Sentimental [IMPORT]

Tanita Tikaram

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 20, 2005)
• Original Release Date: July 26, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: V2 Int'l
• ASIN: B0007TX8VW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #61,113 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Tanita Tikaram is back with a collection of beguiling and rewarding new songs, entitled, 'Sentimental' released through V2/International. 'Sentimental' is Tanita's sixth studio album and her first record since 1998's, 'Cappuccino Songs'. The album features 10 new songs and a unique vocal ollaboration with Nick Lowe who sings on two of the tracks. 2005. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This time, perfection., May 8, 2005

By	HLB (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sentimental (Audio CD)

Good things come to those who wait. For fans of Tanita Tikaram's incomparably smooth, dark voice and lyrical songs, it has been a long wait indeed (some seven years have gone by since the 'Cappuccino Songs'), and what has now come to us is commensurably good. In fact, I think it's perfect.

'Sentimental' is a very immediate listening experience. The songs were all recorded in an ensemble fashion, i.e. the way you hear them on the CD is the way they were performed in the studio, with all musicians playing as a band. This alone lends a distinct warmth to the recordings, almost a small club live sound. The arrangements are sparse and simple, and beautifully executed; I don't think Tanita's voice has ever been this lovingly underscored by the instrumentation on any of her previous releases. Nick Lowe's backup vocals and the duet he sings with Tanita in 'Every Day is New' are an additional treat--his mild tones complement her voice perfectly. A wonderful choice.

The songs themselves are deep and, indeed, sentimental (although not altogether melancholic), and show now trace of being written and produced with an eye on sales, hits, or any commercial concerns whatsoever. I'd say these are Tanita Tikaram songs the way Tanita Tikaram wanted them to sound, and many listeners will undoubtedly find that this is exactly the way they have always been wanting to hear them. The nicest thing about this album is that while some tracks instantly stand out, (say, 'Don't Let The Cold' and 'Don't Shake Me Up'), it's impossible to pick favorites after listening to 'Sentimental' a few times: there isn't a single song here that I feel like skipping, something that was not always true for Tanita's past releases.

As far as TT's longtime devotees are concerned, I'm of course preaching to the converted here, as most of them probably ordered 'Sentimental' from Amazon France months ago. But what about the occasional listener who's still checking back to see if a successor to 'Twist In My Sobriety' has finally come along? Well, it hasn't, and I don't think it will, or even should. That was a great song, of course. But so is each and every track on 'Sentimental.' Start listening.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, November 4, 2005

By	Lawrence English (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album is a wonderful return to the more intimate style of her earlier work and updates her sound with jazz influences. I've been listening to this album almost everyday for weeks and, so far, I like all of the tracks.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars We're Only The Ones We Love., July 14, 2005

By	Jason Stein (Chula Vista, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Sentimental (Audio CD)

I first discovered Tanita Tikaram in 1989 through the video for "Twist In My Sobriety" on VH1 (yes, back when they played videos). I bought her debut cd "Ancient Heart" which I think she has yet to surpass. I've been a fan ever since. "Sentimental" is Tikaram's first release in seven years since her last effort "Capuccino Songs". "Sentimental" marks her seventh studio album, and I would not call it a comeback. Tikaram was never truly mainstream to begin with. I'd rather compare it to her previous work, which has been sketchy at times.

"Sentimental" is a mellow, almost Norah Jones-like, 10 song cycle. It's not as creative as her earlier work, nor is it as modern as "Capuccino Songs". I found it to be closest to her 1991 effort "Everybody's Angel". There are some standout tracks, particularly "Everyday Is New" in which Tanita trades vocals with Robert Trehern to make an affecting duet and probably the best song on the cd. He shows up again on "Forever" which is also good. Nick Lowe adds his vocals to "Don't Let The Cold" making an interesting development to the arrangement that also stands out. The other two tracks that are fairly decent are "Play Me Again" and "Don't Shake Me Up". The lyrics on this album did not seem particularly gripping as with Tikaram's previous work.

Overall, as a fan, I would recommend this cd. It's good, and something nice to listen to at night or when you are unwinding. I found it less exciting to listen to in my car going to and from work. Let's just hope she doesn't take another seven years to make an album!