Tiny Pictures [Import]

Thornley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 10, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: 604 Records Canada/Zoom
• ASIN: B001RPAYX0
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,158 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Underneath the Radar

2. Changes

3. Man Overboard

4. Your Song

5. Make Believe

6. This Is Where My Heart Is

7. Better Side of Me

8. Might Be the End

9. Conscience & Consequence

10. All Fall Down

11. Be There for Me

12. Another Memory

13. Make Believe [West Coast Version][*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Thornley Hits Middle-Age?, December 2, 2010

By 

David Johnson - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tiny Pictures (Audio CD)

I've waited over a year to review this release because I'm such a huge fan of this guy's voice that I'm never objective when listening to his newest material, just stoked to have more Thornley. I'm glad I waited in this case, because that incredible voice is just about all that's left of what I originally fell in love with.

It's a good album, for what it is. If you've never heard Big Wreck or Come Again (his first solo release), it's fine. Maybe even a good MOR pop album. And no doubt, there's some gems on here - Make Believe is possibly the best song the guy's ever written. My beef is with the production, which has left the album so flat and stale that it's actually boring to listen to.

To say he's mellowed is a huge understatement. I get what he's trying to do, but compared to his past work, the playing and range of emotion here is severely lacking. I don't know if it was a bald swipe at radio airplay, too much outside "help," or a conscious thing on Ian's part, but this just sounds like a lazy jab compared to the 1-2 knockout punch of his first three efforts.

Compare the intensity of his vocals on any track here, to the heart rending emotion of "All By Design" from Pleasure and Greed, or virtually any track from Come Again. He's just simply not delivering the goods.

A special note should be made about the drums on this album. The release was reportedly delayed because Thornley wanted to wait for Daniel Adair (ex-Nickelback) to lay drum tracks. Not only is Daniel Adair the most bland and mediocre drummer from the most bland and mediocre band on the modern rock scene, his playing adds absolutely *nothing* to these songs. The drums are honestly the biggest snoozefest I've heard in recent memory, and comparing them to the work of Sekou Lumumba on Come Again, or Forrest Williams on the Big Wreck releases is too painful to contemplate. However, his playing is indicative of the album as a whole - phoned in, simplistic, and ultimately un-engaging, despite the usual stellar songwriting. Added to that, the album wasn't even available in the U.S. when it was first released. I understand Thornley is a Canadian band, but someone at the label dropped the ball big time.

It severely pains me to say anything unkind about Ian Thornley - what an incredible talent. But this release moves him in the wrong direction in my opinion, and I hope he returns to a more vibrant production approach, with musicians who are worthy of his genius. I'm sure we'll hear more from him soon, and I anticipate good things.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but Come Again was far better, May 18, 2009

By 

B. Sanford - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tiny Pictures (Audio CD)

Come Again was an album that had so much play time for me simply because it had no mediocre tracks. Thornley took a very long time (which he deserves, he's an artist and should perform as/when he feels, as a fine artist, I can respect that)...and there was so much expectation I had building for this album (which I have no clue on the availability in the states, as I imported it, which was just a slight inconvenience, since I did go to several stores expecting it to be here). Unfortunately, it's not as good as Come Again, but, since it's still Thornley, and I'd heard the single already and DO love that song (Make Believe), and a couple others on there are very well done, I still give it a fairly good score. Better than most rock out there as an album on the whole, but for the followup, it's lighter and closer to country than his previous album was. He had such catchy melodies and the weight has gone done (meaning it's not as heavy) but it's still recommended if you like some of the lighter parts from Come Again, just don't expect it to be a complete continuation of that album.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great voice, great CD, March 8, 2011

By 

Katrina728 "katrina728" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tiny Pictures (Audio CD)

As a caveat, I must say that I think Thornley has one of the best rock voices I've ever heard...it just draws me in every time. Some compare it to Chris Cornell; I can see the similarities, but I like the fact that Thornley doesn't partake in the screeching that Cornell sometimes does. I'm not the kind of person who needs an album to have a 'theme' or tell a story. I just like it to have good music. Along with Thornley's amazing voice, this album has catchy melodies that you'll find yourself humming. Definitely a keeper!