Riverhead

Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Import
Media: Audio CD

UPC: 724347352621
EAN: 0724347352621
ASIN: B00067GJ6Q

Release Date: 2004-08-17

Riverhead

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Album Description

Hypnotic debut from Auckland, New Zealand band Goldenhorse. EMI. 2004.

Customer Reviews:

"Riverhead" is golden.......2005-03-14

New Zealand is all over the place now -- movies like "Lord of the Rings," tourism, and possibly music too. At least, if bands like Goldenhorse get their due. "Riverhead," their enchanting debut, is suspended somewhere between the Sugarcubes and the Sundays, with its mix of quirky rock and enchanting pop.

It opens with "Northern Lights," which opens with a tame little acoustic guitar line. When Kristin Morelle starts singing "lalalalala!", it sounds like this is going to be another generic indiepop number. But by halfway through the second stanza, the killer drumming and catchy guitar have kicked in in full.

They veer to other musical styles, such as country-flecked pop in "Maybe Tomorrow," some acoust-edged funk, ska, and smooth ballads. In the title song, there's even a hint of industrial-gothic darkness, punctuated by a heartbeat-like drum. "I wanted to tell you that I was dead/My hands were cold and my lips were bled/when I was in Riverhead..." intones the ghostly male vocals.

Okay, their moods swing from dismal to sunny -- a lot of bands do that on their debut album, as they try to find a sound that fits them. Goldenhorse actually do far better than most do, in that they can manage perky pop as well as dark material. It's a bit art-rock, a bit pop, a bit rock'n'roll, and this gifted band manages it all well.

Despite having a bassist and two jangly guitarists, you don't notice those instruments too much -- they blend in well, except for the faint buzzes and odd riff. Joel Wilton's drumming is a lot more prominent, ranging from rapid-fire and catchy to tribal beats. Laced with the odd electronic swoosh and keyboard, the sound is enchantingly layered and textured.

But then again, many a good band has been wrecked by a bad vocalist. This isn't one of those bands, fortunately. Morelle's voice is a lovely one, reminiscent of Harriet Wheeler or Hope Sandoval. In some of the darker songs, she ditches the ethereality in favor of an eerie mocking sound.

Goldenhorse's debut, "Riverhead," is a crazy quilt collection of mood-swinging songs. Fortunately, that doesn't keep it from being a bloody good album.

a "Kid" since I'm too cheap to get an account xD.......2005-02-17

Goldenhorse is am amazing band, headed by Kirsten Morelle as the lead singer (though composer/guitarist Geoff Maddock does sing in most songs for ambience)

Goldenhorse is one of the most promising NZ artists I know of. I've heard them compared to Sixpence None The Richer; though I like Goldenhorse a lot more :) I have all their albums and singles

On Riverhead I would reccomend Maybe Tomorrow, Baby's Been Bad and Wake Up Brother (though all of the songs are good; these ones stand out)

Excellent Mellow Tunes.......2004-12-20

I bought this album after becoming familiar with only one track (Track #1; Maybe Tomorrow), only to discover that ALL the tracks are as good if not better than this one. This is an excellent album and I would recommend to anyone. I'm not sure exactly what genre to put it into - probably mellow rock/pop. The lead singer is female and she has a great voice and all the songs have excellent melodic (is that a word?!) tunes.

FANTASTIC!!!!.......2004-12-06

Hey, im from New Zealand (where Goldenhorse come from) and i bought their album recently. All the songs are fantastic and i cant stop listening to it! The songs are very beautiful to listen to. This is a must have for anybodies CD collection!! GET IT GET IT GET IT!!

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The Art Farmer Septet Plays the Arrangements and Compositions of Gigi Gryce & Quincy Jones ~ Art

At the Piano ~ Fats Waller

Terminal V.1 ~ Benny Golson

L'infinito ~ Orme

Homage To Ganesha

Itchycoo ~ Itchycoo

Nueva Antologia Musica Militar ~ Various Artists

Flamenco Total ~ El Mondao Y Su Grupo