Search - Norman Blake :: Songs From Northern Britain

Hornby opened the door...

Howlinw | California, USA | 11/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like a lot of more recent Fanclub-fans, I was introduced to this album by Nick Hornby's "Songbook." The music in here was described as comfort-food, and the absolute antithesis to Suicide's "Frankie Teardrop." That alone got me interested. Other descriptions brought up Beatles and Byrds influences, which can only be a good thing.



Yet I held off for a while, put off by negative comments by some critics and local record store employees who seem to think that the band was playing it too safe with this one, trying too hard to sound pretty at the expense of their earlier, harder-edged sound. Then I spotted a used copy for five bucks, picked it up, popped it in my car stereo and realized just how useless rock critics and certain record store employees are.



This thing hit me like a bolt of lightning- pure goodness from start to finish. Unlike a lot of its grunge-era contemporaries, this disc actually *improves* my mood. And, like Nick Hornby when writing "Songbook," my mood is in need of improving pretty frequently these days. Without going into any detail at all, I can say that I identify with Hornby's comment that, sometimes, music should be a comfortable thing to turn to in a time of need rather than a constant challenge. Obviously not nearly every one of my many, many, many albums is what you would call "comfort food"- I have my share of music that's a bit tougher to absorb, and that will challenge expectations. But I am beginning to appreciate the value of music that you "get" right away and that stays with you over time like an old friend or a favorite worn-in pair of shoes. If you are too, you can't go wrong here."

Their sound turns golden

Jasper Mcworthy | USA | 01/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really really enjoy all their early work, and it's hard to pick a favorite from any of their diverse albums. But I feel that when they made this, they developed a sort of timeless feel that resonates through later listens. Upon first hearing it I wasn't that impressed, I thought this needs to be more spur of the moment, but then slowly and surely I realized it was great in a different way. They were experimenting and letting the sounds just simmer throughout the album, until you get to "Speed of Light" then you feel completely dumbfounded and trust wherever they wish to venture next."

Bold statement: my favorite album

Matt, Esq. | California | 11/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"a solid record from front to back, packed with perfect heartfelt pop songs. the album revolves around central themes of love and home, which while bittersweet, are filled with optimism and never fail to improve my mood. this album has easily gotten more spins than anything else in my collection, yet i never tire of it and cannot help singing along at full volume every time. i honestly feel sorry for people who have not been exposed to this album, or who fail to take the time to appreciate its greatness. drop your prescription for prozac and pick up "songs from northern britain""