Customer Reviews

Little Things (Mcup)

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Toby Lightman is the first female voice to come along in a long time that displays true musical talent. The lyrics she puts together in her songs tell a story - make you think about what you're hearing. They range in topics from the laid back "Running Away" to the powerful "The River" (my favorite on the album) and songs like "Front Row" about her interaction with a (fictional) audience member "Don't Wanna Know" which is alomst the opposite point of view - from the fan's perspective of thier idol. Of course these are just my takes on the songs, and that's what makes them so great, you really sit and think about what they mean and figure out different scenarios. And best yet, you can actually understand what she's saying. She is completely original. I don't understand much of the comparisons that have been made in her style. I would agree she is in the same genre as many of the other artists she has been compared to, but her style is totally unique. The album shows such versatility, so many different techniques. For a first album it is very polished - the video for "Devils and Angels" was first rate. Now you can get this new release of the CD with Toby's cover of "Real Love", the Mary J. Blige classic, and let me just say, sorry Mary J. but Toby sings it better than you do! :) The video for "Real Love" is also awesome.
But even better is hearing her live - just her and her guitarist Eddy if you're lucky. Their acoustic dueling together is amazing. In fact, I'd love it if she made an acoustic remake of the album. I would recommend this album to everyone (in fact I do). A true original talent. I certainly hope she survives a business full of gushy pop and gritty grunge.

What a rare treat to put on a CD and enjoy it from beginning to end on the first listen. I was fortunate enough to attend a live showcase of Toby Lightman in January and she knocked my sock off. So much power, range and soul in a relatively compact package. And what pipes. If you like any of the artists I listed above, I strongly enocurage you to give Lightman a listen. You will be immediately hooked. The album is a rare instance of great song selection (she writes or co-writes her own sutff) and amazing production. I remember the first time I listened to Nora Jones, I thought that there was an amazing consistency and coherence to the album. While Lightman's album is definitely edgier than, say, a Nora Jones, the same conherence is there. This is the kind of album you can leave on in the car or home and just listen over and over. While there are some standout tracks with major "hit" potential (Devils & Angels, The River...I also like Front Row), there are no weak links on the record. It all flows together so nicely. What a fantastic debut for the artist, and big credit to the producer (Peter Zizzo, who google tells me discovered Avril Lavigne and Vanessa Carlton...this guy is on a hot streak!). P.S. If Lightman is in your area, go see her live; it is a phenomenal show.

What a rare treat to put on a CD and enjoy it from beginning to end on the first listen. I was fortunate enough to attend a live showcase of Toby Lightman in January and she knocked my sock off. So much power, range and soul in a relatively compact package. And what pipes! If you like any of the artists I listed above, I strongly enocurage you to give Lightman a listen. You will be immediately hooked. The album is a rare instance of great song selection (she writes or co-writes her own sutff) and amazing production. I remember the first time I listened to Nora Jones, I thought that there was an amazing consistency and coherence to the album. While Lightman's album is definitely edgier than, say, a Nora Jones, the same conherence is there. This is the kind of album you can leave on in the car or home and just listen over and over. While there are some standout tracks with major "hit" potential (Devils & Angels, The River...I also like Front Row), there are no weak links on the record. It all flows together so nicely. What a fantastic debut for the artist, and big credit to the producer (Peter Zizzo, who google tells me discovered Avril Lavigne and Vanessa Carlton...this guy is on a hot streak!). P.S. If Lightman is in your area, go see her live; it is a phenomenal show!

Toby Lightman's debut cd Little Things is a phenomenal combination of rock, R and B and soul. Certainly her cd stands among the glutton of mediocrity that the marketplace has produced over the past couple of years. On the one had, Toby's cd has an air of familiarity that is comparable to the likes of Sheryl Crow or Mary J. Blige, on thet other hand her work is very fresh, exciting and exceptional. Toby's voice is extraordinary and powerful. Her voice lifts her live performances to another level. I am constantly floored how someone so small has such a powerful voice. Little Things is filled with many dazzling tracks. Devils and Angels mixes dynamic acoustic guitar with R and B and Lightman's sparkling vocals to create an irresistible first single. Front Row, a song about a male groupie, is definitely one of the most soulful songs on Little Things. Frightened is a wonderful straight forward ballad. Voices is another remarkable arrangement which has more of a rock feel than her typical songs. Coming Back In echoes the temptations of being drawn to an ex lover. The bonus track on the CD is an amazing remake of the Mary J. Blige classic called Real Love. Toby's version of Real Love really showcases her vocal talents and Toby adds her own flair and style to the song. With the unbelievable songwriting and singing talent that Toby possess, one could only imagine the great things that Toby will create in the future. Little Things is the beginning of many great things to come.

