Search - Bryan Ferry :: Frantic (Hybr)

Bryan's Back!

Jay Murphy | Landover Hills, Maryland United States | 06/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a bit worried that Mr. Ferry had lost his creative genius with the release of the tiresome covers album "As Time Goes By". I needn't have- he's back in full force with "Frantic". After kicking things off with a tasty version of Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue", the original track "Cruel" is next and it rocks. There's a Native American motif in the melody that fits perfectly with the lyrics and is a little humorous whether or not it was intended to be. Following the somewhat rote cover of "Goin' Down" is a sexy, gorgeous ode to one of my favorite pop culture icons, Marilyn Monroe titled "Goddess of Love". Ferry's vocals on this disc are somewhat uneven though I don't mind that. Where his singing on "Goddess" and most of the other original efforts is relatively strong and clear, his age shows in most of the cover songs. But that works in his favor, lending them a subtle frailty and a vulnerable quality. "Nobody Loves Me" and "A Fool for Love" are wonderful songs that find our man wandering down a lane of self-pity. Here again there's some dark humor. The old classic "Goodnight Irene" is the only track on the album I don't particularly care for. It feels like a leftover from "As Time Goes By" and pales in comparison to the next final four songs. Perhaps Bryan intended this juxtaposition of past and present... "Hiroshima" is a stately rocker with great, odd backing vocals. "San Simeon" is kind of a sequel to Roxy Music's "In Every Dream Home A Heartache" from "For Your Pleasure" as BF had written more lyrics to that song that weren't committed to the eventual recording. "San Simeon" has a nice melancholy edge to it which contrasts nicely with the following upbeat music and message of the cover "One Way Love". Saving one of the best for last, "I Thought" is another excellent track and is made more exciting for me with the collaboration of Ferry and Brian Eno not only writing together but singing as well! I never imagined I'd ever get to hear these two artistic giants sing together. They sound great and the song is subtle, thoughtful and closes the album with a hopeful feeling. More surprises like this one, please!"

Bryan Ferry's Frantic

V. WALLACE | Florida | 08/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is sheer perfection. It reaches out and graps hold of your

heart and doesn't let go until the, all to short end. How lucky

we are to have Bryan Ferry's genius."

Best Ferry offering in more than 2 Decades.

Phillip Thomas Powell | Eastern USA | 08/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is easily Bryan's best collection since "Bride Stripped Bare" in 1978. A superb combination of covers and originals, woven into a cohesive and VERY listenable whole. Apparently, some of these tracks were culled from an earlier attempt at an album ('Alphaville') that was to be produced by Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame). Based on the results, it was probably a good decision to cancel that first attempt - it's hard to imagine that the results could have been as spectacular as this. An absolute must-have, and a frequent visitor to my CD player."