Customer Reviews

Having

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

 

 

I was prepared for disapointment having had so much enjoyment from Trespassers William's first two CDs. But as with the other two, the first track ("Safe, Sound" in this case) just pulls you in and then blows you away. They know how to open an album, and how to open your mind to the rest of the songs. This is a little trippier than the others, especially when they crank up the distortion. Comparisons? Mazzy Star, I suppose; Sigur Ros, in places; early Everything But The Girl - a bit. Some of the guitar work and the sound in general is reminiscent of Coldplay when they were listenable, before they sold out. The band work together really well, complimenting each other perfectly. This is very laid back music and the bass and drumming has to work - you're going to notice it. The keyboards are perfect - ambient and unintrusive. And then there's that voice...

If you are like me, then you know that listening to a Trespassers William album is no casual experience: it is like falling in love for the first time; it changes you profoundly and fills your life with the passion and ecstacy that new lovers feel. I must admit that my love affair with "Different Stars" is so complete and all-consuming that, at first listening, I was resistent to the delights of an unfamiliar new album--despite my having looked forward to its release for so long. I didn't expect to fall in love with the same level of intensity this time around (but I hoped), and I had to live with "Having" for about a month before I was ready to assess and verbalize my response to it. It took a few listenings to discover the joys and appreciate the fine craftsmanship of "Having", and a few more listenings to fall in love all over again.
The polished production wizardry of "Having" kept me at a distance for some time, like a gauzy veil concealing a lover's face. (I certainly didn't think that T.W. needed such a sophisticated, if sometimes heavy-handed and conspicuous, production to deliver its magical brew of well-crafted, superbly-written soulful songs--and I still don't think so!) Nonetheless, with repeated listenings, I learned to embrace, appreciate, and, for the most part, love the atmospheric production accents--I now understand that this unique, textured production is an integral part of the music, not merely a decorative treatment (the ambient instrumental passage closing the album is as riveting and potent as the band's best songs). Still, the least favorable thing I can say about "Having" is that a few of the songs on it are somewhat crippled rather than enhanced by the sometimes self-conscious production techniques, which serve to bury or obscure otherwise powerful songs (compare "Weakening" and "Ledge" here with the superior live session versions the band recorded exclusively for iTunes). Sure, the clarity, simplicity, and melodic power that made "Different Stars" such a compeling and seductive work is sacrificed here--but mostly to achieve a different and ultimately alluring effect. Although I much prefer "Stars" to "Having," I admire T.W.'s willingness and courage to experiment and evolve (even if now they sound a little less like themselves and a little more like other bands who fall in the same genre).
Other than this minor criticism, I consider "Having" as a masterpiece of deep, sumptuous textures and exquisite, simple melodies that enfold the listener in a womb-like environment, eliciting--with the ebb and flow of its sound--delerium, heartache, wonder, and amazement. Shimmering guitars--crisp, colorful, and breathtaking--chime dizzyingly around Anna-Lynne Williams' understated, haunting voice, which imbues each note with an aching, lovelorn quality that is as absolutely convincing as it is astonishing. She deliberately holds back here (a definite contrast to the gorgeous, spine-chilling wailing vocals found on "Anchor," T.W.'s first release) favoring whispered phrasings and breathy yet clear inflections over a more demonstrative, sober delivery. The effect is at once intoxicating and heart-wrenching. Her voice is a wonder to behold, and without it, this music would be simply pretty or perhaps precious. Her voice leaves you wanting more (that's a good thing) as it resonates in your psyche, making the cold hard realities of life seem warmer, softer, dreamier--like an elixir for living. Few vocalists can claim such a gift, and we are privileged to have it. With this music and this voice around, life has become richer and more beautiful. And so my love affair continues....

This for me the best album of Trespassers William.
Certainly less accessible than "Different Stars", "Having" is yet full of wonderful melodies, beautiful guitar and drum effects and imbued with sadness, darkness and sometimes hope.
The voice and words of Anne-Lynne are moving and no-one can resist this particular indolent way of singing.
Listen to "My hands up", "Safe, Sound" or "Ledge" and you will be conquered.

