Search - Fairground Attraction :: First of a Million Kisses

Lightning in a bottle

Gizmola | Los Angeles, CA USA | 12/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fairground Attraction paired scottish songwriter Mark Nevin's jazz and pop inflected acoustic guitar,base and drums setup, with singer Eddie Reader's distinctive voice. While Reader makes the songs her own, it's Nevin's hooks and clever wordplay that make this a memorable and catchy album, that surprisingly hasn't been imitated effectively since its release in 1998.



Many people will remember the number one UK hit Perfect, but that's only one of the many great songs in the collection, that went Platinum. It's a great CD to play at a party, where you'd like to set a mellow mood and allow people to talk. In terms of pure listenability, the acoustic setup doesn't allow for a lot of instrumental variety, although this was clearly meant to be the first salvo. While lacking variety, the song writing and performances are good enough to keep you listening.



For a taste of Nevin's lyrics consider this stanza and chorus from "Smile and a Whisper"



"All of the letters and all of the words

in all of the books all over the world

they're nothing but sounds and vowels and nouns

for talking to strangers, that's all they're worth.



Words are unable to speak of love

like a smile in a whisper does."



As the title suggests this is a deeply romantic and at times wistful album, that speaks very much to the universal themes of the importance of love in the lives of young adults, that has a universal resonance.



In a not unusual story, after touring the world (in particular Japan where they were a sensation) and working on a second album, Reader grew angry with Nevin and her lack of creative input into the composition of songs. Rader quit the band and a second album was never released.



While she's had a successful solo career, she's never managed to approach the level of success she achieved with Nevin's band and this album."

Absolutely a classic album

David | UK | 01/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fairground Attraction (First of a Million Kisses) bring a unique singing and classic sound to relaxing music, but definitely not one dissapear into the background. One to have in your collection!"

Delightfully insightful and romantic!

J. Wozniak | Sacramento, Ca, USA | 09/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Aaah, what is there to say about 'Fairground Attraction' that hasn't already been said? The music makes you want to go out dancing with friends or snuggle up, relax and daydream! The lyrics are funny, sad, witty, dark, mournful and joyous - all in one album!

And that voice, good Lord, that voice - one minute it shimmers soft as silk and the next, it pierces the clouds like a sunbeam finding it's mark on the earth. She's amazing! I'm a fan! Can you tell?"