Customer Reviews

Tournament of Hearts

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

 

 

All right, so it doesn't have the levels and intricacy of Shine a Light. Shine a Light also wasn't this friggin' catchy. Yeah! They've retained their signature sound, but have created an album that's catchier than most pop songs, memorable and hum-worthy, yet by no means pedestrian or conventional. It's a crime that this album is getting only three and a half stars from you people. It's WAY better than that. Webb's voice is only getting gruffer and scratchier, and when he sings about the torture of love, you believe it. I cannot recommend this album enough. My 3rd favorite of 2005.

On the surface, these reviews are nearly scathing enough to pronounce an impending doom of this highly original and genuine rock ensemble, especially since they attacked the dreaded "sophomore slump" head-on with their best endeavor yet ("Shine A Light"). I see this release as simply more insular and emotive than its predecessors. Whereas "Shine A Light" was more daring and eclectic, "Tournament" is sprawling and brooding, almost like a story that needs a climatic finale to make the plot worthwhile, but never actually comes to fruition. From a personal level, after being so enamored with their previous efforts, this is a welcome progression. Granted, it's not perfect and the quantity is substantially less, but the music is as triumphant, engaging, and mercurial as ever. Cheers to The Constantines on this fine album.

Honestly, as much as Bryan Webb has a hoarse, gruff voice, there's nothing that irks me more than reading a review of these guys that compares them to Bruce Springsteen, because all that's being examined is the voice. Still, his voice complements the Constantines' music, which - with its strong guitar riffs, intense bass drum pounding, and occasional saxaphone inclusions - is a refreshing change from all the emo passing as rock today. This is a band that makes me want to be a musician every time I listen to them, and while Shine A Light was their strongest, this is an impressive follow-up, particularly considering that it's the band's third and they've yet to hit a slump. They've been consistent over three albums, and judging from how tight they are when they play live, it's likely that this album will only be the third in a long line of great albums. The first, second, and fifth tracks in particular get repeated over and over on my CD player, but what makes the Constantines (and this album) great is that some of their songs get repeated because they're even better than the rest of the already great album, not because they're the only tolerable songs on a mediocre album. This one's worth buying.

The Constantines, darlings of the Toronto indie scene, are at it again with the Sub Pop release Tournament of Hearts. Following their highly acclaimed Shine a Light, Bry Webb and the rest of the Cons deliver another impressive album of post/punk/rock & roll bliss. Tournament reveals a new progression for the Constantines, while staying true to the sound that made Shine a Light so great. The difference was probably affected by the presence of Oneida's Bobby Matador during most of their recording, and listeners familiar with both bands should be able to discern Oneida's influence. Tournament of Hearts should not disappoint existing Constantines fans or anyone else that is lucky enough to pick this album up.

Tournament begins with "Draw Us Lines," a song consisting entirely of one chord. Most bands could never successfully pull off such a feat, but Bry Webb's passionate singing and lyrics, combined with the ability to create a flow that circumvents monotony, allows the Cons to work it into an interesting track. The rest of the tracks are varied enough to keep anyone from becoming bored even after many listens. The album contains "Hotline Operator," which was originally released as a B-side on the "Nighttime-Anytime" single, and my personal favorite, "Soon Enough," a track with a Western feel that manages to be both mellow and upbeat, with catchy guitar-work tied together perfectly with Webb's singing.

The greatest aspect of Tournament of Hearts is Bry Webb's singing. His voice convinces you of the truth of the emotion and power of his songs. With so many bands either sounding whiny or bland, especially when it comes to songs even remotely addressing the subject of love, it is refreshing to hear it done the way it was meant to be: emotion without mushiness, rock without bland lyrics, and execution that seems not at all phony.

I'm a big Constantines fan, absolutely loved Shine a Light. This album goes off in a more somber, subdued direction, and I don't really like the change, at all. Don't get me wrong, it's an o.k. record, I'll still listen to it, but it definitely won't get as many spins as Shine a Light did. Furthermore, there's only 10 songs, and the last 3 are fillers in my opinion. So basically what we've got here is an E.P. with about 3 really good songs.