Customer Reviews

The Futurist

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

When I ran across this album my first thought was, "Robert Downey Jr.?" Surely not the Robert Downey Jr. who's a brilliant actor but noted drug addict? But, sure enough, it is. After listening to the sample clips off this album, I was intrigued enough to buy the album. And I'm pleasantly surprised: It's very good if you like (as I do) slow, introspective, lyric-driven, rock (somewhere between Sting and John Mayer?). Downey's bluesy voice is full and soulful and the result is surprisingly pure, honest and mature. Downey's piano-playing on ocassion reveals a slight echo of a Billy Joel-Elton John early 80s lick, but like his voice, songwriting and interpretation, his performance on the piano also is solid. His songwriting is honest and self-revelatory: he's a poet with more than rhyming skills. And spending time strung-out and in jail provides plenty of grist for him to work with. What a surpirse. Now I know.

It begins with the pleasing musical simplicity of a solo piano. I hold my breath. Then his sensual, sumptuous voice washes over me -- "This is the night I've been dreaming of forever, the mirror takes a look at my face" -- and I smile. At first, I search for signposts in his words that will help me to connect the songs with the stark headline details of his life we all know. But then I let go and sink into the complexities that lie at the heart of his music. When it ends, and there is only the tap of rain on my window, I feel as if I have visited with Downey for a while in his own beautifully human universe.

For some of us who have been Downey fans since Less Than Zero and before, the wait for his first CD has been a long one. "The Futurist" is worth the wait. I'm old fashioned in that I think albums should be a whole experience: an interesting cover, liner notes, designed to be listened to from start to finish without interruption. After listening to "Futurist" for the last few hours, I can say that in my view it is a proper album, with a beginning, a middle and an end. It's direct and warm, emotionally and musically honest. The production doesn't disappoint. Each listen brings something new to my attention. But, it's a Robert Downey Jr. album, so along with the beauty and the genius, there are intriguing, subtle kinks and oddities.

Musically, Downey's clearly adept at genre skipping, at laying down his own richly textured path of musical expression. It is pop, but pop inspired with delicate jazz and blues flavours, and a sprinkle of classy soulful moments. Downey's vocal performances are a mix of fragility and strength, and they captivate. His voice moves comfortably between smooth as suede on the ballads, to a rock edginess, to a delicious smoky blues tone.

On the production, I have to say that in my opinion the gentler, more organic approach taken by Jonathan Elias suits Downey's music better than Mark Hudson's somewhat busy production style. But I confess to a bias in that one of my most treasured CDs is Elias's Prayer Cycle.

Downey's lyrics are strong and evocative. Sometimes he slips into the delightful wordplay that his fans have come to anticipate from his media interviews. The theme of transition prevails. He uses his songs to examine those shadowy times on the edge of love and redemption.

For now my favourite song is "Kimberley Glide," or then again "Little Clownz" and "Hannah" are really good, and there's "A Man Like Me" and "Details" to consider. And listening to "Smile" at the end of the album felt rather like opening a small velvet-wrapped present.

The creative arts always involve risk but Downey took a bold step when he committed to push at the edges of his musical competence, and create his first CD. I applaud his courage and spirit. "The Futurist" reveals to us all that as both an actor and a musician, Robert Downey Jr. is gifted, daring and imaginative.

The first thing that hits you while listening to this cd is the unique qualities of Downey's voice. If you could mix up Bruce Springsteen, Joe Cocker, Tom Petty and a bit of Steely Dan you would have only the beginning. You need to add to this mix his own deep slightly raspy voice that is full of soul and raw emotion and you have what makes listening to this cd so compelling. His voice tells us right away that this a man who has gone through way too much life for someone his age. There is no hiding it and why should he. It is a voice that ranges from tenderness, to wistfulness, to anger, to hope and hopelessness and back again with all of the emotional terrain in between these stops. The lyrics are jazzy and remind me of the best of Beat Poetry. I keep changing my mind over my favorite song. There is a sense of remorse,loss, and nostalgia to "Kimberly Glide" that touches me over and over. The images are arresting and new such as "Cactus Angels". "Little Clownz" is fascinating with every listen. And "Hannah" just surprises me over and over with it's chord changes and harmonies. I love the title of this cd...The Futurist. There is a feeling of hope and optimism rising above the ashes of a difficult past. I can imagine sitting in a small club and listening to Downey singing these songs from his heart. Now that would be heaven.

I first must identify and seperate myself from many of those writing excessively positive reviews about this CD. I am not a Robert Downey Jr. fan and have very little past experience with his music or acting. Therefore, this is unbiased and not influenced by the man's looks or past experiences.

I initially caught a Downey interview and performance on the Ellen Degeneres show. His voice, even live, is solid. Given, it isn't amazing but the easy listening or soft rock genres do not require vocals with amazing range. It only requires that a voice is relaxing, smooth, something that catches your ear and makes you want to hear more. His fits this description and, after further investigation on his website, I purchased a copy.

The album is entrancing, although its depth appeared to me gradually. Initially the lyrics seem shallow, and that may be the greatest downfall of the CD: It has little shock value. As you continue to listen though, the art comes out in the music; the piano work is beautiful at times and his voice keeps you listening. I don't want to compare Downey too closely to a legend, but as a huge Billy Joel fan, this music keeps my mind moving much the way his does. It flows the way a Joel CD does also, somewhat methodically.

