Ed Harcourt's "From Every Sphere"

Hiya Minky

I was thinking of picking this up to on the strength of reviews. Maybe it's a "grower".

Do you have the previous album? I thought that was overrated as well. Pleasent but overrated.

Jay

Hi Jay,

To be honest I had never heard of him before. The reviews were so good (Uncut album of the month etc) that even though, after having it on trial from the shop and not being immediately taken with it, I thought that maybe it would repay repeated listening (these are often the best - most of the keepers in fact).

Anyway, today I sat down and listened to the whole thing again. It irritates me when something is so close it's influences and I kept hearing Bowie songs. One of them is so close to "Heroes" it's not funny.

Anyway, The Tom McRae is a very clever album. I notice that a new Dandy Warhols has just been released here and I am also keen to hear the new Evan Dando when it comes out. Have you heard these or is there anything else I should know about ?

All the best,

Mark.

I haven't got this, but I have his first 'Here Be Monsters ??' and think it's pretty good, conversly I cannot get into the new Tom McRae and think it far inferior to his 1st

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Originally posted by greeny:
I haven't got this, but I have his first 'Here Be Monsters ??' and think it's pretty good, conversly I cannot get into the new Tom McRae and think it far inferior to his 1st

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Greeny,

What was Tom McRae's first album called ?

Listened to Tom McRae's - 'Just Like Blood' again last night (1st time for maybe 2-3 weeks) and maybe I misjudged it slightly, I did quite enjoy it and will give it another go in a few days. Still prefer his 1st though.

Greeny,

It's definitely a grower. I am looking forward to hearing "Eponymous".

Another one is David Gray's latest. Although I quite liked "White ladder", the new one sounded like more of the same so I didn't get it. Anyone heard it ? What about the new Ben Harper ?

Hi Mark

Apologies for the delay on responding I've been busy "fragging" Rico this evening. Don't ask

The first Ed Harcourt could definitely be a go if the latest is growing on you. I've bought an embarressing amount of music recently and with one thing or another haven't had much time to sit down and listen.

One album I would recommend is Jesse Malin's The Fine Art of Self Destruction. It's produced by Ryan Adams if that's of any consequence.

Jay

Yeah...well it seemed like a good idea at the time.

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Another one is David Gray's latest. Although I quite liked "White ladder", the new one sounded like more of the same so I didn't get it. Anyone heard it ? What about the new Ben Harper ?

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Oh and David Gray's latest A New Day @ Midnight isn't as good as White Ladder IMHO.

The latest Ben Harper is good - as far as it goes. You kinda get the feeling he's going through the motions - another album, another tour, another $, etc.

Jay

Yeah...well it seemed like a good idea at the time.

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Originally posted by Minky:
I bought this on the strength of extremely compelling reviews from very creditable sources. I have listened to it 4 or 5 times now and I am afraid I just don't get it.

Bleed a river deep = Submarine bells (the Chills).
Most of the rest of the album seems to have been written shortly after Mr Harcourt listened to a "best of" Bowie compilation.

So, is this album a collection of thinly disguised bowie covers rehashed with childish melodies and simplistic and uninteresting modulations or am I missing the point ? Discuss.

BTW I bought the new Tom McRae at the same time. Nice.

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Minky, you are, to put in politely, a complete tosser.

Mmm, sorry about that. I didn't think it was any good.

Yes, well I have just listened to Mr Ed again three weeks later and can report that everything you said is utter shite. This album really is a grower. Shame you didn't give it a chance to do so before you slagged it off in public.

Look, I said I was sorry. What do you want, blood ?

No, I think a good long listen to Norah would be an appropriate punishment. Come on, you might actually like it.

Nooooooooooooooo !