Though I found Trespassers William because of the song 'Lie in the Sound' on a compilation album (a song which is not on this CD), I couldn't be happier with this album. I listen to it often, and I find something new almost every time.

The music is mellow and heartfelt, sweeping and melodic and sets just the right tone for the lyrics. It's the kind of music you can just close your eyes and let it wash over you, bathing you in waves of sound and feeling. I often think that the music could stand alone, without any words and all...but then we would lose that beautiful voice singing those beautiful words.

Anna-Lynne Williams has a vocal talent the likes of which I've never heard. She sings in perfect harmony with the music, and yet she breaks syllables in unexpected places, carries notes longer than you would think the could, and breathes out lyrics that others might sing more powerfully. And yet, it all comes together perfectly, weaving a complex and vibrant spell while it plays. The music is good on its own, but that magical voice is what cements it and holds it all together.

I have a few favorite songs on the album -- 'What of Me,' 'I Don't Mind,' and 'My Hands Up' always strike me with a particular depth of feeling, and I can't help but stop and devote myself to listening to them when they come on. But my favorite way to listen to 'Having' is from the beginning, in a dark room, my eyes closed, letting waves of sound and voice wash over me and take me away.

For me, this is about as close to perfect as it gets.

I'm not going to give you a track by track analysis. However I will help you understand enough to decide if you want to buy this CD or not.

There's a bit of everything ethereal in this CD. You can hear a lot of the Cocteau Twins DNA in their musical choices and reminders of Fairground Attraction (what F.A. should've been with their music). The songs are mostly slow, pensive and wonderful for long drives alone. You won't be struggling to like this CD as the melodies are easy on the ear like aural honey. I found myself listening to "my hands up" over and over, experiencing some kind of neo-religious state.

Her vocals are very unique... she does a bit of a volume cut off inbetween syllables. Some may say it makes for lyrical babble, but I think her vocals are as much an instrument as the bass or guitar. If people wanted to hear clear pronounciations of words, maybe they should buy a phonetics CD instead. Her voice is very tender and you could say it has arms wide open wanting to hold you, to give you warmth and comfort.

I'm relatively new to their music but comparing this album to their last album, the songs on this album do a lot more reaching out to the listener - experience-wise.

Just be careful about trying to draw comparisons to...see what I mean. This collection of tracks has it's own title. O.K.?

A fine addition for this band, but now quite as strong as the others. Maybe their move to Seattle will wake them up some more.

this album has a very romantic / melancholic vibe, it could be compared to what Mazzy Star was in the 90's. there 3 or 4 very powerful songs on here emotionally, near the end some of these songs really build up and sound very distorted in the sense that they seem poorly recorded, but I'm sure this was on purpose to give the album a low-fi feel.
Very unique for these times of McMusic, highly recommended.

I have everything that Trespassers william have made to date, and have yet to be disapointed in any of it. The first track I'd heard was on the soundtrack to "A love song for Boby Long" where the song "Different Stars" took me prisoner. Each new release they put out has a minimum of one strong song that just catches you in mid flight and makes you want to sit down and listen to it with your eyes closed. For me, the highlights of this CD are "Safe Sound" which is an excellent start with pedal-effect vocals leading into guitar. "What of Me" a personal favorite that is great to slow-dance to, or just draw close to someone to. "Ledge" which, to me, is probably the best song on this disk, with pulsing percussion, killer vocals that draw you in, and a myriad of stringed instruments ranging from an effect-free accoustic guitar to violens and various effects (the beat on this one just makes you nod your head with your eyes closed). "My hands up" with strong vocals with guitar undertones (this one seems sad all the way through). "Matching weight" which is an amazing end to the CD, bringing it to a close on an uplifting note, with strings leading the vocals on this one.

All in all, there is nothing to be disapointed in, Trespassers William keeps their distinct sound, and gems are the rule, not the exception, on this CD. Buy it, rip it, and keep your hard copy safe... never know when you'll need a Trespassers William fix :)

Listening to this album in full will take you to a far off place, you won't want it to end. They have developed their music and this album is an experience that you will enjoy for years to come.