When

Vincent Gallo, Vincent Gallo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 2, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warp Records
• ASIN: B00005QDGH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,229 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, June 19, 2006

By 

Joshua Miller "Josh" (Coeur d'Alene,ID) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: When (Audio CD)

Vincent Gallo has been called a narcissist, a prick, and even at one point a fa*got.
One thing you rarely hear Vincent Gallo called in a genius. The man has directed and written two films, acted in several, he's edited movies, he's produced movies, he's been the director of photography, he's composed music for films, he's even been an underwear model. This album marks his first album (not counting the great "Recordings of Music for Film") and it's really terrific. Vincent Gallo has created something rare on this album, something you're likely to not hear on any CD that's came out between 2000 and now. His music is surreal, hypnotic, and even beautiful. If you've read a Vincent Gallo interview than you know how into "beautiful" he is. Gallo plays everything on this CD; All the music and all the vocals. He wrote everything on the album, he produced the album. He treats the music like he did his movies, with tender care. The music is really trippy, if you've seen "Buffalo 66" then you've heard some of it. His voice is extremely feminine, to a point where if you heard it on the radio (although, trust me, you never will) you'd think it was a woman. His voice fits the music perfectly though. I don't care what Gallo's personality is like, this man is immensely talented. Here are the tracks:

1. I Wrote This Song for the Girl Paris Hilton-5/5-This opening instrumental track is different from anything you'll hear in this modern day. It's weird and Paris Hilton will never hear it, but it's really good.
2. When-5/5-My favorite song on here. While it was a shock the first time I listened to this song to hear Vincent Gallo's singing voice, it fits the music perfectly.
3. My Beautiful White Dog-5/5-It's kind of weird to hear a song written about a dog, this song is great too.
4. Was-5/5-This sounds like most of the music you'll hear in "Buffalo 66" and it's got this really surreal sound to it. It's one of the best on here.
5. Honey Bunny-5/5-I didn't like the beginning where he sings Honey Bunny, but the lyrics to this song are strange which in this odd way makes this song great.
6. Laura-5/5-This song is beautiful, but leaves me to wonder. Who is Laura?
7. Cracks-4/5-This is probably my least favorite song, but it's not terrible.
8. Apple Girl-5/5-I question who he's singing this to, but it's a pretty damned good song.
9. Yes I'm Lonely-5/5-While it sounds like there are times he screws up on the drums, it's still good.
10. A Picture of Her-5/5-Another great track, lyrics would work good for this though.

If you like Vincent Gallo's movies (of even if you didn't, but respect the guy) you should check out this CD.
GRADE: A+

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Radical, notorious Republican makes soft rock classic, April 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: When (Audio CD)

Warp. They're sick. The music they release is so experimental and anti-social, yet so infuriatingly addictive. There is now no need to listen to anything other then Autechre, Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada and now, Vincent Gallo. But honestly, this kind of music most people find too 'out there', 'weird' or just plain 'the worst music I've ever heard'. In short, this album 'When' is not going to win you any friends.

Vincent Gallo is not a household name. He has gained a small amount of fame amongst fashionable trend-setters and trend-watchers for being on the cutting edge of everything. Painter, photographer, race car driver, writer, director, actor, Calvin Klein model, musician. If he's not a Renaissance man, I don't know who is.

He's also gained notoriety from not being the slightest bit shy about his extreme right wing political views or about mercilessly trashing just about everyone in Hollywood. I suggest reading some of his interviews online, they're funny. He's a pretty witty, thought-provoking guy.

Anyway, this album 'When' is underrated. It got publicity when released because it was just so odd that this album of almost comically plaintive and emotional soft rock would be released on Warp. But that's a shame because it's a very good album. It's very minimal, soft-sounding guitar ballads, and normally I'd think that would sound very ..., but it somehow sounds wonderful. Mostly due to Vincent's production. It sounds great, he recorded it on rare, vintage equipment that makes it sound shockingly warm, dreamy and just different. 'I Wrote this Song for the Girl Paris Hilton' has a saxophone loop. Very beautiful and relaxing. BTW, Paris Hilton is a person, she's a sexy, blonde heir to the Hilton Hotels franchise. 'When' is an intensely personal, sad, sad song. 'My Beautiful White Dog' is one of my favourite pieces of music ever. 'Honey Bunny' has a video of women in their underwear on a rotating platform. Some parts are rather provocative (T'n'A galore from some extremely attractive women), while the music is almost psychotically tender. 'Was' is just one instrument, I have no idea what, sweet and simple. Most of the songs on here sound kind of similar, but different in arrangements only. It ends on a happier note with 'Yes I'm Lonely' with the line "It could be so nice/ So nice" A kind of optimistic confirmation of the possibilities of the future. I don't have the time to keep writing about every track on here. I kind of even doubt anyone is even reading this. I mean, Vincent Gallo? Who the hell has heard of Vincent Gallo other then some NYC art snobs, film geeks and Warp fanatics? So if you've made it to this review, you must be interested in him and are wondering if his music is good. It is. Or else you've already bought it and are experiencing some cognitive dissonance and want some self-confirming opinions from other people who already like it.

A good album to sulk to and feel sorry for yourself.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So plaintive, somber, sultry, October 14, 2003

By 

a1 - See all my reviews

This review is from: When (Audio CD)

Oh, man. This is a moody, quite lovely and cohesive album. The same resigned gloom carries through each track, though each is composed of different elements. There are some dark ballads, full of sorrow, but in a very understated way. These feature an incredible female tenor whose low notes just resonate in your gut, evoking images of sultry lounge singers draped across pianos. Other tracks are sexy mock-downtempo instrumentals, with looping bassline, looping saxophone, and other samples. Throughout all songs you hear this beautiful wavering electric guitar, and sort of a warbled vinyl record hiss that gives a cozy feel, like an old favorite book with cracked edges.