Customer Reviews

Other Ways of Speaking

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I've been a TOFOG fans for a few years, have all the previous CDs. True, I found TOFOG through being a Russell Crowe fan, but that does not negate how entertaining this band is. OWOS is a definite departure for them, but plainly maps their growth from raucous raw pub band (Gaslight), to a more commercial but still rockin' folk rock band (Bastard Life or Clarity) to OWOS, a CD that can compete with many more well-known groups out there today. OWOS has superior production with wonderfully fluid and lyrical arrangements. There is a terrific mix of full on rocking dance around the room songs as well as a few ballads which will leave you wanting more of this velvet-yet-growly-voiced singer. Stand outs for me include "Painted Veil", "Full Length of the River" and "Afraid". Dare I say I truly enjoy TOFOG's interpretation of "Folsom Prison Blues" even more than the Man in Black's own version.

Okay, I initially really wanted to give 3 stars only, but then I had to change my mind because even though the album is not a pleasant surprise, it really is not bad at all. The album is a great one for summer. The country-rock tunes give listeners a Texas slash Tasmania (Australia) feel. Quite a few of the songs have some rather unexpected usage of horns and strings, which kisses the songs with a limey-fresh feel. I could almost "see" the desert and cowboy hats appearing in front of me. (and a glass of lemonade with a lot of vodka) Russell Crowe's solo vocal is really nothing compared to his acting in say "The Insider" or "The Beautiful Mind". But his singing ability is still honestly quite above average - cowboy with a touch of soul. (Very Alabama!) People who adore Crowe, especially those who are in love in him should definitely get this album. The songs are not commercial at all, nothing sickeningly "formula"; the ryhmes are very intimate. Like the ones you will hear in a old yet populated pub in the suburban. Careful listeners should realize there is a lot of effort put into the rhymes and arrangements; the songs are never repetitive and dull. For hard rock fans: Yes, there are a couple more "hard" rock tunes that you can swing your head along to, like #10. Overall, I would say it is a good album to purchase if you like rock, alternative rock, or if you are a fan of Crowe. Do not expect a "pop" firework, this album is not that.

Having listened to all the works of this group, it is wonderful to hear continued growth in freshness and originality. The previously released songs/"concert staples" have been reworked: new harmonies, new instruments, new life. The brand new tracks are exploration into rock 'n' roll and heart 'n' soul. This self professed "pub band" with it's "whiskey and cigarettes" voiced frontman (what's his name?) have never sounded better.

Also recommended: Bastard Life Or Clarity (cd) Gaslight (cd) What's Her Name? (cd) The Photograph Kills (cd) Texas (dvd/vhs) Nothing In Moderation (cd) Sampler One (cd) Ether & Great Ocean Road (cd) White Monkey (cd)

These are wonderfully written songs, that crowe sings with passion. The ballads seem very heartfelt, and the Rockers such as "What's her name" and the live version of "Folsom Prison Blues" CRANK....Loved the duet with Chrissy Hynde, "Never be alone again", their voices blend together gently but with urgency. The horns, violins and Harmonica are an added bonus to the arrangements...Thank you Mr. Crowe, Stewart,the two Daves, Garth and Dean, You guys Rock....A++++++

I was well impressed with this album. It's got a wide variety of songs, styles, and great lyrics. Of course some songs are better than others, but I've only just begun enjoying this CD. It's one of those rare finds that you can put in, listen to in it's entirety, and simply enjoy. Nothing on this CD bugged the hell out of me. I rather enjoy it!

What a fabulous surprise this CD has been! I just really got turned on to Russell Crowe after seeing MASTER AND COMMANDER. I've always admired his work, but his performance in that movie just blew me away. So I ordered this CD more out of curiosity than anything, expecting to find some sort of actor's vanity project with his garage band. I didn't realize that Russell had been fronting TOFOG since 1984. I adore this CD! It hasn't been out of my player since I got it. My favorite tunes are PAINTED VEIL, SWALLOW MY GIFT and the rocking version of FOLSOM PRISON BLUES at the end of track #13. I've already gone back and ordered another TOFOG CD. I think Crowe's voice is perfect for the songs. He reminds me more of Warren Zevon than anyone else. I can't believe he wrote almost all of the words and music as well. What a Renaissance guy! This is pretty exciting because not only do I have a new favorite actor, I have a new favorite band as well! My new dream is to hear them play live someday. If you're listening, TOFOG, Nashville is a great venue! TOFOG rocks!!!

This is the first CD of TOFOG/Russell Crowe I have listened to. What a surprise! I loved it from the beginning. I have to say his vocals are not meant for every octave but then who has that range?? The musicians lift each song and even if the vocals(lead by Crowe) aren't always the best, the music is awesome!! It makes great traveling music on a sunny day with your sunroof wide open! I am buying the rest of their work and hope it as good as OWOS. That song is worth the entire CD price. Buy it.

My favorite CD's are the ones that don't reveal themselves on first listen. OWOS is one of these.

At first you hear the soothing quality of Russells's voice, and then the second go 'round you begin to hear his words. And then you want to turn off the words...close your eyes and get lost in the music.

Be warned, the lyrics aren't going to click with you right off. They must be broken open...you find that they are not merely lyrics, but poetry. And you must taste them more than once to decide their flavor. Sometimes they frustrate the listener because the meanings are not apparent. We are so used to the obvious. And as an audience, we like every song to be blatantly about ourselves. OWOS requires more of you...unearthing treasure usually does.

I expected that the quality of OWOS would be better than BLOC, but in truth, it was so much better than I expected. If you remember riding down the road tapping your fingers along to your new 8-track of Simon and Garfunkel (and if that doesn't "date" me, nothing will) ... this is a CD for you. A fresh feel to the words and the music puts itself together into a great package.

If you love rock and roll with words you can understand and learn, buy this CD.

Over the course of TOFOG's last three full-album releases, one can track a steady progression toward better and better music-making. Russell's voice is smoldering and distinctive, and he is more vocally adventurous here than he's ever been before. On _Gaslight_, we heard that the man can wail; here, we hear that he can whisper, and murmur, and caress his lines.

The band is fantastic, as per usual, and the arrangements are more nuanced and layered than they have been before. This album achieves a consistent "feel," something that was not at all true of _Gaslight_. It has fewer stand-out, bouncy tracks than _Bastard Life or Clarity_ boasted, yet is enjoyable all the way through. (Some exceptions are "Mission Beat," "Charlie's Song," and "Swallow My Gift," but these are more subdued than similar songs on BLoC.) This is the kind of album that one listens to with headphones on in a dark, quiet room at night, but that will also do the job for something to dance around the room to on a summer day.

My only nitpick is with the tracks that were recorded previously and show up on this album. It's perfectly fine to rerecord a tune, but for "What's Her Name?", "Inside Her Eyes," and "All the White Circles," we've heard them done with more passion elsewhere. The version of AtWC, for example, that appears on an EP (that may now be out-of-print) is raw, angry, and bruised. It's my favorite TOFOG recording and Russell at his best. It is a song to which the gentler, softer treatment is not well-suited. However, I still give this CD a 4-star rating because as a whole, it is a beautifully done album.

I should note that I am a huge Russell Crowe fan, but one need not be in order to enjoy this album. TOFOG is a band worth hearing regardless of the fame attached to its frontman.