CD Review (kinda) - 'Cassadaga' by Bright Eyes

Genre: According to their facebook "Rock and Roll". According to Wikipedia, indie folk rock.

Review: 

I first discovered Bright Eyes online back in late 2006 on some Spotify-like website, the name of which I forget and which has since closed down. “Cassadaga” was the first C.D. that I bought by the band, sometime later, and remains one of my favourites by them.

So, why review it now? I have no doubt that I cannot do this record justice and nor can I review it very well. The music is full of double meanings and messages about life. To talk about it is to have to unravel the meaning and debate the issues, something that I am not qualified to do. A friend of mine, however, has been asked to review a song for her university course and has chosen “First Day of my Life” (from “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning”) therefore I have written this mainly to try and provide some inspiration for her and I would not consider it a full review even if it's quite long.

I’m doing this quite differently. I’ve written a track by track review of the first five tracks and then a summary. Obviously, this isn’t my normal style but this isn’t a normal review either!

The opening track, “Clairaudients (Kill or Be Killed)” is something that I rarely listen to because of its rather bizarre opening. A woman talks about psychic matters while discordant music builds up in the background. I believe that I once read that Bright Eyes deliberately makes the openings of their CDs difficult to avoid the ‘casual listener’. If this is the case then it works. It’s a shame though because the song itself, which comes in at the two minute mark is actually quite pleasant. Heralded by gentle fingerpicking Oberst’s lazy vocals enter, crooning a socio-political message. Maybe you should have listened to the introduction: this CD isn’t going to be an easy ride.

The next song “Four Winds” is easily one of the most musically upbeat of the album with a bouncy fiddle introduction leading into similarly bouncy vocals.  Interestingly, this change to a more joyous tone serves to emphasise the message of the song through its contrast. Although the song, as many by the band, is a critical look at life it uses jubilant  imagery, and tone, in order to emphasise and, I feel, undermine a lot of the aspects that society find to be important.

“If the Brakeman Turns my Way” seems to give a more introspective view of life and focuses on the self-development of the narrator and the listener. The simple backing, initially provided by a piano, combined with the use of vocal harmonies during the chorus, ensures that the focus is always on the lyrics which are exquisitely profound.

The rhythmic drive of “Hot Knives” gives the impression of a never ending inescapable continuation, probably to illustrate the nature of the lives of the character(s) of this song. The lyrics of this song are beautiful, focusing on the evils and vices of life, on escapism, but ultimately on forgiveness of others and of the self.

Finally, a love song! Of course, “Make a Plan to Love Me” couldn’t be straight forward, after all this is Bright Eyes, but it is beautiful. Oberst’s almost pained tone contrasts with the ethereal female backing vocals creating an atmosphere of desperation and need. The images in the lyrics are typically romantic from “shoot[ing] straight to the moon” to the “world [being] a Ferris Wheel”. There is no doubt that the narrator in this song is desperately in love and the listener cannot help but empathise with his feelings, no doubt being reminded of their own experiences.

Overall, Bright Eyes cannot be called an ‘easy listening’ band, although you may well find their CDs in the easy listening section of your local CD shop. The songs are quite different musically with some being supported by full bands and others by simple finger picked guitar patterns but they are united by two things Oberst’s lingering vocals and evocative lyrics that you will have no choice but to think about for days on end. Do I always like Bright Eyes music? No. Sometimes their sound is a bit too weird for me and sometimes the subject matter is too dark or just goes straight over my head. That said, they’re a band that you will not be able to forget.

The wonderful night that was a Reckless Love gig!

Just under a year ago I managed to catch one of my favourite bands, Reckless Love, at the Cavern, Exeter. This was one of the best live performances I have seen and, even if I hadn't have loved the band beforehand I would have undoubtedly come away with a new addiction! Wednesday 9th, I managed to see them again, this time at The Fleece, Bristol and, to be fair, I think they outdid themselves.

In the queue with Ola, photo taken by Kim on Ola's phone

I went with Kim, a lovely person who I had met at the last Reckless Love show and had spoken with since, and with Ola who I also met briefly last time. It was wonderful to have such great company in the queue, at the show, and afterwards too.

