"MADAME FRUITBOWL" REVIEWS
|
"This band promises to save our very souls from the American rock monster which threatens to pollute our ears, charts and airwaves.
Wilberforce... offer something I haven't heard from a band in a long time: integrity, quirkiness, intelligent lyrics full of sharp observations, humour and pathos ...to my fair ears they sound more like a mix of The Cardiacs, Stump and Jilted John.
The band's songs are refreshingly varied and don't necessarily follow the traditional three-chord verse, chorus and middle eight.
But the Abbey Wood-based boy juxtaposes his misery and melancholy with some witty and hilarious lyrics, such as those found in Drink, Gooseberry and the inspired Rubber Bra.
With Wilberforce, there's rarely any grey areas, it's either love or hate, fun or misery, or good or bad. Check out their unusual web of songs, you won't be disappointed."
Will Scott, Newsshopper. Origington, Kent, UK.
Read Will Scott's full review at the Newsshopper web site.
Also, read what Will has to say about Wilberforce's prospects in 2004.
"You were a great producer on this 8 track, you've got a good ear for getting the levels right (on Fruitbowl). Those harmonies sound so sweet, you sing really nice in tune. Your voice sounds so youthful, you wouldn't think you were as old as you are!"
Dave Goodman, Original Sex Pistols Producer, London, UK.
"An absolute gem of an album. It is an intoxicating brew of wistful, suburban, psychedelia, mixed in with hard British realism and all the fun of the fair. Wilberforce haunt the same 'green and pleasant lands' previously inhabited by the likes of Syd Barrat, Ray Davis and John Lennon.
Something typically English, but on a trajectory set for the universal. Yes, they are green and pleasant lands in the music of Mark Tingley, but the 'dark satanic mills' lurk in the shadows.
The songs, which are always melodic, are peopled by a strange cast of characters, that seem extraordinary, until you realise they are beautifully drawn portraits of all the people you run in to every day in every town.
I often wish there were more records like this, but then their rarity makes them that bit more special."
Steve Lake, IKE and Zounds, London, UK.
"Wilberforce, an entity of oddly appealing nouveau vague persuasion. Madame Fruitbowl... was Alan's principal source of in-car entertainment for several weeks."
Alan Clayson's Official Web Site, Renowned Music Journalist.
"Reminded me of Robyn Hitchcock".
Pat Smith, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
"Aural oddness... A really good English psych-pop CD."
Paul Stapleton, Brighton, UK.
"Just had to write and say how much I loved "Madame Fruitbowl", absolutely brilliant..."
Vicky, Sidcup, Kent, UK.
"UK pop at its best! Witty lyrics, unusual yet lushious harmonies, great sounding guitars..."
Natalie Masse (AKA RachelAPP), London, UK.
"Enjoyed some more than others. I wasn't too sure first of all, but got into it"
Wayne Livett, London, UK.
"Good songwriting on the whole, heard early Floyd/Syd Barrett, Beatles, David Byrne in there..."
Robert Morris, Birmingham, UK.
"It is damn fine in places, there are some very good tunes on here my dear boy."
Jack Burt, Actor, Slade Green, Kent, UK.
"Very interesting piece of work. Words very good and some very good arrangements throughout your album. Look forward to listening to your next piece of work."
Peter Kelsey, Auckland, New Zealand.
"I listened to your CD a couple of days ago. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed it, and every now and then catch myself singing it!."
Ali, Welling, Kent, UK.
"Thanks for "Madame Fruitbowl" which I enjoyed listening to. It's very unique, musically experimental and cabaret at times!
"It reminds me of a mixture of things. Some of the songs I liked: Picture of You, Gooseberry, Devoid, I'm Crying, Looking For, She Didn't Understand. The SFX are good - pub background chat is really good!
It made me think a bit of the Cardigans and Saint Etienne!!"
Mary Mullen, Stoke Newington, London, UK.
| |
|
|