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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0766481565826
Format: Enhanced
Item Dimensions: 23
Label: Astralwerks
Manufacturer: Astralwerks
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Astralwerks
Release Date: August 13, 2001
Studio: Astralwerks
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com's Best of 2001:
Although this British duo draws effectively on early-'70s rock--mainly warm SoCal folk pop, à la America, and shimmery-cool British space glam, à la T. Rex--what makes them distinctive are their modern easy grooves and their uneasy emotional nakedness. "I panic at the quiet times, decisions at the door," sighs vocalist-guitarist Ollie Knights in "The Door," but throughout The Optimist, he and coconspirator and slide guitarist Gale Paridjanian resist the alt-rock urge to bury anxiety in walls of noise. Their debut full-length (comprising five tracks from earlier EPs and seven new originals) is rife with subtle, contemplative moments that often turn lyrically dark ("I'm sick and I'm twisted/ Like a Sunday massacre") or get carried away by cresting rhythms, like the post-breakup lament "State of Things" ("You and me used to be on fire/ There ain't no straight lines in this state of things"). Although Turin Brakes can rock when they care to (here most effectively on "Mind over Money"), their strength comes from exploring the tension in life's deceptively calm shadows. --Lisa Gidley
Album Description:
Debut album from London duo, who have already sparked a storm of praise in the British music press. Turin Brakes inhabit a space which is entirely their own, fully formed and brutally emotive. A video for 'The Door' directed by Sophie Muller (Coldplay 'Yellow') will be serviced to MTV2 and is included as a bonus on this release. Enhanced CD portion contains video for The Door, viewable on your computer. 12 tracks. 2001 release.
Album Details:
Every Now and Again a Record Practically Throws Itself Up from the Stack, and on First Listening Strikes a Chord that Separates it from the Pack. 'optimist' is One of Those Records, a Warm Feel Good Experience.
Average Rating: 
Rating: 
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This is redolent of a hot summer evening when you get the chance to sit down with a nice cool glass of New Zealand sauvignon blanc, feel the residual heat drain from the day, and your tension melts away and you have one of those "life is pretty good at this second" moments. Not that I have had one of those for far too long, but I look back at those I remember and feel that warm, happy flutter in my chest, and this album is kind of like that.
The lads sound like 2 squeaky schoolboys ... Read More
Rating: 
-
An uninspired plate of Alt-Brit-bleh, the album manages enough competency to justify catering to those who don't hear better, though I don't remember feeling anything resembling a genuine emotional reaction until the 11th track, itself an obvious Doves lift.
Rating: 
-
Well, what could I say that hasn't been said. I just want to add that the Optimist LP is one of the best albums ive ever heard. The music crawls into you slowly and makes you want to cry because of the beauty of the songs, the mazing voice of Ollie and the acoustic guitars in perfect tune. Its the kind of CD you want to listen while on the road, while reading a good book or when you are feeling a little bit down. Highly recommended
Rating: -
Last summer, I became obsessed with Turin Brakes. They're not as predictably depressing as Radiohead, they've got more of a kick than Coldplay, and they're not as obsessively melodious as Travis. If you like anything about any of these bands, you will love Turin Brakes. Oh, and if you get the chance, definitely see them live. There are too many good songs on this CD. The best is probably "State of Things" a delicious breakup song that starts out, "blindfold me, tie me up or tie me down", followed ... Read More
Rating: -
Beautiful, haunting, perfect, raw, emotional... everything a debut should be. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS ALBUM and I truly adore this band. Their music is like a therapeutic massage. I just wish I had discovered them sooner.
