Customer Reviews

Tails (+1 Bonus Track)

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I didn't know that I was going to like this CD when I bought it, but through some convergence of good luck I bought it anyway. Like many people I had developed the incorrect opinion that Lisa Loeb was nothing more than fluffy pop and could be clumped together more with N'SYNC and The Backstreet Boys than with singer/songwriters like Aimee Mann or Liz Phair. I was wrong, and I whole-heartedly admit that now. Lisa Loeb is an alt-rock magician of the highest order. Yes, her songs are infectious and loveable, but they're also tricky and strange. In one song you'll find a hard electric guitar riff (like "Alone") and in another you'll find a soft acoustic guitar (like "Sandalwood"). Some of the tracks on this disc are wild rock songs ("Snow Day," "Taffy," and, most noteably, "Garden of Delights"). Others are dreamy, slow, artful constructions ("Hurricane" or "Lisa Listen"). Of course her lyrics are brilliant also (for instance "I may not be a quaalude living in a speed zone, but I can be restful" from "When All the Stars Were Falling"). It's just a good CD, a really, really good CD, and it will surprise a lot of people if those people will just give it a shot. Rent a copy from the local library, borrow one from a friend, get a few of the songs online, just do something. I don't care what. By the time you've actually heard everything that Lisa Loeb had going on here on her "Tails" disc you'll just end up buying it like any other sane person.

Lisa Loeb's debut is one of my favorite records of all time. Behind this pair of glasses hides a true songwriting and singing talent. On her later cd's, Loeb is better vocally, but on Tails, there is a more pleasant atmosphere. There is no single filler track on this album, as each is instantly catchy.

(1) IT'S OVER - "Sorry sir I stole your money" - It was a bit of a grower, but it has become my favorite. A timid tension takes it to a higher level. 10/10
(2) SNOW DAY - Another favorite. Hopeful lyrics, and very catchy. 10/10
(3) TAFFY - Lisa rocks out, on, again, a favorite. I really like the bridge in this song. 10/10
(4) WHEN ALL THE STARTS WERE FALLING - Again a very strong song, with the fantastic "And I fell down, down" part. Lyrics such as "I've learned how to dance from a Vincent van Gogh" make listening this one very enjoyable. 8/10
(5) DO YOU SLEEP? - The music gets gloomier. Again a very catchy song, in spite of its darkness. 9/10
(6) HURRICANE - Probably the darkest song on the album, with -maybe- the best lyrics. The instrumental ending leaves you longing for more. 9/10
(7) ROSE-COLORED TIMES - Another favorite, apparently happy, but crafted with melancholy. 10/10
(8) SANDALWOOD - A very sweet song with a very sweet name. From the beginning to the brilliant ending "I wanted to show you." 8/10
(9) ALONE - An upbeat song with a quirky melody. I think this is the least good song on Tails, but others idolize it, so decide for your own. 7/10
(10) WAITING FOR WEDNESDAY - A very happy song, with a not so happy subject (a pregnant woman). Another favorite, although the song gets a little dull towards the end. 10/10
(11) LISA LISTEN - This slow song with an antimetrical chorus brings in variation. 8/10
(12) GARDEN OF DELIGHTS - This short song is very cool. Try to hear Lisa counting down. 9/10
(13) STAY - This is Lisa's most famous song and is indeed very beautiful. 10/10

I think you should buy Tails even if you have just a little interest in this wonderful artist.

Lisa Loeb's first major album with her band Nine Stories, titled TAILS, is an excellent album on so many levels. It's one of those CD's you can listen to anytime, and it just speaks mountains to you, or it makes you want to sing along with it. Lisa's first single "Stay", which was on the Reality Bites soundtrack, was the first song to go to #1 by an independant artist who had no record label. It's also on TAILS. "Do You Sleep" is another winner. The instruments are used well in this album. Composing and performing songs that combine effervescent pop with the lyricism of a skilled storyteller, Lisa Loeb is one of contemporary music's most sumptuous delights. The CD has not even one filler track. Other highlights include "It's Over", "Snow Day", "Rose Colored Times", "Waiting For Wednesday", "Alone" and the ever poignant "Hurricane". Check this out for something new!

Lisa Loeb's 1995 Tails album was very well anticipated after that 1994 megahit Stay. It lived up to all the hype. Very solid pop songs and excellent songwriting from Lisa. She has managed to stay in the spotlight for a decade making very solid songs and albums that she chooses to do. I wanted Do You Sleep to have the same kind of airplay and huge response that Stay did, keep that momentum going. Wanted it to go to No. 1 too, but it peaked at No. 18. Actually, adult contemporary stations liked that song more than the pop stations. She rocks on several songs on the second half and takes no prisoners. Loeb is one of the '90s best songwriters and this album proved that.

