Track Listing

1. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
2. CANDYLION
3. THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR
4. LONESOME WORDS
5. CYCLE OF VIOLENCE
6. PAINTING PEOPLE BLUE
7. BEACON IN THE DARKNESS
8. CON CARINO
9. GYRRU GYRRU GYRRU
10. NOW THAT THE FEELING HAS GONE
11. FFRWYDRIAD YN Y FFURFAFEN
12. SKYLON!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28060 in Music
• Released on: 2007-01-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Amazon.co.uk Review
The second solo album from Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys, Candylion is a far more approachable pop proposition than his lone debut, 2005's Welsh-language Yr Atal Genhedlaeth. Recorded at Super Furry Animals producer Gorwel Owen's house in Anglesey with the help of double bass player Owen Evans and vocalist Lisa Jen from Welsh outfit 9 Bach, this is an outwardly upbeat set of mostly English language songs that explores Rhys' fascination for international psychedelia, the Welsh-language music of the '60s and '70s, and the madness of the modern world. The xylophone-accompanied title track is a deceptively slight opener that demonstrates Rhys' skill for nonsense word-play ("A penguin and carnation/A lemon and Dalmatian"). Further in, however, we find ourselves in more uncertain territory: "Lonesome Words" is a keening folk number undercut by skittering, looped drums, while the peculiar "Cycle Of Violence" offers a glimpse of apocalypse, Gruff noting "dirty bombs and clean ones look the same if you look closely" in a high, quavering tremor. Terror plays a big role in Candylion - the epic closing track, "Skylon", is set to the backdrop of an international hijacking – but it also contains some of Gruff's prettiest songs to date: see the country-tinged "Beacon In The Darkness" and the shimmering "Con Carino".--Louis Pattison

CD Description
'Candylion' is the second album from Super Furries frontmanGruff Rhys. Recorded with Gorwel Owen in Llanfaelog, Wales and Mario Caldato Jr in Rio De Janeiro, the album sees Rhys deliver an album of laidback psychedelic indie folk gems. The lead single 'Candylion' featuring vocals from 9 Bach's Lisa Jen is also included.

Customer Reviews

An understated gem of a record
While I'm a huge SFA fan, I've had a sneeking sense of them losing their focus of their last album or two. Somehow they've become to sound less vital. With that in mind, this solo effort from Gruff has come as an unexpected delight. It's sweet and intricate with delicious arrangement from Sean O'Hagan. But most of all, it sounds fresh as a daisy and boasts some robust song writing from a man at the top of his game. If there were any justice, this record would sell by the shedload. As it is, at the very least you need to do the guy a favour and let this into your life. Hugely recommended.

Fantastic acoustic album
I saw Gruff live in Hebden Bridge and found the show utterly amazing. I didn't realise until I saw him live but Candylion is a folk album. The support act was 9 Bach, and Lisa Jen from 9 Bach sings the female vocals on the album and sang onstage with Gruff for most of the night. Beautiful songs, amuzing and poetic lyrics and very skilful guitar playing. Every song is a hit. By the way the welsh song gyrru means 'driving'. The last song Skylion is an epic song with so much going on in the lyrics, every day i have a different favourite song, buy it!

Pure genius
The world needs to wake up to Gruff Rhys and Super Furry Animals.
This album along with all their previous work is pure genius.

One the the best song writers in the world today and no one is taking notice. Unbelievable!!!