Customer Reviews

Tigerlily

5 star:		(106)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

When Natalie Merchant announced her departure from 10,000 Maniacs, there was much speculation about whether or not she would be able to match the quality of the Maniacs songs in a solo career. On my first listen through the Tigerlily CD in the summer of 1995, I knew for sure that Natalie had come through. Tigerlily was an amazing album. When I popped the DVD-Audio disc in my player and began listening, it was like the first time all over again. It's the same beautiful music and the same incredible songwriting, but the sound is exceptional.

The surround mix adds a quality to the music that can't easily be described in words, and the depth of the sound easily outpaces that of the CD. I found myself noticing subtle elements to each song that I had never heard before. Each instrument stands on its own, with much better seperation than exists in the stereo mix on the CD. Just to be sure I wasn't hallucinating, I listened to a track from the CD and then immediately listened to the DVD version. No contest. This is no minor difference. It's amazing.

As previous reviews have noted, you need a DVD-Audio player to take full advantage of the disc. The disc does contain Dolby Digital tracks, so it will play on a regular DVD player, but you won't be getting the best possible sound from it. This is not a video DVD, so don't expect movies, music videos or anything else. Buy this disc for the music, not for extras.

I have to say that I LOVE this album. I became a 10,000 Maniacs fan back in 1987 when they opened for R.E.M. at a concert. After that I followed 10,000 Maniacs and continued to enjoy their music, but I was always especially appreciative of Natalie Merchant's soaring, beautiful voice.

Natalie's voice is highlighted on this album. At times she is emotional; at times she is warm and soothing; at times she sounds strong and determined; at other times she simply croons. But whatever the mood, at all times Natalie is expressive. Her outstanding voice and her great songwriting are what make this disc so appealing.

This is not 10,000 Maniacs, and if you are looking for that, go buy a 10,000 Maniacs CD. Usually when a band splits up, the departed member(s) go off to do their own thing that often sounds different from the band's previous work (think of Sting and the Police, for instance). That is probably the way it should be; an artist who leaves a band and subsequently copies the band's previous tunes would inevitably be criticized. Reading the reviews of this album, however, it appears that some people criticize Natalie for not replicating the sound of 10,000 Maniacs.

This disc shows Natalie Merchant's continued growth as an artist - she has left her former band, and here she has the freedom to experiment a little and cultivate her own voice.

The end result is an EXCELLENT album. These are plaintive songs, stripped down, well written and well performed without a lot of fanfare. The radio hits ("Carnival," "Wonder," and "Jealousy") are great tunes, but they sound even better as part of the overall package of songs here. "San Andreas Fault" has all the makings of a great FM radio hit. "River" is one of my very favorite songs ever - a tribute to River Phoenix that is a great emotional ride. "Seven Years" is another one of my favorites here, a song about a woman lamenting the dissolution of a seven-year relationship. All of the other songs are excellent, each contributing something to this album. There is not a song here that I don't enjoy.

This is one of my favorite CD's; I have had it for years and still love it. I recommend Tigerlily without hesitation.

Not too many albums can stand the test of time, and in case you haven't realized it, this album is approaching its tenth year, since it got released, yet it sounds as fresh as the first day. Natalie froze time and space in this this, her first album out of 10,000 Maniacs. So many people thought she'd been lost, when she left the band, yet everyone was happy to find that she was able to find her space in music on her own: the album came accross as very personal and down to earth, with an ability to be playful alternating with melancholic in a seamless way.

Having heard a few of the tracks in her highly recommendable live album, I was glad to listen to the original studio versions, and a few more tracks that I was unfamiliar with. Out of all the songs, "River" touches me beyond what all the other songs can, perhaps because it is her tribute to the passing of her friend. Perhaps this song, with its timeless name, captures the nature of the whole album: it never stops flowing and yet it remains true to itself in spite of the passing of time.

Tigerlily is a bittersweet progression. I miss the Natalie era Maniacs. I miss the way they could meld exuberance and significance so seamlessly that their music spoke not only to your heart, but to your mind--a part of me wishes she had never left the band.

But listening to this album, I also understand why Natalie had to leave the Maniacs. She had outgrown them, and in this album, she ventures into layers of maturity that the Maniacs never explored. Her music becomes darker, subtler and more personal. Had she stayed with the Maniacs, it is unlikely she could have dragged the band into this kind of territory. It would have been against their natures. After listening to this album, one can sense what Natalie meant when she complained about the constraints of music making by committee.

In Tigerlily, Natalie begins the exploration of the dark places of the soul that she would take so much further in her next album, Ophelia. In so doing, she alienates much of the fan base that followed her from her Maniacs days.

