Natalie Merchant - Ophelia
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Free Music Notes for Ophelia
Free Music Review: natalie is in a class by herself
Hit: 5 Stars
You have to hand it to Natalie Merchant; no one out there even comes close to her original lyricism and layered musical production. she stands out in what can sometimes become a truly pop-oriented wasteland of singers. I bought "Ophelia" based on sampling the first track at a Border's bookstore. I was mesmerized as she sang. Then last night, I got the chance to hear her live at a concert I attended. She opened the night with her first track, "Ophelia." The heavy drums that pounded the music into your head reminded me why I bought her album in the first place. Natalie Merchant will do her music and enjoy her music. Seeing her onstage reflected that attitude she emits on her recordings. She knows that she can get down on herself, but she is going to have a good time anyways. Her album is at times forlorn, but is ultimately sentimental and touchingly deep. Some songs make me cry and cause regret, others make me happy to still be breathing. This album is a stellar achievement from an artist who still knows how to make music courageously personal.Free Music Review: NATALIE'S BEST
Hit: 5 Stars
I have to say this cd is not for casual listening. That is to say, you can't put it on and appreciate it while you're driving or cleaning the house. It's also not for the casual Natalie Merchant fan. It takes time to absorb this cd as a whole and listen to the beautiful lyrics and music. How deceving to release "Kind and Generous" as the first single. It's light, peppy melody and "la la la" chorus are the only light hearted moments on the cd. "My Skin" tells the tale of an insecure woman with some disease. Cancer? What a wonderful perfomance on this song. Wonderful melody, piano playing and vocals. "Life is Sweet" was the follow up single, but not as successful as the first one. It basically contains a keep your chin up message. "When they Ring Them Golden Bells" is a traditional folk song that gets a beautiful treatment, and wouldn't sound out of place on her more recent cd of folk music. Check this cd out after "Tigerlily" and "Motherland". Then promptly get every one of 10.000 Maniacs cd's.Free Music Review: Adjectives don't do justice
Hit: 5 Stars
Upon first listening to this CD- it was the first one I listened to by MS. Merchant- I was struck by the depth it had. When you turn on stations like MTV and see what they have to offer (which, to be precise, consists mainly of shallow, superficial "artists"), and then listen to this CD, it becomes apparent that while some critics have dismissed her efforts, she remains so much more affecting then most any other artist out there."My Skin" is a song I feel compelled to discuss in this review. It's the most haunting song I've ever heard, and yes, while it is sad, it also contains hope.
Of course, there are other excellent tracks as well, but other reviewers have already mentioned those. While it is a serious disk- for the most part- it is far from the word "gloomy" as a critic neglected to say. It is sensuous, at times moving.
This is powerful music, and I'm glad Merchant chose this new, more mature sound- it suits her nicely, and shows her growth.
4.6 stars for musicianship.
Free Music Review: Natalie Merchant at her best
Hit: 5 Stars
"Ophelia" is truly one of the most beatiful albums I've ever listened to. Comprised mostly of slow and often times sad ballads, "Ophelia" will touch your heart. The song "My Skin" is my album favorite, for its rich vocals and piano backing and sad, beautiful tune. While there are more upbeat songs like "Life is Sweet", "Break your Heart", and "Kind and Generous", Natalie again and again returns to her sad side, with songs like "effigy" and "the Living", where she laments, "and i don't care to stay with the living..." The piano is simply a beautiful instrument and when backed by drums and strings, the overall sound is truly heart wrenching. This album is definately not for people who want fast, dancable, up beat music. Instead it is for people who are soul-searching, people who are lost, people who have been hurt, or just anyone capable of feeling any emotion at all. this is the album.Free Music Review: A 6-star rate, if it were possible
Hit: 5 Stars
Superb!!! Brilliant!!! I was mesmerized in my 1st listening, which lasted for approximately three hours as I kept going over and over "King of May" (my absolute favorite), "Kind & Generous", "Break your heart" and "Frozen Charlotte". Merchant keeps an intelligent and sometimes obscure poise, while still making the songs available. The melodies and orchestration are sincerely emotional and her voice is just pure perfection. I agree that songs may feel interlocked if listened at one sitting (which in any case is a positive quality since albums need to be treated as a whole) but I must say that, far from sounding depressing, the album exhales a general note of subtle happiness. I definitely recommend post-maniacs Merchant to anyone in search for intelligent and profound song-writing, as opposed to major-diva mass-orientated blandness. I would also like to thank Merchant for delighting us all throughout the years.