Search - Gentle Waves :: Green Fields of Foreverland

Off-Key Warblings & Meandering Musings

Jarrod San Angel | USA | 04/10/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Call me heartless, but I think Isobelle Campbell's best work is with Belle & Sebastian. Hands down. Her gems, "Is it wicked not to care?," and "The Gate" glitter with the same sparkling artistry that inspires so much of B&S's fine work. But this album? This highly anticipated debut? A dazzler it isn't. Perhaps it's my own fault. I bought the stinker with high expectations, figuring anyone who can(seemingly) write with the likes of Stuart Murdoch has GOT TO BE good. And damn if I wasn't wrong. I should have kept in mind the fact that all of the really inspired, timeless work was penned by Stuart himself. And another thing! Isobelle's voice is.. how should I put this.. (politely, I suppose) .. less than kind on the ears at times. Thin, sparse, delicate, and frail.. her voice barely makes it through the speakers.. and when it does, I can't say that's a good thing."

Perception

oxygenate | 11/30/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"i didnt like this album when i first heard it. i had ripped to to listen on my computer and shuffled amoung other songs. when it came on, it finally hit me. i enjoyed it so much. i think maybe if some of the negative reviews gave it a second, or even third, chance, it may grow on them. i would recommend it to a listener who wants to try something different. (btw, i heard this before b&s!)also a note- if you dont like this album, or anything else here, would it be too much trouble to state it in an 'intelligent' manner? (...) once more - four stars and i would recommend it for something different and wonderful. but like another review said, if you prefer you music loud and heavy then you may not like it. its safe to call this album 'airy'. but give it a shot, who knows? ;-)"

Props to Isobel + Friends

itsoybunnyagain | Brooklyn, New York United States | 06/27/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The arrangements on The Green Fields of Foreverland are wonderfully sparse and lovingly played. They are clear and simple, a virtue that most bands could learn from. The playing is certainly amateur, but makes no effort to hide this and that is (mostly) charming. Most of the songs are very quiet and full of atmosphere. The lyrics are lovely and poetic, occasionally funny. It's not navel-gazing stuff."