Customer Reviews

For Lovers Dreamers & Me

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Once again in my search for music, Amazon's recommendations led me to a unique new artist. I listened to the track samples, liked what I heard & bought the cd. I like to pick up music by artists who take chances with their music and refuse to be categorized or stuck into a particular genre of music just because of their skin color!

The music on this disc is hard to classify because as one poster mentioned, a couple of the songs do have a "broadway" feel, with the type of instrumentation that builds to great crescendos but might not necessarily get played on the radio - which is a shame, but others have enough of the neo-soul groove to become hit songs (if they're heard that is).

The disc clocked in at a little under an hour, with 10 strong songs that each have an individual enough sound so that listeners won't get bored - although the songs are mostly mid-tempo, the lyrics and sounds of each make them individually unique (at least to me).

The songs that stand out to me are: SECRETS - a really pretty ballad; KNOW THAT I - dreamt lyrics & music production; DREAM - this is one of the songs with a "broadway build up"; DO I - interesting ballad; LOVE ENDEAVOR - a mid-tempo groove which mixes in an interesting spanish guitar sound; GARY SONG - love the funky beats of this song; FAKE IS THE NEW REAL - I liked the lyrics only initially but the unstructured production is growing on me & DESERT SONG - another interesting song that showcases her unique voice.

I would highly recommend this disc if you are a listener with eclectic tastes who enjoys good music that doesn't fit into narrow categories. Hopefully good word-of-mouth can help draw attention to this disc so that more people can get a chance to hear Alice's music.

I bought this because I heard the song "New Religion" on XM Radio and loved it enough to call my local independant record store from my car. It's a genre bending song that's equal parts Shannon McNally, Fiona Apple, and Irma Thomas. Fortunately the rest of disc is all good. Really good. She has a really interesting voice that can be strong and clear or low and smokey. Like a cross between Chaka Khan and Nikka Costa. "Fake is the New Real" is my favorite, a timely commentary that's effortlessly spare and funky in the way that Joss Stone tries to be but works way too hard at. Her band plays like a jazz combo and easily mixes R & B, blues, pop, cabaret, jazz, and soul. Desert Song is stellar blues that's similar to the second disc of Christina Aguilera's new disc (don't dis me 'til you've heard it) Other stand outs are Gary's Song, Do I, Dreams, and Love Endeavor.

Walking down the aisles of the music store earlier this year, I stopped and stared at this very album. The cover intrigued me. I love art that has cartoonish elements, and as ashamed as I am to admit this, I really do judge albums by their cover sometimes. I was about ready to buy it, but a little voice inside me told me to wait until I at least heard some samples from Alice Smith. Unfortunately, her name slipped my mind until one day I saw her listed in Entertainment Weekly as a new artist to look out for. It was around that time that For Lovers, Dreamers, & Me was going to be released by major label, Epic Records. I pre-ordered it and when it finally arrived in my mailbox, I ripped the box open and immediately started listening to it.

Alice Smith's voice is unique, fresh, sultry, deep, expressive, and simply beautiful. Her voice is matched with a very unique style, not easily classified in any specific genre. (Some call her a black Fiona Apple, whose music I actually like a lot. I can see some similarities, but I think Alice is different in many ways. Alice herself says some of her music reminds her of the Muppets. Um... alright.) Smith conveys emotion through her songs with amazing artistry and skill. She also has a four-octave range, which is quite impressive. She puts this talent to use on quite a few of the tracks, including "Dream," which recently got her a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Alternative Performance.

"Dream," the opening track, is simply breath-taking. I could not get past this track for over than a week because it's just that amazing. (And no, I'm not exaggerating.) Beginning with a staggering plunk of the piano and Alice's passionate vocals, the song tells a story of a newly infatuated woman, wanting to be everything that he sees in his dreams. At the breakdown, horns blast and background vocals flutter. Then comes the best part, where with each sentence, her voice soars higher on the musical scales her wail becomes increasingly desperate.

"Woodstock" had the same effect on me. So basically, I did not get further than track two until two weeks after getting the CD. I don't know what it is, but there's something about this song that just hooked me and never let me go. The playful and silly track explores the chaos and spontaneity of city-life, and it has an undeniably catchy hook. This is a song that where I can actually hear a little of the Muppets comparison. I can just see Kermit and the gang dancing around to the groove, especially during the funny bridge, where Alice wah-wahs and bumbles her lips to imitate "all the crazy fishes" singing.

