Customer Reviews

Julie Delpy (Dig)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

If your idea of "music" is 120 db electric guitars and incoherent lyrics, this isn't for you. Fascinating that there are only extremes in opinion on this CD. I had never really heard of Julie before "Before Sunset," but I liked the song in the movie and went out of my way to buy the CD. No, she doesn't screech or yell, she sings softly and intimately--as in the movie. Several of the songs are very catchy, and all of them are pleasant...you can actually understand all the words, and they make sense. The songs are romantic (certainly not depressing), and the music is melodic. I've played it several times in a row some days and find it doesn't get boring, as some music does. I'm afraid I can't hear the missed notes, either--sounds fine to me; she may reach a bit, but that adds to the charm for me. She sounds very sexy. Of course, I really loved the "Ketchup Song," too, but what's not to like? Isn't music supposed to be fun? Julie can come sing at my house any time.

Like most people, I got this album after seeing "Before Sunset", in which Delpy sings two of the songs on this album: "A Waltz for a Night", which plays an important part in the story, and "Je t'aime tant", which played over the closing credits. As a whole, this is a pleasant album of folk-rock. On "And Together", it briefly veers all the way into alternative rock. If you liked Suzanne Vega's first couple of albums, you'll probably enjoy this, though the lyrics aren't in the same league. All but one of the songs were written entirely by Delpy.

The best track is "Je t'aime tant", which combines guitar, mandolin, and banjo in a chord pattern similar to the last movement of Yes' "Starship Trooper". The lyrics are sometimes weak, especially the ex-lover putdowns on "Mr. Unhappy" and "Lame Love", though the latter song makes up for the lyrics with catchy music. "My Dear Friend" is a nice soft track about losing touch with an old flame/friend, while "She Don't Care" and the second half of "Black & Gray" add some rock to the folk-rock. Delpy's voice is limited, but she uses vibrato well to make it sound richer. Only "Je t'aime tant" and part of "Time to Wake Up" are in French; the rest of the album is sung in English, which Delpy sings without a trace of a French accent. Other than "Je t'aime tant", there aren't any songs that are SO catchy you'll want to play the CD over and over, but the album is solid enough that Delpy shouldn't have to settle for "good album for an actress" backhanded compliments.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

I am a huge fan of both Before Sunrise and Before Sunset (the sequel to Before Sunrise). I saw Before Sunset today in the theater and couldn't help but wonder if I would be able to find music like the song Julie Delpy sang towards the end of the movie. I loved the Nina Simone song as well but I absolutely loved and quite admired Julie Delpy and her singing. What a wonderful surprise to find out that she actually has her own cd out. It's very fresh, very relaxed and yet so feminine and well, "french". The reviewer that said her attitude comes out through her music is completely correct. Her songs are not classic works of art but they are very sweet, very calm and worth the 20 some odd bucks. This cd is probably not for everyone I'm sure but if you like French films, indie movies and jazzy waltzy type music, you'll love this cd.

I am a fan of Julie Delpy the actress. When I saw this CD, I must say I was skeptical. But I was very surprised. I actually find the disc to be much better than I had expected. Stand out tracks are Mr. Unhappy, A Waltz For The Night, Black And Gray and Ready To Go is also another catchy song. I also hear some undertones of Nico in her voice, except nowhere as deep. Also, Julie brings her attitude along with the lyrics. It flows nicely with different styles of music. French or not, it's a good album by a woman with a good singing voice. It's one I recommend. Give it a try.

I think many people have been unfairly negative about her record. You really shouldn't bash her for producing these simple, catchy songs which are clearly phrased narratives about issues of love (and they are pretty well-crafted at that).

I've learned to appreciate many aspects of music, but I always give special credit to effective, characteristic songwriting - most of these tracks are, not wanting to pinpoint it better, `great' in my opinion. Let's not forget that there are many celebrated singer-songwriters whom we like exactly because of the clarity and relative simplicity of their compositions. And there are many who sell sizeable amounts of records yet hardly ever write a memorable tune that is as direct and unpretentious as several on this cd.

So, to cut it short, listening to Julie Delpy's cd I hear an album of charming songs with many moving insights about love affairs - and the missed notes don't spoil it for me. I could pick many of these songs to recommend but for now I say the last two I find pretty convincing - e.g. `An Ocean Apart', in my view, is a great one to cover for even the more notable woman singers of our times.

Maybe it's just sentimentality. After all, some of these songs remind me of the times when my ex-girlfriend would get drunk and leave vaguely threatening messages on my answering machine. But at least she loved me, damnit. That some people seem to hate it soooo much just makes me like it even more. Perhaps it's not everybody's cup of tea, but there's always eBay, y'know. So just put it behind you and get on with your lives, people.

If y'all want to exile her to the United States, it's fine by me. You pack her up and I'll pay for the postage. Tempest-tost wreched refuse of your teeming shore and all that. Besides, we'll need a new Governor once Arnold gets term-limited out.

An amazing debut from a fantastic actress. I have always enjoyed just listening to her speak, so I was thrilled when I heard her songs on Before Sunset. Je T'aime Tant is easily my favorite, but all are wonderful. She has this very jazzy, flowy voice that is relaxed and incredibly sultry and sexy at the same time. Anyone who says her voice isn't good is insane, because she has an undeniably good singing voice. I understand if the type of music isnt your thing, but there is no denying the smokey, sultry voice she has. The songs are beautiful while also being melancholy or tragic, and Ocean Apart is achingly truthful, and something I am sure everyone has been through. This is one of my favorite cds now, and she one of my favorite all around artists.

I like that Delpy doesn't try to be too verbose or contrively profound with her lyrics. She realizes her style and sticks very well to it. Her songs are simple and breezy - perfect for background music or coffee table chatter. Really nice stuff here.

I bought this CD after hearing Julie Delpy sing a waltz in one of the Linklater movies. Her singing is very much of the singer-songwriter style, freewheeling and fun-loving. However, the lyrics are the star of the show. If you don't recall every relationship you've been in after listening to this CD, you're definitely cold-hearted.

Julie Delpy's self title album is wonderful and easy to listen thoroughly. If you have seen Before Sunset, then you know Waltz For A Night and Ocean Apart were featured in the film, and can be found on this disc as well. After listening to the album well over 10 times, I still like Ocean Apart the most, because it's sweet and romantic and dreammy. It had captured the essence of the film. There are several other great tracks including Mr.Unhappy, Something A Bit Vague, She Don't Care, and Je T'Aime Tant which sounded great, but I don't actually know the lyrics, because it's in French.
Overall, her songs are about love, jealousy, ex-boyfriend, heartache, cheating, and passions and desires. It's kind of like what she's been talking about with Ethan Hawke. She's got a good range of mixed sounds for her songs that she's at times simply jazzy, and at times semi-hardrock. A few of the tracks you can just sit back, and enjoy the catchy tunes and introspective lyrics. And some you can even get up and dance to them.
Julie Delpy is quite a talent, because she wrote all the songs and produced them. I had no idea she's as good a singer/songwriter as she is an actress. I enjoyed this album tremendously.