Customer Reviews

Supreme Beings of Leisure

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This has instantly become one of my new favorites. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because I reserve that to the long-standing classics: the Beatles, etc.

The songs definitely get stuck in your head. I find myself running to my CD player to listen to such addictive songs as (ironically) "Strangelove Addiction," "Last Girl on Earth," and "Sublime."

I have seen SBL's sound compared to Portishead by some reviewers. In my opinion, this tops Portishead, and that's a hard thing to accomplish. While Portishead's "Dummy" is outstanding, the songs eventually get tiresome. The record-scratching sound was innovative at first (considering only rap artists used it previously), but it started to get old when they included it in nearly every song.

For this album, every song is fresh. Geri Soriano-Lightwood's voice is not just the kind of "generic perfect female voice" that is often handed to us on conveyer belts; it has an edge. It stands out. And the music complements it perfectly. There's even sounds of a saxophone (as well as a violin) on "What's the Deal."

Definitely classy, but with a refreshing beat. If you like techno-ish beats with stunning vocals, this is the way to go.

I know what all these guys are saying. When I heard "Truth from Fiction" in the record store, it automatically reminded me of Portishead. And so? The guy behind the counter described SBL's sound as "Portishead without the bite, paired with the complex beats of Hooverphonic." And so? I totally agree...the sound is a real mix of Morcheeba, Mono, Esthero, Lamb, and those other guys. Yeah, what of it?

The slick, "LA" sound? Well, they ARE from LA, right? I think that's the "extra" that makes this record unique, and not just a copy. Heck, I even love their cool name, and the pop-artsy illustration on the CD cover. This band knows what "total package" is all about.

I knew this CD was going to be a thoroughly satisfying listen, and something I'd fall in love with, from the first few seconds I heard in the record store. As proof, I haven't put it down since. Trust me, if you're a real lounge/trip-hop listener, you can't NOT buy this. And put it right next to those coveted Lamb, Morcheeba, and Hooverphonic CDs...it belongs right there.

Gotta love this CD. From a sitar on "Sublime" to the bond-esque "Ain't Got Nothin" to the wa-wa guitar and horns on the soul-influenced "What's The Deal", this is just a great trip-hop album without too much club looping or drum machine reliance. I like that they use 'actual' instruments in the mix... gives the music more flavor and texture. And they finish off with a great dance beat in "Under the Gun".

I would also recommend "Lazy incorporated" by Lazy. They don't have this CD at Amazon, but you can listen to it at CDBaby.com (or iTunes). After SBOL disolved, two of the members formed Lazy. Their new vocalist really has a sultry touch and the groovy songs will cause you to smile and "chair dance" while driving. More great stuff for the 'cool' in all of us.

This certainly is a polished production. Its smooth, loungy trip/hop (as another review stated) with some dub influences. Everything works well, but nothing stands out for me. Certain songs like "You're Always the Sun" are really pretty darn good. Overall, the vocals are nice without being riveting and the beats will get your head nodding without making you break out dancing on the subway while listening to this on your walkman/discman.

I would definitely throw this on late at night sometimes or while hanging out on the weekend, its just not necessarily something I'd listen to all the time. If you are looking for some seriously fantastic music of this sort pick up Morcheeba, Everything But the Girl, or Olive. If you are looking to add to your collection after already picking up those CDs, this is not a bad way to go.

If life were fair, this band's song "Gold Digger" would be right at the top of the charts, and even more popular than Kanye West's song of the same name.

There isn't a lame song on here, which is something that you can't say for many albums these days. Simply the best!

There's so much to like on this album: "Strange Love Addiction," "Last Girl on Earth," the sitars on "Sublime," but far and away my favorite track is "Never the Same." At once mellow, sexy, and urbane "Never the Same" is an instant classic and it exemplifies the entire album: just swanky!

When I first heard "Gold Digger" and "Under The Gun" on Dish Network's EuroStyle station back in 2000, I instantly fell in love with Supreme Beings of Leisure. Luckily a friend and I went to a Borders book store in St. Louis, and they had 2 copies of this CD. I wasn't disapointed, in fact, this is now my favorite CD, topping even Nirvana's classic "Nevermind".

Geri has silky smooth vocals that fit perfectly with the synth. Sexy, sultry, and smooth describes Supreme Beings of Leisure, and NEVER boring. I've heard there 2nd CD "DoS" and its not nearly as good as there 1st. I'm hoping their 3rd upcoming CD sounds more like this one (the first).

"Jazz Fusion with House beats. Come in with space sounds, a slight scratch of the record player arm needle as it spins around the vinyl. then some sampled strings and a drum roll. In with the beat and the soft, seductive vocals. Lead singer Geri Soriano-Lightwood glides along the lyrics, floating above the instrumentation, occasionally sliding into the music with an echo, 'Never the same...'" That's how I started the review that I wrote for a local paper, a paper that appeals to people that would more than likely not listen to anything worth listening too, and this album is certainly worth listening too. it's smart, "a literate dance album" I called it. I ended the review with "All around this is a well produced album. the band took the time to mkae sure that each piece was in place, and that has paid off in this being one of the better albums that has been released so far this year." Unfortunately I think it's going to be lost somewhere in the pop mainstream, so if you buy, have a friend lsiten to it and pass the album around so that more and more people can have the opp. to hear it.

All I have to say is, 'Wow!' This wild mix of electronica and pop with extremely moody vocals is just what you need to get into a complete and utter state of bliss. Totally mellow, I wish that there were more groups out there like this. I can tell you this, this band is going places! My personal favorite track is 'Never the Same' because of it's different approach to a semi-ballad. I also enjoyed 'Strangelove Addiction' because of all the different types of musical styles that were expertly woven together to make a totally surreal but intricately precise and detailed kind of musical sound. I'm begging anyone who appreciates music at all to buy this CD!

Since it's purchase, I have listened to this cd incessantly. The sound is sort of a warmer, more organic Portishead, similar to Mono and not as trippy as Morcheeba. If you like Madonna's William Orbit- produced "Ray of Light" or Dido's cd you'll love this. Vocalist Geri Soriano-Lightwood has a crystalline quality to her voice and yet a smokiness also that reminds me of Madonna's work on "Ray of Light".

What sets this apart from so many similar UK artists doing the same thing is a definite LA cool vibe. And the use of sitar on many of the songs gives the cd an exotic quality that I really dig.

If you like the cool electronica of Portishead or the groovy trippiness of Morcheeba-you'll love Supreme Beings of Leisure.

All of the tracks are keepers, none are throw-aways. Listen especially to #4 "Strangelove Addiction".

If you like any of the artists mentioned above, I promise you'll enjoy this superb cd!