Customer Reviews

Tom Mcrae

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

 

 

This is no background music; you will have to listen to what he says and check the lyrics in the booklet. The melodies (acoustic guitar enriched with other discreet instruments) are up to the words quality, proving that 'a boy with a guitar' is not necessary boring. This is a real singer songwriter in the line of Bob Dylan, Paul Simon or Springsteen. I did not mention yet his great expressive voice - here Jeff Buckley's comparisons sound right to me, even if I rather think both guys have their own talent and personality.

A solo artist had not impressed me for a while as Tom did. The live tracks of the bonus CD (that came with the French limited edition I own) are impressive, and testify he is as well an excellent performer, capable of captivating the public with his work. You know, the kind of artist you listen in silence, because screaming or even singing along would sound so out of context. I find it difficult to point out favorites; each song touches me in a way or another. Maybe the strange 'murder ballad' "You cut her hair", the evident "End of the world news", the jewels "Bloodless" and "Hidden camera show", the touching "Draw down the stars" or the 'soft'n'furious' "The boy with the bubblegun"... I cannot choose really.

Some of those songs are almost 'autistic': they describe one's uneasiness about living in an urban context, about living under strangers eyes who judge you without knowing you, and accept blindly their comfortable beliefs and habits. They also express the will to escape a written fate, or rather, the hesitation between believing in destiny and fighting against it. You're not getting out without scars, but those somber melodies bring out a curious joy. Maybe the joy people feel when they find their first gold nugget. If I were you, I would start digging now...

I bought this cd because of the sticker on the front. It's easily one of the best cd's I own. Tom's lyrics are deep and profound and shear poetry. Often the music is haunting and serious, but there are indeed moments of hope born of conflict. All of which reflects life from the eyes of a thoughtful observer. "One More Mile" is a fantastic song built much like a journey itself. "Boy with the Bubble Gun" looked as if it were going to be a lighthearted song, judging from the title. When you hear it, you really get the sense of a child at serious play - wanting to do battle with and kill the demons in his imaginary playworld, yet recognizing that reality is ultimately there and he doesn't want to really do harm to anyone. While his gun can defeat the imaginary foes, he knows it's still quite safe to those in real life whom he doesn't wish to hurt (i.e., the line: "if words could kill, I'd spell out your name." - which denotes that damage could be done easily with a word, yet he's playfully cheating death a little by not uttering the word and simply spelling it out). Genius. Sorry for the lecture, but this album is so refreshing in its intelligence.

Comparisons to David Gray are not far off. David's "White Ladder" is an excellent album as well and I can not recommend it enough. I would put these two in the same genre and type. But David's songs can sometimes be compared to a not quite fulfilling yawn (which compells you on, and I love that), whereas Tom's music is complete and full in its journey, leaving one either prepared to rise or to turn in at the pace of, like the others here say, "an old soul." I'm totally not dissing on Mr. Gray, because the man cuts a mean album, I'm simply noting the differences in their styles. I love both of these guys.

Both David and Tom were surprises for me. Just picked them up and was instantly hooked. Maybe I'll do all my shopping by stickers on the covers from now on!

I'm glad I picked Tom up. I'm telling everyone I know about him!

In the booklet of this French edition (including a bonus CD with 5 live tracks), Tom writes: "For me music is about communicating, it's a conversation between the maker and the listener and when it works it transcend the barriers of language, race, religion, and all you hear is the songs. When I was writing this album, I hoped one day to share it with people who understand." I think he did. This is no background music; you will have to listen to what he says and check the lyrics in the booklet. The melodies (acoustic guitar enriched with other discreet instruments) are up to the words quality, proving that 'a boy with a guitar' is not necessary boring. This is a real singer songwriter in the line of Bob Dylan, Paul Simon or Springsteen. I did not mention yet his great expressive voice - here Jeff Buckley's comparisons sound right to me.

A solo artist had not impressed me for a while as Tom did. The live tracks of the bonus CD are impressive, and testify he is as well an excellent performer, capable of captivating the public with his work. You know, the kind of artist you listen in silence, because screaming or even singing along would sound so out of context. I find it difficult to point out favorites; each song touches me in a way or another. Maybe the strange 'murder ballad' "You cut her hair", the evident "End of the world news", the jewels "Bloodless" and "Hidden camera show", the touching "Draw down the stars" or the 'soft'n'furious' "The boy with the bubblegun"... I cannot choose really.

