TastyBabySyndrome | "Daddy Dagon's Daycare" - Proud Sponsor of the Lit | 01/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When the world was briefly abuzz because of the cover that Frente did of New Order's Bizarre Love Triangle, I found myself going out and picking up the album. I've always like New Order anyhow and I've always liked that song, and I actually liked what Frente did with it. The way it was slowed down and striped to its basics, allowing the lyrics to shine as a love song, did it more than justice. What people forgot to mention to me was that Frente had other songs on the album that were really good works and that the album itself could perhaps become one of the most addictive products I ever put into my discman. So, unaware, I found myself taking on something I still haven't put down. The product itself starts out innocently enough, with the music combining with Angie Hart's voice in a way that is actually soothing. She has one of the most soothing sounds I've ever heard when she sings, making her sound almost approachable and yet beautiful all in the same motion. Its a cute type of sound and one that says that this person could be your friend and not a person launched into the realms of superstardom. It then combines with music that seems harmless enough, with it approaching you in an almost quaint way. Its a subtle hint that backs up Angie Hart's voice, bringing it out and working like many a functional accessory works. It makes you feel good when the song is designed to make you feel good, and it seems somber when Angie breaks out pains you can relate to. And then the songs form and the lyrics spill into song after song and, before long, it works its way into a place where you truly appreciate this album for its sound and variety of themes.I personally like this album as a whole work and that rare when dealing with something purchased for a single. I'd perhaps say that I'm attracted to "Ordinary Angels" a little more than anything on this album, but that's mostly because of the beat and the lines, "Ordinary people, its okay, you don't have to wear those wings. They're stupid things." Still, I equally find myself listening to the slower beat of "Lonely" and relating to the theme of "only I am in my arms," finding it sad and sadder still from such a fragile-sounding voice. Then there's other songs we can all understand like those stating that everyone has a "Pretty Friend" and that the "beds of roses becomes nails" when dealing with them, the feel-good theme translated in "Accidentally Kelly Street" that I absolutely adore, and even the tone reflected in the line on war "I don't want to die, I'm as innocent as anybody, I don't even know how to spell revolutionary."There's honestly quite a few songs showcased on this album that didn't get the coverage they deserved and that haven't gotten boring with age. I've honestly listened to this album more times than I can remember anymore, and I still keep in the rotation simply because some of those songs catch me after all these years. Perhaps this isn't the type of music you normally like listening to, but you should give it a try if you're in the mood to find something uplifting, emotional, and pretty all in one. God, I love this album and I keep it around because it soothes me for some reason."
I love it
TastyBabySyndrome | 04/10/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"if you aren't a fan of pop in the slightest, (like myself) you can still find a whole lot of just wonderful music on this CD. it's not drippy pop ballads with generic lyrics, this stuff is sung poetry with a catchy melody and tune. if you ever have some cash lying around pick up this CD....my friend introduced me to this... and when i bought it, i fell in love with angie hart's sweet voice, and i never leave home without it. it's a CD where all of the songs vaguely meld together, but if you're just sitting admiring the beauty of the world (accidently kelly street) or lying on the grass, you might want this light, yet meaningful CD on hand...it won't make you cry, but it doesn't leave you with that bubble gum pop after taste either."
Can't help listening
Vera Fok | Hong Kong | 05/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I truly think this album is great. At first, i just love the song
bizarre love triangle. But after i have brought the CD, i think all the songs are great. The band -- Frente is not just a band
singing those love songs, but some of their songs, of course the lyrics of the song also, spread some meaningful message like the ignorant of those revolutionary in the song Cuscutlan, the correct attitude of being a person -- "Don't be smart, be a beginner, Don't be wrong, even when it's right" in the song Ordinary Angels, so many i can't say it all here, just get one and feel the power of the band(which, unfortunately, broken in 1998)"
Cotton candy (+ a few vitamins)
aharon levy | brooklyn | 03/13/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album records a band that's attained a certain comfort level with itself, offering a sonic and lyrical take on the world which sounds like it's been reached after more than a few weekend-afternoon practices and late-night jams. They've hit equilibrium somewhere between longing and whimsy, and have tossed in a bit of the (personally) political to prevent themselves from floating away entirely. If this seems cozy, it definitely is, but it's never too cloying. And everything that's possible in this pretty-good, pretty-mellow, plain-old-pretty category reveals itself with the absolute knockout "Labour of Love." It's as pure a pop creation as you're likely to hear from the 90's, drawing from the same melancholy well as the better (but not the best) Beach Boys--an understated mix of coyness and directness which should be minor but somehow isn't. It elevates this from an album worth owning to one worth seeking."