Opening with a rim shot, swaggering bass, and confident vocals, "Gary's Song" is quite a pleaser. The verses find Alice confidently making her way down the streets with many interested guys looking at her. The pop/rock refrain departs from the sound of the rest of the track. Smith is considering taking some of the offers, but is a bit hesitant in fear of long-term relationships. "If we start to fall... will it stop or keep goin'?" The bridge is a dramatic one, laced with violins and powerful vocals; this pattern seems to show in many of Ms. Smith's songs. They have an almost show tune-like quality in the way sections of the song are dramatically different, and the song builds up and climbs to a gusty climax. Then, the number quickly softens into a quiet end. (This might be too dramatic, over-the-top or annoying for some, but I actually like it.)

"New Religion" is apparently her new single, although I have not heard it on the radio, unfortunately. (I've kinda boycotted the radio by now, anyways.) The lyrics focus on the narrator searching for something real in these changing times of the world today. It's a nice rock record, heavy on the guitar. I spot maybe even a tiny bit of country. I think this song would do great if it was played on certain formats and the target audience was reached. Hopefully a video will be shot or something to get her name out there.

"Do I" is probably my third favorite track off this album. The introspective lyrics and vocals drag over a slow-burning groove. This is one of those songs that would provide the perfect soundtrack for one of those rainy days when you are stuck inside, left only to reflect and come face-to-face with yourself and the issues that plague you. (Am I the only one who has those days?! Haha.) In the bridge, sounding quite close to tears, Smith whispers, "I don't want to have to think about the ways that I'm so bad... do I?"

On the ingeniously titled "Fake is the New Real," Alice dishes out her tongue-in-cheek commentary on pop culture and the "phony times" we're living in today over sparse guitar arrangements. Frustrated, she has to ask..."tell me what's the deal?" The bridge serves as a short section of relief from the harsh criticisms, with a light-hearted ditty that reminds me of a TV show theme or a jingle. Maybe she's poking fun at them and their emptiness?

The "Desert Song" begins with a barren piano and some static to give it that "classic" feel. Her vocals on the verses sound like ones coming from the back porch of an old country store, minus the harmonica. The song tells a tale of a woman who has written a Dear John letter and is leaving the relationship behind to start anew. The desert and the "heat" serve as metaphors of the love she has to leave behind. On the chorus, she lets it all out, with wailing that no longer belongs on the back porch, but now a huge concert arena. The song ends with a soft violin, trumpet, and a soft whisper.

Unfortunately, the next two tracks disrupt the near-perfection of the rest of the album. "Know That I..." is a love ballad, plain and simple. It's a bit repetitive, some of the lyrics aren't that great, and the overall sound is too pop/rock radio, at least for my ears. "Secrets" is a bit bland to me, also. The somewhat bluesy down-tempo pretty much shares the same flaws with the previous track. These songs just fall flat when compared to the other songs which have highs, lows, and in betweens. These two tracks are just one-dimension in comparison.

"Love Endeavor" is a good--albeit odd--way to end the album. It has a Latin dance flare to it. Smith delivers a vocal performance oozing temptation and sexiness. The album ends with some nice harmonies.

The bottom line: Alice Smith is a promising new artist. Her rich, deep voice and musical style are all her own. For Lovers, Dreamers, & Me is a great showcase of her capabilities. While not flawless, (the two aforementioned tracks, the album is too short; less than 40 minutes and only 10 tracks) this is a great debut album that I highly recommend if you're looking for something fresh and new. I look forward to seeing what her future has is store.

Key tracks: Dream, Woodstock, Do I, Fake is the New Real.

For a debut album, Alice Smith's "For Lovers, Dreamers & Me" is a knockout! The songs are well written, and well produced (not over engineered and not too skimpy sounding.) They are performed with a smoothness, a sense of ease and degree of professionalism that belies such a young talent.

Alice Smith has an incredible voice. Smooth as silk at times, powerful when the song needs it and with a range that is absolutely amazing.

This is a stong CD from a terrific singer with great potential. Highly recommended!

My husband and I went to see Citizen Cope play lastnight at the Showbox in Seattle, Wa and Alice Smith opened for him. We had never heard of her before. Citizen Cope introduced her himself. He thinks she is an amazingly talented female singer. Well, he's right. She is incredible. She sang with so much passion it gave us goose bumps. The crowd really enjoyed her too. Seeing her live and listening to her album are two different sounds. Live she is so amazing and raw because it was just her, a bassist, a gautarist and a drummer. The album is really good, don't get me wrong but of course it was done in a studio with more instruments and back up vocals so it kind of took away the true emotion and rawness that we witnessed as she was singing on stage without any of those extras. I highly recommend this album and if you have a chance to see her perform live, do it.

I'd be lying if I said I liked this album the first time I listened to it. I actually threw it off to the side for a few weeks. From song to song, it kinda sounds all over the place, even DURING the songs... there are some moment's where you're left scratching your head, while you wonder, how did she get there? The song that made me listen to it again was 'Do I' ... That song is amazing. It also forced me to listen to Miss Smith again and again. Now that I've had time to process it I appreciate the uniqueness of her music.

