Customer Reviews

Wonderland Park

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got Ednaswap's first CD (self titled) a long time ago, back in my freshman year of high school. That CD blew me straight out of the water and it was played incesantly for a long while.

Recently, I "found" them again and I decided to see what they were up to. Sadly, I found my "underground" band had become another drone in the corporate honeycomb sound. Admittedly, Preven still has the best voice since Bjork and the lyrics are still whip smart but the music it's self, mixed with unnessessary syth and reverbs along with over empahasis on bass, kinda kills what the lyrics *mean*. I'm not blaming their new drummer either, he does a fine job with his instrument(s?) but I miss their old drummer, who knew what the difference between when to be subtle and how to be subtle. SHE was great...I miss her... -_-*

Don't get me wrong, they're still better than practically all of mainstream radio...*maybe* not REM, but I digress. The two songs that I really thought were up-to-par with them on this album was "Safety Net" and "Trivial".

As for the rest...I'd just suggest tracking down their self-titled first album which was, bar-none, their best.

I love this album, listen to it all the time and never get bored with it. It's my first introduction to Ednaswap, a band probably most well-known (unfortunately) for writing the song that put Natalie Imbruglia on the map: "Torn". Most of the reviewers are right: this album is considerably more mainstream, gentler, and "poppier" than their first two albums. But this is NOT pop pablum! The song lyrics are very cleverly written, on a par with Aimee Mann and Elvis Costello I'd say. The music is full of hooks, that grab you instantly. You'll be hooked from the first listen. And I have to say, that I find this their most pleasing album in terms of the beauty of the melodies ("74 Willows" is a standout. One of the best love songs I've EVER heard). But there is harder edged stuff here as well ("Without Within" rocks the most). In short, there's something for everyone here. Anne's got a great voice; she reminds me of one of the Wilson sisters (from Heart). Yet she knows when to go soft and subtle (again, check out the sublime "74 Willows"). Don't miss this album!...

I was first intoduced to Ednaswap when they opened up for Better Than Ezra in NYC, and I've been a fan since then. Wacko Magneto was a demonstration of how intense their music can be, but Wonderland Park shows off their songwriting skills, versitility, and talent in making great music. It's rare that you can find a band that writes songs that are catchy at the first listen, but keep getting better as you listen to them more. "Supernatural" "747" and "Back on the Sun" are definitely memorable.

I heard an acoustic version of "Torn" on a radio show and came to find it was Ednaswap. I was so impressed by Anne Preven's voice and the rest of the song samples, I bought the CD. All of the songs are are very good- and at least four radio-worthy. If this band doesn't get more air time, it would be a disservice to music and listeners everywhere. My only disppointment is that none of the songs- except "Without Within"- let loose Preven's intense, powerful, husky voice. Exceptional!!

While Ednaswap's previous release, Whacko Magneto, is a masterpiece, thier third and final full-length, Wonderland Park, fails by comparison. The unbridaled energy, originality, and fresh takes on classic and alternative rock are replaced by what sounds like an attempt to gain mainstream acceptance. While the self-titled debut and Whacko albums rock out in a manner comparable to Jane's Addiction meets Joan Jett, Wonderland reminds me more of the corporate written-for-radio produced by The Matrix songwriting team. That's not to say that Wonderland Park is without merits, because Ednaswap is a very good band and they make great music and songs. However, this is quite a bit removed from their previous releases and a letdown after such an incredible album as Whacko. I'll keep this CD in my collection, but I recommend making this the final CD you buy by this band after you've worn out the other two. My favorite tracks are: 747, Back on the Sun.

Great third(?) album by an L.A. group that never got the recognition it deserved. Natalie Imbruglia had a hit with "Torn", a song from Ednaswap's previous release called "Wacko Magneto". Ednaswap singer Anne Previn has one of the finer and more powerful voices in Pop and she, as both singer and songwriter, deserves wider exposure. This is a great album all around, full of catchy hooks and clever arrangements.
Absolutely worth buying. Standout tracks include "Back On The Sun", "Safety Net", and "747".

Ednaswap has consistently produced the best rock music over the past few years. Only after Natalie Imbugliliala ripped off "Torn" did they get any attention. Wonderland Park is slightly poppier than prior releases, but one listen should make a fan out of you.

Don't miss the chance to see them live!

Hands down the best rock CD I've heard in a good long while. And they're even better live.

Most people who are starting to hear about Ednaswap know that they were the band that originally wrote the song "torn" that made Natalie Imbruglia so famous. With "Wonderland Park," Ednaswap hopes to finally rise above being a Southern California favorite, and be finally known nationally for the versatile band they are. If this album doesn't do it for them, I'm not sure what will!

For Ednaswap fans, this album will sound closer to their now out-of-print self titled debut on EastWest records (a company that failed to market them, and basically let them die on the vine) than their previous release--"wacko magneto." Whereas Magneto was heavy, dirty, loud and angry (and quite good), "Wonderland Park" is much more hooky, poppy and accessible by comparison. The album delivers a multitude of sounds and musical types, and there's bound to be something on here for every fan of modern rock.

One note: DONT go by the sound clips you hear here-- for some reason, Amazon has chosen strange passages to digitize, and they've also completely ignored the album's first single (Back on the Sun). You need to really hear the actual songs to get the feel of this album.

Give it a listen--after a few times through, you'll realize that many of these songs are better than some of the junk that's getting played on modern rock radio everywhere. I definately reccomend this to new fans. Sure, I'm partial to 'em, but hey, I think they deserve to be taken seriously. Those of you who have heard them -- spread the word!