Customer Reviews

Fresh Wine for the Horses

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me first say that I think Rob's former band Catherine Wheel was THE most criminally underrated band of the entire 90's! Amazing album after amazing album, with a groundbreaking sound that I still hear in newer, more unexplainably popular bands today, and they couldn't get arrested! (Perhaps it was their name, which unfortunately may have caused their albums to end up in the 'Female Folk Singers' category at most record stores!) Sadly, the switch of labels from Mercury to Sony, instead of giving them the push they so greatly needed, served to simply let them fade away into self-described "hiatus". So, it was with great anticipation that I picked up Rob's long-awaited solo release. While not too reminiscent of the Wheel, it's still SO great to hear his wonderful and expressive voice again! I guess this could be considered a more "adult" or "lighter" version of the Wheel's sound, since he was, after all, their songwriter. But don't let that stop you from enjoying one of the best albums I've heard this year. And, CW fans can rejoice that two songs, both leftovers from the underrated "Wishville" album, are included here, and reunite three of the four Wheel members, along with frequent collaborator Tim Friese-Green! I only hope that alternative radio catches onto the first single "My name is love" and turns it into the hit it oughta be! For Rob Dickinson, major stardom is long overdue and well-deserved! May he 1) find success with this solo release, and 2) reunite the mighty Catherine Wheel again!

I was unkind to Catherine Wheel in my review of their swan song, _Wishville_, which I (like so many CW fans) considered lackluster and distinctly subpar. I wrote back then that I hoped they'd rebound, and while things didn't exactly work out that way, _Fresh Wine for the Horses_ -- hey Rob, watch whom you're calling a horse! -- is a highly worthwhile listen from that band's primary songwriter.

As with most of CW's albums, the songs here are something of a mixed bag with respect to musical and lyrical quality, and CW fans may be a bit disappointed by the fact that only the hyper-dynamic rocker "Handsome" goes beyond midtempo. Still, between that track, the sweet and soaring single "My Name is Love," the delicate and skillfully arranged ballad "The Night," and the slow-burn closer "Towering and Flowering," there's more than enough good stuff here to make for a solid album.

An addendum: having adored Warren Zevon before I adored Catherine Wheel (for the simple reason that Zevon arrived 16 years earlier), I find Dickinson's two-part cover of "Mutineer" to be well-chosen, appropriately symbolic, and all-around menschy. (I don't entirely get why he decided to cover approximately the same snippet of the song on track 4 and again at the album's end -- with original harmonies on the latter -- rather than simply covering the whole song, but that's a minor point.) While CW's life as a band and Zevon's life as a human being may have ended right around the same time, this album finds promising new life in the ashes of the old.

My husband and I have been Catherine Wheel fans for YEARS and have been awaiting the release of this album like no other- we were NOT disappointed! It saddens me to say that we actually found his album at a major music store filed under the Bruce Dickinson tab- argh! (Not that I'm surprised since Catherine Wheel albums were always under "W" for the presumed female artist Catherine!) Rob's voice sounds incredible (Towering and Flowering) and some of the melodies are just phenomenal (Oceans). This album is full of songs that are great to sit down, relax and actually LISTEN to (as were most Catherine Wheel songs) unlike most of the thee minute crap out there today that's written only with radio station playlists in mind. I must say that I can never understand why Rob is often pegged in reviews as a "weak lyricist" because many of the lines in this album are quite tender or downright catchy. I hope this album brings Rob the success he's deserved for years and CW give it another go!

Are we NOW going to start in on the lyrics of the man who wrote "Eat My Dust..."?. Forgiving any nonsense lyrics (please) this man is incredible. Loved his amazing voice and presence from Ferment on. He seems to have gotten better with age. My Name Is Love and Handsome prove that. This is for the CW lover and for anyone who appreciates vocals of this caliber. Perhaps he can finally escape the misguided references to shoegazing.

For those helplessly hoping for a new Catherine Wheel disc, Rob Dickinson's Fresh Wine For The Horses is the next best thing (maybe better).

