Customer Reviews

Waiting for an Echo

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

 

 

Although I knew of Solas from an article in Dirty Linen Magazine, I had never actually listened to them until I bought "Waiting for a Echo" just a week ago. I am amazed at this band's versatility and flexability, and at their sheer power.
I won't fall into the trap of debating what is traditional and what isn't. I'll leave that to the people more knowlegable with that sort of thing. All I'm attempting to say in this review is that I like Solas very much and I appreciate their talent. This is a very very good album and one which makes me sit and listen to the music. I say that because so often people will put a CD on and engage in some other activity, using the music playing as background noise.I do not believe this type of music is intended for background noise. It does require your attention, and grab your attention it does! Songs such as "On a sea of Fleur De Lis",
The Ploughman", and "Silver Dagger" grabbed me immediately upon hearing them. Much has been said in other reviews of Solas "selling out" and becoming just another pop band. Trust me, this band is not The Corrs and never will be. That's not to say I don't like The Corrs and their brand of pop music,it's only to say that Solas is not, and never will be, as pop as the Corrs. Solas is a wonderful band, and "Waiting for an Echo" is a wonderful album.

After wandering from their base, especially with Edge of Silence, Solas has returned to form. There is no better traditional Irish band at work and Waiting for an Echo reinforces that fact. Solas delivers the best version ever of The Silver Dagger. Deirdre Scanland delivers great vocal readings of On A Sea Of Fleur De Lis and The Ploughman. (If there is a fair criticism of this cd, it is that Deirdre's beautiful voice is not present enough.)

The jigs and reels are exactly what we have come to expect from Solas. This is there best record since The Words That Remain. Given a few listens more, I might come back and say it is better than anything they have done.

(As regards a reviewer's objection to use of electricity)Who CARES if a guitarist uses an electric guitar once in a while? Please...! give me a break for cryin'out loud! - or a musician's creative decision or motivation to use a drum kit - so what?!These instruments are CHOSEN by and being wonderfully played by FIRST-RATE MUSICIANS! - indeed, MASTERS of their craft!I choose to give Solas respect and 'FREEDOM' (remember THAT word?) to grow, explore, expand, create, and of course, to mature.It's interesting that some music listeners are forever expecting more of the "same old thing"... from NEW cd releases!!!I applaud Solas for this extremely musical, and wonderfully creative work. It's simply great stuff!And I appreciate their apparent trust that as THEY mature, listeners will have experienced growth and maturity also.

I say thanks to WUMB-Boston because that's how I was introduced to "Waiting for an Echo." I couldn't find the CD in Madison WI so I ordered it from Amazon. The music is beautifully unique. I can't speak to its tradition, but all the voices are rich and powerful. My favorites are On a Sea of Fleur de Lis, Silver Dgger, Erin and Lowground. There are few CDs that I consider an "investmentment," but this is one of them.

I'm a traditional Irish musician and Solas' first two albums are definitely on my top ten list and always will be. However, every time a band member swaps out and every time Seamus Egan finds a new way to over-produce traditional music, I lose a bit more interest in this band.

Unless you're looking for new-agey, rock-influenced folk music, stay away from any of their albums past Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers. Although they may be playing traditional music in a technical sense, there's so much percussion and amplified instruments on their new tracks as to make it completely buried. The same goes for Seamus Egan's recent solo work.

However, with this album it's a bit of a welcome return to form. Granted, without John Williams, Karen Casey and John Doyle, they'll never approach the great sound they had a decade ago, but at least this album has actual TUNES. There aren't many of them compared to the songs (seems to be the general trend in traditional bands trying to branch out), but at least the album isn't made up of "pieces".

I have my usual complaints about the album--it sounds over-produced, over-arranged, and over-dubbed. Win Horan still hasn't gotten past her classical past, apparently. Who uses vibrato on reels, anyway? Her playing often reminds me of classical players new to Irish music who lack the subtelty and style needed for traditional music. And it's a shame that one of this generation's most talented musicians, Seamus Egan, seems to have been stricken with chronic bad taste.

In general, if you're looking for a good intro to Irish music, don't start here. Danu, Flook, Dervish and Slide are the big names now. For solo work, check out former member John Williams' album, "Steam", and the latest from Liz Carroll and John Doyle. And don't ever get those 4 or so albums Solas recorded during their "experimental" (read: "selling out") stage. Try the first 2 and stop or you'll risk being very disappointed.

This album is definitely continuing in the downswing that Solas has been experiencing in recent years. Although the number of tunes has increased including some very nice sets (which is why I'm giving it a 3 and not lower), most of the songs are just uninteresting to me.

I only really like this cd because of "Silver Dagger" its such a beautiful song, the others are pretty good, but i like sunny spells and scattered showers. edge of silence is good too. I would recommend this to someone. Such a good album, but not 5 star worthy.

hi guys- i love solas and i think they are an awesomely cool group of wicked good musicans. so about this newish cd, it was good but i think some of the songs were kinda pop ish. like the ones with the guy singing it was not really what they used 2 do. i think compared to the edge of silence cd it was not as good, but edge of silence was the best.. buy it if u dont have it!!! also see this band in concert cause they r amazing!! get up and dance- it makes it way cooler!
love u guys!(solas i mean) bye-

This album is musically incoherent, to my ears. Electric guitars, rock songs, drum kits, huh? It appears that the various band members each chose a couple numbers and paid no attention to how the mess would sound when it was put together. For too much of the CD, Dierdre Scanlan and Winifred Horan are absent. I loved their last album and really like their first three. I'll stick to those.