Customer Reviews

Wiser

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I write this review as I listen to Wiser for the first time, and I am in devoted awe. This can not possibly be a freshman effort! It is far too polished and confident of itself while avoiding the "new-artist-trying-to-establish-its-mark" pretense.

Halou's Wiser is not a continuously mixed album, but it nonetheless demonstrates a cohension I have not heard from any album in recent memory. Each track is a seperate and complete entity in and of itself, and yet each seems a natural extension of all the others.

The album really hits full stride after track four ("Political"). The following track, "I'll Carry You," is absolutely amazing. Its sweeping score and divine vocals sets you on an introspective journey that only finds closure when you've arrived at the very last decaying note of the final track. What's remarkable is that I haven't even begun to digest Halou's lyrics for the simple fact the music has taken custody of my undivided attention and has not yet let go. I look foward to my many hours of exploration.

I'm sure prospective buyers would appreciate some reference points, so here's seven of my comparisions to other artists/albums of similiar genre:
1) Mandalay: Solace. Vocals share a whispery quality, although Halou's has more tangible body. Likewise, Wiser is a richer, more symphonic album then Solace. While Solace is uncluttered to perfection, Wiser is deep and rich to perfection.
2) Goldfrapp: Felt Mountain. Felt Mountain is a venerable classic. Goldfrapp's first album is underscored with subdued melancholy whereas Wiser possesses happier subtexts set against the backdrop of the same down-tempo beats.
3) Baxter: Baxter. I've always found Baxter slightly (and beautifuly) sinister. Halou, in comparision, is angelic. You will find little if any angst in Wiser.
4) Daughter Darling: Sweet Shadows. Let me first say this album is pure genious. Sweet Shadows is more dynamic then Wiser, with a greater range of moods. On the flip side: It's neither as euphonic nor as coherent as Wiser. Both have a lot of acoustical accompaniment that perfectly blends with their organic electronica.
5) Airlock: Drystar. Trip-hop with more of a DJ-culture then Halou. Track two ("Slipinside") is probably the closest kin to the songs on Wiser. In comparision, I can't help but feel Airlock is a more shallow album. For me (and remember, this is just me), the arrangements on Drystar are taken at face value whereas Wiser invites continual exploration.
6) Ethero: Breath From Another. Ethero infuses many hip-hop elements. Halou, on the other hand, has no hip hop influence I can detect. Wiser is a more introspective album then Breath From Another.
7) Emiliana Torrini: Love in the Time of Science. I love this album, and more precisely, the artist. Torrini is a bonafide poet and songwriter masquerading as a singer (and a good one at that!). Love in the Time of Science journeys through a spectrum of emotions, ranging from carefree youth to quiet desperation. Halou's Wiser is more monochrome in emotion (which subsequently grants Wiser its remarkable cohesion). Like every other albums listed above, Wiser is more sweeping and symphonic then Torrini's work. But it is apples and oranges, and both are delicious!

How shall I describe Halou's Wiser? Beautiful, grand, emotive, ethereal, transcendent, lush, powerful, honest, uncontrived .... words feel desperately inadequate. I bought this album "blind" since unfortunately Amazon does not have track samples for Wiser. As it turns out, this is undisputely my best purchase this year. I am supremely confident that you, too, will appreciate Halou's masterpiece.

Singer Rebecca has a wonderfully rich voice--you'll hear Liz Fraser, Sarah Cracknell and Sinead O'Connor in her style. Boy-wonder Ryan is as inventive as the guy from Lamb, with nodds to drum & bass, jazz and ambient. It's a light, sensual sound, to be placed between Portishead, Goldfrapp and St. Etienne.

