Customer Reviews

Dear Frustrated Superstar

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's completely uncomprehensible that Nerina Pallot hasn't broken through in the UK as she's one of the most interesting and intelligent pop artists of her generation. Her sound is not unlike Aimee Mann (who she was planned to tour with last year), with songs about universal experiences told from a personal angle but never letting go of the need to captivate her audience.

There are countless stand-out songs here, although obviously the singles 'Patience' and 'Alien' are worth a mention. The tune that is most overtly pop is 'Watch Out Billie' which is completely irresistible with its tale of stardom gone wrong and great hooks. But it's not just on the lighter tracks that Nerina succeeds on but also the more serious or sadder tracks. Personally I love 'Someday Soon', purely because of its world weariness mixed with a feeling of inevitability - the irony of it is perfectly handled. Even the love songs are given a new edge, which is particularly evident on the strangely dark 'Rainbow'.

This is the re-released edition of the album, with the new single included and another extra track. Quite simply though this album is flawless and puts Nerina right up there with the very best pop artists. I very much anticipate the follow-up.

I may be loosening my aim at objectiveness here, but I simply cannot help but love everything about this artist and her beautifully obscure work of art. I was reading reviews for another album when I was offered a recommendation for this album. After reading the reviews, I decided to purchase the album without hearing a single song. It turned out to be one of the best albums I have ever purchased; one that I still listen to, nearly two years later. Nerina Pallot is a classically trained pianist who has a flair for melody. Her voice is both delicate and soothing, and never fails to convey emotion and nuance. The variety of subject matter is impressive. Nerina never takes herself too seriously and prefers to show you how smart, witty, and talented she is, rather than to tell you. Her lyrics are never forceful and are crafted in a manner that incites contemplation and, often times, amusement. This is a delightful album.

I was first turned on to the idea of listening to Nerina Pallot from all the customer lists that named her as an exceptional and unknown artist. As I'm always on the lookout for new music, I finally bit the bullet and placed an order to the UK over ebay to snag myself a copy. It took over a month to arrive (helped along by a friendly UK postal strike), but wow was it worth the wait. Nerina has a beautifully haunting voice, and she writes some of the best pop songs that I've heard in years.

Every song on this disc is of exceptional quality, but several are worthy of extra praise. The two songs released as singles from the album are "Alien" and "Patience", and both are quite catchy and fun. The ballad "If I Know You" starts the disc off with a bang, the bouncey tune "Watch Out Billie" is the closest Nerina ever comes to a mainstream pop song, and "Someday Soon" is simply beautiful. "Very Good Sir" is ironic and strangely catchy, and my personal favorite, "Blood is Blood", combines excellent lyrics with great music, which is pretty much like the entire rest of the album.

If you've ever considered checking out Nerina's music, I STRONGLY reccomend you do so. It can be a royal pain to get ahold of this disc, but the best ways to do so are from amazon.co.uk or ebay, and you can check out clips of her songs on several fans websites ... just run it through a search engine, and if you can find it the video for "Patience" is very cool. An excellent recording from an artist that should be better known, Nerina Pallot is one of the few artists that has left me longing for her next work.

I clicked on Nerina Pallot's site by accident, and intruiged, downloaded some of her songs. I loved 'Patience' and 'Alien' and decided her whole album must be just as good. I was right. Having only gotten it 2 days ago, I've played it over and over again. The one stuck in my head right now is 'Watch Out Billie', which I *think* is about Billie Piper, who broke the record for youngest girl to get a No. 1 in the UK in 1998. It has a great hook. All the other songs are great as well. Some are darker then others, but they all have great melodies and lyrics. Another thing that impressed me is that Nerina wrote, or co-wrote [only a few] all the tracks. Her voice, guitar-playing and writing talents all add up to a very talented artist who deserves more exposure.

"Dear frustrated superstar" was first released back in november 2001 in the UK. It didn't break grounds and i really don't know why.(Maybe it's because, UK are still waving for Dido and garage band like The Strokes or UK 2 Step bands like So Solid Crew or fake plastic bands like the awful Pop Idol and Girlthing.Anyways...

Don't try to find something wrong with Nerina. She's no Alanis and Sheryl. Her sound is far less "chilled" than Dido's. She's miles away ahead of Natalie Imbruglia's anemic poetry.
Actually, it's pop. Intelligent pop. With guts and brains. She may be a mix of sheryl crow's brightest days (see all i wanna do) and jewel's vulnerability (see foolish games and break me).

Her songs recalls a good sunny day, a blue and quiet night and the fellings most of us has every day.

Hear the single "Patience" and it'll knock you off.
Hear the catchy chorus of the beautiful "Jump" and a smile will appear on your face.
Hear "My last tango" to see how her melody sounds like the song has been written with Rufus Wainwright!

You'll be suprised and you'll fall in love with Nerina Pallot and her "Dear Frustrated Superstar"

P.S.: Check out the international release with new single "Photograph".

I bought this album on advice from a family member and I have not loved any album more. Nerina has such a lovely voice. More amazing is that she writes, plays the piano and guitar in all songs and in all she is fab.
The irony of Dear Frustrated Super Star is not lost and I think that all of her lyrics are exceptionally clever and thoughtful.

Catchy lyrics, tunes that you just can't shake off, this girl is a genius. I recommend Blood is Blood, Dear Frustrated Superstar and My Last Tango as these are my favourites...and go get her new album "Fires" even more of a masterpiece.

i had heard Nerina on MTV for the first time and i was
so astonished, her way to play piano, her soft voice, her apparent kindness surprised me positively.As i couldn't find anywhere her CD i bought it thanks to Amazon (thank you so much to provide me this great album).

I can't judge the lyrics (an english person could do it better)
but her music is harmonious, with rythm, with feelings and her music is true!
ENJOY!!!

I bought this album after falling in love with Fires. When I received Superstar I listened to it once and decided it wasn't up to the level of Fires and went back to listening to that album constantly.

But as the months went by everytime a song from this album popped up on my iPod shuffle songlist, I found myself liking them more and more. Now I find I skip the Fires songs to get to the Superstar songs.

My favs:
Patience
If I Know You
Watch Out Billie
Very Good Sir
Daily Bread

I've yet to hear a song by Nerina that I don't love.

Simply stunning. I can't understand why it hasn't recieved more attention in the UK. I begins with a very thumping track called 'If I Know You' [soon to be her thrid single]. Don't skip, OK it goes on for nearly 6 minutes but it is fantastic. The album there on flow effortlessly and it becomes almost woven into your mind you start humming melodies and whistling tunes until you can't help but sing the sings in public.
Singles: Patience, Alien, If I Know You
Highlights: Someday Soon, God, Rainbow, Blood Is Blood, Very Good Sir.

This album for me was the first album since Imogen Heap's Imegaphone and Alanis' Jagged Little Pill, that I could not skip a track. Everyone is very individual and unique. I urge all music fans to buy it will change or move you perspective on female singers.