Customer Reviews

Since I Left You

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Once in a while you hear an album that simply takes your breath away.This debut c.d. from Australian sextet,The Avalanches is one of these rare occasions.

The album is mainly a collection of samples and like many other people I've always felt dubious this particular type of music is truly creative.This c.d. has changed my opinion on this particular genre in a similar way that the debut c.d. from D.J. Shadow did a few years ago.This c.d. received absolutely rave reviews over here from the music press.Yet the very first time I heard this c.d. I wasn't that impressed-I thought the whole thing bordered on total chaos.After a few subsequent listens my opinion had to be revised.Now I just can't stop playing the c.d.

Apparently the whole c.d. uses some 900 samples.These have so many different influences and roots-from film scores to the sounds of the 50's;from Motown to early disco;from 80's pop/disco to modern techno-you just can't categorise the overall sound of this c.d. into one tidy section.Some of those samples include work from people like The Osmonds,Madonna,Kid Creole,Boney M,The Mama's and Papa's-the list is endless.Oh yeah you can add to this the sound of classical music and heaps of entertaining dialogue lifted from all sorts of areas.

The songs themselves are just so interesting-so much seems to be happening.Sounds come and go.Some samples dominate songs while others just drift in for a very short time.The whole c.d. runs through for over one hour without any break.It isn't suited to sitting down and picking out isolated tracks-your best bet to get a real feel for this c.d. is to listen to it right through from start to finish.The mood is all quite upbeat-so this c.d. has a real "feel good" vibe to it.Perfect for a house party or one of those c.d.'s you listen to as you're getting in the mood for a night on the town.It isn't all fast upbeat techno music at all-the tempo of the c.d. is exteremly varied.Unlike many dance c.d.'s it isn't over-indulgent-you know a few catchy track and then a few very long instrumental tracks.All the songs here are pretty short-well there are 18 of them.They are also very listenable and accessible without being over commercial.

As I said it's almost impossible to go through this c.d. and analyze it track by track.So much happens in each track that you'd almost have to go through it in a second by second way.If I were to pick out best tracks-well the title track sets the c.d. off rolling very nicely(The video for this single is amazing also!).It's also the one song that can be taken in isolation quite easily.The 4th track starts of sounding like Motown-then moves through the soul and disco years backed by the beautiful singing-not words just "La la's"-then into a Steely Dan keyboard phase,with the end sounding like full on techno.

Frontier Psychiatrist is just an amazing song-It starts off with a brief description of a boy who is insane backed up by a film soundtrack(Lawrence Of Arabia I think),then it sounds like a fifties t.v. western soundtrack,backed up with Goldfrapp type sound and vocals.Then we get hip-hop scratching with hilarious dialogue-the dialogue is really amazing.Then back to classical which sounds like Rodrigo-then more sound of Goldfrapp.At this stage we're only two minutes into the song-see why I say it's hard to describe!Then full on brass section before we have the voice of a very young child.Then more hip-hop sound before a total change of rhtyhm with bongo drums,which leads into acoustic guitar that must have been taken fron a children's programme-we're talking Barney age group.Oh yeah and did I mention it's got the sound of a horse neighing and galloping neatly interspersed throughout this track.

This may give you an idea of what this c.d. is about-maybe this will confuse you even more-the best and only way to truly find out is to get this c.d. yourself.I would not recommend trying to listen to a few isolated tracks to decide whether you get this c.d.Trust me it's got to be heard all together.In years to come I think this c.d. will be regarded as an essential purchase for everyone who has any sort of serious interest in music.The best album of the year so far-by miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once in a while you hear an album that simply takes your breath away.This debut c.d. from Australian sextet,The Avalanches is one of these rare occasions.

The album is mainly a collection of samples and like many other people I've always felt dubious this particular is truly creative.This c.d. has changed my opinion on this particular genre in a similar way that the debut c.d. from D.J. Shadow did a few years ago.This c.d. received absolutely rave reviews over here from the music press.Yet the very first time I heard this c.d. I wasn't that impressed-I thought the whole thing bordered on total chaos.After a few subsequent listens my opinion had to be revised.Now I just can't stop playing the c.d.

Apparently the whole c.d. uses some 900 samples.These have so many different influences and roots-from film scores to the sounds of the 50's;from Motown to early disco;from 80's pop/disco to modern techno-you just can't categorise the overall sound of this c.d. into one tidy section.Some of those samples include work from people like The Osmonds,Madonna,Kid Creole,Boney M,The Mama's and Papa's-the list is endless.Oh yeah you can add to this the sound of classical music and heaps of entertaining dialogue lifted from all sorts of areas.

