Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Cleopatra [Explicit]

Top positive review

40 people found this helpful

A More Intense Sophomore Effort

ByR. Gerardon April 8, 2016

The Lumineers’ sophomore recording has arrived after years of waiting. Following their meteoric rise to popularity following the sensational self-titled debut album, one would imagine a second effort that reflects the pressure of a rising artist to replicate the formula of the record that put their name on the map.

Signed to Dualtone Records, however, Cleopatra instead reflects an effort of a group of musicians who have taken their time to craft something real. Indeed, some songs like “Sleep on the Floor” and “Gun Song” have been in The Lumineers’ repertoire for years — they’ve been played live for almost as long as the band has existed, and are presented here in a more developed form. “Gale Song” was recorded first a few years ago for the Hunger Games film franchise, and is re-recorded with more intense percussion by Jeremiah Fraites.

(Of note, however, an unrecorded favorite of many fans — a duet between Wesley Schultz and Neyla Pekarek — has been omitted despite high hopes that it would appear on this recording. A shame, as Neyla’s voice is quite brilliant and should be showcased, and fits well with Mr. Schultz’s. One might hope in future recordings that she’s given time to use her vocals in addition to her talents on the cello.)

The sound is undeniably that of The Lumineers. It is still music that is minimalist in its melodies and accessible in instrumentation, yet it packs a punch. There is no foot-stomping, communal anthem like “Ho Hey” here, or catchy high-spirited storytelling like “Submarines”. Rather, Cleopatra is decidedly more somber throughout. While the debut was like a picture album, Cleopatra is more of a linear chapter book. Schultz’s vocals are given more reverberation, which is a production choice many listeners might prefer to dispense with (thought it does benefit certain tracks). Neither, however, does the record reach the emotional depth of “Stubborn Love”, probably one of their greatest recorded songs to-date. The songs on average are rather brief, and I could wish for these glimpses of emotion to fully develop the way Wes, Neyla, and Jeremiah allowed “Stubborn Love”, “Dead Sea”, or “Charlie Boy” to do so masterfully.

That’s not to say the songs on here fall short. Rather, this album is more cohesive than the first, with a sustained pensive atmosphere. “In the Light”, for example, starts out very simply, and instruments are layered, allowing the song to develop organically. The new arrangement of “Gale Song” is probably one of the record’s biggest strengths. It is definitely the most melodic of the bunch, and one might wish for a lengthier track that develops similarly to the “Stubborn Love” formula.

“Long Way from Home” shows that Schultz can really write a melody. It is a simple arrangement for voice an guitar, a song about human frailty and dying, presented in a triple-meter reminiscent of a marche funebre/passacaile in the classical music tradition.

That track flows naturally into the following “My Eyes” with its waltz-like meter underscoring an opening melody reminiscent of Radiohead’s “Creep”. This is one track that begins to show a little more harmonic complexity. One might notice that this album features more of multi-instrumentalist bandmate Stelth Ulvang, and his contributions on piano offer a fuller sound, but with an improvisational quality. Any fan who has seen them live will appreciate Ulvang’s impressive skills at improvisation, and juxtaposed with the “less is more” approach to melody, his prominence in Cleopatra should become a welcome development in The Lumineers signature sound.

Cleopatra does not have the communal atmosphere of the first record, a quality that made their debut resonate with so many listeners. I would say that the debut album is the stronger of the two — more inventive and packed with melodies that are more likely to stick in the mind. The debut notwithstanding, this album stands well on its own. In the genre, Cleopatra ranks up there this year on my list of favorites along with Parker Milksop’s “The Very Last Day”.

Top critical review

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Good, but not great.

ByAmazon Customeron August 9, 2016

I really enjoyed the first album. This second album is good, but not as great. There are two songs I really enjoy. The songs on this album are slow and mellow and there isn't anything that stands out and makes me get excited to see them in concert. Overall the album is enjoyable, but I feel I was just expecting more from this awesome band on their sophomore CD.

