Customer Reviews

Like Weather

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

 

 

With this album Leila Arab, Bjork's right-hand-keyboard woman, wanted to show us that she is beyond being that. And certainly she has found it. An exquisite album that moves between pure techno, trip-hop and rhythm and blues. Leila not only has worked with Bjork. Plaid, one of the finest techno-duos around, has requested her to co-write the song "Getting" for their record "Not for Threes". But is finaly with "Like Weather" that she proves her talent as a very creative musician. She does not sing at all during the album. However, you can listen the intense voice of her sister Roya, a R&Besque voice that comes from Donna Paul, and a versatile voice of Lucca Santucci. All of them also collaborate in the experiments that Leila puts in this album. Far away for being a one-style record, "Like Weather" is as eclectic as Bjork first two records. It opens with the Tom Waits-esque "Something"; follows with themes that make us recall Aphex Twin("Underwaters (One for Keni)"; "Space, Love" and "Melodicore"), themes that seem to be deleted by the Spice Girls for being too inteligent for their shallow minds ("Feeling"; "Misunderstood"), and the rest are approximations of known avant-garde artists as Bjork and Tricky. However, all of these themes have Leila's mark. Enthusiastically recommended.

PS: This review can also be seen in birdpages, in its next edition.

Yes, Leila should be massive, maybe even as massive as the jungle is. But as is the case with many brilliant performers, they are simply not dull enough to really sell alot of records and be top of the pops. This album is one of the most atmospheric, moody and beautiful I have heard in a while. Fantastic, lilting music and sounds underneath really rich, melodic vocals. Buy it, you will be risking nothing.

When someone works with bjork,it is clear that he/she is going to become very very important.Think of plaid,howie b,talvin singh...never heard of them?So leila was another gifted producer who was given by the Icelandic the possibility to prove her ability on the art of mixing and 'being on stage'.And she didn't miss the opportunity.Thanks to another well known talent-scout,mr d james aka aphex twin,shem produced her first attempt into the world of experimental-avan-garde electronic music through the mighty rephlex records.And everyone hopes it won't be the last one! so Like weather is a great record: music by aphex,tricky,bjork rolled into one. Even fatboy slim seems to be mentioned('won't you be my baby baby'could be released on skint).Elesewhere is a puzzle of dark ambient('underwater'),soul('feeling'),trip hop and harsh beats('away') all linked together with an ability never seen since Post.Wild vocal contributions come from Donna,Luca Santucci and Roya(sister of Leila)...all future stars!
9.9/10

This album is simply extraordinary. Some of the reviews on this page really don't appreciate to the full extent the incredible originality displayed by leila in this masterpiece. "Like Weather" is an album that brings trip-hop, Jazz, Ambient, Drum and Bass and House together in a way that no other has. Educated house listeners will certainly have heard about this album, which has been featured both on the Radio Nova and on the Paris Virgin Megastore sites. To all of these and to the less well acquainted house listeners out there, go out and buy this record. It'll literally change your life!

I think this is top stuff. Leila did this album in her bedroom, with friends helping, guesting as singers. It has a sort of rough, un-slick, 'first effort' slightly flawed feel, but at the same time is very lush & full of sounds. It's very very good, interesting, thoughtful, with layer upon layer of samples. I suppose it's a bit like the trippier side of The Orb or Unkle, mixed with Stina Nordenstam, if you get my meaning. I hope we get another one soon.

Another gift from the gods at rephlex. Richard is beyond fabulous, and his taste is proven impeccable, by releasing Like Weather. Like Weather is a brillianty unique and emotional record. LEILA's ability to mix original lyrics with electrifying noises is unbelieveable. This record surprises, inspires, and frightens. Like Weather is a refreshing change from popular electronic music. Fabulous stuff from LEILA. HOPING for much more to come.