Customer Reviews

Too Close to You

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

 

 

This CD posesses none of the edginess and hints of danger of the previous release. The songs are pleasant but completely forgettable. From start to finish this disc screams, or perhaps utters in a monotone, of "okay-ness"

It's finally here... a new album from the World's Premiere Vocal-Pop Band. It's digging it's way into my heart just like 'ETMS' did when I first discovered these guys. 'Too Close..' is chock-full of pop gems just like all their other CD's. You'll be singing along in no time! The Cosmic's stylings on this release range from what I'd call their 'signature' sound to a more modern sound that mimics the 'gloomy melancholly' style that's become so prevalent today. Their sound is different in that the lyrics and vibe are more reflective and thoughtful than gloomy and generally resolve with uplifting Choruses sung with beautifully cascading harmonies.

Real 12-string guitars, power chords, chorus'ed guitars, synth sounds, keyboards and an interesting mix of guitar lines, vocal harmonies and special effects pop up all throughout. The band is tight as always, but almost gone is the very fine acoustic guitar work that has graced their previous efforts. I especially liked the way they mixed the acoustic guitar into their sound and was pleased to discover that their "Because You" singles (1) and (2) have 4 very good tunes/ballads done acoustically, including CSNY's 'Helplessly Hoping', done better than the original! The album is incomplete without these 2 singles....don't think twice, buy them, they're a bargain.

(The Cosmic's web site has samples of all of the songs on the main album for your preview if Amazon doesn't have them yet. Realize, the songs 'in whole' are much better than a few of the short samples might lead you to believe.)

Overall, this album is on a par with the band's previous efforts; in other words, as good as they get! I was pleased to hear them stretch their style a bit. Not that I didn't like their other material, but because they've demonstrated a fantastic range of styles that should keep them in the business for a long, long time.

God-speed to the Cosmic's and former member, Daniel Wylie. Keep the great stuff coming our way guy's! Thanks!

Now, go click 'Add to Cart' and enjoy the best music you're going to hear this year!

This band shouldn't be confused with the one that made wonderful Enjoy the melodic sunshine. There's a new line up. Missing is Daniel Wylie, the guy who wrote and sang the songs and boy does it show. On the evidence of Too close to see far, his replacement, Stephen Fleming has some distance to go before he reaches the giddy heights of his former band mate in both the song writing and singing departments. There are one or two good songs, Because you and Justify the rain but mostly it's blandness that verges on middle of the road like a bad version of the Eagles. I can't see them surviving as there are too many great bands around these days. CRR = RIP.

This is nothing short of lovely music - every track (perhaps, interestingly enough, apart from the first single "because you") is stunning and catchy. It has been accused of being derivatve, but to me and everyone who's heard it, its quality. Part of a music genre which is underrated and sadly fading. My advice - get behind the band, buy the album, singles etc to give them greater notiriety. Because quite frankly, they deserve it. The proof is in the pudding - buy the album.
cheers
the norwich crew

Well, now we know who was responsible for the Cosmic Rough Rider's rich sound of their previous releases- Daniel Wylie. You will notice that this review is more serious than my review of "Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine". That is because "Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine" was an excellent release, and "Too Close to See Far" signifies the end of the Cosmic Rough Riders, and that's a very sad thing because there are so few talented bands out there. Now we have one less talented band to look forward to.
Daniel Wylie does not appear on this release. However, he has just released a solo cd that is supposed to be pretty good, although I have not heard it yet. My guess is that his solo release is going to be better than this Cosmic Rough Riders release. That's because all of the personality and pretty harmonies that are found on previous releases are now gone. What we are left with is an album that sounds like late '70's or early 80's pop-rock that borders on the arena rock style of late 70's Eagles, and at times even sounds like Asia or Boston.
There are a couple of songs that sound like Collective Soul or
some other not-so-bad radio bands from the 90's. I can't even remember the names of any songs and I have listened to this release a few times.
It sounds like they were originally going for a more modern radio sound, but they were never that type of band so they can't even pull that off. The harmonies are still there but they are over-compressed and sound fake. It almost sounds like some of the harmonies are digitally created or coming from an effects unit. I just don't hear a distinction of voices except on a couple songs. Furthermore, the lead vocals have a total generic quality which undermines everything that the Cosmics were all about.
All in all, I can still listen to this release and get a little bit of enjoyment out of it. It isn't terrible, but it sure is a far cry from the real Cosmic Rough Riders. No humor here folks---Mick Daisy

On it's own merits, this cd is a good one. There are some standout tracks, Kill the time, Stupid You (written by Mark Brown, the bands drummer), Need to Fly, and many others. The singles are good. Everything is just that, Good.
I ask, what is wrong with good? Most of the reviews here seem to compare this record to Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine. Enjoy is a great album. Why do most people insist on keeping things the same. If you listen to all of the earlier Cosmic records, they have a very common thread....the harmonies, lead by the master Daniel Wylie. Pure Escapism (the singles collection), Panorama (the first) and Deliverence (just before Enjoy), are all very familiar and very polished. Great production, perfect recording, great song writing.
However, Daniel decided to walk away, and Fleming, Brown, Clifford and Cuthbert continued on, thankfully!!!
This album is NOT your mothers Cosmic. It is rough, it is raspy, it is stripped down. It is also nice, soothing and well worth the price of purchase. It is different, but that is good. Daniel Wylie does have a cd out, and it is GOOD too, not great. Both parties would probably benefit from merging once again, but they will both survive, above the level of mediocrity that most bands reside in, and they should both be around for a while.
A good record if judged for what it is, an evolving Wylieless Cosmic.

PS....On August third 2004 I saw Cosmic perform in L.A. The opening act was a band called the Zutons (check them out, amazing new act). The show was excellent. They played to a crowd of under 150 people (perfect!!!). After the show My pal and I hung out with the boys for a while, chatting, clinking glasses, etc... After that show, and the time spent with them I went back and listened with clean lenses and fresh ears. The album is bumped to a a 4 now. Good solid 3 and a half to 4. They also did several old Cosmic tunes.....Revolution in the Summertime, The Pain Inside, The Gun isn't Loaded, Baby you're so free. Go see this lineup and be pleasantly surprised.

After the amazing "Enjoy the melodic sunshine" , CCR return with an awesome follow-up. Danny Wylie left for a solo career leaving Stephen Flemming as lead vocalist. He does a fantastic job. Just listen to "Because you" and you will see what I mean. They're style is more straight forward rock on this one. Very similar to
"Teenage Fanclub" circa "Grand prix". Beautiful melodic pop-rock
to be enjoyed by anyone. Get it!

From major league to major disappointment, that's how this record sounds when compared to their first record, Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine. Something went wrong along the way between then and this record, who knows what but there's something different about this one (not just the new singer). A few songs hit the nail good on the head. Because You, Justify The Rain and Need To Fly all sound okay but the sound has been shaved down and is skinny. It's not just the new singer who sounds different, it's the whole band. It's like they swapped instruments and play them in another style with a different feel. It reminds me of 70's fm like Boston or Toto when it used to be like The Beatles and the Beach Boys, now that's a mighty come down. If you're buying this record, don't expect the same sound as before. You may like it if you like Toto but there's only one Beatles influence on here, She's Never Around but it's George, not John or Paul. My advice is try before you buy to make sure you will like it.

This album is ok but losed something from last album. Still its got some songs and the sweet melodics but too smooth and need rough edge. A bit of a let down sorry.