Customer Reviews

Vertigo

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It would be impossible for me to overstate how important this CD has become to me over the last year. Every so often you find one of those bands that nobody's really heard of yet and is doing something completely new and inspiring. This is it. I loved Vertigo from the first time I heard it and it's gotten better with each listen.

The members of Jump Little Children accomplish the rare task of blending phenomenal musicianship with accessible songs. Usually musical genius expresses itself in a rather unpleasant medium consisting of ultra-complex chord structures and chaotic interval leaping "melodies." Somehow JLC manages to present genius and fresh songs in a way that makes them feel like they've existed for years.

They play all the instruments on the record, including all the strings (they are a trip to see live if you ever have the chance), and they do their own arrangements. The last song on the CD has an amazing string arrangement, but performed entirey with *vocals*. Very cool.

If you wish Radiohead would do another record like "The Bends" then you need to get Vertigo. You'll love it.

Strap on your headphones - it's going to be a cosmic trip. This is a densely orchestrated, lyrically complicated, musically shimmering, brilliantly performed record that any fan of good music will enjoy. The boys get to show off their classical training on this one - and if you liked 'Cathedrals' or 'Close Your Eyes' or 'All Those Days are Gone' from their last album, Magazine, you're going to be in awe of this album.

To me, the standout songs are 'Angeldust', 'Mother's Eyes' - a 7-plus minute long masterpiece, 'Come Around,' 'House our Father Knew,' and 'The Singer' (Matt's jazzy, sexy story telling really shines on his best song yet). 'Words of Wisdom' is a deeply moving song about the need to hold tight to those you love - even if they are not going to be around for long. Even though Evan Bivins wrote it in response to the illness of his father - who has recently passed away, this seems to have such resonance given the recent world events. The truth is, like Magazine, I don't feel like there's a skippable song on the album.

I found it so refreshing to hear meaningful music written with honesty that is sometimes painful to hear, but deals with real-life complexities. The standard radio-force-fed ear-candy-loving masses may find out finally that music can be more than any BackSyncBrittanyAguillera could ever provide to them. Here's hoping.

I bought this album on a whim, and I'm so glad I did! I was blown away by the talent and beauty on this CD. From the first track to the last, it's simply gorgeous. Each track can stand on its own as a fully developed, all-around great song. The lead singer's voice is clear and lovely, and perfectly harmonized with the sophisticated yet effortless melodies. The lyrics are extremely well-crafted. It's an amazing achievement from a unique band.

I was entranced from the first moment, but after listening to it a few times, I'm convinced this is one of the best and most beautiful albums I've ever heard. A must-have for any music-lover. Buy it - you won't regret it! With music of this caliber, I predict you'll be shocked more people aren't listening to JLC, and pressuring your friends to buy it as well.

I will be the first to admit that my favorite J,LC sound goes back to when they were the house band at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem and played a lot of Irish folk music. I still think that it is what they do best. Thus, when Magazine hit the stores back in 1998, it did not climb to the top of my favorites list. Magazine is a quality piece of work, but (to me) it just isn't what J,LC is all about.

So, when Vertigo comes out and sounds (in many respects) even MORE "pop" than Magazine, you would expect me (and other old-school fans) to turn my nose up...right? Wrong. While I would still like to hear the old Irish Jumpies, this album is incredible. Jay's understanding of melody shines through in a way that is unparralled. Although at time it sounds like he (Jay) was listening to OK Computer (Radiohead), his voice carries the emo-like melodies to heights that J,LC fans have come to expect.

There are some bands that I really like, and yet I can understand when my friends don't like them as much. People who aren't into folk aren't going to like the Indigo Girls, and people who aren't into Jam Bands aren't going to dig Phish. However, I seriously cannot understand any MUSIC fan not liking J,LC. This album (along with their first two Indie albums) is simply too good. Anyone who buys top 40 music and yet passes Vertigo up is not only practicing poor logic in their decision making, but they are missing out on some of the best music to come out of the last 30 years of popular songwriting.

