Customer Reviews

Solar Twins

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Maverick's best kept secret -released quietly last November. One listen to this debut electronic set by British soon-to-be-Stars David Norland and Joanna Stevens, and you'll be hooked. I mean it. Their sound is very Ray Of Light, commercial drum n bass/techno with infectious melodies and interesting lyrics. Joanna's vocals soar above the beats, more exciting than Everything But The Girl, brighter and more powerful than Mono, Dubstar and Olive. Ray of light was a trendy change of direction; this is the real thing and it deserves to be HUGE -I can't believe that radio hasn't picked up on this yet because these songs are so accessible to the pop masses. The Twins' version of Rock the Casbah is absolutely awesome and begs to be heard. Other highlights include the opening track Puppet and Nightfall. Tap into this now before it explodes! PS Has anyone heard of Josh Abrahams (Australia's answer to William Orbit) and his CD Sweet Distorted Holiday? If you haven't, check it out. Similar sound, same frenetic beats and a similar vocal talent (Amiel Daemion) on lead track Addicted to Bass.

Solar Twins are awesome. I bought this CD based on the sleeve design, after I saw it featured in Communication Arts magazine. And the packaging is pretty damn cool, but it pales beside the music.

I was really surprised how much I liked it, especially since some of the reviews here were not all positive. It's probably not music for everyone. But if you like meaty pop hooks served on a bed of danceable drum loops liberally sprinkled with beautiful orchestration, this may well be your next favorite album, too.

A friend of mine picked up this CD used and we gave it a listen together. I borrowed it for weeks until I realized I needed to get my own copy! There are about 3 songs I didn't care much for (the reason for 4 stars instead of 5) but the rest of this album is beautiful, dreamy, and addicting! I must say that the vocals and music make the most wonderful combination and I highly suggest you give this CD a listen especially if you like Olive, Hooverphonic, Dot Allison, or Opus III. My favourite tracks are Nightfall, Better Life, Alleluias, Earthbound and Out There. Less desirable tracks would be Puppet, Living Your Dream, and Splintered. I definitely hope to see another album by this band soon because I just can't get enough from their debut!

This album is more like the soundtrack to a flight of musical imagination than just another collection of songs. The Solar Twins (David Norland and Joanna Stevens) have crafted, perhaps by magical means, a sonic map that journeys into drum and bass, cinematic orchestrations, and vocals that could liquify nitrogen from the air.

The first track, "Puppet," combines an urgent subterranean beat with distorted verses and a crystalline chorus that explores the obvious lack of power we have over our roles in life. "Nightfall," a gorgeous number, sounds like sonic satin and remains delicate and demanding all at once.

The first single, a cover of The Clash's "Rock the Casbah" has a sense of humor and an interesting new perspective in this new sheen of electronica.

For the dark-minded, there is "Out There." A tale woven of paranoia that is chased into a swaying rhythym by breathing synths and stalking sound effects. For the eclectic, try "Splintered." This hymn is an interesting hybrid of percolating digital beats and cinematic string sweeps accompanied by an operatic vocal that sounds like an S.O.S. from a multi-dimensional dance floor.

Closing the circle is "Swayambhu." Here, Stevenson's vocals arise within a different language to lament within a Middle Eastern vibration. Beauty can be aural, and here's the evidence.

Let's hope Maverick Records knows what to do with them...

Sonic sorcery!

I discovered Solar Twins through a compilation album, which included Alleluias. I then made a website dedicated to them (resist.notinlove.net). And now I made this.

Puppet - A wonderful opening track. In this song, Joanna compares herself to a puppet - unable to do anything but whatever others want her to, no matter what she wants. The first sign of the brilliance to come, on this CD.

Nightfall - "If I fall for someone new, would it mean so much to you?" The opening line on this track summarizes what this song is about - love and longing, hate and separation. Living your life without love.

Better Life - In this track, Joanna expresses her longing to have a better life before she dies. For this song, I picture Joanna trapped in a room, looking out a window. Kind of boring, but it follows the lyrics. ;) The music on this song is great to move to.

Alleluias - The song that got me into Solar Twins, I still find it one of the best tracks on this CD. Joanna describes exactly what she would do for her love. Despite that bad description, this song is truly amazing. Joanna is ethereal in this song... truly dreamy.

Rock The Casbah - Probably the most well known of any Solar Twins' songs, this cover of the song by The Clash is, in my opinion, fantastic. It's extremely fun to sing to - though it takes a few times before you can sing it as fast as Joanna. This song definitely deserves the hype.

