Customer Reviews

Magician's Private Library

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

 

 

Holly Miranda's debut is produced by David Sitek from TV On The Radio. Aptly titled as the music is largely ethereal and other-worldly sounding.

The CD comprises swirling woozy multi-layered sounds with disjointed Jazzy flourishes, case in point the horn-peppered "Joints" (with childlike vocals), or the creepy sleepwalking "Slow burn treason". Still solemn but a bit more upbeat is "Waves" with the heartfelt lines "This needless pain that stains your face / It doesn't need to be".

The lush "Forest green, oh forest green" (with layered harmonies) sounds like something from The Fleet Foxes album. "Sweet dreams" is brightened by darting sunny horns, while the jangly Prog Rock-ish "Sleep on fire" has a gently insistent beat.

My favourite is "No one just is"; hushed vocals against juddering beats and buzzing guitars. It's all magical really...

I saw this artist mentioned as a 'breaking act'in a newspaper supplement and the description intrigued me..."Imagine Brian Wilson going even further out on a musical limb in the 1960s, making Feist, Cat Power and a mid-1970s Marianne Faithfull sing the results, then being reworked by Radiohead, and you're getting close to the album's deep spookiness and evocative magic." So, being a little gullible, I decided to order a copy.

Well, as you might expect, the album rather disappointed on a first play. I don't think there is much out there, if anything, that could live up to that statement. Second play in and the album started to catch, it is now a real favourite and one of the few from the last couple of years that I play daily(and sometimes more often!).

Many of the songs start quietly with sort of catchy Scandinavian pop sensibility but then build through complex layers of instrumentation and vocalising the melodic themes equally rich and complex as the songs progress. It is the strength of those melodic themes that really lift this album above the norm. The other thing is it really does work as an Album not just a collection of songs.

What does it sound like? I must admit I am at a loss to describe it. Others have suggested Mazzy Star and Cocteau Twins, although she does't sound much like those to me, while I discerned reminders of Prince, Arcade Fire, Chrissy Hynde/Sinead O'Connor(voice, a bit)and even Pink Floyd. All I'll say is if that sounds interesting this may well be for you.

This is a real 'grower' of an album so I suggest you give it some playing time before making up your mind, if you do, I think you'll find this a real winner.

Holly Miranda has created an interesting album. Her light voice is accompanied by an eclectic mix of instruments all expertly arranged and melodic. You won't be bored.

[DW]

This again is a complete surprise. Ok there was a lot of hype recently in the press (the NME especially) , the type which actually is more of a warning for some kind of untalented press dearlings. Also she is on XL rec ords which does not seem the most suited to her type of music. I had heard a gret single sometime recently so it was logical to go and purchase the album which is simply splendid. She works in almost at times ambient soundscapes which she combines with a folky sensibility. The album it reminds me most of is the vocal passages from "Another Green World " -era Brain Eno. It also has the hushed sound of that era. It is at times a really strange but also a very strong debut from a female songwriter. Very promising.

Holly Miranda sounds like a wonderful mix between Fiest, Cat Power, Joanna Newsom, and Fiona Apple. Her voice is beautiful and somewhat whimsical, and her songs are fantastic. I saw her live in Detroit and the girl is an amazing singer.

Judging by some people's reviews of this album, you'd think Holly Miranda was hijacked by fancy producers and transformed from an innocent folk singer into Kylie Minogue. But speaking personally, the most interesting parts of this album are where the production truly shines - the background ambiance that swells and slowly covers the voice of the singer, layers of instrumentation to hold your attention while the depth of the lyrics sink in. Holly Miranda's voice is good and all, but I'm reminded of Beth Orton or Hope Sandoval, who have already done about as much as you can do with this style of singing before the need for unique production comes in. And this album certainly has that, matching it perfectly with the natural vocal talents of Miranda.

Meh.

I LOVE Holly Miranda's voice. But these recordings have NO color to them compared to the videos you might have seen online.

I mainly bought this because I saw her black cabs session cover of Ex Factor by Lauryn Hill. And she does a GREAT cover of Jeff Buckley song. And then I fell in love with the video of Joints and Waves (the ones where it honestly looks like its one take, she's walking down the street with marques houston (?, name?) ... LOVED those).

I feel like these recordings have NO color to them. There's no crescendo ... the songs dont really climax for me ... they just drone on and on. It doesnt sound like Holly Miranda's voice that I heard live. And I guess her voice doesnt really *break* in these recordings so it doesnt sound as vulnerable to me.

Holly Miranda has a GREAT voice. This review isnt a knock on Holly Miranda but on this recording. I'm listening to Sweet Dreams right now and the horns are making me twinge (also hear them in Forest Green Oh Forest Green).

I regret buying this because I was expecting something close to the other media I've seen out there of her. (Plus, I've seen her in concert too. This CD doesnt do Miranda Holly justice, imho.). I'm no music critic or anything so take with a grain of salt. But honestly, listen to the other media out there of her and see if this shines a candle in comparison.

I was listening to Studio Brussel online and an AMAZING live performance (acoustic) by Holly Miranda happened to come on... . I immediately looked her up and read the reviews then listened to the samples.... i agree with the reviewer saying the songs are lifeless... i wouldn't even guess it is the same artist (and once you hear her voice you will not forget it)... i listened to each preview and got more and more sad. I am very much reminded of the young Irish woman whose first recording rejected by the label so she reworked it (her way) overnight and gave us The Lion and the Cobra. How I wish Ms Miranda would get that chance - her voice is as unique and fascinating. Don't let them take your voice and make it something the listener is searching for but cannot find in the recording. Would love to have an acoustice version of this cd.