Customer Reviews

Quench

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I must admit I'd never been interested in The Beautiful South before. But once "Perfect 10" hit my eardrums I was hooked - Its what any decent girls whats to hear, love is love, forget your size baby! Before I brought Quench I had only heard: "How Longs A Tear Take To Dry?", "Dumb" and "Perfect 10". These catchy songs had me hooked and I had to find out more. Luckly there is more to Quench and the gorgeous "Big Coin" where every word is sung with emphasis. Its almost like Paul Heaton is in the room explaining to you that love will always rule supreme over money. Oh my heart beats! "Your Father And I" finishes the album and although with amusing lyrics it really is quite a sad tale. But it is a interesting one never the less which really contrasts the difference between the sexes - especially when there is alcohol involved. Quench is like a five course dinner, and each evening I keep coming back for more . Jacqueline Abbott on vocals sings like smooth milk chocolate and compliments Paul Heaton's persuasive but gentle vocals. I find myself unable to find anything I don't like about this album, even the CD cover is hypnotic. If you find Quench as fufilling as myself I recommend a listen to a album called "When the World Knows Your Name" by Deacon Blue - I know its a old one, but it really is a worthwhile listen.

The first review in this section was right in that Quench is an amzing album but wrong in that it really missed the point of the songs and their meaning, Big Coin is not about Love meaning more than money, but comparing it to love, big coin being the love spent easuly, this the kinf of love Paul Heaton sings about. But if someone can miss the meaning of an album and still enjoy it then that is fine, Quench shows The Beautiful South at their best, those hit singles from 1989 - 1990 will always be what they ar eremembered for, but the band have matured and gone beyond those confines. In fact Quench is proabably the finest overall album they have produced, every song is so complete and mirrors life in all its awkard crazyiness. There is so much truth in the words but the explosion is subtle and often cruel, but then isn't life abnd that is what The Beautiful South are, perfect life music. Perfect 10 with its cutting lyrics masked by those famous happy melodies, Lure of the Sea, Dumb, Big Coin, the only weak track for me was Pockets. What an amzing album, clever honest and well produced and even great if you don't undersatnd the lyrics, what more could you ask for?

If you are reading my review you are considering purchasing a CD by The Beautiful South. No matter how many reviews you read of an album by the Beautiful South it just doesn't do justice to the music. Paul Heaton and Paul Rotheray construct some of the most honest, compelling, awkward and original songs. It's very diffucult to describe them. The only way to understand the comedy of it all is to listen along and open your mind. I love this band and I have no one favorite album. To me they could do no wrong. But if I was to recommend and good introduction to the band I would recommend Quench and Carry On Up The Charts. And Blue is the Color. And Miaow. and 0898. Just give them a chance, you won't be dissapointed.

If you like the Beautiful South this is a must- buy disk. I have the entire catalogue and this one has more "Top 40ish" type songs than any of the more recent cds. The single "perfect 10" is pure Heaton-lyrics with sarcasm and a hint of realism sprinkled throughout and its very contagious. Most of the songs, as the cd title would suggest and past South music would suggest, are about alcohol and abusing alcohol. If I had to pick two cds to buy for South they would be the greatest hits then this one.

This is by far one of my favorite albums. Almost every track is so compeling. Jaque and Paul were a great team, I will miss her presence on the new record.

Having been a Housemartins fan, then a Beautiful South fan since their first album, I was somewhat disappointed in Quench. I didn't find the songs as catchy or cutting or sarcastic as previous albums... and I swear it sounded like they just got out of rehab..got a little problem with the drink? Just a little too mellow and slow for my taste. Still a fabulous band, but I'd recommend Choke, 0898, Welcome to.., or carry on up the charts if you're not familiar with the band.

I was watching an interview with the band recently, and their opinion of this album surprisingly reflected my own feelings. The album shows their incredible songwriting and tune-smithing skills on tracks such as "Dumb", "Perfect 10", and the witty "Your Father And I". However, the rest is not up to their usual standards. Sure, no single track is really poor, but we have come to expect albums filled with stunning tracks from start to finish.

Other than that, the sound is the typical Beautiful South sound, so if you're a fan already, go and get this album and at least the three abovementioned tracks make it well worth the price. If you are new to the band, then I would definitely recommend you start with their best of collection entitled "Carry On Up The Charts". Otherwise, delve into the albums that came before that, or alternatively check out "Blue".

Great lyrics and tunes. I imagine the lyrics might be a little deep for some folks. Its one of my favorites.

Quench~ The Beautiful South is a great easy listening Brittpop album. The music is straightforward and not that pretentious with simple lyrics and a sound that is great to listen to as background music. Usually the cover of an album is connected with the music or the title. However, in this case I have no idea what they wanted to convey with that cover. The book-let is not that great and it lacks pictures and there is only one photo and this is a sad story that could have been taken with a cheap cell phone. I must say that the cover does leave a perplexing feeling. It just does not match with the sound at all. Still and all this is a better then average album that I give 4 well deserved stars.

This is the BS back at their best, after the disappointment of the previous, rather wishy-washy album.

The happy tunes couples with the dark themes may sound depressing and rather weird on the surface, but believe me, it's worth a listen. All the old themes are back - alcohol, bad relationships, etc. BUY IT!