Rules

The Whitest Boy Alive | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 31, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Asound / Bubbles
• ASIN: B001SXZ7UG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,490 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #59 in Music > World Music > Europe > Scandinavia > Norway

Editorial Reviews

THE WHITEST BOY ALIVE follow their own rules. They're four guys in one room - no overdubs, no FX. The music has to be recorded live in one take, and nothing gets added which cannot be played live. Fronted by famed DJ, producer, musician, and vocalist, ERLEND OYE (KINGS OF CONVENIENCE, 'DJ Kicks'), the Berlin collective have become synonymous with their distinctive blend of quaint vocals, minimalist melodies, and pillowy grooves. And on the eleven tracks that constitute their album, 'Rules', they convey one polite directive: please, move your body. Having recorded 'Dreams' in Berlin's legendary Cafe Moskau, this time THE WHITEST BOY ALIVE went to Mexico for the recording sessions: building a studio inside a house at the beach. The sessions, which were interrupted only by surfing and eating, resulted in around 300 different takes of the eleven songs - the best of which were melted down into 'Rules'. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Takes you on a Jazzy rollercoaster ride!, April 21, 2009

By 

Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Rules (Audio CD)

The whitest boy alive" are a German based quartet with singer/guitarist Erlend Øye from the band Kings of Convenience. Their sophomore disc "Rules" is a calm breezy Folk/Pop/Jazz affair, remniscent in places of Øye's alumnus, Michael Franks, or even long forgotten eighties Swiss Pop duo Double.

Much of the album comprises laid back grooves with jamming instrumental breaks, like opening cut "Keep a secret", the groovy "Intentions", the stunning ballad "Rollercoaster ride", and the similar "Gravity". "Dead end" is a bouncy Pop affair.

The other songs are upbeat, funky, Disco-tinged songs, similar to what Jamiroquai does: the piano sprinkled "Courage", "High on the heels", "1517", "Promise less or do more", and "Island" (with a light Latin feel and a lengthy instrumental break).

The songs are so simple, yet grow maddeningly addictive each time you listen to it. Incredibly groovy and hugely enjoyable!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Letdown (Somewhat) From Dreams, April 1, 2009

By 

Reviewer (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rules (Audio CD)

To preface, I am a big fan of WBA's first album "Dreams." In many respects, Dreams can be played start to finish with ease. Most of the songs gel together well, despite the minimalistic/bare-bones nature of the music. Dreams had a number of catchy songs including "Golden Cage" and "Fireworks."

Unfortunately, Rules fails on many of the levels where Dreams works. Rules is less stripped down, more disco-y, the songs don't flow well together in sequence, the lyrics are somewhat forgettable, and the songs are not as catchy. "High On The Heels," and "Rollercoaster Ride" are poor efforts and weak enough not to purchase as individual tracks. "Gravity" is the worst of the bunch--the so-called chorus in the middle of the song adds nothing. That being said, Rules has some winners--"1517" and "Island," have that addictive quality that made me appreciate WBA's first album. 1517 in particular has the numerous harmonic changes and neat hooks that remind me of what WBA can do so well... It's no surprise these two songs appear in full in the band's Myspace page--and similarly no surprise why some of the other songs aren't promoted.

What is most frustrating is that Erlend Øye is masterfully talented--Kings of Convenience never got the respect in the States that it should have--and overall I still think WBA has great potential. Their new album just doesn't work well. I'd buy the tracks selectively but not the album as a whole.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars this album is a real treat......., April 4, 2009

By 

Quentin R. Self (Addison, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rules (Audio CD)

I totally disagree with the 2-star review. Rules adds on to the raw sound that Dreams gave us with a nice polished-off disco sound. I loved every second of this album, and I think it transitions well from the sounds of Dreams. Erlend Oye and his crew have done it again. BUY THIS ALBUM.