Toby Lightman is the first female voice to come along in a long time that displays true musical talent. The lyrics she puts together in her songs tell a story - make you think about what you're hearing. They range in topics from the laid back "Running Away" to the powerful "The River" (my favorite on the album) and songs like "Front Row" about her interaction with a (fictional) audience member "Don't Wanna Know" which is alomst the opposite point of view - from the fan's perspective of thier idol. Of course these are just my takes on the songs, and that's what makes them so great, you really sit and think about what they mean and figure out different scenarios. And best yet, you can actually understand what she's saying. She is completely original. I don't understand much of the comparisons that have been made in her style. I would agree she is in the same genre as many of the other artists she has been compared to, but her style is totally unique. The album shows such versatility, so many different techniques. For a first album it is very polished - the video for "Devils and Angels" was first rate. But even better is hearing her live - just her and her guitarist Eddy if you're lucky. Their acoustic dueling together is amazing. In fact, I'd love it if she made an acoustic remake of the album. I would recommend this album to everyone (in fact I do). A true original talent. I certainly hope she survives a business full of gushy pop and gritty grunge.

Toby Lightman?s debut cd Little Things is a phenomenal combination of rock, R&B and soul. Certainly her cd stands among the glutton of mediocrity that the marketplace has produced over the past couple of years. On the one had, Toby?s cd has an air of familiarity that is comparable to the likes of Sheryl Crow or Mary J. Blige, on thet other hand her work is very fresh, exciting and exceptional.

Toby?s voice is extraordinary and powerful. Her voice lifts her live performances to another level. I am constantly floored how someone so small has such a powerful voice.

Little Things is filled with many dazzling tracks. "Devils and Angels" mixes dynamic acoustic guitar with R&B and Lightman's sparkling vocals to create an irresistible first single. ?Front Row?, a song about a male groupie, is definitely one of the most soulful songs on Little Things. ?Frightened? is a wonderful straight forward ballad. ?Voices? is another remarkable arrangement which has more of a rock feel than her typical songs. ?Coming Back In? echoes the temptations of being drawn to an ex lover. With the unbelievable songwriting and singing talent that Toby possess, one could only imagine the great things that Toby will create in the future. Little Things is the beginning of many great things to come.

This album is very underrated as another reviewer stated. It is a fresh breath of pop music air. Her songs all blend different styles and a lot of them are radio ready. It has the freshness of a freshman effort and some of the lightness of inexperience, but it is really well done.
1.) Leave it inside-- has a good beat and interesting lyrics about keeping feelings inside.
2.) Devils and Angels-- Her first song on the radio is great, but easily can become over-listened to. The begging guitar is a wonderful way to start the song, which was left of the radio version.
3.) Coming Back In-- rather ordinary, catchy.
4.) Frightened-- again ordinary, but soulful, I could see this on the radio in the future.
5.) The River-- one of my favorites, very moving with it's heavy beats and her strong voice.
6.) Everything-- another radio ready hit.
7.) Voices-- some soulful, sweet, harmony
8.) Front Row -- a women's take on the attention from her male fan's. It is alright.
9.) Everyday-- this song is OK, not one of my favorites
10.)Is this right-- great beat and rhythm ruined by some stupid lyrics (taking the hand of a man you just met on the street, jumping off a mountain, come on now)
11.) Don't Wanna Know-- my favorite song, she really shows her talent. Her voice and her feelings really shine through.
12.)Running Away-- a great summer song, very folksy and well written.

Folks, this is it. There's no novelty angle here - she's not 16 and sounding like joplin, she's not 19 and sounding like doris day meets eminem. She's a beautiful young hybrid of both classic and contemporary rock and soul influences. What a special thing it is to hear unaffected honesty, vulnerability, and passion delivered by a musically gifted everywoman. Here's a singer who actually SINGS, from a place you believe;of things she's old enough to know about, but young enough to hurt about. i love toby because she's toby. others will be compared to her, and someday many years from now there'll be some kid who "sounds like a 16 yr old toby lightman". thank god artists like this still get out there. thank god some kids still wanna pick up the guitar and write what they feel. i'm sure glad this one did! Standouts are "devils and angels", "the river", "frightened", "leave it inside", "everyday", and "voices". but just play it through. and through. get in early; you'll be proud you pegged this girl early!

From the songs I've heard so far, I think this album is pretty awesome. If you're into Toby's voice you might like Amanda Marshall. My favs are 'Frightened' and 'Everyday'. I like the lyrics.

To the Kim on the first page, I read your other reviews, it seems to me you're just b*tching. Out of all the 1,000s songs and 100s of different genre albums I've listened to, I can tell you some songs and/or albums are just meant to listen to (not to be taking seriously) and some are meant to be taken seriously. Just because a song doesn't have the most complicated lyrics in the world doesn't make it a bad song. It drives me up the wall when people say a song is bad just because it's meaningless. Some songs are just meant to be catchy, listen to 80's and 50's etc. songs. Especially James Brown. But I see you like Avril. You and Avril get on my nerves with this 'hate' stuff. Grow up. I'm not into Avril's music or the way she represents herself, I'm not going to get into reasons why because this isn't the place. But I will say I don't hate or dislike her. I don't even know her.

Toby is amazing!! Her voice is not like anyone I can think of. I get the Alana Davis comparisons, but I feel like Toby's songs are in a totally different league!" Everyday" is such a beautiful song. "Voices" is so powerful, and "The River" "Devils and Angels", and "Frightened" are just all so catchy, I can't stop singing them!