In many ways, it's like Natalie Merchant never took a seven year absence. In her new album, she still produces intelligent lyrics with lush instrumentation coupled with her elegant voice that just seems to get better with time. Her new album feels like the natural successor to 2001's "Motherland" despite the long gulf of years between the two albums.
The self-titled album's main theme shares much in common with her old song "Life Is Sweet." Many of the songs point to the hardships of life and the importance of enjoying what little happiness we can find and ignoring the bitterness. As things stand now, our hardships seem evident and increasing, and there is nothing that will alleviate it anytime soon. "It's A-Coming" promises change but only after much suffering and upheaval.
Among my favorites are the glorious "Go Down Moses" and the bold "Giving Up Everything." This album is very dense, layers upon layers, and it will not likely win you over at first listen, but it is a very rewarding experience for repeat listenings. It will at least lend you some comfort and, perhaps, a little hope.
Showing posts with label Natalie Merchant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Natalie Merchant. Show all posts
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
Natalie Merchant's New "Natalie Merchant" Album: Now With More Natalie Merchant Music
Silly title aside, I've been meaning to dust off the old blog for some random writing exercises, and what better way than to celebrate Natalie's Merchant's newest album. I'm going to avoid a few superficial disagreements I have with the album and not even mention the whole gap between albums thing.
Point of fact, Natalie's back, and her voluptuous voice is as stunning as ever. The fusion of orchestra and more traditional band sounds makes for a heady combination, but make no mistake. This is not another "Leave Your Sleep." Its tone and themes are much more sombre this time around.
These songs were cultivated during that long interim, her first foray into motherhood.
Natalie, promise us it won't be another four years until you grace us with your lyrical genius.
Point of fact, Natalie's back, and her voluptuous voice is as stunning as ever. The fusion of orchestra and more traditional band sounds makes for a heady combination, but make no mistake. This is not another "Leave Your Sleep." Its tone and themes are much more sombre this time around.
These songs were cultivated during that long interim, her first foray into motherhood.
Natalie, promise us it won't be another four years until you grace us with your lyrical genius.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
CD Review: "Leave Your Sleep"
I have nothing but respect for Natalie Merchant. This has less to do with her immense songwriting abilities, than the fact she walked away from her award-winning (I'm assuming) career to raise her newborn daughter. Not that she's been sitting on her hands for the past seven years. (Are people even familiar with that expression anymore?)
Within that period of time, Merchant slowly complied the songs that would eventually make up the 2-CD album "Leave Your Sleep." The concept of the album is to put various poetry to music so Merchant could bring the poetry "to life" for her daughter. And whatever you say about the album or the songs, everything is meticulously made from the 80 page hardcover book to each song dense with exotic instrumentation.
One of its greatest strengths (and possibly its greatest weakness) is the diverseness of the songs. "Leave Your Sleep" covers pretty much all of the genres from Beatlesesque pop ("It Makes A Change") to folksy ("Calico Pie") and something more familiar to Merchant's style ("Griselda"). This helps maintain the listener's interest through the almost two hours of music, but hardcore Merchant fans probably wanted something less "House Carpenter's Daughter" and more in the vein of "Tigerlily."
"Nursery Rhyme of Innocence and Experience" might have been groomed to be the single of the album, if it weren't for the cumbersome title, lengthiness, and the fact this album is not aimed at the current trends of bubblegum pop. The sheer wealth of woodwinds, acoustic guitars, strings, and even accordians account for that.
I have always been a fan of Merchant's "Motherland," her last non-cover album in 2001, and I am a little disappointed that she released what it is essentially a cover album, but the amount of effort involved (not to mention the number of musicians) is breathtaking and rewarding to the listener willing to pick up the album.
I hope that it will not be another seven years before we hear from the ever talented Natalie Merchant. B+
Appendix: iTunes has an exclusive bonus track "Mother Hubbard." (You're supposed to be above things like this, Natalie!)
Within that period of time, Merchant slowly complied the songs that would eventually make up the 2-CD album "Leave Your Sleep." The concept of the album is to put various poetry to music so Merchant could bring the poetry "to life" for her daughter. And whatever you say about the album or the songs, everything is meticulously made from the 80 page hardcover book to each song dense with exotic instrumentation.
One of its greatest strengths (and possibly its greatest weakness) is the diverseness of the songs. "Leave Your Sleep" covers pretty much all of the genres from Beatlesesque pop ("It Makes A Change") to folksy ("Calico Pie") and something more familiar to Merchant's style ("Griselda"). This helps maintain the listener's interest through the almost two hours of music, but hardcore Merchant fans probably wanted something less "House Carpenter's Daughter" and more in the vein of "Tigerlily."
"Nursery Rhyme of Innocence and Experience" might have been groomed to be the single of the album, if it weren't for the cumbersome title, lengthiness, and the fact this album is not aimed at the current trends of bubblegum pop. The sheer wealth of woodwinds, acoustic guitars, strings, and even accordians account for that.
I have always been a fan of Merchant's "Motherland," her last non-cover album in 2001, and I am a little disappointed that she released what it is essentially a cover album, but the amount of effort involved (not to mention the number of musicians) is breathtaking and rewarding to the listener willing to pick up the album.
I hope that it will not be another seven years before we hear from the ever talented Natalie Merchant. B+
Appendix: iTunes has an exclusive bonus track "Mother Hubbard." (You're supposed to be above things like this, Natalie!)
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