From left to right, Me, Ola, Kim in the venue.
Taken by Kim on her camera

But now onto the show itself...

There were two warm up acts. The first of which, BlackWolf, was a local band that I’d heard good things about but hadn't listened to in advance. I’ll be brutally honest and say that I didn't enjoy their set. The sound tech was atrocious, and they knew it as they asked for it to be adjusted during the set, and I feel this really let them down. The vocals couldn't be heard at all. It’s really sad when something like this happens as it’s not the band’s fault but it ruins the performance. I also got really paranoid about the vocalist, in particular, who was bouncing and spinning around and the microphone wire was getting tangled and I could just see him about to fall. He never did but I spent the whole time waiting! I feel that I would like to listen to some of their music again just to give them a fair chance.

Oh, their drummer managed to hit both Kim and Ola on the head with one of the drumsticks he threw into the crowd so that's another negative point ;-)

They were followed by Laura Wilde, a female rock and roll musician from Melbourne, Australia, and her band. I had managed to listen to her in advance and, although I hadn't had time to get to know her music very well I did like what I had heard. Again, she had technical issues on stage but it was slightly better and you could at least hear her over the instruments. She was also a great performer and it felt like you were getting a show as opposed to just listening to some songs. I've downloaded her CD from amazon and, if she comes back to England to play, I would try and see her again. Oh, I also spoke to her briefly and she was lovely which matters a lot.

Anyway, onto the main act, Reckless Love. There are photos for this section because I suddenly remembered that I had a camera with me (idiotic Havanah!)

The minute that “The Boys are Back in Town” starts playing over the speakers, the crowd goes wild. We all know that the show is about to begin and, true to form, out walk the band. 

For the next hour and a half, at an estimate, nothing matters but having fun and listening to some great music. The pain from waiting outside in the cold for about four hours and then standing through the earlier acts is gone and it's suddenly possible to dance. In fact, I don't know if it would be possible to stay still through their set!

One of the things I love about Reckless Love as musicians is that, when performing live, they sound just as good as on the CDs. I have to be honest and say that this seems to be a rare quality of live bands but I guess that this is a sign of just how long they spent working together before getting signed. They also are really rather good at playing a mixture of songs from their albums, fitting them together and keeping the crowd going from start to finish. My one complaint would be that they didn't play "One More Time" this show but as one person was rather idiotic and rude, pulling on Olli's trousers and demanding requesting the song I am kind of pleased he didn't get what he wanted!

However, it's not just their skill as musicians that make Reckless Love stand out but the show that they put on. The whole band are completely dynamic when on-stage, including Hessu who could get away with 'just sitting there', being at the back of the stage. Of course, it's Olli who can move the most, having his hands a bit more free than the others, and move he does. Not content with dancing that man ends up climbing on whatever is in front of the stage, leaning into the audience, putting on as much as a show as he is physically able. Of course, if a few people get trodden on or crushed by bits of stage furniture it's all in the spirit of things, right? On the plus side, the fact that there was a bigger stage than at the Cavern meant that I didn't have to dive backwards to avoid being kicked in the face at any point!

When the show was over, way too soon, we hung around to attempt to meet the band members. Last time Aimee and I only managed to meet Pepe before her grandmother stormed in to take her home (long story) and Kim missed Jalle so we all had an aim here. (I'm not sure exactly who Ola met last time but we'll assume she didn't meet them all either!)

We did manage to meet all of the band who were all delightful. I mean Olli walked off when I tried to have my photo taken with him and then said I couldn't have one, Jalle asked me if I was tired when I said hello to him, and Pepe struggled with my pen lid but I'm going to say that is down to me being a bit of a jinx! Joking aside, they were lovely gentlemen, all four of them, and it was great to get to see them.

My paintings based on the album cover art (not the one on the inside of the album
and the jackets).The band were kind enough to sign them for me - Hurrah! 

With Olli

With Jalle

With Pepe

With Hessu

CD Review - 'Spirit' by Reckless Love

Genre: Merry Metal (aka Glam Rock)

Review:

Reckless Love is one of my favourite bands. Their music is catchy, their shows high energy. They are pure good fun which is, after all, what they aim to be.

