Customer Reviews

My Soul

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Maria does not quite belong to a category of music. Like Van Hunt, there is plenty of soul and creativity to her lyrics. Unlike Hunt, there are a few too many appearances of the overused pop/dance sound. Maria's voice is potentially a great seller and the popular sound should have granted her more exposure, but somehow pop listeners missed the mark on her. The uptempo songs such as "Hate to Love You" and "Coffee in Bed" are less than outstanding. However, with sincere ballads like "Miss You" and "Intoxicating" or the electrifying yet honest desire of "Always" and "Simplified", My Soul is a sure winner.

Ok, I bought this CD after listening to a few samples here on Amazon! It's rare that I would purchase an unknown artist's CD off a few songs, but it has proved to be worth it! Maria's CD incorporates the "synthed" voice, sort of like Brandy, but she makes you "feel" her. Her lyrics, which she co-writes, are heartfelt and are reflections of the many aspects of lost love. Her title track "My Soul" is very heady. The music that Soulshock and Karlin bring is very crisp and fresh and a good fit for her voice, which is important on an album. I can appreciate the voilins and the intstrumentation of several of the tracks. Also, none of the studio music is that recycled garbage I've grown to tire...it's very fresh. The timing..(fall release) of her album does not hurt either, it' often a time when people are introspective and reminisce over past loves like in her song "Nowadays". The CD as a whole deals with a very real side of love's ups and downs. I'm sure a lot of people have had the "Hate To Love You" syndrome! Lastly, everyone needs "Coffee In Bed"!

I don't remember how I came across Maria's album; I think it was mentioned in a couple of people's Listmanias. Anyway, I listened to the album and, as people have said, she has a lovely voice. Her MATERIAL, on the other hand...

Hailing from Denmark, Maria brings us this album filled with stories about heartbreak, as well as stories about...um, more heartbreak, not to mention stories about...hmmm, MORE heartbreak. That's easy to tell with titles like "Lonely", "Hate to Love You" and "I Give, You Take". And that doesn't show a lot of variety. Also, it's clear that Maria needs some assistance in writing her songs, because a lot of the lyrics come off trite, especially in songs like "Coffee In Bed", "Lonely" and especially the title track. "You, Me and She" is a story that has been told much better many times before, and "Nowadays" is basically just a filler track.

I think Maria has talent, but better lyrics and expanded subject matter would better showcase it. Also, I'm not exactly sure where the reviewer who compared her to Dionne Farris and RES was coming from. This album still flows smoothly and all, but like I said in my title, borrow it first.

Anthony Rupert

Maria, you amaze me I can not beleive how good this album is. I went to Wal-mart not thinking about buying her after all who knows her besides her family and friends. I was going to buy Mary J. Blidge's Love and Life but Maria's My Soul happened to be on the floor so I picked it up and was like she is really pretty and looks like Samantha Mumba in a way so I read the back to see if there was any relation or if I knew any of her songs and I vagely remembered her NEW JOINT on 106th and Park: I Give You Take and that was a good single so I did something I usually don't do and thats by an album from a girl I hardly knew. ANYWAYZ, THE ALBUM IS AMAZING THE BEATS ARE INCREDIBLE BACKED UP BY HER SOULFUL VOISE ALMOST MAKING YOU THINK OF BRANDY AND HER: NEVER SAY NEVER ALBUM BUT MORE FROM THE HEART. YOU MAY NOT THINK SHE IS BETTER LOOKING THAN ASHANTI OR BEYONCE, BUT PLEASE BELIEVE THIS: SHE CAN SING AND THE SONGS LONELY AND COFFEE IN BED ARE INCREDIBLE! *BUY MY SOUL YOU WON'T REGRET IT* THANKS MARIA YOU ARE ABSOLUTLY AMAZING!!!!

I got a chance to listen to My Soul a year ago, but didn't really listen to the whole album. Now that I do, I really like it. Her voice is scratchy, low and incredibly sexy! I fell in love with the last song in the album, "miss you." I would love to hear more from her, but it doesnt seem like she's putting out any more music. Sad to see, but her "My Soul" is always a pleasure to listen to.

Ok this chick's album is bangin! I kept seeing this CD at Best Buy for a couple of weeks now for a pretty low price. I have noticed that when they are priced low (based on previous purchases), then the album is a banger!! So off the strength of the price and catching the tail end of her video for "I Give You Take," I decided to give ole' girl a chance. Let's just say that I was a happy camper after listening to it. For comparisons sake, her voice at times does remind me of Brandy, a la "Never Say Never" 2nd album especially with the opening song "Lonely."

Other notables are, "I Give You Take" which has that pop/rock/R&B vibe. "My Soul" reminds me of a Dr. Dre "chronic" beat, you know, just "smoked out!!" "Coffee In Bed," one could swear that this is a sample of a hip-hop beat from somewhere in the 90's. "Intoxicated" is just that, intoxicating. "Weakness" is another chill song. "Always" reminds me of Aaliyah's "One In A Million" song or should I say, a Timberland/Missy produced beat. "Simplified" is just like Intoxicating and Weakness, just a smooth jazzed out kind of vibe.

