Oh, your cello’s on fire.
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[5.33]
Iain Mew: It seems ridiculous to say about something with that cello, those chimes and all those lyrical shadows and flames and rain, but this is actually quite low key. I initially kept expecting bombastic guitars to arrive or the singer to really start roaring. But no, the stately restraint is never allowed to slip. As a result it’s not that exciting, but it builds up a certain power which rewards further listens.
[6]
Edward Okulicz: Usually when a rock or metal band dials the volume down but still shoots for intensity with acoustic instruments, it doesn’t quite work. Here, it does, and Takida have produced an oddly powerful bit of pop. With heavy cellos replacing heavy guitars, “You Learn” is appropriately pensive and slightly graceful at the same time. In fact, that it never really climaxes and just broods only leaves me wanting more; it is an epic in three minutes.
[8]
Anthony Easton: Does the Bonnie Tyler trick of making 3 minutes of drama seem like 10 minutes of operatic hysterics; this might be a good thing.
[6]
Brad Shoup: I can’t shake the feeling that this could have been a fantastic trance track, instead of what it is: a Babelfish-assisted Dave Gahan tribute.
[3]
Katherine St Asaph: The cellos flare like sails, the rest of the orchestration arrays itself like the stateliest breeze, and Takida stands amid it all, voice steady as planted feet. In other words, this does for me what that One Direction song does for the kids. Leave me my likes.
[7]
Alex Ostroff: All of the corniness of One Direction’s string section, with added purposeful cellos to complement the Drums-of-Intense-Sports-Victory. What? That sounded slightly more pleasant than British boyband claptrap? Ah, right. I neglected to mention that the vocals have been graciously contributed by Creed.
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