Customer Reviews

Tales of Brave Ida [Vinyl]

5 star:		(4)
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Ida plays a cozy, sweet style of folk music. This album, their first, is more raw and less developed than future endeavors, but maintains everything that makes Ida so special: beautiful harmonies, enchanting melodies, and some very orignial guitar playing.

"Shotgun" is one of the most fragile, haunting, beautiful songs ever written. Lyically, amazing: "we were like kids with a shotgun / blowing up words till there were none / and maybe I'm too young / maybe we're too young to be playing with this gun"

Ida is perfect music to share with someone on a rainy day in-doors, softly playing, staring out windows, sipping coffee, and playing footsies.

Fans of Low, Retsin (Ida has done a shared CD with Retsin), the Secret Stars, or old/new folk will be quietly impressed with Ida.

Fans of Ida tend to be HUGE fans. I'm one of them. Truly one of my favorite albums ever, the seemingly simple arrangements frame beautifully complex, haunting lyrics that continue to reveal new shades of emotion with each listen. Back in '94, before the internet had completely infiltrated everyday life, Ida were already exploring the alienation inherent in late-20th century technology with songs like 'Temping' and 'Coupons'. Many of the relationship songs-- the tenseness of 'Boyfriend', the defiance of 'Equator'-- are reminiscent of that other great snapshot-in-time, "Rumours". High praise indeed.

This album is out of print and really, really, REALLY hard to get your hands on, but if you manage to, you've probably got the best of Ida's work. Period.

Even though Karla Scheckle happens to be my favorite member of the group, and even though she hasn't joined the band yet for their debut, this is still my favorite Ida album.

Parts of the album (Equator's midsection in particular) are reminiscent of the more melodic tracks by The Smashing Pumpkins. The sound of their voices, the lyrics, it's all too much for words. It's beautiful, it really is. I can't say enough about it. Just find it and listen to it. High points include "Shotgun," "Dollface," "Equator," "Temping," "Post Prom Disorder," and "F Boyfriend."

Be careful. This album may result in IDA OBSESSION. ;)