The Aqualung Thread

[dave's girl]

anybody heard the album?

[Hicksy]

i have the single and its amazing - one of my favourite tracks this year - having said that ive heard that the single is by far the best track of the album although i am very tempted to get it :shock:

[dave's girl]

i found the album online before (but my computer's v. slow so i haven't listened to much of it yet) and the single does stand out. i like track 3 too, whatever that is.

[Hicksy]

there is what seems like a very good review of the album here for anyone that is interested:

http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/4899.html

wub :)

[dave's girl]

ta :lol:

[';']

are you talking about jethro tull because he has an album named aqualung?

[Hicksy]

nope its a relatively new band called Aqualung :)

[';']

oh ok thats cool. how do they sound?

[Hicksy]

the single AMAZING - the album - ill let u know as ive just decided that im going to buy it :lol:

[';']

i like those songs that help you decide on wether or not to get the cd. i do that all the time and you should see my cd collection i got going! but the bad thing about my cds are i only been listening to a few this past month.
any ways let me helpl u too and say go get it any thing new is worth getting most of the time it opens up new stuff that you never heard before and i like that. let me stop here because i think i'm starting to not make sense. :x

[dave's girl]

i hope this works;
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/webpages/aqualungalbumx26x09x02

anyway, i'm off to get some sleep. :sleeping: speak to you soon!

[';']

wow :shock: that sounds good the video is cool too. i downloaded on to my media player so that means i'll be listening to it more.
thanks dave's girl anyways go get some sleep. :D

[';']

ever since i found out about this band. i think i found out that the singer use to be in a band called 45s or something like that and this band is no more i guess for more info go here and you'll see what i'm talking about.
http://www.ispythe45s.btinternet.co.uk/frames.html
i love hearing about new bands the minute i find out about them i go looking for everything i can find out about them. and heres what i found.

[::Hayley::]

aqualungs song is GORGEOUS - the new beetle aint too bad either mind u :wink:

[';']

i like the first three tracks

[Tracy]

I LOVE strange and beautiful but I am undecided whether to buy the album or not money is short. Let me know Hicksy what you think of it...or anyone else if they do ----cheers me dears! :D

[dave's girl]

i have finally got enough money to buy a decent coat, or some of the albums i've been waiting to buy for ages - including this one. and then i went in virgin the other day and they're doing one of those 5 albums for £30 thing, some of which i'm mildly curious about and a couple that i really want, and that just complicated matters further. oh, the dilemma! :shock: :x :D

[Tracy]

:D Sorry, love but warmth always come before music to me....get the coat......I am going to buy the album on payday (24th) so I will send you a copy if you want! 8)

[dave's girl]

i'm edging more towards the coat today - seeing as it seems to be about minus five degrees outside - why does summer disappear so quickly? i'll just have to steer clear of any music shops when i go to buy it. :lol:

[';']

dont be tempted

i dont think i would be able to find that cd here
so i'm just going to download it then burn it.
or maybe i can buy it online.

[dave's girl]

do you miss out on a lot of cd's over there? it seems like even coldplay (singles and stuff) can be difficult to get hold of.

[';']

the singles are hard to find. all the places i look or shop at dont sale coldplay singles just the whole cd. i dont know maybe i'm just not looking hard enough. i just buy them online.

[dave's girl]

i only ever really buy gig tickets online - but there are meant to be some good sites for cd's. if i bought them online it would probably cut down on any random cd purchases. but they're usually the most fun ones. :lol:

[';']

if i really want a cd and its avialable at a store then i will buy it there
but if i cant find it then i buy it online. cost a little bit more , i can usually get it the next day.

[Alfie]

I've heard only 2 songs. Is the album as good as that single?

[';']

we were talkilng about coldplay singles
anyways the whole aqualung cd is great i'm really getting into the whole cd now. i say go buy the whole thing. but if you just like the single then just get that.

