Natalie Merchant - Motherland
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Free Music Notes for Motherland
Free Music Review: Merchant delivers AGAIN.
Hit: 5 Stars
Most of today's musical artists don't write their own material. Most artists are constantly seeking that extra dollar. Most artists don't take on such weighty causes as homelessness, religious freedom, self-image, and abortion rights. Most artists are never quoted regularly in textbooks and scholarly journals. Most artists who leave a band to go solo rarely regain their former magic. Well, most artists aren't Natalie Merchant, who, on her third studio solo album, "Motherland," lives up to her bill as representing all that is good and true in pop-alternative-folk rock. "Motherland" is an exquisite display of Merchant's talent: her corduroy voice coupled with poetic verse (can anyone deny she's the best lyric-writer of the past ten years?) shines throughout the album, in what will undoubtedly go down as her most ambitious work to date.
In "The Ballad of Henry Darger," Merchant's voice sends us chills as she eulogizes a relatively unknown folk artist (whose 15,000 page epic, discovered only after his death, is now on display at the American Folk Art Museum in New York): "Who'll tell the story of him, Henry Darger, Henry Darger/Who'll tell it all to the world/Henry, Henry, Oh Henry/Oh Henry." The centerpiece of the album, this song is worthy of Merchant's other middle-album songs written in the past, such as the haunting "I May Know the Word" (Tigerlily, 1995) and evocative "My Skin"(Ophelia, 1998).
Make no mistake, "Motherland" is not a collection of somber ballads (though, coming from her I doubt many would really mind). In "Tell Yourself," Merchant comes to the rescue of the typical American teen who finds themselves constantly up against the likes of glitzy boy-girl bands: "Tell yourself that you're not pretty/Look at you/You're beautiful/Tell yourself that no one sees/ Plain Jane, invisible me/Just Tell yourself/Tell Yourself/You'll never be like the anorexic cuties in the magazine." Again, she comes back with more comforts in her upbeat single "Just Can't Last": "If I could just explain it/If I could help you understand/I can see that your hurting/ Way down like a beast of burden/About to break your back/God only knows that you're human/Believe me they don't understand/That you have the weight of the world on your back."
"Motherland" also has elements of reggae, folk, and funk instilled in it, thanks mainly to legendary producer T-Bone Burnett (Counting Crows, "O Brother Where Art Thou?) and help from The Wallflowers, talented folk songstress Gillian Welsh, and alternative-rock icons such as Freedy Johnston. At times the album sounds straight out of 1960's soul and 1970's reggae -- the first track, "This House is On Fire" could have been written by Bob Marley -- yet it is ever so relevant: in this age of thoughtless lyrics and top-40 tunes, Merchant's music stands up against cliche, commercialism, and just plain bad music.
Free Music Review: She's really hitting her stride
Hit: 5 Stars
Now it all makes a lot more sense. After first hearing Tigerlilly, I was fearful that Miss Merchant's split from 10,000 Maniacs was a mistake. It only really produced two good songs: one that worked because it followed the alterna-pop sound of her Maniacs days (Wonder), and one that provided something new (Carnival). Then, Ophelia came along and was solid, yet seemed a bit tentative, as if Miss Merchant was finding her solo voice but occassionally seemed self-conscious about the new direction her music was taking. Now, with Motherland, Miss Merchant has achieved the confidence and originality that her split with the Maniacs promised. Now I can see that Tigerlilly was the music of an artist still trying to find her new direction, Ophelia was a first step in that direction (and really, the album that Tigerlilly should have been), and now we get to enjoy the fruits of all of that labor. Motherland works on so many levels, it is difficult to cover them all. Miss Merchant has achieved the rare of feat of including a very, very wide array of musical styles and moods without a single gaff. Usually such ambitious albums result in a few tracks that I, after a few listens, fall victim to CD technology's ability to skip tracks immediately, but this album remains strong from beginnning to end. Whether incorporating reggae, blues, gospel, folk, etc., etc., she pulls it off with subtlety, grace, and artistry. The variety, however, is not restrained to the musical styles. Motherland includes tonal shifts as varied as the direct musical influences, and the subjects of the lyrics are also very different from song to song. And these lyrics might be her best yet (no small feat considering Ophelia's lyrics, which were the highpoint of an already strong album). Where her older work tended to be a bit heavy handed in its attempt to convey a message, the lyrics on Motherland are poetic and beautiful while conveying equally, if not more important social messages through word choice and mood rather than overt statement. Not only are the lyrics wonderful on their own, though, they also blend with the music in really interesting ways. This is not to say that Miss Merchant's trademark of combinig happy music with sad words is gone, but now it is accomplished in a way that enhances both the music and the lyrics instead of simply providing a quirky poitn of interest. If there is anything worthy of criticism it would be that occassionally the more powerfully delivered vocals can sound a bit harsh and strained, but this is a very minor quible with an othereise spectacular album. I always enjoyed being a Natalie Merchant fan because her social message and activism make it hard not to like her, and her live performances are always amazing. Now, with very good and one great studio album to her credit, there can be no doubt that she can also inspire fandom with her solo music.Free Music Review: "Motherland" is Natalie Merchant's Best Album So Far
Hit: 5 Stars
Too often, Natalie Merchant is criticized for being too moody, too depressed and too pretentious. To many of us, she is too wonderful. Beyond that otherworldy voice, her music offers many gifts and MOTHERLAND advances that tradition as much as any fan or even casual music listener could hope. "This House Is On Fire" and "The Worst Thing" suggest that Merchant has began to dip into the well of Arabic rhythms and Spanish-flavored classical guitar, respectively. "Saint Judas" and "Build A Levee" make good on her debut album's promise that she can sing the blues (see TIGERLILY's track: "San Andreas Fault") with conviction and passion. The album ending "I'm Not Gonna Beg" is both languid country and subversively gospel. Even her very-OPHELIAesque tracks "Henry Darger", "Golden Boy" and the timely, gorgeous title track are bolder than that album's beautiful, haunted chamber music. Perhaps producer T Bone Burnett is responsible for breathing a little space and adventure into Natalie's soundscape (both of the earlier solo studio albums were self-produced) and MOTHERLAND glows with his attention.
