Songs from the Rain (2CD Deluxe) [Import]

Hothouse Flowers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Phantasm Imports
• ASIN: B0036BDPUC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,889,621 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Hothouse Flowers were still busking on the streets of Dublin when Bono saw them on Irish TV in 1986. He arranged for the young band to release its first single on U2's custom label, Mother Records, and the band's first two albums, 1988's People and 1990's Home, were successes in Europe and Australia even if they didn't make much headway in North America. After three years of global touring and songwriting, Hothouse Flowers released Songs from the Rain. They fall short again. Lead singer Liam O'Maonlai has an attractive tenor but it lacks Bono's siren edge, and O'Maonlai's delivery is too bland and ordinary to compensate. O'Maonlai's bandmates write Celtic-rock anthems with the requisite soaring melodies and galloping rhythms and hymns with the expected mystic imagery and lush harmonies, but it's all a bit too formulaic and humdrum to make much of an impression. Worst of all are the band's lyrics, whose soft-headed solipsism is obvious in lines like, "If you take the time to listen, there's a chance you will meet your soul" or "Let doubt be the furthest from our minds, so we can continue to be and know that we should be here." On this new album, Hothouse Flowers sound very little like the U2 of 1993 and too much like Firefall, Colorado's mellow-rockers of 1976. -- Geoffrey Himes

Product Description

2010 reissue with tons of bonus tracks, b-sides and the like.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars #1 feel good CD, November 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Songs from the Rain (Audio CD)

I couldn't believe what was coming out of my speakers when I first purchased this cd. I originally heard "Thing of Beauty" on the radio and thought it was a great song. I was surprised that the rest of the album was even better. I listened to "This is it" 4 times in a row the morning after I bought the cd. It made me late for work, but I could not get enough of the song. This is an amazing piece of work by very talented songwriters and musicians. There is not a weak spot on the disc. I love "People" and "Home", but they don't quite live up to this release. If you need to lift your spirits, put this cd in your player and get a natural high. Tell the lads we need a follow up...

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A desert island selection, August 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Songs from the Rain (Audio CD)

If I had to be on a desert island for the rest of my life this would be one of the first CDs I'd rescue from my sinking ship. Hothouse Flowers brought it to a new level on this release. While People and Home are great they both have weak spots. Songs from the Rain is solid from start to finish and has both outstanding up-tempo celtic rock and the slower thoughtful ballads. HH Flowers are one of the most underrated bands in the world. Silly people are always wanting to compare them to U2 but there is no comparison. HH Flowers focus on the joy and possibilities of music while focusing on entertaining their FANS (what a concept!) They lack the ego and pretentiousness of today's "big acts". Here's hoping that they continue for many years.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A spiritual essential for todays fearful world....., September 21, 2001

By 

Erik C. (Clifton Park, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Songs From The Rain (Audio CD)

Since the insane terror brought upon this country last week, this country has been in a state of tension, anger, and patriotism. I have had this album for a while now, but haven't heard it for a while. I picked it up, and maybe its the times, but inspired feelings like no other time I can remember came over me listening to this album again. The entire album is a spiritual awakening, and it deserves a listen during these trying times. Just amazing songs...One after the other..So if you need a time of reflection, a spiritual pick me up, pick up this cd and feel the raw emotion, and poetry of each beautiful song. This CD is definitely a thing of beauty!