Customer Reviews

Polyserena

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have to admit I only really got into George a week before I first heard them live in March 2003 with the WA Symphony Orchestra. This album is unique in that it is undeniably in the pop genre and yet has an alternative sensibility to it - the band come across as laidback yet incredibly talented (especially the brother-sister vocalists). Track-by-track review:

1. Release - definitely pop and one to dance to (although in 11/8 and 15/8!), but with Katie's inimitable vocals carrying the song, especially towards the end. Nick (guitars) gets good exposure in this one.

2. Breaking It Slowly - Tyrone sings in this fairly laidback song "The time will come when they realise what they've done". He dedicates the song live to the multinationals that are destroying the environment.

3. Special Ones - A highlight - meaningful lyrics expressing a mature perspective on a break-up of a relationship sung with Katie's delicate voice which rises to a tempest 2/3 through the song.

4. Rain - they usually start concerts with this one. Laidback, almost Jeff Buckleyesque at times and sung by Tyrone. The musical watchers will probably like the ending with the band splitting in two, one doing 6/8 and the other doing 4/4.

5. Truth - another Katie song about communication, and one that clearly means a lot to her.

6. Bastard Son - a JJJ favourite from 2000 and featuring both vocalists, with utterly weird lyrics and an intro featuring some equally weird synth noises.

10. Run - a slightly rockier song featuring Tyrone with lyrics about the state of the world that often get changed live to mention George Bush.

11. Breathe In Now - the most commercially successful and one of the best songs on the album - Katie's vocals basically espousing the "seize the day and see the beauty around you" ideal in a very gentle pop song.

13. Spawn - In my view the best song on the album. Starts with a warm synth, leading into a mellow pop chorus by Katie, who then gets to completely show off her vocal talents as the song becomes the heaviest on the album. The last two minutes is a gentle outro for the whole album.

I loved this album and would still be listening to it if someone hadn't stolen my CD a year ago. It took a while to get used to the different (from most US music) style of George but even now, I still cannot get some of the songs out of my head. I hope and bet that whoever took my cherished CD is enjoying the soothing yet rocking vocals of the band.

Having never heard of any of georges music pre-Polyserena I can't really compare as some are but I was blown away by the awesome talent of these young musicians. Breathe In Now and Special Ones are my favorite and I prefer Katie to Tyrone but both of them are extremely talented and I wish everyone in the US could hear their amazing music. I expect that if they are released in the US at any time, they will be a huge sucess - so get their album now while you can and be one of the few 'in the know'...trust me, you wont regret it.

Having formal opera singing training isn't the normal track into pop music, but it seems to have worked very nicely for George. Polyserena is their debut album, and it's close to the best album I've heard this year.

The best songs on the CD are without question the singles. Bastard Son is the most uptempo and rocky song on the CD, and it provides a great contrast to the rest of the album which is slower, and more introspective. Breaking It Slowly is in the same vein, and both these songs are great examples of Tyrone Noonan's vocal talent and range. Run is almost grungey, except for Tyrone's vocals which dominate the song. It's suitably excellent. Katie Noonan takes care of the other two singles, Breathe In Now and Special Ones. Both of these songs are slower, but still magnificent.

The non single tracks are obviously weaker, but there is still some nice stuff here. Release is a very strong song, and it sets up the CD nicely as an opener. Rain is a lazy, meandering piece that is again a great showcase for the vocal talent of Tyrone. That's When You Come To Me sounds almost out of place, with it's ringing horn intro, but it soons returns to the tried formula of piano, guitars and vocals. The various tracks in the middle all follow the formula, though are still remarkably pleasant, the weakest probably being Sellout.

The final track, Spawn, is a great note to finish on and really sums up the album nicely. It's a nice, slow, pleasant song (though with a contrasting rocky chorus) featuring Katie in flawless form. It really showcases just what George are all about - well written songs, a nice combination of piano, guitar and bass driven pop/rock with some of the most amazing vocals you'll ever hear. Polyserena is worth it for the five single tracks alone, with the other eight basically being bonus tracks. Well worth buying.

I've had the album since it was released in OZ and nearly two years on this album is still breathtaking! I find very few albums really inspire the mind as well as the heart and without a doubt this is a must for everyones CD collection!! I can't wait for the next album!

What a great CD. Any Jeff Buckley fan will love this..

I first heard 'george' on JJJ-'Spawn' and 'Bastard Son'-the originals from eps-and i loved how different a sound they made.For one thing i noticed that there was a female singer-katie noonan-and then a male singer-brother,tyrone noonan-for 'spawn'and 'bastard son', respectively.And for another thing the lyrics were meaningful, about the more important things in life and retrospetives of good and bad choices made to come.

Listening to 'holiday'i was amazed at the diversity of this band.I could really picture myself in a peaceful place.Then 'breathe in now' was a demo on the website that i listened to endlessly for more than a year before it was finally released-very nice soft tune that encourages to live for today-despite the cliche of the lyrics it becomes much more than that with kt encouraging those down to get up and keep going.

Then came this album.The best!It has a song for all emotions.While some feel it is a different move to the old stuff 'george' have admitted that it is different because of the different things they are experiencing in their lives.To me it shows how much this band have done and still have to come.One album and already we're hearing all kinds of sounds.'Release'is very up-beat,like a cup of coffee before a big day, with lyrics that collage a whole range of things-and those i know who have heard it have never been dissappointed.'Special Ones' revolves around the fear and hurt of being in a bad relationship and at its release motivated a lot of people to get out of really bad situations.'Bastard Son' is a somewhat melancholly rock song with lyrics from tyrone who hits the highs and lows much like jeff buckley-one of the band's biggest inspirations.

This band is one of the most original and beautiful sounding bands i have ever heard. You know you're only getting the best when 'george' ask for all their songs to be written by them in their contract, making sure they're express what they stand for.

Members of 'george' have been getting personal feedback from listeners.From one a woman's brother had comitted suicide and told tyrone that the album was a form of theorapy for her.

As the band get recognised for their talent be one of the first and get into this album.It's one that can be listened to as a classic.

If you ever get the chance to see this band live, then you must run NEVER walk. Katie Noonan's voice is something to let enter your head and never leave. Quite beautiful, sharp and above all listener friendly (most of the songs are quite catchy - bring on the radio) the only things that probably let Polyserena down are the sometimes wordy and pretentious lyrics and the gimmicky she sings/he sings layout of the tracks. I've heard others who've praised that. I wasn't convinced. Still very good though!

THis is a great CD.... lyrical, moving. Jeff Buckley and Radiohead fans will love this. Try it!

I love this cd. I love this band. Anyone that 'missed the joy' of the songs on this cd, I do feel sorry for. Great music is great music - and this is some of the best.