Customer Reviews

This Hungry Life

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a long-time Tanya Donelly fan, I'm embarrassed to say that I only recently purchased this album. I was aware, back in 2004, that Donelly was recording a live album, but months--and then years--passed, and the album was never released, and so Donelly fell off my radar screen.

Now that I have the album, though, it is much more than I would have expected. Technically, it's a "live" album, but it doesn't sound like a live album. The recording quality is excellent, and were it not for the muffled applause at the end of each track, I might think that the album was recorded in the studio.

I was also pleasantly surprised that the album consists of new material (with the exception of "Days of Grace" which is a b-side from her "Beautysleep" album. Highlights for me are "To the Lighthouse," "Littlewing," "World On Fire," and her cover of the Beatles' "Long Long Long."

Finally, I'm glad to hear Donelly is again supported by a full band. I consider her previous album, the all-acoustic "Whiskey Tango Ghosts" to be a mostly failed experiment. Donelly's music is always at its best when she's playing an electric guitar and has other plugged-in musicians backing her up.

"This Hungry Life" is a very good album, I just wish I had known about it earlier!

I'll admit that it took me a while to appreciate this album. If you come to this album expecting it to sound like a third Belly album, you will be disappointed. However, once you spend some time with it, the country-tinged melodies and Tanya's beautiful vocals really take hold. All of the songs have a wonderfully intimate feel to them, and it's easy to forget that this is a "live" album. I highly recommend buying this as an entire album and not just cherry-picking songs as it comes alive when listened to from start to finish (a rare treat these days, it seems). That being said, personal favorites include "Kundalini Slide" and "River Girls," with Tanya's amazing version of the Beatles "Long, Long, Long" being the high point of the album.

The more I listen to it, the more I love it. There is some powerful material in here.

Tanya Donelly is one of alternative rock's most important figures. She has been in some of the most celebrated groups of the underground such as Throwing Muses and the Breeders. Of course, her own band Belly, mastered their own style but quickly dissolved.

This album is my favorite Tanya solo album, inching out Beautysleep by just a tad. Here Tanya is able to mix her supreme pop/rock sensabilties and with her love of country standards. She is able to more than hold my attention through the fabulous ten songs. "New England" is a pefect example of what to expect from this album. It's a nice length, nice catchy choruses and of course the highlight of any Tanya album, that beautiful, soothing voice.

So, to anyone hoping for another Belly album (why would you? it's been over ten years now. Some reviewers are just plain ignorant), don't bother. Tanya is and always will be a lasting figure who does not need popular support to sustain her legacy.

I have to admit, I was a bit concered when I heard TD was releasing an "album recorded live." I've been to a few of her shows (several for Belly, one solo) and, having fallen in love with the disciplined, produced sounds that she puts forth, I've always left a little disappointed; something seemed too raw, too wild, too...different. So, you can imagine my surprise when I listened to this and totally had to doublecheck to make sure it was actually live. Aside from the post-song audience response, there really is no indication. That's how wonderfully this is put together.

The songs themselves were much more politically charged than I'm used to from my sweet TD! Not consistently, but there are occasional flourishes that indicate T feels the same frustration many of the rest of us feel about the state of affairs in our country and throughout the world. It was a side I hadn't really seen (at least as explicitly) before and the change was rather refreshing.

Since the only other reviewer provided thoughts on each song, I would like to offer a second opinion. No, other reviewer, I'm not challenging you or discounting your views...just another perspective is all:

NEW ENGLAND: A rather fun song and a great opener. Reminded me of one of those songs a bunch of drunk New Englanders would sing along with in a bar (a la Irish singalongs). Sort of a love/hate song dedicated to NE, but raucous and catchy. (A)

WORLD ON FIRE: Tied for my favorite song on the album. Sure, it's a bit twang-y, but the chorus is amazing. I could only imagine how awesome it would have been to see this recorded. (A+)

KUNDALINI SLIDE: I read somewhere that TD wrote this song from a place that was simply fed up with what was/is going on in the world. Definitely a little more political, with the best lyrical close on the album ("and the doors to the church blow wide, and there's nothing but fear inside...and the doors to the temple blow wide, and there's nothing but fear inside...and the doors to the mosque blow wide, and there's nothing but fear inside. And it's not gonna be...alright."). (B+)

THIS HUNGRY LIFE: Definitely a bit slower. To be honest, I felt like it was longer than it needed to be, but that might've been an effect of the pacing. The most political line on the album comes here: "and you wait...for a leader who won't bring you shame." Niiiiice. (C+)

