Roots & Echoes

---

---

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Roots & Echoes marks something of a change of scenery for The Coral. Not so long ago, it was all lepers, sea shanties, and lonely suicides round their ends, but this-–the follow-up to 2005’s The Invisible Invasion--tells quite a different tale. Recorded at Oasis’ home studio in Buckinghamshire at the personal request of the Brothers Gallagher, this record captures the band casting out much of the bad vibes and concentrating on making a warm, vintage-sounding record with classic appeal. Of course, they can’t help throwing in the odd spot of heart-in-mouth high tragedy-–"Remember Me", a fraught tale of a very one-sided love affair, concludes with a howl of guitar and a final spasm of drums as vocalist James Skelly discovers the girl he carries a torch for has a ring on her finger. Elsewhere, though, there’s beautifully recorded excursions into classic soul ("Put The Sun Back"), acoustic-tinged bossa nova ("Not So Lonely"), and Doors-like organ jams ("She’s Got a Reason") which prove, as if there were any doubt, that this band have chops beyond the ability to bash out a ragged sea shanty or two. It is, in short, the sound of a more mature Coral, and while there are surely some fans who’ll choose now to jump ship, disappointed at the lack of piratical adventure, all in all it’ll be their loss. –-Louis Pattison

---

Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-07-18 rating:
The best album I've heard in years
The Coral have really found their sound on this album. By far the finest piece of work they have produced to date. A classic.

---

review by: campaign for real music date: 2008-02-17 rating:
Classic - but perhaps about 40 years too late
The Coral are a band who seem to deny the existence of any decade of music beyond the 1960s, which - depending on your point of view is either a great or frustrating thing - and their last album 'The Invisible Invasion', as decent as it was, had left me growing slightly tired of their sound. This album, however, restores all faith in their ability as songwriters and musicians - it's a fantastic listen, full of vintage, top-class songs seeping with craftsmanship and quality.

On 'Roots & Echoes', The Coral have controlled their excesses and tendency to throw in the odd sea-shanty or two and, instead, produced an album with shades of late 60's psych-pop reminiscent of The Zombies. In fact, has this album been released in 1968/1969, it would probably be talked about as a classic but, instead, it is compared alongside it's influences and the obvious charges of unoriginality and being derivative are, whilst perhaps valid, slightly frustrating given the fact that this really is brand new, well-written, fantastic music.

If anyone doubts the songwriting ability of The Coral, they should check out the dreamy 'Rebecca You', the catchy 'Who's Gonna Find Me' or the beautifully touching 'Not So Lonely'. In fact, this could quite easily lay claim to being The Coral's best album. It's certainly on a par with my previous favourite, 'Magic & Medicine' and the two albums certainly share similarities in terms of direction and consistency. There are no weak songs here, just track after track of soaring melodies performed with passion, pure love for music and the very aurally-pleasing acoustic, late 60s sound, with touches of organ, strings and wonder.

---

review by: date: 2008-01-04 rating:
A bit too lightweight
The Coral's fourth full length album starts very well with the fantastic light psychedelia of lead single Who's Gonna Find Me. With its strong melody, harmonies and chord changes, it's difficult to think of a better song released in 2007. Sadly the same can't be said of much of what follows on Roots & Echoes.

The main problem with R&E is the dominance of lightweight, early 60s influenced pop with sugary melodies and sentiment. The incredibly catchy Jacqueline is fine as a one-off but we don't need another three or four songs in the same vein, songs that I could even imagine being performed by a young Cliff Richard...

The pre-dominance of polite, skiffle-y pop therefore lets the album down though fortunately there are some better moments. The more distorted In The Rain and the outro to She's Got A Reason offer some welcome rocky respite and the shuffly, atmospheric closer Music At Night is excellent.

Overall Roots & Echoes is still a good album - it's just a shame that it's not quite as excellent as its three predecessor. (Too) tastefully performed, it's a worthwhile purchase for Coral fans though probably not the best introduction for newcomers to this normally slightly weird and very wonderful band.

---

review by: Call me Rob date: 2007-12-30 rating:
An astounding album
Not being a huge Coral fan, I was blown away by 'Who's gonna find me' which (I think) they performed on the Friday Night Project. I promptly downloaded it and played it to death.

In the true spirit of free downloads, I thought I'd buy the album. How surprised I was! I've had it 6 days now and it's been played constantly. Far from being a one-trick pony, this disc is filled with delights from start to finish. With hints of John, Paul, George and Ringo right through to Love and other West Coast influences, I am delighted once again to find a disc that I want to play and play and play. Friends that have heard this playing are asking who it is, and are amazed to hear me say The Coral. I think I've just found a new favourite band!

Highlights for me are 'Rebecca you', 'Who's gonna find me', 'Jacqueline' and 'In the rain'


review by: date: 2007-12-17 rating:
Worth the wait
I've waited two years for another release from The Coral and it was well worth it. Not a bad track on the album - this band really do write & perform proper songs and this is another superb album in their evolution. One of the best albums of the last couple of years, I can't recommend it strongly enough. 'Put The Sun Back' and 'Rebecca You' are the stand outs for me among and album of eleven very decent songs.

The Coral must be one of the best British Bands of recent years. As other reviewers have already said there are other bands who are awarded far more of the limelight who only have a fraction of The Corals talent.

Go and buy this album everyone, it's a cracker. Even if in doubt, the current price of £5 - £6 is hardly the stuff regret is made of, but regret it you won't!!

---

Similar products

Lady's Bridge
Once Upon a Time in the West
The Coral
Wait for Me
We'll Live And Die In These Towns

---

Similar categories

Music . Special Features . Bargain CDs
Music . Styles . Pop . General AAS
Music . Styles . Rock . Classic Rock . Psychedelic Rock
Music . Styles . Rock . Indie Rock & Punk . Bestsellers
Music . Styles . Rock . General AAS
Music . Styles . Indie . Bestsellers
Music . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . CD . CD Album

---