Customer Reviews

Man Mountain

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

 

 

I couldn't wait to get this CD. It came out along with Thievery Corporation's new one, as it is released in the United States by their ESL label.

But when I did get it, I popped it right into the sound system and sat back. Of course I probably put a little too much stock into it - "Nothing Changes Under the Sun" was to me a terrific and album - light, airy and fresh. But with that one, it was almost a "you like it or don't care about it" type of style and sound. Does this one live up to that? Hard to say. The sound and songs do display Blue State's musical talent - Andy D is a tremendous musician. However this album does feature more vocals than the previous. Some of the tracks, like Metro Sound and ONly Today are fantastic with vocals. However a few of the others are to be honest, a little boring.

And that surprised me most about the album. It isn't one where I'd just put in and play all the way through. The sound is similar but different, which I guess is a good thing. But some of the charm from nothing changes under the sun, and what seemed like (to me) a wealth of great originality wasn't there in full force this time around.

All in all, it's still a good album. I'm glad that I got it and perhaps it will grow on me like his previous album did. But if you're just hearing of Blue States, I recommend "Nothing Changes Under the Sun" first, and then pick this one up.

This album defies categorisation. Andy Dragazis takes individual writing credits for 7 of the tracks, sharing the rest with vocalist Tahita Bulmer. Her voice fits well within the overall sound that is developed across the whole album.Dragazis plays most of the "instruments" on most of the tracks, the other common factor on all but one track being Jon Chandler on drums who propels the pieces with a very 'live' drum sound.Elsewhere instruments are added carefully in layers, with a skillful use of cello and violins, and trumpet and trombone (Gary Kavanagh & Billy Rumfill-excellent throughout). There's a choir on "Season Song" and washes of other sounds (conga and lap steel for example) but the whole project is clearly driven by Dragazis' notion of what he wanted to create. It's an album that will need a lot of listening to to reveal everything that it has to offer. Favourite tracks for me are "Colouration", which has lots of added percussion, "Studio 20" an electronic confection, "Doublespeak" which has all manner of unexpected instrumentation courtesy of Dragazis, and finally "Adrift" which has some lovely tonal shading.The other really good thing about this album is that it will make your system rattle as it delivers it's extraordinary sound screen. It seems pretty pointless trying to categorise what this is about, it's a remarkable album, best played very loud with time to listen to it as a coherent whole.

"Nothing Changes Under the Sun" was a journey through exciting soundscapes accompanied by the undoubtable musical skills of Andy D. Only on the vocal tracks did the album occasionally dissapoint and sound bland and uninspired.

Great was my surprise then when I picked up a copy of "Man Mountain" just to find it a complete reversal. Here, the vocal tracks are melodious and haunting, downright beautiful in places. The instrumentals on the other hand sound dull and flavourless compared to the excellent work on his debut. Only occasionally do they hint at greatness. Ultimately, this album makes you yearn for his next release, because you can feel that there's another gem lurking beneath the surface waiting to emerge.

Mind you, it's still a decent album and the tracks "Only Today" and "What We've Won" are worth the price of the album alone.

After the marvelous Nothing Under the Sun, Blue States gives us their second album Man Mountain, and it's somewhat disappointing. Even though the first track, "Metro Sound," brings the same sonic quality that made their first album so wonderful, the rest of the album slips by with nothing that really catches your attention. Part of the problem may be the vocals; while Tahita Bulmer is a competent enough singer, Mr. Dragazis may be relying too much on the vocals to carry the song, rather than having the song present for the vocals to enhance. "Only Today" is poppy and moves beautifully but leaves and empty feeling after it finishes. The chorus effect on "Season Song" is an intriguing touch, but it pales in comparison to any one of the tracks on Nothing Under the Sun. It's not to say that this album is bad -- I was simply hoping for another stunner.

First, let me say this is my first BS CD, I love it! I know other reviewers rated it slightly less than 5 stars based on their other album. Of course, now I've gotta have it since it's suppose to me so much better, though I don't see how. Anyway, I loved almost every track and have played nothing else since it arrived a week ago. The cool instruments mixed with the unforgettable vocals make this a must have for anyone who loves music.

I loved "Nothing Changes Under The Sun" and this one is a little different but every bit as good. More ambient, less vocal, still trippy and descriptive. Blue States is making some of the most beautiful and hypnotic stuff in electronic music today. I say buy it.

I first heard the album "nothing changes under the sun" and i found it awesome! the songs where so great putted together. The emotion of every track and the mood youll get in is great a good cd! But when i listened to man mountain i was a bit disapointed by how ordinary it sounded it was less intrumental and more 'band' like. But after a while i loved the songs metro sound and seasong song.. but i never bought the record. Why cause i was infected by the first and best album released by BS! If i discovered man mountain as my first blue states album id never write a review like this.. so dont get me wrong, because the cd is worth a 4! because its great altough i dont like it that much.. can you still follow me ;-]
..ive spoken.