"No Straight Lines" Reviews
A Timeless Album.
author: Michael Geppert - New York
So much of the music we hear today is written using a formula that supposedly ensures what we call "hits" which in turn ensures money made for the artist and their record label. In my humble opinion, this idea of formula has been the main cause of the degeneration of pop music to the point where it has become music written to sell records and NOT music written for the love of music. What we are left with are countless albums and songs that are enjoyable for about as long as it takes for the next album of the same kind to be released. This album, however, is different! On "No Straight Lines" you won't find songs written for the sole purpose of radio playability or watered down instrumental parts by musicians hired to record and go home or songs that stay within the constrains of a specific genre or style (also known as "playing it safe"). Instead, you will find a soulful, honest, and ardent collection of songs that was made for lovers of music. This album was written because the individuals involved love music and want listeners to love it with them. In short, this is a timeless album that listeners will be able to enjoy their whole lives.
A breath of fresh air!
author: Bob Rogers
In a world where modern day pop production has the knack of making everyone sound like a clone, this album is a much needed breath of fresh air! Rather than run to the nearest plastic surgeon and digitally manipulate his vocal until it becomes almost unrecognisable, Aidan leaves the edges rough and basks in the glory of "I can sing about it, 'cause I've lived it!". Now, this is not to say that "No Straight Lines" is lacking in musical polish… its the fact that it hasn't been over polished that makes this album such a joy to the ears! A REAL singer, singing about REAL experiences… isn't that was music is about??
Musical powerhouse
author: Paul Freeman
It was Bruce Springsteen who said "Van Morrison releases a great album every two years and hardly anybody notices"...or something like that. I think the same could be said of Aidan Nolan, who, although he doesn't release and album every two years has so far gone under the radar when it comes to mainstream success. This album is testament to the musical powerhouse that is Aidan Nolan, jam-packed with strong vocal performances, catchy melodies, slick production and thoughtful, witty lyrics. If there is any magic left in the music world this will be the album that brings Aidan Nolan the mainstream success he truly deserves.
How to achieve the perfect end to any day.
author: Russell King "music lover"
All right, here's what you do: buy this album, pop it in your home Hi-Fi, dim the room lights, find the most comfortable chair in your house and just sit back and let the layers of beautiful sounds on this cd wash over you. You won't believe the production work on here…Holy Smokes! The title track, "There Are No Straight Lines In Nature" is one of those tracks you'll cue up some evenings and it'll make you turn the room lights OFF, guaranteed. There's not a dog in this collection, and the more I listened, the more I liked, which suggests this album has much more than just great music… it also has character. It's so good to still have artists making music like this.
New Ground.
author: andy9067 (Los Angeles, CA)
Aidan Nolan has class and soul. The selections on this disc are excitingly varied from pop to rock to reggae to folk and his respective vocal style makes each song a journey within itself. The deeply thought-provoking "Walk Into The Water" makes you feel as though the ocean waves are about to come crashing through your speakers any moment while "Misadventurous Cowboys" shows Aidan can rock with the best of them. On this album form follows function and paves new ground for all genres to later walk upon.
Feel it in your heart, feel it in your soul…
author: Terry Richardson
I work in radio and so get paid to listen to music. I am always excited when I can to listen to an album over and over again and still find bits of magic that make the experience as fresh as the first time I heard it...and 'No Straight Lines', in MY opinion, easily ranks in the top-20 greatest albums in contemporary adult rock music. I'm sure that even after listening to 'No Straight Lines' for the millionth time, I will still conclude that Aidan Nolan has written a true modern audio masterpiece. Unlike most albums you buy and end up skipping more than half the tracks because they don't achieve the greatness of the first three or four on the album, you just slip 'No Straight Lines' in, hit play and enjoy all-the-way-through. There are the obvious radio staples, 'For You' & 'Some Stuff' but there is so much MORE to this incredible album. 'There Are No Straight Lines In Nature' & 'Misadventurous Cowboys' are just two examples of songs that compel you to listen and of course, 'Empty Heart', is without a doubt one of Nolan's greatest musical accomplishments. Regardless of whether you are a fan of this artist or not, if you DON'T have 'No Straight Lines' in your collection, it is high time you forked over the $$ and sat back and enjoyed a truly great talent. Trust me, this is music that WILL endure.
Diamond Mine
author: Jerry Lange (Nashville, TN)
Aidan Nolan struck pay-dirt for me on this gem. These songs contain four of the most essential ingredients in song-writing; love, mystery, longing and hope. He is also a very versatile singer to go from the power ballad 'Empty Heart', to the syncopated reggae grooves of 'Heading For The LCD', to the hook-laden rock anthem 'Misadventurous Cowboys' to the raunchy grind of 'Some Stuff'. On top of all this his voice is in touch with his words. By this I mean that artists sometimes write one way but the meaning comes out another… not on this album. Aidan delivers every line of every song with such conviction that it's meaning is unmistakable. This cd is a must from this incredible singer/song-writer.
