Search - The Durutti Column :: Someone Else's Party

A Nice Album...

Andrew Miller | Rocklin, CA USA | 04/21/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...which continues the epic work from Vini Reilly. Taken individually, DC's work seems like a stanza from a much larger composition. But, when placed together with Reilly's earlier albums (First 4, Domo Arigato, Guitar + Other Machines), Someone Else's Party really shines, in particular the title track. Reilly plays his guitar like no other (save perhaps Johnny Marr), and the production crew has been held-over from the Rebellion sessions.If you're new to DC, I would suggest Domo Arigato or Sex and Death before SEP, but it would be a nice addition to any collection."

(Another) Return of the Durutti Column

Kevin P. Odaniel | Kensington, CA United States | 04/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most exciting record ever from this group. A cohesive sound, mixing the best bits from all the previous 24 years worth of albums and singles into a contemporary, hip, current and organic update to the sound. Picking up where Rebellion was only half right, this new effort sees the most singing ever on any album from this group, with Vini picking up most of the load.What you get are fresh rhythms and drumbeats, signature Vini layered guitar riffs and solid, gloomy lyrics from Mr. Reilly like never before.When Vini is not singing, as in the amped instant favorites "Spanish Lament" and "Drinking Time," guest singers/samples deliver to a new level of quality and emotion not sustained on most records from the band. Strange samples on "Woman" again move in directions only hinted at on "Rebellion." The track would have made it to the final cut as part of Moby's "Play," with its edgy beats, crisp bass and acid-tinged vocal samples as well as its crispy attention to the record scratch detail. In the end, the tracks that really impress are "Requiem for My Mother" and "Goodbye." As the album is dedicated to Vini's mom, he clearly means business, as we are made to feel what he feels, bittersweet, about the the passing of his mother, whom he clearly misses dearly. We hear her on an answering machine and we hear brilliant words sung out about her in a style that Nick Cave would admire and as would no doubt Vini's mother.It seems simplistic -- but the combination of more vocal tracks, better rhythms throughout and inspiring subject matter -- bring about a whole new level of expression. This from a band whose albums are essentially all '4-5's out of 5' since 1979. This is the one I've always been waiting for..."