Customer Reviews

Up All Night

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

 

 

I'm not sure what version this is. There are >4 versions of this album (with bonus tracks, videos, bonus DVDs) so without a track listing you can't tell what you are getting.

However, here is my review as the album is well worth buying, whatever version you finally select.

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.

It saddens me to see radio in the state it's in. It may just be me, but North American radio seems to be dominated by the same old stuff. Songs that my sister, for instance, says are "so deep" are to me nothing more than "superficial."

Long ago I turned to indie and UK rock to satisfy my music tastes.

Enter Razorlight.

It was a chance encounter. My friend (the goddess of all UK rock) just happened to place Up All Night in my car stereo on the way home from school. My first impression was indifference. By the time we got home, I was completely engulfed in their music.

Razorlight is an unexpected treasure. Every song is different and yet they all feel like they belong together. Their instrumentation is hard to place. Each instrument stands out on its own, yet they all seem strangely cohesive. Most recognizable are the drum solos on the album. Sometimes I just rewind the same track over and over to listen to the drummer!

My favorite thing about Razorlight is that they sing of the same "superficial" things mentioned above, but somehow, in an oddly UK way, make them appealing and entertaining. It's nice that Razorlight can turn American Pop Fodder (a term I use for relationship songs) into catchy awesomeness.

On a final note, a turn-off many people have mentioned to me (I try to spread the joy of this band almost daily) is the never-ending song syndrome. While I enjoy this, many people tend to think of it as annoying. Don't get me wrong, the songs don't go on forever (in fact the songs rarely exceed four minutes). Their endings just absolutely dominate!

I would recommend this group to anyone even remotely fond of indie or UK rock. I would also recommend the group to anyone who hates both, as I've seen it change musical tastes.

You may read other reviews here that state Razorlight is not "unique". Well, my advice to anyone reading this is that.... if you expect every album you buy to be completely unique from another, you are gonna end up listening to fusion-techno-polka before it's all said and done. As for "Up All Night", sure it is not groundbreaking, but compared to the generic conglamarations of Nickleback, 3 Doors Down, Staind, etc. etc..... Razorlight is that breath of fresh air I have been waiting on for a long time. For me, there are only a couple of skippable tracks on "Up All Night", but for the most part, this is one of those albums you can just let it spin.

I am definitely satisfied with my purchas. 4 solid/unquestionalble stars from me. For anyone wanting a feel for Razorlight, give an ear to "Rock and Roll Lies" , "Vice" or "Stumble & Fall". Now that I know.... I will be keeping an eye out for future releases from these guys.

This is a very good album, different sound an very expresive lyrics... All the album your heart will be up beated...

If you like the Strokes or the Kings of Leon then buy this CD...you will like it.

Totally my favourite album of 2005. I bought it sometime in March of last year and still listen to it weekly. The songs still grab me. Their impact hasn't worn off. There's something very fresh in the way Razorlight's tunes combine a modern edge* with an almost classic-rock drive underneath. Yet without being hackneyed.

I think your Kaiser Chiefs and Arctic Monkeys, even Franz Ferdinand, will fade away, while Razorlight have a long and interesting career ahead of them. Unlike the aforementioned and their ilk, their sound is not so recognizable and cheaply catchy as to eventually become irritating and disposable. (See: Pulp, Oasis)

Anyway, I love 'em. Am just annoyed they're not getting their due in media props (in N.America), as think other people would be as thrilled to 'discover' them as I was.

My faves: Golden Touch, Stumble & Fall

Can't wait for their next album!

* I'd have to disagree with another reviewer. While the timbre of Razorlight's lead Johnny Borrell may be comparable to that of the Strokes' Casablancas, Borrell can actually belt out and carry an interesting tune. While the Strokes have a unique sound on the whole, the two bands' vocals are not comparable in any major way. Overall, the Strokes are very deconstructed, while Razorlight have a lush rock sound with always an edge of unpredictability that keeps you coming back.

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"