The Spinning Top

Graham Coxon | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: May 11, 2009
• Release Date: May 11, 2009
• Label: Transgressive Records
• Copyright: 2009 Transgressive Records
• Total Length: 1:08:26
• Genres:
• ASIN: B0028IJUQW
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A dizzying spin!, May 14, 2009

By 

Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Spinning Top (Audio CD)

Blur were one of my favourite Britpop bands and "The spinning top" is the 7th solo album by its guitarist, Graham Coxon. Fresh from production work on Pete(r) Doherty's delicate and incredibly beautiful debut "Grace/Westlands", this is a retro Folk/Rock affair. A concept album of sorts, chronicling the life of a man from cradle to the grave.

The jaunty and euphoric "Perfect love" sounds like it came out of Simon and Garfunkel's songbook, complete with dual harmonies (which he uses on most of the songs). The delicately plucked acoustic "If you want me" is adorned with tinkling xylophone and intermittedly interrupted by explosive guitars. The upbeat "Dead bees" is Folk/Blues and reminds me a bit of Blur's "Beetlebum". Similar is lead-off single "Sorrow's army". Also upbeat is "Humble man" (with such beautiful chords).

"Caspian sea" is a bubbling Psychedelic ballad with disembodied harmonies fleeting in and out over the strummed guitars. Other standouts include the stunning ballad "Far from everything" (with sitar sounds and a vulnerable/calming vocal delivery from Coxon), the atmospheric ballad "Tripping over" (with a brilliant guitar coda), and closing ballad the chilling droning "November" (with richly layered harmonies and dramatic breaks adding to the dark aura).

Coxon's guitar playing is outstanding at all times. He also did the album artwork. Incredibly moving and beautiful!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Coxon goes Davey Graham, June 19, 2009

By 

E. Waggoner "Number 39" (The Great Northwest USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Spinning Top (Audio CD)

Having been a Blur fan from the start, I naturally followed the various member's solo careers. Graham Coxon, former-estranged guitarist for the band, had a handful of lead vocals while with Blur. For some, his voice is probably an acquired taste. I've always loved his fragile vocals as well as his stellar guitar-work (one of my favorite Blur songs is "You're So Great"). I also enjoyed his solo career, mostly mining territory staked out by lo-fi American indie rock. On The Spinning Top, Coxon goes in a more folk/acoustic direction. I love it. His fragile vocals suit the softer and varied material. He also stretches out on the guitar more so than in the past.
The albums not all soft - there are some bits of loud guitar here and there. Along with Damon Albarn's excursions into Bali music and the Gorillaz in the past few years, there is much to look forward to with both the imminent Blur reunion as well as the continuation of their solo exploits!! ENJOY!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great album with many moods, October 13, 2009

By 

Susie "Barbie Collector" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Spinning Top (Audio CD)

I just got this recently and I've listened to it three times. I'm a big fan of Graham's solo work and a Blur fan, too. This album is a lot different than his other solo albums. I like it a lot. My favorite songs on it are Humble Man, Dead Bees and Caspian Sea, but all the songs are good. It seems to me to be an introspective album, the songs are softer, but there are some rocking moments, too. Graham is one of the most talented guitarists, songwriters and singers of modern times.