Customer Reviews

Susie Suh

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I agree with the other reviews, this is wonderful music. Beautiful quiet, acoustic rock in the vein of Cowboy Junkies and some of Sarah MacLachlan's acoustic versions.

Unfortunately it has Sony's XCP "copy-protection". Her website links to Sony's website "if you have questions about getting music on your iPod", which basically says complain to Apple, not us..it just offers excuses, not solutions. If you don't know what you're doing, you could end up killing Windows completely. I wish I could reduce the number of stars on this; when I first posted it I wasn't aware it was the more destructive type of malware.

This is the second CD today that I was about to buy, until I found it was copy-protected. I appreciate Amazon annotating that (though they're not 100% accurate). Note to Sony, and the RIAA: YOU ARE LOSING CD SALES ON ACCOUNT OF THIS.

For those of you reading these reviews, this cd NO LONGER has anti-piracy software. Sony discontinued making those cds. They are no longer available and now have printed new ones WITHOUT the virus spreading software. It is SAFE to buy this cd for those of you who play music on your computer. I highly recommend this artist. Her album is beautiful and moving. She is an artist worth listening to. Help support her stunning debut and purchase this album!

I first saw this album debut on iTunes back in April 2005. I took a chance on the purchase and boy, it knocked my socks off. She's got a somewhat deep, velvety voice that's instantly likeable and the songs are intelligent and beautiful. "Petrified to be God-like" gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. I was lucky enough to check her website one day to see if she's touring, and yep, she was, and I saw her live at a small venue here in NYC. Her songs and voice sounded excellent live and I plan to see her again in December at Irving Plaza. Check her out - I think you'll find, as I did, that this is an impressive debut album. She's someone to watch for in the future.

First off, let me just say that this is a great album - if you like Jewel's early music or Sarah McLachlan you will enjoy this. Susie has a great voice and is a pleasure to listen to.

That being said, be aware that the CD is dangerous if you plan on playing it via your Windows PC - it installs a hidden rootkit that opens up your PC to malicious spyware that is undetectable, even by antispyware software. There is nothing you can do - it is part of Sony's copy protection, and there is no way to uninstall it.

While normally I would wholeheartedly recommend this album, for the above reason I urge people to think before they buy - the music is great, but the potential for problems outweigh that fact. Unfortunate, but true.

Like many of her fans, I discovered Susie Suh while I was watching "Must Love Dogs" when her song, "Shell," was playing during the credits. It prompted me to buy this CD (which I'm sad to say, is the artist's only one so far). I was impressed at Susie's talents--vocally and musically (she writes the lyrics and songs). This woman is masterful and I expect and hope that she will be receiving the attention she deserves. Of course, I am also supportive because I feel strongly that Asian-American musicians are an invisible musical force in this country that do not receive the attention and recognition they deserve from the producers/labels to garner mass appeal and crossover. I'm impressed by how, even the most overtly political song--Your Battlefield," (a song about the struggle with your parents to pursue less traditional, professional paths such as music) did not come across as resentful or pleading, but instead, conveyed the writer's genuine desire to be unconditionally accepted. I only wish she would come out with more music so that she can begin touring.

This is not the first 5-star record I have heard (I mean, come on people, Nikka Costa, Fiona Apple, Alana Davis, and KENNA all have at least one perfect album), but it is the first one I will write about. I need to hollar about Ms. Suh.

If Ms. Suh were a classical composer, she would be referred to as a 'minimalist.' She does not write recondite lyrics or intricate instrumentations, nor does she use complex rhythyms or chord progressions. But, therefore every ingredient in her recording has such a poignant effect on the listener that it almost sounds like your own subconscious is speaking to you. She cooks up the perfect simple recipe for musical tastefulness.

Maybe its that I am 22, and songs like 'Your Battlefield' and 'Seasons Change' are very accurate in describing how I feel about being this age, but regardless, her low voice and classic style are just SO PAINFULLY ENJOYABLE to listen to.

Unfortunately, the songs are not as 'radio friendly' as they are for synchronization with a movie or TV drama, but really people, give the girl a chance. I promise you won't be dissapointed.

