Only Thing I Ever Wanted

Psapp | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 6, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Domino
• ASIN: B000FFJ8EO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,093 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

They may be signed to Domino--the same label that unleashed Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys on the world--but the last thing London duo Galia Durant and Carim Clasmann want to do is pick up a guitar. Their second album is most notable for its pots-n-pans percussion and thrift store brass, which, when paired with a series of lavish electro-folk melodies, make the band sound like the Postal Service's exotic foreign cousin or a more homespun Stereolab. "Cosy in the Rocket" will already be familiar to fans of "Grey's Anatomy": it's the hit televisions series' theme song. The rest of the disc will sound reassuringly unfamiliar to all. --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description

This London-based duo's formula of addictive melodies, electronic frolics, and found sounds have put them on the musical map. Silly noises married to sultry vocals and perspicacious lyrics produce recordings of shimmering originality and nascent charm. "The problem with a lot of electronic music is that it either takes itself too seriously or not seriously enough. Psapp offers the perfect solution: do both...knick-knacky sound effects, plucky violin, and whizzing bleeps over warm, elastic beats for a euphoric sound that's like a toy closet come to life" - SF Weekly.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars another good one, October 14, 2006

By 

Joseph Geni (Evanston, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Only Thing I Ever Wanted (Audio CD)

The Only Thing I Ever Wanted is slightly less whimsical and innocent, both lyrically and musically, than Psapp's first record Tiger, My Friend. But it's still Psapp, which means it's pretty whimsical and innocent and has lots of keyboards and cats.

The exceedingly British female vox, eclectic percussion and random noisemakers (including what seems to be a rubber duckie on Tricycle) that are Psapp's staple are all still on display, never fear. But where the last album was highlighted by cheerful numbers like "About Fun," this one has a somewhat more somber, mature, and at times almost world-weary air to it. Make Up is a simple piano-and-vocal ballad that is as thought-provoking as anything the band has ever done, but it's not exactly a happy song. King of You is sultry and downright cynical. This Way is a real downer (and also my least favorite track on this record).

But it's not just the words (and certainly not The Words, a cut which jumps with joy, albeit with a knowing smile: "Oh, I can't abandon this foolish notion, it's too much fun") that determine the mood in this album. The mixes are emotionally chillier this time around. But that doesn't make them worse: the change is quite by design, and works splendidly.

All told, The Only Thing I Ever Wanted is just as good as its predecessor, though I am slightly more predisposed to Tiger My Friend. If you liked Tiger, get this. If you didn't hear of Tiger, you should also get this, immediately after getting Tiger. This is no sophomore slump. Psapp is still in the game, and the music world is better for it.

Album highlights: Hi, King of You, The Words, Needle and Thread, Eating Spiders, and Tricycle, particularly Tricycle, which I adore.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, diverse album, January 23, 2007

By 

Nicholas Klein (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Only Thing I Ever Wanted (Audio CD)

I, like, it would appear, most people, stumbled upon this band by accident. I went to see an acoustic guitarist in concert, and Psapp was opening. Since I arrived late (I'd never heard of the opener and didn't expect them to be too good,) I wandered into a wall of loud clunking sounds that made me want to dance more than anyththing Ive ever heard. So I bought the album and found not only these great, unique, and totally jamming dance numbers--played with squeaky toys and cans in concert--but some amazingly pretty and tuneful sons as well. I havent heard their first album, so I cant really speak to that, but this one, I assure you, is just great. Its always a good sign when so many people--just look through other reviews--like so many different tracks (My favorites are Tricycle, Needle and Thread, and hi). This should certainly not be tossed aside as simply a gimmick band. When the slight novelty factor of this band wears off, youre left with a really amazingly tuneful, well-written, and elegant album. A must-buy, in my opinion.

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy, December 29, 2009

By 

R. Springer-Vega - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Only Thing I Ever Wanted (Audio CD)

Different, Refreshing. Happy. Fun.

Check it out. I love this CD. I paly it loud. I use it as backround music. It is fantastic