Search - Bel Canto :: Shimmering Warm & Bright

Warm and Bright

J. C. Sanders | San Francisco | 08/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I think Gazzah's review is a little ungenerous... but my initial reactin to Bel Canto was the same. I purchased this album on it's recommendation to me as "Cocteau Twins-like"... I agree that Bel Canto Tries a little too hard, and sounds much more forced than the twins. But this album has definitely grown on me, and I still listen to it regularly. When I first got into the Twins it took time for them to grow on me too... but now they're like my favorite Band! "Le Temps Degage" stands out to me as the strongest track on the album, particularly because it's in French. THe English Lyrics on the album are the weekest point for me, mostly just pretentious and stupid. At least in *dumb* Twins songs like "Pearly Dew-drops drops" the lyrics are hidden within Liz's unique vocal styling.

My final word is, nothing will ever replace the Cocteau Twins, but Bel Canto is not without their strengths. If your willing to lower your standards to listen to something a little more pretentious and oversaturated, then this is it. Think Enya with a beat..."

It's 'okay'

01/18/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Not the best effort from Bel Canto. I really enjoyed 'White-Out Conditions', but this was a bit too dance/techno for me. 'Unicorn' is goofy as hell, probably only suitable for soppy-headed eight year old girls. 'Shimmering Warm & Bright' is a nice one; very pretty and a good use of layered vocals. 'Spiderdust' was okay as well.



If you're going to check out Bel Canto, I'd suggest their first album."