[Hicksy]

i think the aqualung album is great - 8/10 - i listened to it recently on a train into London and I found the experience AMAZING; not since Radiohead's OK Computer have I found an album so close to the feelings of modern life - communities, constraints but pulsing beauty - its a great album and I recommend it to anyone with an aging soul :shock:

[dave's girl]

oooohhh - i love listening to music on trains. :lol: especially at night - i think it might be because it makes me feel like i'm in a film or something. or then again, it might not. :roll:

[';']

http://smilies.uniquehardware.co.uk/contrib/lilly/laugh1blue.gifi've only been in a train twice. anyways about the aqualung yeah it kind of took me back to ok computer. matter of fact i listen to aqualung everyday, but not as much as coldplay. haha

[Hicksy]

if you ever come to visit we can take the train in and out of london - its gr8 (as far as trains go!) :shock:

[dave's girl]

if you ever come to visit we can take the train in and out of london - its gr8 (as far as trains go!) :shock:

dear god, have i uncovered a hidden passion for trainspotting? http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/eek2.gif

[';']

if you ever come to visit we can take the train in and out of london - its gr8 (as far as trains go!) :shock:i'll come

lovely jubly :lol:

[Hicksy]

argh! guess who? :D

http://smilies.uniquehardware.co.uk/contrib/lilly/laugh1blue.gifi've only been in a train twice. anyways about the aqualung yeah it kind of took me back to ok computer. matter of fact i listen to aqualung everyday, but not as much as coldplay. haha

I have never been on the trains in US, but I have been on quite a few times in England. I know there are all these problems for the UK rail system, still beats the one in US!! I love riding the train in UK... :wink:
Anyhow, with all your praising, I have to go check out this Aqualung album!!

[Buttercup]

Ooops, that was just me above!!! Forgot to login!! :wink:

[dave's girl]

i've just been on a train tonight - not for long, but managed to sit next to the random nutter, as always. :shock: he was trying to make a hat out of his newspaper and muttering to himself as he was doing it. which isn't that bad i suppose, but still slightly odd, considering he was about 50. i still don't understand how there can be a full carriage of people and they still decide to sit next to me. :o

[';']

ok lemme stop the talk about the trains for awhile.....i went to download that aqualung and the year says 1990....is it that old?.......ok back to trains....i live by the train tracks and i see passenger trains go by all the time...you know that ringling barnum and what ever circus that goes around.....they past by my house once.....but here at school i live by an airport so all i hear is airplanes commin in and takin off. :shock:

[';']

Ooops, that was just me above!!! Forgot to login!! :wink: :shock: omg look hicksy its contagious you ppl need to remember to login. 8) hehe thats alright i do it once in a while to :lol:

[dave's girl]

i'm not sure about the aqualung stuff - might have a look round later but i'll tell you if i find anything out. :lol: hicksy might know though.
and, i promise, the last word on trains;i live in between a train track/station, a motorway and a main road and i love all the noise - i suppose you just get used to it. :shock:

[';']

hmmm....i dont think 1990 is right anyways..

[Tracy]

i bought the album today so I will let you know what I think when I've had a few listens to it. 8)

Did any of you know Strange and Beautiful was on the VW Beetle advert?

[dave's girl]

i bought the album today so I will let you know what I think when I've had a few listens to it. 8)

Did any of you know Strange and Beautiful was on the VW Beetle advert?

it took me a while to click on, but eventually :idea: and it's so rare that happens with me :? :roll: i recognise songs when i hear them but never seem to realise why. :)

[';']

i've heard about that but i never seen it....i love strange and beautiful

[Tracy]

I love Strange and Beautiful too - it makes me tingle!!!! 8)

[Hicksy]

me too :P

[Tracy]

what do you think of the album Hicksy. I like it. Some songs like gentle I like the words better than the way the song is actually sung (if that makes any sense at all to you!!) :roll:

[Hicksy]

i think...

7/10

i.e. its great! :shock:

[';']

hmmmm.... sounds about right

[Catherine]

did anyone see him on later with jools holland on friday? i didn't think he was that great actually and i was really disappointed :shock:

[';']

yeah i would think he wouldnt be a good person to see live.....well it would be just him and a piano right?....but just listening to the cd is good enough...i wouldnt go crazy if i new he was out on some kind of tour or anything...he's not worthy enough as coldplay hehehe 8)

[hayley]

i love aqualung!!!!!!! and he is soooo fine!!!!

[';']

i finally got that cd....well about two weeks ago and i love it...i cant say that he's fine but he is a pretty good looking person. :x :D :wink:

[dave's girl]

well i saw him/them last night with maria and catherine and he/they were amazing. really, really good and dead funny too. he did a new song which sounded really good and a beach boys cover which was great, and other than that i think it was mostly stuff off his album. it was all great though :D and him and his brother are gorgeous as well :-D

[Maria C]

ahhh yes twas fabby. And they seriously are a beautiful band. Ahhhhhh.....twas a happy night. :-D

[bethany]

he aint that good looking but he makes good music and as far as i'm concerned that's all that matters :D

[';']

i was going to say that too, but i wouldnt want to talk about him like that 8) :D

but the music part...yeah :o

[Maria C]

well, yes obviously, that is very important. And they were fantastic. But seriously they look like dolls. Well sort of....... :D

[';']

scary dolls :shock:

i dont know if anyone agrees....nevermind sorry :D

[Tracy]

:D I think Matt and Ben are pretty good looking actually. I don't think they are stereotypically handsome - probably a little bit geeky but I like that sometimes! I love good times are gonna comes video!

