Customer Reviews

People Move on

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Fans of Suede Mark I will have a tough time wrestling with this one. There are enough snatches of his trademark "big" sound to keep us happy, but too often it sounds as if he's deliberately working against his strengths, stripping down his sound to let his (rather callow and undeveloped) voice shine through. After listening to "Not Alone" and realizing anew just how exhilarating his music can be, you can't help thinking he's holding back during much of the rest of the album. Still, there's a half dozen pretty great songs here, and even some of the acoustic numbers, most notably "You Light the Fire", are quite beautiful. This one definitely takes time to get into, and by and large it's worth it, but I think the next album will be even better.

Ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler here makes his solo debut. His taste here runs toward ornate string-encased ballads (think Oasis playing songs written by Burt Bacharach). Indeed, the tempo never bobs up above a midtempo lope. His singing isn't flashy or especially expressive so the songs have to pick up the slack. Unfortunately, the songwriting's only occasionally up to the task.

Another big drawback is Butler's tendency to lengthy tunes that overstay their welcome...all but 2 of these tracks run longer than 4:30 and it's really not necessary. A great pop song leaves you wanting MORE rather than wondering if it's almost over ("Woman I Know" [7:51] and "Autograph" [8:45] are just beyond the pale...)

HIGHLIGHTS:
"You Just Know" is Butler's kiss-off to an unsupportive mate and SHOULD have been the album opener. There's some edge to his guitar here rather than the snoozy weeping parts to "Woman I Know". "You Light the Fire" is a nicely understated acoustic number with some tasteful accordion. "Not Alone" demonstrates what Butler is capable of when he injects a little fire into his guitar playing and reigns in the excess. At 3:51, it's a great blast of pop that soars. In the case of "Stay" all the bombast works in Butler's favour. The tune climbs to ever higher heights before drifting away on a final keyboard swell. It's fully realized. "I'm Tired" perfectly evokes the pervasive feeling of the disc but stays away from the bloat that sabotages many of the other songs here.

LOWS:
"Woman I Know" drones on for nearly 8 minutes and is absolutely the WORST way to open the album. Wake me when it's over. "Autograph" has a decent lyric, but it's too long by half at nearly 9 minutes. "When You Grow" is a good tune that could have been great. At 4:40 the song is essentially over but Butler lets it run on for nearly another minute of guitar feedback that's nothing more than indulgence. It just doesn't add to the song. "In Vain" is what "Wichita Lineman" might have become if Jimmy Webb had been clinically depressed.

BOTTOM LINE:
Bernard Butler obviously has some talent...there are germs of a great album here...but he lacks the discipline personally to drop weaker songs from the lineup when needed and to trim unneeded fat out of his material. Since it's only a dime, you could pick it up, drop the worst tracks, use editing software and a CD burner to create your own tightened up version and have a passable debut. He needs an outside producer for his next outing.

2 1/2 stars

When I heard this album, I had high hopes since he was so brilliant with Suede and I believe that he was as vital to the band as Brett Anderson. So obviously I expected some of the same brilliance on his first solo album. There are some moments where he shines, "Not Alone", "Stay" and "You Just Know" but the rest don't seem inspired. There's something lacking when I hear this album, that same chill I got when hearing the songs from the Butler-era Suede was missing on People Move On. His solo career as NME put it "was dead upon arrival". It's very sad that he left Suede because of the possibilities that were ahead for him and the band but he chose this. In retrospect it's a bad move. I don't understand why these people who establish themselves in a band and then at the height of their powers they leave and think that they can do just as well alone? It's very rare for singers to pull it off but guitarists have never had success, et al; Jimmy Page, Johnny Marr, John Squire, etc... If you want to hear Butler at his best, look elsewhere. (Suede)

I actually give this album 4-1/2 stars. It's hard to determine what actually drives this album; the voice or the guitar work. The mix of loud, catchy guitar riffs on some of the songs mixed with simple accoustical songs filled with great vocal harmony make this album a good listen to at any mood or place. "Not Alone" has that rockin' Suede feel but with, in my opinion, a more mature vocal sound than Bret Anderson's voice. Sorry Bret. Even some string-work is mixed into this album. As one reviewer pointed out, you might not like this album at first listen but believe me it'll grow on you in a very good way. As for me. I immediately was taken by the album. Thanks Bernard!

This album is one of those you have to "work" with, it is'nt that good the first time you listen to it. But once you've listened to it for about five times it grows on to you and suddenly you realize how extremely good this album actually is! Buy it for god's sake, BUY IT!

I really think this a great solo-release!!! Great musician!!!!!!!!

Im only giving "People Move On" 3 stars. Its not because I dont love the album (I do). Its just that this is the tip of the iceberg of the greatness that is to come now that Bernard has freed himself from the limited vision of Suede. "People Move On" is a triumph of tearing down the barriers, breaking the chains of the past and moving on to things better and brighter. Bernard is total class, just go see him perform and you will know what I mean.

I give this album a five star rating not because the whole album is exquisite--it isn't: some of the songs are unappealing and nowhere near as creative as others. However, I find that men often search for music that will make women feel sentimental about them, or in love with them. This being said, I like to look at the tenth song on this album, called "Stay" as something of a secret weapon in such an arsenal. It is perhaps the most romantic song I have ever heard, and, when given to a significant other, is promised to produce a deep emotional impact. Of course, it may not be a deep emotional impact directed to the giver, but she will always remember who gave it to her. Perhaps in time . . . .

Use with care, Philip

Really brave of him to become a solo artistic from a guitarist. So, though he did not sing very well, you gonna buy it if you like him.

Although not worthy of a five-star rating, I'd say this is definitely a great album! There are songs on here that make you ponder about past relationships, make you wish you were in love, calm your nerves, and more. It's much like the Pumpkins' "Siamese Dream", but without the metal antics and with more lushness. Yes, it can put you to sleep, but just skip to "Stay" and you'll feel the yearning of love sweep over you. Okay, so that may sound cheesy! It's not a cheesy album by any means! It's quite beautiful. ....