Customer Reviews

I Swinger

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This record amazed me. This is the kind of music you can hear on Pulp fiction's soundtrack. The instrumentation is briliant, retracing the atmosphere of the sixties. Keyboards, drums and vibraphone are all played fantastically. Vocals are cabaret-ish, not impressive but very pleasant. There's a Zappa influence in the music, but overall this is pure lounge music, a blend of jazz with cabaret. You can compare it to Pink Martini for example. Tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12 are all very good, the others are weaker.

Man these guys are great. The vocals, and instruments blend well and beautifully move in and out of phrases. It's like a chill John Zorn album. Perfectly corny in every delicious respect.

This Cd has the perfect combination of slow-easy listening songs, to upbeat music you'll tap your foot to. I first heard of Spy vs Spy while watching Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and thats what made me want the CD. It would be a good CD to add to any music collection, and a great CD to play while your at home having a few drinks with some friends.

Combustible Edison were at the forefront of the "lounge music" revival of the 1990s. This was their wonderful first album. It is mostly instrumental, with a few vocals by chanteuse Miss Lily Banquette. It is a throwback to an earlier era, with a modern twist. It's a lot of fun, and if you are a fan of lounge music, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

This album is a MUST HAVE for all lounge and exotica fans. Buy it now!

... this was a pretty cool lounge recording to listen to, although I don't think the lead singer's proper and prissy voice really fits in with their twangy retro sound ("Miss Lilly Banquette" would fit in better with a more pretentious outfit such as De-Phazz... her style is very much like Supreme Beings of Leisure's singer, although not as bitchy-sounding)... but ditch the singer altogether and you'd have something terrific here - this band was meant to be instrumental.

this cd has some nice dark quirky live exotica tracks. but the vocal tracks fall flat. i dont know if its the mix, or the style they chose to emulate but they do not work at all.

check out tipsy and prince charmings first cd if you want to hear other takes on modern exotica. squirl nut zippers have a much more solid take on live vintage mutations.