Track Listing

1. C-C (You Set The Fire In Me)
2. I Ain’t Saying My Goodbyes
3. If You Want
4. A Little Word In Your Ear
5. If I Had Changed My Mind
6. The Lower The Sun
7. Cover
8. Nothing But Green Lights
9. On the Road
10. That Can Be Arranged

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45569 in Music
• Released on: 2005-04-04
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
We Have Sound is possibly the most appropriate title that Tom Vek could have come up with for his debut album. Not noise, not music but somewhere in between, the songs conjured up by Tom throughout this album are nuggets of a fertile imagination and awareness of limitations that delight in their simplicity. The spirit of DIY, from Paul McCartney to Babybird runs through this album, with Vek handling nearly all aspects himself, bar the production. The ramshackle home studio sound that he builds up- the tinny guitar sound on "I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes" or the programmed cowbell on "If You Want" being the most charming examples--creates an appropriately club-footed backing to the drawling vocals that dominate the album.

There are downsides to this album: Vek's voice isn't very attractive on first listen, and his lazy, repetitive lyrics could well be enough to dissuade folk from venturing further. Likewise, the lo-fi backing doesn't always do the songs justice, and songs like "The Lower The Sun" and "That Can Be Arranged" cry out for a bit more gloss and finish to let the songs shine through. But persevere with this album and its' contents, and the highlights are obvious. --Thom Allott

CD Description
'We Have Sound' is the debut album from British artist Tom Vek. Produced and recorded by Vek himself, the album's mix of synth rock and punk has seen Vek favourably compared to Franz Ferdinand and Talking Heads. The singles 'I Ain't SayingMy Goodbyes', 'If You Want', and 'If I Had Changed My Mind'are included.

Customer Reviews

We have talent
There's always a danger with NME headliners, and so much pressure on his debut album from the recent A&R explosion could hinder rather than help his career. In the face of this, he delivers a superb first offering.

Combining bits of grunge, bits of electro, weaving them between his tightly programmed beats and killer rhythms, the album is anything but disappointing. Multi instrumentalist Tom recorded the album as a solo project: a bit of a more modern one-man-band swapping banjos for samplers, demonstrating his technical prowess and ear for great riffs and fantastic melody.

The only problem is that the album isn't instantly accessible. I think you really need to see him on stage to truly fall in love with the music. With his band and their inimitable stage presence (check the drummer's facial gymnastics!) they're unstoppable, and the live set unlocks the genius of the writing.

Still, when given time, 'We Have Sound' unfolds its achievement. The electric 'Nothing But Green Lights' is in my opinion the highlight, alongside the fine slap bass of 'If You Want' and the simply fantastic 'I Ain't Sayin My Goodbyes'. Tom's vocals aren't technically amazing, but in the context of his writing and performance, they work perfectly adding the finishing touch to his unique style. Definite proof of a huge talent, and anyway, what great albums are instant? Give it time and it'll give you a lot more in return.

We have sound.
Bought some of his tickets for something to do on a friday night and thought i should at least get his album too, and i have to say, this is one of the best and most original albums i have heard in a while.

Its got a great sound to it, untouched by anyone but him and recorded in his parents garage, he's really hard to pin down musically as he has so many different influences. Grungy, rocky, electronica is as close as i can get, but you really do have to hear the album.

The best track is 'nothing but green lights', but they're all great. Most of it sounds even better live and he's interesting to watch on stage too. Kinda reminds me a bit of Beck.

I urge you, no order you, to get the album and go see a gig.

Awesome!

We've found our British Beck!
I bought "We Have Sound" as a last ditch stab for some musical realism - mainly on the back its recent glowing reviews. It doesn't dissapoint. Vek straddles decades of popular music incorporating the mid sixties beatnik vibe, early eighties white soul and new romanticism, and the current pastiche for "garage" based rock.
The album works because Vek is a great songwriter and most of the songs on this album offer a killer hook through a variety of musical styles. His arrangements will appeal to a wide audience range from teens to those who fondly remember the eighties. Think about splicing the DNA of the Cure, Talking Heads, New Order, Donovan, Beck and the White Stripes and you get the picture. Likewise, Veks arrangements and his vocal ability are roots level, genuine and effective. You get the feel that there is no record company sugar coating on this effort.
This album gets back to basics - talent, musicianship and great songs. Recommended!