Customer Reviews

Levitate

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Bruce and the Noisemaker's newest disc, Levitate, is a very solid cut that seems to incorporate the adventurism of 2002's "Big Swing Face" with the more mainstream sound of 2005's "Halcyon Days" and continues the band's tradition of strong songwriting. Ever evolving as an artist, Hornsby's albums all have a distinct sound from the preceeding one, and even between album songs themselves. (This attribute may alienate some fans of radio tracks, but it keeps Bruce and the band relevant to the world, and treasured by fans craving music inspired by the ear rather than the focus group, and makes each live show an unforgettable, near religious experience.)

"Levitate" is no different. Bruce's signature lyrics that span between cringing and inspirational. 'Prarie Dog Town' is the most catchy song on the disc, but 'Black rats'. 'Cyclone', 'Continents Drift', 'Here we go again' will have you wearing out the repeat button on your player. Most importantly, the entire disc just seems to work as a whole album if you listen to it a few times. In these days of a la carte song marketing, this is a rare feat.

Normally I give Bruce four or five stars per album, but "Levitate" is the first album of his (well, second, along with 2002's "Big Swing Face") that I just can't give that many stars. I liked "Levitate" as a whole, but only half the album really grabbed me. I will always give Bruce five stars for experimentation, originality, innovation, and pushing his audience to broaden their horizons. To me, that makes a great, legendary artist. Yes, legendary, because, in my not so humble opinion, Hornsby smacks down Elton John and Billy Joel as far as popular pianists goes (and I like John and Joel, mind you).

"Levitate" starts off great with the pestilence history lesson of "The Black Rats Of London". It stomps its way into your brain with infectious drum patterns and 'hoorah, hooray' for the black rats of London. But it's "Prairie Dog Town" that really shines here. Not afraid to rap it and hip hop it with the help of Snoop Dogg and The Neptunes, Hornsby shows he is truly fearless (and humorous as well). After the furry critters comes "Cyclone". I tried to like this song about virility and youth as one ages, but musically it did not strike a chord with me. However, "Continents Drift" is as beautiful a metaphor for a long loved relationship as anything he has written. "Paperboy" is just weird. About a serial killer perhaps? It sounds like a Steely Dan leftover, and musically it just didn't fit for me. "Invisible" is a great 'ignoring stupid people' song with a catchy beat and melody line.

The title track, "Levitate" is another great 'stand up to challenges to be successful' song from Hornsby. And then things fall apart. "Here We Are Again" is just okay, nothing special. The worst track here is by far "Space Is The Place"--this just might be my least favorite Hornsby track of all time. "Michael Raphael" is just okay. "Simple Prayer", while humorous in lyric, is rather bland on melody. At least things close on a high note with Hornsby's portrait of southern living on "In The Low Country".

I just can't seem to give this more than three stars because there are only six good songs, and technically that would rate two and a half stars (or half of five stars), but I am being generous by going for three stars here. Hornsby will always be in my top ten artists of all time, but even the best have off days.

Here's how "Levitate" compares to previous Hornsby albums:

1986 The Way It Is: Four Stars
1988 Scenes From The Southside: Five Stars
1990 A Night On The Town: Four Stars
1993 Harbor Lights: Four Stars
1995 Hot House: Four Stars
1998 Spirit Trail: Five Stars
2002 Big Swing Face: Three Stars
2004 Halcyon Days: Five Stars
2007 Camp Meeting: Four Stars
2007 Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby: Four Stars
2009 Levitate: Three Stars

Speaking as more of a fan of the "old" Bruce Hornsby (the Spirit Trail and earlier releases), I have been disappointed in many of his more recent ventures. As such, I ordered "Levitate" with great hesitation. While I have to admit that many of the tracks that others have mentioned being the standouts were not as much so for me, I *loved* the title track, and also found tracks like "In the Low Country," "Invisible" and "Prairie Dog Town" to be rather catchy. It is nice to see Bruce et al return to fine form on most of the album. While there were some less than stellar tracks, I think on the whole this fan is a happy camper.

For the first time, on this album Bruce Hornsby (and The Noisemakers) have blended all the themes of previous albums - the rock, the funk, the soaring ballads, the challenging jazz themes, even the hints of Celtic folk styles - into one visionary set. It is not that easy - you will need to use your brain to listen to it - but if you do, this journey with Hornsby gives a new vista at every turn and will enrich your Fall 2009. If you need help getting into it, start with 'Space if the Place' (track #9) - and turn the volume up up up.

What a great album. I've been a fan of the incredibly talented Mr. Hornsby for a long time. "Black Rats of London" starts the album well and "Cyclone" has a kind of upbeat but eerie feel to it; albeit the beginning strains sound strangly like another Hornsby song from the past - but who cares! As always, Hornsby's music only grows and grows on me, unlike other pop drivel which is so commonly played on the radio. A good purchase for Hornsby fans!

