Vanessa Carlton - Harmonium
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Free Music Notes for Harmonium
Free Music Review: Track-by-track review:
Hit: 5 Stars
1. White Houses - The first single from 'Harmonium', White Houses starts off the CD in an up tempo pitch. With a catchy piano rhythm mixed with consistent drum kicks, and a unique brand of strings (including those of Lindsay Buckingham), White Houses musically gives you a feeling of wanting to dance around (which is exactly what Vanessa Carlton does in the video) and just generally be happy. The song, which was co-written with Third Eye Blind singer (and overall producer of 'Harmonium') Stephen Jenkins, is lyrically sound. Carlton's vocals also shine on this song, as you can notice that her voice has gained much more range and consistency than seen on 'Be not Nobody'. It should be noted that this song is a bit more to the bubble-gum pop side of things than most people are used to seeing from her, also.
2. Who's To Say - Another track co-written with Jenkins, the song starts with a slow-to-mid tempo which becomes upbeat in the chorus. The piano works very well with the string arrangement to make the song very appealing to the ears instrumentally. Lyrically the chorus is very catchy, and vocally Vanessa uses her voice well to reflect the emotion of the lyrics. This is another song that progresses forward from the type of music that was on 'Be not Nobody', and it shows Vanessa's growth as an artist.
3. Annie - The main thing that stands out about Annie is the piano, especially in the chorus. It is a very hard and rugged piano, but also very catchy. Vanessa uses her voice well during the chorus to keep up with the fast pace of the piece, and brings it back under control during the verses. This is one of the more addictive pieces on the CD, as the piano is uplifting, but lyrically the song is rooted and serious.
4. San Fransisco - This is another song like "White Houses" before it that will have you tapping your foot. The piano rhythm and drum kicks are fairly consistent, jazzy, and pleasing to the ear. The vocals are a bit more under control in this song than in the three previous, but that isn't to say the song is without emotion, because it has its moments. It has been said that the drum kicks at the end mirror the drum kicks of Third Eye Blind's "Jumper," and on a close listen the two are very similar.
5. Afterglow - To put this in terms of a VC fan, Afterglow is to 'Harmonium' what "Twilight" was to 'Be not Nobody'. It is kind of a buzzkill being at #5, seeing that all 4 songs before it had an upbeat tempo, but the song itself is beautiful. Between the piano and strings, the song has a very easy-going, relaxing feel. Vocally, Vanessa has about the same intensity level from "Who's To Say", and the vocals work well for this song. Lyrically the song fits the music perfectly.
6. Private Radio - Back on your feet. This song will make you want to dance, too. From the "ba da da, ba da da" open to the closing "do do do do do do do's", this song will have you tapping your foot all day long. Very catchy chorus, especially with all the "ba da da's." This was rumored to be the first single, before it was changed to "White Houses." It could make a legitimate second single. Vocally, Vanessa kicks it up a notch which makes the song have even more pop appeal.
7. Half A Week Before The Winter - A very strange song lyrically. It is catchy, but there really is not a whole lot of meaning you can pull from it. Musically it is sound, with a drum kick that kind of reminds you of a marching band or a drum that you are supposed to march to. The piano work is solid, as are the vocals.
8. C'est La Vie - This is a song that is going to divide a lot of people. You are either going to love it, or hate it. It was done mostly with drum kicks accompanied by a distorted piano riff background. For those of you who heard the song performed in concerts previous to 'Harmonium', it will almost come as a culture shock because the song sounds so pure in piano form, but is totally reborn on the CD. From where I am sitting, it was a successful experiment as the drum kicks make the song very catchy with the piano, but many purists won't like it.
9. Papa - A solid piano/vocal track. A bit short though. The vocals work well with the piano. It doesn't sound like anything was changed from the version Vanessa played in concert, either.
10. She Floats - One of the true gems on the CD. The string work combined with the piano makes this song feel so relaxing and carefree, kind of like you are truly floating. The vocals are a bit flat at first, but it seems more intentional than anything. During the long bridge in the middle there are two portions of screams during the song, at first it seems disconcerting, but it works very well with the song. As a side note, on the Enhanced portion of the CD, the DVD entitled "Pleased To Meet You," it actually shows Vanessa and Stephen working on the screams, and Stephen mixing them.
