Search - Angie Aparo :: American

Alan O. (fiftypercent) from NASHVILLE, TN
Reviewed on 8/29/2010...

This album remains for me one of the best of the last decade. I first heard it in 2001, and it's still a favorite 9 years later. I went to see Angie in concert one time and told him over a beer that for me the album was like a greatest hits collection. I still think that, because on different days any of the tracks could be my favorite. I love the subtlety of "Swell" or "Gravity", the power of "Spaceship" and "Hush", the swagger of "Beautiful", and the poetry of "Memphis City Rain" or the title track. Just to be clear, "Wonderland" is track 12, then there are some blank tracks before the hidden track, track 18 AKA "The American" rounds off the record in style.

A completely wonderful album. Frankly, he never came close again (in my opinion) with later efforts, much of the credit I think going to Matt Serletic, the producer on this occasion.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Strongest all-around album I've yet encountered

Jeanette | Sacramento, California United States | 07/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Angie is one of those impossible to pigeonhole into a single genre, so it seems he is forever writing great music that no one ever hears, because he really doesn't have a target audience. He's also one of those with equally strong sound/rhythm to his songs as lyrics; he isn't tilted one way or another. His other albums are really good, but this is the only album for which he had high production values, so for most it ends up being clearly his best. If there isn't at least one song on this album that speaks to you, well... you probably don't like music very much. This album simply oozes quality.1. Green Into Gold (7/10): Good starter. Won't blow you away, but has strong lyrics and tends to stick in your head. Unlike most of these songs, you'll like this one more immediately as opposed to it growing on you.2. Spaceship (10/10): This is the best song on the album, period. He hits notes I didn't think humans could hit without enhancement in this song. Simply amazing.3. Hush (8.5/10): If this was never a single, it should've been.4. Cry (9.5/10): Faith Hill won a Grammy for her cover of this song, and Angie's original version is quite a bit better. What does that tell you?5. Third Time Around (8/10): This song doesn't really know if it's country or pop. If you like pop this might get you interested in country, and vice versa. You'll probably skip past it the first play-through, but it grows on you.6. Free Man (9/10): One of Angie's personal favorites, and I can see why. You may gloss over it the first couple times through the album, but once you give it a chance you'll wonder how you missed it.7. Gravity (8/10): One of the more emotional, and pop-ish songs on the album. Very clean sound, slightly less lyrically complex than most of the other songs.8. Beautiful (9/10): Maybe the best lyrics on the album. One of the top few tracks.9. Memphis City Rain (7/10): Vocal-heavy, slow, relaxing song. Deceptively simple. You could meditate to this.10. Swell (8/10): More especially strong lyrics, with an extremely in-your face chorus. Has a very odd flow/feel that doesn't seem like it should sound good, but you'll keep playing it again anyway.11. It's Alright (5.5/10): Strange. Not terrible, but this song doesn't really seem to know what it's trying to do.12. Wonderland (8/10): This song serves as his proof of what a great singer he is, as he is accompanied for the most part by an acoustic guitar and violin only, and both are in the background supporting his voice, rather than the other way around. He used a live version of this song for this album, too, and the fact that he can get this kind of sound live makes it all the more impressive.18. The American (8.5/10): Talk about a worth-it bonus track... this song is simply very strong in every aspect.Yeah yeah, lots of high ratings, I know. But like I said, this is the strongest overall album I've ever heard. "It's Alright" is probably the only song I don't consider to be a very strong track. Pick this one up, no matter what kind of music you listen to. Trust me."

When I die and go to heaven, I expect to hear Angie's voice

Jennifer D. Cunningham | Phoenix, AZ USA | 03/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a breathtaking piece of work that showcases one of the most talented artists I have heard in years. There are not enough superlatives in my vocabulary to praise Angie and his album. Like others, I heard Spaceship on my local radio station and proceeded to find out the name behind the voice. When I bought the album, I thought it was the best money I had ever spent on a CD. Songs like Wonderland, Hush, and The American made my soul ache, and I love the raw sounds of Gravity, Free Man, and Swell. I have to stop myself from singing along so I can just listen to Angie's divine voice. Please, this man and his music need to be heard. And having met him and seen him perform live, I know that he truly deserves every word of praise he receives. Buy this album now."