[Maria C]

:D I think Matt and Ben are pretty good looking actually. I don't think they are stereotypically handsome - probably a little bit geeky but I like that sometimes! I love good times are gonna comes video!

excatly! I couldn't have put it better myself.

[';']

that song has a video?
i didnt know that. i would obviously wouldnt see it...plus nobody here in the states knows who they are.

[bethany]

PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE they're worth knowing!

[';']

can i find that video on kazaa if i looked?

i'll tell other ppl about aqualung, but they never get into it. most of the ppl i talk to dont even like coldplay....i dont even know why i talk to them. hehe i guess thats why i come here everday...just to talk to ppl i know who like coldplay

[funkymonkeywithbraces]

i love aqualung. like most people i found them out when i saw the beetle ad and finally got their album when it was released.

its a really cool album but u do have to be in a chilled out mood to listen to it properly and do i justice.

[';']

its a great album. i got it about two months after it came out. i listen to it whenever...any mood i'm in it always sounds great.

[Guy'sChick]

i dont know them :o any songs i should check out??

[Hicksy]

brilliatn album! :-D

[';']

i dont know them :o any songs i should check out??all of the songs are great...its only one album :D

[Guy'sChick]

i dont know them :o any songs i should check out??all of the songs are great...its only one album :D


oh ok

[Hicksy]

:D

[Guy'sChick]

i just heard a song by them! my m8 send it to me over msn! not bad!!

[Hicksy]

flying pies... in the sky... they're so high... i could cry :D

[Guy'sChick]

http://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung/party/party018.gifhttp://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung/party/party027.gifhttp://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung/party/party017.gif

[';']

hehe :lol:

[Hicksy]

coolspots!!!! :D

[';']

the red one reminds me of that 7 up one

:D

[Guy'sChick]

well actualy both the yellow and red reminds me of those m&m's

[Hicksy]

MMMMMMMmmmmmmmm Nut M&M's :D

[';']

well actualy both the yellow and red reminds me of those m&m'sThe red one yeah, but not the yellow one

he's a nut...lol

i like the nut one's too
oh any of them are good to me :shrug:

[';']

*listening to strange and beautiful*

[Guy'sChick]

dunno that song :P

[';']

its good

my favorite

[DONTPANICgirl]

aqualung is good ive only heard one song tho but the dj compared them to coldplay, which immediatly got my attention

[';']

i know there's a thread of this band already, but i wasn't about to go searching for it. it's been ages :stunned:

anyways, new single and album coming out.
it's all already on the site ready to be listened to. :o

www.aqualung.net

very good. in my opinion :)

[Professor Peedston]

poo. i thought this was a thread about a jethro tull song.

[DONTPANICgirl]

they were pretty good from what ive heard tho..they were compared to cp but i couldnt really see the comparison so much besides the fact that they were "soft rock" or whatever

[SuchARushOfBlood]

New album already? Look forward to it....

[badlydrawngirl]

:cool: :D

[';']

poo. i thought this was a thread about a jethro tull song.

i can make a jethro tull thread. :lol:
sorry for getting your hopes up. :cool:

[Valleyboy]

i only have one aqualung track here, and i think it's great. I'd really like to hear more of their stuff though.

[';']

the first cd is really good. i havn't listened to all the tracks on the new one coming out. i think i'll just wait until it's release then import it :)

[CountingDemons]

i'd just like to say thank you ginger! you always post up the best bands :)

[staring elf]

New single 'Easier To Lie' is out. What a great song. :)

[jackie]

so i've been wondering for awhile if anybody around here is a fan of this artist and a little suprised that they haven't been brought up before. so share your thoughts i'd like to hear 'em and if you're unfamiliar i can zip my copy of still life and upload if wanted or needed. ;)

p.s. just for clarification this is not the jethro tull album i'm talking about by the same name :rolleyes: i'm talkin about the band thats played a bunch of shows around, they were even at that KCRW one that had coldplay on march 12th.

