Rotten Love is Levy's first CD. It is not, nor was it intended to be a concept album. Rather it is a collection of songs, that were written and sung by James and arranged and performed by Levy. Rotten Love was recorded ove... more »r a period of time, with various producers and in various studios in New York City. One Little Indian.« less
Rotten Love is Levy's first CD. It is not, nor was it intended to be a concept album. Rather it is a collection of songs, that were written and sung by James and arranged and performed by Levy. Rotten Love was recorded over a period of time, with various producers and in various studios in New York City. One Little Indian.
"With so many rip-off acts out there these days, Coldplay being one of the biggest offenders (in my opinion)... it's a shame to find a band that is copying off of a copier... Coldplay. That's not to say there aren't any original themes at all on this record, but the overtones of pop music riffs and subject matter dominate.
The high point is the title track, Rotten Love, where they find a bit of success and find a sound of their own, to create a decent slow MOR ballad, perfect for mix radio or possibly even college radio listeners.
A Coldplay fan would probably like this album, but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone searching for a bit of substance in their music."
No better way to listen to your heart breaking
M. winn | Saratoga Springs, NY United States | 05/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I found this CD a year or so ago while looking for something else. the more I listen to it the more it grows on me. I don't think the negative reviews warrant the strong Coldplay comparisons, it is way more obvious a comparison the great Morrisey and the 80's band The Smiths. Sure a few songs have similar guitar to Coldplay, and as much of a Coldplay fan as I am, the song Rotten Love stands at the forefront of Jilted Teen love songs. It is also James Levy's voice which pulls this out of a mockery of such broken hearted love songs and (a mere copy of The Smiths) to a sincere attempt to capture those emotions. I think this is one of the most over-looked pop albums of the last few years. The cheeky simple word play of the song "Wednesday", the big 80's sound of "On the Dance Floor", the cool loss of "Rector Street"? Just about every song is memorable and good. The gem again is Rotten Love, it stays with you and if are the type of person to let a song sink in you will be yearning to hear it because like lost love you will keep looking for it over and over. Open your mind (and your wallet) and buy this. I only wish Mr. Levy was able to repeat the success of this 2005 recording, it appears he has lost whatever he had to say with this one shot wonder, but what a wonder it is."
Sentimental but cool stuff
Patrick Hinshaw | Seoul, Korea | 02/09/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album is really great, if you like Coldplay, Travis, Slowdive, Belle & Sebastian, and Doves. And it really is that derivative. But, that's cool. It's great stuff. Lots o' fun. There are songs that you can sing to. Songs you can rock out to. All very accessible. I'm looking forward to their next album already - actually, it already came out. So that's another album on my list I guess."
Come on...Coldplay?
P. Trimble | Chicago, IL USA | 02/23/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Apparently you can't have a lead singer that sounds ANYTHING remotely like Chris Martin or you will be a considered a band that is 'copying a copier'. Come on! This is almost a concept album, and the album title explains it all. That right there differentiates them from Coldplay.
It has guitars, a male lead singer, and it is 'pop'. That's about all you can say ties them to Coldplay. This album has actual substance, something that Coldplay does not have. Without sounding pretentious, listening to this album is like going through a breakup. My favorite album of the year? Nope, but it's a solid CD that I listen to when the right mood strikes me.
Also, I love how people are so judgmental of Coldplay. They have some catchy tunes. Coldplay is the exact kind of band that all of the cool indie kids would love if they weren't popular. Do they have some terrible songs? Yep, but almost every band does. The only reason they get so much hate is because they are popular."