Customer Reviews

Quixotic

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3 star:		(1)
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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.

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...

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.

The haunting songtress of Tricky's albums: Maxinquaye, Nearly God, Pre-Millenium, Angels With Dirty Faces and Ruff Guide finally steps out on her own. This album as highly anticipated by Tricky fanatics worldwide (including myself), and this album was very very satisfying. The tracks vary from chillout trip hop, to jazzy soul, to 'almost' rock, and she does not disappoint her fans. Certainly an album to have on your shelf. Independiente should make a US album, because Martina does have (new) fans here!

at once sensual, atmospheric and moody, plus it is really hard to ignore the towering 'needone' and the black magic of 'lullaby'. martina is surrounded by good company -- david holmes, queens of stone age, tricky, among so many others -- and deservedly so for such a creative force. plus she is a fox to boot.
oh that voice, everyone exclaims.
except this time, please believe the hype. it woule be unlikely that many better CDs will be found this year.

Why do you think everyone is excited by this album, why there is so much talk? It isn't often that a muse of the decade gets to stroke her own lyre. The result? if you aren't sure why you liked certain music of the 90s, but felt it had something to do with the other-worldly sounding vocalist, buy this CD. Martina's crackly smoke-drenched voice is there to haunt you, backed up by some the best musical minds around. There is a very interesting diversity of styles on this album, held together by a voice and delivery still wise beyond their years. Since Maxinquaye at 18, if anything, she has mellowed a little. Still she has that wonderful delivery, those playful vocal riffs, a brilliant ability of putting her sound right where you expect while maintaining her uniqueness. A delight, to hear such beauty, shyness, cynicism and power in a voice. This so-called debut album humbles much of what passes for music nowadays. It makes you wonder: did Maxinquaye occur because there was this voice to sing it?

This record is worth it for two tracks alone, the tracks Sandpaper Kisses and Lyla. I believe these are the best performances vocally that i've ever heard from Martina and maybe the best soft soul i've ever heard from any female singer. If you like soul or lounge music this is one of the best records out there.

Martina Topley-Bird, of Maxinquaye fame, has really shown in this album that she is an excellent artist even without Tricky. If you are a fan of Tricky you will probably enjoy hearing her voice again, but this album is not really all that similiar to Tricky's work. It is alot more soulful and less electronic than Tricky, and has a very raw feel to it.
For those of you who don't know, this is the original UK release, which has the original production as well as 3 tracks which are not included in the American release "Anything". I have not heard Anything all the way through, but it seems like this is indeed a better album. If you can't grab this album Anything is okay, but I suggest Quixotic over it.

When I first heard Martina backing Maxinquaye for Tricky I took to her voice much. Always thought it would be a good idea to make a solo album. Finally I own it. Can't stop listening to it for last two days! Superb material.

I don't think it is possible to describe, with accuracy, exactly how fantastic this album is. THAT VOICE!!!! Incredible. Simply a must hear and a must have.

You won't be disappointed, this album is an essential.