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Though Lustra wasn't up to Echobelly's usual greatness, it deserves your time as well. Sadly their first album Everybody's Got On seems to be out-of-print, but if you can find it, it's almot as good as On.

But for now, On is definitely their highlight, and probably the best album of the whole brit-pop era.


Guitar rock perfection!   August 24, 2002
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Back in the mid-'90s when everyone was gushing about 'the new British invasion' and falling over themselves to praise lesser artists, they overlooked an album that might be the best to emerge from this movement: Echobelly's "On". This is an incredibly melodic album that--while taking the completely opposite sonic approach--conveys similar feelings as the The's incredible album "Dusk": urban loneliness, wry humor, and a slightly morbid preoccupation with death. All wonderful topics if you ask me. Sonya's got this incredible voice, one that people compared to Morrissey, apparently because she wasn't afraid to hide her lovely British accent. Either way, she's terrific, and her voice combined with the crashing guitars or occupying the empty spaces of the slower tunes is heavenly. One of the great Britpop albums of the past ten years, though everyone who overhyped the less energetic and shallower sounds of Oasis and others seem to have caused this album to slip between the cracks. Anyone with an interest in Britpop needs to own this.


One of my favorite disk from the Britpop era   June 5, 2000
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Echobelly was a band that emerged from Britain's Britpop era (the mid-90's). The band often gets compared to such bands as Blondie and The Smiths. Not only does the band get compared to Blondie and The Smiths but the band (during the time of Britpop) was noted for it's ethnic/racial diversity. It's lead guitarist was from Sweden, Sonya Aurora Maden, Echobelly's lead singer was Eurasian, and rhythm guitarist Debbie Smith was a black lesbian.

Echobelly's sound is that of aggressive guitar pop. On "On" Echobelly's sound has melode a bit from their debut album "Everybody's Got One". But that's not a bad thing and actually works for the band. On "Everybody's Got One" Echobelly blasted through everything and the lyrics were sort of in your face feminist lyrics (not that I'm trying to offend anybody). Often a bit arrogant, challenging social conventions, and a little self-pitying. There's less of a challenge and aggressivness on this album. But even still, Echobelly is able to pull of some pretty good guitar pop songs. Highlights include "Dark Therapy", "Pantyhose and Roses", "Great Things", "Natural Animal", and "Nobody Like You".


An absolute Gem from start to finish   September 24, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This album stands alone in music history. Echobelly shone for this album and produced the most fantastic pop/rock melodies, full of angst, dark backstreet games, sex ridden decadent pop. Melodies wrenched from heaven and slashed on a guitar from hell. Every song has a hook that grabs both ears, every song has a melody to die for. Every one in the music world wanted intro's to their songs as good as these. I cannot praise this LP high enough. "King of the Kerb" is an all time favourite, and Sonya's vocals are brilliant as they are throughout. Layered driving guitars reverberating sheer power. Sonya sounds like an angel on cocaine, her luscious vocals drag you in and swirl you around. Why this LP did not do more is the greatest mystery alive. It is sheer brilliance. Anyone who likes driving pop/rock with real melody should give this a listen, you WILL NOT be disappointed. I reserve my all time favourite of all time label for "Dark Therapy". A more seductive guitar and vocal could not be heard at the beginning of a track. Dark indeed "If you close your eyes and I will take you all the way". I don't know where the comparisons with Blondie and the Smith's come from, Echobelly are out there on there own, believe me. A shame they could not repeat it with Lustra which has none of the same creative spark or brilliance.


One of my favorite albums   January 8, 2002
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I own 200 CD's, and this one is up there in the top 10 that I listen to very regularly. Every song is brilliant and catchy, with roaring guitars and soaring vocals, and always seems fresh every time. As far as pop genius this is right up there with Abba/Gold (another of my favorite albums, once I got over the initial shame of listening to "disco"). Dark Therapy still sends chills down my spine every time, it's so dreamy as it meanders at first, building to it's climax, then setting you down with a gentle landing. Then there's the perfect motivational song Great Things--"I wanna do great things, I don't wanna compromise". If you liked Hole's Celebrity Skin or Elastica, you would probably like this album, it has a similar rocking upbeat groove to it.

But the style is totally unique. Soon I will have their new album (People Are Expensive, an import) as well, from the clips I've heard they've really grown! Lustra also has some excellent tracks, but it's not as consistently good as On.