A monster album!
author: Snookerfish
In making 'No Straight Lines' Aidan Nolan created a monster! Imagine, if you will, a laboratory creation with the vocal range of a George Michael, piano playing up with the likes of John Miles, sizzling guitar work reminiscent of Brian May, and songs with the eclectic range of a Todd Rundgren. Nolan's 2010 release, 'No Straight Lines', is a near-perfect blend of progressive and melodic pop rock sensibilities with a touch of reggae and jazz thrown in for good measure. From the soaring 'Empty Heart' and the hard hitting 'Some Stuff' to the epic 5 minute 45 'Walk into the Walter', this set is a winner. With crisp production by Stephen Lightbody, who thankfully neither allows the orchestral arrangements to lead the music into "schmaltz" territory nor places them so low in the mix that it leaves you wondering why he bothered using an orchestra at all. Music lovers and "real music" enthusiasts will not be disappointed!
A long-needed breath of fresh air!
author: redbird39
"No Straight Lines" is a long-needed breath of fresh air for the current music scene. At the height Auto-Tune, made-to-order pop stars and album covers that look more like the front page of Vogue Magazine, Aidan Nolan's first original album in almost four decades is a down-home piece of work, which is almost as gritty and organic as a record can get. Sure there are several lavish but extraordinarily well crafted "production tracks" included in this eclectic set of songs, but even they have a grittiness and edge to them that ensures they sit well apart from the sugar-coated candy music that has dominated most of the last 15 years. Not unlike many of the greatest singer/songwriters that have wowed us over the last 50 years, Aidan Nolan possesses that unmistakable talent of delivering every line with such earnest that singer and song become one. An album like this doesn't come along that often, so breathe it in while you can!!
An Enduring Classic
author: Linda Griffiths
This CD is a classic that will endure all the fickleness of time. Aidan Nolan has produced an imaginative mix of upbeat and cool tunes with beautiful musical arrangements. "Witchy Man" is a great upbeat jingle that never fails to get you moving. "Empty Heart" is as close to perfect as an artist can get. "Misadventurous Cowboys" is an awesome rock anthem. "Help Me" a slow sad song with great music behind it. "Walk Into The Water" is my personal favorite on the CD because of the amazing piano hooks. "Heading For The LCD" is jazzy and easy to listen to with nice drum influences. "Some Stuff" is a wonderfully raunchy, rock track. "The Innocent Looks Of A Very Guilty Girl" has a fun lyric as well as a killer string arrangement. The title track, "For You", "Fine Sucking Bottle" and "Eternity's Rainbow" are all strong songs. You will be able to listen to this CD over and over again and across many years. Enjoy!
An album of well-crafted, hook-laden songs.
author: Landon4000
A classic release by Aidan Nolan. This man is a marvel in the way he can delve into such diverse musical styles and come up with songs that are truly his own but sound like they have always been around. Every song on this album is well-crafted, hook-laden, and catchy. After a couple of listens you'll be humming them around the house and singing them in the shower. Aidan's vocal sounds very fresh and the musicianship is first rate. The pop-flavored 'For You' will no doubt become an FM radio staple in years to come and the title song gives me goosebumps with its evocative lyrics and pulsing rhythm section. The more I listen to this cd the more I love it and the more I'm convinced that Aidan Nolan is in a league of his own when it comes to singing, songwriting and production.
Classic songwriting with modern grooves.
author: K. Mauceri--Sheffield, UK
A brilliant CD. Contains essential, classic songwriting qualities applied to more modern grooves. The man's voice is stunning and a real pleasure to listen to, particularly when fronting the breathtaking production on the songs 'Empty Heart' and 'Misadventurous Cowboys'. I also really dig 'Some Stuff', it is frenzied and solid all at the same time with a wicked drum groove! Long may Aidan Nolan continue.
A masterpiece
author: Joey M - New York City - U.S.A.
Song for song, this is a masterpiece. It is no wonder that Aidan Nolan spent years crafting these little works of genius. By far the best of Nolan's two solo records, No Straight Lines shows huge growth in his songwriting. The fact that this album isn't on high rotation on every radio station is a testament to the sad state of radio in this country. This album is a must for serious music fans and I hope we don't have to wait way too long for his next release.