[cheers2u]

...i remember liking "strange and beautiful"

[jackie]

hmm maybe i should go ahead and upload that album.. but i just heard that it got released differently in US, weird oh well i know that still life just happened, or i think who knows :rolleyes:

[About A Girl]

brighter than sunshine is b-e-a-utiful

[jackie]

i'm watcing matt sing it right now :o

[staring elf]

I like Aqualung. Easier to lie is really beautiful. :) I think there was a thread, 'cause I remember posting in some thread. But the 'search' thing is weird, you can't seem to find the threads you're looking for at times even though they are existed 'somewhere' :idea2:

[pharynx]

meh haven't heard them :( any songs to be downloaded appreciated :cool:

[jackie]

i will upload the album later my computer is being a shitwad it's pissing me off hardly anthing is loading properly, i think it got mad at me for dowloading so much yesterday :idea2: :/

[pharynx]

ohh. okais. :lol: :cool:

[jackie]

okay got it taken care of
Aqualung- Still life

sorry about this but i must have zipped this file a while back ago and the tracks are out of order but they are all there, so don't worry.
http://s38.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2HQUH6K47ZP843MS43TU4OGOHM

[*Justine*]

I've been listening to them a bit lately.

[pharynx]

okay got it taken care of
Aqualung- Still life

sorry about this but i must have zipped this file a while back ago and the tracks are out of order but they are all there, so don't worry.
http://s38.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2HQUH6K47ZP843MS43TU4OGOHM

thanks for the effort, but it's not working :confused:

[nightsurfer]

I love Aqualung - the Strange and Beautiful video was niiiccee....

But I've not seen others since, 'cept for Brighter than Sunshine for that Ashton Kucher movie.

[Professor Peedston]

Aqualung my friend --
Don’t start away uneasy
You poor old sod, you see, it’s only me.

[MAFE]

But Jethro Tull is awesome!!

[jackie]

man see if this one works...

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=03L0C523

ignore all the yousendit ones it will not work for me and it's been pissing me off sorry for the trouble, but upload!! it's great!

[jackie]

all fixed *fingers crossed* ok this should work for anyone that tries it and i also fixed the track order so no worries about that either ;) but again just let me know if still won't work and i'll be kicking my computer's ass, again :rolleyes:

[jay88]

I am really surprised that it in not just me who remembers and likes aqualung, i am still on the search for the albumn with strange and beautiful on it!

[nightsurfer]

Well, the album containing "Strange and Beautiful" is on Aqualung's self-titled album... I thought the album was called Strange and Beautiful, but it isn't.

I only got my copy of the album only last year, 2 years after I saw the Strange and Beautiful video.[/i]

[shana]

man see if this one works...

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=03L0C523

ignore all the yousendit ones it will not work for me and it's been pissing me off sorry for the trouble, but upload!! it's great!

It did work indeed .. thank you so much :D

[*Justine*]

What's on that link, the first cd?

[jackie]

no the link is the album Still life their second release out a couple years ago. it's a spectacular album.
yea strange and beautiful is on their self titled one like the year before. but i believe it's also on the one they released a couple months ago Strange and beautiful which had a lot of remixes of it and maybe just another track, not sure.
yea i don't have all of their self titled one yet but what i've got is good as well. i'm glad you guys are fans as well if you check out http://www.aqualung.net/ it's got some really interesting bio information and i must say i learned a lot when i checked it out the other day and was amazed.

[DawniD11]

i was just introduced to aqualung recently...and I love it...but anyone who plays the piano (or guitar) is really a man after my heart.

[Sweet One]

I like. I like.

[nightsurfer]

someone please clarify for me - is Aqualung basically consist of Matt Hales only, or does it include his bro and wife Kim as well?

[ric]

Breaking my Heart again,
Easier to Lie
Another little Hole
Brighter than Sunshine

download these aqualung songs. just do it.

[Raine]

you think u can e-mail me some of those songs...the file expired

[LiquidSky]

I like his single.. what's the name of it? :huh:

[Sally_]

I heard Aqualung on the Wicker Park soundtrack. I really like their song Strange and Beautiful.

[*Jess*]

I love Aqualung,i only have the album"aqualung"which has strange and beautiful on it!!Its an amazing album,Good times gonna come is my favourite :) whats the other album like??

[nightsurfer]

I love Aqualung,i only have the album"aqualung"which has strange and beautiful on it!!Its an amazing album,Good times gonna come is my favourite :) whats the other album like??

