 |  | Best Ferry offering in more than 2 Decades. |  |
This is easily Bryan's best collection since "Bride Stripped Bare" in 1978. A superb combination of covers and originals, woven into a cohesive and VERY listenable whole. Apparently, some of these tracks were culled from an earlier attempt at an album ('Alphaville') that was to be produced by Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame). Based on the results, it was probably a good decision to cancel that first attempt - it's hard to imagine that the results could have been as spectacular as this. An absolute must-have, and a frequent visitor to my CD player.
August 21, 2007This album is sheer perfection. It reaches out and graps hold of your
heart and doesn't let go until the, all to short end. How lucky
we are to have Bryan Ferry's genius.
August 14, 2007I was a bit worried that Mr. Ferry had lost his creative genius with the release of the tiresome covers album "As Time Goes By". I needn't have- he's back in full force with "Frantic". After kicking things off with a tasty version of Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue", the original track "Cruel" is next and it rocks. There's a Native American motif in the melody that fits perfectly with the lyrics and is a little humorous whether or not it was intended to be. Following the somewhat rote cover of "Goin' Down" is a sexy, gorgeous ode to one of my favorite pop culture icons, Marilyn Monroe titled "Goddess of Love". Ferry's vocals on this disc are somewhat uneven though I don't mind that. Where his singing on "Goddess" and most of the other original efforts is relatively strong and clear, his age shows in most of the cover songs. But that works in his favor, lending them a subtle frailty and a vulnerable quality. "Nobody Loves Me" and "A Fool for Love" are wonderful songs that find our man wandering down a lane of self-pity. Here again there's some dark humor. The old classic "Goodnight Irene" is the only track on the album I don't particularly care for. It feels like a leftover from "As Time Goes By" and pales in comparison to the next final four songs. Perhaps Bryan intended this juxtaposition of past and present... "Hiroshima" is a stately rocker with great, odd backing vocals. "San Simeon" is kind of a sequel to Roxy Music's "In Every Dream Home A Heartache" from "For Your Pleasure" as BF had written more lyrics to that song that weren't committed to the eventual recording. "San Simeon" has a nice melancholy edge to it which contrasts nicely with the following upbeat music and message of the cover "One Way Love". Saving one of the best for last, "I Thought" is another excellent track and is made more exciting for me with the collaboration of Ferry and Brian Eno not only writing together but singing as well! I never imagined I'd ever get to hear these two artistic giants sing together. They sound great and the song is subtle, thoughtful and closes the album with a hopeful feeling. More surprises like this one, please!
June 21, 2007| | | Ferry is fantastic...period. | |
I'm listening to this album again tonight after several years, and Oh My God, it's so good.. I've been a Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music fan since the first time I heard them in high school. Great singer, wonderful music, intricate and sometimes eerie arrangements and lyrics. Ferry and Roxy are one of the best bands in "rock" era history.
December 4, 2006Bryan Ferry has to be one of my all time favorite singers. But how does an artist like him surpass such classic albums like "Mamouna" and "As Time Goes By"? Unfortunately, Mr. Ferry falls horribly short of doing so with his tepid follow-up album "Frantic." It's not a bad album, but it's definitely uninspired. So much of the album is taken up by weak cover songs (enough of the Bob Dylan already!) and forgettable melodies. "Goddess of Love" and "Hiroshima" are the most memorable songs, but it's not enough to save this album. It's also heartbreaking to hear how Ferry's voice has weakened with time. Well, maybe he can team up with Phil and Andy again and make another Roxy Music album. Here's to hoping!
May 2, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(60 reviews)