Customer Reviews

Turn

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One part Gaelic Storm, one part Waterboys and one part Jimmy Buffett: that's Turn, one of the latest high-energy offerings from Great Big Sea. As usual there's some good hearty Irish cheer, some straight-ahead modern rock and an occasional ballad to make you cry over your Guinness. It's the kind of party where the dance floor is shared by fast dances, slow dances and hyper jigs in equal measure. "Consequence Free" could almost be a pop single, "I'm a Rover" is a pub floor-stomper just waiting to happen, and "Old Brown's Daughter" shows a four-part a-capella tune as harmonic as Queen and as soulful as the Chieftains at their best. I think you get the picture by now.. I'll just add that though there are some sad moments, the overall tone is one of blue skies, sunshine and good times with good friends. Turn up loud and enjoy.

I was a little scared when I found this CD in the Rock and Roll section at my local music store, because as a traditionalist, I tend to dislike associating Rock and Roll with Celtic music, but this recording radically changed my views. Although the band rocks it (in the Celtic sense) with songs such as "Can't Stop Falling", and "Bad As I Am", the respect for tradition is still there in "Jack Hinks", and "Captain Wedderburn", among others. The band acknowledges their traditional roots, but kicks it up a notch with the more modern drums and bass guitars. In doing so, they make a strong effort to appeal to the modern Rock and Roll fans, while still staying true to their origin. This is the music that will put Celtic music into mainstream Rock and Roll, a place where it can get the publicity that it deserves. This is definately not the traditional Ceilidh fiddling I am accustomed to, but who cares? The energy that Great Big Sea possesses makes "Turn" a must have for any fan of Celtic music, traditional or modern.

I can not say enough good things about this album Great Big Sea out did themselves with this one. They do a wonderful job interpreting the traditional songs from the slow sweet ones like "Captain Wedderburn" to the rolling excitement behind "Jack Hinks." The band's original songs don't fail to deliever either. They will make you smile and squeeze your heart alternatively. I can not listen to this album with out feeling good about the world in general. It makes me happy everytime I put it in the CD player and I plot out when I can get to another concert.

Ever since I bought this CD I have not been able to remove it from my CD player... It's amazing. "Consequence Free" was actually on "Jack & Jill" a few weeks ago - hopefully it'll get radio play somewhere... haven't heard it in Atlanta yet. This music will pep you up and make you want to smile! These guys have not had a bad album, but this is more radio-friendly, so I hope they get popular in the US so they'll tour down South! I saw them in NYC a few years ago and have been hooked on their music ever since.

I've liked these guys since I caught their "Snowjob" concert on MuchMusic. I couldn't believe how well they played together, constantly changing instruments, and all taking turns singing the songs. Then I tracked down the albums and found them to be absolutely wonderful. There's just this great feel to their music; you think you're sitting in a pub, listening to them play, and you just sing along as though it's the most natural thing in the world.

This album really shows off their maturing style as well; the music is more complex, but no less infectious. They still trade off vocals, and there's more than enough inspiration to sing along in the car or office as you listen to it. I've got all their albums, and this is fast becoming my favorite. In this day and age of pre-programmed "rock stars," or groups that are assembled solely on their looks and dancing ability, it amazes me that a group that is this GOOD, and this TALENTED are still a well-kept secret. I know I try to get all my friends to listen to them!

This is a fun, well-crafter cd. Great Big Sea offer great fun in tunes like the energetic "I'm A Rover" to solemn moments as in the excellent "Boston and St. Johns" and "Feel it Turn".

This band is the best celtic band out there now and do a great job of mixing traditional celtic tunes with their own songs. One of the best things about this cd, and their music in general, is the imagery they present. You almost feel like you know what being a sailor in Newfoundland singing jaunty tunes is like.

"Turn" and "Rant and Roar" (a kind of best of up until a few years ago) have what I think are their finest moments. "Rant and Roar" has a better range of their classic Irish tunes ("Lukey", "Mari-Mac")whereas "Turn" has a better mix to old and new. With either of these cds, or for that matter any by Great Big Sea, you won't go wrong. You'll find your legs bouncing and your lips movin'.

Turn is the latest of the fantastic "Great Big Sea" albums, a lively dance from one should-be-a-hit song to another. An all-guy band, Great Big Sea shows it in its sometimes mischievous, sometimes sensitive, always masculine music both new and old.

In the tradition of "Ordinary Day", the album starts with a bang: The racing, pounding rhythms of "Consequence Free", showing deep longing to break free of restraints. "Can't Stop Falling" is the summary of a young man falling for a woman, as toe-tapping as the first. "Feel It Turn" is slightly disappointing, since the voices blend in a rather distracting manner during the chorus.

"Jack Hinks" is one of the more mischievous, devil-may-care songs; "Boston and St. John's" is heartrending, a man leaving his girlfriend and telling her, "There isn't that much ocean/between Boston and St. John's..." and then asking, "I'm a rover and I'm bound to sail away/I'm a rover, can you love me anyway?"

"Margarita" pops back to the lighter love songs, chronicling a guy's nervousness about speaking to someone called Margarita in a bar. I found "Trois Navires De Ble" to be a bit annoying, but "Demasduit Dream" hooked me back in, a haunting dream-song with some great imagery.

"Old Brown's Daughter" is a musicless ballad to the unattainable Miss Brown. The next two songs aren't for the kiddies: "I'm A Rover" is about a wanderer who shows up at his girlfriend's bedroom window; "Captain Wedderburn" is a charming old song about a man who is in love with his master's daughter, and she makes a bargain--answer a riddle and she will sleep with him. "Bad As I Am" ends the album on the same note it began on, full circle to the fun runaround.

A small note: I think that the format of the songs may have been changed somewhat in the US.

I enjoyed this music so much - I continually listen to it while at work - and turn it up towards the end of the day. I had the experience of seeing them live at the NACA National Convention this past February, and a few years back on the MuchMusic station - I couldn't wait to own the CD!

If you love music with an incredible heart throbbing beat, and genuine lyrics - please consider this CD.

Great Big Sea has been my favorite band for 3 years now, eversince I discovered them from a New York Times article. Only"Rant & Roar" and "Turn" are available in the US, three other albums are available in Canada. They are on tour right now - saw them last night (for the 4th time) in NYC. As amazing as the CD's are, 'live' is just beyond belief. Everyone in the audience was dancing and singing, and GBS fans are the best - so friendly and fun. Don't miss 'em! Also, thanks to GBS, I've discovered the 'trad' sea chantey scene which is alive and well. END

This is a somewhat darker, richer record than Up or Play, and it shows a lot of growth in songwriting. The music is more complex and the issues a bit more mature -- perhaps because the band members have grown as a result of the large amounts of time they spend touring. "Feel it Turn," "Demasduit Dream," and "Boston and St. John's" are special highlights among the record's original tracks: the first soars, the second makes your heart beat and your fist clench, and the last perfectly captures the moment of waking up and wishing you didn't have to leave the comfort of where you are to get where you'd like to be. The traditional tracks, too, are well-done, from the Chieftains' guest turn on "Trois Navires de Ble" to the rollicking "Jack Hinks" to the sincere "Old Brown's Daughter."

"Turn" also shows improvement in the guys' vocal skills: 300 days of touring per year -- or rather, the singing time that goes along with that -- have improved the band members' voices, on both the sensitive tracks ("Captain Wedderburn") and the wild ones("I'm a Rover"). And just listen for the smile in the singing on "Consequence Free." It's there.