Vanessa Carlton - Harmonium

VANESSA HAS BEEN 3RD EYE BLINDED!

I'm a HUGE 3rd Eye Blind (3EB) fan ... and a Vanessa Carlton fan (and I think I fell in love with her before that Chump Stephan got his grimy mitts on her - kidding). I could write a book here giving examples, etc. But any 3EB fan out there will know what I mean. Those who are not familiar with 3EB probably just think that Vanessa has found a new fresh (yet overall too somber for her) sound. My advice to the latter is, never listen to 3EB - you're already a fan and don't know it but don't ruin it for yourself. For me, a fan of both, it's like I lost a favorite artist (Vanessa). Sadly she seems to have lost herself in Stephan's influence. There's not a trace of the Vanessa of "A Thousand Miles", "Ordinary Day", "Sway", or her dynamic unique singing style well-demonstrated in "Rinse". I MISS THAT VANESSA; the one we were all introduced to and love. And I REALLY liked her rendition of "Painted Black"; no matter what industry critics have said.

"White Houses", "San Francisco", and "Private Radio" . . . and . . . sound like Vanessa doing 3EB tributes. (Oh man, the lyrics on those: SOOOO blatantly 3EB! Not written FOR Vanessa - she sounds beautiful singing them though . . . but she'd even sound beautiful singing "John Jacob JingleHeimerShmidt" - isn't she Great?!) And Stephan's influence permeates and overwhelms Vanessa's identity throughout the entire CD. I could give a million specific examples in any aspect: Vocal styles, Vocal dynamics, Voice processing patterns - so blatant that it's like 3EB on voice-changing hormones. 3EB's once novel and unique attention-getting transitions, background vocals, and shocking contrasts (ex. "She Floats", the chorus amongst the violins contrasted with screeching strings/electronica) are everywhere on this CD. Then there's the instruments: guitar wah wahs, fading drums, and of course the keyboards (including all the CraZy sound effects) that are so uniquely 3EB (ex. end of "San Francisco" you'd never know it's not 3EB). Almost exact Lyrics, 3EB favorite themes involving somber oceans rising up, summer fading, sunsets by the ocean, etc. . . . lifted right out of 3EB songs (ex. "Walking with the living/wounded").

I'm not saying the songs are not good. There are some keepers but they should be on a 3EB CD (esp. those first 3 I mentioned). I feel sad about this. We're missing out on some truly great NEW FRESH UNIQUE music from Vanessa's heart and soul. This CD is a 3rd Eye Blind CD with the ONLY exceptions being Vanessa's beautiful voice (but not vocal style - that's heavily Jenkins) and her incredible keys (which are overshadowed/replaced throughout most of the CD by the Jenkins invasion - sorry to say it).

I want Vanessa back. I hope she hasn't lost herself. I may not know Vanessa personally, or even if those songs are really "her" either . . . but I know 3rd Eye Blind; and that's not Vanessa Carlton. Whatever "she" is, I know it's beautiful and I want to hear it.
December 8, 2007

First-Time Vanessa Carlton Fan, Loved Every Bit of It!

I cannot write about a previous album and express my disappointment as a fan in how she's somehow changed. All I can do is judge this album, as it's the first stuff by her that I've listened to. It's somewhat unfair to judge an artist's current flair by her previous work, but I understand that it's common for many to do that.

So, from what I've listened to and experienced of Ms. Carlton, here's my perspective. This young woman has a remarkable voice. I listen to her album all of the time, almost every week. The songs are addictive to listen to and lift my spirits when I am down and comfort me when I am feeling depressed and lonely.

One of my favorite songs is "Who's to Say?", which deals with having a young and enduring love while dealing with prejudice in family and society. Anyone whose been in a interracial or same-sex relationship will resonate with those lyrics and those who haven't will certainly feel some sympathy in hearing lyrics that have a bit of universality in theme.

Another song I like is "White Houses", which is a popular hit of hers. It deals with her losing her virginity and teen innocence in a white picket fence suburb. The song softly portrays the development a maturing lady, while taking into mind all the sensitivities of modest listeners while subtly shocking them with irony.

This album is well put together. I cannot compare it against anything but its own merit. I enjoyed every track, and I cannot say that for many artists that I've listened to. Carlton is definitely talented and I look forward to buying more of her music. I hope she continues to produce further works. October 3, 2007

Heart Warming & Pleasurable

Vanessa Carlton's "Harmonium," is wonderful. Packed with feet tapping beats, and sing-a-long lyrics, this is the ultimate summer album. I find myself listen to other songs that arn't matched to this true talent. Vanessa Carlton, who not only sings and writes these songs, but plays the piano too. I was suprised at this ability to be able to do this album with such passion. Each song with a story, every sound carefully placed into a Symphony of beautiful music.

