Customer Reviews

I Oughtta Give You A Shot In The Head For Making Me Live In This Dump

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The first time I heard "Goodnight Moon" on the radio, I thought it was the best new song by No Doubt I'd ever heard. Once I found out it was a new band, I just had to see what they were about.

The album is an excellent debut album of a very eclectic band. They show a great sense of humor right from the opening track ("The Cannibal King"), mix it up with wry alternative rock riffs on the excellent "Daring Lousy Guy" and display a knack for twangy ballads on the album closer, "Arrivederci".

It's the standout track "Goodnight Moon", however, that shows just what greatness this band is capable of. This song has a lot going on -- a *very* catchy bass line, classic bluesy drum backbeats and a rhythm guitar line that simply sings "ghosssst" -- without ever sounding crowded or overdone. Dig the synth that whistles in vibrato to announce the presence of spirits, while the perfectly measured wood block beats evokes a fifties noir sensibility. Every time you listen to this song, you can focus on any single instrument and hear it clear as day. And, yet, the combination is so much more than the sum of it's wonderful parts.

If this song is any indication of future things to come from this band, they're going to be simply amazing. As it is, the rest of the album does well, although it is occasionally hit and miss; but even the songs that didn't grab me right away are now growing on me.

Recommended.

First, I have to admit that I bought this CD because I liked the song "Goodnight Moon", which has gotten quite a bit of air play around here. When I first popped the CD in my reaction was "What the heck have I done? Just what is this?" I was afraid the CD was going to suffer the fate of my one Mazzy Star CD, only pulled out when I want to hear the one song that I bought it for. But I listened to the whole CD, and then I listened to it again. On second listen my reaction was "What the heck was I thinking passing judgement on this so quickly?" I found that quite a few of the songs were growing on me. Parsley has a great voice, and while I have not listened to the CD enough to pick out definite favorites, I am extrememly glad that I gave the CD a second listen and didn't just throw it on the shelf.

Passed the strange "Cannibal King" (45 seconds long), the lazy "Bossa Nova" introduces you to Ambrosia's voice, somewhere between Gwen Stefani and Cindy Lauper, yet distinctive. An aggressive wave of electric guitar brings edge to the otherwise quiet bossa nova rhythm. It melts into the rock "Daring lousy guy". You have some guitars, DJ scratches and sulky baby vocals.

The melancholic "Arlington girl" is a ballad with strange distortions, heavy guitars and a repetitive military drumbeat. The linear bass line and evocative vocals of "Oh no" makes it a seductive track. "Lunch" is a fragile track where organ sustains Ambrosia's reserved interpretation. A ballad that remains with you long after it finished. The instant classic mid tempo ballad "Goodbye Moon" was an alternative hit to my country. It's the easiest song of the album, I love it and I think it is a perfect pop rock pearl, but I agree with others to say they are edgier songs on this album.

The slow "I don't care" sounds like the last song performed at the very end of a dance marathon. I love the sax solo and Ambrosia's incisive and passionate yet laid back interpretation - think Suzy and the Baker boys: a blues and alternative jazz sexy track. "Pimp" goes electro rock. I love the ethereal ballad "Idiot waltz" that proves once again the voice is one of the pillars of the band's songs. This one takes you in a fairy dreamland with a sullen Dorothy. The album closes on (extremely) short "Ash Wednesday" (54 seconds) a guitar acoustic ballad and "Arrivederci", a slow guitar waltz. Close your eyes and you're around the campfire.

This band seems to enjoy experimentation. Their music makes me think about a mix of No Doubt (a lot and often) and Garbage. Is that band as original as the title of its first album? Time will have to confirm, but this first shot has enough facets to keep you busy exploring for a while. I must say I'm discovering new things every time I play it... Intriguing for the least.

I'd buy this album just on the strength of the lead singer's name (Ambrosia Parsley-- her real name!), but buy it on the strength of her voice. She's got one of those great, instantly recognizable sounds. With shared or solo credit on 10 of the album's 12 songs, she can claim some pretty strong songwriting skills, too.

Describing Shivaree's music, people tend to fall back on words like "eclectic" or "quirky." Fair assessments, I guess, but the variety works here. This album is far from esoteric-- the songs all have great hooks, and Parsley's voice really holds things together. The band is both versatile and funky.