11. The Wreckage (Hidden Track) - Great piano in the song, interesting lyrics. Vocally the song is solid. Again, kind of short. It is a nice piano/vocal, though.
Overall as a CD, 'Harmonium' is very solid. A big positive of 'Harmonium' is that there are no dead spots, or songs that will almost always be skipped, and 'Harmonium' presents itself as being more upbeat than 'Be not Nobody' was. The CD also shows Vanessa's tremendous growth as a songwriter, pianist, and vocalist. Great CD.
Free Music Review: "Stand up boy, I shine so bright when you're around," her BEST album to date...
Hit: 5 Stars
I bought this album sophomore year of high school and as a first year college student, each and every one of these songs never get tiring. Each song has a meaning. They;re catchy and make you feel relaxed. Here's my opinion on each of her songs:
1) White Houses - The brilliant, lead single makes you think of summer and breezes around the evening when the sun is setting. Honestly, I didn't think this song meant "losing your virginity" when I listened to it for the first few times. Maybe it was cuz i didn't hear the lyrics correctly. Whatever. During the bridge, this song just gets better. (10/10)
2) Who's to say - "To all you fans out there who are in a relationship unapproved of by your mother or the government, this song's for you." This is my most absolute favorite song on the album not just for the piano rhythm and instruments, but the lyrics and feeling are what make this song a "should-have-been" platinum hit. I can't be wrong with thousands of other fans who can relate strongly to this song (where she sang at the Nashville Pride in June). But yeah, this song is the most reccommended on this album. (11/10)
3) Annie - This song is touching and beautiful like all of VN's songs. It's about Vanessa meeting a girl with leukimia (or however you spell it...) who likes one of her songs. (9/10)
4) San Francisco - Ah, this song has the same feel as the previous ones, but instead, picturing yourself in a beautiful city during the golden hour of twilight with the best orchestra arrangement on the album. The last ten seconds of this song make you grasp the sensation. Another favorite. (10/10)
5) Afterglow - Simply beautiful and calming is all I can say. Like San Francisco, this song delivers a powerful, dark orchestra arrangement as you're "letting go of huge anchors of pain." (10/10)
6) Private Radio - I consider this the beginning of "Part 2" for this album, since I felt like the firt five tracks were connected into a story somehow, with "Afterglow" concluding it. However, this song sparks a new beginning like the jumpin, swingin jam present in "White Houses." Fast paced and a real toe-tapper. (9/10)
7) Half a week before the winter - One of the strangest songs on this album, but that doesn't mean it sucks. It's another great song that shows more of Vanessa's gothic nature as unicorns are killed by vampires. Yeah, that's one of the lyrics... (9/10)
8) C'est la Vie - Now things are getting even better! This song starts a concluding quartet of songs that are extremely catchy and will make you want to listen to the last four tracks over and over again because these songs just never get boring. I think she's playing an electric piano in this song. Even though it's short, the song is just so amazing and NOT annoying. I love the meaning she gave to C'est la vie because I use it oftenly, no, A LOT too! (10/10)
9) Papa - Another really catchy song that's equal to "C'est la Vie." It's a classic "piano solo" with no back up instrumental arrangements. Again, this song rocks and the lyrics aren't annoying. This song is challenging to play on piano too... (10/10)
10) She Floats - I never thought this song was about a ghost living in someone's closet. When I listened to it the first few times, I pictured a girl dressed in black laying face up to the sky in front of a house in the middle of nowhere. It's a clear, blue sky, yet it's raining hard. The rain collects into her open mouth, overflowing it and creating water puddles around her body. Weird...but yeah, I love this song, especially the part when Vanessa and Stephen Jenkins are screaming and making a "100 person choir" in the background in the middle of the song portraying screaming souls. A great song (10/10)
11) The Wreckage - Yes, the hidden bonus track. If you listened to "She Floats" on a CD player you can only access this song if you listen to the last 15 seconds of it because when I tried going to this song, it went to "White Houses." Eh? My CD player must be old cuz it didn't work like that on other players. This song is a mirror version of "Papa" whereas it only features the piano. This song is abbout Vanessa's desire to cause car accidents through boredom and the thrill it conveys. Heh-heh, Vanessa sure seems like an interesting person. This song is addictively catchy and easy to play! (10/10)
As you can tell, I'm a HUGE Nessholic and I love each and everyone of her songs! She is a brilliant artist who should be recognized more. Fortunately she is releasing a new album next year called "Rabbits on the Run" and I'm looking forward to it so much! I also reccommend Michelle Branch. So give this album a try. You won't regret it. Even though it sold less than "Be Not Nobody," I consider this the best of her three records. I LOVE VANESSA CARLTON!!
