Making Mirrors [+digital booklet]

Gotye | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: December 6, 2011
• Release Date: December 6, 2011
• Label: Samples & Seconds / Republic
• Copyright: (C) 2011 Samples 'N' Seconds Records Pty Ltd under exclusive license to Universal Republic Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 42:20
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B006Z1XY7E
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (270 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,690 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 85 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional record. One of the best of 2012 so far... February 18, 2012

By J. Victor

Format:MP3 Music

I bought this for the singles Somebody I Used to Know and Easy Way Out. Those songs are great, but I was pleased when I found that the rest of the disc is an absolute treasure. In fact, I think every track is fantastic, save for perhaps the brief opener. I'm shocked at how good each song is, and equally shocked to read a review on here that says something along the lines of each song sounding the same. I don't think that could be further from the truth! Gotye skips genres or at least influences from one song to the next. Easy Way Out reminds me of a Beck jam, Somebody that I Used to Know could be any one of a great many songwriters. The lyrics are pure and honest, production is sparse at first... and grows as the song progresses with a powerhouse vocal performance on the choruses. Equally powerful vocals on the next track, Eyes Wide Open, which reminds me possibly of Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music. The next, Smoke & Mirrors, is admittedly my probably least favorite on the disc, but is still worth a listen. The next two tracks take a very positive and upbeat turn. I Feel Better sounds like Motown at it's best/happiest with it's synthesized horns and vocals in the vein of Smokey Robinson. In Your Light is equally ebullient with horns and a lively vocal and peppy keyboards. After that, State of the Art is a hilarious track with astounding production that reminds me of Ween's very best work. The next (Don't Worry... We'll Be Watching) is a spare electronica track with a gorgeous creeping bassline and foggy electric sounds behind. The last 3 tracks all have a beautiful melancholy to them but all have their own flow. The closer Bronte is a beautifully emotional piece indicative of what Gotye seems best at - taking a somewhat simple or typical subject and creating a gorgeous piece of music out of. He takes the simplest, most basic building blocks of a song and places them at the core of the music, weaving simply effective layers around those. This disc is an example of mastering that craft. It's the best record I think I've heard in the last year or more. Truly a great piece of work. Listen to it with headphones and pay attention. You will be greatly rewarded.

60 of 65 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars If you like Somebody that I used to know.... March 19, 2012

By Michaela E Noble

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you are looking at this album because you like "Somebody that I used to Know" then you should check out "Like Drawing Blood," Gotye's first album. While Making Mirrors is good, it doesn't have the same cohesiveness that Like Drawing Blood has. There are more songs with that sound, similar to Somebody that I used to know, on Like Drawing Blood (Heart's a Mess and Coming back are my favorites). That said if you are a fan of Gotye you'll like this album.

96 of 107 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars... Gotye breaks out January 27, 2012

By Paul Allaer TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:MP3 Music

Gotye (pronounced: go-ti-yay) is the stage moniker of Belgium-born Wally de Backer, who moved to Australia at a young age and it is there that he built his musical career. Gotye has been at it for a number of years as part of the Aussie band the Basics but also issuing several solo albums: in 2003 there was "Boardface" and in 2006 "Like Drawing Blood" (remixed the next year as "Mixed Blood"). Now after a 5 year absence comes the new album. If you're not familiar with the sound of Gotye, the best comparison I can think of would be a strangely appealing mix of Beck, George Michael and Seal, if you can believe that.

"Making Mirrors" (originally released in August, 2011; 12 tracks; 42 min.) starts off with the 1 min. appetizer that is the title track, only then then dive into "Easy Way Out". The third track is "Somebody That I Used to Know", a duet with New Zealand singer Kimbra, and the single that has propelled this album out of obscurity last year into a megahit in Australia and Europe (check out also the video of this song, not to be missed!). "Smoke and Mirrors" is an irresitable stomper. "I Feel Better" sounds like Motown-revisted. "Don't Worry, We'll Be Watching You" is a reggae tune. The musical flavors are all over on this album, and as a result this is a very diverse-sounding and immensly enjoyable Gotye album.

This album was released outside the US last August. I picked up the physical CD on a recent home visit to Belgium, where the album remains a top seller 5 months after its release. While the album has been available as an import here on Amazon, the album is finally getting a proper release in the US in early 2012. It's not too late to jump on the Gotye band wagon! His upcoming US tour is already sold out in most venues. Meanwhile "Making Mirrors" is highly recommended!