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Magic City
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Helium Album Review:
Under their spell at 2004-12-18
This album is often absent from Best of the 90s lists, but it is easily one of the top twenty releases of that decade. Mary Timony transports the listener to her inner fantasy world on this concept album filled with great guitar playing and bizarre medieval instrumentation. The Magic City is surreal, warm, colorful, mysterious, and not without a sense of humor. This is the album that best showcases Mary Timonys talents as both a songwriter and a guitar player. In twenty years, the most creative artists in indie rock will be citing this as a monumental and influential album. Buy this album and listen to it early in the morning as the sun comes up.
Helium Album Review:
This city is good. at 2004-11-04
Mary Timony is a childwoman genius. Always aloof and sparkling, she presents you an album that will make you want to do a few cartwheels and maybe a little mystical cheerleading. Many props to bassist and drummer for orchestrating the brilliance of this album. I still remain most devoted to The Dirt of Luck, though, so if you like this, eat that, too.
Helium Album Review:
Gives Prog Back Its Good Name at 2003-03-25
I hope Im not offending any indie die-hards out there, but The Magic City really does remind me of early Genesis in places, with grandiose, madrigal melodies and odd textures abounding. Lullaby Of The Moths immedeately comes to mind, with its lush Elizabethan swoon, and The Revolution of Hearts Pts I and II practically screams Gabriel-era Genesis, with its brusque, galloping riff pattern and eight-minute sprawl. This record is a God-send to me because it finally reconciles my lingering love of the old Genesis records that got me through high school with the indie rock that sustained me through my post-adolescent drift. Mary Timony, on the smattering of Helium releases (two LPs, two EPs) and on her two solo records, has become one of my musical heroes, and this brilliant record has taken a prime spot in my collection, right beside Foxtrot and Selling England By The Pound. Now if only Sleater-Kinney would do a riff-rock record about pipers and misty mountains....
Helium Album Review:
not another fairy tale.. at 2001-12-09
Mary Timony is just one of those rare poison flowers. She hooks you in with this beautiful magic sound, then she throws it in your face. Shes so sarcastic/sardonic and it gives her power. This album isnt just another teenage fairy tale girl thing, it goes way beyond that...
Helium Album Review:
Sultry Surrealism for the 21st Century at 1999-10-30
Helium is one of those bands, much like Throwing Muses during the Eighties, that may never be appreciated by the public until after the fact (ten years after).The Magic City is a lush and cryptic album that should be listened to at night with headphones. The dreamy, pastel imagery of Timony is full of texture and color. Its not just Timonys seductive voice and lyrical power that make this record work, its the range of influences, from Pavement to King Crimson that seem to drive you along as you listen.Certainly worth the price of admission.
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No Guitars EP
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Helium Album Review:
A bridge between Dirt of Luck and Magic City at 1998-09-14
Although I wouldnt say this contains any of the best helium songs Ive ever heard it plays nicely. Its a worthy edition to anyones helium collection and I definately rate it higher then Pirate Prude.
Helium Album Review:
love has no sound at 2002-09-18
this ep is one of the only eps i would give 5 stars (i usually have an automatic disliking for eps based on their length) but this album really does flow like any LP can. despite its shortness, it has depth and strong enough songs to carry it. i love the wind instrument use here (especially in king of electric guitars and 13 bees). 13 bees, by the way, is one of the strongest visual songs i have every heard. i can litarally envision little elves and things running through some crazy forest when i listen to it. for those of you who have never heard of helium, i suggest you buy their masterpiece, the dirt of luck first. but if you already own that one, this is a sure buy. picture pink floyd meets indie-rock and you might have some idea of what this sounds like.
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Superball
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Helium Album Review:
Very good -- not just a single at 1999-12-17
First, it should be noted that the track listing given here on Amazon is incorrect: the tracks are 1) Superball; 2) What Institution are You From; 3) Lucky Charm; 4) #12 LEnfant; 5) I Am a Witch. This isnt really a single; its more of an EP with the song superball tacked on. This EP is a perfect complement to the superb Dirt of Luck album: the songs are alternately pretty and dark, sometimes at the same time; and every song is a keeper, not filler as might be expected from a single. This record is a necessary addition to any Helium fans collection, and if you havent heard any helium this is a fine way to begin.
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The Dirt Of Luck
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Helium Album Review:
This is magical music. at 2001-11-11
I agree with everything that anyone who has given this album five stars has said. This is rock and pop, but also very emotional, but not the paltry emo-punk that has been clogging airwaves. It is soothing and soaring and magical and blah blah blah, but it evokes as time which I have not been a part of, which would be that of any burgeoning alterative rock/indie scene in a city somewhere. Seattle or New York or San Francisco? Maybe. For ten dollars...geez. You are only too lucky if you buy this.