That said, I have had some issues listening to their new CD. It's just not grabbed me. So, instead of reviewing generally as I normally do, I decided to approach things a little differently and do it song for song as I listen to the CD itself.

The beginning of this album is so exciting. 'Jungle' atmospheric sounds morph into the opening chords of the single Night on Fire which months of watching while waiting for this album has turned into one of my favourite songs. When the album first arrived, a day late even though I paid Amazon for release day delivery, and it made its way into my CD player I was caught, before the music started, just by those opening rhythms. Reckless Love is back.

The next song is Bad Lovin' which is basically saying how love and its associated emotions effect everyone. ("It don't matter if you're straight, it don't matter if you're gay, don't matter if you're bi it will get you anyway"). When I read those lyrics in the booklet I had to say that I giggled just a bit. However, add in a really catchy tune, a fair few "whoa"s, "na na"s, and "yeah"s and it's suddenly a wonderful track!

With a title like I Love Heavy Metal it's no real surprise that the next track is a bit heavier with gruffer vocals and then a random harmonised chorus that... doesn't really fit in with the theme. This song shouldn't work but it does. By the end of this song you will have "I love heavy metal" chanting through your head no matter what your musical preference may be!

When a Reckless Love song is called Favourite Flavour you know it's probably going to be interesting! This is a really good fun track with a wonderful instrumental part. I have a feeling this one will be good live.

The next song is something quite special. Edge of Our Dreams has a more mature sound with an inspirational tone to it. It does actually sound quite different to the rest of Reckless Love's discography but without loosing anything that makes them special. This one might just be my favourite track on the album.

However, the award for best title of the album goes to Sex, Drugs & Reckless Love. This song's the one where the band tell you that all you need for a good life is sex, drugs, and Reckless Love. Modest band this one. I think that this one's probably going to be another great one live!

Dying to Live slows things down a little bit and, again, seems to be a more emotional piece. The guitar is more emotive, Olli seems to be acting as well as singing and it therefore makes for a powerful song. I'm not sure what I think of it right now but it's one of those songs that will either become one of my favourites or be relegated to the never listened to realms.

Oh, hello, the guitar's got heavy again and those drums are a lot faster, I'm sure. Metal Ass, strange as that title may be, is a wonderful song. Goodness, this allows everyone to show their talents off. I've also got to say a big wow about Pepe's guitar playing in this piece because, wow.

Runaway Love is probably the strongest song lyrically on the album. As the title might suggest, this is a love song, Reckless Love style. That said, it's probably the first song both written and recorded by them that I would consider a pure love song as opposed to a love and sex song. Anyone get the feeling that Olli wrote this for someone in particular? 

The next song, So Happy I Could Die is another single with a music video which was released just before the CD. If I'm brutally honest, I think there are better tracks on the CD which would make better single material (*). That said, this is catchy, growing on me each time I hear it, and probably sums up the Reckless Love Merry Metalhead ideology!

Hot Rain was a track that caught my attention the first time I listened to this album all the way through. It's a slow, beautiful ballad with a melancholy tone. The lyrics might not be the most eloquent in the world but this actually makes the narrator seem all the more vulnerable.  It's so different to what I have come to expect from this band and, although an album of this style would not be Reckless Love, this one song stands out for me and I love it.

I have a funny feeling that Die Hard might be a UK only track (but I'm too lazy to get my CD cover and check so I may be wrong). It's a song about living life no matter what the world may say about your lifestyle (disclaimer: some lifestyle choices are not included in this statement eg. murder, cannibalism)

"I'll stand up for freedom to be what I am"

-Die Hard

So, overall, what do I think? I think that this album is a big step up from their other albums. As opposed to containing a heck of a lot of songs about sex and women it contains songs about never giving in, being who you want to be, enjoying life, sex, and women. It's still got the fun tone of the other albums, its still got the same style of music (with some development), and it's still Reckless Love. It is, however, a Reckless Love who are developing as any good musicians should and therefore does stand out from their earlier work. As I mentioned, it's been tricky to get into this album but when I do it may well end up being my favourite by the band.

(*)While finishing off this post (adding the videos etc) I listened to So Happy I Could Die a few more times and, erm, it's getting addictive. I take back the negative comments!