The songs themselves are just so interesting-so much seems to be happening.Sounds come and go.Some samples dominate songs while others just drift in for a very short time.The whole c.d. runs through for over one hour without any break.It isn't suited to sitting down and picking out isolated tracks-your best bet to get a real feel for this c.d. is to listen to it right through from start to finish.The mood is all quite upbeat-so this c.d. has a real "feel good" vibe to it.Perfect for a house party or one of those c.d.'s you listen to as you're getting in the mood for a night on the town.It isn't all fast upbeat techno music at all-the tempo of the c.d. is exteremly varied.Unlike many dance c.d.'s it isn't over-indulgent-you know a few catchy track and then a few very long instrumental tracks.All the songs here are pretty short-well there are 18 of them.They are also very listenable and accessible without being over commercial.

As I said it's almost impossible to go through this c.d. and analyze it track by track.So much happens in each track that you'd almost have to go through it in a second by second way.If I were to pick out best tracks-well the title track sets the c.d. off rolling very nicely(The video for this single is amazing also!).It's also the one song that can be taken in isolation quite easily.The 4th track starts of sounding like Motown-then moves through the soul and disco years backed by the beautiful singing-not words just "La la's"-then into a Steely Dan keyboard phase,with the end sounding like full on techno.

Frontier Psychiatrist is just an amazing song-It starts off with a brief description of a boy who is insane backed up by a film soundtrack(Lawrence Of Arabia I think),then it sounds like a fifties t.v. western soundtrack,backed up with Goldfrapp type sound and vocals.Then we get hip-hop scratching with hilarious dialogue-the dialogue is really amazing.Then back to classical which sounds like Rodrigo-then more sound of Goldfrapp.At this stage we're only two minutes into the song-see why I say it's hard to describe!Then full on brass section before we have the voice of a very young child.Then more hip-hop sound before a total change of rhtyhm with bongo drums,which leads into acoustic guitar that must have been taken fron a children's programme-we're talking Barney age group.Oh yeah and did I mention it's got the sound of a horse neighing and galloping neatly interspersed throughout this track.

This may give you an idea of what this c.d. is about-maybe this will confuse you even more-the best and only way to truly find out is to get this c.d. yourself.I would not recommend trying to listen to a few isolated tracks to decide whether you get this c.d.Trust me it's got to be heard all together.In years to come I think this c.d. will be regarded as an essential purchase for everyone who has any sort of serious interest in music.The best album of the year so far-by miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, the Avalanches rock and sample with taste and precipitation. They deserved to be known and listened to.

This 18 piece album is made of nearly 1,000 samples expertly crafted into each others and mixed with instrumental and vocal addition by the group members. Don't ask me for a style, you'll find rock, house, hip hop, soul, disco, rap in it.

Fat Boy Slim and his idiotic samples can retire now. Avalanches and their cornucopia of highly organized and original chaos are taking over.

The atmosphere of the album is full of joie de vivre, catchy and crazy tunes. My favourite tracks are : 4. Two Hearts In 3/4 Time 5. Avalance Rock 6. Flight Tonight?

and 13. The Frontier Psychiatrist

Sometimes during the successive listening of tracks 4,5,6 , you are compelled to be amazed by their invention, cheekyness and energy and surrender for good to the Avalanches.

Yeah, Avalanches rock it ! And soon it'll be your turn.

This album and the last Daft Punk are my favourite two albums at the moment.

I am at a loss for words... in my opinion, this is THE best album by ANYONE, EVER!! It's just... so original... so appealing... so amazing... so.... perfect! I can't begin to describe it... but I guess I better, because I'm probably annoying a lot of people by saying what I'm saying...

Ok, well at first, I didn't get it. I listened to the album and it just wasn't anything like I had expected to hear. Which, admittedly, was twelve-or-so different versions of 'Frontier Psychiatrist', the MASSIVE single that you'll hear every five minutes or so on Triple J (a local radio station here in Oz). So I listened to it a couple of times, and thought "Yeah, it's ok" and I put it away.

The next day I went for a LONG walk and listened to it on my headphones... and that's when it hit me. AMAZING!! At first I was thinking, "Is this how it works? Do I have to go on a walk to get the most out of it?"... but I soon realised what it was. The tracklist... or lack of, rather...

When you listen to this album, throw away the tracklist... this album is an hour long piece of music and should be listened to accordingly... I found it does actually work best on headphones too, but it's not a must.

