Customer Reviews

Staring Down The Sun

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

 

 

Tal Bachman sure has a knack for music! Tal's second album, "Staring Down the Sun", has a similar style to his 1999 debut album, without the songs being cookie-cutter copies.
Although the entire album tells a story, if you listen from beginning to end, with one song/story leading into the next topic, the song styles are very diverse - from the upbeat/pop-sound of "Tomorrow" and "Staring Down the Sun", to the countryish sound of "What You Won't Reveal" and "Somebody's Dreaming", the harder rock sound of "Danger by Design", and the 80's hair-band sound of "Divine".

The only complaint I have about the album is very minor, and not enough to warrant taking off a star from my rating:
The song, "What You Won't Reveal", sounds fine on the album, but earlier this year I had the pleasure of hearing Tal perform this song acoustically, and it is much more suited to that medium.

All in all, this is a great second album by an amazing singer/songwriter, and sure to stay on my list of favorite albums for a long time.

Tal Bachman is just one step up from all other artists! I have not yet picked my favorite track because they are all so great! His sound is so unlike anyone around today! IT is so refreshing and unique. Because I could not wait until the US release date, I ordered it from Canada. I am now torn between my love for his original CD and Staring Down the Sun. This CD has something for everyone to love and relate to their personal life.

Tal has the same problem most Canadian musicians have. That being, for some unexplained phenomenon the US doesn't fully embrace music from North of the border.

Give it a try. Tal's sound has been compared to the Beatles & ELO. Although, I would say his music is his own. Very melodic & catchy with a wide appeal across age groups.

Tal is great. He is just so flexible in his music. Something for everyone. Fabulous heartfelt music. Has become one of my favorites.

Tal Bachman/Tal Bachman 1999 album was my favorite album that year. His knack for writing great melodies (I.E. E.L.O., Lennnon/McCartney) shone through. This album lacks everything. Even the production is lacking, sounding odd and unfinished. his voice is also forced on most songs. BAD, BAD album.

This album is incredible. I simply cannot do it justice as a reviewer because I lack the intelligence and critical skills necessary to give a beautiful take on why this album is fantastic.

Trying to write a review of this album would be like getting a crystal meth influenced Prime Minister Paul Martin to write a poem in Gaellic about what Judith Butler's back looks like, or having 10 clones of Bill Cosby perform neuro-surgery on a Care Bear even though they're just cartoons and/or plush representations of cartoons: these people are just not in a position to effectively accomplish their respective tasks.

It's the same thing with me and this album.

Also, I just read the Koran and it really helped me understand more fully the works of Michael Crichton which in turn helped me develop a greater appreciation of Tal Bachman's artistic work.

In addition to this I also recommend _Congo_ by Michael Crichton, and _The Koran_ by Anonymous.

I was ecstatic of Tal Bachman's follow up to his debut. After countless listens to his first album, I still do not find it repetitive or overplayed.
Unfortunately, after just one listen of Staring Down the Sun, this album simply dissapointed me. From the repetitive and predictable distorted guitar riffs to Tal keeping in the lower octaves of his vocals, I was not getting into the music. Not to mention, all of the tracks are overproduced and layered in too many intramental tracks. No ambient nor moving guitar solos here.
I wish Tal would return to displaying his vacal range and the more simple nature of his debut album.