On acoustic songs Rob sounds like Ritchie Havens. But, the heavier Catherine Wheel sound is still occasionally evident. In fact, Brian Futter, Neil Sims and Tim Friese-Greene play on two songs (The Storm and Towering & Flowering). Handsome could even be an extension of All of That (from Wishville).

With this recording Rob is free to explore personal issues and employ outside musicians (like Tracy Bonham) without upsetting the delicate balance of a band.

If you like groups like Coldplay, Elbow and Keane, you should enjoy this as well. Also, check out the distinctive Storm Thorgerson inner spread.

[DW]

I've been a fan of Catherine Wheel since their first album. When I first heard Rob was putting out a solo album I thought, crap, another singer from a great rock band is going to put out an album of slow, boring ballads. I've been it happen dozens of times in the past so I feared yet another dull solo debut. Boy was I in for a surprise! Catherine Wheel is one of my top five bands ever so it goes without saying that I had to at least give Rob's debut a chance. I'd have to say that "Fresh Wine For The Horses" is full of the best voice to come out of Rob since "Happy Days." This album starts a bit slow but then rocks big time. I couldn't be more impressed with this debut. I hesitate to actually say it's better than the classic that was "Happy Days" but honestly it may in fact be. Standout tracks include "The Night" (most of the other reviewers loved this track too and I certainly agree that it's superb), "Handsome" is my favorite track. This song has some of the coolest music I've ever heard wrapped up in one track. "Intelligent People" and "The Storm" are excellent tracks as well. Anyone who liked Catherine Wheel's last album, "Wishville," but wished it had more heavier rock songs on it is sure to love "Fresh Wine For The Horses." Out of around 100 new releases I've purchased this year, this one is simply the best. Thank you Rob for impressing the hell outta me! You rock!!

After 2000's Wishville, Catherine Wheel disappeared. Clearly the jump to a major label and promised "stardom" failed so miserably the band had to go on "hiatus". It seems obvious to me that the band sacrificed what they did so well for commercial success, and once that failed there was every incentive to get out of the major label game.

Tragedy aside, this album is so good it's like another Catherine Wheel record. The participation of most of the original members of the band goes to prove that the friendship is still there, it was the politics of big record deals that got in the way.

From the moment i heard "Mutineer" it was etched in my mind. It is the centerpiece of an album that recalls Catherine Wheel classics like FRIPP, Eat My Dust and Future Boy rather than the bombastic Texture or Waydown but is just as excellent.

Anyone that liked the breadth of Catherine Wheel will like this also. I've waited 5 years for something new and hope they all get back into the spotlight.

I have been a Catherine Wheel fan for 15 years and lemented their quiet exit from the scene. Low-and-behold, here comes the new Rob Dickinson album that I had longed for...part Catherine Wheel part something more personal and more thoughtful. Several of the songs sound like extensions of Wishville (rightfully so, i guess, as Futter, Sims and TF-G were part of the beauty) but others sound fresh and welcome. Two big thumbs up for Rob...welcome back, I missed you!

I had no idea Rob had a new cd out until I was searching for some other music online. Well I have been a huge CW fan and last saw the band perform 2000 on their Wishville tour. I was lucky enough to meet Rob and still have my photo with him so you can imagine how much I love this guy. Last nite I got a good listen with the head phones (this is how you truly listen to a new cd) and I am not dissapointed. "The Night" is an amazing song and there are little bits and peices of CW in this album. It's more mature which is appropriate and shows strength of an artist who has grown. I love it!!!

This album harks back to Catherine Wheel's finer moments on Adam & Eve, with killer singles, quiet heartfelt songs, and epic souring tracks that make your heart flutter (or Futter?). Unfortunately, just like Adam & Eve, this album is not getting pushed at all by Sanctuary Records. It's a shame that such excellent work gets swept under the rug before it has a fighting chance. This album has to have one of the best closings I've heard with the ending track Towering and Flowering. You have to hear it to appreciate it. Get this album if you like things that don't suck. :-)