Customer Reviews

Odds of Winning

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Odds of Winning from the Churchills is an very refreshingly original rock album. It has been awhile since the release of Big Ideas, but the Odds Of Winning was well worth wait. This is truly an record that you can play over and over again falling in love with evey song more and more each time you hear them. I highly recommend this album to anyone who is tired of the same old sounds and wants to hear the very unique amazing sound that the Churchills bring!

With an unbelievable ability to produce incredible songs, the churchills have stolen my heart and top billing in my CD player. Each track of "The Odds of Winning" leaves you aching to hear it again, yet yearning to experience the next. Four undeniably talented men, who have the destiny to become rock icons, have somehow managed to take passion, truth, precision, grievance, beauty, humility and an overwhelming sense of musical genius, and pack it onto a disc you can listen to at anytime. Don't hesitate, buy a copy.

The latest from the Churchills offers more of what we've come to expect from them: great pop melodies, catchy hooks, and sing-along harmonies. But "The Odds of Winning" also adds a new dimension to the Churchills music with some deep, thought-provoking, introspective lyrics. Sure, there are plenty of fun, rocking moments like the anthemic "Sometimes Your Best Isn't Good Enough" and the beautiful "We're All Light and Stars", but we're also taken to some dark places that we haven't heard from the Churchills before.

If you buy one CD other than Coldplay or the Foo Fighters, make it this one. You need this one on your iPod this summer.

5 Stars? More Like 55... This Album Is Unbelievable. Normally When You Buy An Album, There's Only A Few Songs You Like, But This Isn't The Case... Every Single Song Has It's Own Unique Sound & They Are All Beyond Awesome. You Can Put It On & Leave It Playing Without Having To Ever Skip A Song... I Highly Recommend This Album To Anyone With Ears... I Also Recommend Their Other Albums... They Rock Just As Hard... :-)

The Good
"Sometimes Your Best Isn't Good Enough" is a mid-tempo track about tough break-ups. The chorus is layered with melodic multi-part harmonies. "I'm a Sucker for a Girl in Uniform" pays homage to the girls in blue and the ones in camouflage. No joking here, these guys are dead serious. Watery guitar tones and soft vocals portray the emotional pain of "Do You Want Me to Go Away." Broken promises and heartbreak seem to be a recurring theme for The Churchills' music, and "It Only Hurts When I Breathe" is no different. The chorus hook is sure to elicit plenty of powerful feelings. "There Never Going to Find Me" is where the group really rocks out by kicking up the tempo and guitar fuzz.

The Bad
These songs are great for poignant dramatic scenes on television, but when they're run back to back, they get a little repetitive.

The Verdict
Twelve mellow, melodic, and emotional `date' songs wrapped up into convenient three-minute packages.

Before this album I had never heard any of The Churchills music. I had heard the name before, but never really checked them out. But boy am I glad I did, becuase they are amazing artists and amazing people. This is definately an album worth getting!

The Churchills' newest release, The Odds of Winning, is filled with hit after hit. Yes, the catchy "I'm A Sucker for A Girl In Uniform" has been getting airplay across the country, but it's only the tip of the iceberg. The first three songs on the CD are definitely radio-ready with hit written all over them (Billboard Magazine agrees whole-heartedly with me on that point), but if you go deeper into the tracks, gems like the melancholy "It Only Hurts When I Breathe" and "Do You Want Me to Go Away" grab on and refuse to let go. The lyrics are much darker than their previous releases, but somehow the feel of the album is balanced out with songs with "We're All Light & Stars" and "They're Never Gonna Find Me". It's a superb follow-up to their last release, "Big Ideas".

I've heard that "Sometimes Your Best Isn't Good Enough" is the next single going to radio. Believe me, The Churchills are more than good enough.

THE ALBUM LIKE THEIR LAST SHOW IS PERFECT. Its awesome. Every song captured your attention and built you up to witness the tales of a year of trials and tribulations that ultimately brought our wordsmiths to the place they are at now, Home- New York City. This group of rockers have passion in their story. Their songs are top quality chart topping hits. These musicians are the best I ever met. The are great musicians and wonderful human beings.
The New York City show at The Cutting room was a great success. At 7:30 after sound check, the crowd left the bar and came into the listening room which consisted of 30 or so 4 top tables and a bar. The band came on and played for almost an hour.
The fans got to sit at the tables and sip their drinks. They had waitress service. It was really nice. Every seat was taken. It was standing room only. Everyone was really happy, they were popping out of their seats once in a while when the songs really rocked and hooting and hollering at the songs peaks, it was a powerful show! My only complaint-the hour went way too fast! I looked into the crowd serveral times and heard dozens of people singing along with every song almost. It was really great to see and hear. I am definetly looking forward to the next Churchills show.

The Churchills have and continue to excel at producing beautiful Power Pop. "The Odds Of Winning" is of course, no exception. Silky smooth vocals backed by flawless melodies are the rule here. "Sometimes Your Best Isn't Good Enough" may be the best Churchills tune I've ever laid ears on. "I'm A Sucker For A Girl In Uniform" rocks with total confidence, evidence of a band at the top of their craft. Wonderfully produced and executed, it's yet another stellar effort from this top-of-the-heap rock and roll band.

If you're familiar with the Churchills, then this CD fits. It is the next logical step after "Big Ideas." Although it sounds more similar to their second release, "You Are Here," "The Odds of Winning" delves much deeper -- musically and lyrically -- than any of their previous recordings.

Ron Haney and Bart Schoudel make up the songwriting duo that are The Churchills, and in this release, they are at the top of thier game. Behind them is an ever-revolving cast of thousands. I'm sure I read that at one point they had Elton John and Kenny Loggins in the mix. Seriously, though, this album they're backed by Jed Higgerson and Scott Haskitt, and the band sounds much, much better than ever. The title cut is the most radio-friendly, but each track is equally strong. As usual, there are strong vocal leads and harmonies, catchy guitar riffs, and solid bass lines. The warmest surprise of the album is the very talented Scott Haskitt, on the drums. Scott is easily the best drummer showcased on any Churchills recording. Plus, he plays a mean glockenspiel.

Bottom line: worth every penny. An amazing release that has to be listened to all the way through to fully appreciate. Job very well done.