Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Now solo after Goya Dress quietly called it a day -- after the group's lone album, the luscious, John Cale-produced Rooms -- Astrid Williamson's abilities as a first-rate writer, considered lyricist, and stunning vocalist remain obvious. Yet it seems Williamson is condemned to being a fringe favorite -- despite more favorable press -- and a nonentity in the U.S., lacking domestic release. Boy for You, a rumination on unrealistic lifestyles and relationship expectations, drips substance while surveying the different moods Williamson's voice can fill. The somber, mostly piano songs are lush tapestries of reflective, moody chamber sound. Some of the acoustic, full-band numbers would tickle a Joni Mitchell fan. The overtly sexual "If I Loved You" and "Everyone's Waiting" are wistful, sun-drenched, welcoming pop tunes. Others like "Outside" and "I Am the Boy for You" survive, nay, prosper, despite a vague attempt at instant currency via hip-hop beats. In fact, on the latter, she uses the big beat to fashion a hypnotic sway instead of a dancefloor shake and, in the choruses, lets out one of those trademark, ascending, full-mouthed wails, stopping all traffic. We're talking wondrous belting, the kind that freezes. "World at Your Feet," "Sing for Me," and "Say What You Mean" touch places inside that leave one in shaken contemplation. The production crystallizes perfectly behind the flowing, burbling melodies and that voice. Best of all, these are the songs where the piano's most melancholic chords fit best with the ringing acoustic strum, while pungent, swelling background organ hypnotizes. It all adds up to a record that at its most average is still marvelous, and at its best is like the most involving film you've seen this year. You say you want substance over style? What would you give for both at once?
© Jack Rabid /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From £10.83/month
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist
2006 One Little Independent Records 2006 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist
2006 One Little Independent Records 2006 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist
2006 One Little Independent Records 2006 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist
2006 One Little Independent Records 2006 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist
2006 One Little Independent Records 2006 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist
2006 One Little Independent Records 2006 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist
2006 One Little Independent Records 2006 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist
2006 One Little Independent Records 2006 One Little Independent Records
Malcom Burn, Composer - Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - Astrid Williamson;Malcom Burn, ComposerLyricist
2006 One Little Independent Records 2006 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist
2006 One Little Independent Records 2006 One Little Independent Records
Album review
Now solo after Goya Dress quietly called it a day -- after the group's lone album, the luscious, John Cale-produced Rooms -- Astrid Williamson's abilities as a first-rate writer, considered lyricist, and stunning vocalist remain obvious. Yet it seems Williamson is condemned to being a fringe favorite -- despite more favorable press -- and a nonentity in the U.S., lacking domestic release. Boy for You, a rumination on unrealistic lifestyles and relationship expectations, drips substance while surveying the different moods Williamson's voice can fill. The somber, mostly piano songs are lush tapestries of reflective, moody chamber sound. Some of the acoustic, full-band numbers would tickle a Joni Mitchell fan. The overtly sexual "If I Loved You" and "Everyone's Waiting" are wistful, sun-drenched, welcoming pop tunes. Others like "Outside" and "I Am the Boy for You" survive, nay, prosper, despite a vague attempt at instant currency via hip-hop beats. In fact, on the latter, she uses the big beat to fashion a hypnotic sway instead of a dancefloor shake and, in the choruses, lets out one of those trademark, ascending, full-mouthed wails, stopping all traffic. We're talking wondrous belting, the kind that freezes. "World at Your Feet," "Sing for Me," and "Say What You Mean" touch places inside that leave one in shaken contemplation. The production crystallizes perfectly behind the flowing, burbling melodies and that voice. Best of all, these are the songs where the piano's most melancholic chords fit best with the ringing acoustic strum, while pungent, swelling background organ hypnotizes. It all adds up to a record that at its most average is still marvelous, and at its best is like the most involving film you've seen this year. You say you want substance over style? What would you give for both at once?
© Jack Rabid /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:46:01
- Main artists: Astrid Williamson
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: One Little Independent Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
2006 One Little Independent Records 2006 One Little Independent Records
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.