Precious [ENHANCED]

Ours

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 5, 2002)
• Original Release Date: November 5, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Dreamworks
• ASIN: B00006WKY0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,420 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
If Ours's 2000 disc, Distorted Lullabies, was notable for singer-songwriter Jimmy Gnecco's vocal similarity to Jeff Buckley and his fluent command of tortured pop-rock (hardly groundbreaking traits, but serviceable), then Precious makes the case for Gnecco as genuine-article artist. There's a truckload of emotion here and while Gnecco is more screamer than crooner, his viewpoints linger long after the final chords. Opening with the spiky--and cheeky--"Kill the Band," Precious segues into "Realize," a straight rock tune with a pealing guitar lead that solders the chorus to the bridge. Paler shades are explored later in the disc; "Broken" begins as a dirge before erupting into a musical firestorm with Gnecco's howls at the vortex. "If Flowers Turn" is wistful pop abetted by tambourine and do-do-do vocals, while "Red Colored Stars" trades muscular electric guitar for acoustic and octave-defying vocals. --Kim Hughes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ours do anything but let us down on this tremendous record!, November 23, 2002

By	"cyndi_lauper" (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

Yes, I know that Jimmy Gnecco (singer / writer extrodinaire) is uncomfortable with the many comparisons he has been receiving to Jeff Buckley. But truth be told, those comparisons were how I discovered this band. For years I was looking for some music to fill the void Jeff left behind, and, quite by accident, I stumbled upon Ours, who are devastatingly brilliant.

'Precious', their follow-up album to their first major label release 'Distorted Lullabies' is both surprising and wonderful. Surprising, because it sounds notably different from their first one, and wonderful because the evident progression which has taken place between albums has resulted in the formation of a remarkable and classic album. The dark and troubled Jimmy from Distorted Lullabies has evolved into a more observant and heartfelt songwriter, whose outstanding work on this album has pushed the band out of the shadows of comparisons, and into their own light. However, 'Precious' is not a complete departure from the previous record. Still present are the piercing howls, the eerie wails, and the songs so moving and full of emotion that they rip your heart out of your chest on every listen.

Definitely an album worth investing both your hard-earned cash and your time in. A superior album that will no doubt be there to lead us through our troublesome, lonely and desperate future.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong Album, November 2, 2003

By	Guy Fleegman (At large) - See all my reviews

Since 1995, rock fans and critics have wondered two things: (1) When is Radiohead going to make "The Bends, Part 2"?, and (2) Is Live capable of realizing its potential and making good music again? The answer to both questions is "no," because Radiohead lives in constant fear of repeating itself, and because, sadly, Live lost its way musically.

The good news is that "Precious" by Ours makes those two questions irrelevant. "Precious" leaves the listener with a feeling of, "I've heard music like this before, but this is better in a way I cannot define." Somewhere in a parallel universe, "Precious" surely became Radiohead's third album. Music fans should be glad that Radiohead followed its own path in this universe and let Ours develop its own style of guitar-based pop/rock with soaring vocals. The best part of "Precious" is its consistency: each track is listenable and enjoyable. "Precious" is a passionate album with a sense of purpose, featuring excellent musicianship. Hopefully, Ours will stick around for a while.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ours., July 15, 2003

By	amy (texas) - See all my reviews

unlike most normal people, i bought "precious" months before "distorted lullabies" [which i just received a week ago]. amazingly enough, i actually heard/saw their single, "leaves," on mtv. considering this was not really my kind of music at the time, i was not completely blown away. for some reason unexplained, i ended up buying "precious" about a week later. i now think this might have been a message from God because i don't usually buy cds after hearing only one of the songs, especially one i don't particularly like.

anyway. now that i've become much smarter, and my taste in music has changed, i think it's safe to say that "precious" is one of the most brilliant albums never heard. it really saddens me that such a talented band is unknown to just about everyone. jimmy gnecco's lyrics and amazing voice are truly stunning, while the music is, to say the least, captivating. i'm trying hard to understand where gnecco got that range, when even i, a 16-year old girl and aspiring singer, can't reach his high notes. very impressive.

but what i love most are the beautifully written lyrics. there is something very appealing about a band that doesn't sing about losing a girlfriend, but about losing faith in mankind. gnecco has taken all the words many people can't or won't say, and made them into songs we can all easily sing.

though ours is nowhere near as well known as the bands you hear on your radio, they have lasting power. this is one of the few albums i own in which i don't skip any of the songs while i'm listening. not to mention, once the cd's over, i find myself pressing "play" again and again. "precious" is definitely an album any true music fan can appreciate.