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:o3ruWR0wzKIJ:images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000EW9P0.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:FOE2TEG-MdcJ:www.debaser.it/files/aqualung_still_life.jpg

I've got the first one. Bit creepy, if you ask me.

[cold_kitty]

^^ aren't those two albums both the same, just different covers? i have the first album posted there and the other one (i feel like it's self titled) the cover has a scribbly drawing of matt hales on it.

both are pretty good, but i wish i had known he would release a US/CAN album with the best of both 8 months after i bought them. coulda saved a shitload. import albums oh too damn pricey.

[nightsurfer]

^Yeah, I think one of them's for the Japan market or something like that.

[cold_kitty]

i think aqualung and ben folds should tour together.

[~Twisted_Logic~]

I loved "Strange and Beautiful" and went out and bought the album which had it on (the name escapes me....I'm thinking it was just "Aqualung" though and I've gotta say I was quite dissapointed :/ apart from "Good Time's Gonna Come"

Love the video for "Strange and Beautiful" though

Nic :o

[annabella]

I really like Aqualung. I wanted to see them at this little place, but it was 21 and older. :cry:

[berrywoman]

I really like the single thats out right now... (strange and beautifu) is that the one?? anyhoo.. yeah, I'm diggin it.



edit: Brighter than Sunshine.... yeah.. thats it! :P

[nightsurfer]

I saw him (or is it them? :huh:) in Minneapolis last night. Matt was good. He and Ben look nothing alike...

[berrywoman]

who's Ben?

[girlygirl]

I love aqualung!! I am in love with falling out of love. great song i like brighter than sunshine too its so beautiful.

[nightsurfer]

who's Ben?

His brother

[berrywoman]

ahhh he sings too??? ^ :huh: :embarrased:

[nightsurfer]

backing vocals, as much as I know.

[nightsurfer]

I missed last night's Letterman and didn't get to watch Aqualung perform... :( I was wondering if anyone knows where I could get my hands on a torrent to download from or anything of the sort.

Thanks.

[*andrea*]

bump :uhoh:

[mysongislove1915]

Love 'em. I was just listening to "Easier To Lie". =)

[crazyduckette]

Strange and Beautiful is the only one I know from them.....but its one of my favourite songs....so lovely. :nice:
I must check out some of their other stuff

[nightsurfer]

Call me weird, but I like both the released albums so far...

I've really high expectations for the new album

[StarsKay]

years ago i caught strange and beautiful on the tv and i thought it was amazing. the film clip, the lyrics, the melody...very nice. it's not often i actually acknowledge video clips of artists i don't know, or given them a change long enough to play the entire song, with aqualung i wanted to see it again. it's the only song i know of them though but very nice.

[Kyuu]

Aqualung.. hmm.. know most of the songs.. but I'm not really into Aqualung anymore.

[busybeeburns]

Thirteen seconds into the first track of Aqualung’s new album Memory Man, you instantly realize this is not the same Aqualung that brought listeners Strange & Beautiful in 2004.

“Cinderella” starts Memory Man off with a less-than-revolutionary soft and simple piano part. However, at that critical 13-second point, a brash, high treble, electric guitar riff destroys the comfortable pop vibe the piano had established. Aqualung has evolved, and the harsh guitar of “Cinderella” makes this perfectly clear from the outset.

In 2004, Aqualung became a surprise success with the release of Strange & Beautiful and its hit song “Brighter than Sunshine.” The minimal yet well-crafted songs of the album earned Aqualung spots on several larger tours. The prolonged touring gave lead-everything frontman Matt Hales, who for all purposes is Aqualung, a challenge in keeping his songs fresh for the audience each night. According to Hales, the constant effort to reinvent his songs and keep his mind sharp gave rise to the myriad of new sounds on Memory Man.

The artful restraint that Hales and his songwriting team (brother Ben Hales and wife Kim Oliver) used in the construction of the musically minimal yet artistically diverse Strange & Beautiful is both present and absent in Memory Man. Despite the whirlwind of actions and sounds that permeate the new album, there is still a controlled structure to each song. Though there may be moogbass, glockenspiel, harmonium or sirens sounding off, not one seems out of place or over the top.

