Terence Trent d'Arby - Terence Trent d'Arby's Symphony or Damn

TTD is the MAN

This album is fire. This guy never really got the credit he deserved. Listen to songs like "Penelope Please", "Let her down easy", "Do you love me like you say you do", "Delicate", "She kissed me" , etc and tell me this guy doesn't deserve more credit than he has been given. I wish this album came after his debut album because it would have been a strong follow-up. Go get this album!!. May 21, 2006

His second keeper.

"Symphony Or Damn" is an album that kind of fell throught the cracks, but it's easily my favorite of his after the debut. I remember seeing the "She Kissed Me" video, and also remembering how much that song rocked me, and still does. It has a pace similar to "Are You Gonna Go My Way", but it's the better song. Another great track that is literally delicate, is "Delicate". These two songs stand as the loudest and softest moments of the album, but everything else is great as well. "Wet Your Lips" I love, and also "Let Her Down Easy". The portion of track 11 titled "F & J" is Frankie and Johnny, and whether or not it has anything to do with the film of the same name, it complements it well. I would highly suggest getting this if you think you might like it, or you could hope his upcoming "Best Of" included alot of this, and get that. December 19, 2005

If ....

If "Do You Love Me Like You Say You Do" was the only great song on this CD and every other song was a flopping fish on a scorching sun deck in mid-summer's heat, I'd still buy it! That song is such a classic cut that its value would hold up an overall terrible CD...but luckily, TTD doesn't disappoint and delivers a sterling set of musical genius (yet again)! From songs like "She Kissed Me", "Baby Let Me Share My Love", "Delicate", "Wet Your Lips", "Let Her Down Easy" and "I Still Love You." Great, great stuff! 16 terrific songs and no filler! How often can you say that...???

On his 3rd album TTD came roaring back with both cannons blazing...yet the music industry didn't get it! Thank Heaven's I did. As one reviewer said..sometimes it's nice to have an artist that is all your own..one that hasn't comprised the art of music or their talent for fame and fortune!

Whenever pressed to pick a favorite by TTD, I can't do it because each release of his gives me a different kind of release...it's like asking a parent to pick a favorite child..it can't be done! The man is a genius..take a walk on the wild, soulful, rock-edged side with TTD. You need this CD in your collection...I kid you not! April 19, 2005

Flawed masterpiece

This album is like TTD himself; brilliant artistry, yet inexplicably flawed. It has it all; the vocals, "Do you love me.." the sheer exhilirating relief i've had singing along to this at the top of my voice in my car has yet to be beaten. Yes! its that good.

There's the guitars' possibly influenced by the "grunge" sound of the time- is mixed with funky bass and electronica to produce sounds that are still fresh today nearly 12 years on.

The song craft: "She kissed me", pure suppressed sex. I'd love to hear Pharrell do a cover(not a remix) of this, just so it could get back into the charts.

The not so good stuff, is the pretension. It is something that has dogged his career from the start to this day "Satanda? anyone" (his Buddhist name- The comparisons with Prince are endless. At times the lyrics veer off the track. An artist can be inventive and original without such TTD isms as "in my monasteryo my love ran hot or cold symphony or damn" think Morrissey, someone who makes unusual lyrics work. The simplicity of "She kissed me, she kissed me all over" works better with that funk sound.

The soft tunes: "Delicate" & "Let her down easy" are beauty; simple, pared down lyrics, listening is like receiving aural caresses. Herein is the inexplicable flaw why did such an intelligent artist not restrain his lyrical excesses throughout?

Nonetheless yes, it has its imperfections but I do not use the word masterpiece lightly, listen to it without prejudice. November 6, 2004

Arguably TTD's best

This album saw a return to commercial success of sorts after the Hardline-hangover of Neither Fish Nor Flesh. The beautiful Desree duet "Delicate", pretty piano piece "Let Her Down Easy" and rocking "She Kissed Me There" were all well received. Corny intro aside he rarely lets up. Vocally Terence is as tight as usual and all songs have some quality while his lyrics are at their most poetic yet. Any TTD admirer should definitely give this LP a listen. November 15, 2003

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