Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shakespearean Macabre, March 22, 2003
Somehow this one slipped through the cracks. Normally I'd hop on this type of thing day one out of the blocks, even as an import. I'm glad I waited. The domestic release of NEON GOLDEN includes three additional cuts all at a very reasonable price. Enough of that though. I admit I'm not familiar with any previous Notwist material, but no matter. I read in one review about a reference to New Order, my all-time number one band. Another reviewer compared it to Radiohead's KID A but classically superior. Personally I hear elements of Sigur Ros and Interpol with a hint of Blue Nile to smooth it all out. And what does all that equate to? Well try alt-rock with the some hop-scotch electronica wrapped about these beautiful soaring melodies and you're kinda' getting close. The sum comes across as fresh, reverent, stately, original, complete, and endlessly satisfying. How many other albums do that for you? The opening cut, "One Step Inside Doesn't Mean You Understand" is completely that, throwing you off course of what is to come. Beware the beast though because next up "Pilot" and "Pick Up The Phone" throw you into their abyss sonic falling. No worry, you land solid by "Trashing Days". "Solitaire" is a nostalgic synth crop-crusher expelling you out the finished end all ready for the trip to market and retail shelving. Not to give it all away, "Neon Golden" is probably the lead cut as the album title dubious, not as to diminish the other gems. How these Krauts, who started playing metal over ten years ago, came up with the mother of cool is beyond me. If you get a copy you can start to understand. It's in the glory. Hug a brother and join the movement.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I heard it once and had to own it, March 7, 2004
By A Customer
I was in a bookstore in Philly and Neon Golden was played over the store system. I asked what it was and walked across the street to buy it. It's that good. Everyone who hears it at my apartment in the village says, "what's this?" It has an immediate appeal, and your appreciation will only grow with more listens.It is at some level rock music and it is delivered in many ways as electronic music. However, genre is the worst possible way to describe an album like this. The vocals and lyrics are compelling and personal. They are not made to impress you, show off range, and do not fall into any of the usual pitfalls of most songs. They are just raw and honest and above all, human. The electronic beats give the music a clear and focused edge and an amazing feel. Guitar, banjo (this doesn't strike one as a great idea in words, but it sounds great on the album, bluegrass doesn't even come to mind), and horns and flutes produce a very interesting sound. All has the controlled measure and sound of electronic music, but the live instruments and vocals produce an unimaginable blend with a moving sound. This album easily appeals to many types of music fans from rock and electronic perspectives and does a great job walking a line only comfortably traversed by such bands as Radiohead and The Postal Service... If you are wondering where rock music (or electronic music) should be moving next, listen to this album. It shakes off all the shackles of music history and soars into music for music's sake. There is nobody who would not enjoy this music. -As a side note, be sure to visit their website, it's pretty cool.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Notwistonyerears, February 19, 2004
This is a completely engrossing album that took several immersions before I comprehended its depth and distinction, but it was certainly worth it. In its elaborate, slightly skewed arrangements, "Neon Golden" reminds me of Radiohead's last few efforts, but without the sometimes annoying claustrophobic solipsism of a Radiohead album. And it's far more chill. There's a great use of space and silence, and a true sense of beauty here (especially the hypnotic closing track "Consequence") but that's not to say it's untouched by angst and fear. Archer's muted & affectless voice offsets the songs' complex arrangements, which are couched in an odd mix of sampled acoustic instruments dressed up with trip-hop engineering tricks and technology. Definitely one of the best of 2003.
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