Riding the success of the “intelligent Brit-pop” (e.g. Coldplay and Radiohead), Aqualung seems to be cutting out a niche for itself among these elites. Hales creates his mystic sounds by using his voice in much the same way Radiohead utilizes the versatile guitar creations of Johnny Greenwood. Hales’ airy pipes can go seamlessly from whisper to smooth falsetto and back again, giving his songs a foggy clarity, like someone walking to you through a fine mist. This is particularly true on songs like “Vapour Trail” and “The Lake.” Yet, to Hales’ credit, it never becomes weak, redundant or annoying a là early John Mayer stylings. Even though he may sound somewhat similar to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, Hales exercises a vocal restraint and control that equals, if not surpasses, Martin.

The minimal, emotion-packed tracks of Strange & Beautiful have evolved into a more layered, complex and more poetic structure on Memory Man. Songs such as the first single “Pressure Suit,” which carries a beat evoking a breathing machine, is structured around a tight poetic progression of musical give-and-take. The song, in both instrumentation and lyrics, peaks and hollows out at all the right moments. When Hales wails, “I’ll be your respirator/ I’ll be your pressure suit/ It’s all right,” the songs lifts itself to match the imploring lyrics. Likewise, when we reach the desolate lines, “Two spinning spheres, they spin together/ I’m going to spin alone /I don’t know how I can do this,” the song is reduced to a thin piano backing and the lonely, pleading vocals.

In past songs, Hales and company have kept things fairly straightforward, while on Memory Man, a real strength comes in the ability to expand both upward and downward with lyrics, to understate and exaggerate certain meanings and emotions. In the song “Something to Believe In,” Hales’ lyrics hit a little harder than those of Poison’s Brett Michaels in his hit of the same name: “Turn out the light and what are you left with / open my hands and find out they’re empty.”

Though Hales’ hands may be empty, the album is far from it. It ranges from infectious highs to desolate lows in a more creative, complex and, in the end, more compelling way than Strange & Beautiful (and Brett Michaels). Memory Man exhibits what a great group of musicians do to follow a highly successful album.

Grade: 4 out of 5

http://badgerherald.com/artsetc/2007/03/13/aqualung_reaches_new.php

[Kyuu]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! I got Memory Man! :dance:
Loved it.

[kellyml3]

Check out this new record from Aqualung www.aqualung.net


<a href=http://www.sonymusic.com/clips/selection/fu/700741/700741_01_02_full_smil.mov><img src=http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j50/Joe_College/MemoryMan-listen-468x60.gif>

[busybeeburns]

Matt Hales, aka Aqualung, probably is sick to death of the Coldplay comparisons.

But it's alright, because his lyrical and musical talent shoot straight past Chris Martin on their way up into the stratosphere.

Aqualung used the Fine Line in Minneapolis Wednesday night to blast off into space, with Hales and his backup band (including brother Ben) powering through achingly gorgeous semi-ballads and full-out musical spasms unparalleled this side of Radiohead.

The band has a more polished, and, yes, Coldplay-esque sound this time around, but Hales still sprinkled in moments of quiet genius and ethereal bliss from the new album "Memory Man" and the earlier "Strange and Beautiful."

Playing the same Minneapolis venue they did two years ago, Aqualung have improved both in stage presence (those witty Brits) and in musical muscle. Looking like a mad scientist as he stood in front of the crowd, plucking his keyboards and tweaking effects, Hales seemed far more comfortable with his lead position than last time around.

Opener Sara Bareilles wowed the already nearly full house with her flawless vocals (Norah Jones ain't got nothin' on this girl). Her full-length album, "Little Voice," is due out this summer.

http://www.plamerican.com/node/1881

[Black Rose]

I must admit, I only have heard "Strange And Beautiful [I'll Put A Spell On You]" by Aqualung.

[nightsurfer]

Matt Hales, aka Aqualung, probably is sick to death of the Coldplay comparisons.

But it's alright, because his lyrical and musical talent shoot straight past Chris Martin on their way up into the stratosphere.

Aqualung used the Fine Line in Minneapolis Wednesday night to blast off into space, with Hales and his backup band (including brother Ben) powering through achingly gorgeous semi-ballads and full-out musical spasms unparalleled this side of Radiohead.

The band has a more polished, and, yes, Coldplay-esque sound this time around, but Hales still sprinkled in moments of quiet genius and ethereal bliss from the new album "Memory Man" and the earlier "Strange and Beautiful."

Playing the same Minneapolis venue they did two years ago, Aqualung have improved both in stage presence (those witty Brits) and in musical muscle. Looking like a mad scientist as he stood in front of the crowd, plucking his keyboards and tweaking effects, Hales seemed far more comfortable with his lead position than last time around.

