Search - Aztec Camera :: Frestonia

The best album that no-one ever heard

Longnose Gar | Atlanta, GA USA | 05/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Frestonia is not only the best album Roddy Frame ever made, it is the best album I own, period. Four stars denote a great album, but the full five should be reserved for a soundtrack that explores a subject deeper, more precisely, more beautifully than ever before. Frestonia is to the disillusioned head beset by the longing heart what Springsteen's Darkness on the Edge of Town was to working class life in America. Frame feels with the romance of adolescence, but observes, sighs with the adult eye: "I would still believe that paradise was there with you, stuck like glue, on the avenue." While the lyric of the denied but undeterred heart is ultimately sad, the music is gorgeous, enhancing the duality, as if the guitar is the one outlet where Frame can still express love with all the passion of innocence. Frame's ambitions are done justice by guitar-wiz producers Langer & Winstanley who meld the four piece band flawlessly while maintaining the forthright sound of a live performance. Put it all together and this is the bible for grown-ups with hearts as big as their brains, for lack of a better term."

Brilliant

Lincoln J Lounsbury | Chicago, IL United States | 07/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having just heard this record for the first time eight years after its initial release, I can't help wondering why I haven't heard it before. It's absolutely beautiful, with great songs straight through. The closest comparison I can make is to Crowded House (and Neil Finn solo). Roddy Frame (like Neil Finn, Karl Wallinger, and Lloyd Cole) appears to be one of the great underappreciated singer-songwriters of our time. Highly recommended."

Greatest Album Ever, Part 2

Crusader | USA | 08/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here we have a gem that is Proof Of Christ's Father ... the other reviewers are "spot on" but I need to add: "This is the Greatest Album Ever made" . . .



and note my previous review of "High Land, Hard Rain" (also of Aztec Camera) which I declared the "greatest album" of all time (which it is, but . . . )



I erred -- this Frestonia is quantum, an unmatchable and blessed creation of Mr Roddy Frame.



Track 5, "Imperfectly", is the perfect song ... the "Sun" songs are amazing as "The Avenue", an effort which places you in the shoe soles of another soul, creates new life in your ears.



"The Avenue" re-plays your previous world; a reminder of your foundation if you are 35 to 45 years old, or 25 or somewhere on this Planet.



Get your life better, buy this CD. It's that good.



I promise.





UPDATE ON AUG 29, 2008:



Greatest Finest Bestest Most Incredible Thing (aside from my bride) that's ever Graced God's Planet . . . . I could ilsten to this album a thousand times straight . . . . it's on par (better?) with than The Beatles efforts from 63 - 70 because it's PERFECT (and I know and testify J P G and Ringo were the balls)



but this is another level of beauty, competence, and alacrity --- it is lucious gorgeousness; this album is love, special and pure, heaven revealed ...



I am blessed to hear it; the best ever -- bar none; this is it. The Best."