In the Red

Tina Dico | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 13, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Defend Music Inc.
• ASIN: B000CCZQJG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,930 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

"In The Red" is a moody, dusky, highly introspective adult alternative/folk-rock outing that has plenty of melancholy moments, although it isn't as dark or troubled a disc as, say, Fiona Apple's Tidal. Dico has been quoted as saying that her three favorite albums of all time are Joni Mitchell's Blue, Tracy Chapman's self-titled debut album, and Nirvana's Nevermind -- and while In the Red doesn't sound anything like Nevermind, one can see that the Dane picked those three classics because she obviously identifies with music's deep thinkers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Album of the Year, February 4, 2006

By 

J. S. Kaczmarek "jskazzy" (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Red (Audio CD)

I know it's only February, but I am already giving this album my best of the year award. I can't imagine a more stellar US debut for this beautiful artist. Tina has a fantastic voice and sense of songwriting and _storytelling_. Compared to her EP, Far (which was good but lacking in some respects), she sounds even more mature, emotional, and thoughtful, all without being over the top. Everything is perfectly balanced and moderated. I can't gush enough about this album. This is the best female rock (with a folk influence, decidedly, but the sound is very modern, so don't be fooled) I have heard in years. The instrumentation/production is subtle without being sparse, the perfect compliment to her voice. I can't even pick a particular standout song - they are all standouts. This is one of those rare albums that you can listen to all the way through without skipping a single track. For those wanting more I'll break it down:

Songwriting
===========
So first of all, Tina writes all the music and lyrics. So she's the full package (not to mention that she's also incredibly attractive). She has a great command of the English language in poetry, which is amazing considering that she's _Danish_. She touches on all sorts of topics; of course there are songs of love won and lost (some very sensual). There's also a lot of treatment of (what I assume is her own) personal history using some powerful imagery, but without being clinical or academic at all. She's also not afraid to tackle the more nebulous subjects either; the word choice is so well balanced: "You don't touch the magic / the magic touches you" being one example. She also touches on the inspirational, and does it well: "It's too late to be perfect / And it's not like we haven't tried / It's hard but it's worth it / Every time we get it right", and even the semi-comical in the song "Head Shop". And the music? Creative, novel, masterful... 'nuff said.

Music / Vocals
==============
Well what can I say. Tina has one of the best voices I've heard in a long time. It's emotive without being too strong, and she can modulate it in many ways, harsh, soft, airy, deep. She has great control of it as well. The touch of vibrato she adds at the ends of phrases is perfect. The instrumentation is great - it has the sound of a timeless album, a great blend of acoustic and electronic instruments (plenty of guitars and keyboards). The percussion is great too, varied and complimentary to the tunes. It's amazing, the music sounds very classic (like something you've heard before many times) but at the same time it sounds totally fresh. I'm at a loss to find a comparison for her. Everything I try to come up with doesn't quite work. I'd love for someone to point out a similar artist for me! As far as I can tell she's one of a kind. There's the obvious rock influence, but also some "chill" influence (like Zero 7) in there, some folk (maybe Dar Williams?), some soul or R&B, and probably more... She has her own sound without being repetitive.

Tina
====
You might be thinking, hmm Tina's voice sounds familiar, have I heard her before somewhere? Well, in fact, you may have, because she is a guest vocalist on Zero 7's second album, Home. Zero 7 has gotten a lot of attention here in the US because their song Waiting Line was included in the film Garden State. Tina has actually been performing in her native Denmark for years (I believe she has 2 or 3 albums there, for which she has won all kinds of awards in Europe). I can only hope she keeps going for a long time!

Bottom Line
===========
What's really special about Tina is that she doesn't really sound like anyone else (well, at least no one I've heard, and I've heard plenty). She's so unique! This album really moves me at a deep level. This is what music is supposed to be.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PURE TALENT!, January 28, 2006

By 

Scott D. Grindstaff (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Red (Audio CD)

Tina Dico is one of those rare finds...a true artist. With a voice like silk, there is a genuine comfort that one obtains from her music. 'In The Red' is a rewarding experience...as if in the form of "audible serotonin".
I consider myself Zero 7's number one fan, and it was through their material that I first heard Tina. I can guarantee that if you are a fan of Zero 7, you will find Tina's work equally appealing. That said, she more than stands on her own, with her own style, which is more earthy and sublime. 'In The Red' will lift your spirits, and calm your soul.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a treasure!, July 7, 2007

By 

David Swartz "swyfts" (Marina, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Red [Special Edition-Bonus Live CD] (Audio CD)

As if "In The Red" wasn't good enough to begin with, this Special Edition 2-disk set includes a live concert AND two studio tracks left off the original album, which I think are better than anything that was ON the record. "When You're Away" really hit home for me, and "Lost In Art" is simply gorgeous. Tina's EP "Far" is still my favorite overall recording, but "Fuel", "Notes", and this edition of "In The Red" are close behind... I just hope she's involved with another Zero 7 project eventually. THAT would be heaven.