Customer Reviews

Exile on Coldharbour Lane

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Those who like the theme song for The Sopranos but that are hesitant to purchase this CD thinking that the band is nothing but a one trick pony can put your fears to rest. "Exile on Coldharbor Lane" contains at least a half a dozen songs that are the equal to "Woke Up This Morning." The album is, in fact, the best techno rock album released in the 1990s by anyone not named Trent Reznor. Combining elements of rock, country, blues and yes, even gospel into their funky beats, these guys know how shake your booty while also challenging your frontal lobes. They also get the prize for managing to turn a John Prine song ("Speed and the Sound of Lonliness") into a house dancefloor number.

With lyrics ranging from fundamentalism to Marxism, all firmly tongue-in-cheek, the other great performances here include the truly funny "U Don't Dans 2 Techo Anymore," which sounds like Big Audio Dynamite meets Merle Haggard. Also terrific are the socialist rant "Bourgeoiusie Blues," "Ain't Goin' to Goa," and the closing hilarity of "Peace in the Valley." They are even adventureous enough to risk a number with a name like "Mao Tse Tung Said," and succeed! Only a couple of clunkers late in the proceedings keeps the album out of five star territory.

Overall, a hip, funny and engaging album that belies the notion that A3 are merely a one song wonder.

I can't sleep so I'm flipping through the channels at 3am and I come to MTV and there's this song, "Woke Up This Morning." I don't have HBO, I don't know about the Sopranos track. I just know I have to find out who is finally singing something on MTV that moooooves me. I go to my nearest music store next day and buy Exile on Cold Harbour Lane. It's my first-ever Parental Advisory CD. I can't get enough of this thing. I sing along in my car. It's my favorite CD since Tom Waits Mule Variations. I'm a 50-year-old woman. Good tunes is good tunes.

This may be the most cohesive nonclassical album I own. Every song segues into the next to produce a number of tracks that are both different yet thematic. The subtleties of expression and nuance hidden in each track will ensure that you will listen to this album for years and still find new things in it. Not as moody or depressed as La Peste, nor chaotic as Power in the Blood, this album is this band at their height (not that their other efforts aren't good in their own right). This is practically a concept album, and it works fantastically, producing a unique sound that still hasn't been replicated. The dirt cheap prices being offered for a used copy make it almost criminal not to pick this up. If you can, try to get a copy with the bonus second disc of remixes, including drawn-out "Ain't Goin' to Goa" that's worth the price of finding such a rare copy.

This is easily one of the best and most infectious albums I have ever had the pleasure to come across. The cohesion of country and techno with tribally-tinted gospel pop is not nearly as confusing or slick as I just made it sound. This is an album that makes you want to dance in wet sand with bare feet and hands held high.

It really is impossible to put your finger on what A3 does to make this album so unique. In the 90's, Portishead and Massive Attack's unique, unparalleled sounds forced the music world to coin the phrase "trip hop." I believe A3 will force us to add another entry to the dictionary of musical arcana, and, for the life of me, I have no idea what to call it. (A3 does help us out at one point by referring to their sound as "sweet, pretty country acid house music." But that's the tip of the iceberg.

What about "Connected" or "Ain't Goin' to Goa" with their church-rafter echoes of hypnotical hymnal nods and floorboard quaking rhythms (not to mention a sprinkling of hip-hop goofiness slathered over by a harmonica rift that will make you wish you could play the banjo).

Their cover of "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" is one of few songs I have ever heard that is as heart-breakingly sad as it is spirit-liftingly glorious.

The heavy techno pulse of "Mao Tse Tung Said" never fully lets go of the albums country roots, and uses a sound clip by Jim Jones to amazing effect. This song slides almost effortlessly into the wild, hilarious, gleeful, and party-ready "Hypo Full of Love," a song that could easily be the centerpiece of this record (not counting, of course, "Woke Up This Morning," a deep and gravelly song you've probably heard over the opening credits to a show called The Sopranos).

I would love to devote some time to each song, but that would be pushing your patience. They all meld into one almost flawless creation (although I didn't dislike them, I don't think "Old Purple Tin" and "U Don't Dance 2 Tekno Anymore" fit quite so snugly into the lineup as the rest of the tracks).

The band's half-joking, half-invigorating spirituality is in no way diluted by their sometimes heavily political lyrics (they seem to be pretty big on communism) and the other purpose-driven messages that provide the blood for some of the tracks. Suffice it to say that even if you disagree with the band's politics or their views on religion and drinking and sex, I have a hard time believing that you'll disagree with the pulse-rattling and soul-charged way that they sing about it all.

I have to be upfront about something, I don't like country. Also, I really only got this because of "Woke up This Morning." but, furthermore, I L O V E this cd immensly. Now, A3 isn't my favorite band by any measure, but this is a damned fine cd. I'd get it if I were you. I got it and I'm me!

Like everyone else, bought this for Sopranos opening credits song: Woke Up This Morning. But it is much much more. A wide range of styles, from tight, funky rhythyms to gospel to country to techno. Innovative and distinctive (you won't mistake A3 for anyone else, or vice versa), with intelligent (Mao Tse Tung Said) and amusing (Ain't Goin to Goa, Hypo Full of Love) lyrics. This is one I listen to over and over, usually without skipping a track. Very nice addition to any collection.

I, like many unsuspecting others I'm sure, purchased Exile on Coldharbour Lane because I couldn't get enough of Woke Up This Morning just hearing it weekly on the Sopranos. So, I bit, hoping that I'd discover a couple more equally dynamic tunes on the CD.

What I surprise I got when I discovered that practically every song in the collection is worthy of a Five Star Rating. In fact, it's the only CD I've wanted to listen to since I purchased it weeks ago. Does the description country/acid house/gospel/techno mean anything to you? Not until you listen to this CD, and then it means the world. Their music is driving, compelling, unique and brilliant.

So, where has A3 been all my life? I've looked on the Internet and can't find out a thing about who they are, where they are, etc. amazon.com doesn't even carry their CDs directly. Anyone have any answers? Drop me a line at whiteh2o@catskill.net.

BTW, do not hesitate for another second. You must hear this CD.

Temptation...Violence...Tekno...and Exile. Everything Reverend D.Wayne is all about. I'll admit it brothers and sisters, I first heard "woke up this morning (the chosen one mix)" on a radio station and went out and bought the 'Soprano' soundtrack. It's no secret that A3 has the best song on that cd so I immediatly fell in love with it. I later on then heard the song "too sick to pray" (which is not on "Exile..") and fell even deeper. This music is fun, witty, holy, bitter-sweet, and very enjoyable. I challenge anyone to take on "The First Presleyterian Chruch of Elvis the Divine" ! I must say probably the best tracks on this album would be "converted", "woke up this morning", "HYPO FULL OF LOVE", ah hell THEY'RE ALL GREAT ! this ain't no bourgeoisie disc. I say amen to acid house, rock, pop, blues, country, dance, and TEKNO...

I am a geeke apparently (earlier sultan of cool review...), for I picked this up after the woke/tv show phenomenon- but I love every track and I have emphatically recommended it to everyone I know. Its dark, its swank, a little like if wolfgang press decided to court country...or maybe Leonard Cohen if he was irresponsibly happy one day...Buy it. You wont be sorry.

Great music, I can't stop listening to it! Original, funky, brilliant, addictive its all there. I had to make a copies so I could listen to it at home, work and in the car. I also ordered La Peste and Outlaw, can't wait to get them.