The high point of this ever-evolving band's recorded work to-date (though I'll be listening to their latest "Between the Dark and the Dim" very soon), Vertigo truly is best described by the word "masterpiece". I don't use this word lightly (think da Vinci, Beethoven, Beatles). Whereas their previous album, Magazine, had too many low points mixed in with some highs, Vertigo on the other hand is a consistent work of sonic and poetic brilliance. This long time fan can't recommend this album enough, and in fact has bought copies as gifts for a number of people who I believe to have exceptional taste in music. Buy, listen, and enjoy.

This is one of those rare albums that I can listen to again and again without wanting to skip a single song. Although perhaps it is more mellow and darker than Magazine, just as much talent and passion went into this CD. "Mother's Eyes" is probably the most beautiful song I've ever listened to. Everything in that song from the deep and flowing lyrics to Jay's hauntingly gorgeous voice is perfect. Throughout the CD the vocals are wonderful, the lyrics are compassionate and meaningfull, and the songs are performed beautifully.

One of my favorite albums of the new millennium, along w/Lake Trout's Another One Lost, Beck's Seachange, the Jeff Buckley Mystery White Boy compilation, and Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head. A more mature album than its immediate predecessor, Magazine, it represents an eclectic conglomerate of emotions and ambiguous themes which leave one pondering. "Mother's Eyes" is a long ballad w/a haunting vibe while "Come Around" supplies angst and "Please Come Down (Angeldust)" pours out an upbeat plea. Bottom line: you definitely won't be disappointed.

J,LC has done it again. Vertigo is a mix of tender sentiments, passion, anger, love, and good alternative listening. Jay Clifford's beautiful, lilting voice melts my heart everytime i listen to this CD. Each of the guys have grown musically, and Vertigo is a wonderful indicator of the true depth of their musical abilities. I extol the virtues of this album enough. While it is totally different from the light, folky melodies on the early years, or the big, faster, stronger pulses of Magazine, Vertigo has charms unique all unto itself. This album is not warm and fuzzy, but its cool, liquid tunes can be just as energizing as its more popish album predecessors.
Try Vertigo with an open mind, and i can assure you that you will not be dissappointed!

You're probably right to be skeptical of the inevitable number of 5-star reviews of many new records. After all, it's easy to overrate new music, probably just for the sake of its freshness. However, I've gotta say that this album is a masterpiece, one that I imagine holds a place in my Top Ten Albums of All Time, should I ever have to articulate such a list. (...and I don't make that assertion lightly----I'm a big music fan, and have close to 400 albums...) That said, listening to this album for the first time, I was overcome by that giddy feeling of discovery and awe that seems to only accompany the rarest of records for me.

So let's talk the songs, the wonderful songs: "Vertigo" and "Yearling" are flat-out incredible. "Words of Wisdom", "Come Around" and "Mother's Eyes" are also very, very good and venture into sounds not fully explored on MAGAZINE. But for me the crown jewel is "Andeldust (Please Come Down". The song's soaring melody alone justifies the purchase of this album. Jay Clifford's songwriting abilities have taken an incredible leap forward (though I was already very impressed with the last record). Simply put, the long wait for VERTIGO has finally come to an end, and the band has given us a classic record, one that deserves to be heard.

You'll have to excuse me. I never write these things, but I just had to chime in. Boundless melodies, beautiful vocals, lush arrangements, sheer emotion, and best of all, damned fine songs. Buy this album now.

Where to begin? Vertigo, the much anticipated follow up album to Magazine has finally been released. I've been dying to hear the studio versions of the songs from Vertigo ever since hearing the songs live at the Dock Street Theatre performance in December where they previewed most of the songs. The album is just spectacular!!! Everything about it makes you want to listen to it over an over again. It has a little bit for everyone. Whether its the more uptempo, "plugged in" sound of the first single "Vertigo", or the danceable sounds of "too high", or the more subtle, emotional songs like "words of wisdom". This band successfully bring together an array of different instruments (acoustic/electric guitar, upright bass, cello, piano, accordian, mandolin, etc) and make them sound like they've always belonged together. and Jay, Evan, and Matt have written some very emotional, and incredible lyrics to accompany the great music they have created. If you're already a JLC fan....THIS CD IS A MUST!!!!! If you're not yet...you definitely will be after listening. And if they stop in a town near you...YOU HAVE TO SEE THEM LIVE! They sound great and put on a great show. So what are you waiting for...go ahead and buy the cd already!!!!!