Search - Barcelona :: Absolutes

This album will surprise many people!!

freshnewmusic | Seattle, WA | 09/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, I'm not the type of person who rants and raves about albums too often. However, this album just might be the best I've heard in quite a while. For those of you who like to "discover" bands before they become popular, keep an eye on Barcelona. Soon you will be the indie insider who "listened to these guys before they were even a band." Give a listen to their album and you will discover a band that has yet to be "discovered."



Barcelona plays piano/guitar driven rock that is truly beautiful. Their alternative rock sound { "It's About Time" and "Stars" are stand-out tracks} incorporates intricate rythyms and massive guitars that set them apart from a market saturated by twenty-and-thirty-something alternative rock bands. In addition to this, they mix in just the right number of slow, string-accompanied, falsetto-driven songs to carry the album to the next level. Tracks like "First Floor People," "Get Up, Get Up, Get Up," and "Please Don't Go" showcase Brian's outstanding voice and will make you second-guess that this is their debut album. You are left with the feeling that these guys know how to make good music, period. They incorporate musical elements from many bands yet don't sound lie any in particular. From beginning to end, this album will take you on a journey that you won't want to end. I wish I had another chance to listen to it for the very first time.



I know that there are countless CD's realeased every day, but it would be well worth your time to check this one out. This CD is just too good for you to ignore."

Expectations blown!

Kelly Hansen | Palo Alto, Ca | 04/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am one of the people who bought the original Absolutes (released 9/07) and literally listened to the album until the disc wore out. While I was excited for this iteration, I expected simply a tweaked-up version of the original. Wow, were my expectations blown! If you are in the same boat and have bought-and-loved the original version, it is well worth checking Absolutes 2.0 out.



Absolutes is a transcendent listening experience from start to finish. The sound is clean, honest and ruminative. Barcelona's piano driven melodies and earnest lyrics incite an emotional and cerebral connection to the music. This release was remixed by three time Grammy winner Michael H. Brauer (Coldplay, John Mayer), and now the songs masterfully ride the fence of raw and refined in a way that will give you chills down your spine. The arrangements are natural and thoughtfully created in a way that allow Brian Fennell (Vocals, Piano), Rhett Stonelake (Drums) and Chris Bristol (Guitar) to shine as individual contributors yet radiate as a group. It's apparent that these college friends love creating music, as every key of the piano, tap of a cymbal and strum of the guitar is done so with intention, skill, and spirit.



While Barcelona is receiving raving reviews and is creating fans around the world, Absolutes could have been released 50 years ago to acclaim. It is timeless, reflective and without question worth checking out. I give Absolutes my highest recommendation and insist you experience it, too!

[...]



Similar artists: Coldplay, Keane, The Fray, Jack's Mannequin, Death Cab for Cutie."

Stick to the original

Jared Moody | Irvine, CA USA | 08/12/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I love Barcelona, but found that I far prefer the original 2007 release to the remixed tracks. In my opinion the new mixes don't capture the drive and energy of the songs like the original did.



Of course the new tracks that are only on this album are great and I would for sure recommend either buying both or listening to both and then purchasing the tracks not on the other album."