Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
leftfield soul music for the 21st century, January 11, 2001
By A Customer
I think the album is amazing, with enough sonic playfulness to keep me entertained until Lewis Taylor decides to release more new material (hopefully it won't take 4 more years). "Party," the opening track, is a surprise the first time you hear it, as it takes cues from the solid funk Mr. Taylor displays on the b-side "Got Me Thinking All About It," from the "Lucky" single. My favourite track (as I understand, the track Mr. Taylor wants to be the single) is easily "You Make Me Wanna." Starting with a deliciously wicked bassline, it delivers an amazing sense of soulful tension until the drums kick in, and then the chorus jumps into an emphatic bridge... very cool stuff. The next song, "The Way You Done Me," is the one that still mystifies me since it breaks away from standard pop syncopation and the whole concept of 4/4 time. If anyone can tell me what the time signature of this song is, I'd be very appreciative. The song otherwise reminds me of a more aggressive version of his first album's "Whoever." The track "Never Be My Woman," for whatever reason, sounds an awful lot like something that could have come from D'Angelo's last album, stripped down and bluesy yet quirky (those slightly-off-rhythm vocals). I also really liked "I'm On The Floor" and "Lewis II." I have the Japanese import version of the CD, and it contains TWO bonus tracks: a cover of Jeff Buckley's "Everybody Here Wants You" (which I have a tendency to skip over) and a cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Electric Ladyland" (very Muzak sounding -- seemingly too clean & too straight ahead for a proper Hendrix cover, but it succeeds in its lush production quality and harmonies).
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Elusive and Wonderful, October 10, 2001
Lewis Taylor has done it again! This little genius has produced an album so layered, warm and reflective that it's difficult to fault it. All I can say against it is that it isn't as good as the first, but that's a small quibble. The opening track [Party] has a bass line to die for; you know straightaway that this is to be a funky delicious groove, and you are not disappointed. Shall I tell you more? Well all I will say is that the track 'Lewis 2' is one of my all time favourites. Do yourself a favour - check this album out!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
In the company of Giants, Geniuses & Groundbreakers, August 16, 2001
Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Wilson, Todd Rundgren. A couple of heavy names to start with. All of them Giants, Geniuses & Groundbreakers. ;-) Lewis Taylor is all of that. He is not, however, a giant -- yet... Lewis II follows naturally in the tracks of his self-titled debut. Where "Lewis Taylor" is a dark affair (though a clear 5 star) "Lewis II" is a more extrovert and "commercial" item. However, this doesn't make this album less sophisticated. On the contrary. Lewis' eclectisim with his surprising chordchanges, uneven songforms, uneven meter (7/8 on "The Way You Done Me"), Marvin Gaye-ish vocals, Prince-and Hendrix-ish (!) guitar work and "home-studio" productions all adds up to a precise, accurate and completely original sum. You feel like it couldn't have been done in another way. I feel there's actually too much to say 'bout this record and the man himself so I'll spare you... Just buy, plug in and listen to a should-be-and-must-be giant. Lovely! (Actually one of my favorite items!)
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