Something Beautiful

Great Big Sea

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 9, 2004)
• Original Release Date: March 9, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zoe Records
• ASIN: B0001GOHN4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,610 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A Platinum-selling act in their Canadian homeland, Great Big Sea has mined that country's proud Scots/Irish Celtic heritage in a decidedly modern context. Their arrangements are honeycombed with the accordions, bouzoukis, pipes, whistles and fiddles typical of traditional music and nicely handled they are, too. But these come across as afterthoughts amid a powerhouse hit machine featuring robust lead vocals, a booming drum kit, and close-harmony hooks obviously calibrated to induce stadium sing-alongs. The group is a throwback to seventies folk-rockers in that they veer between trad/arr material ("John Barbour") and original tunes ("Helmenthead," which catalogues the conquests of a kiss-and-tell hockey player). In contemporary terms, they occasionally recall singer-songwriter Paul Brady's polished lyrics or the crowd-pleasing barroom roughhousing of Black 47. But ultimately, this is a mainstream band, high-energy and very good at what they do; the question is how they'll play outside their comfort zone. --Christina Roden

Product Description
The multi-Platinum band Great Big Sea has become one of Canada's most popular exports, and with the help of producer Michael Phillip (Barenaked Ladies), they're about to become even more popular with the release of Something Beautiful, their new studio album. From brisk Celtic pop sing-alongs like "Shines Right Through" and "When I Am King" to introspective, brooding laments like "Summer" and "Lucky Me," Something Beautiful is the most accessible Great Big Sea album yet. "Great Big Sea has been more successful than any other contemporary North American band in bringing Anglo-Celtic folk sounds into rock clubs." - Dirty Linen

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poppier Yet Classic, September 29, 2004

By	Tenebricosa - See all my reviews

This collection deviates somewhat from the previous ones in that several of the songs are very Pop, especially one of my favourites, When I am King. Despite this slight deviation they retain their roots in folk keeping with my favourite aspect of the band - their focus on audible vocals as opposed to loud and lengthy guitar riffs and drum solos.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Music, December 27, 2004

By	Robert Parker Balliger "BobBee" (Cortez, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a fun CD full of good to great compositions. Newfoundlands version of classic tracks, testamonials to the Newfoundland Spirit, and up beat smiling attitudes throughout. Best CD since their first CD. I look forward to their next release. Yes and secret; Go see them live, music is great, lots of happy folks, crowd singing to cheer the soul. You will not regret it at all!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sorry to see less traditional music, BUT...................., March 19, 2004

By	Paul Donnelly (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

the album holds up quite well. Unlike other Great Big Sea albums, there are two or three cuts here that I find myself skipping over, but original songs like "When I Were King", "Beat the Drum", "Shines right through", "Something Beautiful" and "Lucky you, Lucky me" are pretty darned good, and "John Barbour" is so good, it's almost worth picking up the CD just for that. "Helmethead" seemed very Pogues-like, and that's a compliment.

No, it's not "Rant and Roar or "Turn", those are five-star efforts, but this CD is deserving of four stars when put alongside past GBS releases. However, when compared to the usual schtick one finds on the radio dial, it IS a 5-star disc.

As for them selling out, it seems the fella who often fronts many of the traditional sea shanties has left the band and that is perhaps why GBS decided to go with just two traditional tunes. After all these years, what's so bad about them getting a little Bare Naked Ladies-type of recognition? They've earned it and I hope they achieve it.

One more thing, I saw them live for the first time on March 15th and they were spectacular. Anyone worried that the traditionals would take a back seat in their live shows need not worry. The new stuff sounded great also and "Lucky you, Lucky Me" was a perfect ode to the audience in one of their encores.

For fans and GBS and novies alike, I recommend getting this CD and I HIGHLY recommend seeing them live, you won't be disappointed.