John Grant - Queen of Denmark CD (Digipak)

Although co-founded by John Grant and Chris Pearson, the Czars were always Grants band, with most of the groups acclaim stemming from his deep, resonant vocals and songwriting. The frontman reportedly butted heads with his four bandmates, but such creative tension helped mold the Czars into an eclectic group, and Grants voice -- despite being the cornerstone of every Czars album -- wouldnt have shined as brightly without the dreamy, shoegazing music that flanked it. Queen of Denmark, his first release without the Czars, lacks that creative tension. Although recorded with Midlake (the band even shares billing in the albums title), it feels more like a solo release, lacking both the cohesion of a proper lineup and the checks-and-balances system that Grants former bandmates provided. Left to his own devices, he unknowingly dilutes his strengths, whether hes trading poetry for campy lyrics (I wish I had the brain of a Tyrannosaurus Rex so I wouldnt have to deal with all this crap) or aiming for a contemporary version of 70s soft rock and coming up with mundane Americana instead. Theres no hiding the fact that Grant is a seriously talented vocalist, and the albums best moments occur whenever he tones down the camp and, with a mix of Eddie Vedders baritone and Tim Buckleys vibrato, reaches for the heartstrings instead. But with song titles like Sigourney Weaver and Jesus Hates Faggots, Queen of Denmark is more concerned with Grants cynicism.

EAN: 602527338583

CAT#: BELLACD235

Bella Union, 2010

Country:EU

Very good condition

C02