Customer Reviews

Ten Feet High

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

 

 

After over 20 million albums sold with her band, The Corrs, Andrea Corr has emerged with a solo album that is getting a mixed reaction. And while I admit that "Ten Feet High" has grown on me, the record is a bit of an enigma.

Like the Corrs, who are famous for their lack of classification, Andrea has made her debut album defy category. Some tunes are decidedly dance, such as the stripper-like 'Hello Boys' and cover 'Take Me I'm Yours', while others take a softer feel - 'This Is What It's All About' is entirely acoustic. While I don't want to bore you with a detailed review of every song, here are my highlights:

'Champagne from a Straw': Surprisingly for an album of dance tunes and acoustic ballads, this one sticks out - and not for the wrong reasons. This tune is quirky and pokes fun at the celebrity lifestyle. "I've got my all-over tan and my tummy-tuck/My two babies, boy and girl/Big house in the country/With expensive bags for my scary little dog".

'Ideal World': One of the album's acoustic tunes, 'Ideal World' discusses how life should be through the stories of three individuals experiencing trouble in life (busy parenthood, lonely success, and disease). "In an ideal world/Kids would keep their rooms tidy/In an ideal world/He would be home from his work on time".

'Stupidest Girl in the World': While I'm not sure where the title comes from, the lyrics on this song are superb. The song deals with the mistakes we make in living out our fantasies and how some people unconsciously sabatoge their successes.

'Ten Feet High': A hidden gem on the album, title track 'Ten Feet High' is both acoustic and soaring. The song doesn't follow the rules of most tunes, and the orchestral arrangement adds to the desperation. I have a feeling this may well be the album's breakout hit.

The biggest complaint I have about "Ten Feet High" is its lack of focus. The record doesn't seem to know whether it wants to be dance, acoustic, or pop. There are a variety of great styles featured, but put together it seems very disjointed. That being said, the songs are by no means bad, though they are different from mainstream Corrs fare. Overall, while the album is very unique, it is one CD that I've been listening to nearly nonstop - and I find something new to like at every listen.

As a longtime Corrs fan I wasn't sure what to expect but Andrea has showed a great deal of courage by striking out on her own. The music is different from the "Corrs sound", so you need to approach it with a open mind & you'll find that it really grows on you. I am impressed by the different types of songs that are on the cd- uptempo, ballads, techno, etc. Like I said earlier, Andrea took a chance & it paid off big-time!

First we get tons and tons of remixed albums or collections with remade tracks, then the band decides to stay home and have kids with their significant others. Well, all except for Andrea. Wow, what happened?!

I sat through this disc twice once I got out of work today, and know that I will not bother to put it in again. Good for her if she wants to try techno--this isn't the problem. It's that her songwriting can't even stand up by itself, and there's nothing melodic enough that inspires humming along. The only songs that are any good are the jazzy "This is What It's All About," her surprisingly good cover of Squeeze's "Take Me I'm Yours," and "Ideal World" which is the only song on the album containing lyrics that aren't mindnumbingly vapid.

She is not using her voice to its best advantage (See "Time Enough for Tears" from the Corrs' Borrowed Heaven album) and, in fact, the album sounds like career-oriented Andrea is reluctant to go on without her siblings, but doesn't want to sit still either.

Look, I really wish I liked this album, but I don't much, and it's painful to say that. In an "Ideal World" this disk wouldn't require you to drink "Champagne from a Straw." "Shame on You," Andrea, for not giving us a better debut cd. There's supposed to be a three disc Corrs box set in the works, and I have glimpsed it over. It looks really good. In fact, it appears to be the most definitive collection released thus far. Pass this amazingly expensive and poor substitute by, and hold out for your money's worth with that purchase instead.

When Sting left the Police, the only resemblance that solo work shared with his former band was the vocalist. Songwriting? Different. Arrangements? Different. Performance? Different. But was it bad? Should Sting have been chastised for producing an album unlike those he made with his bandmates? Luckily, he wasn't. We ended up with some early career triumphs like "Russians," "Fortress," and "We'll be Together..." None of which had a hint of reggae influence from his former band.

Same can be said of other solo artists formerly of big bands: Nicks, Bjork, Osbourne... the list goes on and on. The path for success as a solo artist REQUIRES experimentation and deviation from the original band. Without it, you're just a stripped down part of a bigger whole (Scott Stapp, anyone?).

Yet strangely, Ms. Corr's album isn't allowed to live up to it's own lofty ambitions. If she had released an album of watered-down Corrs songs or more trad-irish music, sure it would have appeased the hard-core fan base, but it would have also been dull - for both the song writer, and potentially the listener.

Instead Andrea experiments with a huge variety of styles here. Some are more successful than others, but this album has much more depth and melodic character than some other reviewers fail to recognize. In fact, I challenge anyone to show me a pop album with more variety of style. There's no way anyone can be bored listening to this album. It's one of few that I can listen to start-to-finish without hitting track-forward (and that includes most of the Corrs albums). "Shame on You," "Hello Boys," and "Ten Feet High," may not be chock-full of violin or tin whistle, but on their basic musical framework hangs some very memorable, distinct, and fun melodies.

I'm looking forward to Andrea's next album, and I hope she achieves enough mainstream success with this one to set her apart from her "other" band. There's enough room in this world for a musically adventurous Andrea.

Andrea Corr's debut solo effort is an enchanting success. What makes this collection work is that although she has crafted songs that have their own identities and personalities they all work cohesively together. I have listened to the disc from start to finish and every time it is a complete and satisfying experience.