Opener Sara Bareilles wowed the already nearly full house with her flawless vocals (Norah Jones ain't got nothin' on this girl). Her full-length album, "Little Voice," is due out this summer.

http://www.plamerican.com/node/1881

Heh - I was at that Minneapolis gig two years ago.... Loved it. :cool:

[busybeeburns]

http://www.gigwise.com/artists/Image/aqualung.jpg
"Ethereal, dreamlike and heartfelt, it is such a joy to listen to that its almost breathtaking..."

http://www.gigwise.com/album_reviews/images/stars4.gif

It seems slightly clichéd and overused when an album is described as “stunning” or “beautiful” but it is hard to find two other words which fit Aqualung’s ‘Memory Man’ so well. Aqualung, aka Matt Hales, is a master craftsman. His finely written, gentle songs have been used to define key moments in American TV shows like The OC, CSI and Scrubs as well as films and adverts. It’s an impressive achievement but well deserved. In a similar vein to Coldplay, Radiohead and Jeff Buckley, Aqualung’s lyrics are poetic and hissongs are epic in proportion. Every one is at least three minutes long, each song is different and all are wonderful in their individuality.

The high quality is evident right from the opening bars of ‘Cinderella’, as it soars and loops. Female vocals float behind Matt’s slightly distorted voice as he warns us to be careful of what we hope and we pray for. ‘Pressure Suit’ is weightless and airy love song. His breathy, eloquent vocals are absorbed into the electro beats, piano and guitar. It’s like dreaming while you’re awake. And this mood continues with ‘Something To Believe In’. Its strong and determined vocals with faster paced piano ground the track in reality, while a harp transcends it to a dream level.

‘The Lake’ starts like a rippling millpond with tinkling pianos, but soon a tempest rages with swirling backing vocals and scaling melodies. It is brilliantly dramatic and haunting: film score material. Then changing tone again, pounding drums, chiming percussion and Matt Hales’ falsetto give ‘Rolls So Deep’ the Northern Soul pop flavour that Doves explored. Closing track ‘Broken Bone’s at first sounds like a distorted radio transmission. Initially a fragile sound, but this soon clears to reveal a powerful yet vulnerable call to spend more time with a loved one.

There are so many levels to 'Memory Man' that every play reveals something new. It’s far from a party album, but if you’re after a moment to reflect and relax this is for you. Ethereal, dreamlike and heartfelt, it is such a joy to listen to that it’s almost breathtaking.

http://www.gigwise.com/contents.asp?contentid=36642

[Black Rose]

It be a good album :)

[MrLick]

I just heard them today, I love their cd.

[nightsurfer]

I just heard them today, I love their cd.

Don't mean to be rude - but Aqualung's really just ONE guy; rather like Beck.

[MrLick]

Oh, I thought it was a band.

[chillinrevev]

The Memory Man album is immense. After their first hit I kept away but just picked up some stuff on download and love this album. Cinderella is one of the best songs I have heard in ages. Pure emotion. Worth a second chance if you rejected them like I did.

[ManiG]

Juuustt looking for something to believe innnn :)

Nothing beats strange and beautiful though!

[nihcoldplay]

i love him, he's awesome, but brighter than sunshine is his best song, in my opinion.

[Darlene_Ihnfsa]

i love him, he's awesome, but brighter than sunshine is his best song, in my opinion.
i agree. :)

[Josh42]

I love this guy.

[Josh42]

Easier to Lie :D

[nihcoldplay]

And honestly to look you in the eye.... It's easier to lie, it's easier to lie :heart:

[noonsun]

i love him, he's awesome, but brighter than sunshine is his best song, in my opinion.

I agreeee. Brighter Than Sunshine is one of my most favoritest songs avar. :heart:

[Josh42]

Anyone wanna upload an album or two? I can't find this guy on a torrent site to save my life.

[Electric.Candy]

Chillax music.

[Josh42]

HALP ME

[nihcoldplay]

/BUMP

Magnetic North is out! :dance: I like it so far... Sundowing is so beautiful :)

[Darlene_Ihnfsa]

new album?
why i wasn't aware of that one :(

[nihcoldplay]

aaarrriiii, i miss you :hug:

http://www.ktbg.fm/images/albumcovers/AQ01051.jpg
1. New Friend
2. Reel Me In
3. Sundowning
4. 36 Hours
5. Fingertip
6. Lost
7. Time Moves Slow
8. California
9. Remember Us
10. Hummingbird
11. Thin Air
12. Magnetic North

ohh, it was released on april 20th... and i discovered it like a few days ago :surprised: :blush:
what a beautiful album, i love matt's sensitiveness... magnetic north is very delicate and graceful.

