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Emerald City

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

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Audio CD, July 24, 2007
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From the brand

Track Listings

1 Kookaburra
2 Time To Go
3 Parade, The
4 White Dove
5 Tablespoon Of Codeine
6 Tower, The
7 Minaret, The
8 Numbered Lithograph
9 Central Booking

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With the album title referring to the Green Zone in Baghdad, the latest from John Vanderslice is rife with fractious circumstances on a grand scale. His writing was fueled not only by inescapable global realities, but also an ultimately futile process to obtain a visa for his French girlfriend. The contrast of small personal details against a backdrop of larger sociopolitical events is what makes such riveting characters come to life in his songs. Eschewing broad specifics and flat reportage, his poetic bearing makes the slivered glimpses of lives in flux feel as resonant as a next-door neighbor or a family member further afield, but connected by phone. All of these lyrical aims would fall flat without Vanderslice's consummate compositional skills. These are first and foremost hook-filled songs, and it is upon repeated listenings (which they can't help but draw a listener into) that more complex matters of darkness, grief, love, hope, and death begin to emerge. --David Greenberger

Review

"John Vanderslice is starting to look like the most consistently engaging singer and songwriter..on indie rockdom's current landscape" -- Washington Post

Product details

  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 5 inches; 8 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Barsuk Records
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ 31066
  • Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 2007
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ June 3, 2007
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Barsuk Records
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000RGSOS2
  • Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
9 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2007
    JV has an exellent track record regarding his records, and Emerald City in no different. Anybody who's a fan of his music knows his music is way better than almost anything that plays on the radio. I have almost all his records, and this is among his best, though the exceptional Cellar Door is by far the best of his career, thus far. What struck me about Emerald City is it's exceptional melodic structure, incompairably beautiful harmonies, and poetic lyrics (all of which are staples of JV's unique style). It's not as immediately accessible as Pixel Revolt (thus the negitive reviews), but if you give it some time, you'll grow it love it just as much. Basicly, anybody who's a fan of JV's music should definately buy it, but someone who's not very filmiliar with his music should probably get Pixel Revolt first.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2008
    "Emerald City" is my introduction to John Vanderslice. His off-center musical approach is refreshing and unusual. He's not blessed with a classic singing voice, but has a thin vocal quality that works much as Ray Davies' classic rock with the Kinks. Vanderslice's music uses his unusual voice and varied musical instruments as on the opener "Kookaburra," "It can't be stopped; Thunder clouds are tightening in the sky tonight; We can't be saved; Electricity will scribble out your name." "The Parade" pits a flower-power melody against a conflicted lyric, "Be calm, be quiet as the cop drives by; Stand right there like a poisoned well." "The Tower" plays like a soundtrack for a marching army with the drum pounding against the full vocal harmonies, "It's a burning tower hit by lightning & people are jumping out, It's coming down." Vanderslice's songs are impressionistic, leaving you to wonder exactly what it was about. It's likeable, it's just unusual with musical riffs that are quite pleasant on the ear combined with bizarre lyrics as on "The Minaret," "They scattered in the woods to gather up their strength, dripping blood on the road; Oh how the animals looked on." "Numbered Lithograph" explodes emotionally as John wails, "I've never been lonelier." "Central Booking" concludes the set with a wispy melody. "Emerald City" is music made by an individual vision. It lets me appreciate the music from outside without really feeling I've gotten to the heart of the emotional experience. Yet, it is undeniably gifted. Enjoy!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2008
    I discovered John Vanderslice at a record store listening station. I fell in love with the song "You were my Fiji" from "Time Travel is Lonely." I back filled my collection with his other albums which were a mixed bag of either over-experimentation or lack of inspiration but all with a consistent refreshing off-beat style. On "Emerald City" he combines the best of what he has learned along the way. The songs have a slightly more pop feel (more accessible)than previous efforts but do not lose his quirky songwriting, folksy voice, or minimalist guitar/piano approach. "Teaspoon of Codeine" and "Numbered Lithograph" add just the right touch of elecrtronica. Just a delightful album to listen to from the first to the last track.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2007
    Love it, especially the first track "Kookaburra", which seems to wrap together the seemingly opposite qualities of goosebump-inducing beauty and destruction. Of course, I've always felt that danger and beauty go together.

    I'm not sure why the background instruments on "White Dove" are distorted, but it's a cool song too.

    Best CD I've bought in a long time.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2007
    JV pulls it off and this is by far the best cd he has released. His song writing is absolutely amazing and thought provoking. The best song on the cd is "Central Booking". I can't stop listening to this cd.
    We love you JV! Los Palmos rules!!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2009
    Well constructed folk pop with light electronics ventures slightly outside its predictability zone with thoughtful transitioning and an attention to detail overriding many inherent songwriting simplicities. The artist shows promise, but too often still comes across as a more refined incarnation of the Bright Eyes vibe before, going all pseudo-western.