A luminous orchestration
B. Garbade | Portland, OR | 05/27/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album impressed me and I hope it does the same for a lot of other folks out there. There's at least a few others who already seem to concur!
It is beautiful and captivating. The lyrics are curious and colorful; each line clearly has an inspiration behind it. At times I feel like I am listening to something from an epic fairy tale-- it's really quite different, but only in good ways. Pallett's poetry blends adventure and poignancy. The music is imaginative and playful, too. So while the lyrics take me to a medieval forest or some high-seas exploration, the instrumentals sweep me away to a carnival with gypsies, magicians and oddities. I'll also offer this opinon: the album has an essence of modern opera. It just flows together like a story. The vocals create a mood. And it is, of course, well composed.
Like I said, this album was a pleasant surprise. There is such a crush of new music out there and most of it is predictable and formulaic. Or just plain bad. I think if you check this out for yourself, you'll be refreshed knowing that musically-speaking, it hasn't all been done yet."
He pooed clouds and this is what came out...
Cliff Holt | Hartford, CT | 03/04/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I wasn't very familiar with Owen Pallet / Final Fantasy before buying this. It was more of an impulse buy based on glowing reviews I read leading up to its release.
It clearly is the record to beat this year - nearly two months after its release and I still stand firm on that assumption.
My favorites are the first two tracks here. He is very grounded in classical structures. His compositions are full of impeccable tonal resolutions and his voice somehow recalls Christopher Cross.
With that said - go make your own assumptions."
Can't Imagine There Will be a Better Album This Year
Andy Alabama | Birmingham, Al United States | 02/07/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Truly a special album. I am a bit skeptical of some of the newer indie rock--not a huge fan of Grizzly Bear, et al. I was won over by Other Music's "free download" off this record. Since then, I bought the CD and I have listened to little else. Standout tracks are "Lewis Takes Action" and "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt." A couple of clips of him playing these two tracks live (available on You Tube) demonstrate that this guy is amazing. If I had to pick an analogue, it's a bit similar to (his sometimes collaborators) Arcade Fire. Simply incredible, beautiful, lush, accomplished music. Pretty amazing."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1