Search - Neil Gaiman :: Where's Neil When You Need Him?

Inspired by & dedicated to Neil

Tom Knapp | Lancaster, PA USA | 09/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Neil Gaiman's vision comes to us in many forms. Sometimes, it's words in a book. In other instances, his imagination is expressed through the hand of an artist or, less often, the eye of a film director. Now, it's coming to us as music.



But, inspiration aside, how's the music? It's good. It's fun. It's moody. It's diverse. I don't love all of the music, but every track honors the source material, and that's saying a lot. The album progresses through a stream of Gaiman's ideas and visions, some direct, some oblique.



There are many musical styles represented here, from goth/metal and medieval rock to folk, electronica and trip-hip. Given the variety of Gaiman's work, it's fitting; as he notes in his introduction to the liner notes, "music was always part of the writing process -- different music for different stories." Frankly, I'm not sure there's variety enough; most of the music here fits into a similar vein of modern/alternative/industrial/pop themes, and I can't help but think Gaiman's stories would inspire a bit of old-world folk here, a baroque riff there, perhaps a touch of jazz or blues. But, considering what the album has rather than what it hasn't, I like the package it makes. It's not necessarily a soundtrack to a little light Gaiman reading, but it's a fair homage to an amazing body of work.



by Tom Knapp, Rambles.NET editor"

*WOW*!!!

M. Duvall | Dallas, TX United States | 09/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are ANYTHING of a Neil Gaiman fan, go out and buy the "Where's Neil When You Need Him?" CD this very instant :~D!!!



Not only does every song tie in *fantastically* with one of his works, including 'The Sandman', 'Coraline', The Wolves in the Walls', 'Mirrormask', 'Neverwhere', 'American Gods' and more, being inspired by them and created and recorded by huge fans, it's *FABULOUS* music in its own right!



Even the stuff here that's not to my taste is extraordinarily well done. But most of it is, and I've found some favourite new songs here, including Lunascape's "Raven Star" (inspired by 'Stardust'), Thea Gilmore's "Even Gods Do" (which is all about 'American Gods') and Voltaire & the Oddz' extraordinarily, perfectly upbeat (considering what Death's all about) "Come Sweet Death"!



The liner notes are extensive and include quite a bit of noodling from the master himself and a lot of insight into the artists' choices of works to base their songs on.



This album has both introduced me to several fabulous new artists and reinvigorated my drive to re-read Gaiman's works that I already have and buy and read those I haven't. And it's fantastic having a soundscape to his literary works :~).

"

A smashing tribute to Neil

Valerie Strilko | Campbell, CA United States | 10/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am highly impressed with how clearly the songs reflect Neil's characters. Some comps are merely a collection of released songs, but Where is Neil When You Need Him? contains songs composed specifically for this release. I tend to be critical of comps, but this is chockfull of fabulous little gems.



The highlights for me included:

Joachim Witt's Vandemar (seriously creepy and predatory, much like Mr V), Lunascape's Raven Star (a hauntingly beautiful ethereal melodic dream), Future Bible Heroes' Mr. Punch (quirky, humorous yet sick & twisted) and Cruxshadows' Wake the White Queen (inspired lyrics and totally danceable)



Neil picked the bands who performed on the album, which speaks volumes. This is a must have for Neil fans, especially those of the spooky persuasion."