Living Your Dream - In this song, Joanna sings about being so used to doing something for someone else that she doesn't know how to live for herself. A very nice song - though it makes my throat hurt when I try to sing the high notes. Oh well... that's the problem with being male. ^^;;

Earthbound - This is one of my favorite songs on this CD. In it, Joanna sings about someone wanting her to love them, despite how she doesn't love them. This song is great, especially because it includes some of my favorite lyrics of ANY song: "(You'll) love me and tell me I'm the best / brand me - then leave me with the rest." Classic.

Astral Hymn - This song is like a lullaby, but with much more important - and diverse - topics. Another one of my favorites, I could go on and on about how wonderful this song is. So I won't. Instead, I will leave you with the following lyric: "Bedtime stories / a dream of glory / all belong to you."

Out There - And now, my favorite song from this CD. Joanna sings about being afraid of the future - too afraid to sleep. Too afraid to do anything but lie in bed at night, covers up to your chin, teeth chattering - just thinking about the future... and then realizing that the future is coming no matter what happens, so you might as well get some sleep. A truly outstanding track.

Splintered - And, suddenly, we're at my least favorite track. Joanna isn't so much singing as babbling, to tell the truth. This song is filled with plenty of ridiculous lyrics... one of the best, however, is as follows: "Learn to enjoy the wisdom of uncertainty / the beauty of a wonderful moment unplanned."

Cybersadhu - A very fun song, not song by Joanna - but by David (I think?). The CD doesn't mention anything about who sings it, so I'm guessing. The lyrics are somewhat confusing, but I try to pretend David is singing as the Earth... a few hundred years ago, anyways. A nice view from the other gender. Don't worry, Joanna fans... she sings in the chorus.

Swayambhu - No singing in this song - in general. Joanna does a bit of sighs and wails and such, but anyways. An okay song... I picture it as a rainforest with victorian-ish furniture. Somewhat odd, but still nice. :)

So, in general, this CD is a wonderful buy... if you're into dance-type music, or even if you aren't. Joanna has an incredible voice, the lyrics are stunning, and David did a fantastic job with anything. Go and buy it - pronto!

I must be the only person who absolutely hated their version of "Rock the Casbah". I love that song and I just don't think that it deserved an electronic treatment. Other than that, I love the cd. Joanna Stevens has quickly became one of my favorite female vocalists around, thanks in part to the two songs she sings on Delerium's Poem cd. Her voice is simply stunning. She was born to sing this type of music. She doesn't oversing like certain popular artists do which I definitely appreciate from Joanna. Her partner David Norland certainly knows his melodies. The melodies he composes are just brilliant. Overall this is one of the best electronic albums I have heard in the past couple of years.

I saw them at the Viper Room on a recent trip to LA. They're awesome. The music is driving drum'n'bass with a pop sensibility. Which is to say, there are actual songs here. But they're songs you can totally dance to. Get this CD. You won't regret it.

Once you start listening to Solar Twins you won't be able to stop and you'll be begging for more. The music is relaxing but upbeat... and tends to put me in an exhilarated/ happy mood. The female singer's voice is beautiful to listen to and the music is artfully mixed. I've seen people compare Solar Twins to Delerium and I think it's a good comparison. I would describe the music as electronic/ futuristic sounding but not terribly technoish. It has a relatively slow pace; therefore, it's very peaceful sounding. I guess that's the best I can describe it without making an essay. Good music is hard to put into real words ;) Buy it and you'll find out.

Got this CD a week ago and I can't stop listening to it - and it keeps getting better!! Every song, except for #6 Living your Dream, grows so much so that you find yourself wanting to hear it all the time: in line at the market, in a meeting at work, etc. Living your dream is a bit too poppy for me, but all the others.... absolutely amazing. I HIGHLY recommend this cd if you like Balligomingo and Delerium. You can't go wrong.

This is a beautiful disc! It's floaty and ethereal while being held down by the great percussion and electronic sound. As others have put, it's very Ray-of-Light-esque, which is probably part of why I like it so much. Her voice is fabulous, and his electronics wizardry is excellent-- a great combination of what I assume is a brother and sister working together (they do look like they could be twins). The only thing I didn't like much is his voice on the parts that he sings. Overall, a thrillingly evocative and fast-paced but light chunk-o'-sound. I was hooked the first time I heard "Earthbound" and "Nightfall"--excellent songwriting, great lyrics, and catchy, catchy melodies. A form of "liquid electronica", this is an exciting departure from most traditional sounds. Why this isn't getting great airplay worldwide, I have no idea--everyone, from pop fans to lovers of rock should find something to enjoy here. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up!