30 Odd Foot of Grunts, Russell Crowe - Other Ways of Speaking
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Free Music Notes for Other Ways of Speaking
Free Music Review: Maturity Overnight
Hit: 5 Stars
A great CD that really shows musical maturity from the guys!A must have!
Free Music Review: This band keeps getting better!
Hit: 4 Stars
Over the course of TOFOG's last three full-album releases, one can track a steady progression toward better and better music-making. Russell's voice is smoldering and distinctive, and he is more vocally adventurous here than he's ever been before. On _Gaslight_, we heard that the man can wail; here, we hear that he can whisper, and murmur, and caress his lines.The band is fantastic, as per usual, and the arrangements are more nuanced and layered than they have been before. This album achieves a consistent "feel," something that was not at all true of _Gaslight_. It has fewer stand-out, bouncy tracks than _Bastard Life or Clarity_ boasted, yet is enjoyable all the way through. (Some exceptions are "Mission Beat," "Charlie's Song," and "Swallow My Gift," but these are more subdued than similar songs on BLoC.) This is the kind of album that one listens to with headphones on in a dark, quiet room at night, but that will also do the job for something to dance around the room to on a summer day.
My only nitpick is with the tracks that were recorded previously and show up on this album. It's perfectly fine to rerecord a tune, but for "What's Her Name?", "Inside Her Eyes," and "All the White Circles," we've heard them done with more passion elsewhere. The version of AtWC, for example, that appears on an EP (that may now be out-of-print) is raw, angry, and bruised. It's my favorite TOFOG recording and Russell at his best. It is a song to which the gentler, softer treatment is not well-suited. However, I still give this CD a 4-star rating because as a whole, it is a beautifully done album.
I should note that I am a huge Russell Crowe fan, but one need not be in order to enjoy this album. TOFOG is a band worth hearing regardless of the fame attached to its frontman.
Free Music Review: Russell Crowe or Rock Fans Only (It is not pop!)
Hit: 4 Stars
Okay, I initially really wanted to give 3 stars only, but then I had to change my mind because even though the album is not a pleasant surprise, it really is not bad at all. The album is a great one for summer. The country-rock tunes give listeners a Texas slash Tasmania (Australia) feel. Quite a few of the songs have some rather unexpected usage of horns and strings, which kisses the songs with a limey-fresh feel. I could almost "see" the desert and cowboy hats appearing in front of me. (and a glass of lemonade with a lot of vodka) Russell Crowe's solo vocal is really nothing compared to his acting in say "The Insider" or "The Beautiful Mind". But his singing ability is still honestly quite above average - cowboy with a touch of soul. (Very Alabama!) People who adore Crowe, especially those who are in love in him should definitely get this album. The songs are not commercial at all, nothing sickeningly "formula"; the ryhmes are very intimate. Like the ones you will hear in a old yet populated pub in the suburban. Careful listeners should realize there is a lot of effort put into the rhymes and arrangements; the songs are never repetitive and dull. For hard rock fans: Yes, there are a couple more "hard" rock tunes that you can swing your head along to, like #10. Overall, I would say it is a good album to purchase if you like rock, alternative rock, or if you are a fan of Crowe. Do not expect a "pop" firework, this album is not that.Free Music Review: GIve the Grunts a Chance
Hit: 4 Stars
All hype aside, you have to first listen to the Grunts in order to have intelligent criticism. I began as a Crowe fan and stumbled onto Gruntland.com about four years ago. That's how I came across Gaslight and BLOC. OWOS is my third Grunt purchase and it is a far superior CD alltogether. Lyrically is where I'm impressed. Musically, as has been stated in many review, they've always been good. I feel Crowe has a real talent for conveying sense of loss, pain and conflict. Yes, at times he is cliche, at times his voice doesn't quite rise to the occassion. However, that could be said for a million singers of a million songs on the radio today. On the songs Other Ways of Speaking, Painted Veil and Afraid, he's at his best. The band is impressive as well, but everyone who purchases this CD will admit, it's Crowe they want to hear. The band is developing as is their frontman and I'm very excited to hear what lies in the future. On Gaslight and BLOC I could have easily viewed the Grunts as a well off, higher class bar band...with OWOS, I'd like them to get some radio play and some real exposure, not because of Russell Crowe, but because they deserve it.Free Music Review: I am rating this on Crowe's great voice...
Hit: 4 Stars
Okay, I want to be clear.., have NOT YET HEARD THIS BUT am buying it, given having just discovered his music videos on THE GOOD YEAR cd. Who'd have thunk, his voice is this cool.
Since he is camera comfortable, and a great performer, (gladiator). That he looks great in front of an audience is a ++. One can clearly see he enjoys it.
On the final music video in GY called revival or something in the extras part. It shows a quick clip (geekier hair and rawer voice) at the beginning, just a few seconds, then switches to him doing this song at the House of Blues, just belting on it.. shows his practice... good progression and honing of voice..
So, based on these GY music videos, I am ordering this up, expecting to enjoy...would have liked If I could have listened to cuts like some others.....BUT CHECK OUT THE MUSIC VIDEOS ON THE GOOD YEAR CD, WITH THE LAST ONE BEING A BLOWOUT GOOD SONG..