Search - Connells :: Boylan Heights

One of the best albums of all time... honestly...

johnafreck | Decatur, GA USA | 07/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first discovered The Connells on a late night music program on my local PBS station here in Atlanta around 1990. The program had booked The Connells for a studio interview, but the studio they were going to use was locked up for the day so they had to end up doing the interview at one of those bathroom displays at a local hardware store. No kidding! Needless to say the interview was hilarious, but the music completely floored me.I immediatley went out and bought Boylan Heights and I must have played that cassette tape until it was about to snap. The album is, to put it simply, perfect. And I can say that without any twinge of hesitation. The songs compliment each other with such grace and uniformity that it is almost a spiritual expericence. The musical styling has an almost celtic quality, but remains oddly unique at the same time.Lyrically, this album will keep you coming back for more. The words that are woven are perplexing, but somehow still seem natural and make sense on an emotinal level even if it takes some time to actually dechiper their intended meaning, if any at all. This is an album that I never grow tired of hearing even though I have listened to it heavily for the past eleven years. I never have to be in the mood for it. It always fits.Boylan Heights is to The Connells what Murmur is to R.E.M. They are very similar albums in both sound and style. Not surprising being that both alubms were produced by Mitch Easter at the Drive In Studios in North Carolina.If you're one of those people who thinks that The Connells are just a "Prep-boy Band"... buy this album... it will change your opinion about The Connells and music in general."

Perhaps the best album of the eighties

johnafreck | 02/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have seen several friends turn instantly into Connells fans after hearing just a few tracks of this CD. Boylan Heights exquisitely blends infectious melodies and harder-edged elements. I would compare Boylan Heights to R.E.M.'s best work in the eighties. What a shame that, unlike R.E.M., the Connells have remained a well-kept secret in the United States."

A Rare Gem, And My Favorite Connells CD

johnafreck | 08/07/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a gem. Produced by Mitch Easter (the guy that produced R.E.M.'s Murmur album and frontman for the band Let's Active), the Connells present these dark, beautiful, haunting folk-rock tinged songs. "I Suppose" is one of the standout tracks, with shimmering, chiming guitars, and "Over There" uses brass to great effect. The melodies are strong throughout, and the whole thing has an atmosphere somewhat reminiscent of R.E.M.'s Murmur. A great, overlooked album, and one of the best of the '80s in my opinion. If you want to get into the Connells, buy this one first."