Customer Reviews

Soft Spot

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The title tells a lot of what you need to know about this CD and a glance at the reviews here shows that this Clem Snide is clearly not a taste for everyone. Although it credits plenty of instrumentation, almost every cut on Soft Spot is slow, quiet, and projects a languid contentment, wryly detailed and -- shall we say -- uniquely sung. The sound is perfect for lyric-philes like me (and Eef Barzeley -- a name that suggests to me a double life as a hobbit -- writes a good lyric), not so perfect for those looking for cut loose rock. Happy Birthday, one of only a couple uptempo songs and containing a wonderful saxophone riff, is also one of the album's best cuts. Dedicated to a new son, it offers a nice example of Barzeley's humor -- "but I hope that your song's not The Boys of Summer/just because you were both born on that day/And half Jewish boys make kick ass drummers/But if you need lessons I'll have to pay."

Other best bets: Tuesday October 24th, All Green, There is Nothing, and Fontanelle, with its wish "may God hold you in the palm of his hand." In fact, that good spirited hope pervades the entire disc. There's not a whole lot of "kick ass" anything here, but if you're in a wallow of contentment, Soft Spot will enhance it. And if you're down, well, it just might remind you that darkness passes too.

Have you ever taken a nap on a warm spring day under a tree? Ever gone straight from the lake to the kitchen and made a grilled cheese sandwich in your wet bathing suit? Have you ever had a crush on someone because of the radio staion they listen to? If not, you probably will not like this album. For everyone else (especially if you like Sufjan Stevens, Elliot Smith, or the Decemberists)this is a fine album. The playful spirit, the great melodies, and the conversational style of the singers voice make this a great album. If you like the samples of the songs at all, you will love the album.

Hello.... It was suggested to me that I do a review of what I think
of the new Soft Spot since I have a copy to let you all know what to
sorta expect... I've never done anything like this but here's my
Track-by-Track review ......

song 1: this could be the most welcoming first track on one of Clem's
cds... this song of a wonderful evening alone with the one you love
just "taking off your shoes, and dancing away the blues" is a
wonderful song to have playing while enjoying a lovely intimate
dinner with your lover. The violin and soft harp is just wonderful at
creating a very gentle, romantic mood... this is a theme I see very
strongly in this album and it's wonderful.

Song2: this is a bit more upbeat, Eef's wonderful voice rings clear
talking of the connections between two people that nobody else can
see... this is a wonderful song that makes me feel like cooking for
some reason.... just don't know why.... the catchy little beat and
use of triangle and maracas makes this a fun little groove.

Song3: another catchy little groove to it, this is a sweet song
of "the sweetness of thee" that he feels for his lover and the
greatness that the person brings to any situation. this song is
fabulous for sitting outside on a wonderful summer day with your
sweetie and just listening and enjoying the sun :) it just makes me
smile

Song4: another ballad, slow and perfect for dancing after that
wonderful dinner you've just enjoyed during the first song lol...
This song about a romantic interlude in private between two lovers is
very charming... and overall this is another song that just makes you
smile... the simple ballad to this is very striking and has a
wonderful guitar part mid song... Eef;s voice sounds simply beautiful
on this track.

Song5: this song is the first real shake up in this ice cream smooth
album... a fun and very catchy tune where Eef speaks of "where
there's love there's action".. this song is just incredibly fun !
that's the only way to put it. makes me want to jump around like a
little kid...lol

Song6: a drastic change to this track.... very simple and calm
track.... Eef's very enticing voice on this track creates a very
close and intimate feeling to this track's lyrics of finding love and
then giving it all away ..... the extremely simple sounding guitar
piece in contrast with this little thwack thwack thwack make this
beat very melodic yet again active in small doses....

Song7: again, this is a melodic and smooth track of love and what we
would give up or do to have the perfect love. (I pretend Eef is
singing to me...... LOL) again this is a catchy little tune and as
I'm guessing you're beginning to se there is a lot of similarity in
many of the tracks on this cd... unlike the scattered feeling of the
typical CS album....

Song8: Eef is once again displaying why I fell in love with his voice
the first time i heard it on this track.... very simple and stripped
down this track is simply beautiful...... *sigh... Eef, why do you
not love me ?* LOL

Song 9: this track is more upbeat and alive with a fabulous beat to
get you awaken. the lyrics of finding how wonderful love makes us as
people are genius and I am sure this is a song that will become a
favorite of many. it is my favorite track on this album and is on
repeat while I do dishes this week lol..... he sings of "half Jewish
boys being wonderful drummers" and how he hopes that "if your heart
is broken you get a second chance" and this is just fun and
witty !!!!!