I was so excited when i got the news that she will have a new album coming out called "Heros & Theives," Nolita Fairytale as the first single. Harmonium is a well put together album, that will always remind you of the good days in life. When you get this album, enjoy it. I did. July 20, 2007

Harmonium

okay I would like to say thay i think this is the best cd I've ever bought in my life. I'm not even joking you... and if you think im wrong, that's okay... I don't really care. :D

White Houses- The song is about a time with her friends, and she's talking about how much fun she had and just all the experiences she had, this song is close to my heart, I seriously relate. The lryics are so relatable, and you feel like one of her friends. 10/10

Who's To Say- This is one song that I'm sure I'll love forever. It's about her and her boyfriend and how no one approves of them and how young they are and how sometimes you listen to your family and sometimes you dont for your own good. This is kind of like Beautiful by Christina Aguilera, but more subtle. Like it kind of goes along with like same-sex relationships and stuff. The lyrics are amazing. 10/10

Annie- It's about a little girl she meets and she's dying and she loves Vanessa a lot, and she just really admires her. She thinks that she shouldn't think that trying to live is life. One of my favorite songs of all time. Most definitly 10/10

San Fransico- Obiously, about San Fran and it's about what her perspective is about the city. The piano, and band playing in the back is great. This song just... really makes you want to go there. 10/10

Afterglow- Slower than the other ones but most definitly one of my favorites. The song's about is talking about this revalation she's having and how the person's shes trying to tell inst understanding. "If you could see, what's coming over me then you would know..." I love this one 10/10

Private Radio- This one could have definitly made it on the radio and would have done really well. Catchy... very catchy, and a good song. Not my favorite, but a good one. 9/10

Half a Week Before Winter- I'm ont exactly sure what this song is about.. not my favorite... actaully probably my least favorite. But it's not terrible. 7/10

Cest La Vie- Omigossh I love this song. It's really raw, and it's really tell-it-like-it-is. The music is beautiful and it's one of my favorites. 10/10

Papa- Really slow beggining. But the piano, and everyhting is really beautiful and really raw edged. Not as pretty at Whtie Houses, but still very good. "Boy you give good, love plastic love." 9/10

She Floats- I love the lyrics to this song, and the orchestra is amazing in this song. Very girl interrupted. People say it reminds them of Avril Lavigne, but no... it sounds like Vanessa. 8/10

The Wreckage- The lyrics are really... Let's just say that you have to read between the lines of the song... It's not easy to apprehend. But still very good, thought not my favorite. 7/10

as you can see i really thought this cd was great. People say it was a bad second album.. I myself, didn't buy the first one, but I honestly think it's the best cd i own... and i own alot.

Most Definitly buy this cd... haha hopefully this wasn't too long.

:D
January 15, 2007

Truly Disappointed In This Sophomoric Release

As a fan who greatly appreciated her sophisticated musical and lyrical artistry on "Be Not Nobody" (debut recording), I had also rated her first album with five stars. Yet, I was truly disappointed in what I felt was a greatly anticipated yet regressive second release. My first impression was that her vocals hadn't matured, and that they had actually become more childish. This sounded to me like what I would have expected from a sixteen year old singer-songwriter on her debut album. Even Lindsay Buckingham's vocal artistry and contributions to this album can't save this work from the sonic nose-dive that is the end result. The orchestral arrangements are definitely lacking in the artistry and brilliance that were brought out by the President of A&M Records, as producer-extraordinaire on her first debut album "Be Not Nobody". I fault A&M Records for not controlling her artistic development more closely and by giving too much creative license to Vanessa's boyfriend Stephan Jenkins (Third Eye Blind), as producer on this release. Perhaps A&M is also to blame for allowing such over-production from the first album in allowing the licensing of Vanessa's music for cell phone ring-tones, albeit Vanessa shares some of the responsibility for this. This kind of free-for-all attitude indicates that doesn't really speak of real artistic integrity but more toward the triumph of the dollar over carefully nurtured artistic development. What still shines through however, is the impressive brilliance of Vanessa Carlton's piano work, unfortunately still hampered by the production quality of the vocal melodies. This release is seriously lacking the controled production mastery of her first album. December 21, 2006

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