Search - Bells, Chris Connelly :: Ultimate Seaside Companion

A rare gem in a sea of mainstream...

evilnedflanders | Carmel, IN United States | 11/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of several CD's that really show off Chris Connelly's diversity in music. The tracks are more soothing than his last efforts, leaning towards the likes of Bowie and Pink Floyd in some instances without straying from his own unique style. I'm glad Connelly decided to rerelease this CD as well as add some tracks to it, it's definitely his best work. The lyrics are right on par with his work on Shipwreck, and Companion expands the mood from that album.My personal favorites include:Stray-An excellent show of vocalsIsland Head-Hints of anquish underneath a soothing melodyCaravan-Emphasis on bass and lyricsThe Fortune II-A great song of loss...No More Changing of the Guard-The live version is the pinnacle of emotions in the lyrics"

Gorgeous album - buy it.

mdhd | md. | 07/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"no matter what brought you to this website--an interest in his work with ministry or revco, or an appreciation for his increasingly more complex and beautiful songs and arrangements, you need to buy this album for chris connelly's voice alone. while the quality of the songs is definately above-average, it is connelly's distinctive vocals that push this record onto my list of top 25 or so albums that i've ever bought (and i own a few). deep and emotive, without coming off as contrived or overly melodramatic, his ability, within his range, is unmatched in good pop music, with the possible exceptions of elvis costello, david bowie and the late jeff buckley, who he once toured with. the music is sparse and precise, allowing the lyrics and delivery to take center stage. this is not to say the musicians are not top-notch. joining connelly's list of distinguished collaborators is jim o'rourke, of gastr del sol. a live drummer would have been nice, but i'll take it as it stands, and so should you."

Record of the year 1998

mdhd | 01/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is probably one of the greatest records of the nineties. Chris Connely has made the record, I expected David Bowie to make for years and years. Island Head and The ultimate Seaside companion are songs that one can listen to for a thousand times without getting bored. I know the record was issued in 1997, but we, in France, only discovered it in june 1998. This album really is a masterpiece and I wish I had more information about the Bells' tours, new issues and prospects in the months to come."