Customer Reviews

Toys of Vanity

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

 

 

Sadly, this is one overlooked and underrated artist in the music industry!Toys of Vanity is a remarkable project that contained a hybrid of light alternative meets smooth R & B/hip-hop (though vocally and musically her material sounds nothing like Alanis Morrisette or Mary J. Blige). For harsh critics who expect Taja to still sound or write music like a Prince protogee from her Paisley Park era need to realize that she has moved in a more matured direction. She is almost comparable to a Teena Marie for the 90's and forward ( I did say almost). Though her lyrics are sometimes cryptic, one can tell that much thought and passion for the writing went into the project with the best of intentions; Nothing is mediocre or inconsistent.This is not your typical top 40 pop or R&B album.Yet, the style is very up-to-date and familiar. Taja Sevelle has taken an almost introspective angle with this. Songs are laidback yet not comatose. This c.d. is highly recommended for those wanting something slightly different from the Alanis Morrisette clones or the Mary J. Blige wannabe divas;Afterall, Taja was before any of these ladies back in the 80's...

This is a prime example that the music industry and record buying public doesn't appreaciate artistic music. This unique blend of soft rock, trip hop, drum n bass mixed into a Hip hop R&B formula is a mesmerizing blend! I love this album to death and it is a shame that til this day it hasn't been discovered by most. Taja Sevelle was a Prince Protege, and honestly I thought she was untalented just as most of the peaple from his camp. But she definitely proved me and everyone else wrong with this project...This album is a lyrical dark and gothic experience which follows a certain mood throughout. This is a work of art and a mastery of dark creativity. This album is timeless and I don't think there will be another that will create the atmosphere this one did. I don't know for sure if it is still available. But if it isn't that is even sadder than Noone acknowleging this masterpiece. I don't understand how so much ...gets embraced and played and supported. When artist like Taja put there full creativity and heart and soul into efforts like this. If you can find this masterpiece please make the effort to do so. This is a creative effort in conjunction with R.J Rice the producer of POE's first album, which was also very good. Just as so many artist that may never get to do another great project I think Taja is in the list because of lack of support. ...I&I -creepy rock song with a hellified groove *****

2. Us -Beautiful soft rock *****

3. Wake before I die - Trip Hop *****

4. A lot Like You - Good cruizing summer Hip hop Vibe *****

5. I feel - Mid tempo with a drum n bass kick *****

6. Making Love to the air - Very mystical Trip Hop overtone with a hiphop beat. *****

7. Toys of Vanity - Song with a Hip hop vibe with Dark overtones.*****

8. Sub Conscious Me- Good Hip hop rock vibe with a strong Dallas Austin/Prince feel.*****

"Those are my favorites and the High points on the cd in my opinion. The rest of the cd it great as well!"

... Taja is a blend of 3 different styles which makes this lp unique!

Arish

This, like Taja's previous two albums stand out from the rest of the same old stuff female artists. The lyrics are highly original and thought provoking. Taja's voice as always is amazing

the first time i listened to taja's music was 1991when she released her "fountains free". i was so inspired and touched at that time. this 1997 release " toys of vanity" is much more spiritual and groovy than ever. don't miss out this great pop-dance work. once you listened to it, you're gonna love it.

Taja with her 2nd album comes out swinging! There is not a dull track on the album. (produced by Nile Rodgers, RJ Rice, and Taja Sevelle) If you like Texas, Paula Cole, Cardigans: you'll really enjoy Taja Sevelle!

This CD is great. At first, the songs seemed distant, yet after a few listens it touched me greatly. Enjoy!

This is a fantastic CD. Taja's voice is entrancing, and her songs have an irrisitable grove. But there is more to her music than just smooth sounds, these songs are an artistic journey into the soul of the artist. Buy this CD, listen to it over and over!

A great blend of rock styles, sometimes reminiscent of Sophie B. Hawkins, sometimes lush, sometimes poetic, this CD's greatest problem might be standing out in a field that is almost glutted today. Given the catchy hook of "I and I", I wonder if there are just too many new female rock/pop artists for all the good ones (and this album shows me Taja Sevelle qualifies) to survive. A wonderful album that hopefully won't get overlooked like the similar Unveiled by Leah Andreone.

I am a huge fan of Taja Sevelle and I happen to like the cd even thou it did not get the exposure/air play that it should have. Being a protege' of Prince should have toppled her into the mainstream of the music industry but I don't think that she was marketed well at all. She can hang with the best of them thou, with the likes of, Teena Marie, Mariah Carey, Taylor Dane, Lisa Stansfield, & Chaka Khan just to mention a few. And for artist like Jessica Simpson, Josh Stone, Pink & Kelly Clarkson, they all remind me of Taja but she has her own unique style.

I thought that this cd brought a lot of different musical formats to the music table from the reggae flavored songs to the hip hop beats to the r&b crooning and I must say that she did one hell of a job with all the variations of music even thou the cd does have sort of a somber side to it.

Taja can sing anything put before her because she has such a great vocal range. Hopefully, we continue to hear more from this talent lady for many years to come.

One Luv

I remember when Teja first came out and I had hopes of hearing more from her on the radio and such, I never had the opportunity to hear her first 2 cd's but I took the other's reviews into consideration when I purchased the CD and found that they were half right --- very different, dark and poetic but it lacked the "jazzy" or "hip hop" beats that the others suggested.

Its only 1 cent ... I'd save it for your thoughts.