Search - Barry Adamson :: Oedipus Schmoedipus

Cool, Sophisticated, and Entertaining

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 12/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I came to be aware of Barry Adamson via his work with Nick Cave. With no friends who are fans already to offer advice on which Adamson CD is best, I took a shot in the dark and settled on this one.
It took a couple of listens to get used to his style. Much of it does indeed sound, as others have said, like music from a movie soundtrack. I find it enjoyable just to sit and listen to or to have on in the background while I work.
My favorite cuts are the sultry The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But the Vibes, the uptempo, jazzy Miles and The Sweetest Embrace, which features a guest appearance by the great Nick Cave on vocals. The rest of the CD is pretty good, too. There is nothing on it I dislike, there just aren't enough great tunes to warrant a five-star rating.
Barry Adamson is obviously very talented and I am looking forward to obtaining some other CDs of his work. Its impossible to really classify Adamson's music. Is it lounge? soul? jazz? industrial? If you are one who is musically adventurous, you will probably enjoy Oedipus Schmoedipus regardless of its classification. It is cool, it sophisticated, and it is very entertaining."

Dark and Elegant

Niklas P. Andersson | Santa Cruz, CA | 03/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This record hit me like a ton of bricks. From the smooth haunting sound of "Something Wicked This way Comes," to jazzy, vibraphone laden lounge tunes that reek of smokey nights and broken promises, this record pulls you in and graps you by your soul. "The Sweetest Embrace" is the most cathartic post-relationship tune I'm aware of--dark, beautiful, resolved. Oedipus Schmoedipus is my favorite Adamson record and the most accessible. A masterpiece. Apparently, he doesn't tour much in the U.S. as I keep looking for him to come to Chicago, but no such luck. My dream bill: Barry Adamson & Jah Wobble."

Smooth--like cheap whiskey

flimflam man | california | 05/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this one takes you by the throat and doesn't let up until the final cut. I heard SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES on the LOST HIGHWAY soundtrack and had to hear what this Barry Adamson was all about. This album is broken up into smooth jazzy lounge numbers and wicked humorous cuts. Kinda-sorta like Twin Peaks--Fire Walk With Me--or maybe better. What do I know I'm just some slob who likes good music and a good laugh--sometimes at the same time. Mr. Adamson is a modern genius with a wild imagination--that could be [potent]--or maybe not. What do I know..."