This is music for pensive folks. It doesn't spare the listener any of life's woes. Those expecting more of the upbeat tempos and youthful enthusiasm of the Maniacs will be disappointed. These are songs about the wiles of catastrophe, the death of loved ones, spiritual drift, unrequited love, jealousy, and the disintegration of a marriage. Dark? Yes. Sombre? Very. But also moving, heartfelt and sympathetic.

And, above all, talented. Natalie's voice is rich and vibrant, her song-craft first class, and her musicianship exemplary. Does she skirt excessive sentimentality? Of course she does. Show me a worthy songwriter over the years who hasn't. Such risks are inherent in the kind of emotional territory she wishes to explore. But we absolve her of such excess because she reaches worthwhile destinations.

Fragile optimists should avoid this album. It is too apt to shatter brittle perspectives. Nor will it appeal to the cynical or the jaded. But those with a contemplative bent are well advised to buy it. This is an album with enough substance to sate even the most introspective appetites.

As far as female artists would go in 1995, that year would be dominated by Alanis Morrisette and her "Jagged Little Pill" album. While Morrisette's debut album caught the attention of the music industry, there was another female artist who captured a lof of attention. That artist was Natalie Merchant. Merchant had left the band 10,000 Maniacs to pursue a solo career. During her tenure with 10,000 Maniacs, the band slowly built up a solid following and Merchant had gotten a lot of attention as a musician and vocalist. When Merchant would release her debut album, "Tigerlily" - it would not only capitalize on her fan-base with 10,000 Maniacs, but also would gain a lot of mainstream attention. While Merchant is best-known for being a vocalist, "Tigerlily" really showcases her ability as one of the top songwriters in the business. I'm very surprised that this album did not get some consideration for Album of the Year.

Merchant's "Tigerlily" came along at the time when Alternative Rock was now beginning to takeover the mainstream music scene. I can best describe Merchant's music as Coffee-House music. This isn't music that is going to make you get up and dance. However, this is mellow music that is really geared at someone who takes an introspective view of music. Much of this view is developed by some of the outstanding lyrics that Merchant supplies. While Merchant may have a reputation for her piano and keyboard work, this album is filled with some outstanding guitar and percussion work by a very good supporting band. This collection is recorded and engineered extremely well. You can almost pick out every individual sound that comes from the instruments that are played on this album.

Here is a look at song by song:

"San Andreas Fault": This song uses the San Andreas Fault in as a metaphor. Basically it talks about how the earthquakes in California that result from the San Andreas Fault cause hopes and dreams to crumble. The topic of hopes and dreams crashing down is a theme of this song.

"Wonder": Not only is this a song that discusses a "gifted child", but the one thing that really is good is how Merchant writes this song from the point of view from the "gifted child". There is a good mix of piano and guitar in this song. This song was released as the second single from the album.

"Beloved Wife": Once again Merchant does a great job at writing from another perspective. This time, Merchant writes a song from an older man's world who now has to go on after losing his wife. Not the catchiest song, but once again powerful lyrics.

"River": When I first saw this title, I had a pre-conceived notion of what this song what about. It turns out that this song wasn't about a "river", but a tribute to the young actor River Phoenix who would pass away back in 1993. At the end of the song, Merchant goes to the perspective of someone observing the fans of River Phoenix who were in pain following his death.

"Carnival": This was the first single that was released from this album. In my opinion, not only is this song the best song on "Tigerlily", but this might is the best song of Merchant's career. In fact, I felt that this song was the best single for 1995. This song reflects all of the great things about the "Tigerlily" album - great lyrics and great instrumentation. From a lyrical standpoint, Merchant uses the idea of a Carnival as a metaphor for all of those things going around her in the world. It's the music that blows me away. You can hear the great combination of guitar work and piano work. There is also some nice percussion done in this song. In fact, this is a song where you can really hear each of the individual instruments. This song makes uses of some terrific soprano-like background vocals. Commercial radio played a radio-edit version of this song, but hear you get the full version including the intro and wrap-up (to be radio-edit versions never do any good from a musical perspective).

"I May Know the Word": This is the longest set of the collection clocking in at over 8 minutes. I found this an interesting song. The song begins with almost an R&B feel, but then transfers to a soft alternative rock feel. Once again, the guitar chords are easy to pick out with a three-dimensional feel to the sound. Merchant steps things up with the intensity and emotion of her vocals.

"The Letter": This is a short song, but the theme is simple. Merchant discusses about sending a bitter letter of her thoughts to a lost former lover.

"Cowboy Romance": This song has almost a quasi-folk music feel to it. Merchant sings this narrative from an observer to a relationship between a drunken cowboy and a woman.

"Jealousy": This was a short song that was released as the third single of the album. Despite the topic of the song "Jealousy", I still found that this track had a more upbeat feel.

