Customer Reviews

Amen

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(24)

 

 

This album is a reflection of Paula Cole's true transformation. I think her second album "This Fire" is about a woman coming to terms with her own fears, anger, desperation, and lost of faith. "Amen" is about a woman deciding to take a more spiritual path. I think the album is beautiful in its own right. Her vocals are breathtaking and the best songs on the album are "Pearl, Be Somebody, I believe in Love, and Rythym of life.

I think she will recieve a lot of criticism for her move towards a more spiritual approach to life but I think that is part of being a true artist. I loved her rage and cynicism on "This Fire" but I must admit, I am really pleased to listen to songs filled with hope and vision. I could see her shifting into soulful music on tracks from "This Fire". One that comes to mind is "Feeling love". It shouldn't be such a surprise to everyone. Paula Cole has said in many interviews that her biggest influence is Aretha Franklin.

It will take an open heart to understand Paula's message. It doesn't take a genuis to be angry and filled with rage but it truly takes a humble person to find the courage to sing about faith and love in a time of faithlessness. Cheers to Paula Cole!!!!

I have listened to the album 3 times or so at the time of this review (track 3 is currently spinning in my PC), and so far have enjoyed it thoroughly.

I was a bit taken aback by the occasional DJ scratching and Bone Thugs style rapping on track 6, but then again this IS Paula Cole we're talking about, who isn't afraid to try anything. Thank God she decided to forego the screaming route she went with 2 tracks off of This Fire.

Musically, this album isn't quite as dynamic as This Fire; I would put it at about the same level as her first album, the extremely-underrated Harbringer.

All in all, this is a very good album. My personal high points are the title track, which is simply beautiful (though a tad preachy), and Free, with its lovely combination of strings and sitar. Add to that a very throaty contralto and you've got some good listening. Nuff said.

Harbinger and This Fire are great- very original. The first time I listened to this CD, I realized that I had stopped listening after the 2nd or 3rd track. The songs were just not as distinct as those on her first two albums.

First of all, I think "This Fire" is a brilliant album with it's thoughful, provocative lyrics and it's shattering, acoustic music and Paula's incredibly strong and lasting voice. That in my opinion is worthy of 5 stars (probably a 4 1/2). With much expectation to see what this album would be like as a follow-up I was dissappointed during the first listen, but like "This Fire" I had to listen to it several times to start to understand it. For one thing, Paula's strong excellent voice stays, as well as some of the nice, loud acoustic music (on some of the tracks) but the album has numerous faults. For one thing, the songwriting on the album isn't there with her past work as she says on one track where she falteringly attempts at rapping "To the critics and the cynics who don't understand the lyrics" and at the end of this track ("Rhythm Of Life" is the track) she says "All the world's a stage....". First of all, Paula, your breakthrough album didn't even hit platinum when you were nominated for 7 Grammy Awards including Album and Song of the year; believe me they understood your lyrics! The best music that remains on the album "Amen" is the passionate, loud music (Paula once again writes in the booklet of the album to turn the music up to get the experience, and she's right!) but she includes corny, R&B and soul-driven music as well. Hopefully, Paula won't look like a wonder and will come out with what "This Fire" had so she can get her career back.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Okay, guys. I am about to totally bash one of the reviewers on this page. If you would like a reference, please look at "Paula ---What Happened To You?, A Music Fan From Chicago", submitted on September 29th, 1999. For those of you that are TRULY loyal fans, you will most definitely cheer me on when I say:

First of all, Paula Cole, like any other musician, did not get in this business to write for you. She got into the music industry for HERSELF. Her lyrics are an expression of how SHE feels. If someone understands how she feels or is remotely able to relate to her, that's great. But music is all about SELF-expression, and I do stress the world self. Of course her lyrics are going to sound self-absorbed. They're about her. She's so filled with energy from her newly discovered peace of mind, that she's bursting with emotion. Some people shout out loud, they jump up and down, or they go tell someone how they feel. Turning it into a song and singing it to the world is her own personal way of expressing it. Now, would you bash everyone else for doing this? The reason why it's become the Paula Cole band is because she's giving her musicians the credit they deserve. Without her back-up, she's merely a voice. She's a great voice, but she can't survive in the music industry on her voice alone. Then she'd really be a folkie! And hey, after all, she's got a great band! She's trying to tell everyone, "Give us ALL a hand! They're a large part of this too!" (ex. Dave Matthews, where the hell would that guy be without his band? ) Lastly, there is nothing wrong with her. She's experimenting, as does every artist. Yeah, sure we all grow to like a specific sound, but we're not the ones who have to sing it. And how are they supposed to grow and try to appeal to others if they're always doing the same thing? They're losing money, and they're losing valuable and potential listeners. That's what the music industry is all about. So, before you change your mind about being a die-hard fan, why don't you think about all the reasons why they started in the first place and why they're still there?