LITTLEWING: Amazing little song. Everything from the lyrics to the sound is perfect. This is my other favorite. Very moody, but the message overall is one about love and wanting the best for those we care about, even if that means we have to let them go. (A+)

TO THE LIGHTHOUSE: Short and sweet. Seems like there might be a lot of metaphors here ("I caught the falling star, but lost the hand"...a Belly reference?), all seemingly designed to say that you shouldn't count TD out just yet. Samples "My life as a ghost" from "Whiskey Tango Ghosts", but in a much more upbeat kinda way. Also, I read a review from her last album where the critic felt like some of her songs could've really benefited from a more rockin finish, or that they hinted at greater things to come (in the song) but never delivered. That is not the case with this song. Great end. (A-)

INVISIBLE ONE: Eh. It's alright, I guess. As with the other reviewer, not my favorite. (C+)

DAYS OF GRACE: Was skeptical of this at first--the opening lyrics are a bit peculiar, in my opinion. But once it gets to the chorus, it really lets go. Very catchy. (A)

LONG LONG LONG: Not familiar with the original version of this song. This one, however, is rather odd. Slow. Felt a little choppy. But it has grown on me. (B)

RIVER GIRLS: This is probably my least favorite song. I find the chorus to be scary (not lyrically, just how it sounds). Feels out of place here, in my extremmmmmmmely humble opinion. (C-)

I definitely recommend this CD. It feels like the most complete solo CD she's put out thus far, with far more amazing tracks than ones that feel like they're lacking. And mark my words...you won't even realize it's live until the audience claps after each song. A very disciplined, catchy Tanya.

I love Tanya but I don't have much nice to say about this CD. I've driven around with it for two days now and I can't find any tracks I really like. I think I prefer her catchier, more melodic stuff. I also think there are too many vocals on this and her voice actually seems grating and monotonous. Maybe it's the way it was mastered. Seems to be blasting 100% Tanya all the time, with fuzzy guitars and violins swirling around her occasionally. I can't take it. This CD really does belong in the bargain bin.

" I had no idea she was still releasing records ! " gasped a reviewer at an internet music page . He is not the only one . Even sites like popmatters and pitchformedia , known for their indie sensitivities , have failed to notice .It might have to do with the fact that Donelly herself has stopped touring and promoting her work some years ago and chose to focuse on her family . There is a rather neglected site representing her at the web were fans fill the message board with wishes for mother's day , her children's birthdays and even talking about the possibility of Belly getting back together .Most entries overall point out the lack of things to actually discuss. Ofcourse this is a peculiar release itself , a live album yet full of new songs , all recorded at a gig at an abandoned hotel in front of a small audience of devoted followers .

Once upon a time Tanya Donelly might have been hyped as the new princess of psychedelic pop with her band's debut album , Belly's " Star " yet it's been a long fifteen years since then and like everyone , the lady has changed . Her music tastes certaintly have . Donelly herself has become an excellent live perfomer and her band supports her solidly but people who have jumped on board because of her precious tracks with the Throwing Muses , the Belly albums or even the exceptional but little heard solo recordings " Lovesongs For Underdogs " and "Beautysleep " are in for a minor dissapointment . That's not to say that this is a poor piece of work because it isn't ( talent doesn't come and go in a day , you know ) . It's just that ...it seems to adress to a different audience . Like the intimate ballads of "Whiskey Tango Ghosts " , this is less mystical and more down-to-earth and on tracks like " World On Fire " the country elements are stronger than ever .

Ofcourse nowone would expect Donelly to still be singing about possesed toys and most fans are just glad she keeps bother to release stuff anyway . Still , the turn her sounds has taken is rather alienating . At least for me it is. Overall , despite having some wonderful moments ( "Littlewing " , " Kundalini Slide " ) " This Hungry Life "is like one of these meetings you have now and then with an old friend who you haven't seen for years : although you're glad for their happiness , you rather realize that you don't have much in common any more .

I think there may be a little too much "country" feel to the selections this artist performs, which is not up my alley. However, I can see she is talented, and country/folk fans would probably enjoy the disc very much.

I was pleased with the CD and the excellent service in the holiday season.

the early 4ad stuff was only o.k. looks like its all downhill from this point on. great bands like hood, bark pychosis, even former 4ad label mates getoverlooked. when my band toured the u.k. ifound that great bands like bark pychosis, disci inferno, cindytalk, insides not getting any credit for there cutting edge music. sad really. pick up any insides cd , if you can find them that is. kristy yates, and serge tardo, two artists way ahead of there time 1 star