Golden State

Mia Doi Todd | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 3, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00006FI9K
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,790 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Haunting Lyrics, January 8, 2003

By 

Stacy (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Golden State (Audio CD)

I recommend this CD mostly for the wonderful lyrics. I wish a couple of the songs had less of a futuristic or technological sound. With her voice and beautiful lyrics, the songs would appeal more to me if they had less effects and a simplistic approach. Although these aspects lessen the overall quality of the music for me, her lyrics deserve a high rating for their piercing quality. Also, some of the songs, such as "Merry Me," "Like a Knife," and "Autumn" are just beautiful and highly original.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A talent definitely deserving of wider recognition!, September 30, 2002

By 

J. Lund "jazzbrat" (SoCal, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Golden State (Audio CD)

I've been in the mood lately to sample some new music...always hoping to recapture that feeling that I got when first exposed to the likes of such legends as Miles Davis and the Beatles, as well as such relative unknowns as Monday Michiru. After reading a writeup about this album in a local L.A. indie newspaper, what I read sounded as if Mia's music had definite potential to grab my attention and not let go. After hearing this disc, Mia Doi Todd is an artist that I definitely intend to keep up with in the future (and catch up with her prior CDs).

I'm a bit surprised that a major label would take a chance on Mia. Although she should appeal to fans of the likes of Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan, Dido, and maybe even Cassandra Wilson (i.e., her recent albums), at this point Mia's music seems to maximize its impact with minimal arrangements, such as an acoustic guitar or a piano (which means that--unlike particularly Dido or Sarah--you're not likely to hear Mia's music anytime soon on commercial media outlets). Several tracks do have expanded arrangements, and they do provide a nice balance with the "unplugged" tracks, though. I'd say the key elements of Mia's musical approach are her very attractive, emotively-penetrating vocals, and her unique songwriting skills. Mia is a true original: if you are looking for something with more depth and creativity than the usual too-easy-to-digest, too-hard-to-stomach music that attacks us from all angles, this album--and this artist--is highly recommended!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Transcendent, October 13, 2002

By 

Jon Huff "designer and aritst" (IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Golden State (Audio CD)

I saw this CD at the local music store and sampled it before buying it here. It really is an incredible album. I'm excited to see that Mia has other albums. I'm definitely checking her other albums out as well.

Her voice is an incredible insturment. As another reviewer mentioned, the instrumentation is sparse. But it can be. Her voice carries more emotion than an orchestra of strings could convey. As a fan of Dido and Sarah Mclachlan, I can say that they should definitely check this out. One thing Mia has going for her that even those great singer/songwriters dont' always have are GREAT lyrics. It's pure poetry. That might scare some people off. I don't mean poetry in a tuneless, meandering sort of way. Just excellent songwriting that happens to have words that capture you.

Every track is captivating in it's own ways. Through each Todd's voice carries the listener through the imagery and emotions presented. There is some rough, personal stuff in here. However, even the sadder sentiments have a sigh of optimism in them.

Do yourself a favor. Buy this album. Sit down and close your eyes and let yourself be carried away, then listen to it again and read the lyrics and marvel at the craftmanship present here.

There are few albums I have found to be this breathtaking, heartbreaking, uplifting and profound.