Universal Appeal From Down Under
Leigh Smout | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 03/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's been three years since Mark Seymour (ex lead singer and songwriter from Hunters and Collectors) put out his impressive but hard to obtain first solo album "King Without a Clue". The new "one eyed man" is a more-or-less straight ahead rock and roll album, accessible in its pleasing rhythms and universal themes, but sophisticated enough, like all the best things in life, to improve with each listening experience.Seymour has always been a brilliant songwriter, apparently as pleased with the more mellow ballads and love songs as he was with the more driven H&C songs. The new album is a mix of both with quick paced songs like "blue morning", "long way down" and my personal favourite "supagirl", and ballads as good as they get with "the ballad of the one eyed man".The song lyrics seem to allow us a connection with Seymour's interest in human experience, both historical and what appears to be very personal, and the music has been beatifully matched to create the appropriate feel. For instance, in the song "ready to go", the tin flute and jangling acoustic guitar create a kind of wild western feel, where the lyrics and the raw vocals echo a desolate anguish "Some chose to believe, some chose to fight. Some vanished in the dead of the night. But I'm not ready to go..."Much more could be said about each song, but the best thing to do is to buy it now! There's not a weak part to this album. The musicians are clearly excellent and recording & production quality is good.One pleasant surprise, particularly for H&C fans, is a hidden track at the end of the album. Following the appropriate 'last' track "on my way", but hidden within the track, is a slightly quirky version of the Hunters & Collectors classic "Throw Your Arms Around Me"! Someone told me that "Throw Your Arms Around Me" is probably the most played song in Australia? It's really a terrific version and makes a fabulous final chapter to "one eyed man".As stated above, the best thing about "one eyed man" is that it continues to improve after many listenings. Be prepared to have it become one of your long-term favourites!"
The good side of Adult Alternative
D. Cross | Hollywood, CA USA | 03/16/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Wow, this is a change of pace. Anyone already familiar with Mark Seymour from Hunters & Collectors may be surprised by this. It is even a departure from his first solo disc, which was excellent, though really just continued on from the final H+C album. So, how is it a change?
Well, I think the best way I can describe this album is to say it sounds like Mark Seymour singing Crowded House songs. By that I mean that it has a definite 'pop' element to it. And the other surprise is that it is ON PAR with Crowded House. The reviewer who said there are no hooks or catchy songs is way -WAY- off the mark (no pun intended). Although, I admit I felt a little like that upon first play, this is a disc that reveals itself over repeated listens.
I can tell you, off the top of my head, I could hum "Don't You Know Me", "On My Way Home", and "Sad Songs." They stick and are as finely crafted adult-oriented pop/rock songs as I've heard. This should be on the radio next to David Gray, John Mayer, Josh Groban, etc. (actually, in my opinion, INSTEAD of said artists)
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Track Listings (12) - Disc #1