Search - Constantines :: Tournament of Hearts

Absolutely underrated

Livebackwards | Houston, TX | 02/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All right, so it doesn't have the levels and intricacy of Shine a Light. Shine a Light also wasn't this friggin' catchy. Yeah! They've retained their signature sound, but have created an album that's catchier than most pop songs, memorable and hum-worthy, yet by no means pedestrian or conventional. It's a crime that this album is getting only three and a half stars from you people. It's WAY better than that. Webb's voice is only getting gruffer and scratchier, and when he sings about the torture of love, you believe it. I cannot recommend this album enough. My 3rd favorite of 2005."

Whoever said introspection is a bad thing?

morano75 | Buffalo, NY United States | 01/13/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"On the surface, these reviews are nearly scathing enough to pronounce an impending doom of this highly original and genuine rock ensemble, especially since they attacked the dreaded "sophomore slump" head-on with their best endeavor yet ("Shine A Light"). I see this release as simply more insular and emotive than its predecessors. Whereas "Shine A Light" was more daring and eclectic, "Tournament" is sprawling and brooding, almost like a story that needs a climatic finale to make the plot worthwhile, but never actually comes to fruition. From a personal level, after being so enamored with their previous efforts, this is a welcome progression. Granted, it's not perfect and the quantity is substantially less, but the music is as triumphant, engaging, and mercurial as ever. Cheers to The Constantines on this fine album."

Sick of Springsteen references.

Pseudo-Olga | WA, USA | 10/18/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Honestly, as much as Bryan Webb has a hoarse, gruff voice, there's nothing that irks me more than reading a review of these guys that compares them to Bruce Springsteen, because all that's being examined is the voice. Still, his voice complements the Constantines' music, which - with its strong guitar riffs, intense bass drum pounding, and occasional saxaphone inclusions - is a refreshing change from all the emo passing as rock today. This is a band that makes me want to be a musician every time I listen to them, and while Shine A Light was their strongest, this is an impressive follow-up, particularly considering that it's the band's third and they've yet to hit a slump. They've been consistent over three albums, and judging from how tight they are when they play live, it's likely that this album will only be the third in a long line of great albums. The first, second, and fifth tracks in particular get repeated over and over on my CD player, but what makes the Constantines (and this album) great is that some of their songs get repeated because they're even better than the rest of the already great album, not because they're the only tolerable songs on a mediocre album. This one's worth buying."