Strength In Numbers

Calla | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Beggars Banquet
• ASIN: B000M06KBG
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,846 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Calla

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A triumphant new album from a great band, February 27, 2007

By 

Calimachus (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strength In Numbers (Audio CD)

I won't write a huge review, but I do want to say that after repeated listens I find that this album is pleasantly fantastic. Calla is really going in a new, more poppy direction with this album, and ends up with one of the best albums they've made. The first track, "Sanctify," is kind of disappointingly grungy and hard for me to listen to, but the rest of the album is made up of very smart and delicately constructed but relentlessly driving songs. "Defenses Down," "Rise," and "Dancers in the Dust" are all standout tracks, but overall this is a very strong album.

This album is better than their previous album "Collisions" but about as good as their masterpieces "Televised" and "Scavengers." I heartily recommend this album. Again, they're going in a new direction with these tracks, but it's a good direction.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Uneven album, but check Calla out in concert, August 4, 2007

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strength In Numbers (Audio CD)

Let me state upfront that I am a pretty big Calla fan, ever since I saw them on the "Televise" tour in 2003 (I also purchased "Scavengers" then), and also liked what they did on the "Collisions" album, released in Fall, 2005. So imagine my surprise when I recently heard that Calla had issued a new album in February, 2007, it was the first I had heard about it, and an unusually quick follow-up to their previous album.

"Strength In Numbers" (13 tracks, 53 min.) starts off very promisingly with a blazing "Sanctify", one of their best tracks ever in my opinion, with a sound reminiscent of the Secret Machines, with thundering drums and a searing guitar solo (which is unusual for Calla). However, after that one song, the album takes a 180 degree turnaround and brings a more intimate, slower and at times acoustic sound, song after song after song! I almost give up on the album, when track 7 "Bronson" injects some much needed life. "Le Gusta El Fuego" is quite nice too, as is "Simone", the second best track on here. But there are too many dead moments on the album, which at 53 min., is simply overlong.

I am very disappointed with this album, the weakest of the 4 Calla albums I now have. That said, I just saw Calla in concert, opening for their New York pals Interpol, and they put an absolute brilliant 45 min. set on, including a scorching "Televised" (from "Televise") and the afore-mentioned "Sanctify". If you have a chance to see them live, don't miss it, you won't be disappointed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Put on your headphones, ladies and gentleman, November 17, 2010

By 

Soulpatch "tentative" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strength In Numbers (Audio CD)

Yes, Calla music has to be listened to and not simply heard. In other other words, pay attention. I was initially hooked to the 'louder' songs "Simone" and "Sanctify," but gradually found the other softer songs quite beautiful especially "Rise." These songs (well, most of Calla's) need more than one play to fully enjoy them. A headphone at a slightly higher volume works magic for me. A great album from a rather quiet band. Hope to see them in concert soon.