Customer Reviews

Marigold Sky

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of only two albums Hall & Oates released in the 1990's, Marigold Sky is one unbelievably good record. It is a shame that more of those who bought Hall & Oates records in the seventies and eighties didn't pick up this one. Contemporary Adult radio did make "Promise Ain't Enough" a minor hit and it is a good song. But "War Of Words" is easily its equal. I remember hearing "War Of Words" a few times on the radio here is the Midwest; however, it did not draw the attention it deserves.

What makes this an exceptional Hall & Oates record is that Marigold Sky is a return to the "blue-eyed soul" reminiscent of the style of Motown artists such as Smokey Robinson. Indeed, in listening to "Out Of The Blue" and "The Sky Is Falling" it is easy to believe these songs were directly lifted from Smokey's late sixties catalogue.

"The Sky Is Falling" is the best song on the CD. A close second is the eponymous "Marigold Sky" itself. "Marigold Sky" meshes easily with the rest of the "soul" material but it is isn't a "soul" song itself. Driven at first by deftly picked acoustic guitar the chorus shifts into a breezy twelve string electric guitar strumming that rides like the wind all while Daryl Hall sings of a love long gone but still alive.

With Marigold Sky Hall & Oates keep to eternal "soul" themes of love discovered, love troubled and love lost. This is a deeply satisfying CD and it is sad that while Hall & Oates had fallen off the popular hits radar they did not make more albums like it. Indeed, since their intensely hot career of the seventies and eighties Hall & Oates have issued only two other albums since 1990's Season Of Change. Of those one was a VH-1 "Behind The Music" collection. I don't fault those who stick mainly to the well-beaten path of popular music because a good deal of enjoyment of music is its communal aspect. There is something heartwarming about sharing music a whole lot of other people love and enjoy. You don't get that if you choose music that only a few thousand in the whole country know about. But maybe there should be a place in your collection for an eccentric but well made record you just like to listen to. I count Marigold Sky as one of my guilty pleasures.

In the fall of 1997 I went to see H&O in concert. I was going to hear their early and mid eighty hits and figured that that listening to their new stuff (at that time) was the price I had to pay to hear their earlier recordings. However, I was greatly surprised by how much I enjoyed the songs from this album and purchased it after the concert.

These songs show a maturity & sophistication that many artist never quite grasp as they progress from their teen pop status to an adult contemporary status. My personal favorites are "Promise Ain't Enough", "Throw the Roses Away", "Marigold Sky" and "War of Words."

Lastly, at the concert D.H. sang his version of "Me & Mrs. Jones" as an encore and it bought the audience to it's feet. I wish it were included here as a live bonus track. Oh well, maybe next time.

"MARIGOLD SKY" is Daryl & John sounding excited and energetic and it shows from the first note on. "Romeo is Bleeding" was a hit worldwide but not released as a single here? It is powerful & catchy and features strong lead vocals by Daryl and great backup by both. This song is as hard edged as they will ever get, so enjoy it. The title track is fun and infectious. The 2 other standouts to me are "Want To" and "Love Out Loud" which have a more rocking sound which is great to hear from these guys. For some reason their record company here picked "The Promise Ain't Enough" and "Throw the Roses Away" as singles. "Promise" is a good H&O ballad, while I think "Roses" is one of the weakest tracks along with "War of Words" which ends the album. The album starts with a bang and kind of drags at the end. It is still enjoyable and hopefully more to come!

Every now and then something surprises you and this was it for me. This is a great album. Its a mature adult album for the music lovers out there who love great tunes, stories and musicianship. Well worth the purchase.

I feel that 'Marigold Sky' is Hall and Oates best CD to date. All the songs are great. My cousin, who is not a Hall and Oates fan even liked it, because she said "it didn't sound like "Hall and Oates", so coming from her, it must be good. My favorites, are 'Want To', Love out Loud, Romeo is Bleeding, and the ballad of 'Promise Ain't Enough'. Five star plus music.

THIS IS ONE OF MY VERY FAVOURITE CDS IN MY COLLECTION. HALL & OATES ARE GRRRREAT! THIS CD OF THEIRS COMBINES THE OLD STUFF WITH THE NEW. "IF A PROMISE AIN'T ENOUGH" IS DEFINITELY THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS CD. IF YOU LIKE LIGHT-ROCK, THIS CD IS DEFINITELY FOR YOU! BUY IT, IT'S CHEAP!

I Had just gone to see Hall & Oates in concert here in Hershey Pennsylvania. It was at this concert where I first heard their new music from Marigold Sky. They played quite a bit of it, and I loved every song. As with any group, any new material, I'm always afraid it will not be as good as the previous stuff, but these guys nailed it. The comment above me is partially right in saying that '90's kids don't think that Hall & Oates are cool, but I can be an exception to that rule. I'm 20, I absolutely love their music, they are some of the coolest people in the world, and they still know how to make great music after all these years.

Released four years ago, this album would have done much better on the charts. Marigold Sky suffered from the same fate as its predecesor (as will their next album in all likelyhood), it was released way too late after the Change Of Season album. It also had a much harder edge the previous albums. The majority of the stand-out tracks are on the first half of this CD. "Romeo Is Bleeding" is an excellent song, but fans who like the Rock & Soul blend Hall & Oates are famous for will find the song a little harsh & heavy on the electric guitar. "Love Out Loud," "Out Of The Blue," and "Hold On To Yourself," follow the same pattern, but to a lesser degree. "The Sky Is Falling," "Throw The Roses Away," and "Promise Ain't Enough" also stand out and remind me a lot of classic ballads like Sara Smile.

Given the number of years that they have been together, their music is still fresh and not commercially sanitized like that of other aging pop artists. Eventhough the songs are not as catchy as those in the early 80's, I believe that their music has matured and is a much better effort that the previous two releases by the duo.

I bought this CD specifically for Throw the Roses Away. If you've ever loved and lost, or, rather loved and tossed, this song is the one to play to assuage those guilt feelings. All the tracks are easy on the ears and full pay for the CD was worth it. It's an import but the quality is excellent.