Now It's Overhead
Fall Back Open

8/ 10 [Edit this Release]

Type: Album Release date: 08/03/2004

Artists:
Now It's Overhead »

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Saddle Creek »

by Mike Diver [Edit this content] ▾ 4 comments 13:52 February 27th, 2004

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Rarely does a record that’s little more than the sum of its parts prove to be worthy of any prolonged attention.* Now It’s Overhead’s _‘Fall Back Open’_ bucks the trend considerably. Then again, that’s hardly surprising; the parts here include one studio whiz-kid (Andy LeMaster), *Azure Ray’s angelic Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor, and fleeting contributions from Conor Oberst *and *Michael Stipe. Sound impressive on paper? You should hear it on shiny plastic compact disc.

The overall effect is intoxicating – some sort of triangulated point in the middle of REM, New Order and Statistics (whose Denver Dalley is, of course, part of fellow Saddle Creekers Desaparecidos), yet all the time augmented by a beauty uncommon in primarily studio-born music. The electric bleeps and clicks that lie scattered across aching swathes of strings and delicate guitars work perfectly, like crickets serenading sleepers on a warm summer's night. Songs like _‘Antidote’ _and the title-track itself can render the listener inert to all else in a few seconds, such is their immediate emotional impact.

Whilst there’s nothing here that quite matches Azure Ray’s heavenly ‘Hold On Love’ or Cursive’s 2003 emotional rollercoaster, ‘The Ugly Organ’, ‘Fall Back Open’ is proof positive that, for the moment at least, Saddle Creek can do no wrong whatsoever. Long may the trend continue.

Now It's Overhead 8 / 10

Now It's Overhead, now they're over here 10 Jan 10:28
Now It's Overhead at Borderline, London, South East England, Sun 20 Feb 21 Feb 13:05
Now It's Overhead at Borderline, London, South East England, Sun 20 Feb 21 Feb 13:05
Now It's Overhead: tour and single news 24 Jun 10:32
Now It's Over' Here 19 Apr 17:42
Now It's Overhead - Fall Back Open 27 Feb 13:52
Now It's Overhead - Fall Back Open 27 Feb 13:52

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Now It's Overhead - Fall Back Open

This record is absolutely fantastic. I really like this review a lot because it is really capturing what the album is all about. It's one of the best indie-pop records I have heard in a long time without following any of the indie-pop formula. It's refreshing and brilliant and I strongly recommend this album to anyone thinking that good original music is dead and gone.

GlockMeAmadeus | 3 Mar '04, 21:30 | X | Reply

Now It's Overhead - Fall Back Open

Yes this album is superb. Not quite as good as the self titled first album though in my opinion.

Old_Anonymous_Comments | 7 Mar '04, 23:22 | X | Reply

Now It's Overhead - Fall Back Open

I fell in love with the first album. And nearly had a heartattack awaiting this one. I witnessed the rapture-effect of this disk on a friend at work today. Had to stop in the middle of conversation. The title track takes you on inside. Makes your heart swell up and down with the verses. Like an ocean. This record has a very different tone than the self titled. When I first heard it I likened it to the wide range of emotions felt after the end of a relationship. Weariness from emotional ordeal. Upset, and regretting getting involved. Having the sudden courage to address the past. Clarity coming for a peaceful minute. I compare it to that situation, but the album does not necessarily follow a narrative like the last one. All the tracks move together in an insanely beautiful, complimentary way. Though I believe the self-titled was very poetic, in a subtle way, this has more of a lyrical,full beauty. These are very emotional lyrics, in that they capture feelings so well. But they are not angsty, or very young. More of a mature position, but not jaded. Not at all. The reviews I'm reading comment on Andy's great ability to meld electronics with acoustics, and they are right. Its unreal, and flows so perfectly. The vocals move with the music, and I'm not just refering to Orenda and Maria's backing. Andy harmonizes with himself, and it's gorgeous. Even with no layering of vocals, it still commands reverence. Please check out this album. The range of feelings it evokes, the musical pleasure. Damn is it worth it.