2007 album from the UK outfit. They are Alabama 3, nine rough and ever-ready souls from Brixton, London and beyond, and they are back to steal your children. MOR is the name of the album, as eclectic and rich a mix of mus... more »ical styles as you could ever hope to hear - there is Blues, Country, Reggae, Rap and more - and for no other reason than a need for truth, let us call it their best album since their classic debut, 1997's Exile on Coldharbour Lane. The Alabama 3 have been called, amongst other things, "the best live band in Britain." Their music has graced everything from The Sopranos to The Simpsons, and celebrity fans include Irvine Welsh and the world's biggest selling author, Stephen King. They are undoubtedly the greatest American act the UK ever did produce, and their heady combination of Techno and C&W, alongside a proclivity for Rock 'N' Roll decadence and an acute social conscience means that they are effectively a unique entity in modern music. One Little Indian.« less
2007 album from the UK outfit. They are Alabama 3, nine rough and ever-ready souls from Brixton, London and beyond, and they are back to steal your children. MOR is the name of the album, as eclectic and rich a mix of musical styles as you could ever hope to hear - there is Blues, Country, Reggae, Rap and more - and for no other reason than a need for truth, let us call it their best album since their classic debut, 1997's Exile on Coldharbour Lane. The Alabama 3 have been called, amongst other things, "the best live band in Britain." Their music has graced everything from The Sopranos to The Simpsons, and celebrity fans include Irvine Welsh and the world's biggest selling author, Stephen King. They are undoubtedly the greatest American act the UK ever did produce, and their heady combination of Techno and C&W, alongside a proclivity for Rock 'N' Roll decadence and an acute social conscience means that they are effectively a unique entity in modern music. One Little Indian.
CD Reviews
Another Great CD from the unique Eclectic Alabama 3!
Keith A. Sarson | Falls Church, VA United States | 11/11/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"From the first notes of Fly, with the Haunting chorus of "Fly With Me" you know that you are in for another great ride from the masters of acid/house/techno/blues/country/gospel rock. In fact there are no other groups that produce such a cacophony of sound and make it all blend seamlessly together. The first single "Lockdown" is a good song also, but my favorite is "Monday Don't Mean Anything" which is especially prophetic after I recently got laid off. This cheery song rocks with Jamaican Errol T adding a happy groove to the song. Then a (semi-)serious song a tall tale of an alligator wrestler name of Amos Moses-a fun twangy remake of a Jimmy Reed blues song. "Are You a Souljah" with its rap middle-adding another musical genre to the eclectic mix-Are you a Souljah of Love? I am-RonPaul2008.org! This is followed by the most country-like song on the CD-"The Klan". A humorous mash-up of Gil Scott Heron's ditty about another seriously twisted group. Hooked is a love song of sorts, "Locked up, tangled up, hung up in your love, "got me hooked baby", strung out, coming down smack down in the middle of your love, "got me hooked baby".
The title song, "The Middle Of the Road", is a spoof of all the self-important figures of modern day rock making fun of the Eagles, James Taylor, Don McLean, David Crosby imploring to let it go, let the music save your soul! "Walk It (All Night Long)" bounces along joyfully if not purposely. "Way Beyond The Blues" references the Great Escape, but is more of a palate cleanser than a good song in its own right. It is more a sad song about having the blues, than the genre of music known as the Blues.
"Holy Blood" is a rich lilting haunting gospel vision entwining the Blood of Christ with the blood spilled in holy wars through the ages. "Sweet Joy" is a joy with its chorus "If you were the only girl in the world, and I was the only boy, we walk down desperate avenues, singing songs of sweet joy", "sweet joy"...but I don't see the point of the 2 and a half minute silence before the hidden end of sweet joy, and it does not add much to the song anyways...guess it is better skipped.
All in all I will be putting "Monday Don't Mean Anything", "Amos Moses", "Holy Blood", and "Sweet Joy" on the MP3 Player (I Don't support the Applenopoly), and I can't help myself from listening to the CD over and over again. Like most of their CD's you hear more every time you listen to it!"
Excellent Next Effort...
W. Wilkerson | Earth; waiting for a ride... | 11/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Generic A3 qualifier: given their amazing and often none-2-subtle stylistic variations, it becomes hard to know what to expect from ANY Alabama Three disc. This work does not disappoint and provides yet another chapter in the ongoing creative palate that is the A3. That said, much like Exile on Coldharbour Lane, this work is best appreciated after multiple multiple listening sessions and while the HIGH price may sting at first you will not regret owning this work. Should you be new to the A3 - consider Exile as the first purchase if you seek a single disc [available used in many locations] and then sample from the interim works... they are all very good, wonderfully unique and without exception quite accessible. Since there is little difference in price, consider purchasing directly from the record label... Mr. Bezos is rich enough."
What you would expect
N. Stein | Baton Rouge, LA USA | 10/25/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you've never heard Alabama 3/A3 then I highly recommend you give them a listen. At the time of this review Amazon has it listed at $30 something so might want to find one of the cheaper ones to try out.
I'd have to say that the album M.O.R. is most like thier original Exhile album.
It's hard to review these guys but I've liked all of thier albums to date and was very pleased with this one even if it did cost an arm and a leg. I'd say it's thier second best album.
If you haven't gotten a copy of Exhile on Cold Harbour Lane I'd recommend that one over this (still my favorite)."
Damn interesting album...
Fletcher | Foxboro, MA | 11/14/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Having first heard "Le Peste" and then "Last Train to Mashville" I didn't really know what to expect from this album... and that's a lot of what I got, the unexpected.
I guess the success of "Woke Up This Morning" gave who or whatever is A3 some budget to work with production. Real horns, real strings [and if they ain't real... damn good job of making them sound real!!!]. Great arrangements, great depth to the lyrics... I haven't found the songs quite as gripping or with quite as much depth as I found on "Le Peste" and "Mashville"... but "Monday Morning" and "Fly w/Me" are absolutely gripping.
While there isn't a turd on the album, and it's great driving music to have envelop you [or at least me] in the car... I found myself wandering in and out of the songs... something would catch me here... and then my mind would wander off for a while when all of a sudden something else would grab me by the throat and pull me back in.
While not the masterful work I have grown to love on "Le Peste"... maybe when it's been in as 'heavy rotation' in the car as "Le Peste" has been over the years this too will be a work I will never want to be without.
Fabulous recording that seems to be made for people who either make records or love music... this ain't kid stuff... it's too damn fine!!!"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1