I Swinger

Combustible Edison | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 15, 1994)
• Original Release Date: March 15, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sub Pop
• ASIN: B0000035G8
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,177 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Cadillac

2. The Millionaire's Holiday

3. Breakfast at Denny's

4. Intermission

5. Cry Me a River

6. Impact

7. Guadaloupe

8. Carnival of Souls

9. The Veldt

10. Surabaya Johnny

11. Spy Vs. Spy

12. Theme from "The Tiki Wonder Hour"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous mix of ambient loungy vocals, sometimes spooky, August 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: I Swinger (Audio CD)

This album is one of those rare works where you feel like you've undertaken a wonderful journey. Starting off with ambient instrumentals and spy themes that make you feel like you're one of the Avengers, the album then moves into the realm of classic Kurt Weill. A somewhat strange mix, Combustible Edison moves from one theme to the next in a rapid fashion making the album just a little inconsistant. I will tell you this though, this is a great one to pop in during a late night party, just be sure to program out the one or two songs which break the stride. Particularly good vocals and excellent lyrics and instrumentations make this one a must for anyone who wants to try something new. There is no one out there like Combustible Edison and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Be sure to listen to some clips before you buy. Highly recommended.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing when nobody's singing, February 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: I Swinger (Audio CD)

This is wonderful album. The instrumental tracks all have a highly enjoyable quirky semi-loungy style that I can't get enough of. The echoing guitar, plinky vibraphone, whimsical melodica, odd keyboard effects, and the "provocative"(their word) percussion mesh into a quite unique whole. In particular, "Spy vs. Spy" and "Carnival of Souls" are beyond belief. Perfect music for a party or a drive with the right kind of friends; if you've been stressed recently but it's better now, put this on immediately. However, the cabaret-ish singing, though well within the range of the band's influences, somehow doesn't quite fit in with the style. I actually listen to the first 2 1/2 minutes of "The Millionaire's Holiday" and skip to the next song once the vocals start. Therefore, there are about 25 minutes of pure bliss and 10 of decent-but-a-bit-off stuff. I do like their take on "Cry Me a River," vocals or not, though.

PS: The liner notes are enjoyable enough to be worth at least a dollar or two...these are clever fellows.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, September 17, 2000

By 

I. L. Williamson (A U.S. territory) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Swinger (Audio CD)

I liked this CD, except for the vocals of "Miss Lily Banquette," which I didn't care much for, but the brilliant intrumentalizations made up for that. I would have given the CD a 4.5 if they'd let me. I felt this CD was a lot better than "The Impossible World," which, incidentally, got a higher voter rating.