Customer Reviews

Golden State

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Every now and then someone combines poetry and music is such a way as to make what was once invisible clear. This woman is a muse. I am much more the rich for listening to her.

It's true there's not much happiness on this album, but that certainly doesn't have to be a bad thing. Some of the best Belle & Sebastian (or Tori Amos or Iron & Wine, etc.) songs are the ones that aren't bouncy and happy. Mia gives listeners intelligent lyrics with occasionally clever word-play backed by music that is often understated but effective. "Autumn" has that elusive quality that hooks a listener and stays with them long after the song is over. "Independence Day" capably connects the world's issues with battles that are more personal. Golden State clearly refers more to buddhism than sunny days so to give this album a fair listen...try an overcast Saturday afternoon in October while you're inbetween chapters of a really good book and resting comfortably in your favorite chair.

Manzanita was the first Mia Doi Todd album I heard, and I was impressed enough to buy up her catalog. This and Manzanita are my favorites. This one is a little more polished, but probably a little more consistent in song quality than Manzanita (she remakes some songs from previous independent releases). Well worth it. She's a real talent.

First, let's get this out of the way: This is truly remarkable musicmaking, from a really unique talent who's deserving of wider attention. The freshness and candor of Mia's music will do something for your heart that is really very rare in today's music world.

Clearly Mia's haunting, penetrating voice is not at issue. What other reviewers do seem to be disagreeing about is the degree to which her music is spoilt or redeemed by the poetic quality of her lyrics. On this count I can only say that her lyrics are light and wistful here, touching and more covered there, and yes, occasionally sociopolitically heavy-handed enough to make the listener take her seriously. Somehow through all this the feel of the music is unburdened but substantive. She is writing on the whole gamut of the human experience, and so her musical and dictionary palette varies song to song. But know that where she means to be subtle, she is subtle, and that is a beautiful thing.

You will not like every single track on this album (I still can't stand the much-adored Like a Knife). But if you wish you were in touch with more music that has the power to engage you by its sheer quality and remarkable subtlety, please go out and get some Mia Doi Todd before it's too late. It'll do you good.

Golden State is a slight step forward from MDT's previous indie records which were completely acoustic in nature. What hasn't changed here is that beautiful voice. Some of these songs carry over from her indie work- "Poppie Fields" remains somewhat true to the original version, while "Digital" undergoes a slightly fleshed out production and is a great song regardless of its treatment. Their is also a fantastic remix floating around out there of "Digital", which is more upbeat and electronic. Lyrically, MDT touches on feminism, alienation and similiar melancholic themes. Fans of Beth Orton, Suzanne Vega and Sarah should definitely take note. On a closing sidenote, the artwork and album title for the record do not reflect the vibe of the record at all - which is soulful/slightly tortured.

Whatever happened to the gorgeous, bare-bones song structures found on "Come Out of Your Mine" and "The Ewe and the Eye"? Both albums contained Mia's beautiful voice and skeletally intimate arrangements. The formerly sublime, personal intimacy has been replaced by (too much) technology. Unfortunately, the technology, in itself, undermines the greatness of the original versions of these songs. However, Todd (sadly) remains to be one of the most underrated singer/songwriters of our time.

When I was out buying music this weekend I sampled Mia's latest offering and was impressed enough to buy it. I didn't know she was a Eurasian Yale graduate, that this was her 3rd cd or anything else about her for that matter - just that the songs had a haunting quality as her rich otherworldy voice is backed by austere piano and acoustic guitar arrangements.

The lyrics are reminiscent of Joni Mitchell - many stand alone as poems and her subject matter reminds one you can marry philosophy to technology and science to sensuality.