On Your Side [Extra tracks]

Magnet | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks
• Label: Filter U.S.
• ASIN: B0002X7GE8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,855 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

NME

Elegantly skewed singer songwriter.

Product Description

Sophomore album from Magnet a.k.a. (Even Johansen) who has toured with both Doves & Ed Harcourt throughout Europe & his songs have appeared in HBO's 'Six Feet Under'. He (even) writes gentle, electronic tinged acoustic ballads, sung in the voice of Thom Yorke after 3 bottles of gin & tears, that overwhelm the soul with wave after wave of bittersweet joy these are the melodies that you hear in your head once the wounds have healed, & you can go back to remembering the good times you had with the girl that broke your heart. The NME said of the first single, 'Day We Left Town', 'Norway, inexplicably, continues to produce talent by the bucket load. For anyone who's ever wondered what a Radiohead soundtrack for 'It's A Wonderful Life' might sound like, Magnet's Even Johansen has the answer. 14 tracks in all including a duet with Gemma Hayes on Bob Dylan's 'Lay Lady Lay'. This Japanese pressing features three bonus tracks, 'Chasing Dreams', 'Little Miss More or Less' & 'Wish Me Well'. Sony. 2003. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The view from the floor, May 23, 2005

By 

Freeze (OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Your Side (Audio CD)

Even Johansen's 2001 masterpiece "Quiet & Still" remains one of my favorite albums of all time, so I was quite excited to find out about his new band MAGNET. I was also a little worried that he would change his sound drastically like he did with Libido. REJOICE! Even has definately made one of the best albums of 2004 and it gets better every time I listen to it. Mostly gone is the alt-country that graced alot of the tracks on "Quiet & Still". Added to the mix are a bit of subtle electronic sounds & beats and nice swelling strings. Both are a great match for his gentle voice. There is not a bad track on this album, and the US bonus tracks (from UK singles) are superb additions. I can't wait to see what he does next.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy just for Lay Lady Lay, July 24, 2006

By 

rdood "Rob" (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Your Side (Audio CD)

So I'm sure most are considering this album because of the fantastic song "Lay Lady Lay." The truth is, this song is very atypical of the rest of Magnet's work in "On Your Side." It's much more of a newer Radiohead meets Coldplay type sound that is very mellow and somewhat experimental in their sound uses. I definitely do not regret purchasing the album, however, I'd recommend listening to the other tracks before jumping in. Some songs, such as "The Day We Left Town" are absolutely beautiful, and "My Darling Curse" interestingly samples the drum beat exactly from Brubeck's "Take Five" (not sure if this is intentional or not). By the by, it's a pretty good album and will definitely grow on you - it took some time to grow on me. So, if you're contemplating the album simply for Lay Lady Lay, buy the single on iTunes, but if you're looking for a mellow/jazzy/ambient album, you'll like the rest of what Magnet has to offer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most beautiful albums I have... and I have many!, September 27, 2004

By 

Mr. Martin Quinn (Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On Your Side (Audio CD)

From the outset, Evans voice sooths you with its soft airy quality. The first 7 tracks are outstanding. Highlights for me being "The Last Day of Summer" and the "Day We were Leaving Town". The cover of Dylan's "Lay lady lay" accompanied by Irish singer songwriter Gemma Hayes is one of the few times I've heard Dylan covered successfully. I dare say its even better than the original, the huge orchestral accompaniment makes me think it may have turned up on a film soundtrack, but I don't know that for sure. As a producer, the highlight of this record for me is the quirky brave layers of jangles, bells, lapsteel guitar and clever use of keyboards and adhoc sounds. This album manages almost never to be driven along by guitars yet doesn't at all sound glossy.

My best buy of 2004!

Martin

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