Customer Reviews

Not Exotic

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I like these guys more every time I listen to this album. I was fortunate to see them open for Doves last spring in their hometown Portland. After the set I felt like I was friends with the whole band. All their stuff is good, but this album stands out. Can't wait for the next one. Keep going guys...those who do hear it, love it. Sound similar to Great Lake Swimmers, another undiscovered great band.

One of the most overlooked bands I know of, Dolorean released a wonderful record in 2003 and no one seemed to care. None of my local record stores carry it and none of my friends know about it. All I can say is that it is truly a crime that this band really gets no push whatsoever. If you enjoy music with wonderful melancholy melodies mixed with a fantstic voice then you can't go wrong with this. The record is very bleak lyrically, but the music is so stunning you won't even notice. Also, do whatever it takes to see this band live. Truly one of the best shows I've ever seen and may end up being the best show I see all year even after seeing bands like the Walkmen, Liars, and British Sea Power. This is something you should love and I highly recommend it.

After their experimental first album "Sudden Oak" which showed great promise - "Not Exotic" finds Dolorean in a much more focused mode. Al James is a great songwriter with a strong ear for melodies that stick around, and an interesting way with lyrics. He has a great expressive voice too. The tracks I really enjoy on this album include "Jenny Place Your Bets" "Sleeperhold" "Traded for Fire" and "Still Here With Me". Sometimes they use a narrative style on brooding songs like "Hannibal, Mo" (and also "Benito's Dust - not included here but available elsewhere as a single release). This is an album for those times when you want to be quiet and thoughful, but it's absolutely beautiful and a real grower. The themes and styles on display here are developed further on their subsequent release " Violence In The Snowy Fields" and now I can't wait for their next release due later this year. In the meantime, catch up with their catalogue - it's very rewarding.

I happened to catch Dolorean opening for Cat Power and fell in love with their sound. The songs are wonderfully written and so insightful you feel as though a friend is sharing their most intimate moments. This cd has been in high rotation on my player and have turned on many friends to it who love it as well. Go see them live - especially in a small venue. There is still great music out there and Alex/Dolorean is playing some of it. Buy this cd, you won't be disappointed.

Not Exotic is an excellent album. Can hear some of the great influences: willie nelson, beach boys, elliott smith (r.i.p.). Highly recommend worth every cent.

LumpSumz

I don't even recall how I stumbled upon this album, but I'm glad that I did; really an excellent piece of work by Al James. Wow. I hate trying to explain why I love an album, because I can never do any justice with words. Know what I mean? I guess it's just something that you have to experience. Anyway, there are nine songs on this album and there really is not a bad one in the bunch, which is rare for any album. Most of the songs deal with love, loss, deceit, etc., the usual suspects when it comes to a wonderfully mellow album such as this. Great album, please purchase it, if you don't like it I will happily refund your $$$. Highly recommended (I know you hear this all the time, but really this album is something special, go get it hurry)!

One of the best albums I've had the fortune of experiencing. Not going to get analytical, but the music is incredible, for lack of a better term. A secret too well kept.
And repeating what others said - if the opportunity arises to see Dolorean perform live, snag it. I nearly passed on their show, which would have been such a regret.
Could ramble on, but I need to zonk.

A mellow mix of instruments that compliment Alex's wonderful voice. Sorrowfull and true to the struggles of life. An up and coming band that will be touring nationwide this Spring.

The emotional complexity of this album is just astounding... It's as much an emotional gutshot as an aural experience. So well done and heartfelt, deftly avoiding most of the artistic pitfalls of the singer/songwriter genre. The lyrics are timeless without being either cliched or esoteric and the music is subtly original. Can't recommend it enough.

This is the best album I've purchased all year. The subtle melancholy of Dolorean's lyrics are perfectly counterbalanced by the light guitar and keyboard; the occasional, raucous infusion of other instruments is just enough to suggest a musical complexity that is unparalleled by the band's peers. Every song on this album will satisfy, and perplex.
Highly recommended, all around.