Vanessa Carlton - Harmonium
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Free Music Notes for Harmonium
Free Music Review: Captivating and inspiring
Hit: 4 Stars
I've read some pretty harsh reviews for Harmonium, and I have to say there are only a few points I agree with. Afterglow isn't much of a song to rave about, but the rest of the album I really can't fault.
The lyrics and melodies are nothing short of captivating, but I guess you have to understand them. Once you're into a song - its under your skin.
"Half a week before winter" is a song I can't get out of my head, the piano repetition pattern combined with what I can think of as a snare drum is really catchy. The lyrics of unicorns and vampires I guess are something of Vanessa's imagination - her passion for fantasy realy shows in the song, while she introduces a more serious and reality reflected side:
"I carry all the weight of empty promise, as I stand swallowed by the light... I hold my head and know the streets are mine tonight"
By no means has she disappointed with this album - its simply a change in direction from her Be Not Nobody album. If you go in with an open mind to Harmonium, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the depth and thought thats gone into her songs.
The tingle of 'Private Radio' never ceases to make me smile, this really is a song to get you dancing around the room, or at least tapping your feet if the situation isn't right! The layering of the vocals in Private Radio is something special, rarely repeated in such a way within her work.
C'est la vie is another song I'm addicted to at the moment, the three songs "C'est la vie", "Half a week before the winter" and "Papa" are the three you might be most tempted to stick on repeat for the bass lines. The lyrics in C'est la vie are something of a wake up call:
"I've been taking what you're giving, now I'm thinking I've been living the fantasy of your sweet smile"
"If you could see the truth within our perfect harmony, you'd see your melody is bringing me down"
The piano in Papa is something to be marvelled at - she's not lost her touch! The beginning of the song makes you feel as though you could get lost in its power, whereas the lyrics are something else:
"Look where he left me. I should have known by the ice in his eyes, but you warmed me up with your sweet demise"
The album is one to be enjoyed, but going in with an open mind is needed - expectations may just ruin the aurora. Subjective views of the lyrics will help the appreciation of her work - the album really brings out some of Carlton's personality and fire, combined with personal experience.
Overall, an enjoyable album that shouldn't be missed. Naturally, there are things some of us won't like, but no one agrees with everything in the world - what's life without differing taste!
Free Music Review: What?
Hit: 4 Stars
What is all of this about a commercial? Don't be silly. Great work by a talented artist who still needs to grow a bit.Free Music Review: Nice tune, BAD music
Hit: 3 Stars
I loved her first album, so i had to rush out and buy vanessa's second one. I was extremely diappionted when i found out this music completely stunk. Vanessa's vioce sound totally difrent.Free Music Review: Go with the UK version
Hit: 4 Stars
It's been two years between albums, and certainly a growing up period for Vanessa Carlton. Her hit song "A Thousand Miles" from the first album "Be Not Nobody" prompted some of the funniest scenes in the movie "White Chicks", but her follow-up album is almost Goth with its dark lyrics.
Her infectious and energetic piano work brightens the first part of the album, and the catchy lead off song "White Houses" features Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac on acoustic guitar. In another guest appearance, Pharrell Williams sings back-up vocals on "Who's to Say"
The version released in the UK includes a song that is not on the US version, a hair-raising cover of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name". This song alone makes buying the UK album a better deal.
Some of the songs are downright mournful, including "Half a Week Before the Winter", "Papa", "C'est la Vie" and "The Wreckage". For these songs, her voice changes noticeably, as she belts them out with a more powerful, harsher and sometimes shriller tone, bearing no resemblance to the Vanessa of the first album.
A good album, but does not have many stand-out songs, "White Houses" being one of the best original songs on the album.
Amanda Richards, May 13, 2005
Free Music Review: Amazing Vocals, Meaningful lyrics, and Great Piano!
Hit: 5 Stars
A followup to her debut album Be Not Nobody, Vanessa Carlton's Harmonium is definantly one of the better CD's that have gone unrecognized. Although I am listen more to bands such as the Goo Goo Dolls, Audioslave, Unwritten Law, Cold, etc., this is one of my favorite pop albums.
Although her lyrics are simplistic, they have a deep, elegant feeling to them. Her style on this CD varies from the relaxing, Who's To Say, to Private Radio, a catchy pop song that is about the only mainstream song on here. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Vanessa isn't like other young female artists, who throw down lyrics about their boyfriends. No, she writes her own lyrics about life, her own experiances, and, well even things as odd as crashing her own car(THe Wreckage).
Breakdown of the CD
1. White Houses-Has an amazing video, was on the charts. This song attuned me to Vanessa, and has led me to get her CD. It is a catchy beat, and good lyrics.
2. Who's To Say-About a disapproved relationship. A slow song, but deep and great piano playing.
3. Annie-About a girl she met that had cancer. The piano playing is excellent, the lyrics move along, and the singing is perfectly fitting with the tune.
4 San Francisco-An upbeat song about her favorite city, and one of my personal favorites. Beautiful piano and singing, and the lyrics are on the lighter side. This song also showcases the great range Ms. Carlton's voice has.
5. Afterglow- This is a nice slow song. The piano and singing is soft, and has an almost calming effect. Lyrics are some of my favorites, especially the chorus "If you could see/What's come over me/Then you would know/Cuz' I'm walking free/Wind at my back/and bathe in afterglow". Almost sends chills up your spine.
6- Private Radio-One of the few marketable songs, on this album, it has a fast moving, pop feel. Writen about insomnia, it has light lyrics, but the singing is good all the same.
7. Half a Week Before the Winter-One of the stranger songs, it has a darker sound to it. The piano is good, and so is the singing.
8. C'est La Vie-A great song, with pretty good lyrics. Nothing much to say about to say about this one.
9. Papa-Although a great song, this isn't my favorite on the CD. The lyrics don't connect with me, altough the piano is great.
10. She Floats-A great song about a ghost, with delightfully odd lyrics. The piano and intro are great, along with the soft hushed singing.
11. (Bonus) The Wreckage-Another compelling odd song about crashing a car. The piano, lyrics, and vocals are memorably haunting, which seem to come to mind at night, driving alone on a lonely road.
Overall, Vanessa Carlton has greatly grown since Be Not Nobody. Sadly, due to poor marketing by her label, A&M, and her inability to gain a big head over her first albums success, such as marketball princesses Hilary Duff and Ashley Simpson.
Lastly, Vanessa is one of those quirky albums you can't put down. Pity some can't open their eyes to something besides, repetitive and pointless rap and hip-hop.
-Joe age 13