album just breezes by at over 40 mins.Almost all the songs are excellent-but it is the sort of album you have to be in the mood for.I mean if you were feeling critical,the fact it's so derivative of the 60's may make you become very cynical.Sometimes when they drop the earthy instruments and rock out with an assortment of guitars the songs are just incredible.This is most evident on song 6-where the guitars have a Teenage Fanclub,early R.E.M. feel to it.But then the lyrics kick in and it's back to the 60's again.I suppose what should I expect from a song titled "Revolution (In The Summer Time?)?Song 8 has a different sound and feel to it,as a harder rock sound and keyboards influence this song.Song 10 "The Rain Aside" is an incredible song-beginning with a Beach Boy acapella,this is swept aside by jangling guitars,a killer chorus and it's even got a semi-guitar solo.Song 12 "The Loser" is about as angry as the lyrics get on this c.d.-as they dis some girl big time-but the beautiful harmonies make this anger seem quite tepid.

I have to say though this is an excellent album.The mood is so refreshing and up-lifting.This is such a welcome break from much of the music we're hearing now-be it Nu-Metal or Prog-Rock.There's very little angst or sentimentality here thankfully.The only thing this group seem to be sentimental about is their parents record collection-Peace And Love Man!

When I discovered this album ,I was certain that it would be huge within 6 months. I love this album. Almost any of the songs on here are worthy of single release. Everything is so catchy , it sounds like a greatest hits album. A flawless record. Buy this album and lap up Daniel Wylie's beautiful vocal harmonies. And while You're at it, order his solo album "Ramshackle Beauty"

guitars jangle away on one of the most pleasing releases of the twenty-first century. the melodies here are so catchy that my heart elevates onto a higher plain of light and joy each time i listen. can one use the abstract imperfection of words to catch the beauty of the musical soundscape laid out on this recording? one cannot. love music? get this. pop songcraft of the highest order, brought to life in a glorious work of production that allows these songs to shine like light out of your stereo speakers.

Though this record is really an amalgamation of two previous releases, it's an example of two halves making a whole. You can call it a great record - a shining gem and one of the best of its genre.

Pop music really doesn't get any better than this - the harmonies, the 12-string jangle, the melodies, and the production are all first rate. The Riders are the latest act in a lineage that includes CSN&Y, Buffalo Springfield, The Beach Boys, REM, The Byrds et al, but to characterize their sound as derivative is to take nothing away from them. They can call it their own, and whatever they call it - I'm buying it!

If, like me, you live in North America and appreciate musical talent and solid tunes, you'll probably agree that what passes for mainstream popular music is largely dreck put out by (I'll be generous here) "artists" who range mostly between the criminal and the simply talent-free, while quality music goes ignored.

As such, (like other great pop bands like Massachusett's Pernice Brothers and London's Rialto) don't wait for the Cosmic Rough Riders to break America, though I'm rooting hard for them... turn off the radio, and turn on the music.