Customer Reviews

Goodbye

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I dig Goodbye, the new album by Dubstar. Unfortunately, that album is not the American release. It seems, due to Dubstar's first album (Disgraceful) not making it across the Atlantic, their American label thought it best to include some of those tracks on the new album (as well as some remixes). What this does, however, is break up the flow of both albums and water down the content of each one. If you're a Dubstar fan, I highly recommend acquiring the British versions of Disgraceful and Goodbye. While the US version is (I hate to admit it) a fine way to check out the band, I really do recommend buying the UK versions of both albums to get the full flavor of Dubstar's wonderful (sometimes haunting) pop. **** (4 stars) for UK/Goodbye/*** (3 stars) for US/Goodbye.

This CD is a seamless final addition to the body of work typified by the Cure's "Disintegration" cross-bred with "There is a light that never goes out" or "Please Please Please let me get what I want" from the Ever-Beloved Smiths. Fine, clean work that brings elements of the last two decades of electronica to the deserved fore while all the while sidestepping the worst excesses of the early 80s adolescent "I'm afraid of Girls" techo-pop as well as the equisitely ethereal, untouchable sounds as typified by the Cocteau twins, among other late contributors. This stands alongside "get lost" by Magnetic Fields as one of the ever-fewer holdouts for the glories of pure GlumPop. Excites and Depresses! Excellent.

Dubstar are one of the biggest kept secrets in the music business. Goodbye is Dubstars best album and it contains the hit singles, No More Talk, I Will Be Your Girlfriend, Cathedral Park and Stars. This album is worth a listen even if you dont buy it

if you're into club/pop, this album is an essential. those that enjoy petshopboys/neworder/erasure will love this album. beautiful female vocals on top of intelligent synth pop. with the exception of two or three tracks, you will end up loving this entire album. there will be tracks that you will love from the start ( stars, goodbye, not so manic now.. ), others will grow on you ( the view from here, it's clear, can't tell me.. ). there should be no doubts or questions to owning a copy of this.

I was digging around my cd collection when I came across Dubstar's "Goodbye" cd. I had bought this cd several years ago (when I lived in Milwaukee, WI). I think I bought it when I saw a review for it and the reviewer compared Dubstar to Saint Etienne. At the time I was a huge Saint Etienne fan. I decided to listen to this cd not too long ago for old times sake. For Lacuna Coil fans, the hard rock band does a version of "Stars" which can be found on their '90 album "Unleashed Memories". Personally I prefer Dubstar's version despite being a big Lacuna Coil fan. As I was listening to "Goodbye", I was easily reminded of the kitschy British pop band Saint Etienne. Sarah Blackwood had that cutesy quality in her singing that Saint Etienne's singer Sarah Cracknell possesses. The songs are equally catchy and infectious and has that '60s pop quality to the music that I hear in Saint Etienne's music. "Cathedral Park" is one of my personal favorite Dubstar songs. It is incredibly catchy and hard not to have the song stuck in your head. I also love "Just a Girl She Said". It reminded me of Lush, The Sundays, and The Cocteau Twins, with that familiar lush, shoegazer song. It is a beautiful song. All the songs on the album are great. I would have given the cd 5 stars had it not been for the remixes which unfortunately didn't do anything for me. If anything, they didn't give another dimension to the songs. "Goodbye" would have been better off without the remixes.

Dubstar's second album, GOODBYE, has plenty of the synth-pop perkiness that marked their first, DISGRACEFUL. The singles "I Will Be Your Girlfriend" and "Cathedral Park" are immediately catchy, with the former's wittiness and the latter's horns, while "No More Talk" effectively conveys the weariness of love. But there are other surprises to be found as well: "Polestar" has a fascinating iciness to it and is much more ethereal than the rest of the album. But not all the tracks are successful: while "It's Over" goes for a sadder, moodier vibe, it doesn't quite make it. The second half of the album fades into twee pop, without the sparkle that makes each individual song stand out. While certainly pleasant, there's nothing that unexpectedly grabs your attention.

I love this cd in the background while I am working at the office, studying at home or painting.

This is a strange album for me to listen to. Although the same elements are present on pretty much every song (female vocals, dreamy synths, club beats), the results vary quite a bit from song to song. "Stars" is easily the highlight for me - in both its original and "Motiv 8 Mix" versions. There the lyrics seem to fit better, the melody sounds better... All the pieces click in a few other tracks, as well, such as "Not So Manic Now". Elsewhere the lyrics sound rather clumsy ("No More Talk"), or the music isn't anything too special ("Just a Girl She Said") - none of which leaves me cold, but it doesn't intrigue me any, either. I found as a whole this album works best as background music while working, although some tracks stand out as great singles.

Very good - especially if you're a Dubstar fan. The bonus tracks of Star are great!

"Goodbye" is one of those rare and precious albums with no bad songs included in it. I purchased Dubstar's first domestic release in the fall of 1997, and it has not left my CD changer yet! When listening to the album, you don't notice the melancholy song lyrics writen by Steve Hillier and Chris Wilkie because Sarah Blackwell's sweet voice makes the songs seem happy, upbeat, and poppy. Only by reading the lyrics, can you see the depth of each carefully-penned song. I found I could relate to a lot of the songs.

If you love Harret Wheeler's sweet voice from The Sundays, or the sound of Miki Berenyi's angelic voice, from Lush, you will definitely enjoy Dubstar. I also compare them to the Pet Shop Boys with a more modern sound and a female vochalist.

Try this CD - each song is a gem. You will NOT be disappointed.