The Czars blew in from Denver out of nowhere last year with their critically acclaimed UK debut Before…but longer, and then they were gone. It wasn’t only the press who were captivated by the voice and songs of John Grant. First, 16Horsepower invited the band to tour Europe, then David Gray heard the album and called the band up at home in Colorado and insisted they come to the UK as his special guests on his tour in November/December 2000.

After such a boost, the band returned to Denver in early 2001 to begin recording songs for the follow-up album, with producers Simon Raymonde & Giles Hall. The Ugly People vs. The Beautiful People was born, a work of great depth and scope, steeped in country and classic song writing.

The album’s stunning opener Drug is the most bittersweet love song you’ll hear this year. The smoky, angelic voice of Grant is simply sublime. It seems so easy, almost effortless, yet his lyrics often indicate a dark, troubled soul. Seconds later, the storm breaks as Side Effect thunders in from the east and Grant tells us to “Take a look at me, give me everything you’ve got, if it’s not enough, make me everything you’re not.” Reminiscent of the best parts of Magazine’s Correct Use Of Soap, with a gloriously catchy chorus, Side Effect should be a radio hit. And so too should the third track - as the harmonica of Killjoy begins, this is killer-pop, kind of Beach Boys meets Roy Orbison: “Just one vice, is all any man needs to keep him happy. My advice? Why not take two or three, if you’re feeling lucky.”

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What they said about ‘Before…but longer’
NME Single Of The Week “ ‘Val’ is a magnificent, tremulous, achingly vulnerable country-jazz lullaby full of quiet epiphanies and elemental passions. This is music for skipping through a golden field of sun-ripened corn to before suddenly stumbling across a dead body. And very fine indeed. ”
NME Album (8/10) “ ‘Before….but longer’ ” is embittered, dramatic, fragile yet utterly self-assured, the dismal memories of yesterday replayed with graceful majesty.” MOJO Album Of The Month “ Profoundly romantic and tinged with an outsider’s cynicism, these songs cut deep.”
Q Magazine (4/5) “…it’s a vocal paradise. This is special.”
Select magazine (4/5) “ At long last-the missing link between Gram Parsons and Will Oldham. The Czars deftly combine the whiskey-sozzled yearning of Grand Ole Opry-style country with sumptuous layers of sound that are more Tortoise than ten-gallon hat. ”
The Guardian Live Review “ one of those rare moments where the expectation is surpassed by the reality. Grant’s voice in this setting illuminates the stark realities of our more complex selves. A new song “ What Used To Be A Human ” took my breath away, quite literally. ”

Releases

• Sorry I Made You Cry - album, out 06/02/2006 on Bella Union. 1 review (read/post)
• The Ugly People Vs. The Beautiful People - album, out 12/11/2001 on Bella Union. 1 review (read/post)
• Before but longer - album, out 07/08/2000 on Bella Union. 1 review (read/post)

Past events

• Mon 25 Sep at London Monto Water Rats. 1 review (read/post)

Features

• 05/04/2007: Label Focus #3: Bella Union

Links

• The Czars - Official Website

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