Bastard Life or Clarity

Amazon.com
Anyone who witnessed Sting's savagely comic diaper-wearing performance in Dune or heard Don Johnson's mid-'80s recordings can state with authority that actors and singers are generally safer within their own realms. There have been notable exceptions of course--Bowie in the Man Who Fell to Earth, for instance and, to a lesser extent, hunky actor Russell Crowe with TOFOG. An acronym for Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts, TOFOG finds Crowe singing and co-songwriting unremarkable, frequently downcast barroom rock along with an otherwise unknown squad of Aussie mates. Having set the bar relatively low, Crowe and his cohorts manage to acquit themselves here without too much damage, although their conceit of being just a bunch of regular Joes cranking out melodic, serviceable rock--a point driven home by frequent, chummy bits of between-song chat among the members--is a bit rich. Nevertheless, Crowe's voice is both pleasant and in tune and he's clearly reaching for poetic plateaus within his lyrics. Poppier songs such as "Sail Those Same Oceans" clip along on a strumming electric guitar part and TOFOG sweep the peanut shells up off the tavern floor in the careening "Things Have Got to Change." Bastard Life or Clarity only goes south when Crowe attempts to demonstrate how in touch he is with the female psyche (no, really) in the maudlin "Wendy." Every bit as silly as it sounds. --Kim Hughes

Product Description
2000 release from band featuring Russell Crowe, self-described as, 'Aussie folk', the critics describe it as sounding like an evolution from the Aussie pub rock tradition of Paul Kelly, Midnight Oil and Hunters & Collectors. Ten tracks including the radio only single, 'Things Have Got To Change'.

Bastard Life or Clarity,Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts,Artemis Records,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Bastard Life or Clarity

Average customer rating:

Why did he venture into music?
Surpisingly Good!
My Comments on Russel Crowe's Music
TOFOG makes the world go round
Just plain good music

Bastard Life or Clarity
30 Odd Foot of Grunts
Manufacturer: Artemis Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

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Folk Rock | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Other Ways of Speaking
Gaslight
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No Way Back
Crossing (1992)

ASIN: B00005OLCM
Release Date: 2001-09-18

Tracks:

Things Have Got To Change
Memorial Day
Hold You
Sail Those Same Oceans
The Legend of Barry Kable
Somebody Else's Princess
Wendy
The Night That Davey Hit The Train
Swept Away Bayou (Facing The Headlights Alone)
Judas Cart

Amazon.com

Anyone who witnessed Sting's savagely comic diaper-wearing performance in Dune or heard Don Johnson's mid-'80s recordings can state with authority that actors and singers are generally safer within their own realms. There have been notable exceptions of course--Bowie in the Man Who Fell to Earth, for instance and, to a lesser extent, hunky actor Russell Crowe with TOFOG. An acronym for Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts, TOFOG finds Crowe singing and co-songwriting unremarkable, frequently downcast barroom rock along with an otherwise unknown squad of Aussie mates. Having set the bar relatively low, Crowe and his cohorts manage to acquit themselves here without too much damage, although their conceit of being just a bunch of regular Joes cranking out melodic, serviceable rock--a point driven home by frequent, chummy bits of between-song chat among the members--is a bit rich. Nevertheless, Crowe's voice is both pleasant and in tune and he's clearly reaching for poetic plateaus within his lyrics. Poppier songs such as "Sail Those Same Oceans" clip along on a strumming electric guitar part and TOFOG sweep the peanut shells up off the tavern floor in the careening "Things Have Got to Change." Bastard Life or Clarity only goes south when Crowe attempts to demonstrate how in touch he is with the female psyche (no, really) in the maudlin "Wendy." Every bit as silly as it sounds. --Kim Hughes

Album Description

2000 release from band featuring Russell Crowe, self-described as, 'Aussie folk', the critics describe it as sounding like an evolution from the Aussie pub rock tradition of Paul Kelly, Midnight Oil and Hunters & Collectors. Ten tracks including the radio only single, 'Things Have Got To Change'.

Customer Reviews:

Why did he venture into music?.......2006-06-30

I'm almost terrified to write this review for the fact he might come beat me up.

Come ON, people... this is just another side of Crowe's ego thinking he is some wonderful thing. Yes, he's a good actor, but singer? The songs are less than mildly pleasing and he has absolutely NO depth to his voice whatsoever. I would never recommend this to anyone, and just might go back to listening to Telly Savalas' 'If'.

Surpisingly Good!.......2005-10-02

As others have implied in other reviews, it's true, we wouldn't know about this band had it not been for Russell Crowe. That being true, it does not take away from the credibility of the band itself, they make excellent music and put on a great live show.

My favourite tracks are "Things Have Got to Change" -- this has a really good horn solo on it, "Sail Those Same Oceans" which has a great theme (also a great video), "Somebody Else's Princess" very upbeat, & "Wendy".

