Customer Reviews

New York City

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This the third Brazilian Girls CD is another evolution for them - just as much as Jique was compared to their Brazilian Girls debut album. Words and music have gone from dreamy/introspective and infused with sex (debut), to edgy/political (Jique) to, in this case, verging on obscure. Established BG fans like me will keep listening to it, and it does grow on you - but not without effort. If you have had someone say to you, "Brazilian Girls are great - check them out", I'd strongly recommend that you start with one or the other of their first two CD's. As always, in order to really like these guys, you have to have fairly eclectic musical taste and internationalist tendencies - lyrics are in English here, in French, Italian, German or Spanish there, often within the same piece (and no lyricis in the liner notes -shame!). Rhythmic intensity, a trademark of BG from the beginning, is definitely still here, though maybe not as inventive as in previous CD's. I look forward to seeing Brazilian Girls live as they tour this - if you like live shows, do not miss them - Sabrina Sciubba is electric, and both Didi Gutman and Aaron Johnston are awesome musicians. The energy level is very high. BG have replaced their old website with a good MySpace page - tour dates, samples, etc are all there.

After a first record that hit all the right spots and a sophomore effort that did not, this third offering is somewhere between "alright" and "okay". It's more experimental, but not in all the right directions. Too loose, too everything-at-once. Not as sure-footed. A few tracks work, but this mostly comes off as mish-mash of noodlings.

First let me say: the first two Brazilian Girls albums are incredible. I have listened to them more than any other two albums I own over the last couple of years. This one is a lot different, mainly because it lacks the rhythmic bass lines and instead adds some sort of tribal-sounding drums. Also, there seems to be less creativity in the song structure and certainly the lyrics are less interesting. I did not look to see who writes the lyrics, but for whatever reason there is certainly a down-turn since the earlier two albums. Judged on its own merits, this is an OK album. It is pretty typical for the genre, with 3 or 4 decent songs and several that I would rather not listen to again. I will probably not play it very often in the future, but I still have the first two Brazilian Girls albums which remain favorites in my collection.

I don't have much to say, but I want to rebalance the rating for this record with my 5 stars. I listen to so many hyped bands characterized as refreshing hybrids of international styles, only to be disappointed at the lack of creativity and, especially, good songs. Not this record. The weakest song, "Losing Myself," is probably the most like the prior records. Other than that one, the songs are fascinating, brilliantly and effectively all over the map. If only more bands lived up to the hype, or if only this band got more of it.

This has to be the most International sounding of all the 3 BG albums so far. Far less based on bouncy, electronic keyboard riffs and pounding bass lines, "NYC" is edgier, slower and everything in between, leaving behind their familiar sexy sound I adored on the other 2 cds. It's still worth the 5-star rating because of the BG themselves, and the hard work they put into their music, but I wasn't left blown away or feeling satisfied like before. The 1st half of the album is better than the rest and I pretty much lost interest during the last two songs, although the track 11 has a dark "death march" sound to it in the last minute or so. My favorite tracks are: 1,2,3,4 and 5. Track 10 isn't bad either. At least 6 songs caught my attention, making the album worth having.

The pics in the booklet are candid and colorful. Sabina's pictured without some apparatus obscuring her pretty face. Aaron's got a patch-work haircut which looks kind of ridiculous because he's really a great looking guy. Some of the instruments & arrangements remind me of the noise Bjork used on her 2 latest albums, which is cool, because it adds drama to the songs. I don't know, if there were more bouncy numbers...like for example: "Don't Stop" or "Last Call" or "Jique"...the album would've really shone and stood out, but it just doesn't for me. As for the disc itself, I like the coloring and design in silver, black and aqua. Very neat and so BG at the same time.

Tracklisting & Time:
01- St. Petersburg - 4'21
02- Losing Myself - 4'28
03- Berlin - 2'39
04- Strangeboy - 5'21
05- Good Time - 3'47
06- Nouveau Americain - 3'53
07- L'interprete - 2'27
08- InternaCional - 6'19
09- Ricardo - 4'01
10- I Want Out - 4'24
11- Mano De Dios - 4'23

With all the great reviews, I was highly looking forward to this album. I was sorely disappointed. The album starts off solid, but really, there's only a few songs on here I would recommend: St Petersburg, L'Interprete, I Want Out, and maybe Mano De Dios and Losing Myself.

I just find this album all over the place and not coherent. All of my car companions were bored listening to this and wanted to skip many of the tracks. Maybe their other stuff is better, but if this is your first Brazilian Girls album - like it was for me - you're probably in for a let down. I would either try another one of their albums first or skip the band entirely (as I will do from now on).

The Brazilian Girls have had 2 other albums prior to New York City, but like a fine wine thay only get better w/ time. This album is something you really need to take the time to listent to. Those are the best kinds. It's like a pilgrimage of music. You really have to search and listen to it over and over again, and it only makes you love it and appreciate it more and more.
My Favorite songs are " Internacional" which features the artist Baba Maal, who is amazing, and it just makes you feel like you're running through every deep, amazing culture you can think of. My second favorite is the song "L'Interprete" I love this song because it was written by Sabina and Didi and it is one of the first and only slow paced song the Brazilian Girls have made. It's beautiful and meaninful and it makes you think. "Good Time" is probably one of the only songs on the album that is familiar Brazilian Girls style, which is a rare statement in reference to their music, but the album is amazing cause you not only get the beauty, meaning and depth from them you also get just some fun easy going thoughts from "Good Time". This album is my favorite album of all albums yet! :)Drink up!

I was super psyched to receive this disc in the mail, but when I looked at the cover, I noticed a member was missing from the prior two albums. I crossed my fingers, not wanting any of the members to leave, but to my dismay I discovered that it was the bassist who is missing from all but one song on this album.

I can't say I was too surprised, for listening to the first two albums, it's clear the group could function without him. On the flip side, it was Jessee Murphy's grooving, creative, daring, chops-heavy and tasteful lines that separated the band's music from most run-of-the-mill electronica projects, and made it sound more like a band then a guy with a sampler and a bunch of funky records. (I'll probably be trampled by a squadron of hostile ravers for that last comment : )

I wouldn't normally write a review before listening to an album, but based on reading the other reviews and being very familiar with their other recordings, I am assuming that I will end up agreeing with most of the other reviewers that the first two albums are where it's at. Also, if you are a rabid fan of Murphy's playing, check out what he does on John Scofield's Uberjam. You'll see that he doesn't need any penta-lingual (is that a word?), sexy, trippy vocals--as fun as they are--to make a song super interesting.

Nevertheless, I give it three stars in contrast to the five that I'd give the other two albums since I know these guys will still produce some fun stuff without the oh-so-tasty low end.

Good Time is one of my favorite feel good party anthem songs. Anyone for a sequel to "Don't worry be happy"? (it even ends with a whistling rendition of the tune). It's infectious with killer hooks, you cannot but rock with this one.

"Don't Stop" from the previous "Brazillian Girls" album however is more representative of their style overall, and is where I like the modern Dance and Techno to head. Its an evolved Army of Lovers. The beat is driving, but it does not pound you into the floor.

Good album overall, some of the tracks are forgettable, but some you will be singing in your head for days. :)