Equation is defining their own sound- and it's wonderful!
Chel Micheline | SW Florida | 07/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My first experience with Equation was in a bricks and mortar bookstore. I was wandering around the aisles and I kept hearing this great fusion of guitars, violins, drums, and this beautiful female voice weaving in and out of it all. I ran into the music section and begged to know what it was. I wound up paying a lot more for it there than if I had come back home and bought it online, but I couldn't wait. The name of that cd was "Hazy Daze", and it was by a band called Equation.I was very nervous about their followup cd, "The Lucky Few", because I didn't think they could measure up to their brilliant first cd. I was wrong. This album is breathtaking. While it is not as light or catchy as "Hazy Daze", which has more of a simple sound, "The Lucky Few" is just as habit-forming. The new emphasis on guitars and Kathryn Roberts exquisite voice demonstrates that Equation's sound, while still unique, is definitely evolving. After a few listens to it, I really felt at home with it enough to start singing out loud. I'd love to tell you some standout tracks, but they are ALL good. I did hear some allusions to their song 'Sister' in one track, but it was almost as if Equation were teasing with it, and then breaking out into the full song. In my review of Hazy Days, I compared them to earlier 10,000 Maniacs (The Wishing Chair) and The Innocence Mission's first cd. I wish I could give everyone some reference to Equation's sound, but it's no longer possible. All I can describe it as is this: I remember when I was in my teens and constantly falling in love with songs and bands. I could listen to them over and over all day long, and be completely happy. I haven't felt this way in a long time. I'm so happy to say that Equation has brought that back. When I am not listening to their music, I daydream about it. That's how incredible this band is. Buy it- you won't be disappointed."
An accident
rraabfaber | Albuquerque, NM USA | 07/22/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"OK, I admit it. I bought this CD by mistake. I was reaching for Alejandro Escovido and wound up with this. I had already put it in my car's CD player before I realized my mistake. But I never looked back.The first track, Not the Man, just grabbed me. and the rest of the CD held me there. This is a technically excellent CD. Beautiful vocals. Tight musicianship with guitar, fiddle and mandolin. All around great. I don't know about the other reviewer's comparison to 10,000 Maniacs or Innocence Mission. I guess. Maybe. To me, what comes to mind is a mix of The Cranberries and Rumours era Fleetwood Mac. If you like those bands or any that other reviewers have compared Equation to, you shouls like this CD. I would LOVE to see this band live!"
The Lucky Few
Stephen P. Reid | Los Angeles, CA USA | 11/01/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I happened upon a profile of Equation on NPR when their first album "Hazy Daze" was featured. I was immediately drawn by the samples of their melodic song-writing and ability to develop a song beyond a simple hook and chorus. I immediately got the album (had to order it from Amazon because it wasn't easily available elsewhere) and wore the Album's grooves down for a couple of months.Two weeks ago I happened upon their follow-up album here, "The Lucky Few," and immediately ordered it. I was apprehensive whether they could followup their great first album with similar work. Rest assured. "The Lucky Few" is a fabulously assured follow-up which extends Equation's range with a little more guitar driven sound. If you like a great blend of folk-rock, strong female lead vocals and inventively melodic song-writing influenced by tradition English folk songs (updated), you will love this album. You will not regret buying this album. Go for it.By the way, Equation has a great web-site .... My only regret is that after completion of this album, Seth Lakeman left the group which will change their sound and direction going forward."
Compelling
Stephen P. Reid | 10/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My husband heard them on headphones at a bookstore in NH and we decided to take a chance and get the CD. Immediately fell in love. Coincidentally Equation was finishing up a US tour in New England and were playing in Mass. so we had a chance to hear them live. They were AMAZING! The venue was a bit of a dive and filled with rather dour folks unfortunately but the group was dead on. Entertaining, funny and very clear. Nice to have their CD not be over-produced because everything we heard from The Lucky Few sounded very close to the CD version. I'm eager to try Hazy Daze but the band made a point of saying that the ver. released in the UK had an extra cut (called "Clueless" that for some reason didn't make it on to the US release) so it's off to amazon.uk.co we go I guess! (Their renditions of traditional Celtic songs/poems had a faint tinge of "Solas" to them for folks who might be familiar with that great band too.)"
Dicovery of the year for me
C. Howe | Southampton, UK | 08/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I encountered Equation when they did a brilliant set at this year's Cropredy festival. OK, I should say, I'm not a die-hard folkie, but this is fantastically approachable music whoever you are, it's infectiously toe-tapping stuff. Stand-out tracks for me are the second and penultimate tracks on the album (although the clip on here cuts out just as it's getting going - grr!) Anyway, I hope to be seeing more of them in the future, and in the mean time this CD is going to be played to anyone I know who'll listen... ;)"