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What Is Love For
 
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What Is Love For

Justin Currie
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews) | More about this product
Price: $16.98 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Samples
Song Title Time Price
listen  1. What Is Love For? 3:10$0.99 Buy Track
listen  2. Not So Sentimental Now 2:57$0.99 Buy Track
listen  3. Walking Through You 3:26$0.99 Buy Track
listen  4. Something In That Mess 3:06$0.99 Buy Track
listen  5. If I Ever Loved You 4:30$0.99 Buy Track
listen  6. Only Love 3:15$0.99 Buy Track
listen  7. Gold Dust 3:17$0.99 Buy Track
listen  8. Out Of My Control 3:42$0.99 Buy Track
listen  9. Where Did I Go? 3:48$0.99 Buy Track
listen10. Still In Love 3:58$0.99 Buy Track
listen11. No, Surrender 7:40$0.99 Buy Track

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Frequently Bought Together

What Is Love For + B-Sides Lousy With Love + No Surrender EP
Price For All Three: $45.94

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  • This item: What Is Love For ~ Justin Currie

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  • B-Sides Lousy With Love ~ Del Amitri

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  • No Surrender EP ~ Justin Currie

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Product Details

  • Audio CD (October 23, 2007)
  • Original Release Date: October 8, 2007
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Rykodisc
  • ASIN: B000TLYOHU
  • Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #86,487 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

****

Ex-Del Amitri singer makes top-notch return.

Saying Currie knows how to craft a song is a bit like saying Caravaggio could paint, but the sideburned Scot s solo debut maybe prove to be his masterwork. It s pointed, harp-decorated title track includes a stunning modulation, while the drifting, harmony-rich Walking Through You is the kind of affectingly winsome nugget you d hear everywhere were The Eagles to record it. Lyrically, the heart s stoicism (If I Ever Loved You) and capacity for deceit (Where Did I Go?) are brilliantly dissected, Currie occasionally sliding into an easy falsetto and spitting tumbling bile-infused verses on epic closer No Surrender. The latter is magnificently ambitious, our host thumbing a whole Rolodex of modern-world ills as electric piano and emotive strings swells build drama. Touchstones here, Currie has said, included Plastic Ono Band and Nina Simone and Piano. Such classic references have bred near-classic results.

- James McNair --Mojo


Product Description

The stunning solo debut from the founder and voice of DEL AMITRI.

"More than anything, I think that these songs represent the end of my youth," Justin Currie says of What Is Love For, his first solo album and his Rykodisc debut. "I wanted to allow my world-weariness to roam unchecked. And I wanted to be straight about love about how I can't explain it, control it or figure it out."
As lead singer and main songwriter of Scottish rock/popsters Del Amitri, Currie established an enviable reputation for sterling melodic craftsmanship and pithy, forthright lyrics. What Is Love For maintains those qualities, while achieving impressive new levels of musical and emotional immediacy.

"For me," Currie states, "the song 'What Love Is For?' sums up this record, in that it's ostensibly bleak, but underneath, there's a Morse code melody that's telling you something else. "

What Is Love For features 11 Currie compositions whose pensive meditations on love's darker margins are supported by spare, organic arrangements. Such numbers as "Not So Sentimental Now," "Walking Through You," "If I Ever Loved You" and the haunting title track confront their thorny subject matter with a compelling blend of hard-won insight and pointed humor.
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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews
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 (13)
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 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The record Currie always had in him... - Review by Raindog's Rants (http://raindog.jasonarena.com), November 12, 2007
A couple of months ago, when I read Justin Currie, formerly of Del Amitri, had penned a song called No Surrender, I raised an eyebrow. Could the eternally cynical, atheistic, and borderline clinically-depressed catalogue of Currie's finally welcome something hopeful to its canon? Would this song be in the same thematic family as Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down and Triumph's Never Surrender? Had Currie changed his eternally fatalistic point-of-view or joined a "sunshine cult" somewhere in his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland (and considering Glasgow, is that ironic)? It was several weeks later I learned the actual title of the song was No, Surrender (note the comma) and its message was somewhere along the lines of saying "just give up." Ah, it's the Justin Currie I know.

Justin Currie's debut, What Is Love For (on Rykodisc), is the record I've always suspected he'd produce when he went solo. To call the lp bleak and beautiful is not a contradiction. Not if you know Currie. Although they never became a household name, Del Amitri nurtured a rabid cult following which kept them afloat as contemporaries sank w/ the fickle tastes of pop culture. It didn't hurt that Del Amitri wrote some excellent pop tunes. However, it was always the Currie-penned b-sides -with lyrics stinking of whiskey and self depreciation delivered with Currie's fantastic, honey-coated pipes- that always got me and my friends talking. Using the power of the record store we worked at, we'd order Del Amitri singles from all over the globe and trade for songs we didn't have. The new record is kindred to those desperate ballads and drunk waltzes once relegated to out-of-print Del singles.

After a couple of listens, I started thinking of Han Solo (circa Episode IV- A New Hope, otherwise known as the first one if you were alive in the 1970's). Bear with me...

