ClumsyMonkey.net

I just saw this guy live for the first time last night in New York City. Holy CRAP. I've loved his music for a few years now, and had seen a few live videos he posted on YouTube and stuff, but didn't realize what I was in for. He is amazing. Absolutely amazing.

http://www.myspace.com/randallshreve

Some of the songs are clearly definitely themed to fit the concept of the album (circus-y), so might not be so easy to get into for everyone. But listen to "The Entertainer" (the song), and try to tell me it's not heartbreakingly beautiful.

If you don't feel like dealing with MySpace, here's that track on last.fm (and another from the new album that I adore):

http://www.last.fm/music/Randall+Shreve/_/The+Entertainer
http://www.last.fm/music/Randall+Shreve/_/King+Of+The+Silver+Screen

And here's a bunch of great tracks from his first album (which was also a concept album... but focusing around a couple, so the actual tracks don't sound as themed):

http://www.last.fm/music/Randall+Shreve/_/The+Cure+For+Yesterday
http://www.last.fm/music/Randall+Shreve/_/Forever
http://www.last.fm/music/Randall+Shreve/_/The+Kiss
http://www.last.fm/music/Randall+Shreve/_/Pretend
http://www.last.fm/music/Randall+Shreve/_/Dancing+in+the+Rain
http://www.last.fm/music/Randall+Shreve/_/Prayer+From+the+Red+Light+District...
http://www.last.fm/music/Randall+Shreve/_/In+the+Air

I'd have more from the new album, but I've only had the chance to listen to it once since getting it last night at the show. Plus it's all on his MySpace, unlike the first album.

Anyway, on top of it, Randall's an absolute sweetheart (the moment I met him, he hugged me and told me he was glad I made it) and his girlfriend and friends are super nice and fun. Jessica knew I was there alone and took me under her wing and promised to introduce me to "everyone".

So yeah. Give him a listen! I'll be sad if this thread dies with no replies.

14 views, no replies.

Y'all suck.

I took a listen to a few songs but didn't hear anything to get me hooked.

... Now go reply to my Toadies review.

You must remember the Toadies right?

I gave a bunch of this stuff a listen. The music's good, but I can't stand the guy's voice.

He's not bad, but he sounds too much like a cross between Chris Koster and Jay McGroarty, but I like their individual sounds better than I like his sound.

Thanks for giving him a shot, guys. Didn't expect everyone to like him, but there's gotta be SOMEONE around here who digs his stuff other than me. A lot of his main influences have always come up a lot in OLP land.

myownsatellite wrote:He's not bad, but he sounds too much like a cross between Chris Koster and Jay McGroarty, but I like their individual sounds better than I like his sound.

Yeah, I immediately heard the similarity to Jay's voice when he first found me on MySpace, too. (Randall, not Jay... even though Jay found me on there, too. ) It was part of what kept me listening. Love that quality (I guess that's the word for it). I'm a sucker for singers with unorthodox sounding voices.




Oh, and Kicker, of course I remember Toadies! But I looked at your review and saw how long it was, and my eyes glazed over involuntarily. Sorry bout that.

I love similarities too - I like listening to Sleeping At Last because they remind me a lot of Lovedrug, but I don't know, I guess I like Jay's voice better than Randall's. Like I said, he's not bad, but I think I'd have a hard time listening to him for an extended period of time.

Also, I think it's very wise of you to put up the links to songs other than the ones on his new circus album or whatever - I couldn't help but hear Christina Aguilera in my head while listening to those two, and that was very distracting x___x;; Plus, I'm not big into the whole circus theme... They were interesting songs though.

Christina Aguilera? Did she do something circus-y?

Anyway, yeah, I know the circus stuff DEFINITELY is pretty out there. I didn't really care for it when he first started leaking tracks... then I saw him do the stuff live and for some reason it made a lot more sense and I dig it now. But yeah. I like how he does concept albums, though. Two albums, both about fictional characters who have some things in common with him, so the songs still have a soul.

Random fun fact: Apparently he was a pirate in Pirates of the Caribbean 2 & 3. I saw the picture of him in costume on his MySpace after I'd already been listening to him for quite some time and was like "wait, WHAT?!" Cos I'm a pretty big Pirates nerd. Like, colossally so. Haven't been able to spot him yet, though.