Quixotic [Import]

Martina Topley-Bird | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 8, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony/Bmg Int'l
• ASIN: B0000A0UB0
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,112 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Intro

2. Need One

3. Anything

4. Soul Food

5. Lullaby

6. Too Tough To Die

7. Sandpaper Kisses

8. Ragga

9. Lying

10. I Wanna Be There

11. I Still Feel

12. Ilya

13. Stevie's (Day's Of A Gun)

Editorial Reviews

'Quixotic' is the eagerly awaited debut solo album from Martina Topley Bird, Former muse & musical partner to Tricky. An album that combines both contemporary & traditional sounds, breakbeats & trip hop fused with funked up jazz, vintage soul & laid-back blues. Features production work & collaborations from David Holmes, Tricky, David Arnold, Josh Homme & Mark Lanegan. Includes her debut single 'Need One'. Independiente. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quixotic: breathtaking, wonderful. (Don't buy "Anything"!), March 22, 2005

By 

dosgatosazules (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quixotic (Audio CD)

If you absolutely cannot find Quixotic (it's available here on Amazon as an import; even if it's pricier you'll be glad you paid the extra)then you should buy Anything, it's better than nothing. (No pun intended).

But really, just buy Quixotic. It has three songs that Anything doesn't, among which are the haunting, beautiful "Stevie's (Days of a Gun" which took a while to grow on me but really layer vocals, strings, and remixing in an amazing, unprecented way. And it has "Lying" which is also vocally haunting and one of the more lyrically interesting songs on the album. It also has "I Wanna Be There" which isn't as enjoyable in my opinion but it definitely shows off one of Martina's greatest strengths: her ability to pair trip-hop, rock, soul, and something else entirely, and end up with something much much greater than the sum of its parts.

Also, for reasons that make no sense to me, the Anything version of "Soul Food" is different and inferior to the Quixotic version - the vocals are re-recorded and flatter, and other stuff is missing. (I don't have both albums with me to compare, but I remember being struck by how some of what makes Soul Food so wonderful was somehow gone on the Anything version.)

So yeah, just buy Quixotic already.

Of course, most albums have what makes both so amazing. This music is beautiful, complex, eerie in parts, rich, melodic. It's also incredibly complex musically, and it's one of those albums that is challenging and has something to teach musicians and music afficionados, while still being utterly accessible and fun to listen to.

Some songs (Soul Food, Lullaby, Anything for example) are perfect for a romantic evening; Ilya's music makes me think of a good song to play at a hipster art gallery opening, and its lyrics are good for the bitter aftermath of a failed relationship ("Thought i was in love/tell me was i wrong/You know we were wrong together"). The string section of Ilya alone almost makes the whole damn album worth it: I want someone to write an entire string piece based on those few seconds.

Her lyrics might be said to be the one weakness; it's not that they are bad or awkward in any way. In fact, there are plenty of gems:
"Seven states away they're doin', doin'
the Strange Fruit swing
when they come down
you have to leave town" ("Too Tough to Die")
or
"I went down to the house in your girlfriend's clothes
They fit me better than I would have supposed"
(Lying)

It's just that for someone who so beautifully does things never before achieved in music, I would have thought her lyrics would do the same; instead they can be somewhat .... conventional.
("I don't want anything but you/I don't need anything but you" from "Anything"; plus "Soul Food"'s lyrics are relatively tame for such a seductive, marvelous song.) It's a minor quibble, really, in an overall wonderful album.

So yes, buy this; if you're me, it'll actually take you a minute to warm to it (I didn't like it at first, to be honest, but then i couldn't find most of my CDs and so had to listen to this one; I was hooked.) Others will immediately love it.

My Discman has already given it one of the Top 5 Most played CDs of 2004, and it'll be a top contender for that prize in 2005 too.

Plus, being a Martina Topley-Bird fan will impress all your music snob friends. Admit it, that's a pull. But you get the greatest benefit: This kick-ass album.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A vocal ride with a great arsenal of songs to match..., December 25, 2004

By 

Takis Tz. (InYourHead) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quixotic (Audio CD)

One of the recent great albums to have escaped many people's radars "Quixotic" is a trppy and spacey ride musicwise and vocalwise. Martina Topley Bird has put her signature voice on many of the early triphop era albums (those of Tricky), and even though many people will recognise the voice instantly they'll have difficulty placing it somewhere.

The album starts off with one of the most uplifting rock songs i've heard recently and that itself is a surprise start for her repertoire. This is then followed by more expected electronica tunes, smooth silk cuts adorned by Topley's soothing voice, and even a couple of gorgeous soul songs (that would put most of modern soul "divas" to utter shame).

I can safely say here that this is one the most diverse albums i've heard in the past 2-3 years. Topley sounds like she's showing off her stunning vocal talent but the thing is she sounds so convincing in each and every song she delivers that you know she's feeling each single note she sings.

Obviously this LP has gone unheralded and undiscovered which is a real shame then when other way less talented vocalists are busking in undeserved fame. Topley is a massively gifted singer with a very characteristic voice, one you immediately fall for upon the very first listen.

In a time where female vocals seem to be very trendy it's prudent to discover the real gems out there and spare yourself the garbage promoted by the hype machine.

As a closing note, don't go for the US version of this album which comes with 3 songs less and there's absolutely no reason to:
a. get mysteriously ripped off like that
b. miss out on any song of this album as they are all more than worthy...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You really need this one, February 2, 2004

By 

keeping eclectic (Brisbane, QLD AUS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quixotic (Audio CD)

Undoubtedly magnificent and absolutely radiant. Quixotic speaks to the soul, resonating deep within you. it provides a journey of truely heart felt lyrics, elegance combined with a laid back trip-hop sound, subtle sultry soul, with a certain rock punch. Martina Topley Bird captivates her listeners with a voice that engrossers, her sensual innocence takes a hold of you and leaves you wanting more. Yes, her voice that you've heard sooo much about, words and descriptions really can't do it any justice, just trust us and listen to her for yourself. personal favourites: cruisey Soulfood that showcases her luxuriously smokey vocals, a slightly more charging and rocky Too Tough To Die, I absolutely love Lying, possibly my absolute favourite on the album, theres an effortless beauty that leaves a smile on my face and the deep full sounding llya. Quixotic is nothing but a beautiful offering from Martina Topley Bird. It hits you just where a perfect cd is suppose to. What i love is that Martina is humble and delicate while a power and strength is still behind her.