Free Music Review: Absolutely enchanting effort from the world's single most underrated artist
Hit: 5 Stars
Ok, I know the title is a bit much, but I just feel strongly about Vanessa and her latest, the spectacular "Harmonium." I am a huge fan (Nessaholic, as we call ourselves) and I have been since buying her equally amazing and highly recommended debut "Be Not Nobody." It was the first album in my life that I ever really connected to; I wrote a review of that one as well. Anyway, I believe Vanessa is the most underrated and underappreciated artist out there. Many dismiss her as a "pop princess" and don't take her seriously, while others only like the side of her that does do pop music ("A Thousand Miles", anyone?) As for the general public, MTV, and radio, they have fallen prey to the "Pop Princess" syndrome. Much of Vanessa's commercial downfall also can be blamed on Vanessa's record label, who do only mediocre promotion of her work. But I'm here to review the album, so let me end this rant right here. Onto the review of Vanessa's dazzling sophomore CD "HARMONIUM"...
1. "White Houses"- A fantastic album opener and great choice for a first single. I believe this would've been a hit if not for A&M's pathetic promotion. Anyway, it's a beautiful, catchy, and poignant song, reflecting on a young woman's journey through adolescence and the loss of innocence. 10/10
2. "Who's to Say"- Another beautiful song with a great message. It is about a love that is not approved of by family, friends, or even the government, in the case of same-sex partnerships. Begins slow, then the drum beat kicks in and it morphs into an even more amazing tune that'll blow you away. It sure did for me. Catchy, yet beautiful and meaningful all at the same time. Vanessa is no Britney Spears; the song may be catchy, but not in a cheesy way. 10/10
3. "Annie"- This one is perfect. BEAUTIFUL melody; amazingly poetic and deep lyrics. Propelled by Vanessa's refined and breathtaking piano playing, it grabs hold and doesn't let go. Also, for those of you who say she cannot sing, this song should prove you wrong. The notes Vanessa hits in this are effortless and so, so gorgeous. 10/10
4. "San Francisco"- Vanessa is on a roll with yet another great melody. The bridge is particularly memorable. A grand, sweeping, and majestic song. 10/10
5. "Afterglow"- The first real ballad on the album, it starts off with just Vanessa's vocals and piano and a hint of strings. Then, after the first chorus, the beat hits, bringing with it the orchestra and bass. This song's arrangement and the way it was put together is so wonderful. I love it. 10/10
6. "Private Radio"- With this song, Vanessa perfectly combines darkness and catchiness. About insomnia, it has dark lyrics and a dark undertone, but the song's sugary hooks keep it from getting too heavy handed. 10/10
7. "Half A Week Before The Winter"- With this song, Vanessa breaks away from her beautiful and elegant pop songs and returns to a place of gothic darkness and majesty as heard in her previous album. This song has amazing lyrics that carry great imagery. In fact, the song's entire atmosphere evokes bewitching, dark, and haunting emotion. A definite favorite. 11/10
8. "C'est La Vie"- Oh, I love this song. My second favorite. The Fender Rhodes keyboard adds the perfect touch, and once again, Vanessa's vocals shine. In the bridge, she swoops from low to high, back to low, and back to high again. It really shows off her beautiful and impressive vocal range. This is another awesome track that totally dispells the "girl can't sing" theory. 11/10
9. "Papa"- Similar to "Wanted" from her debut album, but shorter. The length bothers me slightly, but it's still a good song. Vanessa's classical influence, particularly the composition of Debussy, really shows in this song. 10/10
10. "She Floats"- Oh, wow. What can I say. The album's grand closer, it is sheer perfection. Everything about it is perfect. The melody, the arrangement, the vocals, the amazing piano...god. It's so incredible. The darkest and most gothic song on the album, it even contains a spooky choral element in the bridge, complete with a high, shrill, female scream. Without a doubt, my favorite song on the album, and possibly the best song she has ever written. 20/10
11. (HIDDEN TRACK) "The Wreckage"- A short, simple song, it's the album's hidden track. Dark and oozing with passion. Great, evocative lyrics. I only wish it could've been longer...but overall, I give it a 10/10.