"Where I Go": This song has almost a Mexican-type folk melody. Merchant's vocals are almost reminiscent to the style of Norah Jones today.

"Seven Years": This is an underrated track. Merchant delivers her most intense vocal performance on the collection. In this song, Merchant delivers a "testimony" from a woman who has been betrayed by her lover. Merchant's piano work shines here.

The liner notes contain all of the lyrics as well as the production and musician credits. Overall, this is a very good debut album. This is one album where you really want to follow along with the lyrics. While this isn't going to a collection that makes you get up and dance, there is some very good music here. This album also really helped contribute to the Alternative Rock revolution of the mid 1990s. Definitely an album worth checking out.

Tis true that Natalie's style and voice are melodic, sometimes mesmerizing and unusual, but let's not forget her band and the quality of the musicians. I always listen beyond the upfront vocalist for the quality of the lead guitarist, the drummer or the bass guitarist, etc.. One of the primary reasons that I purchased this CD was because of the melodious and foot-tapping guitar playing of Jennifer Turner. Her style and play is as smooth and satisfying as a Mint Julip. Who says a lady cannot play an axe as good as or better than a man? Just listening to her lead-ins and riffs is as stimulating and refreshing as an early Spring rainshower.

First we have to think about the scenario. The 10,000 Maniacs were already pretty big with their monstrous hits "Because The Night" and "These Are The Days." Everyone admired and loved the lead singer Natalie Merchant. As most hit groups though, there usually is a time when one if not all the members decide to go solo (read: the fugee's). But none have come quite up to par as Natalie Merchant does with TIGERLILY. A fine mix of Pop, Rock & Folk, Natalie's debut album shows us that she can write and produce anything good! Maybe you heard the hits "Carnival", "Wonder" and "Jealousy"on the radio? Well this CD is chock full of similar-if-not-better overlooked songs. From the short opening and phenominal number "San Andreas Fault" (depicting a story of the Earthquakes of CA, desroying hopes and dreams) to the eight *count em, 8!* minute long masterpiece "Beloved Wife." Also the "Jealousy" version on TIGERLILY is not the same as the one released on the radio, mainly with mostly guitars in the background and not organs (both sound good though). Overall, TIGERLILY is reccomended to Natalie fans as well as 10,000 Maniacs fans. This CD is played often at home and I still enjoy it 'till this very day. It's a classic in the Pop/Rock world! Overall grade for TIGERLILY: A+(+)

I have owned this CD for almost ten years now and still get astounded when listening to it every once in a while. The 90's were a cynical decade, full of exciting and unexpected things and this CD is indeed something else. While listening to it you'll find the cynicism expressed in song like "San Andreas Fault", "Wonder" and "Cowboy Romance", but also deep loss - "Beloved Wife", "The Letter", regret -"Jealousy", "Seven Years"-and soothing places "Where I go". The lyrics still pack a lot of punch, the arrangements are beautiful and understated and the voice of Natalie Merchant lures you and guides you through the whole affair without you even noticing. This is still my favorite Natalie Merchant CD.

For those of you who say "I May Know the Word" is too long, I must disagree. This song couldn't be long enough. It is by far my favorite on the album, and is one of my all-time favorite songs by any artist.

The rest of the album is excellent as well. It has a great flow to it from one song to the next. Natalie's voice is just so moving, I can't see how there are people out there that don't notice it. I listen to this album still to this day without being tired of any of it and will listen until it for many years to come.

...and so starts out Natalie Merchant's "Tigerlilly" in "San Andreas Fault." You'll be thinking though that paradise is spinning around in that metallic disc spinning around in your CD player as you listen to the finest of Merchant's three solo efforts.

Tigerlilly was Natalie's break from the Maniacs, yes that's right all 10,000 of them and she hasn't looked back since. Her songwriting abilities, her artistic bent, and transformation of those emotive sometimes issue-laden poetic lyrics into beat and blues and vocal acuity make for a music par excellence. "San Andreas Fault" is cool and crawling. "Wonder" belies Merchant's curious story-telling about a girl that might possibly be a medical oddity. Whatever she is talking about, it does make one wonder. "Beloved Wife" is a powerful ballad that puts Merchant in character of a husband that has lost a cherished wife. Her projection is amazing, vocally and dramatically. The hit "Carnival" went to prove that "Jealousy" wasn't a one-hit wonder. Both are just as catchy with repeat listens.

I would have to place "Tigerlilly" in my top 10 fave CD's. It launched beautifully Merchant's solo flight. Before "Tigerlilly" we liked her cool hip folk chalance as a maniac. But in solo, "Tigerlilly" made us love her.