Customer Reviews

Counting Down the Days

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Natalie proves that her previous successes have definitely not been flukes with this richly textured album. Her voice has never been stronger and her songwriting skills continue to mature and develop. I find it infuriating that this CD has not found the distribution that it deserves in the States as many of the singles (namely "Perfectly") have the potential of being huge pop successes with the proper promotion. It's a shame that a second hit has eluded her as her catalog of songs is teaming with accessability (much like "Beauty on the Fire" from White Lillies Island).

If you are able to locate a copy of this very accomplished album, you should do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Apparently married life suits Natalie Imbruglia.

After getting married in 2003 to the Silverchair frontman, the Australian pop singer/actress seems much happier and more secure. The evidence: "Counting Down the Days," her third album. Apparently the child-voiced singer is no longer "Torn," as she was in her debut, but is now "Satisfied."

"Starting today/I'm not gonna waste another moment/Even if I had had the chance before/I would have blown it," she sings at the start of the album, over a simple, upbeat little pop tune that is half keyboard, half acoustic guitar. That note carries over to songs where she talks a lot about home, "falling apart together," and the loneliness of long-distance relationships.

Those songs give Imbruglia's music a more , not the sort of "I met a guy and I'm crazy about him" love songs. The exception is "Shiver," a catchy song obviously destined for singledom. "Cause I shiver/I just break up/When I'm near you/It all gets out of hand." Catchy, yet rather trite.

Not every song focuses on marital bliss, however. "Satisfied" exposes worries about the future: "This knot could come undone/no matter how we try to keep it tied," she sings over a deceptively perky pop backdrop. Well, I gotta admit, who likes an all-happy collection of love songs?

It must count for something that the producer for Blur and the Doves, Ben Hillier, did work on "Counting Down the Days." The pop songs here tend to stick to ordinary guitar riffs, many of them acoustic-based -- a nice change of pace from the majority of light pop. Additionally, they are given some bells, organs and electronic flourishes.

Imbruglia's voice hasn't changed too much -- she still has that girlish Kylie-Minogue kind of voice. Not much of a range, but not unpleasant to the ear. She's able to carry off most of the songs here, though the writing descends to unpleasantly gooey in places. "You talk so much sense/when you're sleeping"? Adoring-the-sleeping-lover songs are overdone enough, without a line like that.

Expect a happier -- yet slightly insecure -- Natalie Imbruglia in "Counting Down the Days." Has several writing weaknesses, but a pleasant enough listen.

Another beautiful, addictive, and a heartful album. I wasn't sure if she could match White Lilies Island in terms of delicate beauty, but this sure did the trick. After about the third spin, the songs wouldn't let me go. Hypnotizing and romantic, I hope America once again gives Natalie the attention she deserves.

Natalie's first two albums were incredible, but this is her masterpiece. She has really matured. The production and her lovely voice are crystal clear. Simply gorgeous. The album is smooth sailing all the way with impeccable fluidity and continuity. "Shiver" is the perfect single with a catchy hook that doesn't grow stale after multiple listenings. This is an elegant pop album for grown-ups. Beautiful sounds from a beautiful woman.

Natalie Imbruglia certainly takes her time between albums. This acting, modeling, singing Australian wonder girl released her mega single "Torn" in 1997, following with her debut album "Left of the Middle" in 1998. Her second album "White Lilies Island" didn't come out until 2001, and now after a four year gap, she returns with "Counting Down the Days".

The intro for first track "Starting Today" brings back fond memories of "Torn", warming the listener up for track two, the best song on the album "Shiver". "Satisfied" and "Counting Down the Days" are standard pop anthems, and then she takes the pace down with the Olivia Newton John-style mellow "I Won't Be Lost" and "Slow Down".

Just as you start calming down, the acoustic guitars of the nearly-rock "Sanctuary" give you a jump start, preparing you for the excellent "Perfectly", with its rousing chorus. "On the Run" sounds like an Alanis Morissette / Sara Mclaughlin collaboration, after which the album slows down again for the last few songs, especially the last one "Honeycombe Child", which even Morissette fans would get confused.

An album of good songs, with one or two buzz-worthy possible hits, but nothing of the "Torn" mega-hit quality.

