Customer Reviews

Flock

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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!

I first heard Bell X1's cover of Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You" on the in-store CD at the clothing store where I work. Intrigued by the interpretation of a well-known pop song, I scoured the Internet to find out who had created the cover, and soon discovered it was done by an Irish band called Bell X1. At that point, none of their albums were available in the States (and to date, Music in Mouth is the only one that is) and I decided to wait until my upcoming visit to the UK to buy them rather than pay the import prices. I was further intrigued by the fact that Damien Rice, one of my favorite songwriters, was a former member, back when the band was known as Jupiter.
Upon arrival in the UK last year, I purchased both Bell X1 albums on impulse, having never heard anything other than their Timberlake cover. I instantly fell in love with both Neither Am I and Music in Mouth, and when I returned home I shared the music with all of my friends.
When I found out the the band was releasing a new album, I knew that chances were it would be several months or even a year or more before it became available on my side of the pond, and since I was craving more music from the Bell boys, I knew I couldn't wait that long, so I forked over the import price. And I have not been disappointed.
While Neither Am I remains my favorite of their albums, Bell X1 have done it again with Flock.
It's simply a musical masterpiece, layering innovative rhythms, haunting melodies, and spine-tingling arrangements to create a sound that delights and saddens all at once. On a cloudy day, Bell X1 is often my go-to band for the perfect soundtrack for the day, and now, with Flock, they are quickly becoming my go-to band on any day.
I have seen many comparisons between them and Radiohead, and I definitely agree with them, and only hope that these guys attain the following that Radiohead has developed worldwide, because they are equally deserving of it. I love them more with every song I hear, and I tell everyone I know about them because I believe they are masters of their craft.
I only hope that one day they will do a US tour; otherwise, I'll simply have to travel back to the British Isles to see them live!

Many people probably now know that Radiohead take their name from a Talking Heads song. What far fewer folk have a handle on is how to join the dots between the two bands. It seems simple enough - art rock old and new - but where Talking Heads grew ever outwards, encompassing the world music frontman David Byrne would nurture on his Luaka Bop label, Radiohead have become increasingly insular bedroom boffins since "OK Computer". With "Flock", their third album but only the second to get a British release, Ireland's Bell X1 have unearthed the missing musical link - and it's marvellous.

Pixies were a huge influence on early Radiohead and there's a steal from "Nimrod's Son" on "He Said She Said" here, but it's a brief dalliance. Rather than aping the stop-start dynamics of Black Francis, "Flock" has a poise rare in a modern record, in a pop world of bluster, sweat and too many notes. It's restrained and delicate, its power slowly becoming apparent over the course of the 11 tracks on offer. Much of the credit must go to singer Paul Noonan. His voice unites elements of Byrne's intensity, Thom Yorke's range and even Ian Curtis' mania at moments but there's an undertone of deep sorrow that's entirely individual and improbably moving, even with the least emotive of the lyrics.

Don't expect rabble-rousing declarations or faux-poetic posturing - there's a socially-conscious mind at work here, as troubled by the bigger picture as it is by romantic entanglements. So opener "Reacharound" invokes prostitutes - in order to draw a parallel to politics, while "Just Like Mr Benn" ponders whether an internet relationship could survive in real life - "What if I appeared as if by magic? / Just like in Mr Benn".

Meanwhile, "Bad Skin Day" and closing track "Lamposts" provide slow-burn anthems Embrace would envy. The latter fades away to nothing then comes back stronger for a haunting mass chorus of "I've been walking you / Into those lampposts again / I'd rather do that / Than let go of your hand." The twinkling, hypnotic shuffle of "Bad Skin Day", with its refrain of "Someday we'll all wear a crown" is magnificent, the kind of song that, through its arrangement alone, could make you weep.

On "Natalie", Noonan sings: "History is written by the winners / And I want my say." What this eloquent album says, quietly and articulately, is that while Radiohead will - of their own volition - never make another album like "OK Computer", Bell X1, if they carry on in this vein, may well create its equal. "Flock" really is that good.

