Tramp

Sharon Van Etten | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 7, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jagjaguwar
• ASIN: B0067FGYGQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,530 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The shimmering sound of Tramp both defies and illuminates the unsteadiness of a life in flux. During the 14 months of scattered recording sessions, Sharon Van Etten was without a home - crashing with friends and spreading out her possessions between various locations. The only constant during this time was when Van Etten returned to the garage studio of The National's Aaron Dessner. The resulting album is an assured and strident one, and Tramp showcases an artist in control of her powers, incorporating vivid arrangements and instrumentation into the songwriting.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "I want my scars to help and heal" February 7, 2012

By P. Rickter

Format:Audio CD

This album is the excellent result of taking a wonderful songwriter and giving her the chance to work with a group of musicians who allow her to extend the power of music. All the ingredients that made "Because I Was In Love" and "Epic" so good (SVE's hyper-personal songwriting and her unique voice as a singer) are here too, but so much more as well.

The opportunity to work with a wide range of musicians gives her songs even more depth and power. Sometimes, like on "Serpents," she totally rocks out in a way that's astonishing compared to BIWIL. But there are still wonderfully quiet moments here, like "Joke or a Lie," which ends the album on a beautiful note.

And her songwriting is even better -- look at "All I Can," a song that slowly builds from nothing to a massive sound. But even with all that sound, her words still stand out: "Wanting to love as new as I can, Wanting to show I want my scars to help and heal." Or on "Leonard," where it takes the whole song to construct the final line, as if figuring it out herself as she's singing it: "I am bad at loving you."

If you're already a fan of SVE, don't hesitate to get this -- all the emotional intimacy of her earlier albums is here too, but with a richer and bolder sound. If you're new to SVE, this is the perfect opportunity to check out a singer-songwriter who is definitely worth discovering.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars "Like Cigarette Ash The World Is Collapsing Around Me" March 22, 2012

By Philip R. Heath TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:MP3 Music

I first learned of Sharon Van Etten when Rolling Stone had her listed as their "Artist to Watch" in a recent issue. Amazon also has her included in their "Artists on the Rise" list. While I have to admit that Tramp is a bit of an odd title for an album, Van Etten earns every bit of the accolades that she has gotten. While her voice is not soft and mellow, it is captivating. While Amazon has had "Serpents" available for free, I think this track is pretty middle of the road with respect to all the songs on Tramp. The thing that is striking on many songs including "All I Can", "Give Out", and "In Line" is the rich vocal harmonies. Though their voices are a bit different Van Etten's is a bit duskier), I can't help but think of Sheryl Crow's album Globe Sessions. These songs are bluesy alt-rock at its best. Tramp also has good lyrics. Take the line "Like cigarette ash the world is collapsing around me." from "Ask" as an example. Van Etten does have room to grow. The tracks "We Are Fine" and "Joke Or A Lie" didn't do a lot for me. However, Tramp seems to have all the makings of a breakthrough album, and there is good reason that Amazon has her in their "Artists on the Rise". If you loved discovering early Sheryl Crow, give this a try.

Download this: "In Line"

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Melancholic but beautiful February 20, 2012

By MPB

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is really great. Not just "another singer-songwriter," SVE has mastered the minor-key, melancholic song that is straigtforward and free of melodrama. The arrangements are usually pretty spare and restrained -- a guitar, drum, maybe an organ/electic piano. The focus is very much on the songs (which are generally very strong) and not on the production. SVE has a strong, rich voice -- she makes me think of someone like Beth Orton. The highlights are probably "All We Can," and "Ask" which start slow and builds gradually to a crescendo that reminds me very much of Roy Orbison. A very strong album overall.