Search - Combustible Edison :: I Swinger

Kelly A. from MORGAN HILL, CA
Reviewed on 1/3/2007...

"On their debut album, the Providence, RI, group played cocktail jazz, exotica, torch ballads, and B-movie spy/guitar themes." Go to allmusic.com to listen to their unique sound.
Recommended if you like:
* Friends of Dean Martinez
* Daniele Luppi
* Mello Cads
* Don Tiki
* Grenadine
* Love Jones
* The Cardigans
* Komeda

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

Amazing when nobody's singing

I. L. Williamson | 02/13/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is wonderful album. The instrumental tracks all have a highly enjoyable quirky semi-loungy style that I can't get enough of. The echoing guitar, plinky vibraphone, whimsical melodica, odd keyboard effects, and the "provocative"(their word) percussion mesh into a quite unique whole. In particular, "Spy vs. Spy" and "Carnival of Souls" are beyond belief. Perfect music for a party or a drive with the right kind of friends; if you've been stressed recently but it's better now, put this on immediately. However, the cabaret-ish singing, though well within the range of the band's influences, somehow doesn't quite fit in with the style. I actually listen to the first 2 1/2 minutes of "The Millionaire's Holiday" and skip to the next song once the vocals start. Therefore, there are about 25 minutes of pure bliss and 10 of decent-but-a-bit-off stuff. I do like their take on "Cry Me a River," vocals or not, though.PS: The liner notes are enjoyable enough to be worth at least a dollar or two...these are clever fellows."

Enjoyable

I. L. Williamson | Dallas, TX | 09/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I liked this CD, except for the vocals of "Miss Lily Banquette," which I didn't care much for, but the brilliant intrumentalizations made up for that. I would have given the CD a 4.5 if they'd let me. I felt this CD was a lot better than "The Impossible World," which, incidentally, got a higher voter rating."