Aqualung |
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Artist:
Aqualung
One of British pop's new breed of moody and introverted post-Thom Yorke baby boomers, Still Life finds Southampton's classically trained Matt Hales--Aqualung's songwriter and frontman--succeeding in selling both himself and his omnipotent piano as a more erudite and self-absorbed version of Coldplay. Beginning with the mitigated optimism of "Brighter than Sunshine"--a gloriously simplistic pop song spruced with cloudy strings and therefore redolent of a more sullen ELO--and climaxing with the muttered, moribund lulling of "Good Goodnight", Still Life frequently attains levels of mumbled intensity via songs as alluring and bitterly withered as "Easier to Lie" and "Extraordinary Thing". The latter not only utilises a harpsichord and paraphrases one of Churchill's famous wartime speeches but goes on to satirise Radiohead's oevre with the classic--and practically comedic--opening line "Cheer up, it may never happen". It was always going to take something special to trump Aqualung's eponymous, Ivor Novello nomitated debut but Still Life really does do the job in atypically melancholic fashion. --Kevin Maidment
 READ THIS if you're thinking of buying, 2004-03-07
Well - that got your attention. This CD is an absolute classic - you can sue me if you disagree! The first CD was excellent but this one shines even better. I am a fan of Coldplay and Travis (who Matt gets compared to) but this is altogether better, brighter and better songwriting throughout and deserves every plaudit. Heartfelt ballads to almost rock - some of the subtle changes in the music are just amazing. One review said - 'not for the recently separated or heartbroken' and I cannot agree more - there is so much emotion in the music. BUY IT - it will be re-promoted soon and you will regret not buying it. I have seen Aqualaung live and these songs sound even better. Hope you like this review. Like all great CDs - it takes time to kick in - 2/3 plays and you'll be hooked. Graham.
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List Price: £11.99
Our Price: £3.44
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![Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You) [CD 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41JTVJTV4YL._SL160_.jpg "Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You) [CD 2]")
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Artist:
Aqualung
Mesmerising..., 2002-09-06
This track is absolutely beautiful. It floats along with sweet romantic strange and magical lyrics and gorgeous piano. It lives up to all the hype, and if this doesn't make Aqualung a huge platinum-selling international star then there's something very wrong with the world.
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List Price: £4.99
Our Price: £0.89
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![Strange and Beautiful [VINYL]](http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/music/icons/music-no-image.gif "Strange and Beautiful [VINYL]")
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Artist:
Aqualung
Beautiful, 2002-09-06
It's that song that everyone's been desperately trying to find for months, the song from the VW Beetle Ad. And hooray! It's finally being released as a single!It's beautiful, it's strange, it's kind of mysterious, it's in waltz music time which is unusual for popular music, which makes it stand out just that little bit more. Matt Hales (Aqualung) is a genius and if this doesn't go to number 1 then the album most certainly will.
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List Price: £11.99
Our Price: £55.80
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Artist:
Aqualung
Beautiful, Enchanting, Melancholic, Touching, Soothing..., 2004-05-15
5 words that sum this up in a nutshell. Aqualung's debut album has to rank in my top 10 from the last couple of years. Aqualung deliver piano led music which is quite simply gorgoeus. 'Strange & Beautiful' might be the track which got Matt Hales noticed in the mainstream music scene but there's so much here to be cherished, enjoyed and reflected upon.'If I Fall', 'Just For A Moment', 'Can't Get You Out Of My Mind' and closing track 'Halfway To The Bottom' are the best things on offer and contain such lyrical genius that its hard to find the words for. This CD is indeed best served up during a quiet moment alone, and certainly rewards those who give it some replay. Each time you hear it you'll discover something else magical beit from the music or lyrics. I can't rate this more highly, so if you're after something which can mellow you out and serve up well crafted thoughtful paino melodies then this is for you. excellent stuff from start to finish.
