Customer Reviews

The Sole Inhabitant

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The songs sound better than the originals. I only wish it was a two-cd set with double the music (or, perhaps, a three-CD set?). The CD, like the concert, ended too soon. Dolby fans, new and old, will love this album.

Thomas Dolby. Just that name alone causes fantastic feelings. I remember being unable to move when I first heard him. It was like a revelation. I was completely transfixed. His is a strange and provocative, moody sound that remains unparalleled. This collection of songs that span his entire career truly focus on the more complex aspects of his composing genius. If you want to slip away into a beautiful dreamscape of lush sounds and silky melodies, THE SOLE INHABITANT will make you feel all alone in Thomas Dolby's beautiful world.

It is amazing how Thomas can pull off these studio songs in a one-man concert setting. I especially liked "The Flat Earth", "Budapest By Blimp" and "Europa And The Pirate Twins" -- and everyone loves "Hyperactive" and "She Blinded Me With Science"!! Looking forward to future material from Thomas and a live show this week in Dallas, Texas.

Most folks know Thomas Dolby only in the context of that one song, missing out on the richness of "Europa", "I Love You, Goodbye", and "Leipzig is Calling".

Luckily for the rest of us, "The Sole Inhabitant" contains these, and many other, excellent tracks. Different from the original versions, but just as terrific. Made me love the originals even more.

Thanks, Mr. Dolby.

Never before have I heard a live album where every single song was better than the studio version. An awesome album.

If you haven't yet seen Thomas Dolby's concert resurgence you're missing out. This collection of new live performances will only give you a fragment of the experience (though the DVD might satisfy that, but I have yet to watch it) as the visual is so strong in his tour - however if you want to feel the core of the energy ehuded by a no longer dormant master of his craft look no further. Thomas' reinterpretations of some of the most dynamic songs in his library will captivate you with their new forms and tide you over until you get a chance to see him in person.

"The Sole Inhabitant" marks the return of Thomas Dolby, too long away from a music scene that could desperately use his talents. Stripped of the hype surrounding his "hits", Dolby was always in his best form with the scintillating arrangements and quiet lyrical thoughtfulness of the music that didn't make it into airplay rotation.

This CD re-presents a portion of his catalog as a one-man show. By the necessity of the performances, all entirely live and solo, anything remotely considered fluff is stripped away. The result is a thoroughly refreshing review of a musical path not capable of being trod by many.

Mr. Dolby is quite earnestly about re-connecting with his core audience, and the CD succeeds quite well in that regard. Of particular value are his podcasts. They make his intentions clear. The "Leipzig Is Calling" podcast presentation in particular, the music portion of which is a different take than the one appearing on the CD, is a masterwork performance. If you have any concerns that Dolby is just another 80's rock star looking to cash out, that will be quickly stripped away by the podcasts. He's a real human being trying to connect in a personal way with his fans.

This is not the last we'll see or hear of Thomas Dolby. This CD is a review of where we've been with him. He wants all of us onboard for the journey ahead. Be there.

Oh, SOLE INHABITANT, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE? Why, oh why, did it take me this long to acquire this album? I admit it: After 7 zillion "greatest hits" compilations from Thomas Dolby in the past 10 years, I felt a little burned. Really, how many more times do I need to purchase "Europa and the Pirate Twins" before I feel my collection is complete? So I put this album on my wishlist, and waited until Santa lovingly conspired with my husband to put this disc in front of me for Christmas 2009. THIS ALBUM IS AMAZING! I've given every song on here 5 stars -- the live remixes are lively, dicey, with new effects, new rhythms, and wonderfully for a live album, very little annoying crowd noises disguising the sound of the music that I really want to hear. The recording quality is great -- Dolby's voice is in fine form. If you've been a closet Dolby fan since the 80s, the kind of person who gets so excited when you meet another one of us who lists something other than "She Blinded Me With Science" or "Hyperactive" among songs from Dolby you've even heard of, then buy a whole truckload of this album today. It's marvelous.

This review has apparently been brought to you by too much sugar for breakfast.

I've been a Thomas Dolby fan since the 80's, and always wished he would tour more. Other than the "Live Wireless" laserdisc that's never been issued on DVD, there wasn't much out there. And some of the recent live CD's have been disappointing in terms of his voice or the arrangements.

But this performance is a pleasant surprise. His voice is in excellent form, and the arrangements manage to be fresh sounding while staying true to the originals. If you're a Thomas Dolby fan, this is a must-have. Great stuff from our favorite reclusive musical genuis!

I was lucky enough to catch Mr Dolby at his islington gig a couple of weeks ago and i had already ordered the album without hearing it. They were selling it at the gig and i was dissapointed that i had one on order as i was desperate to get my hands on it after an absolutely stonking gig!

Well it finally arrived today - at work after i had left for the day - my boss kindly sent me a text to let me know so i simply had to go back and collect it. I have listened to it right through and watched the dvd and it was all i'd hoped for and more - i've even got it on while typing this. I have always loved Thomas Dolby's music ever since i heard Europa aged 15 (i'm 41 now) and i have never given up on him. I have most of his stuff and i really love all of it (except Science and hyperative - though these are growing on me again.)

I have always felt his music has great depth and emotion. Its sort of a Boy's Own soundtrack to life - full of hope adventure and joy. Any that wrote him off as simply an 80's electronic boffin should think again. He is a master craftsman, Beautiful melodies and some very uplifting tunes.

This album is a revelation. Yes it's old songs but he's rearranged them beautifully. Each one sounds like a new song without losing the integrity of the original - if that makes any sense. I cant really single out a favourite as they are all superb but i really love the way he builds Flat Earth. I never realised it is based on a South African song he played on many years ago with Trevor Horn but on this version the sound of South Africa really comes through and its a joy to behold. Incidentally at the gig when he played it i couldn't stop my feet moving which was strange, unexpected but very welcome. This version is pure joy right from the opening beats and as the song gets going its all enveloping. The melody is so uplifting it brings a smile to your face.

I'm not going to even attempt to describe each song suffice to say there isn't a bad one on hear. Europa is superb (has to be my favourite of all time as its the first song of his I ever heard). and Flying North has also been tweaked nicely. Budapest by blimp has a lovely piano intro which makes you realise that not only is he a talented songwriter but he really knows how to play the piano.

I'f your reading this your either a fan or you've stumbled across this page through curiosity or chance. If its the former then you've probably bought the cd already (actually not probably but almost definitely) and if its the later then scroll back up this minute and click the buy button. You wont be dissapointed.