Customer Reviews

Famous Rich Beautiful

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How can anyone not love The Philosopher Kings? Their wonderful blend of rock/alternative/pop/soul/r&b and jazz is awe-inspiring. This album contains the hits 'It hurts to love you', 'I am the man', 'You stepped on my life', 'You don't love me (like you used to)' and the wonderful cover of Godley and Creme's 'Cry', which I think is even better than the original. Listen also to the jazzy sax ending to 'I am the man'. Perfect! In fact, as you listen to the whole album, listen to the background music not just the vocals. The arrangemants are truly brilliant.

The Philosopher Kings' sophmore CD effectively displays what many have feared for some time now: that the majority of the music buying public are willfully stupid. How else to explain the lack of an American release for Famous, Rich and Beautiful; and album which deserves to be in heavy rotation on your stereo right this very moment.

Yes, you.

Stretching musical chops even further than on Charms (their debut, and only album available in the states), this record finds the Kings in the mood for 70's style funk. While it loses some of the intimate cool that pervaded the first album by trading soulful jazz licks for rougher funk riffs, the transition is a smooth one. Gerald Eaton is the greatest non-famous (at least here in America) singer i've ever heard, and is backed by solid music from the band. Though there are a few missteps (the tinny, "Why did they think this was a good idea?" sound of Little Rosey, responsible for four stars instead of 5 almost singlehandedly) it is hard to fault the group for attempting a creatively challenging or innovative moment at a moment in time when music is to innovative as dog is to thermonuclear device.
The most impressive (and most haunting) track from Famous, Rich and Beautiful is the piano driven New Messiah. An almost baroquely classical piano riff echoes endlessly as Eaton murmurs "I'm letting you go to my head....like a bullet to the brain" and the sound of a heart monitor keeps the tempo. Its an effective, almost chilling portrait of new love verging into obsession. And its damn catchy.

Also of note: the complete 180 degree turn the band makes for the last track-it's straightforward jazz that might sound right at home on the early recordings of the Nat Cole Trio, and an indication of the depth and bredth of this collective's talent.

If you like your music with a bit of edge, enjoy a bit of jazz with your rock, you'll love them. I bought the first cd with few expectations, I tracked the second down with great effort. It was well worth it.

All the songs on this cd are excellent it is a refreshing change from all the other music you hear. The lead singer's voice is fabulous. I love this band.

This is my favorite CD that they have put out so far. I have had this CD now for about 4 years, and I still keep it in my CD player in my car because it is one of my favorites. There are a lot of ballads on it, but the CD in general is upbeat. If you're looking for a CD that typifies The Philosopher Kings, this is it!

Never heard of the Philosopher Kings? I'm not surprised.

A Canadian group from the mid-90s that never quite caught on in the States. They blended pop-funk-soul-r&b and yes, some easy listening aspects, all in one disk - 'Famous, Rich and Beautiful'.

They were fun and talented, but make no mistake about it - they were slick. Tightly played and produced. Lead singer, Gerald Eatons was like a Terence Trent D'arby, but without the attitude and baggage. Just an upper ranged flawless voice that could rock when he had or wanted to.

Why they failed to make a dent is beyond me. I can't say what kind of impact they made above the border. I will say I saw them live in 1996 and they were incredible.

Their video "hit" (or one of the few I ever saw) was "I Am the Man". Loved the vid, loved the song - still do. It is probably their most uptempo, which was why it was the initial release from 'Famous'.

But I love "Hurts to Love You", "You Stepped on My Life" and "You Don't Love Me Like You Used To". Man this guy has loved and lost!

They do a decent cover of Godley & Creme's "Cry". And I'm a fan of "The New Messiah".

You can get this via import - but even iTunes and amazone ain't carrying it in download format. What gives?

If you ever get the opportunity - check 'em out.

when this CD came out and the videos were on heavy airplay on muchmusic, I dismissed this band as being too tacky and was into my r&b/hip hop. 8 years later when that genre has reached an all time low, I decided to listen to the hit singles from this album for old time sakes and I now realize that they are talented musicians who play live instruments, write great songs and in a prince-like fashion have the funk! Definitely check out this band if you, they are so much better than boybands and groups like maroon 5

I remember watching Muchmusic one day and stumbled upon PK's video, "You don't love me (like you used to)" and froze to the sounds of the lead singer's vocals and the bands musical arrangements. If your looking for something different and far, far away from bubble-gummy pop culture this album is a must have. Imports are the best! I also recommend Jamiroquai (if you like a more disco-ish feel), Stephen Simmonds (if you lean towards jazzy R&B), and Modjo (just a good group).

I own all three PK CD's, "Philosopher Kings", "Famous, rich and Beautiful" and "One Night Stand", which is now currently only available in Canada, and I love them all. They are one of the best bands around these days. I have also seen them three times live, and each time they get better. If you have a chance to see them, do so.

when i bought the PK's first album i fell in love with their musical style and was almost dreaded getting this one. After all, how could they possibly top that album, I have never been so happy to be proven wrong. Very passionate sound in their music, every note and every word carry a feeling to it. Can't wait for their next album!