Send "Bell X1 " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Popmatters |
 It’s pretty safe to conclude at this point that remaining members of Juniper (now known as Bell X1) have emerged out of the shadows of “that band that Damien Rice used to be in.” Probably because Damien Rice’s own solo career has taken a nose dive into obscurity—his last album was 9 back in 2006. That’s not to say that Bell X1 has made a monumental name for themselves. Instead, those that gave them a chance based on their past affiliation with Rice have stuck around based on the merits of the band’s own music. Kind of like Courtney Love, well…sort of.I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of Bell X1. Like many before me, I discovered them through a loose connection between some vague or nondescript movie soundtrack, and although I enjoyed that one song (I can no longer recall), they failed to impact my musical perceptions in any significant way. 2011’s Bloodless Coup does the same. The problem with Bell X1 isn’t that they’re boring, but rather unmemorable. They don’t completely repel the ear in the way that Snow Patrol or Keane does, but they also don’t possess that spicy nugget of what the French call “I don’t know what.” They are a music by numbers fair that occasionally achieves glimpses of wonderfulness, but to listen to a full length album more than one or two times can become monotonously boring endeavour. They are a singles band at best. With Bloodless Coup the band has tapped into the increasing popularity of infusing electro influences into the mix. The electro is in full swing with the stellar opening number “Hey Anna Lena”, a confusing little number. The electro, however, is almost completely absent in the ridiculous lead single “Velcro”, which effectively sums up the banality that band is finding impossible to overcome. In it, lead singer Paul Noonan sings about the woes of youth and how they “jones” for WiFi to steal TV shows—I know, there is actually a song about this now. ...full text |
| State |
| Bell X1 have built up hype around the release of Bloodless Coup in a very clever manner. The band premiered new songs during their acoustic tour last Autumn, but performed in raw arrangements of just vocals, piano and acoustic guitar it was hard to gauge what direction they were taking. When a preview of ‘Hey Anna Lena’ was revealed it was met with widespread praise from fans and non-fans alike, it seemed that perhaps the band were taking a whole new route. Then, in subsequent contrast, along came lead single ‘Velcro’, the kind of trademark Bell X1 bouncy catchy pop track we’re all so familiar with. An intriguing juxtaposition. The album is essentially an amalgamation of everything Bell X1 have proven they can do well. Easily identifiable singles with radio airplay firmly in their sights, poignant reflective ballads which will evolve into anthemic crowd-pleasers once the band take the album on tour, personal narrative lyrics laced with quirky Irish colloquialisms – and a couple of tracks that break from the norm of a band consistently keen to diversify. ‘Hey Anna Lena’ is a brave choice of first track. At the risk of alienating old-school Bell X1 fans, Bloodless Coup opens with a blissful piece of atmospheric electronica. ‘Velcro’ and ‘Sugar High’ are both incredibly catchy, and the natural single choices. ‘Built to Last’ sees David Geraghty take over lead vocal duties– a welcome change, although his voice will eternally be in the shadow of Paul Noonan’s it is deserving of prominence in its own right....full text |
| Goldenplec |
| I know how I felt on that Baltic Friday morning at the end of January, one of those terrible mornings where you wish you were still in college, turn over and ignore. Topical at the time was research that highlighted our generation’s obsessive tendencies to check our social media accounts first thing when we wake and last thing before we sleep. Ever the slave to trends I followed suit and at 6:20am noticed an email from a seldom seen contact. Bell X1 had a new album (which we were made aware of in March of 2010) on the cards, some dates scheduled for gigs and a sound cloud preview of their first track “Hey Anna Lena.” I remember the excitement when opening it; see that some people had inserted their comments at certain points in the song. I read them, “nice build” here, “love the kick” in there. When I listened to the track I had that tension balance, that attentive ear and the anticipation of hearing a new favorite. That was as good as it got, bounded anticipation. The song was certainly exploring new boundaries, but it was, quite simply, boring. That was my first impression and as I went to work invariably deflated yet still planning which date I would go to see Bell X1 on, I went through some of the 170+ songs I have of theirs on my iPod. Some live versions, some unreleased and some of the more forgetful numbers. These include a version of “White water song” that see’s Paul with the rarest error of mixing up his vocals. The great Flock b-sides of “Here she comes” and “Still selling shoes;” my absolute favorite live version of “I’ll see your heart ..” with the Flaming lips “Do you realize” serving as a compelling execution; the “Monkey 61” of Music in Mouth along with my absolute favorite Bell X1 song “Nobody Moves Me” alongside the haunting “U in the Stars.” I suppose the consolation for me was that Bell X1 are not simply confined by what they have released or their studio albums, but defined in equal measure to what they haven’t released. This was going to be my solace should the seemingly inevitable happen. I also remember the day I downloaded the single “Velcro,” which has all the qualities of the likes of “Blue Lights on the Runway” and in particular “How Your Heart Is Wired” with the colloquial lyrical insight of a semi-buzzed conversation in a pub, with the energy to match it. That’s what I thought had become of the new Bell X1, it’s only semi-buzzed, you never really felt the music was overwhelming you anymore. So when me and Aidan played “Guess what I’ve got,” for a few minutes, ultimately revealing it was Bloodless Coup, I was almost resigned. At that stage the album was reviewer-less and being an avid fan, I of course took it, but with a sense of unease that I might have to defy my 18 year old self and be brutal to the cult band of my early adulthood....full text |
Bell X1 lyrics
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