Customer Reviews

Millionaires

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

What an Album! Definetely B. Eno had his hands on this record. James sounds as never before... ALL tracks are excelent. If you are a James fan you MUST have this one... Do not wait until it comes out in USA

If you're looking for an album full of magnificently crafted tunes, an album containing not a single bad song, an album that withstands repeated listenings without ever becoming dull, look no further than "Millionaires". This stunner of an album is, in my opinion, not only the best album James have released, but also the best album any band have released. Ever.

It opens with what I consider to be the band's best ever song, almost the best song I've ever heard, if it hadn't been for Radiohead's mindblowingly excellent "Fake Plastic Trees". "Crash" is simply manic. I don't have a clue what it's about, (it could be just a random stream of meaningless words), but it's fantastic. After the opening eight seconds of wonderful "ooh-ooh"'s from Michael Kulas and producer Brian Eno, it explodes into life with a killer melody. The lyrics are mad but great anyway, Jim Glennie's bass-playing is great too, the chorus is outstanding and gives me a huge smile every time I hear and sing along to it. The "This is hell, this is hell" part is the truly fantastic highlight of a truly fantastic song.

Following on from "Crash" is a gorgeous, shimmering love song called "Just Like Fred Astaire". The melody is beautiful, the sentiment equally so. The lyrics are sometimes a bit silly (Meteors may strike the earth/Nations live and die), but for the most part they're good (They say love is just a disease/A plague for the naive/These days no one believes...Come dance, the water's rising).

The third standout track is "We're Going To Miss You", a chilling but intoxicating song, meant as a spell on people who wish to do James harm. The verses are dark and shivery, the chorus is epic and brilliant - an anthemic chant of "Here's a mirror with your name on/Saying we're gonna miss you when you're gone". It was the third of the album's three singles, (the other two being "Just Like Fred Astaire" and "I Know What I'm Here For").

Of the remaining tracks, the best are probably "Surprise", the sad and beautiful "Strangers", and "Afro Lover" - a mindless up-tempo pop song. The rest are almost as good. The final two ("Someone's Got It In For Me" and "Vervaceous") are the only ones that fall into the "just okay" category.

In short, this album is unbelievable, a piece of musical genius from an underrated Manchester septet. Buy it!

A wonderful CD with alot of variety. Much better produced than Whiplash,it has more of an immediate catchiness than most of their prior CD's.The first part of the album has some pop classics like "We're Going To Miss You","Shooting My Mouth Off" and "Crash".Then the album goes quiet "Hello"...makes room for a dance tune "Afro Lover",and then more guitar heavy pop like "Dumb Jam" and ends with an Enoish experiment "Vervaceous". It comes with a live CD with 5 tracks,and the songs are cool but a bit sloppy live (though the live version of "Someones Got It In For Me" is worth it).Buy it!!!

unfortunately, james only enjoyed a brief moment in the american sun. 'laid' was a very successful album, and rightfully so; but after that album, james drifted back into relative obscurity in the minds of american music-goers.

what a tragedy.

james' post-'laid' work far excels anything the band put out up to, and including, 'laid.' james purists typically point to 'seven' and the bands artistic apex (and it's fair argument); however, 'millionaires' and the equally brilliant 'pleased to meet you' showcase some of the band's most brilliant moments.

the first two tracks ('crash' and 'just like fred astaire') are a lethal one-two punch. the former a infectious opener (you'll be singing the chorus for days); the latter a gorgeous ballad.

the album is packed with the type of quality songs that would normally make a 'best of.' that was one of the great things about james -- no filler. songs like 'i know what i'm hear for,' and 'afro lover,' show the bands versatility. they do both ballads and rockers with aplomb. tim booth's vocals, as always, are crystal clear (and yep, that's him in 'batman begins' starring as 'victor asaz'). though the band changed around a few members, the chemistry remains tight. 'millionaires' is one of those albums you listen to over and over, each listen revealing things you hadn't heard before. if you have 'millionaires' already, chances are you have the entire james collection. if you're thinking about buying this album, or are unfamiliar with the james catalogue, 'millionaires' will leave you feeling like a wealthy person, indeed.

This album is simply great. Next to the Best Of album, this is probably their strongest disc. I don't know what was up with that 1-star review, just ignore that as he has no idea what he's talking about. My favorite track is probably "I Know what I'm here for". I'm not sure if this Amazon version comes with the bonus disc with live tracks, but its also a must have, the live version of the previously mentioned song is incredible. In fact, the only tracks on the whole CD that I am not totally crazy about are Hello and Vervaceous. The rest are incredible... It's nice to see a band that has been around as long as James is still putting out fresh, original, incredible work. Not many other bands can consistantly do it.

If you like James and are wary about paying the Import price for a cd, do it, its worth every penny. If you aren't a James fan yet, listen to the Best Of first, then I'm sure you'll be back to buy this one.

Simply awesome. There are not just two or four great standout tracks here. In fact there are seven. "Crash", "Fred Astaire", IKWIHF, "Shooting My Mouth Off", "We're Going To Miss You", "Afro Lover", and "Surprise" are all incredible. The other tracks are all good too. "I Know What I'm Here For" now passes "Sit Down" and "She's A Star" as the best James song ever. I just play it over and over. I can never get enough of it. Follow follow me.

Most similar to Whiplash, this album includes electronic effects, but still relies on beautiful melodies and touching lyrics to carry the songs.

In a song of reassurement to all the hopelessly romantic, Booth, the lead singer, sings: "I believe in Hollywood/Don't believe that love must bring despair/Cos when I hold her in my arms/I feel like Fred Astaire."

While not my favorite album by the group (Laid holds that honor), it didn't take me long to develop an addiction of sorts to this record. Once again, James has displayed the depth and maturity of their band.