Lisa Loeb is nothing short of spectacular. Her #1 hit song "Stay," (featured on this album) shattered records and took the world by surprise, making Lisa Loeb the first unsigned artist to top the singles charts. Full of fun classics like "Waiting For Wednesday" and lyrical ballads including my favorite, "Sandalwood," Tails is a must-own CD. Pop fans will enjoy the upbeat instrumentals, while others will enjoy the meaningful lyrics. Lisa Loeb's debut album gets my highest possible rating.

In an effort to expand my collection of women's music I purchased this CD based solely on recommendations here. I have had no regrets! This CD is very good. It took several listens for me to get hooked but once that happened I have found myself reaching for this CD to play almost everyday. I was acquainted with two of the songs from the radio years ago: 'Stay' and 'Do You Sleep?' but others are just as good if not better. 'Snow Day' is high energy and I often play air guitar when nobody is watching. I will definately look into buying her other CD.

I remember when I used to Listen to my TAILS Cd day and night- back in '96.... It'still among my top 5 fav albums along with such masterpieces as TAPESTRY(Carole King), THRILLER(Michael Jackson) and any BEATLES' record.. That should give you an Idea of how wonderful and Under-rated this album is. The songs In it are simple yet touchin' and one can easily relate to Them.There's a lil' Bit for everyone in this album-From warmhearted songs such as LISA LISTEN and SANDALWOOD to the lousy TAFFY- anyways, The track that makes this album worth Buyin' is STAY--a powerful Ballad That would Haunt you right away.

Despite the mild success of her second single, "Do You Sleep?," Lisa Loeb has lived in the shadow of "Stay" ever since it was first released off of the Reality Bites soundtrack. It isn't a complicated song... just Lisa's rambly three minute retort to a lover who claims that she only hears what she wants to. If you fell in love with this song and decided that you needed to hear an entire album just like it, what could you possibly be expecting? Lots of paragraphs? An utter lack of choruses? Luckily, Lisa Loeb released the perfect album to accompany it in Tails.

On opener "It's Over" Lisa can't even decide who she's singing to: an ambiguous "Sir" or the boy that has rendered her useless through marooning her on his pedestal. It's catchy, though, from the simple opening chords to the soaring crescendo of its first chorus. "Snow Day" makes about as much sense, but is equally as catchy. "Taffy" too, and "Rose Colored Times" as well. Do you sense a trend developing?

Tails doesn't always make sense. It's a little immature, a little sappy, and it can't decide if it wants to be softspoken or to rock out. It's fun to listen to. "Do You Sleep" is all of the above. Lisa obviously needs a few things to be intact to make for a good song. It should have a decent loud to soft ratio. Simplicity should be taken advantage of in the form of catchy riffs and complex harmony. At some point there ought to be a few loud guitars to distract you from the lyrics. With this as a formula, it's easy to pass or fail the rest of the album: bassy "Taffy" passes, "Hurricane" fails. Harder rocking "Alone" & "Garden Of Delights" pass, "Lisa Listen" fails equally as hard.

Sparing you from Lisa's extended report card, barely half of the disc passes, just like "Stay" barely passes; it doesn't sound like a hit song, but it was. Tails isn't solid gold, but I usually want to go back to listen to something again after it's over. Whether Lisa's records get better or worse, to most people she will always be the "Stay" girl. Listening to her albums will prove that "Stay" just happens to be the best example of the intangible magic she can work on a simple pop song. She just hasn't figured out how to do it every time.

Yet.

I heard Lisa singing "do you sleep" on a saturday night live rerun and i couldn't get it out of my head. But after I bought it, there were so many more that i loved, "It's over" starts out the whole thing great with a almost haunting melody at some parts. I LOVE "hurricane", mostly because of the lyrics. "Waiting for Wendsday" and "Garden of delight" border on rock and make you want to dance. Just an all around wonderful cd, but be warned, you really have to give it a chance because at first i wasn't crazy about it. it's one of those ones that grows on you and after 1 or two weeks you love every bit.

I have to admit that I love the Lilth Fair, and if you do too, this is definitely the CD for you. Lisa Loeb is honest and magical in her lyrics. The music will sweep you off your feet and you will just lie back and imagine all the things she's sweetly singing to you. It's wonderful!