Customer Reviews

Shine a Light

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a great album. Ignore all the Boss comparisons. The Constantines' lead vocalist sounds much more like Joe Strummer, but with a soulful edge to his voice; and the lyrics are oblique yet direct, anthemic without being didactic. Musically, the band evince a tough but loose style of playing which threatens at times to fly apart but always finds its way back to a groove. All-in-all, this music rocks in the right way: political, heart-felt, humorous and funky.

When the Constantines self-titled debut dropped in 2001, the music press correctly likened their sound and attitude to Fugazi, the Clash, and Bruce Springsteen. That's pretty heady praise for some Canadian lads who, by their own admission, just want to make people dance. With their sophomore release, Shine a Light, the Constantines show some other influences, and fold it all into a sound completely their own.

The first cut, "National Hum" is pure punk-rock fury in the vain of the pioneers. It demands your attention and that's what an opening track is supposed to do. The production is so "garage" that you can almost the smell gas can in the corner, unlike the Blink 41 bubblegum punk on local radio.

A pleasant surprise is the third track, "Nighttime/Any time (It's Alright)". A finger-lickin' chicken pickin' guitar diddle at the beginning is joined by a half-time drum and bass groove that is reminiscent of Sunny Day Real Estate. For a listen, stop by www.subpop.com and check out the MP3 section.

The vocals often draw comparisons to Bruce Springsteen, but they are the strongest on "Insectivora" and "Goodbye Baby & Amen" where they bear a strong resemblance to Tom Waites, both in delivery and lyric content.

Note for note, the best cut on the album is "Scoundrel Babes". It's the greatest song the Clash never wrote. With reggae overtones and gang vocals, you can't help bopping to it and throwing out the occasional "Oye!"

The Constantines are that rare breed of band, much like Fugazi or Nirvana, that inspires kids to start bands. They can be appreciated for so many reasons because their music is honest, raw, and intelligent. And after Alanis Morissette, Celine Dion, and Avril Lavigne, our Canuck neighbors owed us this one.

Saw these guys recently in Chicago, cemented everything I already knew: best album of the year, best leadman around (voice, songwriter, entertainer) and the best showmanship I've ever seen played out at a live show. Yes, these guys do tend to sound a bit like Fugazi, but they jam more. They let chords and riffs drone and reverberate, they let the lush sound of a leadsinger's vocals echo out over whining, bleeting guitars and rolling, folding, minimalist drumming. Think Black Rebel Motorcycle Club meets Crooked Fingers meets Fugazi and a dash of Spoon... But I hate comparisons. For godsake, Bry Webb sounds like Joe Cocker and Bruce Springsteen in their prime-- writing beautiful songs... Oh, and the best part (I don't think many people will know this) in their lush, keyboard driven song "Goodbye Baby and Amen," they cop a few lyrics from Randy Newman's great little ditty "I Think It's Going To Rain Today." Sub Pop still shines, Canada hits another '03 homerun along with Broken Social Scene and The New Pornographers. Long live good, unique rock 'n' roll!

I saw these guys open for The Weakerthans in Dallas and they blew me away. I bought this album as soon as I could and I can't stop listening to it. Everyone should own this album.

Sub Pop has done it again! I don't see the Clash influence as much as others but a Fugazi and Springsteen combo is right on target. They are as exciting as any band out there right now. Who would think that Canada could produce bands so great as The Constantines and Broken Social Scene in the same year?
I haven't even heard their debut but I know this band is going somethere. Its too bad most bands have to be pigdeon-holed into groups like "post-punk" or "art-punk" to be considered "Music"; this band is straight Rock and doesn't give up till the word "Emo" is driven into your skill. Please come to Denver and your fans will not be disappointed!

While a departure from their prolific self-titled album which put them on the map, this album jumps out of the CD player and into your soul. You will seriously not be able to get these songs out of your head. Listen to track 4, and Track 2 to see what I mean. Go ahead, I dare you. P.S. the lead singer grew up across the street from me, thats pretty swell.

The third song - Nighttime/Anytime (It's Alright) - will own you. Seriously.

If you're reading this you're obvioulsy curious. Get this CD. With this and their self titled debut, The Cons have given us two of the best rock albums ever issued from Canada. This is music of importance and magnitude. Don't dismiss it easily. The soul of punk in full glory. The unabashed power of youth in its prime. Revel in it.

Reading the reviews, I hear the phrases "droning hard rock" and "standard rock and roll regalia" associated with The Constantines....Why has everyone failed to mention how sad this album is? There is something about his voice that is so tragic, so desperate. Listen to "Goodbye Baby & Amen"...listen to "Insectivora"...Listen to their other album, listen to "Justice". It helps that they can write...but I would listen just for Bry Webb's voice. So sorrowful, yet strangely triumphant.

I had never heard of The Constantines untill I saw them live with The Weakerthans (A great Canadian Band, check them out). I have been hooked on the ever since. Listen to the song Shine A Light if you don't like the main riff of this song then you don't like rock and roll. Totally amazing band.