Customer Reviews

Up All Night

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the standard U.S. version. It lacks any of the bonus tracks, but is still a great introduction to a fantastic new band.

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.

Razorlight is what many people will be calling the "UK Strokes." Having sat down and listend to their debut almbum several times, I am hear to tell you that Razorlight is much more. True, the bands sound is reminicent to IS THIS IT? where Razorlight differs in two key areas: firstly the clarity of the vocals (no fuzzy mumblings here), and secondly the lyrics are super sharp. I mean razor sharp (pun intended). "In the City" a jittery, stream of conciousness rant brought one name to my mind: Dylan. The song is also impressive because of how angular it is, with it's dramatic pauses and frentic build up. This song alone will dispell any notions of ripping off The Strokes. "Golden Touch" the band's first single, is a catchy and impressive song with an infectious riff. Another key track is the jolly bar ditty "Which Was is Out" (a song that begs to be heard live in a dark, smokey pub). The painfully honest "Rock 'n Roll Lies" thumps and bumps along. I probably could have done without the overly lengthy "To the Sea"-only becuase it seem continues long after it's made it's point. That one hiccup aside, I found myself continually impressed with all the little joys tucked away inside UP ALL NIGHT. The humble stuttering on "Fall Fall Fall," or the mummering crowd noise that begins "Which Was is Out." Muscially the album's sound varries and each song has a unique texture. Razorlight has crafted a deceptivly simple sounding album with intircasies beyond the usual rock stereotypes. The band's poetic lyrics and loud garage rock ethic will carry carry them futher than any mere Strokes rip off.

While vacationing in England during the summer, I stumbled across I bunch of brilliant british bands. It was made quite clear to me while there for two weeks, that British rock music is better than anything coming out of America. An exciting music revolution is taking place, and bands like Kasabian, Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, the Kaiser Chiefs and the best of them all, The Libertines are at the forefront of that. Razorlight gained a reputation on the London scene for being friends with the Libs and for frontman Johnny Borrells huge arrogance. He has been quoted in influential music mag NME as calling himself a godlike genius and the best songwriter of the generation. He's not. But the bands debut is still one of the best albums of the year.

Rock n Roll lies is a irrestibly catchy song, while the passionate, crazy delivery of Vice makes it perhaps the best song on the album. Up All Night switches from ballad to rip-roaring punk anthem in minutes, much like the Libertines. Rip It Up is another highlight, destined to be an indie disco anthem for years. Dalston is a fantasic song. To those unfamiliar with it, Dalston is a notorius drug haven in England, and it's written directly to crack addict, Pete Doherty of the Libertines. It switches from quiet love song to desperate, psycotic anthem. Golden Touch is the perfect song. Brilliantly catchy, it is a majestic acousticy track that filled the british airwaves all summer. Stumble and Fall features guitar duelling and, and it has the catchiest chorus on the album. Another passionate, enthusiastic song is live favourite, In the City.

I advise everyone to buy this fantastic album.

I caught this band when they played with Gratitude and Jimmy Eat World in Chicago in Nov, 2004 and they were amazing -- full of punk attitude and rock swagger with abundant talent and energy to back 'em up. Whatever shortcomings they have in solidness of some of their composition are easily forgiven during their live performanaces.

The album, however, is a different story. For the most part, the vocal sounds somewhat muted and underpowered, with the instruments often overpowering the voice, and the band seemed to have chosen the safe path of polishing up and smoothing out the jagged edges on the recording -- this strategy seems to undermine their style in a lot of songs.

Nonetheless, the band is exceptionally good and despite the shortcomings of a studio album, there are plenty of good songs to make this a solid purchase. I've been playing "Rip It Up" and "Golden Touch" over and over again for days.

This is one of the best additions to your collection that you will ever make. Every track on this album is a gem, which is a lot more that can be said of 90% of the music released today. They definitely have their own sound but it's not contrived in any way and you won't get bored. The best songs on the disc, are of course "Golden Touch", "Which Way Is Out", and the title track, "Up All Night". So what are you waiting for? go and get a copy!

Its hard to say why a previous listener rated this band with a mere 1 star. Suffice to say, these guys kick ass. Don't let the Strokes comparisons fool you, these guys are forging their own identity in a big way.

More than Strokes I hear some awesome early punk influences that stand out even more in their live show (Opener for Muse in KC). Muse kicked serious ass but these guys are the best opener I have ever heard. The Uptown Theater was blown away by the intensity, showmanship and crafty songs of this young act. Also, the CD is laden with great hooks, and just overall rollicking rock and roll music. If you like early punk with a British/Indie Rock flavor then this is your disc.

Also, The Strokes would be like Decaf Coffee compared to these Brits

This albumn was recommended to me by a friend who included it on her top ten of 2004, I wondered what was the hype about ? It's about good clean indie rock. Before Future Kings of Spain I thought this genre was coughing up garbage. Now I'm impressed. Forget headline catching the antics of the Libertines, this album will suprirse delight and thrill the most hardened post 90's indie rock dinosaur, like me. The riff ridden 'Up All Night', the tongue in cheek 'Rock'n Roll Lies', and my favourite 'Stumble and Fall'. Please, you can have the others, there more than enough indie for me here.

These guys are great artists with lots of potential and they deserve any credit theyre getting. The album has many catchy tunes and dont go back to dalston being hyper rock and have a great rhtym golden touch is also brilliant. BUY NOW!!

Here's a band that doesn't deserve half the hype they're receiving from the british press. The case with most of the songs is that they start off really well, but once they get halfway through them, the band doesn't know what to do. There was maybe one or two songs that I actually sat through the entirety of. The band has two very clear musical sounds, garage rock and Brit-Pop, with more emphasis on the pop than the rock. This band is so obviously trying to be the next Strokes it's almost sad. Borrel's lyrics aren't half as good as they should be. A good line here and there, but for the most part his lyrics are easily forgettable, just like the rest of this album.

Living here in England,quite a fuss was made about Razorlight when they hit the london scene.A lot of fuss was also made about Johnny Borrell's arrogance,claiming he was better than Dylan.

So,naturally when the album was released,it became a gold record very quickly,and now its platinum.

However....IS IT ANY GOOD?

The answer is yes.Extremely Good.Borrell may not be as godd as Dylan...YET.This is why this album got 4 stars.I am holding out because I feel Razorlight have only scraped the surface of their potential.

Leave me alone is a masterpiece,as are at least 8 of the tracks on there (stumble and fall espicially)but a few songs just drag along.Next time I think these boys will creat something beyond special.The stage is also set for these guys to obtain world domintation.

One final point,if you have the chance..SEE THIS BAND LIVE.