Mr. Pushin Came to Shove - Combustible Edison, Combustible Edison
Seduction - Combustible Edison,
Tickled to Death - Combustible Edison,
The Garden of Earthly Delights - Combustible Edison, Combustible Edison
Utopia [Scanner's Reprise] - Combustible Edison,
You have to hand it to Combustible Edison. Obviously aware that the zoot suit and martini fad is winding its way down, the Rhode Island-based five-piece has slightly revamped its sound. Could it be...electronica? Not quite... more ». The carbons of cocktail cacophony have subsided, and their old sound is now a departure point for headier potions that incorporate--you got it--keyboards and samples, but this hardly sounds like Madonna's Ray of Light. Tracks like "Utopia" and the pulsating "Laura's Aura" benefit from the electronic tweaking of producers John Holbrook and Scanner; their subtle new-meets-old approach glides in under Miss Lily Banquette's vocals and keeps the mix buoyant. On other tracks, such as "Mr. Pushkin Came to Shove," CE take a straight-jazz tack to impressively solid results. The Impossible World is proof that Combustible Edison have slipped free of the novelty noose and made strides toward new possibilities in old sounds. --Jason Josephes« less
You have to hand it to Combustible Edison. Obviously aware that the zoot suit and martini fad is winding its way down, the Rhode Island-based five-piece has slightly revamped its sound. Could it be...electronica? Not quite. The carbons of cocktail cacophony have subsided, and their old sound is now a departure point for headier potions that incorporate--you got it--keyboards and samples, but this hardly sounds like Madonna's Ray of Light. Tracks like "Utopia" and the pulsating "Laura's Aura" benefit from the electronic tweaking of producers John Holbrook and Scanner; their subtle new-meets-old approach glides in under Miss Lily Banquette's vocals and keeps the mix buoyant. On other tracks, such as "Mr. Pushkin Came to Shove," CE take a straight-jazz tack to impressively solid results. The Impossible World is proof that Combustible Edison have slipped free of the novelty noose and made strides toward new possibilities in old sounds. --Jason Josephes
"Combustible Edison once again proves there is scant another band in existence that taps the Fabulous Otherworld in such an original fashion--truly a mixed cocktail to soothe a mixed-up world. This is the band I want to take with me into the next milennium, no matter how far we all make it. "Impossible World" conversely celebrates in possibility, with an addition of a few more synthesized parts and groove-oriented elements included here and there. DJ Brother Cleve stakes more of his presence on the record with various evidence of brilliant sampling...check out the Utopia "Scanner's Reprise" mix that runs parallel, vertical and multi-spatial with the Portishead and Siouxsie and the Banshees/Creatures life-vein. Spooky, endearing, classic, experimental, sonically the most texturous of their career, a perfect album cover, a disc that makes one hungry for more. A supergroup bound to unite past and future into the present well into the 21st century. Banquette, Cleve, Connors, Cudahy, The Millionaire. McCartney, Lennon. Bono, The Edge. Hank Shocklee. Innovators of decades. Combustible Edison...blowing up in a dimension near you."
Brilliant
Ev26st@aol.com | NYC, NY | 01/25/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Listening to this album from start to finish is truly an adventure. It is quite simply a stunning effort and heads above the rest of those jazz lounge wannabees. It feels like Stereolab having cocktails with the Jetsons."
New and improved
10/20/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It sounds like they have studied all the new retro futuristic exotica styles;tipsy, propeller heads, United Future Organization, Prince Charming, the High Llamas, squirrel nut zippers and etc.yet at the same time, they still deliver the trademark quirky Combustble sound. this is a real nice turn around from thier last cd."
Bewitching
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 04/21/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"From the droning opening of "Utopia," Combustible Edison's "The Impossible World" announces itself as lounge music for the jetset. "20th Century" could be a soundtrack for a montage sequence from a 60s sitcom like "Bewitched" with its bright perky off-center instrumental with xylophone & loopy keyboards. Miss Lily Banquette croons like a Secret Agent theme for depressives on "Pink Victim." "Hot & Bothered" is delightfully horny beach music complete with squeals and sighs. The wispy "Seduction" comes across like a romance between ghosts. "The Garden of Earthly Delights" sounds like a gondola cruise in Venice with its airy female vocals. "The Impossible World" might not be the greatest CD on the planet, but it is tremendously original and a lot of fun! Enjoy!"
Tickle me until I die.
Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 08/13/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Combustible Edison were at the forefront of the lounge music revival of the 1990s. This was their last album, barring a reunion. It features their trademark swinging sound, slightly updated with the occasional sample. I regret that I never got to see the group in concert."