Stoned Part 2 [Import]

Lewis Taylor | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 31, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: MSI:SLOW REALITY
• ASIN: B0002TKYDW
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,037 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Madman

2. Keep Right On

3. Reconsider

4. When Will I Ever Learn 2

5. Out Of My Head Is The Way I Feel

6. Carried Away

7. Stoned Part 2

8. Positively Beautiful 2

9. Throw Me A Line

10. Shame 2

11. Won’T Fade Away

12. Keep On Keeping On

Editorial Reviews

Multi-instrumentalist and beautiful soul singer Lewis Taylor is based in the UK, and has developed a following of devoted fans round the world. His music is unclassifiable, though frequently compared to musicians as diverse as Marvin Gaye, Brian Wilson, Scott Walker, Syd Barrett and Radiohead. 'Stoned Part II' is the second release by Lewis, March 2004. This record proves to be a more accurate reflection of the diverse range and nature of Lewis' talents and influences, from classic pop, rock and soul to more contemporary sounds and colors. More than ever, this is music impossible to classify and is, rightly, better just listened to. ''If you know someone who thinks Daniel Bedingfield or Jamiroquai represents the very apex of classy soul-pop, then slip them a copy of this stylish, sexy, infectious record and blow their tiny mind.'' Mojo. On Lewis' on label Slow Reality. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In which Lewis Taylor makes a dance pop record, January 27, 2006

By 

Daniel Cherney (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stoned Part 2 (Audio CD)

In the case of Stoned Part II, the cover is a good barometer for what's to be found inside. Lewis Taylor has pulled his moody soul, guitar crunch and pop sensibilities in different directions throughout his career and here he takes on territory normally occupied by Justin Timberlake or Kylie Minogue. He succeeds, but the album as a whole falls short because of some quasi-filler alternate versions from Stoned I and the natural limitations of creating material with greater commercial appeal.

Not that the album doesn't hold plenty of surprises, grooves, euphoric moments and everything else you've come to expect from Lewis. Think Hall & Oates, Michael Jackson. There's forays into rock, europop, even adult contemporary. The songs are as good as ever - swirling keyboards in "Out Of My Head Is The Way I Feel" and the dripping solitude of "Won't Fade Away" speak for themselves. And with the right marketing, "Recondider" with its bubblegum disco would be a worldwide hit.

The album isn't titled "I got this dance-pop thing on lock" though, and we are reminded with four songs that appeared on Stoned Part I and a fifth built off a chorus from that album. They are nice to hear and entirely enjoyable on their own, but they do seem unnecessary and are a bit of a drag when new material is scarce as it is. With the exception of "Stoned Part 2," which is just too funky, these tracks should have been relegated to B-Side status.

It's of note that he feels the need to throw in a wild finale. "Keep On Keeping On" is Taylor at his most original, a breath of fresh air after more than a few familiar moments both stylistically and thematically.

Lewis Taylor is a hard artist to pinpoint, and this album doesn't make things any easier. The production is toned down, the pop factor turned up, and there's a few too many sequels. Because of this, Stoned Part II is more of a companion to its sister album and a lesser overall outing for Lewis. However it is still essential for getting into his music and highly recommended if any of this sounds the least bit interesting.

***1/2 (rounded up to four for Amazon rating)

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Offensively organized, April 29, 2010

By 

IRate - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stoned Part 2 (Audio CD)

Because of boy-band lyrical finesse, manipulative musicality, and awfully contrived production, this sounds of a genuinely talentless hack who does implement a few notable ideas in an abundantly pandering barrage of misfires.