Customer Reviews

True Skies

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

 

 

I bought this cd thinking that if The Shining had former members of the Verve in it then it must be killer. I was not disappointed. Unlike Richard Ashcrofts solo efforts, the Shining carry on the Verve sound to different levels with this album. While not an exact copy of the Verve, the Shining have some of that same groove and with vocals that sound like a mix between Ian Brown (from the Stone Roses) and Richard Ashcroft, the Shining are keeping the dream alive.

I bought this album not because I was expecting a high quality record, but because of my devotion to whatever the former members of The Verve produce in music. Turns out the album is exceptional nonetheless. A 'no frills', hard rockin', hard hittin' album created by talented, dare I say "veteran" musicians. The singer is equally explosive, soulful, and has a swagger about him that is missing in many of these indie pop/rock darlings. But don't be confused, The Shining are (were? I think they split up) not "indie" but rather hard rock with a classic rock appeal that I so beg for in recent years of over-pollinization. Every song on here is excellent, or like in the case of "Until The End," epic. (The rhythm on "Find Your Way Home" is brilliantly fluid.) An album for the casual rock fan as well as Verve fans. A buried gem I will be going back to again and again.

I suppose if you cant have the Verve this would be the next best thing. Cool vibe to the disk, I love it.

The first track definitely rocks, but most of the album is a little droning and a tad gay. I was a HUGE Verve fan and there are spots where that magic comes to the surface, but overall some pretty weak songwriting in my opinion. A nice fill-in for people desperately missing the Verve, but nowhere near as good.

If you felt as though the world would end when the various members of The Verve went their separate ways - then this one's for you. The Shining have produced one of the finest albums of the decade. Richard Ashcroft thought he was The Verve - he thought they could not exist without him, well this album puts his solo work to shame. From track one this album is top class - it grows in stature as it moves on, and by the time you get to the closing stages of the album with tracks like "I am the one" and "Danger" you will be gaping in admiration. Mr Ashcroft you have some work to do if you hope to record anything close to this in stature during your solo career.