Never has an album worked this good together within itself, if that makes any sense. Every song flows into the next one, to the point where a song can change about five times within a single track... I guess this means they won't get many singles out of it. But who cares? The album is SOOOOOO good!!

The best 'track', if I had to pick one, could well be 'Since I Left You', which is destined to be one of the bands few singles. As well as 'Two hearts in 3/4 time'... who would have thought samples could contain such emotion?!? But seriously, don't think about the tracks... get it, stick it on, and just listen.

I have never found myself starting this CD from the middle... or even skipping any of it. This is the only album where I have actually walked PAST my destination simply because the CD wasn't finished yet. As a piece of music, it overlaps, has re-occuring familiar tunes, and basically just rocks.

The Avalanches are going to be huge... get this album and see it for yourself, you'll be thanking me I can assure you.

You are watching the Wonder Years. Kevin Arnold is at the dance. Paul is at the punch bowl. Kevin begins to dance with the beautiful girl who has a crush on him, you are elated, but know he is only trying to make a certain ex-flame jealous. Sadness and joy somehow fill your soul at the same time as you watch him keep looking over at Winnie Cooper dancing with her newest beau. You know this feeling. Your adolescent spine submits tingling sensations. If you are old, you remember, and are sad. But what say we stage this episode on the Love Boat, in the twilight, with the first stars. You now know the feeling and wonder that is the new single by the Avalanches, the jumping off point for the musical odyssey on which you will embark which goes by the same name. "Since I left you". If you have never seen the Wonder Years, you have been deprived, but not to the extent that you will have been if you miss the glorious snow covered mountain that is the Avalanches.

The sad thing is, many in America will never be engulfed. I was fortunate enough to have been in Nice, at a bar, when I watched the Hardy look alike (or is it Laurel?) cartwheel his way into music video mythology. The video for "Since I left You" prompted open mouthed smiles of joy from just about everyone there. Bartenders wiped glasses and nodded their heads. I should have gotten love that night, instead all I got was the greatest album of the year. I have no regrets.

The album itself is a pleasure dome filled with diamonds for those with discerning ears and a good set of headphones. It takes you everywhere. To the store, to the bar, to work, you will listen to it non-stop. Never mind that the music itself is a journey through the best lands of sound twentieth century music has to offer. The samples are diverse and inspired. One track number tends to offer more diversity and inspiration than many full length albums. And then, you will listen to it straight through for the first time. Something that sounded like a whisper when you were driving with the window open, or a drone while you were talking will emerge as the most incredible sampling you have ever heard, a startling juxtaposition of beats, and diverse sounds, or the reoccurence of a theme you heard ten minutes ago, only now, that theme has sprung from somewhere else, and you must listen in awe at the creativity. These moments occur with frequency unmatched by other albums. People will look for a particular sound when they buy this album, and might be dissapointed at the outset that this music seems so random, but they will be forced to listen again, and again. Most however, will appreciate the genius of this album instantly. Enjoy.

There are some great musical minds at work on "Since I Left You", a groundbreaking symphony of samples, nine hundred, I believe, put together to create a brash display of fresh soundscapes. Australians Bobby G. and Darren Seltmann stay true to the indigenous roots of hip-hop while pushing the genre's boundaries farther and farther out. This is fun, dense stuff that rocks and drives you to all corners of the musical earth. I've been catching myself lately singing parts of it inside my head although there's nothing intentionally "hooky" here. From the soulful vocals of the title cut to the sweetness of 'Two Hearts In 3/4 Time' and 'A Different Feeling' to the Pythonesque wackiness of 'Frontier Psychiatrist', these pieces are for music adventurers open to the freedom of the imagination. Listen at the beginning then at the end and you'll hear the same musical idea unite the entire work's chaotic nature, offering a symbolic hats-off to hip-hop, as if to say there is no end to where the form can go as long as it remains true to its roots - a music for the people by the people. A tremendous amount of blood, sweat and tears went into this masterpiece but you don't feel the hard work at all while listening, just the great aural pleasure that streams out of your speakers or headphones as "Since I Left You" blazes a welcome trail into new musical terrain.

I'd heard only good things about this c.d. since it's release.Everyone in the music press seemed to be giving it magnificent reviews.Very often when this happens you are disappointed when you finally get to hear it.This c.d. is the exception to that rule-it is amazing,all the reviews are right.From start to finish it's quite simply the best c.d. I've heard this year.With a sound ranging from 60's soul to 70's and 80's disco-classical music,bad film scores and dialogue all the way up to modern dance sound-this c.d. is an essential purchase.Buy it now!!