Too often, Merchant's radio hits have felt a bit compromised. OPHELIA's "Kind & Generous" was catchy and nice but lyrically slight. TIGERLILY's "Jealousy" always seemed like just a lark in the Merchant canon (she never performs it anymore) and even that album's biggest hit, "Carnival", works much better live where Merchant's whirling dervish antics distract from the band's often irritating percussion.
It is with great relief that two of MOTHERLAND's most commercial tracks are two of its best. "Just Can't Last", already an Adult Top 40 favorite, provides the melodic uplift of "Wonder" while plainly updating the helping hand sentiments of her 10,000 Maniacs' song, "Trouble Me". And "Tell Yourself", a semi-sequel to Merchant's own sweeping "Life is Sweet", is Natalie at her most political while being her most personal. When she sings, "Tell yourself that you're not pretty, look at you, you're beautiful", it is a pop music revelation simply because it identifies beauty in the listener instead of the singer.
MOTHERLAND, like all of Merchant's work, tends to grow richer, more endearing with each listen. Merchant herself thinks it's her best album so far and, while it may very well be, I would dread ever having to make that choice.
Free Music Review: A work by Natalie Merchant!
Hit: 5 Stars
I am amazed by the reviews given to this well crafted album.Natalie's voice,versatile and appropriate,is ridiculed by arrogant and ignorant "fans".Rewind to the early 80's and up to present with "House Carpenter's daughter"The using and appropriation of the voice delivery is base on time,message and content,of course they probably did not figure that out.I attend all her concerts here in Southern California and I always put a review on Rollingstone,she ALWAYS DELIVERS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING LIVE PERFORMANCE BY AN ARTIST! a treasure for every fan,in contrary to others who claim to see her.Motherland is a CD full of knowledge and direction,it is not pretentious,unless you are not willing to accept the truth about the myth of America! 1.House is on fire-election stolen,seattle anti globalization,iraq occupation etc..2 Motherland-urbanization of modern day America,corporate greed and capitalism..3.Saint Judas-lynching in the south,discrimination..4.Put the law-battered women,abuse...5.Build a levee-a sisterly advise 6.Golden boy-power of media to deceived,to tell the lies and voracity for tabloid news 7,Henry Darger-an artist that we need to study more 8.The worst thing-a motherly advise 9.Tell yourself-exactly whats going on with most teenagers-anorexic,dress like prostitutes,billion dollar marketing how one should look like..10.Just cant last-our own experience..11.Not in this life-our own experience..11.I am not gonna beg-just be honest,the truth...T-bone Burnett is just a producer,Motherland is sole work of Natalie,10,000 maniacs is not Natalie Merchant,if you listen the way the band composed their music(although Natalie wrote most of it),what I am trying to say is when Natalie was part of 10,000 maniacs,they were 10,000 maniacs,when she started solo with Tigerlily,then Ophelia,then Live in Concert,then Motherland,then House carpenter daughter, she is Natalie Merchant!She wrote over 100 poetic,literate and socially conscious song for over 2 decades,she proved that she don't need a "hit" single,nor a popularity contest "Grammy",she is an artist of exceptional quality,she is underrated, she defies media hipocracy,she is a peace activist,a human and animal rights supporter,a poet and a voice thru her songs of the unheard.Free Music Review: Motherland Showcases Merchant's Continuing Maturity
Hit: 5 Stars
Those who may have too easily--and incorrectly--dismissed Natalie Merchant as a lightweight sort of pop diva will have more trouble with the release of Natalie's latest CD. "Motherland" is darker, more heavy lyrically and more ominous than the more pop-laden "Tigerlily" or the mellow and somewhat brooding "Ophelia," which was an outstanding CD. But this one is even better. Natalie's voice has become just a little bit deeper and richer. The lyrics of most of the CD's tracks deal with anger or bitterness, whether because of the mistreatment of women, loss in love or making unwise choices. "Tell Yourself" may be the CD's most paradoxical track; over a rather pop-sounding instrumental track, Merchant's lyrics speak about the many lies perpetrated by society and the media on women and their roles. "Just Can't Last" may be the most uplifting, despite its mention of hurting and being weighed down. For, as Natalie tells us, "it can't last"--and we believe her. "Put the Law on You" is a standout for, if nothing else, David Ralicke's tenor sax. Mavis Staples adds dpeth and counterpoint to Natalie's vocals on two cuts: "Saint Judas," a great indictment of bigotry in the guise of religious zealotry, and "Build A Levee," a great song about self-protection. "This House is on Fire" showcases Natalie's new richness of voice at its best, while "Golden Boy" asks us to contemplate the latest male rage out of tinseltown and what made him that way.This is a CD of great depth and power; with each listen I find myself becoming more and more engrossed in the nuances of Natalie Merchant's lyrics. If you are expecting Top 40 hits and jangly melodies, they aren't here. But what is here is a CD of great depth that will easily stand up to repeated listenings and, in fact, grow on the listener until it becomes truly haunting. "Motherland" is a masterpiece for those willing to take the time to listen and to appreciate what it has to say.