Some of those songs are almost 'autistic': they describe one's uneasiness about living in an urban context, about living under strangers eyes who judge you without knowing you, and accept blindly their comfortable beliefs and habits. They also express the will to escape a written fate, or rather, the hesitation between believing in destiny and fighting against it. You're not getting out without scars, but those somber melodies bring out a curious joy. Maybe the joy people feel when they find their first gold nugget. If I were you, I would start digging now...

...but don't let that put you off. This album follows in the tradition that melds serious tunes with clever, introspective (and usually miserable) lyrics. But that doesn't really begin to explore what this diamond is all about.

Tom McRae's music combines freshness with familiarity - there's none of that awkward getting-to-know you that happens with most new records you buy, and by the second play you feel involved. The songs tend to start small, while he confides his feelings to us, and then huge, guitar-driven choruses rise out of the intimacy and sweep us along with them, before tidying up into quietness again. The sound is vibrantly acoustic but there's a lot of space in the music and, unlike many modern musicians who feel they have to fill every second with sound, he uses silence to great effect. The cello is a stoke of genius.

Tom McRae has a terrific voice - intimate, with an intriguing gear change - and he's confident enough to throw it around with real power. Lyrically, there's wit a-plenty to illuminate the darkness - lines like "If songs could kill...this one's for you" and "if hell is in the detail, babe, I'm a microscope" spring immediately to mind, but there are many other examples. Above all, there is tenderness and honesty - Tom doesn't sing these songs; he inhabits them. There's enough heartbreak here to take you to the edge but the joy in the music stops you from going all the way over.

In the end, despite the darkness, the feeling you're left with is hope.

We caught a concert of his in Manchester, just by chance. We had never heard of him. What a great set of music he performed with a cello as his back-up band. His music is moving, soulful, deep, solid and obviously memorable. Let's all hope he tours USA soon. Until then buy this CD.

this album is worth it for tom mcrae's beautiful singing voice. the album does linger a little on the "woe the painful world" side, not that it's a bad thing, but I wanted to forewarn you if that kind of thing gets on your nerves. the nick drake comprability thing I keep hearing about in regards to everyone with a slightly acoustic sound and some heartwrenching action in their voice is becoming over the top. I would say that aside from being disgruntled with the way things can be, and that they both have nice voices, the two don't have much in common musically. I'm not positive that this album is worth the [money] that amazon sells it for. .... hope tom makes it stateside.

I don't like to compare artists but as this album is yet to have samples I better give you an idea of what it sounds like. Tom McRae has been compared to Nick Drake, Elliott Smith and David Gray. This album is something along the lines of David Gray's White Ladder, however it is much darker and has a very raw feeling about it. At times it can be quite depressing - in such a beautiful way. 'You Cut Her Hair' and 'The Boy With The Bubblegum' are truly dark while 'End of the World News' will have you singing along by the end and 'I Ain't Scared Of Lightening' is actually uplifting. Amazon.co.uk has track samples of this album if you want to have a listen. If you are looking for happy music, this isn't it, if you are looking for Friday night dance tunes, this isn't it either but if you are looking for raw, under produced, heartfelt, guitar based, unadulterated talent, buy this album.

Tom Mcrae is a young man with an old sad soul. Raised in a small English village. A son of vicars. He has all the right components to become a modern legend. Yes, Nick Drake is a good reference. But comparisments like this turns everything into a cliche. More important, he is a superb songwriter. His debut CD is a true masterpiece with a strong personality. Don't wait till he gets hyped. Hug him today.

Tom Mcrae is a young man with an old sad soul. Raised in a small English village. A son of vicars. He has all the right components to become a modern legend. Yes, Nick Drake is a good reference. But comparisments like this turns everything into a cliche. Mcrae has a great strong voice that smells a bit like early Phil Collins. More important, he is a superb songwriter. His debut CD is a true masterpiece with a strong personality. Don't wait till he gets hyped. Hug him today.