Karma

Tarkan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 28, 2001)
• Label: Istanbul Plak
• ASIN: B00005Y7EW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,111,296 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A more mature, less pop-oriented work by Tarkan, June 13, 2003

By 

David Kaminsky (Edmonton, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Karma (Audio CD)

Tarkan's previous CD made a tremendous splash across the world, and many wondered how he might respond to his new superstardom. The opening moments of the first track, "Ask," suggest a more somber, less accessible sound than on Tarkan's previous CD. In fact, "Ask" creates a lush, glorious soundscape, and Tarkan's voice sounds denser and darker than on his previous pop singles "Sikidim" and "Simarik." The second track is the highly electronic "Ay," which blends Western pop and Middle Eastern elements beautifully. On "Kuzu Kuzu," the third track, Tarkan's swirling vocal seems to soar over layers of strings. "Gitti Gideli" follows, a tender, heartfelt ballad with gorgeous string and woodwind accompaniment. The fifth track is the dancey, electronically-frosted "Uzak." The vocals are layered and syncopated, as in the previous CD's "Bu Gece." This is one of the best songs on the CD. Next is "Yandim," which sounds langorous and Mediterranean, framed by beautiful mandolin playing. "O'na Sor," the seventh track, begins very gently and quietly, then adds a dark percussive element and a wall of string instruments as the vocal gets more powerful, more urgent. The hip "Hup" reminds us that Turkey is essentially a secular society, as the piece sounds very modern and cosmopolitan. The ninth track is "Sen Baskasin," with bongo-like percussion and a very loose, flowing vocal. Tarkan's flair for drama definately comes out in this track. "Tas" opens with distant voices, which seems to set it in a noisy public space. This is significant since, in the videos for both "Sikidim" and "Simarik," we see images of an artist who can't quite escape his legions of adoring fans. The eleventh track is the wonderful "Her Nerdeysen," which has a tango-like feel (the tango also sounds so dark, exotic, and with an element of the dangerous) and a sexy, growling vocal. The chorus in this track absolutely shimmers, and the voice is the distillation of seduction. The final track, "Verme," is long, dark, and meandering, like the opening track "Ask." Both the first and twelfth tracks are full of Eastern touches and swirling rhythms, and they typify the sound of this dark, expressive work. Tarkan has already proven to the world that he can be a pop star, but here he is all artist. Can't wait to see what he does next.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TURKISH DELIGHT!, April 5, 2005

By 

Kendra E. Groesbeck - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Karma (Audio CD)

Definately westernized, modern, belly-rolling, hip-swiveling, sexy, musical rhythms worth recognition in the U.S! No quick flash in the pan pop-star, he's not compared to the "King" (Elvis) for nothing. If you like modern pop/rock music try it with a twist of belly-dancing beats, turkish-techno, and a sultry turkish accent. I played this album recently at a party. It wasn't until everyone stopped dancing to it that people began to realize it was in a forgein langauge. It's amazing to share something like this with people from across the globe in a forgein land. No matter if you can't understand a word, good music is a universal langauge.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant ! One of the best pop CDs EVER!, June 6, 2002

By 

Anonymous "Critic" (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Karma (Audio CD)

Tarkan's latest album, "Karma", is his best yet, and frankly one of the best, if not THE best, pop CDs ever! Yet sadly people in the English speaking world probably will never have heard of him, unless they have been to Turkey or have a Turkish friend.

Virtually every single track on this CD is excellent. The music is also more refined and less cheesy in sound than "Ölürüm Sana" and "Aacayipsin", his two previous albums. Most of the tracks here tend to be slower and more thoughtful than his faster, more poppish songs; these ones have more new world background instrumentation (don't be alarmed---it sounds excellent) and a generally more epic feel. Even though I don't speak Turkish, I often find myself humming or trying to sing some of his songs as I stroll to work. This CD is a MUST buy---I just hope that English-speaking audiences are open-minded enough to try something different. If you are new to his music, then pick this album over the others.

I hear Tarkan is planning to release an English-language album. I have some fears about this, but wish him the best of luck.