Customer Reviews

Now I'm a Cowboy (+4 Bonus Tracks)

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

 

 

This is the outstanding follow up to the Auteurs first album New Wave, and Haines loses no momentum. The album is more dark then the first while keeping that refined glam noir rock feel. The album opens with the menicing Lenny Valentino, the rocking single off the album that scored the highest for the Auteurs on the UK charts. The album deals with film icons, crime, bohemian existence and child abduction(something Haines will touch on fully in After Murder Park). This is a must for fans of the Go betweens, the Smiths,Suede,Bowie,pixies, and the Only Ones.

The Auteurs have a very unique sound. At first I did not like this album but, because it was odd in an interesting sort of way, I kept listening to it and the sound grew on me. It has a very soft, semi-folk, alternative sound; a little like Bettie Serveert (especially the guitar on "New French Girlfriend") but very posh British. Luke Haines' vocals are a little raw, but quiet and free which suits the music well. The lyrics range from the interesting to the bizarre; for instance, "A Sister Like You": "Two sisters sighed, Said we might as well be lovers, We're so close, Just like blood brothers." The cello and occasional oboe give the album the air of sophistication. My favorite tracks here are the ones that rock like "Lenny Valentino" (an excellent opening track) and the catchy "Chinese Bakery." It is a solid album. I recommend it to fans of alternative folk and very British-sounding music.

"Now I'm a Cowboy" is the second álbum to come out of the dark mind behind the Auteurs,Luke Haines, and it's almost as impressive as their debut.

Even if they didn't reach the commercial heights of other similar acts the Auteurs remain one of the quintessential british acts of the 90's reaching for inspiration in the Kinks or David Bowie but often transfiguring their influences into much darker visions via Luke Haines' vitriolic songwriting.

Fans of Bowie,the Smiths or Suede shouldn't be disappointed with this one.

If there is a CD which would have to be a standard issue in the world this would be it! Now im a cowboy is the best CD i have ever purchased. Just the front cover and the title is powerful enough to make you think how lucky you are not to be in the boys position. Then we move onto the music. The sound cascades around the bass swell with each track becoming more and more enchanting. Tracks such as 'new french girlfriend' showing a lyrically masterful band, as well as the dark and heavy yet smooth and mellow tunes. 'A sister like you'in my opinion the best track on the albumn. Other tracks such as 'a rich mans toy' easing you into the mood for the albumn. the later tracks on the albumn like many are slower and almost have an angelic property to them 'underground movies' being a perfect example. If you are comtemplating buying this CD as expensive as it sounds until you hear the sounds you will only realise that this is a bargain!!!

Great Brit pop with a really dark, literate edge. This is my favourite Auteurs CD - I just wish they'd make a few more!

The Autuers are certainly capable of crafting a catchy pop song, but something is lacking. Luke Haines' breathless vocals and the slick production result in material that is technically proficient, yet somehow comes across as soulless and empty.