Customer Reviews

Music in Mouth

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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This is a strange sort of album. On first listen, I certainly wasn't unimpressed, but I can't say that it lived up to the enthusiastic recommendations that it gained from a few of my friends. On a further few listens, however, it grew on me. And it kept on growing. It is truly a superb album. Any newcomer to Bell X1 is likely to have been introduced to them through their minor hit, "Eve, the Apple of My Eye". So you will surely already be aware of the potential of the band (It's worth noting that the album version of that song is quite noticeably better than the single version). And I can promise you that "Music in Mouth" more than lives up to the promise of that song.

In a similar style to "Eve", the songs "I'll See Your Heart and I'll Raise You Mine" and "In Every Sunflower" bring a depth of emotion to the album that is rare amongst their contemporaries - particularly bands, as opposed to singer-songwriters. It's a difficult thing to pinpoint, but if anyone has seen Bell X1 live, it's pretty clear. The songs are genuine. They are tender, personal and vulnerable, but at the same time powerful. It's refreshing to see this, let's face it, exhausted commercial formula applied naturally (or, in another word, correctly) - for once.

But it's not just an album of soft ballads. In "Alphabet Soup" and "Snakes and Snakes", the band display a quirkyness, an intelligence, a personality and undeniably an ability to write catchy, upbeat - verging on rock n' roll - songs. True, there is the occasional track that doesn't quite meet the standards of the rest ("Daybreak", for example, seems a bit tame sandwiched between "Snakes" and "Eve"), but that takes little away from the album as a whole. Listen to each song on its own. Listen to the album as a whole. But most importantly, listen to it again. And again. It grew on me. It's still growing on me. Personally, I think it's the best album from anywhere in years. I don't know how it hasn't made a bigger splash, but don't let that put you off. You won't be disappointed.

Music In Mouth' is the new album from Dublin-based quartet Bell X1. The band are Paul Noonan, Brian Crosby, David Geraghty and Dominic Phillips, who have made music together in many guises since the early 90s. The album was recorded over the course of 2002 in a series of locations from Ridge Farm Studios in Surrey and The Fallout Shelter in London, to various houses in Dublin, Kilkenny and London. 'Music In Mouth' was recorded by Jamie Cullum (Tom McRae, Perry Blake). Notable guests on the record include Olli Kraus (Beth Orton) on cello and Margaret White (Sparklehorse) on vocals and violin.

While they're not overly keen to blow their own collective trumpet it is certainly true that repeated playing of `Music In Mouth' reveals its depths. Whether that's in the ingenious central idea of opening track 'Snakes And Snakes' (there are no ladders), or the equally satisfying picture that I'll see 'Your Heart' and 'Raise You Mine' conjures; whether it's the way the banjo sounds like an eastern instrument in 'Alphabet Soup', the simple elegiac qualities and atmosphere of 'Bound For Boston Hill', or the neo-folk jug band eroticism and exuberance in 'West Of Her Spine', these are songs that stick around and make their presence welcome. Put simply, 'Music In Mouth' should show the world that Bell X1 are a band that have something for everyone. Includes the single 'White Water Song'.

'And so the Irish invasion picks up pace, as Kildare's Bell X1 spring from the traps. More robust than the Thrills, closer to the finished article than the Basement, Bell X1 have been four years honing their sound. This is rock with gusto and drive and confidence and intent, Radiohead as Radiohead should sound now. It puts down a brave marker' - NME

Bell X1 is one of those bands that is enormously popular in Ireland and little known here in the States. I like it that way because this band is a genuine gem and I would hate to not be able to see their shows and have them get too popular! But I see their star rising daily! They are in my top 5 of favorite bands and their lyrics are amazingly sensitive and tangible. Favorite songs on this album are Tongue, Eve, and Next to You.

well, i discovered this album through a friend. i had never even heard of the band and i just went out and bought the thing on blind faith because i trust my friends taste. lucky for me!! this has to be one of the most beautiful, lyrically interesting and underrated albums that i have ever heard!
the first time that you listen to it it's good, but keep listening and it just grabs your heart. every time i put it into my cd player (and that's nearly every day) i find something new to love about this.
it's not just that their lyrics are clever and so true to the point - in ireland in particular, the idiosyncracies of the way that irish people think is beautifully pointed out in this - but the music washes through you and over you.
these are an amazingly talented band, with a beautiful turn of phrase and an ability to hit you in the guts with their guitars!!

and by the way, the third album, flock, is another amazing piece of work. they are just getting better and better!!

rise up all people and buy everything by this band!! it won't disappoint!!

I was listening to a sountrack of a TV show when the song "Eve, The Apple of my Eye" came on and I feel in love with it immediately. I was so impressed I looked for their album and it's definately worth it - another good band from Ireland. The music ranges from ballads to rock, the best tracks being "Eve, the apple of my eye", "Tongue" and "Alphabet Soup".

I hardly write a review, but this CD is quite extraordinary, if you love Independent Rock don't hesitate to buy it, you will love it, I can't also understand the reazon it has not gone any further. My respacts to Bell X1.

These guys are huge in Ireland and will probably never make it anywhere else. But this album is a gem. I have listened to it at least 20 times and I still love it. Whatever happens to this band, they can look back at this diamond in a sea of coal and say it was all worth it.

I can't believe that this album hasn't reached the level of commercial success it deserves.....it's fantastic. Listen to it - you won't be disappointed!

Excellent album. "Eve the Apple of my Eye" is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.Formed from the remain of Juniper, the best band to emerge from Dublin's Indie scene. Filled with excellent rocky sounds like "Snakes & Snakes" down to the heartfelt "I'll see your Heart and I'll Raise You Mine", a complete and well rounded album from one of the most talented Irish bands at the moment.

...from start to finish. Music In Mouth is eclectic in sound and very intelligently written. Bell X1 have started to build a truely distinctive sound and the forthcoming album promises to be even better than this one.