Candylion by Gruff Rhys

(This was supposed to be up last night, but youtube was messing up)

Released in 2007 on Rough Trade.

Gruff Rhys is a Welsh man, who is the frontman of two bands, Super Furry Animals and Neon Neon. This is his 2nd solo album.

I wasn't really feeling this album when I first got it. I decided to pick it up because I was really impressed with his Neon neon project, which is some up beat electronic / rock / hip hop band he formed with Boom Bip. I didn't expect to hear some soft, laidback, cheerful, folk / pop.

But Candylion did grow on me. There's plenty of songs on here that I like now, like "Con Carino" and "Now That The Feeling Is Gone". Gruff uses lots of imaginative imagery and adds enough interesting electronics and quirky instruments to make these silly little songs listenable.

Eve though the album has a very chipper feel, the lyrics aren't always the happiest, but are pretty creative. They deal with loathsome celebrities, loneliness, bombs on planes, sorrow and so forth. But the music is always very colourful and unserious sounding.

I can't imagine too many people would be wiling to give this album a chance, but it is fairly well written and turns out to be not all that childish and silly when dig a little deeper. This album took many listens to grow on me, but eventually it did. A very sunny sounding and playful album.

For fans of High Llamas, Boy Least Likely To and maybe Black Moth Super Rainbow, they might dig it a little.

3/5

Category:

Music

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• review

[NedsMissingTeeth]

You need to do your research mate....

[soothpood]

his first solo is better

[redman1ism]

gruff rhys.....(griff rees)..pronounced!!! (bloody american idiot)

[Strutlikejesus]

Rhys is pronounced "Reese"

It's Welsh

[neonfoxincolour]

Super Furry Animals and Neon Neon are fucking awesome.

my friend thought I'd liek it because I'm a furry...well that's not WHY i like it but it's a funny coenscidence.

and I listened to this and it's an ok album.

[googoplexable]

nice reviews man :D

[theneedledrop]

Sweet & sugary? Well, this lion IS candy, Phil.

This song in the background kinda reminds me of Clapton singing.