The last track "Miss You" is a pretty good track to end the CD with the guitar, violins and percussions, like real mellow. Overall, the mood of the album is very, very chill and relaxing. Besides, I can listen to the entire CD without skipping which is rare with some CDs today. I just dig it flat out. So if you don't have it, get it. Give the new kid a chance.

I knew it was trouble from the start...My sister made me listen to the radio in late 2003 (I hate the radio) and I heard a beautiful Goddess singing her pain out...When the artist said it was some girl and the song was 'I give, you take' I rushed home to look up who had sang it. I kept saying over and over 'God I hope shes not signed to DreamWorks...if she is goodbye to her!' I was worried because in America the only good artists get signed by DreamWorks...and well DreamWorks sucks almightily when it comes to promoting their poor artists!
Sadly my fears were true: The artist was Maria and she was signed to DreamWorks.

I rushed to do all I could for her, even tried to post up flyers and make an official street team...but half way into November the label told me they werent going to try anymore...and half a year later she apparently had left them...thank God!

Anyways on to the CD. 'My soul' is some good ol Rnb. Sure some of it fell short but there were a lot of gems and Maria's gorgeous voice just made you love them even more! She was like a cross between TBoz and Heather Headley...scratchy yet powerful and brilliant!

My Soul kicks off with 'Lonely'. Its a good example of whats to come: good ol coffehouse Rnb that mostly is about well sadness.

'I give, you take' was the first single and beautifully sad and powerful! It kicks off with Maria's voice and before you know it your feeling her pain!

'My soul' the title track is in my mind overrated. Its like if you took 'Lonely' and made it even more pitiful...I just cant worship it like a lot of Maria fans can and Im sorry for that!

'Nowadays' reverts back to the 'Lonely' vibe also but isnt as well pathetic sounding. In fact its quite catchy! 'Coffee in bed' is the one track Maria reaaally tried to write a happy fast paced Rnb diddy...it worked but eh I dont know it just doesnt feel right.

Next up is one of my all time favorite Maria tracks: 'You, me and she.' Its a sad faster paced song about figuring out the one you love is cheating. Its just GORGEOUS and in my opinion one of her best songs ever! This (well after the interlude) is followed by 'Intoxicated' which is right up there in greatness! Its 'Coffee in bed' only not as 'forced'. She sings of love and she sounds sincere. Although some parts sound a bit racy I still find it a great song.

Sadly the CD kinda peaks right about there. 'Weakness' is kinda 'Coffee in bed' meets 'My soul'...that says it right there. 'Always' is a bit Aaliyah tinged so I do love it! 'Simplified' just passes you by and 'Hate to love you' reverts to a bit of a needy sound.

Thankfully My Soul finishes up with 'Miss you' which though the lyrics are a bit odd (why anyone would want a relationship like that I dont know...) but its still a gorgeous softer Rnb song.

Overall a great debut and a beautiful Rnb CD! Perfect for those 'post' relationship times.

Maria's album is amazing. Every single track is worth mentionning. When that album was released, no promotion was made. Plus, DreamWorks dropped her. No more Maria albums.. As for "My Soul"... The album is very well produced. Most of the songs are terribly sad though.. Maria probably went through a, or many, hard heartbreaks.

Lonely (Uptempo) (Catchy yet painful.) 9.5/10
I Give, You Take (MidTempo) (One of the best songs. Beautifully heartbreaking.) 10/10
My Soul (MidTempo) (Wow. Beautiful vocals and lyrics.) 10/10
Nowadays (Uptempo) (Very catchy, not sad but still deals with breakup.) 10/10
Coffee In Bed (Uptempo)(Nice groove - happy song.) 9/10
You, Me And She (MidTempo) (This is catchy yet midtempo. You can't help but to love it.) 10/10
Interlude (Dreams Of The Hills) [No rating]
Intoxicated (DownTempo) (Amazing ballad. Love song but not really that corny.) 9.5/10
Weakness (DownTempo) (Another great ballad. Her voice shines once again.) 9.5/10
Always (UpTempo) (This one's got a hot beat. Kind of repetitive.) 8/10
Simplified (MidTempo) (Nice song, kind of lacks something. Nice vocals, though.) 8.5/10
Hate To Love You (UpTempo) (Catchy, but then again it lacks something.) 8.5/10
Miss You (MidTempo) (This is an very sad song lyrically, and vocally you feel her pain. Wow.) 10/10

Cured under every aspect,sound from the beginning to the end.
Not to lose!!!
Finalmente un disco diverso dal solito R&B,le sonorità ripescate nel passato danno un atmosfera piena a tutto il cd,fresco ed imprevedibile fino alla fine!

I've never heard of Maria before reading the reviews from Amazon.com. But after reading the reviews I felt compelled to buy this c.d. So I did, and Im overall pleased. I like the hard hitten beats on some of the tracks and the smooth and sexiness on the others. Maria has a beautiful and pleasant voice. I think this c.d is a good buy, because you can chill and relax to it. My favorite songs are MY SOUL,LONELY and I GIVE YOU TAKE. This c.d is two notches above average. It is not overwhelmed with breathtaking hits but it is consistent with decent songs.
One Love!!!!!!!!