All the reviews below are true, plus...
Rusty | Chicago, IL USA | 05/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"1. It is an utter mystery to me why The Kennedys are not better known than they are. Maybe people see the name and confuse them with that defunct punk group from San Francisco! Or maybe it's because they've been too eclectic - their first album of pop-Celtic folk fit the Green Linit mold, but the label probably didn't know what to do with this pop-rock masterpiece.2. I've caught them live twice and as some of the reviews have mentioned they put on a great show. But they only played two songs from this their best(imho) disk: the title track and "Siren". Which is too bad, because these are some of the most instantly memorable tunes I've been lucky enough to stumble upon. The harmonies on "St. Marks Square" are so languidly beautiful they might make you cry. ...."
Intelli-pop
Paula Berman | Phoenix, AZ | 07/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The tunes are so catchy, you might have to force yourself to listen to the lyrics -- but it's worth it. Even the simplest ones ("Me and you, we're a tribe of two") convey a feeling strongly, while some of the others, like the title track, verge on inspiring ("How do you want to be remembered -- a raging fire or a dying ember?"). I think the Kennedys are classed as folk partly because their lyrics actually mean something and partly because the folk world is more open to experiment -- the pop music world is propbably not ready for musicians having this much fun. The musical style is brand-new but reminiscient of late-1960s pop, ranging from neo-Byrds -- I especially like Roger McGuinn's playing Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring on the title cut -- to the Beatles in their sitar period ("Blackberry Rain"). This is my favorite of theirs so far, and is probably a good place to start listening to Pete and Maura, and to start tuning in to the connection between them so evident in every song."
Buoyant Pop for Gray Days
dev1 | Baltimore | 02/24/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"How husband and wife Pete and Maura Kennedy finished on the Green Linnet label is beyond me: "Life Is Large" is about a thousand miles from Celtic music. The album brims with feel-good pop, jangle rhythm guitars, and an infectious paisley-painted groovy love philosophy. Maura's voice is as sweet as cotton candy - she's delightful, wholesome, and her lyrics are a throwback to the sixties days of "peace brother." The title cut sets the exuberant tone of the album; that is, life is big enough not to be a downer. "Velvet Glove" offers a friendly hand to those dismayed by love gone wrong, "Sunday" is an uplifting "forget about yesterday" ditty, where "Tribe" bounces along gingerly on its "we're all one family" message. And where would a melodic pop album be without paying homage to the Beatles: see "Blackberry Rain."Although Maura occupies center stage with her lead vocals, Pete is not to be forgotten. His adoration (and technical expertise) for Roger McGuinn's (Byrds) jangle-guitar is nostalgic (Life Is Large, St. Mark's Square, Sunday, Mystery, Tribe). Pete's chiming rhythm work is an ideal complement to Maura's delectable voice.Of the twelve tracks here, "One Heart, One Soul" deserves a special note. The gorgeous melody, lush production, and potent message should bring every listener out of his gray day and into the cheerful sunlight. And that may be a fair summery of "Life Is Large" - buoyant Pop for gray days."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1