"Goodnight Moon" is only song that really got any airplay, but there's plenty of meat on this CD. The songs range from haunting ("Lunch"), to bluesy ("I Don't Care"), to rocking ("Daring Lousy Guy"), to sublimely goofy (the opening "Cannibal King.") This CD quickly became one of my favorites, and has remained in my "favorites" rotation ever since...

This is a really tremendous record...it combines one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard with music that falls somewhere between Beck, Tom Waits, and Mazzy Star. The lyrics are enchanting, the songs instantly stick in your head, and the musicians that play on it are pretty heavy cats. It's some of the most beautiful new music I've heard in years.

The singer, Ambrosia has a marvelous voice, wonderful interpretation and writes some of the most fascinating lyrics I've seen in a long time. No standard pop fare here, the woman is a true artist. The opening track, Cannibal King is intrigueing and humorous, a perfect intro that lets you know you're in for a wild ride. I heard this album blind with no knowledge about the the band. I was immediately stuck by the imagination, depth and restraint of the playing. There are no blazing solos here. Instead there are carefully layered sonic textures which reward repeated listening, and subtle unexpected twists in the music which please the attentive ear. Clearly these are highly seasoned musicians. When I finally saw a picture of the band I was not surprised to see the instrumentalists, Duke and Danny were mature men.

The single that some people have focussed on, Goodnight Moon, is clever and competant but the rest of the tunes have such lyrical and musical depth that, Goodnight Moon, despite being the most radio friendly cut is actually the least interesting. If you can appreciate an artist like Tom Waits you will rejoice in the discovery of this wonderful album. If your taste is strictly mainstream, say Aerosmith and Celine Dione, your only interest may be in, Goodnight Moon.

Shivaree is a pleasant addition to the modern pop world, because they are willing to take risks with their recordings. Consistent throughout the album is lead singer Ambrosia Parsley's close-miked and highly stylized urgent nightclub voice, which overall is appealing (though some listeners may tire of it after a whole album's worth.) Many of the songs, particularly the slow dirges that make up half the album's material, are not instantly catchy and may take a few listens, the exceptions being "Oh No" and the radio hit "Goodnight Moon." But what is so refreshing here is the many background sounds that make up the recordings themselves, expertly mixed in stereo that will dazzle you if you have headphones on. The band is innovative in their use of unexpected harmonies and cheap sounds like coke cans and phonograph crackle, all thrown in as an expert chef might toss herbs into a soup. There is definitely something very creative happening here, and I look forward to see where they may take it in the band's future releases.

When I picked up the album I didn't know what to expect. After first listen it's hard to miss it's delicate beauty and heartfelt emotion. What you might miss is with what complexity the vocals and music are crafted for maximum emotion. To say the least I was very pleased. Not since Stina Nordenstam's "And She Closed Her Eyes" & Garrison Star's "18 Over Me" have I heard a better album. Give it a try. Drive in your car at night and you will find a new soundtrack for life. Brilliant!

Like other reviewers, I also discovered this CD at Borders, which does a great job of promoting eclectic selections such as this. I'm not a big electronica fan, and the smattering of electronica here almost convinced me not to get this CD, but I liked Goodnight Moon enough to give it a chance. So glad I did...this a superb CD, unlike anything else out there. Its haunting, sensuous music led by the amazing voice of Ms. Parsley (that name has got to go, however). The more you listen to this, the more it gets into your bones. Perfect for a stormy twilight or a warm night with someone you're hot for...

I love this album! It is one of my favorites & I've already hooked several of my friends. Eclectic is definitely the word to use when describing this CD, but as someone whose music collection spans the Beastie Boys to the Dixie Chicks - this was right up my alley. This is the richest collection of songs I've heard in a long time - with lyrics that make me laugh out loud one minute & then bring tears to my eyes. The general consensus here & from everyone I know who's heard the album is that Goodnight Moon is superb, which it is, but Bossa Nova, Idiot's Waltz & Lunch are all gems. And I can't stress the musical diversity that exists here, & yet somehow the album maintains a consistent feel. I've tried to describe it to friends - a little Beck, a little Tom Waits, with a dash of Patsy Cline - but that doesn't really cover it. I guess if the title (gleaned from an episode of Green Acres)or the band's name... doesn't make you smile, then you probably wouldn't care for the lyrics or unusual music. But if you think that "Well, I think I hate you, isn't this fun?" is a perfect way to start a love song, then you will love this album! If you do decide to buy Shivaree's album, then just kick back & have some fun!