I first heard Susie Suh's angelic voice on `So You Think You Can Dance' when a song called `All I Want' was played. The version used on the show was actually the classical version played by Ahn Trio, but Suh's voice was still radiant and completely commanding. I downloaded the Ahn Trio version the next day and listened to it nearly 100 times that day alone (seriously, I had it on repeat and my iTunes and it shows me how many times it's been played).

So, I'm not sure why, but it took me a while to actually look up Suh herself; but I finally did, and I have to say that her self titled debut album is truly astonishing.

It has been said that Susie Suh brings nothing new to the table, and that much is true, but she does a remarkable job of making us love her with every single word. Her voice is so rich with vulnerability that I can't help but sink into every word she sings, even if she doesn't impress with endless bouts of creativity. The songs collected here are simple yet they have a soft polish to them that makes them endearing and memorable.

The opening track `Won't You Come Again' is a beautiful example of Suh's tender approach to music. Her voice just caresses our ears and sinks into our soul. What I love about this album is that she does exactly what I have stated countless times before as the smartest move any musical artist can make is; she opens and closes her album with her best. As wonderful as `Won't You Come Again' is, `All I Want' is just brilliant. Those who have only heard the classical version are in for a treat here. With the violins stripped away there is a rawness that is left; Suh basically collapsing in emotional turmoil over the morose piano chords. Both versions are beautiful, but I prefer this one for its emotional intensity alone.

`Your Battlefield' is one of my favorites here. It has an edge to it that suits Suh very well; carrying with it comparisons to the likes of Fiona Apple and my personal goddess Anouk. `Recognition' is another one near and dear to me, with a delicate yet powerful delivery that stirs something in me.

`Shell' is a memorable track, as is `Light on My Shoulder', a song that is very haunting in nature. Now, addressing the issue of `nothing new' can bring into play another slight problem. With nothing new being presented at times her songs can seem almost too similar. Tracks like the aforementioned (especially `Won't You Come Again, `You Battlefield', `Recognition' and `All I Want') have enough to stand out on their own, but tracks like `Seasons Change' and especially `Harmony' can appear almost `been-there-done-that'. They are good songs, but they don't pop the way they should.

`Lucille' has a nice vibe to it, something sultry and different enough to stand out in the bunch.

`Petrified to Be God-Like' is one of those songs that just instantly stands out and reaches inside you. I was a huge believer in this song as the best on the album for quite a while. But, and here is the but; there is just something about the chorus that kind of grows tiring after a few listens. It seems almost lazy (how, I don't know...I mean, I don't even understand my own reasoning here so don't try to...but it just does to me for some strange reason). It is moving and touching and all embracing, and Suh's voice is magnificent, but it doesn't seem as inspired after I really listened to it. It's one of those songs that, when running in the background, can grab your attention; but when you sit down and listen to the album all the way through it doesn't hold up as well as some others.

So, I totally recommend this album. If you like a good female vocal and some stripped down mood music then Suh may be just what you need.

I am not much of a music connoisseur, but I have to admit that this album is one of my favorites that I have ever heard. Her voice is so calming and her words encompass so many feelings about love, relationships, finding our place in life, and letting go of the past to look forward. There is much depth in her work (not just the music, but the lyrics too.. which I hear she does them both), and I was totally enthralled just even listening to the first track...I wanted to hear it all.
I first heard Miss Suh's work on NPR one night and I was immediately hooked.. she was singing "Light on My Shoulder". I even ran the spelling of her name over and over in my head until I got home so that I could just find out more about her. Lucky for me, her CD is being sold on Amazon, so I was extremely excited when I received it. Needless to say, it didn't let me down.

This CD is amazing. I first heard of her through Audrey magazine, and was enraptured by her passion of songwriting. Her lyrics are beautiful, and with Glen Ballard as her producer (he produced Alanis' Jagged Little Pill), there is a little bit of angst in the beauty of her words. Listen to this album and be amazed by the lyrical beauty and the smoky voice of the wonderful Susie Suh.

Susie reminds me a little of Norah Jones but kicked up a few notches in sensuality and feeling, and instead of piano it features guitar. This music captured me from the first listen. There is something very raw and soulful about it.