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List Price: £9.99
Our Price: £2.48
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Artist:
Aqualung
One of British pop's new breed of moody and introverted post-Thom Yorke baby boomers, Still Life finds Southampton's classically trained Matt Hales--Aqualung's songwriter and frontman--succeeding in selling both himself and his omnipotent piano as a more erudite and self-absorbed version of Coldplay. Beginning with the mitigated optimism of "Brighter than Sunshine"--a gloriously simplistic pop song spruced with cloudy strings and therefore redolent of a more sullen ELO--and climaxing with the muttered, moribund lulling of "Good Goodnight", Still Life frequently attains levels of mumbled intensity via songs as alluring and bitterly withered as "Easier to Lie" and "Extraordinary Thing". The latter not only utilises a harpsichord and paraphrases one of Churchill's famous wartime speeches but goes on to satirise Radiohead's oevre with the classic--and practically comedic--opening line "Cheer up, it may never happen". It was always going to take something special to trump Aqualung's eponymous, Ivor Novello nomitated debut but Still Life really does do the job in atypically melancholic fashion. --Kevin Maidment
READ THIS if you're thinking of buying, 2004-03-07
Well - that got your attention. This CD is an absolute classic - you can sue me if you disagree! The first CD was excellent but this one shines even better. I am a fan of Coldplay and Travis (who Matt gets compared to) but this is altogether better, brighter and better songwriting throughout and deserves every plaudit. Heartfelt ballads to almost rock - some of the subtle changes in the music are just amazing. One review said - 'not for the recently separated or heartbroken' and I cannot agree more - there is so much emotion in the music. BUY IT - it will be re-promoted soon and you will regret not buying it. I have seen Aqualaung live and these songs sound even better. Hope you like this review. Like all great CDs - it takes time to kick in - 2/3 plays and you'll be hooked. Graham.
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List Price: £11.99
Our Price: £2.25
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Artist:
Aqualung
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List Price: £14.99
Our Price: £7.29
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Artist:
Aqualung
Aqualung meets Martin Grech?, 2007-05-03
Having been a fan of Aqualung since hearing "Strange and Beautiful (I'll put a spell on you)" I eagerly anticipate any new material from the Hales' pen. This album does not disappoint. It is fresh and immediate. Hearing some of the more dramatic instrumentations reminded me of early Martin Grech; since I'm also a fan of Grech this is a plus (if indeed Matt has been influenced at all by this artist).
Of course, this is an essential purchase for any Aqualung devotee! If you're new to this music, you'll find much to enjoy. If you love what you hear it won't be long before you're adding their other releases to your shopping list. My only gripe is that it's over far too soon!
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List Price: £13.99
Our Price: £5.90
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Artist:
Aqualung
Aqualung meets Martin Grech?, 2007-05-03
Having been a fan of Aqualung since hearing "Strange and Beautiful (I'll put a spell on you)" I eagerly anticipate any new material from the Hales' pen. This album does not disappoint. It is fresh and immediate. Hearing some of the more dramatic instrumentations reminded me of early Martin Grech; since I'm also a fan of Grech this is a plus (if indeed Matt has been influenced at all by this artist).
Of course, this is an essential purchase for any Aqualung devotee! If you're new to this music, you'll find much to enjoy. If you love what you hear it won't be long before you're adding their other releases to your shopping list. My only gripe is that it's over far too soon!
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List Price: £15.99
Our Price: £4.93
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![Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You) [CD 1]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41H0RAKW1TL._SL160_.jpg "Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You) [CD 1]")
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Artist:
Aqualung
Beautiful, 2002-09-06
It's that song that everyone's been desperately trying to find for months, the song from the VW Beetle Ad. And hooray! It's finally being released as a single!It's beautiful, it's strange, it's kind of mysterious, it's in waltz music time which is unusual for popular music, which makes it stand out just that little bit more. Matt Hales (Aqualung) is a genius and if this doesn't go to number 1 then the album most certainly will.
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List Price: £4.99
Our Price: £14.99
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Artist:
Aqualung
 Better buy the first 2 instead, 2008-10-09
It's a lovely edition if you aren't already into Aqualung. It is a best of the first 2 albums created for the American market when they discovered the band a bit late. Nothing wrong with it but you are missing out on some great tracks by not getting the fuller versions (both of which are 4 star).
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List Price: £17.99
Our Price: £3.62
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