Siren Songs

Gretchen Lieberum | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 1, 2005)
• Original Release Date: October 1, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rosie Records
• ASIN: B000BGQXAO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,586 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

“Siren Songs” is the aptly named latest release by Gretchen Lieberum, a seductive and sophisticated vocalist whose beautiful lyrics and sultry voice evoke a dreamy state of mind. Ensconced in catchy retro rhythmus and a lush soundscape of organic and electronic grooves, Gretchen’s songs have a way of transporting you to another time and place, effortlessly conveying moods and locales of moments gone by, full of nostalgia, longing and love. Comparisons to great songstresses of yesteryear like Billie Holliday are fitting because of Gretchen’s ability to emote, but the music on this record comes off more like Goldfrapp or Zero 7. The instrumentation is beautiful and serene like the voice, but in an incredible counterpoint performance it is not afraid to go to some very dark places such as on the hauntingly spare chords and spaced out vibe of “Can You Hear Me” or in the melancholy musical wanderlust of “Avila.” And in some cases the music is gorgeously surreal, such as in the wave of sound that slowly comes to a climax in her song “Opus.” With new musical ideas and creative interpretations of old Jazz standards, such as in the first track "Key Largo," Gretchen reminds both old Jazz lovers and new Trip-hop gurus that artists can still expand the boundaries of style. The album never loses energy or enticement; it keeps you involved the entire way through, ending with "Grace," a song that leaves you willing to give your right arm to be longer. The songs are all at once lyrical, thought provoking and wonderfully familiar. As she notes in the lyrics of her song “Paper Tigers”: it’s easy to lose yourself in the hazy glow. And losing oneself in the hazy glow of “Siren Songs” is a welcome retreat into this talented artist’s musical soul.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet&Soulful, November 27, 2005

By 

ETM (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Siren Songs (Audio CD)

Gretchen Lieberum's voice--and her songs--can be described in many metaphores: dappled sunlight falling through an autumn forest; warm milk and honey; the kiss of a lover, etc. In short, pick your favorite metaphor to describe what you think is beautiful and intoxicating and her songs and voice are it. Yes, there are many female singers with beautiful voices. But GL's voice isn't merely competent. Rather, it is extraordinary. It is beautiful and colorful and dense and subtle. But even then a voice doesn't matter if the songs are dull. Here is where Gretchen Lieberum really shines. Many, many years ago I fell in love with the voice of Britsh singer Julia Fordham. Sadly, her songs grew rather thin over the years, and so I stopped listening to her. So far my experience with Gretchen's previous two albums (and her current album) has been that her song writing gets even better with the progression of each album. Her songs simply are original and satisfying. There's zero syrup and zero formula. Instead what you are exposed to is the soul soothing power of female vocal and musical art by one of the best practitioners in the industry today. Buy this album. In fact, check out all of her albums. Get out your credit card, put the CDs into your stereo and relax in a world of shimmering musical beauty . . . . .

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars late night cool, November 15, 2005

By 

Curlynob (Eastleigh, Hampshire, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Siren Songs (Audio CD)

A modern Jazz record that owes as much to the music of Air and Zero 7 than Dianna Krall. I love the way that finding new music takes you on a journey. I was at a Madeleine Peyroux concert, and was really impressed by Tracy Bonham who supported her. I bought her CD and was finding out more about her online when i came across a review for this record. Thinking that it sounded like a cracking listen, i bought it too! I don't know if Zero 7 are a big thing stateside. But if you're fimiliar with the songs "In the Waiting Line" and "Destiny" from their debut album, this whole record sounds very similar. I don't want to distract from the music, but it is very much "dinner party" music. You're friends will be very impressed with you when they hear Gretchen's dulcit tones drifting round your apartment.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lieberum Serenades With "Siren Songs", July 5, 2006

By 

Hypatia "APV" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Siren Songs (Audio CD)

I highly recommend this album to all jazz lovers or those simply wanting a soothing melodic sound. Gretchen Lieberum sings beautifully, like a real jazz virtuoso, making you feel like your in some 1920's night club with a real jazz band and its ragtime dancers. Lieberum's lyrics paint lovely pictures and metaphors for the senses. Gretchen Lieberum's vocals chill to the bone, including the album's instrumental orchestrations, but do so in a good chilly warm way. One can tell a lot of soul and passion was put into this music. This is an extraoridinary album that truly does speak to the soul.