[Darlene_Ihnfsa]

i miss you a lot too :cry:
how have you been?

if i finally go to the kings of convenience concert i'll be thinking of you :nice:

ah i just checked on spotify, next album to listen is aqualung's magnetic north, in 10 minutes :D
brighter than sunshine tunes in the new album?
thanks for the info.

[nihcoldplay]

i've been fine, what about you? :hug:

aww :heart: really? :blush: i hope you go ari and have lots of fun!

that's wonderful :nice: spotify is so useful, we still don't have it available here :bigcry:
no brighter than sunshine tunes on it though...
tell me what you think of the album later :wink:
and you're welcome! :nice:

[Darlene_Ihnfsa]

i've been fine too, living slow but living.

truly yes. i hope i can go. :) lotta things this july, i hope i get a job before that hehe.

want an invitation? :anxious: or it don't work even that way?

reel me in sounds pretty good, i missed his sound really.

[nihcoldplay]

oh i see... don't worry, you'll get a job before that :nice:

thank you ari :hug: indeed you've already sent me one but it doesn't work :\ spotify is not available in my country yet...

reel me in is good :) i still think that sundowing is my favorite one... :wacko:

EDIT:
http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/photos/gallery#item=120668
He performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on April 28... I can't find the video :bigcry:

[Darlene_Ihnfsa]

thanks for your wishes. :hug:
when it start working there let me now and i send you invitation to join :D

sundowing is pretty good song too.

i'll try to find that vid and post it here.

[nihcoldplay]

aww thank you ari :hug:

so it seems that you like the album so far right? :)

lol this website is kind of confusing :thinking:

[Darlene_Ihnfsa]

yes i like the album, can't say if more than the previous ones or not, but i liked it.

which website?

yay you have find the link :dance: thanks for sharing.

[nightsurfer]

I like the title track myself - it's what drew me to Aqualung to begin with.

[nihcoldplay]

@ ari:

alright :)

hahaha, nbc's website, the link is only for the pictures :\

@ nightsurfer:

that's adorable :nice:

i hope you like the album and check the others as well... especially memory man :)

btw, magnetic north includes some guests such as sarah bareilles on 'remember us' and 'new friends', alison sudol (a fine frenzy) on 'time moves slow' and kelly sweet on 'fingertip' and 'sundowning' :wacky:

[Darlene_Ihnfsa]

i can't seem to find the vid on youtube :(
do they have a vimeo channel or something? :idea2:

[The Escapist]

I listened to this album yesterday and really enjoyed it

[Black Rose]

I like Words and Music :D

[nihcoldplay]

@ ari

no, can't find it anywhere... his channel on youtube has just a few videos :\
thanks for helping ari :hug:

@ bryce

really? :dance: i'm so glad that you enjoyed it! :hug:

@ david

:D what about magnetic north? have you already listened to it? :)

[Black Rose]

It's on my mini iPod to be listened to tomorrow at work if I get the office on my own again.

Do you have the B-sides/Remixes cds?

[Darlene_Ihnfsa]

well i was of few help at the end, sadly :(
he should update his channel :whip:

yay two more fans :dance:

[nihcoldplay]

sorry, i don't have the b-sides/remixes cds :(

that's ok ari :hug: no problem :)
yeah, i agree :whip: he should update it!

two more fans :wacko:

[Black Rose]

Want them? ;)

[nihcoldplay]

sure :blush: but i don't want to bother you!

[Black Rose]

I will upload somepoint over the week :)

[nihcoldplay]

thank you so much! :dance:

[Black Rose]

It's these cds I'm on about:
The B-Sides &amp; Rarities: Aqualung: Amazon.co.uk: Music

Remixes Volume 1: Aqualung: Amazon.co.uk: Music

[Black Rose]

Oops double post

[nihcoldplay]

i see :wacky:

Strange & Beautiful (Bolaman mix)
Strange & Beautiful (Hardkandy mix)
Strange & Beautiful (Loop Theory mix)
Strange & Beautiful (Steve Osbourne mix)
Strange & Beautiful (Idiotech mix)
Strange & Beautiful (Jacknife Lee mix)

lol, i didn't know there were too many remixes for strange & beautiful!

[Black Rose]

There is :)

[Maneki]

*just found this thread:freak:*

I love Matt Hales :heart::wacko: