Customer Reviews

Diabolical Streak

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found out about Jill Tracy while trying to find some new music to listen to. After listening to a few of her songs I was able to find online, I bought the album. I was not disappointed.

Jill Tracy has a voice like smoke in a San Francisco bar; a reminder of a different era. Her piano work is the perfect companion, and the "Malcontents" help complete the wonderful feel of the album.

If that doesn't do it for you, the lyrics will. Murder, poisoning, and mayhem, all rolled into one package, with a little bit of love on the side. If you liked "Murder Ballads" (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds), try this on for size. If you're a fan of noir films and books, ditto.

I wasn't quite sure what to think when I got this CD. I had her debut album ("Quintessentially Unreal", if you can find it) which was just her singing and playing piano and it reminded me a little too much of a darker version of Tori Amos (who, at the time, I really disliked). But I'd heard that she got together a backup band, the Malcontent Orchestra, and that had helped mature her sound. Well, I was very pleased with the results. While her first album has grown on me over time, "Diabolical Streak" was the one I fell instantly in love with. The music is rich, the lyrics are very clever and sly and sexy. So I went to see her a couple of times with my wife some friends (she's a local, fortunately) and she spoke with us and seemed genuinely flattered that we liked her music, which was a relief compared to many other musicians I've met. I highly recommend this album to fans of gothic music (especially neo-classical), fans of Tori Amos or any other female singer/piano player, or fans of ragtime music.
On a further note, she and the Malcontent Orchestra performed the live score to the silent film "Nosferatu" (which, unfortunately, I missed) and according to their website are planning on releasing it on CD. That should be a real treat to play along with the film at home.

This album is, in a word . . . diabolical. I can't stop listening to it. This woman has a way of getting under your skin, and believe me -- that's not a bad thing. Or is it? I'm hooked now! The sound is completely distinctive, the lyrics brilliantly original, and the voice deleriously seductive.

Jill Tracy, who are you? Can you come out and play? Can you at least put out another album? Please, don't make me beg!

Lovely piano and strings throughout this album make it a wonderful piece to slip into the CD player as the sun goes down. Each song is a little composition with something to smile about. Jill is something of a sultry, feminine and stylish version of Nick Cave with a little Tom Waits thrown in for fun. I LOVE this CD. If you download the free MP3's here on Amazon, you have an excellent representation of the entire CD.

I agree with the favorable reviews below-- just wanted to add that I found her myspace profile (http://www.myspace.com/jilltracymusic), which says:

"The new Jill Tracy CD is just beginning to be recorded, set for release in late 2006. This will be her fourth full length recording."

I bought this on a whim, while searching for Eenor (of fame with Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade). It seems that Eenor was part of the instrumentalists on this album, what the description neglects to say is that he only performs on "Pulling Your Insides Out". After finding this out, I brought a negative outlook to the listening of the Album. But I must say i'm very suprised, Jill Tracy and her coven create this wonderful atmosphere of love with evil intentions and its meaninglessness. Its quite sexy, great mood music. Plus, the ragtime-esqe musical accompanyment with her vocals is something i haven't heard anywhere in popular music. Everyone I have lent this album too has nothing but good things to say about it. One of the better albums on the "Indie" genre. One note, there are no electric intruments used, just Jill's voice, a double bass, precussion and on one track a yali tambour(turkish origin, think fretless banjo)

Recomended for:
Background music for
getting down with some debauchery

This album has been a constant in my life for about four years now...it certainly ranks highly on my "favorites" list. Jill Tracy is a wonderful songstress of a dark and macabre stripe who writes clever songs rife with vicious little tales of murder, poison, suicide, and morbid relationships. Her lyrics feature deft turns of phrase and *gasp* polysyllabic words indicating a grasp of the English language that is much stronger than your average musician. The presence of an X-chromosome and a piano would lead to easy comparisons to Tori Amos, and while I also enjoy Tori's music tremendously, Jill Tracy would appeal to more of a niche audience than would Tori. I'd recommend "Diabolical Streak" highly to those with a literary bent and a dark turn of mind.

I first heard Jill Tracy on a college station, as I was driving late at night in the rain. I had no idea who she was, and I sat there listening intently, completely blown away. I knew I had to hear more, soon. I bought "Diabolical Streak" shortly after that night, and once again I was completely blown away. There are only so many albums that come hurtling at you like a freight train and completely knock the breath out of you. For me, this was one of those albums.

Think Nick Cave's "Murder Ballads" backed with an orchestra, fronted with an amazing female voice. This album is absolutely brilliant, and I really am not very easily impressed. It's seductive, it's creepy, and at the end you'll wish you had someone to lure into your own trap, because she makes it sound so perfect..

Forgive me for the title, but it's the best way I know to sum up this disc. Tracy's got a voice like Tori Amos at her iciest, a penchant for dark lyrics that reminds one of Tom Waits' masterpiece "Alice," a mood that harkens back to Poe, and a piano style that contains elements of both cabaret and Satie. There's also a theatrical atmosphere to the entire album that works quite well. How can one do all of that and still be original and intriguing? Apparently by being Jill Tracy.

You've got a bit of everything here:

"Evil Night Together" is the kind of song Morticia might sing to Gomez to get him in the mood.

"The Fine Art of Poisoning" could be straight out of a Broadway adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel.

The lyrics to "The Proof" screams of Tom Waits, which is high praise in my book. These two should collaborate. I think her sharp, pretty purr and his graveled growl would compliment one another well.

And that's just a taste. I'm glad I found my Diabolical Streak. Now, go find yours.

P.S. Maybe Tim Burton should have Ms. Tracy write/perform the songs for his next animated film. These are certainly more effective than the music from "The Corpse Bride." Just a thought.

As Edward Gorey is to illustration, as Tim Burton is to film, so is Jill Tracy to music. So much unnecessary crap being created by the corporate machine and force fed to the masses these days- it is wonderful to come across a rare and unique gem like this.
For a man of my dark tastes, this album represents a cultural life line of sorts.