No Other

Artist: Gene Clark
Label: Collector's Choice
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 617742031423
EAN: 0617742031423
ASIN: B00006RYIQ

Release Date: 2003-04-08

No Other

Related Categories:

Folk Rock

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General

| Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock

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Pop Rock

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Tracks:

Life's Greatest Fool
Silver Raven
No Other
Strength of Strings
From a Silver Phial
Some Misunderstanding
True One
Lady of the North

Similar Items:

White Light
The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark
Roadmaster
Turn! Turn! Turn!
West

Product Description

1. Life's Greatest Fool
2. Silver Raven
3. No Other
4. Strength Of Strings
5. From A Silver Phial
6. Some Misunderstanding
7. True One, The
8. Lady Of The North

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Like a man possessed.......2007-02-02

Just recently getting into Gene Clark's impressive body of solo work, I started with White Light and (after only one listen) was initially unimpressed. To tell the truth, I can't think of a Gene Clark album that actually wowed me on the first listen. After a few spins though, White Light found its way permanently under my skin as a fantastic exercise in poetry, delivery, and the possibilities of folk-rock production (it's got some pretty gnarly yet subtle electric guitar). Gene's songs are instantly understandable and accessible, but only to a point--eventually there's a final barrier of mystery in the words and in the sentiment, and that's what keeps me coming back to his music. It's wonderful to puzzle over just what he means and feels, and it's a hallmark of great songwriting when a song doesn't mean just one obvious thing and it's up to the listener to interpret. So, White Light is a fantastic (if commercially unsuccessful) record--enter No Other.

With No Other, Gene fleshed out his songs with lavish ensemble production (check out the bonus tracks for more stripped-down versions), including several female background singers, multiple guitars and keyboards, and some surprisingly different (for Clark) effects. With all due respect to some of the other reviewers, "country-rock" is a pathetically inadequate attempt to describe the sound of this record. No Other has its country-rock moments, but the entire album is so far-ranging that any attempt to classify it wastes words and detracts from enjoyment--I'd rather let the genre-bending sounds just wash over me.

Gene's voice is in prime form--the torture and emotion in his vocals is totally enthralling, and his strained, tentative delivery is still something I've only heard done well by Clark himself. The album opens with "Life's Greatest Fool," a country-rocker in which the easy-going music belies the large-scale wondering that Clark's doing. The production is admittedly quite different from Gene's earlier, more stripped-down records, but I think it works. The other instruments never detract from the force of his songs, they just make them (deservedly) more grand. "Silver Raven," sets a darker tone, one which will permeate most of the album, with a somewhat bleak poetic vision. "No Other" is one of my very favorite tracks, bearing little resemblance to "country-rock," or any other type of rock, for that matter--the fuzzed-out bass charges the song with an urgency supported by Clark's words--"all alone we must be part of one another." Chills.

Impenetrable poetics fill the album, as on the colorful "From a Silver Phial." "Some Misunderstanding," is yet another highlight--the album's epic centerpiece and one of Clark's most compelling soul-searching works of art. In the cascading wall of sound that the song conjures, Clark cries "we all need a fix at a time like this, but doesn't it feel good to stay alive?" Wow again. More of the same, high-caliber songwriting and performing closes out the album.

No Other resonates very strongly with me on a personal level (such a subjective criterion, I'm sure everyone doesn't feel the same way), but whether you find Clark's poetic explorations relevant or not, these are well-written songs with great lyrics, one of the most original voices in rock history, and some great music to go along with it all. If you already own Clark records, you MUST get No Other, and I also recommend it to fans of all those sub genres like folk- country- classic-rock and everything in between. It's time Clark found his audience.

No Other is like no other Gene Clark album........2007-01-11

A truly unique album with a more studio oriented approach. Less acoustic and without the usual repeat tracks - from his Byrds years - heard on most Gene Clark albums. Critics panned this recording initially, but have now decided that Gene was truly a visionary and give it much praise. Some of us non-critics liked it from the start, because of its differences. Gene Clark could do little wrong except die too soon. No Other is a testament to his creativity.

No Other is essential listening!.......2005-07-14

Some might say that this album is a tough listen, a "fans only" release to be appreciated only by Clark freaks, but I think that any MOJO-reader, discerning-type '60s-'70s listener will at least enjoy it, if not flat-out love it like I do. Americana, soul, psychedelia, and gorgeous string arrangements create a cosmic stew around Clark's country-gentleman vocals and profoundo lyrics. Brilliantly recorded and arranged, this album deserves to be heard. Just listen to Clark's voice in the song, "From A Silver Phial" when he sings, "She said she had a mind that slept inside tomorrow/ and only time would heal its scars," or the chilling steel guitar on "Silver Raven".

Genious? I don't think so.......2005-04-23

I have been a huge Byrds fan for years, but not until recently did I begin to delve into Gene Clark's solo material. I bought the two Dillard & Clark albums first and LOVED them. Then I bought "Gosdin Brothers" (see my review for that), and then this one, "No Other".
After reading the brand new Gene Clark biography "Mr. Tambourine Man", and seeing all the excellent feedback from other Amazon customers reviewing this album, I thought I was in for a treat when I bought this CD.
The fact is, contrary to what others believe, Gene Clark is NOT an underrated artist, nor is he a brilliant songwriter, nor is he a "Gene-ious". He may have had several strong moments as a songwriter (particularly in the Byrds), but the majority of his solo material really isn't anything to get excited about, this album included. I find most of Clark's songs on this record to be a bore: his lyrics are often cliche and not terribly interesting - other times they are vague, leaving the listener with little to understand and identify with. There are moments in this album where the music shines, but these are usually instrumental breaks when the studio musicians take a solo. As soon as Clark begins to sing again, the song once again becomes unenthralling.
I must say that the production and musicianship presented on these recordings are of very high caliber. The aural colors and tonal textures that come across in the mix from the varying instruments used to make the music give this album a much-needed boost of listening pleasure.
The thing about Gene Clark's solo work is that there was always an important element missing; an element that makes so many classic albums the extraordinary pieces of art that they are. Take for example, Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon", or any Beatles record. There is a certain magic, charisma, excitment, and appeal that comes across to the listener on albums like these, which is part of the reason that they have been so successful. This is the ineffable element that is missing from Clark's music. And as for this album, "No Other", there just isn't anything outstanding about it.

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