Customer Reviews

Staring at the Sun

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

 

 

This CD is not as bad as some claim. They had just lost two of the four members, and they went in a new direction. This CD does grow on you! I have been a fan for long time and agree that it is not their best work, but it is true Level 42 all the way. Buy it and give this CD the chance it deserves!

I love this cd! It is very hard to find, but the music stays etched in my mind and it also proves that Level 42 can hold it's own no matter who leaves the band. Level 42's style of music is very different than most but the band members pour their heart and soul in every note.

I, too, do not understand why some have panned this album. It is excellent by any standards, including Level 42's very high one. I agree that it is an "acquired taste" and takes time to grow on you. In my case, it took about 10 years for that to happen. I dug it up a few weeks ago and found myself thinking it was just a superb album. Up until that time, I saw it as a good, albeit unspectacular Level 42 album. Now I can say it is just plain good. The songs "Man," "Take a Look" and "Staring at the Sun" are among a few of the songs that need time to sink in. Highly recommended if you can find it.

I purchased this chiefly because Level 42 is probably my favorite pop band and I had "Staring At The Sun" on cassette, not CD. It is not my favorite Level 42 album but is worth the price because of "Tracy" and "Heaven In My Hands" (my unofficial theme song). The only real bummer here is "Gresham Blues". It's an instrumental that's really tepid, a shame because this band has done some burning instrumentals in the past.

This was the first album I ever got on CD and it remains one of my favourites of Level 42. I cannot see why it is panned. Yes, the lyrics to a couple of songs are a bit trite (I don't know why), but the songs 'Take a look' and 'staring at the sun' have the most beautiful, soaring melodies ever. I love them. Mike gets to sing 'Silence' and this is also a beautiful ballad. 'Man' is like 70's prog rock and it suits their style beautifully. All the other tracks are fantastic.
Only criticsms, I love the single version of 'Tracie' better, it is faster and more catchy, it should also be on the album. Also, the last track 'Gresham blues' is blatant instrumental filler, and should have been a b-side, with the non-album track, also by Mike, 'Three words' included.

This 1988 album was just as catchy and addictive as their efforts from 1986 and 1987. One song I played over and over had loads of straight up guitar strumming and keyboard playing. This was one of their best albums in their decade long career. There's a little bit of a jazzy thing in some cuts, but it showcases their influences in their rock sound.

my dad is a big fan of this band, and he try to influenced me with this kind of music and its heaven to my ears.

my favorite tracks are
1. heaven in my hands
2. I dont know why
3. over there
4. stariing at the sun
5. man
6. gresham blues

I'm from Florida and have been a big Level 42 fan since their music could be heard in the US. Staring at the Sun is different because people left or because they were in a bad mood or let's just be honest, all of their albums have a distinct flavor to them. Staring at the Sun is not the best but anyone who remotely has an appreciation for this group should get it anyway. It's fine.

I have been a fan of Level 42 for many years...the combination of insanely catchy melodies, spirited performances, amazing musicianship and just plain old great music has always earned my respect and admiration. But this CD is a stink-bomb.

Level 42 has always been known for combining pop sensibilities with strong R&B and jazz influences (Earth, Wind and Fire, AWB and Stanley Clarke are obvious influences), but the music on this CD has a severe lack of....SPARK. Perhaps this is due to the fact that primary songwriters and founding members Boon and Phil Gould left the band before the making of this album. Granted, the late guitarist Alan Murphy and drummer Gary Husband are perfectly capable, if generic musicians. But that seems to be the problem. The chemistry just isn't there on this release, and the results are bland and lifeless. Level 42 has always been known for tricky, complex arrangements and brilliant playing, but none of that is on display here.

Another problem....the SONGS. "Heaven in My Hands" is catchy enough, and the Mike Lindup-penned ballad "Silence" is the albums best song.....but the REST of this stuff! "Man" sounds like bad 70's art-rock, "Two Hearts Collide" is flat and completely void of purpose, and "I Don't Know Why" boasts one of the worst lyrics ever written for an album by a major band ("I don't know why/I love you like I do/but baby I love you/and always I'll be true"....ugh).

Worst of all, Mark King...who over the years was becoming an expressive and effective vocalist...sounds bored as hell here, particularly on "Two Hearts Collide." And Mike Lindup's complimentary falsetto backing vocals are barely used this time around.

Okay..the band lost two key members and probably lost direction along the way. But this album is almost unforgivable....it became a big hit in the U.K., but destroyed their promising careers in the U.S. It would take the band several more years to make another album that would even hold its own against their older material ("Forever Now," which became their final release.) "Staring at the Sun" is a waste of time and talent, and is a bit hard to find now. So be it.