Reservoir

Fanfarlo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 13, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B002NALPCM
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,973 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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 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

Format: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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

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

By Peppermint Patty

Format:MP3 Music

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.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sneaky Best Album of 2009 December 22, 2009

By Brian Greenaway

Format:MP3 Music

I can't believe nobody has reviewed this thing yet. Here we have 15 songs of pure unadulterated brilliance--think of a happier version of Arcade Fire, or a more accessible Flaming Lips. I promise you won't find a better indie rock album from 2009. A total winner.