Search - Catatonia :: Equally Cursed & Blessed

A Pretty good L.P.

D. M. Farmbrough | Wisconsin, USA | 09/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stand out tracks are Londinium, Equally Cursed And Blessed, and Mulder And Scully, the strengths of Catatonia are manifold. The lyricsl quality is not only high, it's different, so in the above three examples, we have songs about city life, Princess Diana, and peculiar stuff happening, which make a nice change from love songs. The best thing about this group however has to be the melodies, which are always strong, bear repeated listening, and maintain the quality throughout the album. The vocal oddities of Cerys Matthews just make it that bit more interesting."

Great, fun pop music.

Donnie L. Tucker | usa | 06/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Catatonia haven't reinvented the wheel, but they don't need to. This album is really great, fun music. The kind of songs you'll tap your toe to and sing in the shower the next day. There are no skippers on this album, and the US release adds Road Rage and Mulder & Skully, both taken from their excellent, but now sadly out-of-print, International Velvet album.And I must say that Ms. Matthews has probably the coolest, and cutest, voice ever."

Great follow-up to 'International Velvet'

Mr. B. G. Fowler | 01/30/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most people first heard of Catatonia when they released previous album 'International Velvet'. This, their third album and follow-up to their breakthrough album was anticipated heavily. In many ways this is a more accomplised album, with witty lyrics and a variety of style.It begins with the single 'Dead From The Waist Down', a rare smoothly seductive tune sung by the ever-gorgeous vocals of Cerys Matthews. This is followed by a little swipe at city life in 'Londinium', with nice little details thrown in such as the M25. In fact, the general feel of several songs on the album seems to be an affectionate, lighthearted swipe at everything varying from the monarchy (the infectious 'Storm The Palace') to millionairesses ('She's A Millionaire'). In this it can often raise a smile, yet it is also an album that is quite capable of a softer undertone. This is particularly evident on the slow number, backed by harps, 'Bulimic Beats'. In many ways its in a similar style to 'Don't Need The Sunshine' from 'International Velvet' or 'Godspeed' from 'Papers, Scissors, Stone', but is definitely a surprise from a band normally famed for its loud and enjoyable vocals.There's not one filler track here and although it's perhaps not as good as Catatonia's other albums, this is merely because the others are all so excellent. 'Equally Cursed And Blessed' is a real gem."