My Comments on Russel Crowe's Music.......2005-08-07

Russel Crowe has a deep, haunting (beautiful)voice that is perfect for the style of this CD. His band, by the way - is musically superb. These are not amatures. And neither is Russell Crowe. He is honest and heartfelt - and since he isn't out pimping himself taking money for uncool ads abroad(like so many other 'celebrities')that, in my book, makes him credible all the way. By the way, the lower and deeper he sings - the better!

TOFOG makes the world go round.......2004-10-25

I saw them (TOFOG) on Soundstage (PBS) and fell in love. I mean, their music reaches me more than Crowe's acting - Although he is amazing at that too! I listen to this CD everyday on my way to work, and must recommend it to all.
Good listening!

Just plain good music.......2003-08-22

WOW. Attitude adjustment: The thinking should not be "What? Russell Crowe, the actor, can sing?" but rather "What? Russell Crowe, the singer, can act?" At the risk of being redundant, wow. If sex had a voice, it would sound like Russell Crowe, but that's just my opinion (I could be wrong). Interestingly, when I went to (many) music stores today to find more by this group (I am wearing out this CD...), only one had any of their CD's. I then discovered that "Gaslight" seems to be this same CD but with a few more songs--don't know if any are missing, I just glanced and moved on when I saw all the duplications. You might want to look into that.

Average customer rating:

bastard life or clarity
how lucky can you get?
Grunts Rock!
Soooooo good!!!
Russell can rock!

Bastard Life or Clarity
30 Odd Foot of Grunts
Manufacturer: Stomp Oz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Other Ways of Speaking
Gaslight
30 Odd Foot of Grunts - Texas
The Silver Stallion: King of the Wild Brumbies (Parents Choice Award)
A Good Year (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00005ATIH
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Tracks:

Things Have Got to Change
Memorial Day:
Hold You
Sail Those Same Oceans
The Legend of Barry Kable
Somebody Else's Princess
Wendy
The Night Davey Hit the Train
Swept Away Bayou (Facing the Headlights Alone)
Judas Cart

Album Description

Aussie edition of 2000 release from band featuring Russell Crowe, released two months ahead of the U.S.. Self-described as, 'Aussie folk', the critics describe it as soundling like an evolution from the Aussie pub rock tradition of Paul Kelly, Midnight Oil and Hunters & Collectors. Ten tracks including the radio only single, 'Things Have Got To Change'. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

30 Odd Foot of Grunts (Or TOFOG as they are known to their fans) consists of Russell Crowe, Dean Cochran, Garth Adam, Dave Kelly, Dave Wilkins & Stewart Kirwan. The band describes their music as 'Australian folk' while others have described it as sounding like an evolution from the Australian pub rock tradition of Paul Kelly, Midnight Oil & Hunters & Collectors.

Customer Reviews:

bastard life or clarity.......2002-10-07

This is one of the best cd I own. I love it. Can't say enought about it other than most of the songs are about something personal that has happen to the band. Russel Crowe wrote most of the songs and they are great. I think he sings as well as he does movies. He enjoys it and it shows. His voice is great and the songs give you a since of who he is as person. I very loving man. I hope hollywood never changes him..

how lucky can you get?.......2002-07-25

How lucky can Russell Crowe fans get? No need to wade through poorly conducted interviews by writers with a point to make - just listen to the stories and let Russ and his mates tell us what they are thinking. OK, so I only gave it 4 stars, but that is because it is too short. If you are a musical purist, you will hate it, but if you are into odd lyrics or what makes Russell Crowe tick, buy this CD. - To paraphrase the lead singer - I really don't need this, I can get the same satisfaction from writing and recording the songs without producing a CD. Unfortunately, the same thing that provides my mates with a platform for performance is the same thing that keeps them from being taken seriously, me. Yes, we are lucky.

Grunts Rock!.......2002-04-25

This is an exciting album! Wistful melodies, bring on the medal rock, a hint of zydeco, belted out ballads with a touch of gaelic for depth on one song. Each song has a story. They are all different. But the journey through the CD is wonderful and complete! I love the fact that these guys play an assortment of "styles" of music. And all done really well!

How they sound on the CD is how they sound live! Their music is what it is-pure unadulterated guitars, drums and horn. Sung from the heart, played from the heart. A talented group of guys!

Soooooo good!!!.......2002-04-11

I just received my "Bastard Life or Charity" CD and I just love it! Russell has such a husky, sexy voice. TOFOG is a really good music group. I was surpised at what a good beat the songs have.

Can't wait to order their other CD's.

Ricki Best
Quincy, CA

Russell can rock!.......2002-03-29

This is a MUST HAVE for any Russell Crowe fan. The more you listen to it, the more you'll enjoy it. Now if they would only go on tour again.....