Well, there you have it. A spectacular sophomore effort from Vanessa; she never fails to deliver. I look forward to her third album, coming out around Winter 2006. Someday the world will realize and appreciate the awe-inspiring talent of Vanessa Carlton, and when that day comes, us Nessaholics can be proud of sticking by our girl and believing in her.
I have let this go on far too long already, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this album. "Be Not Nobody", her debut, is equally amazing and also a necessary purchase.
Free Music Review: THE Best Album Of The Year!
Hit: 5 Stars
"Harmonium" is the second album from piano player Vanessa Carlton. You probably know her best from the song "A Thousand Miles", basically the only song you heard on the radio in 2002. With this album, her vocals and lyrics have greatly improved.
"White Houses"--The first single, is incredibly catchy and very personal. It is about Vanessa and five friends, and the hardships that they experience one summer. The video is awesome. There are two Vanessas in it; one plays the piano and sings the song, while the other dances to it. It represents the piano player in Vanessa battling the dancer in Vanessa. You should buy the album just for this song; it is worth it. 5/5
"Who's To Say"--A great song. Not mindblowing or as wonderful as "White Houses", but still a very good song. It is about Vanessa telling everyone that her and her boyfriend will stay together no matter what anybody, not even her family, thinks. 4/5
"Annie"--One of the highlights of the album. It is about a dying girl who seems to haunt Vanessa's thoughts everywhere she goes. The piano on this song is beautiful, and they lyrics are very moving. 5/5
"San Francisco"--An instant classic! This was the first song on the CD that became my favorite other than "White Houses". It is about Vanessa's experiences in, you guessed it, San Francisco. Some of they lyrics are a little weird ("I always liked Steinbeck and those old men whistling"), but the song rocks and is very catchy as well. Another album highlight. 5/5
"Afterglow"--A very beautiful and relaxing song. The lyrics are also a little confusing, but I think that is about Vanessa in a state of depression, but trying to see the positive side of things. This song may take a few listenings for you to like it. 4/5
"Private Radio"--Excellent! Very catchy with a wonderful dance beat. This is another of my favorite songs on the album, yet it is another of those songs with confusing lyrics. Some of us think that it is about insomnia ("All the world has gone to bed/And there's a sound inside my head/And in the dark inside my bed/And this melody that's in my head"), but I guess no one knows for sure except Vanessa. I think that this will be one of her singles. Yet another highlight of the album. 5/5
"Half a Week Before the Winter"--hands down the most gothic song on the album, with very strange lyrics. It is about vampires attacking unicorns, that's for certain; but I also think that they are exposed to sunlight and burn. It may be confusing and a bit gothic, but it is an excellent song. 5/5
"C'est la Vie"--I am really not crazy about this song. Her vocals go up and down in the middle of this song, kind of like yodeling. There are other songs that were cut that definitely could have replaced this one. Vanessa said that she wanted a 10-track album, and there is a hidden bonus track that also could have taken this song's place. 3/5
"Papa"--Awesome! The piano on this song is incredible, and is the "Wanted" of this album (for those who have her first album, you will know what I am talking about). Vanessa said that it is not about her father, so I am not really sure what the song is about. It is still an excellent song. 5/5
"She Floats"--very-how can I say it?-depressing, yet soothing. I think it is about a girl who commits suicide by drowning. It is kind of a sad song, and in the middle, there is a chorus of people screaming. It is not like a stupid horror movie scream, but sort of like an organized, practiced, melodious scream. The "chorus" is actually Vanessa and her boyfriend, with their voices multiplied to sound like a bunch of people. A great song. 4/5
Hidden Track: "The Wreckage"--Another great song. It is only Vanessa and her piano, and the song is about Vanessa thinking about her car crashing into another on the highway. She admits that she is a bad driver, so that was probably the drive behind this song. It is the shortest song on the album, but the piano is very surreal, almost like the music you would expect to go along with the song content. 5/5
This is an enhanced CD, which has a 20 minute video called "Pleased to Meet You", which is a behind the scenes video about the making of the album. My favorite part of the video is Vanessa's dance rehearsals for the "White Houses" video. If you liked the first Vanessa Carlton album, you will LOVE this one. If you didn't love her first album, you will still love this one. THE best album of the year by far!
