Customer Reviews

Here

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Don't get me wrong- I'm a HUGE Idina fan. She's been one of my faves ever since she first released Still I Can't Be Still in 1998. This album has been a long time coming, and I've loved hearing her perform her new material live at small venues in New York. But I have to say, this CD was disappointing. I felt the six she chose were far too similar in quality- quiet, heartfelt, mellow selections from her WIDE repertoire of songs written since her debut album. The songs are all very nice, but she is capable of so much more- steamy blues, dangerously emotional pieces, humorous lyrics, upbeat songs- and none of that is really showcased here. If the mellow songs on this CD had been interspersed with songs like "Jealous", "It Only Hurts When I Breathe", and "Winter," it would be a wonderful collection that really showcased her talents. Either she's capitalizing on her success in Wicked by trying to appeal to that same audience with these adult contemporary ballads, or she's simply matured beyond youthful, energetic outbursts of love, anger, frustration, self-doubt, and hope that this fan misses on this album.

If you're already an Idina fan, Here is worth the $12. If you're unfamiliar with her, I recommend first tracking down a copy of Still I Can't Be Still or, better yet, her live performances at Joe's Pub and other locales.

Idina Menzel's new release proves to have a new, more uplifting tone than her debut, "Still I can't be Still." However fans of her original work will find this piece pleasing. Idina has a new, brighter sound and a more simple band behind her, that basically consists of acoustic basses and guitars along with the piano, and ocassinally some simple percussion. Once again, uses beautiful lyrics, drawn from life experience and real situations in her songs. The melodies are soothing, and show a soft side of Idina's voice. Her voice complements the music beautifully, and we see that she is capable of more than just belting. One thing that makes this cd so touching is Idina's ability to portray emotion in her voice. While listening to songs like "Here" and "If I told You" one couldn't help but feel a bit lifted.

Fans of the self-deprecating lyrics showcased her debut album will be able to find the same attitude in "Penny." And while Idina has a new unique sound on this album, it seems more accessible to the mainstream, and one is guarunteed to find something on the album that will make it worth buying.

I have been eagerly awaiting Idina Menzel's next CD since Still I Can't Be Still came out. Her clear, soulful voice makes me laugh and also has tugs at the heartstrings -- clearly this girl is a Broadway girl.

The six songs featured on this EP offer just a taste of what Idina is capable of. I'm familiar with a couple of songs from live performances that Idina has done and am pleased to see they made the cut.

There are only two factors that prevent me from rating this CD a full five stars. First and foremost, after all this time, I was hoping for a full-length album. So I'm a bit disappointed. Secondly, the songs don't have the same professional sheen that SICBS did. It's also clear that this is a happier, more settled Idina. There are no dark, scary songs like Larissa's Lagoon here.

All in all, I'm thrilled to see another Idina CD for sale... but it makes me want more. Here's hoping she doesn't wait another five years to release an album!

Aaron Mullins

I just returned from a trip to New York where I had the distinct pleasure of enjoying a performace of Wicked. I'd bought the soundtrack prior and listened many times in anticipation, but it didn't hit me until I saw the show live how absolutely amazing Idina's voice is. "Here" is further proof of her unbelievable talent. While her gigantic voice brought tears to my eyes during Wicked, this brilliant and all-to-short set of tunes proves she has an equally emotional softer side. I eagerly anticpate this wonderfully talented woman's next (and hopefully longer) release.

In the last month, I've become a huge Idina Menzel fan. Starting with RENT, then going to Wicked, then Still I can't be still, and now Here. This cd has no songs that are skip-worthy, I love them all. My only complaint is that it is way too short, I was left wanting more beautiful songs like the six songs that I had been listening to. The songs on "Here" are much softer than the songs on "Still I can't be still". Idina has obviously matured in the time between the two cds. "Here" is by far my favorite song on the cd. I've listened to that song so many times that I've lost count since I got the cd in the mail yesterday. "Penny" and "Once upon a time" also rate high on my list of favorites. So if you've seen Idina in the movie "RENT" and you are intrigued by her, "Here" is an excellent cd to buy. I hear Idina is working on a new cd, so while I eagerly wait for that, I'll be listening to "Here" and "Still I can't be still" constantly.

This cd is so amazing! Idina has done it again: the lyrics to her music are incredible and her voice is indescribable. The only remote negative to this cd is that it is too short. I would love to hear her other original music on cd but this was enough for now!

I bought this CD from the Gershwin Theater over a year ago, right after a performance of Wicked, and it's been in my CD player almost constantly ever since. Its something that you can listen to and enjoy and even relate to. Her voice is amazing, and not at all over powering or intimadating to all of us who love to sing along in the car. And you wont need to skip any songs, because they just all flow so well together. The song "You'd be suprised" is beautiful and touching and just lovely. And "Beautiful" sounds as thought it has come straight from her heart. While this isnt a CD i'd recommend for dancing around in your kitchen, it's good to listed to over the iPod while your cooking...or just driving home from work to relax.

I recently saw Wicked, a musical which is absolutely amazing and if your ever in NYC you should see it, and bought this CD during intermission and listened to it as soon as I got back to the hotel and fell in love with Idina. She has a phenomenal voice. I would recommend this CD to anyone. Her voice grabs you and you can't help but love this CD. You should also get Still Can't Be Still by Idina which is also fantastic! I hope you enjoy this CD as much as I did.

Here is an amazing album. Idina's voice is truly amazing, and the songs are wonderful, ranging from the sweet-toned You'd Be Surprised, to the more up-beat Planet Z. I would highly recomend this album and Idina's other, Still I Can't Be Still, as they are both just amazing.

<3

(Can't wait for her new album this year!)

Idina Menzel has an amazing voice. I got this CD because i loved her on the Wicked and Rent CD's. If you have never heard Idina before I highly recommend listening to Wicked first. Although Wicked is very different from this CD, it is a good place to hear her amazing range. This is not normally the type of music I listen to but I really love how Idina sings the songs. My favorite songs are "Here", "If I told you", and "Once Upon A Time" this CD is great. Highly Recommended.

U Rock Idina!