Customer Reviews

Up All Night

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

 

 

I was in London last summer and saw an advertisement for the album in the tube. It said it was one of the best debut albums in years. I bought it, not having heard any of the songs and haven't been able to stop playing it since.

I am currently living in iceland where i get British and German MTV, let me just say that this is what the "original" american edition should aspire to be like. They play all the indie/underground artists' videos that in the states you could only read about(i.e. no JoJo and her ilk clogging the time slots). Even then bands like this would probably get no coverage, except in your more ecclectic rags. Let me say that I heard just one track off this album, #9 Stumble & Fall, last night and i instantly bought the whole thing. In the tradition of the new wave of bands coming out right now The Libertines, Strokes, all "garage" music etc. Thats the sound you can expect here, only i find that in the other albums, save few, a couple of tracks left me wanting. This, however, is very consistent record of tunes to rock to. Buy it you won't be disappointed.

I bought this CD on the spot after hearing just one track being played over the PA system in a record store on Florida. To me the vibe is less raw and more produced than other bands that they have been linked with.Really up tempo stuff, you had better watch your speed if you listen to it in the car. I play it alongside Maroon 5, Midtown, The Strokes and Feeder. Don't listen to the hype, listen to the music, Up all night is the best CD I have bought this year.

This group shares a lot with The Libertines : a tendency for badly produced songs and bragging about how great they are; as to Razorlight, I must confess, this holds true enough. This is rock at its rawest, and even so, they find the genius to pen a song as beautiful as "Golden Touch". The punch of "Rip it up" is also amazing, makes you wanna jump like crazy. "Stumble and Fall" is another favourite of mine, but the whole CD is worth it. It was a real good surprise this turned out to be far better than the highly-praised Libertines second outing. Maybe the critics are looking at the wrong direction

I am not sure what this version really is. Amazon has it listed with the same tracks as the much cheaper standard U.S. version.

Although known as Johnny Borrell's band, Razorlight lays down an incredible screaming raw wall of sound with a constantly surprising thread of brilliant chords and subtle themes intertwined to make you smile at all the right places. Sometimes it's a new song, sometimes it's a pause or phrase, always it's a brilliant layering of song, lyric, and sound.

These guys formed in 02 and have paid dues on the London scene with all the famous names. It shows in every track. They are more than ready and this album is it. Johnny Borrell is nothing less than spectacular and bandmembers Björn Ågren, Christian Smith-Pancorvo, and Carl Dalemo make it all work. Andy Burrows has now replaced Christian Smith-Pancorvo on drums.

For a great run start the album with In The City/To The Sea/Fall, Fall, Fall - this is one of the best sequential runs ever recorded. Personally I think they sound like Razorlight, but if I was into categorizing everything by the obvious influences I would say something like:

A male version of Patti Smith forgetting the lyrics to Gloria as he is invaded by the ghost of Lou Reed while being backed by John Cage and Velvet Underground. The unexpected transition into To The Sea evolves into a Kings-Of-Leon Talihina Sky-ish piece that drops like an unexpected waterfall into the lilting acoustics of Fall, Fall Fall. It certainly isn't Dylan (some reviewers seem to think any significant lyric sounds like dear old Bob).

Everybody justifiably raves about Rock `n' roll Lies/Eyes and Leave Me Alone but this is one of those extremely rare albums that holds together very well with each track becoming part of the cuts before and after. It's almost a shame to talk about any single song when they all fit together so perfectly.

As with most bands these days, there is a plethora of extra and bonus tracks on CD Singles, EPs, Albums, DVDs, Import, Export, Japanese, U.S., U.K. and other versions. To help you though the chaos, here is a current list of the Razorlight track releases that are not on the standard CD Album releases:

Action!
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah
Here It Comes
Spirit
Yes, You Should Know
When He Was Twenty
Heartbreak Soup
Just Can't Explain
Fairy Tale Of New York
For Georgia
Bright Lights
Dean Take Your Time
Losing Your Mind
Get It And Go
(hardest to find - only on import with bonus & import with bonus DVD albums)
Hang By, Hang By
Control!
Dagger In Your Heart
Believe In Me
Anabelle Says
Hey Ya!
Somewhere Else
Keep The Right Profile

There are some additional live, remix, and video tracks in addition to the songs listed above.

Ever since they have been out, I have been a loyal Razorlight fan. I love their music and the CD will just blow you away. I love the songs "Vice", "Golden Touch", "Rock and Roll Lies", and "Fall, Fall, Fall." This CD is wonderful!

i got one of these songs (golden touch) on a mix cd and bought the whole album immediately. they sound like ted leo lost his political consciousness, went girl crazy, then hooked up with the libertines. if that helps. this band is awesome.

Razorlight's "Up All Night" is definitely a fun and catchy album. The problem, however, is the fact that the singer noticably rips off of The Strokes' Julian, and that the lyrics and songs are pretty cheesy and forgettable. They definitely know how to create some great hooks though (see "Rock N Roll Lies" and "Stumble & Fall", especially). The band doesn't sound unique at all - you can pinpoint several influences (but mainly it's The Strokes). Their saving grace is that most of the tracks here are pretty good-if-not forgettable. The musicianship is usually solid and clean - you can see potential here. It just barely jumps from a "3" to a "3.5". Rock fans will probably be satisfied with this album, but they won't "love" it. All things aside I would slightly recommend this.

Highlights include:
"Leave Me Alone" (sort of)
"Rock N Roll Lies"
"Up All Night" (sort of)
"Rip It Up"
"Don't Go Back To Dalston"
"Golden Touch"
"To The Sea"
the rest aren't really good
"Stumble & Fall"