Free Music Review: A Modern Masterpiece, and the best album of 2004
Hit: 5 Stars
"Harmonium" is one of those albums that you'll probably find yourself pulling out of your collection years later. It already has that timeless feel to it, and the quality of recording is such that it immediately feels superior to the latest works of supposed geniuses Tori Amos and Norah Jones. I love some work of the artists just mentioned, but it must be said that with time, many artists just don't retain the 'it' factor. But Carlton, despite facing a baffling radio ban post her big hit 'A Thousand Miles', went into hibernation and emerges with the prize jewel - "Harmonium". Not in recent memory has an album been so immediately accessible and so, well, musical.
The reason why Vanessa won me over with this CD is because even though a LOT of reviewers compare her to Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Michelle Branch and Jewel, she is all of them and then some, yet retaining her own individuality. She is not as purposely weird as Tori Amos (one listen to her latest 'The Beekeeper', and I wonder if even she understands the 'deep, inner meanings' of her increasingly absurd and pointless lyrics), not as angry and upset as Fiona Apple, not as corporate label hungry as Michelle Branch (Maverick should be so lucky), and not as Alaskan-country as Jewel. She retains all of their elements, and then infuses it with her own stylized way of singing. Granted, her singing could be way better, but she lives within her range. She is not trying to be Celine Dion and nor should she.
Her 'White Houses' is a masterpiece from start to finish. Notice the piano, and the multilayered piano section that permeates the entire second half of the song. Someone who has been really trained in music has composed this song, and it shows. Sheer brilliance. This album starts off pretty poppy, and then ventures into darker territory. Someone mentioned that Vanessa was more of a goth on this CD than anywhere else in her discography. True, but this has more to do with the music than I think her intended personality for this record. Listen to the lyrics. Could a Michelle Branch or an Avril Lavigne even dare compare to the simplistic yet stunning beauty that are 'White Houses' and 'Annie'? I think not. Even Carltons' maligned cover of U2s' Where the Streets have no name is not as cruel as one would imagine (the song is available only on the import edition of 'Harmonium').
All in all, the CD has a light, summery feel to it that belies the somewhat dark subject matter. Vanessa discusses death, the meaning of life, growing pangs, relationships, spirituality, places and their memories, in such amazing detail, its as if a writer of prose suddenly decided to tell his story in musical form. Suprisingly, this works in this instance, and we should all be so grateful. I particularly enjoyed the depth of 'She Floats' and 'Papa'. Of course, the radio friendly hits 'Private Radio' and hummable 'San Fransisco' see to it that this album could be a hit on every station, but the other tracks are the ones that truly elevate this album to the exalted status I have given it.
I just noticed that the CD hasn't done well and is fast slipping down the charts. A pity because here it is. 2004s' best album by a long way, and no one knows about it. Well, at least you do, now, so do yourself a favor and get this. Guaranteed this is one CD thats bound to become your new best friend and you won't leave home without it. I know I don't!
Amazing. If only all music came this good. Five Stars.