Nicholas Soucy | Lansing, Mi United States | 02/14/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Ed Harcourt usually shows potential, but often only has a few good songs coupled with several filler tracks which are cheesy.
When I had heard Movies of Myself by Rufus Wainwright, I thought that all of his songs would sound more like Ed Harcourt's "Strangers" album. I was disappointed with the light-hearted lounge-style singing of Wainwright, but Harcourt fills in that flavor much more effectively.
In fact, somewhere between Damien Rice's "O" album and Wainwright's "Want One" is where "Strangers" resides. I think Damien Rice's music is more soulful, though.
It's a good listen overall. However, I'd recommend buying it used because it's nothing that amazing. My rating is 3.5."
Reason to Last
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 03/24/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Strangers" is my introduction to Ed Harcourt's music. He writes interesting melodies and lyrics that leave room for interpretation. Probably the best track is "Born in the 70s" with its Jules Shear-style shotgun lyric & a driving piano, "Just like the record's stuck always repeating the past that never liked you before, you had no reason to last." The most different track on the disc is the acoustic Nick Drake-like dreamy "The Trapdoor" with the enigmatic moody lyric, "Looked death in the eyes, falling stalactites then burnt by a light as angels flew by who pulled me back up to the moonlit sky covered in dust, it was hard not to cry." "Loneliness" has nice energy with Ellekari Larsson's high wispy background vocals. "Strangers" is a good disc whose tracks are consistently strong. The only track I fail to click with is "This One's for You" with its inebriated rhythm, sounding like it was written by one who would need a taxi to get home. Some will probably like it for just that reason. Enjoy!"
Can't Get Enough Of It
R. Ellingson | northwest by northwest, MT | 02/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD off several reviews in various music trades. I usually don't do that cause more often than that there's 1 or 2 good songs and thats it. This CD is brilliant. Ed has a gift for melody. His lyrics are pretty straight and/or tell good stories too. He touches on many styles while still retaining identity. His voice bends around lots of areas to fit all this variety. Everyone I play this CD for wants it. Virtually everybody. This Cd is making me buy all his others too....and I'll let ya know. Buy this one. Very very good."
This is one of the best things I heard this year
alexander laurence | Los Angeles, CA | 02/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ed Harcourt is one of the most talented guys from England. He is a brilliant songwriter. He has put three albums in the past three years. Apparently he has written 500 songs, so he has a lot. He blends melody with ideas and thought. It is truly more amazing every time. Strangers is his recent album. It sounds incredible. "The Storm Is Coming" employs some hard rock sounds that Harcourt is not necessarily known for. "Born in The 70s" is more like glam rock. The song "Strangers" recalls some of his previous works, but Harcourt doesn't really repeat himself. The song itself has a weird arrangement. This must have been the result of working with a new producer in Sweden. "Let Love Not Weigh Me Down" has a rich sound and has a heart of experience behind it. On songs like "Something To Live For" and "The Trapdoor" you sense that Harcourt has a wealth of solid musical ideas. He hasn't gone dry. Harcourt has created his most diverse and well-rounded album. There hasn't been too many of these really good albums recently.