Amanda Richards, August 6, 2005

Australian exports have always offered a break from the ordinary; from the lovely Minogue sisters, to the serenity of SiA and the pop surrender of Savage Garden. When it comes to rock music, INXS encompass the rock and roll attitude of the early 90's.
Natalie Imbruglia, hailing from the land down under, managed to deliver some world-renowned rock ditties.
Breaking away from the cast of Neighbors and having supermodel looks might make listeners shy away from Imbruglia, who is the face of L'Oreal alongside hair-swisher Beyonce.
But once she chopped off the locks, got into a semi-grunge get-up and sang the anthem of the heartbroken "Torn," everyone started giving her the props that she deserves.
Appearing on the scene amidst the Lilith Fair craze and capitalizing on all Alanis-hungry fans, Left Of The Middle managed to become a blockbuster album aided by the trip hop haunt of "Smoke" and the cheeky rock of "Wishing I Was There."
Then the long break came and the sophomore recession set in with White Lilies Island, which wasn't as driven and catchy as the debut yet carried a couple of gems like "Wrong Impression," the obdurate "Beauty On The Fire" and the unreleased lovelorn track that should've been included, "Satellite."
Next came a movie appearance in the James Bond spoof Johnny English, as the sultry sidekick Lorna Campbell, before she returned back to the studio. Imbruglia's third effort, Counting Down The Days, features a more mature rock attitude with a bit of melancholy.
An underlying theme of longing subsists throughout the album, explained by her distance from long-term boyfriend Daniel Johns from the band Silverchair, who is rumored to be married.
The album is packed with odes of yearning, from the title track, which stands out, to the fast-paced track, "Sanctuary." The ill-chosen single, "Shiver", is neither catchy nor new. The song has an over drop of guitar melodies with subtle lyrics, much like the second album's tracks.
Other tracks save the album, however, from the vocal-guided "On The Run" to the downhearted "When You're Sleeping."
"Honeycomb Child" borrows from Bjork's "Frosti" with its music box melody and stark entrance, while "I Won't Be Lost" is that of affectionate nostalgia.
From the opening of the determined, "Starting Today," to the folk strings of "Slow Down," the album is in perfect flow, however that is in consideration of the fact that some of the songs merge with the next for a lack of distinction.
Imbruglia's morose choral is always a plus, and with a couple of listens some characteristics rise with certain songs.
Counting Down The Day is definitely not Left Of The Middle, but a sure step ahead of White Lilies Island.

At first, I thought maybe it was a little too mellow. But I was wrong...it's just a little different sound. It IS more mellow than Left of the Middle, but much more "layered and mature" (as the review states) than While Lilies Island.

A very well-rounded CD. A nice mix of slow and up tempo songs (although not the "over the top" sound of some of the ones on LOTM...which is what I liked on that CD).

A GREAT addition to your Natalie Imbruglia collection. Well worth the wait!!

Counting Down The Days is that rare species of an album where all the songs seem to merge with your soul. Soothing... relaxing... these are mere words... You need to listen to it by yourself to understand what I'm talking about. Starting Today, Counting Down The Days, Sanctuary, I Wont Be Lost, all show the strength of a songwriter at the height of her powers.

When I found out that Natalie Imbruglia was going to be releasing a new album, I was quite excited. The single, "Shiver", reminded me of the days when "Torn" was all you would hear. It just had that hit quality, and I loved Left of the Middle.

So it comes out, and of course for some reason I thought it would have a domestic American release but it didn't, and that's just fine. I picked up the Import, popped it into my player and I was shocked by what I found.

Since White Lilies Island, it seems Natalie has grown up a bit. With hubby Daniel Johns, of Silverchair fame, she has taken her style and ran with it. The songs aren't as formulaic anymore, and they leave you guessing as to what comes next.

To be honest, I don't listen to most of the album. It's all really good, and while it can be a bit boring at times, Im sure in time I will come to love every song for what it is.

However, I want to talk about one song in particular right now. "Honeycomb Child" is just about the furthest thing I would have expected from Natalie Imbruglia, save the technogem on LotM, "Impressed". This song is quaint, almost kiddish with it's plinking notes and airy lyrics. Towards the end, the mood gets overcast with clouds of doubt and trouble, and the overwhelming waves of sound are enough to send shivers up anyones' spine. This song made my Import purchase worthwhile. And that's saying a lot.

If you like good music (whether or not you like Natalie), you should do yourself a favor and pick this disc up. It's not like much else out there.

I love this woman, Natalie Imbruglia is nice, is gorgeous, sings incredible, this her third offer counting down the days contains the most pretty , emotional and inspiring collection of songs you can enjoy , please check "slow down" , "shiver", "counting down the days" you gonna fall in love
HM