Customer Reviews

Hybrid

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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".

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.

It sounds a little crazy I know, one of the best albums of all time, but nearly a year later with very frequent play and every single time it's just as breathtaking as the first spin.

This is a fantastic album that shows serious innovation and a remarkably fresh, captivating sound. Hybrid has great beats, incredible instrumentation, and some of the most interesting and unique vocals I've heard anywhere.

I will forever count Hybrid among my favorites alongside the standout works from heavy hitters like Portishead, Hooverphonic, and Morcheeba. If you enjoy any of the classics in this genre you owe it to yourself to check this one out.

When I first heard the voice of Elsieanne Caplette I was moved about a mile. She carries music of quality in it's own right to some wonderful place I can only describe as ecstasy. I was truly mesmerized.

When she sings her voice becomes a potent cocktail of something almost too sweet to handle that's tempered by an earthy sensuality. Any more exotic and it would be toxic (a nice way to go!)

The album is very melodically driven, which is nice because I hear way too many albums these days that are harmonically driven and the melodies sound like afterthoughts. Definitely not the case here. Intensely refreshing.

As for the the whole it's difficult to describe but aside from the obvious jazz overtures it flows a bit more like pop (or contemporary rock) and there's this ethereal hue of world/electronic in the strings. Oddly animalistic -- I like.

The vibe put out is a couple of shades darker than neutral and sexy. Good bedroom music.

If my life had a soundtrack I would definitely feed it a couple of songs from this album.

I love this music...!

I first saw Elsaine live, she was performing with Delerium. I was totally mesmerized. If you like Bjork, you will LOVE Elsaine! Go to her myspace music or her website directly at elsaine dot com and jump into her music. Her voice, lyrics and the massive sound of her musical arrangements will transport you to another world. Her debut album Hybrid is non stop perfection and I could listen to it in various situations. Chilling at home or zooming down the freeway. After meeting Elsaine in person I found her calming, kind, and full of appreciation for her fans and I encourage everyone to give this band several spins.

This album is fabulous!
Every song on the album is so good, and that is rare to find a group that has an album with no songs that I don't like. The lead singer's voice is different, but mesmerizing. I will continue to buy their albums, if they keep this up.

Definitely buy this album!

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.

I first heard Vaporous and Final escape back to back on my xm radio. Half way through the 1st song I realized how into the song I was and I can save songs to listen to later. I saved both of them. I mention this because I played them both over and over and the more I listened to them the more I liked them. So I bought the cd. If there is a bad point to the music, its that it takes a few listens to it to really start to appreciate it more. I find the vocals very mezmorising (sp?) and the melodies are very original to me. I then searched them and found out more about them and the fact that only two members can make this sound is truly amazing. For me Its 5 stars. As a musician, song writer & singer myself I can really appreciate what they have created. So far its the only thing I have been listening to for a while now and its rare a cd or band can do that for me. I would recommend it but as another reviewer pointed out, listen to vaporous a few times and if you like it, go out and get this, you wont be disappointed.

Down tempo. Modest yet complex. The perfect winter album. You will not be disappointed if you like mellow electronic. Prozaic is my favorite for its dark undertones and rock sensibilities.

I recently bought this album and I just can't get enough of it. You won't regret it a bit.