"Wonderful girl. Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to like her." -Han Solo

"sometimes i love you/somtimes i hate you/i know you struggle too/it's in your nature." -Justin Currie

_____________________________________________________________________

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." -Han Solo

"the confidence of kings/leaches from my hands/where jupiter did sing/a drunken janitor now stands/to figure who you are/you look in every single car/where they stick those tired sideways look at life/the wings you think life's given you/they couldn't lift a bread crust." -Justin Currie

__________________________________________________________________

"Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other, and I've seen a lot of strange stuff. But I've never seen anything to make me believe that there's one all-powerful Force controlling everything. There's no mystical energy field that controls MY destiny." -Han Solo

"There are some strong altruistic ideals that run through Christianity, but believing in something you can't see, touch, feel or hear in any way . . . the whole idea of blind faith, following orders-that's where fascism comes from." -Justin Currie

______________________________________________________________________

"What good is a reward if you ain't around to use it? Besides, attacking that battle station ain't my idea of courage. It's more like... suicide." - Han Solo

"Should you stand and fight, should you die for what you think is right
So your useless contribution will be remembered?
If you're asking me I say no, surrender." -Justin Currie

____________________________________________________________________

You see what I mean? These guys are pragmatic scoundrels cut from the same cloth. But just like Han, there's somthing beneath Currie's music that makes me question what he's written. Its so damn pretty, I can't help myself. If the the lyrics are ignored, you'd swear you were listening to a collection of love songs. The music is rich and textured. The voice is dynamic and emotive. You don't want it to end this way. You want to say, "Well take care of yourself Justin, I guess that's what you're best at, isn't it?" ...only to turn and find Mr. Currie swooping in and saying, "YAHOOOOO! You're all clear, kid. Now let's blow this thing and go home."

God, I just geeked out. I really couldn't even help myself. Anyway, Currie's What Is Love For has something I'm not finding a lot of right now: indie pop for grown-ups. I'm sorry if that tag hurts a little. But I'm a grown up. And it is nice to listen to a dark record written by a literate person who has a fantastic vox and melodic sense rarely heard anywhere right now. This sucker is in my top 10 of the year....
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11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Glad to hear Justin Again, Great Voice, Great Lyrics, October 28, 2007
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I think my life changed the moment I saw the video for "Kiss this thing Goodbye" back in 1989. Since I bought Waking Hours on Tape as a senior in high school, Del Amitri has been my favorite band. I can not begin to tell you about how over the years the lyrics to various Del Amitri songs have gotten me through some goodtime and certainly plenty of heartbreak.

If you have never heard "Waking Hours", "Change Everything" or "Twisted" please download them, buy them, itune them, whatever you have to do, but those 3 albums are as close to perfect as you can get. Also check out some of the B-sides to those CD's. Absolutely amazing.

Personally, I never felt the CD's after were as good. Both Some Other Suckers and Can You Do Me Wrong have great songs, some really great songs, but they never captured me the same way the first 3 CD's did.

I saw Del Amitri in concert for the 3rd time in NYC at the Supper Club just as Some Other Suckers Parade came out and then it seemed like they feel off the face of the earth. No new videos, the websites had no new updates, it was heartbreaking to have your favorite band kinda disappear.

However over the last year, tracks from Justin's debut solo album appeared on Myspace and word got out of the new CD.

Boy it was worth the wait. Its new, original and at the same time reminds me of Del Amitri at their moody, sad, best. Justin's lyrics tell stories, stories anyone who has ever been in or out of love can relate to.

It is a great CD, again new but at the same time will remind you of the best of Del Amitri. Listen all the way to the end, especially the short hiddent track 12.

A great CD, great singer, great song writer.

Buy IT!
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5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Long Time Coming, October 30, 2007
By T. Caven "Caven" (PEWAUKEE, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I'm long time Del Amitri fan (since '91) and have been waiting anxiously for this album's release. If you were a fan of Del you will LOVE this CD! Several songs are reminiscent of old Del tunes like "Driving with the Brakes on," and Justin's voice is still simply amazing! I highly recommend this purchase - you will NOT be disappointed.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Indelible Artist
Justin proves here he's the self-depreciating talent behind Del Amitri's greatness. This is a beautiful and haunting late night with a drink sorrows album with some rays of... Read more
Published 13 months ago by C. Nekritz

1.0 out of 5 stars A Terrible Disappointment
I looked forward to this release as much as anything that came out in 2007. This cd may have been better off as a book of poems. Read more
Published 16 months ago by extrabasemm

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Surrender...and buy it.
Mr. Curries very own brand of melancholy can, at the first listen, sound soul-destroying and dreadfully depressing, but keep listening to this smooth-talking Glaswegian and you'll... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Gillian

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite!
This recording is simply gorgeous. With a rare honesty, Justin Currie gives us rich stories and touching reminiscences to frame our own intimate truths. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Johnny C.

4.0 out of 5 stars Justin Currie escapes Del Amitri
Justin Currie's songwriting is on par with Don Henley, John Hiatt and John Lennon. I know, that's pretty "out there. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Michael Mullins

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolute Stunner!
If the definition of a great song is it's ability to express in words and music what the listener is feeling subconsciously - then this is one superb collection of songs. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Jill

5.0 out of 5 stars del Amitri = Justin Currie
I loved and still love Del Amitri. But this solo album of frontman Justin Currie is " old fashioned" good.
His voice even seems better than before. Read more
Published 23 months ago by R. J. M. Nijs

2.0 out of 5 stars Pass the Scotch & Razor Blade
I'll start off by saying that I'm a long time Del Amitri fan. I was even fortunate enough to meet them on their Waking Hours tour. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Tiki

5.0 out of 5 stars still one of the better lyricists around...
this guy wants me to jump into his brain and witness the creative process when he's writing songs.
Published on November 20, 2007 by Nick D

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical voice and inspired songs
Rock music has spawned a few truly haunting voices that you'd recognize anywhere, whatever they're singing and whatever band they're singing with. Read more
Published on November 6, 2007 by Paulette Baker

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What Is Love For
85% buy the item featured on this page:
What Is Love For 4.5 out of 5 stars (16)
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