Reservoir

Fanfarlo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 13, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B002NALPCM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,699 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I'm a Pilot

2. Ghosts

3. Luna

4. Comets

5. Fire Escape

6. These Walls Are Coming Down

7. Drowning Men

8. If It Is Growing

9. Harold T. Wilkins, Or How to Wait for a Very Long Time

10. Finish Line

11. Good Morning Midnight

Editorial Reviews

2009 release. Hailing from the UK, Sweden and Belgium Fanfarlo began as the bedroom project of lead singer/songwriter Simon Balthazar. His literate Pop songs bear more resemblance to the modern Folk sounds of Sufjan Stevens, Beirut and The Arcade Fire than the fashion-driven London scene where the band resides. Produced by Peter Katis (The National, Interpol), Resevoir employs an array of instruments to create each lushly arranged track, including saws, clarinets, cellos, mandolins, ukuleles and melocias. Though a sense of melancholy permeates Resevoire, Simon's heartfelt voice and each band member's uncompromised musicianship invites us to soar above it all and simply let go.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fanfarlo has great potential - 3+1/2 stars, January 24, 2010

By 

Horsegal JPJ (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reservoir (Audio CD)

I downloaded Reservoir based on the song samples and these three [so far] 5-star reviews, with high hopes. I listened to it all the way through once, a few days ago. My first overall impression was that Fanfarlo makes some beautiful music, but there is a strong tendency for all the songs to blend together, as they are not significantly distinguishable from each other. I'm listening to it again as I type this, and it's not changing my mind. All the songs are really nice to listen to, but they would be much better dispersed throughout, say, iTunes shuffle. The singer has a really good voice (even if he does sound a bit like David Byrne) but unfortunately he doesn't remotely exploit it: it seems that he sings all the songs entirely within the same five-note range, although clearly those vocal cords are capable of much more. In sum, I think Fanfarlo can and will in future make some beautiful music but they need to learn how to mix it up in style, tempo, range and so forth. Adding vocal harmonies would be nice, but that's my own bias. Anyway, these lovely songs combine to make an unfortunately bland album. I'm not recommending against a purchase, but again I suggest playing it in shuffle. And here without the remotest connection may I recommend anything by the Well Wishers, 4 albums of brilliant power pop and sublime beauty.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of My favorite cd of 2009, November 30, 2009

By 

P. Spiroff (Somewhere in the Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reservoir (Audio CD)

When I first heard "The Walls Are Coming Down" on NPR All Songs Considered I was hooked. Had to hear more from this band. Around July 4th this year they offered a mp3 download of this CD for $1. Got that and like this project so much that I bought the hardcopy CD when it was released 6 weeks later. I've listened to this CD more than any other this year, when you consider I've bought around 50 this year, I think says a lot. I've even had the privilege of seeing them live, they were awesome. When I listen to their music I hear two different bands that I can draw comparison with. The first is Beirut, the horns and the vocal styling are reminiscent. The other is Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, their first CD, the clever melodies. If you like either of those two bands this is a must buy. Actually this should be a must buy if you like clever song writing and infectious hooks.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really good album, December 28, 2009

By 

Peppermint Patty (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reservoir (MP3 Download)

This is easily one of the best album of the year. I too heard of them through NPR All Songs considered. Then I watched the "Tiny Desk Concert" They seem to have great energy and chemistry. I missed out on their last round of touring. I hope they come back to the US soon. Dreamy, idle, good sounds. A little beirut, a little brit-folk, all musical goodness.