Search - Bent :: Everlasting Blink

Great CD!

bordersj2 | Boston | 04/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really like Bent although I don't know much history about them. The first song I ever heard of theirs was a cut called "Good Bloke" back in 2000 on a compilation called "The Chillout Room vol. 2". Then in 2001, MOS released tons of chillout comps and featured remixes and originals from Bent's "Programmed to Love" which I also really enjoyed. Finally in 2003, they came out with this one.I don't really want to say which is better - they both have a unique sort of style. Bent focuses on electrical chords and in some ways, old school rythms. This one to me is a very suitable pick-up from where the first cd left off and moves the band a notch forward with their sound. You pop in "Strictly Bongo", and let it play and you're taken to the early 80's, late 70's until the end loop... a pure English vibe... and it's so nostalgic to me. Probably my favorite small loop in a song. And what's a Bent CD without some strange head-scratching "huh?" moments... like when the vocals for "So Long Without You" kicks up a notch? Oddly, it's acceptable because the group is Bent! And for anyone that's a Keen Eddie fan, there's a scene where Detective Pepin (the dude that was in the movie "The Saint" as a student) sits alone in a bar contemplating if not being "tied down" is so great after all. The music playing is from this cd - "Beautiful Otherness" is the song. I highly recommend this. I've enjoyed it a great deal and it gets regular play in my collection. It won't make you forget Programmed to Love, it just sort of continues on with a more modern sound and different influences. It's got a tripped out feel that'll take you to another place and interesting electronic touches and great sounds in the ways that are typical "Bent". They manage to stay fresh without going too far away from what makes them who they are. And if you enjoy this, I would recommend music from lemonjelly.ky, Kinobe, The Dining Rooms, Leftfield and FC Kahuna."

Worthy follow-up

Faronicus | Mankato, MN | 02/05/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While "Programmed" had a retro feel, "Blink" is decidedly more modern, eclectic, post-techno, or whatever the terminology is. Electronica is wonderfully suited for blending with R&B/soul (think Zero 7 or Royksopp), and Bent has one nailed with "Strictly Bongo". This is followed by "Beautiful Otherness" which is a classic, and has one of the most catchy baselines ever. The next 7 tracks vary in style enormously. Hard to believe a man with a mullet could produce such artsy music. Bent is one of the most original bands on the planet, to be placed on Olympus alongside the Pixies, Boards of Canada, and Lemon Jelly."