Customer Reviews

Iceland

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

 

 

Lets get something straight. This is *not* meant to sound like Scarlet.., Ultraviolet etc. This is 'technically' a side-project from Andy and Julianne. It is a mellow, almost ambient soundtrack to winter. I found *almost* all of the album to be wonderfull to listen to on Christmas morning, opening presents, the smell of roast potatoes drifting from the kitchen to the living room. The fact that there are covers of 'the snowman' and 'last christmas', should scream that this is a different type of offering from AAE, and it sounds it! Do not expect what some may call 'The All about eve sound'. Juliannes' vocals once again wash over you like a warm breeze, and the production whilst not of a big budget offering, is adequate to instill the mood that was intended. Go into this with an open minded approach, and reap the rewards!

The oft-underestimated Eves return to the studio (after many years in the wilderness) with a winter-themed mini-album. Iceland is effectively part of the All About Eve reconstrunction / reinvention project, and was created without a full band in attendance. Nevertheless, it is full of startlingly atmospheric music, with Julianne's exquisite vocals atop a shimmering, icy backdrop of noise. Worth the price of admission just for the revelation that behind Wham's cheesy 'Last Christmas' there was, in fact, a brilliant pop song struggling to escape. Then there are the new tracks - Melting stands out as a fabulous, chill-down-the-spine slice of vocal atmospherics.
This release is a new chapter in the history of a band who have never really been content to stand still. They made a big impact in the 80s with folk-tinged guitar goth-pop, notably the acoustic ballad Martha's Harbour. Martha retired to the country long ago, but Julianne is still in fine voice and is bravely forging ahead with a new, relevant sound that is more mature and just as beautiful as the older stuff.

Vapid and vacuous. This needs to be buried in a snowdrift and, with any mercy, never found again.

The entire album went by without me doing anything but get more and more annoyed...that I bought it.

F...you know what I mean?

It's been a long time since the days when I worshipped this group. Recently got to hear this for the first time and despite the departure of some members, Julianne once again retains the ability to make my hair stand on end with her beautiful and especially haunting singing on this release. It sounds like a requiem. Or like something channeled from a dark, ghostly afterworld. Die-hard fans of their autumnal style years ago may be disappointed - lovers of beauty though will know this work is the truth.

the obscenely high price tag of A.A.E. albums have never discouraged me from checking this truely awesome band whenever they released something new. but with "icelands" i think that the band is simply making fun of their fans with a collection of 'classic covers' and two truely ATROCIOUS remakes of their moumental epic 'December'. i can never forgive them that. snifff. sob.... there's no zero rating so i'll be content with one star... what a loss of time and money.