Spectacular First Effort
Richard R. Carlton | Ada, MI United States | 06/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are >4 version of this album, so without a track listing you can't tell which one this is.
Although known as Johnny Borrell's band, Razorlight lays down an incredible screaming raw wall of sound with a constantly surprising thread of brilliant chords and subtle themes intertwined to make you smile at all the right places. Sometimes it's a new song, sometimes it's a pause or phrase, always it's a brilliant layering of song, lyric, and sound.
These guys formed in 02 and have paid dues on the London scene with all the famous names. It shows in every track. They are more than ready and this album is it. Johnny Borrell is nothing less than spectacular and bandmembers Björn Ågren, Christian Smith-Pancorvo, and Carl Dalemo make it all work. Andy Burrows has now replaced Christian Smith-Pancorvo on drums.
For a great run start the album with In The City/To The Sea/Fall, Fall, Fall - this is one of the best sequential runs ever recorded. Personally I think they sound like Razorlight, but if I was into categorizing everything by the obvious influences I would say something like:
A male version of Patti Smith forgetting the lyrics to Gloria as he is invaded by the ghost of Lou Reed while being backed by John Cage and Velvet Underground. The unexpected transition into To The Sea evolves into a Kings-Of-Leon Talihina Sky-ish piece that drops like an unexpected waterfall into the lilting acoustics of Fall, Fall Fall. It certainly isn't Dylan (some reviewers seem to think any significant lyric sounds like dear old Bob).
Everybody justifiably raves about Rock `n' roll Lies/Eyes and Leave Me Alone but this is one of those extremely rare albums that holds together very well with each track becoming part of the cuts before and after. It's almost a shame to talk about any single song when they all fit together so perfectly.
As with most bands these days, there is a plethora of extra and bonus tracks on CD Singles, EPs, Albums, DVDs, Import, Export, Japanese, U.S., U.K. and other versions. To help you though the chaos, here is a current list of the Razorlight track releases that are not on the standard CD Album releases:
Action!
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah
Here It Comes
Spirit
Yes, You Should Know
When He Was Twenty
Heartbreak Soup
Just Can't Explain
Fairy Tale Of New York
For Georgia
Bright Lights
Dean Take Your Time
Losing Your Mind
Get It And Go
(hardest to find - only on import with bonus & import with bonus DVD albums)
Hang By, Hang By
Control!
Dagger In Your Heart
Believe In Me
Anabelle Says
Hey Ya!
Somewhere Else
Keep The Right Profile
There are some additional live, remix, and video tracks in addition to the songs listed above."
