Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Will sink into your soul and leave a lasting impression., September 23, 2008
Elsiane's HYBRID is an absolutely gorgeous, breathtaking piece of work. When I found out that this new artist signed to Nettwerk's label was touring with Delerium (who I will regretfully have to miss this time around), I didn't hesitate for one second to check her out. I became enthralled with the song samples and, listening to them in their entirety now, they do not disappoint. Quite the contrary actually. This is some of the best music I've heard in long while and it is easily one of my favorite albums of 2008.
A lot of people seem a bit irked by her voice but I think it's lovely...if not different sounding...and compliments everything nicely. The lush, ethereal pop melodies are emotionally driven with modern electronics and gentle washes of violins, cellos and drums. This is music that truly makes one feel and is perfect for the start of autumn - a rather reflective time of year.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, especially for fans of groups like Delerium and Sleepthief.
Favorite songs include "Vaporous", "Mend", "Across The Stream", "Morphing', and "Paranoia".
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Attractive subdued Pop music with some thoughtful lyrics, October 18, 2007
I like Hybrid. I like the sound of Elsiane's album - I like the use of a big string synthesizer sound, and a real violin[?], a piano with acoustic drums. I am always going to be well-disposed towards any group that doesn't rely on electric guitars, so this album is very much 'my kind of thing'.
The generally 'atmospheric' approach will draw some inevitable comparisons with groups like Portishead, Massive Attack, Charlotte Gainsbourg ("5:55") or, perhaps, Julee Cruise (on her "Into The Night" album), but I think that any similarity is only superficial.
I have only one problem with this otherwise very satisfying album. It is with some of the vocal mannerisms of the singer, mademoiselle Elsieanne Caplette. Sometimes she sounds like she is trying to produce harmonics with her voice (as in the song "Mend"). I am a singer myself and I know how it is done. Ms Caplette sounds like she needs to work on it a little, if, of course, that is what she is trying to do! The other vocal mannerism [or defect?] is her tendency to constrict her throat and mouth - it sounds like she is placing her tongue on the sides of her back teeth. If one did this whilst talking, it would sound like a speech impediment (Toni Childs used to do this a lot and, for me, it gave her a distinctly Donald-Duck-esque quality to her voice in most of her songs). Elsieanne Caplette's does sounds a little odd in a couple of the songs on Hybrid, most noteably on "Vaporous". On a more positive note, mademoiselle Elsieanne Caplette's basic vocal timbre is very attractive - soft, sweet and unforced - somewhat childlike at times. She would probably be a lyric soprano if she was a trained singer.
All things considered, 'Hybrid' is a very engaging album and I have enjoyed listening to it repeatedly. Five stars for the overall album, minus one star for some of the disconcerting vocal mannerisms. Listen to the melancholy "Vaporous" and if you that track appeals to you, you will be very pleased with this 'lush' and 'plush' sounding album.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great find..., September 18, 2008
I first heard Elsiane on Dave's Lounge, and I was totally blown away. This is an album that has me addicted, without a doubt. A hypnotic voice, combined with great music. I love it.
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