The negative side of the album is limited but some, quite understandably, may not be able to see past it. As I said, the lyrics have there momentary lapses. This can be traced to Downey's writing. I suspect he isn't amazingly experienced, or atleast not at this level. Initially, as i also said, the first listen might not move you. Give it another chance though; if it doesn't do anything for you it's no surprise, no album's perfect.

Overall, the CD is a good effort. Contrary to some negative reviews, the CD would remain solid whether or not Downey was an actor or not. Historically, actors do not make good singers. That doesn't mean anyone should jump to conclusions on this album, underestimating the mans talent. On the opposite side, contrary to the positive reviews, Downey is not God and the album is not flawless. There is plenty of room for improvement and maturation as a musician. For a debut though, it must be considered a success.

Robert Downey Jr. has already proven his artistic genius as an actor and showcased some of his vocal and piano skills during some of his acting appearances on Ally McBeal for example. His new debut cd "The Futurist" is original; his voice is captivating (raspy kind of like an Eric Clapton rocker sound but heavier like a Joe Cocker haunt); and some of the musical background is fascinating. Downey actually wrote several songs on The "Futurist" and cowrote others with Mark Hudson. The overall effect is ballad beautiful musically but Downey's lyrics are the weak spot. The lyrics are not grounded and give the songs a sense of confusion to me and kept me from rating the cd as a 5 star release for my taste. I love the way the cd was produced though and the melodies arranged. I particularly noticed and appreciated Sarah Hudson's background vocals. Production credits go to Mark Hudson and Jonathan Elias.

My favorite track is "Your Move" originally by "Yes" in large part because of the vocals he shares with Jon Anderson but you'd be wrong to assume it even remotely resembles the interpretation by "Yes" at all. You have to hear how lovely it is reworked. The other track I love is "Smile," Downey's voice coupled with Charlie Haden's renowned jazz bass is astonishing.

It's a surprise of a lovely release.

I have to start by saying I have been a huge RDJ fan for many many years so I could not possibly write an unbiased review if my life depended on it. That said, I honestly believe that anyone who gives this CD a chance...not just a quick skip through, but truly listens to it as a whole will have to admit that it's great.

Having heard some of RDJ's music before I thought I was prepared for what I was going to hear. Still, I was suprised and of course captivated with what I heard from this album. That's not to say I was blown away at first. Actually some of the songs are still growing on me. This is of course because the music is so much like Downey himself, multi-faceted, crazy, endearing, poetic, and mysterious.

After listening to this tonight a few times I actually feel emotionally exhausted. This was a far cry from the bubblegum pop I'm hit with on the radio all day long(which I love). This was real raw emotion, plain and simple.

To those who will dismiss this as another washed up actor with rock star dreams, they at the very least must admit his lyrics and voice are beautiful.

Buy this CD and give yourself ample time not to simply listen to it but to experience it and all the emotion that comes with it.

Are you thinking," man, another actor who thinks he can sing".Then you have a surprise coming when you listen to The Futurist.
Robert Downey Jr is a very talented singer and musician. He has been singing and writing lyrics for years, most he kept hidden from the public. But with support and encouragement from family and friends, he offered to share his talent with us.
I am so glad he did.. You will not be disappointed. His lyrics are raw,tender,revealing and hopeful. His voice haunts you long after you turn the music off. "Man like Me" "Details" "Broken" and of course "Smile" are stand outs.
If you like Bruce Hornsby, Sting or Rod Stewart, you will like this cd.

Say what you will about Robert Downey Jr., but you can't say he's living a dull life. He's been a major movie star and has had numerous trips in and out of drug rehab. So what does this have to do with The Futurist? Maybe everything and nothing. If that's a vague desciption, perhaps it's because of his lyrics. You think you might know what he's talking about, and yet you're never quite sure. Add to that confusion some laid back vocals that sound like Counting Crows' Adam Duritz or Dave Mathews, some lushfull piano playing ala Sarah Maclaughlin, and the legandary bassist Charles Haden, and you get an album worth listening to on it's own pop / jazz merits. In addition to the worthy original tracks, you get two striking cover songs. First is Yes' "Your Move" featuring Jon Anderson on back up vocals, followed by a sparce and touching rendition of the Charles Chaplin's classic "Smile". Even the CD artwork is captivating with video stills by Robert Wilson and painting also done by RDJ (Is there anything he doesn't do?) This is a very laidback, easy listening, yet very intriguing and strangely successful album that makes you wonder what RDJ will do next.

I just got this CD today for Christmas. I have been familar with Robert Downey Jr for a long time including his role on Ally McBeil and that is the first time I had heard him sing. I had no idea that he could. One of my faviorte songs is Smile on the CD but I love them all. I think it is easy to separte the actor and be able to see him as a singer/piano player and song writer and apperantly he did the cover art as well. He is one of the few people in the industry that you can actually call multi-talented and its a true statement. I look forward to future music by this talented man.

Robert Downey Jr's CD has a special quality to it that you rarely find these days. In a time of electronically altered voices, Mr. Downey's cd is refreshing. His voice has such an intimate quality to it. It sounds intimate, sincere and the way he twists his words make you think he has a secret about the song he sings. It's a departure from the generic sounds of today, and I love every minute of it.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants quality, quirky, intimate vocals. Well done Mr. Downey!