Customer Reviews

Torch the Moon

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

 

 

Tim Freedman delivers once again what weve come to expect of the Whitlams - an album full of mellow ballads and the occasional brighter tune. Some of their best work, I believe, are the more upbeat tunes like "Back into the Wild", as opposed to their classic semi-depressing songs like the Charlie series from Eternal Nightcap. "gone Surfing" and "Out The Back" are two songs perfect for a slack sunny afternoon lying on the grass. My personal favourite is the final song, "Ease of the Midnight Visit" which wraps up the main CD flawlessly.
Interestingly, perhaps the five best songs, in my opinion, were not included in the main CD, instead being relegated to the bonus CD. "Witness Protection Scheme" is a great song to chill to, whereas the final two are the more upbeat type I was talking about.
This is a great CD, but make sure you buy the one with the bonus CD to get five more gems.

At first listening, I wasn't as impressed with "Torch the Moon" as with the Whitlam's previous album "Love This City". Having listened several times, the depth of lyrics and sheer power of much of the music on "Torch the Moon" has won me over. It's the best CD yet from the talented Tim Freedman.

The tracks range from the melancholy to the humorous. The title song is a moving insight into a suicidal mind. The emotional "Kate Kelly", perhaps the most powerful song on the album, is a reflection on the thoughts of the sister of Australia's most notorious bushranger after his execution and the death under police fire of her suspected lover, another of the Kelly gang. On the lighter side, "Gone Surfing" is an upbeat echo of the 1960s (and sounds a little like The Cruel Sea), whilst there are a number of quieter ballads, mostly about aspects of love.

The vocals are strong and backing singers fill out the sound in a number of tracks, much more than on previous Whitlams' albums. The instrumentation, especially some of the piano lines, ranges from the pretty to the dramatic. There's good use of lead guitar in parts, and wide variation in the types of rhythm featured on different songs.

All in all, a terrific album, one that will be played over and over. There are no dud tracks, and a couple that will get lots and lots of airplay, I suspect.

I really enjoy listening to this album, as I feel it is different to other whitlams albums. The Guitar is featured more and adds a great touch to the songs. My personal favorite tracks are "Royal In The Afternoon" & "I Will Not Go Quietly", these songs are fun to listen to and have great lyrics.

Torch The Moon is without a doubt the best album of 2002. It is vertually flawless. More so then the previous four albums, Torch the Moon really displays Tim Freedman's enormous musical talents. Each of the thirteen tracks is a beautiful work of art that leaves you wanting more. For those lucky enough to get the limited edition double CD that wish is granted with the bonus CD, entitled Side 4, containing five bonus tracks that didn't make the album. Although every song on this album is fantastic there are a few that really stand out. Cries Too Hard, I Will Not Go Quietly, Best Work, and the first single Fall For You are all incredible tracks that can be listened to over and over again and will only make you want to hear more. My personal favorite is Kate Kelly based on the novel Our Kate. It tells the story of the sister of Australia's greatest hero, Ned Kelly. Although Whitlam's songs, like Kate Kelly, are written about Australian issues and culture they are still beautiful pieces of music that anyone anywhere can enjoy. I highly recommend this album and this band to all fans of great music for they are truely one of the greatest.