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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth buying for four songs alone, November 22, 1999
Given that this is their first release after the majestic compilation "The Best of James", I admit that I was prepared to be disappointed. And yes, in the final reckoning several of the tracks here failed to move me. However, James albums have traditionally traded on the strength of a few classic songs, and Miilionaires is no exception.Consider the evidence - Afro Lover is a bouncy track with cutting lyrics, just perfect for lazy summer afternoons, while the aptly-named Crash positively explodes from the speakers. However, the true highlights are the anthemic We're Going to Miss You (it makes you want to head down the pub, sink a few pints, and sing the chorus with your mates at the top of your lungs) and the gorgeous Just Like Fred Astaire, the most exquisite song The Waterboys never did. Which is not to say that the rest of the album doesn't have its moments, but the fact remains that these four songs are so good you can justify the price of the CD on their name alone. Definitely worth a look.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Their Best, December 18, 2002
Ah, James! Poor misunderstood, underappreciated James! After their excellent 1998 Greatest Hits package (be sure to read my review for that!), their label decided not to release their records in the states. What a shame, because, as Murphy's Law would have it, in 1999, they released "Millionaires," one of their finest works. Well, let's at least praise Amazon for making it so easily available and at a relatively decent price.
The disc opens with the frantic, chaotic, "Crash." With it's cryptic lyrics and Queen-like, choral, vocal affects, it's a terrific opening. That segues into the opening chords of one of their finest tracks to date, "Just Like Fred Astaire." This song finds singer Tim Booth at his most endearing and passionate as he belts out lines like, "Doctor, what is happening to me, palpitations, my minds diseased.."
The rest of album finds James sampling a potpourri of different styles. Another highlight is definitely "We're Going to Miss You," an eery, creepy, but very catchy sing-a-long.
Also of interest is the last track, "Vervaceous." Here, James offers out a bizarre, electronic, ballad, a la "OK Computer"-era Radiohead. What's even better, they seem to beat Radiohead at their own game. Do they get much credit for it? Of course not, they're James!
Some day, all of us American's will know what we missed with James!
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
With an album like this James should not be unsigned, March 24, 2000
This is truly one of their best records, surpassing "Seven" and being just about at the same level as "Laid". If you like James, it is disappointing to rely on imports, but the money spent on "Millionaires" is really worth it. Wave your fist in anger at the US label that dropped James and now prevents us from getting this album at the typical price - then get out your credit card and BUY MILLIONAIRES. It's good stuff.
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