Bruce does it again! I have really enjoyed listening to this new CD. I have been a Bruce fan since the early days and he is an amazing Genius. He is constantly able to reinvent himself and take us where we have never gone before. His inventive lyrics and fantastic piano and singing have made him a talent that will last forever. The most enjoyable times of my life are at Bruce's concerts. His live sound is even better than the studio versions (if that is possible). I highly recommend this CD and all his past CD's and especially his live stuff on MunchMix.
Enjoy!!!

Disclaimer: I'm a huge fan of Bruce's entire body of work, but I think he peaked between 1993 and about 2001. Loved Camp Meeting, disliked Big Swing Face and thought Halcyon Days was uneven.

Summary: I would only recommend this album to the most hard core Bruce fans or fans of eclectic music. Even then, I'd warn them that even the most adventurous music fan will likely only find a few tracks to their liking.

Bruce is stretching here. It's not a failure of imagination, but rather a failure of execution. Like Mark Knopfler's current offering, Bruce all but eschews the use of his signature instrument and tries to focus on the songwriting. He has many interesting bits, interesting themes and interesting sounds, but they are overshadowed by ridiculous phrasing and timing in the delivery of the lyrics.

Case in point is "The Black Rats of London," which starts with a great acordian riff and thumping drums. For the first 1:15, I'm intrigued and excited by the Irish drinking sound. Then he tries to jam in a line with way too many syllables ("made the long treacherous passage too, spread their natural juices, a gift to you"). It is out of rythm, it is awkward, and it is really cringe inducing.

The next verse (Cornwallis) is messy as well, as the lyrics don't fit the cadence of the earlier verses. And don't get me started on the "natural juices" yelp which gets inserted later. It just ruins what could have been a good, if not great song. Bruce needs someone in his camp that can stand up to him and say, ummm, Bruce, your rapping about natural juices sounds really bad. The off the cuff rapping worked for Leon on his live album, but here it just sounds awkward.

Prarie Dog Town is another tune with potential, but falls under the weight of Bruce trying to do too much with the lyrics. He raps rather than sings the verses, which distracts from a great chorus and a strong guitar riff by Derryberry.

Cyclone is my second favorite track on the album, and is close to being a great tune. Again, the awkward timing and cadence in the verses distracts from a well constructed song. To his credit, he sings the hell out of the chorus and the piano sounds great (despite the no solos tag, there is actually one in there in the middle).

Continents Drift is the longest song on the disc and has its moments. It just takes a while to get going, and it's a shame that the really good guitar soloing doesn't kick in until 2 minutes in. By then, many listeners will have hit skip. There is some great synth and guitar soloing in the middle of the tune, which has a little grateful influence.

Paperboy has a cool sound, but Bruce decides to rap instead of sing. This is another Hooray for Tom or Heir Jordan type song - not my favorite of Bruce's styles.

Invisible is a decent tune, similar to Dido's "White Flag." The choppy and rythmic singing again distract from a decent song, though I'd prefer to hear him play with a drummer rather than a drum machine.

Levitate has a great intro and an interesting sound, but the rapping just kills it. Anyone else here wish Bruce listened to his old Sam Cooke tapes more than his kids' Tupac records?

Space is the Place is another frustrating song, this time with his kid rapping immediately preceding a Clapton solo.

I doubt more than 5% of the people who buy the album will listen all the way through Michael Raphael without hitting skip.

Simple Prayer has a nice little funk to it. More rapping the verses.

Bruce finally throws us a bone on the last song. He starts it off with a typical light, airy and fun Hornsby riff, and the lyrics of this tune have a nice sarcastic bite to them. The song is a continuation of a riff from Lost in the Snow, which I thought was the strongest tune on Halcyon Days (and again was the last track). It's almost like he's saying, yeah, I really stretched on the bulk of the album, but I want to show that I still have my fastball and can write and play a good song. It's like Kobe dropping 25 points in the 4th quarter when the Lakers are down by 50. Once more, Bruce tries to fit in to many syllables into an important line. Bruce might be "having nice fun with you all," but that line makes me cringe and almost ruins what could have been a classic Bruce tune.

What is most disappointing is that Bruce can still play better than anyone, his writing is funny and witty, and he has new ideas and great new sounds. They just don't come together coherently on this disc. He needs a strong producer that he respects (Fagen please) to help him restrain his musical id and tell him when something sounds bad - namely, the rapping. Oh, and piano next time. Only the most jaded reviewers get sick of hearing Bruce play piano. I will now sooth my ears with Celia from Camp Meeting.

Bruce and his excellent band The Noisemakers do not know how to produce a bad track. I love this album.

This record has really grown on me. Thinking about the 1st track (Black Rats) makes me want to pull up the whole thing to play. Some great arrangements and bass lines. Weird at times, experimental, so if you are looking for classic Bruce Hornsby stuff you might be disappointed. I happen to like both the old and new (including Big Swing Face). Unlike another reviewer I think the engineering on this CD is top notch.

Keep making great music, Bruce!

Maybe more like a 4 1/2-star album, but lots of good stuff on this one: "Cyclone", "Continents Drift", "Invisible", to name just a few. The CD is varied musically, and moves along nicely.