Join With Us [Import]

The Feeling | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal UK
• ASIN: B00125Z24Q
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,050 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Thought It Was Over

2. Without You

3. Join with Us

4. Spare Me

5. Turn It Up

6. I Did It for Everyone

7. Won't Go Away

8. Loneliness

9. Connor

10. This Time

11. Don't Make Me Sad

12. The Greatest Show on Earth

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk

Having achieved the improbable by redeeming traditional soft rock as a chart-friendly genre, are the London quintet challenging their audience a touch too much by titling their second album Join with Us? After all, wasn't recasting the terminally unfashionable likes of Supertramp and other so-called 'guilty pleasures' already a rather big ask? But it transpires that Dan Gillespie Sells and band, probably the first and only successful band to have perfected their chops as après-ski Alpine entertainers, have eschewed the vulnerability of 2006's hugely successful Twelve Stops and Home. Instead Join with Us is an unashamedly loud record, confidently full of stadium fillers in the best British tradition of Queen and Electric Light Orchestra. The thumping disco-rock of opener "I Thought It Was Over" leads the way, but "Without You", wetter than a waterfall, and the hysterical title track with its long build to a fearsomely slick chorus are similarly singleworthy. Less predictable are the downright odd "Don't Make Me Sad"--imagine a dream team of Chas'n'Dave'n'Brian May--and the lush, rueful ballad "Conor" where a string section and ethereal Beatles-esque harmonies add depth. "The Greatest Show on Earth", rather reminiscent of Kate Bush's bleaker moments, fails to live up to its title, pretty much the lyrical intention. But it's only the jaunty hidden track "We Can Dance", presumably aspiring to McCartney at his most jovial but in fact nearer to Chris De Burgh, that misses completely. The Feeling's brash new style may lack some of their previous charm, but Join With Us is undeniably effective. --Steve Jelbert

Product Description

2008 release, the sophomore album by the poptastic Sussex based group. Picking up where their debut album left off, the band take their blend of '70s influenced Soft Rock and Pop to subtle new heights. Recalling ELO, Queen and Yes, this is a carefully crafted record packed with sing-along hits and memorable melodies. Deeper and more ambitious than its predecessor, Join With Us, is an album where jaunty boogie woogie pianos give way to rollicking metal guitar solos; where harmony-soaked MOR choruses swerve into duels between harpsichords and string quartets; and where there's absolutely no shame in unleashing a monster prog finale 'The Greatest Show On Earth'. Features the single 'I Thought It Was Over'. Universal. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fans of restraint, look away now, February 21, 2008

By 

Olukayode Balogun (Leeds, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Join With Us (Audio CD)

Five-piece band The Feeling brought a certain air of genteel English sophistication to a British pop scene on the verge of death back in 2006, with the release of their debut album Twelve Stops and Home. With hits (and personal favourites) like "Never Be Lonely", "Sewn", "Kettle's On", "Strange" and "Love It When You Call", I'd never heard UK pop music so utterly cool, yet so obviously radio-friendly at the same time. I was so impressed with them, I did the very unusual and bought a few of their singles as well, just so I could get the non-album tracks that appeared on them. They didn't let me down once.

Well, the boys are back with their sophomore effort "Join With Us" and while it certainly isn't the instant classic their debut was, it's a second album much better than I dared hope for. (All fans exhale). Songs like UK top ten lead single "I Thought It Was Over", couples a disco-like bass line from Richard Jones with some remarkable piano cascades and guitar that is reminiscent of Queen's Brian May. "Without You", another favourite, sounds incredibly festive for mid-February - but in a good way - and the sax solo in "Won't Go Away" is simply heaven. "Spare Me", a piano led haunting reflection on a slightly dysfunctional relationship, "Connor" and "This Time" are other personal favourites. There's even a hidden track that should be pure delight if you're a diehard Abba fan like I am.

There's a strong temptation to laugh off what these dudes are doing as pure farrago - they do have a knack for meshing the old and the new - but there's too much sincerity on display. They somehow bring it all together and they make it work. The lyrics are mostly about love, (usually frustration at its absence), with the only notable exception being "Turn It Up", which is a slight dig at the tabloid media, but The Feeling make it interesting. Besides, it's clear to me at least, that what these dudes are singing about IS actually love and that they're not just doing the commonplace thing and using the word as a euphemism for sex.

All in all, a tad sumptuous. Even a tad overstated, perhaps - I hear no restraint here - but to me, that's all part of The Feeling's appeal. This is still a pretty decent album from a pretty decent band. The Feeling are definitely here to stay.

I for one say, whoopee. Now all this album needs is a reasonably priced US release.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Light-years from being a "sophomore slump". This album is just as great as "Twelve Stops"., August 21, 2008

By 

JOHN P. HANSSEN (ventura, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Join With Us (Audio CD)

"Join With Us", the latest sophomore outing by one of the UK's finest bands, "The Feeling", is absolutely superb and is easily just as good as their debut album, "Twelve Stops And Home." A previous reviewer stated that on this album they completely forgot the hooks that made their first album so great. Uh, excuse me? This album contains a hookfest that will definitely have you singing the songs hours later. Also, every last one of the songs are so upbeat and energetic, you can't help but feel great when listening to them. I think that "The Feeling" are, unfortunately, going to go down in history as one the most underrated bands of all time. They are really big in the UK, from what I hear, yet, hardly anyone knows about them in the US, which is really a shame and these guys with their amazing talent deserve so much better. Go ahead and give this album a spin. You will not be disappointed.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Followup (now please release it in the USA!), June 10, 2008

By 

Somewhere in Texas (Planet Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Join With Us (Audio CD)

As someone who became a fan of The Feeling via the BBC and Virgin (now Absolute) Radio streams on the internet and bought the import CD of "Twelve Stops and Home" I was extremely disappointed in the way Universal/Cherrytree handled the USA release. A new cover that looked like a budget bin reissue and lousy track listing that messed up the flow of the original UK album was pointless. And they promoted the group to college, AAA and alternative stations first instead of promoting them directly to the mainstream CHR, Adult Contemporary and Hot AC stations their sound is perfect for.

"Twelve Stops" could have been a Top 10 monster success had Universal given the band the huge mass promotion they give to their USA hip-hop and pop-rock artists like Maroon 5.

That said, "Join With Us" is a fine second CD with many radio friendly and instantly catchy tracks. Unlike a lot of UK bands that have a great debut and then flop with their second CD, The Feeling aren't one-CD wonders.

And I agree with another reviewer the band has "turned it up" a volume wise. The band plays and sings with plenty of fire and spirit, while lead singer Dan Gillespie-Sells tears his heart out on many songs. I love "Turn It Up" with it's strong piano work that reminds me a lot John Waite's Babys in the late 70's.

"I Thought It was Over" is a great mix of ELO meets Duran Duran dance-pop. It was a top 10 single in the UK and should be all over US radio. I love the melody and beautiful chorus of "Without You" though the mentioning of the Virgina Tech murders gives the song a creepy edge that might turn off American listeners. But the title track, "Wont Go Away", and "Loneliness" are completely sweet yet not annoying or trite pop.

Though there's some weak ballads there's really not a complete dud in the whole bunch. Even sappier efforts like "Connor" might annoy at first listen but the band's impressive grasp of melody and song arrangement (reminding me of Crowded House and Dodgy) will lure you in.

Now I hope Universal/Cherrytree will release this CD in the USA as soon as possible. This band has the musicianship, songwriting, charisma and sincerity that most of today's pop artists barely have. With the right promotion of their second CD, The Feeling could be superstars here.