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Showing 21-30 of 290 reviews(Verified Purchases). See all 331 reviews

Excellence All Around

ByAbigail J. Seversonon June 7, 2016

Format: MP3 MusicVerified Purchase

I have become obsessed with this album, I cannot stop listening to it. I liked The Lumineers' first album just fine, but I'm very much enjoying the direction they've taken in their latest go with Cleopatra. I don't believe there's a single track I ever skip, they're all fun and interesting. Definitely get this album, whether you've listened to The Lumineers before or not.

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Like "Cleopatra"

ByHarriet H. Littleon March 24, 2017

Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase

I'm enjoying my new cd by one of my favorites.

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Wonderful Band GROWING On This Record-Bad Vinyl Issues AGAIN

ByUSMC Combat Veteran-Who SURVIVEDon August 11, 2016

Format: VinylVerified Purchase

I hear what steve G 82 Hears on Vinyl (see his review)...

Right up front I LOVE this group-more than even I fully understand. I think maybe because my Mom was a musician with 7 albums of HER own and I grew up as a baby left on stage "left" while she helped to invent Rockabilly. Whatever it is, I LOVE this group and I am oddly attracted to them even with this "darker" album. That doesn't bother ME in the least. Hell, I'm depressed ALREADY so I just appreciate them for being able to change it up and stretch their wings. I give the music and album a HARDCORE 5+. I give the Vinyl pressings 1- and this exact issue is the same with their first album for me. Both albums are warped and BADLY so. Then there are the little bubbles and dimples in BOTH. Weird I have NO skipping but no way I am not returning both and hope I get better on next from Amazon (Direct-NO off brand sellers for me thanks).

So please, know I LOVE the record, different as it is. I love seeing groups with ability to "change" and find RANGE and not let producers lock them up in their money machine cage. But Vinyl shoppers need to REALLY look over their albums and listen carefully. We pay a FORTUNE in "Vinyl Surcharge" for our love affair and these producers owe US an equal measure of loyalty since we are writing their paychecks here.

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Good Music

BySteve C.on March 25, 2017

Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase

Good Music

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Five Stars

ByAmazon Customeron April 10, 2017

Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase

Awesome

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Excellent second album

ByDiane Bersonon May 9, 2017

Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase

Love this band. Cleopatra, Ophelia, Angela are great songs.Some of the others near the end are unremarkable, but can't complain.

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If you love the Lumineers self-titled album

ByJessimakaon May 23, 2016

Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase

If you love the Lumineers self-titled album, you will love this one too. I fell in love with their music & was a little nervous about their new album as I am any other artist I love. Sometimes they do an 180 & switch up their sound. This album bears the heart & soul of the lumineers & anyone who appreciates their art form will love this album too.

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Great quality vinyl

ByGaretton September 3, 2016

Format: VinylVerified Purchase

Great quality vinyl. It also came with a digital download link. I can't wait to see them live in a few weeks.

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Hi, just ignore my opinion...

ByDogBreath101on December 8, 2016

Format: MP3 MusicVerified Purchase

I could have sworn I purchased this but I cant find it. So now a repurchase. It's good enough for me to repurchase. Therefore, I give it 5 stars, but I like this band. So in essence, it a bias opinion; a favorable opinion. Hmm, how about I just say I like this band and send ya love & sign off? ;)

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Noisy VINYL.. MUSIC 5 * Vinyl *1 Read full review

Bysteve G 82on July 28, 2016

Format: VinylVerified Purchase

Let me start by saying that I love the lumineers... I decided to go ahead and get this on vinyl even though I already had a cd and mp3 version after being pleased with their self titled release.. So the music is an easy 4- 5 stars

***************VINYL REVIEW****************

S***... garbage... not good at all. This is not virgin vinyl.. They had to of used recycled crap on this. I tried it on my TT and my friends who is even better than mine. (mine is a $400 TT and his is around 600). Both of us have Ortofan carts.. Mine is the Red his is the Blue. This is a noisy album. 180 audiophile means nothing if its just crap wax.. I thought it was just surface dirt.. I tried my spin clean on it and still noisy.. So I took to my friends and he did a deeper clean on it.. Made sure it was spotless.... Still noisy.. Im probably going to keep it just because im a fan but not very happy with it.. It has all kinds of surface noise and a distant almost hum in the background that is noticable in the quiet parts and in between songs.