Eye to the Telescope

KT Tunstall | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records
• ASIN: B000DN5VJY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (262 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,982 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

If the art of the female singer-songwriter revolves around coffee-table soliloquies then Eye to the Telescope--the debut album from Edinburgh-born chanteuse/guitarist KT Tunstall--is a pleasing mediation between the traditional demands of brooding egocentricity (espresso) and frothy commerciality (cappuccino). KT Tunstall has star quality. "Suddenly I See" is an effortlessly liberating pop fillip while, conversely, "False Alarm" redresses ABBA's "The Winner Takes It All" for losers who had nothing to lose to begin with. However, Tunstall isn't entirely convinced by the compromise ("I'm struggling to cater for the space I'm meant to fill" she sings) and "Miniature Disasters"--one of several strong numbers showcasing her aptitude for wrapping up pop tunes in either folky bluesiness or ponderous jazz--catalogues her desires for unfettered self-expression. The opening cut "Other Side Of The World" might sound like Dido without the giftwrapped grief (she's none too flattered with the comparisons) but Eye to the Telescope is spiritually closer to Carole King and Elvis Costello than Katie Melua. And that's no bad thing. --Kevin Maidment

Product Description

KT Tunstall is a sparkling new songwriter with Chinese blood, a Scottish heart, great legwarmers & a cool name. KT celebrates classic singer-songwriting in the tradition of Rikki Lee Jones, Carol King & Fleetwood Mac with an articulate, accessible, immediate brew of rootsy sass, wistful quandary & after-hours atmosphere. KT's unique perspective offers a rare emotionally connecting intensity through it's gripping lyrical bite & heartfelt melody. Virgin. 2006.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

115 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, some good music!, September 22, 2006

By 

Gregory J. Casteel "Dr. Gregory J. Casteel" (Athens, AL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eye to the Telescope (Audio CD)

I am neither young nor hip. The music that today's kids listen to is grating on my ears. I have eclectic musical tastes, and listen to everything from classical, to jazz, to folk, to rock; but I can't stand hip hop, dance music, or Top-40 pop. Give me Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, or Pink Floyd. I have no use for Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, or Diddy. In other words, I want more from my music than a beat you can dance to and some sexy choreography. In order to get my attention, music must have some depth to it. I want substance; not just superficial flash.

KT Tunstall is the real deal. Unlike most young singers today, she's got actual musical talent. Her songs are lyrical and catchy. They have a way of getting under your skin. And she performs them perfectly. No dancing; no flashy costumes; nothing to distract you from the music -- KT Tunstall doesn't need any of that. She can sing. She can play. She can write songs. This isn't kiddie music (though she does seem to appeal to younger listeners as well as to those of us who are a bit more mature). It's good to know that someone as genuinely talented as KT Tunstall is getting recognition and commercial success in the world of popular music. Maybe we're finally starting to emerge out of the era of lame kiddie pop, hip hop, and dance music that began in the mid-1990s, and are entering a new era of quality music. (Probably not; but a guy can dream.) At the very least, I hope to hear more from KT Tunstall in the coming years.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have faith in music again !!!!, October 2, 2006

By 

Lance Lazewski (Buffalo, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eye to the Telescope (Audio CD)

Next to my wife, in my 48 years of life, music has been my passion. In recent times, its been very hard for me to find anything I like. The American music "powers to be" want to do nothing but shove hip hop, fluff & shallow "Pop Tarts" (Britney, Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton & on & on & on.........) down our throats. FINALLY, after about 20 years, a breath of fresh air !!! I stumbled upon K T Tunstall channel surfing & came accross the tail end of her Soundstage concert televised on PBS about a month ago. I didn't know who she was at the time but was greatly impressed with the couple of songs I heard. I purchased the cd last week & by coincidence, heard she was coming to Buffalo last Friday (9-29-06). I listened to the CD & I couldn't believe my ears. This is the most talented artist to come along in ages. I can't get enough of this cd. The opening tune, "Other side of the world", is as beautiful of a song as your ever going to hear. The chord progressions & KT's sweet vocals send chills down my spine. The next tune, " Another place to fall", has a bit of an edge & shows another side of this multi talented artist. I'm not going to analyze each track, but they compliment each other well. The 2 more "up tempo" songs, "Black horse & the cherry tree" & "Suddenly I see", are excellent. Before I bought the cd, I read various reviews. I heard KT compared to Bonnie Raitt, Carole King, Melissa Etheridge among others. I was a little skeptical. I said to myself, no one can be THAT GOOD !!?? Well guess what, SHE IS. She's a genuine artist who pours everything she has into her music. A great writer, musician & most of all, singer. Oh, & I almost forgot, performer. My wife & I caught her show in Buffalo last week & it has to rank in the top 5 I've seen in my lifetime. Not alot of dancing around, no elaborate stage set up although she has a great band with her, no lasers or fancy lightshow, just her musical talent & thats enough to take you away. I HAVE FAITH IN MUSIC AGAIN !!!!!!! YES !!!!!!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tough to categorize, but easy to love, February 27, 2006

By 

Dr. Emil "Tom" Shuffhausen (Central Gulf Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eye to the Telescope (Audio CD)

I was spending a long time recently browsing through my local music store and found myself continually being drawn to the young lady singing on the sound system. Finally, I did something I seldom do: I went to the clerk and asked "Who IS this playing?" I thought it was either Fiona Apple or something new from former Sixpence None the Richer singer Leigh Nash.

I confess, I hadn't heard of KT Tunstall before, but I was very struck by her music. She's a little bit jazzy, a little folky, smooth and fiesty, acoustic-but-rocking ... I don't know what to call her music except great.

"Other Side of the World" is a funky, kicky leadoff track, and things don't slack off after that. "Another Place to Fall" rocks a bit in a crunchy granola kind of way. The plucky "Suddenly I See" is pretty much irresistable pop. The CD alternately soars and sighs, but never sinks or falters. It's really an amazingly mature and accomplished work from such a new, young artist.

Take Norah Jones, Nelly Furtado, Dido, Carol King, the aforementioned Nash and Apple, Sarah MacLaughlin, Bonnie Raitt, and, just for the heck of it, The Corrs, and put them all in a blender...or maybe a cappucino machine...shake and warm, and you might have something like KT Tunstall. And that's a good thing.