Customer Reviews

Under A Sun

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

 

 

From the strums of the unassuming "Here's One for You" that quickly turns into an epic search for a place to call one's own, throughout the 13 tracks of Witness U.K.'s sophomore CD Under a Sun, a major band announces itself with simplicity and power. Songwriter Gerard Starkie doesn't flinch in the face of big U2-like emotions, or embarrass himself with overreach the way other bands have with which Witness U.K. share a passing resemblance: The Waterboys, the Verve, Van Morrison, R.E.M.. Their debut, Before the Calm, was very good, but no preparation for the quantum leap of Under a Sun. Whereas the debut was all elliptical mystery, Under a Sun is a sucker punch to the gut. Each of the 12 cuts make immediate and deep connections, sharing with an audience its search for belonging ("My Time Alone"), for closure ("Closing Up"), for literal meaning amidst the metaphoric ruins (the timely "Avalanche"). Every year there are dozens of records to enjoy and very few to get passionate about. Here's one to live with and adore.

This is the first album I've bought on the strength of magazine reviews in a long time. But I'm so glad I took that leap of faith. This band sound like they are from Georgia instead of the the North of England where they started off. The melodies are wonderful without being cliched, the vocals/harmonies are gorgeous and expansive, the guitar is reminiscent of the Byrds and REM (but since when was that a problem ?). A description such as "REM with a smile on their face" may be apt but doesn't cover the depth and joy present in this material. Wonderful.

This band, and the lead singer/writer, Gerard Starkie, deserve much more fame then they're gotten.

A glorious rush of big tunes, surging choruses effervescent guitars and universal lyrics is how the movies/music mag uncut described 'under a sun' and i couldn't put it any better myself, fans of alt country bands like the jayhawks, golden smog and wilco should check this out. also worth checking out would be another english band by the name of grand drive and their debut 'road music' that could be described in exactly the same way.

The debut album from Witness showed that they are a band of great promise.Well on this follow up,"Under A Sun" they have certainly delivered on this promise.With a sound that reminds me of the very best of early R.E.M. they actually sound very much like an American band.In fact most of the musical influences seem to have been derived from American bands of that ilk-it comes as a big surprise to know that they are in fact English.

From the first minute of this band 80's R.E.M. and other bands like The Bryds certainly come to mind.The music itself is full of acoustic guitars,swirling electric guitars,guitars with an alt country sound-yes they are indeed very much a guitar band.The song structures are simplicity in itself-verse/bridge and very strong anthem type chorus'.The vocals have excellent multi-layered harmonies that make the comparisons with R.E.M.'s "Murmur" c.d. even stronger.It's hard to pick a weak track on this c.d.-basically what we have are 13 of the highest quality songs that will have you singing along to them after only a few listens.The songs have a beautiful mixture in tempo-ranging from the slower more thoughtful songs to the faster paced 'pub favourites'.The only fault I would have with this album is that it is quite predictable.The songs do have a real sense of familiarity to them and detractors may say that we've heard this type of music a million times before.But then if you can write songs as strong as these why should you need to put in experiments.This is a relatively new band and the time for experiments may come on album 3 or 4.And on the basis of this fine album they'll be around for a long time yet!

If you bought and liked the first Witness CD, "Before the Calm," adjust your hearing apparatus ahead of time for this new one, because it's completely different from the band's debut. Where the first one was sparse, dark and rough-edged, "Under a Sun" is bigger, brighter and more polished. Nothing against the first one -- it was one of my faves of 2000, and the fact that it went by so unnoticed is criminal.

Having said that, I disagree with some reviewers who have made it sound like the new one is a quantum leap above "Before The Calm." I don't think it is -- I like them equally. It's just hard to compare them when they sound so different. In a way this echoes the Radiohead "The Bends" vs "OK Computer" debate.

Anyways, the new Witness album is roots rock with a British twist. Imagine if Counting Crows or Train were from the UK, and you'll get an idea of what "Under a Sun" sounds like. Thing is, it's all really fantastic stuff, and is much better than most of the banal "roots rock" that has surfaced here in the States recently. Great tunes, emotive vocals, soaring harmonies -- it's all here in spades. This could be a huge hit if/when it gets a domestic release, IF people pay attention.

Buy it, whether you're already a Witness fan or not! And hope for a US release soon. An album this good shouldn't be limited to one side of the pond.

Having falling in love with their debut I was very disappointed with this attempt at a record. Ive never been a fan of bands that choose to over polish their albums its too crisp and far too bright musically and emotionally. I am a little biased as I often lean more towards the slower songs from an album but again thats why Before The Calm was a big joy for me. Granted bands should develop etc etc but bands should also stay true to what suits them best. I bought this album a few years back gods knows where Ive put it properly stright in the bin, couldnt bring myself to sell it to give somebody else the misfortune of listening to it. Stick with the first album

See my review of this CD under its import listing.