Customer Reviews

Tea & Sympathy

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After reading all Aussie reviews of Bernard Fanning's Tea and Sympathy, I thought I would offer an unbiased and balanced, non parochial view of the album. So here goes. Its FANTASTIC, its so good that I actually thought that Fanning was some sort of American Indie/Alt Country artist that was the next best thing, then found out that he is actually the Powderfinger lead man. Fanning succesfully in parts sounds like a modern day Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Lowell George. He's sort of in the same genre as Counting Crows/Train except NO FILLER on the album at all. This is a class act from an exceptional talent. America wake up! this guy is all you ever dreamt of. Wish You Well is the bouncy, melodic, catchy but fulfilling and tough, single. But if you think that is the highlight think again, its almost the low light as everything else just grows on you. The perfect album for the Indian Summer that is upon us. Enjoy

Bernard Fanning's solo CD is the happiest surprise of the year. After hearing a track on Paste Magazine's CD sampler, I picked this up, hoping the rest would sound as good. They didn't. They sound better. Tchad Blake's production provides a warmth reminiscent of 1970s vinyl, and Fanning's songs, while similar to songs of 30 years ago, have a timeless quality all their own. "Sleeping Rough" would be a hit on AOR radio today, if only there were stations gutsy enough to play new artists. Every song is great. Easily my favorite CD of the year.

I got this album about ten days ago and have listened to it probably 25 times already. I already was a Powderfinger fan so I had some familiarity with Fanning's voice (I love it) but it really comes through on this solo disc. sadly, this disc will fly right under the radar of 99.99% of the US music-listening/buying population. however, I will do what I can to spread the love for these tunes throughout the northern hemisphere...

I only recently became a fan of Powderfinger and was apprehensive when I learned that Fanning had gone off on his own. I'm usually disappointed by the solo careers of frontmen of my favorite bands - Rob Thomas needs to resurrect Matchbox 20, Sarah Bettens needs to return to K's Choice...the list goes on.

But that being said, this album is actually on par with the Powderfinger albums. It's certainly mellower in tone, but has a similar vibe to it. Fans of Elliot Smith, Alexei Murdoch, Matt Wertz, and comparable artists will love this album. Some highlights include "Thrill is Gone" (reminds me of Powderfinger's "Love Your Way), "Believe," and "Watch over Me."

The range and quality of the music is topnotch. I definitely recommend this album.

If you haven't heard of Bernard Fanning, then you must either not be from Australia, or you're not into rock music.
He's the lead singer of the band 'Powderfinger', and whilst his voice may be a little grainy and different from the norm of singers, this is what makes him so unique.
A touching, heartfelt album of heartache and life experiences. It might take you a while to like this album, don't bother listening to it if you're in a hurry and are just listening to samples from a website or a cd store because you're probably not going to like it. You need to borrow or purchase the album, listen to it completely and judge from there. Like an exotic food dish from another country, the music takes time to get your head around, and you'll either love it or hate it.

A beautiful album for those interested in country and rock music, and those who never thought they'd even remotely like country music.
Try this out. You might be surprised how much the album grows on you.

If you haven't heard this CD, you are missing out!! It has you hooked from the first listen. One of my two favourite Australian offerings over the last year. Bernard Fanning's music is catchy and great from the first song. He released "Wish You Well" first, but really could have released any number of these as a single because they are all great. If you like folk-rock type of music than this is for you and you won't be bored.

Some of the most beautiful songs ever written by an Australian artist - or any other nation's artist for that matter - appear on this album. I love Powderfinger but this is ALL good. It's clear where the melody came from in Powderfinger's songs, as many of these have a similar feel, but there's something more here. The songs are so much more personal and the restraints of writing as part of and for a band have gone, revealing just what this exceptional talent has to offer.

Really, you just need to hear it...

Bernard Fanning's solo album has strayed from the familiar pop-rock sounds of Powderfinger, yet his distinct, recognisable vocals are standout on this stunning and often haunting debut.
The album has a mild country/folk feel to quite a few of the tracks. Although I would usually find this a turn off, his vocals tended to balance out the country twang and leave some lyrically brilliant and incredibly honest songs. "Wish You Well" is about as catchy and as 'pop/mainstream' as you'll find on the album. "Not Finished Just Yet" begins to give a taste of his vocal ability, "Wash Me Clean", "Down To The River" and "Watch Over Me" are delicate, beautifully written and produced songs and show the brilliance in his simplicity and restraint. "The Strangest Thing" sounds like a Split Enz song no doubt due to Tchad Blakes influence (Producer) and catchier tracks like "Songbird", "Believe" and "Hope and Validation" all flesh out what I think is a truely exceptional debut.

If you are looking for Powderfinger's rockin' style, you won't find it on Tea & Sympathy. This album is set to take one of the most recognisable voices in Australia as the frontman for the biggest band in the country, and add to that, arguably the best lyricist on our shores!

Congrats Bernie!!

This disc is a new favorite find from the singer/songwriter genre. I kept waiting for a bad song, but it never came. Gorgeous production, great tunes and perfect musicianship. This thing needs to be heard. It's Ryan Adams without the tantrums and posing. Buy it, enjoy it.

Tea And Sympathy is a 14-track solo CD by leading Australian rock singer Bernard Fanning who is the lead singer of Brisbane quintet Powderfinger. On this new album (released November 2005), the style is personal statements and tales with prominent acoustic guitar and pleasingly-uncluttered arrangements.It is more laid-back and less heavy than the electric guitar based music of Powderfinger. I really like this album, and the magic songs are the simple , beautiful ones like Watch Over Me ( a gem performed with just guitar and strings) , Wash Me Clean and Hope And Validation . I also love the melody of Believe, and the impressive Sleeping Rough , which has a sort of country -rock feel to it and is also really good. First song Thrill Is Gone is also good and sets the tone and feel of the rest of the recording very nicely. The whole set of songs is accessible without being overly commercial - a nice balance. Tea And Sympathy has proved popular here in Australia , and reached #1 on the album chart here a few weeks ago.

I am hoping that Bernard receives a lot of support and acclaim for this fine album, and I recommend it to all music fans .


I'm going to give it 4 and a half stars after just 2 listens - it might get 5 stars in a week or two !!