1. Haldy

   Sep 10, 2013

   10

   Wonderful work by the duo. Another dramatic turn of sound, taking them away from the 80's synthpop of Head First to this new sounds. Some say it is like a fusion of Felt Mountain and Seventh Tree, but I am not comfortable with that comparison. The song's are not as disjointed as Felt Mountain, nor as lush as Seventh Tree. They are menacingly sung haunting listens filled with character, haunting and beautiful.… Expand

   • 2 of 4 users found this helpful
2. Wrinkles

   Sep 21, 2013

   10

   Goldfrapp return with their most breathtaking and mature album to date. You won't be disappointed by these inspiring and haunting songs. Having transformed once again into an entirely new beast, Goldfrapp dominate our senses with luscious melodies and sweeping strings. "Jo", "Thea" and "Clay" are the highlights of a very strong album which will surely be shortlisted for the Mercury Prize come next year.… Expand

   • 0 of 2 users found this helpful
3. jesusbronze

   Sep 10, 2013

   10

   The formula for the new Goldfrapp Album is the following: FELT MOUNTAIN and SEVENTH TREE had a child who is a fan of Coldplay's PARACHUTES, and while the womb, Orchestral Music was playing. The Results are simply Magnificent. After their 80 's influenced HEADS FIRST, it is good to hear the duo has returned to what they do best: Hypnotic Electronic Ambient Music.… Expand

   • 0 of 3 users found this helpful
4. gregwalkeh

   Oct 10, 2013

   10

   Goldfrapp's latest album is a flash back to the past. Gone are the catchy, dance-infused choruses of old classics such as "Ooh La La", "Strict Machine" and "Rocket, the stripped-down, simplistic feel of the songs being reminiscent of their debut album Felt Mountain; and in my opinion, it's the best album they've released since then.
   'Jo' starts the album off well, with it's pleasantly repetitive refrains sticking in the mind long after listening. 'Annabel,' like most of the tracks presented here, is infused throughout by a haunting sense of melancholy and sadness. Then there's 'Drew'. Radio stations seem to think of 'Drew' as the first single from the album, but I'm not so sure it is there's been no separate release other than the music video which was put on the internet. Still, it's one of the most striking songs on the album, classic Goldfrapp and just a little bit brilliant. 'Ulla' and 'Alvar' then follow, both nice enough songs in their own right but neither stand out enough at me that I can yet tell them apart. Track 6, 'Thea', is one of my favourites on the album, the only one with an audible beat and synth, a hark back to their previous album. I imagine that had they had more time on 'Head First', as they have openly admitted they needed, we would have had more songs like this. 'Simone' is next, which again is a nice enough song but it just feels a little bit too much like more of the same. 'Stranger' (the only song on the album which isn't a name) is proper, Felt Mountain era Goldfrapp. It's a great song. There's even some whistling. What more could you want? Then follows 'Laurel' which, like many of the other songs, has a haunting melody, and shows that Alison is still at her peak vocally remarkably for a woman of 47.
   The album ends with 'Clay', a song so incredibly moving that it doesn't just make up for the sameyness of some of the other songs, it positively negates it. Astonishingly beautiful, particularly when you learn what the inspiration for the song was. I am being honest here when I say that this is possibly the best song ever to come from Alison and Will.
   As a whole, whilst the album may at first to some appear to be a collection of similar sounding tunes, each one holds its own, and I can imagine that each will be the favourite of someone out there; which is something I have never said about a Goldfrapp album in the past. Unlike their previous releases, there's no weak link here perhaps it's just that some of the songs seem less impressive because of the incredible passion and heart of the ones surrounding them.
   Despite this, it's their best album since Felt Mountain, and possibly even their best ever. A minor masterpiece.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. OsianLewis

   Sep 24, 2013

   5

   I think this album is pretty unremarkable. As subtle as the sound is, I think it's pretty forgettable- as such I describe it as 'A Dream You're Likely to Forget' in my blog review.
   
   Have a read (it's short), any feedback is welcome. Thanks
   
   http://osianlewis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/goldfrapp-tales-of-us-review-dream.html… Expand

   • 2 of 2 users found this helpful
6. WadeVS

   Sep 19, 2013

   3

   This seems to be the exact opposite of 'Head First'. That is, a morose collections of vaguely pretty tracks that sound as if they're all rejects for the next Bond movie. I much prefer her when she's all soaring synthesizers. Only highlight on the whole album was 'Thea', and even that was dull. Come on Goldfrapp. Life's not that bad!… Expand

   • 2 of 2 users found this helpful
7. daniel_savagery

   Sep 26, 2013

   0

   This record made me want to kill myself. It is SO BORING. Goldfrapp can do so much better than this. Can only imagine how bad the film is gonna be. Yuck.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful

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