I don't see the Drake comparisons except that they could both be classified as "British Folk". Halstead's guitar-playing and arrangements are much simpler, for one thing.
I don't understand the criticism of the album as cheerful (wtf?) or bland. Unlike Mojave, where it seems the emphasis (at least post-Ask Me...) is on craftmanship (possibly a reaction to the ridiculous criticism that Slowdive was all style...ummm, you try writing something like "Altogether" or "Waves") the album is very heartfelt and mostly downcast. It's really a break-up album but the main emotions are acceptance, love and forgiveness rather than the self-pity and adolescent anger you usually get from such exercises. (Not that those don't have their place as well!)
There's just something about his attitude, his wisdom, and his music that makes Neil one of the coolest guys around. "Hi-Lo and Inbetween" is one of the more beautiful songs I can think of and a definite mix-tape/CDR highlight when you want to bring the mood and pace down a little bit.
― Tomasino Jones (tomasinojones), Friday, 13 June 2003 13:39 (twenty years ago) link
This is one of my favorite songs too!
I think he's admirable, he has a certain attractive aura that just brings people in.
― sarah mccormick (unsarah), Friday, 13 June 2003 14:38 (twenty years ago) link
new album - oh! mighty engine - sleeping on roads pt2 .
another nick drake/elliot smith kinda thing, which rises 2 opposite reactions: 1. doesnt the world have enough of this folky-always sound the same- record style already? 2. but he is good in doing that old formula.
so i guess it comes down to how much you can bear another (good) twee-folk-drake record.
― Zeno, Thursday, 24 July 2008 20:25 (fifteen years ago) link
i posted about this here a few days back:
slowdive: classic or dud?
― Bee OK, Thursday, 24 July 2008 20:41 (fifteen years ago) link
That 1st one was so good that I'm gonna lap this up in any case.
― baaderonixx, Friday, 25 July 2008 07:43 (fifteen years ago) link
Sad that he's on Jack Johnson's pet artist label and touring with him. How the hell did that happen? But beautiful new album. Sleeping on Roads, pt. 2 indeed. "Elevenses" and "Paint a Face" are both stand outs. He does the sleepy, dreamy folk thing better than just about anyone.
― Jacobo Rock, Tuesday, 12 August 2008 19:20 (fifteen years ago) link
Why is anyone surprised this is on Jack Johnson's label?
I mean, I love me some Mojave 3, but c'mon guys, don't delude yourselves.
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Tuesday, 12 August 2008 19:40 (fifteen years ago) link
It's a damn near perfect fit
Slowdive is great, solo is pretty good, Mojave 3 is tolerable
― res, Tuesday, 12 August 2008 21:42 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, it's a valid comparison in that they are two guys who play guitar.
― Jacobo Rock, Wednesday, 13 August 2008 10:27 (fifteen years ago) link
i'm going to see this guy tomorrow at the media club.
― derrrick, Friday, 22 August 2008 07:58 (fifteen years ago) link
ooooh i still need to pick up this record.
― stephen, Saturday, 23 August 2008 07:46 (fifteen years ago) link
will be released September 11, 2012 on Universal Republic.http://www.israbox.com/uploads/posts/2012-08/1345736289_folder.jpg
Track Listings1. Digging Shelters2. Bad Drugs and Minor Chords3. Wittgenstien's4. Spin The Bottle5. Tied To You6. Love Is A Beast7. Palindrome Hunches8. Full Moon Rising9. Sandy10. Hey Daydreamer11. Loose Change
Deluxe CD edition is exclusive to Amazon and is limited to 500 copies worldwide. Presented in a notebook style format with a chipboard front and back cover, the release features Neil Halstead's handwritten lyric sheets as well as open space for your own ruminations as you listen to the album. This is Neil's third solo album after a storied career with Slowdive and Mojave 3. AllMusic has called Neil "one of Britain's most respected songwriters".
― Bee OK, Friday, 24 August 2012 02:18 (eleven years ago) link
Yup. Look for a review from me soon.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 24 August 2012 02:21 (eleven years ago) link
open space for your own ruminations as you listen to the album.
tee hee
― Poliopolice, Friday, 24 August 2012 02:22 (eleven years ago) link
my wife realllllly likes his solo stuff, and doesn't really care for mojave 3 or slowdive. weird, i know! so i've heard his albums a bunch. it's ok, cozy sweater folk.
― tylerw, Friday, 24 August 2012 02:25 (eleven years ago) link
his solo stuff, and doesn't really care for mojave 3
kind of baffling
― detune two oscillators...than what (electricsound), Friday, 24 August 2012 02:27 (eleven years ago) link
i know! she doesn't dislike mojave 3, just doesn't seem interested in it. mysterious.
― tylerw, Friday, 24 August 2012 02:31 (eleven years ago) link
Well it is the most straightforward stuff he's ever done, I'm not surprised that's what might appeal.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 24 August 2012 02:39 (eleven years ago) link
he has such a nice voice
― sean gramophone, Friday, 24 August 2012 02:51 (eleven years ago) link
tbh I rate his first solo lp way above any of the M3 albums
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Friday, 24 August 2012 12:47 (eleven years ago) link
Out.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 24 August 2012 14:25 (eleven years ago) link
ned's review: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17036-palindrome-hunches/ good fall record! the season, not the band. you know.
― tylerw, Friday, 14 September 2012 15:35 (eleven years ago) link
Ha, thanks! Yeah I need to publicize that review a bit here...
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 14 September 2012 15:37 (eleven years ago) link
great review, Ned. And the "cozy sweater folk" thing is spot on - never thought I would but I think you've made me want to get this
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Friday, 14 September 2012 15:40 (eleven years ago) link
definitely a record where it comes on and my first instinct is kinda "yawn" but then I end up loving it.
― tylerw, Friday, 14 September 2012 15:40 (eleven years ago) link
Anyone else (UK) pre-order it from Sonic Cathedral? I got the 7" with it, will be able to report on the album when I finally get the shrinkwrap open.
― michaellambert, Wednesday, 19 September 2012 18:59 (eleven years ago) link
The album is very nice. I think I like it more than 'Oh, Mighty Engine' at the moment.
― michaellambert, Wednesday, 19 September 2012 20:54 (eleven years ago) link
Saw him last night, good show. Seems like an all around good guy. He played Alison and 40 Days for the encore
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Saturday, 22 December 2012 17:03 (eleven years ago) link
i don't like how he went from shoegaze to wuss-rock... though some of his wuss-rock is ok, i guess.
― Poliopolice, Saturday, 22 December 2012 17:25 (eleven years ago) link
Re-listened to his solo debut for the first time in 15 years. Such a great front-to-end record. Probably up there with Souvlaki in his discography.
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Tuesday, 19 March 2019 10:44 (five years ago) link
Yeah Ive always thought this record was underrated. I could never get into any of his other solo stuff but consider this a minor classic.
― ColinO, Tuesday, 19 March 2019 15:06 (five years ago) link