Eye

Robyn Hitchcock | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 13, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B000VO8O4E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,291 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More personal, less obtuse, December 12, 2008

By 

armenianthunder (los angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eye (MP3 Download)

Half a decade after the critical success of the largely solo acoustic record "I Often Dream of Trains," Hitchcock once again took a break from his band exploits with the Egyptians to create another collection of acoustic numbers, and I would argue that this is his most personal and haunting collection of songs, and almost as good as anything else in his catalog as it showcases his various lyrical talents and his ability to synthesize his three primary influences, Lennon, Dylan and Barrett. Yes, there is still the occasional shellfish or insect reference, but there is a directness here that he has avoided in much of his other records, and yes, even a number of "relationship songs" which range from the simple, joyous "Beautiful Girl" to the reflective "Linctus House." Songs like "Cynthia Mask," "Executioner" ("I know how Judas felt/but he got paid/I'm doing this for free/just like Live Aid") and the title track are among his finest. Even the lesser tracks reflect his range, from instrumental folk guitarist ("Chinese Water Python"), spoken word poetry ("Furry Green Atom Bowl") and some uninteresting exercises in sheer wackiness ("Certainly Clicquot"). Essentially, this record was a glimpse into what Hitchcock would become after the Egyptians folded (that is, until he picked up a group again recently with the Venus 3): a psychedelic folk troubadour, with his own complete lyrical language and musical universe. A must.

4.0 out of 5 stars Moody, Funny, Esoteric, Haunting, Beautiful, Brilliant, November 11, 2009

By 

SaturnAlien (Deep Woods) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eye (Audio CD)

As a point or two of reference, Eye was my first investment in an album by Robyn Hitchcock (though I'd heard a handful of his songs before) and I was living in the SF Bay Area at the time I got it. I've enjoyed seeing Robyn play at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco a number of times and have some bootlegged material as well. For me Eye is emotional, personal (could it have been titled "I"?), wonderful and delightfully odd. [I have the earlier release, framed by the two versions of "Queen Elvis", without the bonus tracks.]

Comparing it to I Often Dream of Trains, I'd say Eye is more listenable, accessible and cohesive; in short, better. A previous reviewer found the song "Beautiful Girl" dumb -- au contraire: it's sublime, more mature than "Sometimes I Wish I Was Pretty Girl" and equally catchy. With the possible exception of "Autumn is Your Last Chance", (from Trains), Eye has more soft and gentle (so-called relationship) material with sufficient edgy material to keep you awake and wondering.

The guitar work is terrific. The songs are artful and frequently humorous. The album rolls nicely from one track to the next. Oh, just buy it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Robyn Hitchcock - Eye 2008 release, March 31, 2009

By 

Joseph Morris "Joe Morris" (Elmwood Park, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eye (Audio CD)

Most of the songs on this are really strong, in my humble opinion

"Linctus House" appeared on his best of compilation (the Rhino Records one) but really, Cynthia Mask, Chinese Water Python, Clean Steve, Aquarium..

A LOT of these songs wouldn't be out of place on a Robyn Hitchcock best of, and most of the songs on this he still plays live

Robyns been recently playing his I Often Dream of Trains album in its entirety. Lets hope he does this one next

I think this is his best solo, personally

LOT of good stuff added to the most recent Eye reissue - "The beauty of Earl's Court" in particular is wonderful

I think this might be a very good place to start if you're getting into Robyn. Either this or Trains. His first album (Black Snake Diamond Role) is a VERY good collection of songs, but this is more personal

A lot of these songs I've heard SO many times, and I'll probably be listening to them for as long as I live. The first track ("Cynthia Mask") is a good taster track, or maybe "Glass hotel" is another track to sample if you like the sound of a good guitar

I like Robyns playing on this a lot too

Try to get the most recent reissue of this album. Not sure if that has "Sweet Ghost of Light" (great track) but it does have "Earls Court" at the end, which is absolutely wonderful.

Enjoy!