Song10: back to the ballads in this track, this song is a very earthy
feeling track in which Eef seems to be speaking of wanting the very
best for someone very close to his heart..... with such lines
as "when your tired your time has reached its end, and then may
paradise be just around the bend" this is a very loving and caring
track from Eef, but sort of puts me to bed...

Song11: this is a good bye track that really fits great here as the
last of this album. speaking of will love last and looking to the
future , along with a softy but again catchy tune this track is just
so sweet feeling :) like a hug before you depart for your plane after
a visit to your long distance love........

I have to admit that I came to Clem Snide late, this is my first CD by them. Recommended by a coworker who has similar taste in music. And let me tell you I will be rushing out and buying up all their past CD's. "Soft Spot" is worth the price for "Al Green" alone. With Eef's vocals which seem almost as if he is afraid to sing them, soft and disconcerted, plus the cello's, violins, and organs; what a match made in heaven. Not your usual fair for a "rock record," but it works tremendously. Grounded in deep emotion and heartfelt love for someone. This CD is a must own. Your not going to get the party jumping with this one, but it will surely be a great guest for the after hour.

Clem Snide's new album is fantastic, although there are some major differences between Soft Spot and the previous albums. Soft Spot is sweeter than the others (especially The Ghost of Fashion). It explores the good side of love more than it does the bad. One aspect that it does share with the previous albums is clever wordplay. One of my favorites so far is, "If a civil war buff can love a diamond in the rough..." Instrumentation is absolutely gorgeous as well. Overall, highly recommended! And if you can, try to see them live!

This is a lyrical, leisurely meditation on love and both its succor and horror. It's, ahem, softer than Clem Snide's last two wonderful releases -- The Ghost of Fashion and Your Favorite Music -- but reminiscent of their first, You Were a Diamond, with better songs. Eef Barzelay continues to define an alternate strand of country/folk that's no longer a jokey strain of the real thing. These tunes have plenty of thought and feeling behind them -- too much maybe. I miss the dissonances and abrasions -- the way, say, "Moment in the Sun's"'s gorgeous opening melodies devolve into a klezmer hootenanny. But, for the time being, I can live without them.

For me, Soft Spot captures the very essence of love in the most beautiful, powerful and heartfelt way. This is a CD that must be listened to with eyes closed and heart open to fully appreciate the message it sends. The smooth, yet powerful melody of "Every Moment" is the perfect complement to the lyrics of this touching song which speaks to the mystery of love - it's unique ability to transcend time and loss. Eef Barzelay's eloquent lyrics manage to bring peace to the conflict between the loss of things dear which is inherent to our temporal world and the eternal nature of love. "The years are like the clouds up in the sky, they come and go, and everything that lives must someday die, but our love still grows. `Cause every moment must make way for one that's new, and just before it does, remember I love you."

Although many of the other songs on Soft Spot share the more sentimental feeling of Every Moment, there is also room on this CD for the hope, joy and even the passion of love. Happy Birthday is an upbeat recognition of the joy of love and hopes for the future written in the context of the birth of Eef's first child. "I hope that your friends are true and funny, and your girlfriends are sweet and wear tight pants and after your heart's been gently broken, I hope that you get a second chance." The song Action is another upbeat salute to the sheer joy of love and loving which features one of Pete Fitzpatrick's signature banjo riffs (which are even more amazing when experienced live!).

If you're looking for a remake of Ghost of Fashion, you won't find it in Soft Spot. But I promise, if you open your heart, let your guard down and listen to this what Soft Spot has to say, it will speak to you like it has to me - as the soundtrack to the meaning and experience of love.

This is the most aptly titled album ever made. Every song has the terms of endearment you wish could come to you at appropriate moments. The music is not unlike clem snide, but not so much like clem snide that it's not new. The band manages to tie in all of the previous albums together and eef manages to come up with 'sweet' lyrics, yet still unique and avoiding all cliches. This is the cd that you have to have, if you get two cd's all summer get two copies of this one.

Dear John Payne (a previous reviewer of this record): Do you use your ears to listen to music? Or do you use your hands? This record lacks emotion? Wow... youi totally didn't get "Soft Spot" - was there a manufacturing error?

"Soft Spot" is one of the most emotional records you will hear. It is very straight up, universally themed and hopeful. Those of you warmed by the beauty of Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen, but also enjoy the simlicity of Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash - this record is for you!

Why don't you flush yourself too while you're at it, Fred? Aren't you witty and clever? Why you're as gonzo as Lester Bangs. Too bad you have no ears on your head. Why did you buy this in the first place if it is so far from your taste in music? Could it be you are just clueless about how to find what suits you? No, this isn't their best. YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC is probably a better pick. Not for you, though. You need something to ROCK to, right ? None of this MELLOW stuff. Poetry is for poofs. The sooner you leave these parts the better! Here's your hat - what's your hurry?