Customer Reviews

Morning

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Oh man what an album! It may even be better than her last one (Bravebird). The album starts out with "Trouble" which is one of the best songs on the album, and then slides to "Unanswered Question" which is almost as up-tempo and good. "'No One Else'" is a slow-moving song built on a beautiful piano and shows off Amel's gorgeous vocals. The beef of the album lies in the middle and the stretch from "Earn My Affections" to "Magic" is amazing!!! The album might be a little short but the 10 strong songs will surely keep me happy for a long, long time. This will definately be the best R&B album released this year, and probobly one of the best albums released. I am very impressed!

Best Songs: "Weary," "Trouble," "Gills And Tails," "Earn My Affections," & "Magic"

I hate the way record companies use the cookie-cutter approach to backing/promoting artists, i.e. if it worked for one artist then the rest must sound really similar. Amel Larrieux has been a breath of fresh air to me and she has been criminally underrated. This cd has not altered my opinion one bit. The imagery of "Gills and Tails" was literally 'breath-taking'. "Weary" should be my own personal anthem because it was like Amel was walking around in my brain. Her work sometimes seems to be a throw-back to another time and at other times it seems futuristic. I heard "Bravebird" one day and was intrigued by this woman. I went and found her previous cd "Infinite Possibilities" and anxiously awaited the release of "Morning". I have yet to be disappointed. If you're solely interested in top-forty music, Amel is not for you. However, if you're looking for music that moves, is familiar and foreign at the same time, give Ms. Larrieux a listen. No cookie-cutter here!

Amel Larrieux IS my FAVORITE artist! Naturally, when I heard her third album would be released on April 25th, I had to purchase it immediately. Her music, especially this album is always tranquil, purposeful, it has a silent humbleness, yet a strong boldness. It is sweet and genuine,even the harmonies contain this vivid magnetism. She is an awesome artist, a seemingly humble person and an incredible performer! My favorite song on this album,besides, "Weary," is the first track, "Trouble." Please purchase all of Amel's Albums..one, two, and three, your SOUL album collection is not complete wthout them!
PEACE

Most everybody remembers the R&B duo Groove Theory back in the 90s. Songs like "Tell Me" and "Baby Luv" commanded the airwaves. Nowadays, Amel Larrieux goes the independent route with a solo career minus her former partner Bryce Wilson. Her best solo record was Infinite Possibilities, her first release that wet the appetites of her loyal listeners. Her last album Bravebird did much the same, but was the first of her independent efforts and didn't do much for her ongoing career. Even with the drawbacks of less promotion and little press from being on a small indie label, Amel goes forward with her latest album Morning. Although not as great as her first solo album, Morning is a decent enough to check out if you're a longtime fan.

The album starts off with "Trouble," a rather amateurish sound compared to her traditional cuts. "Unanswered Question" gets back on track to what most are used to hearing from Amel. "No One Else" is just as powerful as "Make Me Whole" from her first solo album. "Earn My Affection" is an okay track, but "Weary" is a great choice for what will probably amount to the only single release from the album. The title cut "Morning" reminds me of the ambient sounds of Radiohead's Kid A. "Gills And Tails" is the mellow cut that would get the most play in a lounge or jazz club. "Magic" talks about tapping into your creative side to solving everyday problems like bills, stress, and the like. "Just Once" is a fine song even though the background beat somehow reminds me of the bassline from Volume 10's "Pistol Grip Pump" somehow! The album wraps up with a rather peculiar sounding "Mountain of When."

Morning is not something you would run out and get if you are just looking for any kind of R&B album. Fans of Amel Larrieux will appreciate this album the most, as well as those who are into the more mellow, alternative R&B scene.

She has never sounded better. I'd been awaiting this album, though I wasn't in love with either of her previous solo albums. But I caught her vh1 soul "Listening Party" and I have to say after hearing how Amel speaks about music, I feel her soul was captured on Morning. The arrangements are fresh, her voice doesn't get lost or overpower the music, the lyrics are thoughtful and elegant. Oh her voice is such a gift. It's all uplifting.
And the album is perfectly titled - something to wake up to and carry with you throughout your day.

Ok, this is just the album that I have been waiting for!!!! Finally an album that takes music to an entirely different level and although it is far too advanced for some (i.e., the people who rated this album with 2 and 3 stars), they should probably go back, open their ears and take a second - and if they aren't too swift - third listen. This album is genius at it's climax. Every track is just necessary, a "tight 10 song set", an ode to reinventing soul music as we know it.

This album just proves that you don't have to fit a mold to be be good, you can get out of the mold and be extraordinary. Definitely the best CD release of 2006 so far and it will be on repeat in my CD player for months and months and months to come. If you are tired of the repetitive music on the radio..."Morning" will definitely make your day!

I love Amel Larrieux...she is one of the few female R&B singers out there that is a true artist. I played her first solo album, "Infinite Possibilities" a million times, but its inspiring effects on me never waned. "Bravebird" is also a strong album, but pales in comparison to her first. Needless to say, "Morning" is the weakest of her releases. I would be more disappointed if I didn't purchase it on sale at Target. "Weary" is by far the strongest track on the album, but as other reviewers have mentioned, it is NOT representative of the other tracks on her album. Though a majority of the album provides easy listening (Trouble, Gills and Tails, Earn my Affection), I found myself skipping quite a few tracks (Mountain of When, Magic to name a few). Considering how short the album is (10 tracks), you should make sure that you sample the tracks before you purchase this album. It's a solid listening experience if you are a true Amel Larrieux fan, but if not, do not spend your money (regardless, buy it on sale!!). I hope that for her next release she uses more high-quality producers that will reflect the uniqueness and beauty of her vocal style and talents.

I know I'm behind on this one and sadly I've owned it for awhile but it's "magic" finally sank in. I think that I was so taken by 'Bravebird', the less than varied arrangements threw me off. However, that was before I really listened to it and found this album to be just as brilliant if not better than it's predecessor. While the tempo pretty much stays at a crawl it's the subtleties that truly make this. The steady beats seem hypnotic, giving Amel all the room she needs to stretch or whisper (just put some headphones on and you'll hear things you didn't notice the first time around) over sonic meditations. I think "Weary" is the only song that sounds "radio friendly" but that's not bad by any means. The contemplative "Unanswered Questions" is pretty heavy with it's sedate tempo and looped drum rolls. The folky title track's acoustic guitar brings to mind Joni Mitchell. The real highlight is the track "Gills and Tails" with its stand up bass line and endearing lyrics that serve as metaphor for those who struggle to retain honesty and integrity vs. the "go for yours" mentality whether you be lovers, politicians, corporate thiefs in a suit and tie... it's pretty universal.
My fascination lies with the two more left-field pieces "Magic" and "Mountain Of When". Both take me back to her collaborations with Sweetback (check "Gaze"). These are the tracks Sweetback should have made for their "Stage 2" full length. It's because of these tracks the LP shows promise and willingness to experiment sonically with textures and sounds. Amel's a pretty amazing vocalist and while she doesn't hit any Minnie Riperton notes like she did on "For Real", it proves that real strength is sometimes shown in restraint. Great album Amel!

This girl is cold blooded Man cant believe some of the things some people were saying it got to me so i had to say somthing if you listen to her music cop this man and then pick up lina the neo soul one not that other lina hey the black lina

I wish she could sign with Motown or J Records and get some of the respect she deserves. While Britney and J. Lo are making headlines, she is making music. That effortless coloratura, she does everything but the Riperton-esque notes (and Trouble was close :-) ). Maybe a hook-up with Quincy Jones or Stevie Wonder could have her become a SHINING STAR...