Mary Is Coming

Savoy | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: July 31, 2006
• Release Date: July 31, 2006
• Label: Rhino/Warner Bros.
• Copyright: 1996 Warner Bros Records Inc
• Genres:
• ASIN: B001230M1G
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,926 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a-ha Guitarist creates new alternative band, July 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mary Is Coming (Audio CD)

Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, best known as the lead guitarist and major songwriter of the Norwegian group a-ha, has moved to New York to make a new album with his new group Savoy. Named after his wife Lauren Savoy, who is also a member of the band, Waaktaar-Savoy crafts an intelligent, raw, guitar-driven sound that at one minute seems far-removed from his a-ha days, but the next is totally in-sync. Compared to Morten Harket's angelic voice in a-ha, Waaktaar-Savoy's voice takes a little getting used to. But the moody lyrics and guitar sounds are on-par with the best of a-ha's previous work. "Velvet" was a number 1 hit in Norway. "Foolish" has a great bass part in the chorus. And the lively "Raise Your Sleepy Head" is definitely a highlight of the album. "Half an Hours Worth" sounds like it could have come right off of a late Beatles album. Throughout, the great work of drummer Frode Unnerland brings Savoy's music to the next level. Savoy is definitely a band that deserves a listen on American shores.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rock, melody, mood, and moxie., July 25, 2002

By 

cam h. "cahjs" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mary Is Coming (Audio CD)

It is a massive shame the entirity of Savoy's output isn't available in the U.S. This was their first disc; as far as I can tell from owning two more of their (five?) cds, they've only gotten better as they go.

Pal Waaktaar-Savoy has been the primary songwriter for a-ha, and while I really believe each member of that band has his irreplacable contributions, it *is*, in my opinion, Waaktaar who first and primarily gave a-ha the brooding depth apparent to anyone who has bothered to listen to their work beyond the "Take On Me" phenomenon (though Magne is catching up to him). This album isn't "a-ha light"--it's a new project. I think a-ha has been unfortunately dismissed as an 80's wonder or a cheesy pop band, when they in fact possess extremely talented musicians, two very fine songwriters, and one of the most stunning voices in popular music. That one could not immediately make the a-ha connection upon listening to this record only shows the wealth of talent Waaktaar-Savoy has, and the distinct chemistry that makes a-ha. Though little like a-ha on the surface, Mary Is Coming has some things in common: variety, depth, and a total fluency with melody. This is a raw sort of album, guitar and drum centered (wonderful drumming by Frode Unneland, in fact). It's also quite dark, but not without bursts of humour and giddiness in a song or two, believe it or not. In this record you'll find dark grooves and catchy melodies, all with lyrics that, shock for a rock/pop record, aren't insultingly idiotic to listen attention to. Here, it's all original, smart, and evocative. Waaktaar deserves infinitely more credit as a songwriter than he's gotten, particularly in the U.S. This is a cohesive album, too--makes sense to listen to from the aggressive beginning to the instrumental hidden track at the end. A new, tight, good band from a remarkable songwriter.

5.0 out of 5 stars Savoy: Life beyond A-Ha for Pal Waaktaar-Savoy, June 27, 2007

By 

Mark F. De Cesare (Massapeqa, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mary Is Coming (Audio CD)

A great album with great tunes. Too bad he wasn't marketed in the US as he was in the rest of the world! Great music. Get the album!