Customer Reviews

This Fire

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(42)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

For years I have been about 80% committed to buying this album, but I never actually did. Recently a friend recommended it to me, and that was enough to finally get me off the fence and buy it. I'm glad I did; I really enjoy it.

This is really an excellent album. Besides the hits, "I Don't Want to Wait", "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone", and "Me", Paula Cole presents a compelling collection of songs on This Fire. This is not music for the casual listener; you will hear Paula Cole passionately sing about her vulnerabilities, her problems, her sorrows. Some may find such material too heavy, but it's precisely that intense level of introspection and occasional outrage that makes the album compelling. A wonderful surprise is Peter Gabriel's cameo appearance on "Hush, Hush, Hush", which is a beautiful song in its own right but is even better with Peter's distinguished contribution.

I would not hesitate to recommend this album to fans of Lillith Fair artists (such as Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Shawn Colvin, etc.). If you like intelligent, passionate music and can handle heavy lyrics, then you will appreciate this album.

"This Fire" is one of the most interesting albums I own. I originally purchased this album for the pop hit "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone". Other than this song, I wasn't familiar with Paula Cole, but I was sufficiently impressed with the single that it convinced me to buy the album.

I found that in addition to the above mentioned song, "I Don't Want to Wait", "Throwing Stones", "Carmen", and all the songs after "Me" all have a pop sound, albeit with a wide range of pop styles and themes.

The other songs on this CD offer an interesting span of styles. "Tiger", "Mississippi", and "Nietzsche's Eyes" have some vocal sound effects that remind me of Bjork. "Road to Dead" also sticks out, sung angrily in a style that I associate with Alanis Morissette.

There is a lot of art to this music, and I struggle giving it a high recommendation because it isn't the kind of music I usually like. I will say that if you like Fiona Apple, Alanis Morissette, or virtually anyone associated with the Lilith Fair, except Sarah McLachlan, then you may find this music enjoyable. While Paula Cole seems to have the vocal capability to sing in a style similar to Sarah McLachlan, she generally chooses to sing in a style all her own that is different from Sarah.

I'm giving this CD four stars because of Paula Cole's talent and vocal capability. However, do not judge the album by "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone" and "I Don't Want to Wait". Much of the rest of the CD is very different from these two songs. This CD is one where I strongly recommend you borrow a copy and determine whether you want to have it forever before you buy it.

First, I have to admit that before hearing this album I haven't had the slightest idea who Paula Cole is. But then, a girlfriend of mine borrowed me this CD and suggested that I should listen to it. And I did. It was a whole new experience, as I am much fond of female singers like Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan and Madonna, but Paula's voice gave me something different.

The album begins with a great song "The Tiger" and flows into "Where have all the Cowboys gone?", there is an outstanding ballad "Nietzhe's eyes" and the end of the album is also the top: "I don't wanna wait" with a reminiscent of "Me" at the very end of the song. There are few songs I could skip without any harm, but this CD didn't come off my CD-player for a very long time. I suggest you listen to lyrics very carefully, especially in "Where have all the cowboys gone", "Throwing stones" and "Carmen". Her language is honest, passionate, almost brutal, but this is the point - sometimes you just have to be agressive to people for they could see the real world we live in.

Of course, I went to the store to hear out also her other two albums, debut one and "Amen", but they left me totaly without any impression, because, compared to this one, they're much too blend. A great CD!

I thought it would grow on me if I listened to the CD a couple times because there are a couple songs I find good, and one that I really enjoy. The problem was, the album didn't grow on me, it grated on my nerves to the point where I didn't enjoy the songs I knew I used to like. To much screaming for my taste... I liked the song "feelin' love" because I will always associate it with the movie City of Angels (it's on that soundtrack.) I also enjoy the song "Where have all the cowboys gone" and "I don't want to have to wait". Everything else on the CD is not worth my time to listen to. You'd be better off listening to the radio and keeping your money.

I hadn't thought about Paula Cole in quite a while until I found THIS FIRE buried at the bottom of a stack of CD's I had been collecting to get rid of. I put it back in my stereo and made the decision to keep it right then and there. In some respect, I felt like I had rediscovered her. I had forgotten how her voice awed me. Of the three singles from the album, "Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?" "I Don't Want to Wait," and "Me," I only one I really liked was "Me," but these songs are not entirely representative of the talent of Paula Cole.

Some of the songs, like "I Don't Want to Wait," the intro to "Tiger," the screaming fits her voice reaches on "Throwing Stones" and "Nietzsche's Eyes," seem very self-indulgent, like Sting on estrogen, but if Ms. Cole wants to show us exactly what her voice can do, her song writing skills gave her a great backdrop to do just that. .... Sometimes over-operatic or over-restrained, Cole remains very intuitive and musical in her delivery of her unabashed lyrics. She knows no bars in songs like "Tiger," "Mississippi," and especially "Feelin' Love," where she discusses her sexual experiences without reserve.

"Tiger" is great for Cole's delivery of the main line, "I've left the girl I was supposed to be / and someday, I'll be born." "Mississippi" and "Road to Dead" both display a gothic intensity. Cole's abilities on the piano are shown on schizophrenic "Nietzsche's Eyes" and the pulsing drive of "Throwing Stones," but Cole is still no Tori Amos. I love "Me" for its lyrics, but who knew just how sexy Cole could be until you hear "Feelin' Love." She gives us every known sexual metaphor (pistils and stamens, the Amazon) and delivers it all with such longing and breathy awareness as to steam up a mirror. Listen to the vocal acrobatics during the last minute and a half of the song, and a vocal sparring between her and what sounds like Sophie B. Hawkins, although there is no mention of her in the album's liner notes. A theme in many of Cole's songs is leaving behind inhibitions to become liberated from religion, the trappings of abusive relationships, and the shackles we place upon ourselves; it just happens that Cole likes to explore the sexual aspects of these themes most often, much like Tori Amos. The guest appearance of Peter Gabriel in "Hush, Hush, Hush," both seems appropriate to the album yet very self-conscious for Cole, like she needed his appearance to ensure the success of the album. I feel the album would still have felt complete without Gabriel's cameo.

