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first CD of theirs Sep 24, 2009 I heard "England" on Pandora radio and went out on my lunch break and bought the CD. The tracks that I like, I really like and the tracks that I don't...well, I just don't listen to. Then there's "Oh Yeah" which I outright detest.
"Banks of Newfoundland" and "England" are great and I really like some of the rock ones like "Straight to Hell", "Company of Fools" and "Dance Dance". I think that the CD sounds...a bit off at times. Sorry to Sean, but I think a studio album shouldn't have wavering vocals on the ballads. There's no reason for that unless it is intentional and if so...not good.
Speaking of not good, I really can't stand "Oh Yeah".
I shall keep listening to and enjoying the tracks that I like.
0 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Don't care for this Aug 14, 2009 Don't care for this band at all. This album is not as good as their previous stuff which isn't great either.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
"A Walk on the Moon" musically for the band May 04, 2009 Newfoundland's Great Big Sea has rocked us for 15 years when they decided to try a different tack. "Fortune's Favour" sounds more like a Fairport Convention CD than something GBS would produce. It's folksy, but still has the element of riotous fun that you'd expect from the band.
If you're a long time GBS fan, you may not like this CD. I do, but I'm also a fan of Fairport and Steeleye Span.
My favorites:
Walk on the Moon--an optimistic, full of life song, definitely going on my playlist of cheer up songs.
England--another 'come to the new country' song. It tells of the Newfoundlanders coming to their new home and carving a new life.
Straight to Hell--if Robert Johnson could go to the crossroads, why can't a Celtic Band? What a riot! This is one you're going to like, even if you're disappointed in the rest. It's classic GBS humor.
Rebecca Kyle, May 2009
Fortune's Favor Apr 13, 2009 I had only heard this group on a compilation album so when I heard it reviewed on NPR, I ordered the CD. Have only listened to it once but they make great music in the Irish folk tradition.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Grew On Me Mar 17, 2009 I was a bit unsure about Fortune's Favor at first, since it is indeed a little bit different direction for GBS, but after listening to it for several months now, I discovered myself consistently choosing it first on my daily commute.
There's no reason GBS can't do some original material. Their "pop" stuff is so much better than the rest of the pop dreck out there, and, anyway, it's not fair to expect them to stick only to the trad stuff. Why pigeonhole such a talented group? This album gives a good dose of both. Just enjoy and be happy that they are able to give fans such a wide variety.
Here and Now probably ranks as one of my top favorite two or three GBS tunes ever. It just makes me happy, and that's the very best thing you can say about a song.
The gorgeous England was written by Sean McCann, and I think it's a fine compliment to him that such a song should sound so rich and "old" that it's mistaken for trad. I don't know if Banks of Newfoundland is old or new, but it's the perfect "Bob" piece, and one I find myself humming as I do (appropriately) chores. How great is it that there's three guys in this band who can sing lead? (I would like to hear some more Murray, though.)
Company of Fools-my husband and I split the difference on this one. I absolutely love it, he's not too keen. Dream to Live, Long Lost Love and Hard Case are great songs, but are even better in concert, and Rocks of Marasheen, which is sadly drab on the CD, comes to life live, in the hands of the Shantyman.
Love Me Tonight, Walk on the Moon, Dance and Straight to Hell are just great, upbeat, singable songs.
The only song on the CD I just can't bear is the (sorry here) whiney Heart of Stone. I rank it down there with Widow in the Window and that regrettable song, Love. But for a band with a catalogue as extensive as GBS, three songs? Hey! That gives them, what, a 97% thumbs up rate? and that sums up this band in a nutshell.
Now we are waiting on pins and needles for a live album right up and through Fortune's Favor. The lovely thing about GBS is, it's always such a pleasure to hear new versions of old favorites.
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