Helium Album Review:
Mary Timony is a goddess at 2002-08-15
I love early Helium and this CD as far as I am concerned is the best. My favorite track is medusa which exemplifies riot grrl rock. The lyrics hit heard and Mary Timonys trademark gravely voice is splendid. Buy this C.D. if you love riot grrl music, want to get into good riot grrl music, or if youve never heard Mary Timony before.
Helium Album Review:
Truly exceptional at 2002-02-27
This CD by a relatively little-known band, is truly amazing. People who listen to this CD love it, even if they dislike in general this kind of music. I am personally not at all a fan of alternative/rock etc. music but this is the best alternative CD of the 90s that I have heard, and one of my all-time favorite CDs.Too bad it looks like Helium is not making any more music. Their last CD, Magic City is OK too, but it lacks the magic of the dirt of luck.I have heard them once live in Middle East. They were too noisy, not as good as the CD.
Helium Album Review:
Call it Alt -rock one-stop-shopping at 2003-05-14
Not to sound flippant or anything--I absolutely adore this record; its one of my all-time faves. It also has eliminated the need, at least for me, to own several alt-rock classics--Loveless by My Bloody Valentine (whos austere, celestial guitar haze is evoked expertly on Babys Going Underground and Silver Angel) Slanted and Enchanted by Pavement (the dolorous, understated twang n hiss of Honeycomb , a track which also niftily does away with the need for Mazzy Star) and Dirty by Sonic Youth (Pats Trick and Medusa are effortlessly dead-cool--a perfect blend of distaff snarl and urban grit offhandedly intoned from behind Velvets fly shades). Lots of young bands wear thier influences proudly, especially on debuts, but Helium distill thiers in such a way that they end up with something fresh and thrilling. The Dirt of Luck is the sound of one young woman (Mary Timony-- the medieval indie-grrl of my dreams) getting together with a couple of friends, plugging in the distortion pedal, and deciding to rule the world--so long as they get done in time to hit the thrift stores before the wannabe-hipsters raid all the courderoy from the factory-seconds rack.
Helium Album Review:
A great find at 2003-06-22
Saw these guys on the 2nd stage at Lollapalooza in 1995. I was taking a break from watching the hip-hop bands they had thrown into the mix, and was mesmerized by these guys. Its pretty rare I see a band live that Ive never heard of -- to hear that band and be blown away, I couldnt believe it. I bought the CD immediately, and didnt stop playing it for 2 years.It has great lyrics, great music, great mood, great atmosphere, and just rocks. Mary Timony has such a unique sound, I still think mesmerizing is the best word for it.
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Pirate Prude
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Helium Album Review:
Good Album at 2005-05-01
When I was a teenager this album helped me deal with my very difficult and disturbed life. My sister gave it to me because she said it was too discordant for her.Now that Im a little less disturbed, I find I enjoy their late stuff better. This is still a really great album though. Please buy it, and share it with others, especially people younger than you, so that it doesnt get forgotten.
Helium Album Review:
THE best Helium Record and my opinion counts at 2003-12-05
This record has got to be their best. Its short but its got really great songs on it. If youre new to Helium upon first listen youll most likely think, hmmm, who are they ripping off but Helium was THE FIRST band like this. I mean, there were surely some bands along the way like Sonic Youth that influenced them as far as guitar driven noise goes but Helium was the first band to put together a sound like this. Whatever the heck theyre sound is ... they own it. My favorite Helium record. You wont be dissapointed. My best explanation of their sound you ask? Mary timony has a really sullen, beautiful, moderately deep voice with a real dead flat pitch to it much like a girl version of Michael Stipe. Almost like she lets out half voice and half air. Cant explain it any better then that. The music is ... noisy ... wall of sounds but with lots of calmness as well, but most all of their songs are dominated by single stringed melodies and thats the most unique thing about their sound. The one string sounding meldodies as opposed to chords. Im babbling ... listen to this record. Oh, and if youre depressed then youll like the record double and if youre not depressed then good for you.
Helium Album Review:
Like None Other at 2001-10-24
This album sets the mood for Helium. It is a sophisticated version of Veruca Salt. There is even a touch of Bjork on the end of Ill Get You, I mean It.In my opinion, Helium could either be considered like none other or a combination of everything. Le Tigre, Letters to Cleo, Veruca Salt,Portishead, etc.
Helium Album Review:
probably the best CD youve never heard! at 2000-01-07
Mary Timony doesnt even have to try to convince you of the bands rare form. They just plug in, pluck away and levitate with a sound that can only be described as their own. Still havent heard this disc? Go now. You MUST buy this!
Helium Album Review:
The soundtrack to any Kafka novel at 1999-10-15
A keeper and even better live. The juxtaposition of Mary Timonys beautiful voice accompanied by the wrenching sounds of real life confronts you with emotions when you want to hear more of the voice but cant quiet the sounds around it.
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