Which brings me to my next point... her voice, is so far above the usual artists you hear nowadays, and she can carry a note like the best of them. I wasn't impressed at first, no. But after Miss Smith grows on you, you'll be a fan too. I hope this isn't the last time we hear from her.

GREAT VOICE !!! :)

When it comes to this type of music, I'm reluctant to use the "N" word. It's easily the most misused word in the R&B lexicon. "Neo-Soul" I find it funny that most albums tagged neo-soul tend to be anything but. Most of them sound old. In comes Alice Smith who, like me, would love to do away with the term as well. The only problem is that she actually created an album that can only be defined truly as neo-soul. Allow me to explain. The one genre that has yet to receive its much needed make-over is R&B. Most R&B singers these days either sing over rap beats, or recycle R&B tracks from the days of old. No one has been able to escape these traps and expand the genre beyond its current boundaries.

Now, it would be unfair of me to say that Alice Smith has done this. But it's safe to say she has the talent to make it happen. Most R&B artists that claim to be diverse tend to create individual songs with a genre in mind for each. For Lovers, Dreamers, and Me manages to be musically varied without overreaching. Somehow, Smith managed to blend her diverse taste in music with astonishing consistency and clarity. "Dream" starts off with a simple piano line and ends with Smith showing off her upper register over spanish style fanfare. Next comes the soulful bounce of "Woodstock" with its own fish choir (seriously) singing over a horn section. It's obviously not you typical R&B affair and reads sillier than it sounds, but don't let it deter you. Anyone who is not a believer needs a couple of sessions with "New Religion." The song starts off with that sideways style vocal over what seems like a typical country-ish ditty. Good enough in its own right, but it's when Alice brings it home that really makes it incredible. The last minute of the song contains a vocal only a truly gifted singer can deliver. And this is no exaggeration; it gives me chills every time. It's moments like this where you get a glimpse of what an artist is capable of and it fills you with hope and excitement for the future.

It actually seems unfair to even label Alice R&B. Call me crazy, but I think there's something bigger here. It's typical for people to get so attached to an album that they begin to create something greater in their minds than the original music. But if this is just the beginning, I can't help but imagine where we're going to go from here.

Actually this CD should be four stars, but Alice Smith and this CD deserve an extra push for great promise.

I read about the CD in Rolling stone where she got a good review. It is difficult to position this CD, her voice and delivery fill a slot somewhere between Norah Jones, Etta James and Whitney Houston. I think she sort of fills the slot that Whitney Houston filled in her early days. Hard pop, soft blues, medium soul?

The songs are all fun and the production, arrangements and sound are awesome. I really mean awesome, as good as Dylan's Modern Times, and RHCP Stadium Arcadium.

So why not a solid five stars? While her voice is nothing short of great, on some of the song she takes on a tough type of singing persona that seems a little contrived. With her pipes Ms. Smith does not need to contrive and it rattles an otherwise perfect set of songs.

Still the CD is on top of my most played list and has been now for about three months. As a matter of fact, I notice the contrived part less and less, and I never skip any of the songs.

I first saw Alice Smith open for Citizen Cope at a small theater in Knoxville. I had no clue who she was. When we got to our seats, she was already playing - just her, a guitar player, bass player, and drummer. I was immediatley floored by her incredible voice. She had the entire crowd loving it. When she finished her set with "Desert Song" she got a standing ovation. That was the first time I've ever seen that for an opening act. The very next day, I went to my favorite CD store to buy her album.

This is one of the best debut albums I've ever heard from a female artist. The songs are well written and flow together very nicely. While I like every song on the album, my favorites are "Do I" and "Desert Song" which clearly show how powerful Alice's voice is. I also love "Secrets", a very soft song that puts me in the most relaxed of moods.

I have introduced this album to as many of my friends as possible who truly appreciate good music. If you want a great debut album from an artist who I feel is destined for big things, go out and buy For Lovers, Dreamers, and Me. Also, if you EVER get a chance to see Alice Smith live in concert, don't miss that opportunity.

...on Saturday Night Live in '91 and thought, "who the...?!" Just blew me away and I've been a fan ever since. Same reaction with Alice Smith. While the horrible Justin Timberlake and Fergie tops the charts, pumped by huge PROMO machines, this incredible music sits unnoticed. Hence the state of the record industry today. All fluff and no substance. It's all about the story, the spin, the look. Actual talent is not required. Vocals can be edited to pitch in the mixdown. Alice Smith is the exception. Yes, there still is some great talent out there. You just need to keep your ears open.