eShop USA > Music > Sound of Water
Sound of Water
Our Price: $11.98 Prices subject to change.
Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.
Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0098787050929
Label: Sub Pop
Manufacturer: Sub Pop
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Sub Pop
Release Date: June 06, 2000
Studio: Sub Pop
Related Items: Featured Listmania!
Editorial Review:
Saint Etienne's delicate, perfectly crafted blend of '60s pop and of-the-moment electronica has been replicated by so many other acts over the years that the band is threatened with losing its musical brand. The artistic achievement in Sound of Water has been diminished somewhat by competent musicians such as Broadcast and Mono having picked up the gauntlet Saint Etienne first threw down in 1988, and having taken the sounds to new places. Trends are fleeting by definition, and Saint Etienne, in the precarious position of being an inadvertent trendsetter, would have served their audience better with a little reinvention (the Cardigans made this transition magically with 1998's Gran Turismo). Rather, they stick to their overly precious formula, mixing cheap-sounding drum loops, Sarah Cracknell's snazzy-cool vocals, drawn-out melody, and subtle instrumentation (flute, harpsichord, bongos) with butterfly-fluttering techno. As lovely as it all is, by the end of the album, the ear is desperate to hear something more assertive--it's as unsatisfying as eating cotton candy all day when you long for lasagna. In all, the abundance of emotionless na na na's and la la la's result in no no no's. --Beth Massa
A decade on from their first single, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," Sound Of Water finds that Saint Etienne still believe in magic. Expect shiny pop with a motorik pulse, a nine-minute single, "How We Used to Live," named after a late '70s schools and colleges series, a concise, thrilling album that balances between the mainstream and more avant-garde concerns.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Sound of brilliance.
I've read several conflicting reviews of Sound of Water; so many in love with it, and so many others unable to adjust to it's slower and gentler groove. As it turns out, Sound of Water happens to be my favorite Saint Etienne album; however, not to completely overshadow Fox Base Alpha, Good Humour and Tales from Turnpike House, which are other favorites of mine. Sound of Water is new. Fresh. Crisp. Pristine. Classy. Atmospheric. The same Saint Etienne vibe is there, maybe a little softer this time ... Read More
Rating: - A flawless record.
In my list of all-time favorite albums are a lot of relatively unsurprising picks: Sonic Youth's "Daydream Nation," Stereolab's "Dots and Loops," Pavement's "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain," Miles Davis' "In a Silent Way"... and also in my list is "Sound of Water."
Saint Etienne's previous albums all had some really amazing moments on them [beginners can find most of the best of early Saint Etienne on the "Smash the System" and "Travel Edition" comps]. But "Sound of Water" is the record that really ... Read More
Rating: - Intriguing...a triumph.
One of the most overlooked, yet sonically glorious albums of the kickoff of the new millenium, "Sound of Water" finds the Saints pursuing a new angle of their thoughtful, careful approach to the production of sublime pop music.
Though the opening track doesn't really go anywhere, it adds an atmosphere of introduction of the subtley engaging..such is the nature of what follows.
"Heart Failed (In The Back of a Taxi)" is a brilliantly crafted tune with impeccable production, again ... Read More
Rating: - Really Nice CD
Some people may find this CD to be a bit too airy but I love it. "sound of Water" does not assault the senses but immerses the listener in a warm bath of sound. This is great music for relaxation or as an accompaniment to a sitdown dinner.
Rating: - Songs so beautiful that they make you cry with joy
The highlight of this song, and the exact reason why you should get this album, is "How We Used to Live." (named after a BBC show in the late 70's, the Etiennes are big fans of that lovely feeling known as nostalgia) Sure, the chorus may remind you of a certain Enya song, but it is the closest thing to a music time machine. It is utterly amazing how a nine minute! -song song can seem so effortless, and in the end, still leaving you wanting more. "How we" has washed away my blues more times ... Read More
Related Categories:
| |
 |