For those who have panned this disk, think again. You're angry because it doesn't sound like _Harbinger_ or _This Fire_, because it was time for Paula Cole to grow as an artist - something she certainly has done. This effort is a major undertaking, encompassing several styles of music, all of which she executes beautifully (yes, including the rap on "Rhythm of Life"). The lyrics can at times be trite (see the title track) but at least they're heartfelt as opposed to completely commercialized. Her vocal acrobatics are as impressive as ever, and are a delight to listen to - her instrument continues to impress. My take: buy the cd. Get over the fact that there's only nine songs, that sometimes her lyrics veer into drippy sentimentality, and appreciate her talent, her guts, and that angel voice. Amen.

Let me start off by saying that I have loved Paula Cole for a very long time. I first heard of her when I saw her open for Sarah McLachlan many years ago - I was amazed. That was the first time the opening act was better than the headliner.

I immediately went out and bought her album Harbinger. My exitement was palpable on the day of This Fire's release, and I was not disappointed. I saw her twice while she was touring in support of This Fire, and both shows were thrilling.

Then came Amen. Again I was excited - but this time I was sorely disappointed. Now, I have no problem with an artist striving to grow, try new things, and move in new directions. They should move forward, however, not backward. This album is just not very interesting, to be frank. The songs are rather hackneyed, and the lyrics are trite. I have no problem with Paula sharing her convictions as a Christian - that is not where my complaint lies.

I gave this record 2 stars because I will always love her voice - I just feel bad that I cannot enjoy an album by one of my favourite artists.

As an example - I was just listening to a live version of Paula covering "Jolene" - which is always the finest moment of any Paula Cole show. Realising what she truly is capable of, it saddens me all the more to think of "Amen."

Hopefully she will get back on track with her next attempt.

This cd is absolutely awesome. Every song on this cd brings me hope in so many ways. I can honestly say that I love every song on this cd. In my eyes the lyrics represent complete truth which is something I'm totally for. Paula's work is complete genius and uplifting. I really think that everyone should own a copy of this cd. I do have many favorites, but the one song that I personally find to be the best is the very last song, "God is Watching". That song couldn't be more true, having the question asking us, when are we going to start loving one another? The music is probably recommended for mature listener's. Hopefully one's with open minds. There are a few foul words in the cd, but I feel that they are completely appropriate with the spiritual content that she is displaying through her work. The music is considered to be rock, and regardless of what people say about Christian rock, I think that this cd is much more than a spiritual type of cd, but a good source of morals and great music to go along with it. It truly deserves a perfect 5!

Like many others, I was very suprised with the quality of Paula's second album "This Fire". A bold and dark album about her inner torments and hate. After a while I also bought Harbinger, not as good as This Fire but a strong debut with signs of a great talent. And then "Amen" got released. Instead of making a second This Fire, she chooses a very different musical direction. This record is more about freedom and spirituality, with a more rythm and blues sounding band. Paula Cole's voice is still the driving pulse on this cd, with some guest appearances from Tionne Watkins (from TLC) and DJ Premier who adds some scratches.

The only problem I have with this cd are the lyrics. Sometimes Paula tries to much to convince us with her believes (that's her good right) but I prefer the emotional statements from This Fire.

I loved Paula Cole when her first album came out. I thought she was one of the most talented artists in music. Then she came out with "This Fire" which was good, but lacked the emotion that "Harbinger" had. But this? I have no clue what happened. Her lyrics used to mean something. The only reason I give this 3 stars is in the hope that someone might see this and actually check out some of the work she did when she still was singing about things she cared about.