Amazon.co.uk review: Seth Lakeman's fourth solo album, Poor Man’s Heaven, moves him ever closer to the mainstream, his frantic fiddle playing backed with a small, tight band fully aware of the power they generate. But the Dartmoor-based folk singer still digs into local folklore for material. The pounding opener "The Hurlers" refers to an ancient stone formation in Cornwall, while "Solomon Browne" commemorates the more recent loss with all hands of the Penlee lifeboat - Lakeman knew some of the bereaved as a schoolboy. Clearly a larger recording budget--his breakthrough record, 2004’s Mercury nominated Kitty Jay, was recorded in his kitchen for three hundred quid--hasn’t mollified his Saturnine tendencies. Having emerged from the purist folk scene, rather than the more chilled folktronica side, Lakeman must now be wondering how far he can go. The jaunty "Race To Be King" features maybe the loudest Jew’s harp ever recorded, while Kathryn Roberts' haunting backing vocals on "Cherry Red Girl" add depth (though he might be overdoing it on the old red though, included songs called "Crimson Dawn" and "Blood Red Sky"). The title track though is the giveaway, a blatant and undeniably effective reminder that Led Zeppelin defined the heavy folk-rock crossover decades ago. Lakeman yelps like a West Country Robert Plant, sounding like a man with stadia in his sights.--Steve Jelbert
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Disappointing
Well, album number 4 from Seth Lakeman finds him backed by a major label. Not good news for someone who's used to recording albums in kitchens. So, it was with some scepticism that I listened to Poor Man's Heaven and it was to say the least, a huge letdown. For a start, I don't personally LIKE the songs. They are bland to the extreme, and as several reviewers have already noted, mostly at the same tempo. Did his metronome break or something? Not good. On the plus side, I do like Crimson Dawn and ... Read More
Rating: - Masterfully evocative and balanced
I have been trying not to give many five-star reviews anymore, instead trying to save them for something special; this record deserves all five. ALong with Elbow, 'Poor Man's Heaven' is the best release of the year, and his finest so far. I love the production; too many albums these days are produced with a blend of instruments creating a wall of sound, with some vocals laid on top. Although there are times in this record where several instruments are playing, the listener can always decifer each ... Read More
Rating: - A Disappointment
I've tried, I really have but I do not like this. All the tracks are very similar. There is no light and shade. It's completely overproduced. Where is the fiery fiddling which brought him to so many people's attention.
He is definitely moving full speed to pop stardom. I"m beginning to think that Seth Lakeman's best album will always be Kitty Jay.
Rating: - Excellent modern folk/rock blend
I bought this having heard only one track - I'll Haunt You. I wasn't disappointed. Other favourites of mine are "The Hurlers" - a foot-stomping track and the poignant "Solomon Browne", which tells of the Penlee lifeboat tragedy. Well worth buying, a great listen.
Rating: - Formulaic
I had high hopes for this, but as it turns out it is a big let down. It sounds like Seth has got into a rut as there is none of the imaginativeness that made Kitty Jay and Freedom Fields so distinctive. I can only agree with the other reviewer who said that all the tracks sound the same. It sounds like it was written to a formula: fiddle:check, guitar:check, drum:check: now Seth just sing the last track over again and we'll call it something diferent 'cause no one will notice. Can I have my money ... Read More
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