Runout Groove

Stephen Duffy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 26, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fulfill
• ASIN: B000WEWHOQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #268,584 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

"Heartbreakingly bittersweet ... sumptuous and subtle." -- Mojo [****] "A gorgeous raga-folk mid-point between the Incredible String Band and George Harrison." -- The Times [****]

Mercury-nominated album by a legendary singer-songwriter who has recently co-written Robbie Williams' new album and has contributed tracks to most of the Barenaked Ladies' albums. This album represents the first output from the band in over five years. The Lilac Time was formed by Stephen Duffy with his brother Nick, and their ranks have increased on this album, which features multi-instrumentalist Claire Worrall along with Danny Thompson, folk-jazz luminary and co-founder of Pentangle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Maybe the groove has run down...a bit, December 21, 2007

By 

Brooke Oates "Tin Bird" (VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Runout Groove (Audio CD)

Hmmm...where to start. I have been a Stephen Duffy fan for many, many years. The opening lines of "American Eyes" from Paradise Circus had me hooked. I love all of the early LT albums (especially Astronauts) and his first few solo albums post-LT up through I Love My Friends (which I consider to be his best work of all) That said...other than a few tracks on Looking for a Day in the Night and "My Forest Brown" from 6, the latest incarnation of the LT is leaving me flat and I'm not sure I can express why. To me, the last few albums seem a bit short on melody and dynamics...it's like every song just kind've comes and goes without much impact. Go back through your collection and pick out his best tunes: "Return to Yesterday", "I Went to the Dance", "The Darkness of Her Eyes", "The Deal", "If the Stars Shine Tonight"...etc, etc. If you are honest (like I'm trying to be here), it will be tough for you to find anything on the past three albums that can rub shoulders with that company. I love Duffy for what he is and does...I would prefer that he move away from the tried and true pedal-steel LT quandry and bring some new dynmaics to his work. Perhaps I'm living too much in the past...but his work sounds like second-rate home recordings to me now whereas they used to send shivers up my spine. My two-cents worth...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great new LT Album, January 6, 2009

By 

G. Daines (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Runout Groove (Audio CD)

This album proves that nothing Stephen Duffy ever does is a fluke. It is more of the great songs he and The Lilac Time are known for. Particular standouts are: Another Time, Dream of a Girl, and Driving Somewhere. Instant classics! If you love SD & TLT, you will love this album. The only things robbing it of 5 stars, in my humble opinion, are a few weaker songs (No Direction, Parliament Hill Fields, and Dark Squadrons), and more importantly a more overtly political tone than previous work which comes across as a bit preachy (Another Time, Aldermaston) and I find that this detracts from the overall experience. Regardless, it is a MUST HAVE CD for anyone who appreciates SD & TLT, or... for that matter... music.

1.0 out of 5 stars Running out..., March 19, 2010

By 

K. Sparling (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Runout Groove (Audio CD)

Stephen Duffy is a masterful pop songwriter, a great, emotive singer and is quite handy with a guitar. This album won't really show you any of that, sadly. There are years and years of excellent work on offer in the form of early Lilac Time records and his solo work up through (in my opinion) "I Love My Friends"; "Music in Colors" is a masterpiece to my ears, but the groove is running tired. Here's to hoping that Stephen Duffy recaptures some of the old mojo, and for the new explorer, look elsewhere for a proper introduction - any of the currently re-issued original Lilac albums, and the first three solo records show Duffy at the height of his powers - come to this record only as a loyal fan. Regardless, thank you Stephen, for the years and years of amazing music you have given us.