Track Listing

1. The Storm Is Coming
2. Born In The 70's
3. This One's For You
4. Strangers
5. Let Love Not Weigh Me Down
6. Something To Live For
7. The Trapdoor
8. The Music Box
9. Loneliness
10. Open Book
11. Kids (Rise From The Ashes)
12. Black Dress

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #63051 in Music
• Released on: 2004-09-13
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Ed Harcourt, hailed as the new Tom Waits, returns with Strangers, his fourth long player in as many years. For the most part it's no great departure from the previous three outings, but that's no bad thing considering Harcourt has always had the ability to write a decent tune--just like Waits or his British counterpart Nick Drake. There is a distinct up-beat feeling to this collection of songs, as opposed to the last three releases, though the darker more sinister side to Harcourt still remains. This Juxtaposition is evident on tracks such as "Born in the 70s", with its poppy rhythm and chorus hook that someone like Robbie Williams would turn into a number one. The Hammond organ of the title track, "Strangers", is reminiscent of that used by seventies bands such as Supertramp, and provides the song with an optimistic air. The simplicity of the arrangement of "The Trapdoor", reminds one of what Harcourt is best at: bittersweet melancholy. Harcourt's talent as an expressive lyricist is made abundantly evident in these 12 songs. This coupled with his ability to write fine melodies, makes him one of the many contemporary British artists who are reminding us what music is all about: having a good tune that you can whistle. --Jamie Clark

CD Description
The follow up to 2003's 'From Every Sphere' is the East Sussex singer-songwriter's third album. Reminiscent of dark folkesque artists such as Tom Waits but also able to evoke the classic melodies of acts such as The Beatles. More polished than previous efforts, this album sees Harcourt take a softer more acoustic approach for most of the album; but a handful of the remain dark and intense.

Customer Reviews

Nothing strange about this album ...
Fantastic. A great mix of rock and more soulful songs, with lyrics sometimes coming from a fantasy world. Ed Harcourt has a wonderfully, original voice, especially in the softer more romantic songs. I know its going back in time a bit, but if you liked Stackridge (remember them?), Colin Blunstone, mixed in with a little Elvis Costello and Calexico, then you will love this album. Favourite songs have to be "Born in the 70's" (next single I believe)and Little Black Dress. Buy this and enjoy. Can't wait til the next album. Thanks Ed for cheering up my life!

Ed comes through again
An amazing talent puts together another amazing album.
I've listened to Strangers in it's entirety about 10 times thus far, and each time it has gotten deeper under my skin. Harcourt's melodies and lyrics earn him a place in the Singer/Songwriters Hall of Fame. I do not think comparisons to Nick Drake and Tom Waits are accurate (although, both are great artists). Ed has a style of his own, and is a matter of time before he gets the recognition he deserves.

In a league of his own.....??
Having heard about Ed's music from a few friends and seeing the usual articles in the musical press about 'Strangers', I was slightly put off from buying this album for some reason. However, a few weeks ago I bought the album in my local record store out of curiosity, and wow, what an album this is. Well done curiousity!

Right from the slighly above-norm tempo of 'The Storm is Coming', the musical arrangement makes a play for your throat, grabbing it and not letting go for around forty-five minutes of high-class music. Highlights for me (and on an album as great as this, these really are highlights) are the title-track 'Strangers', 'The Trapdoor', 'Music Box' and 'Open Book', although all tracks could have made it.

People usually find it within themselves to compare the artist's sound to similar sounds, but I can't as it seems pretty unique as far as i'm concerned.

Congratulations Ed, you should be very proud of this album.