She opens the disc with "Hello Boys" a saucy and confident electro ditty that is a kick in the pants and lets you know at once that Andrea Corr isn't afraid to do her own thing. It's not The Corrs and it isn't supposed to be. What follows are 10 other tracks that explore the human condition in a way that feels very much like a journey.

"Anybody There's" military beat, signifying routine, works perfectly with the lyrical action in the song. "Shame on You" is a commentary that smartly pairs the sentiment with a confident dance beat--it's not a sleepy, preachy song but a strong point of view augmented by an equally strong beat. "I Do," with its music box sound accurately sums up just what love as an ideal sounds like. It's a perfectly crafted song.

The title track is a true gem. The instrumentation of the music truly takes flight. The wistful piano and the melancholic rhythm gels so well with the lyrics of a love that can't be idealized anymore. What follows is the cheeky and fun "Champagne From a Straw." It almost has a mambo-like rhythm which again completely illustrates the world she is creating with the lyrics about the frivolity of celebrity. She uses horns as the song bounces around like an oblivious starlet prancing through her hollow world.

"24 Hours" is the most straightforward on the album. It's a dance song that works because it's simple and wears its beat on its sleeve.

"This is What it's All About" is a beautiful song that lingers slowly with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and Andrea's sweet, sultry voice. You feel what she is talking about in the song because the music so perfectly fits the song.

"Take Me I'm Yours" is the only cover on the album and it fits right in with the other original songs It's a sexy, electronic groove that makes you want to move.

"Stupidest Girl in the World" is my favorite track. Great transcendent music that hits right at the core. It has a terrific soulful bridge and makes tremendous use of the piano to close out the song.

The album closes with "Ideal World" which is an ideal choice. It's a simple rumination on life, expectation and dreams and Andrea's vocals never betray the truth and sentiment of the song.

The theme here is how well Corr matches her well sung lyrics with music that so effectively captures their meaning. That is something to be applauded because so much nowadays in popular music is just the same bland beats with trite lyrics. This album doesn't sound like everything else out there. Andrea Corr and her producer Nellee Hooper seem to use all the soundscapes at their disposal to create a rich, diverse yet totally cohesive album that truly does soar ten feet high.

Having been a Corrs fan for many years now, I have been waiting for something fresh from the band since their last two (terrific) releases, "Borrowed Heaven" and "Home". I can understand if the band wants to take some time off, but very much look forward to their next CD and another tour!

In the meantime, I was quite surprised to find that Andrea had done a solo album. However, I remained skeptical... could it possibly be really good? The Corrs are a legendary group, with a terrific talent and chemistry... could Andrea fly alone?

The answer is, "Yes." I think a lot of the songs follow a similar mold to that found in "Borrowed Heaven," which I really enjoyed. It has to be difficult for an artist who's been part of a family-oriented and close-knit group to step out from the group setting, knowing that some fans of the band will hate the solo just because it's not from the entire group and because the dynamic is somewhat different.

All in all, I think that this CD is a very good mix of music, and if a solo tour is announced, I would definitely go to see her in concert. Terrific job, Andrea!

However, I also very much hope to see "The Corrs" come back with some fresh material (CD and, hopefully, a tour) soon. :)

I like Andrea's new c.d. The first time I heard the samples I liked it and wanted to buy it, then I got it and was not impressed at first, but now after several listenings I really like it. Some very great songs on the c.d. Very Different from the Corrs but at the same time very a lot like them .

If you are expecting songs just like the Corrs did, forget it. This album won't be for you. Andrea is showing us a much bolder side as she steps out on her own with this album: an excellent step in the right direction for Andrea.

I enjoy the wide (VERY wide) variation in music, showing that she is not limited to any one or two formulas. I love the quieter songs that willingly expose the flaws in her voice; it makes her more human and the songs that much more personal. Too much pop these days is expected to be perfect, even at concerts. Andrea brings us the human side, with a LOT of personality here.

Admittedly it took a few listens for it to really grow on me. At first I was very unsure, but now I can't stop listening. One issue I do have with the album is that the vocals can sometimes get lost in the music a bit too easy, making it hard to understand.

I look forward to more of Andrea in the future.

Andrea Corr was the lead vocalist of the Irish family quartet, The Corrs, and "Ten feet high" is her solo debut.

Produced by Nelle Hooper (Garbage, Björk, Madonna, U2, Soul II Soul), and executive produced by Bono (both of whom are the reason I gave it a listen, and eventually got it), it comprises a few Corrs style pop/folk songs, but mainly steers Andrea in an electro pop direction, a welcome change as I feel the Corrs sound had gotten rather tired.

Opening the disc are two upbeat pop songs; the marching feel of "Have a nice day", and the piano sprinkled "Anybody there".

Lead off single "Shame on you (to keep my love from me)" is available in two versions; a more atmospheric, stripped down version, and a dance edit which closes the disc. The lyrics tell the tale of a lover missing his/her partner who has gone off to war.

Staying on the upbeat side of things are "24 hours", and the excellent throbbing club song "Take me I'm yours" with buzzing and swirling synths, it's a cover of a Squeeze song and is one of my favourites.

Standouts however are the downtempo songs; the lullaby-like "I do" (complete with tinkling bells), "Ten feet high", "Champagne from a straw" (nice choppy feel with a great sax break), the delicate acoustic/piano ballad "This is what it's all about" (another favourite of mine), "Stupidest girl in the world" (nice piano set to hip hop beats), and the wistful folk feel of "Ideal world" with lyrics looking at different life situations - family, loneliness, low self esteem.

It does take a few spins to grow on you but a nice debut from Andrea Corr.

I think her debut album is awesome. It's nice she broke from what was expected with a vengance. Each song is like a little story and it makes the whole album just fit together. I think it is a wonderful album and each song is great-You will want to listen to over and over again.