Search - Amelia :: After All

Hooked

Yet another old guy | Phoenix, Arizona | 06/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"(You might want to see my review of Amelia's first album "Somewhere Left to Fall")



About "After All":



In my opinion, Jigsaw is the standout song. Unfortunately Amazon's sound clip doesn't include the chorus that contains the hooks, so you'll probably wonder what I'm talking about. The sound clip also lacks the higher frequencies so it is harder to hear the wide-open driving-through-the-desert-in-a-convertible feeling.



The song "Better than Sleeping Alone" sounds a little like an old black & white detective movie crossed with a WWII torch song. It grows on you like all the other songs. The sound clip suffers from the lack of high frequencies (the cymbals are supposed to evoke finger snaps), and chopping off the chorus at the end.



The chorus of "St. James" is the best part of the song, with more insistent vocals, drums and even handclaps. You wouldn't guess it from the sound clip.



"The Last Pariah" is a song that builds up to a short guitar instrumental and increasing instrumentation in the repeated chorus. The clip doesn't have it.



I like the song "Blackbird Pie", which is the oddity that adds some spice. It has a staccatto beat and percussion, electric guitar for flavor, and sounds kinda like a street-corner band the way some of Creedence Clearwater Revival sounded like a street-corner band.



The song "I Read the News Today" is a song available on the KEXP performance I mentioned in my review of Amelia's first album. I didn't think much of it at first, but eventually found it popping in my head after several listens. The vocals make the song.



The Amazon reviewer only wrote about the song "All but the Sea" - slow jazz singing over very spare instrumentation. It's done well, but I just don't like this style of music. None of the other songs are like this.



Cannonball sounds exactly like Aimee Mann on one of the slower songs on the I'm With Stupid album, except that Teisha has a better voice.



Why did I rate this 4 stars? This is a decent album by a band that shows a lot of talent. They make pleasing music that bears often repeated listening. But like REM, I keep hoping they will finally let go and bust out with a scorcher. Think "Don't Bring Me Down" by ELO. I'm only half-joking. Amelia has the chops and the talent to rip it up."

Can't Stop Spinnin'.........

H. Ruff | USA | 07/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently purchased the "After All" album and fell in love with Amelia. I've always been into searching for music that's different and unique. I just happened to come across this CD and took a chance (I had no idea what the music was like) LOL Boy was I amazed! I can't believe that I haven't heard of this band until now. I think the song that I play the most is Jigsaw. I have to admit that when I got the CD, I listened to it over and over for the first couple of days and then I started discovering the rest of the amazing songs.



The songs almost sound like they're from another time. It's just the right combination, the perfect voice.. the perfect band.



As far as comparing Amelia... there is no comparing.I HIGHLY recommend this album!

"

After All

Paul Brooks | Oregon | 06/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We purchased this cd a bit ago and it hasn't left our cd player for more than a week or two. We love the mood that the melodies evoke - the words are a great addition! We highly recommend this cd to anyone who likes to listen to music around the patio fire, while in the hot tub, while enjoying a romantic evening...well actually, while doing anything."