No Angel

Dido | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00000IAU3
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (752 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,218 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Dido's debut is molded from Sarah McLachlan's intimate soul, Sinéad O'Connor's Celtic yelp, and Beth Orton's morose resolve--with all the sharp edges rounded out. Sculpted by producers Rollo (her brother) and techno-scientist Youth, No Angel is dream-pop mixed with Portishead-esque trip-hop; the results are midtempo ballads that would feel at home in Seal's neighborhood. The melancholy opener, "Here with Me," incorporates acoustic rhythm guitar, fluid strings, and a snare-driven tempo that simulates the slapping of rain off a windshield. "My Lover's Gone" is ethereal and misty, sounding at once ancient and modern with its synthesized ocean sounds and seagull cries. The only clunker is "Don't Think of Me," a passive, soft-bellied cousin to Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know." These songs play out beautifully in that quiet zone between slumber and consciousness--where you can see everything behind closed eyes. --Beth Massa

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

158 of 161 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than the hype July 6, 2000

By Reine des Coeurs VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I'd first heard of Dido, after watching "Sliding Doors" some years back, and becoming entranced with the gorgeous song at the end credits. It was apparent that the voice was hauntingly beautiful, but I couldn't trace it.

When I finally heard Dido again, on "Roswell" I immediately rushed to pick up "No Angel" and it's become a constantly played CD here at the office. From the breathless caress of "Here with Me" to the oft heard "Thank You", she can belt out a tune that speaks volumes of love's lost labour and hopelessness, with the freshness not easily seen in our pop-chewing-gum music video enhanced world.

Reminiscent of Sophie Hawkins, with the Gaelic touch of both Sinead and Kate Bush, she elongates heartbreak in the touching "Honestly OK". It is indeed, hard to find a song that isn't well done here.

Here's one CD I won't hesitate to recommend.

154 of 162 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every penny July 21, 2000

By "mnemolove"

Format:Audio CD

This girl is sensational. I've read the other reviews comparing Dido to Sarah McLachlan, Fiona Apple, Sinead O'Connor, etc. But in my humble opinion: She stands alone as a unique artist with an incredible soul to share with the world. Her lyrics are poetry, and the music has beat. "Thank You" and "Here with Me" are just two great songs that we've heard around; but this entire album has the same bittersweet and heartfelt emotion. Clive Davis definitely had insight when he signed Dido up for Arista Records. I've listened to this album everyday since I ordered it from amazon.com (two months ago), and still haven't tired of it.

I read other people's reviews and appreciate them, but never thought I'd write a review myself - until now. So take my opinion for whatever it's worth, but Dido's "No Angel" is worth the money and the all the hours of play that you can get out of the CD.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive; you just can't get enough of it March 7, 2000

By "xbandit"

Format:Audio CD

Dido's music has a way of sneaking up on you. I've been watching Roswell since the series premiered, and only recently did I feel the need to find out who it was that sang "Here with me." When I received the cd from Amazon, I listened to it in my office at work. Since I keep the office door open, I couldn't play it too loudly, because I did not want to disrupt my colleagues (what can I say, I'm a nice guy). "Here with me" is the first cut on the album, and it didn't really impress me. I listened to the rest of the album, and still wasn't impressed.

However, as I listened to the cd a second time when I got home, I was liking it a whole lot better. And the thing is, it gets better every time I listen to it. Dido's voice is natural and yet full of emotion. She never gets unnaturally loud. And the backing instrumentation is very professional, with a driving rhythm that doesn't get boring. The only other female singer I am familiar with who sings so naturally and emotionally is Sade Adu. Tracey Thorn of Everything but the Girl comes in a close second (Dido and Sade hit me closer to the heart). I can and do listen to "No Angel" several times a day now. This album is simply awesome. All of the songs are better than good, and they are not all cut from the same cookie cutter mold. Dido, like Sade, infuses her songs with a beauty that's timeless and emotions that will never fail to touch your soul. That is, assuming that you have one and that you are in touch with it :)