Music in a Foreign Language

Lloyd Cole | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 30, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: One Little Indian Us
• ASIN: B0001MDPGS
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,443 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Long Shelf Life, July 5, 2004

By 

Julian Stewart (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Music in a Foreign Language (Audio CD)

"Music in a Foreign Language" showcases a slightly more wistful side of Lloyd Cole. The music and arrangements are understated when compared to much of his earlier work, while the lyrics offer the jaded perspective of a man on the verge of middle age who's "been there and done that." "No More Love Songs", originally on Cole's previous album "The Negatives", appears in a stripped-down acoustic version, while a cover of Nick Cave's "People Ain't No Good" is aptly chosen for its relentless cynicism. It's a mature work displaying the talents of a thoughtful and skilled songwriter.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Introspective, A Bit Sad, But Brilliant Nonetheless 4/04, April 25, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Music in a Foreign Language (Audio CD)

Lloyd Cole's latest recording does take a bit of time to grow on you, but this is a quietly intense work of genius, a lower key but fully realized work that captures the spirit of one of our most talented yet still somewhat under-the radar artists.

Lloyd's typical detached irony is a tinged with a sadder edge this time out, and the record does reflect a bit of solitude and some of the angst the approach of "middle age" presents--I understand this was recorded entirely on Lloyd's Mac--but this is an absolutely worthwhile purchase from a highly talented, deserving artist whose work should be better recognized on this side of the Atlantic.

For those who don't know Lloyd's work, he's often been described as a mix of Bob Dylan and Bryan Ferry. There's always been a dash of Leonard Cohen thrown in as well. For those of us that know his catalog, this recording may tend a bit more towards the Dylan/Leonard Cohen sides; it is nonetheless a work of a highly talented, skilled songwriter, and a very satisfying, if mellower recording.

I've never lost interest in his work, and if this CD is any sign of the future, I don't imagine I will.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Late Night Lloyd..., April 8, 2004

By 

Scott M. "Skeeter" (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Music in a Foreign Language (Audio CD)

Music in a Foreign Language is the first in a series of U.S. Lloyd Cole releases from One Little Indian Records, and I must say I'm looking forward to the remaining two. This recording finds the singer/songwriter in a more stripped down setting. Most songs have a minimalist setting (i.e. sans drums, bass etc.) which gives it a kind of "after hours sound" for lack of a better term. You know, that sound where you picture the performer alone in the studio at 3 a.m. I prefer the sound of his previous release with the Negatives, but, considering the lyrical content of this record, the music fits quite well. Great lyrics as always, which seem to revolve around a post-30's disillusionment with the world. Lyrics like "Am I supposed to sleep, here all alone, with the shawdow of the minibar, and the promise of a spectravision girl..." on the track Late Night, Early Town, or "I am consumed by delusions of grandeur, I'm falling prey to the beautiful girl..." on Shelf Life. On the the track Brazil, we find, not a samba about that sunny paradise, but a song about the drugs found there, and the possible salvation or self-destruction they may cause the narrator. There's also a little musically sarcasm found in the "ba ba ba" background vocals. I definitely recommend this recording (espcecially for fans), but can't give it as high marks as the Negatives, because I think Lloyd Cole was really on to something with that record. If you like this CD, I would also recommend a listen to some of Robyn Hitchcock's acoustic records. - Fin