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.

This Album is probably going to go down as my favourite of the year. I recommend anyone who likes Snow patrol go out a buy this. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. 5 out of 5.

...to get into this band, but I just can't. They seem to be on the cusp of being good, but their music is just too serious and, often, drab. "Flock" is supposed to be their best, but I prefer "Music In Mouth", which to me gives an idea of what Bell X1 could be at their best. But for the most part, this is "let's sit in a depressing Dublin pub, listen to the band and feel sorry for ourselves" kind of music.

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.

To me this is sort of a Snow Patrol album with a sprinkling of Modest Mouse - and it's pulled off with some success. Tracks like `Flame' and `Reacharound' are bouncy and fun and really make you recall the recent success of Modest Mouse's single `Float On'. If I were more cynical - I would claim that it was a rip off - but I don't know the history of either band and refuse to speculate.

Then you have a Snow Patrol sound that seems to permeate throughout the rest of the tracks. The almost overly dramatic production with strings, piano and lyrics that make me think of teen TV programs. They pull it off well - and it's fun to hear - but it's not terribly `new'.

The one standout that I feel combines the two styles pretty cleverly is `Bigger Than Me' - it has those lyrics that make you think you could see it during an inspirational montage on your favorite teen TV drama - but the bounciness that one could expect from a Modest Mouse track. It's a great song and I enjoy it - but I feel one can tell that it's reaching for recognition rather than being silently good and waiting to be discovered.

I get frustrated with a couple of the tracks - as I think the repetition on some tracks such as `First Born for a Song' and `He Said, She Said' - is showing of lack of creativity.

The title of this album `Flock' does suggest that these comparisons were bound to happen. I'm left wondering - are they suggesting with it that they are one in the flock? Or are they pointing to the flock and saying - everyone else is doing it - why not us in a very tongue in cheek approach?

I do enjoy this album for what it is - it's fun to listen to and to tap my feet along with. Though I don't feel that the content is not too fresh (and that may be intentional) - but it's not too stale that it won't satisfy you either.

I bought this disc on a wim and am very pleased. There's not a clunker on the disc. If you like Marillion, Embrace, or Radiohead this CD has the feel of each of these bands dispursed thoughout. Bell X1 has a refreshing sound. Check them out, you won't be sorry.

My folks purchased this disc for me at a music store in Dublin, thanks to the recommendation of a sales clerk who must possess unique musical tastes. "Flock" is a musically varied, creative CD that I never would have bought on my own, so many thanks to that Dublin girl who made the suggestion to my vacationing parents.

Bell X1 keep things lively, adventurous and hip with diverse songs that make it hard to define the band's ultimate sonic destination. There's some serious-sounding rock that reminds me of The Killers ("Reacharound," "He Said She Said"); modern-rock, more danceable tracks ("Flame," "My First Born for a Song"); simpler pop in the vain of Talking Heads ("Bigger Than Me"); and some genuinely toned-down, touching tunes with earnest lyrics ("Rocky Took a Lover," "Bad Skin Day," "Just Like Mr. Benn," "Lamposts").

The closing song, "Lamposts," is especially lush and beautiful, a drawn out, romantic song that's epic in the sense that it fades out for about a minute or so, only to fade back in for a few minutes with the pomp and circumstance it deserves.

The slower, more understated tunes on "Flock" might have the biggest effect on listeners. "Bad Skin Day" contains lyrics about exactly what you would guess; it's a morose song with a good acoustic hook, a keyboard and stirring strings, all of it best played on a sad rainy day. There are elements of Snow Patrol's (see Eyes Open) tender lyrics and sound on "Natalie," and "Flock's" archaic elegance also shows flashes of what Arcade Fire did on their Funeral album from 2004.

But enough of comparing Bell X1 with other bands' sounds. Truthfully, this Irish band has its own thing going, and I'm glad "Flock" found its way across the pond and into my hands.