Customer Reviews

The Things We Do

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If Angela McCluskey's voice sounds slightly familiar, it may be because, for the last several years, she has served as the lead singer of the beneath-the-radar band, The Wild Colonials. More likely, however, it's because she possesses the kind of voice that contains so much character, you feel like you should know it. Despite shades of Marianne Faithfull, Stevie Nicks, Cyndi Lauper,Julie Driscoll, Natalie Merchant, even a bit of Van Morrison, McCluskey's voice is distinctive and unique. Her timeless vocals are placed amidst modern sounding arrangements. The production touches by Nathan Larson evident in the opening cut, `It's Been Done', draw the listener in and then that voice nails him/her there. There is more than a tinge of what was once known as "trip-hop"-the combo of dreamy vocals, electronic sounds, and slow, rhythmic beats-with bits of folk, reggae, jazz, and blue-eyed soul. There are a handful of immediately memorable songs, another handful that are still growing on us (and a couple which probably will not). McCluskey's vocals, however, are so compelling-there's a wonderful catch in her voice which tweaks the emotional impact of everything she sings-that the material frequently becomes secondary and the album, a thoroughly engaging experience.

Angela McCluskey's debut album is nothing short of sheer brillance. I became a fan quite by accident awhile back while I was watching the movie "Unhook The Stars" and heard her band, The Wild Colonials, playing in the background. Needless to say from the first moment I heard her voice, I was hooked. It was serendipity...a fortunate accident.

Her voice is complete poetry. It draws you into every word and keeps you hanging on a thread for more. There is so much edge to it...the way it can be soft and surreal one moment and the next, bitter and raw.

While all the songs on this stunning debut are simply amazing, the songs that stand out in particular are: 'It's Been Done', 'Perfect Girl Eleven', and 'Dirty Pearl'. These songs showcase Angela's unique sound and ability to sing just about any genre there is.

Anyone who appreciates fine music is sure to find Angela's debut album a compelling piece of work...it hasn't left my CD player's rotation since I bought it. This CD is a must have!

(Aside from this CD, I highly recommend all 3 of The Wild Colonials CD's, as well as Tryptich's 'Curio' (which highly showcases Angela's raw blues voice).

Angela McCluskey has a raspy, thoughtfully phrased, mature vocal style. She is one of the best vocal interpreters ever. I was completely flabbergasted when I saw her live. So were my husband and my brother, and that speaks to her wide appeal.

She sings about fleeting love feelings and disappointing people and clamors for attention, but without resentment or aggression. So unless you're a teenage pop addict or an insensitive jerk, you should be touched by this poetic, sharp, awesomely raw mid-life woman.

Eight of the thirteen songs are unique, memorable keepers (I've been humming them for weeks now). The rest do have annoying lyrics, but it doesn't matter - the album is a classic.

I was given this album from a friend as part of an essential listening package(read birthday present).
I loved it imediately. The girl can sing! The songs are amazing and the album only has one maybe two songs that dont grab me..that in itself is something. I feel blessed if I buy an album and like more than the song that I bought it for!
Curiosity brought me to Amazon to see if there was more albums of Angela's to buy. I then read the reviews on this album and one or two people said that the lyrics were terrible..well..I suggest whoever wrote that has not lived yet...simple as that. I am not trying to be mean(well..maybe I am) but this voice and these lyrics are profound. There, i said it.......
ps I may never write a review again....this being my first...unless of course ignorance rises its ugly head again! So....see you next tuesday....lol

This is soulful pop and rock at its best, an album of impressive versatility. McCluskey's vocals are warm and engaging, strong at times, then dreamy then vulnerable. The instrumental mix is particularly imaginative, and includes guitar, piano, organ, strings and even slide guitar, whilst the rhythms include pop, country-rock and reggae. In between, there are exquisite atmospheric moments, little trip-hop infusions that add a special charm. My favourite songs include It's Been Done, Love Is Stronger Than Death and Sleep On It but her exceptional voice makes even the weaker material an enjoyable listening experience.

angela mccluskey has one of those pricelessly unique voices that can do no wrong -- a deeply resonant, almost scary lower range, a husky, jazzy, squeaky-creaky belting upper range, and a whole host of bizarre colors in between. there's so much personality in her voice, so much style, that each word merits close attention.

there are some truly great songs on this disc ("it's been done," "perfect girl 11," "long live i"), and some lesser material, but even on the less stellar songs the voice of a truly captivating artist brings the material to life. she sounds better here than she's ever sounded. a must-have for fans of beth orton, portishead, billie holiday, janis joplin, macy gray -- for anyone who appreciates a uniquely compelling voice.

