Razorlight [Enhanced]

Razorlight | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 22, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B000GH2PUU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,235 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Razorlight's eponymous sophomore release doesn't so much reinvent the freewheeling sensibilities of their '04 debut Up All Night as hone them into a more willfully focused pop whole, a mindset that immediately evinces itself on the inviting, Boomtown Rats-meets-INXS-flavored opener "In the Morning." The growing confidence of songwriter/vocalist Johnny Borrell is almost palpable as he expands the band's horizons to include the '50s-rooted influences of "Before I Fall to Pieces" and the Dion-esque "Who Needs Love," the Chrissie Hynde-bred tension of "Hold On" and the sonic fervor of early U2 on "Pop Song 2006." Gratifyingly, that tack has also pushed the rest of the band - especially guitarist Bjorn Agren - towards honing their chops in service of a tighter, yet still playful sound. It may be too easy for seasoned ears to deconstruct the influences here, but by the time this taut, economic collection closes on the high note of the melodramatic "Los Angeles Waltz" even the cynics should be won over. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

"There are many things to cherish about this record... its length, sound, simplicity, sheer brass balls and its songs... And if making the best guitar album since 'Definitely Maybe' is what's required, then job done", and with that, Q Magazine rates this album 5 out of 5. Voted Best New Band at Q Awards (2004) and NME Awards (2005), Razorlight demonstrated on their million selling debut album "Up All Night" that they were not only able to provide the stuff of great magazine copy but musically they could prove to all the doubting Thomases that their talent and ambition went way beyond anything anyone was expecting. Two years on from their classic first album start, they have made their definitive statement. They scored a #2 single with "Somewhere Else" and blew away their peers with their trademark riotous performance at Live 8. The CD includes a weblink to special goodies! --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, October 4, 2006

By 

Mako (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Razorlight (Audio CD)

I have never been one to label an album a classic unless I felt every song could stand on its own as a quality song. I've probably listened to this cd about thirty times already and I must say, it is pristine top to bottom. Every song on this cd is amazing! No, it may not be as raw or risky as their first cd Up All Night, but the music is as good if not better. The replay value of this album is unlimited. I highly recommend this cd! This is how rock n' roll is supposed to be.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars As sharp and shiny as their name implies, November 29, 2006

By 

Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Razorlight (Audio CD)

Razorlight pulls off a nifty trick here. Their eponymous CD is heavily and near heavenly saturated by 80's bands. The catchy and confident hooks will remind some of us older skinny-tie geeks of Squeeze, Crowded House and - when the band rocks a little - INXS. But songs like "In The Morning" and "America" are confident pieces of popcraft that sink their hooks in firmly after repeated listening.

Problem is, while it makes for some catchy listening, it is also derivative. "Hold On" sounds so much like a Squeeze song that I was wondering if Difford and Tilbrook had written it. Getting compared to great songwriters is not necessarily a bad thing, but Razorlight The Band doesn't exude much by way of personality here.

The exceptions are "America," which is the best thing on the CD, the nearly folkish "Kirby's House" and the dramatic "Los Angeles Waltz," which closes the album on a very strong note (and namechecks Kings of Leon!). More songs like these would move Razorlight into the realms of great songcraft. But for now, the pleasing popcraft of "Razorlight" follows the likes of Dirty Pretty Things and Muse for strong new British bands.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good, not great., March 9, 2007

By 

fluffy, the human being. (forest lake, mn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Razorlight (Audio CD)

Q magazine selected this as the 3rd best album of 2006! 3rd! what's going on there? this is a good album, a catchy selection of songs at the crossroads of power pop and rock and roll, but no way is this a great album! 3rd best of the year! who is doing what to whom over at that publication? i don't mean to rip this thing, like i said: it's a good enough album, just way over-rated in some circles.