Customer Reviews

Tal Bachman

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've been a musician for 30 years now, since hearing the Beatles at age 10 and growing up on Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong. I must say this album is wonderful and has suprised the hell out of me. IT'S JUST SO GOOD. The obvious hooks in "She's so High" can't be ignored, but this CD has some hidden gems, namely "Beside You" (McCartney would have been proud to have composed this one),"Romanticide" (reminds me a bit of Toy Matinee), "You're My Everything", (beautiful) and the real album masterpiece "I am Free". I honestly can't understand some of the negative reviews, but in this age of ear candy on one hand and adolescent silly meaningless music full of relentless anger on the other I guess that is to be expected. This guy has a great head for melody as well as a great set of pipes. I only hope he keeps his gift for expressing his feelings and doesn't get to jaded. Having been in the business I know what it's like when every one is telling you should be doing this or that or you need to be more comtemporary. The minute you agree with it all you're through. You just have to follow your heart and say it the way you feel it. Anyway, I am moved and I see this as a cool homage to the Beatles. Randy, I hope my kid does me this proud....

Before I bought this CD I had heard "She's So High" at least 100 times and I was tiring of it. I was hesitant to buy the CD because I thought it would all be a bit too "fluffy" for me. When I heard another of Tal's songs in a commercial I thought I would finally give the CD a try and I'm glad I did! I don't think Tal is a one hit wonder, especially not with his musical background (his father was in Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive if you don't know.) I think he did some of the songs to sort of test the waters and see what would fly and what wouldn't. I especially enjoy the song "I Wonder" it makes me think of family and how lucky I am to be connected to such amazing people who have seen so much. It isn't hard rock but the songs definitely are catchy, escpecially "Romanticide" and "You Don't Know What It's Like." Anyone who has ever had back luck can relate to Tal's lyrics: "Fortune frowned on me, she's a big girl and she got me!" His music reminds me of Del Amitri (few of you have heard of them, I'm sure) and I find it diverse enough to make a ride in the truck quite enjoyable. To sum up: if you thought "She's So High" was kind of enticing, buy the CD, you'll like it!

Power Pop it is! For those of us who long for the power pop and melodies of the past (not to mention people who can sing instead of scream or rap), this is a welcome surprise. I had not heard one song from the compact disc when I purchased it. I bought it because I had read that this son of a famous 70s rocker, Mr. Randy Bachman, was a writer and performer much like John Lennon, Elton John, Queen and the Raspberries. While I do hear influences of all of the above in his music, I would not compare Tal to any of them. However, as stated, there are influences. It just proves he gained musical knowledge (real music) from various avenues growing up and during his musical studies. He does not sound like anyone else because he is an individual and has incorporated his own style with the influences of past musicians. Excellent compact disc! The best new male artist I've heard since Michael Penn. If you want the usual screaming and depressing rantings and ravings like most of the garbage that passes for music these days, you probably won't like this CD. If you like melodies, power pop and actually are a listener of music mostly from the late 60s to mid 80s, you should give this one a try. It's worth it just for You Love Like Nobody Loves Me, You Don't Know What It's Like, Beside You and Romanticide.

One night a few weeks ago I heard She's So High on a Sirius station and remembered how much I liked this song, so I made a note of the artist's name. When I found the 1999 album on iTunes, I downloaded it and have completely fallen in love with this artist's music.

Tal's vocals range from strong deep bass to clear, bright highs, with seemingly effortless (and sometimes acrobatic) transitions up and down his entire range. He has a unique, bright, and emotive voice that is very easy to listen to. He's great on guitar, sometimes singing duet with his strums. The arrangements with orchestra (Strong Enough) are almost epic, as well as some very funky arrangements (You Don't Know What It's Like) that really make this album a collection, not 12 songs that all sound the same.

Tal is a storyteller - not just with words, but with his musical arrangements. Climactic crescendos, silent pauses, and lots of emotional punctuation in his vocals. There's some influences of Freddie Mercury / Queen, as well as John Lennon, ELO, Bowie (as noted by many of the reviews).

Much has been said about Tal being a "one hit" overplayed wonder, and I disagree with that. Bachman's debut at 29, after completing his mission, studying Political Philosophy, and starting a family, was pretty late... and the industry doesn't always smile on "late bloomers". I'm thrilled that he persevered and found a new label and released his latest album (Staring Down the Sun).

I bought the CD because I love "She's so High". I am so glad I did. Every song has a different quality to it. There is something for every mood you're in. It makes me sad that probably very few people will get past the one hit single, to the real heart of the album. I hope you do. Every song is worth it.

I, like most of you, bought this album based on my love of "She's So High", a worthy contender for song of the year. But also worthy are "If You Sleep", "Romanticide", and My personal favorite, the closing tune "I am Free". "Looks Like Rain" reminds me of Collective Soul, while other songs have influences ranging from the Beatles (esp. George Harrison), Queen, 10cc, and even Sweet("Love is Like Oxygen"), but with modern production values. Buy if you like Melodic pop such as Semisonic or Collective Soul 4 1/2 Stars

I had a chance to see Tal in concert at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island May 15th. Most people won the package through the local radio station. I didn't know who he was at the time, but I heard the song "She's So High" and forked over the bucks to buy the package. I wasn't disappointed. If I had not gotten the cd for free, I would have still gone out and bought it. He was alone on stage playing either the guitar or piano. He was very talented and very entertaining. Being a teenager in the 80's I hear a lot of the 80's sounds in his music with a 90's feel. He was awesome in concert and very humble. I love every song on the cd. I hope he makes it big!

Please do me a favour before you read this review.

I want you to put away your images of Tal Bachman as a teen idol, forget about the youthful looks.

Now just put on the CD and listen
What you are about to hear is a near genius at work -a brilliant songwriter and musician.

It is three years since this eponymous cd was released and although Tal had a US hit with the excellent `She's So High' , largely he has not received the critical acclaim which this album deserved.

There are so many influences here : Jellyfish , Jason Falkner , Brian Wilson , Jeff Buckley (yes ,his voice is THAT good) , Cheap Trick to name but a few.

The songs themselves are all of a very high standard and contain complex chord structures and rhythm changes.Tal Bachman wrote ten of the songs on his own and the two others ,he co-wrote.

Song highlights include `You Don't Know What It's Like' with its brilliant harmonica and guitar riff and also `You're My Everything' which could be the first cousin of Badfinger's `Without You'

Bachman knows a good powerpop hook too and nearly every song has a memorable chorus on it.

Finally I urge you to get rid of those preconceived notions of Bachman as `son of Randy' (his father is the former lead singer of Bachman Turner Overdrive ,but there the comparisons end)

No , Tal Bachman is a major , major talent who has produced a stunning debut.

I can't wait to hear how he follows this...

A single song by Tal Bachman was recommended to me. Unable to find the album locally I ordered this album to get the song. While listening I was pleasantly surprised to find that I hadn't bought another 1 song album and liked all the songs.

"She's So High" got lots of airplay, but sadly limited to the secretary-rock "Lite Hits" stations, it seemed. It's a shame, since Bachman has plenty of hooks to bring to classic rock afficionados.

The album is glossy from start to finish, which you'll either love or hate.