A beautifully produced album of well crafted songs.
author: Hedegard98
Aidan Nolan's ambitious 'No Straight Lines' is the standard by which any other Aidan Nolan records will be judged. This is no doubt Aidan's finest moment to date, beautifully produced album of well crafted songs, most with a mini symphony of its own. It boggles the mind how so many good songs could find their way onto a single album. There are songs which I'm sure are future radio staples: 'For You' and 'Empty Heart' and clever experimentation on tracks like 'Some Stuff'. However, the star of this album is 'Walk into the Water', a sweet mixture of classic rock, orchestra and some kick-ass piano playing. This track is Aidan Nolan on top of the world, doing what he does best... laying a thought-provoking lyric over a great chord progression but not cutting you off at the 3 minute mark as so many other great songs do. 'Misadventurous Cowboys' is a mini record unto its self and 'Eternity's Rainbow' and 'Help Me' are timeless. In short, if there were only one Aidan Nolan album to get, this is the one.
a rare thing
author: scooter25
This album is absolutely phenomenal. This is one of the most personal, striking artistic statements I can think of. It is like a diary, but better, because the music adds color and depth that words alone can't describe. It is a rare thing when the music compliments the singer so well... it is as if the musicians have the same heart. This album is perfect, beginning to end; musically and lyrically. Aidan Nolan will show you the wonderful side of love-"For You", the lonely side of life-"Help Me", the darkness of human desperation-"Walk Into The Water" and the light at the end of the tunnel, a place of hope-"Eternity's Rainbow". His music takes you to a place so wonderful it will make you want to weep... because you know that at some point it must end. And what a sad thing when it does end. But you can always press repeat!
Great stories layered with music genius.
author: The Boogieman
"For You", "Empty Heart", "The Innocent Look of a very Guilty Girl" and "Eternity's Rainbow" are all elite pieces of pop music from the story they tell to the thick layers of music genius. The keyboard and guitar work here is amazing. I hear new things in these songs every time I listen to them. This is a truly ambitious album and a must have for anyone who loves the art of making great music. Some great moments... the background singers on "There are no Straight Lines in Nature", the bass guitar groove and piano hooks in "Walk into the Water", the opening guitar jingle of "Fine Sucking Bottle" and the screaming guitar solo at the end of "Misadventurous Cowboys". The soaring saxophone solo in "Witchy Man" and the ELO flavored strings on "The Innocent Look of a Very Guilty Girl". What a treat it is to listen to this cd! I only wish this guy had more albums.
Aidan Nolan has arrived...
author: debbieshultz
At last! An album that cuts through the BS! If you've been moved to tears by Springsteen's wish to "hear some rhythm" that could demolish "Radio Nowhere", this is the album for you. The moment I heard Aidan Nolan singing "This is the way that we're feeling, this is the day that we can…" I realized how much I was starving for real music, a real man's voice, and a singer whose technique was technique-less. Aidan Nolan has arrived… watch his dust from now on.
The Grey Album
author: Lev Samuels
This is Aidan Nolan's white album. A collection of songs that are simple, yet complex; safe, yet experimental. A grand overview of everyday life - mystery, love, romance, longing, religion, politics, relationships, break-ups, drinking, glitz and glamour, depression and despair, cynicism and deception, longing, desire, faith and hope. There's nothing left to say… classic.
One of the very finest collection of songs I have ever heard on a single album.
author: DLorrie
I was given a copy of Aidan Nolan's 1973 'Tales from the Sun' by a friend who thought I would enjoy some of the songs on it. I was so impressed by the production values and the strength of the song writing that I decided to purchase his new album. I was astonished… 'Tales from the Sun', which is a superb album by any standard, is easily surpassed by Aidan's 2010 'No Straight Lines'. This is one of the very finest collection of songs I have ever heard on a single album. The musical style here is much broader than the '73 release but more than this it is a much more focused and accessible record. Aidan Nolan's 'No Straight Lines' is so startling and complete that not even the considerable charms of 'Tales form the Sun' could have prepared us for it. Every single track here is a gem, and 'Empty Heart' is nothing short of a full-blown masterpiece. This track alone is well worth the price of the disc.
Aidan Nolan's finest achievement!
author: boydman
This is not the youthful, long haired Aidan Nolan who penned the immortal words, "I'm gonna be a spaceman, I'm gonna ride across the sky…" however, it is his finest achievement. The title track is a strange song - not so much musically but lyrically, linking the verses to the chorus of "There are no straight lines in nature". There are some pure songs here that are just real classics. 'Empty Heart" and 'For You' have to be the catchiest, as well as 'Misadventurous Cowboys', my personal favourite. 'Heading for the LCD' is a powerful statement about creativity and originality being suppressed in recent times in favour of a dumbed down reality. There are moving songs on here, too. 'Fine Sucking Bottle' is a short song by comparison to the rest of the album, but fantastic with its jangling guitars and moving lyrics. The opening track, the dark, dance based 'Witchy Man' with its breathtaking saxophone solo can't be overlooked either. Definitely a 5 star effort!
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