Everything But the Girl - Amplified Heart

Classic, perfect, honest, beautiful.

This CD continues to find its way onto the "play" stack. Truth be told, it rarely returns to the rack at home. It's in the rotation in the car, at work, at home, on the mp3 player, etc. As many others have said, what makes this work SO good is the emotional honesty on display. The words ring true, not just some words that rhyme or fit a measure.
Over the last 10 years, I've had many memorable experiences, some good, some heartbreaking. I always found myself listening to this CD at some point afterwards, and it was always "right". It speaks to the heart, it is joyful, sad, poignant...
Beyond the emotion, it is beautifully recorded, the instuments, while often spare, complement the songs perfectly, the harmonies are gorgeous, and Tracy Thorne has one of the most distinct, fluid, lovely voices in music.
I generally hate the reviews where people tell how many CD's they have or how many songs are on their iPod, but it's difficult for me to give this recording too much praise. So, I will say that, yes, I have hundreds of CD's, ranging in style from Dr Dre to Kula Shaker to Sinatra to Hedfunk to GnR to Ornette Coleman. Amplified Heart would have to go on my All-Time Top 10 Desert Island list, right up there with The Joshua Tree and Kind of Blue. It is simply superb. June 18, 2008

As Perfect As Can Be

On "Amplified Heart," Everything But The Girl's Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt are at the pinnacle of their extended run together - the lyrics alone can move the senses, flowing like fine poetry; add in the instrumentals and it comes close to musical nirvana. Although it was released in 1994, it has staying power not afforded what some detractors said was just "another" British pop duo - a blip on the music screen from across the pond. Almost every free-standing music store still has a copy or two in its racks. OK, I'll make the analogy oft quoted - a modern day Fleetwood Mac along the lines of their "Rumors" endeavor. MUSICIAN (August 1994, p.90) ". . . merely exquisite ear candy...the modern equivalent to Fleetwood Mac's RUMORS . . ."

"Amplified Heart" is laden with delicate melodies and precise musical passages. Tracey Thorn's vocals gives us a glimpse of both chilling memories and warmest moments. The accompaniment by Ben Watt fills the album with sincere emotions - perfect for Thorn's settled vocals. With the exception of the drum beats in the bonus 11th track "Missing," (a track not listed on the CD sleeve) this achievement beats with heart and soul. I often have "Amplified Heart" playing when reading - and after 12 years of listening, I still get detracted by its lyrics and melodies.


May 10, 2008

Tracey and Ben's Finest Hour.

Everything But The Girl is an English duo consisting of lead singer and guitarist Tracey Thorn, and guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Ben Watt. (Off stage they are also couple with three children.) Amplified Heart is arguably their best album and, dare I say--a perfect album. Driven by the dance-floor remix of the single "Missing," Amplified Heart is the album that finally brought EBTG the worldwide attention it long deserved. Infused with Thorn's gifted vocals and occasional electronica flourishes, from the opening track, "Rollercoaster," to the last song, "Disenchanted," this acoustic set never goes wrong. While some might be quick to dismiss this album as middle-of-the-road, adult-orientated pop music, it trancends that genre with its mature, heartfelt emotions. Tracks include:

1. Rollercoaster
2. Troubled Mind
3. I Don't Understand Anything
4. Walking To You
5. Get Me
6. Missing
7. Two Star
8. We Walk The Same Line
9. 25th December
10. Disenchanted

G. Merritt April 30, 2008

Still a favorite

I've actually had this album for more than ten years, but by chance ran back across it on Amazon today. I have to tell you that this is one of the most often played, and dearly loved albums in my entire collection. While I really enjoy some of the more current work of EBTG, this particular melding of their history and future is like the creation of a fine wine, and it truly does continue to grow and develop everytime it is tasted. I would buy it again, and again. February 27, 2008

Wow

I could easily say that this album is one of the best "genre" records I have ever heard. Instead, I will say that it's one of the few albums that I actually smile about when I think back to listening to it years ago. From Rollercoaster to the end of the album, I can relate different aspects of my life to the themes, making it a bittersweet score to a bittersweet journey. The vocals are haunting and painful to majestic and sweeping and the lyrics inspired some of my earlier poetry. Listen to 25th December or Get Me and think of how those words could fit into some past scenerio that you experienced. I love this album. March 7, 2007

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