Grand Animals

Robbers on High Street | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 24, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Watertower Music
• ASIN: B000RGSON2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,337 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Strings. French horn. Tuba. The second album by New York-based indie rockers Robbers on High Street features all the classic elements that are supposed to make second albums so terrible. All that's missing, really, is a children's choir. In this case, however, the group has balanced its studio ambition with just the right amount of real world restraint, coming up with a disc that actually improves on the first while maintaining the trio's wry quirks. Produced by Italian composer Daniele Luppi--best known for his string arrangements on Gnarls Barkley's St. Elsewhere and John Legend's Once Again-- the disc once again finds the trio mining its record collection for inspiration and coming up with an album that pays rich tribute to everything from high tension British guitar rock in "The Fatalist" to wobbly soft-focus indie pop in "Your Phantom Walks the Hall." --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description

Their sophomore album offers a fuller sound, courtesy of the band's exploration of new sonic territories and of the illustrious Italian composer Daniele Luppi, best known for his work with Danger Mouse and his string arrangements on Gnarls Barkley's "St. Elsewhere" and John Legend's "Once Again". Luppi ultimately captured a more complex sound, dipping into various styles, and pushing the band to expand their portrayal and visions of modern day society, with life-sized lyrical truths and bigger than life melodic hooks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grand Animals, Grand Sophomore Album, July 30, 2007

By 

T. Karnessis "Terri" (Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grand Animals (Audio CD)

I usually don't review albums so soon after getting them, but the Robbers' second album deserves an early review. I love it. It has so many different subtleties woven into the fabric of the music. What I love so much about this band is that they sound almost like they are from another time, maybe mid 70s? They are extremely talented young musicians, all of the members of Robbers being multi-instrumentalists & Ben, their singer, has been honing his already-gorgeous voice. He is not afraid of letting loose & really getting into the songs, rather than remaining detatched & too cool, as some singers today seem to be. 'Crown Victoria' is a swinging great time of a song & a perfect example of Ben, and the entire band actually, taking a risk on a style of song & working it so well that the song becomes the highlight of the whole album. 'The Ramp' is as hilarious as it is endearing: a tale about an accident that brings Leo Dicaprio to a dying boy's bedside! More album highlights include 'Across Your Knee' & 'Kick'em in the Shins', 'Nasty Numbers' & the superbly stiff yet groovy 'The Fatalist'. There are a few songs that hit me from the first listen as WOW, but this album requires repeated listens to get the most out of what the Robbers have worked into the tunes. They are obviously some serious musicians with some serious talent and some great ideas for songs.

5.0 out of 5 stars DUDE, June 17, 2010

By 

Bagpants (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grand Animals (Audio CD)

I got this album over 3 years ago and have not stopped listening to it ever since. I recently saw ROHS and they were AMAZING. They're coming out with a new album, and their first single is "Electric Eye." CHECK IT OUT.

This album has become my standard for all good albums. I adore every single track, and no matter how many times I listen to them, there's always something new that totally floors me. The first track "Across Your Knee" opens up the album gently and is perfect from the first note to the fadeout. "The Fatalist" takes the upbeatness of "Across Your Knee" and keeps it consistent and amazing til the very end. And then "Crown Victoria"...just completely ingenius. When I saw Ben singing this live, I was blown away.

Honestly, this album is perfect. It's amazing. All the songs meld together beautifully. I'm enthralled to the very end every time I listen to it. The lyrics and music of "Keys to the Century" are a wonderful, poignant ending to this album. You gotta buy it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Once again, ROHS RULE!, November 19, 2008

By 

Marcelle Diane (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grand Animals (Audio CD)

What can I say that hasn't been said? This is a grand album with a wide range of style and talent. The chord changes, melodies, lyrics, and vocal performance each deserve acclaim, not the mention how unique their style is. Love at first listen that lingers, that's Robbers On High Street.