Candylion

roars

Fab!

Available for the first time in the UK on vinyl with only 800 copies issued so don't delay. As for the music. It's more song based than his first album with more conventional strong structures. That's not a criticism in any shape or form. I prefer this album more to any of the recent SFA records.

When this album was initially released back in 2006, I was not that overly impressed, but with Neon Neons new album on its way (2013), I always like to re-acquaint myself with the artists back-catalogue. So listening back to "Canylion", it's turned into a great little record, full of tuneful surreal Indie/Folk/Rock songs. You get the classic "Cycle of Violence" & the 14:36 minute epic "Skylon!" (Every album should finish with a 14-minute song). So an outstanding record, & considerable stronger than the last couple of SFA's albums.

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.

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!

This, Gruff Rhys's second solo album, contains much of what makes the Super Furries so great. Like many other reviewers on here I have been slightly disappointed with the last two albums by SFA, as they same to be drifting more into the world of the beach boys, and moving away from the youthful, rocky edge that made their earlier albums so enjoyable. This effort from Gruff Rhys, whilst retaining the laid back attitude of those most recent SFA albums somehow manages to achieve what those failed to do. Whilst Love Kraft in particular seemed to be unimaginative and even slightly bland (by the bands on very, very high standards) this work sounds as if it is at the forefront of pop music endeavor, like those early Super Furry Animals releases. The particular killer track on here is the epic Skylon that goes on forever without boring you, or sounding repetitive, even though it probably is. Gyrru Gyrru Gyrru is catchy and bright and in spirit could belong on the classic Radiator. The title track is delightfully light and gentle, but with a hint of edge. This album is streets ahead of Gruff Rhys's debut Yr Atal Genhedlaeth which was quite frankly a difficult listen even if you were quite into Welsh language stuff. My only real disappointment regarding this piece is that Gruff promised to be the first solo act to 'break up' after that release, which was obviously not true. But, if you can handle being lied to by your heroes then this album is worth a go. It may well not be to the taste of someone whose favourite Super Furries album was Fuzzy logic, but to those who appreciated the efforts of the band on Love Kraft and Hey Venus, but felt that they hadn't quite achieved what they set out to, this album will definitely be for you.

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!!!

gruff rhys ditches the theatrics and sticks to solid song writing and groovy production on his second solo outing. after the throw-away intro, the title track provides a pretty clear picture of how the album is going to be. in a word, playful. the fairy-tale-like lyrics and childrens-song-like melodies lead into the equally as entertaing "the court of king arthur". from here we go into the more serious, and very similar sounding, "lonesome words" and "cycle of violence". perhaps the two strongest tracks on the album, these tracks are very unique and compliment each other well. the following two tracks are pretty standard gruff rhys, as are the next two, which are sung in welsh like his first solo album. "now that the feeling is gone" i sthe most SFA sounding track, and is pretty solid as well. after another welsh song, we reach the albums climax, the stunning 14:00 "skylon!". this story-song is captivating, and much like "the trapeze swinger" by iron & wine, it keeps you interested throughout with easy-going melodies and clever lyrics. the spoken word wrap-up to the story at the end is the icing on the cake to this wonderful record. highly recomended for Super Furry Animals fans.

Great psychedelic pop music and its fun and catchy too! Mr. Rhys continues making infectious music so if you like Super Furry Animals you'll most likely want this in your musical library.