I have followed this husband and wife act from their early days in San Francisco. That Nettwerk has picked them up is a blessing, for now the rest of the world can feel the ebb and flow of Halou's ocean. I place Halou in a more electronic camp. That is to say, there's nothing "funky" here, as one might want if looking for "trip hop". The album does fit well with a downtempo/trip hop description. There is a wash of glowing electronic vibrance, with Rebecca Cosboom's angelic vocals interwoven. I particularly like the sound-treatments on the vocals. I must admit that earlier versions of some songs (on Ubiquity?) are still my favorites, so if you are a collector, you might enjoy the variations you hear.
If you enjoy Puracane, Lamb, Mandalay, Collide and thier ilk, you'll find Halou a worthy purchase. Be sure to check out "Thorn Apple", a collaboration project between Halou and several other San Francisco area based musicians!

I purchased this album on a whim at my local college record store. I listened to the very first song and immediately knew I needed to get it. The vocals are entrancing and sound a little bit like Sarah Mclachlan with the music a mix between Hooverphonic and Tricky. However, I wouldn't even really consider it to be trip hop. There are so many layers to this album that it is really quite amazing. It is techno, trip hop, classical, and mainstream all blended into one sonic excursion of sound. Song one is one of if not the best on the album. It is simply superb. Song four is a little jazzy which is really fun to listen to (especially the vocals). Song five is an incredible love song, very moving. Other standouts include songs six, seven, and nine. But to be honest, there is not one bad track on here. I highly recommend this album if you would like to hear something refreshingly original, creative, and conducive to your listening pleasure. Nearly 5 stars.

Man, I love this band. I was lucky enough to catch the last half of Halou's show at the 'Element' club in Austin a couple of years ago, and I was totally hooked. They had a cello onstage! A CELLO! How cool is that?

You wouldn't *believe* how well the cello and synthesizers work together on this album. And the lead singer, Rebecca, could be classified as a musical instrument herself. The first few seconds of her vocals on the album demonstrate that she's got quite a set of pipes.

Personal favorite songs on this CD: "Politcal," "Oceanwide," and the first track, "Milkdrunk."

There are actually several other Halou CDs out there if you're lucky enough to find them. "Sans Soucie" and the "Wholeness EP" are worth finding. None are as good as this album, though. How could they be?

If you're a fan of Cocteau Twins, Annie Lennox, THC, Baxter, Goldfrapp, Weekend Players, or if you simply enjoy beautiful, complex music -- stop right now and buy "Wiser."

Whoa this is an awesome, I mean awesome album. This album reminds me a cross of Goldfrapp's "Felt Mountain", Portishead's "Dummy" and of Bjork's "Vespertine". It's kinda sad that great music like this isn't recognized more often. I have never heard of this group before I just bought this album based on amazon reccomendations and reviews. So if your into any of the mentioned artists or albums you won't be disappointed.

I bought this album on a whim because a friend told me that since I like the band Lamb, I should check Halou out. I'm so glad I did! This is one of the most amazing albums I own. Even if you're not a big fan of the electronic genre, you'll fall in love with Halou. The whole album sounds like a dreamlike sequence and each song is better than the last. "Milkdrunk" is probably my favorite track on the album, but it's hard to narrow it down! You should definitely add "Wiser" to your CD collection.

...Very poignant lyrics from Halou's sexy chanteuse, Rebecca Coseboom. Indeed, this group's utterly brilliant CD, Wiser is full of lyrical profoundness and beautiful music. Wiser is daring and bold and their sound truly ahead of those of their ilk. There are some familiarities vocally to say Goldfrapp and Wendy Stubbs of Alpha, but for the most part Halou delivers more emotion, and a few more intelligible lyrics than those of the aforementioned--Hey, you try listening to Goldfrapp's Felt Mountain for clarity. At any rate, Rebecca, with husband Ryan Coseboom have put together a truly phenomenal and provocative piece of work that should get them a nomination for "Best Underrated Triphop Album" of all time! Check 'em out!!

I like to think of myself as a trip hop connossieur, and this is a great addition to my collection. Never since my love for Bjork have I acquired such a passionate fondness to an artist. The songs on Wiser take you to another world where love is present and emotions are expressd to the fullest,and even more amazing it is a love between a husband and wife. If you like good music I recommend this album.

Some of the prettiest music i've ever heard. Listen carefully, this cd will suck you in.