Flock [ENHANCED]

Bell X1

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 19, 2008)
• Original Release Date: February 19, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B000W8FWBC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,434 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Europe > British Isles > Ireland

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The album's cover art (and title) would seem to make a comparison between the group's modern rock sound and wallpaper. Which is meta, and fun and stuff--but at first it seems a little bit too true. Is the racy leadoff track "Reacharound" much more than Radiohead lite? And how is the second track, "Flame," anything other than the work of a Maroon 5 tribute band that decided to write its own material? Stick around for the third song, though, "Rocky Took a Lover," and you'll be greatly rewarded. The song itself is a pleasant, gloopy little sunshine pop number. But what makes it something you want to hear more of are its sly, believably slice-of-life lyrics: "She said 'What a wonderful way to wake me/ You weren't so nice last night/ You're such an a**hole when you're drunk'/ He said 'At least I'm OK in the mornings'" For a group with one of the most unmemorable band names ever, it's funny that it's their way with words that elevates them from wannabe status. Let's hope they can craft some music as memorable as their words, toot sweet. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description

In Ireland, a country churning out hit makers like so much Guinness, Bell X1 are at the forefront of the frenzy. Called 'The best band in Ireland' by Vanity Fair magazine, the quintet of rockers has seen four songs simultaneously chart in the Irish Top 20 and the album, Flock, has since gone 5-times platinum. The band is now bringing their sound stateside with the US release of Flock on Yep Roc Records. Bell X1 was formed when original band Juniper split upon the exit of Damien Rice for a soon to be successful solo career. The remaining members continued on, creative juices still bubbling, to release their first album to rave reviews in the UK press. Two albums later came their blockbuster album, Flock, which is today one of the highest selling Irish albums ever. The live DVD Tour de Flock debuted at #4 on the Irish charts, the highest ever Irish debut for a self released title. With hooks galore amid a tapestry of moody, introspective nuances, Bell X1 is now poised to ride the wave of their UK success toward an entirely new group of fans and critics, on this side of the Atlantic.

Adding extra value to your purchase, the Yep Roc version of Flock is an enhanced CD, featuring three live videos, an animated music video, a photo slideshow, a bio page, a links page, and two special audio tracks, including an amazing remix of 'Flame'.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lush, Beautiful Alternative Rock, March 1, 2008

By	Joel Israel "Professional Shark Wrestler" (Cedar City, UT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Irish band Bell-X1 have a real winner here with their debut release in the U.S., "Flock". This is definately the kind of album which seems simple at first blush, but reveals layers of subtlety upon further spins, becoming the kind of thing you feel compelled to listen to over and over again....

"Flock" is the kind of music just about anyone would enjoy....the kind of thing you would spin at a party or alone on your ipod. Often drawing comparisons to Radiohead, Bell X-1 actually have a very warm, mature and robust sound which avoids much of the technological, electronica trappings of Thom Yorke's aesthetic. They are, nonetheless, musicially similiar in their use of effects and atmospheric soundscapes. A more precise analogy would be Radiohead meets British art-rock veterans Marillion and the Australian band Powderfinger. Very intelligent, mature and immersive modern rock. Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wow...beautiful and mature sounding., March 25, 2009

By	Seller - See all my reviews

This is a wonderful album from start to finish. The best adjective I can summon is "lush". The instrumentals are full and surrounded with wonderful vocals which make this album very balanced. I was taken by surprise the first time I listened to this because I had not expected quite so well rounded and impressive an effort. Kudos.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Album All the Way Through, August 20, 2008

By	Alpha Centauri (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Bell X1's "Flock" offers beautiful, elegant, complex melodic rock with a large variety of musical instruments. The vocal is similar to Coldplay, the music has the ethereal mood of groups like Pink Floyd and Elbow, with complex melodies (sometimes erratic) akin to Radiohead. Of course, Bell X1 is its own band with their own unique sound over all. There is more to the ear than what you hear on the first listen. Frankly, I'm stunned at how great it is. My favorite tracks are "Trampoline," "My First Born for a Song," "Flame (Chicken Lips Remix)" [Bonus MP3], "Rocky Took a Lover," and "Bad Skin Day." I am hopeful this band will rise to fame as well deserved.