XX
The XX
The xx, like Burial's William Bevan and Four Tet's Kieran Hebden, studied at Elliott School in Putney, a pleasant south-west London suburb. But on the basis of this sleek debut this ice-cool quartet could surpass the achievements of their secondary school alumni.
Naming an album opener Intro prepares listeners for low expectations, so it's a great surprise when the track snakes in with a tightly coiled riff initially reminiscent of Casiokids' ace Fot I Hose. It doesn't turn into an immense house-echoing banger like the Norwegians' tune, but when beats do arrive they're heavy enough for dubstep.
If Intro is a template for xx's simple, minimalist songs, VCR sets a precedent for winning vocal interplay between Romy Madley Croft and bassist Oliver Sim. With Jamie Smith's simple chiming production suggesting a nod to Brooklyn wonders Chairlift, Croft emotes breathily: "You used to have all the answers and you, you still have them, too." Sim, meanwhile, sighs like a regretful Lou Reed.
A seemingly unlikely influence it may be, but amid the deep house beats of Island, the melody from Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down makes an appearance. Despite the incongruity, the motif evokes a sense of quiet triumph.
Fans of the midnight guitar in Chris Isaak's Wicked Game will appreciate Infinity. While reverb-swollen chords drift by, Croft is hell-bent on mimicking Mazzy Star chanteuse Hope Sandoval in front of the microphone. And she succeeds beautifully.
Every song here is an enigmatic and moody blend of smoky crooning, nimble keyboard trickery and slippery treble-heavy riffs. Such self-awareness and focus is commendable given so few experienced bands, let alone newcomers, can manage it.
Yet xx's consistency is also its sole undoing. The xx have perfected one formula but appear scared to develop any more, wary of branching into different tempos or styles. Fortunately this fault is not fatal - after all, many successful bands, from Oasis to AC/DC, have only ever had one killer idea.
Whether The xx plough on in the same noir direction of this debut or pursue new tangents, it must be hoped the Londoners are able to maintain their affecting hold on the listener whatever the stylistic surface.
Reviewed by Lou Thomas
40kk O.O
the bass is so sexy in this whole album
37,5kk O.O
36,995,057 plays O_O
И в правду. Идеальный
I originally overlooked this as p4k garbage buzz-band crap, but I was completely wrong
amazing
this album is beyond perfection.
absolutely awesome!
BRILLIANT!!!
how come i haven't found this before!
Why the hell did i overlook this for so long? It's amazing. [3]
Awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
summer album <3
@DexterHoll Radiohead got the X from the harmful sign. Just recoloured it with a blue bg http://www.clker.com/cliparts/4/1/e/9/1194984874842092184nocif_yves_guillou_01.svg.med.png
Not really much into calm music, but this album is a haunting perfection.
you all should listen to this with an oscilloscope. it's pure epicness.
Why the hell did i overlook this for so long? It's amazing. [2]
i finally got this on cd. yay! :)
there are some songs, that remind me of older ones, they kinda copied... in a good way though, because this album still gives a good listen.
Classic album, game changer
It works like one whole sound. Short, sweet, simple, but absolutely magical. [2]
has anybody noticed that there's exactly the same X on the album cover of OK Computer? I know, it's not such a big coincidence since there are not many ways to write an X, but still .) http://www.last.fm/music/Radiohead/OK+Computer
I wouldn't normally listen to something like this, but since I first heard it's completely captivated me. Obviously there's not much variety in the album, but that's not a weakness. It works like one whole sound. Short, sweet, simple, but absolutely magical.
The first and last 3 tracks are really good, and the middle rest is kind of crap. +1
whoever mentioned Rihanna ought to e burned at the stake!
Rihanna? What a joke!
Rihanna influences? This is better than all Rihanna albums
The most boring album I have ever heard. You're all wrong.
easily on the top 10 albums of 2009.
@ziggyrebel1814 its called melancholic pop :0 !
Year 2006: http://www.lastfm.it/music/Uochi+Toki/Laze+Biose mmh what does that cover remind me??
had my first listen today. it's somewhat a bit dull and a bit amazing at the same time
The first and last 3 tracks are really good, and the middle rest is kind of crap.
finally got it on vinyl (:
Nominated for the [group]Mercury Prize[/group]!
Brilliant album.
This is so lovely after I resisted it for so long.
i mean amazing
this is amazin
Que mas se puede decir absolutamente brillantes
simplicity makes it amusing ["-"]
Simplemente GENIALES
I can't describe it...
i expected more [2] Hype was immense
excellent!
Fantastic, great first album!
Amazing <3
Bought it on Tuesday, it's pretty good.
Booooooooooooriiiiiiiiiiiiing.