This intriguing electronic album from the Avalanches remains one of my all-time favorites more than two years after I purchased it. When I first listened to it, I didn't realize exactly how much of their music was made up of samples. I'm not overly musical myself and was even more impressed with the album when I found out that the songs are 100% sampled; no one in the band plays any instruments in the traditional sense.

Now, on to what you're really wondering about: the content of the songs. The musical style is a little hard to pin down, but it is obviously influenced by the sample-heavy methods of most urban music styles. But this is definitely not a hip-hop record, or even one with a hip-hop influence. Instead the Avalanches have mixed a cut-and-paste aesthetic with a carefree, fun-loving attitude expressed by bands like Lemon Jelly. The result is music that is consistently fun and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny (such as many moments in "Frontier Psychiatrist"). The album opens with "Since I Left You", which samples what seems to be a pop singer from the forties or fifties. That introductory track is a bit misleading, as the rest of the album is much more frenzied and upbeat rather than sounding like a remix you might find on a "Verve Remixed" compilation. That's not a bad thing, though; after repeated listenings I usually find myself skipping the first track to get to the sunnier, more unpredictable rest of the album. The songs swoop and skip, with samples from the second track turning up again in the last few songs of the album. The sound quality of some of the samples is less than perfect, so the album is overlaid with a vintage-sounding record crackle in the bacground most of the time. It's terrific driving music and also makes a nice accompaniment to anything you're doing on a sunny day. One warning: I have found that the album works best as a whole, since the tracks bleed into one another and, with a couple of exceptions, seem to have been separated for the CD along completely arbitrary lines.

The Avalanches are a DJ's dream come true -- six Aussies who took hundreds of sound snatches, and wove together a wildly playful kind of electronica. Their first (and so far, only) album, "Since I Left You," is a tangle of the delicate, the weird, and the incredibly danceable.

It kicks off with the sparkling "Since I Left You," but the best is yet to come. The Avalanches manage to attain both a typical "sound" and plenty of originality in their songs, such as the bleeps-and-horns "Different Feeling," the knob-twiddling basslines of "Radio," the sputtery dance number "Live At Dominoes," and the interference-laden Rastafarian rock "Flight Tonight."

But with all the dance tracks, the Avalanches have their softer side: the delicately upbeat "Two Hearts in 3/4 Time," the swaying "Electricity," the brief and staticky "Pablo's Cruise," and the gauzy, multilayered "Etoh." It rounds off with the majestically languid "Extra Kings," which has a long sweep of distortion and chaos in the middle.

It's almost too easy to dance to the Avalanches. They take almost a thousand mismatched sounds and manage to cobble them into some really brilliant music. What's especially brilliant is the way these patchwork dance tracks manage to find solid, simple grooves, and stick to them right to the end.

"Since I Left You" isn't perfect -- at times the fragments don't quite mesh together. Some parts are pure chaos, but oddly they don't mar the overall sound; instead, they enhance it. Scattered in amongst the melody is the sound of video games, horses, discos, golf instructions, flutes, pianos, and seagulls -- it adds a strangely whimsical sound to the dance music.

The vocals tend to be samples repeated over and over, just under the surface of the music. Among the vocal snatches are the ethereal "Since I left you/I found the world so new!" or determined "Book of flight tonight." So the lyrics are often quite simple, except for the hysterically funny "Frontier Psychiatrist" ("Lie down on the couch, what does that mean?/You're a nut! You're crazy in the coconut!").

"Since I Left You" takes hundreds of random sound fragments, and turns them into a mosaic. Fun, playful, fast and hypnotically bizarre, this is a must have for fans of quirky music.

The Avalanches burst onto the scene (seemingly from nowhere) to create this album, that took everyone that listened to it completely by surprise, and gave everyone something to think about regarding intelligent use of `Samples' in electronic music.....although their style is more in the vein of funky Breaks or Alternative Dance music, they very cleverly lifted samples from various 70's artists and playfully incorporated into their music without sounding like a track that was built purely on samples. First track "Since I Left you" is a particularly good example of this by cheekily lifting the since I left you sample from a previous long forgotten track...speeding up the vocals and meticulously mixing it into the track, so that It's unoticable unless you had the original the sample was taken from. The variety of tracks is impressively diverse and although they don't stray from the electronica field, they undoubtedly push the boundaries from with the confines of that field..."Frontier Psychiatrist" & "Live at Dominoes" are perfect examples of this. In fact it all beautifully produced & Mixed, and delightfully challenging, that the one real disappointment is the fact that they haven't produced a true sequel for this album.