Vanessa Carlton - Harmonium
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Free Music Notes for Harmonium
Free Music Review: I love this album!
Hit: 5 Stars
Though I liked Vanessa Carlton's hits when she stormed the music scene a few years ago with "Ordinary Day" and "A Thousand Miles," I didn't buy her debut album until early this year. Her debut sounded as I suspected it would, and I enjoyed it, so I quickly purchased her sophomore release, Harmonium, even though I was not familiar with any of the songs on this album.
I haven't been able to extract Harmonium from my rotation of most frequently played discs. I like this album so much, in fact, that Vanessa Carlton has climbed to the very top of my list of favorite female artists - which is something I never imagined would happen. Vanessa Carlton is a wonderfully talented musician. Here's why I like her so much:
HER VOICE - which is pure, elegant, sophisticated, yet as simple and honest as the girl next door.
HER PIANO - she's a dynamo behind those keys and is a marvel to hear (and watch play).
HER SONGWRITING - she clearly emphasizes the craft of songwriting, looking for new ways to dovetail her beautiful piano with variable melodies and compelling lyrics.
I find all these elements pervasively spread across Harmonium, which is why I love this album so much. There are some tunes on Harmonium that have obvious commercial appeal, but there are others that are purely artist-oriented work. All in all, I find Harmonium to be intelligent music that will be fully appreciated by listeners who like to be challenged as well as moved and entertained by what they hear.
Free Music Review: Um...WOW
Hit: 5 Stars
Ok so I admit I had high hopes for Vanessa Carlton's sophomore album. I'm sure everyone did.
I wasn't let down, not in the least.
I was worried when I heard her single "White Houses". Her website continually reported that she'd have a darker, more gothic sound which was definitely not present in this upbeat "happy" song. Well, the rest of the album definitely showcases a darker sound. "Papa" for instance. And "The Wreckage" where she very acutely describes the beginning and afterwards of a devastating automobile accident. I believe it's a personal metaphor, but I'll have to listen to it some more.
Some surprise tracks: "Private Radio". The minute it came on in my CD player I thought to myself that it would be her second single. It's got a very nice radio sound. I'm sure there's a deeper level here, I just haven't listened to the album much since my first listen (and Im still giving it five stars! WOW!) "C'est La Vie" gave me chills down my spine for some reason. I was VERY pleased with this track.
Plain and simple, anyone with a penchant for piano, anyone with an appreciation for good songwriting, anyone who listens out for a wonderful voice...pick this up. Will you be disappointed? I doubt it.
Free Music Review: As enjoyable as the first
Hit: 5 Stars
I remember hearing "A Thousand Miles" not knowing who sang it. I found out it was Vanessa Carlton and one day I saw the "A Thousand Miles" single for 65 cents at a thrift shop and I HAD TO buy it. This eventually forced me to buy "Be Not Nobody" which instantly became my favorite CD.
Well, I've been waiting for "Harmonium" for the past few months and I went on her website to find out when it was coming out. I read on there also that the night before election night, she was doing a concert in nearby Alexandria, VA. I went to that concert and heard fantastic tunes that she sang off the then upcoming "Harmonium." I pre-ordered the CD (for several reasons) and waited until the day I could go to pick it up. I listened to it that night and every other day since.
Vanessa Carlton does good at several sounds, from an almost innocent child-like sound to an angry sound and just masters it. Along with the genious behind the lyrics and the fantastic work on the piano by Vanessa, it makes "Harmonium" a must-buy.
I STRONGLY reccomend this CD for anyone who wants to hear anything from an original music tone to a gothic tone. There are alot of people that I think would enjoy this album. It is absolutely fantastic.
Free Music Review: Vanessa's Masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
It took only two years for Vanessa Carlton to come back out of the studio with her second album: HARMONIUM. The record is a remarkable piece of work, and even better than Carlton's pervious album. Once again, by the Pop/Rocker's side is an amazing group of a professional orchestra, professional guitarist, bassist, and drummer. The group's work had astoundingly progressed with more musical traits such as passing chords, melody lines, dynamics, and counterpoint. Third Eye Blind's singer and guitarist Stephen Jenkins also stepped in as Vanessa's producer, adding his own share of creating this amazing piece of work. The duo's colaberation and compatibility truly rings to one's ears on the track "She Floats". The piece contains a beautiful orchestrated introduction, and a unique use of Carlton's and Jenkins' own musical wailing and screaming. HARMONIUM is a work displaying Vanessa Carlton's true musical aspirations, and the album is a must have for any music fan.
Enhanced CD features contains behind the scene footage of making HARMONIUM.
Stand out tracks include:
"White Houses"
"Who's To Say?"
"Private Radio"
"Half A Week Before The Winter"
"She Floats"
Free Music Review: The best album of Fall 2004
Hit: 5 Stars
I LOVED this cd. I think Carlton is extremely talented on the piano and her voice is captivating. She is, like many reviewers mention, terribly underrated. But I do think that she is an artist like Tori Amos in that you either get her or you don't. Lke Tori, she will probably remain fairly "underground" and her popularity will be due to her large, unwavering fan base who loves her no matter what. But for the record, I don't consider her a Tori Amos wannabe. She is her own artist and I respect her as such.
The songs were enchanting, haunting, melodic, chaotic, and triumphant all at once. She has definitely grown alot since her first album. Her maturity as a woman, a writer, an artist and a musician just shines here. The difference in her lyrics, her voice and her creativity is astounding. It's certainly less murky and vexing than the first and has much more clarity, flow and freedom to it, overall. It exceeded my expectations, and is a delightful listen.
The only drawback? It's way too short!! I am left wanting more, and I already am wishing she'd put out another album really soon.