This Is Normal [ENHANCED CD] [Enhanced]

Gus Gus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 27, 1999)
• Original Release Date: April 27, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: 4ad / Wea
• ASIN: B00000IL0O
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #220,515 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Ladyshave

2. Teenage Sensation

3. Starlovers

4. Superhuman

5. Very Important People

6. Bambi

7. Snoozer

8. Acid Milk

9. Blue Mug

10. Love vs. Hate

11. Dominique

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Is Normal (1999), February 26, 2006

By 

Mr. S. St Thomas "suckerfly" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is Normal [ENHANCED CD] (Audio CD)

Moving from the American scene to the 'British' scene in 1997, I was stunned by the differences in music as I crossed the shores. I had been out of England for years and years, and upon my return I had to play catch up with the British music culture, and fast. I had a history of The Kinks to catch up on past ''Lola'' and ''Low Budget''. 10CC waited in the wings beyond ''I'm Not In Love''. And on the horizon were Massive Attack, and Supergrass.

And Gus Gus are from Iceland. I'm just stating that so you don't think I'm thinking they're from the UK. But this is where I heard them, and I'm not sure I would've heard them hanging out on the East Coast of America. Maybe if I frequented more clubs I might've, but somehow being able to see them on MTV Europe, in the comfort of my own home, says the likelihood would not have been great of a Stateside viewing.

And it was one viewing of Gus Gus's ''Starlovers'' that got me to say, ''Who is this????'' The immediate thing that made this song stand out to me was Daniel Agust's voice. It was beautiful. A truly truly great singer. That was the first thing that stood out to me. And then the song's groove and melody stood out next. I had to hear more of this thing called Gus Gus, and I was glad I did. ''This Is Normal'' is an album worth purchasing. One thing urging you to do this is the promise that Daniel Agust's voice is worth it. Ethereal, melodic, soothing are a few words that can describe it.

And then I heard ''Snoozer''. Which slowly turned into my favourite song from this album.

I really can't say enough about this album. It thoroughly convinced me that the European/British scene was headed somewhere entirely different than the American scene, particularly in regards to Iceland! But it was an immense culture shock hearing bands such as Massive Attack, Supergrass, Gus Gus, Roni Size and Daft Punk in constant play on UK shores, where I knew living in America I would have to seriously go underground to hear some of it. Or be a fan of Soul Coughing and hunting down where they got it from. Which I am.

There are a few reasons to buy this album. The most important is of course the songs themselves, the greatness of ''Ladyshave'', ''Teenage Sensation'', ''Snoozer'' and the irresistible ''Starlovers''. Another reason is to hear the voice of Daniel Agust. I think I'd buy an album of him singing a Chinese menu (wait, Anthony Kiedis already does this doesn't he?) And a final reason is to own an album by Gus Gus just to say you have an album by Gus Gus. You'll look ''cool'', trust me.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Pop, Less Ice, July 2, 2000

By 

Alf Kremer (Denver CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is Normal [ENHANCED CD] (Audio CD)

Gus Gus found their pop voice on this album, and worked it to generally good effect. "Ladyshave" remains an excellent (if undiscovered in America) track. This isn't to say that the band's gone all fuzzy - several later tracks ("Blue Mug" and "Dominique", which thankfully isn't the Singing Nun tune) continue the iciness that characterized the first album. In toto, a more diverse blend of music, but still a very good listen.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Utter madness..if you do not pick this up!, March 23, 2000

By 

Scott Dennis "Scott Dennis" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: This Is Normal [ENHANCED CD] (Audio CD)

This "enhancement" shown in the brackets is a "mix master" software hidden on the CD, this just goes to show how dedicated GUS GUS is to the DJ/Dance scene. This GUS GUS selection is top ten in the genre, behind only Kruder and Dorfmeister as well as EBTG. Buy it, it may never leave your CD juke Box.

Scott Dennis [e-mail]