Customer Reviews

Fruit of Life

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

 

 

English lacks the superlatives to describe this album. In today's pop culture, in which crass commercialism crushes originality, Fruit of Life stands out as a perfect jewel. The depth of their lyrics astounds. The range of their vocals intrigues. The purity of their harmony amazes. All in all, the best CD in years. No wonder the big labels ignore them!

It sickens me that people are selling used copies of this CD for less than a dollar. I feel compelled to buy all of them and hoard them in a bank vault on the off chance that this CD becomes unavailable at some point in the future. I bought this CD back in 1994 because one of my college professors (a recent transplant from L.A.) recommended it, and I have loved it ever since. If you listen to it and do not become obsessed with it, then there is something seriously wrong with you.

I cannot say enough about this album. Every song is a treat-- I have been listening to the album for well over a year. The music is similar to ballads by Everything But the Girl and Indigo Girls, and even better in some ways. A word of caution, however: the 1996 album is much different, reflecting a harder and faster sound.

By accident, I discovered the Wild Colonials live at a hole in the wall in Boise, Idaho. The intensity of the music, the variety of sounds, the violin and the vocals were so compelling I bought both of their albums. The music is truly fantastic and every track on this CD is worth your time. The lyrics tend to be reflective, in some cases sad, but always comforting. This is not to say the music is slow - there are some very lively songs and some truly remarkable violin playing. "Alice" is the best "fast" song on the CD; it begins "The feeling was strong/when it came up tonight/you looked at your life/and nothing seemed right..." You'll feel the energy in the song.

Although the Wild Colonials are not really similar, I know many who like them who also like Sarah MacLachlan, Sinead O'Connor, Dave Matthews Band, Cowboy Junkies, etc. The Wild Colonials manage to be both soft and intense. I also recommend their other CD, This Can't Be Life; equally good.

I first heard this group during the closing credits of the movie "Conviction". Fell in love with the song "Heaven & Hell" and the lead singers voice. Still like the song and the voice but I found all the songs to be the same tone/tempo/speed...each one sounded so much like the one before and the one before that. I kept waiting for something to burst through but it never happened and then the CD was over and I have yet to listen again. So dissappointed, they sound like they are really capable of so much more but I just didn't hear it.

I LOVE this album. My sister gave it to me for my birthday and I find myself constantly reaching for it when there are people over who like a variety of musical genres. This will please the jazz lover, the "folky", and Irish/New Age buffs. My husband and I both enjoy it and he is a classic rock listener and I tend towards alternative. (I also find most of the songs incredibly sexy. Great for a romantic night at home.)

This CD along with their second rarely leave my CD player. The Wild Colonials are not easy to describe, Angela (the singer)is Scottish, some of the band are from Canada and they formed in LA. Angela has just the most amazing voice, not "pretty" it is emotional and full of soul. There is a definite celtic feel to the album, but it is not that new-age celtic stuff, instead there is traditional fiddle mixed into a garage band sound. All of the songs are wonderful and cover a wide range of styles. Philadelphia Story is a sweet love song with a happy ending, Dear Mike is a love letter to Mike Scott of the Waterboys. She also covers Billy Holiday's Don't Explain, and although her voice is less than perfect there is such raw emotion in her singing that it is impossible not to be moved. Fruit of Life is a wonderful, for the most part upbeat, pop record.

Finding unusual, but great sounds is something you just kind of run across sometimes. Well, this is one of them. This CD has a variety of genres all in one. Take the time to just put on some headphones, sit back and listen to all the sounds and the words.
It is music at its best. I hope they continue to make CD's similar to this one. I'll buy again!

This album was purchased because it had the song "Heaven and Hell" used in the movie "Conviction" during the credits at the end. My wife really enjoyed it. Unfortunately modern albums amplify the music so that it competes with the singer, plus the singer doesn't enunciate as precisely as I would like. I can't really uderstand most of the words. But the arrangements, the beat, and the instruments are extremely pleasant and relaxing.

I was lucky enough to see The Wild Colonials open for Toad the Wet Sprocket many years ago. In the end, their live show was even better than Toad's and I bought the c.d. at their concert.

I found this c.d. to be a wonderful mix of gritty, soul-filled ballads with exceptionally well-written lyrics and diverse music style(s). It's one of those few c.d.'s where as a listener you're not sure what to expect, from fiddle to bass, from rock to jazz, this release covers a wide range.

I have to admit I was a bit let down on the second release, but that's the usually the way sophomore efforts go. I do think that they had/have the talent to be around for a long time to come.