Under the Influence of Giants

Under the Influence of Giants | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 8, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B000GFRJ80
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,833 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

When you call your band Under the Influence of Giants, you're expected to somehow be the sum of your roots, but this L.A. outfit defies easy categorization. As their self-titled debut Island Records album bears out, the Giants' funk-inflected, hook-saturated pop-soul is a combination of the Talking Heads' African poly-rhythmic groove ("Ah-ha," "Got Nuthin'"), the ethereal falsettos of Michael Jackson and Prince ("Mama's Room"), the blue-eyed R&B of Hall & Oates and George Michael ("In the Clouds"), the insinuating melodic pop of Rubber Soul ("Stay Illogical"), Earth, Wind & Fire's horn-driven, noirish funk ("Against All Odds"), McCartney's winsome balladry ("Lay Me Down") and even the throbbing beat of post-hip-hop by way of Madonna ("Meaningless Love").

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pop Album To Beat In 2006!, August 29, 2006

By 

Alan Caylow (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Influence of Giants (Audio CD)

I came across this amazing album by the new L.A. group Under The Influence Of Giants while it was playing in a music store. I was instantly knocked out by this group's ton-of-fun hybrid of pop, rock, disco, and funk. They've got catchy hooks coming out of their ears, perfect pop sensibilities & musicianship, and a totally fab lead singer named Aaron Bruno. This is easily the most finger-snappin', head-bobbin', booty-shakin' album I've heard so far this year. Yes, it's that good. I can't get enough of such groovy tunes like "Mama's Room," "Got Nothing," "Heaven Is Full," "Against All Odds," and "Meaningless Love." Even the album's lone ballad, "Lay Me Down," is perfect pop. UTIOG's self-titled debut is my pick for Best Pop Album Of 2006 (so far). I'm definitely under the influence of Under The Influence Of Giants, and I hope you will be too. They are an awesome band---long may they rock!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh & Unique, August 10, 2006

By 

M Fan (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under the Influence of Giants (Audio CD)

This album blends 70's funk-disco/80's pop/90's rock/00's electronica all in one. It is refreshing to hear something that is truly unique that you can dance to or just jam to in your car. They also apparently have another whole ablum called "B.... City" which is unreleased.

Two of the members (singer and guitarist) used to be in a group called "Home Town Hero" (check it out on amazon), which is a totally different style (more rock - a la: Hoobastank). I like that they didn't have to stay pigeon-holed and were able to explore this new sound they now have as UTIOG.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FUTURE CLASSIC INDEED!!!, October 13, 2006

By 

Larry Davis "powerpoplarry" (NYC/Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under the Influence of Giants (Audio CD)

Honestly, I thought I reviewed this album already, but I guess I didn't...well, here we go again!!! I agree with the reviewer that this debut rekkid by UTIOG will, in 10+ years, be viewed as a future classic, and right now, I think it's an easy contender for my top 10 of 2006...possibly best DEBUT album of this year, no doubt!!!

This band is just so dang groovy...an LA counterpart to the Scissor Sisters. Like the Sisters, they take a dance/soul/funk element and mix it with new wave-ish postpunk a-la Franz Ferdinand and killer pop instincts, and come up with a breezy sound all their own, no easy feat.

Just caught the band live, by chance, last night at Hofstra University on Long Island, on a bill with the hard-rocking Damone (whom I mainly went to see), the new wavish, so-so Ima Robot, and the headlining powerpoppers All-American Rejects. I flipped, as I had no idea they were on the bill too, and I would have brought the CD otherwise...BTW, BestBuy has an exclusive 2CD edition with 2 bonus tracks...the awesome hard rocking "On My Own" (which they played in their set), and a cool remix of the groovy "Mama's Room"). Oh, as great as their record is, they might be an even BETTER live band!!! They just KILLED!!! They had energy to burn, Aaron prowled the stage like he was born to do it...sporting stylish threads too like a baby blue tux, and David, the bass player, is my new bass hero...playing left-handed too!!! Drew was manic on the stage, unleashing riffs that were unique and worked in the songs, melodically and rhythmically, and drummer/keyboardist Jamin had the groove going, constantly in the pocket.

Oh, and their songs are amazing, with killer hooks, great singing...Aaron's got this killer falsetto on par with Jake from the Sisters, and awesome stage presence.

Watch this band...seriously...AWESOME, nice guys too, espesh Aaron, hung out with 'em after their set, intelligent and really friendly. I hope UTIOG will be around for a while...we kinda need em around to blow people's minds.