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Rating:
Ed Harcourt has been compared to many artists in the reviews of his first album "Here Be Monsters": from Tom Waits to the Beatles.
Well, really?!?
Maybe they have exaggerated... If we were to play the same game of comparisons for "From Every Sphere," one might start by saying it's not Badly Drawn Boy, even though the melody of "Bittersweetheart"... is not Tom Yorke, even though his way of singing "Fireflies Take Flight"... is not Robert Smith, even though the decadent lyrics of "Bleed a River Deep"... is not Chris Martin, even though the piano opening of "From Every Sphere"...
And surely, a more attentive ear won't miss other references. But I stopped looking for them on the second listen. After all: who cares!!!
He's only 23 years old and has great talent, he's not afraid to mix musical genres: in the same album you can find electronic, jazz, grunge, soul and... incredible but it works perfectly!!! He's already composed over 300 songs waiting to be recorded, plays almost all the instruments present on the album, was part of a punk group, collaborated with Dave Fridmann and Gil Norton, and apparently, he's excellent live.
However, I must admit that before buying it I had some doubts. But Ed's voice singing in my ears "I'm aware that I'm speaking but the words come out wrong, so I'll put it across in a simple song... Never have I been part of any scene. Just remember this: it's just you and me...." (Jetsetter) overcame any resistance.
And again "If I could only see it straight I wouldn't be lonely these days, I'd drag my body out of this place...." (Bittersweetheart) Sigh... how romantic... mmhhh... too much?? Of course not!!! Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful!!!
By now it accompanies me everywhere... "From Every Sphere" is a rich pop album with a streak of masochism and melancholy in the lyrics (like only true romantics...) just what I needed to stretch these last days of winter lethargy...
"Let the sun break through the cracks within my room, the grey sky fades to blue, it will wash away this gloom... the birds will sing for us but we all die in the end, the birds will sing for us but we all die in the end, the birds will sing for us, the birds will sing for us, the birds will sing for us but we all die in the end [...] And that's a metaphor for the feelings that I store... I confess I love you so..." (Metaphorically Yours)
...zzzzzzzzzzzz...
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 All of Your Days Will Be Blessed (03:42)
with beady black eyes, the bluebird has died
it's feathers have dried, it couldn't survive
from the winter's grasp, nothing ever lasts
but you and i know, the seasons are slow
the rivers they froze, the wind always blows
down all our dreams, the engine's out of steam
all of your days will be blessed
so put on a smile and get dressed
into the void we will fly away from here
all of your thoughts will be crowned
you'll be the toast of town
into the view of a million crystal spheres
pitchfork in my foot, i tried the best i could
dragging all this wood, with a rusty old fishhook
to feed the figher and make our blood flow higher
but i'm a stubborn man, the sun needs my command
i'm gonna make a stand, condemnd this twisted land
i'm sure you'd agree, but i can't leave you see
all of your days will be blessed
so put on a smile and get dressed
into the void we will fly away from here
all of your thoughts will be crowned
you'll be the toast of town
into the view of a million crystal spheres
all of your days will be blessed
so put on a smile and get dressed
into the void we will fly away from here
all of your thoughts will be crowned
you'll be the toast of town
into the view of a million crystal spheres
but you and i know, the seasons are slow
the rivers they froze, the wind always blows
down all our dreams, the engine's out of steam
04 The Birds Will Sing for Us (04:26)
Little girl don't be sad I've set your eyes on fire
Don't say I'm a liar that I don't love you
Something has brought me down but I won't give up hope
It's hard for you to cope when I'm around you
Let the sun break through
The cracks within my room
The grey sky fades to blue
It might wash away this gloom
Alcohol, company I need to readjust
From this place of dust let's go drink tonight
And at the bar we'll drink 'til dawn and I'll pretend I'm dead
Whilst resting my poor head by the neon light
Let the sun break through
The cracks within my room
The grey sky fades to blue
It might wash away this gloom
The birds will sing for us but we all die in the end
The birds will sing for us but we all die in the end
The birds will sing for us, the birds will sing for us
The birgs will sing for us but we all die in the end
Replay Video | Share Video | More Videos
09 Watching the Sun Come Up (05:47)
You know it feels nice, watching the sun come up
and I´ve realised I can never return
Oh babe it feels good, watching the sun come up
I can attack the day with the will to burn
And the sky is a picture of violence
Blood red and steely blue
It has beauty that could never be silenced
Oh yeah it reminds me of you
And if you´re broken down lying face on the ground it´s too late
For i´ve seen it all as the shadows fall
When the dawn breakes
I could never be beyond repair
I could never be beyond repair
Watching the sun come up
And my hands; they are shaking
Whilst my feet they cannot turn
It´s all making sense; I´m finally taking
Each day with the will to burn
And the sky is a picture of violence
Blood red and steely blue
It has beauty that could never be silenced
Oh yeah it reminds me of you
And if you´re broken down lying face on the ground it´s too late
For i´ve seen it all as the shadows fall
When the dawn breakes
I could never be beyond repair
I could never be beyond repair
Watching the sun come up
It all could happen if I want it to (x 4)
It feels nice watching the sun come up
and I´ve realised I can never return
Babe it feels good watching the sun come up
I can attack the day with the will to burn...
12 From Every Sphere (07:38)
Take me far away
And make me lose control
For now I need to pray
Think of forgotten souls
Disappear from every sphere
Watch them high
Then slowly die
Then slowly die
If you shut your eyes
You'll float through the blackest hole
So sure in night time sky
You see forgotten souls
Disappear from every sphere
Watch them high
Then slowly die
Then slowly die
Then slowly die
Then slowly die
Then slowly die...etc
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By zaireeka
I adore this "From Every Sphere," his second LP, because these songs have that refreshing taste of the classic, of returning home to your parents, especially when they are no longer there.
Songs "waiting for the rain," to wash everything else away, so that sometimes all that remains is a slow waltz, the sound of the piano, a voice, a trumpet, a light tinkling.