Angela McCluskey has been one of my favorite singers for many years now.

Her voice is a flawless mix of Marianne Faithful and Billie Holiday. It is at once strong yet broken, husky yet delicate.

I was a little disappointed at first with the CD. I love "It's Been Done," the lead single. I found the rest of it to be a little too pop-y for my taste and that she got lost in catchy hooks and overproduction. Then it grew on me and now it's in regular rotation again.

The lyrics can be a little painful at times ("Oh God, you're reading Albert Camus/ and there's nothing you can do") but her brilliant voice proves she can do no wrong. "Sleep on It" and the cover of "Love is Stronger Than Death" are exceptional.

Also check out her work with Wild Colonials, Triptych, and Telepopmusik and catch her on tour with the Finn Brothers. She's amazing in person.

I HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANGELA UNTIL HAPPENING UPON HER SONG "IT'S BEEN DONE" PLAYING ON THE SOUND SYSTEM. HER VOICE CAPTURED ME. VERY INTERESTING I THOUGHT, SO I GOOGLED THE LYRICS AND FOUND THE SONG. I DEFINITELY BELIEVE IN GIVING A PERSON THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, SO I PURCHASED THE CD BASED ON THAT SONG ONLY. THERE ARE A FEW GEMS WITH "IT'S BEEN DONE" BEING ONE OF THEM. "LOVE IS STRONGER THAN DEATH IS A GORGEOUS ROCK BALLAD", "LONG LIVE I", AND OF COURSE HER SOARING AND AIRY VOCALS ON THE POPULAR "SOMEBODY GO LUCKY" ARE JUST BEAUTIFUL. THERE JUST AREN'T ENOUGH SONGS LIKE THOSE ON THIS CD, AND SOMETIMES ANGELA CAN BE DOWN RIGHT EXPLICIT E.G "SUCKER" OVERALL THIS IS A CD I WOULD RECCOMEND TO ANYONE WHO'S TIRED OF THE COOKIE CUTTER POP PRINCESSES, AND WANTS TO ENJOY SOME REAL HEARTFELT MUSIC.

If you've never heard Angela McCluskey sing before, I would highly recommend that you buy "This Can't Be Life" or "The Fruit of Life" or even "Reel Life", her three albums with the Wild Colonials. What make those albums amazing is Angela's unique, mesmerizing and memorable vocal talent combined with a talented ensemble of musicians and amazing, soulful lyrics.

I bought this album because I just love Angela's voice and I have those other three CD's, all of which I have listened to about a million times and I still listen to them because they never really get old for me. Although Angela delivers on this album in terms of her deep, raspy, soulful voice and there are many songs I really enjoyed, I felt the lyrics were lacking the depth of those she sung with the Wild Colonials. Also, in the other albums, the instrumentation, particularly the violin, really serves to enhance the haunting and soulful nature of Angela's voice.

In summary, this album is well worth having and I do enjoy it. I would think it was terrific if I didn't know what she is capable of. I, and many other fans, am patiently waiting and hoping for another Wild Colonials album. In the interim it is nice to hear Angela's voice again. She has an original and beautiful voice. I would love to hear her live some time but I suppose the odds of her coming to freezing cold Edmonton, Alberta are pretty slim. It's nice here in the summer, though, Angela :).

This album has grown on me. Upon first listening I was stuck by ( other than her unique, powerful voice) how bad the lyrics to most of the song are. I found myself not wanting to listen purely because of the transparency and occasionally just plain laziness of the lyrics. But, frankly, its hard to stop listening to the album. The engaging riffs and the ugrency of McCluskey's voice make for a throughly enjoyable sound, and the lyrical shortcomings are rather easily overlooked.