Natalie Imbruglia - Glorious: The Singles 1997-2007

Limited edition two disc (CD/DVD (NTSC/Region 0) pressing of the fetching Australian singer/actress/model's 2007 singles collection featuring a bonus DVD that contains 11 video clips (including the U.S., UK and Live videos for 'Wishing I Was There'). The CD features nine of her international hits (including the massive U.S. hit 'Torn) pulled from her three albums plus five new cuts, one of which is 'Identify', originally written by The Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan for the Stigmata soundtrack. With pop hooks that are as pleasing as her looks, Imbruglia has remained one of Australia's most popular exports for a decade. 14 tracks including the 'new' single 'Glorious'. Sony/BMG. Album Description

One of My Favorite CDs

I won't be able to put it into words, but this is one of my favorite CDs. I thoroughly enjoyed "Left of The Middle" and "White Lillies Island," and this compillation includes some of the best tracks from those two collections, as well as "Glorious," and several other of my favorites. When words fail, I resort to lists:

1.) Natalie Imbruglia is wonderfully unique. She is like no one else, and I love her individuality. Her voice is so pure and fine. I enjoy listening carefully to some of the tracks like "Glorious," "Beauty on Fire," and "Torn," trying to absorb the sweet vocal sounds she makes, particularly when the instruments back off a little. I'd like her to do more 'a cappella' singing. It would be so fine.

2.) I like to consider the person behind the music. Here is a tiny little woman born with the burden of a magnificent face - a face that distances most women, and freaks out most men. She has spoken of her battle with depression. She has recently ended a long relationship. I imagine Natalie Imbruglia as someone born on a planet much nicer than this one, flying across the galaxy, landing here on earth with all its challenges and loneliness. But what does she do? She fights on, and the rest of us are the better for it, because she continues to share her wonderful music.

3.) Listen to "Glorius." Its a song of courage. We all have a choice of soaking in the misery of the past, or moving forward. Natalie is courageously moving forward because she knows there is something better, and her attitude will make it so.

4.) Stong production. Great song writing and cover selections. Powerful, clear and dynamic musical accompanyment, while at the same time giving Natalie the space to share the finest of her vocal talent.

Thats how I see it. Thank you for landing on my planet, Natalie. April 17, 2008

A Shockingly Great Collection : Australia Has a New Icon

Listening to this Greatest Hits collection, one is amazed at just how many truly great songs Natalie has in her back catalog. I could probably have just thought of about three good singles, but with the release of this collection, one stands corrected - and its evident that there are many more songs she's released that are worthy of their `classic' tag.

Though "Torn" is often considered Imbruglia's big single (and commercially, it was), the best single here by far is "Wishing I Was There". This song sounds like something Alanis Morissette would die to record, and from the exceptionally crafted verse to the breakdown to the soaring chorus - this is the perfect pop-rock song. Everything else on the record just pales in comparison. Close on the heels of this song, is the equally stellar "Big Mistake". This song is notorious for its slow buildup leading to a climax of a chorus - much in the vein of Bjorks' "Its Oh So Quiet".

Yet, some of the other singles here, most noticeably from Imbruglia's underrated "White Lilies Island" album, seem to have aged very gracefully - though a bit `90s sounding in their production, these are all sing-along numbers that Jon Bon Jovi would feel right at home with. When Natalie slows down the tempo, things get even better. Most interesting is her "Smoke" - a true Natalie classic, and the best slower song on the album.

What about her new single "Glorious"? Well, the song was recorded especially for this Hits album, and actually opens the album. As a tune, its average, but Natalie's unique voice and modulation make this one sound much better with repeat listenings. Not sure yet if this can be called a `classic', but it is certainly a song that is well deserving of its' position on this compilation.

Lets face it - Natalie Imbruglia is not a super duper rock star, but she's perhaps the only former supermodel and TV actress who currently makes meat-and-potatoes pop-rock music. This is not Led Zeppelin - instead, its light and frothy Adult Contemporary rock music with a pop edge, and if you like Alanis Morissette, Bon Jovi, Nickelback, Milla Jovovich and Imogen Heap, then you will grow to love every single track.

Five Stars. Rediscovering Imbruglia has been one of this years' top musical highlights!


February 7, 2008

A Dream Come True

The Real Dream Come True, almost 10 years dreaming and trying to get all natalie's Videos in one place, of course at the beggining in a VHS tape, and and now is finally here..The DVD with all Natalie's Videos including the 2 versions of Wishing I Was There...is really for me a Dream, THE dream come true

the sound is great even when is not 5.1, and the picture quality is great too for a music videos DVD. Region Free and NTSC, maybe they should put the Closed Captions or a subtitle Track with the lyrics January 3, 2008

What A Pleasant Surprise!

You Never Have To Keep Your Fingers Crossed, With Nat. She Has That All-Around "It" That Most Popstars Lack In One Way Or Another, But With Hip-Hop Overbearing The Airwaves At The Moment "It" Goes Un-Recognized. Needless To Say, Natalie's Sound Does Not Stand A Chance On Mainstream (Pop) Radio At This Time. Someday When Hip-Hop Dies Down A Bit There'll Be More Hope For Our Modern-Pop/Rock Divas Once Again, Can't Wait.

Wrapping It Up, There Are 5 New Surprises For You Towards The End Of This CD, Much Like The Arrangements Of "Glorious", The Springy/Summery Airy Sound Remains. If You Don't own This Collection Already You Should Be Ashamed Of Yourself And Purchase This At Once. You Won't Regret It.

October 10, 2007

Great voice

Although best known for her major hit Torn, she is a very capable vocalist. I was not familiar with many of the tracks on this CD before hearing it today, and there were many pleasant surprises. The sound engineering is consistently excellent, and her vocals are steady. She has a somewhat unique voice that is very pleasant. The DVD is a nice plus. October 6, 2007

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