.co.uk The Soundings, the third album from Andy Dragazis's Blue States project sees the now London-based three piece shift direction again, albeit ever so slightly. Still lushly orchestrated and arranged with bags of cinematic charm, Blue States sound more like a band than ever before. Guitar and vocalist Chris Carr sings on most of the 10 songs with a gentle voice that every so often breaks into Morrissey-esque musings and never more so than on the melancholy album closer, "Sad Song". This extremely British vocal combined with steady, crisp drums, acoustic guitar and a wall of strings, organs and electric guitar is reminiscent in grandeur to Spiritualised. The funkiest number is the opener "Across the Wire" where a straightforward, upbeat trip-hop groove is underpinned by imposing strings that add a certain gravity while maintaining the accessibility of the tune. Instrumentals "One Night on Tulane" and "Output" are more likely what fans of Nothing Changes will be waiting for--eerie soundscapes with a retro-futurist twist; the former full of grandeur and hairs on the back of your neck moments and the latter a kooky cyber-kitsch ditty. The Soundings won't please everyone for it's not so out there or up there like the last two albums but if you're not hooked on first listen, it may well be worth giving it a few more goes. --David Trueman
E**E
A fantastic album - best chill-out album of 2004 so far;
The Blue States have definitely produced a gem of an album in the Soundings as they moved slightly to a different soundscape than their previous work.The big plus is the addition of the singer/ soungwriter which gives a pop-rock dimension to their complex haunting musical soundscape; producing great melodies.The opening of "Under a grey sky", which is a fantastic track although there isn't a single bad track on the album; this has to the standing out one, not my personal favorite which will have to be "the last blast"; but everytime any of my friends who overheard "under a grey sky" in the background have consistently told me it was a great song before asking me who it was.Have owned this album for about a month, I have got my hands on quite a few other albums since but the sounding is definitely becoming one of the house's favorite - well for the "Chill-Out" times anyway;The soundings is an impressive Indie Pop-Rock debut from electronica experts.. and they still are brilliant in producing electronic beats and phrases the two purely instrumental tracks are definitely proving it.Worth every penny; Get it, you will love it; i have yet to find someone who told me that this album was average.
D**S
Maturing Over The Years
Blue States is synonymous with cinematic sounds, blissful orchestrations and captivating arrangements! Andreas Dragazis' first album (at the time he was on his own) was a groundbreaking release in the downtempo genre and stands high up with Bonobo's sublime "Animal Magic". On "Man Mountain", Blue States changed direction by incorporating female vocals to their songs, something that is predominant in "The Soundings" albeit with pop-like male vocals. Some fans (including me) were sceptical towards that shift, because we were expecting a downtempo album that would be serene and eerie, ideal for chilling regardless of temporal or spatial requirements. Still, in my opinion, "Man Mountain" was a great release that was indeed partly deviating from the known Blue States sound, maintaining however, that ethereal and cinematic brilliance!In "The Soundings", Blue States sound more like a band rather than an Electronica act. Nonetheless, the compositions are praiseworthy and the new singer has been well absorbed in the group. His contribution plays a pivotal role in the feelings that the listener develops throughout this album, which are rather esoteric and emotional. Standout vocal track has to be "The last blast" and instrumental favourite is the melancholic "Output"."The Soundings" is definitely targeted to a wider audience and I think it will be appreciated by many. And Blue States thoroughly deserve this appreciation, because I strongly believe that they have surpassed more well-known bands like Zero 7 and Air (at least with respect to their latest efforts).As a fan of Quantic, Fila Brazillia, Cinematic Orchestra, Tommy Guerrero, Kruder & Dorfmeister and the rest of the artists in my Listmania lists, I doubt that "The Soundings" will stay in my cd player for a long time, simply because I prefer instrumental, slightly more cerebral music. Buy it and make your own judgements! 3.5 stars
A**E
Different
Like many other here, I loved the first two albums and had high expectations of this one. Sadly is doesn't compare as it is a completely different type of music. I know other contributors are advising a few listens until it becomes appreciated but I have had albums like that before and this isn't one of them.This sort of thing simply isn't my bag; it's been on twice and won't be going on again.
M**G
A great step forward
I loved the previous two albums by blue states (but found the first far stronger than the second so I was worried that the third album might not deliver.I was wrong - great music and a good step forward from the previous albums. There are far more vocal tracks and the album is more consistant in its sound than previously. It does take a time to get into but after 3 listens, it's hardly been off my player.
D**N
What a shame!
Why have Blue States moved away from what they do best to this? The vocals are nothing short of awful! Gone is that fantastic retro 60's feel to something which I just found lacking in every way and very irritating.If you have other BS stuff, buy this at your peril.
S**N
Ditch the vocallist
Nothing Changes Under The Sun and Man Mountain are great albums! Why oh why oh why have Blue States used a dreadful male vocal (who sounds like a million other mediocre male vocallists) on most of the new tracks? They sound like a middle of the road guitar band now. Thank God for Amazon's returns policy because I can't get this one back in the mail quick enough.
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