I'm glad I didn't throw THIS FIRE away, and I have a feeling that I was supposed to find it in the bottom of that stack so I could discover the power of Cole's voice all over again.

This cd is great to listen to when you're in "one of those moods." I love how smooth her voice is and her unique range is evident in this album. I listened to my first copy so much it started to skip and eventually accidentally broke in half. I found a used copy for $4 at a local store and was thrilled to play it again. It's a great cd to add to your collection. It's hard to find music like this anymore today.

Paula Cole's "This Fire" is one of the best album releases of the 1990's. For 1997, she was rightfully nominated for seven Grammys, including Album of the Year, which she won for Best New Artist. She spawned two smash hit singles: "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone" and "I Don't Want To Wait". Few other artists have the tremendous musical talent as stated on this album. This album gives the music industry the good name that it yearns. Her powerful music continues to captivate listeners. Her unique musical style will never be forgotten. She sings and writes every note with every drop of compassionate soul. She never holds back. Her beautiful poetic lyrics blend perfectly with her voice and her expressions. Her voice proves to be a powerful tool in these tracks. Her certain risque lyrics is one of many qualities that gives "This Fire" a more edgy tone that keeps audiences interested, namely "Throwing Stones". She offers a long range of personal emotions that give more than just variey; it offers a music experience. She also expresses herself beautifully through her instruments, mostly the piano. Such a musical combination makes this album monumental. The amazement of "This Fire" is sure to continue pleasing many audiences as it has since its release. It showcases how true music is made. Fans of this album should also watch for Paula Cole's next album to be released in the near future.

When it comes to emotion, Paula Cole pulls no punches. Spunky, lyrically & vocally blunt, and with a flair for theatricality (which I'm sure was magnified by her work as Peter Gabriel's backup singer on his "Secret World" tour in the mid-90's), Paula is definitely a woman with a lot of inner fire to spare, especially on her second album, the appropriately-titled "This Fire." This is a scorchingly powerful album, with Paula giving the likes of Tori Amos and Fiona Apple a run for their money. With all of the emotion running wild all throughout the album, Paula still knows to include good hooks and melodies, as on the pair of hits "Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?" and "I Don't Want To Wait." "Tiger" is a fiery number, as Paula drives it home with some awesome banshee wails at the end. "Me" is an achingly beautiful song that should've been a hit. "Feelin' Love" is another catchy tune that could've been a hit on the radio (were it not for the lyric about Paula's...err...chest area), and "Hush Hush Hush" is a great ballad, with fine backing vocals by Peter Gabriel himself. All the while, Paula's take-no-prisoners voice, songwriting, and piano-playing are outstanding.Just one little personal gripe: on Paula's list of "Thank You's" in the album's liner notes, she thanks all sorts of people, except one: Peter Gabriel. Paula, HOW could you possibly forget to give Peter Gabriel, who gave you a stint on his world tour & sang backup on your album, a thank you in your album's liner notes? Shame on you, girl! But let's be realistic, I'm not going to deduct a star off my rating of "This Fire" just for this one personal pet peeve of mine. The album remains a terrific one, and Paula is undoubtedly an amazingly talented artist, and I look forward to hearing more from her in the future. Paula Cole's "This Fire" is a brilliant work, a true "torch" album if there ever was one.

Why the heck is everyone criticizing Paula Cole because she doesn't shave? It's frankly none of our business about her personal hygiene. Now, onto the CD. I thoroughly enjoyed the tunes "I Don't Want to Wait", "Hush, Hush, Hush", "Me" and "Where Have all the Cowboys Gone". The only complaint I have about this CD is all the swears, but I'm only 12 so this probably wouldn't bother adults as much as it bothers me. Good CD, Good voice.

Every single one of you must remember when the two BIG hits from this album were released, and how often we heard them until the point of exhaustion. Well, even though years later, all of us are STILL exhausted from those songs, it doesn't mean the music is bad in any way.

I know some unfriendly people laugh at other people who listen to Paula Cole, and sometimes I laugh at those people too, which is odd considering I'm the guy giving a good, positive review to this album. Negativity is not good, brother.

My father enjoys this woman's music. I hope you people like this album. I can't believe this album is only going for one penny right now, used. But I guess when you consider the success and popularity of Paula Cole, it's not a surprise. What would be a surprise is if you were hiding under a rock when this album first burst on VH1. You were under a rock completely not watching her music videos, or maybe you didn't have satellite or cable television.

Please don't tell me this album is starting to turn old. I don't think I myself am that old, but if this album is getting up there in age, then I must be too. It seems like only yesterday I was playing these songs and dancing alone in my bedroom while checking out the new wonderful cutting-edge graphics on Playstation games. I'm so nutty.

For one penny, you must buy this album. You can find the price for shipping and handling between your couch cushions, unless you plan to buy it overseas. That would make you silly, though. Wait a minute, don't use that couch cushion money to buy a Sesame Street learning program album (I'm reading your minds!) use it to buy a Paula Cole CD, today. Your children and your conscious will enjoy thanking me. Wanna know where all the cowboys gone? In your CD player, to forever be connected to your life.